Unknown L (Book 1)

~~~ Explain Yourself ~~~

L smiled and nodded, remembering how she'd reacted when Bryce had revealed everything to her.

"Oh, don't worry, I went through that phase too, but no, it's all real, and it looks like we're in it together. Although... I still wish you hadn't been involved like this."

Mr Worcester let out a heavy exhale, "What's done is done, but just know that we don't blame you, L, and we're here to help if we can. However, Robert may be sent to live with some friends if this is too much for him to handle." Mr Worcester's voice was more severe when he used Robbie's full name, and L arched her brow at Robbie.

He was watching his dad and seemed to be mulling it over.

"I can handle it. I don't wanna leave any of you here. It's just gonna take a bit longer to accept everything... but give me some credit, I'm not abandoning L, especially not through this."

Mr Worcester nodded, and his expression lightened.

"Good, that's what I like to hear because by the sounds of what she's been through, she could do with some good people around her. That Bryce, just leaving and not even saying goodbye to the girl, what does he think he is playing at?"

L's eyes widened, and she looked over at him in shock.

"Bryce left? When? Why?"

Mrs Worcester feigned a slap to her husband's shoulder and looked at L with sympathy.

"We thought someone might have told you already. He left early this morning. He came to visit us and mentioned he was leaving this place for a while, but he didn't say how long he'd be gone. We asked him why, but he just said he had his reasons. I'm sorry dear, are you alright?"

L felt so confused. She knew he was angry about her not listening to him in the farmhouse, but that couldn't possibly be enough of a reason for him to leave without saying anything, could it?

"I'm fine, why wouldn't I be? I don't know him that well anyway, and he said he goes off on missions all the time. I didn't expect him to stick around."

But L didn't really believe that. She had hoped he'd stick around and help with teaching her some new abilities, maybe help her against Frallica if and when the time came. She sighed and leaned into the pillow, trying not to look bothered by his departure.

"His loss then, we get you all to ourselves once we're out of here. Do you think we'll be able to stay with you?" Robbie asked, and L knew he was trying to cheer her up.

She'd almost forgotten how hard it was for her to fool him. She was grateful for the effort, though.

"Yeah, I think so, and if not, then I'll demand for you to stay. If they send you away, then the same thing might just happen all over again. They're strange, but they're definitely not stupid, plus I have a cottage all to myself, and I want you to stay there with me."

Usually, L would have felt exposed admitting to something like that, wanting company around, but that was never the case with the Worcesters. They smiled at her, and Mrs Worcester looked so grateful.

"Yes, we'd love that, I'd rather not be up in one of those tree houses I saw when we arrived. And, I can make sure you are being fed and looked after properly, can't I?" 

L smiled and nodded. She liked the idea of staying with them, and the thoughts warmed her against the chill that Bryce's departure had left. They went on to discuss what she'd learned about her parents. The Worcesters were so pleased, if a little confused, to hear that she'd met a version of her parents in the form of the police officers.

She showed them the photo and beamed when she got to tell them she was in the bump. L felt great being with them again, but Archie soon came back to administer medication and said they needed rest. She told them that she would come back later in the evening and walked out with a smile on her face.