CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Ingram
The next morning I got up and ate breakfast with Chris and Ky like everything was normal. I didn’t bring up the fight again even if the reminder was there every time I looked at my brother’s face.
I couldn’t hold onto the anger. Life was too short and though it might have pained me, I had to admit that his protectiveness was a good thing. He was a good brother.
I thought about all the time we had missed together.
I should have gone with him when he fled the camp. Only I was seven and clueless about anything that had gone on. I knew how I felt when they beat a kid right in front of everyone only to make an example out of him. Then they just left him there to die while Ky was chained to a tree too many feet away to reach out to him. I knew it killed Ky, Brighton was his friend even if we weren’t really supposed to have those there. Brighton had always been nice to me and I couldn’t understand why they had done that to him.
Then Ky was free of his bonds and telling me he was leaving. He begged me to go with him but that place was all I’d ever known. Their words, the only lessons I knew. The outside world was scary and evil and no place for people like us. I didn’t want to taint my soul and never be welcomed again. I mean, that was what I believed back then. I didn’t know how to think any differently.
Looking back, I wish I’d taken my brother’s hand that night and fled with him.
But there was nothing either of us could do to change that now.
I was just glad that I did eventually wise up and escape myself. I hadn’t realized it back then, but I was basically a prisoner. I was free, lived a life where I could move about and and such. Only I wasn’t reallyfree. Because I was only ever taught the things they wanted me to know. I was only able to move around as long as it was inside the compound. And I was only able to do those things when they said I could.
“Ingram,” Ky said and I snapped my gaze to meet his. I guess I’d really drifted off there in my thoughts. I hadn’t realized it. “You okay?”
I gave him a hum of affirmation and my head nodded a few times. I finished up my yogurt though it felt like I was having to force it down.
“Ky,” I said as I set my spoon down. “And Chris. Both of you. I don’t think I ever told you how much everything you’ve done for us means to me. I don’t know that I’d be okay if it wasn’t for you two. Thank you, truly.”
“We’re family, Ingram,” Chris said as one of his sweet, genuine smiles lit up his face.
“That’s what the fuck we do for each other,” Ky piped in and it was almost as if he was finishing what Chris had said. “And I’m really glad you came to me. You never have to thank us for that.”
“I’m happy I’m here,” I told them both.
There was a silence that spread across the table and I got the feeling like we all didn’t know what to say next.
“Ingram,” Ky said softly, almost like a sigh. “Go to him. He’s been going through something and now that I know about the letters, I suspect a lot of it has to do with you.”
My eyes cut over to look at Chris. I’d told him about the letters Mouse and I had sent while I was away but luckily I hadn’t gone into great detail. Not that there was anything to hide, it was more that I wanted to keep those things to myself. And maybe having my big brother know some of the stuff we wrote would have made me feel a little too open.
I sent Chris a small smile to let him know I wasn’t mad that he’d told Ky. I had a feeling he did it because he was trying to help and not trying to start trouble.
“I shouldn’t say this,” Ky went on when I didn’t say anything. “But I think he needs you right now. Maybe I shouldn’t tell you that, or ask you to go to him. Hell, it’s probably one of the worst ideas I’ve ever had.” Chris let out a little snort, to which Ky cut his eyes over at him. “As I was trying to say, I think you both need each other a little. For whatever reason, there is a connection there and not even I should try to get in the way of that.”
Chris and I both looked at him with wide, shocked eyes and slacked jaws.
Was this really my brother?
He cleared his throat and looked a little uncomfortable.
“As friends,” he added sternly. “You know, as friends.”
I laughed softly as I pushed myself out of my chair. A second later I was throwing my arms around his neck.
“You’re special, kid. Don’t ever let anyone make you think differently.”
I pulled back and looked into his eyes.
“I don’t think thekidthing is working anymore,” I said with a laugh that both he and Chris joined in on.
“You’ll always be my kid sister.”
