Brothers Bethune & Baird Part Two (special preview)

You flinch and almost want to run away. He has your father’s eyes now that you can see him clearly. A fear bubbles up inside you, one that always came when your father scolded you or looked at you crossly. 

“I’m sorry,” you shiver.

Baird comes towards you and shakes his head. He places his hands over his heart then nods.

“Don’t be afraid of me,” the man says. “I’m Robin, your brother, as well as an avid hater of our father.” He places his hand on Baird’s shoulder. “I had thought he had stopped having children ages ago after the Swans got a hold of him,” he sniffs. “In any case, Baird brought you here to keep you safe, as well as to find a way to save him and Bethune from their plights.”

“Can you?” You squeak. “Is it possible?”

“Maybe, but my powers can only go so far,” Robin sighs. “Bethune might be able to be pulled out, but how much we can rescue, I am uncertain. Baird is halfway there as is, but-”

Baird shakes his head and points to Bethune’s book.

Robin lets out a beleaguered sigh. “But he is insistent that he wants no saving.” He takes off his glasses and rubs the bridge of his nose. “But, those are bridges we shall cross when we come to them.” He then looks at you and kindness floods his eyes, a look you never saw from your father. “And what about you? Is there anything you need?”

You look away from him, his eyes scare you. “I’m not sure. I’ve never been outside before.” You squeeze your hands together, twisting your fingers as nerves become raw. “I just wanted to help them.”

Baird places his hand on your shoulder and nods to you. 

“Had I known about you, I would have helped you like the others.” Robin places his glasses back on. “But I suppose that was Pan’s point, he didn’t want you to know. He wanted one unspoiled child all to himself.” He grimaces then. “I am so sorry, dear sister.”

You sniffle as a heavy weight lands on your heart.

“You can stay with me for as long as you want,” Robin murmurs. “My wife, Eira, and I will keep you safe and protected here, and you can live the life our father kept from you.” He opens a window, which is a circle like the stained glass one back at your old home. Instead, this window is clear and you can see out into the world from it. The light that pours in casts shadows on the floor and you can see the names of your siblings floating like the dust in the air.