A/n: Slightly more editing than before. New Post.
Chapter 2 – Brand-New Day (Samson Conrad POV) Pt. 2
Pushing, I force myself to go impossibly faster than I had been going, wanting to feel the burn as I flew between the trees, the forest where I could be who I was inside myself. There would be trouble if I was found out, but on today of all days, I just wanted to act a bit reckless, do something – anything – to tide me over for tomorrow.
Not much to be done when it came to Bend.
Bend Oregon – the most peaceful place you'll ever live. Not my words, just those written on the carved welcome to Bend sign.
Eventually the high of running only plateaus I know it's pointless to continue. I could run up to Idaho and probably still feel the same way and tomorrow it would only grow worse. Some would have already forgotten what the day represented while others knew and only stared.
There had been a time when I never thought I would want to leave this place, it was home, it had and gave me everything I needed and I was sharing it with my family. There was something for all of us ten children – school activities, hobbies, music, rock climbing, fishing... it had everything.
But, that's just what it had, now?
I avoid: the movie theater that we snuck into endlessly, using our likeness to one another to deceive. The ice cream store on 3rd street where we both got our first jobs, because sure we could go buy dessert from the store but selling it and sneaking some every once in a while seemed better. I stopped playing my guitar near the town square because well sometimes someone would want to know where the other player that they heard some time ago was and the answer led to a pitiful look I could no longer stomach. Each spot held a memory that would cause me physical pain, squeeze my damn heart to the point where I could not take it.
Just one year and I'd leave this place. I'd find somewhere new.
I'd find a new forest to roam and call home. Maybe the time away will heal these wounds.
It's a worthwhile thought, but, that's not true, guilt did not just disappear because of location. It wasn't a sickness that could be eased by changing environment – not completely I do not believe. I would not go off to college and miraculously my burden would lessen.
To avoid detection, I hurry back home, entering from the kitchen where my siblings and family friends were all convened – though my parents were nowhere in sight. Thankfully. If anyone could figure out what I had been doing minutes ago, it was my mother – Kalenah.
"Hey bro," my oldest brother Brennan greeted me, his long time girlfriend – Devin – sitting besides him, slinks onto his lap, leaving the seat next to her sister – Taylor – available. Taking the free seat, I reach for a slice of pizza from one of the three boxes opened before everyone. "I'm getting coke, you want anything Sam?" Taylor asks grabbing her half empty glass as she stands. Shaking my head, mouth too full at the moment to speak, frowning back, she turns heading off but comes back with two straws in her drink, "so you don't use my straw," she shrugs off.
"Did you retake the requisite exam?" I ask after swallowing thickly, and Taylor's lips turn down, "No, the school said that if I got a second chance how would it be fair to the other students that did not pass either, or the ones that did," she rolls her eyes, "but don't worry bud, I'll protect you from the hounds," she laughs teasingly, but heartily when I scowl.
"Seriously, you're the only one left Sam, that's why they're all trying – I mean cannot blame a girl for trying-"
"Yeah but after years of trying, why on earth would a girl continuously put herself on the line out there? Especially when I've been quite vocally clear on the subject, have some pride at least."
"No one's caught your eye huh," Devin comments, looking at me from over her shoulder, "Nah – Sam's not interested," Taylor comments lightly, taking a bite from her slice of cheese pizza. Chuckling I nod in agreement, I look around the table, eyes only on my siblings for a short moment.
Harleigh lays her head on Thaddeus' shoulder, looking at me serenely, "who knows," she shrugs, "we haven't had anyone new in a while but for all you know... the new roommate we're getting-"
"Ugh! Can you believe that!" Taylor says exasperated, dropping her slice on her plate, "She actually paid more money to get the room to herself!" she adds.
My sisters, Talia, Harleigh, Caterina and Paige all turn to Taylor, "How do you know that?" my youngest sister Paige asks, her identical to all of ours blue eyes opened wide. "I was filing papers – you know for the work study I did this summer, and I could hear her begging the Principal to let her have the room, that she'd donate four times what the normal boarding cost," I rest back, looking between my siblings and Taylor.
"I had no idea that he'd give her our room though," She waves two fingers between Devin and her self. "She probably did that to get near you our Sam."
I huffed, when would it end? I shook my head reaching for Taylors' cup after all, ignoring the smug look she shoots me as well.
Talia, my eldest sister, shook her head, "If she's new here, well this is a first," her eyes widen, filled with mirth as she then narrows them my way, "looks like some new girl has moved to Bend, came to the school, demanded that she be our roommate and she hasn't even met you yet Sam... all of that...now that is-" everyone starts laughing, "that is some ego you're inflating there Tay."
Laughing, I throw my crust right at her head, "stranger things have happened!" I shrug myself and while everyone still cackled, a wave of that guilt sprung right up – shouting, "How dare you laugh when you killed Silas!"
.
.
.
UNKNOWN POV
I saw him running, gliding. Took all my willpower to leave him be.
I had something better, sweeter in mind than an anonymous attack.
I wanted to watch them feel helpless, watch them stand and be able to do nothing- their secrets the noose around their necks - especially Samson Conrad.
I'd bring them - all the Conrads' - to their damn knees.
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