I originally started this as a possible book but after this first segment realized it might be too sci-fi and definitely was more like my torchwood brain was in charge so I started another book project all together. I am reimaging this one for our boys instead. While me and Meretrixvilis are busy writing the next segment of Wolfling Z Verse, i will start sharing this with you. I only wrote the first large chapter (broken into 4 chaps for this) but am expanding as did have a lot of this story in my head already.
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The man stood on the rise, looking down over the fields below.
He wore military grade clothing that hung loosely, like he was bigger when he first started wearing it. It was all faded, old and scuffed like old friends along for the ride. The man also had two backpacks on, the one on his back a soldier's backpack with so many straps, pockets and such, things hanging off it so carefully arranged and the metal cup was bound by strips of cloth so it did not clink against any buckles. The pack on his front was smaller, like a normal standard one.
He had moved silently, his scuffed boots not making noise as he had walked gingerly to the rise to look out over the land, his hair flicking around his face as he stood holding the hat he had pulled from his head to enjoy the breeze in his hair.
The grass was bending in the breeze and he noted that he was upwind of the township he was about to enter. He stood a while longer, adjusting the front facing backpack that was getting lighter by the day. He needed supplies, just… well… he didn't need what he knew was likely waiting for him down below.
The small town ahead seemed still and silent but... who knows. He turned his head to his left, noting the storm on the horizon and bit back a groan of annoyance. Like it or not, he knew he had to find shelter, an abandoned house would be best, if he did a quick sweep and then locked all the doors, kept away from the windows until it was dark... maybe.
He had to make up his mind, the storm was not far off and neither was dusk.
They like dusk.
When they come out to feed.
And you do NOT want to be out in the open when they come out to play.
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"How long Daddy?"
"Anna, come on. It's only for the weekend. Aunty Rhia has a picnic planned and you know your cousin is looking forward to having another girl in the main house. Three brothers... can you imagine?" Ianto reached out to touch his daughter but she stepped back, her scowl deep as she slipped behind her aunt and he sighed, rising to face his sister. "Thanks for this Rhiannon. If I can get the credits at this seminar, it's another step closer to that promotion. A promotion means a raise and the sooner we are out of your basement apartment the better."
"Ianto, you know you are welcome to stay for as long as…"
"Rhiannon. It's been two years. More than enough time to get under your skin and I know Johnny is making undertones about it. Even with the two living spaces being separate, I am still under your feet... literally" Ianto said gently, his brother-in-law still slightly rankled at the death of his beloved sister, Ianto's wife. Yeah, siblings married siblings. Messy.
"It was not your fault. The fire was while you were not even home and Jennifer died from the smoke inhalation long before the fire was even called in by the neighbor" Rhiannon was still trying her best but Ianto knew the best was not gonna cut it. The fact is, he left to take their daughter to pre-school leaving her ironing. She had left the ironing to answer the phone then forgot. Ianto had headed on to work and had no idea that his wife was dying.
Eight months pregnant and prone to forget things.
By the time Ianto received the phone call to tell him there was a problem she was long dead, along with her unborn son. Cold comfort that he had Anna left, her anger at her mother's leaving her akin to a dragon wanting to flame the world.
The three hour flight to the retreat was uneventful and he dozed most of the time, looking forward to a dull blah-blah seminar and hopefully as certificate at the end. He knew he would ace it, he always did. One time a photographic memory served him well. Not like the time he identified her body and knew he would never shake her still open eyes and…. Stop it. The baby was not his, the DNA test coming back as someone else, he had been accused of murdering her due to infidelity that he had known nothing about. His pain of losing her went to the pain of knowing she had been having an affair.
Which gave his brother-in-law the ability to demand one for Anna as well, so sure it would come back negative too and they could take his little girl away from him forever. Thank god it came back as Ianto's child, his guardianship strengthened. The only thing that stopped the family's cruelty was moving in to the basement apartment, allowing the family free rein of the little girl. Something they did not really want, and clearly did not plan on.
In the two years since the fire, they had been invited to four dinners. Christmas and Easter. Thanksgiving was apparently just for family and if Rhiannon his Ianto's DNA, she was... I don't know. Tainted. To the outside world they were a loving family, but behind closed doors it was still clear that they would rather Ianto fell off a cliff or something.
He needed this job, he needed this pay rise if he was going to escape their dungeon.
Smile and nod, try to have fun. If only forced, it would be noticed. He had to fucking shine.
He can shine.