Jamaa Academy: The Return (Book Two)

Chapter 14

Warning: The first few paragraphs contain pretty dark things and it may or may not be a trigger, you've been warned

Why Do You Care?

Comfortable silence reigned, the two foxes sitting down on the roof under the stars, Lucas and Laika didn't say anything yet, Laika's head was laid against his shoulder. Lucas stared off into an uncertain distance, their fur swayed gently in the wind that follows ever so often, Laika knew of the time, but she paid no attention, nobody would care anyway. Laika shifted her head a little, and looked up at Lucas, who glanced at her. He looked away, and sighed. "Ever since we moved.. things started going south for us.." Lucas started, little emotion in his voice. Laika's ears perked up, he had her full attention. "We moved here since one of my uncles lived here, but.. a few months later.. he died of a terminal illness.." Lucas added.

"I'm..-" Laika tried to say, Lucas closed his eyes before lifting a paw, signaling to stop, Laika closed her mouth with a worried expression.

"It's okay.." Luke trailed, opening his eyes again, "Anyway.. ever since after that, my parents would fight too many times. And I sometimes would be caught in the middle of it.." Luke sighed deeply, Laika put her head on his shoulder again slowly, "I'd sometimes get hit, but I was focused on trying to calm them down and keeping my sister Vie safe." Laika's heart melted, she didn't ever know if Luke was gonna have a sibling, and even when he did, she wasn't there to be happy with him, he seemed like a great brother. "Vie was only a couple months old.. and she didn't need to hear and witness all that.. that.."

"I understand.." Laika said softly when he couldn't find any words to describe it. Lukas nodded. "But.. I still don't get why.. you tried to.." Laika trailed, Luke looked up at the sky again, his eyes narrowed and she could feel his body tense up. She grew nervous, feeling as if she struck a nerve. "L-Luke I-"

"It's alright, Lai. I owe you an explanation." Lukas dismissed, Laika stayed silent. Sighing, he spoke again slowly, "So the fighting continued for a couple weeks, getting worse and worse each day. Then.. one day, my dad came home, drunk." Lukas growled, Laika winced, she could tell something bad was gonna follow.. "My mom was enraged that he would spend their hard earned money on something like alcohol, they argued again, then... t-then.. my dad.. h-he.." Lukas was now shivering, he hung his head low as he gritted his teeth, Laika's paw went on one of his, and she caressed it gently, trying to offer as much comfort as she could.. Lukas inhaled deeply, it was shaky, and his dark blue eyes were glassy. "H-He..."

Laika wasn't ready for what he said next.

"H-He... h-he.. killed my mom and sister..." Laika's world stopped, and her heart sunk deep, her eyes widened. Her paws went to her mouth as her ears flattened, Laika's own tears flooded in her green eyes, Lukas broke down as well, he covered his face and shook uncontrollably. Laika choked on sobs and could barely speak, my Zios.. L-Luke... o-oh my... She thought, she immediately hugged her childhood friend, he wrapped his paws around her, still sobbing. Laika felt his own tears on her coat, her cheeks were stained with tears as she buried her face in his chest. She missed his warmth, and him in general.

It felt like an eternity when silence reigned again, the two foxes were still engulfed in an embrace, Luke's sobs have stopped after a while, his paws still draped around Laika's form. She also stopped crying, her cheek was pressed against his chest, Laika didn't know how long they cried, but she knew that some sort of heavy weight from their chests were lifted. She felt Lukas shift a little in their position, Laika moved her head to look at him, he was rubbing his eyes and he looked at her again. Laika offered a small smile at him, he smiled back, the moon illuminating his eyes and coat.

"I'm.. I'm glad we were able to see each other again.." Luke spoke, Laika felt warmth in her heart. Something she hasn't felt in a long time. Laika smiled brightly, her ears peeking up, her tail unknowingly wagging gently.