Thawing a Frozen Heart

Chapter 15: Making Amends

07 April 2017
Rainbow HQ; Herefordshire, England
12:28 PM
Renegade's POV

I walk around the base, looking for a certain someone. I've been meaning to make amends with this one person for several months, but just never got around to it as it lead to just more arguing.

I continue down the hallway, only to be met by Maxim. He just glared at me as I passed him, a knife was in his hand. I walk a little faster until I bumped into someone. I stagger back until I saw that it was James that I bumped into.

Smoke: "Watch where you are going." He then recognizes me. "Oh, hey there mate."

Renegade: "Sorry about that. I was trying to find my father."

Smoke: "Mike? He is in his room last I remember."

Renegade: "Thanks. While I have you here... does Maxim have a problem with me? He keeps glaring at both me and Tina every time one of us passes him." I whisper so Kapkan didn't hear us.

Smoke: "Right... He has been acting this way since he heard that you and Tina tied the knot." He replied quietly.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of footsteps coming closer. I turn my head slightly to see Kapkan charging at us.

Kapkan: "What did you two say about me!?" He said swinging his knife back.

I dodge out of the way as he stabs Smoke in the shoulder blade. Smoke doesn't flinch from the pain, but rather takes the knife out of his shoulder blade and flings it at Kapkan.

Smoke: "You just provoked the wrong guy you vodka-drinking son of a bitch!" He shouted before slamming him against a wall. "I'll see ya later mate. I've got someone's ass to beat."

I took that as a sign to leave as I continue my way to Thatcher's room. I quietly open the door to see Thatcher sitting in a recliner, reading a newspaper. He looks up at me as I close the door.

Thatcher: "What do you want?" He said harshly.

Renegade: "That doesn't sound like a humble greeting." I reply back.

Thatcher: "Well for one, you don't treat me nicely so why should I treat you nicely? And two, you rarely ever come in here unless you need something from me. Now what the bloody hell do you want?"

I took a deep breath and looked at him hesitantly as I took a seat across from him.

Renegade: "Listen, I know we haven't had the best father and son relationship over the past few years. I take the responsibility for that as I treated you harshly ever since I learned that you were my father. For years of my childhood, I have held aggression towards you for abandoning us at a young age. I kept it deep in myself, knowing that I couldn't do anything about it."

Thatcher raises an eyebrow at me. He puts down his newspaper and listens intently.

Renegade: "So when I learned about the secret you kept from me all those years ago, I just had to let out all my rage. All of those years of suffering alone with just my sister since just fuelled my rage. I had to grow up too quickly and it changed me for better or worse. I didn't want Olivia to grow up to quickly too. She was my precious sister and didn't deserve to live the life I endured."

He continues to look at me. He nodded for me to continue.

Renegade: "So... I'm truly sorry for the way I treated you back then and now. I know I can't take back what I said and I don't deserve your forgiveness, but... can we bury this hatchet?"

Thatcher sat there speechless, not sure how to react. Then, he started to speak.

Thatcher: "It is true... you don't deserve my forgiveness for everything you said to me, but I can't stay angry at you forever. All this time, I've been waiting for you to just apologize."