The Fall of Hope

Chapter 13

“Don't you think those four are a little too close?” Chase's aunt, Isabelle, asked Denzel as they watched the four thirteen-year-olds.

            Denzel laughed, “No. They're a family and a team.”

            Isabelle sighed, “Maybe we should separate them.”

            Jackie gave Isabelle a look, “Are you nuts? Have you ever tried separating them?”

            Isabelle shook her head.

            “Go ahead and try,” Denzel said. “You won't get too far.”

            Isabelle gave Denzel a haughty look and sniffed before she walked out of the room.

            “Ladies and gentleman, the Wicked Witch of the West,” Denzel mumbled, making Jackie and Jake laugh.

* * *

            The next morning, Blake was the first person awake, so he cooked breakfast.

            “Blake, sweetheart, as much as I love you, your suck at cooking,” Alex said, banging her burned toast against her plate.

            “Sorry, I tried,” Blake said, quietly.

            “It's not that bad,” Chase said, smiling and wrapping an arm around Blake.

            Nick laughed and tossed his piece of toast, like a frisbee, at a tree.

            “That left a dent,” Caleb said, excitedly.

            Chase smacked Caleb as Blake ducked his head and covered his eyes. “Shut up,” he said to Caleb before turning to Blake. “It's fine. You did good for your first time.”

            “No, I didn't,” Blake said. “I burned all of the toast. I'm sorry.”

            “It's not that bad,” Alex said. “It's just burned. Your cooking's still better than mine.”

            “I cook better than you,” Caleb pointed out, making Nick slap him. “Sorry.” Caleb whispered.

            “It's actually really good,” Chase said, taking a bite of toast.

            “You'll eat anything,” Blake mumbled.

            Chase frowned and sighed, “Oh.”

            Blake's head shot up, “I didn't mean for that to sound like that,” he said in a small voice. “I'm sorry. It's okay that you eat weird things. I'm sorry for being mean.”

            Alex, Nick and Caleb laughed as Chase looked up and smiled at Blake, “its okay,” he said. “I know you're upset about the toast.”

            Blake shrugged, “Maybe I should stay with Alex when cooking's involved.”

            “That's probably best,” Nick said.

            Chase nodded and kissed the top of Blake's head. “Yeah, sorry bud,” he said.

            Blake shrugged, “its okay. I can take apart a gun and reassemble it in under a five minutes,” he said.

            Chase laughed, “Sometimes you frighten me.”

            “Good,” Blake said.