The Brooks Boys

Chapter Sixty Four

The songs for this chapter:

Bastille - The Driver.

Twenty One PIlots - Kitchen Sink.

...

~Ellie's P.O.V~

I drift in and out of consciousness using the sound of rain beating down on the taxi's window as a harsh lullaby.

Welcome home.

I expected nothing other than rain as soon as I hopped off the plane but I was pleasantly surprised by the fairly deep sheet of snow on the ground around the airport.
Yet here the rain is pouring ready to spoil and conquer all the naive beauty of the innocent snow. Soon the temperature will drop and nothing will be left, but a cold blanket of dangerous ice that will destroy anything that ever tries to come near. And do you know why that is? Because once you lose trust only a spark, no, a wild fire can bring it back. Something so warm and inspiring that it would melt the ice right away.
Something that I had and will never find again.

The old country roads and twisted sycamore trees that line my 'old' street seem familiar, but not like home. And instead of saying, "Welcome back." the scent of the street says, "Remember me?" in a sinister tone. And sure as hell I remember. The neutral Christmas', birthdays, all the school nights at the neighbours house and sometimes when it all got too much, I fled... Two doors to the left. To Troyes house.

Remembering these times makes me question how capable I actually am at identifying my nightmares from my day dreams.

"Home sweet home." My dad chuckles. The words fracture every miniscule bone in my ear, patronising me beyond irritation.

My mother sighs, breathing in the British air as she opens the car door. I stay put as my parents and the taxi driver unload the car and Ignore each and every one of my mother's apologetic smiles. I know she's only trying to help but words and gestures won't cure the ache in my chest.

I stare intently at my old house. It's probably occupied by another rich British family now. If only they knew what sorrow seeped through those walls.

My attention is quickly averted to my father calling my name, his hand is spread out and waving. Beckoning me to the neighbours house, two doors to the left.

...

~ Beau's P.O.V ~

"Mum, we're fine. The plane landed safe.... Yes.. Yes... Okay.. We will... Goodbye.... We love you too." I put the phone down and sigh as I swallow my last sip of coffee. "What the fuck do we do now?" I say lazily, slamming the paper Starbucks cup onto a small coffee table. Jai jumps a little in his tired state while Luke stares blindly into his frapachino.

No hotel, no map.. Just a wad of money and three smart phones. What was I thinking?

Of her. That's what.

I was thinking of her.

"I have an idea!" Jai raises his hand too enthusiastically for this time of day. Luke stays put staring into his cup, lost in the smooth caramel curves that sit around his straw. He hasn't been any different since we left Australia.

"What we need to do is think of tomorrow!" He beams.

"I'm not in the fucking mood for your irrelevant optimistic quotes Jai, I swear to-"

"No, no listen... It's Christmas Eve, Eve, Eve. Tomorrow will be Christmas Eve, Eve.." I scowl at him and roll my eyes before he continues. "Ah, listen... She'll arrive at.. He who shall not be named's house... And there's no doubt that tomorrow he'll take her out right? To reminis the old times... All we have to do is think of the place that they'll be at. Where's the one place Ellie wanted to revisit?"