Converted

Chapter Three - A Permit?!

 Everyone had packed up fast and everything was thrown into the boot. The boys were sat in the front with me and Sadie in the back. The car was huge so there was room for what I planning to get today anyway. “Hey,” I said leaning forward crossing my arms on the back of Pete’s seat my head against the side of the headrest. “Do you guys mind taking a little detour because I have something to pick up for the house?” everyone looked at me and nodded. I gave Pete the instructions on how to get there acutely aware of the tense setting of his shoulders and Nate’s gaze boring into my face. Sadie seemed to be taking everything in. Her face twisted with confusion then alight with understanding. I for one was still thoroughly confused.  As soon as I had given the last instruction I sat back in my seat. Slowly the boys relaxed deepening my confusion further. We stopped outside the warehouse. I stepped out of the car as soon as it came to a standstill.

“What are we doing here?” Pete asked clearly confused. I grinned. He frowned. The others laughed but were just as confused.

“Follow me and you’ll find out. I need you two strong boys to do some heavy lifting while me and Sadie do the overseeing.” I winked at Sadie before turning and walking away.

I reached the oversized industrial door and rang the doorbell. I heard the others shuffling up behind me. A small hatch opened. “Who is it?” A grumpy male voiced asked.

“Hello Mr Yates.” I said brightly.

“Annette!” he replied brightly flinging the normal size door within the bigger one open. He pulled me into a hug. Blimey, what is it with people hugging me today? I hugged him back briefly. “Are these your friends?” I nodded. “Annette honey you need to stop taking in strays. You can’t protect everyone no matter how much you try. How many people do you have staying with you under your care now anyway?”

I was taken aback by his outburst. “What make you think we can’t look after ourselves?” Nate shot back.

“I didn’t say you couldn’t but Annette could do it better.”

“I know it’s all mind games with them. I know now I can play along.”

“When I said its mind games I meant like chess not twister or any other childish games. It is chess and we are the pawns. You’d do well to remember that.” I said stiffly. Walking off past Mr Yates into the warehouse.

The others moved to come after me but Mr Yates got in the way clearly knowing I needed time to calm down. “That is why she is better suited to deal with them. She understands the risks as she has already lost too much to them.” I could hear him speaking but his kind words did nothing to calm or reassure me. “Learn from her and be loyal. She risks more than you know by putting you under her ‘protection’ for lack of a better word. She already cares for too many for her young shoulders to bear. Remember that! She’ll die to protect those she cares about but they’d never show her that kindness. They want her more than anyone alive I should think. There’s something about her that intrigues them.”

“Intrigues everyone.” I heard Nate say. I was shocked out of anger.

“Indeed she does. She is the only one I know able to intervene in their politics and survive. They value her opinions and skills. Believe it or not she is a skilled fighter with a mind and tongue as sharp as a blade. Stick by her and you’ll be safer than anyone else. Cross her and I’m not sure you’d live to regret it.” I could just imagine their shocked faces. Mr Yates fictional description of me was rather entertaining. “Don’t misunderstand she would never harm you but those seeking her obedience or services would see the disposal of those who hurt her as a way to get in her good favour.” Right that was just getting ridiculous. “She protects those she cares about but also puts them in danger. She’ll protect everyone in her care as long as they’re careful if she stepped in you’re on very thin ice. She balances on a needle thread one mistake from anyone they’ll take her. Remember that.”