Crossed

life goes on!

No one is in sight when I walk back into the living room. The sun rays were beginning to make shadows on the flower pots that stayed put on the pouch upfront.

I immediately grab a towel and a bucket and begin to wipe the blood off the floor.

When I'm done, I rush to the kitchen and make breakfast for Sekani and mum.

I'm almost done laying the pancakes on the plates at the kitchen island when I hear footsteps approach.

I inhale hard, then exhale, then plant a smile on my face.

"Breakfast is ready." I say as my eyes meet Sekani's.

She runs over and gives me a hug, wrapping her hands tightly around me.

I feel tears threaten to roll down my cheeks, but I blink them away just in time, she let's go and stares at my a while.

"Where is mum?" I ask, breaking the silence.

"She must be in her room." Sekani replies as she starts her breakfast, taking a little bite of the pancake unlike every other morning.

"Is..." she swallows hard when she notices she has my attention.

"Dad is fine." I lie and immediately look away and focus on the dishes in the sink. "He will be discharged after a few weeks." I keep lying.

Sekani smiles, I could tell it was a fake one, worry was all over her face.

She wears a long face when she looks down at my clothes. I too forgot. The old man's blood had dried up on my pyjamas, my bare legs, even my face.

I plaster a smile to Sekani.

"I should get cleaned up." I don't say another word as I limp across the room and disappear upstairs.