Revenge of Wounded (Book 2 of The Impossible trilogy)

Chapter 6: Moving In and Walking Out

Fiera

"Welcome to our humble abode!" I exclaim to Malea as Josh, her, and I carry Malea's bags into the house. "What do you think?"

I watch as Malea curiously looks around the room, taking in our large house. "It's really... s-spacious. You can't tell that it is from the outside."

I laugh. "Well, it kind of has to be, with how many people live here and secrecy."

Malea gives me a puzzled look. "W-what do you mean 'with how many people l-live here'?"

Scrunching my eyebrows in confusion, I ask. "Didn't I tell you there was other people living here other than my parents, my brother, and I?"

"Y-you never even h-hinted at it. You've b-been forgetting to tell me a lot of th-things." Malea replies, stuttering profoundly.

"I guess I have been forgetful." I say rather slowly, while trying to grasp this information. It must be from my lack of sleep, I think. People tend to get forgetful when they're sleep deprived. I see Josh raise an eyebrow asking silently what's up. I just shake my head, hinting to him to just forget about it.

Turning my attention back to Malea, I apologize. "Sorry I didn't warn you."

She shakes her head. "It's ok. It will just take some getting used to." Malea looks around the hall nervously. "S-so who else lives with you?"

As if on cue, Golden turns the corner from the kitchen unexpectedly and stops upon seeing us, halting in the middle of the front room and centered in Josh, Malea, and I's view of the hall. "Well, well if it isn't the protagonist's side kick. Welcome to Cloak Hotel." Golden says jokingly.

I roll my eyes. Here comes Golden. "Very funny. I'm laughing hysterically."

"H-he lives here?" Malea squeak's almost like she was horrified with the idea of being in the same building as him.

Golden raises an eyebrow in an amused way. "Nice seeing you again, too." When he says this though, for a slight second, his facial expression changes to hurt and back to amusement. Inwardly, I'm puzzled by his reaction. I'm talking about Golden doesn't get hurt unless by a thump to the back of the head.

Realizing what she just did, Malea tries to apologize. "I d-didn't mean to s-say it like that. I-"

"It's no prob. Malea." I interrupt her stuttering fit. Golden gives me a cross look, asking me why I'm answering for him, but I ignore it and continue. "Everyone's a little taken aback by Golden's demeanor at first, but you eventually see the good parts and he's actually quite the softy." I tease Golden, partially.

Golden rolls his eyes. "Yes, I'm all cream filled and fluffy inside." Sarcasm seeped from his lips.

Malea watched this transaction with perplexity; since it was obvious she was not for sure how to make of the conversation. Seeing this, both Golden and I exchanged a grin. It seemed like Golden has gained a sense of humor instead of always being the dark, serious person he once was, even if sometime his jokes are kind of dark. It's kind of nice having him as a support rather then someone who absolutely hates my guts.

Josh clears his throat, grabbing our attention. Looking at me, he says. "You were going to tell her who all lives here." Reminding me of what I was supposed to tell Malea.

"Ah, right. Well, all the other people that lives here are all those guys you met yesterday."

Malea's mouth drops open. "W-why do you all live together?" I open my mouth to answer, but my brother beats me to it.