Converted

Chapter Two - House of Rejects

I moved quickly and purposefully well aware of the stares that were burning into my back. I was one of the only ones brave enough or stupid enough to get involved when one of the old ones was getting angry but I somehow seemed to get away with it. They respected me?! Why I do not know but that made others suspicious of me. Nate followed closely behind I knew he was full of questions but he kept them thankfully to himself. “Right before we do anything where are you staying?”

He smirked. “You’re being pretty forward aren’t you?”

I glared at him. “I’m reconsidering saving your lousy butt.” I turned quickly and began walking away. He grabbed my arm. “Look I’m sorry. Knee jerk reaction when it’s been a day like this.”

“You annoy people who could kill you often? Wait don’t answer that. It’s a stupid question of course you do.”

“I said I was sorry.” He said tilting his head to meet my down cast gaze. “I’m staying at my mum’s old house with a few friends.”

“Great!” I mumbled heavy on the sarcasm. He gave me a funny look. “Neither you nor your friends can stay there anymore. It may have seemed like I had placated Cain for the moment but he will send people tonight to attack your house. Whoever is in there tonight is going to die.”

“Where are we meant to go?!” he said anger at the idea of being turned out from a place he called home was evident.

“My parents’ house. We already have many people staying there but we can take a few more.” He gave me a grateful but confused look. I started walking in the vague direction of where his mum’s house was.

I took a deep breath before walking up the steps to Nate’s mother’s house. Nate led the way opening the door and shutting it behind me. The house seemed nice but basic and in dire need of a good decorating.

“Hey what took you so long?” I heard an unmistakable male voice say as he came out of the living room. “Annette?!” Pete said stepping towards me. I near enough threw myself at him into one of his bone crushing bear hugs. They were just as I remembered them even though it was years ago. “Man, it’s good to see you.”

“Man?!” I said laughing looking into his brown puppy dog eyes. He shrugged and ruffled my hair.

“Oi!” I said straightening my hair. He just grinned at me.

“Isn’t this just great.” A female voice said with thinly veiled hatred. I looked over Pete’s shoulder to see a girl standing there in black jeans and a black hoodie of which blonde streaked brown hair stuck out of. She was so different to the relaxed casualness of the two boys who didn’t seem opposed to colour. Colour to me resembled hope in our monotone world at the moment and she seemed to be a pessimist. God it would be fun to have her around! I thought sarcastically. Sarcasm may be the lowest form of whit but it is damn effective.

“Annette this is Sadie.” Pete said stepping to the side of me. I sensed Nate coming to my other side. Sadie’s icy blue eyes shot daggers at me and the boys. “Hi.” She said bluntly and venomously. “See the boys have found a new toy.”

“Sadie!” Nate and Pete said at the same time. She glared at them challenging them to do something about it.

“Hey.” I replied coldly. “Look I’m sorry I know none of you want to hear this but you have to come with me. It’s not safe for you to stay here as of today. I’ll take you some where safe. I promise.”

“Nowhere is safe!” Sadie replied tensely. “What makes your place any different? The pretty little bracelet you wear which marks you as their property? We’ve held up here fine so far.”

“It’s true that nowhere is truly safe but there is going to be an attack on this house tonight that it cannot withstand. My house is different.” My voice was strong. “And I can assure you that I’d die first before becoming one of them.” She could hear the plain truth of my words and warmed visibly to me smiling slightly. I smiled back.

“Why are they attacking tonight?” Sadie’s tone was no longer accusing but weary. I looked at Nate. No way was I explaining this. I’d let him deal with the humiliation of it.

“Oh man! You didn’t!” Pete groaned. “Why do I let you leave the house alone?”

“Hey I didn’t start it!” Nate said indignantly. We all shot him a ‘yeah right’ kind of look. “Ok maybe I did but he was walking around like he owned the place and it made me snap. A little.”

“It’s quite possible he did own the place.” I said. “real-estate is dominated by them and they are the ruling party.” They all shot me looks. “It’s the hard facts of the situation. I don’t like them but there is little I can do about them at the moment.” 

“How did you get yourself out of it?” Pete asked Nate. Nate simply looked at me. It was my turn to squirm. 

“I somehow talked him out of that mess. Cain was really…”

“Oh man! Cain!” Pete interrupted. Sadie paled at the name.

“How could you talk him out of it?” Sadie asked suspicion firmly back in place.

“I earned their respect after a… ‘Incident’.” Nate shot me a look. Clearly he had put two and two together to work out what the ‘incident’ was. “I fought them and almost succeeded. Almost. And I’ve learnt to play their mind games. That’s all there is to it. Tactics and game plans. You play along or you die. If you’re lucky that is. They’ll kill those you care about to punish you. They’ll make you watch.” I squeezed my eyes shut trying to stop the tears. I learnt how to hide weakness. Weakness is dangerous. Despite my efforts tears slid down my cheek. Nate and Pete each took one of my hands giving them a gentle squeeze and before I knew what was happening Sadie had wrapped her arms around me.

“Crap! I’m so sorry.” My pain seemed to have reassured her of where my loyalty lies. At least my pain was good for something as well as making me strong. Although it made me stronger it made somehow weaker at the same time. I couldn’t explain it. Although Nate was the only one in the room who knew what the ‘incident’ was they all knew it had to be something horrific and they pitied me for it but respected me for still fighting back in some form or another.

I pulled back and Sadie finally let go. I tried to compose myself but didn’t have time before Pete pulled me into a hug. I exhaled half in exasperation and half in relief. Sometimes it’s nice just to be hugged. To know someone’s there just to hold you. After Pete finally let go Nate scooped me into a hug.  I sighed this was really starting to get ridiculous. Not that I minded really. I was surprised by Nate’s reaction as we were never close. We were in totally different groups at school although groups and stereotypes mean nothing now. I stepped back from the embrace swiping my fingertips across my cheeks wiping the tears away. 

“Right we need to get you guys packed up and move everything to my house. The only problem is going to be getting your stuff there.” Pete grinned pulling car keys out of his pocket. “You can drive?” he grinned. “Right stupid question. Are you allowed to drive?” he smirked and nodded. “Right what car do you have?”

“A big Kia.” He said his signature smile on his face.

“Perfect!” I said with a smile. “Now I’ll help you pack non personal things.” I said to Sadie. The boys frowned at me. “What? I wouldn’t go near your stuff with a barge pole. God knows what’s hiding in the mess.” Sadie laughed and I giggled myself whereas the boys frowned and stuck there tongues out at me. “Am I not right?” I asked Sadie.

“Yup, their rooms look like a mess bomb exploded in there.” She stuck her tongue out back at them. “Come on this way. Welcome to the house of rejects.” We smiled at each other and dashed up the stairs to start packing the essentials I headed to the bathroom letting Sadie pack her own things god knows I wouldn’t want someone looking over my shoulder while I packed my own things. The guys were groaning about how they’d have to sort out their own messes.

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