Infiltrating G.A.T.O.

G.A.T.O.

Rain drenched Sebastian's clothes as he ran to the front door. Great. Another thing he could add to an already miserable day. His hand froze over the doorknob and he took a deep breath to prepare for the battle to come. By the time he opened the door, he couldn't find a single dry spot on his body.

He threw his keys on the table in the entryway and stormed into the family room. Just as he knew she would be, Danielle laid sprawled on the couch with her yellow tabby cat curled up on her lap. He waited to see if she'd acknowledge him, but her eyes never left whatever horrifying TV show she decided to watch that day.

Sebastian cleared his throat, which she ignored. A heavy sigh escaped his lips and he ran his hand through his soaked hair. "Do you want to tell me why the principal called me at work today?"

Danielle didn't bother turning away from the TV. "Not really."

His frustration was growing by the minute. Her attitude never helped, especially after he worked a fourteen hour shift. He tried to remain calm but failed miserably. "You skipped school! Again! This is the fourth time in two weeks. At this rate, you'll have to go to summer school. Is that what you want?"

She shrugged. "I don't understand why I have to go to school anyways."

Anger flared up inside of him and he took a deep breath to calm down. If he didn't control himself, he'd end up accidentally breaking something again. Whenever his emotions got out of control, his magic tended to blow up random objects. It wasn't that big of a deal unless it was your mother's favorite vase. He'd found out that lesson the hard way.

"How about this? You work and pay all the bills, and I'll go to school full-time. That sounds fair."

"That's so not fair," Danielle whined, but at least she finally looked at him. "Ugh, plus you already go to school."

How could he reason with her? Lately, she argued with everything he said. She used to help around the house some and go to school every day, but now she disappeared at night and went to school half the time. A sudden thought had his stomach clenching in fear. Oh, please, no. He couldn't handle raising a baby on top of working, attending a college course, and taking care of her and their mother.

"Are you having sex?" he blurted before he could try a tactful approach.

"What? No." Danielle rolled her eyes. "I'm only fourteen and according to you I'm not allowed to date until I'm forty."

"At least you remember that rule." Sebastian glared at her before he let his shoulders slump and ran his hand down his face. "I'm too young to be an uncle."

She snorted. "You're nineteen. That's not too young. Oh, and did you know you're dripping on the floor?"

A chill went through Sebastian when he remembered his wet clothing. He glanced down at the warped wooden floor where a small puddle had formed beneath him. Something else for him to do. With a shake of his head, he moved towards the stairs before his stomach rumbled. He paused to check his watch. No wonder he was hungry, it was already 9 o'clock at night.

Sebastian looked over his shoulder at Danielle. "This conversation isn't over, and by chance did you or mom make dinner?"

"Whatever."

The light above him flickered as a familiar anger welled up inside of him. He ground his teeth and stormed up the stairs. Did they expect him to do everything? Of course they did, but that didn't make it easier. He jerked open the door at the top of the stairs and entered the loft that was his room.

After stripping off his soaked clothes and pulling on gym shorts and a shirt, he slumped on the edge of his bed. All he wanted to do was sleep, but he knew he needed to resolve the issue with Danielle first. If she wouldn't tell him what she was doing, he'd have to follow her. Not only was she failing school but sneaking out so late was dangerous. Unlike him, she didn't have the magical gene and refused to take self defense classes.