Chapter 51
none of this
is ours, sister fox.
tell yourself that anytime now
we will rise and walk away
from somebody else's life.
- Lucille Clifton
Warnings/Bonuses: Adult themes. Coarse language.
245 Piccadilly Road, Greenhill. November 27, 2005. 02:01 am
Daniel ran up the steps, taking them two at a time and opened the door in one quick motion. It bounced back, the momentum bringing it to close behind him. Daniel focused on the figure standing in front of him. He didn't want to look around, he didn't want to remember her, but the faint hint of the perfume she used to wear still managed to cling to the interior.
Kieran was standing there waiting for him. Daniel knew that expression, he was feigning indifference, but that was just a ploy he used to disarm situations that might otherwise get out of control. If you look like you are innocent, everyone else will think you are. Those words had been repeated to him so many times over the last century, it just served to add to his bad mood. Daniel gripped the redheads arm tightly and hissed through gritted teeth, “What is she doing here?”
Kieran answered smugly, “You asked for my assistance, I presumed you would be happy with any help I could offer.”
“I said to leave her behind,” he snapped, giving Kieran's arm more of squeeze to make his point.
The redhead, peeled each finger delicately away from his arm, answering haughtily, “It was not one of your most well thought out decisions.”
The two women entered the house, casting silence across the room. Sophie slipped her arm under Katia's arm and announced, “I'm making her some tea if that is alright with the two of you.” They pushed past, both men clearing the way reluctantly.
Still watching them, Kieran said, “She is here now, put her to use as you see fit.”
Daniel clicked his tongue and replied, “She is too much a distraction for Katia.”
“I think she is a bigger distraction to you,” Kieran hissed under his breath.
Ignoring him, Daniel added, “You did not see how they they fought.”
“As with any siblings, they will have their disagreements.”
“Sophie is still young. She doesn't have enough discipline or control.”
The redhead raised his eyebrow, “But you thought she was capable enough to face Olivia.”
“That is a different matter, as you well know. I just simply do not trust that Sophie will not do something stupid. She is much more inclined to be impulsive that either you or I.”
Kieran nodded towards the two women sitting together in the kitchen, “Do not be so blind. You want the girl to be calm and concentrate. How better to do so than making certain that the things she cares most for are comfortably close at hand.”
“I am taking her with me.”
245 Piccadilly Road, Greenhill. November 27, 2005. 02:06am
Sophie looked around the room nervously, “I tried to make it nice for you,” she said running her hand across the counter and them grimacing when she noticed how much dirt was on her hand afterwards. “We didn't have much time before you got here.”
Katia just nodded gently, her attention was mainly on the two men in the corridor. She couldn't make out everything they were saying over Sophie's nervous chatter, but it was enough to know the were arguing about her sister.
Kieran and Daniel's argument died down and as Sophie was pouring water in the kettle. Daniel walked into the kitchen, straight up to Sophie and whispered something into her ear. She let out a small gasp, and then nodded to him reluctantly. Daniel returned to the entranceway to resume his conversation with Kieran.
Sophie set down a cup on the table in front of Katia and said with and unconvincing smile, “Never mind them. After you have your tea I'll show you around properly.”
Katia stared at the cup and shook her head, “I think I just want to go to bed,” she murmured.
The redhead sat down and studied her sister. “You do look tired. Daniel thought you might like a room upstairs. Somewhere with a bit more light.”
“So he's been here before?”
“Mmhmm, its his house.” Sophie saw the surprise and curiosity spread across Katia's face. “You didn't know?” she asked.
Rolling her eyes, Katia sighed, “I think I'm pretty much the last one to know anything.”
Sophie replied quietly, “I don't think he keeps things from you to be vindictive. He's just...he takes as much on as he can himself. The two of you are a lot alike when it comes to that.”
“Uggh,” Katia huffed, knocking her cup off the table. She got up and walked over to the sink, her hands pressed down on the ledge and she stared out into the darkness. “We are nothing alike,” she spat.
Sophie stumbled out of her seat and over to her sister.“Don't be mad Kat, I don't want you to be mad at me any more,” she begged. Katia clasped her hand to her mouth, her eyes tearing as she looked at Sophie. It was Sophie who ended up doing the comforting, hugging her, running her had soothingly over Katia's hair.
“I hate what this is making me,” Katia whispered.
“Shhhh,” Sophie replied. They clutched each other like frightened children for several minutes, until Sophie began to slowly tense. At the same time she began to nuzzle against her sister's neck. Katia thought nothing of it until Sophie's body started to vibrate with a low, gutteral growl.