by Lauren Chow
Jared gave me a genuine smile.
“Go!”
Before I could react, I was shoved into the weird space thingy and everything turned dark.
***
I woke up with a scream and a thud.
What a wonderful way to wake up.
I groaned and rolled around in my tangled blankets, which were trapping me on the floor.
The door slammed open, and I felt multiple hands pulling me up.
Soon I was on my feet, with Jay and Adam looking at me worriedly.
“You all good, Girl Scout?” Adam asked.
I nodded my head and gave them a forced smile.
“Yeah. I just rolled out of bed and it terrified me. It was like having those terrible skydiving dreams and CRASH!” I demonstrated by using my hands and smashing them together. “I was on the floor,” I rambled and let out a fake laugh.
Jay looked like he wanted to say something, but he shook his head and walked out of the room. Adam watched him walk away with a smirk.
“Alright, breakfast is downstairs. You get to meet Maggie downstairs. She brought clothes for you, but sorry if they’re big.”
He handed me a bag and I grabbed it gratefully. I didn’t need to wear the same stinky clothes.
“Thanks Keller,” I said, and Adam nodded his head. We stared at each other for a while and I finally broke. “And... I’m sorry about last night. I completely lashed out—”
“And you had every right to,” Adam sighed as he crushed me into a hug. “I’m sorry for hiding everything from you. It really hurt not telling you everything,” he muttered. I hugged him back tightly before pulling back.
“I’m glad we’re on the right track again—now, out!”
Adam scoffed at my demand.
“Oh please—I’ve already seen you half-naked before!” Adam argued.
“That’s because you ran into the room and I’m grateful it was you or else I would’ve died of embarrassment. Now go! You’ve already seen my ugly self—go!”
When he left, I walked to the bathroom that was connected to the room (it was that fancy) to get ready.
As I showered, I thought about my dream. I remembered everything from the dream, down to the last detail.
Was it real?
12 - Weaponry
The clothes were way too big for me.
I had to roll up the sweats so they didn’t fall to the ground. Not that I had to worry since the green T-shirt ended on my upper thigh. I put on my bracelet and shook it around.
The bathroom came with different essentials, which I was grateful for. With my hair pulled back into a ponytail and my teeth all clean, I went out the door.
That was probably one of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made.
I was completely lost in the log house—mansion—whatever you call it. I tried different turns, hoping to find a staircase, but somehow I always made it back to my original spot.
How did I even do that?
“Are you lost, Clara?” a voice called out.
I turned around and saw Eric smiling down at me. I raised my hands helplessly.
“Yes,” I groaned. “I am completely lost. Help, please,” I said, pleadingly.
Eric chuckled and patted my head.
“It’s alright, you get used to it. The place is pretty big and any newcomer can get lost easily,” I grunted in agreement. If Eric hadn’t shown up, I would’ve gone ballistic and huddled in the corner until someone showed up.
“Come on, I’ll help you get to the kitchen. You look like a stray kitten.” Eric laughed and offered me his arm. I giggled and hooked his large arm with mine.
“Well, if you insist.” We laughed and walked to the supposed kitchen.
“So Eric... you’re Jay’s uncle?” I asked, trying to boost a conversation. It was only fair to show good manners to the host who was letting me stay here.
Eric raised his eyebrow at me, amused.
“I am his uncle—as supposed to being his fake uncle. His father was my younger brother. I’ve been raising both Jay and Drake since they were kids. Their parents were never really in the picture,” he said sadly, and I felt my heart clench. “I’m proud of them though. Despite experiencing many hardships, they’ve turned into good men.”
I nodded my head as we walked in silence.
“And here we are, young lady,” Eric said softly. I didn’t even know we were in the kitchen until now.
I, as per usual, gawked at the room. This room was huge. I should have expected this by now. A delicious aroma snapped me out of my ogling, and my eyes moved to my target. I felt my mouth start to water. Huge piles of pancakes were stacked on a plate with eggs and bacon. I heard my stomach grumble and cry for food. This was way better than having a stale granola bar every morning. Eric chuckled and pushed me gently to a chair.
“Eat up, Clara.” Eric gestured to the food before serving himself.
I piled my plate with food and started to eat. I had to hold back a moan. It was that good.
“Someone’s enjoying my food. At least this little lady isn’t a pig,” a woman’s voice said, laughing.
I looked up to see a woman smiling warmly at me.
She was a little over average height with a curvy frame. She was middle-aged with wavy red hair falling to her waist. Her warm brown eyes looked at me kindly with a kind smile. She wore a pink floral dress that fitted her nicely and flowed about her as she stacked more pancakes on the plates.
“Hi,” I said shyly.
She smiled even more at my shyness.
“Hello dear, I’m Maggie. I just got here late last night, since I’ve been out of town. It’s an honor to meet you, young lady,” Maggie said warmly. “These gentlemen have been talking about you all morning.”
I looked around and finally noticed the rest of the guys standing at the doorway of the room. How long had they been there? I felt myself blush as I waved shyly to everyone to make up for my neglecting.
The guys chuckled.
“Don’t worry, Girl Scout,” Adam teased. “I know how you are when you’re hungry.”
I rolled my eyes and kept eating my pancake.
“Leave me alone, Keller,” I mumbled, chewing my pancake.
Everyone chuckled at our bickering and began to sit down.
“Leave her be, Adam. She’s chewing up a storm,” Luke laughed.
I pouted at him before taking another large bite.
Luke smirked and made a hand-shaped-heart at me.
A few minutes later, Drake entered the kitchen with a yawn.
“Morning everyone! I just had a great dream about a little beauty,” Drake said with a wink in my direction. I felt myself blush red.
“Anyway,” Jay cut off, looking irritated. “If these guys stop flirting with you, I wanted to say we’re going to start training today—self-defense. We need to make sure you’re protected and can handle yourself, alright?” Jay said, looking at me.
I nodded my head. I wanted to learn to protect myself. I’d felt terrified trying to fight off the guys in the woods and during the incident with Bryce. Escaping was just luck and stupidity. I needed to know some moves to defend myself.
“Alright, everyone eat up! We have a long day ahead of us!” Maggie ushered and made us continue to eat. Adam moved to take a seat next to me, and Drake took the other. Jay sat across from us, giving Drake and Adam glares. I wondered what that was about.
“Why is Jay glaring at you both?” I whispered to Adam and Drake.
Adam just smiled and patted my head while Drake chuckled, earning a glare from yours truly. What was I, a pet?
“I hope everyone had a good sleep!” Eric said, going straight for the mug Maggie had in her hand. He gulped some of the liquid down and sighed in satisfaction.
“You and your coffee, Eric,” Maggie said before smacking him behind the head. Eric rubbed the back of his head while the rest of us laughed.
When
breakfast was over, I tried to help clean up, but Maggie would have none of that. She almost shoved me out of the kitchen. Adam led me back to my room and we sat on my bed.
“Adam, what’s your special ability?” I asked him shyly. I’d been curious for a while.
Adam gave me a smirk.
“I can sense people’s emotions. It can be a bit tricky since people can change moods right away or it can be very distinct. For example, I could easily sense your emotions when we went to Ford or whenever you were with Jay; your emotions swing around.”
“Alright, alright, I get it. I’m changing the topic.” I raised my hands in surrender and Adam gave me a smirk. I cuddled into my comforter thoughtfully.
“Adam, what about school? Am I not going anywhere or am I still going? And no offense—when can I have clothes that I won’t drown in?” I gestured to my baggy clothes and pulled the sweats up again.
“School is probably a no—it’s too dangerous for you to be there. Especially with these events, it’s not safe for you to go. Clothes on the other hand, we can get Maggie to buy you some. She was planning to go while we train. How’s that?”
I gawked at him. So I can never leave this house?
“But what about my education? I can’t drop out! I’m already failing as it is! And what about my house? We can’t just leave it—”
“I know Clara. But we don’t have a choice. Lives could be at risk. Herbert and Irene were already in the crossfire. What if they attack the school? What if they attack the whole town? It’s too risky for you to go outside. You’re safe here and no one can get to you. Once this is all over, you can go back to Ford. Just please listen to me on this, Girl Scout,” Adam begged.
I looked at him blankly. This whole thing had changed my life. I didn’t know what I wanted anymore. I didn’t want anyone else to get hurt because of me. Was I willing to risk the lives of other people due to my selfishness? I grabbed the picture from my nightstand, caressing it with my fingertips.
No. I wouldn’t want to hurt any more innocent lives.
“Alright, Keller. I’m just so lost right now,” I whispered.
Adam smiled sadly and gave me a huge hug.
“You’ll make it, Girl Scout. You’ll make it.”
“You told Irene and Herbert everything?” I asked him quietly. “Why?”
“They needed to know the risks. When I found you, you were in a delicate place. It was time for them to step up to the plate. And they did, in their own way. I’m sorry I couldn’t save them,” Adam said softly.
I held the picture to my chest and sighed.
“They wanted me to do this dinner with them. They said it was important and they were bringing company over. Were they supposed to be Eric and Maggie?” I asked curiously.
Adam pulled back and furrowed his eyebrows.
“They never mentioned a dinner to Eric and Maggie. I knew about it, but I thought it was just the three of you. They said they were going to wait until you showed the signs if you were the Chosen. There was still a chance it couldn’t have been you.”
His words made me deflate a little bit.
“Then how come you were so sure it was me?”
Adam sent me a proud smile.
“I sensed the magic in you the first time we met. It was very powerful, and I had hoped it was you. I had been transferred to multiple schools for even a sign of you... and last year, there you were.”
“Why were you looking for me?”
“Everyone has been searching for you for years. We aren’t the only family that has been searching for you. We needed to find you before they did. But—” Adam paused as he saw my wide eyes. “Becoming your friend has been the best thing that has ever happened to me,” Adam said sincerely, and I couldn’t help but tear up. I give him another tight hug before I pulled back.
“I’m glad you became my friend too. And it’s weird that you’re so serious,” I said with a wide smile until I frowned in confusion.
“What’s wrong?” Adam asked, sensing my unease.
“If you guys weren’t going to the dinner... who was it?”
“Maybe it was one of their close friends?” Adam suggested, but I could tell neither of us was very convinced.
Who did they invite?
***
“Now Clara, tomorrow you actually will start training. Today you will just be watching and analyzing. Understand?” Eric asked when he took me in front of their training room.
I nodded my head and smiled sheepishly. I was dead exhausted from crawling up the two flights of stairs. There was no way I could learn simple defense moves.
“I think I should start with the stairs,” I wheezed out.
Eric looked down at me, amused, before opening the door.
As soon as the door opened, shouts were heard as we saw the guys in an argument. Jay was doing more of the yelling while Drake and Luke were smirking. Adam was just sitting on the floor trying not to laugh.
Eric cleared his throat and everyone froze and snapped their gazes to us. I fought the flush that wanted to reach my cheeks at their attention and hid a little behind Eric. Jay cleared his throat and stepped away from his brother.
“Let’s get started,” Jay muttered and went to a section where the weapons were.
I examined the weapons on display. There were different swords, machetes, and even some axes. Why would they use swords? I looked at the rest of the weapons and was surprised that none of them were guns or rockets. Guess these guys did it old school.
Their training room was ginormous. It reminded me of a gym with the blue mats on the floor and an array of weapons on the wall. I plugged my nose from the odor of sweat and testosterone in the room.
“Alright,” Eric announced. “Since you guys seem so eager to start, we will use swords today. Take a seat near the wall Clara; it could get messy.”
I look at him, confused, but I complied.
“Drake and Jay, you can start. Adam and Luke, join Clara,” Eric ordered, reminding me of my old gym teachers.
Everybody followed his order and the other guys sat next to me.
While the guys set up, I turned to Adam as a thought occurred to me.
“Adam?” I piped up.
“Hmm?”
“Where are you staying—living I mean?” I asked innocently, but really I was a little desperate for him to stay. There was no way I was letting him leave me alone in this madness.
“I’m going to live here. You need me here and I will happily comply. I only joined the high school last year to keep an eye on you. I wanted to be friends with you anyway. You were so fragile, I wanted to comply—don’t look at me like that. I’m not saying it as pity. I’ve been living by myself and my parents are based somewhere else.”
“So that’s why you never let me inside,” I concluded. “I just thought it was one of your weird quirks or you were hiding something kinky.” I laughed a little as Luke choked at my last comment.
“How did you know? I’m a secretive person. Besides, I knew you would destroy the place,” Adam teased.
I shook my head. He was not a secretive person. He was the most blunt and outgoing person I’d ever met. Luke nudged me.
“Here comes the green monster,” Luke muttered, pointing at Jay.
I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion and glanced back at him.
“What does that mean?” I asked, confused.
Luke looked at me incredulously.
“Seriously? You don’t know what I’m referring to?”
I shook my head. I wanted to know. Luke looked at Adam and they had a silent conversation. Soon, they broke it and looked at me with a weird look.
“What?” I asked, a little flustered.
Luke shook his head and wrapped his heavy arm around my shoulder.
“Just know that this is going to be fun to watch,” Adam said.
I looked to see Drake and Jay get into position.
“I
think these boys are going to give us a show,” Eric said, amused.
“What if they get hurt?” I said as they cross swords to make an ‘x’.
“Then I can heal them right up,” Luke said with a shrug. He saw my confused expression and he explained. “I’m a healer. My magic gives me the ability to heal people. For example, when you were attacked at your house, I was able to heal you. If I hadn’t...”
I didn’t need him to finish and nodded my head in gratitude.
Before I could ask any more questions, Eric stood between them but took a few steps back.
“Begin,” he shouted and blew the whistle.
And the first swing was initiated.
13 - The Horror
The clanking of their swords was getting louder and louder.
Jay swung as Drake deflected the hit, swinging his own sword. Both boys wore serious expressions as they fought. I looked at their feet and saw the coordination in their steps while they moved.
Eventually, I looked away and played with my bracelet as a distraction. There had already been some serious blows that could have hurt someone if either of them hadn’t dodged in time. I’d already seen enough blood to last a lifetime.
I peeked to see that Jay started to coordinate kicks and punches, while Drake defended himself from the blows. Jay’s moves were getting more and more aggressive, causing me to cover my eyes.
“Jay really needs to solve his anger issues. That guy has a short temper sometimes. Eric needs to tell them to stop before I have to step in,” Luke muttered.
“Alright, that’s enough, boys. I hope you got your anger out. Luke and Adam, you’re up,” Eric said sternly. Jay glared at Drake, who looked amused.
What just happened?
“Hope you feel better now.” Drake laughed before joining the rest of us at the wall.
Jay sighed and laid flat on the matted ground, breathing heavily.
“What made him so angry?” I asked with a bit of concern. I had to admit that Jay scared me with his aggressiveness. I’d never seen that side of him before and that made me nervous.
Drake patted my head and I smacked his hand away.
“In good time Clara. In good time. Don’t worry about it. Jay can have a short temper sometimes. If he ever sets off on you, just know he doesn’t mean it,” Drake said sincerely. I nodded slowly as another voice interrupted us.