Blood Runs Thicker Than Water

Elena’s POV, I stare at my phone and searching through my motion playlist looking for the perfect song, I have headphones around my neck and just finished my meal. Finally, my eyes stumble upon ‘Superpower by Daniel Caesar’. I play it, switch off my phone and put in my headphones just before turning my head to get the picturesque view of the clouds and sky while memorizing the pitch, symphony and every ridge of the song I am so glad I was able to get window seat. Not to long after a finger taps me on my shoulder cutting my music lesson and beautiful view short. I get agitated and quickly turn to my right to see Jaron, His eyes hopefully while his index finger still lies a few inches above my shoulder. I pick up my phone again to stop the music and brought my headphones down to my neck “What is it now?” I say in a hurry to go back to my cloud 9. “I was wondering if a dragon and an elephant were to have a child will it be called a draphant or an elegon” he said using his hands to articulate. I look at him briefly realizing how much of a nerd he is. His was just in 8th Grade but he always came top in his class and consistently read the works of higher classes and what even maid him think of such question but nevertheless “Well since a Dragon has been in existence predominantly and they’re the more vicious animal the obvious answer would be draphant but elegon sounds a lot cooler so” “Elegon It is” He smiles from ear to ear as though it’s the best news he had heard before adjusting back to his tablet. I gave him a satisfactory look he didn’t notice as all his attention was now put into his tablet. I had already tilted my head back to my phone, placing my headphones back where they belonged and putting in my passcode to my phone, before I heard noises of commotion. I gave a silent sigh to myself, accepting that the universe doesn’t want peace for me before putting my headphones down once again. I am more than taken back by the scene. My younger brother, Jaron who was just beside me has his cheeks pumped like he just took mouth full gulp of a drink. His hands placed just before his mouth while my dads rubs his hands on his back and show him the way to the lavatory and then I realized my brother was about to Vomit. I think of what best way to help but considering they are head to the male lavatory it was pointless. I knew Jaron gets car sick and that’s the whole reason we even booked this flight to make sure he’s fine only to find out his air sick too. What a wonderful Surprise. “This is our stop” Dad says to the cab driver and reaches for his wallet while Jaron and I take up the view of our new home. The house was smaller than I expected, but I had to admit, it was ridiculously cute. The peach walls, green shutters, and little balconies overflowing with pink flowers gave it that Italian seaside charm you saw in movies. Even the warm lights beside the front door made it feel welcoming, and the ocean right behind it? Okay, that was definitely a bonus. I could already picture myself spending evenings out there, watching the waves and probably annoying the neighbors with my music. Still, as excited as I was to explore my new surroundings, I couldn’t help thinking about our house in New York. It had been so much bigger, with enough space to disappear into whenever I needed a moment to myself. This place felt almost too cozy in comparison. But hey, if I had to leave everything I knew behind, at least I was doing it in a house overlooking the sea. I could work with that. We both get down from the car and unload the little things we could carry in. I am holding Jaron’s green Dino suitcase with my backpack across my bag. Before I get out of range my dad signals me to check the porch garden for the keys while he pays off the driver and picks up the remaining of our luggage. Before walking into the house, I take one deep breath. “Italy please be good” I whisper to myself before walking in. I don’t hesitate to go upstairs immediately to pick a room and get settled in. Settled in? who am I kidding immediately I get upstairs I am taking the longest nap, today was more than a long and emotional day. I tried my best to distract myself from what just happened since we got on the plane but here it is crawling all back. “Alice, your investigation keeps putting our kids in danger doesn’t that mean anything to you” I can hear dad’s voice from Jaron’s room. My arms wrapped around my brother tightly while my headphones lie loosely on his ear blasting music so he wouldn’t have to listen to all this. I hold back my tears as my eyeballs are already teary and it won’t be long before the dam breaks. “There are my kids too and it does mean something to me, it means everything to me” mum says in her thick south Africa accent. “I am starting to doubt that, this is the fifth attack we’ve gotten Alice, I took a bullet to my shoulder, that could’ve killed me Alice and you think their just random criminals” “None of the attacks has legible connections to them, and we’ve been through this, I love my kids more than anything, it will always be my number one priority to take good care of them” She says “Then quite your job Alice” There is a long awkward silence, it obvious mom is pushed back by his response “WHAT-“ “If you really want to keep this family save quite your job at list transfer to a different district or better still drop the case” “Honey, you know how important this is too me, I can’t just let it all go just like that, I am this close to catching them and it will all be over and besides this job is what pays for everything in this Goddamn house” “Well, maybe I don’t want to leave in this Goddamn house. Because unlike you I’m a good parent and my children will always come number one instead of some silly obsession over criminals and if you can’t see that then maybe we shouldn’t still be married” There it goes. Tears drops down from my eyes and slowly down my cheeks, I knew dad and mom had their differences but I never knew it would come down to this. I let out a wail of a pain. Jaron notices take of the headphones and gave me hug. It was where it all started. I stare at the ceiling of my new room with tears still across my face, I stay in that position for so long I don’t know when I sleep off.