Crows and Doves (Draft Title)

Chapter Two: Didn't Think Twice

Marianne paused, clearly considering his words, before nodding. "Okay. Can I listen to Queen, though?"

He grinned. "Well, duh!" Charlie lowered his voice. "Don't tell Am, but you and I are the only ones with good music taste."

Her blue eyes widened. "I won't, I promise! What about Mommy?"

"Oh, yeah. She knows good music too."

Marianne nodded as seriously as a four-year-old could. He carried her upstairs to her room, gently laying her down. He asked the Alexa in the room to play music by Queen before going back downstairs. His phone rang, loudly, and he hurried to answer it.

"Sir, we've been trying to reach you about your car's extended warranty." His sister's voice flitted through the phone.

"Oh, no, sorry. I've been trying to reach you about your life insurance policy. We really think you should make your brother the sole beneficiary."

"No." Ameile, he knew, was likely sticking her tongue out at him. "Anyways, I'm on my lunch wave. How's Mari-Mari?"

"Laying down for a nap, like I wish I could."

"Valid, bro. Anyways, I wanted to call you because I think I left my cheer uniform at home and I have cheer today."

Charlie glanced at the stairs. "I'll go check."

"Cool, thanks!"

He jogged up the stairs, stepping into his sister's room, and looked around for a few minutes. "I don't see it. I do see a lot of eyeshadow palettes that you were supposed to put away, though. And- hey! This is my bracelet, Am!"

"...Whoops? Thanks for looking. Maybe it's in my locker, I'll check in gym class. Love you, Char!"

"Love you too, Am." He hung up and slipped his phone into his pocket. Charlie went back downstairs. His face broke open into a yawn. Right, he thought, coffee it is, then.

He fixed himself a cup of coffee, cream and two-and-a-half spoons of sugar (small ones), and settled on the couch. Charlie scrolled past various shows, settling on watching a woman sew a historically accurate female Sherlock Holmes outfit, including making her own corset and Victorian undergarments. It was the kind of relaxing thing he needed. Charlie reached into his backpack, left by the couch, and pulled out his computer. He checked his email, searching for anything of importance, before deciding to scour the news, as much as he detested watching it.

The only thing he found important to know was that three girls had disappeared in the last year. He re-read that article twice. It was worrying, actually. The three girls all disappeared out of thin air only to be found deceased weeks later.

Charlie shook his head. Dwelling on the tragedy of reality didn't help anyone except his own pessimistic descent into insomnia-induced madness. Maybe he was being dramatic. Maybe he just needed more sleep.

He took a large sip of coffee.

"Charlie! Wake up, wake up!" Charlie jolted awake, groaning.

"Huh?" He rubbed his eyes and sat up properly. Marianne was sitting on the edge of the couch, blue eyes opened wide as she grinned up at him. He smiled back at her and ran his fingers through her hair. "Did you have a good nap?"

"Yes! Did you have a good nap, Bubba?"

Charlie chuckled. "Yeah, I did." He checked his phone. 2:44 pm. "Alright, go to the kitchen and I'll get you a snack in a minute. I need to call Am."