I stared at the wall silently. My mind was numb. What had he done? Seth had snuck off again. I knew that he was smart, and could get himself out of tough situations… Most of the time. He normally was only gone for a little while. This time he had been gone for almost four days. He never would leave this long, at least not without telling anyone. Well, actually that wasn't true. Seth had snuck away before for copious amounts of time. But that had mainly been when he had hidden in the knapsack. And I hadn't been worried about him that time. I had been with him. So I suppose the truth was that he hadn't snuck off from me for this long before. When mom and dad had freaked out, grandma and grandpa had told them that Seth had done this before and survived. Again, I supposed that was true.
A few minutes later I heard a knock on my door. "Kendra, are you there?" My heart skipped a beat. After going to help his mother, Bracken had been very busy. Here he was, and I couldn't snap out of this mood I was in. "Oh, hey Bracken." That was all I got out before my eyes filled with tears, and I returned my gaze to the wall. He came ad sat down next to me and put his hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry Kendra, I'm sure tat he'll be fine." I turned to him in disbelief. "Wait! Can you talk to him through your-" He cut me off before I got far. "I'm sorry Kendra, I've tried, but either he didn't bring it, won't answer, or won't use it. The tears in my eyes reappeared after disappearing in my excitement.
"I wish that I could have told you something different" Bracken murmured in my ear. I blushed for what seemed like no reason at all. "I-" my voice broke"-I just can't control it. I feel so sad, and angry. And I don't know whether I'm mad at Seth or mad at the idea of something happening. Or maybe, maybe I'm mad at my parents and grandparents, for letting Seth out. I know that they wouldn't be able keep him in, short of locking him in a cell. Even then, he would of figured out a way to run." He pulled me closer and rubbed his my back. I turned my face to his shoulder and let my tears fall.
"Kendra! Bracken! If your up there together, that door better be open. Fancy Unicorn or not, I don't want any hanky-panky going on!" My dad yelled up the stairs. I turned bright red and scooted around a foot away from Bracken. My dad charged up the stair to the attic, my mom close behind. My father eyed the space that I had hastily put between us. "Good. I don't want you to be getting any ideas fairy boy." Mom stepped forward and pushed dad out of the room. He went down the stairs mumbling. "Don't mind him, he's just worried about Seth." Her eyes tightened at the mention of Seth, but otherwise she remained steady. "If I may, ma'am?" My mom turned to Bracken and nodded, "What is it Bracken?" He glanced at me nervously then asked "What is hanky-panky" Me and my mom burst into laughter. Although my cheeks turned even redder, if that was possible. He looked at us both confused. "I'm serios. What is it? I've been in prison for at least 300 years. My mom looked him up nd down in shock. "How can that be? You don't look more then seventeen."
He looked her in the eye "I'm a unicorn?" He said it as if it were a question, not a statement. We age slower then humans. Mom raised her eyebrows. "How old are you?" It was his turn to blush now. "Oh… Well… The issue is… I don't actually know?" She looked at him incredulously, "You don't know your own age?" Bracken visibly winced. "No. But I could ask my mom, if you would like." My mom finally took her turn blushing. "No, you don't have to. The important thing is that you still treat my daughter with the respect she deserves. And you look ok. I'm sure that Kendra would agree, right honey?" Great, I had just stopped blushing and now I was back at it again. "Mom!" She laughed and walked down the stairs. "But seriously! Keep the door open! I was tempted to slam it closed, just for payback.
Bracken looked at me confused. "She never answered me. What's hanky-panky?" My cheeks lit on fire. It really wasn't funny now. "I need to use the bathroom! Ask my dad!" Wow, I deserved a standing ovation for that one. 'Ask my dad" seriously if he did, my dad would pull me and Seth and Bracken down there, just to- And that reminded me. Seth. I felt the burn of tears in my eyes return. I had to stifle a sob as guilt tore through me at forgetting Seth was gone. It wasn't even permanent. I hoped. It was a magic preserve with demons, and monsters, and the centaurs had a strong dislike for Seth too. This time I couldn't stifle the sobs that ran through me like spears. I leaned against the wall and slid down until I reached the floor.
Somebody started knocking on the door. "Kendra, it's me Bracken. Can I come in?" He sounded so desperate. I couldn't force myself to talk through my tears, at least not right then. So I reached up and unlocked the door. He burst in and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. He murmured nonsense. Tidbits about getting Seth back. And Tidbits about how everything would be okay. Eventually I calmed down and rested my head on his shoulder. I closed my eyes, tired from all the crying. I barely felt it when he picked me up and lay me in my bed. He pulled up my blankets around me, and moments before I fell into a deep sleep, be kissed my forehead.