A Dark Secret

Chapter 4 | Leaving home.

I am sorry that it took me such a long time to upload again. I am truly really sorry about. Health wise I wasn't well and college had a massive impact on it too... I hope that most of you can understand... I am going to try and upload much more often... Again, so sorry for the ones who have been waiting for a update!

The sunshine rays were shining through the curtains which made Marina slowly open her eyes. She felt the heat on her skin and surprisingly she wondered why the heat of the sun was hotter than expected in Autumn. Again, Marina woke up this morning but this was different than any other mornings she would have.

 She didn't wake up wet in her own sweat or not being able to breathe at all. Marina didn't have a nightmare or a terrifying dream. She didn’t know if it was because she was leaving Moorseville and cutting all the ends from her or that she was choosing something that would probably make her feel happier. Something that would be better for her. Maybe all of this was some sort of a sign that Marina had to leave here.

Marina remembered the mysterious boy, Grayson. She still wondered how he could have disappeared so fast and why Valerie didn't see him leaving. She heard her speaking but Grayson... It was like he wasn't even there... Marina knew that he was real... She didn't make him up... At least that was what she believed and hoped was true too. 

Marina was trying to get out of bed when she realised a figure standing in her bedroom. Her heart beat increased and she felt her body going numb. She could hear herself breathing heavily. Marina was about to scream when she realised that it was her own brother, James was standing in her room.

"Jesus, James." Marina said as she stood up. She tried breathing normally and opened one of the windows so fresh air would come in her room. She saw him looking at her. He followed with his eyes every step she was taking and for some reason Marina could see concern in his eyes but out of all weirdness, she could feel he was concerned. She didn't knew if it was a sibling thing or if it was something that she couldn't explain again. 

"Can I talk to you?" He asked as he sat down at the edge of Marina’s bed. She nodded as she sat down next to him. He deeply sighed out and held her hand as he looked at her again. James had been trying to talk to her since her mother's death. 

She knew he wanted to be there for her desperately but Marina just couldn't speak about it... Not even a tiny bit. She never had a bad relationship with her brother. Both of them loved each other but after her mother's death Marina was really withdrawn from everything in her life which also included her big brother, James. 

She knew  that it had a bad impact on him. They shared everything with each other, pain, happiness and even their fights. Marina knew he needed her but her mind was in shock and didn't allow her to speak or open up to anyone. Her mind was a massive storm. A storm that was so strong that she couldn't make sense of anything. Nothing made sense to her... He knew that she was struggling and he tried to help her but didn't succeed. 

"How are you?" He asked and Marina sighed. She didn’t know what to say to him. Both of them were not okay. Both of them were struggling and somehow, a part of her did feel guilty to leave him alone here with her father. It wasn't ideal... She knew  they rather want her to stay here but they don't want her to miss out on something Marina want to do. It was bittersweet... 

"I am doing good." She said and he looked at her with a small and weak smile which made her feel even more guilty. Out of all people, she thought that James would be the one that really doesn't want her to leave.. 

"And you?" Marina asked as she looked at him. He laughed softly. It was a broken laugh... A laugh full of pain... 

"Do you want the truth?" He asked and she nodded as she still had a hold over his hand.

"I am more than just upset." James said and Marina could hear his voice breaking down. He now looked at her with tears in his blue eyes. She could feel her face fall apart and she already felt the need to cry with him.

"It felt like it wasn't that long ago that I lost mother and now I will lose my little sister too." He said and he wiped away the tears that escaped his beautiful blue eyes. 

"You won't lose me, James." Marina said and now held his hand tighter. She pulled it slightly towards her as if it would make him feel better. 

"Don't go..." He begged. He looked at her with his tearful eyes which made her  heart break. She knew she had to leave this place one day anyway... It was just a matter of time before Marina did. She knew if she didn't leave with Valerie, she would regret it for the rest of her life... 

"James..." Marina sighed out softly and looked down. She didn't wanted to look into his eyes and tell him that she was leaving anyway. She knew that he was hurt and that he needs her. She felt selfish for leaving...

"I know..." He said softly as if he knew what she meant by just saying his name. Marina looked up again and he just smiled at her.

"Marina..." He said softly again. 

"You have to promise me that you won't invite strangers into your house." He said and confused she looked over at her big brother. She knew that this had always been a rule in their home. Don't invite people in that they don't know. It seems reasonable to why their parents didn't want that but now she was an adult... She knew what she had to do...

"I am not a child... I know that I am not suppose to do that in the first place." Marina said and she sounded a bit irritated by him. 

"I know but I mean it, Marina. I don't want you to get hurt." He said and she nodded. She didn't wanted to argue on her last day here. These past few hours she wanted to have fun with him... She wanted to have a goodbye not a bad bye... If that was even a thing...

"If you need help in any way... Promise to call me." He said as he looked at his little sister. Marina looked at him for a while and nodded.

"Always..." She said softly as she hugged him.

"You have to call me too..." She said softly and she could feel him nodding his head... 

Marina knew that she was going to miss James like hell. There wouldn’t be a day where she wouldn’t be thinking of him or her father. Maybe moving to Los Angeles wouldn't be so fun after all...