Chosen.

Chosen. Chapter 13: Part Two

Chapter THIRTEEN: Part Two

Autumn

I get to the dining area and I see my family seated at a table outside in the shade. I have an urge to tell Kyle about the encounter with that guy again, but I know he won't want to talk about anything besides this challenge for the time being, anyways.

"Over here, Autumn," Hannah calls out to me.

When I get to the table, I realize we have an extra member with us. He looks to be around the twins' age, probably a little younger, with dark hair and eyes. He has glasses and looks pretty small for his age, but I think he looks adorably cute in a nerdy way.

"Hi, I'm Autumn. Who's this?" I ask them.

Hannah answers first, "This is Ryker Walker. He's the kid Heath was telling us about yesterday that's from the US, too. Ryker was just looking for his family, so Heath told him to wait here until he found them."

I look over and can tell from Heath's expression that is not how it went down, but he doesn't say anything to the contrary.

Ryker jumps in, "Hi! Ya, I saw you yesterday at the waterfall, looking pretty mad or whatever, but I didn't get to meet you. Heath ran over there when you were falling, and then by the time I got up there you guys were already leaving."

"Why were you mad, Autumn?" Mom asks when he stops talking.

"Falling...at the waterfall?" Dad adds after her, a little concerned.

Okay, not quite as cute as I first thought because I might have to seal his mouth shut before breakfast is finished. "It was fine, you guys. Nothing happened, obviously. Anyways, have ya'll helped him look for his family?" I ask, trying to change the subject.

Heath, bless him, comes to my rescue and adds, "I asked Ryker to tell me about them while we waited for them to get here, but then the rest of you guys showed up."

"Well, sorry," Hannah responds sarcastically. "Maybe if someone would quit avoiding the shower room and stay with the family......." She sticks her tongue out at Heath, and then turns to Ryker, "So what's your family like, anyways?"

We all turn to him, and I can tell Ryker doesn't like our full attention that much. "We are just a normal family, I guess. I don't know, I live with my mom and aunt and sister in California. And we don't really have a lot in our section of the country, so that's why this is the best thing to ever happen to us." He suddenly stands up and points, "There they are! Mom, Aunt Terra, come meet my new friends!"

He runs over to greet them while they're still walking into the dining area. Dad states before they get within earshot, "Well, he seems like a good kid. I think we should think about working with them if his family seems interested."

I'm surprised Dad is already strategizing over here, but I'm glad. Kyle doesn't agree with him though, "No, absolutely not. We aren't teaming up with any of these families." He whispers because they are almost to us, "Have you seen our rank? We have to prove ourselves on our own."

Mom walks between the two of them to interrupt and end the discussion, "Hello, Ms. Walker. I'm Catrina Barloc. Let me introduce you to the family: This is my husband, Griffin; oldest daughter, Autumn; my son, Kyle; and twins, Heath and Hannah." Mom points to us as she goes down the line. "Apparently our sons have been keeping each other company a time or two since we arrived on the Islands." She smiles holding her hand out to the attractive, tall, brown-haired lady holding Ryker's hand. Her sister is right behind and she looks very similar, except she doesn't have the dark eyes like the mom and Ryker, more green.