A/N-Short chapter, I know, but it is what it is. For those who are working through the story and still waiting for the writing style to get better, it should start getting there now, too, as I began to gain experience from here on out. And as always, reviews are appreciated, I like to know what my readers think!
Chapter 14: Back Again
I watched as my little sister came tearing out of the house, not caring as she tripped on the steps at the end of the deck, and launched herself at me. "I was so scared!" she sobbed, and I looked down at her to see her crying. "Hey, hey, it's alright," I said, stroking her hair, "I'm back now." "Where'd you go?" she asked. I smiled. "I can't tell you that yet." She looked up at me, curiosity and annoyance replacing her crying eyes. "Why not?" I shook my head. "Because I am not prepared to yet," I said, picking her up over my head and spinning her around. "But I've got a good story to tell."
"Hawken?" I put Holly down and turned back around to the deck. My mom was stepping out of the door, worried tears in her eyes. I ran up to her and hugged her. "I'm sorry I scared you," I said, looking at her, "but I promise it wasn't my doing." "Oh, I know that," she said a bit sarcastically, "I'm just happy you're back. What happened? Were you kidnapped?" I sighed and stepped back, scratching the back of my head. "Uh, yes and no, sort of. It's kind of complicated." My mom stepped back and motioned toward the house. "Well, it's a long day still. We can talk about it inside. Are you hungry?"
The next hour was spent with me being hugged and hung on by Holly, my mom calling the police and telling them I was fine, my dad coming home from looking for me, and, unfortunately but expectedly, Holly pestering me about where I was. Eventually my parents started asking about what happened, but as anyone could imagine, I was nowhere near ready to lay the truth on them. I simply said I wasn't ready to tell anyone, and luckily for me they didn't push for details too hard. However, I had to keep my wits about me to keep the scales on my forehead hidden. There's no telling what would happen if they were spotted.
After about two hours I managed to escape the random embraces and the pesky sister, and checked on all my belongings. Luckily everything was in place and fine. My parents actually kept an eye on all my hobbies, and no plants were dead! There were even a few special surprises for me, but I won't bore you with the obsessive details.
As I went about putting everything in order in my room, Holly came peeking her head in. "Hawken, are you busy?" I smiled and turned around. "Yes, why?" "Are you ready to tell us what happened?" I shook my head. "I really just want to get settled back in right now, okay?" She put on a pouty face and crossed her arms. "Please tell me?" I sighed. "Patience, not pestering, is rewarded, Holly."
It didn't help. Until dinner, Holly continued to pester me. Lucky for me, but not really necessary, we went out to dinner, and I got to pick where, simply because my parents were happy to have me back. It was great, but did make me feel guilty. After all, I ended up having a good time where I disappeared to. When we got back home, I told everyone I'd reveal the story the next morning, and disappeared into my room.
As I lay in bed, watching bands of pitch black scales run up and down my arm, my mind turned over what I was going to say. Would they freak out? Would they understand? What will go wrong? What can be good about a talk like this? These questions continued to turn in my mind even as I fell into a fitful sleep.