Kingdoms In Ruling <Jamilton>

Chapter TwentyEight...We Will See/

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\Kitty POV/

The kid wasn't speaking. No matter, I was used to cases such as these.

He matched the description for the missing child of the Prevost family. Augustine James Fredrick, missing from the scene of the home invasion. Casualties: 4. Two missing. Father recently deceased.

Poor kid.

I watched as he stared up at the sky as we rode along the broken path, blood long dried against his cheek. The wound looked deep enough to scar, but I've been proved wrong before. My fingers rubbed over each other unconsciously until I took notice, stilling and clasping them firmly together.

"So," I tried to start.

"Please don't." Augustine ended, not even glancing. "I am far too tired for pleasantries."

"Alright, kid." I faced him, hand over hand, as the ride slowed across a bridge.

"Not a kid."

"Do you know what happened to your family?" I questioned before he could interrupt again.

His face remained expressionless. He seemed to mull over whether he should tell the truth before finally conceding with a soft 'Yes.'

"Was it your mother?"

That was the wrong thing to say, apparently. Augustine's head whipped towards mine and settled with a fierce glare. "How dare you!"

"I am just asking." I tried to remain polite.

"What a terrible thing to ask!" He scoffed, crossing his arms. He dropped them when he realized something. "Wait, she wasn't there?"

I shook my head, and his eyes shown in relief.

"Thank the Maker." He whispered, clasping his hands together.

"Evidence shows forced entry at two doors, along with damage to the entire living area, the plants outside a two story window, and valuables missing." I let him take the information in. "Do you know who did it?"

"They had their faces covered." Augustine looked at his feet, shuffling them. "Two men. One was pretty tall and fat. The other I didn't see much. All I saw was his back." Short answers. Straight to the point.

"Thank you for your cooperation, August." I tried to smile at him, but he didn't turn. "I know this is very difficult for you."

"What now?" He asked.

"What do you mean, dear?"

"Where am I going now? Has my father returned? He was supposed to return weeks ago." He looked up at me as I took in a sharp breath. Shit.

"...he's dead, kid. I'm sorry." I placed my hand on his shoulder, but he jerked it away with wide eyes.

"What? No. Nonononono-" Hands fisted his hair as he bent over his knees, gasping. "How? Why?"

"There was a letter found at the scene." I spoke quietly, not wanting to ruin anything more. The kid's body racked with held in sobs. "It was a note from his battalion. He was missing for weeks, while the rest of his group were found dead. It is only by assumption that he is gone."

"You've got to be kidding me." Augustine muttered, fingers digging into his eyes. "Fuck. Fuck."

"I'm sorry, kid." I didn't touch him this time.

Silence passed for the rest of the journey before the horses stopped in front if a wooden building.

"So what happens now?" He asked quietly, bleary eyes looking into the windows.