The Children Of Thalia

Thundered

My eyes were a little wide when I saw someone waiting on the stairs, a young brunette like her mother, with a face that was still reddish due to fever. I had expected Lee, Val, or the others to come, but I didn't expect Lizzy to be the first to greet me upstairs.

"Lizzie!"

Val was also there, behind the other boys. His face looked confused. He may not be able to see clearly in the dark. That's good, he can't yet know what's been going on downstairs.

"Theo, what is.....your shoulder!"

"Shut up! Keep your voice down, quickly enter back into the room!!"

I lifted Lizzy myself, enduring the throbbing pain in my thighs, back, arms, and chest. To hell with it all, it's a good thing I can still move. Don't think about the pain until it's over. I told everyone to go back to the room. Lee was calming the younger children there, but his face looked so worried, especially when he saw my bloodied body.

"Theo, you're bleeding!" He restlessly stood up, rushed to find the first aid kit, but I blocked him out of the room.

"Everything is safe, I just scratched a little bit. Hurry up and lift your legs, we're getting out of here by the back."

Everyone looked at me in surprise and confusion. Of course, I explained it in a hurry. They will not understand, even Val who is usually sensitive is now putting on a fretful face.

"Theo, what are you saying? Why is the electricity going off? What more, what sound was that? Is there a problem below?" val asked, trying to calm down.

"I can't explain everything now. Right, there's a problem, therefore we need to quickly get out of here, right away!"

"Wait, where's dad?" And Lee asked about it. He does care about the others, but damn, I was hoping that no one would discuss that right now.

I can't answer it. I could've lied by saying that you came out first, but they wouldn't have believed it. It's impossible for you to go first without taking your kids. Although we were only foster children, but he loved us like his own son. Val knows best about it, because lying is pointless now.

"Just stand up, follow me, let's get out of here now!"

"Hey... Theo, where's dad? Aren't you with her?" Val began to ask. Worried and agitated, especially after seeing this scarred body of mine.

"Val, quickly tell Lee to take everything to the study room. We're running through there."

"THEO!!!!" Val pulled my shirt strong. I can't look him in the eye. "Dad...... It's okay, right?"

It hurts, damn it. Didn't you see my shoulders shedding blood?

"Val, please keep your mouth shut for a while and come with me. I'll explain everything outside."

"NONSENSE!!!!"

With great energy, Val pushed me out of his sight until I bounced and hit the wall. Shit, I should have counted on drugging him from earlier.

"THEO!!"

"Sister!!"

Lee and Lizzy came up to me. Their unrest was clearly etched on the face. Unlucky, my body started to limp. My fingertips were cold as if they were almost frozen. Lee undressed my thick clothes. Instantly he was flabbergasted when he saw the gaping hole of the gun shot shed so much blood.

"I'm looking for my own father!" firmly Val while walking out of the room.

"No, Val... Danger!"

I tried to get up to stop him, but Lee tried to keep me from resting.

"Don't move!! Your wound....... Marc, call an ambulance!"

"A.... ah, yes!"

"Sister! Brother!!"

"Sister Theo, hang on, Brother Theo!!"

"THEO!!!!!!!"

Everyone's voices clashed in my head. There was little I could hear, and my ears were ringing. Val walked outside, close to the door. No, if he opens it, we'll get caught.

However, before Val touched the doorknob, the door opened. A tall man with cold eyes pushed the door from outside. He was really tall and looked great from wearing a thick jacket and raincoat. He might have been waiting outside. I'm late, another group of assailants has come in. My eyes quickly rolled into his right hand. It was not a small gun like the ones before, it was a big revolver! They have no intention of hiding anymore.

We were silent, caught in shock. Even Val was silent for a moment. The guy raised his gun, Val still didn't react. Of course, this was his first time facing such a real enemy. He became a soft target, a large-bodied person who was unable to move. He'll be shot in the head and die instantly.

I can't let that happen. No one can hurt my family while I'm still there.

"VAL!!!!!!!!"

The gun barked, so loud it was deafening, it echoed breaking the thunder booms and stormy rainstorms outside. The blaze from the muzzle of the gun made the room bright for a moment, then swallowed again the darkness while spreading the smell of gunpowder so strong. My ears are ringing, my eyes are hard to catch any shadow. Everything was blurry, but at first glance I could see the faces of my brothers there. A face full of worry. Ah, Lizzy almost cried. I should wipe it. She's a little sensitive, but I'm sure she'll be a strong girl later.

Val approached me first. Obviously, he's right next to me. He doesn't look anything. I'm grateful. I managed to save him. Val is stubborn, but he's a good guy. He's my brother, so I don't want to see him fall down with a hole in his forehead.

My fingers are cold, my hands are cold, my feet are cold. It felt like all the heat of my body was flowing out along with the blood from my chest. I'm failing. Sorry, dad, I failed to save them. I'm down here, I can't do anything. I failed to convince Val and the others.

This stinging pain did not go away, it even felt throbbing every time I took a breath. It's getting colder here, but at the same time it's hot on my right chest. The shot did not miss. I pushed Val who was within range of the shot, got myself shot in the right chest, right through the lungs. I couldn't breathe, but I couldn't even move at the tip of a finger. It felt like my life was getting thin, it felt like my life was already living at the end of my throat.

When I felt that my life was over, I felt a warm light envelop me, so warm that I forgot all the pain in my body. Ah, it feels like I can also breathe calmly, it feels like life is filling my fan body again. It was like lying in a meadow in early spring.

So serene. Am I dead? What about Lizzy? What about Val, Lee, Marc, Michelle, Ariane, Ruby? What about my brothers?

Faintly, I heard a soft and warm voice.

Theo........

Whoareyou?

Theo, awake!

His voice was so soft as to whisper directly into my ear. Every time I hear it, my body feels warm.

Lizzy needs you, Thalia needs you. You can't leave yet. We needyou.

Who the hell are you saying that?

You are our hope, a soul so burning as your predecessor.

Predecessors? What do you mean? My mammy? My papa? Wha what??

Fight, Theo. We will always support you. You were our hope long ago. Save Thalia, don't be like us. Be the hero of this world.

I asked who are you?? What did you mean by that???

A warm light gushed out my body like the flowers of autumn. I drowned, but didn't feel claustrophobic. It felt so peaceful, like being in a blanket on a sunny Sunday morning. Slowly the light disappeared, the warmth disappeared. My body is cold, I can't see anything. Everything was dark, my ears were ringing.

I can hear the sound again.

People sounded so panicked. Shouting, shouting at each other. One voice sounded heavy...... Val. Another voice sounded louder, but full of worry, it must be Lee. The other voice was not clear, it was a voice I had never heard. I slowly opened my eyes, looking at the figure of the girl I had never seen, looking worried as she pressed both her hands against my chest.

"Thank God, it worked!"

He looked relieved, but he had not yet let go of his hand from me. Behind her was a sobbing Lizzy, next to her was Lee who was also crying. On the other hand there is Val who is no less worried looking.

The pain in my chest is lessened even though it hasn't gone away, but it feels light. I can breathe again, although it is still difficult. The pain in my hands and feet was gone, but in my shoulders it was still felt. What the hell's going on?

"Almost once, yeah."

That voice sounded above my head. I looked up, looking at the familiar face of the young man. That face sucks, but I'm glad he finally came.

"An.... cells?"

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