Remembrance - Part Two

...𝕽𝖊𝖒𝖊𝖒𝖇𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖈𝖊...

...Part Two...

...─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───...

I run my finger under the cold tap, watching the blood dissolve into the clear stream. Then I cup my hands, splash the icy water across my face, and brace against the counter as my head clears.

I stare at my reflection. Narrow golden eyes flecked with orange glared back at me—scrutinizing, just like my mother's.

Freckles line my cheeks and nose. My long, wavy red hair is swept behind my ears. A few strands cling stubbornly to my wet face.

Before turning away my full lips press into a scowl at my own reflection. I mouth silently to myself an insult that's been hurled at me for a lifetime

"You're just like your mother"

I shut off the bathroom sink, slipping out and shutting the door behind me. I hear a whirring noise and then a click as the apartment door peels open.

"Delphi?" I hear Ryan's voice echo through the apartment.

"Coming!" I call out racing down the hall to greet Ryan. We are polar opposites if I resembled the sun he was the moon.

His sturdy frame bent to untie his shoes, shoulder length black hair threatens to fall into his face as his black-framed sunglasses push the obsidian strands back.

His gaze drifts up to mine no doubt feeling my presence. His eyes are a deep blue, more beautiful than the seas that surround this dainty port town with swirls of seafoam green.

If I didn't know any better I would assume a power lurked beneath those ocean eyes.

His gaze softened after seeing me. Still, a restlessness flickers there, crawling beneath his sharp features.

My lips curl into a slight frown sensing his unease "Everything okay?"

I watch him carefully as his shoulders slacken with a sigh as he straightens.

His outfit catches my attention – layers of black leather and his boots, laced tight, now lay discarded on the rack. Odd, even for him.

"Am I happy to see you," he says, opening his arms for a hug. I pace over to him, wrapping my slender frame into his arms.

He's Burlier than I remember, his muscles relax around me while I hold him. I take a deep breath, the scent of salt and soot clinging to his pale skin.

I pull from his arms, taking a step back, then watch as he throws himself on the couch with a groan of relief, the tension melting away from him.

Before I walk off he calls out to me, "Delphi have you spoken to dad-" he starts.

"And why exactly would I speak with him?" I cut him off, my tone cool and pointed, daggers in my stare.

"Del-" he pauses, and for a moment a hint of pity swims in his blue eyes.

"He cares about you in his own way y'know." empty beer cans rattle falling to the floor as I slam my hands down on the glass coffee table, Ryan's shoulders tense—he knows he's crossed a boundary.

"What! Like how he cared about mom?!" Venom laced my every word and for a heartbeat I didn't even recognize my own voice.

The mention of mom sends him flying off the couch, his knuckles turning white at his side as his muscles tighten under the black leather

"She's Dead, Delphine! Dead!" his voice crackles with anger"

"Your hate–your anger–it's eating you alive. And frankly? I'm sick of it!"

My face darkens as the metallic taste of blood spreads across my tongue. I drag it over the fresh imprint of teeth feeling the swell of my lip.

A knot the size of a golf ball rises in my throat as hot tears threaten to fall from my eyes.

"You weren't there–" my voice fractures, barely more than a murmur "you... you didn't hold her lifeless body in your hands!"

The last sentence stung him like a bee. His head dropped, his shoulders heavy, the fire which was raging in his eyes iced over to something distant... unreadable.

The room was thick with emotion and tension– but something felt wrong, as if a cold winter breeze swept in and froze us to the bone.

...─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───...

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