The Purity Project

Chapter 10

Halona woke up to the sound of a car door closing. She started to panic, thinking that they had been caught. She rubbed her eyes and realized that it was just Tyler. She sighed and looked over at Jada. Her face was still, and looked so peaceful. Her eyelids fluttered slightly, and Halona wondered what she was dreaming about.

"You'd better wake her up," Lorenzo said as he stepped out of the car.

"Right." Halona nudged Jada softly, not wanting to startle her. Her eyes opened slightly, the sunlight making her eyes glow like crystals.

"Malcolm?" Jada muttered drowsily.

"No, it's me. We're at Tyler's uncle's house," Halona replied. She felt a pang of sympathy for the girl. 

"Oh. Sorry," Jada whispered. She opened her door and stepped out.

Halona did the same. She looked around, taking in their surroundings. The sun was just rising, giving the sky an orange tint. Tyler had parked in front of a tan building. Halona walked over to Lorenzo, who was stretching.

"How are you feeling?" Lorenzo asked, crossing his arms over his head.

"I'm fine," Halona replied sharply. She immediately felt guilty. She couldn't help it that she didn't trust Lorenzo, or the others.

"Honestly, can I ever have a decent conversation with you without you getting mad?" Lorenzo rolled his eyes.

"Whatever. Where's Tyler?" Halona asked, scanning the parking lot for the rebellious boy.

"He went inside to check if his uncle was home," Lorenzo replied. He nodded at Jada, who had just walked over to them.

"Did you sleep well?" Lorenzo asked her.

"I guess. How about you?" Jada asked them.

"Good. See Halona? That's how you have a conversation with someone." Lorenzo elbowed Halona, a playful grin on his face.

"Sorry that I'm not like Ms. Cheerful here. Not everyone has a happy little life like her!" Halona snapped. She looked over at Jada, who was frowning.

"Jada, I didn't mean-"

"No it's fine. Let's just go inside now." Jada walked over to Tyler, who had just emerged from the building.

"Good going. I know you had a tough life, but it's no excuse to make others miserable," Lorenzo said coolly. He turned and ran over to the others.

Halona opened her mouth to respond, but no words come out. She hated it when he was right. She walked over to the others, avoiding eye contact. Tyler led them into the building and to a door labeled 2B. The door opened and a middle aged man greeted them. He didn't resemble Tyler at all.

"Hello children. Please, come in." He gestured for them to enter.

"Guys, this is my uncle, Mitch," Tyler said as he plopped down onto the couch.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Lorenzo, and this is Halona and Jada," Lorenzo said, shaking Mitch's hand. "Thank you so much for taking us in."

"Of course. My nephew tells me that you have some family troubles and needed to get away," Mitch replied, eyeing the three of them.

"Yeah, their parents are all idiots, like mine. I would have let them crash with me, but you know what it's like at my house, Uncle Mitch." Tyler waved his hand around as he talked.

"It breaks my heart that their are so many irresponsible parents living in our country," Mitch said, shaking his head. "Alright, come with me. I'll show you to your rooms." Mitch led them up the stairs.