Page 34 of Letters to the Lost

“Missed you, Princess,” he says, kissing me once again before he disappears, his footsteps echoing in the direction of the kitchen.

“How was the program?” Dad asks me from where he’s perched in the armchair by the fireplace “I checked in every day with Doctor Karskin, but he wouldn’t tell me much.”

“It was great Dad; I had a routine there which I realized helped with my mood. I had therapy every day where I spoke about everything and was given coping mechanisms,” I inform them, snuggling further into the fluffy blanket and Atlas’s side, his arm wrapped tightly around my waist as he holds me tightly to his side, “Dominic knows most of it so if I spiral and I can’t bring myself out of it, he knows what to do.”

My finger absently traces his knuckles, noticing the small scabs that cover them.

“What do you mean Dominic knows?” Tobias asks, his eyes narrowed on him as he props himself against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, a smirk on his pierced lips.

“I know because…” he trails off, the mischievous glint in his eyes that has been missing for the last six weeks back, “I was there.”

“HOW?!” Zander booms from the doorway, a steaming cup in his hands. He rushes over to me, passing me the cup of hot chocolate before he rounds on Dominic. “Is that where you went?! We agreed she needed this Dominic. God, how could you be so fucking selfish! She was there to get better, not for you to have alone time with her!” Zander shouts, the other’s voices joining in as they all direct their anger at Dominic, who just stands there looking bored.

Dad stands, his face molten as he walks up to Dominic, his fists clenched at his sides.

Memories batter against my mind of all the times Jane would stalk towards Chloe, the same expression on her face, her fists ready for the blow that would never come to touch Chloe’s body, but mine.

“Don’t you dare!” I shout, jumping up from my seat, the hot chocolate falling from my hands, the ceramic cup shattering against the floor as I dash towards Dominic, positioning myself in front of him, “Do none of you idiots just listen?! Instead of kicking off about something you don’t have all of the information on.”

Before anyone can open their mouths to reply, a flash of black fur comes bursting through the door heading straight in my direction. A shocked gasp slips from my mouth as the dog stands in front of me protectively, a low snarl sounding from him.

“Hey Parz, it’s ok buddy. None of us would hurt her,” Atlas attempts to soothe the dog, who decides that he doesn’t want to listen.

“Parz?” I ask.

“Parzival. We rescued him,” Sebastian says, “He’s a sweetheart, I promise.”

The head of black fur tips its head back to look up at me, showing me soft brown eyes and little golden-brown dots of fur for eyebrows.

“Omg! Doggo!” I squeal, squatting and throwing my arms around the dog, “Who’s a good boy? You are!”

“When did we get a dog?” Dominic mutters to someone.

“About four weeks ago. You would have known that if you had been here,” Zander snaps back, his stance rigid as he glares at his best friend.

“In my defense, I have a very good reason.”

“Shall we all sit down, and you can explain?” Dad says his tone calm.

We all take seats around the room. Moving back to my original spot, my ass barely touching the cushion before Parzival is beside me, his body pressed against mine.

“Okay then, you can cuddle with me. Where’s Nanook?”

“On a walk with Mrs. McKay,” Dad tells me before taking his own seat, pressing a kiss to my head as he passes, “Missed you, Little Monster.”

“So why were you at the program with Autumn?” Brenn asks Dominic.

“Because Keyon gave me some information and I knew if I told you all, you would pull her out of the program with the idea that you would be protecting her.”

“If she was in danger we had every right to fucking know!” Zander shouts, his chest heaves, and his fists clench at his side. Rage is pouring out of his every pore, as he stares down Dominic.

“She comes first, her health comes first. I made a choice, and I don’t care if you are mad at me for it. Jane is working with the Wedgewoods, she had people watching her there…” Dominic trails off, letting his words sink in.

A cacophony of shouts surrounds us, making me jump slightly as everyone berates Dominic for not letting them know.

Parzival must sense my unease as he presses closer to me, resting his head on my lap, my fingers automatically running through his fur as I do one of my breathing exercises to calm my racing heart.

I hate fighting. I hate the loudness of it, but most of all the harsh words that always follow. Like they can’t contain their rage enough to keep the viciousness from their mouth.

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