superficial | twilight

11 - Situations

Billy wheels himself out of the house and down the ramp with such force that he has to stop himself quickly. "Why can't you leave well alone!!!" He yells at his son.

Jacob rolls his eyes as he slams the door to his rabbit and begins trudging his way to his shed. "Oh bore off."

"No! You stop this right now! You think Kingsley is tearing me apart!? Who's the one causing all of this Jacob!? You!" Billy yells into the rain.

Jacob glares and spins around. "Who caused this? You did, dad. You did when you fucked a stranger. You did when mom died and you didn't have the guts to comfort us. You did when you sit on your throne in the council and boss me around. You wanna know who caused this? You!" He spits on the ground and waits for his father's response.

Billy is numb. "Yes... I did cause this." He says, quieter. He looks at his lap. "I caused this. But I tried to fix it too. What did you want me to do, let King be? Let her be homeless?" He says slowly. "She's a piece of me, Jacob, just like you, Rebecca and Rachel. She's a part of you. I made mistakes, I still make them, because I am human. But I will not be your punching bag anymore. And neither will King."

"Oh, you're choosing her?" He growls, shaking. The heat radiating from his body causes the rain to evaporate the moment it touches his skin leaving him literally smoking with rage. "You choose a bastard over your own son?" He roars.

"I shouldn't have to choose. But you know what Jacob? I do. I choose her!" Billy yells, before things go drastically wrong.

-

King is curled up in the bath as Esme remakes the bed in the other room. It's best she stays the night here, away from him and away from her dad where she can't cause anymore pain.

There's a gentle tap at the door and Esme peaks in. "I laid some cosy clothes out for you. I'm gonna call your dad, okay?"

King forces a smile and nods small as she hugs her legs. The moment the door closes, her expression drops and she closes her eyes. Death would surely be easier, would it not? It would solve everyone's problems, including her - well, she is everyone's problem. And if she was dead, she'd be with her mom. She always thought she would be stronger than this when her mom passed but all she's been is weak and pathetic. Her mom would be so disappointed...

She eventually drags herself out of the cold water and dries off, slipping the joggers and hoodie Esme left out in. She towel tries her hair and grabs a big clip, twisting it and clipping it back. Just as she settles on the bed, Esme runs in.

"King..." She says slowly.

"What?" She says calmly. She doesn't register the panic Esme has yet, not until she holds the phone out with sad sad eyes. "Esme... What..."

"You need to hear it." Esme says.

King shakily takes the phone. "H-Hello..?"

"H-Hey kid." Charlie's voice breaks. He's been crying. Charlie doesn't cry, why is Charlie crying.

Her heart leaps as her thoughts race. "Charlie... Where's dad? Put him on." She demands, standing. Her wide eyes don't look away from Esme.

"I-I can't." His voice breaks again. "I can't kid..."

"No... No no no no." She bursts into tears. "I can't lose him no!"

"You need to come here kid, you need to. He's still here.. B-but for how long..." Charlie trails off.

Kingsley breaks down and throws the phone, running out. Esme follows. "King, let me drive!" She calls.

King doesn't argue - look at what happened the last time she drove emotional - and runs to the car. Esme is fast, she's glad she let her drive, as they speed to the hospital. Charlie's cruiser is parked outside, lights still flashing and door still open. A couple of his deputies give sad eyes as Kingsley rushes in.