Etched In Stone

Chapter Sixteen

There are five of them, as far as he can tell. Two boys and two girls all looking to be a similar age to him, and then an older man, a little older than Ian and Saren, maybe. They all turn their heads to stare as they're approached, their conversation slowly dying down until they fall to a complete silent stop.
"Aaron," Ian reaches the older man and grips his hand, shaking it warmly, a grin spreading across his face. "Good to see you." The man is tall, strong, with dark hair and a short beard streaked with grey.
"Ian, Saren." He nods, his own grin matching Ian's, "It's been quite a while." He turns slowly and faces Chris, Claudine and then Serena in turn, looking them all over carefully.
"They're all young adults, now." He muses, his arms folded across his chest, "It really has been many years. I feel like the last time we saw eachother they were all just little kids." His eyes finally settle on Jake and he raises a questioning eyebrow, turning back to Ian. "And who's this?"
"This is Jake," Ian introduces him, looking between him and Aaron. "The one we told you about."
"Ah, yes." His face lights with recognition and he reaches out to shake Jake's hand, gripping it firmly. "We've never met, Jake, but I've heard plenty about you."
Jake just nods, choosing not to answer.
"I suppose we should introduce everyone else." Aaron motions behind him, pointing to each other person with him in turn.

Opal, who is thin and has tanned skin and dark brown eyes, and long, pale brown hair reaching her hips. She smiles softly at Jake, her eyes wide.

Alex, who is shorter than Jake, but stocky and muscled. His hair is chestnut coloured and slicked back and his eyes are deep blue. He looks Jake up and down as if examining him, his arms crossed over his chest.

Jennifer. Little and quiet, her hair mousy and reaching her shoulders, with pale skin and serious grey eyes. She mostly looks downwards.

And then, finally, there's Tristan. Hair so blonde it's almost white, dangling in his eyes and curling beneath his ears. His eyes are icy blue, so pale that they're almost clear. He does nothing to try and mask the disdain on his face - the dislike is clear, looking at Jake with a sneer stretched across his lips. Jake decides instantly that he doesn't like him.

"Get to know eachother." Ian dismisses them with a wave of his hand, "We have some things to talk about."

As soon as their retreating backs are out of sight, Tristan faces Jake with a sneer on his face.

"Where'd they dig you up from?" He asks, his face a mask of disdain.

"Tristan," Jennifer pipes up, her tone warning, looking up at the boy.

"No," he stops her, "I want to know. Who the hell are you?

She adjusts her sleeve nervously, glancing downwards once again.

"I'm Jake." He says lamely, unable to think of anything witty to reply.

Tristan smirks. "Well, Jake -" he emphasises his name, "You've never shown up here before, and I don't think we need anyone extra."

"He's here with us." Serena speaks up, fixing Tristan with a steely glare. "He's just as much one of us as you are, Tristan."

"I bet he doesn't even know what it's like," Tristan growls, "tell me, Jake, do you know what it's like to be experimented on? Do you know what it's like to have your parents killed?"

"Yeah, I do." Jake's voice is quiet, but steely, his temper suddenly flaring up without warning. "Alpha murdered my parents, just the same as you. And then I had my memory wiped, and they kidnapped me, and tried to slit my throat. I don't know what your issues are, but you don't get to take them out on me."

Tristan raises a hand and jabs Jake in the chest with his index finger. "Watch yourself." He snarls, his teeth gritted. "I don't want you around here, and I doubt anyone else does, either."

And with that last word, he storms off in the direction that Aaron and Ian had previously gone.

"Don't mind him." Opal, the girl with tanned skin, smiles at them, her teeth white. "He's just hostile."

"No kidding." Jake mutters sarcastically, and she gives a laugh that chimes like a bell. She steps forward and places a hand on his shoulder, looking up at him.

"Sorry he seemed to be taking it all out on you, Jake." She says his name softly, smiling, "I'll talk to him for you."

"Um, thank you." He nods at her awkwardly, confused by the sudden friendliness.

Serena watches them carefully, not understanding why she feels instant dislike towards Opal.