Page 42 of The Secrets of a Sin

“I’m glad you came.” Arsen announces like he’s almost shocked that he’s here. “I wasn’t expecting anyone to show up.”

No one?

I try to hide my disbelief and sorrow, but his admission strikes me hard. Did they honestly have no family, no friends, anyone that would show up to Phoebe’s funeral? The idea of them both having no one made my heart sink. It made me wonder what kind of life they had growing up. Was his past the reason he was so cruel and careless? If so, what could have been so life-altering that caused him to be the way he is now? I wanted to know all there was to know about Arsen Hale’s life, but I knew the chances of him willingly telling me were slim. He didn’t fully trust me, and I felt the same way towards him. As much as I wanted to know, I imagined divulging my deepest darkest secrets to him and immediately felt my stomach twist.

Yeah, no thanks.

“There isn’t anywhere else I’d rather be.” He admits. “You two will always hold a special place in my heart.” He starts to get choked up as his hand lifts towards his mouth. “No matter how much of a pain in the ass you were.” He chuckles in between soft cries, and to my surprise, Arsen joins in laughing.

“Nothing comes easy when you’re dealing with a Hale, old man.”

Seeing Arsen smile and laugh warms my heart. It’s as beautiful as it is intoxicating, a delightful mixture that I hope I get to see more of.

“Fuck.” Kurt groans. “Don’t I know it. Always had me on my damn toes till the day you moved out.”

Moved out?

Did they both live with this man when they were growing up?

My stare instantly shifts over towards Arsen, and he notices the questioning look in my eyes but brushes it off with a scowl.

“Excuse me?” A voice from beside us says, and all eyes turn and focus on the priest beside us. “Are you Mr. Hale?” He aims his attention on Arsen, who stands up a little straighter.

“Yes.” He responds, taking a few steps closer towards the short man.

“Can we speak privately for a moment? I just want to go over a few things before we start.”

“Yeah, that’s fine.” He nods and looks back towards both Kurt and me. “I’ll be back in a second.” But before removing his stare, he gives me a knowing glare that makes my eyebrows dip in confusion.

Was he worried I was going to ask questions?

Whatever it was, he didn’t seem too happy about it.

Arsen then finally looks away and walks off with the Priest at his side.

“So, how did you and Arsen meet?” Kurt asks beside me as I awkwardly cross my arms over my chest.

“Long story.” I chuckle, not wanting to discuss it further, and he seems to catch on as he nods.

“I understand.” He responds. A few moments of silence pass by, and an opportunity to ask questions presents itself, even if Arsen gave me a ‘don’t even think about it’ face before he left. Curious, I glance to see if Arsen is anywhere in the vicinity, and once I realize he’s not, I speak. “How do you know, Arsen?”

“Don’t know much about his past, I’m assuming?” He questions with a frown, and I slowly shake my head.

“Not really. I wish I knew more. I just don’t want to pry for answers.” I answer honestly and he nods as if he understands.

“Arsen has always been cagey. Ever since I first met him, he’s been troubled. And it makes sense when you’ve gone through the shit he’s been through.” His eyes briefly close like he's in pain, then slowly open again. “Both him and Phoebe.”

So, he does have a troubled past. But just how troubled was it?

“I met Arsen when he was around twelve. I was working as a detective for the Homicide Division, and a call came out from a young boy, saying that his uncle was dead. I took the call and drove out to the shitty side of town, where violence is a daily occurrence. So, when I heard that someone was dead, it didn’t surprise me. The house was small, run-down, and had moss growing on all sides, and when I made it inside the house, I found a little boy and girl holding each other in the kitchen.” His eyes fill with tears, but he holds it together. “They were both covered in blood and looked like they hadn't bathed in days. When I walked further into the house, I realized that their living conditions were horrendous. The floors were filthy, the kitchen was stacked with dirty dishes, and the walls were completely falling apart. Then once I entered the living room, I found the deceased man hunched over in a rocking chair with a hatchet sticking out the side of his skull.”

My hand immediately flies to my mouth in horror.

“The boy told me he and his sister lived in the basement where they had been chained up for most of their childhood. They endured consistent physical and sexual abuse. The sister even suffered internal bleeding from the assaults.”

My eyes begin to fill with tears and my body begins to shake uncontrollably.

“He confessed to murdering his uncle. He said it took him some time to get the axe from the tool shed out back, and once he did, he waited till he was sleeping and struck him in the head.” He continues as a shiver runs down my spine. “A twelve-year-old innocent boy. A six-year-old wide-eyed girl. Both experienced the worst thing a child could ever endure, and I was the one to find them.”

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