The Cambion's Hoard

Biggs--

The sky was overcast, following the mood of the house. Before Thatcher had walked in with our father it had been pleasantly inviting outside. Henson and I had been planning to take Rose to an arts festival downtown. Now that plan had gone to shit.

Thatcher sat down in a lawn chair. It squeaked under the force. He leaned back, more relaxed than he should be.

I growled. "I fucking hate you."

Snorting caused tiny sparks to slip from his nostrils. The only sign he was angry. "I'm well aware. Setting that aside for now. What are we going to do about Mom?"

I closed my eyes and dug my claws into my palms. "Fuck Mom."

"Do we stop talking to her? You know how well that's going to go over. She has to be meddling in our lives..."

"No, she meddles in your fucking life. She hates me!" Rage boiled in my belly. Our mother, no she wasn't my mother. Gida had always made it clear that Thatcher was her favorite of us. I was a disgrace.

Thatcher stood slowly and came towards me. He pulled me into his arms and hugged me. A weight lifted from my chest. I grabbed my brother and sobbed. He had been the only constant thing in my life until Henson. I really believed that I had ruined our relationship. His embrace made me realize I hadn't completely ruined it.

"She doesn't hate you, but we all know she doesn't love you like the rest of us. It's bullshit. You did nothing wrong as a child. Nothing. Her not loving you is not on you, that's all on her Biggs. I know you'd rather not deal with it, but we have to." He stepped back and took my face in his hands.

He was right but I didn't know when I'd be ready to confront her. "I have things I need to deal with first."

Thatcher didn't let me go. His eyes probed mine, searching for answers. "What do you need from me? What can I do?"

I grabbed my brother's hands and pushed them away. "You can't help me with this. I don't think anyone can."

"Know that you're not alone. I know something is wrong," he pointed towards the house, "those two know something is wrong. All of us are here for you."

He stepped back and put his hands in his pockets. He huffed. "Even Kelley is here for you. Remember that ok?"

I popped my jaw. "I know."

"Let's go in and figure out what we're going to do. Hen and Rose will help."

I licked my lips and nodded. Turning I headed in. "Do I have to like him?"

Thatcher laughed. "No, but he's cool. I think you will."

I glared at him. Fat chance in hell.