Something to Nothing

Chapter Eight

I take a deep breath and quietly follow Jordan inside. I expect everything to be dark and eerie. However, it proves to be the exact opposite. Everything is brightly lit up. Beautiful decorations and tapestries line the walls. It is more like, well, my house. That is not something I would have thought to be true. Although, I guess he is the leader.

  "All the decoration and color choices are my stepmother's doing. Before, everything was creepy. I'm guessing that is what you expected."

  I nod. "Definitely. It's beautiful and quiet."

  Suddenly, the quiet disappears. From upstairs I can hear laughter and shouting. Someone is running around. I look down the hall and see a staircase. There are four people coming down. Wait, not people, hugons.

  "Quiet. That never stays." Jordan mumbles.

  Then the hugons exclaim, "Jordan!"

  They come running towards him. I slip out of the way and try not to laugh. Jordan tries to get away, but it is no use. They get to him first. After a moment, he starts pushing them away.

  "Goodbye Andy," He says, moving a red haired, green eyed boy out of the way.

  "See you later, Astrid." Jordan notes, stepping around a girl looking just like the boy, but younger.

  Before he can say or do any more, someone else comes down. Another hugon, but she is older. I realize she must be Jordan's stepmother. When the children notice her, they all fly off in random directions. The lady comes over to us.

  She acknowledges us. "Jordan, other girl I don't know, hello."

  I smile and look away. I notice she turns to Jordan.

  "I didn't know you would be here. Why are you here?" She asks him.

  "I live here. My father is your husband. You should always be expecting me." Jordan responds.

  She laughs. "Yes. So, who is the girl? I can tell she does not belong."

  I look up and glance at Jordan.

  "She is not important."

  The lady nods. "Of course. Your father is not home. I think you know that. If he were to come home, what am I to tell him?"

  Jordan is quiet for a moment. "I don't care, but keep him away, until we are gone."

  The lady reaches out and puts her hand under my chin, making me look at her. She inspects me for a while before letting go. This is strange.

  "She is the human girl. I'm not sure your father would approve of you helping her. Why is it then, that I should keep this secret from him?"

  Jordan laughs. "I don't need to give you a reason. I know you will."

  "I don't know when you started being able to understand me, but I don't like it. I won't say anything, but I can't promise he won't find out. Now, do you know where Aiden and Anne went?"

  Jordan shrugs. "They flew away in different directions."

  She shakes her head and then turns around. Then she flies into the air and goes away. I turn to Jordan.

  "Who was she?" I ask.

  "Tasha. My father's wife and those hugon children are their kids."

  "Right. How old are the children?"

  "The oldest, Andy, is fourteen. The youngest, Anne, is seven. Astrid and Aiden are somewhere in between."

  I then ask, "How old is Serena?"