BROTHER'S KEEPER

My last option is to beg Nixon to shut up or else I might be caught. I covered his mouth with my hands again and this time I kept my hand on tightly. When I heard Bella leave with Melody and Chris I finally released him. I did not try to retract my wings because I knew that it would not work so I'll just let them be for a while and until I have no other option but to hide. Penelope and Riley had left the room as well so only Ray and Michael, who must have come in later, were there. Michael looked taken aback by the sight of Nixon but he quickly recovered from his momentary shock.

I dragged Nixon to the bed and as if they were reading my mind Ray and Michael came to pin him down. I was surprised when I saw that Nixon was not trying to release himself from their grip he just lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling

"Are you going to kill me?" he asked in a low voice that almost made it look like he was genuinely afraid.

"No." I replied calmly and I gestured for Ray and Michael to let him go.

They let him go immediately and he sat up on the bed then locked eyes with me. I stared back into his eyes until eventually, he broke the contact. He seemed list in thought for a while and the room was wholly engulfed by a deafening silence.

"I won't hurt you so long as you keep my secret safe." I said tiredly.

My wings felt a little heavy so I had to take a seat on the floor. It is probably because of gravity variances meaning I'll have to overcome this too. If my uncle does find me then I'll have the upper hand of being better equipped in a different atmosphere.

"So if I tell anyone you will kill me?" Nixon asked with narrowed eyes.

"No I won't.....I will just leave and I will make sure I leave you with the guilt of sending me to my death." I answered smiling up at him.

I could see doubt pass in his eyes for a moment then he looked down at my lap to avoid my gaze.

"What do you mean by that?" he asked.

"I don't trust you enough to tell you that yet but just know that apart from earth, I have no other place to go that will offer me the protection that it does."

He looked offended but he didn't act on it. "Does that mean NASA knows about your existence?"

"You are starting to sound like a NASA fanatic." I stated and he quickly refused and said he just wanted to work with them and to know things other people don't,"They don't and I'd prefer it stays that way. Its no longer just about me Nixon. This family that took me in will suffer too and others will too. I have a friend from my home who came here a year ago and she has just moved on from her past trauma and is making a life for herself. I don't want to be the reason why she leaves her new home."

"Fine, so long as you don't try and boss me around when we are at school. That place is my ground, my turf and I'd appreciate it if you stayed out of my way." Nixon said laying down his own side of the bargain.

"If you bully someone don't expect me to keep my promise." I said just as my wings began to retract on their own.

He didn't answer and just looked at my wings in awe. He stayed that way for more than a minute and when he finally snapped out of it he sighed loudly. He then got up from the bed and walked to the door quietly then he stopped himself and turned to look at Ray and Michael in question.

"So how am I supposed to leave now that you told your mom that I had left this room a while ago?" he asked them crossing his arms.

"Jump out the window." Ray answered shrugging his shoulders.

"Isn't it obvious?" Michael asked in a grouchy tone as he went to open the window much wider.

"You're joking right?" Nixon asked laughing awkwardly then when he saw that both Ray and Michael were serious he turned to look at me,"Seriously?!"

"Shhhh! Who's attention are you trying to get?" Michael hissed.

"The whole neighborhood if I have to. You're trying to make me commit suicide and you think I'll just go ahead?!" Nixon replied angrily.

"Jump and I'll use some magic to get you down safely." I said and they all turned to look at me questioningly.

"I don't trust you. You might drop me to keep your secret safe." Nixon replied with a glare.

"Then I'd have killed you long ago but you're still alive because I'm not like that."

"I need rope to feel safe."

"Where do you think we'll get rope?" Michael asked rolling his eyes.

"Your name is Bridger so bridge yourself to the ground." Ray said and Nixon looked at him like he would kill him,"It's a joke."

I heard some footsteps coming up the stairs so I run to my cupboard and took some fresh clean clothes to change into. Bella will definitely notice that I'm still in the old ones and she might ask about it. I run to the bathroom and just let some water run over me then I started changing as quickly as I could. The bedroom door opened and four people walked in.

"Is Dee still bathing?" Bella asked, confusion apparent in her voice.

"He's just getting dressed. He was feeling a little weak so he's taking his time." Michael answered.

"And where did you go?" Bella asked and I'm certain she's addressing Nixon.

I came out from the bathroom making everyone look at me. Melody, Chris and David had accompanied Bella. Melody wasted no time to come and hug me and I hugged her back in politeness.

"I was so worried about you." she whispered and I saw all my brothers roll their eyes,"No one told me what was wrong with you so I came everyday in hopes of finding you awake one day."

"It was just a fever, nothing to worry about." I replied.

"It must have been a serious fever if you had to be bedridden." Chris commented with narrowed eyes,"I'm guessing you didn't even take medicines."

"Our Dee likes natural remedies which is why he took so long to recover." Nixon replied pointedly as he glared at Chris.

Melody was still hugging me so I had to push her away gently. I smiled down at her so she wouldn't feel bad and she smiled back up at me. I went to sit down on the bed and I was pleasantly surprised when Nixon threw me a towel.

"Wipe yourself or you'll get worse." he said crossing his arms.

"Thanks."

"You didn't answer my question." Bella reminded him.

"I went to look for the bathroom." he replied pouting his lips.

"Is that so....?" she murmured.

They continued to talk but I wasn't paying attention anymore because I was feeling nauseous. Melody wanted to sit next to me but Michael and Ray sat down first on either side of me. Whether it was because they knew something was wrong or if they just didn't like Melody, I can't tell but I'm grateful. David came to kneel in front of me and he checked my temperature with the back of his hand. He would fit the role of a doctor perfectly. He then checked pulse and whistled in an exaggerated manner.

"What's the matter?" Melody asked.

"His temperature is high again and his pulse is weak." David answered.

"Then where is his medicine?" Chris asked looking around.

Did he notice something too? I'm really getting worried about this.

"He took his medicine when I arrived so he can't take more." Nixon replied.

"You need to eat sweetie." Bella said coming to pat my head.

"I want to eat here please." I responded trying to sound weak and sick.

"Sure. I'll have Estella bring you something."

I nodded my head and then I had the urge to ask about something else that I'm sure Bella isn't anticipating.

"Did grandpa leave?"

"Ahh....no. Do you want to talk to him?"

"No. I was just asking."

"Okay. Dry yourself now and we'll all leave you to eat and rest."

"Can I stay?" Melody asked and I frowned.

"No." Nixon answered with a contorted face,"As his best friend I decide who stays."

"Is that what Mel gets for worrying about him?" Chris asked upset.

"I'm just saying. She's not the only one who is worried about him and he is bound to feel uncomfortable with people around him just after waking up." Nixon replied shrugging his shoulders,"And sorry to be the one to say this but Dee feels uncomfortable being with your sister after what happened to her."

I coughed because of how he had addressed himself and because of the awkward silence that had come to being. Bella looked him up and down then calmly told Melody she couldn't stay with me then Melody said goodbye and left. I trust Nixon a little bit more now because he has saved me multiple times in just a short while. As soon as they left the room my wings emerged again but this time it was quietly.