The Amendment

Chapter One

An obnoxious knock comes from my door, and I take a breath in as I spin around to face my younger sister, Carlley Watts, the moodiest sixteen year old I know. She chews her gum like a cow as she stands in my doorway, and she blows a bubble, which pops and suctions to her thin black hair. Her green eyes flick down to her mess she's just created, and she pouts before mumbling, "Idiot, my perfect hair is ruined."

"What do you want, Carlley?" I ask, gazing levelly into her eyes. I do not like to be distracted from my work; investigation on small crimes like theft and questionable behaviour in Nanaimo, my hometown. I have a mind for mystery as I'm told by my family, and I agree. The idea of the unknown thrills me, and it takes an effort to keep me from it.

"Geez, Jailynn. The dang phone is ringing itself off the hook for you." Carlley rolls her green orbs in a sassy manner as I stand from my desk and push past her thin frame. She's almost as tall as me, just three inches short of my five foot nine frame, but not as nearly muscular. I've been mistaken for a guy because of my clothing, monochromatic camouflage cargo pants, and a baggy dark blue hoodie, but also because I'm muscular. I train myself to keep fit, and I hate being lazy.

I head down our staircase that hugs the wall, and then make a sharp right into the kitchen. There is an island in the middle of it, with three black bar stools. Perched upon one is my youngest sister, Brinx, the innocent ten year old. She is asleep, her head against the granite top, her brown hair splayed out like a fan around her small head. Her tiny eyelids cover big brown eyes, full of curiosity and need for adventure.

"Sleep somewhere else, you brat." Carlley shoves the sleeping child off of the bar stool, and I manage to grab the back of Brinx's dress to keep her from smashing her perfect face on the ground. Her dress tears from the sudden halt, and her eyelids instantly fly up, and she yelps. I slowly put her on the ground and then turn to glare at a sleeping Carlley who is in Brinx's spot.

"Hypocrite, you imbecile." I scowl before throwing Carlley off of the chair, and she crashes ungracefully to the ground. I smirk at her as she rubs her head, but she gets right back up, to hiss in my face, "You're so annoying. I wish you were the one to disappear instead of Jerod."

"Likewise." I reply with a monotonous face, and she juts her chin out and up before hustling away to storm up the stairs. I sigh and then think about her words, wondering what my life would've been like with an older brother.

Jerod Watts, the kid who disappeared mysteriously when he was five. No trace was left, no commotion was made. It was an afternoon when my parents, Roxine and Maxwell, had taken me out to the doctor, they tell me, when I was just two. They had left a babysitter with Jerod, and when we returned home, the babysitter was gone and so was my older brotherqawse. It was this that led me to being an Investigator, and I someday wish to find out what happened to him.

"Jailynn, the phone." Brinx says, her head at my biceps as I nod at her and then pick up the phone from it's cradle.

"So sorry for the wait, Boss. I was having some family issues as the phone rang." I say before I can be bombed with insults, and I hear no reply. I frown and then wait, wondering what 'Boss' is thinking. He's never given his name, and I've never seen him. It's a bit suspicious, but he pays well and I keep my mouth shut about my thoughts on his life.

"No problem." A baritone voice comes from the phone, one that I'm ashamed to think comes with a very handsome face and muscular body. I know he could be anyone, and I keep my mind off of his silk-worthy voice.

"What's the urgent call for?" I question lightly, turning to look at Brinx who starts writing on a piece of paper. I watch her write, her hands going quickly from left to right. I find myself smiling, and she holds up the paper for me to see, which says: heading up for bed. I'll be waiting for you to tuck me in.