Loss

Alexander awoke to crying and the sound of faint footsteps running past his bedroom. He sat on his bed and saw his father look in his room.

"Was that Miss?" he asked Alexander.

Alexander shrugged and wondered what made Miss cry. He got out of bed and followed his father as he walked down the stairs, seeing the main door wide open. 

Alaster suddenly ran out, realizing that Miss was gone. Alexander just watched as his father's figure grew smaller and smaller as he went farther. 

"Alexander." 

He turned towards the voice. His mother was sitting in the living room, smiling at him. 

"Come see me at my quarters." his mother said, beckoning "I need to say goodbye."

"But you're not-"

His mother disappeared in the blink of an eye. Alexander looked up at the door at the end of the hallway upstairs and suddenly wondered what he saw. Hesitantly, he walked towards the stairs. 

"Will you stop thinking and start feeling?!" 

Startled, he turned towards the voice and saw Miss at the door, her eyes red and puffy. Alaster was visible behind her, running towards the house. Miss walked to Alexander and grabbed his hand, looking him in the eye. She walked up the stairs, pulling him along with her. Alexander turned to the door where his father now stood. Alaster looked sad as well and Alexander only wondered why his father let Miss boss him around. 

Miss opened the door to his parents' bedroom and pushed Alexander in. 

Alexander's mother smiled and nodded at Miss, as if thanking her. Miss sniffled and looked away, Alaster entered the room and knelt on the side of the bed.

"Seeing you both now" Alaster's wife muttered weakly "I can go happy."

Alexander tried not to think, trying not to feel any emotions. He knew that if he could feel now, it would be overwhelming. He looked away, feeling his chest tighten, as if something was trying to escape from inside him.

"Dearest child" his mother said, smiling weakly "It's alright to feel. You don't have to overthink everything. Not everything can be grasped by the mind... but the gods can be perceived with emotions." Alaster took his son's hand and placed it on his wife's hand "Feel, Alexander. You will be loved by man and the gods alike. I am sure... we are sure of it."

His mother glanced at Miss, as if hinting something. Alexander felt weaker, drained. He felt his mother's grip on his hand slacken. Miss suddenly started whimpering and she fell on her knees, curling up against the wall. Alaster leaned against the bed, speechless. Alexander felt a stream of warm liquid down his face and when Alaster noticed this, he wiped Alexander's face with his hand. 

I'm crying? Alexander thought to himself. But... I can't cry. You only show weakness when you cry.

Alaster hugged his son and as soon as he did, heard Alexander sniffle. He knew Alexander did not want to cry but this side of his son was something Alexander needed to acknowledge. After today, as Alaster heard his son cry, he knew he needed to do something. Miss must be safe... but he feared that if she stays with them any longer, she could claim more lives. Gods forbid it could be Alexander.