The air was thick at Molly's. She gazed out the back patio door. She turned only at the sound of her mother entering the room.
"They're fine, Molly love," Kathleen said, "We can't coddle them forever. They had to learn and grown on their own,"
"Mom, stop it," Molly said as she wiped a tear away, "My kids don't need to be in on anything. I won't have them part of this bullshit struggle. I don't understand why you are so compelled to keep them in a world that's don nothing but hurt our family,"
"And all you've ever done is run from it your entire life,"Kathleen spat back, "What has it gotten you, child? A mind plagued with bitter visions. Don't think I don't hear you in the night,"
"What good has listening to these visions done for me? They're always too little, too late. Or else so vague, they're of no help,"
Molly turned her back on Kathleen. Her bare feet paddled across the floor back to the kitchen. She busied herself with preparing the meal for her family.
Kathleen was hot on her heels. She knew her daughter. She often did things like that to keep from worrying.
"You can not harness your gift when you only spit upon it. You have to work with them and understand from which they came. But you haven't. You shelter your children, you and your sisters and brothers,. Yet they still receive their gifts. Some more powerful then others, its true, but each of us has a taste of destiny,"
Molly slammed down the pairing knife in her hand and looked at Kathleen. The dishes on the counter began to shake. Molly clinched to the edge of the marble.
"Calm down, child,"Kathleen said.
She placed her hand on Molly's forehead and ran it down her cheek. Molly closed her eyes for a moment and her gaze softened. Kathleen had a soothing way about her, a healing.
"Mom, you see this as a birth right or whatever. But all I've seen it bring is pain and death. I've buried my husband, nearly lost my daughter to it. My niece did loose her child. What is it that ushers us to death? Why must we suffer? Why do we have to constantly run?"
Molly's voice quivered. The sound of the front door opening paused the two in their conversation. Collin entered the kitchen, grocery bag in hand.
"Thank you, Da," Molly said as she emptied the bag and put the drinks into the refrigerator.
"You're welcome, love,"Collin said, placing a quick kiss on her forehead, "When do the kids get here?"
"Around one is what I said. But I'm sure they'll start showing up before hand,"
As almost on cue, a car door slammed. Daria walked in through the kitchen door. Her hair was neatly done up in braids and a sun dress clung to her body.
"There's one of my girls,"Collin said, taking her into an embrace, "Look at you child, you grow more beautiful every time I see you. Its been too long,"
Daria had lived with her grandparents for nearly six months after she left Clu. She had no logic or reason when she packed as much of her clothes and necessitates into the small bit of luggage they had. The rest of her belongings she had Carey place in storage.
She didn't call a head, only pointed her car in the direction of Philadelphia and drove almost straight through. There was no explanation needed when she arrived at their door. Collin knew when she was meant to arrive by word of mouth from his wife.
"You look tired, dear,"Kathleen said, "Let me brew you some tea,"
"I'm fine, grandma. Bit of a late night, I pulled a double at work so I could be off this weekend,"
Kathleen studied her granddaughter. She knew her too.
"Don't push yourself too hard," Molly said, "I worry about you and Fiona all the time,"
"I know,"Daria said, "But we have to be grown ups some time,"
Slowly, more people began arriving. Fiona came with Annie in tow. Jack had gone home to get showered and ready. He would meet them later.
Annie appeared to desperately had tried to hid her bruising on her face with make up. But it was too no avail. She prayed that her chin length hair would hide it all.
Daria, too, was shifty. Carey already knew about what had happened. She didn't want anyone else to. She knew they would. Just as she knew where the handy work on Annie and the stiffness in Fiona's movements had came from.
Daria had excused herself on to the patio. Annie noted this and followed soon behind.
"Don't suppose you have one of those to spare?"Annie asked, indicating the cigarette in Daria's hand.
She had her back to the door and was leaning on the railing. The wind had been whipping around her hair, but it suddenly stopped when Annie spoke.
"Sure,"Daria said as she handed her one.
She lit it for Annie and the two of them caught eyes.
"Is something bothering you?"Annie asked.
"No,"Daria replied, "Why?"
"The nice display you were putting on there,"
"What are you talking about?"
"C'mon D. You know I know a little something about a little something,"
"Its nothing that you've to worry about,"Daria answered.
She hushed herself at the sound of the door opening. It was Fi.
"So where were you last night?"Fi asked.
Daria smirked in a cold way. Fi studied her hard. She hoped her cousin's answer was one that she could accept.
"I don't think I have to tell you,"Daria said flatly, "I should have came to you two. But I didn't want to face what was going on,"
"So you knew,"Annie said, "How?"
"You're my sister,"Daria replied.
"There's something coming,"Fi said, "And its coming soon,"
"I know,"Daria said, "And its dark,"
She flicked away the cigarette. Fi looked at her and tried to read her. She could tell her cousin was not at ease.
None of them were. But an instability in Daria was dangerous. The power within her was lethal.
"Are you going to be okay,"Fi asked.
"Yeah,"Daria said, "It was just sex,"
"With Clu,"Annie said.
"And what were you doing? You ran off with Keaton yesterday, Annie. I don't think I have to remind you of that,"
"Look what it got me,"Annie said, pointed to her bruised face, "You have got to watch yourself. Everything we do can lead to a death sentence,"
Fiona began to step between the two. But the girls' words fell silent when a car pulled up. Jack stepped out and looked at them with question on his face.
"And he heard,"Fi said, "Again,"
"But he still denies he knows anything,"Annie said.
"Of course he does,"Daria said, "No cracking that stone,"
Annie walked over to him and hugged him tightly. He placed a hand on her chin, examining her face. Annie turned from his fussing. The other two girls watched closely.
"Not everything that happened last night was that bad,"Fi said.
"Maybe your brother is actually opening his eyes. I hope so. I would love for him to prove me wrong,"
Fi excused herself to the bathroom. Her body felt like her blood sugar was off. She splashed water on her face and popped two aspirin from the medicine cabinet.
She let out a sigh as she sat on the edge of the bathtub. She looked at her fingers curled over the cool porcelain. He hair spilled in her face. Then, as if someone had brushed it from her face, her hair moved.
"Fiona,"
It came like a writhing, hissing whisper.
Fi jumped and searched for the source.
"Who ever you are,"Fi said, "Leave us alone,"