READ THE WARNING

Chapter nine

~TW~! Brief mentioning of smoking, mentioning of cheating, sexual references, shouting, an implied pedophile

Alex checked the time on his phone. He had to get to work in a few hours, but he wanted to make sure he remembered and had time to visit Amy and Anthony, so he went to the mansion early to check up on them.

When he got up, Caroline was still asleep, so he shot her a text so she'd know where he was when she woke up.

Sammy was out front smoking. He always got up ridiculously early, Alex wasn't sure why. Alex told him he was headed off to see his siblings.

"This early? Don't you have work?" Asked Sammy.

"I've got a few hours, it'll be fine." Said Alex, shrugging.

"Alright." Said Sammy. "Let Amy know I said hi."

"Sure." Said Alex, and he started heading down the steps when a realization came to him.

"By the way," he said, glancing back at Sammy, "Caroline has a boyfriend, so leave her alone. If you're wondering, she's not interested in you."

"Does having a boyfriend really stop anyone?" Asked Sammy.

"God, you're disgusting." Said Alex.

Alex hoped Caroline would be okay. From his knowledge, Sammy never tried to force anything on anyone, but it didn't stop him from getting worried. He was probably just a bit paranoid after his ex and all the awful shit that happened...

Caroline didn't actually have a boyfriend. She didn't want to date for different reasons than Alex. Alex had trust issues, that was his reason, but Caroline said she didn't need anyone and that was why she didn't date. She liked being independent.

At the mansion, Alex went to Anthony's room first and saw Sarah and Damien sitting on the floor, talking to him.

Alex regretted his decisions and thought if they didn't notice him, maybe he could just step out and visit Amy first and see if Sarah and Damien were gone when he got back, but Sarah smiled at him and he decided not to be rude.

He walked in and went to hug Anthony.

"Hi." Said Anthony, flatly. He was probably still mad at Alex, he could really hold a grudge.

"Hey, Anthony." Said Alex.

"Hi, Alex! How are you?" Asked Sarah.

"Um, good. How are you?"

"That's a complete lie, don't say you're good if you're not, and I'm very good, thanks for asking!" Said Sarah, smiling. Damien was fidgeting with his bracelet, awkwardly.

"Why aren't you...good?" Asked Anthony, looking up at Alex.

"It's really nothing, Anthony. I've just been a little more stressed out lately." Said Alex.

"Why have you been stressed out?" Asked Anthony.

"I don't know, just work and stuff." Said Alex.

"And a stalker and bad-" Damien quickly cut Sarah off. "So! How's Caroline?" He asked Alex.

Alex didn't ask how either of them knew so much about him. He figured they were kinda like Erebus; they just knew things.

"She's doing alright. She's been staying over a lot more recently because of personal business and stuff." Said Alex.

"Yeah, we heard." Said Sarah.

"From Erebus." Added Damien.

"You know who Erebus is?" Asked Anthony, looking at Alex.