Freeloaders

Chapter 3: Family

~3 years ago~

"Addison,

We know this will be tough, but sadly Mommy and Daddy have to leave. We promise we'll be back! Remember, follow the rules and don't get caught. And if you need any help, Auntie Tamika and Uncle Reno live next door.

We'll be back later, we promise, mija.

-Daddy and Mommy <3"

Addy reread the note over and over again. The 14 year old held back tears as today was the day they woke up and found their parents missing. They put the note back on the table and looked around. "Oh crap..."

A few minutes later, after searching around the hideout, Addison confirmed that their parents were gone. They sat down on their beanbag and held their knees. Taking deep breathes, Addy conceded. Their parents were gone. They were alone.

For now...at least....

...right?

~In the present~

Addison carefully peeked out the hole, looking for any sign of humans. They peeked out the hole, facing the outside world and the house next door. Taking a deep breath, they grabbed a leaf nearby and covered their head as they ran to the other house.

They huffed, making the distance to another hole. They discarded the leaf and stepped inside. Following a long pathway, they made it to a home much like their own. Addy stood in the doorway and noticed a figure crouching down, fixing something. From Addison's point of view, they could only see the figures back. But they know who this person was, very well.

They smiled and leaned on the doorway. "Yo. Wassup, Peps?" They greeted, causing the figure to turn around, revealing themselves to be another borrower. "Oh! Addy! Hi!" She excitedly greeted, standing up.

The two smiled at each other. They noticed their similarities and differences, like how Addy had a tail and brunette straight hair and the other didn't have a tail and had very light blonde hair in pigtails, how both had pointed ears and dark eyes, and even their very different clothing styles.

Addy chuckled, crossing their arms. "Hey Pepper, how are you? I just wanted to come over to hang out." Pepper smirked. "I'm doing great! Like actually. I was just fixing up some gear." She went to her kitchen area. "Come and sit down! I'll make us something." Addison nodded and walked over to a large building block that was used as a table and sat on a small stool.

The two were cousins. Pepper's parents had passed away 2 years ago when they were crushed in a rat trap. Pepper, her sister, and Addison then had to bury them in the garden. It has not been a good couples of years so far.

"So have you heard from Darcey in a while?" Addy asked as Pepper placed two mugs of tea on the block. "Oh no. Not yet. But I'm sure she's doing great in London." Addy looked to their cup. "Yeah, I'm sure she feels lucky." They sighed and sipped their tea. "Hey, are you still jealous about her whole engagement?" Pepper raised an eyebrow, making Addy groaned. "I wanna get out of here one day." Pepper chuckled. "Yeah I know. You're like a broken record." Addy shoot an eyebrow to Pepper. "What's a record?" Pepper shrugged. "I don't know...it's a human term..."

Addy nodded sipping their tea before Pepper chimed up. "So have you had an encounters with the Fae?" Addy tilted their head. "What?" Pepper nodded. "I saw at least a whole colony of Fae move into the woods nearby. Do you think we might be...y'know?" Addy rolled their eyes. "Hey, I'm sure we'll be fine, what's the worst they can do?" Pepper smiled. "Touché."

They looked out a peephole to the outside and noticed a couple of Fae creatures looking at the houses. Addy turned to Pepper tilting their head. "Dang...they moved in quick."

Pepper looked over intrigued. "That red headed one's kind of cute." Addy looked over, seeing a tough looking, leather jacket wearing sprite. "The one with the Mohawk??" They questioned as Pepper sighed dreamily. "God. You have weird taste..." Addy glared at Pepper before looking back at the group of fae outside, who were now staring back.

"Oh shi-" "Close the window, close the window!" Frantically, the two closed the small hole, huffing. Pepper was embarrassed. "Holy crap, did he see us?" Addy blinked. "Alright, I'm scared to leave the hideout."

Pepper clicked her tongue before Addison got up from their seat. "Y'know, I think I should go- wait before I go, can I borrow a thumbtack?" Addison asked making Pepper nod. "Oh, yeah! Sure..." She went to a drawer and pulled out a large thumbtack, handing it to Addy.

Addy smiled. "Thanks, Peps. I'll be going now..." They started to walk away. "Stay safe, Addy!" Pepper called out. "...you too, Peps." Addy smiled.

After a safe journey back, Addy lounged in their home with a sigh, putting the thumbtack away. They peeked outside again, before closing the peephole and yawning.

They stretched a bit before turning to the NOKIA on the ground. With a smirk, they turned on the tiny man made computer inside to scroll on social media. They scrolled around for a few minutes before hearing some scuttling across the floor. They looked over to see a pill bug exploring their house.

They paused before sighing and getting up. They picked up the tiny bug like a baby, cuddling it as it rolled into a ball. "Sh Sh, don't worry, I ain't gonna hurt you." They sighed and continued the cuddle the bug and scrolled through social media. Then they fell asleep with the bug still in their arms.

The next morning, Addison awoke, still cuddling the poor roly poly. They sat up and glanced at the bug in the ball before silently putting it down and quickly starting their morning routine.