𝐘𝐮𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐡! - 𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡

1. One phone call away

'Good morning, miss, it's six-thirty and it promises to be a beautiful sunny day with a seventy-three degree Fahrenheit. Your coffee is being prepared.' 

Neith smiles by hearing that it will be a lovely day. 'Thank you, SAM.' She was awake before artificial intelligence could wake her. 'Make sure that my father is awake or did he turned your volume down again? And wake Celeste up at seven, breakfast will be ready then.' 

'Of course, miss.' The robotic voice sounds. 'And your father might try to turn the volume down. It won't work.' 

A grin shows and Neith grabs her jacket to head for the kitchen. Walking through the living room, the curtains automatically open up to reveal a stunning panoramic view over the city. It never gets boring for her. She always liked a view from the top. Preferably from the roof, if possible. With a sigh, she picks up a mug, ready with coffee. Her eyes are drawn to the middle to the tower with a heart on top of it. Momentarily enjoying the peace of quiet, she empties her mug. Then to get started on breakfast.

Mason enters the kitchen to find his daughter already working on breakfast. 'So I can't try too mute SAM?'

Neith looks up. 'It is, yes.' She gives a cup of coffee and returns to the pancake. Having some ready, she hands a plate to him with a knife and fork. 'Eat up.'

'It should be me, making breakfast ready for you two,' mumbles Mason.

Something that Neith can hear. 'Then get up earlier.'

'Don't talk like that to me.' He answers after swallowing a bite. 'I do everything that I can. Everything possible for me.' 

With a new pancake ready on a plate, she looks at him. 'What is it that you want? An explanation? Why should I defend myself for being an adult.'

'Don't you talk back at me. Show some respect, young lady.' Mason reprimands her.

This time, Neith shrugs. 'Just because I talk back, doesn't mean I have a lack of respect, father. It means that I'm growing up.' 

'You changed, Neith.' Mason moves his empty plate a little further. 'This is my house...'

'Then take more responsibility.' Neith places a hand on her hip. 'Don't forget that I'm the one who helps you in bed every night because you are too drunk.'

Mason looks down. Knowing that his daughter is right. 'Do you think it's easy for me. I lost my wife...'

'And my mother,' interrupts Neith. 'But you talk and act like she's dead. She's missing.'

He shakes his head. 'Why won't you just accept the truth and move on.'

Neith crosses her arms. 'You held a funeral but it was an empty coffin going in the ground. I refuse to believe that my mother is dead unless I see her body. At least I have still hope.' Before she can do any more, Comet, a Golden Retriever, comes to her and greets her. For a moment, she pets his head. 'Morning Comet.' Wagging his tail and turning to his bowl.

'Oh, pancakes.' Celeste comes into the kitchen. 'Thank you, Neith.' She puts her arms around her sister's waist. 'Smells amazing.' Quickly, she sits down at the bar.

Neith keeps her mouth quiet while giving Celeste some pancakes. Only then, she gives some to herself. 'I'll be late. Probably after dinner.' 

'Dinner is at six, Celeste.' Mason doesn't like the conversations with his daughter. The only bond he seems to have is with Celeste. 'Eat up, I'm taking you to school.' He smiles, hoping that the girl hasn't picked up on the latest change between him and his oldest daughter.

'I'll miss you at dinner.' Celeste looks from one to another. 'Oh, please, don't play dumb with me. I know that you argue more than to have a normal conversation. What is it? You don't know that I know? I live in this house too.'

Neith knew that Celeste would find out about it. Not like she's hiding anything. 'I'm not hiding anything and you know it, Celeste. It's between my father and me.' 

'I don't get it.' Celeste shakes her head while looking at her father. 'Neith has some valid arguments about it. It was an empty coffin. The only reason I'm on her side has become she still has hope. Hope, that is all I ask for. After all, mom is just missing. You didn't even look for her and yet that's exactly what Neith is doing. Trying to find mom.'

Mason gets up fast. 'Maybe there wasn't a body or anything to identify her...'

'Dad, it was empty. For crying out loud,' Celeste can't stand it. 'She's an archaeologist. Digging things up, if there was an accident then she would have fallen and broken a bone. Or even if she got buried underneath some bricks, there would still be a body.'

Neith can tell that Celeste's voice is cracking up. A slight tremble on her sister's hands. 'Father, that's enough! You are the only one who wanted closure. You are the only one who believes that Genny is dead.' She can see that Celeste is about to cry and she pulls her younger sister in her arms. 'She's finally over her nightmares and now you want to give her more. Get out.'

Celeste can feel a shiver going over her spine and holds on to Neith. Thanking her in silence.

After the door is closed, Neith pushes her a bit away. 'School is just a way of distracting your mind. Don't skip classes because of this, okay.' Stroking through her sister's hair, she gives her another hug. 'I'm still a phone call away if you need me.'

'I know, thanks.' Celeste takes a deep breath. 'I'll be fine. Happy hunting.'

What makes Neith laugh. 'I will be okay.' She turns her head. 'Come on, Nebula. We have work to do.' 

'Yes, miss.' Nebula follows right behind.

Once outside, Neith jumps off of the balcony. Freefall for a few moments but then Nebula supports her and wings come out. Flying off, to where Neith has her hideout. 

***

The first chapter. 

Just so you know, Neith has an Xyz Raidraptor deck. With a duel gazer tattoo in red and the shape of a wing around her eye. Nebula is actually like Orbital and Neith is a lot more friendly to her. Cosmo, not yet in it is also a robot. SAM is an artificial intelligence built in their house. It stands for Security, Assistance, and Maintenance. Last is Comet, their dog. Together with Celeste and their father Mason. That's Neith's family. 

Just enjoy reading it, comment, and don't forget to vote. See you in the next chapter. :)