Past

by LeesaCrakon

Pre-Books. AU. Horace's prophetic dreams don't just reveal the future, they also let him see into the past. Because of this, Horace knows almost everything about the other children in the home, except for one. Hugh's past has never appeared in any of Horace's visions, but Horace knows the older boy is hiding something. (Hugh's physical appearance is 16 and Horace's is 13)

6. Chapter 6

Chapter 6

The scene faded moments later to reveal Liam, Fiona, and Hugh in a graveyard, Hugh holding a small bouquet of lilies. Liam and Hugh were dressed in all black suits whilst Fiona wore a black lacy dress, as if they were in mourning. Hugh knelt down in front of a joint-grave, inscribed with two unreadable names. At least, they were unreadable from where Horace stood. With a trembling hand, Hugh set the lilies on the grave before placing a kiss on his finger tips and pressing them against the cool granite of the headstone.
"We can't stay here," Hugh said hoarsely, getting back to his feet. "The creature that killed mother and father... it'll come after us next," he added, nodding slightly in Liam's direction. Liam's fists clenched and he pursed his lips, taking a shaky breath before returning Hugh's nod in agreement.

"I've already prepared for that. Suitcases are all packed, I have enough food for the three of us, and Fiona's parents think that she's coming to help us find a home," Liam said softly. Fiona blinked in surprised, but quickly smiled and took Hugh's hand. His head shifted her way slightly as he glanced at her, a tear rolling down his cheek from behind his darkened glasses.

"I'm sorry you have to leave Fee, but I don't want anything to happen to you. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if... if you..." Hugh's voice trailed off and he bent his head down towards his feet, his grip on her hand tightening and his shoulders shaking slightly. Fiona smiled sadly and pulled him into a gentle side hug, kissing his cheek before resting her head on his shoulder.

"We mustn't waste valuable time. We need to leave as soon as possible," Liam said hurriedly, glancing around as if he sensed something was amiss and grabbed Hugh by the collar of his shirt. Hugh yelped slightly as he and Fiona were dragged off towards Liam's car, stumbling a bit blindly and clinging to Fiona and Liam to keep from falling. Horace exhaled shakily as the scene began to fade, not realizing that he had been holding his breath. So far, he'd learned more about Hugh in a space of an hour than he had in a decade. He supposed that things could only get better from here...right?