It was Josh's first time discussing this matter so seriously with Randy. Indeed, Randy was an entirely different person from his usual frivolous self.
He'd suddenly grown stern. Looking into his brother's small face, Josh felt that Randy exuded an aura of manliness.
"I haven't…" Randy began, then reflected. "My personality's always been rather neutral. I'm not as lively as you."
"No, " Josh shook his head, saying solemnly. "You were always wiser and more mature than I was even when Mommy was still with us. But you'd still laugh and joke. You were close to Great-grandpa too. I haven't seen you smile in a while."
"Now that Mommy's not around, I can't bring myself to smile, " Randy replied in a low voice, his eyes reddening.
Josh bowed his head in grief. He was silent for a moment, then said, "Venus and I are sad, too, that Mommy's no longer around. But we can't take it out on Great-grandpa. It has nothing to do with him."
Randy frowned but said nothing. He was the only one who had borne witness to the last time Mommy had been with them. She'd clearly been threatened by Great-grandpa. Randy hadn't stopped blaming himself for trusting Great-grandpa.
If only I'd stopped him! If only I'd never left her side! Randy despaired with all the benefits of hindsight. Perhaps tragedy would not have struck then.
There was no way he could tell all this to Josh and Venus, though. He swallowed the truth in silence, and it weighed heavy on his heart like a stone.
Let them live in blissful ignorance! That's the only way they can continue to be happy.
"Great-grandpa's eyes were red, and he wasn't listening all the time I was talking to him, staring off into the distance, " Josh pressed. "He was trying so hard to get you to like him! Why did you treat him that way?"
"I had something urgent to deal with just now…" Randy began. He suddenly sat up in dismay as raindrops began pelting down outside the window.
His mechanical dove was still hidden in that tree! It was in no danger of being discovered at the moment. At present, it faced an even greater risk of short-circuiting.
Randy had installed a waterproof system for it, which was effective for warding off drizzles. However, this torrential downpour was another matter altogether.
"What was so urgent?" Josh demanded.
"I'll tell you later, " Randy replied distractedly. He frantically turned toward the computer in a bid to hastily transfer his mechanical dove to another place of refuge from the rain.
"Randy!" Josh cried in annoyance. "I'm talking to you. Aren't you being a little rude?"
"I'm busy. I'll tell you later! Go and get some breakfast first, " Randy pleaded, his eyes fixed on the computer screen.
"I'm getting really mad!" Josh declared, his arms akimbo. He stalked out of the room.
Randy glanced at Josh's departing figure, then turned back to his computer. Wait till I get Mommy back! You won't be mad then.
Carla returned to her room after attending to Dori's wounds. She drew back the blinds and gazed out at the gloomy skies. Her heart grew as heavy as the dark clouds that gathered on the horizon.
She recalled the wails she'd heard at the Giblos' residence previously. Carla's heart ached for the children.
Why am I feeling this way? Carla wondered. She was baffled by how emotionally attached she was.
As her mind drifted, Carla was suddenly drawn to a faint red glow emitted from a tree not far off. She immediately fished out her binoculars. Peering through them, Carla realized that she was looking at a dove.
Her mind flashed back to the bird that had been felled with a single shot. Upon its dissection, she had discovered that it was actually a mechanical dove. Carla presumed that this must be a similar specimen.
Divine Corporation specialized in technology. Such creatures were mere playthings to them.
Carla scoffed. Is Zayn using these toys to spy on me? How childish of him!
She raised her gun and prepared to condemn it to the same fate its predecessor had suffered. However, another thought struck her. If Zayn's so intent to spy on me, perhaps I should take him for a ride!
Carla lowered her gun.
The rain was still falling steadily. There was a knock on the door, and Freda entered with a pot of hot tea. "Ms. Lierger, have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up."
"Go and get someone to close all of the windows, " Carla ordered. "Today's itinerary is canceled. I'm taking a break today."
"Yes, Ms. Lierger."
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