19th Street

Chapter #8

I walked back to the living room to find Oli and Derek sitting on the couch and chattering of nonsense. I stood there quietly for a minute or so before Oli noticed my presence,

"Oh, Audrey, how long have you been standing there?" he asked, "not too long.." I mumbled, lowering my head, "come meet your new owner." he patted me to sit and I complied, my nails digging into my paws in nervousness.

"Audrey, it is so nice to meet you!" Derek had smirked at me, offering me his hand, I shaked it as he asked.

"You too, sir." I answered, "you don't have to call me Sir, love. Call me Derek, we are your new family, after all." he explained, I raised my eyes to his in confusion, "well, I had assumed you would want me as a maid, or a comfort girl?" I spoke my thoughts, as Oli instructed me to the night before.

Derek seemed unfazed by my comment, while Oli's cheeks had turned red.

"Oh no, never. I took you in as a daughter, not as a worker. You will be living here, with Oli.

As well as get trained in fighting and using a gun, and in a week or so, you will start going to school."

He said, his eyes shining in delite as a dozen thoughts went through my head. My gaze turned to Oli, who was looking right back at me with a reassuring smile.

School? I haven't been to school in two years, I will have to face all my old classmates, and answer questions... so many questions. How do I explain what happened? Should I even explain it? No, people would just pity me again. Then, what lie would I tell? Where does a person disappear to for two years?

"Audrey?" Derek's voice had pulled me back into reality, causing me to jump slightly. I played with the fabric of my shirt in nervousness, debating whether I should speak my concerns out or keep quiet.

"What's on your mind, love?" goosebumps spread over my skin as the word rolled down Oli's tongue. Love.. Master used to call me that whenever he was playing with me. I pulled my hand back from Oli's grip in a quick motion, gasping quietly. "Are you alright?" Oli and Derek had concern reflected on their faces as they looked at me in confusion. "Y-yeah, I just thought about school.." I mumbled out, "Would it be alright if I cooked something to eat?" I changed the topic, hoping to set their minds away of my rather unusual reaction to Oli's words. "Yes, of course. I can make something to eat. What would you like?" Oli offered. Derek brushed his words with his hand, "nonsense, I can take you guys for dinner. Have you ever been in a restaurant, Audrey?" Derek questioned, I shook my head no, even before El Salvador, I never had the money to pay for a big meal. "Then it is settled. What kind of food would you guys like?" Derek got up and motioned us to do the same as he took his phone out. "I would eat anything. What do you recommend?" I replied, only to find a weird exchange of looks between the two guys, as if they knew what the other is thinking. "Go and change your clothes, and then we shall leave." Derek commanded, I nodded in submission and hurried into the room to change.