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sizebrained · 4 days ago

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Christmas Shopping Surprise, Part 1

Ben and Hazel come across an unexpected surprise while out shopping for the holidays.

CW: None? Probably the most vanilla wholesome installment.

***

It was very cold. It was cold enough to snow but it hadn't yet. Hazel was hoping for snow.

She used to dread snow these past few years in the shed, but, for the first time in a long time, she was looking forward to enjoying it safely and without freezing.

She leaned the whole side of her body against Ben's neck for a bit instead of just a steadying hand. He was so warm.

Ben was glad for the chill, it provided the perfect excuse for Hazel to curl up inside his scarf next to his neck. It kept her from being seen and more than that, he liked having her there against his skin. As he thought about it, he felt her whole body suddenly press against him and it made him stop walking. He wanted to ask if she was alright. He worried that maybe she had slipped but that was so unlike her.

There were a lot of people around. There weren't that many days left until Christmas Eve. And so many people who were milling about were also staring or outright gawking at him. So much attention always made Ben hesitate to say anything to Hazel. He stayed quiet and started walking again when he felt her body lift up off of his neck. After several minutes of silent walking, he realized that it was rather nice to share a moment in silence like this with her. He liked their talks, but this was a nice change. Every so often, he felt her one tiny hand pressed against the side of his neck so that her other hand could pull down the lip of his scarf to peer over it. Sam and Cob did not seem to suffer from the same worry as Ben did about being noticed. He had lost track of Sam well over an hour ago. But he knew her and Cob would be fine.

His older sister, as she insisted that he call her instead of little big sister, was dashing in and out of stores like Scrooge on Christmas morning. More and more bags were being added in tow as she went in and out. Ben was pretty sure she had managed to get his credit card again, but he didn't actually mind it for some reason at Christmas.

Sam had added a headband with reindeer antlers and bells on it that made her even louder still at the very first store they went in. He assumed Cob might be hanging on those antlers now for a better view if the bells weren't too loud. Several stores later, in an overcrowded toy shop, Ben had enough and needed air and space. He didn't bother to ask Hazel if she felt like staying as the noise and motion inside the overcrowded store was making his pulse quicken. He much preferred walking through the festive, but still overcrowded, streets of the downtown shopping area. It was older than the rest of the city, and some of the side streets even had cobblestones that would have been treacherous when he was on crutches.

He was glad to be off of them finally and thought how much it would suck for anyone who needed them all the time, or his neighbor and her wheelchair.

"Are you alright? Do you need anything?" Ben whispered down at his shoulder breaking into his train of thought not remembering Hazel being this quiet for this long. Hazel patted his neck like she was reassuring her very large circus animal before a show. "Yes that is very sweet of you to ask. But I am perfectly well." She paused for a moment before continuing, "And do not be afraid to actually...you know go into any of these lovely stores and get some presents. I thought you had a list?" He did have a list, but he did not like the stores in this part of town. He was far more accustomed to modern big box stores with warehouse high ceilings and very wide aisles.

All of these stores were postcard perfect and they felt about the same size as a postcard to him. Something about so many people taking selfies or photos made the whole thing worse as he noticed several bystanders take his photo as he passed. "Uh...I will but you know I'm not exactly sure what I want to get for anyone yet...and uh I'm sure I'll know it when I see it you know?" Ben sputtered thinking of a poor excuse on the spot. Hazel knew he felt anxious in such tiny shops. From her spot against his neck, she could literally feel his heart pounding faster underneath and all around her. In the toy store, the thumping had gotten strong enough to shake her whole body. Thankfully, it slowed down fairly quickly when he was out on the street again.

He was getting much better, or at least getting better at knowing what made him calm down. If Ben had jumped, he would have either put a hole in the toy store's ceiling or knocked himself out or both. She wanted to push him to stay but thought better of it.

It was Christmas after all. She thought he deserved a respite from working on his fits.

She found herself enjoying silent walk. Besides, it wasn't like she needed anything in the store or could buy something for herself in any event.

Hazel let herself imagine what it would be like if she was human and she could go shop like all the people she saw going in and out of stores.

She wondered what she'd be like as a human for several long moments. Ben would still be giant but much more manageable. She wondered if they would be a couple if she was human. It was a nice thought. She was getting lost in her own thoughts before something caught her eye and attention.

"Oh! What is that shop! On the other side of the street," Hazel shouted and tugged on the inside of the scarf in the direction of the store.

Ben turned his head and saw a single large window completely filled with a jumble of books. It didn't look like the owner was even trying to have them displayed, just stacked and piled everywhere.

Even from across the street, he could tell it was older and smaller than most of the other stores.

Ben caught himself before he groaned out loud at the thought of having to squeeze into it.

Still, despite his misgivings, he crossed the road and stopped in front of it. He stood there looking down at the window and even smaller than usual door.

"Blackwell at Finchingfield Company's Rare and Desirable Books," Ben read out loud with a chuckle.

"Oh my god this sounds more British than you do," He said down to his neck. "That's near London..." Hazel said flatly back to him as she stared at the words over the scarf as well.

Hazel didn't elaborate any further. Ben sighed as he noticed that there were a few steps leading down to the actual entrance. It was a basement shop but no sign of a store above. Maybe the owner lived above it.

Ben bent down low with a grunt to open the door. It made a bell attached to it jangle loudly.

He sidestepped into the bookstore and immediately regretted his decision. He stood upright and hit his head far sooner than he expected.

The ceiling was abnormally low. It was a basement, but this was ridiculous. He kept his knees bent and felt a tightness in his back.

There were very narrow, angular pathways made their way through floor to ceiling shelves overfilled with books. Ben knew this was going to be an ordeal.

Ben heard Hazel gasp.

"Oh...it's wonderful!" She said in hushed surprise.

From behind a stack of books, Ben heard a very faint voice call out. "Oh hello you two! What a lovely surprise! Come in, come in, please take your time! It's wonderful to have you both! It's been so long."

Ben and Hazel froze in panicked silence. There was no way someone could have spotted Hazel behind Ben's scarf or hear her from that far away. Maybe they were confused anyone actually would come into the store.

"Uh Hello? It's just me...by myself..." Ben yelled out after a very long awkward silence.

Hazel slapped Ben's neck as hard as she could for saying something so awkwardly suspicious.

"Oh! Just you! Right of course dear, just you. I understand. But please come in and take your time. Let me know if you need anything," The voice replied back.

Ben wasn't sure what to do. Half of him thought to just turn around and leave. He stood still for what seemed like an eternity. His back was starting to hurt.

Finally, the oldest, smallest woman he had ever seen slowly stepped out into one of the aisles about 10 feet ahead of him in an aisle. She slowly made her way towards him.

"Dear me aren't you a big one. I swear they get bigger every generation." The old woman said adjusting her glasses and craning her neck to look up at Ben who was still crouching down because of the ceilings.

Ben recognized her British accent through the sheer age of her voice. She was wrapped in a very thick gray button up sweater and looked like she was born in a bookstore hundreds of years ago.

Ben gulped.

"Uh...yeah...but just me...see...and you had said two?" Ben said hoping maybe her mind was going before the old woman interrupted him.

"Oh! Ohhhhhh....Of course, of course, just you dear! And my aren't you big enough for two people anyway. Certainly, certainly, I understand..." the old woman said in a knowing tone that didn't seem like she was missing a beat at all despite her age.

As if to confirm Ben's suspicions, the old woman made a big show of winking up at him and giggled under her breath.

Ben was sure that somehow the old woman knew that Hazel was hiding behind his scarf.

Without saying anything else, the old woman turned and made her way back to her spot again. Ben remained totally still, crouching in place right at the front door. Finally, he had enough and just got down on his knees. It helped.

Hazel popped out from behind his scarf to admonish him in a hushed whisper, "What the bloody hell are you doing?! Get up and go look around!"

Ben looked at her with a grimace afraid to say anything and really make the old woman think there were two people in the store.

"She knows!" he dared to whisper as quietly as he could. Despite his best efforts, his whisper still sounded loud amongst all of the books.

Hazel rolled her eyes huffing in exasperation.

"She knows you are a lunatic the way you are acting right now..." she said while pulling down Ben's scarf.

She walked out onto his shoulder. Then without saying anything, she leapt onto a nearby shelf.

Ben stopped himself from shouting after her. Instead, he decided to turn and awkwardly knee walk down the main aisle towards the old woman.

The sides of his coat were brushing the books and making a swishing sound from the material of it.

Hazel was moving far faster and easier as she disappeared into the stacks far ahead of him. She started looking at the various titles and sections as she raced past them.

She could spend days in here and surely she could avoid being seen by one very old lady.

Hazel was tempted to ask Ben to leave her there so she could explore on her own before she heard him catching up.

After a few labored moments, he finally made it over to where the old woman had shouted at him at the front door. She was standing behind what looked like a very old fashioned cash register with a small, handwritten note taped to the front that read "Cash Only".

Even on his knees, she still had to look up to make eye contact with him. She looked up at Ben with a pleasant expression as if she was waiting for him to speak. He felt the pressure of it and finally blurted something out.

"You've got a lot of books."

Hazel was watching him from a nearby shelf, looking out from behind a small dust covered book. She shook her head in disbelief and rubbed her face.

"Why yes dear. As it so happens, this is a book store," she said emphasizing the word with the same kind of dryness that he noticed in Hazel. She called it wit.

"So I find it does help to have many for sale. Any topics of interest to you or your friend...oh sorry right. I mean are you looking for yourself or someone else?" The woman said correcting herself like she was playing along with a small child over a game of pretend.

Ben stayed silent staring at her. He knew that she knows. He knew that she knows and he knew that she knew that he knows. But she kept up the facade at least.

"Someone else...well she...I mean she likes everything. She's really smart and well read so I don't know what I could get that she wouldn't have already read or could probably recite without reading," Ben replied before she cut him off again.

"A special book for a special someone? I have just the thing." The old woman declared.

Hazel felt her heart flutter a bit at hearing Ben talk about her to someone else like this. She dared to step a little further out from her hiding spot.

Ben started blushing at the long stare from the old woman. She wasn't wrong about Hazel being his "special someone." But it was so weird to talk about it with anyone other than Sam.

"Oh my so large and full of feelings dear..." She said noticing his cheeks. Then she cackled as she walked past him, disappearing into the shelves.

He tilted back and forth on his knees as he waited. She returned to her side of the register holding a small tan book that looked very old. "Does she...Well I suppose that the proper question is do you have this? They never do have their own you know. They're always borrowing in their way but it's fine they never need much and we can always share isn't that right?" the old woman asked with another cackle up as she held out the book to him.

"No I don't have this..." Ben said taking the book. He tried to ignore her comments and not let anything slip. He read the cover, it was The Mentor Book of Major British Poets. It looked like it had a bunch of different poems in it as Ben turned it in his hand and looked at the back.

"Of course they're not all British poets. We have the bad habit of lumping in the whole Kingdom rather than admit the Welsh and Irish are often better poets in our own language," The old woman said.

Ben just nodded in silence and handed her a twenty dollar bill.

"But poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason my boy. You can never go wrong with a book of poetry as a gift." She continued as she punched the loud keys of the register.

"And your special someone? What is her name?" the old woman asked as she made change for him.

"Hazel," Ben said without skipping a beat forgetting himself.

"Oh we never knew a Hazel back home. I imagine she must have been in a different pod. Was she ever in London?" The old woman asked.

"What?" Ben asked stupefied.

"Hazel, was she ever in London? She must have been at some point. They bloody live forever so I'm sure must have at some point," the old woman said like she was remembering more than talking to Ben. Ben felt the sweat on his forehead in rising terror. Hearing this woman casually talking like she not only knew Hazel was there but had come across tiny people like her before filled him with terror.

"Yes I was in London." Hazel suddenly said from a shelf just above and to the side of the cash register. She had made her way over across while the humans were talking.

Hazel dropped down and then stood up on the top of the cash register. Her arms were crossed and her tail swished slowly from side to side.

Ben's eyes went wide and he stood up bringing his hands to either side of Hazel. But before he could grab her tiny body and flee, he hit his head on the ceiling as he rose. The whole place shook and rattled from the impact. Even the bell on the door rang softly.

He crumbled straight down with a loud yelp holding his head with both hands.

The old woman cackled with glee louder than she had since they had come into the store, ignoring him and keeping her eyes locked on Hazel.

"Oh that's just wonderful! I had hoped you would let me see you! It's been so long! I haven't seen one of you since the war. This is just the best Christmas wish come true," the old woman shouted clapping her hands together.

"Hazel it's lovely to meet you, I'm Penny." the old woman said.

"How did you know I was here?" Hazel asked warily.

Ben groaned and muttered rubbing his head in a massive heap on the floor filling most of the aisle.

"Oh but of course I knew you were here dear. A pact lingers even if one of you goes. Although sadly your side never seems to make it if the human gives up the ghost first." Penny said wiping her eyes that seemed to be tearing up.

"You were..." Hazel started saying before the old woman interrupted her.

"Yes I was in a revealing pact with one of your kind for many many years. Jacob was his name. Jacob and his whole family lived with mine for many, many generations." Penny said with a smile at Hazel.

"Ever since, I always could feel when one of you was near. But it's been decades since I felt it. But sure enough as soon as your large lad here came in I knew I could feel it like it was yesterday. I am so glad. We have so much to talk about." *** End Part 1

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narrans · 7 months ago

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My Borrowed Son | 27 | Strangers Like Me

Chapter Twenty-Seven | Strangers Like Me

Parker was in awe of the place he saw. This place was so strange and yet he knew it was a house. An aroma that smelled sweet and familiar lingered in the air and only got stronger as the four of them approached the structure.

Parker’s mind was completely numb. No part of him felt real. He felt like a helium balloon, floating along and merely existing. Every sense was taking in information, but processing it was another story.

As they approached, Parker noticed two other small children who were smaller and younger than him outside of the structure. It sounded like the two of them were talking – well, one was talking, and the other was babbling simple phrases.

It wasn’t until they were a few feet away that they instinctively stopped and turned toward the approaching group. The oldest of the two’s eyes were wide and he quickly took the younger by the hand and guided her inside. There was some kind of commotion inside and, a few seconds later, two more adults, one man and one woman who looked a little older than the man they walked outside of the structure. Their expressions told Parker everything he needed to know about seeing him with the others.

They were apprehensive, completely uneasy, and shocked into silence at seeing him.

Parker’s step faltered and he stopped dead in his tracks. He never considered himself a shy person, but too much had happened all at once and was making him retreat into himself. His body trembled as he pulled the cloak given to him by the man further over his shoulders.

This made the man stop and glance over at Parker.

“You’re alright. It’s going to be okay, kid,” said the man. The same instinct Parker had experienced all his life that raised when he sensed his mom coming or when he fell from a great distance wasn’t giving him any red flags. Usually, the hair would raise on the back of his neck or something inside him would be screaming to run away.

That was not the case here.

In fact, there was something homey about what was happening.

It was familiar.

Parker swallowed, his throat feeling like sandpaper from getting sick earlier, and followed behind the man.

The woman ushered the other two teens into the home, giving Kit a harsh stare, before her features softened as she looked back to Parker. The man did the same thing as Finnick and Kit passed, saying something along the lines of, “We’ll talk about this later,” as Kit crossed the threshold.

The woman exhaled slowly as though to calm herself down before stepping forward toward Parker. The young teen noticed she had a prosthetic leg, which seemed unfathomable. How could she have a prosthetic leg and not be human? How did she get the supplies for it? It looked 3D printed after all.

“Parker, sweetie, come on inside. I’m sure you have some questions,” said the woman as she turned on her heel and vanished inside the house. The man with her followed shortly behind after giving the man who helped Parker a stern look.

Parker wasn’t sure why, but he got the impression that there was something uneasy and unspoken between the group and the stranger. Regardless, Parker drifted along through the door and into the home. He immediately noticed so many odds and ends that were hung from the walls.

The items ranged from ones he actually used to help build his own space to creative alternatives for everyday items. Things like thumbtacks in the walls for coats and bags and twist ties for hinges on the doors. There was a cork in the corner with a paperclip in the back which made the thing look like a stool or chair and this was just the hallway.

The number of things in the kitchen and living area alone that looked like they had been fashioned out of the most obscure items and turned out okay. One of the things Parker noticed was a bundle of blankets in the corner that looked like it had been made from yarn. There were trinkets hanging in the air and cut paper dolls and origami creations that looked to be made from old gum wrappers.

The idea of using trash to decorate was an odd one to Parker, but the actual execution looked rather enchanting and homey. This was just one of so many things all around that he recognized for their actual use but appreciated its reused purpose.

What on earth is happening? This place is fascinating. They reuse everyday items to make new things and use them for something else entirely. That matchbox is a cabinet and drawers. This other one is a sofa.

Parker absentmindedly stepped into the kitchen and suddenly found himself sitting at the kitchen table with a thimble full of something that smelled like tea in front of him. The man who was in the house was sitting at the head of a table made of cards while the woman continued to bustle about the kitchen, snagging more “cups” of tea for everyone else.

Finnick, the older teen, sat next to his father at a diagonal from Parker while the girl, Kit, leaned against the door facing with her arms crossed as tightly as a twisty pretzel. The other two were in the living area. It was clear the older one was meant to watch over the youngest but was failing miserably because every few seconds the youngest managed to charge into the kitchen in pursuit of her mother.

The other man stayed leaned up against the kitchen counter as the woman sat down across from Parker. With her lack of movement, everything finally fell still in the house.

The tension was tangible, but Parker had no idea how to even begin. What did he ask? Did he have the right to leave? Was he being kept here? Were all of these people delusional and calling themselves “Borrowers?” Or was that actually what they were?

Was that what he was?

“Well, Parker, I’m sure you have a lot of questions. You can take your time if you’d like. We’re happy to answer anything,” said the woman. “I… suppose introductions are in order. I’m Mira, and this is my husband Toulouse. Our eldest is Finnick and our daughter, whom I’ve been told you met last night, is Sprokit. Our other son is Reed and our youngest is Dove. We’ve been living here for many years and, well… hearing about your arrival certainly sparked some discussion.”

Parker looked at the man in the corner. He pulled the cloak further over his shoulders and swallowed again. The smell of the tea was appealing, but Parker’s insides felt like they could turn for the worst at any moment.

“And… him?”

The man glanced up at Parker, keeping his arms folded loosely, before sighing heftily.

“Kers. I moved here with you and your mom.”

Parker recited the names a few times in his mind, but he knew they wouldn’t stick. He felt like his mind was frozen in time back when he first entered the walls, and it would take nothing short of an ice chisel to get information through his brain at the moment.

“R-right…”

“Parker, do…”

“You… said you’ve known me for a while, but what does that mean?” Parker asked, interrupting Finnick as he began speaking. Parker wanted desperately for them to stay quiet and let him process the information in front of him, but that was a pipe dream at this point. It was obvious they wanted to help and wouldn’t relent until they thought he was satisfied with their answers.

They looked over at Kers, as did Parker, and waited for the answer.

“I said it before, I was hidden. I found your home a little over four years ago and decided to live there and make sure you were okay,” said Kers. He sounded exhausted, but truthful.

But it still didn’t make sense to Parker.

“W-what? What does that even mean? Okay? Okay from what?” Parker heard Kit scoff before she piped up from her spot in the doorway.

“Oh, please,” she said exasperatedly. “Okay from the human. He was making sure you were safe from the human.”

“Sprokit!” scolded Toulouse firmly, making Parker jump slightly. Kit rolled her eyes and rolled her lips together to form a thin line on her face. The father sighed and nodded. “She means the woman you call ‘mom’.”

The woman I call “mom?”

Those words echoed hollowly in Parker’s mind. It made him bristle that these people were calling his mom “the woman,” reducing everything she did for him all of his life to two simple words that didn’t do her justice.

It also felt like a punch in the gut. “The woman” he knew as his mom wasn’t actually that thing. A mom was a woman who gave birth to you. A mom wouldn’t lie to you. A mom helped and protected as well as provided for you. A mom loved you.

Parker felt his insides swirl again and he coughed a little as his body lurched. Thankfully, nothing came up, but it did make Parker feel sicker by the second.

“B…but…”

“Parker, it’s okay. I’m sorry. We’re just not used to talking to a Borrower who has been seen and talked to a human before. Old habits die hard,” apologized Mira as she leaned forward onto the table and smiled while catching Parker’s eye.

That word is what helped snap Parker out of his stupor.

Now feeling completely detached, the questions started coming in clearer for Parker. Though still numb and waiting for something to break through his frozen mind, Parker’s questions started manifesting, and he wasn’t about to let them slip away.

“That… word… Borrower… what is it?” asked Parker. Sympathetic glances flashed from every set of eyes to one another before turning back to Parker. Mira looked visibly shaken and upset, but she still mustered a smile for the young teen.

“Well, that’s what we are. We’re Borrowers. We borrow things that humans won’t miss in order to survive. Little things like sugar, bread, pins, cloth, ribbons, and anything else we might find useful,” Mira replied.

“We usually don’t see other Borrowers often, but we all live by a code in order to keep ourselves safe,” Finnick chimed in as he too leaned forward in his chair. “It’s rare for so many Borrowers to be living together under the same roof since it’s more likely a human will notice things going missing.”

“What about those two who come to visit?” interjected Reed as he began dragging the youngest, Dove, back to the living room. “They said they come from a massive group.”

“Rey and Hero probably live in that abandoned house down by the creek. I can’t imagine they live in a human’s house, especially with a big group. You saw their clothes. Definitely Outies,” dismissed Finnick.

“Outies?” echoed Parker. Toulouse nodded.

“Yes, Borrowers are usually ‘Innies’ or ‘Outies,’ meaning where they live; either inside a house or outside in the wilds,” replied the father of four.

Parker had to physically rest his head on the table to keep from vomiting again. The entire room as spinning faster and faster, making the teen see stars, and his action quieted them for a minute while he regained his bearings.

When he did, he dared to take a sip of the tea Mira gave him just to quench his parched throat. It was soothing and made him feel a little less sick. The sweetness definitely helped add to the taste too.

“So… y-you… you’re saying… there are just… massive groups? Or… rather… small clusters of groups of B… Bor-row…” Parker couldn’t get the word out, but his meaning was understood.

“Yes, that’s correct,” replied Toulouse.

“Th-then… why haven’t I heard of you? Why isn’t it on the internet? W-why… h-how does n-no one know about you?” asked Parker.

“About us you mean,” grumbled Kit. Mira snapped her fingers harshly at her daughter and gave her a warning stare before turning back to Parker. The palpable tension dissipated after a few moments in intense silence, followed by the eldest son clearing his throat.

“Because of the rules,” Finnick replied. Parker’s blank expression prompted further explanation. This threw Parker for a loop.

“Rule? There are… rules?” Parker asked aloud unintentionally.

“Yes, quite a few of them. There are three we Borrowers generally abide by in order to keep ourselves safe.” The way Toulouse explained reminded Parker of how his mom would explain things to him. It was slow and simple, broken into multiple parts to make it easier for him to process the information.

“The first rule is to never be seen by a human because it is dangerous for you and for all of Borrower kind. The second rule flows into the first which is you must move if you think you’ve been seen. It’s for your protection, even if you weren’t seen. The last rule is to never talk to humans. If they know we’re sentient, they’ll only try and get answers out of us.”

Parker listened to the father’s explanation and something in his mind flashed. It was quick, like a lightbulb memory, but he remembered hearing those rules once before, along with the reason why. Slowly, Parker said, “Because… they’ll treat you like a… pet….”

The inquisitive glances the family members gave one another told Parker he had said something correctly.

“That’s right,” said Reed as he popped back into the kitchen to retrieve Dove once again. “You’ll get thrown in a cage and they’ll throw away the key. You’ll never be seen or heard from again, and that’ll be the exposure of Borrower kind.” Parker twisted around in the chair and glanced at the younger kid as he flashed a smile and, snagging his little sister under the armpits, hoisted her up and waddled back to the living room.

Parker’s vision blackened around the edges, and he once again needed to rest his head on the table. A cold sweat covered his body. Regret filled him as he realized he was probably soaking Kers’ cloak through with his perspiration. The family of Borrowers waited patiently for Parker’s recovery as they awaited his next question.

But his mind was running wild.

Everything and nothing made sense.

This had to be a dream, right?

Parker pinched himself under the table hard along the outside of his thigh, but the trick didn’t work, and he was met with five pairs of eyes staring at him expectantly. One thought was something he clung to, however, and he hoped in this moment to possibly disprove everything they just said.

“But… my mom… she said it was a genetic condition. She said I have Parvi Homunculi Syndrome. It’s just a rare condition. Are… you sure you don’t just have that?” Mira must’ve heard the desperation in Parker’s voice because her features filled once again sympathetically.

“I… I know how weird it must sound,” said Mira. She brushed her hair to the side and sighed before clasping her hands together and resting them on the table. “But we’re Borrowers. We’re different than humans for a number of different reasons, despite how similar we might look.”

“Differences?” Parker barely uttered the word, fearing the sip of tea he just had was going to churn his insides and reappear.

“Yeah, differences. We have instincts that humans don’t have. Our vision is better in the dark. We have great balance and land on our feet; well, most of the time,” Finnick stated.

“Tell us, Parker, have you ever experiences anything like that? Sensing something before it happened? Feeling the tremors in the ground as a human walks around when they’re rooms away? Finding curious places to hide? Or feeling the need to hide when you sense something coming?” asked Toulouse. “Haven’t you ever fallen from up high and landed safely on the ground? The instinct or need to reuse or create? What about walking around here in the walls? Didn’t you notice how well you could see in such low light?”

His scenarios made Parker’s blood run cold.

Every single one of those things he mentioned was something Parker had experienced. He had always attributed those things to his condition.

So… my condition… it’s a lie?

Well… not a lie…

I do have a condition….

I’m a Borrower.

Everything they’re saying makes sense. How would they know about everything if they hadn’t experienced it themselves? They don’t know about my climbing and falling habits. They don’t know about the things I’ve invented. They couldn’t have known about my senses unless they had it too.

Mira’s face softened and she quickly pushed herself to her feet and retrieved a single square of toilet paper, tearing off a side and gently pushing it over toward Parker. It was only now he realized warm, salty tears were soaking his face. The tears glided down his cheeks and puddled at his chin before dripping onto his shirt.

His entire body shook like a leaf in a windstorm as he numbly snagged the piece of toilet paper and hid his face away. Breathing was a chore, and the few breaths he sucked in wracked his body with sobs.

Over and over, he asked himself why?

Why him?

Why was this happening?

How many Borrowers were out there? Surely there had to be some reference to them specifically out there in the world.

How could an entire race of people just be completely unnoticed like this family?

The thoughts that followed only made Parker’s sobs double him over.

How long had his mom known about him and not said anything?

Why was he just finding all of this out now?

Why had his mom lied to him?

Didn’t she love him?

Why didn’t she just tell him the truth?

Parker wasn’t sure how long he stayed hunched over smashing the now soggy piece of toilet paper to his face, but he did suddenly notice a pressure on his hand that wasn’t there before. Not like he cared. Everything was spiraling out of control and off of the edge of a cliff. What was one more thing?

Eyes red and dry despite the moist tears, Parker blinked away the blur and finally realized the pressure on his hand was Mira. She had reached forward and gently clasped his hand in her own. Parker felt the urge to resist but couldn’t tear himself away from the comfort the pressure of her hand gave. Her motherly instincts were right.

All Parker wanted right now was a hug… but from whom?

His mom?

Someone his own size?

Even now, the thought of someone being able to wrap their arms around him and him being able to do the same was unfathomable.

As his breathing calmed, Parker felt a new emotion boiling in his belly, and it quickly consumed him.

Anger.

Frustrated anger and distrust filled him like magma filling a volcano. He felt ready to burst at any moment, but he wasn’t about to leave now.

He needed to know more about these strangers like him. He needed to know more. His desire for knowledge fueled by the fact he had been deceived for his entire life hardened his features and cleared the darkness away from the corners of his eyes.

“Parker, I know this is a lot for you all at once,” said Mira, noticing the teen’s change in demeanor. “But…”

“Please…” said Parker, his voice cracking. The teenager was barely able to keep from falling apart as he sat there on that cork bottle chair. “Just… tell me what you can… about Borrowers? About what happens when… Borrowers are seen? What happens? And…. About me… and my….” Parker’s voice trailed off as he suddenly had trouble saying the word “mom.”

Toulouse sighed and leaned heavily onto the table and said, “Parker, are you sure?”

Parker nodded and squeezed Mira’s hand.

“Yes,” he said definitively. “Please.”

It took a few hours, but Toulouse and his family began telling Parker what he needed to know. They told him about how Borrowers had managed to keep themselves secret because of the rules and how they’ve had narrow misses in the past. They talked about how they went about creating their home and the balance Borrowers needed to live in secret with their human counterparts.

What really made Parker’s blood boil was the stories about what happened to Borrowers in the stories where the were caught.

Some were thrown in cages until they were rescued. Others managed to trick their ways out of their containment and away from their human captors. The one that hurt Parker the most was the ones that were treated as evolved pets.

Evolved pets had little homes they lived in with electricity and water. Repurposed doll houses were usually the container used rather than a cage with traditional bars – just like what Parker lived in.

Borrowers experienced isolation and every little thing was always taken care of. No need to borrow because food was always on the table. No need to climb because you’re carried everywhere. No need to go outside because entertainment is brought to you. The purpose of a Borrower was to go out and survive, not be taken care of at the whim of a human.

It was the exact existence Parker had been living.

It made his insides churn to think that his mom had been treating him like a pet for practically all of his life.

“Alright, that’s enough for today,” said Kers, chiming in after hours of silence. He had remained practically emotionless and silent for most of the time while Toulouse and his family helped “educate” Parker in the ways of a Borrower. The family opened their mouths to object, but Kers beat them to it. “Parker has been gone for a while, and I’m sure his mom is worried sick about him being missing. She’s bound to have noticed by now. You don’t want her looking for him, do you?”

The question shut down any arguments the family might’ve had. Despite Parker’s reservations in returning, he sighed and pushed himself to his feet.

“Um… thank you… really. I…” Parker stammered over his words as he thought about everything he just learned.

“You don’t need to thank us, Parker. Just, keep yourself safe,” said Mira.

“And, if you don’t mind, keep your knowledge about this place and my family close to your chest. I apologize again on behalf of my daughter. We should’ve made it clearer that she wasn’t supposed to act rashly when it came to your… situation,” said Toulouse.

“Thanks. I… can probably do that,” said Parker. His head swirled dangerously fast with his first step, but thankfully Kers was by his side and guided Parker safely toward the door. The older Borrower watched the younger cautiously while Parker paid him no mind.

Parker’s mind was far from him. There were too many other things going on to be concerned about revealing the family’s home. With a final farewell, Parker and Kers left the house and headed back down the route they came.

The two Borrowers were completely silent for the majority of the trek, leaving Parker to fester and dwell in his own thoughts.

It wasn’t until they were by the wall at a familiar stretch that Kers physically stopped moving forward and turned to face Parker. There was something in his expression that was sorrowful and uneasy, but also determined. It reminded Parker of the look Toulouse gave him a few times.

Fatherly.

It was a new look and took the teen by surprise.

“Parker, I know this is not how any of us wanted things to go,” said Kers. “But I want you to know that I’m sorry. It was never my intention to help keep this truth from you. I… had actually planned on talking to your mom today to figure out how to talk to you.”

Parker wasn’t sure if he was buying it, but Kers continued.

“I know you’re going through a lot, and I know I have no right to ask this of you, but listen to me and don’t do anything rash,” said Kers.

Parker bristled at the words.

“Rash? You don’t want me to be rash?! You knew. You watched for years and let me believe…” Parker took a breath as his fury reared its head again. “You let me believe I was human. You and that woman both.”

Kers stiffened as he heard that word. The last thing he wanted to do was make an enemy out of Parker, but Kers needed to make a few things clear to Parker. Attempting to diffuse the situation, he kept his voice calm and low.

“Parker, that woman is still your mom. She loves you and only wants the best for you. Believe me. I’ve seen it every day for years. I don’t think she would intentionally hurt you. I don’t know why she didn’t say anything, but it can’t have been easy when your differences are so obvious,” said Kers firmly.

Parker jerked his head away as he looked down at the corner of a nearby beam.

“She lied.”

“I know, and that’s not the best look. Still, Parker, trust me on this. She loves you. Regardless of everything else, she loves you,” emphasized Kers.

“She treated me like a pet. How… can I trust someone who would lie to me so easily for so long?” The words spilled out of Parker like water leaking from a sponge. He felt like he couldn’t absorb another thing and his words were now just spilling out.

“No, she didn’t. She treated you like her son. Coming from a family who used to have pets, I can see where taking care of a kid and taking care of a pet are almost the same thing,” pointed out Kers.

“But…”

“Listen, Parker. Don’t do anything rash. Think about everything you’ve just learned and don’t act emotionally. That’ll only hurt more,” advised Kers. “Sit and think about everything. I’ll be back later tonight to check on you if you’d like.”

Parker nodded numbly, but the adult’s words simply added to the puddle that was his thoughts. Kers finished walking Parker to his room and, with a reassuring pat on his shoulder, left the teen to go back to the world he knew.

As Parker jumped back through the electrical cover and climbed the stairs to his little house, he suddenly realized he was still wearing Kers’ cloak. The heavy fabric had been draped over his shoulders the entire walk back, and Kers must’ve thought Parker needed it more.

It felt like a hug from behind, and the warmth of the fabric kept Parker’s shaking at bay.

The teen made it back into his room and into his space with every intention of resting in his bed until dinner. The words he wanted to say were locked somewhere in his brain. He just needed time to muddle through.

It was what he saw in his kitchen as he entered the little house that instantly changed his mind.

Parker noticed a massive plate with cut apples just sitting there. Before, this would have been an enjoyable treat. Now, however, all Parker saw was those videos on his social media where some tasty treat was delivered on a platter to none other than the family pet.

Something about seeing that plate snapped something in his mind.

You’re just a pet to her.

It was a bold, hateful thought that spawned out of nowhere in his mind, fueled only by recent events.

Despite Kers’ warning, he wanted to know the answers.

He wanted to know why his mom hadn’t told him anything and everything she knew about him.

Another, greater part of him hoped that everything he just heard was a lie. He wanted it to be untrue. He wanted Kers and Toulouse and Mira and Finnick and Reed and Kit all to be lying to his face to abduct him into the walls.

Parker spun on his heel and marched back down the stairs and dared to climb the steps all the way down to the kitchen where he heard his mom… that woman… working away. Trembling in his shoes, Parker finally made it to ground level and came around the corner. The urge to vomit as he saw her filled him, which contrasted greatly with the expression on her face as she saw him.

~~~^*^*^~~~

Amanda had been pacing the floor for what felt like hours. She had practically torn the house upside down trying to find her son, Parker. After their little disagreement this morning and the fear eating her alive, she couldn’t find him.

His room?

Not there.

Living area?

Not there.

Bathroom?

Nowhere to be seen.

Kitchen?

Nope.

She had cut up some apples in the hopes of luring him out and to make sure he had a little something to eat if he was still upset with her, but to no avail.

She hoped that he hadn’t done something foolish or decided to go into the walls and got hurt. It was an idea she should have supported, but was afraid to.

It was clear now more than ever that she needed to talk to Parker about everything, and now she finally had the words to do so. The moment she found him, she would tell him everything. It was long overdue, but it was time.

If only she could find him!

Now, after she was about to start calling and shouting, there he was.

Parker came out from around the corner and relief immediately flooded over her. She rushed over and knelt, which made Parker flinch and shy away. Struck by the odd interaction, Amanda glanced over him and immediately noticed his appearance.

Parker looked drained. He had obviously been crying and looked ill. What really caught her off guard was what he had draped over his shoulders. It looked like some kind of cloak, but it was way too big for him. Brown, frayed, and torn, this thing obviously didn’t come from anything either of them had made.

There was time to ask questions later.

Right now, she was relieved beyond words that Parker was here.

“Parker! I’m so glad you’re here. I was worried sick. Where were you? Are you okay? Sweetie, I’m so sorry about earlier. I don’t know what came over me. I should’ve…”

“You should’ve what?” interrupted Parker, something that wasn’t like him. Amanda, caught off guard, felt her heart clench as she met her son’s eyes. There was something in them that she registered immediately.

Hurt.

Pain.

Anger.

Frustration.

Desperation.

Before she could say anything, Parker continued.

“How long?”

Those two words shook Amanda to her bones.

No. What?

“H-how long? How long what?”

“How long have you known I’m not your son?”

The words hung in the air. Like a dense fog, Amanda suddenly felt lost. Tendrils of tension clutched her chest.

No… I’ve run out of time. I’m too late.

Amanda’s throat clenched. She knew this conversation was going to happen, but not like this. She looked into Parker’s soft brown eyes and saw he was clinging onto the last threads of hope. It was part of that desperation she saw earlier.

And she had no lifeline to give him.

“Well?!” Parker’s voice cracked as tears welled up in his eyes. He looked to be on the verge of collapse.

Amanda bit back her own emotions as they constricted her throat. A bottomless void opened in Amanda’s heart.

“Parker… you are my son. I’ve always been your mom,” said Amanda. Parker couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Was she serious? Or was she lying. The tether he thought he was receiving was just within grasp. Maybe this was all just a bad dream.

Her next words shattered him.

“But I’m not your only mom. Someone… some beautiful, wonderful woman gave birth to you.” Amanda’s cheeks were etched with tears at this point. With the last bit of her strength, she choked out, “I love you, Parker, as if you came from me… but you’re right. You are not mine.”

~~~~~^*^*^*^*^~~~~~

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