Nameless [CURRENTLY BEING EDITED]

Chapter 14. Revenge is Sweet

 Nessa woke up slowly, staring into the darkness with a pounding heart and throbbing pulse. She shook her head, trying to shake off the memories like a dog shakes off water, but it didn't help. She pressed her sweaty palms against her temples, trying to ease the pain that hammered in her mind.

No light leaked in from the windows, but a pearly gray was beginning to show. Nessa was completely alone, with only the shadows to keep her company. She rubbed her eyes tiredly. The dreams were getting worse.

Pulling the blankets around her shoulders, she buried her head into her knees. The sun gradually rose and streaks of gold lit up her profile. In the other room, she could hear Finnian making his coffee and she slowly rolled out of bed, running a hand through her hair before pulling on her hoodie and flipping her hood on. She tied her sneakers and slipped out the door.

Finnian nodded to her as he poured the boiling water into a french press and stirred the coffee beans in. "Mornin' lass."

"Morning."

"How's that eye?"

She smiled. "It's better, thanks. Is there anything I can help with?"

Finnian shrugged and smiled gently, "No, lass, I'll be makin' breakfast soon and that's a one-man show. Ye can go outside if ye like, but be back in about fifteen-twenty minutes."

She gave a small little sigh and unlocked the front door and sat on the porch, kicking her legs over the edge. Today no sun shone, instead the clouds covered the sky, blocking out the blue and choking the sunshine. It looked like it might start raining any moment and the overflow of rain threatened to burst any moment.

Nessa leaned back, the wooden boards poking into her shoulders. The clouds swirled above her and she watched the patterns. She had no idea how much time she had lost but it only felt like a few minutes before Finninan came and sat outside with her.

They did not speak because words were not needed.

"I miss them." She whispered hoarsely, sitting up and wrapping her arms around her legs.

Finnian cautiously put one arm around Nessa, trying to comfort her.

She smiled gently at him. "You remind me of my Ada." then she looked away as if the thought hurt her.

"Ada?" he asked curiously, not knowing the meaning of the word.

Nessa paused, then said shortly, "My father."

"Oh, well, what was he like?"

Puffs of wind began to float through the air, rustling the leaves in the trees, a forerunner of the storm about to burst. "He was like you. Kind. Brave....he always knew whenever I needed him."

A small chill ran up Finnian's spine. There was something so incredibly sad in the way she spoke of him that he knew that something was wrong.

"Until...when everything happened...he disowned me." Nessa whispered, the words hanging between them like a weight.

Finnian tightened his arm around her. Words did not seem enough to soothe her pain. Words were never enough.

She shook her head then stood up, a half smile on her face. "Anyways, what's for breakfast?"

Finnian stood as well, "Come inside and see lass." He teased gently, holding open the screen door and they slipped inside.

The first few drops of rain began to hit the roof as gently as faerie footsteps.

* * *

Liz stared out the window glumly. Mr. Walker had returned from the conference and she glared at the sedan parked by their truck. She was not looking forward to explaining the whole Caleb-problem.