Charmed Chaos

3. Just as I thought

NOLAN

In this same house, I grew up.

I knew every nook and cranny of the compound. This used to be my home. A place I ran to after a bad day at school. A place that was, for most of my life, the only place I could call home. All the Christmases we have spent here— all those and more memories lived rent-free in my head.

But now, it didn't feel much like a home to me. Truth be told, for years now, it hasn't. It felt like everything I remembered came slowly from a distance. In fact, it was a little hard to see myself as that same kid. That kid doted on his family and was so impressed with his abilities as a werewolf. But the man who was currently sat alone in the living room— he really wasn't much like that little boy anymore.

“The prodigal son returns,” Nicholas let out, a cup of coffee in his hands. “Or should I say ‘the prodigal son visits'? That should be more accurate because no one knows when next you will be seen.”

“It's nice to see you too,” I said, keeping a fixed smile on my face. “You have put on some weight and it quite suits you, I must say.”

Now settling on the cushion before me, he said, “Married life tends to make a man get a big stomach. I wouldn't dare be the exception.”

We both chuckled at that.

Before getting here, I knew Nicholas and Dad would be the easiest to talk to. While I knew he, just like the rest, hated the fact that I stayed away, he was never one to hold grudges, and I knew if anyone would understand my reasons for doing what I did, it was he and Dad.

So far so good.

Clicking my finger, I asked, “What about Mason and Brenda?“

“You stand no chance of winning uncle of any year, that's for certain.“

Sighing, I agreed, saying, “There isn't anything I can say that will… anyway, how are they? Is Mason now walking?”

Nicholas burst into laughter, holding his stomach as he did. “Nolan, you saw them last in way over what? Six years? Mason wasn't even a year old then, now he's already seven years old. And no, he doesn't remember you. As for Brenda, she will be a teenager next year… and she's weirdly excited about it. Kids are impossible to understand.”

As we spoke, brother to brother, I could almost hear Mum say ‘family is for forever'. Mum, if anything, always tried to make us understand that family should come first at all times. At some point, I began to think she even wanted to inculcate it in our minds.

Right now, I could almost agree with her. I mean, look at Nicholas and I talking and chatting as if we hadn't stayed away from each other in nearly seven years or so.

“So, how is Naire?“ I enquired, still having that smile on my face, though not out of anxiety anymore. “I'm guessing she's still working at that library, which is pretty much her second home.“

As Nicholas heard this, his gaze went down to the ground, not even uttering a damn word.

Something was wrong. I could literally feel it.

Now looking more directly at him, I questioned, “Naire is alright, isn't she?“

Shaking his head, he said, “I'm sure that's why you're here. Just be patient. She will tell you.“

My eyes a little squinted, I let out, “Pardon me, you said?“

“Nolan, I know you're not here because you suddenly woke up and decided to care about your family. Though Mum never seems to tell anyone anything these days, I'm sure she somehow managed to get you here.“ Now rubbing his hands against each other, he continued, “Just wait and Mum will tell you everything herself.”

Okay. Something was definitely wrong. Naire had to be in some kind of trouble if Nicholas couldn't even tell me where she was.

Suddenly I noticed that I wasn't relaxed anymore, my hands trembling at every moment. What if she was dead? If that was the case, that means we will never get to see each other again. Even worse, our last moments together would be of us shouting at the top of our lungs, as she called me stupid and childish, amongst other things.

No, don't ponder on this. She's fine. She has to be.

Then he walked in.

He had a big silver-coloured radio in his hands and gently pushed in the aerial as he walked into the living room. His gaze met mine and he took it away, exiting the living area just as soon as he entered.

“I have never seen him this pissed off before,” I let out, still a little shocked by Dad's behaviour.

Shrugging his shoulders, Nicholas remarked, “Well, he feels betrayed. Not just by your leaving, but because you chose not to make any contact with us for years.“

Look— I wasn't stupid. I knew that my coming here wasn't going to be one where roses will be thrown at my feet. In fact, I expected everyone to be harsh and angry. Everyone but Dad.

Growing up, I did notice a lot of things from my parents. My Mum was always this strong independent woman who was ready to go through hell to make sure her family and entire race were safe. While she always showed us how much she loved us, she wasn't the softest person you would see. She did what she had to, without ever second-guessing herself. That was Mirabel Carruther Hardman for you.

But my Dad wasn't quite the same kind of person. He was gentle and sweet. He was the kind of man who was utterly unashamed to cry when seeing a film. He was the one who never forgot to tell us bedtime stories, changing his voice for different characters.

During the holidays— oh my goodness— he made it so much fun for us. Not only would he dress and act like Santa for days, he would sing, get us gifts, and just make sure we were all having the best time ever.

“I choose to think they hear me,” Dad would say to anyone who asked him why he always spoke to his plants.

The man saw life in a different way than anyone I had met in my life. He appreciated it, genuinely because he believed everything had some sort of beauty. He was the perfect father, the perfect man, and most of all, a being with so much values.

Now, you can understand why I was shocked to see him ignore me. He was the last person who would do this.

As if reading my mind, Nicholas said, “It’s going to take some time to win back the heart of everyone. But, sadly, that will never happen because I know you too well. You will leave this town and probably never come back.”

As we spoke, she came out into the living room, big smiles on her face as she stared at me.

“You‘re just as handsome as I see on social media,” she let out, her piercing gaze still on me.

“A little leaner than the last time we met, but then, aren't we all?” Making a funny face at Nicholas, she added, “Except your brother here whose wife has turned into a glutton.”

We all laughed at that, Nicholas even laughing the most.

“You don't look bad yourself,” I said to her, now on my feet. “I swear you haven't aged a day, Mum.“

“Thank you,” she muttered, shifting her gaze to Nicholas. “Your brother and I will go on a short walk. We will be back in no time.”

“Apart from being rich and popular, what else have you been up to?” Mum voiced out, as we walked out of the premises, heading out on the street and towards the road that led to the town square.

“Mum, I'm… I know you all probably hate me but I want you to….“

She cut in, waving me off. “There really isn't any point apologising when you intend to leave. I'm sure you are dreading every moment you spend here.”

Shaking my head at her, “Mum, you can't possibly believe that. I don't hate you guys… you are all my family and will always have a place in my heart.”

“In some locked away forbidden chambers, maybe,” she stated, turning to look at me for a moment before looking away. “Nolan, pretence doesn't look good on you. I know you hate this family, but I have other things to discuss with you. Much more… uh, urgent matters.”

Taking a deep breath, I said, “Mum, I need you to know that I don't hate you or anyone in the family. My decision to leave was simply because I wanted to prioritise my future.“

She began to chuckle, holding a hand over her mouth in an attempt to suppress her laughter. Turning to me, she said, “Future, you say. Well, let me ask you this. Do you think you're smarter than every one of us?“

My brows raised, I answered, “Of course not, I don't. Mum, why would you ask me this?“

Literally screaming at me, she let out, “But you act like it all the time. You think you're so smart, don't you? But no, you're not. You're still the same childish little boy who could never distinguish what was important from what was desired.“ Not moving anymore, she added, “There are not of many us who wants to remain here in Darkwood forever. But, unlike you, we know we have to. We are not human beings, Nolan. We may look like them, but we are not. They don't get to be burdened every bloody day with a vow to secrecy, protecting ourselves, protecting this damn town… you name it!”

I just kept quiet, waiting for her to finish. The truth was that nothing had changed from the last time I came here. They would never understand me, and I would never understand them.

Settling on a street bench, she said, “But that's not why I called you.“

Then she began to speak, and what she had to say nearly tore me apart.