The Cleansing: Part One (Book Two of the Golden Eyes Trilogy)

Chapter 22: This Is Perfect

Nova

The boy and Shasta sat before me as I read and signed the book for them. Shasta always loved it when I told her stories and the boy loved to read as much as he liked to color. He was a lot like me as a kid. I was a loner. I didn't want to play with other kids. I preferred to sit in my room and read or draw or color as the rest of the kids played in the backyard with Finch. I didn't feel like I belonged with them. Like the boy doesn't belong here.

He doesn't fit in because it's not where he's supposed to be. He needs to be with me in my home with my family being shown the love he's never experienced before. But how could I convince Finn of that? How could I show him when he wouldn't even give me a chance?

I continued to read when someone sat beside me and I didn't need the bond to know who it was. I didn't remove my eyes from the book, continuing to read and sign for them as Finn moved closer.

"Can I talk to you for a moment? Without it being a fight. Please. Just give me two minutes."

I released a quiet sigh, signing that I would be right back for the boy as I told Shasta I'd be right back too and to color or something until I returned. I followed Finn into the hall and kept my head down. I really didn't feel like talking to him right now.

"You were right. I'm sorry. You never ask for anything yet you do so much for me without expecting anything in return and for once you asked for something of me and I couldn't give it to you. But that was wrong of me. I broke a promise and I'm sorry. So you have your last three days to convince me. And I promise I'll try.

"I was making it out to seem like there was so much going on but there really isn't. Everyone has found their place here except for me. Everyone has made this place their home except for me. I know you're mad at me and I understand why. After thinking about it after you left I'm mad at me too. But I promise to give the boy that chance you want if you promise to help me find my place here.

"I don't feel like I belong and I want to. Everyone is happy and free and living their lives and I have nothing for myself. I just sit at the house all day while everyone else is off doing their own thing. So help me find my place here and I'll give the kid a chance. I'll even extend the three days to another week. But I need you. I feel lost and I need you to find me."

I felt his emotions through our bond and my heart hurt for him. He really did feel out of place. And he was sad too. I opened the bond back up on my side and pushed love through it as I hugged him close with a sigh.

"Okay. I will help you. We'll get through this together. We will find where you belong here and by the time we do you'll love the boy as much as I do. So okay Finn. You have my complete support in this. We will figure something out don't worry."

Finn held me closer and buried his face in my neck. "I'm sorry. I really am. But I want to make it up to you. I promise I will try."

I smiled and pulled away to kiss him, letting my forehead rest against his. "It's okay Finn. We'll work this out. Visiting hours are almost over. You can go or you can stay but I need to go back and finish the book for them. We're at the best part."

I kissed him again and made my way back into the room. I sat down with the book and opened it as I tapped the boy on the shoulder to get his attention. Shasta ran back over to us and sat down next to the boy and smiled big as I continued with the story. Finn sat next to me and put his hand on my thigh, giving me a reassuring smile.

"Go ahead. I love The Giving Tree."

I turned back to the kids and started again as Finn watched me. It was making me a little flustered but I continued anyways. I had to finish the book before visiting hours were over.