The Lycaetos

Chapter 19: Grave

I walked up the steps of the house, a bit uncomfortable. The quads had been sitting at the counter but they made not a sound as I entered. Just staring at me, cold, almost upset. Hunter's mom was there too and she threw me a deadly scowl. I pretended to ignore them, but as I made my way closer and closer to my room I couldn't help feel a bit of hesitation at the thought that indeed I'd most surely been caught. 

Finally the storm would hit me.

I tried to hold in the rebellious thoughts within me. Locked away with the fear that crept up there as well. Slowly I opened the door clicking the nob with a pause. A pause that did not last as the door was shoved open and I became face to face with the angered face of Hunter. A face that for a small passing in time I had forgotten. 

After glancing up at him then at the chair nearby I made a slightly nod. He kicked the chair. 


"Don't you dare sit." He grumbled. 

So I stood. Tucking the small book Mik had given me in my back pocket. 

I was about to apologize and hope for the best when he threw the other book at me. 

The Story of Kyns

My eyes widened as his narrowed. I felt guilty but  didn't know why.

At the realization though I quickly jumbled out anything I could. 


"It's just a kid's bo-"


"Don't bullshit me Ara."

Confused but not willing to piss him off more. I just look away and stare at the wall avoiding him. I'll wait for the stupid punishment to be announced then I can go back to doing what I need to. I let a loud sigh escape me as the thoughts run through my mind. Other thoughts too, wishing he didn't change like this. 

Suddenly I feel Hunter's grip on my shoulder. 

I look back at him. He's beyond pissed. For a second I consider taking his hand to calm him but decide against it. No I just need to wait.

"I don't want you around Kirsa." He spits out.


I blink a few times and take in his words. He stony face hasn't changed nor his icy glare. Though I feel a heat within me. Anger. I shove his hand off not caring if I used my strength, hoping it broke his stupid wrist, but it just moves off as if I'd delicately brushed it away. He moved it to his pocket but continued to look me down. Against all I'd done around him, I threw a strong glare then prepared to walk out the door. Give a polite fuck you in my thoughts. He blocked the door, slamming it shut as violently as when he had ripped it open before. I turn around to head for the window.


"Stop it." He commands. 


I spin back around to him. He moves around to the where the window is, blocking my view of it and cornering me into the wall. I go for the door again and he blocks me again. His hand slamming into the wall beside my face. Cracking it. Wouldn't be much of a feat if the wall wasn't concrete. My eyes widened, but my anger stayed there. I'd done things like that in my sleep, and he was about to find out how much more I could do. I swear if he tries to block me one more time...


I turn for the window. He slams his other hand beside my face, cracking more concrete.  I lift my hand up to his wrist. Ready to break it. Done with this bullshit. 


I spit, "I older now. An adult. I've been one for a fucking while in case you didn't realize!" He just keeps staring me down. I press on the wrist to crush. He still glares. The wrist doesn't budge. I feel a sudden heaviness in my stomach. Filling and expanding just how fear does. Though I ignore and continue to press on the wrist, now using more of my strength. Nothing happens.


Frustrated I yell, "I can do whatever I want with my friends. It's not your business!" I press with all my strength. I'll crush his stupid wrist to pieces! 

Yet still nothing happens. The heaviness grows larger, filling my chest. I stare back at him again. His gaze is much more lowered now and angry. Deep regret and confusion take over my emotions. The walls actually shake slight as he pushes against them. 

He practically growls, "It is my business, you're going to be my wi-" He cut himself off.


I'm shaking at this point.  Nodding at whatever he is saying. Still unsure of how he could be so much stronger. So unaffected. He continues to look at me, but his eyes soften at my fear. His words do not.

Menacingly he states, "Older now huh? You have no idea what that will even mean for you Ara." He steps much closer and the fear takes over. I try to push him away, once again using all of my strength, but still in vain. He doesn't move at all. He just continues talking.


"How do you know she is even safe?! If you get hurt again I swear I won't hold back!"


I finally look away as I feel my face get wet. 

He suddenly steps back and moves his arms away from blocking me. As quick as I can I try to wipe away the tears and try to stop the shaking but nothing works. He steps back again. I look over and he's got one hand running through his hair and the other beside him, shoved in his pocket. 

His breaths are heavy and slow, but the glare is gone. I still don't know what's going on, but I feel more and more like I'd really fucked this up. When did he get like this? When did I get like this? How could I forget that this was us now. 


I sit on the floor of the wall, defeated. Staring at the wood below.

My words feel so small as I speak, "I'm sorry, I just don't like being told what to do against my will. We both know that... it's why I'm such a failure."


"Don't say that." Hunter commands. I look up at him again. His arms are crossed now against his chest as he looks right at me with a gaze I didn't want to decipher. Reddened face and a stiff stance. I nod, but continue talking. 


"Kirsa's a good person Hunter. She'd never hurt me. So if that's the issue-" I stop speaking. His eyes are glazed over with tears falling from them too. I couldn't believe it. I don't think I've ever seen him cry. Not even when he got punished as a kid over me, or when his grandmother died. He was always so unwavering and tough. I get up and walk to him. 


Hunter doesn't stop me as I push the tears away with my palm. Though he doesn't touch me either. His hand just moving toward my face, but stopping midair, then falling to his side. He turns his gaze up to the ceiling, raising his other arm behind his head. A noticeable gulp shows on his throat as he just shakes his head left to right. A soft no, but his words contradict his actions. 

He admits, "You're right. I just don't think she can protect you either. At least allow me that, allow me to try to protect you." His gaze turns back to me as he brushes my hand away then gently holds my shoulders. Not to stop me from moving, but to look at me better as he lowers himself so that we can be eye to eye. I gulp too, but nervous. 


Hunter asks, "Please Ara, call me if something ever happens. I don't care when, where, or what you are doing. Just call me and I'll be there. You won't get in trouble, I promise." 


I grit my together, but shake my head in agreement.  Placing my hand over one of his. 

With all I can muster, I whisper, "Ok Hunter." 


He let's me go, then turns away. As he opens the door, his face turns back to its normal scowl. Hunter gives me a small nod, then leaves. As soon as he does, I let the speechlessness consume me that had been begging to do so since I first entered my room. Still fully confused but honestly willing to stay that way.


I wish silence could comfort me forever.