The Penguin's True Heir

The sound of approaching footsteps only served to increase the child’s nerves and for once he was thankful for the experience in staying quiet throughout the years. Silence was his forte; his comfort. 

Instinctively, he ducked closer to the couch, hands splaying carefully across the back of the furniture. Bracing himself as he hid. Waiting. Listening. Footfalls came closer and closer before passing into the distance. Wide eyes peered over his hiding spot, taking surveillance of the room before spotting the book he’d left sitting out.

Hm…

If he were going to be hiding…having something to do would probably help pass the time. Help ease his worries as well. Even better, if he could make a break for it–he’d have the book in his grasp and wouldn’t have to wait to continue where he left off. 

Okay.

He could do that. Absolutely. 

Another glance was given around, confirming that his unmet brother was still preoccupied before he quietly snuck forward, grabbing hold of the item and tucking it to his chest. A hasty retreat was given after, small figure ducking back down behind the couch with his prize.

           ✦ 〰〰〰 With his snack in hand, Ethan returned the extra ingredients to their rightful place and stuck the sandwich in his mouth, retrieving the bag from the floor on his way back into the rest of the house. He headed for the sitting room, jonesing for the book that had been left on the couch with the mind to put it away. At least, that what he would have been thinking if he hadn’t walked into the room to find the spot it’d been in previously mysteriously empty. 

          The young man took a deep breath, assessing the area with the hopes of spotting someone he might have missed before. It seemed he wasn’t quite as alone as he’d previously believed. Whoever Oswald had brought into their home apparently had the thought to conceal themselves, putting the teenager just that little bit on edge. He figured that his father wouldn’t bring someone dangerous into their home, but he’d also wasn’t naive enough not to realize just what kind of work the man was in. With no real description of their visitor, Ethan could only assume the worst. 

           ❝ I know you’re there, ❞ he called into the sitting room, taking the sandwich out of his mouth and pulling his backpack up a little higher on his shoulders. Slowly, he crept onward, careful to keep an eye on his surroundings should someone decided to jump out at him. ❝ If this is supposed to be a game, you should come out and let me know the rules before we start. I wouldn’t mind the choice in activity, but the least you could do is make it fair. ❞

          Ethan had come up to the couch, pausing a moment in front of it out of hesitation. Finally, he brought one leg up on the soft surface, leaning over the back of it to see over the other side, his fingers curling around the edge of it, his fair share of wariness painted across his features. 

When he had been caught, literally red-handed, by the Kingpin after attempting to set his bullies backpacks and belongings on fire, Martin hadn’t known what to expect. He had expected a stern scowling. Disclipine. A prompt lecture from the Orphanage’s staff beyond Miss Falcone. But his actions, as rash as they had been, had earned him a kinship with the Kingpin and the man had taken Martin beneath his proverbial wing for reasons the child couldn’t quite grasp just yet.

Ever since his life had taken a dramatic turn for the better. But when Oswald announced that he had someone for Martin to meet, a certain nervousness had taken hold of the child. He’d never had a brother before–nor had he ever really gotten along with the other children in the Orphanage. Not every child had the patience to read his written responses–and nodding or shaking his head could only answer a handful of questions. 

What if the other didn’t like him–? What if he demanded Oswald return Martin? Surely Oswald would listen! The other boy had been there first! 

The sound of the front door opening in the distance caught his attention and brown eyes snapped forward, the book he’d been reading all but abandoned as he rushed to his feet to hide behind the elegant couch decorating the sitting area.

A childish action sure; but he was a child.

He couldn’t very well call out in answer to the stranger’s demands. Hands grabbed hold of his notepad at it swung from his neck and Martin frowned down at it. Perhaps if he hid and stayed quiet, the other would leave and they could try again some other time. When Oswald could actually be present and make introductions. 

            ✦ 〰〰〰 No response, again. Peculiar, but perhaps something had come up and this stranger wasn’t actually coming by at all. Oswald would likely fill him in on the details later. It was a pity, actually. He’d been somewhat curious what kind of person that his father had taken to. With a shrug, he locked the front door and walked further inside, headed for the kitchen for an after-school snack.

           Passing by the sitting room, he noticed a book out of place, his brow furrowing at the sight of it. It didn’t look like something Oswald would necessarily have picked up. Perhaps the stranger had already come through and something urgent had called him away in a hurry? Understandable, but Ethan still got a touch of irritation that the books were being left haphazardly around the mansion. He would have to make sure to put it away on his way back.