The lost triplets

chapter 12

The next day was passing slowly. The triplets were nervous about their results.

Leo had made them sit down and look online at any items they might want.  Mostly to personalize their rooms but he said if they saw anything to just add it to the basket.

They were currently in Alex's room looking at different items.

"I think they are different" James spoke.

"Yeah or maybe they are just waiting till we trust them so they can break our trust" Alex replied.

"But they have been nice so far. Even yesterday when I insulted Marco I wasn't punished" James said

"I don't trust them especially Lorenzo " Alex replied.

"Why don't you trust him, he's nice" Skye said quietly.

"Of course you would think that. Youre getting too comfortable with him" Alex replied.

It wasn't like Alex was purposely doing this. A year or so ago two men promised they would save them, that they would get the triplets out. Those men gained the triplets trust. Alex had let his guard down because he trusted them. Those men broke the trust. They hurt Skye the most but James and Alex got hurt too.

"What's your problem? He hasn't done anything wrong" Skye found herself defending her eldest brother. She had never not defended Alex or James so the boys were a little suprised.

"My problem is the last time someone earned out trust we all got hurt" Alex said.

"But what if this is genuine. I don't trust them yet but I think we could be happy" James said. He knew his brother was only looking out for them. The last time they trusted it had turned out bad.

"It's been just over a week. If they are genuine it won't hurt to give it longer to see if we should trust them. Just because they haven't done anything yet doesn't mean they won't" Alex said. He wanted to believe his siblings but he wasn't just going to forget years of abuse and trust them all because they have been nice for a week.

"But Lorenzo makes the best hot chocolate" Skye whispered.

Alex and James smiled at her. She was adorable.

"Alex is right. If they are good then it won't do us any harm waiting a little longer to make a decision"

"Or maybe you both need to trust them.  They haven't done anything " Skye said.

"You want me to trust these strangers? Have you forgotten what happened last time we trusted strangers" Alex said with a raised voice.

Skye looked away, Alex barely ever raised his voice especially not at her.

Last time Alex had been made to watch Skye get abused and then he was made to watch James get beat up.  It was then his turn and he had welcomed the beating as it meant he could focus on the pain rather than images in his head of his siblings being hurt.

He had trust issues, but he just wanted James and Skye safe.

"Where are you going" James asked.

"Not here, I just want to be happy and you both have to ruin that" Skye said and walked out.

Alex felt guilty. He hadn't meant to be like this.

"Hey are you okay" James asked putting his hand on Alex's shoulder.

Alex flinched and jerked his arm away.
"Alex what's wrong" James asked.

"I don't want us to let our guard down. It's been a week, they could be lying to us. There is no harm keeping our guard up until we know for sure" Alex told him.