December 20: Scars and Stories
Most people, upon finding a large group of teenagers over Christmas break in a library, might think that they were just dedicated students.
But this was not the case.
Every Sibuna member was gathered in the library to sing the Acolytes' Song.
"Why are we doing this?" Alfie moaned.
"Because," Nina reminded, "Everybody at Anubis would think that we were crazy if we sang it there."
"But why are we all here?" Joy asked.
"We're the Acolytes," Fabian said, "Since it's apparently our song we should probably all be singing."
"I'm not even an Acolyte," Eddie scowled, "Why am I even here?"
"You're the Osirian, close enough," Nina rolled her eyes, "And besides, we still need to find out when the descendant is the most susceptible to the mental one, as Jason so kindly reminded us."
"I still can't believe that he's the mental one," Patricia shook her head, "He was always just so…nice and good."
"That's the closest you've ever come to a compliment," Alfie looked surprised.
"It's okay if you have a crush on him, Patricia," Amber sighed, "We all did."
"I do not have a crush on him," fumed Patricia, "He was just different, okay? He was a good teacher and he wanted to help look for Joy."
"And now he's trying to kill a person," finished Nina, "Can we just sing now?"
So the seven of them sang the song, sounding a lot better compared to last night.
For a moment nothing happened, but then the ground start to shake. It was like an earthquake, with books falling from their shelves and glass breaking. The Sibunas held themselves up, staying away from the bookshelves and windows.
Finally, after a few minutes of the earth trembling, it stopped.
Wobbly, Joy was about to start walking but Fabian noticed one of the windows breaking, and shoved her out of the way. Glass scattered everywhere but the two remained unharmed.
"Fabian you're a life saver," she laughed shakily, "Literally."
"It's no problem," Fabian peered closely at the glass, "Wait just a second," he bent down, careful not to slice his fingers on the glass.
He pointed to the pile of glass, "The key to safety lies in song and broken glass," he grinned.
Grinning, Nina crouched beside him and the rest of Sibuna joined.
"Now what?" Patricia inquire, crossing her arms.
Eddie carefully picked up a shard of glass and held it up in the light, "It almost looks like…there's words on here!" he connected two pieces, "Look it's an S!"
"So we put them together, like a puzzle," Amber said, adding another piece to Eddie's part, "Now we have Se!"
The Sibunas rearranged the window back together, shouting occasionally as the letters connected into words.
"We've got a Hath!"
"P and T apparently go together!"
"This makes Bas. Could it be short for Basket?"
Finally, the glass pieces were all sorted back together, but instead of a rectangular shape it made an oval shape, resembling Nina's locket.
"Creepy," Joy remarked.
"Okay let's see what we have here," Nina walked up and down the oval to read aloud the words.
"Amneris
189 7 9
22 18 4
Ptah
209 3 15
139 4 13
Osiris
10 11 4
337 16 11
Tutankhamen
68 5 10
116 8 4
Bastet
92 6 12
297 14 8
Hathor
120 19 3
51 4 7
Osiris
304 22 1
84 27 5
Sekhmet
163 20 6
256 8 2."
"Okay so those are all Egyptian Gods and Goddesses, a Pharaoh of Egypt, and Amneris, who was probably the first Paragon," Fabian assessed the situation, "Now what could the numbers mean? There's 6 of them on each," he slapped his forehead, "Oh duh Fabian! We're in a room full of books!"
"Wow, did you come up with that all by yourself?" Patricia sneered.
"No but look!" Fabian grabbed a random book, "It goes like this. The first number is a page number," he flipped to page 189, "The second number is a line number," he skimmed down to line number 7, "And the third is a word!" he touched the ninth letter on the line, "Get it?"
Nodding understandingly, Eddie clapped his hands, "Okay everyone, find all the books you can on one of the people on this list."
Lugging books from the shelves, everyone made a pile of each book in the library that had their person on the title. Nina and Eddie tried sorting through the books, but they realized that in each pile there was one book that had the same cover design. Alfie and Fabian put away the rest of the books.
"So these seem to be the same," Nina explained, "They've all got this green cover, like they might be in a set or something."
"So get a book and start looking up some words!" commanded Eddie.
Joy grabbed the one about Bastet, and grinned at Eddie, "I'll take this one."
He grinned back, "You do that."
After a few minutes, Joy shouted, "I'm done! The two words are my and descendant."
Amber stared at her, holding up the Hathor book, "Are you joking, Joy? Because those are my words too."
"This isn't funny guys," Fabian scolded, "If you're stealing the words from me then that's just lazy."
Sighing, Eddie slammed his book shut, "Crap, I've got those words as well. What the heck?"
Nina stood up, cursing Robert Frobisher Smythe under her breath, "So everyone's words are my and descendant?"
They all nodded.
"Okay, so has anybody got ideas about what this means?"
She was met with blank stares.
"Anybody? Anything? At all?"
Silence.
"Okay since we're all completely clueless about this," Nina sighed, "and since the library's probably no help at all…let's just go back."
They all put away the books and as they all walked back to the house Fabian fell into step alongside Nina.
"So that's it?" he asked, jabbing her playfully.
"I don't know what to do now, there are no more riddles left, so what are we supposed to do?"
He shrugged, "I guess you're right. But you're not usually one to give up."
"Yesterday was just…long."
"How so?" he watched her carefully, noticing how exhausted she looked, "What happened with you and Patricia."
"Don't worry about it."
"Hey," he stopped walking, "It's my job to worry about you, okay?"
Biting her lip, she looked around to make sure nobody was listening, "It's just that we had to do…things to get the next riddle."
"What kinds of things?"
"Tests."
"Like calculus tests? Or physical tests?"
"Fear tests," she murmured.
His expression was bewildered, "What does that mean?"
"There was a voice…and it said that we needed to face our fears. And so I had to…"
"Had to what?" he pressed.
"I don't how to explain it...well…it showed you your greatest fears and you had to get over them," she said quickly.
"Your greatest fears?" he remembered something from last year, "Like skulls?"
Shivering, she nodded, "Yeah. And lots of them. And…drowning."
"Drowning?"
"Mhmm," she mumbled, "When I was a kid I had a bad experience with the water."
"You almost drowned?"
"Yeah," she rubbed her arms, looking away from him, "I lived, as you can tell."
"Oh," his eyes were full of sympathy for her, "That's…"
"And my parents…you know that they crashed in a car, right? Well car was actually in the ocean…so I'm not exactly a fan of the water."
Fabian was speechless, how could Nina cope with this kind of grief. Instead of saying anything he just hugged her.
"Oh gosh," she whispered into his chest, "Thank you, for not saying anything. I hate when people say stupid things, like trials help us become stronger, or they're in a better place now, or one day you will realize that you needed this," she added bitterly, "Those are the absolute worst things to say."
He let go of her, and gave her a half smile, "I promise not to say anything stupid."
The corners of her mouths twitched, almost smiling. But she just kept walking, and as they got further she clasped hands with Fabian.
And he felt like maybe they were going to be okay now.
Later that day, each of the Anubis girls were gathered in Mara's room, each having been dragged into there by her.
"Explain yourself," Patricia demanded, "I was trying to take a nap!"
"And I was taking a picture!" Joy cried, "The lighting was so perfect…"
"Neens, Joy, and I were in the middle of a dramatic Say Yes to the Dress marathon," added Amber and Joy nodded in fierce agreement.
"I don't mind being here," Nina shrugged, grateful to not be watching that overdramatized show.
"It's Fabian's birthday tomorrow!" Mara finally shouted, fed up with everyone complaining.
Nina gaped at her, "Fabian didn't tell me that!"
"Nobody was supposed to know," Mara dropped her voice, suspiciously glancing at the door, "But I saw it on his phone when he left it in the kitchen yesterday."
"Mara you sneak," Patricia grinned, "So what are we going to do about it?"
"We're going to throw him a surprise party tomorrow! Okay so I've got a whole plan ready…I will arrange everything, Joy you need to make him a cake and ensure that there are drinks, Patricia you need to decorate the party, we'll need streamers, balloons, and probably a banner, and Nina and Amber you two are in charge of telling the boys and getting Fabian presents. Since we can't go to stores you'll need to order things from the internet! I know a website of a business not too far from here that can bring us stuff today. There's a fund set aside for people's birthdays that you two can use! I'll have someone distract Fabian while we set up, then at noon we'll jump out and yell surprise. Sound good?"
Everyone nodded and set to work. Mara grabbed her clipboard and began planning every detail of the party, Patricia got out some markers, and began to decorate a banner. Joy gathered the ingredients for a delicious cake, cherry chocolate was Fabian's favorite. Amber told all of the boy's about it and then she joined Nina in ordering Fabian some great presents.
Fabian came back into his room, hair still damp from the shower. As he was drying his hair, he noticed an odd looking envelope lying on his bed. He picked it up, examining the object and deducing that is was harmless. Ripping it open, Fabian began to read its contents.
Fabian,
Happy seventeenth birthday tomorrow, son. I know this apology is late and what I did was unforgivable but I would appreciate it so much if you could take the time to see me. I'll be at the motel on 32nd street and if you want to contact me, you can call this number 587-733-8970. If you want to meet me in person, I can arrange a police escort for you to come here. Please come, I just want a second chance.
-Richard
Fabian's hands began to shake and he frantically read the letter again several times, hardly believing the words that were on the page.
His dad was trying to get in contact with him. Fabian had not seen his father in over 10 years.
Fabian ran to the mirror and looked at his face with scrutiny, scanning for the faded scar. His fingers found the old wound, a long pale streak that ran across his cheek, remembering exactly how he had gotten it.
A 7 year old Fabian came home one evening, shoulders slumped and a miserable expression strewn across his face.
What's wrong kiddo, bad day at school?
No daddy. It's just that we played football in primary school today. They were picking teams for the little leagues.
Did you make it?
No.
I'm so disappointed in you Fabian. Boys your age are supposed to be good at football. All you ever do is read books!
I'm sorry daddy but I tried, I really did!
I don't believe you! Father screamed.
Daddy it's just that I-
No buts. Fabian sometimes you just make me so angry!
Fabian, lip trembling and eyes wide stared into the growing rage in his father's eyes. He knew what was coming next. He did not like it, but daddy said it was for his own good because Fabian was a bad, bad boy.
I'll make the team next time I swear-
Will you though Fabian? You are so useless!
He swung at his son, his temper reaching its peak point. Fabian cried out in pain, falling to the ground because of the intensity of the blow.
This was not the first time.
But usually father was kind.
Hitting in a way that left no marks.
Bruising where no one would see.
But this time he had hit Fabian's cheek and the gash begun to swell and bleed.
Hot tears spilled from Fabian's eyes and his father immediately calmed. He bent down to Fabian's level, though the boy shook from fear, he ruffled his hair.
Fabian jerked away from his father, Don't touch me!
Richard's eyes filled with rage again, You will not speak to me that way, I am your father! He clenched his fist and held it near his son's face, shaking with fury.
Little did he know, Fabian's mother stood in the entryway of the kitchen, covering her mouth with her hand in absolute and utter shock. Richard! What are you doing? She screamed.
He whipped around to see his wife staring at him with tears streaming down her face.
Who are you?
Honey now calm down…
I won't! She ran over to her son and picked him up in her arms, Don't you touch him!
Don't be like that-
You monster! Stay away from us!
She ran to the phone and instantly dialed the police, but when they got there Richard Rutter had fled, leaving behind everything he owned.
Samantha was devastated by the loss of her husband. She had never imagined he would be likes this. She immediately took her two children, Fabian and Katie, and started a brand new life with them. Surprisingly enough, she found love again, to another man named Ian, who was gentler and kinder. She burned everything that had to do with Richard. Old photo albums and journal entries turned to ash. Despite everyone's concerns, she handled everything with the utmost grace and precision, she was going to be okay.
Fabian, however, was a completely different story.
Everything went downhill from there with the boy and his mother.
After checking him, she found lots of bruises, cuts, and scrapes that had been previously well hidden. Then she took him to a doctor, stitched him up, and dropped him off at the therapist every Tuesday. But it was useless, Fabian would not talk to anybody about what happened. The therapist would prod him with questions but Fabian would just twiddle his thumbs and tried to think about happier things.
He never had a relationship with his stepfather, even though he was a fantastic wife to Samantha and fantastic father to Katie. Samantha and Ian decided to have a child together, and her name was Lily. Even though he wasn't around much, Fabian liked Lily, because she was young and sweet to him.
Fabian's mother cried and begged to hear the entire story, but Fabian told her nothing. He barely spoke about school, friends, or about anything at all to her. He had become silent.
Somehow he managed to hide the cuts on his sleeves that his father would make, one mark for every misbehavior. One night Katie noticed them, and he knew that she could say them but she never pressed him for any information. So he decided to tell her everything, it was the first time that he had really spoken to his family in a while. Katie intently listened and swore to never tell a soul, despite her mother's protests.
Unsure of what to do, after counsel with Fabian's stepfather, his mother had him attend a boarding school just a few miles away from home.
Despite the constant letters she wrote to him and various attempts to talk to him, they barely spoke about anything at all.
Samantha had not only lost her husband, but also her little boy.
Fabian was sitting on his bed, face in his hands, incredibly glad Eddie wasn't there.
For many years, Fabian had gone through life mostly unnoticeable, laying low and keeping quiet.
Nobody assumed that he had some sort of secret back story.
Nobody ever inquired about his family.
Nobody ever questioned why he always showered in the dark.
Nobody ever asked why he refused to take his clothes off in public.
But now his walls were coming down and Fabian feared he could not conceal the scars of his past.
When they had been forced to stay home because of the serial killer, Fabian was swept with relief. Christmases at home were one of Fabian's least favorite things. Filled with awkward silence and forced conversation. He had immediately texted his mother with the news, thankful to miss Christmas this year.
During the summer or over holidays he usually only said a few things around the dinner table, and whenever possible would stay in his or Katie's room. He spent a fair amount of time at Katie's dorm room at her university, chatting away about anything but the past.
But the past had found him.
Thoughts whirled around Fabian's head, Should he talk to his father? Should he call the police? Should he refuse him?
Never, had he pondered over making this decision. Fabian had just thought that he had seen the last of his father. And why had he chosen now, of all times, to try and contact him?
Feeling conflicted, Fabian grabbed his phone and the letter, rushing out of his room and into the attic. This was where he went when he needed to be alone, a place where he could just be with his thoughts.
But so much was on his mind right now. How were they going to protect the descendant? Was Jason going to stop them? And not to mention, Eddie and Nina, who were now always spending time together.
Shaking his head, Fabian picked up his phone and slowly dialed the number on the letter, forcefully pressing each one.
Trembling, he held it up to his hear, just listening to the dull ringing.
He heard a click and a voice answered him, a voice that had haunted him for years, "Hello?"
"R-Richard? Er, this is Fabian." Fabian said hoarsely.
Fabian heard a gulp on the other end, "Fabian," he echoed, "It's been a while since I've heard your voice."
"Same here," he replied, trying to be emotionless.
"Son."
Fabian nearly answered Dad, but bit his tongue as the word tried to emerge, "Yes?"
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry doesn't really do much," Fabian snapped back, "Sorry is just an empty word."
"Yeah," his father mumbled, "But I didn't want to talk to you to ask for your forgiveness, because I don't deserve that, but I just want to try to be your dad again."
Dad. The word that Fabian had despised for so long, the word that made him flinch on Parent's Day, when everyone's family visited the boarding school. Fabian would just hide under his bed, covering his ears and refusing to see his family.
"You don't deserve the title dad, considering what you did. Why should I even come to see you?"
"Because a long held grudge is a burden that is not easy to bear," Richard cleared his throat, "As is guilt."
Everyone had always said that Fabian got his intelligence from his father, but that he got his kindness and courage from his mother.
"I'm glad you feel guilt, because what you did to me was evil," Fabian spat, "I remember hearing the doctors and therapists say victim of child abuse as they examined me, shaking their heads and watching me with pity, 'So young to have known such pain', they would say."
Silence on the other end.
"I looked that up, and guess what? I exactly fit the descriptions. Physically beaten, loud verbal scolding, fearful of adults, unwilling to speak about experiences?" Fabian recited, "And in that moment, I knew the full extent of what you did to me. Do you know what it's like, bearing that kind of weight? I couldn't tell anybody about it!" everything, every feeling was pouring out of him now, "Do you think I liked hurting Mom by not talking to her? I wished I could, but whenever I tried my throat would close up and I would see your hand, slapping me, swinging your fists at me, beating me," he laughed, a cold sound that was devoid of happiness, "Beating is the wrong word. Abused sounds like a technical term. You scarred me, is what you did. Now look out me, nearly seventeen and still hating you. I have so many scars. They're faded now, but they're never going to leave."
Fabian thought he heard crying on the other line but that didn't faze him, "No matter what happens, I will always be the boy that you left a mark on, because you left wounds so deep that they would always be there. I'm okay now, because there are things to be happy about, but there will always be these scars, to remind me of how cruel and vile you were."
"Son."
"I'm not your son, because you aren't my dad!"
There was a long sigh, "Fabian, family is important. No matter how awful of scarred family is important. And I think that if we talked this out, it would be easier for you to talk to your mother."
Now it was Fabian's turn to be silent.
"Yes, I spoke to Samantha. I don't know how, but she contacted me and asked if I would talk to you."
"How kind of you to want to repair your old family," Fabian said harshly.
Richard cringed, "Fabian, please. I just want you to be able to have your family."
"You broke it."
"I know, but you can put it back together."
There was no denying it, Richard was a wise man. But that did not mean that he made wise decisions or acted wisely.
Fabian let out a deep breath, "Okay. What do you want me to do?"
"Come over to my hotel room and we can talk. Then you can start working things out with your mother."
"And why do you think that this will help?"
"Because talking out our problems may help you. Do you still have the address?"
"Yes."
"Okay, I'll call you a cab and make sure there's a police escort. I'll see you soon."
Fabian hung up his mobile without saying goodbye. Then he slipped on his coat, grabbed the scarf his mother knitted him last Christmas for good luck, told Trudy he had to visit relatives, and slipped out. A cab was there, the driver impatiently honking his horn. A police officer sat in his car, giving Fabian a nod and turning on his car. Sliding into the back seat, Fabian watched the blur of the city pass by, looking particularly empty. He was glad that they didn't have to turn on the lights. When they arrived at the hotel, Fabian paid the driver and stepped outside, looking the building up and down.
This is where I'm going to see my father, he thought, heart beating faster, as he walked through the sliding doors.
"Is there a Richard Eaton here?" Fabian asked the hotel clerk.
"Third floor, room 25."
Thanking her, Fabian nervously stepped into the elevator, humming to himself as it went up, trying to calm his nerves. The door opened and he stepped out, searching for his father's room.
As he stood at the door, he hesitated. Should he just turn around and leave? But no, Fabian wanted to face his father. He had lived for so long with this weight on his chest, and now he was so close to breathing easier. So he knocked.
His father opened the door, and Fabian stared right into the face of the man he had hated for so many years. He still looked relatively the same, with the tousled brown hair that so closely resembled Fabian's, and a boyish face. But the long years had been hard to him, there were deep gray bags under his eyes and wrinkles creased his forehead.
"Fabian?" he said, with that same deep voice that once gave Fabian nightmares.
"May I come in?"
"Y-Yes," Richard awkwardly stepped out the way as Fabian entered in, noting how annoyingly empty the room was. One bed, a television, a white bathroom, and a small kitchen.
"So you've lived here how long?"
"A while."
"So what do we do now?" Fabian sat on the bed, making sure that every word was curt.
"We talk," his father sat beside him and Fabian stiffened.
"Let's just get it out in the open then," Fabian stared up at the ceiling, "I can't forgive you."
"Fabian-"
"Don't," Fabian shook his head, "Just don't."
Richard dipped his head, "Okay. Well what do you want to talk about?"
"Why did you do it? Why did you have to hurt me to feel better about yourself?"
"I don't know," he admitted, "My doctor said that I have anger issues, one moment I was fine, and the next I was standing over you, fist clenched."
"You knew exactly what you were doing. So don't lie to me. Maybe there's just something wrong with you, I don't know what it is, but I know that it hurt me for so many years."
"Fabian will you just let me try and explain myself?"
"Will you just stop trying?" Fabian stood up, yelling, "I'm so sick of your excuses. What you did isn't something you can just apologize over and we can just hug it out! I am not the same person because of you! And I will never forgive you for it!"
Standing above him, his father raised his voice, "You need to listen to me! I did a lot of awful things but I'm a changed man!"
"Changed man?" Fabian spat, "Somewhere, deep down there's still the man that punched me for not making the damn football team!"
"I couldn't control myself!" Richard was towering over Fabian again, just like he used to, but Fabian stood tall.
"That's not true and you know it! How am I supposed to forgive you, after what you did?"
"Maybe you shouldn't forgive me!" his father huffed, "Because you're still that boy, crying and whimpering just like you used to! You needed to toughen up and you don't get that through hugs and pats on the back!"
"So beating me was the answer? Yeah, I sure got my smarts from you, didn't I!"
"Don't you disrespect me!" he raised a warning finger at Fabian, "I'm still your father and you will obey me!"
"No I won't! Because you are not my father and I am not your son!" Fabian screamed.
Just as it had those many years ago, Richard swung wildly at his son but Fabian grabbed his arm, grunting as he forced it down. His father let out a yelp and stared at his son, wondering where his newfound strength came from.
"You will not control me anymore!" he yelled, "I am not a little kid anymore and you will not touch me. For so long you were in my nightmares, but now I am done with that. You do not scare me anymore, and I'm going to leave now," and with that, he turned around, not looking behind as he left his father, who was speechless.
As he left the hotel, the cab and police car were still waiting for him. As he stepped in, he felt so much better. It was like he had been carrying a backpack full of rocks and a massive rock had just been taken out.
He pressed his head against the window, staring and just thinking. He decided to call his home phone, and explained what had just happened to his mother. She cried and promised that she, his stepfather, and his two sisters would be there as soon as possible. When he got back, they were there sitting in the living room talking to Trudy. His mother grabbed him in a hug, tears streaming down her face.
"Oh Fabian," she whispered, hiccupping.
"Hey mom," he said, letting himself hug her for once.
Katie nodded at him, but he decided to hug her too.
"What's up, little brother?" she asked, "Glad to really have you back now."
Lily ran up to Fabian and grinned at him, showing him that her front two teeth were missing.
"Hey kiddo," he ruffled her hair, a strange show of affection for him, "What do you want for Christmas?"
"All I want Christmas is my two front teeth!" she shouted, giggling. He picked her up and spun her around.
"Is that all?"
"I wrote Santa a really long list!"
"I bet you did," Fabian chuckled, setting her down and facing the rest of his family, "We need to talk."
They all sat down on the couch and Fabian told them everything, from when he was a kid to the most recent experience. His stepfather held his mother as she cried. Katie listened quietly, already knowing about the events of the past but what had happened today was news to her. Trudy tended Lily, who was too young to understand. By the time it was all done and they had talked it out, Fabian was crying too. Eventually Lily came back in and they all group hugged.
So after years of silence, the Rutter family was finally fully okay.
Nina came in by accident upon the hugging and crying family, turning to quickly exit but Fabian saw her.
Letting go of his family, Fabian smiled at her, "Hey Nina, this is my family."
Nina smiled back at Fabian and everybody uncomfortably, "Hi everyone."
For a second, Fabian worried that they would act confused, because he'd only ever mentioned Nina to Katie.
But luckily Katie took a step forward and hugged Nina, "Hi Nina! I'm Katie, Fabian's older and smarter sister. We've heard so much about you!"
Nina came out of the hug looking perplexed but less tense, "You have?"
"Of course, you're all we ever hear about from Fabian," his mother shook Nina's hand, lying through her teeth, "It's so nice to finally meet you! He said you were pretty but that's an insult, you're gorgeous!"
She blushed, "To be honest, I haven't heard a lot about you guys."
His stepfather clasped Fabian's shoulder, "Fabian was just trying to be modest, it's just that we are so great that he didn't want to brag.
Nina laughed, to Fabian's great relief.
Lily stepped out from behind her father, "You're Fabian's girlfriend?" she smiled, revealing her missing two front teeth.
"Yes, I am," Nina grinned at her, "And who are you?"
"I'm Lily," she rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet, "I'm Fabian's new sister?"
"New?"
Before anyone could stop her, Lily explained, "Fabian's mommy married my daddy and now she's she also gets to be my mommy. I got a sister and a brother too!"
Nina took a good long look at Fabian's family. He looked a lot like his mother, but her cheekbones were more prominent, her hair was darker, and her eyes were a sharper blue. His older sister Katie had the same brown hair, but it was curlier, and they shared the same warm smile. His stepfather had blonde hair and green eyes. Lily had her father's bright green eyes but she had bouncing ginger curls and spots of freckles.
"That's pretty cool," Nina said, "Most people don't get two extra siblings."
"I know! Do you have any brothers or sisters?"
She shook her head, "Nope, it's just me."
"I'll be your sister!" Lily smiled brightly.
"Sounds like a deal," Nina watched Fabian bite his lip but she grinned at him, assuring him it was okay.
"Do you want to come home for the holidays?" his mother asked Fabian.
"Er…no thanks," he declined, "For now there's lots of things to stay for," Fabian looked directly at Nina.
His stepfather and mother nodded understandingly, watching Fabian stare at his girlfriend.
"That's okay," his stepfather said, "But we got you a birthday present," he handed Fabian a small box, "Happy birthday tomorrow."
"We better be off," Fabian's mother said, kissing Fabian's forehead and giving him one last hug, "We love you, Fabian. And have a happy Christmas and birthday, we'll talk more when you come home."
Fabian hugged everyone once again, and they left, being very obvious as they excitedly pointed at Nina.
Laughing, Nina turned to her boyfriend, "What was all that about?"
"Just…a lot happened today, look and see," he tentatively showed her a few of his scars on his back.
"Fabian-" Nina's eyes were wide.
"It was my father," Fabian replied, for once his voice not cracking.
Nina stared out the window after his family, gasping slightly.
"No not him," he quickly corrected, "That's Ian, he's nice, and my step father. But my real father had…problems."
"Oh Fabian."
He shrugged, "Don't worry Nina, I don't really want to talk about it now. But just know that I'm okay now, better now, even."
She nodded, "Okay. We don't have to say anything, if you don't want to. But everyone's going sledding...want to come?"
"Let's go," he grinned.
A few hours later back at the house, Trudy clapped her hands, "I hope you all had a fun time sledding! Now who wants hot cocoa?"
After a chorus of me's and I do's she laughed, "I guess I'll just make everybody one!"
"Extra marshmallows for mine?" pleaded Eddie.
"Of course lovely!" she ruffled his hair motherly, "I'm guessing that everyone wants extra marshmallows then."
"And whipped cream?" Alfie begged and Trudy just laughed, promising to do all of these things as she headed into the kitchen.
As she began to prepare the drinks for everybody she turned on the radio to listen to music but no such luck.
"Oh, I wanted to listen to Christmas music but all of the radio stations are empty!" Trudy sighed unhappily.
"Is there a problem with the hot cocoa?" Mara peeked her head in the kitchen.
"No dearie, it's just that I wanted to listen to Christmas music but I can't!"
"Well I could play some if you wanted," Mara offered, getting the idea from hearing her friends sing some weird song last night. Anyway, she had wanted to sing Christmas carols!
"That'd be just lovely, but with what?" asked Trudy.
"There's an old piano in the cellar," Mara continued, "if somebody could just help me lift it up then I could play it for everyone up here."
Mara remembered finding the piano.
She was searching for Joy last semester and was going to ask her about the math homework. Joy was nowhere to be found so she went down into the cellar finally, as a last resort. She called out her name but to no avail. Mara sighed and went to go back but she bumped into a large item and as a result of the collision dust flew everywhere. Coughing, Mara uncovered the sheet from the large item and to her surprise found a piano. It was old but as her fingers danced lightly on the keys, she knew it was perfect. Her parents had made her practice as a younger child, but she had lost interest as she grew older. But her hands felt familiar as she played and remembered why she had fell in love with this instrument in the first place.
"That's a lovely idea!" Trudy cried, "Go tell some of the boys to get it up here and play it pronto!"
Mara giggled and ran back into the living room, "I thought it would be a good idea if we could have some Christmas music and the other day I found a piano in the cellar."
"Can you play?" Fabian asked, "Because I have my guitar."
"I can sing!" Joy added in.
"We've got our band then," said Mara gleefully, "Now who wants to help get the piano upstairs?"
Eddie and Mick said they would and with a bit of strength and sweat the two boys finally got the piano upstairs. Fabian grabbed his guitar out of his room and Joy loosened her vocal chords.
Mara sifted through the old journals and books in the cellar until she finally came across the piano books.
"Property of Sarah Frobisher-Smythe," she read aloud as she collected the first Christmas book she saw.
Mara dashed upstairs with the piano book and announced she was ready. She sat down on the piano bench, pulled out the Christmas book, chose O Holy Night, and began to play.
The rest of Anubis house had been chatting amongst themselves but when she started playing they all quieted. Her fingers ran across the keys, striking each one with precision and majesty.
Fabian sat down with his guitar and joined in, strumming chords, drawing out Mara's piano playing and adding to the overall sound.
Joy cleared her throat.
"O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!"
Her voice was beautiful and it rang out, filling up the room with the sounds of Christmas.
Trudy slowly brought in the hot chocolate and everyone sipped quietly, awestruck by their peer's talents.
"O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!" she sang.
Amber rested her head against Alfie's shoulder as they sat and listened. Patricia and Eddie were leaning against each other on the couch, eyes closed and hands held. Mick watched Joy, fascinated at how marvelously she could sing. Nina gave Fabian encouraging smiles and was sitting by the fireplace with a blanket covering her.
"Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!"
As Trudy listened to the kids, a few teardrops fell down her face. Even Victor could hear the music from his office and he was motionless, completely captivated by the beauty of it.
"Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!"
Joy sang and the final note echoed all through the room and those that were listening exhaled slowly, deeply moved by the music.
"Joy to the World , the Lord is come!" Fabian sang as he played the guitar, grinning at Joy, and everyone was pleasantly surprised because Fabian didn't normally do this.
"Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room," Joy harmonized with him.
"And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing," Mara joined in. No one had ever her sing before and they were taken aback at how beautiful her singing voice sounded.
The trio's voices made for an elegant and fantastic sound that brought a warm spirit to all listening.
"Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy."
Everyone forget their problems and just enjoyed the Christmas music. It was a time of peace and happiness, despite all that was to come. The melodies of Christmas drowned out their sorrows and fears.
"No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found."
"He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love."
As everyone applauded, the three bowed, happy to share their musical talents.
"One more song," begged Amber, and Alfie nodded vigorously beside her.
"Have yourself a merry little Christmas," Eddie began quietly.
"Let your heart be light," Patricia sang along.
Mara grinned and started playing the song on the piano energetically and Fabian added in his guitar.
"From now on,
our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on,
our troubles will be miles away," everyone sang.
Even Victor came out from his cave and quietly sang along with the children.
"Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more."
"Through the years
We all will be together,
If the Fates allow," Nina sang, a tear cascading down her cheek as she watched her friends.
It was true though, after this Christmas she would only have one Christmas left at Anubis house, then they would graduate. And who knows what would happen during college? Would they be able to be get together? Only if they were lucky, she thought, Because friends like these only come once in a lifetime. So she just smiled, leaning closer to Amber and singing louder than ever, cherishing the moment.
"Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself A merry little Christmas now."
All clapped and cheered loudly, just positively beaming with absolute happiness.
"That was so wonderful!" cried Trudy, wiping a few tears from her face.
"I didn't know you could sing Fabian," Nina said, "That was beautiful."
"Only on special occasions," Fabian blushed.
"Ditto that," added Mara.
Mick came up to Joy and grinned, "Joy to the world, you sure a brilliant singer."
Joy flushed, "Thanks."
"It really feels like Christmas now," gushed Amber.
"Perhaps so Miss Millington," everyone did a double-take because Victor was there and not sulking in his office.
"Were you here the whole time?" asked Alfie.
"I was listening the entire time Mr. Lewis," said Victor, "Now goodnight to all."
He bid them farewell and left for his office.
"Maybe your singing is magical," laughed Patricia, "Because Bahumbug Victor over there has never done anything like that before."
"You touched his three sizes too small heart," Eddie pretended to wipe a tear away.
"Oh hush now," laughed Trudy, "Now you see that Victor does have a heart."
"Deep down though," added Fabian.
"Maybe so," continued Trudy, smiling slightly, "But he's not all that bad, see? Well sleep tight everyone!"
They all departed from the living room, the Christmas spirits blazing warm in their hearts.
Wooo angsty and fluffy chapter. Hope you like it, despite the fact that these chapters are written at night. So sorry that these chapters are getting uploaded late, life is getting busy. Not a lot of Sibuna in this chapter, but lots of Fabian. Luckily tomorrow is the last day of school for the year and not a lot going on in classes. There may be no new chapter until Saturday, we'll just see. Goodnight to all and let's get 5 reviews until next chapter.