Chapter 1: Unwelcome Visitors
Amy knew what it was like to have her heart broken. That didn't make it easier each time it happened.
She stared at the cell phone clutched in her hand and tried to hold back tears. She couldn't believe Tony had broken up with her, just like that. No reasons, no explanations, only a short text message saying they were over. They had been together for one year - didn't he have the guts to break up with her in person?
"Amy! Dinner's ready!" Nellie called from downstairs. Amy got up from her chair and started downstairs. On her way out she glimpsed herself in the mirror - her eyes were red and puffy, and her hair was a mess. At least she was safe from criticism in her own home.
"You look horrible," Dan said the moment Amy walked into the kitchen.
"Just what I wanted to hear," she replied bitterly. Nellie looked up from the plate she was ladling with food.
"You okay, kiddo?" she asked as she set the plate in front of Amy.
Amy only shrugged and, taking her fork, started picking at her food. Nellie looked at her concernedly as she set a plate in front of Dan and then sat down at the table with her own.
Dan, as always, was oblivious to any trouble. "So, I just saw this awesome new video game in the store, and since my birthday is coming up soon …"
Nellie shook her head. "Dan, you're turning fifteen. How much longer is this video game craze gonna go on?"
"As long as you won't buy me a car," Dan replied matter-of-factly.
"Dude, you're like, a year away from getting your driver's license," Nellie answered. "You really think I'm gonna trust you with a car until then?"
"But -"
Amy tried to immerse herself in the mindless banter between Nellie and Dan, but she couldn't. Her mind kept returning to Tony. What was it that made him break up with her? Was it something she had done? Something that could have been prevented?
"Amy, hello? You there?"
Dan's voice broke her out thoughts. Amy bit her lip, trying to keep herself from crying.
"Amy, if there's anything you want to talk about," Nellie offered. "I mean -"
Suddenly the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," Amy immediately said, getting up from her chair and exiting the room, desperate to escape Nellie.
Smoothing her hair and wiping her eyes, she swung open the door. And found herself face to face with the Kabras.
"How long does it take to open the door?" Natalie Kabra demanded. She turned to face Ian Kabra, who was standing next to her. "Honestly, Ian, she's taken casualness to a whole new level. And not in a good way."
Amy felt her mouth drop open. What were they doing here? And acting so - so normal? And insulting her?
Ian's here, she thought, her heart quickening. Ian's here and I look like an absolute mess from crying.
"W-what are you d-doing here?" Amy managed to get out.
"We're quite sorry for the intrusion," Ian said, flashing a brilliant smile that made Amy want to sink into the ground. "I know we haven't seen each other for a while."
A while? We haven't seen each other since the 39 clues hunt ended, Amy thought. And yet Ian was exactly as she remembered him - good-looking and extremely confident. Not that she cared about him anymore. She'd moved on with her life.
"But the thing is," Ian continued, his smile disappearing, "there are some things you have to know."
"Which is what brought us to you here today," Natalie said, smiling sweetly, even though it was obvious that the smile was insincere. She was wearing a denim miniskirt, black boots, and a loose white T-shirt with a flower design, and though Amy hated to admit, she looked good, even in such a simple outfit.
"So-so," Amy was at a loss for words. What could they possibly want to tell her?
"May we come in?" Natalie asked, and then, without waiting for an answer, pushed past Amy. After a second, Ian did the same. Still shocked, Amy closed the door and turned to follow them.
As the three of them walked into the kitchen, Dan and Nellie immediately looked up at them.
"Miss me?" Natalie asked breezily as she walked in and sat down on a counter stool, looking completely at home. As Dan realized who it was, he started choking. While Nellie hit him on the back, he managed to get out, "Why are you here?"
"You haven't changed a bit, Daniel," Ian said, ignoring Dan's question as he came to stand beside his sister.
As Dan stopped coughing, he scowled. "My name's Dan. That's what my parents named me, and that's what you should call me." He turned to Amy. "Why did you let them in?"
"I - I didn't," Amy stuttered, looking absolutely terrified.
Dan rolled his eyes - typical Amy. He wasn't going to get anywhere with her. Instead he turned to confront the Kabras.
"So you think you can just barge in here without any warning?" Dan said as he stood up.
"Au contraire, my friend, we are here with a warning," Ian said.
Dan stared at them. "What kind of a warning?"
"The worst kind, cousin," Natalie said. "There are people trying to kill you."
AN: Soooo...did you you like it? I'm still contemplating how much Ian/Amy I'm going to put in there and if there's going to be any Dan/Natalie. If you have any suggestions or preferences, you can tell me in a review.
