Page 22 of Chaos
Odin climbs through the window and closes it behind him. He doesn’t know where I hid the cameras, but he starts waving to the ceiling with a cheesy grin plastered on his face. I chuckle at how ridiculous he is, but that’s Odin. Ever the clown and good time.
I pick my phone up and open the messages between the two of us.
Me: How often do you
sneak into her room?
Odin: Every night that I can
Odin tucks his phone back into his pocket before stripping his pants and shirt off and crawling into bed with Serena. She may not know he is there, but she instinctively curls into his side, and a smile plays at her lips. Odin kisses the top of her head, holding her close to his body. I watch them for a few moments, until they are both asleep. I trust him to keep her safe.
Now it’s my turn to keep her safe and figure out who attacked her.
Serena
After four days at home, I am starting to go crazy.
I should be used to being a homebody, but I’m not anymore. I used to spend all my time at home or with Evan, but since moving here, I have enjoyed having the freedom to do what I want when I want. It hasn’t been like that since the attack.
Panic consumes me when I leave the house, afraid that whoever it is will pop up and shoot me again. But then again, being stuck at home also gives me the same feeling. So, it’s kind of a lose/lose situation, but I refuse to let it stay that way. Fear isn’t going to run my life.
I showered, hoping to feel slightly normal after, before quickly going through my closet and grabbing a pair of jeans, an oversized sweater, and some underwear. Unconsciously, I gaze through the drawer, making sure nothing else has been stolen lately. It doesn’t look like anything has been. Thankfully.
Mom is in the kitchen, sipping a cup of coffee and reading over a legal brief. She is so focused on the papers in front of her that she doesn’t hear me coming in. I grab a cup of coffee and sit down next to her.
Mom looks up at me. “Are you sure you’re ready to go to school today?” Her voice is so filled with worry, it almost makes me want to stay home to comfort her. But I need this. I hate being locked in this house right now. Having nightmares every night, reliving that horrible experience.
“Yes, Mom.” It’s the only thing I can say. We had this argument more than once last night. She thinks it’s too soon. I think I am going to bat-shit crazy if I stay home another day longer.
I haven’t told her about the nightmares or how I feel locked in myself. She witnessed the nightmares one night, but I told her that it was the only one I have had. I hate lying to her, but I don’t need her to worry more about me than she already does.
It doesn’t matter what I have been doing to distract myself, I can’t stop thinking about it. The pure, unbridled fear I felt. Not knowing what was going to happen, or if he is going to come back and finish what he started. The unknowns are scarier than what happened. My mind is constantly playing scenarios repeatedly of what might happen.
Mom looks at me as if she can see exactly what I don’t want her to see. She has always been able to see through the false façade I put on when something has been wrong. I know wisdom comes with age, but I swear my mom is wise beyond her years.
Mom gives me a cautious smile before nodding her head. She understands my need to get out of this house, but she is terrified to have me out of her sight. If I am being honest, so am I, but I know the Kings will be there. Breakfast is quiet after that. Mom continues working while I sip my coffee.
I finish my coffee and kiss Mom on her head before walking out to my car. My jaw drops when I step outside. Midas, Odin, and Zeus are waiting by my car, deep in conversation. I stay on the porch and watch them for a few moments, taking them all in.
Midas is wearing a pair of black jeans, a black T-shirt, and his signature leather jacket. Gold rings that shine in the fall sunlight adorn his fingers on his right hand. His usual scowl is plastered on his face as the three of them are talking. He swipes his hands through his black hair, pushing it off his face.
Odin is the exact opposite of Midas in his light-washed jeans, white T-shirt, and a red flannel over top. His long blonde hair is tied up in his signature man-bun with a few pieces falling free. I wish he would wear it down more often. An infectious smile plays on his lips as he laughs at something Midas said.
Zeus is a mixture of both. Dark navy-blue jeans, an old band T-shirt, and a grey sweater over top. His rich brown hair looks like he just rolled out of bed, but not in a bad way. Almost like he styled it that way.
Each outfit fits their personalities perfectly. Midas, the ever-dark and brooding one. Odin, the light, fun-loving one. And Zeus is the perfect mixture of the two.
My mind replays the last few days with them. They have been coming over every day after school to hang out. The only night they didn’t show up was the night Evie came over. I don’t know if she told them she was coming over and to leave us alone, or if there is another reason, but I was grateful they didn’t come over that night. I needed time with my friend.
It’s been a weird and unexpected few days. They have all been so sweet and attentive, even Midas, even if he has still kept some distance between us. I’m starting to think he blames himself for what happened to me, but it has nothing to do with him. He couldn’t have known that night what was going to happen. Plus, they got there in time and were there for me. That’s what matters to me.
I smile at them, remembering a conversation I had with them the other night.
“We want to talk to you about something.” Midas’s voice is barely more than a whisper. He appears nervous, fidgeting with the rings on his fingers. His eyes catch me looking, causing him to scowl and stop. He runs his hands through his pitch-black hair before he stares at me with those mesmerizing golden eyes.
I glance over to Odin and Zeus. Both looked equally nervous about the conversation. Odin’s hair is up in a bun, and his ocean blue eyes are staring into my soul. Zeus has a blank expression on his face, but his dark eyes are telling me everything I need to know. They have something big to say to me, but I don’t know if it’s a good thing.
Suddenly, my skin feels like it is crawling. The indescribable urge to run to the washroom and purge spreads through my body, but I refuse to listen to that temptation. I take a deep breath in, willing my body to relax and wait for them to continue.
