Starting Over Anderson || ✔

Twenty-four: the Plan

Jolted awake by a loud crash, I spring upright from my previous lying position on the couch. I rub the sleep away, bracing myself for the worse. Noah is across the room, frozen on the couch. We exchange a fleeting look, communicating through our eyes. Get to the back room, he sign languages me. I can barely read signs, grateful that Oren had taught me some when we were taking a break from training. I'm staying with you, I sign back, looking into his eyes stubbornly.

Another crash resonates through our small wooden hut and I jump nervously. Neither of us reacts when an unmistakable "shit!" follows the crash. A heartbeat later, my eyes widen in recognition. It's Aaron!

I shout his name, earning a hard glare from Noah. We jog over to the door, removing various pieces of furniture acting as barricade along the way, and before I can unlock the door for Aaron, Noah stops me.

"When does the narwhal bacon?" he bellows.

"At midnight," came Aaron's instant reply.

Apparently, it's the correct answer because Noah nods, pleased, and removes the large bolt, revealing a very anxious Aaron.

"Kane Kingsley doesn't know a thing about Reddit," Noah explains though I don't get what he's saying.

Instead, I launch myself into Aaron's arms, almost knocking him to the ground.He hugs me  back and chuckles at my enthusiasm, ruffling up my hair like he always does.

"It's nice to see you again," he says, kissing my forehead. "I've been so worried."

"I miss you too." We let go of each other and retreat back into the safety of the hut after putting back the bolt and barricade. I'm a little disappointed that none of the other boys came with him. I know I'm asking too much but I just wish to see them once more in case I don't make it out of this.

Noah and I had arrived at this safe house after god knows how many hours of driving. One thing's for sure - we're out in the middle of no where, surrounded by thick pine trees. When I grill him for more information, Noah only let slip that this is a safe house he built with his brother (with a little help from their nice mother) back when they were wee kids. Kane Kingsley should have no knowledge that this place exists. But then again, he's Kane Kingsley, he knows everything. I had fallen asleep in the car and Noah had carried me into the hut. I had woken up earlier to help with making the safe house as safe as possible and I've got to say, for a hut built by two kids, it's pretty impressive. I mean, if Noah hadn't mentioned it, I'd reckon it was built by a fancy architect.

It's all dark outside - I'm guessing about one or two a.m. - and I stifle a yawn as Aaron and Noah huddle up together going over their plan. I'm offended they don't let me know what they intend to do, claiming that I "won't approve". If they had meant that to reassure me, it only makes me want to know more.

I sit by myself on my couch, cursing that I didn't get the chance to take Bella T-2000 with me. Then at least I could've made myself useful and put a tail on Kane Kingsley or something. Noah didn't even give me a minute to pack some clothes, stating that Kingsley is already on his way to Anderson. And because I have nothing else better to do than to go over horrendous thoughts about fifty hundred different ways to die, I drift to sleep yet again.

Moonlight is pouring in in small steams through the only window in the living room when I open my eyes again. I purse my lips, wondering why it's still night when I'm sure I've been sleeping so much.

I sit up, looking around for Aaron. There's so much I want to ask him, so much I need to know.

I see Noah first, his large frame sprawled across the tiny couch he claimed as his, snoring softly. I don't know how it's possible, but he seems to have more expression asleep than sober. Noah could hardly fit into the couch. His feet and arms are dangling off it and he looks dangerously close to falling. Feeling guilty, I cover most of his torso with a small blanket I found earlier in the back room. He turns around and snuggles into this new warmth immediately. A smile graces my face and I venture off to look for my brother.