My heart started to race when the familiar scent and face started to register in my half-awake brain, and then the real panic started to set in.
"What the hell are you doing out here?" Darren's voice bombed in my head. He got off of me, and I rolled over giving my head a quick shake.
"Shift." He demanded, and I let out a soft whine.
"Nah, you know. I'm good. I just wanted to get some air. I'll follow you back." But Darren wasn't having that, and he was standing in his human form within seconds, his arms crossed as he glared down towards me.
"I said. Shift."
He wasn't asking, so I huffed, my body aching as it shifted from one form to the other. I looked at Darren, our eyes meeting for a split second before I had to look away. I knew though, as soon as he saw me he'd know and that would be it.
He didn't say anything, just shook his head and started walking back towards the house, and I followed, knowing damn well that if I didn't I was dead meat.
The walk to the house was deathly quiet. He didn't look back, he stayed looking forward, He didn't say a word to anyone, not me, not the guards we passed as we walked into the town. My stomach was in knots, and all I could think about was how much trouble I was about to be in.
I didn't have a will. How would anyone know I wanted to leave Ivan my comic book collection without a will? Patty called dibs on it years ago, we were fucked if I died without setting that straight.
Darren opened the back door to the house, and I grabbed my clothes, shoving my pants and shirt on before walking into the door that he held open.
I winced as he slammed it shut behind me. "Silas!" He called out, and only a second later was dad down the stairs, looking bewildered as his eyes fell on us both.
Darren pulled a chair out and gestured for me to sit down while he walked over to a nearby basket that we kept at both doors, grabbing a pair of jogging pants. Because even though we had no issues with being naked around one another. Having a conversation without your clothes on was a little... Strange.
"What did you take."
'Nothing.' I signed back.
"What. Did. You. Take." I wanted to shrink away, wanted to hide. Silas shook his head as he walked across the kitchen, flicking the kettle on, indicating it was going to be a long night. "This can't keep happening," Darren said after I waited too long to reply. "You're leaving us with no choice."
I looked at them both, confused as to what he meant, Silas just sighed, "We can't lock him away forever Darren."
"No, but we need to do this. Unless we want him to OD somewhere alone in the woods. Which after I found him tonight will most likely happen." I lowered my head in shame, nibbling on my inside lip.
'Dad...'
"My grandparents own a farm up North." No. "It's for the best." No. "I can have Elis and Jeremy take turns watching the twins for a few nights."
I stood up, my mouth forming the words no, but no words came out. The chair that I sat in hit the ground behind me as my arms and legs shook. 'You can't do this. I'm an adult. I'm nineteen for fuck sakes.'
"Teen, Nineteen. You're a child, you're our child and if you want to stay under our roof, you need to clean yourself up, and I'm afraid this may be the only way." Darren started.
"We're doing this to help you Star, not hurt you."
'I'm not your child. You're not my parents.'
It was wrong. I shouldn't have said it. Not something that would cut them that deep in anger. They didn't show it. But the way they both paused told me they heard it, loud and clear.
But I stood my ground and went to walk past them, but Darren grabbed my arm as I did. "We leave in two nights, Start packing your things."
I yanked my arm away, elbowing him as I walked out, making my way to my bedroom with hot, angry tears stinging my eyes.
My Birthday, your gift. It's a bit short, but enjoyâ¡