《Stockholm's Mess》Chapter 27 - Hanna - Final chapter
Advertisement
Hanna
Two years later
“You’re pouting.” Michael sets a bowl of stew in front of me. “What’s up?”
“Nothing,” I grunt, poking my spoon into the dish.
“It’s a good game you brought.” He tries to cheer me up. It doesn’t work.
I glance at the rifle in the hallway, leaned against the wall. Hunting. Who would’ve thought? I don’t like it much, but it seems useful. It gives me something to do. John says it’s not very helpful for my PTSD. I know it’s not and I did have a panic attack when I shot my first bird. I do mostly shoot birds. I guess holding a massive rifle in my hands also makes me feel strong, so often I just walk through the woods, holding it the entire time and not killing a damn thing.
To pluck and skin my birds, however, I leave to Lyn, since both Michael and I became squeamish with blood and guts. Well, he more than I, since I can take the mutilated bodies of the birds I hunt. Hunting makes me feel useful and helps to distract myself from the truth, the truth that I’m third-wheeling in this house.
“I’m nineteen. It’s been over two years,” I mumble.
“Sure been a while,” he says, giving me a suspicious look as if he knows I’m gonna get into a tangent.
Michael’s treating me like his little sister— caring, helpful— a man I never knew was in him. But it makes sense because with Lyn’s help, he integrated into this life. After spending half a year in the house, waiting for things to blow over, Michael’s found a job in the nearby logging facility and now mostly keeps all his psyche problems to himself and Lyn. I’m glad because Lyn heals him in ways I never could. He’s calm, and his rage fits have reduced to one or two per month, and he only tried to kill himself only twice last year, which in my book, is a good score. I mention my dreams and goals to him sometimes, just to test it —the convertible, the trip I want to take, the happiness I want to experience. I get pleasantly surprised when each time he’s more accepting, treating it like a normal thing, which it is. More than that, Lyn’s been getting better too. She stopped getting urges to cut, and while she still smokes, it’s way less. Most of the time she’s preoccupied with her job and animals, or books, or Michael.
Advertisement
Maybe, finally… finally, I’ll gather myself together and leave. The thought still terrifies me, but I think I could take on whatever awaits me out in the world. I still have panic attacks from time to time but they’re manageable. Perhaps, I could really do it. I could see my brother. God, it’s been forever.
“You think I should leave?” I ask him.
Michael leans on the counter. “I don’t know, Freckles. You tell me.”
I sigh, irked, and push my bowl aside. I plant my palms on the table. “I’m third-wheeling.”
He lifts a brow. “Third-wheeling?”
“You and Lyn are all lovey-dovey, all I do is hunt and clean! You don’t need me to help with your shit anymore. I don’t need you to help me. I’m a piece of an already full puzzle here.” I stand, glad I finally voiced my concerns out loud.
“Oh, so that’s how you feel.” He rubs the back of his neck. “You’re not—”
“Don’t tell me I’m not third-wheeling.”
“But—”
“Don’t.”
He drops his shoulders. “Come with me.”
I sniff and follow him through the back doors into the garage. He shoulders the door open and flicks on the light. I stop in my tracks. “Are you kidding?”
He exhales as he looks at the car parked next to Lyn’s sedan. A convertible. “Took me a while to rebuild it.”
Tears pile up in the rims of my eyes.
“Why do you think I braided Lyn’s hair so much?” He chuckles. “But, eh, it was good exercise. Had a dream, took a step after step, and now it’s here,” he shakes his head as if he’s in disbelief that he actually did it. “Granted, it’s no Mustang, but you can still feel the wind in your hair.”
Advertisement
“Jesus.” I run my hand over a smooth dark blue surface of a hood, then pivot to fully take in the man in front of me. “Look at you. A-a…”
“Go on, say it. A murderer.” He bows his head slightly, a shadow of shame and regret crossing his eyes. Then he looks at me. “Third-wheeling my ass, Freckles.” He juts his chin to the side, indicating the house. “All this is thanks to you. I owe you my life, Freckles, remember? And we may not talk much, but I owe everything, and I mean everything to you. Lyn knows my promise; she knows I won’t leave you until you decide to leave first.”
Tears running down my cheeks I observe him, feeling last strands of our Stockholm attachment breaking. This is what I needed to hear him say all along. I needed him to say it, to tie the remaining loose ends.
At last, everything feels complete.
I wipe my nose. “Do you have the keys?”
He picks them from the nearby shelve and tosses them to me. I snatch them into my palm, eager to taste, smell, feel my freedom in every cell of my body.
My job here is done.
Advertisement
- In Serial14 Chapters
Steps of the Immortal Tree
Evan stood on a hill, staring calmly at the gate of his former clan. A crowd waited behind him, some eyeing the clan in an unresigned manner, others looking at their spiritual support. Some of the young children shivered at the gnawing cold. Wind howled in his ears, seemingly deploring his fate. A silvery cloud drifted over the mountains surrounding the compound. The roar of a river could be heard from underneath its frozen surface. He had reincarnated many years ago. Hailed as a prodigy from his youngest age, Evan had seemingly tread on a path to invincibility. He had gotten married with his childhood sweetheart and had cultivated with a group of friends, forming a considerable power of his own. Yet now, here he was, devoid of any path to move forward, with his energy locus destroyed. His wife was dead and his branch had been kicked out of the clan. He looked at his progeny that had been entrusted to him. The baby seemed content in his father’s strong arms, too young to understand anything but the warmth of the father’s beating heart. Signaling to the people behind him, he turned around and the procession gradually disappeared in the distance, as the sun gradually set and the stars acted as a guide. --- Author-san here. I originally started this novel on another account, but lost the login information for it, so I'll be restarting this story here. Thanks for understanding! This is my first fiction, so I appreciate any and all feedback! (^^) The cover picture is by Yuji Himukai (as pointed out by Truis). I found it on the internet. Please contact me if you want to have it taken down. If anyone is interested in drawing a cover, send it to me. I'll put it up if I feel it represents the book well, with your name in the credits.
8 88 - In Serial35 Chapters
Red Eyes
The world is broken and within it live two sisters in the exposed outlands unprotected by walls or mountains. With the nightstalkers lurking in the nearby forest, danger could be waiting in every shadow. But war is coming, hard decisions must be made, and a perilous journey embarked upon despite the harsh elements. Time is short and the enemy will not wait. They must succeed or die.
8 205 - In Serial10 Chapters
Angelic Summons
We are called to; Struggle for supremacy. Survive this new world. Find our faith. On the advent of the system we will bear witness to the depths of our new power. Power we were never meant to have. And how it perverted us.
8 303 - In Serial29 Chapters
Alternate 2020
In one day. One day only. My life turned upside down. I made enemies as I treaded ‘Into the unknown world’. My struggles to compete against this world was farfetched. I made many friends and allies shouldering my burdens with me but nonetheless, chaotic events spread like wildfire. Who am I? I’m Ray.
8 156 - In Serial31 Chapters
Funtime Foxy x Funtime Freddy
This story is based on another story I read and loved so much. The writer is really talented but I can't remember their name right now. But this story focusses on the view of Funtime Freddy and his crush on the animatronic Funtime Foxy. After a terrible accident, the pizzeria is closed down and abandoned. Leaving all the animatronics there to count down their days until getting scooped. But they are not alone, there is an evil presence, with 2 things on his mind: Revenge, and tacos(because tacos are delicious).
8 131 - In Serial9 Chapters
Deku in dxd
In this story Izuku after killing Shigaraki is gravely injured. He is suddenly teleported into a place of nothingness. Where ever he looks its nothing. He is soon gifted by god and sent to live in a new Universe with 3 other people from his previous Universe. Let's see where the journey takes him.
8 154