© Jojo B 2018

All rights including those in copyright in the content of this story are owned by Jojo B. It's Illegal to steal and/or copy.

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Flaws and Feathers

Chapter 2

After a lengthy discussion, we reluctantly left Raphael in the cabin alone for the night. Gwen and I weren't going to stay there with him as we barely knew the guy. We just hoped he wouldn't take our belongings and leave with them.

That night, back in my bed at home, I lay awake for a while. My mind was much too active to actually fall to sleep. Even though there was a hint of distrust surrounding Raphael, as there should be with any stranger, I wanted to get to know him. I wanted to help him remember what happened to him, if he really did have amnesia, that was. He could have been lying. Gwen had considered us helping him find his friends. So far, she seemed to trust the guy. Probably more than I did.

I turned over in my bed, letting out a sleepy sigh as my eyelids finally got heavier. I was almost on the beautiful brink of sleep, my head feeling light and my body weightless, when a strange feeling of washed over me. I sensed someone there in my room with me, and my eyes flew open instantly. Turning to look at the door, my heart squeezed when I saw a dark shape standing motionlessly. Not taking my eyes off the figure, my hand quickly scrambled for the switch of my bedside lamp. My fingers finally located the switch and soft light flooded my room. What I had thought was a person, had only been the dark shape of my dressing gown hanging from the back of my door.

"Wow, Vienna," I mumbled to myself as I lay down again.

Settling myself against the pillows, I reached out to turn the lamp off. It may have just been my tiredness playing mind games, but I thought the room stayed bright a little longer than it should.

***

Morning came with a flourish of golden rays. It was deceptively enticing, but I knew that to go outside would mean facing a bitter cold breeze. It was Saturday, and usually I would sleep in until midday, but yesterday's excitement meant that I was up and heading to the bathroom just minutes before 9am.

The good thing about waking up at such a time, was that I didn't have to race Joe to the bathroom. Gwen had her own bathroom as her room was an ensuite, simply because she was the oldest. Our parents room was also an en suite, meaning Joe and I shared the other bathroom. He was quite messy, as most fifteen year old boys were, but he could have been worse, I must admit.

I closed the bathroom door behind me and decided to try and tame the dark messy hair on my head before getting into the shower. Grimacing at how rough from sleep I looked, I brushed my teeth and jumped into the shower.

Joe had still not woken up by the time I finished, and I went back to my room to get dressed. Opting for a casual pair of loose fitting jeans and a turtle neck jumper, I put my bedroom slippers on and headed downstairs.

Our family had a little thing we did on Saturdays. In the morning we ate together, provided we were all up in time. Mum usually did the big shop on Saturday mornings after breakfast, so sometimes Joe and I missed it and we would eat the lukewarm leftovers. Usually pancakes. It was a great way to welcome the weekend.

Unsurprisingly, Gwen was already down in the kitchen with Mum.

"Morning," I greeted them both, my voice pretty low as I had woken up not long ago.

"Good morning," Mum replied, eating an apple as she had already finished her pancakes.

"Hey," Gwen half smiled.

She was making her and Mum tea (probably Mum's second), and she didn't add a mug for me because she knew I didn't drink it. Hot drinks weren't really my thing, unless I was sick. I sat down at the table, eyeing the still steaming pancakes. My stomach was rumbling just from the smell of them.

"Thanks," I said to them both as I put one on my plate.

I drizzled it with lemon and sprinkled sugar on top, before rolling it up and eating it in slices. It was the quickest way to consume them, so that I could eat more whilst they were still hot.

"How's the week at college been?" Mum asked as Gwen came to sit down with us, placing her mug down in front of her. "Thank you, Gwen."

My sister smiled, "You're welcome."

"Only had detention twice this week," I told Mum between my mouthfuls.

"Only?" she arched a brow at me, her brown eyes showing some disappointment.

"It's a lot less than it used to be, you know that," I was determined to avoid a lecture that would really bring down my mood.

"Keep trying harder Vienna," Mum said as she sipped her tea. "I don't want to hear any complaints from your teachers."

"Yes, I know," I refrained from rolling my eyes.

"What are your plans for the day, Mum?" Gwen asked, smoothly changing the subject.

Gwen was what you'd call, a star pupil. She was excellent in academics, whereas I was just scraping a pass in each of my subjects. Mum used to make Gwen tutor me, but it got to the point where I refused to do it anymore. I disliked being forced to study things I had no interest in, especially in my free time. It wasn't as if I'd spent the whole day studying already. My interests lay in creative things like Art and Photography, but my college was structured in a way that we could only take one or the other, not both. So I was stuck with Art, English and History. I hated writing essays, but it was better than Maths.

Gwen liked the Sciences, and she studied Chemistry, Biology and French. She had never landed herself in detention once, and my sharp tongue got me into detention every week. I was pretty much a regular. I could have sworn that some teachers liked to test my short temper.

"I'm going into town to do some shopping and pay some bills. The usual," Mum replied to Gwen's question. "This afternoon, I might get round to emptying the junk room, so don't go too far away. I would need all of your help."

"Nooo," I groaned, pulling a sour face.

That had not been part of my agenda for today. Mum smiled and shook her head at me, just as my younger brother appeared in the kitchen doorway. Joe was wearing an old fleece and a pair of fitted blue jeans. His brown hair was tousled and damp from his shower, and his blue eyes were fixed on the table like a hawk.

"You're eating them all without me," Joe complained as he hurried to join us.

He sat down at the table opposite me and next to Mum, grabbed a pancake with his hand before squeezing maple syrup over it. I was on my second pancake by then, this time choosing to spread it with Nutella.

"Good morning to you too," Gwen scoffed at him.

"Morning," Joe grunted, his eyes on his pancake as he began to cut it into pieces and devour it.

Being the youngest of the family, and the only son, Joe got it easy. Mum didn't nag him to do half as much chores as she did with me and Gwen, but then there were certain things she would make Joe do, like help her carry in the shopping if Gwen or I wasn't around. She often called him to reach high places, seeing as he was about 6 feet tall, at only fifteen.

"Hope you don't have any plans today Joe, we might be sorting out the junk room," I said to him, making sure that if I was being dragged in, so was he.

Joe looked at me with his bright blue eyes, a frown in his features, "I'm going out."

"Mum," I simply called, sending her a look.

"We'll need your help at home in the afternoon when I'm back from town. You can go out afterwards," she said to him as she continued to drink her tea.

I sent Joe a secretive smirk and he glared back at me. He had already finished his pancake and had gone for another. His hand took the Nutella from my reach, just as I was about to use it.

"Hey, I was going for that," I scowled at him.

"Too slow," he sent me an innocent smile.

I responded by kicking him in the shin, just to wipe that look of his face. Joe's face creased in pain, and he wasted no time trying to kick me back, but I had already tucked my legs underneath me, sitting cross legged on my chair. Mum saw what we were doing and she shook her head lightly, not bothering to say anything. Joe and I were at each other all the time.

She got up after finishing her tea, going to the sink to wash up her mug and plate. Her bag was already hooked on the back of her chair, so she picked it on her way out of the kitchen, murmuring goodbye.

"Bye, Mum," we replied, continuing with our food.

"That was a bitch move," Joe muttered at me as soon as he heard the front door close.

"She would have asked you to help anyway," Gwen spoke. "Seeing as you're the one who does the heavy lifting around here."

It was true. He worked out at the school gym nearly everyday, as he was on the team for rugby. I knew that as soon as he turned sixteen, he would join an actual gym with more weight machines to use. He was all about the whole gaining muscles thing. I was more of, eat what tastes nice and maybe go for a long walk...if I ever get round to it.

As Joe was fifteen and had not yet completed his GCSEs, he went to the high school Gwen and I used to go to. Gwen drove us every morning, dropping Joe at school before taking me and her to college a five minutes drive away.

"Still," Joe grumbled under his breath.

Gwen had finished her pancakes and her tea, and she sat there waiting for me. I remembered Raphael, the strange boy, who would hopefully still be in the cabin when we got there. I shoved the rest of my food in my mouth and chewed heavily.

"Well have fun at home, Joe. Gwen and I are heading to the cabin," I placed my knife and fork on the plate once I finished.

"What's the rush?" Joe arched a brow at us.

I shrugged a shoulder as I stood up from my seat, Gwen doing the same. Quickly washing my plate, I walked out the kitchen and to the shoe rack under the stairs, directly across the hallway.

Gwen grabbed her oversized denim jacket from the coat stand and pulled it on hastily, as I shoved on my boots. Joe was still looking at us suspiciously from his dining table chair, but I only smiled and pretended I had no idea what he was going on about.

"See you later, boy," I waved a hand, which Joe reluctantly returned.

"Bye, Joe," Gwen smiled warmly at him, before the two of us made our way to the back door and across the lawn out into the woods.

Gwen and I made it to the cabin in record time, without running, of course. Gwen had not locked the door, as we hadn't wanted to trap Raphael inside, so we walked into the cabin freely.

"Raphael?" I called out hesitantly, when I saw no movement.

Part of me actually thought that he had just decided to leave, but then I heard footsteps and Gwen and I shared a smile. I didn't know why I felt a bit relieved, maybe it was because I still had to many more questions to ask him. Mysteries were intriguing, and honestly my life was kind of monotonous. It was time for some sort of a change.

The tall, dark haired male appeared from the bathroom, a smile on his face, much to my surprise. He was still wearing Joe's clothes, and his hair was less tamed after a night of sleep, but Raphael was visibly stronger already.

"You really fed him well," I nudged Gwen, referring to the large serving of spaghetti she had cooked for him last night.

"Good morning," Gwen beamed at Raphael, ignoring my comment as he was now in earshot and standing right in front of us.

"Good morning," he repeated, graciously nodding his head at her and then actually acknowledging me with another nod.

"Sleep well?" I asked him as I made my way to the kitchen area.

"I did not know that sleep could make me feel...so much better," Raphael said as he walked in after me with Gwen.

"You sound like you don't sleep much," I smiled faintly.

"I did not, in the past," he replied.

I may have just eaten, but snacks should be optional at all times of the day. Grinning to myself, I located a bag of crisps hidden at the back of a cupboard. Joe had probably put it there, hoping I wouldn't find it. The salt and vinegar flavour was his favourite. I grabbed it with a smirk before tearing the bag open.

Gwen was giving me a flat look, and I mouthed 'what?' at her. She shook her head at me and went to the fridge, finding something she could cook for Raphael no doubt. I realised that was what she was saying, that I should offer our guest food first, before helping myself.

"Gotcha," I sent Gwen a wink.

Turning back to look at him, I saw Raphael's dark stubble had gotten slightly heavier, seeing as there probably weren't any shaving products at the cabin. Dad hadn't been around for a while. He came to visit for Christmas and during the summer holidays, but this last December he hadn't made it. As for Joe, he liked keeping a stubble whenever he could, I supposed it made him feel older. During the week he had to shave, as his school did not permit facial hair, but on the weekends he frequently kept whatever small amount of stubble he could muster.

"Want some?" I stepped closed and offered Raphael my bag of crisps.

He caught a whiff of the vinegar and scrunched his nose up.

"No, thank you."

"There really isn't anything substantial here," Gwen said as she scanned the open fridge. "Not for breakfast anyway. If you're hungry you could have some of there doughnuts for now? Then we can go shopping and get more food. Or I can sneak some from the house, without Joe seeing. It was a stroke of luck finding that pasta sauce yesterday."

I wasn't even sure if Raphael had caught all that Gwen said, as he looked a little dazed out as he stared at her. Gwen had grabbed the half eaten bag of custard doughnuts and turned around to hold it out to him, making Raphael blink.

"Thank you," he smiled at her almost...sweetly, before taking the bag.

Raphael sat himself down at one of the chairs at the table and he took a doughnut. He inspected it quickly, before taking a bite. The expression that then crossed his face could only be described as pure bliss.

"Is it that good?" I asked through a mouthful of crisps.

Raphael nodded wordlessly, still chewing. His eyes were alight, and I thought I saw them practically moving. As if the greys in his eyes were being whipped around literally. I blinked a couple times, to try and make sure I wasn't seeing things again, but my attention was pulled to the foot that Raphael wouldn't stop shaking.

"You okay there?" I arched a brow at Raphael, who seemed unable to keep still.

"Yes," he nodded, looking at me as if I was asking him a trick question.

"You seem nervous," I commented, before shoving a couple more crisps in my mouth.

"I do?" Raphael asked, before looking at Gwen questionably, then taking another bite of the doughnut.

"Well, you are fidgeting a lot," she shrugged before taking a seat at the table. "Don't let this one worry you."

By 'this one', my sister was referring to me, and I rolled my hazel eyes at her. Raphael practically scoffed, making me raise my brows.

"Is that funny?" I looked at him.

"No," he replied in his low voice. "But, you do not worry me."

"Yeah, for now," I mumbled under my breath.

They were only words, of course I wasn't planning to terrorise the guy, but Raphael should also know that I wasn't as timid as my sister. If there was something I didn't like, I would say it to his face.

Raphael had finished one doughnut in three bites and was now on the second one. Gwen chuckled when she saw his enthusiasm for the sugary carbs.

"So Raphael, we were thinking," Gwen said. "Vienna and I decided we would help you find your friends."

"You will?" Raphael looked at her in awe.

"We will," she nodded. "But you have to explain what is going on first."

"We have a right to know what we are getting ourselves into," I added as I pushed myself up to sit on the kitchen counter.

Raphael nodded at our request, thinking about it, but I could see what he was about to say before he said it.

"I know you remember what happened to your back, at least," I told him, my voice lined with a touch of concern.

I didn't want to have to bring it up in front of Gwen, in case Raphael wouldn't like us both knowing his business, but that had been my only option. The gruesome looking scar had been almost unreal, I couldn't fathom what had caused it and how.

Gwen looked between us questionably, but she didn't pry. It was clear it was a sensitive topic for Raphael. Raphael too, said nothing for a few moments, and I thought I had crossed a line, but then he sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"If I tell you, you will not believe me," he said in a slightly muffled voice.

"Try us," I sent him a crack of a smile.

He took a deep breath, then lifted his grey eyes to meet Gwen's, before dropping it again.

"Someone did it to me. They held me hostage, and...they tortured me...cut my back open. I do not know why, perhaps for his own satisfaction. Some people need help," Raphael murmured, a crease fixed between his brows. "They dumped me in the forest and they left me for dead."

Gwen had a horrified look on her face, but I watched Raphael carefully. His story was pretty hard to believe, but it was his body language that made me doubt him. He couldn't hold either of our eye.

"You're right," I spoke up. "I don't believe you, and that's because you're lying."

"Vienna," Gwen shot me a cross look.

"I know it," I insisted, turning back to Raphael to hear what he had to say.

His silence confirmed that I was right, which made me ten times more curious to know what the real story was.

"Is it true?" my sister questioned him softly.

Raphael sent her a look, as if he was pained somehow, before shaking his head. His fingers were drumming almost spasmodically on the table top and I was sure he must have been nervous or upset this time.

"I fell," Raphael gave the most basic answer in the book.

I was about to roll my eyes and ask him again, when he continued to speak.

"I fell from the sky," he said, his serious eyes on Gwen.

I blinked at him silently, thinking he was being sarcastic, but from Raphael's face, he was being far from it.

I couldn't help the chuckle that came out afterwards, "What the hell?"

"Surpringly, Hell had nothing to do with it," he looked at me blankly.

My laughter dried out and I sent him a confused frown. Why did he take things so literally?

"Figure of speech," I murmured, then turned to look at Gwen. "What do you think?"

"I have no idea what to think," Gwen looked bewildered. "Maybe you were in an aeroplane and you somehow fell out? Did you go skydiving, maybe? An accident could have happened."

Raphael didn't answer right away, and for some reason I didn't think he was talking about a freak accident sky diving.

"Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't believe that second story either," I said to him. "But the fact that you tried to cover it up with a lie, makes me want to believe you're telling the truth."

The fact that Raphael didn't deny it, nor insist that it was indeed the truth, made me look at him in disbelief. How could that be possible? People didn't just fall out of nowhere, unless Gwen was right.

"Well there's one way to be sure of it," Gwen said as she looked at Raphael with a gentle gaze. "Take us to where you landed. Is it far?"

Raphael shook his head, "As soon as we find it, we go and look for my friends?"

I had no clue what his friends were like, but Raphael was clearly very invested in them. He almost sounded urgent.

"Agreed," Gwen assured him.

"Are your friends in trouble?" I asked curiously.

"They may be, if I do not find them soon," he muttered as he got to his feet. "I will take you to the place now."

"Okay," I was ready.

The sooner we knew what was really going on, the better.

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Thoughts on the chapter?!

J

PS. In the UK, college is for 16-18 year olds. Some colleges have mature students who can be in their twenties or sometimes older, but they are a minority. It is not like American college. American college = University for us. Basically 18 and older. Usually living away from home etc

And this is a fleece.