Enigma

Chapter 42- Arabella

“You don’t mind me coming?” Francis asked looking at us, his voice heavy with crying.

I looked at the parcel I was carrying while I answered him ‘no’.

“Give me a minute.”

With that said he dashed inside. I looked at Ethan who looked at me with the same discomfort I felt.

“Did I go overboard with him? I mean he is not exactly the ringleader here.” I whispered.

“Nahh. He just took it too hard I guess. Don’t take it to the heart. They made you cry so many times. He

had that coming. At least now he knows that what he did was wrong.” Ethan said shrugging.

I can tell by the look on his face that he wasn’t really that happy about reducing someone to tears.

“I feel like a bully now. I made him cry.” I said pouting.

“Don’t worry about it. You didn’t do anything wrong.” Ethan said slinging his arm over my shoulder and

he pecked my forehead.

Francis came out of his house and fell into steps with us on the trail to the meeting house.

“Oh thank god you are here.” Dad said rushing towards us as we entered the clearing. “Amy just woke

up and she is hungry. You know how your mother gets when she lacks food in her stomach.”

I gave dad an apologetic look as he dashed inside with the food parcels. Ethan started laughing as

soon as the door closed behind dad with me joining him.

“My princess is making him dance around her little finger.” A very smug and smirking uncle Ryder said

from beside us.

When did he get there? He wasn’t alone either. Fallon and Cedric were with him. So mom is going with

two more shifting today then. I nodded at the two new arrivals in greeting which they retuned

enthusiastically.

“You two are shifting as well.” I told my two companions.

Ethan grinned at me but Francis looked nervous. His face and eyes looked red from the earlier…um…

event.

“Are you not excited about it?” I asked him.

“Oh I am. A little scared that’s all.” He mumbled.

“You will do fine.” I assured him.

He nodded and we made our way to the meeting house. I opened the door to find mom happily

munching on some sandwich and mac and cheese with an exhausted dad sitting beside her with his

head on the counter.

“Hi babies.” She said with a mouthful of food.

Only my mother could address a six foot tall person as baby.

“Uh mom that’s gross.” Ethan groaned.

“You used to do it as well.” She said like that solved the matter.

I just sighed and sat down on the stool beside dad.

“Did you eat anything princess?” Dad asked me.

“I am not hungry yet.” I told him.

“You should eat more.” He said pulling me close in a hug.

“You never hug me like that.” Ethan complained.

I poked my tongue at him as dad shook his head at a pouting Ethan.

“He isn’t wrong.” I very hoarse voice came from the hallway that leads to the bedrooms.

I squealed and dashed towards Ben. He caught me as I jumped on him. Thankfully he was fully

clothed. A second figure jumped in the hug making Ben fall down on his butt.

“Look at you all grown up.” Mom said tearing up.

“Mom please don’t do this.” I scooted away as I knew what was coming. “You little midget. Get back

here.”

I poked my tongue at him.

“Mooommmm.” Ben screeched as mom pulled his face down and started kissing him all over his face.

“Ow mom let go.” She had pulled him in a bone crushing hug.

That’s what you get for calling me midget.

“Love you will break his ribs at this rate.” Dad interjected laughing.

Mom let go of Ben, blushing red.

“I am sorry. I forgot in excitement not to use full strength.” She mumbled as Ethan laughed at the

disgruntled state of Ben.

Ben scowled at him as he got to his feet.

“I am starving.” Ben groaned as his stomach managed to duplicate the symphony of a screeching

whale in the call for food.

He dived on the food and started eating at high speed.

“People will think we starve you at home.” Ethan said amused.

“You will know after you shift.” Ben said stuffing his mouth with whatever edible thing he could get his

hands on.

At this rate, Zeno might have to starve as Ben doesn’t seem to be planning on stopping to eat any

soon. Well his house is ten minutes away. He can eat there.

“Let’s get to work then.” Mom said looking at the sandwich with longing in her eyes. “I don’t think I will Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

get anything else to eat.”

She marched outside with dad in tow. Ben did not pay any attention to her and focused on the job at

hands. Ethan, Francis and I followed mom and dad outside.

Let’s get started then. Two down, six more to go.