Run

Chapter 3

"The boys should be back in an hour or so," Kieth states as he checks his watch.

"You can unpack and look around before then," Wyatt smiles.

I offer a tight smile before heading upstairs with my suitcase. I know Wyatt expects me to be excited but I can't. It's not that I don't want to be but everything I know has taught me to be wary. This whole situation on its own is enough to make anyone wary, so I know I'm not just being paranoid.

In a matter of days I went from squatting in an abandoned house to living in a practical mansion halfway across the country. I had agreed to give them a chance. One year. One year living in their home for wayward boys in the middle of Texas.

I look at my room once I reach the top of the stairs. It's a fair size with a queen size bed facing a wide window. It gave a great view looking over a good piece of the land. I could even spot part of the lake they had. The room was apparently being used as storage before they found me, but you wouldn't know it by how clean and furnished it is.

I make sure to close the door behind myself before starting to unpack. I don't want someone sneaking up on me to talk.  The long drive down to Texas was more than enough time to talk, but barely anything was said. I'm grateful that they're offering me a place to stay but I'm not really sure what they want from me. The less I interact with them, the safer I am as far as I'm concerned.

It's interesting how different everything is here. I've never been outside of Pennsylvania until now. It's actually more than a little interesting. There are less trees but the skies look beautiful. I don't mind it.

I let out a sigh as I sit back and look at the space. Everything's unpacked and put away, not that there was much to unpack. Now time to explore.

I go back down the spiral staircase that leads straight down just off the living room. The house looks pretty big but I'm curious how 6 boys live here too. Supposedly they share rooms, which makes me grateful they don't have any wayward girls here.

I wander down a hall and find the bathroom I'll be sharing. It's spacious and clean. I hope it stays this way.

I continue to the door next to it. I try to open it but it seems to be locked. Interesting since the doorknob doesn't seem to have a keyhole. Either the guys locked themselves out or someone's in there. I smile to myself knowingly.

There's no point in looking through the rooms if they're all locked. I turn around and head back to the kitchen. Everything seems new and expensive. I know they don't use the ranch for their main source of income and there's no way taking in six problem kids can give them enough money for this swanky place. I think I'll make it a small mission of mine to figure out what sort of illegitimate schemes grant them these luxuries.

I go outside to explore the land, deciding to snoop further into their finances later.

The stables are on one side with a few horses and cows, while the rest of the land is dedicated to grazing. I'm careful to step around any manure on the ground as I make my way to the lake.

It's strange being here. Everything's so calm. Time feels like it's passing by so slowly like the day will never end. Somehow that doesn't seem all that bad. I enjoy the breezy afternoon for a little while longer before heading back to the house.

I stop short just as I enter through the laundry room. The door leading to the garage is open and I can hear people talking.

"Just play it cool," A deep voice warns.

The door swings open revealing three teenage boys. They look shocked to see me standing there but I don't blink an eye.

"I sincerely hope those aren't your poker faces because those aren't fooling anyone," I state bluntly before strolling into the kitchen.

Wyatt comes in just as I sit at the breakfast bar, "Good, you guys are back. Where are the others?"

"Uh, they just went to their rooms," One of the boys lies.

"Dalton, you mind getting Kieth while I get them?" Wyatt asks quickly.

One boy with light brown hair nods before heading back toward the garage. I'm left waiting with the other two boys, a blond and a brunet. They both look lean like football players or something.

We stare at each other uncomfortably until we're joined by my brothers and three other boys. The three new arrivals have brown hair with varying degrees of interest on their faces.

"Guys, we'd like you to meet Kit," Wyatt introduces me.

I give a half-hearted wave.

"Kit, this is Steve," He points to a friendly looking brunet, "Frank," the blond.

"I'm Benjamin," The third one introduces himself before Wyatt has the chance. He looks very excitable.

"These three are Micah, Brandon, and Dalton," Kieth quickly gestures toward the three boys by him.

"S'up," I greet indifferently.

"Welcome to Rockwell, Texas," Brandon greets with a huge smile.

"She'll be transferring this coming Monday," Wyatt states, "You all can work out who she rides with."

We all look around silently.

"Is she going to be doing chores with us?" Benjamin asks after a minute.

"No," I scoff.

Wyatt sighs, "Yes."

I give him a look of surprise.

"It's only fair."

I can hear a few of the guys snicker at me.

"Bite me," I snap at them.

They just give me cocky looks.

I hop off the chair and look up at Wyatt, "So is that all or do you want me to do bonding exercises with them too?"

He sighs, "You can go now."

I give a curt nod before heading toward my room but Kieth quickly speaks up.

"One more thing! If you want to eat, everyone helps with dinner."

"I'll starve," I reply without missing a beat.

I stop just at my door to hear what they have to say.

"Charming," Someone remarks sarcastically.

"She'll come around," Wyatt says reassuringly.

"Hope she changes that attitude by Monday or the kids at school are going to rip her apart."

I roll my eyes at the last comment. I'd like to see them try.