Their Sister, Their Strength (Old)

Chapter 16 - Overthinking

I couldn't help but giggle at his reaction. He narrowed his eyes dangerously, but I could recognise his sinister glare from this, more amused, one.

"Hey, stop tormenting your little sister, Blake," Elijah thoughtfully saved me.

"Oh for fuck's sake," he groaned in defeat. Now he knows what it feels like.

He must have seen the small smile on his face because he shook his head, "You little devil," he muttered but I could have sworn I saw his lips twitch upwards in amusement.

Surprisingly, he decided to stay to watch the movie with Elijah and me. I couldn't be sure if he actually wanted to watch the movie, or just mock it and steal all our popcorn, but either way, I didn't question it and soaked up the time together which would inevitably be a very rare occurrence.

But like every movie I sat down to watch here, it was cut short. Interrupted.

I was definitely shocked, to say the least, when Leo walked into the cinema room. It was 9pm, what was he doing here? But what confused me more was the slightly breathless, marginally angry and strangely relieved expression plastered on his face.

"Elijah, we need you upstairs," he said with a meaningful look on his face. No doubt he meant the third floor. Noticing I was here, he greeted me with a brief, "Hey, Maddie."

"Hey," I smiled in response, but the little lilt in my voice demonstrated my confusion.

Blake paused the film and both him and Elijah turned around to face Leo.

"What's this about?" Elijah asked standing up, apparently not grasping the hidden message but noting his slight panic.

Leo's gaze flitted to me for half a second, but it was long enough to make me suspicious. What did this have to do with me? Elijah must have understood this brief gesture though, as both he and Blake turned to me with unreadable expressions.

"Maddie, it's getting late, do you mind heading upstairs?" Elijah asked gently.

"What's happening?" I asked, confused. Seriously? Why are all our movie nights interrupted five minutes before the end?

I knew I probably wasn't going to get any answers, as usual. But I couldn't help but cling onto the slightest thread of hope that Leo may be a bit more understanding.

"Maddie," Blake chimed in with a warning tone.

I'm sure Elijah saw the protest on the tip of my tongue as he quickly reassured me, "Nothing's happening, Bambina. Just go upstairs."

I looked over at Leo, peering up at him with innocent eyes, maybe he could shine a light on what's happening. Unfortunately, Leo looked away before I could persuade him with my puppy eyes that occasionally my brother's would give in too.

"Go," Blake reminded, pushing my back towards the door.

I sighed and walked off down the hallway reluctantly. A couple of moments later I saw Blake peek his head around the door to check that I wasn't listening in. My stomach sank in utter defeat and I felt my heart break a little. I thought we had gotten over this lack of trust.

I tried to suppress it, but a seed of anger grew in my stomach. What was wrong with me today? I had the right mind to march in there with clenched fists and gritted teeth just to yell at Blake, but the little sanity in me reminded me of the consequences. Instead, I opted for a more manipulative, Costello way of managing my anger.

If they weren't going to trust me, I was going to give them a reason not to.

As soon as I saw Blake retreat back into the cinema room, the rebellious shift in me incited my full one-eighty turn back to where I was stood before. Okay, so eavesdropping never really worked out too well for me before, but I was out of options.