Phoenix Maplewood We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us..

Hawthorn was quiet as the four of them walked. His mind was far away, wandering the slopes of memory lane - silently, he remembered those days where he lazed around in the den, watching with amusement as his brother and his sister fought and bickered. He remembered feeling superior to them, remembered how he thought them to be silly, and couldn't wait to be rid of them. Now, now that all his family members had disappeared...only now did Hawthorn realise how much he actually cared and loved them.

And God, how he missed them.

But he couldn't think about them. Not now. Now, surrounded by strangers, bar Kieran, he had to be strong. He needed to be strong. 

Although Hawthorn remained silent, he flashed Kieran a reassuring smile, then silently wondered how he managed to do so when he felt anything but reassured.