Excerpt: Precipice

Walking into the house he called home for so many years, inhaling the sweet familiar smells of his mother’s cooking, it begins to feel like he never left in the first place. While the others walk towards the kitchen, his father gives him a nod as Arron hangs back, leaning towards the hallway leading to the stairs.

His bag in hand, he turns around the corner, hearing his father’s soft explanation for his disappearance. Walking up the old, sturdy wooden stairs to the second floor, his fingers drift across the old railing. He pushes open the door to his old room, the room his parents claim will always be his. The sentiment warms his heart, but no matter all the fond memories he has of this room, of this house, Arron knows he’s moved on. Almost three years away from this home have had an effect on him. He knows he can feel the difference, and he knows his mother and father see it in him as well. Keegan watches him with a different gaze, now, full of admiration but also caution, questioning. Sylvie, young Sylvie, treats him no differently, a small pleasure he’s secretly grateful for.

Arron enters the room, taking in the neatly made bed, the precise organization of his old books, his old toys from when he was younger, all the things he didn’t bring along with him when he moved to the city. Gently setting his bag down on the floor next to his bed, he sits down on the mattress, running his hand over the blanket covering the mattress. There’s a fine layer of dust on the aged bedside table, and he swipes his palm across it. His touch is more careful, handling everything he touches with more caution, respect, than he felt to do ever before.

He snaps his head up, hand stilling on the tabletop, at the sound of a soft knock at his door. Keegan is standing there, with that same calculating look upon his face, but his blue eyes are kind. Arron gives him a reassuring smile, wiping his hands on his pants quickly before standing and walking over to his brother, laying a hand on his brother’s shoulder.

“Hey,” Keegan says, hesitating. “Sorry if I—”

“It’s fine, little brother. Just getting used to being here again. It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?” Arron interrupts him, shaking his head and giving him a smile.

“Too long,” Keegan agrees, smiling back after a split second, taking a step backwards out of the room. “We have missed you around here. All of us. You know that, right?” He hesitates again, his hand nervously gripping the railing at the top of the stairs, even though he hasn’t stepped below the first step yet.

“Yeah, I know, Keeg,” Arron nods, giving his shoulder another soft squeeze. “I know.”