Without Words

16- Fortress

A/N: We're finally introduced to the whole gang. Pay attention to each of them, this is where the real story starts.

 Again, italicized portions are flashbacks.

I just finished cleaning our mess in the sauna room when Claudia saw me. "I told you there will people doing that, Elle."

"You let my friends and I use it, it's the least I can do." I replied sheepishly, afraid I'm overstaying my welcome.

"Believe me, I enjoyed it maybe more as you have." She laughed, a kind of youthful glow radiating off her. Yesterday, she told me to invite my friends over to hang out. They were all ecstatic to go to the famous Monroe Mansion so they jumped at the opportunity. When we decided to try their sauna, I invited Claudia over and she agreed. It was no surprise really that she became an instant hit with my friends. She even allowed us sip some delightful wine from their collection. Between the men in the Monroe family, she desperately needed the female company.

"Matt is downstairs bringing you some of your stuff. You should go down before he and Dan start a pissing contest." She warned me playfully as she headed to her room on the other wing. I have stayed over here since I was a kid on numerous occasions but during the first years, I always get lost in its enormity.

I tied my curly hair in a messy bun and headed downstairs. My friends helped me make my room a bit more homey and comfortable while I stay here. After telling them what happened at dinner, they never wanted me to return back. One of the reasons they clicked with Claudia so well, between their insistence that I stay here forever and marry Dan, they practically acted as if they have been friends for years. Claudia has always been the laidback free spirited person that I know and she could mingle well with anyone, age was just a number compared to her youthful personality and brightness.

I was on my way downstairs when something caught my eye. Curious, I turned to check on it and almost fell back when I saw a lone cockroach heading straight at me. I screamed at the top of my lungs, horror and agitation filling me.

"Elle?" I heard the worried voice of Dan and Matt from downstairs and almost flew towards them. Oh god, there are now two cockroaches and is it me or do they appear larger than normal?

I screamed even more, I've been afraid of cockroaches since I was a kid and would cry ugly tears whenever I see just a glimpse of them. It's pathetic but I just can't help myself. Charles scolded Matt to the moon and back when he threw a toy cockroach at me when I was seven, I fainted from too much fear.

I saw Matt coming to me with a worried expression then Dan, who stopped on his steps first to check if I'm hurt.

I didn't even think. After everything that happened back at the house and the past months, there was not a hint of hesitation when I hurriedly ran into the comfort of Dan's arms.

I saw Matt flinch at the corner of my eye and a pained look passed on his features.

"What's wrong? Are you hurt?" Dan's arms went around my waist instantly, rubbing his hand along my back.

I buried my face on his chest and pointed shakily to the stairs. "C-cockroach." I managed to croak out.

"You're screaming bloody murder because of a cockroach?" I felt his chest shaking as he unapologetically laughed at my distress.

I pulled away from him and glared, holding out two fingers. "Two cockroaches."

Now, he just laughed out loud and I slapped him on the chest hard. Then realized I'm standing on the floor, within reach of the cockroaches, and swiftly ran to the overly big peach coach on the living room. "I'm not going back there again."