Lawless

Chapter Nineteen

It's awkward at the dinner table. Serge sits at the head of the table while Sage sits at the opposite end, I sit to his right. Stephan is sat at the halfway mark of the table, his bruised face in a constant sneer.

The kitchen staff bring out the dinner plates. A girl, a few years younger than I, sets a plateful of vegetables and meat in front of me.

"Thank you" I give her a smile, she gives one back and nods her welcome.

Serge clears his throat as the kitchen staff clear out of the room. "You lot need to go on a run tonight" Serge finishes his mouthful and takes a sip of his drink "Rage, Gunner and Gabe, you're going".

Gunner's face lights up slightly and Ivy's pales, obviously not impressed with the idea. He still limps around with the bandage, defiantly in no shape to go to Class.

"No" Sage swallows a mouthful "Gunner's not going, Ryder you're coming with us" Sage says as he continues eating while everyone else looks towards Serge for his input.

Serge agrees with a nod to the head. Gunner fumes silently, Ivy's face lights up in happiness.

Conversations continue around the table. I silently eat my food; Ivy asks me questions every now and then. Sage is a man of little words and only answers when spoken to, never giving anyone too much.

Sage finishes his food before me and sits back, slouched in his chair. He puts his arm around the back of my chair as I continue eating, the meal reminding me of Ma's cooking. The thought dampens my mood slightly.

The placement of Sage's arm draws the attention of various eyes around the room. Sage couldn't care less while I sink down in my chair.

I look up as Sage's fist suddenly hits the table, dishes rattling. Everyone looks up in shock. Sage fumes as his eyes set upon Stephan, I look between the two wondering if something else had happened between them.

"Look at her again" Sage threatens. I realise he's talking about me, I sink further into the chair and hope to leave the dining room soon.

"That's enough Rage, Stephan fuck off will ya" Serge controls the situation. Sage scoots his chair back, the noise ringing in my ears. He makes his way towards the direction of his room. I get up to follow, preferring to be with Sage then to sit alone in a room full of people I dont know.

*

It's late at night when Sage begins to get ready for the run to Class. He walks out the closet dressed in his trademark, black outfit. Shirt, pants and boots.

"How long does this normally take?" I ask. I'm sitting on the bed once again, watching as he races around, preparing.

"Not too long" he sits on the end of the bed, tying his laces. "Be back by morning" I nod behind his back. The silence is slightly awkward, at least on my behalf. Sage seems as though what happened earlier didn't fluster him at all.

A knock at the door is heard "aye Rage, time to go" Gunner is heard through the door before his boots walk away.

Sage stands, checking the time of the clock on the wall, the ticking sound echoing throughout the room. Sage stands and walks over to the balcony, closing the doors and locking them.

"Don't let anyone in here" he says. I nod and watch as he checks the room one last time. Should I feel worried? At the end of the day I really didn't know anything about Sage and he could hurt me just as easily as my family had. Although deep down I knew he never would.

Would I be able to hear if the alarm goes off from here or was I too far? Honestly, I wasn't worried about Sage, I knew he could handle himself, I'd seen it multiple times. I am worried either Ryder or Gabe would mess up and it would cost Sage.