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slashing_lorne2011-09-05 02:00 pm
i-want-2.livejournal.com) wrote in slashing_lorne2011-09-05 02:00 pm
Entry tags:
Lorne Fest 3: Are You Afraid Of The Gloom? 1/7 - GEN, TEEN.
I hate to post this as a WIP, but I've not quite finished it as of this posting. Will get the rest out soon as I'm done. Hopefully that will be tomorrow.
Title: Are You Afraid Of The Gloom?
Author: Lopaka Tanu
Disclaimer: I do not own StarGate or The Night Watch series.
Characters: Lorne, Parrish, OCs.
Words: 2496
Prompt: Lorne/author’s choice – AU – there’s a mass murderer loose in Atlantis! (which may just be a city and not an Ancient city)
Fandom: StarGate: Atlantis.
Pairing: N/A (for now)
Rating: Teen
Warnings: Language, Mentioned Character Death.
Summary: There is a war brooding in the shadows of our world. Mythical creatures haunt the twilight, a veil between our world and the unknown. From an early age, Lorne discovers that we are not alone.
Author's Note: An AU based upon the Night Watch/Day Watch series, books and movies.
______________________________________
Prologue: 1976 - An Investment In The Future.
"Tell me I'm not that predictable."
The last words out of her mouth sounded like the voice of a man. Curious, Evan cocked his head a little to peer up at her. The smiling crone was nothing too weird.
Shaking hand held aloft, she offered him the cinnamon stick again. "Try it, dear. Go on. You'll enjoy it." She wiggled her eyebrows in encouragement with a toothless grin.
He drew back with a scowl. He didn't like it when people told him what he would and wouldn't like. That usually meant something tasted awful and they just wanted him to shut up. "No, thank you." Evan made sure to be polite. Why? Because rulers hurt.
The shine in her eyes seemed to dim. Her crooked back straightened a little as she glanced from her candy to him, then back. "Why doesn't a little boy want candy?" Her once crackling voice now held a hint of iron.
"Because I don't like candy, ma'am." Nodding once at her, he turned and walked away. At least, he tried to. Something strong gripped the waist of his pants and held him there. Before he could see what it was, the crone's hand cupped over his mouth. Eyes going wide, Evan fought against it as he tasted cinnamon on his lips.
"Finally! About bloody time!" The man's voice came out of no where.
Then a rushing sound filled his ears and he heard no more. In the half a heartbeat it had taken for him to be snatched up, Evan had only started to panic. Just as suddenly, he was released. The smell of cinnamon hung in the air as he landed on unsteady legs that soon gave. Whimpering, Evan fell forwards. His knee banged the ground hard enough that tears welled up in his eyes.
Another man's voice spoke over the rushing in his ears. "Jeez, would someone get the kid already?"
Evan started to whimper despite biting his lip to keep quiet. He didn't want anyone else touching him. With a sniff, he pushed through the pain and climbed to his feet.
There was fighting, he could hear it now. He couldn't see them, but they were on the old crone, holding her arms to the ground. Angry, she was screeching words he couldn't understand and it hurt his ears. They sent a painful shiver down his back.
As he watched, Evan saw a shadow coming towards his right.
It soon took the shape of an arm. "Now, just hold still, this won't hurt a bit." The hand was reaching for him.
He screeched in fear. Ducking down to avoid it, he ran off full tilt. His red keds smacked the blacktop fast as he could go.
"Shit! Jack, I think he can hear us!"
He could hear their shouts. They yelled at each other, at him, at the crone. None of it made sense. He didn't care.
All that mattered was that he made it back to 'Arts Over Tunis Primary' before first bell.
_________________________________________________
Part 1: 1983 - Thinking Doesn't Always Mean Understanding.
"Mom, he's doing it again!"
Evan winced. Hearing Sarah's shrill voice right in his ear grated on his nerves. She knew he hated when she shouted and he was right there. But that only seemed to make her do it all the more.
"Sarah!" Their mother's reproving voice drifted out of the kitchen, but she didn't make an appearance.
Not that he would have entirely noticed. His focus was on the crack in the far wall. It rose all the way to the ceiling and splintered out in every direction. That last quake had caused it when their apartment settled. However, the shattered plaster wasn't what held his attention.
"That's my boy." From the other end of the dining room table, behind his newspaper, his father was apparently unhappy. He shook out the pages with a sigh. "Always with his head in the clouds."
There was something growing out of the crack. It had started out like some form of blue mold. But that was a week ago. Now, there were tendrils of a fungus or maybe even a moss. Cocking his head a little, he examined them harder. He was certain David would know what kinda plant it was.
The weed, whatever it was, seemed to glow slightly. He wasn't sure if that was due to the light or if the limbs contained a bioluminescence. Evan frowned again. He was definitely spending too much time around the science club geeks. His friendship with David had warped his mind.
As if in agreement with his thoughts, the plant's inner light pulsed. It was almost a flash of lightning from within.
Before he had the chance to puzzle on this, a hand settled firmly on his shoulder. Startled, Evan glanced up at his mother.
Her distracted expression meant she didn't quite meet his gaze. "Time for school, dear. Come on, you have to make sure Sarah gets to her classes today. I've got a commission to finish." Reaching up, she pushed the curls of her soft brown hair off her ear. Then, she looked over at his father.
He knew what this meant. There wasn't really a work project. They were going to be 'talking' again.
Eyes falling to his half-finished breakfast, he nodded absently. When she ruffled his hair, he nodded again. Pushing up from the table, he grabbed his plate. "Come on, Sarah." Whatever she said, he ignored. Her stupid opinions didn't matter.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sucking a mouthful of orange juice through the bent straw, he nodded in appreciation to David. The acridly sweet juice stung at his tongue and he swallowed involuntarily. There were hints of something he couldn't quite identify yet, but knew it was only a matter of time. When he was finished, he handed the cup back to his friend. "It's got mango and pineapple in it, but that's just masking something more Earthy."
Large teeth shimmering in the morning sunlight, David smirked at him in response. "No more tastes." Putting the glass to his lips, he sucked down a mouthful before wiping his lips. "Hurry up and get it wrong already, I'm five bucks away from a Walkman."
Evan slowed his pace a bit to give himself some more time. They were six blocks from school and the end of his chance. Thankfully, Sarah's academy was uphill, which gave him a legitimate excuse to drag his feet. Rubbing his tongue on the roof of his mouth, he hmmed a couple times.
Pushing past them, she squeezed between the two boys. "God, if you move any slower, I'm going to die from old age!" Her angry huff echoed in the empty morning streets.
David didn't seem to notice her being rude. His intense stare was all for Evan. The almost psychotic gleam to his smile put most people off. "Tic-toc, Lorney."
Thankfully for his friend, Evan wasn't most people. He snorted at the other teen and kept trying to come up with today's secret ingredient. This was Friday. It was his last chance to get one right this week. A quick glance at Sarah to make sure she hadn't gotten too far knocked the wind out of him.
She was half a block up, about to reach the corner.
Skin cool and clammy, he started to feel sick. Fighting the urge to throw up, his entire body shivered. This was wrong. He didn't know what was out of place. There was just a strong sense that it something wasn't right.
And it was coming from around the corner.
Staggering a step forwards, he reached out for his sister. He had to stop her from going there. "Sa..." Gagging, he shook his head. "Sarah!"
Her back straightened in agitation, but she gave no other sign of having heard him. Stomping onwards, she was within reach of the corner.
"Hey, man, what's going on?" David's voice sounded from a distance. He was obviously concerned, but he wasn't within reach.
Arm out stretched, Evan felt the world around him twitch and grew dull. For a moment, he thought it another tremor. He reached for his sister and felt her within his grasp. She was still down the street, yet, he could clearly sense the rough knots in the straps of her school bag against his fingers. Clenching his fist around them, he jerked her back.
Sarah fell back with a cry. Pulled off her feet, she landed hard on her ass and slid a few feet down the sidewalk. The colors brightened, returning to their original color as she screeched from the shock.
Gasping for breath, Evan doubled over. He clutched at his chest, the chill still prickling his skin. Coughing, he hoarsely tried to draw breath. Burning hot hands slid over his back, patting gently to help clear his lungs. Evan shivered and willed himself unsuccessfully to calm down.
"Easy there." David's lips were pressed against his ear. His arm had somehow wrapped around Evan's shoulders without him knowing. "Calm, buddy. It's all over now."
Shaking his head, Evan wanted to know how the hell he figured that. He couldn't draw the breath to talk, so he looked up the street to his sister. Much to his relief, he found her sitting on the sidewalk glaring at it.
Fists clenched at her sides, Sarah pounded it angrily. "God damned stupid friggen city! I hate this mother fuc..."
"Sarah!" Finding the air to breathe, Evan called for his sister. "Language!"
The shock of hearing her name made the girl jump. Spinning around, she stared at him with wide eyes as if she just realized she wasn't alone. They quickly narrowed in anger. "I hate you! Both of you! Freaks!"
She was okay. It was all right. Closing his eyes, Evan sagged against his taller friend. His stocky body was a dead weight against the lanky teen, but he didn't care. "We can't..." Shaking his head, he put his cheek to David's shoulder. "Not that way."
"Okay." Sounding tired, David patted his arm. "We'll take the long way round."
Evan nodded his gratitude.
"By the way, the secret ingredient today was Blackcurrant." With a poke to Evan's ribs, David guided them to pick up his sister. "I'll collect my payment in first period."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pushing his backpack higher up his shoulder, Evan carefully took each step towards the cafeteria. He hated dodgeball, even more now that they were in middle school. The freaking jocks were such asses, like they always had been. Only, now, they were bigger and stronger.
Watching his shoes, he missed the collection of students ahead until he almost ran into them. Looking up in surprise, he found the hall outside the lunchroom packed. They were all staring at one another, but none were talking. An eerie silence hung in the air that sent a chill down his spine.
Looking around the crowded hall, he tried to find someone he knew. Luckily, he found David on the outer edge. His friend's shoulders were slumped and he was leaning back against the wall staring at the floor.
David didn't look up as Evan approached. He didn't even seem to notice that he was there.
Clearing his throat softly, Evan looked around again. "Hey. What's going on?"
Still staring at the floor, David shook his head.
That was when Evan noticed the tears in his eyes. A shiver ran through him. Reaching out, he grasped David's shoulders. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah." The other teen took a shaky breath. "It's Kate Heightmeyer. She's...gone."
Evan took a step back in shock. Arms falling to his side, he trembled. "How...what happened?" Yet, somehow, he already knew.
"Someone snatched her this morning. They just found her in the construction site on Ged..." trailing off, David looked up at him in shock. Face going pale, he stared wide-eyed at Evan. "You knew."
The sick feeling from that morning started in the pit of his stomach. Backing up another step, Evan tried to shake his head in denial. The urge to get out of there became overwhelming. His shoulders hurt. Spinning, he ran as fast as he could.
He didn't hear him, but he knew David was calling after him.
~~~~~~~~~~~
By the time he got home that afternoon, Evan was dragging his feet from exhaustion. Every sudden noise and stray motion had been something trying to get him from the shadows. He'd been jumping every time someone coughed or raised their hand. By the time eighth period had rolled around, the teacher threatened to have him tested for drugs.
He was never so glad as now to see their crummy apartment building. Thankfully, their apartment was on the bottom floor of four. So, he didn't have to climb any stairs but for the front stoop. However, in an earthquake, if the building collapsed, they'd be the first to go. But, they also had a better chance of getting out if it started too.
Today was different, though. It wasn't until he started to climb the first of six steps to their apartment that he noticed. There, outside on the stoop to either side of the door, were a dozen large packing boxes. Clear shipping tape sealed them and room information had been written on the sides.
Frozen in place, he read each of them clearly. The entire dining room had already been packed and they had started on the living room. What was going on? He hadn't heard anything about the place being renovated. The obvious answer kept slipping from his mind, and every time he almost grasped it, he deliberately ignored it. It couldn't be happening, not to him. He was still standing there denying the truth when his father appeared in the doorway with another heavy box.
Strain-tensed muscles made him appear angry while sweat slowly ran down his face. He headed for the stacks until he noticed Evan. Pausing, he sucked in a quick breath and looked past his son. "Where's your sister?"
"Jenny's," he replied in a tiny voice. Seeing his father holding the box made it all real. "Her mom gave them a ride and will bring her home in time for dinner. After this morning's...you know, we agreed it was for the best." Tears stung at his eyes and he inhaled sharply. "Are you..."
His father nodded. "Get your stuff packed. Then get started on Sarah's. I'm not leaving you here, either of you." Dropping the box on the stack, he wiped at his forehead with his shirt sleeve.
Nodding was the only thing he felt like he could do at that moment. Body too weak to do anything else, he stumbled towards the door. "What about mom?"
Instead of answering, his father brushed past him and headed back inside the apartment.
Fingers gripping tight the strap of his bag, he could only think that he'd forgot to pay David. He probably wouldn't get the chance now.
TBC.....
Title: Are You Afraid Of The Gloom?
Author: Lopaka Tanu
Disclaimer: I do not own StarGate or The Night Watch series.
Characters: Lorne, Parrish, OCs.
Words: 2496
Prompt: Lorne/author’s choice – AU – there’s a mass murderer loose in Atlantis! (which may just be a city and not an Ancient city)
Fandom: StarGate: Atlantis.
Pairing: N/A (for now)
Rating: Teen
Warnings: Language, Mentioned Character Death.
Summary: There is a war brooding in the shadows of our world. Mythical creatures haunt the twilight, a veil between our world and the unknown. From an early age, Lorne discovers that we are not alone.
Author's Note: An AU based upon the Night Watch/Day Watch series, books and movies.
______________________________________
Prologue: 1976 - An Investment In The Future.
"Tell me I'm not that predictable."
The last words out of her mouth sounded like the voice of a man. Curious, Evan cocked his head a little to peer up at her. The smiling crone was nothing too weird.
Shaking hand held aloft, she offered him the cinnamon stick again. "Try it, dear. Go on. You'll enjoy it." She wiggled her eyebrows in encouragement with a toothless grin.
He drew back with a scowl. He didn't like it when people told him what he would and wouldn't like. That usually meant something tasted awful and they just wanted him to shut up. "No, thank you." Evan made sure to be polite. Why? Because rulers hurt.
The shine in her eyes seemed to dim. Her crooked back straightened a little as she glanced from her candy to him, then back. "Why doesn't a little boy want candy?" Her once crackling voice now held a hint of iron.
"Because I don't like candy, ma'am." Nodding once at her, he turned and walked away. At least, he tried to. Something strong gripped the waist of his pants and held him there. Before he could see what it was, the crone's hand cupped over his mouth. Eyes going wide, Evan fought against it as he tasted cinnamon on his lips.
"Finally! About bloody time!" The man's voice came out of no where.
Then a rushing sound filled his ears and he heard no more. In the half a heartbeat it had taken for him to be snatched up, Evan had only started to panic. Just as suddenly, he was released. The smell of cinnamon hung in the air as he landed on unsteady legs that soon gave. Whimpering, Evan fell forwards. His knee banged the ground hard enough that tears welled up in his eyes.
Another man's voice spoke over the rushing in his ears. "Jeez, would someone get the kid already?"
Evan started to whimper despite biting his lip to keep quiet. He didn't want anyone else touching him. With a sniff, he pushed through the pain and climbed to his feet.
There was fighting, he could hear it now. He couldn't see them, but they were on the old crone, holding her arms to the ground. Angry, she was screeching words he couldn't understand and it hurt his ears. They sent a painful shiver down his back.
As he watched, Evan saw a shadow coming towards his right.
It soon took the shape of an arm. "Now, just hold still, this won't hurt a bit." The hand was reaching for him.
He screeched in fear. Ducking down to avoid it, he ran off full tilt. His red keds smacked the blacktop fast as he could go.
"Shit! Jack, I think he can hear us!"
He could hear their shouts. They yelled at each other, at him, at the crone. None of it made sense. He didn't care.
All that mattered was that he made it back to 'Arts Over Tunis Primary' before first bell.
_________________________________________________
Part 1: 1983 - Thinking Doesn't Always Mean Understanding.
"Mom, he's doing it again!"
Evan winced. Hearing Sarah's shrill voice right in his ear grated on his nerves. She knew he hated when she shouted and he was right there. But that only seemed to make her do it all the more.
"Sarah!" Their mother's reproving voice drifted out of the kitchen, but she didn't make an appearance.
Not that he would have entirely noticed. His focus was on the crack in the far wall. It rose all the way to the ceiling and splintered out in every direction. That last quake had caused it when their apartment settled. However, the shattered plaster wasn't what held his attention.
"That's my boy." From the other end of the dining room table, behind his newspaper, his father was apparently unhappy. He shook out the pages with a sigh. "Always with his head in the clouds."
There was something growing out of the crack. It had started out like some form of blue mold. But that was a week ago. Now, there were tendrils of a fungus or maybe even a moss. Cocking his head a little, he examined them harder. He was certain David would know what kinda plant it was.
The weed, whatever it was, seemed to glow slightly. He wasn't sure if that was due to the light or if the limbs contained a bioluminescence. Evan frowned again. He was definitely spending too much time around the science club geeks. His friendship with David had warped his mind.
As if in agreement with his thoughts, the plant's inner light pulsed. It was almost a flash of lightning from within.
Before he had the chance to puzzle on this, a hand settled firmly on his shoulder. Startled, Evan glanced up at his mother.
Her distracted expression meant she didn't quite meet his gaze. "Time for school, dear. Come on, you have to make sure Sarah gets to her classes today. I've got a commission to finish." Reaching up, she pushed the curls of her soft brown hair off her ear. Then, she looked over at his father.
He knew what this meant. There wasn't really a work project. They were going to be 'talking' again.
Eyes falling to his half-finished breakfast, he nodded absently. When she ruffled his hair, he nodded again. Pushing up from the table, he grabbed his plate. "Come on, Sarah." Whatever she said, he ignored. Her stupid opinions didn't matter.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sucking a mouthful of orange juice through the bent straw, he nodded in appreciation to David. The acridly sweet juice stung at his tongue and he swallowed involuntarily. There were hints of something he couldn't quite identify yet, but knew it was only a matter of time. When he was finished, he handed the cup back to his friend. "It's got mango and pineapple in it, but that's just masking something more Earthy."
Large teeth shimmering in the morning sunlight, David smirked at him in response. "No more tastes." Putting the glass to his lips, he sucked down a mouthful before wiping his lips. "Hurry up and get it wrong already, I'm five bucks away from a Walkman."
Evan slowed his pace a bit to give himself some more time. They were six blocks from school and the end of his chance. Thankfully, Sarah's academy was uphill, which gave him a legitimate excuse to drag his feet. Rubbing his tongue on the roof of his mouth, he hmmed a couple times.
Pushing past them, she squeezed between the two boys. "God, if you move any slower, I'm going to die from old age!" Her angry huff echoed in the empty morning streets.
David didn't seem to notice her being rude. His intense stare was all for Evan. The almost psychotic gleam to his smile put most people off. "Tic-toc, Lorney."
Thankfully for his friend, Evan wasn't most people. He snorted at the other teen and kept trying to come up with today's secret ingredient. This was Friday. It was his last chance to get one right this week. A quick glance at Sarah to make sure she hadn't gotten too far knocked the wind out of him.
She was half a block up, about to reach the corner.
Skin cool and clammy, he started to feel sick. Fighting the urge to throw up, his entire body shivered. This was wrong. He didn't know what was out of place. There was just a strong sense that it something wasn't right.
And it was coming from around the corner.
Staggering a step forwards, he reached out for his sister. He had to stop her from going there. "Sa..." Gagging, he shook his head. "Sarah!"
Her back straightened in agitation, but she gave no other sign of having heard him. Stomping onwards, she was within reach of the corner.
"Hey, man, what's going on?" David's voice sounded from a distance. He was obviously concerned, but he wasn't within reach.
Arm out stretched, Evan felt the world around him twitch and grew dull. For a moment, he thought it another tremor. He reached for his sister and felt her within his grasp. She was still down the street, yet, he could clearly sense the rough knots in the straps of her school bag against his fingers. Clenching his fist around them, he jerked her back.
Sarah fell back with a cry. Pulled off her feet, she landed hard on her ass and slid a few feet down the sidewalk. The colors brightened, returning to their original color as she screeched from the shock.
Gasping for breath, Evan doubled over. He clutched at his chest, the chill still prickling his skin. Coughing, he hoarsely tried to draw breath. Burning hot hands slid over his back, patting gently to help clear his lungs. Evan shivered and willed himself unsuccessfully to calm down.
"Easy there." David's lips were pressed against his ear. His arm had somehow wrapped around Evan's shoulders without him knowing. "Calm, buddy. It's all over now."
Shaking his head, Evan wanted to know how the hell he figured that. He couldn't draw the breath to talk, so he looked up the street to his sister. Much to his relief, he found her sitting on the sidewalk glaring at it.
Fists clenched at her sides, Sarah pounded it angrily. "God damned stupid friggen city! I hate this mother fuc..."
"Sarah!" Finding the air to breathe, Evan called for his sister. "Language!"
The shock of hearing her name made the girl jump. Spinning around, she stared at him with wide eyes as if she just realized she wasn't alone. They quickly narrowed in anger. "I hate you! Both of you! Freaks!"
She was okay. It was all right. Closing his eyes, Evan sagged against his taller friend. His stocky body was a dead weight against the lanky teen, but he didn't care. "We can't..." Shaking his head, he put his cheek to David's shoulder. "Not that way."
"Okay." Sounding tired, David patted his arm. "We'll take the long way round."
Evan nodded his gratitude.
"By the way, the secret ingredient today was Blackcurrant." With a poke to Evan's ribs, David guided them to pick up his sister. "I'll collect my payment in first period."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pushing his backpack higher up his shoulder, Evan carefully took each step towards the cafeteria. He hated dodgeball, even more now that they were in middle school. The freaking jocks were such asses, like they always had been. Only, now, they were bigger and stronger.
Watching his shoes, he missed the collection of students ahead until he almost ran into them. Looking up in surprise, he found the hall outside the lunchroom packed. They were all staring at one another, but none were talking. An eerie silence hung in the air that sent a chill down his spine.
Looking around the crowded hall, he tried to find someone he knew. Luckily, he found David on the outer edge. His friend's shoulders were slumped and he was leaning back against the wall staring at the floor.
David didn't look up as Evan approached. He didn't even seem to notice that he was there.
Clearing his throat softly, Evan looked around again. "Hey. What's going on?"
Still staring at the floor, David shook his head.
That was when Evan noticed the tears in his eyes. A shiver ran through him. Reaching out, he grasped David's shoulders. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah." The other teen took a shaky breath. "It's Kate Heightmeyer. She's...gone."
Evan took a step back in shock. Arms falling to his side, he trembled. "How...what happened?" Yet, somehow, he already knew.
"Someone snatched her this morning. They just found her in the construction site on Ged..." trailing off, David looked up at him in shock. Face going pale, he stared wide-eyed at Evan. "You knew."
The sick feeling from that morning started in the pit of his stomach. Backing up another step, Evan tried to shake his head in denial. The urge to get out of there became overwhelming. His shoulders hurt. Spinning, he ran as fast as he could.
He didn't hear him, but he knew David was calling after him.
~~~~~~~~~~~
By the time he got home that afternoon, Evan was dragging his feet from exhaustion. Every sudden noise and stray motion had been something trying to get him from the shadows. He'd been jumping every time someone coughed or raised their hand. By the time eighth period had rolled around, the teacher threatened to have him tested for drugs.
He was never so glad as now to see their crummy apartment building. Thankfully, their apartment was on the bottom floor of four. So, he didn't have to climb any stairs but for the front stoop. However, in an earthquake, if the building collapsed, they'd be the first to go. But, they also had a better chance of getting out if it started too.
Today was different, though. It wasn't until he started to climb the first of six steps to their apartment that he noticed. There, outside on the stoop to either side of the door, were a dozen large packing boxes. Clear shipping tape sealed them and room information had been written on the sides.
Frozen in place, he read each of them clearly. The entire dining room had already been packed and they had started on the living room. What was going on? He hadn't heard anything about the place being renovated. The obvious answer kept slipping from his mind, and every time he almost grasped it, he deliberately ignored it. It couldn't be happening, not to him. He was still standing there denying the truth when his father appeared in the doorway with another heavy box.
Strain-tensed muscles made him appear angry while sweat slowly ran down his face. He headed for the stacks until he noticed Evan. Pausing, he sucked in a quick breath and looked past his son. "Where's your sister?"
"Jenny's," he replied in a tiny voice. Seeing his father holding the box made it all real. "Her mom gave them a ride and will bring her home in time for dinner. After this morning's...you know, we agreed it was for the best." Tears stung at his eyes and he inhaled sharply. "Are you..."
His father nodded. "Get your stuff packed. Then get started on Sarah's. I'm not leaving you here, either of you." Dropping the box on the stack, he wiped at his forehead with his shirt sleeve.
Nodding was the only thing he felt like he could do at that moment. Body too weak to do anything else, he stumbled towards the door. "What about mom?"
Instead of answering, his father brushed past him and headed back inside the apartment.
Fingers gripping tight the strap of his bag, he could only think that he'd forgot to pay David. He probably wouldn't get the chance now.
TBC.....