I hid a little something in this chapter.
Nothing too exciting, and not at all a hint, just an easter egg.
-Fly :3
Window Wide
Body Bloody
Sweetness Swollen
Secret Study
Mabel's screaming woke her grunkle with a start. It was shrill and horrified, a screech that rivalled that of a banshee. It told stories of pain, both mental and physical. Foreshadowed death, quickened the man's heartbeat. Without any hesitation, he ripped the covers off of him and raced to see the panicked girl.
He knew that sound by heart, only lower and far closer. From his own room he'd witnessed what this scream meant, and though he never wanted to see it again... Mabel was going through hell, he knew that well.
With a grunt, he dragged himself up the stairs, sweating heavily. He wanted so desperately to call out for her, to warn her, to let her know he was on his way. Every breath was jagged as he ran, skidding across the floor as splinters stung his soles.
When he got to the attic, however, he could only stare. He fell to his knees in despair, dread pooling in his stomach. A draft of wind caressed his face, as if someone was saying 'you did this'. He wanted to deny what he saw, but his heart ached with truth- This was no dream.
Once again, he was too late.
-=[0]=-
Violet woke up for the second time that night.
Given that she lived with Bill, she shouldn't have expected any less. Somehow, she assumed that this child would be a good enough distraction. Alas, her housemate swung open the bedroom door with a loud bang and sent her eyes snapping open.
His shadow stood tall and tired against the wall, a dark silhouette of the even darker man. She turned her head fearfully, subconsciously wondering if he found another kid outside. With an almost relieved sigh, she saw it was only him, breathing heavily.
She shook her head slowly, scowling. "D-damn it, Bill! What is it this time?" She squinted in the light of the hallway, trying to regain her sight.
He looked around nervously before starting. "Well, he's awake." He gave a short laugh when the woman practically flew out of bed.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST SAY SO?" She screamed, pushing past him and scrambling to the spare room. Inside was the boy, sitting up but still wrapped firmly in fluffy blankets. His bandages had been removed, each one stained brown with a familiar drink.
Violet smirked despite her anger. He'd waken him up on purpose? At least the kid was awake and well. She felt a gentle tap on her back and spun around to face the shaking man. He flashed her a weak smile before nodding, giving her a small push into the room.
The air was poisoned with tension, riddled with unanswered questions. She faked a cough to let the boy know she was there, and he greeted her with a wary wave. His other hand clung to a small, shiny object, golden luster sparkling in the dim light.
Bill was close behind her, receiving a far less pleasant gesture. The wave was retracted, and his eyes were avoided with frustration. The man snorted and strolled over to the posh couch, making a point of sitting close to him. Instead of being pushed away, he was left alone.
A sly grin painted Bill's pale face. He was too adorable, really... "Aw, come on. Don't be like that, I already said sorry!" He chuckled darkly. The boy just nodded meekly and tilted his head to face Violet. "It was an accident." He added, noticing the lack of humour in this reaction.
The woman took a seat across from them, eyes still focused on the glittery object the kid was playing with. "Whassat?" She blurted, immediately regretting her words. "Oh my god, I'm sorry, where are my manners! God, I'm such a klutz. Anyway, I'm Violet, Bill's roommate and-"
"-Not everything's about you, Vi." Bill snickered as she fumed, nudging the boy playfully. "Anyway, I guess I'll fill you in. This kid has no memory of how he got in that hell-forged lake, or who he was before that. No name, no age, no family, no friends. All we got is his cute little face and these sad, charred-up excuses for clothes." He hummed in thought, noting the blush that creeped onto the kid's face. " What? ...Oh yeah. We need you to help us pick a name!"
Violet leaned back into the cushions, nodding calmly as possible. She wouldn't mess this up- This was important. "Okay, I guess that makes sense." She wanted to warn Bill, to tell him not to get too attached to this child, but considering the subject of speech was right there beside him she held back. He'd get his lecture later, even though deep down she knew he'd never listen.
The boy smiled sweetly, eyes sparkling with excitement and the remnants of earlier tears. "Thank you for getting me better." New tears were forming, happy but afraid for what his future might hold. He turned his head to Bill, who looked back at him warmly. "You and are very kind."
She almost fell out of her seat. ? Bill gave her a sideways wink, a childish cheerfulness dancing across his face. "Oh, uh... Thank you, dearest, but you can call me Vi. All my friends do... Er, Bill is technically my only friend, I suppose, but..."
But then something else struck her. Bill? Even she was sometimes told to call him in a more formal manner, so the fact that he gave his real name to such a mysterious boy was a mystery in itself.
And then he was spitting names. They threw around quiet a few, from the 'far too absurd' to the 'far too normal'. Nothing seemed to work for this nameless child.
"Peter?
Isaac?
Nicholas?
Edgar?"
The child shook his head at each suggestion, massaging his own forehead as if summoning forth memories. These names were okay, but it felt as if his real name was right there, and his fingers were just grazing the surface... It was all too close.
"Tyler?
Robert?
Earnest?
Ethan?"
They paused, considering thousands upon thousands more titles for him. Faces twisted in thought and determination, eyes sweeping his whole body. He wanted to give ideas, but perhaps it'd be better to get a name from his current guardians. After all, kids don't name themselves.
Bill snapped his gloved fingers and pointed excitedly at him. "OREN!" He shouted, earning an approving giggle from Violet. "PERFECT!"
Oren? It seemed strangely fitting. Not quite perfect, but definitely close. The man wrapped his arm around him, giving an exaggerated cough. "Oren means pine tree! Like the pine forest where I found you. Also, it kinda reminds me of 'Oregon'." The explanation was all it took.
"Well... Bill, Vi, for the first time ever, I'd like to introduce..." He curled inwards for a moment, fiddling with the golden object once again. After it was fastened onto his shirt, he shot into a standing position, basking in their stares. "OREN!"
The two adults clapped happily, each one knowing they'd both easily get attached to this kid.
Neither really seemed to care, but you could blame the emotions or the exhaustion.
He gave a few sarcastic twirls, and fell back onto the sofa. In his dizziness, he landed on Bill- Who held him back before he could get off. "Watch it, kiddo!" He snickered, pushing him off to the side.
It was only for a moment, but he'd seen it.
A tiny pin, daffodil yellow. On it was a miniscule triangle, small as an ant.
Where had he seen it before?
-=[0]=-
Oren built himself a strong profile.
Bill and Violet watched with tired eyes as he explored the mansion, pitching the occasional idea for his new identity. The smile on his face could only be explained by his complete and utter naivety, not at all aware that there was probably a family out looking for him. In a way, he felt like this was wrong, but both adults assured it was all okay.
"How old do I look?" He asked suddenly, stopping in his tracks. They stood in the dining hall, and the two exhausted adults almost bumped right into him. They replied with the simple answer- 'Go look for yourself'.
He sucked in a breath, a nervous sensation suddenly overriding the curiosity that had once been so clear. What if he was a mess? Oh, hell, he WAS a mess. But what if he was super ugly, or weird, or...
And they were looking at him, kind and loving. Bill raised his eyebrows expectantly, and Violet gave him an assuring nod.
If these people seemed to like him, what else mattered? "Okay."
With long strides, they led him to the closest washroom. It was the smallest room he'd seen yet, but just as lavish as the rest. Everything from the shower to the toilet was sparkling white, porcelain freshly polished. There were two sinks evenly spaced out on a little counter, and a mirror hung like a noose over them.
He was a boy, that was for sure. Chestnut brown hair was still frizzy from the drying water, stained in places with dirt and some dried blood. His complexion was fair, though tinges of tan showed that he must've been spending some time outside. He bore a wide smile that revealed snow-white teeth, and two unblinking brown eyes stared back at him. After a shower (or two) he'd look like any normal preteen.
Then there were two other faces, making the whole thing look like some twisted family portrait. Violet and Bill were on either side of him, stifling laughter. He was so hypnotized by his own reflection, he almost didn't notice when the man hoisted him up. He wrapped his arms around Bill's neck, legs fastened around his waist. He breathed steadily, and everything was just so relaxing and calm...
Okay, fine. He'd be carried.
Violet didn't speak a word as they transported him out of the room, up the staircase and into yet another new room. It looked thoroughly unused, but there wasn't a speck of dust. A deep green blanket welcomed him with open arms as he was deposited onto another bed.
The two hosts stood over him, watching patiently as he wrapped himself up. "Is this where I'm gonna sleep?" He asked innocently, and they nodded in sync.
Bill was the first to speak. "You can stay here as long as you want, Oren-"
"-But we do need to find your family eventually." Violet finished, earning a harsh sneer from the other. The boy giggled with glee as she kissed him on the cheek, grabbing Bill's arm and pulling him back out into the hall. "Good night, kiddo."
-=[0]=-
"DAMN IT, BILL!"
The two adults were in Violet's room, arguing loudly. They could only hope Oren couldn't hear anything, because both were two furious to stop.
"HE'S NOT YOUR KID!"
Bill stumbled backwards, hand flying to his face. Did she just hit him?
"I KNOW THAT, VIOLET! HE'S NOT YOURS EITHER!"
She gave an almost animalistic growl before throwing a pillow at him, missing by a foot.
"HE HAS A FAMILY!"
He almost laughed at that. Judging by that pin, he wouldn't have one for much longer.
"HE HAS US NOW! WHAT MORE COULD HE WANT, VI?"
The woman opened her mouth to retaliate, but stopped as a loud creak echoed through the room.
Standing in their doorway was Oren, face blank and emotionless. He looked at Bill first- Then and Violet. "Wh-wha..."
They both dropped whatever they were holding and ran over to him, cooing lies like 'it's okay' and 'you're dreaming' in attempts to get him to leave. He seemed to tired to be processing most of this, but after a minute he left and closed the door behind him.
They waited in silence until his footsteps faded into nothingness.
"You have one week. Convince me he'd be happier like this."
I'm proud of my plans for this story.
Frustrating? Yes.
Genius? Possibly.
Fluffy? Mmm... No spoilers.
Angst? You know me too well.
I apologize for this being so short, and so boring... I have a lot of homework!
-Fly
