Blood Red (Adopted by Cannibals)

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Just like every morning, I help prepare breakfast for the family. I never liked porridge but it is nutritious and filling. I watch Xavier descend the stairs looking very excited. Oh right, he gets to go into town. I would be too if I got to get out of here. Jace, on the other hand, is looking angrier than usual, as if a thunder cloud is handing over his head. Making sure to stay clear of him I continue to place the bowls on the table, setting his down before he is seated and then proceeding to give everyone else theirs.

"Nova, listen up for a moment," Mum stated looked at me. I nod my head politely as I take my seat just like everyone else. However, I don't start earing yet, wondering what could be so important that it must be discussed at breakfast. We have the whole day while cleaning for her to tell me these things. Usually no one talks during breakfast, so we finish quick and get to work.

"One the days where one of us go into town we don't have to do any work. We don't have to clean, and the boys don't work outside on the farm and the house. Instead, we spend the day preparing. I look at her, confusion filling my eyes and I'm sure she can tell; however, she doesn't elaborate. So, I just nod in reply. I wonder what we prepare for. Putting all the groceries away? Yeah sure that requires a lot of preparation... But I'm not complaining; if it means I get a day off from cleaning I'll happily take it. I have never liked cleaning, and I fear that I never will. Which doesn't help much in this situation? I'm a slightly messy person by nature. But if days like these keep happening and I don't have to clean then maybe I will be able to survive here after all. And maybe one day I will be the one doing into town. And then if I still want to it will give me a perfect opportunity to escape. What am I saying, of course I will want to escape. I have to. I smile a little at my family as I continue eating. I hope that Xavier will bring back some lamb chops, with mint jelly. This has always been my favourite meat and I would beg mum to buy it for me. However, we would only have it on rare occasions, but it excited me none the less.

As soon as Xavier finished his bowl of porridge, he left out the door. Dad had already given him the car keys before breakfast so he could leave as soon as he was finished. I watched the door slam shut and the room fall into a comfortable silence. I too finished my porridge and placed mine and Xavier's bowls in the sink ready to start on the dishes however I was interrupted by mum before I could do so. She spoke up stopping my movement. Nova's fitting in well, don't you think dear?" She asked her husband. I could feel all eyes turn to me. I know that since I have been here that I haven't screamed much or fought back other than the very first day when everything was new. I do cry a lot and I know that it annoys them, so I try and keep it to a minimum. I'm not allowed to show weakness; they don't want weakness in their family, so I make sure to not do it in front of them. But when I'm not crying when I'm not scared for my life, I feel almost comfortable and welcomed. They are so nice and kind to me that it is hard not to care for them in return. They make me feel loved. Even though they are killers.

I need to remind myself that they killed my entire family, that I am the only left. They killed them to get to me. I swallow at this thought, still with my back to them as I begin to wash the bowls. But Ann was right. I am fitting in well and I am part of their family. I follow their rules; I stay inside and clean. Help feed the chickens. I even know what conversations I need to stay clear from - for example, my birth family. I have noticed that they always get angry when I bring them up. They always get annoyed and I never know if they will punish me for it or not. So, I steer clear from topics like these. And anyway, there is no reason for me to want to leave anyway. I have no family left. My friends all left me. And the woman who was kind enough to adopt me, Eliza, she's dead. Killed by them. Everyone I have ever cared for are all dead because of this family so I would have no reason to want to escape. And I guess they were right, and it worked because there is no one to go back to. Yet I feel this pressure to need to escape. They care for me, what more could I want? It's just like adoption, although they don't have any of the papers confirming the adoption. So, what, they are a little different, with different traditions. They kill and are a male-dominated household. But I can live with it. It's not that bad as we all have our jobs to do. They work outside and on the house and in return we keep the house clean and organised. Really I think it is rather fair.

I watched dad finished his last mouthful of porridge before answering. "You're right. She is fitting in well." I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks at the somewhat compliment. "This must be a new family record for adapting. Nova, you're such a good girl." My blush deepened a little if that was possible as I continued washing the dishes. Was Ann once kidnapped too? I want to ask about the 'record for adapting' but before I could do so, Jace started talking.

"Well, she is rather quiet." Jace pipped in from his seat. I can still feel their eyes burning into me, but I stay still as I stare down into the clean bowl. Am I really that quiet? do I look suspicious or something because I'm so quiet. I just hope not. And anyway I'm not planning any escape at the moment. I have to wait for the right time.

--

The rest of the day passed uneventfully. Mum allowed me to spend a lot of time outside with the chickens. I love the fresh air, even if it is through a chicken cage. Since everyone seemed to be in such a good mood today, I had even dared ask Dad what he thought about me being outside more often. I was afraid that he would punish me again, but instead, he smiled down at me and said he would think about it. I don't think I have been this happy in a long time. I can't wait to be able to spend more time out in the fresh air. I don't know how Mum does it, staying inside all day and all night. Doesn't she crave the fresh air?

Apparently, on days where one of them go into town, there is no need to clean but instead, we prepare. In 'preparation' Mum instructed me to help lay plastic all over the kitchen floor and around the dinner table. This was a bit of a challenge working around the walls and edges but once we have it laying down semi-flat it was good enough. I don't get why we do it, and I didn't dare ask. The rest of the afternoon was spent with Jace teaching me how to play cards. Over the past week, I have watched Xavier and Jace play cards after dinner or sometimes even before if there was time. Mum and Dad would allow me to watch them play a game before they sent me up to bed. I can always here the boys heading up an hour or so later. I feel so little sometimes how they tell me to get to bed so early compared to the boys but this is their family and I have to live by their rules. To them, I really am the younger sister, the younger daughter.

I am surprised by how patient Jace is being while he is teaching me. I have never been good at understanding cards, but he is good at explaining. I'm surprised that I'm slowly starting to understand the game and its rules. With each round, we play I grow more and more excited as I get better and better. Halfway through the fourth round, I can hear a car pull up. I look over at the front door followed by Jace, wondering if I made it up of not. After a moments silence, I hear Jace yelling across the kitchen to the lounge telling Mum and dad that he's back.

I can see an excited gleam in his eyes, he must have asked for his favourite food or something or just excited to see his brother again.

Ann, who had been making cookies, walked into the kitchen where we watched the back door with excitement. Dad too, turned away from his book at the call his son made. Each one of them had found something to do while they waited. Mum had been saying how she had wanted to make cookies all week, so she finally got her chance. Dad, on the other hand, seemed exhausted lately and enjoyed sitting in the chair having some time to himself.

The door swung open and in came Xavier. He was carrying a large cardboard box filled with fruits and veggies. The family looked confused at Xavier who smiled in turn. I smiled back too, not caring why the family would be frowning. I'm sure there is meet in the bottom or maybe he has two boxes. Just then a petite girl walked in behind him. She looks to be around nineteen, with gorgeous long blond hair, paired with bright blue eyes. Ocean blue eyes. I glanced over at mum and dad who held wide smiles on their faces. Do they know the girl? Is she someone important for the family to look so excited? Family friend maybe? But then why is she looking a little nervous and uncomfortable. She too was holding a cardboard box but much smaller than the one Xavier was carrying. From the looks of things, her box was filled with other necessary appliances such as toilet paper, cleaning sprays and other cleaning items. But in neither box did I see any meat. Did he forget or is it in the bottom of one of the boxes?