Tainted

Chapter 12- New Family

Me and Father had passed though a few areas to get to what he called the bunkhouse. The looks I was recieving was a mix of fear, couriousity, and admiration. A few times we were stopped to answer a few questions. Finally, we stopped in front of one of the smaller buildings in the housing district. Out on the porch was Grendyl, with the other person from before. Grendyl pointed at me and Father, as the larger man turned around.
"Ah, if it isn't our little brother," his voice was rather louder than most would use. "What brings you to us Father?"
"Oh just a visit," sadi Father, matching his raise in voice. He turned to me
"Rhino is a little deaf, so you may have to speak up a little for him to hear you."
"Oh, my appoligies, was I speaking loud," Rhino spoke, quieter this time. "You can speak plainly so long as I'm facing you. I've learn to read lips very well to make up for my hearing lose."
"Okay," I said. "My name is Wolf, but I figured you already knew that."
"A fellow well mannered Tainted. Well, They call me Rhino. Nice to finally meet the little brother who bested Thanatos on his first try. Come, you must be tired still. I believe someone is around to fix a snack."
Both him, and Grendyl got up, and walked inside. I heard Rhino call out to someone, about the time Fox came running up.
"Father! Can I have a word with you?"
"Sure," he replied, then looked at me. "Go on in. you know Rhino and Grendyl, so you should be fine."
I stepped inside, as Fox and Father walked off for their discussion. As I stepped inside, I was met with a rather small person, no taller than five and a half feet tall. She was in a light brown jumpsuit. Her hair was a mix of black and white, and had brown eyes. In her hand was a bunch of bananas, one of which was currently being eaten. She look rather serious despite her current appearance, and her eyes narrowed when she saw me.
"Hey mister. You know that only Father's Children are allowed in here right?"
"Chimp, leave him alone. That's probably your new brother. Bring him in here," a new voice came from somewhere behind her.
Her face changed expressions, and she got really excited as her eyes widen.
"Oh you're him. come in come in," she said as she grabbed my hand and pulled me along. "I knew you was coming, but I thought Father would be with you."
"Fox is talking to him somewhere outside. I think."
"You think? 'at do 'ou 'ean," she asked as she took a bite of a banana.
"Chiiiimp," came the voice again as we entered the room. "What have I said about talking while eating?"
The room was much bigger than I thought it would be. It was lined with couches and chairs, a massive tv with some show on it, and along one side was a bar with an opening leading into the kitchen, where it looked like Pheonix and someone else was cooking. She waved as she saw me.
On one of the couches sat Grendyl and Rhino, and on A chair sat a massive figure. Not as big as Thanatos or Lucifer, but at least bigger than Grendyl. He was wearing the uniform pants, with a red, plaid, sleeveless shirt. There was a full beard on his face, and some sort of hat on top of his head. Both his eyes and hair was a dark brown. He seemed to be frowning, from what I can tell.
Chimp grabbed me by the arm and pulled me closer.
"What's wrong? Mad that I'm this close to a boy," she said.
He looked at me, then let out a long laugh.
"No, I was just worried you had drug in another Tainted again."
He got up and stepped over. Looking me in the eye, which was slightly downward from his seven foot self, he extended a hand. I looked him in the eye, and met his hand with my free arm, and gave him what I thought was the appropriet response. He let out another laugh.
"Ha, you were right Rhino. He is well mannered. I beleive that's the best handshake I've received from a new subject yet. I'm Grizzly, and the one swinging on your arm is my little sister Monkey, or Chimp as I like to call her."
"Hey now! I'm not some little kid here!" Monkey said.
"But you sure act like one a lot, little Monkey," Rhino said with a laugh.
She seemed to be annoyed at what Rhino said.
"I rather be little than a gaint," she said as she stuck out her tounge.
"Well, my name is Wolf. This is a nice place you have here."
"Isn't it," Monkey said, "Come on, I'll show you my ro-"
"Alright Chimp, that's enough. Our new brother wold probably like a snack since getting out of the hospital," Grizzly said.
Monkey looked down at her feet and let go of my arm. She then broke off a banana and handed it to me. Grizzly, Rhino, and even Grendyl looked surprised.
"Here. You can have one," She said.
"Thank you," I said as I took her offer. "I'll play with you as soon as I get the taste of whatever they fed me at the hospital out of my mouth."
"Eww, hospital food. Yuck!" she said, as she giggled, then ran off to one of the other rooms.
Grizzly placed his hand on my shoulder, and pulled me a little closer.
"You know, I'm the only one she gave bananas to. So if she approves of you this much, I gotta respect you a little more. So come, let's see what the twins are cooking. They may fuss outside, but they make the best food together. unlees you compare it with Arachnid's cooking," he said with a chuckle, as he lead me to the bar.
"Well, I'm sorry I can't match that stupid spiders abilities." Pheonix said, as she was mixing something. "An just look at you, Wolf. Fox'll get jealous when she finds out that Monkey likes you too."
"Well, it has been a better greeting than most have gave me lately."
There was a muffled laugh from the person behind Pheonix. She was a little shorter and more built than the slim figured Pheonix, but was almost the exact same. Her hair was a mix of orange and black, and she had on a pair of red reading glasses. She picked something out of the oven, then walked over with it and set it on the bar.
"Hello Mr. Wolf. I hope my sister's teasing doesn't bother you.Give these cookies a minute to cool, and you can have as many as you like." She bowed slightly, then turned back to the kitchen.
"That's Tiger," Pheonix said. "Hey sis, you ready for the next batch?"
She nodded as she set out another tray. I finished the banana Monkey gave me, and saw the trash can across the room over my shoulder. Without turning, I tossed it, and heard a whistle as it made it in.
"Man, better not let Maddog see that. He'd be challenging you to every game known to man." Grizzly said from his chair. Rhino laughed.
"True, but I bet Wolf would give him a run of his money."
As I took a cookie, I heard the door open, and Fox's voice filled the hall. She seemed to be angry about something. Father's voice spoke up, and you could feel an uneasy feeling enter the room as they stepped in. She looked at me, then at Grizzly.
"Monkey in her room?"
"Yep, just knock first and say who you are. She's probably got a trap set for Wolf."
"I'm sure she does, seeing as there's a banana peel in the trash, when she leaves hers lying around."
She walked back to the rooms as Father sat down. He reached over a grabbed a cookie for himself, and spoke up.
"Anyone else got a question they need answered while I'm still thinking about them?"
Everyone still seemed a little uneased, so no one said a word.
"Good." Father said, taking his first bite, "Ah, nothing as good as fresh baked cookies, haha,"