Sharp Tools

Chapter 1: 8 Years Ago

8 years ago...

Clove POV:

I laugh and giggle happily as I follow my mom, dad, aunt, and older brother out of the restaurant. I hear my younger siblings chattering behind me as we head home, full and content. Once get out the door, I jump on Dallas's back so he can give me a piggy ride home. Even though he and I are 11 years apart, he's my best friend and I know we will always have each other's backs. I'm only 7 years old, but I still remember all the sacrifices Dally made to keep our family together. 

"Dally, give me a piggyback ride!" I yell.

"Alright, Clover, hold on to my neck," he replies, adjusting his grip so I won't fall off. 

I give him a grin and he equally returns it, despite the cold and rainy weather. I cling on to his jacket and try to stay warm, for I forgot my thicker jacket at home. As I look around to see my parents and Aunt Enny, I spot a boy, not much older than me, across the street. I squint my eyes to get a better view, and see a mop of blond hair. He's wearing nothing but a thin t-shirt, shorts, and is barefoot. He trembles within the cold, his blond hair darker due to the rain in his hair. I now realize it's raining harder now, the only protection I have is Dallas's umbrella and mine. 

Is something wrong? I think. Why does he not have a jacket or an umbrella? And he looks really hungry.

"Dally, put me down." I say softly.

As soon as my older brother places me on the ground, I take off, sprinting across the street and towards the boy.

"Clove!" I hear Dally yell.

"CLOVE!" My parents and aunt scream in sheer panic.

"Clovey, where are you going?" I hear my younger twin siblings ask.

When I reach the boy's side, I realize how dirty he looks. As if sensing my presence, he looks up and stares deep in my eyes. At first I'm shocked by how blue his eyes look. But then I regain my composure and clear my throat.

"What are you doing here all alone?" I question. "Where's your Mommy and Daddy?"

But before he could answer, my family reaches my side. And I wait. I wait for the lecture.

"Clove, you can't just run off like that. Especially not across the street." Mom berates.

"Clove, are you okay?" Dally asks with concern in his blue eyes. He gets his eyes from our mom. Carter and Crystal, my younger twin siblings, and I have green eyes from Dad. My mom's half-sister, Aunt Enny, has brown eyes.

Following Dally's question, I point at the boy. 

"He looks hungry and sad." I say.

"Clove," Dallas starts, kneeling to my eye level, "just because you see someone sad doesn't mean you should run across the street. We don't want to see you get hurt."

I hang my head. "I know Dally, but he looked really sad and hungry."

Dallas's gaze turns to the boy I'm talking about. 

"Hey kid, are you okay?" Dally asks.

The blond boy with blue eyes just shrugs. 

"What's your name? And how old are you? I'm Crystal, and this is my twin brother Carter. But I'm older by a few minutes. We're both 4 years old." Crystal rants, holding up 4 fingers.

My dad gives her a sharp look for interrupting, but she just shrugs.

The boy gives her a soft smile before looking at me and saying, "My name is Cato and I'm 10." He then turns to Dally. "I'm alright, I guess. I'm just really hungry, cold, and wet."