LAUGHTER

Chapter 13 The second sign

Laughter's POV

The boys scrambled and ran without looking back, limping and groaning.

I stood in silence,heart pounding like a drum.

Natasha picked up her glasses,shaking."What… what just happened?"

I looked down at my hands.My fingers were twitching.

"I don't know"I whispered."I… I don't know."

We walked in silence for a while,side by side.The sun was almost gone now,replaced by violet clouds and soft night wind.

Natasha finally spoke."That wasn't normal strength."

"No" I admitted,still dazed."It wasn't"

"You flung a full grown guy into a wall like he was a bag of chips."

I looked at her."And you're not running from me?"

She smiled faintly."Should I?"

"I wouldn't blame you."

She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"People don't scare me easily.But I do wonder… what or who are you?"

I was quiet."I don’t know yet.Things started… changing recently.Sometimes,when I'm angry, it's like something else takes control.Something... not human."

She stopped walking.

"Do you think it's dangerous?"

I thought for a long second."It might be"

She nodded slowly,eyes scanning me like a puzzle. "You don't have to figure it out alone,you know"

I blinked."You're offering to help me?"

"You just saved me.And I'm curious.We're even"

We started walking again.I asked"Why were they bullying you?"

She sighed."Vanessa"

I should've known.

"She thinks I'm competition"Natasha muttered. "Because I exist and refuse to kneel at her feet"

I laughed."Yeah,that sounds like her"

Natasha glanced at me."And you?You never told me how you got your name"

I smiled."My mom said my laugh saved her life. Gave her a reason to live again.So,she named me Laughter"

"That's… beautiful"

"She's the strongest person I know. You'll meet her"

"Oh?"Natasha raised a brow.

"Yeah.We're almost at my house"

When we reached the front gate of the Clark residence,the smell of rich spices and grilled suya danced through the air.The lights were warm and golden,welcoming.

We stepped inside.

"Mum!"I called out.

Footsteps approached.

And there she was Annabelle Clark,radiant in a patterned gown,with flour on her hands and strength in her eyes.

She looked at Natasha,then at me,then back at Natasha.

"You didn't say you were bringing an angel to dinner"she teased with a warm smile.

Natasha blushed"Good evening,ma'am"

Annabelle's eyes twinkled."Call me Annabelle,dear. Any friend of my son is welcome"

And just like that,Natasha smiled in a way I hadn't seen in weeks.

Maybe everything broken was slowly beginning to heal.