Daughter of Ogden

Chapter 3 - No Math Genius Here

 I sighed a breath of relief and locked my front door behind me. By the mess of shoes by the door, I knew my brothers were already home. Taking extra precaution, I closed the blinds in the living room. I would not have him find out where I lived.

      Blessed by the smell of enchiladas, I could almost forget about my recent troubles, sliding into the kitchen with a large grin.

      "Hey mom—" My words caught in my throat, coming face to face with the boy I was hoping to avoid. I didn't dare speak. Looking between our two visitors sat at the table and my parents. A dark-haired woman accompanied my blond nightmare, assessing me with equal intrigue and similar grey eyes. Sipping tea from a cup that I had bought my father for his birthday, she looked me up and down.

      "Hi sweetie," mom greeted me, standing by the oven as my dad grabbed dishes to set the table. There was so sense of threat on their features, minds bouncing with excitement. Had it not been for my parents' evident trust in the strangers, I would have bolted the moment I laid eyes on the boy.

      Noting a full cup of tea in my cracked yellow mug, steaming in front of an empty seat at the table, I hesitated. I knew it had been left for me, but it was placed in front of the seat next to the blond.

     There were no weapons on him today. None that I could see to say the least. He couldn't have concealed the long blade I had seen him with, in his current plain t-shirt and shorts.

     "Ava?" my mom called, frowning at me before she sent a pointed look at the guests.

      I gritted my teeth, reluctant to act as though everything was fine. My mother taken aback; disappointment prominent on her pale face. I suppose I wasn't being very welcoming. I nearly considered being friendly with our visitors for her sake. Nearly.

      "You'll have to excuse my daughter," my mother said, urging me to my seat. "She's been feeling under the weather."

      Just to please my mother, I took my seat. Inching my body as far away from the blond as I could, I inclined my legs towards the door, prepared for a quick escape. Neither of their minds were friendly. They didn't seem to want to cause us harm, but they regarded me with caution, as though trying to decide if I was the enemy. Ditto, I thought.

      Grey eyes still scrutinizing me, despite her vigilant thoughts the woman extended her hand.

     "Aadya Burkhard," she introduced, strong, callous hand shaking my trembling one. "This is my nephew, Nathaniel."

      The blond, Nathaniel, didn't shake my hand. He greeted me with a curt nod, thin lips barely twitching upwards. I suspected smiling was not an act he often endeavored.

      "Ava," I returned, careful not to share too much even though they already knew my address. "Why are you here?" Why bother beating around the bush? If they wanted to harm us, it probably would have been easier to not announce their presence. Plus, I had quicker access to the kitchen knives than they did.

     "Ava," dad chided. "What's gotten into you?"

     "It's alright," Aadya interrupted with a soft smile. Her thoughts didn't match her perceived softness. "Her strong personality is in part what caught our attention."

     I perked a brow, shoulders remaining tense.

     "We're recruiting for an international school program. I teach there and Nathaniel attends. We both thought you'd make for a great addition."

      If I wasn't so preoccupied by the idea of their real intentions, I might have laughed. "What do you teach?" I tried to catch her in her lie. Her thoughts screamed make-belief. She was no teacher.

      "Math."

      "You want to recruit me to do math?" I made sure that my father saw the incredulous look on my face, hoping at least one of them would come to their senses. "Thanks, but no thanks." There was no hesitation in my answer. I refused the offer that was so clearly a cover story. I didn't know what they really wanted from me, but it was far from a school for the gifted.

      Aadya and Nathaniel went on to boast about this fake program that sought to maximize the potential of chosen students around the world. It was certainly an effective way to catch my parents' attention, but I didn't even need to search the Burkhard's minds to know that the nameless program was a load of bologna. I was no prodigy or exemplary student. My grades were below average, and I didn't participate in any extra-curricular activities. There was no way that a program like the one they were describing would take interest in me.

      "This is a great opportunity," my dad tried to convince me. "Don't be so quick to turn it down."

     "No offence to our guests, but we know nothing about them," I retorted, eyes strained on my father's dark eyes. "You've seen my last report card. No one in their right mind would choose me as a recipient for anything educational."

     "Avalynn!" my mother criticized.

     I shot her an apologetic look, but I delivered no apologies to the others.

     "They have great services," my father reasoned. "This could be good for you."

     "If it's the grades that worry you, I can assure you that isn't what meets our criteria. We—"

    "Then what does meet your criteria?" I interrupted. "My blatant dislike of school? My uncanny trash picking abilities?"

     "We're just asking that you consider it." My mom spoke, smile tenser than I've ever seen and cheeks soon to match her red hair. I was embarrassing her.

     I was genuinely concerned of the immense trust they placed in the Burkard's. I refused to believe my parents could be so gullible.

      "I'll consider it," I mumbled reluctantly just to please them. It didn't matter how much considering I did, the answer would be no. "But I'll need a few days," I added, this time addressing Aadya. I hoped she understood the silent message that I wished her to leave.

     She paid me no bother. Her forced smile never flickered, but her eyes shimmered deceitfully. She had a plan, and she was sure of its success.

     "You can take as long as you need," she answered. I detected a hint of dishonesty in her mind. "Nathaniel." She turned to her nephew, excessive feigned innocence making me wince in anticipation. "Do you have the pamphlet?"

      My parents showed no hints of coming to the same conclusion, but I thought it was clear that their act had been rehearsed.

     Patting his empty pockets, Nathaniel looked up. "I left it in my bag," he said. Of course, he had. "I'll go get it."

     I frowned softly, conflicted between feeling relieved that one of the two was momentarily gone, or becoming wary as this was likely part of their plan. I had a sinking feeling that something unpleasant was going to happen.

     "Why don't you go with him?" Aadya suggested. "Nathaniel can tell you more about the program."

     Ah. There it was.

       I parted my lips to harshly refuse her proposal, but my words died upon meeting her gaze. Very briefly she dropped her act, and I was faced with the most intimidating glare that I had ever had the displeasure of encountering. Her eyes flickered towards my parents, an obvious gesture to claim this had nothing to do with them. I got the message: comply or risk including them in the matter.

       Jaw tight, reluctantly I came to a stand. Despite my urge to scream and pull my hair, I shot my parents a small smile. I thought they were being incredibly stupid, but I cared for them enough to not blatantly announce that they were likely leading me to my death.