Chapter 4

Okay, so here's chapter 4, I had nothing to do tonight so I decided to write it. It's not too long but it took me a while. I was trying to get the mood just right for it, but I am not sure if I succeeded. let me know what you think. Enjoy :)

JACE'S POV

As I laid in the dark of my room I couldn't help but listen to the noises. I could hear the faint clatter of the ice in the kitchen refrigerator, the rumble as the radiator turned on, and the constant hum of the fish tank in the living room.

None of the sounds were real. They were all products of technology and machines. Empty thing that would never do anything but what they were made for.

I couldn't even remember the last time I heard the sound of genuine laughter, of footsteps that didn't belong to one of the staff members that were trying to be effective but never seen.

I lived in this apartment but I never truly lived in it. In the simplest sense, it was a house, not a home. My mother was really the only person in this place that attempted to maintain the family facade which had long ago fallen apart. But she was rarely around, always out at the spa, with her girlfriends, or shopping. My father, who I couldn't help but think of with bitterness, was always at his office, either on his computer or on his secretary.

I smiled to myself at my creative wording.

My father assumed he was so smart, so subtle. But if I figured it out, I'm sure my mother had by now. But she never let on, always smiling when he said he had to work late or he had a meeting on a Saturday. Then again, maybe she didn't know. That, or just didn't give a shit. Probably the latter.

The faint knock at my door pulled me from my thoughts. Before I could even reply, my door opened and my mother poked her head in.

"You still awake?"

I considered feigning sleep. After all it was too dark for her to actually see me. All I need to do was close my eyes.

"Ya, I'm awake."

My mother slipped into the room and gently shut the door behind her. Without turning on the light she move toward my bed and sat on the edge of it. But the way she was breathing I could tell she was or had been crying.

"What's wrong?" I sat up in my bed and turn on my bedside lamp.

"No," she said in weak defence. She turned her face away from the light so all I could see was the back of her dyed blond hair.

"What did he do?" I demanded, already rising to my feet. My mother's hand stopped me, keeping me seated.

When she looked at me, I could tell that she had been crying. By the status of her makeup, I could tell you where each and every tear fell down her face. She gave me a sad smile, her lipstick long since faded.

"You father is asleep, don't worry about him."

I relaxed slightly, but I still remained sitting up. "Then what's wrong?"

Her eyes wouldn't hold mine. Focusing on her lap, she wrung her hands, gripping them tightly then loosening. "I..." her face crumpled suddenly and she wrapped her arms around me. I held her as her sobs shook her body and mine.

Not knowing what else to do, I remained still and waited for her to collect herself. After a few minutes she hiccupped and pulled back.

"You've grown up so well," she said, gently touching my face. "My beautiful boy." I remained perfectly still; more out of shock then patience. I couldn't remember the last time she'd shown any form of physical affection towards me. By her breath I could tell she'd been drinking.

She patted my cheek lightly and leaned forward to kiss my forehead. "Don't turn into you father," she murmured next, though it seemed like she was talking more to herself than me.

I frowned. "Are you sure he didn't do anything to you?"

After a moment she dropped her head and gazed at where it had fallen in her lap. "Sometimes your father and I just don't see eye to eye love, nothing for you to be concerned with."

I didn't comment. Instead, I sat silently and waited for her to continue.

She sighed heavily, all of her strength seeming to go with the escaping breath. "I love you Jonathan, I don't believe I tell you that enough." Giving me one last kiss on the forehead my mother walked out of the room, closing my door gently behind her.

I considered following her to make sure she at least made it to her room, but I could hear the front door close a few seconds later. Curious, I rose silently from my bed and travelled to my door. Propping it open, I stuck my head out but only saw shadows, dimly lit by the glow from the large fish tank. Using that as my guide, I walked towards the front door. Opening it, I peered up and down the bright hallway that led to the public elevator. But there was no one there. All the doors were closed for the night, their inner tenant likely fast asleep.

Closing the door, I latched the chain and moved towards my parent's room. I had no trouble seeing inside because my father's bedside lamp was on.

"What is it Jonathan?" he said in a tired voice. He was sitting on a chair in the corner of his room. He was positioned in front of the window as if he'd been staring out at the starless sky.

I didn't correct him this time. Something about his tone told me not to. "Where's mother, she was just here."

For the first time in my entire life, my father seemed speechless. But after a moment, his face hardened and became business-like. "She's gone."

I could feel my brows draw together. "Gone where? Did she go on a trip? She didn't say anything to me..."

My father wiped a hand down his face and wouldn't meet my eye, his focus travelling back to the window. "She left us."

In those three words my world plummeted. To steady myself I had to tightly grip the door frame. My heart pounded in my ears and I could feel its beat in my palms. "She...left...?"

Impatient, my father nodded curtly, eyes still focused on the window.

Something inside me broke. After a minute of utter silence, the sound of the house; the ice, the fish tank, the radiator, returned.

Without another word I stepped from my parents—my father's bedroom, I quickly corrected myself. I moved towards the front door, mind and body numb. Without thinking to grab my shoes I opened the door and ran. I ran down the hall, down the stairs, and through the lobby. I ignored the surprised glances and ran towards the front door. I moved past the doorman that was sleepily leaning against the door.

When I saw him I stopped. "Which way did she go?" I asked desperately, the rain splashing on me from where I stood in the open door.

"Wha—" I didn't let the surprised doorman finish as I grabbed the lapels of his uniform.

"My mother." I urged him, face only inches from his.

The man was flustered but he managed to say, "Mrs. Wayland took a taxi, she did not say where she was going..." He gave me a perplexed expression, face turning an unhealthy shade of red.

"Which way?" I demanded, roughly shaking the man.

"Ri-right," he stammered, as he looked at the curious tenants and staff members that were watching the scene play out. "The taxi went right." He repeated, eyes starting to look panicked.

Without another thought I let him go, and rushed into the street, barely noticing the rain that was smattering my hair and clothes. I looked up and down the street. Looking for her. Moving right I started running. I ran as if I could catch her. As if I could find her. As if I could bring her back and make her stay.

After what felt like hours I stopped.

I was soaked from head to toe and I couldn't feel my feet, which were only covered with wool socks. As people drove by I could see them staring through their windows. Their eyes like bottomless pits of curiosity.

I didn't care. I couldn't even fathom the emotion. I was too lost, too numb.

Turning around I head back toward the house. Headed back to the empty sounds that filled it. And I knew, once I stepped back inside, that that emptiness would fill me.

Staring straight ahead I walked straight. Face expressionless as rain washing the tears from my cheeks.

Okay so that's the end of chapter 4! To tell you the truth I don't think I originally intended on going in this direction, but I decided to add a little twist to the story.

Hope You enjoyed it! Review, and let me know if you like the direction so far.

Chapter 5 should be coming soon, who know it might even be up today!