Chapter 4
It’s been 6 years now and everything’s been great.
It was a bit of an adjustment at first but it didn’t take long for the family to fall into a good rhythm after everyone(mainly Steven) had finally become aware of the system’s situation.
The system had collectively lent a helping hand in taking care of their siblings, which had lightened the load significantly on Fiona.
Jake protects them from bullies, cooks dinner, even driving them once he got his license. He had denied that he had enjoyed doing any of this but they all knew it was a lie.
Marc deals with the finances with a few different jobs, helps with cleaning, and joined a class to learn hand to hand combat. He trusts Jake but he also wants to be able to shield his family from anything that might take them away.
Steven does most of the supervising of the younger kids even when Fiona isn’t busy and helps with homework. Before, they had tricked him into doing it himself but he recently put his foot down so, now it’s just light tutoring.
—————————————————————————————————————————
Fiona stretches and yawns as she opens her eyes. She gets out of bed, brushes her teeth, and knocks on the other’s doors to start the morning.
“7:15, monkies.” Lip and Ian stir. Ian makes it to the bathroom before his brother which results in a series of angry knocks.
Debbie is already awake and tending to Liam when Fiona gives her the time.
She heads downstairs and someone has just finished setting breakfast on the table. She can tell who it is instantly.
“Mornin’, Jake. What has the five star chef prepared today?” She sits down at the table.
“You know it gives me the heebie jeebies when you do that. I’d like to fool you just once.”
She gives him a smug grin before he continues. The others come down the stairs, one by one, and join them.
“We’ve got eggs, toast, and the electric bill.”
“Shit.”
“Don’t worry about. I stole money from Carl’s stash to cover it.”
“What?!” Carl almost chokes on his food.
“I was fucking with you but now that that is confirmed, you’re definitely chipping in on the next one.”
“Fuck.” Jake grins.
He blinks a couple times when he feels someone else taking the front. He let’s them as he’s had his fun.
Marc surfaces to a half empty plate and decides to finish it off.
Fiona gathers the dishes and puts them in the sink. She looks to Marc. “You guy’s got Liam, right?”
“Steven’s actually got a job interview at the library today.”
“Shit. Right.” She looks to the others who are already about to head out the door.
“I’ve got a calculus test today.”
“I work after school.”
“…….”
“…Show and tell?”
She picks up Liam from his high chair and hands him to Debbie. “That works. He’s got a birthmark in the shape of Latvia.”
Debbie wishes Steven good luck and Marc swears that he’ll pass the message along. The kids then pile out for school.
“You got this handled?” She gestures to the mess left behind in the kitchen as she ties her hair up.
“Yea. It’s no problem. You better head to work.”
She checks the time and quickly grabs her bag. “I’ll see ya later, alright?”
“See ya.” The door slams before she can hear his reply.
—————————————————————————————————————————
Marc had long since cleaned up and handed the body over to Steven. He was already ready and plenty excited for his first job. He had even left the house a little early.
’You don’t have the job yet.’ said the cabbie from the mindspace.
“Oh but I do, Jake. For I have this-“ He pauses for dramatic effect. “-in the bag.”
’Nerd.’ Both Marc and Jake say in unison earning a middle finger from Steven.
“Just for that, Marc, I might rethink visiting your girlfriend from the museum for you on the way back. What was her name again? Layla?”
’One: She’s not my girlfriend. And two: Really, man?’
“Really. I don’t do favors for tossers.”
’What about Jake?! He’s being a dick too.’
“I’m not forgetting about him. I wasn’t going to swing by The Alibi to see Kev and V either.”
Jake mentally punches Marc in the arm. ’Vete a la mierda! Why’d ya have to point me out?!’
Steven arrives just outside the library and quiets his voice. “I’ll change my mind if you lot can behave for my interview.” And with that he pushes inside.
—————————————————————————————————————————
It’s much darker out when Steven leaves. The last remnants of sunlight were leaving the sky and the moon was rising higher.
He was hardly a block away before he started flapping his hands and giggling.
“Oh my days. I got it! I got the job! I even got to start today!”
‘I’m proud of you, buddy. You really did it.’
’Yea. Good job, hermano.’
“We should call Fiona! She won’t believe tha-“
He was suddenly pushed into an alley and held against the wall while a man had a knife to his throat.
“Hand over the man purse!”
“I-It’s a satchel.” The man pressed the knife closer and Steven shut his mouth. He gave him his bag with shakey hands.
The man took a step back and went through his belongings while continuing to point the knife at Steven. He threw his books onto the ground and aggressively shook out the bag when he found nothing of value.
Marc had taken Steven’s moment of panic to front and charged at the man. He easily disarmed him but didn’t notice his friend enter the scene until- Bang!
He stumbled away from the first robber and held a hand to his abdomen. When he pulled it away, it was covered in blood. He fell to the ground.
The two culprits ran away without a second thought.
Marc pushed himself up against one of the alley sides and beside a dumpster out of view.
“Shit shit shit.” His head knocked against the wall. His looked up to face the moon.
A million thoughts ran through his head as he blocked what was happening from the others.
This couldn’t be happening. Not when he finally had a life that he wanted to live. He couldn’t just sit in this backstreet and wait to die. Except that was all he could do.
At least Steven and Jake aren’t seeing this, though he knew that Jake would be trying to force himself through the mental wall.
Marc closed his eyes and hoped the inevitable came somewhat quick.