Alone - a Lorien Legacies fanfiction

House of Hell

Three

Ella

The entire ride to Madeleine's house was extremely awkward. I didn't have to look at Nine to know he was getting goo-goo eyes over her. Why, I didn't understand. No doubt, she was pretty in the face, but she wasn't properly trained. She'd only be a dead weight that desperately needed constant attention when it came to the war. Hell, she could barely breathe. I tried to be nice to her, but I didn't like the effect she was already having on Nine. I mean, I had known him for weeks and he only thought of me as a little sister. Now, he sees her and he's almost about to start howling at the moon.

For no good reason, either. She kept glaring at him like she hated him, and then she smiled, and he melted like a puddle. Maybe Nine didn't think he looked as stupid as he did, but there was no way she didn't know that he was hot under the collar for her.

And I was jealous. Anyone with eyes could see that Nine was attractive. He was physically the strongest out of the remaining Garde. His jaw line was to die for. He was fearless. His voice sounded like milk and honey. He was tall and smart – not book-smart, but he could make an amazing battle plan.

I saw him first. I was stronger than she was. And when I was their age, I'd probably be prettier. However, there came my first problem. He was seventeen, she was seventeen. I was twelve. I never stood a chance with Nine, no matter how desperately I wanted to be something more to him than just a little sister. I wanted him to hold my hand and tell me he'd protect me. I wanted what John and Sarah had, but with Nine.

But I knew that wasn't possible. He'd be 23 when I finally reached 17. By then he'd be an adult. On the weekends after the war, he would probably meet up with John, Six, and Marina to go out partying. They could drink and smoke whatever legally. I'd be stuck at home alone, most likely.

I glanced back at him. Instead of messing with her, he was looking out the window. He looked sad... I wanted to reach back there and hug him. He looked like he needed a hug, but there was no way he would want one from me. He'd want one from her. Madeleine sat beside him, bouncing her leg nervously. When she noticed me looking over at her, I turned away. I didn't want to speak to her.

From Madeleine's reaction, there was no way she knew him. So who was that other Maddy he mentioned? Mother figure? Girlfriend? Friend?

However, I didn't have much more time to ponder about it. As we arrived at Madeleine's house, I felt a slight pang of guilt in my chest for disliking her. Her tiny, two story house was run down. The green shutters were missing a few slats. Paint was chipping away from the wood. The lawn was littered with dead, yellow spots and was being overrun with weeds and tall grass. On the three step front porch, an eviction notice had fallen onto the doorstep. Inside the dark home, two people were screaming. The front door shook as something heavy crashed into. John reached for the dagger that was stuck through his belt loop, but Madeleine, who had opened her door but hadn't got out, shook her head, still mesmerized by the house.

"That's just my parents," she said quietly. "Don't worry about it."

John, Nine, and I got out of the car before she made a move to. I watched as Nine's face harden into its usual stony expression. There he goes again, acting like the protector for her that he should be for me. His chin was raised at the house as if it was a Piken that he wanted to behead. I looked away from him and down at my feet. John took no notice of this; he was too busy shuffling out of Madeleine's way as she sulked out of the backseat.

"Maybe me and John should go in first," Nine suggested, falling in step beside her. "Just in case shit gets sour."

Madeleine shook her head, her mouth twisting nervously. "Dad doesn't like company. You guys... Just follow me."