You are the Answer {boyxboy} ✓ (Dogs, Bats & Monkeys series, Book I | Riley)

Chapter 17

A/N: It's my name day today! What's that you ask? I'll explain briefly in the comments ;)

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Riley's POV

I watched as the four of them walked out of the dining room, restraining my craving to run after them and to beg Rhys to take me with him, pledging that I'd be good, that I'd wait in another room and not eavesdrop, just as long as I could tag along. He'd promised that he won't go after the killer and that he'd be back as soon as he could, but what if during their gathering the other society members decided otherwise?

What if they thought it would be best if they went after that man or woman on their own?

They wouldn't do that, right?

Rhys had said that Keri was against such actions and she was in charge; could they overrule her?

Then again the Silver Bullets only consulted on the case... But if they planned no actions, why this urgent meeting?

"I guess there's no reason no ask if anyone is in a mood for dessert," Jackie surmised, getting up and beginning to tidy the table.

"I'll help you with that," I offered, hoping the work would put my mind off the resent events.

"No need to, Riley; Lisa is," she denied my aid once again. The younger woman was already off her seat and gathering the half-empty daffodil dishes; they clinked as she placed them one over the other. "Tom, would you check up on Carter for me? And, Kennedy, show Riley upstairs."

Her husband stood up with a tired sigh and kissed his wife on the cheek before heading up.

"Come on," Kennedy urged and we walked after his father. "My room or Rhys'?" He asked when we got to the landing; Tom was just knocking on the door of the first room to the right.

"Yours." It wouldn't feel right if I went to Rhys' and he wasn't there to allow me in.

Kennedy nodded and led me into a single-bed bedroom, next to Carter's.

"Rhys' is opposite mine," he explained before he closed the wooden door, his hand finding the light switch without a problem. "And Everett's used to be opposite Carter's. Mom and dad's is at the end of the hallway; you can also find the bathrooms there." He hopped on his bed, sitting crossed-legged and patted a spot next to him.

"Five bedrooms, that's... a lot," I noted as I took the invitation and sat next to him, keeping my feet on the floor and placing my hands in my lap.

"Six," he corrected. "There's one more on the first floor."

"Why so many?" I asked, lifting one leg on the bed and twisting to see him better.

"In our society it is common to have three or four children, maybe more." His eyebrows furrowed thoughtfully. "Actually, it was common. The last couple of generations have an average of two and they have the first a few years later than the older generations would; not sure why. Times change, maybe?"

"Was it required to have that many?" I lifted my other leg as well, imitating Kennedy's position and placing it under my body.

"No. It's just... Strength in numbers, I guess." He shrugged. "Besides, we are very family-oriented so we make big families."

"What else can you tell me about your society?" I asked, leaning towards him. "Rhys has shared a bit, but..."

"Not enough for you?" He guessed, smiling, bright teeth dazzling me along with bright eyes. "What do you want to know?"