Alaric almost relaxed when they pulled into the school parking lot. The slam of the door caught his attention. He watched Felix storm toward the large school building, before tensing. Why did his mother look like she was about to cry? "Mom?" She looked at him through the rear view mirror and he bristled. Although she hastily wiped her eyes, there was no disguising the liquid sheen. He grabbed his backpack and yanked open the door, nearly slamming it shut behind him. His boots pounded across the asphalt as he rushed after Felix. The slam of his backpack hitting the ground was followed by a loud thud as he lunged toward his brother. But before he could reach Felix, a pair of tanned palms hit his chest, holding him back.