That night I slept more peacefully than I think I have in my entire life. There was no threats of a night attack by another gang or getting busted by the police. There was only peace, quiet, and the occasional snore by Brigit.
So when I am woken up by a big THUMP, THUMP, THUMP on the door, I was a bit startled.
What time is it? I think then I roll over to see where the clock is on the wall. 6:00 am! It is too early to be awake unless there is a gang raid. But, wait. There can't be a gang raid because I am sleeping on a soft bed. Definitely not my mat in the camp. I start freaking out. Am I in the group home? Hospital? No, all my limbs and my body is intact and all I hear is that big THUMP, THUMP, THUMP on the door, not some crazy lady telling us to get ready for school.
I try to focus. What has happened in the last 24 hour period. Let's see. I remember getting arrested. I am definitely not at the police station or juvey hall. I remember a nice man. His name was…oh! Jason Brody. He took me to…memories come flooding back to me. I am on the private property made for Project: Maalum to use. And…THUMP, THUMP, THUMP!
God, what is that awful racket? I fly over to where the first story floor door is. I open it and a warm, cheerful face comes into view. I don't know who she is, so I take eight steps backward, nearly falling off the edge.
“Hi, Violet!” The woman greets me. Brigit has finally caught wind that something is happening and flies over sleepily to me.
“Waz' happenin' Shadow?” her words are slurred with sleepiness, but when she sees the woman, any sleepiness is gone. “Who is she Shadow?”
“Exactly what I was wondering. Who are you?”
The woman at the door, smiling so brightly that it's almost getting on my nerves, smiles even brighter, if that was at all possible. “My name is Elizabeth Brody. I am J's wife. I am also the one who will get you all up in the mornings, take you to school, pick you up, and hand out chores. If you mess with me you will be thoroughly sorry.” She says even the worst parts brightly and with a smile that never leaves her face it seems. It almost funny. But, I will not laugh. Instead I return her threat.
“If you mess with me” I look at her dead on “you will be thoroughly sorry. And that I promise you.”
She holds my glare. And I finally have wiped that ridiculous grin off her face. “Be ready for school in 5” she spins around and walks down the hallway. I slam the door closed and roll my eyes.
“Gosh, was that grin ridiculous or what?” I fly over to my bed and look at Brigit who is still standing on the first floor platform. She looks pale. I fly back over to her and hold her. “What's wrong?”
“I think you just made an enemy with the most powerful woman on the property. And possibly the most powerful person here.”
“As if. J is the leader. Not his wife. Anyway much as I don't want to listen to the lady, we have to go to school. J said so. So we ought to get dressed for school.”
Brigit nods and starts sifting through her clothes. I do the same. I find a nice pair of jeans and a semi-baggy T-shirt that will hide my wings.
We head down to the cafeteria for breakfast. Bacon. Eggs. Gritts. All things I haven't had before that are now sitting on my plate. That and toast, but I've had toast before.
Brigit walks over to the large table everybody is sitting at and I follow her. I find a seat next to Bryan and sit down.
“Have you met little miss horror?” I ask him.
