Janus

Janus could feel his heart pounding in his tightened chest. He could feel the blood rushing to his head. One part of him wanted to smile and run to his parents like he was a kid again. But he wasn’t. Years of hardship have molded him. Changed him. So instead, when his dad nodded, Janus turned around and wouldn’t face them. After all, they were the ones who left both their children to survive on their own.

“Janus,” his dad called, carefully walking towards him as if Janus were a dangerous animal, waiting to lash out at him.

“Explain,” Janus responded coldly, putting much effort into getting back on his feet.

“Janus you have to understand we did this for you and your sister,” Kamila Ansel cried, tears streaming down her face. Janus’s dad put a hand on his shoulder, but he quickly shook it off.

“Then explain. Tell me everything. There has to be a reason!” Janus yelled, trying not to lose control. There has to be a reason.

“There is,” Preston Ansel replied. “But Janus it’s confidential and it has nothing to do with y-”

“It has everything to do with me! Titania is gone. You left me, she left me, everyone left me! Everyone who gets close to me leaves!”

“Janus, that’s enough,” Kamila said. There was still a quiver in her voice, but she remained calm. “We’ll tell you.”

“Kamila,” Preston warned.

“No, we can tell him. Janus deserves to know. But only about his role.”

“My role? What role? Is this some sort of freaking game?” Janus demanded. His dad remained silent with a hesitant look on his face.

“No, it’s not. But you and your sister have now been dragged into our mess,” Kamila explained.

“What happened?”

“It started with a boy named Mateo Queensley.”