Filling The Gap...

William

I hadn't told Robbie the whole truth about his sister. A boy his age shouldn't have to go through the trauma of something that could have happened. When he already it's obvious that he struggles through life already.

"No, I'm not dying Robbie."

She shoots me a glare that I just shrug off. It wasn't my fault he didn't know what a woman's period was, if anything she should be thanking me for coming up with an excuse to tell him. Given it wasn't the best one, but I couldn't think of anything else. Lying was not something that came naturally to me.

I can feel her eyes look me over knowing she was still freaked out by the whole vanishing I had done just moments ago in front of her.

"Why don't you go and make a start on your homework Robbie, me and William will order some food."

We will? Making my self more comfortable on the bed when I feel the bottom of the mattress dip. Katie is holding on to one of Robbie's arms who is all but climbing on top of her bed.

"Robbie please, mum will be disappointed if you haven't finished your homework when she's working late."

Ignoring her, he sits down next to me. One of his finger's beginning to prod my shoulder.

"Can you help me? I have to read this book and write what its about."

Help him? Could he not see that I was comfortable and didn't want to particularly get up. Doing more today than I had done in years.

"Robbie, I will help you with your homework. Why don't you go and get ready?"

Her voice being much more gentler than before. I could see what she was trying to do. She thought I wouldn't see that she was trying to get her little brother away from me. That I was some sort of threat to them. I nearly laugh at the idea, it was possible I could hurt them if I really want to but like today when I had stopped and held the Asshole Scott by the throat it had taken a lot of energy out of me. It was easier to stay hidden, the ghost land they call it. Where ghost's like myself roam around the living without being seen till they disappear completely. Nothing could hurt me, even when Katie had slapped me earlier. The only thing being left behind from her hand was the warmth from her touch, even when she was pissed off at me.

"No, I want William to help. He's good at reading."

A snort escaping from her. What was so funny about me reading? Pushing myself up from the bed, I move passed her and make my way down the steps towards Robbie's room.

"Where do you think you're going?"

She shouts out. I hear Robbie's quick footsteps follow behind me as I sit down on his floor, pulling his school bag to me and opening it up. I stare at the book as it brings back memories of my past life the story itself only being a year old when I had been alive. But remembering how popular it was back then, when I would visit the library and read.

"You know it?"

Robbie asks me, who is now standing directly in front of me. Moving each of my legs further apart from one another, he sits between them. Flicking the first page open as I read the title again but on in the inside.

"Charlie and the chocolate factory."

I begin to read. Robbie stares at the book, his finger following every word I say as he flicks the pages over. His back pressing against my chest every so often when he stops and asks me questions relating to the book. I don't know how long I had been reading when I feel her eyes on me from the doorway. Finishing the end of the page, I fold a small part of the top edge of the paper to bookmark where we were up to.

Robbie turns his body so he can look at me.

"Thanks."

I nod slowly as I shuffle him off of me. Still not being use to all this attention he was giving me. Maybe at one point I was comfortable talking to people and hanging around them, but that was many, many years ago. Now it was pointless. There was nothing I could do apart from watch people who I had either known or had called once a friend grow older, have kids and then die.

I needed to get out of here. I can't keep going round and round like this, it was exhausting. Robbie moves from the floor to his bed, pulling his work book out from his bag. Flipping through the pages, he clicks the end of a pen and starts to write. I go to walk out of his bedroom when a hand pushes against my chest stopping me from leaving, standing beside me I look down to Katie's hand that still doesn't move from my body.

"We need to talk. And you will answer my questions."

And what if I don't? Now intrigued as she walks back up to her bedroom not even turning around to see if I was following.