Chapter 31

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Monday morning the Blackwell house filled with the sounds of children getting ready for school. After the Thanksgiving break they hated the thought of school, but when Cyndi said it would soon be Christmas, the complaining stopped.

Colton wasn't as lucky. He wanted to go to school but faced another week of sitting around at home. As he watched his siblings load their backpacks, he sipped his coffee and sulked like a lost puppy.

His mom noticed his condition and scolded, "Are you going to be like this all day?"

"I don't know. Perhaps."

"If you are, you can stay in the garage. For heaven's sake, what will you do when you're out of school. Most normal teenagers relish the thought of not having to go to school."

Jason piped up and said, "Mom, Colton's not normal."

Colton gave his brother a stern look. "Watch it, Jason. We haven't gone hunting yet."

Before Jason could return the barb, the bus pulled up to the end of the driveway. "Bye mom. Have fun, Colton. See you when we get home."

"Bye," Colton whispered. He grabbed his coat and told his mom he would take her advice and go to the garage office.

During the day Colton kept in touch with Lacie. Every hour he called her or sent a message. At noon she sent him a message, "Please stop calling. I'm getting in trouble with the teachers."

Colton understood her message and decided to just concentrate on his business or perhaps a video game or two. Once he stopped thinking about his problems, time flew by quicker. Before he knew it, the bus was stopping and his siblings were running into the house.

Jason came out to the garage to talk about Saturday's hunting trip. They discussed where they will hunt, what they will wear, and how early they will be in the woods. Both are excited about their first hunt together.

Together they walked across the driveway to the house. Cyndi was busy in the kitchen and Stephenie was sitting at the table doing her homework while watching her mother cook.

Colton sat down next to her and asked, "How is school going?"

"Good, but Caroline looked like someone hit her at home. She had a big bruise on her arms. She tried to hide them and told me she fell, but I remember how you looked when that guy beat you up in the garage."

"Did you tell anyone?"

"Who would I tell?" Steph asked.

"The teacher or Mrs. Robbett, the principal," Colton suggested.

"No, I didn't tell. She asked me not to. She asked what you were doing. I told her about you and Jason going hunting Saturday. She doesn't think you should kill deer, either."

"Steph, try not to tell her anything about me. I can't say why, but I don't want her family to know what I'm up to. Understood?"

"OK. Can you help me with these math questions. I want to get done so I can play."

After dinner Colton went to his room early. He talked to Seth, Jerry, and Lacie.

When he told Lacie what Stephenie said about Caroline, she said, "You need to tell someone. Caroline's in danger of ending up like her sister."

"I'm already on the family hit list, Lacie. If they found out, I turned them in for abusing her, there's no telling what would happen."

"Now you worry about yourself?"

"OK. When I hang up, I'll call Mrs. Robbett. I think I have her phone number." He checked his phone, and it was there. "Yes I have it. I'll call you back after I talk to her."

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