“How many times do I have to tell you?”
Ghent cringed. It was official -- there was no winning with this girl.
"No need to bite my head off." Tempted as he was to address her attitude, Ghent left it at that. There'd been enough fighting for one evening. "If you're cool staying here, I'll go." Retrieving the phone, he checked how much battery remained. Considering how much they'd used the device, 37% was more than fair.
"Well...I'll see you guys." After a brief, awkward pause, Ghent turned and left the two from his past, careful to shut the broken door behind him.
The night was dark and the air remained comfortably cool. The walk home granted Ghent plenty of time for planning what to pack, what to leave behind, and what to say to his family.
Unarmed and distracted, he was easy prey. Drust's warning about keeping alert went in one ear and out the other; Ghent was so lost in thought that he paid very little attention to his surroundings.
Several blocks later, the old brick apartment came into view. The complex would have benefited from repairs, but Ghent saw the building in a new light. Compared to what Drust and Elayra must have been used to, this place was a castle and safe haven all rolled into one.
Fishing the key from his pocket, Ghent found their room and entered the home. Due to the size of their apartment, the entry way was nonexistent, the living room and entry area were conjoined. Even from the doormat, Ghent had full visual of his surroundings: only one light was on, and he could see that Henry and Mrs. Preston were watching a movie together. Both were seated on the ugly, floral printed sofa that should have been left in the 80's.
"Hey, Mom. I'm home." Hopefully this wasn't the last time. "Don't pause the movie. I'm just gonna change my clothes real quick."
The seven dwarves stopped singing. Mrs. Preston paused the movie. Great.
"There you are!" Elise rose to greet her son, relieved until she took notice of his disheveled appearance. "Ghent! You're covered in mud! What happened to your clothes?!"
An interrogation was anticipated, but avoidable. Ghent planned an explanation beforehand. "I fell chasing William...didn't Henry tell you?" As discretely as he could, he moved his backpack so it was out of view. No use making her any more suspicious.
"Oh, yes, that's right. I'd nearly forgotten! Poor Mrs. Saxon; she should keep William on a leash." Elise smiled fondly, proud of her son's heroics. "I'll make us some hot chocolate. Was William alright? Did you have fun with your friends?"
Ghent almost scoffed out loud at the idea of Drust and Elayra being his friends. They were barely even acquaintances. "Yeah, we had a blast...built ourselves a clubhouse and everything." Well, it was sort of true. "William's fine. No hot chocolate for me, thanks. I'll join you two later."
Henry rested his chin on the back of the couch, watching Ghent like a hawk. Ghent pretended not to notice, but he did. Henry was so observant that it was unnerving. What's worse, the younger of the two said nothing, so Ghent had no idea what was going on in that strange head of his.
Fixing the always-crooked family photo on the wall, Ghent continued down the hall and shut the door to his room. The sight rendered him speechless. His room hadn't been this clean since the day they'd moved in.
The cot was made, the bed was made, all clothes were sorted, folded, and hanging up according to color. Everything was in place; he could even see the carpet. Ghent wasn't sure whether to feel impressed or to feel creeped out. What was wrong with that kid?
Shrugging off his backpack, Ghent pulled a t-shirt from one of the hangers that had been seldom used until now.
The reality of leaving hadn't sunk in yet. Saying goodbye wasn't an option; his parents could never believe such a wild tale. Even if they did, they wouldn't allow him to go if they new the risks involved. He could scarcely believe it himself.
Conflicted, Ghent started to change into dry clothes when there were two knocks at the door. "Just a sec--"
Either Henry didn't hear, or he didn't care. The redhead walked right in, blowing the steam from his cocoa. "Hi, cousin! What do you think of the new room?"
"Henry! Come on!" Ghent hastily pulled on his pajama pants in fear that his mother should be with him. "I was getting dressed!"
"Sorry." Henry shut the door with his foot, and Ghent snorted under his breath in annoyance.
"Room looks great, thanks...it's all, organized..." Ghent liked it better before. He had no idea where half of his possessions were, but it didn't really matter. The room would be Henry's soon enough. "Thought you were watching Snow White."
"I am." Henry poked one of the marshmallows in his cup. "But I'm waiting for Aunt Elise. She's on the phone with my mom."
"Oh." Ghent put on a clean shirt, unsure how else to reply.
"I made three cars and half a spaceship with your Legos." Henry sat on the edge of his cot, daring to take a sip of the too-hot beverage. "Aunt Elise says you don't use them anymore."
"What, you dropping hints for freebies already?" Ghent tossed his muddied clothes into the hamper. "Go ahead and keep them. I never use them."
Unfazed by the sarcasm, Henry broke into a grin. "Gee, thanks!"
The evening went by only too fast. Ghent packed what clothes he could fit into the backpack, then went to join the others for the second half of the Disney marathon. The films weren't of much interest to him (did Henry really have to choose Bambi?) he merely wanted to spend one last day with the family that had been good enough to care for him all these years.
Through with work, Mr. Preston joined them too. Ghent's mind was never on the movie; the film was a blur to him, he could only dread what was to come.
The marathon ended a little before 12. The family talked a bit, and Henry marveled over the fact that they had stayed up 'half the night'. Ghent scoffed to himself; midnight was nothing. The day prior to this one, he'd been up well past 4. Despite his cousin's oddities, Ghent was thankful that he was here for a lengthily visit. Mrs. Preston doted upon the boy; his being here was a blessing in disguise. It was Ghent's hope that Henry would fill the void he would leave behind.
After saying goodnight to his parents, Ghent returned to his room, his heart heavy. Was this the right thing to do? Why should he help Elayra and Drust? They didn't like him, and he couldn't find many reasons to like them. What if Hatter was no longer alive? What if his magic didn't work? What if he couldn't come back?
Needless to say, Ghent was a nervous wreck. He couldn't have been more awake if he'd chugged down a few energy drinks.
It didn't help that Henry was prattling on about life back home. Ghent barely heard him. He was too busy worrying. Finally, he caved. He had to tell someone. Henry was the only one he dared to tell, Henry was the only one who didn't think him crazy.
"Henry, I need you to listen to me." Reaching over, Ghent turned on the lamp. "This is important."
Henry didn't need to be told twice. Quickly, he propped himself up on one arm, staring to his cousin with wide, brown eyes. "What is it? What happened?"
Brows knit, Ghent rolled onto his side so that he might face him. "Remember Wonderland?"
If at all possible, Henry's eyes grew larger. "Yes..."
Ghent exhaled shakily. "It's real...and I'm going there tomorrow."
) imagine my surprise when I found that one