The Age of The Masrui

“Because I feel like everyone’s burden… the perpetual victim. I just… just wanted to sleep without waking up screaming and going and getting trashed is the only way to do that…”

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“He’ll probably get me to do that.” Karsi nodded.

Cain just shook his head in the negative, pacing the room in quiet thought.

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"Whatever you wish." The doctor whispered, stopping outside of the room.

“Ive upset you now havent i?” Wren mumbled miserably.

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“Thank you.” Karsi gave her a small smile before opening the door and heading in to Louis’ bedside.

"A little, yeah..." Cain whispered. "I - I'm not your get outta jail free card Wren. You can't tell people your with me when your not."

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"Karsi? Hi..." Louis greeted, a little cautious when he said her name. His good eye squinted, "It's bright, your just like a shadow."

(( Night night))

“To be fair I said I was going to your house, I never said I’d be with you, I knew you weren’t getting back home for a few more days. By the time you got home I planned on being there but I guess I passed out…”

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“Hey you, yeah it’s me baby, hi.” Karsi greeted, sitting on the bed by him and taking his hand in her own

"I look like some kind of knock-off pirate right now." He whispered, referencing the dressing and patch across his injured eye. The gash across his head now nicely stitched up. "Wren - how... how is Wren?"

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"You scared everyone." Cain whispered. "Really really scared everyone."

“I’m sorry. I - yeah. I’m sorry.” Wren whispered, hesitating before holding her arms out for a hug.

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“She’s fine, black eye, bruises and a few stitches but nothing broken, nothing major. She’s okay.” Karsi assured, kissing the top of his head gently.

He exhaled slowly, leaning in to hug her back gently. "I'm sick of having to see you in a hospital bed, Wren. If you like them so bad we can buy you one, OK?"

“Nothing serious this time at least though. I’m getting better at minimising damage.” Wren chuckled lightly, resting her cheek on his shoulder

"You are, thank god." He laughed humourlessly.

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"Good, thank god." Louis sighed, leaning in to hug her gently.

“How you feeling?” Karsi asked as she held him close.

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“If I can stay out of hospital for a year will you get me another horse?” Wren teased as she moved to curl into him.

"Maybe one of those little companion horses, yeah." Cain whispered with a small nod.

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"Okay right now, I think... I think the pain killers are working their magic. They aren't sounding positive about my eye though." Louis mumbled

“As soon as I’m done here I’ll give Dane a call and see who we’ve got for eyes on our roster, we’ll work something out.”

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“Can I come live with you now?”

"Mm." Louis mumbled quietly.

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Cain nodded.

“How was your holiday? You and Mila have a good time?”

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“Sebastian is looking through the dashcam footage from your car to try identify who ran you off the road. He thinks it’s connected to the people who took Caius so he’s taken an interest…”

"Nothing is ever random, is it? So, I suppose it could be. I uh... I can't remember what any of the drivers looked like - don't remember... anything concrete really."

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"It was really nice, really nice. To actually be able to relax without the looming fear of her cancer, and for no one to contact us. It was like being on a different planet."

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"Do you - he still looks absolutely miserable." Tesni whispered in the hallway to Tobias, peeking into the livingroon where Logan sat staring at the television. "Do you know how to cheer a kid up, even just... briefly.. when they are dealing with stuff? I've been trying since mom dropped him off."

“I really am sorry, because I know it’s not what you wanted… but I’m glad I get to have my brother forever. Truly.” Wren whispered, squeezing him tight. “You’re my best friend.”

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“You took quite the bump on the head so I’m not surprised. We’re lucky you’ve escaped without any other injuries.”

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“What’ve your tried so far?” Tobias asked as he peered in around her

"You live with the cockroach for so long and eventually it starts to rub off on you I suppose."

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"A conversation, snacks, letting him choose what to watch." Tesni whispered, "It's like he's just checked out for the day."

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"I- maybe not forever. When everything is done that needs to be.... Mila and I taking this - it doesn't mean forever Wren - it just means we get to have the chance to live first."

“Longer than I thought I’d get then.” Wren corrected herself quietly, tugging him to sit down next to her and moving to curl up against him, closing her eyes. “I’m glad you had a good time.”

---

Karsi chuckled a little at that, moving her hand through his hair. “Even if they can’t save your sight Louis… I don’t care.” She whispered. “I know you will, and I get that. But I don’t care, neither will the kids. Nobody who matters… it won’t change how we see you, or how we feel about you. Still loved, always.” She assured.

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“The kids dealt with a lot of trauma… has your mother mentioned anything she’s been trying with him?”

"I'm glad your okay," Cain whispered, wrapping his arms around her to hold her gently. "Promise me you aren't going to disappear off again?"

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"I won't be able to drive."

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"She just sits with him and he starts to talk eventually," Tesni sighed. "I just.. thought he would open up to me more I suppose."

“I promise.” Wren nodded. “I didn’t mean to upset anyone… I’m just trying to… deal, I guess. I’m struggling Cain. Maybe it is a selfish attention thing. But I feel like my lifeboat has been stolen and given to Logan and mom and dad just expect me to swim with the sharks now because I’m not a kid anymore. And it’s scary and I feel scared and… yeah.”

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“You will, perfectly fine as long as the vision in your other eye is okay. It’s just depth perception that’s off with one eye gone, not even fifty percent of your vision, and even if not… your dad uses chauffeurs all the time, as did my parents. We’ve just been a bit more independent but it’ll be okay.”

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“Have you tried coaxing Joe out? You said he likes the animals at your parents right?”

"No, no I hadn't even thought of that. Stupid, that's the obvious answer isn't it?" Tesni laughed quietly then, shaking her head at herself.

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"So... do it. Swim. Not all sharks bite, if it is the titanic and the lifeboats were made for the weakest then - then it's a compliment that they don't think you need one anymore. You're strong, Wren. Show them that you are."

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Louis snorted softly at that, mumbling a quiet, "It's the last thing we need with Wren on self-destruct."

"No, no I hadn't even thought of that. Stupid, that's the obvious answer isn't it?" Tesni laughed quietly then, shaking her head at herself.

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"So... do it. Swim. Not all sharks bite, if it is the titanic and the lifeboats were made for the weakest then - then it's a compliment that they don't think you need one anymore. You're strong, Wren. Show them that you are."

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Louis snorted softly at that, mumbling a quiet, "It's the last thing we need with Wren on self-destruct."

“I’m trying, but I’m struggling. Nobody sees how hard I’m trying, I’m exhausted Cain, of fighting so hard constantly to not completely break down. And I’m scared.”

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“That’s why you have me.” Tobias grinned, leaning down to kiss her forehead.

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“Hopefully this has knocked some sense into her so she stops her antics.”

"Your choices are keep fighting, or give up and move into a place where there will be professionals around to help you constantly." Cain mumbled. "We're all doing our best to support you, Wren and if it isn't enough and you need more than what we can give then you're going to have to go where people are trained to know how to help you instead of us just... clambering constantly and making it worse."

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"Mm, only that reason? Really?" Tesni chuckled. "I am going to check in on Elle. Can you take over with Logan?"

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"Hopefully."