WON'T SEE ME CLOSING IN

“We’ll figure it out,” he said, trying to regain his confidence. This whole situation was total mess and then some, and he absolutely hated it, he couldn’t stand having such a lack of control over his situation. “You don’t think she would have ratted us out, do you?”

“I’ll do better, Mom.”

“That doesn’t stop everyone from trying.”

“Not like there’s a huge difference between here and there.”

“Mckinley, so not to far from here.”

“I guess so,” he said softly. “I know you wouldn’t.. but she seemed so sure, mom.” He sat next to Austen on the couch and fidgeted nervously with his zipper. “Do you think maybe she talk to one of the others? And they lied to her?”

“I never have,” he pointed out coolly. “The only thing I have against me is that I can’t merge for you. I wasn’t given that right.” Not that he longed for it any more. Not to please her, at least. If a merge were possible now, he’d use it against her.

Aj nodded his head in response to her reassurance, though he didn’t take his eyes off his unconscious sister. “She seemed pretty certain about it though,” he muttered weakly. “I don’t understand it.. she said that it was murder, and that one of us would just be dead. I told her she was wrong but.. she stood her ground. She is wrong, right?”

“it is what it is.” he smiled.

“I hope they are,” he chuckled.

“I work hard to be a cut above the rest of my siblings; the failures. Without your memories, what else should I expect, but for you to compare me to them?  If I’m wrong, please, correct me.”

“Also, rent is a lot cheaper here, so that was a big pro on my pros and cons list,” he shrugged.

“Funny and economical. Your parents must be so proud.” 

“They didn’t force me or anything, I just like being close to my family.”

“Of course not, you’re an adult. The choice should have been entirely yours.” Rose admitted with a small smile. “How sweet.”

“That’s what I said. And I just hope I didn’t hurt her too much when I knocked her out.” Once he was inside her carefully set Austen down on the couch, before turning back to his mother. “I don’t know what happened to her.”

“Well, I hope they do for you,” she shrugged. Raina let her hand rest on her stomach, “You don’t even know me, though.”

“Thank you, I really appreciate it.” she beamed. I don’t have to know you to know you deserve to be happy.”

Isaac didn’t even flinch at his mother’s words. How could he?  Out of all his siblings, he felt he was the one who truly saw the situation for what it was. “There’s no need to threaten me. I know my place.” There was no game he was playing, beyond the blatant lie of loyalty.

“Just following my parents, I guess.”

“So they brought you here?”