Chapter 8: Leave Me Alone

Calm. Deep breath. Calm. Deep breath.

Calm.

Nails dug into her palms as she repeated the mantra in her head. Calm. Deep breath.

She had… her eyes… seen…

Calm. Deep breath. Inhale.

Teeth mashed and ground together.

Exhale.

She closed her eyes and fought back the tears. Why? Her happy family…

Happy? Family? Calm. Deep breath.

She heard the front door open and shut shortly after. Quietly, she rose from her seat at the kitchen table and moved towards the door. She leaned against the wall, watching and not saying a word. Murtagh moved past her down the hall without a word, their daughter asleep in his arms. Pupils narrowed into slits as she watched his back disappear from view. Calm, deep breath. Still she stood, waiting, knowing he had seen her and knowing he would come to bid her goodnight. He had done it every night since her return. No kisses, no touches, no loving words. How could she have not seen? Not known? Her happy family…

A floorboard creaked and Murtagh emerged from the hall. He gave her a curt nod and moved past her towards the counter.

"Murtagh." The name ripped from her mouth, heavy with venom. She hadn't meant it, but her mantra had failed her, anger taking home. "I saw you." It was practically hissed.

He turned, grabbing a glass, and cocked an eyebrow. "Huh?"

She threw a glare his way and offered no explanation.

Murtagh rolled his eyes and pushed off from the counter. He crossed the room and pulled the refrigerator open. His eyes rolled over the contents and he reached for the container of orange juice when Arya suddenly jumped in front of him. She pushed him back and slammed the door closed so hard the contents inside rattled and the boxes on top fell to the floor. The glass he had been holding slipped from his grasp, shattered and scattering all across the floor. "Fuck, Arya. What the hell's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me? ME?"

"That's what…"

"I know." She repeated loudly, interrupting him.

He rolled his eyes and bent down. "You said that already." He gingerly began picking up the larger pieces of glass. "Know what?"

"I saw you."

"Saw me what?"

"At the coffee shop today."

He stiffened, the collected pieces of glass fell back to the floor.

"Hanging all over some guy."

"He's… a friend." He stammered softly, standing back up.

"How many friends do you make out with?" Her eyes flashed. "A guy, Murtagh. You were kissing a guy. In the middle of the coffee shop at work. Where everyone could see!"

"Arya… it just happened." He was panicking.

"How long?" She barked out, moving closer.

He stumbled back. " Uh… three weeks…"

For a silent moment, Arya hung her head. Fire… anger… explosion… so… much… "You've been sleeping around on me… for three weeks?" She spun around and threw up her arms. "And saint mother in law… she's in on it too, huh? She never liked me. Her I can understand. But my daughter…" She spun around. "You let that filth touch my daughter. My daughter. Mine! I carried her. I gave birth to her. She belongs to me. Mine!" She screamed again. "You." She poked his chest, not being gentle about it. "Mine. My fucking property, right?"

"But… I didn't…"

"Right?" She insisted louder, cutting him off.

Murtagh visible shrank back from her. Instantly he reverted. Gone was the happy, smiling guy of recent weeks. Once again, he was the sniveling, broken, beaten down coward Arya had trained over the years. "Right." He mumbled, a shadow of his former self.

"Good. You're going to break it off with this fairy."

Murtagh dropped his eyes to the floor.

"Look at me, you fucking faggot."

He flinched and raised his gaze to meet hers.

"I mean it. You and Gasey can't see him again. I will be taking care of our daughter from now on. All day. You won't get shit time with her without me present, got that?"

Murtagh opened his mouth like he wanted to protest. But he quickly closed it.

"You're going to quit that coffee place…"

He shook his head. "Wait a minute… I need that job."

"To flirt with your fairy boy?"

"We need the money." His voice lowered, already loosing the momentary nerve.

She waved him off. "I've got plenty of money."

"We barely cover the bills."

"That's you. You barely cover the bills. I've got plenty of money. Do you know how much I make? I make more in one shoot than you do in a month."

"What… where?"

"Bank… my expenses."

"I'm working my ass off and you're holding out on me?"

"You're cheating on me. With a man. You lost your right to complain baby. Quit the coffee shop. I'll cover the added expenses."

"Arya…"

"I'm tired. I'm going to bed. You can sleep out here."

"Arya!"

"SHUT UP!"

-X-X-X-X-X-

"Okay, Saph. I promise. I'll work on it later tonight. Or this weekend."

"Eragon!"

"Oh look at the time. Gotta go!"

"Eragon!"

He flipped his phone shut before she could harass him further. He smiled to himself as he slipped the phone into his pocket and pulled the door open. The scent of coffee clung to the air, along with sugar and other various things. Bright shining faces greeted him as he strode towards the counter. Regulars in the shop who had come to welcome him as one of their own smiled and waved. "Hey Thorn."

"Hey. Can't talk now. Too busy." He stepped around Eargon and stopped at a near table. "What can I get you two ladies?"

Eragon watched him for a second before sitting down at the counter. Seeing no sign of Murtagh, he pulled out a notebook and set himself up to work while he waited. An hour, three iced teas and a bagel later, the lunch rush was over and the shop was slowing down. "Hey Thorn." Eragon ventured again with a sympathetic smile.

The larger redhead came over and leaned against the counter. "Sorry about the brush off earlier. Busy day."

"I noticed. I met the… new girl. She's… friendly."

Thorn laughed. "Angela's not new. She's the opener. But she stayed to work Murtagh's shift. Don't think she's too happy about it."

"Why? I mean… why'd she take his shift?"

"I figured you would know more."

Eragon shook his head. "I haven't talked to him since yesterday."

"Huh… well… he didn't show up today."

"Is he sick? Or Gasey?"

Thorn shrugged. "No clue. He didn't call and Angela couldn't get him on his phone when he didn't show up for his shift."

"Probably nothing. Wife's home so… she's probably on a rampage or something." Eragon pulled out his phone. "I'll call him and see if he's okay."

"Bad idea." Thorn shook his head. "Arya's answered his phone before. Plus, the very definition of 'down low' is not doing anything to alert the wife."

Eragon sighed. "Probably wouldn't be a bad thing." He mumbled.

Thorn laughed. "I'm not arguing with you."

Eragon leaned back. "Well… I'll just hang out here for a while. See if he stops by or calls."

"Suit yourself. Holler at me if you decide to order something else."

"Will do."

-X-X-X-X-X-

The next day, Eragon went to the coffee shop as planned. Once again, no sigh or word from Murtagh. The weekend came and went with Eragon being stood up. He was more than worried at that point, but too terrified to call.

"Wherever he is… he's fired!" Nas called, heading back to her office. "His replacement starts tomorrow."

Eragon leaned on the counter with a sigh.

Thorn rolled his eyes in Nas' direction. "She's lying. If Tag showed up right now, she'd hand him his apron and all would be well."

Eragon shook his head, as if he hadn't heard. "What if something happened? What if… he's in the hospital? Or Gasey?"

Thorn shrugged. I don't know what to tell you."

"Aren't you supposed to be his friend?"

He shrugged again. "I thought I was."

"Some friend." Eragon muttered.

Thorn pushed off the counter and turned to Eragon. "Hey… look…" It was the first time the seemingly gentle giant had raised his voice in Eragon's presence. "I get it. You're upset. Your boyfriend disappeared and you're worried." He raised his hand and pointed his finger. "But don't go thinking you're the only one who cares or the only one who's worried. Tag is… was my friend." He faltered. "I thought he was. But honestly… I'm not sure he ever was. Or even if he knows how. I don't know his home phone of even where he lives."

"I do…" Eragon sighed deeply and leaned heavily on the counter. "It has to be her. She knows. She's… figured it out somehow."

Thorn raised his eyebrow. "Figured it out? Don't you think that's too much credit?"

Eragon cocked his head to the side. "Huh?"

"All she'd have to do is follow him or listen in on a conversation or something." Thorn smiled. "You two aren't as secretive as you may think you are."

Eragon sighed again and slumped down in his seat. "This is all my fault."

Thorn nodded slowly. "To an extent… yeah."

Eragon slid off his seat, casting a glare Thorn's way. "Don't rub it in."

He laughed. "You said it."

"You didn't have to agree."

Thorn looked up as a group of high-schoolers came through the door. He stepped away from the counter and turned to Eragon briefly. "So… what now?"

Eragon's eyes followed the group of bubbling kids as they fought over which table they should sit at. "I think… I'll call his mom. See if she knows what's going on."

Thorn nodded. "Keep me posted."

Eragon gave him a brief smile and nod before grabbing his things and heading towards the door.

-X-X-X-X-X-

"You've got some nerve. Who do you think you are?"

Eragon frowned as he closed the door to his vehicle and sat back in his seat. "Saph?"

She scoffed over the line. "Yes, it's Saph. Who else would it be?"

"I don't know." He smiled a bit. "I don't recall having any friends who call and scream at me."

"You don't have any other friends." She snapped.

"Ouch!" He was a bit confused at her reaction. He couldn't remember pissing her off. At least not recently. Well… okay. He pissed her off all the time. Constantly. But he wasn't sure which this referred to. "To what do I owe this scream fest?"

"You were a complete ass to Thorn yesterday."

Eragon shifted his phone to his other ear. "I was?" He furrowed his brows in confusion.

"Yes you were!" She snapped. "Berating him like that and calling him a horrible friend!"

"I didn't say that!" Thorn's voice sounded beside hers.

"Hush!" Saph hissed.

"Can we make this fast?" Eragon interrupted them. "I have somewhere to be."

"What?" She screamed indignantly. "Oh hell no! You are not getting off that easy!"

Eragon smiled and shook his head. "I said I was sorry."

"No you didn't!"

Oh. He hadn't? "Well… it was implied."

"Implied apologies don't count."

He rolled his eyes. "Let me talk to him." There was a shuffling as she handed the phone over. "Sorry."

"It's cool." Thorn said flippantly.

"What?! All that whining and it's cool?"

"There was no whining. You heard what you wanted to hear."

"Oh! So what? I'm overreacting? I'm over sensitive?"

"Your words."

"You ass!"

"Hey! Eragon was the one being mean to me and now I'm in trouble?"

"Give me the phone!"

"All better?"

"Shut up!" She got back on the line. "Eragon. Where're you going that's so important?"

Eragon stifled a laugh. "Meeting up with Lana."

"Lana?" She repeated.

"Tag's mother." Thorn said.

"Oh yes. I remember her."

"Got a hold of her yesterday." Eragon said. "She knows as much as us."

"Which is nothing." He heard Thorn mutter.

"Exactly."

"That's a shame." Sapphira said sadly.

"Totally sucks." Thorn added.

Eragon sighed. "Yeah. She can't get any of them on the phone. All their numbers have been disconnected."

"Really?"

"I already tried and she's right. She's not worried though."

"She's not?"

"No." Eragon shook his head as he said it. "She says every couple of years, Arya does this. She blows up about something and keeps them from visiting. After Gasey turned two, Lana didn't see them for nearly two years."

"Lame." Thorn said.

"We're going to check out the school, see if we can catch Gasey."

"Kidnap her and hold her for random?" Saphira said.

"Actually… probably not a bad idea."

"I was kidding Thorn."

"Keep us posted."

Eragon smiled as he pulled the phone from his ear and dropped it on the passenger seat beside him.

-X-X-X-X-X-

Gasey's school was located across the street from the local public library. Eragon pulled into the parking lot and killed the engine. He stepped out and was immediately pulled into a hug. He stifled a gasp. Where had she come from? "Lana?"

"Don't give up on him, alright?" She squeezed him once more before releasing him. "Keep at it."

Eragon blushed a bit and tried to avoid eye contact.

Lana laughed and grabbed his arm. "Come on. Help an old woman cross the street." Eragon joined her laughter as they made their way towards the school. Parents and cars lined the street and filled the school parking lot. "Do you see her?" Eragon shook his head. "Keep a lookout for Arya."

"We're never met." Eragon said simply. "I don't know what she looks like."

"Good point."

"There." Eragon pointed towards the front door of the school.

Her head hung low as she descended the stairs. Her dark hair was tightly curled, held back by bows and a headband. She wore a light purple, frilly dress with matching tights and shoes.

"She looks like Arya."

Eragon rolled his eyes. "She looks miserable."

"She probably is. Arya doesn't want a daughter. She wants a Barbie."

Eragon stepped out of view as Lana lifted her hand to wave.

"Grandma!" Gasey exclaimed loudly as she lifted her head and spotted her. She ran towards the woman and threw her arms around her. Tears streamed from her eyes and she buried her head.

"I know." Lana said simply, patting the girl's head. She waited until the child released her before stepping back. "I brought someone here to see you."

"You did?"

Eragon peeked out from behind the car he was hiding. "Hi Gasey."

Her eyes widened. "Hi." She said shyly, not moving.

"That's all?"

She dropped her gaze and scrapped her shoe along the pavement. "I'm not supposed to talk to you."

Eragon stepped closer and knelt down in front of her. He lowered his head, trying to catch her gaze, but didn't move to touch her. "Who told you that? Your mom?"

She shook her head. "Dad said… dad said… you're a bad man."

An ache pierced his heart as she spoke those words. "He said that?" His voice squeaked a bit.

Gasey's head seemed to hand lower and she stepped back.

Eragon rose and turned. "Shit!"

"It's all mom!" Gasey ran forward and threw her arms around his waist. "He didn't mean it! I know it! You're not a bad man!"

Eragon sighed and pried her off. He avoided looking at Gasey and glanced at Lana. "I'm sorry. I can't…" He shook his head and walked off.

Tears spilled down Gasey's face and Lana dug in her purse. She pulled out a tissue and wiped the young girl's eyes. "It's okay." She said softly. "None of this is your fault, alright?"

Gasey said nothing for a few minutes. She wiped at her eyes. "But daddy…"

"Daddy is being stupid, okay?"

"I didn't want her to come home. I'm a bad girl." Gasey whispered.

"Sweetie, you aren't! I promise! No one wanted her to come home."

"You better go Grandma. She'll be here soon." The buses were gone and the parking lot was nearly empty.

"Okay sweetie. Stay strong and have faith. Everything will work itself out."

-X-X-X-X-X-

He slumped over the steering wheel in his car, after having pulled into his apartment parking lot. His chest heaved with each breath, his heart physically ached. He knew he shouldn't care so much. Their secret, or not-so-secret, romance didn't last long. Murtagh had come into his life by accident. Why did the thought of going back to the way it was before terrified him so much. He hated that his happiness, his whole existence was contingent on one person… well… two.

He leaned back and sighed. "Okay universe. You gave them to me and took them away. How do I get them back?"

He was silent for a few minutes, listening and watching. A bird outside was making a lot of noise. A feeder hung on a pole beside the parking lot. Eragon watched for a moment as three tiny birds flitted about the bottom of the feeder. It held no meaning for him, watching the tiny birds. A few more birds appeared. Still nothing. But he was a watcher. The tiny birds were loud and messy. Seeds feel from the feeder as they ate. As they did, more birds arrived to peck at the fallen seed on the ground.

"Eragon!"

He literally jumped, hearing the voice. He was so engrossed with watching the birds and day dreaming that he hadn't seen the shadow fall on his windshield.

"Sorry man. Didn't mean to startle you."

Eragon took a deep breath and busted out laughing. He hopped out of his Jeep and slammed the door shut. "I literally jumped out of my skin, Thorn. Shit, man."

Thorn joined in his laughter and shook his head. "Really didn't mean it. What were you staring so intently at?"

Eragon shrugged. "Nothing." He pointed towards their apartment building. "Come on. I'll tell you what happened with Lana and Gasey before you ask."

-X-X-X-X-X-

Author's Notes: I've sort of lost complete interest in the Eragon universe. Not sure if I'll ever pick it up again. But I still want to finish this. So… I'll keep going. Sorry if you've waited for this crappy chapter.