Conquered (previously known as Veni Vidi Vici)

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

    When Aspyn and Terrence came back in the house, the game of hide-and-seek was over.

    “What happened?!” asked Mrs. Everdeen.

    “Nothing, I just fell.” Terrence answered

    “You fell?” Mrs. Everdeen asked doubtfully, “You couldn’t have tripped and gotten that many bruises. Did you fall out of the tallest tree there is, or something?”

When Terrence didn’t answer, Mrs. Everdeen knew that her little joke wasn’t really a joke at all.

    “Are you teaching him how to climb?” she asked Aspyn.

    “Yeah, he’s doing great! The bigger trees are challenging him a little, but we’ll try again tomorrow.” Aspyn replied.

    “That’s good. Looks like he needs practice.” said Mrs. Everdeen with a wink.

    “Mom!”

At that moment, Ali and Gage came rushing in with Mr. Everdeen behind them.  

    “These kids will be the end of me.” panted Mr. Everdeen.

    “Ashley!” exclaimed Ali, still full of energy at the late hour, “How did Terrence do?”

    “He did great!” said Aspyn

    “Until he fell.” said Gage.

Terrence was about to argue when Mrs. Everdeen interrupted them.

    “Okay, it’s time for Gage and Ali to go to bed now.”

    “Speaking of bed,” said Terrence, “do we have room for an extra person?”

    “Ashley sleeps in my room!” said Ali.

    “Who’s Ash… oh yeah.” Terrence forgot that his little sister didn’t know “Ashley’s” real name, she just knew that she was in the Hunger Games with her big brother and that she was a nice person.

    “Come on Ali, I’ll tell you another story.” said Aspyn.

    “Okay!” said Ali.

When Gage, Aspyn, and Ali were gone, it left Terrence and his parents.

    “Well,” said Mr. Everdeen, “I’ve never seen Miss Ali so eager to go to bed!”

    “She’s been like that ever since Aspyn got here.” said Terrence’s mom, “She’s amazing with kids. She can even get Gage to behave. How does she do it?”

    “She had a sister who died from a wolf attack. She sees all kids as something special, and sees Ali as her second chance.” said Terrence.

    “That explains a lot.” said Mrs. Everdeen.

    “I wondered why she was in tears at the sight of the pack of wolves that almost attacked you.” said Mr. Everdeen.

    “How are Rika’s parents doing?” asked Terrence. He hadn’t seen her mom sitting on the porch in her usual spot.

    “We went to talk to them a little while ago. They said that they were touched how you helped kill the water monster for Rika. Then they said that they were cheering for you. I think you and Aspyn should go see them tomorrow. It would mean a lot to hear from their daughter’s last friends.” said Mrs. Everdeen, “Oh, don’t forget to pack and prepare for the award ceremony next week. Aspyn’s stylist will be here in two days to get you ready and her in disguise.”