The Glass Weaver | A Novel #Wattys2018 #Wattys2019

Chapter 26

Parker nodded and offered his arm, his face turning stoic and neutral. I took it and began to walk with him in pace. As we snuck out the building, I knew it was a matter of time before we would find his parents, or they would find us. Parker was being silent and he became stiffer by the moment.

"Hey, Parker?" I asked.

He loosened up and sighed, "I know. I shouldn't be so afraid."

"That wasn't what I was going to say."

"No? What were you going to say then?"

"I was going to say if you could loosen your grip on my arm. I can't feel my hand."

Parker immediately loosened, "Oh gods, I am sorry."

"No, I understand. You are afraid and scared. If I am being honest, I am too. They know who I am. They may suspect." I replied.

"I shouldn't be afraid though."

"We are in this together. We will get what we need from them and then we will leave. No need to spend any extra time there than needed."

From the corner of my eye, I noticed a large crowd of people gathering near the edge of the shopping plaza. Nudging him gently, he looked over towards it. He held my hand and squeezed it anxiously. In return, I squeezed it back firmly. Even if I was just as scared as him, I wasn't going to let him or his family see it.

Whispering beneath my breath, "It will be alright."

He nodded and slowly began walking towards his family. The Algernon's stood stoically and Parker's father, Fabian, was standing prominently in the center of the group. Breathing in a large breath, I felt Parker tense up again. It seemed like every single Algernon was in one place. Parker took larger strides and I attempted to make up for it.

"Parker." Fabian's eyes were narrowed, almost as if he was scorning him. 

"Father." Parker kept his gaze to his father's eyes. I knew that Parker would be strong in the facade but absolutely terrified behind that facade. 

"What are you doing with that Greka girl. Her family is a complete disgrace."

"Father, nor she or her family is a disgrace. She and her family has done more for me than you have."

"Hmph." Fabian looked away and a few guards took our sides.

One of Fabian's children approached us, "Brother, I hope you know the chaos you caused with your resurfacing."

Parker narrowed his eyes, "Percival, you know better than to talk to me about Father being mildly inconvenienced."

"I know. But I mean it. Once the secretary noticed the charge earlier this morning, the whole house went into a frenzy. Even Atlas was pacing the floor and you know better than anyone else that he never does that."

"Oh really? The high heir to the Algernon was concerned about me. I should be flattered." Parker deadpanned and Percival only let out an unamused sigh.

"Parker..."

"Val."

"Just be careful with Father. He's been under some heavy stress lately. Rumors are going around again of an Aquariusian uprising." The guards began nudging us forward as Fabian began walking away from the shopping center. 

"And you think I should make it easier for him? No, I won't. I didn't ask for the entire Algernon family to come after me because I needed to get some new things."

"Aerith was worried that something happened to you. And Father still favors her some to give some worry about you."

"Don't you talk down Mother like that. What is your goal, Percival? What meaningless task has Father employed you to do?"

"Oh, nothing in the slightest. I am worried about you seeing that it has been some time that you've surfaced in a city."

"That you are aware of. If I hadn't used my card you wouldn't be here."

"Then why did you use it?"

"Ran out of physical funds. I had a stash for some time and it had just reached the point where I didn't have enough. Lasted me a year or so though."

"I see. You know how Father felt about that."

"I couldn't care less about how Father feels. It has been me, her, and some other friends surviving this apocalypse."

"This isn't an apocalypse. The Ender has saved our people from ignorance."

"No. The Ender is creating systemic ignorance while He destroys the planet. Have you not seen the skies? The dirtied water? It is no wonder the gods have abandoned you." Parker snapped,  "I am done talking about this. You just are as ignorant as the others."

I quickly tugged at Parker's arm and gave a quick glare. From what I could tell, Percival did not notice it. Parker, however, noticed and gave out an annoyed breath. Several cars pulled up to the edge of the street. Everyone seemed to take a car and one remained empty. I looked at Parker and gave a slight shrug. He let me in first and followed after. There were drinks lining the edge to the front of the car as well as several glasses. It seems they did not spare anything on their cars.

"Parker?" I asked out loud.

"What's up, Nev?" He replied, looking over at me.

"Do...do you think you will be alright?"

"I don't have any choice but to be. We are have already started the chain of events of what will happen there. I suppose yes, I am a little angry and upset having to see them again, but if we can do this, then I don't think anyone can stop us now."

"You think so? Surely something is going to happen."

"It is going to take time for this, Nev. You just need to accept that. It isn't going to be like any fantasy. We have to work for this, otherwise, it will be a dream for one day then back to this chaos the next." Parker lamented, looking down at the floor of the car sadly.

"I know. I want to save Jazz too, but is that going to happen? She could be dead at this point, but I feel it in me that she isn't. She is too strong to let a few Enderians take her down." I sighed.

"We will make it. We have to."