Wrong Place, Wrong Time ✔️

Chapter 4: A Memory

"Oh God..." I whispered, burying my face in my shaky hands. A traitorous tear slipped down my cheek and I swallowed, my throat dry.

I ripped off the covers and padded softly to the room a few doors down. Hesitantly, I pushed it open slightly, allowing a thin strand of light to illuminate the figure on the bed.

"Nick?" Arya asked, her voice less groggy than I expected it to be. Was she awake?

"Hey Ree." I said softly, fidgeting slightly. "I had another nightmare." I heard the sheets rustle and Arya was in front of me, studying me with her bright green eyes. She wore an oversized grey top and black shorts. 

"Oh Nick..." She whispered, squeezing my hand gently. She knew I was uncomfortable with physical contact and refrained from hugging me. "Come on, I'll make you some hot chocolate."

I nodded mutely, following her downstairs to the kitchen. I sat down on the wooden barstool and rested my head against my outstretched arm, listening to Arya hum a soothing tune as she poured the brown powder in my favourite blue cup. I couldn't stop the grin spreading across my face as she passed me the drink, topped with the perfect amount of whipped cream and marsh-mellows. Taking a slow sip of the sweet beverage, I felt Arya's curious stare burning into the side of my head. 

"Do you want to talk about it?" She questioned quietly. Sometimes, I did and other times, I didn't- Arya never pushed or patronised me. It was a refreshing change. 

My eyes fluttered shut and I steeled myself against the onslaught of bad memories. "My father is a vile man. As far back as I can remember, he forced me and Caleb to go through brutal training that tested our physical and mental capabilities until we broke and then some more. H-He wasn't always like that, though. It was only after Mum-" Pain took a liquid form, spilling over my lashes. I wasn't ready to talk about her yet. "T-tonight my nightmare w-was about my first kill." 

I hunched over, the familiar churning of guilt ripped at my insides like a wild beast. Arya gently pulled me towards her and I collapsed as she rubbed soothing circles on my back. 

"I was six, Ree." I said, my voice hoarse. "And to this date, seventeen years later, it still haunts me. T-the man was staring a-at me with this look. I-it was like the purest form of terror anyone could feel and I- I should've done something-" 

"You were a child, Nick." Arya murmured. "It is not your fault. You couldn't have done anything, okay?" 

I nodded, not fully believing the words. "Does it ever go away?" 

She stiffened, as if locked in place by my question. I frowned and looked at her. For the briefest of seconds, I saw the tsunami of emotions battling in her eyes. It was gone so quickly, I thought I'd imagined it. 

"No." Her voice was scarcely louder than a whisper. "It never goes away. And sometimes, it never gets better. You just get used to carrying the burden around." I opened my mouth to ask her what she meant- 

"Having a party without me?" Caleb grinned entering the kitchen and making a beeline for the fridge. I could tell he knew I had nightmare and came to check up on me, but used the guise of getting orange juice- in the middle of the night- to cover it. "You okay, Nick?" Translation:  I know you're not okay. I'm always here for you. 

Caleb is always seen as the goofy, irresponsible one. He's the one who will crack an inappropriate joke at a funeral, or accidentally set fire to a store (don't ask); but I knew underneath that layer was a responsible, serious Caleb. When we were little, Father would do the worst experiments and tests on him and he took it all with a smile on his face, never allowing the world to see his true torment. Sure, sometimes I question if one of us was switched at birth, but at the end of the day, he is my big brother and I would do anything for him. 

"I'm fine." I'll be okay. 

Arya smiled and I noticed the dark bags underneath her eyes. I furrowed my eyebrows, realising how exceptionally pale and thin she was becoming. "Ree, are you okay?" 

She ignored my query, pushing her chair back and wincing as it grated across the stone floor. "I'm gonna sleep. See you boys in the morning." She left faster than I could blink. 

What is going on with her? 

End of chapter 4. 

Little bit on the twin's backstory! 

Qotc: 

1. What is going on with Arya? 

2. Thoughts on the twin's father?

3. Thoughts on the six word sentence I put at the start of each chapter? 

I hope you guys liked it!

Stay safe and thanks for reading :)