Gunpoint

Eavesdropping

Mmmmmm, Cook's fries were the best!

He put his secret seasoning on every time I saw him – I think I was Cook's favourite person in our family over my two siblings Dan and Millie because he always liked to give me more treats and other foods he makes.

I gnawed on the crispy yellow rectangles like a rabbit might on a carrot as I made my way down the hallway to join my two-year-old sister, Millie, where I would share my chips while we would play. While I could be greedy and eat everything, I loved my little two year old sister more. Plus, I couldn't wait to hear Millie's delighted giggle when I showed her the chips, so I hurried down the hallway, but something made me stop.

Daddy and another man were in the secret cellar behind a painted, and by the sound of Daddy's voice, they were arguing. Naturally curious and sure that I could be a peace maker and shatter the ice, I entered the cellar.

"...testing. It looks like evolution has finally moved from animals to humankind. Imagine if we were the ones to prove this!" spoke a familiar voice.

"Ryan, you know I can't allow you to do this," scowled Daddy in reply.

"But you do realise how important it is, old friend! It must be done, and why not by me?" the man, Ryan, protested.

"It's illegal, Ryan! You must know that what you are proposing is wrong!" shouted my father.

"It's necessary, that's what it is," snapped Ryan. "I thought I would get your support, given my relationship with your son. You really think I would seriously harm Jason? Besides, you were all in when we were experimenting on those animals..."

This also happened to be the exact moment when I crunched my teeth down on a particularly crispy chip.

Daddy and the other man turned to face me, surprise etched on both their faces.

"Ah, Jason, what a delight!" cried Ryan. And when I saw his face recognition flooded through me and I realised – this was Ryan Miller, my godfather and guardian. I was sometimes allowed to go overseas with my siblings and Ryan although, I had always been Ryan's favourite.

After getting over his initial shock, Ryan spoke, "Give an old man a hug?"

I smiled and hugged him fiercely. Uncle Ryan barely ever came over, and when he did, it was always only brief. Our oversea trips had ended a couple years back when daddy declared that Uncle Ryan was really busy and wouldn't be able to spend as much time with us.

I felt Ryan send a pointed look at Daddy, who just shook his head.

"Alright, Jason, I need you to leave now. Uncle Ryan and I were just having a grown-up conversation." Said Daddy, sending a look that could only be described as venomous at Ryan.

"Why were you talking about me?" I asked, a little too innocently.

"It was nothing you should worry yourself with," said Uncle Ryan soothingly, while stealing a chip from my bowl.

"Hey, those are for Millie!" I cried, swiping my hand up to try and take it back, but Uncle Ryan was too quick.

"What's for me?" asked a sleepy Millie, peering through the doorway. "Ooh, chippies!" she cried. She was yawning and smacking her lips as she toddled over to us, greeting Uncle Ryan with a sleepy smile.

"Alright, Jason, why don't you take Millie and those chips with you, and I'll be out in a minute. Then we can put your sister down for a sleep and you, Dan and I can watch a movie" Said Daddy, still glaring at my guardian.

"You didn't tell me why." I pointed out, determination clear in my eyes.

"Why what?" asked Uncle Ryan, puzzled.

"Why you were talking about me." I replied. It wasn't a difficult question. They call themselves grown-ups yet they have such a bad memory!

"Never mind about that. Go on and play with Millie while I finish up here." Said Daddy once again.

"No." To my surprise, this came from Millie. "Tell Jase first."

She had no idea what we were talking about, but she still stood up for me. Then again I didn't have a clue what they were talking about either, other than the fact that it included me.

"Uncle Ryan wants to take you two and Daniel on a holiday, and I was telling him how I wanted to keep the three of you safe."

"So we get to go on a holiday?" Millie and I asked in unison, full of hope. We hadn't gone on a trip with him in a while and it'd be a nice change.

Daddy's tone was flat when he replied, "No."

"Now, off you mischief makers go!" Chirped Uncle Ryan.

Unsatisfied, Millie and I left, but something didn't add up. I passed Millie the bowl of fries as put a finger to my lips. I leaned back to the door and listened to what they were saying while Millie went back to the games room.

"...never hurt any of them! Daniel is six! Jason, four, Millie two! I love them as if they were my own children!" cried Uncle Ryan.

"I said no. I should close this whole thing off now, get the police in. Ryan, what you are doing... it's wrong!" replied Daddy.

"You may think this now, but when my studies are successful, you will pay. I am right! We are making great progress! Is it really so much to ask for your support?!" yelled Uncle Ryan.

"If you are even thinking about harming my children, then my answer is yes. I will never support this." Shouted Daddy, his voice trembling in anger.

"We could be heroes. Legends, even. I just need you to let me do this, old friend."

"Get out of my house, Ryan Miller!" Daddy cried. "Leave my family alone and never return!"

"But-"

"Get OUT!" screamed Daddy.

"You will regret this, old friend." Spat Uncle Ryan. "You will pay for your ignorance. When my studies are complete, I will have my revenge, and then... Oh, then, how you'll suffer!"

I shrank back against the wall, and, in his rage, Uncle Ryan didn't notice me as he stormed out of the house.

I was very confused. I ran to the games room to join Millie. Surprisingly, she had saved me some fries.

I ate them quickly and began a game of snakes and ladders with Millie. Daddy never came to see us either. But the thing that was troubling me the most was because I wondered why Uncle Ryan could never come back.

Author Note - Thank you for the help (and writing) this chapter Fishing_With_Totoro