Chris brought Annika into a hug, "I had no idea..That must have been so hard on you, I'll always be here to talk and listen" he smiled down at her. This explained everything now. He felt sorry for Annika... Having to put up with so much pain and change - I could only imagine how much she's gone through- "We'll work something out, together"

She leaned into his touch. "I just don't understand why Father doesn't want to be there for me. Penton has always been that male figure in my life that I can look up to. Sometimes I feel like I don't even know my Father..." she shook her head. "But anyways... sorry for the sadness all of a sudden. It's not usually like this" she gave a slight smile then walked over to his bed, laying down. "I'm staying here until I get sleepy then I'll go back to my room" she didn't want to accidentally fall asleep in his room and she definitely didn't want Penton or her mother to knock on the door and catch her with Chris in his room. Who knows what her mother would say?

This'll be here if you return)

-

Annika nodded a little and yawned, mad at herself for everything she had said to Penton in the past. Even though she had looked up to him, she still hadn't understood why he had seemed to take her father's place. Her Mother had seen her anger toward her younger sibling and had purposefully sent him away in hopes that her daughter would miss him and beg for his return. Instead he had been injured. Images of his accident flashed before her eyes and she fell into sobs again. She couldn't bring herself to speak, so she just cried

I'm backkkkk. On a sa/ma now :)

-

Chris sunk into his pillow his mind blocking out any and all sound. He couldn't help feeling sorry for Annika. Chris had just thought that everything was ok and that Annika's family life was amazing. It was anything but amazing. The pain he could see within her eyes tortured Chris. He wanted to do something, anything at all, but what.

Annika turned, placing her head on Chris's chest. She wiped her tears away then closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to steady herself. she knew she couldn't blame her mother, but it was all so easy. If she hadn't have sent Penton to a camp, he wouldn't have gotten in the crash. If she hadn't have felt the need to help the siblings none of it would have happened. But it was also easy to blame herself. If she hadn't have been so mean toward Penton, her mother wouldn't have felt the need to separate them. If she had just asked her parents what was wrong, she would have been nicer. She could have been the best big sister Penton could have ever had. Annika reached up and placed her hand on the side of chris's neck. She just needed the comfort only he could give. Her mother wouldn't understand her pain and Penton was having his own troubles. Her father was completely out of the question.

Chris gently stroked Annika's hair and softley talked about what they could do tomorrow. Anything to keep her mind from the dangers of thinking. He felt himself slowly drifting into a fitful nap.

Annika sighed and eventually fell into sleep. It wasn't very helpful, but it kept her mind from spinning so much. She woke up about an hour later and laid still. She thought of Shout and how he seemed to show a liking to the young stable hand. Annika thought of her father and wondered what he was doing. +I bet he's planning the ceremony as we speak+ She rolled her eyes and shifted a little

Chris awoke with a start, -where am I- he squinted his eyes barely being able to see anything. For a moment he laid in complete confusion until he heard Annika. He calmed himself down realising where he was and turned to face the only window in the bedroom -Tomorrow we need to decide some things, we can't keep living like this- he sighed and brought the blanket up toward his chest, he looked down at Annika, her peaceful but strong character made Chris feel as though he needed to protect her, no not needed, wanted, he wanted to protect her but he knew better than to get in her way when it came to strength.

Annika smiled a little when Chris pulled the blanket up. "hey" she whispered. "do you think Shout is alright by himself after everything that has happened?" She couldn't bear the thought of her beloved red roan feeling abandoned