Author's Note: Hey guys! Told ya that the first few chapters would be quick! Right now I am trying to find something to do, so I figured I's go ahead and post this! Thank you to everyone who reviewed, faved, followed and all that jazz! And just a reminder that the more reviews I get the quicker I will update. I don't mean to sound greedy or anything, but I am very self conscious about my stories and reviews help me.

Anyways, thanks again and I hope you all enjoy!

Disclaimer: I am a ninth grader who lives in West Virginia. Do you really think I could even pretend to own TF?

Chapter 2

After walking ten miles- like I have to do to go anywhere- while ignoring the slight pain I'm in, I arrive at the mall.

Walking through the parking lot I allow myself to take in the vehicles on either side of me, well the ones that I like. You'll learn that I have a love for muscle cars, sports cars, and jacked up trucks. And at night- which is pretty much the only spare time I really have usually- I stay up sometimes to read car magazines.

As I'm passing by several empty parking spots, I notice a certain vehicle that nearly causes my heart to stall. A black GMC Topkick and man is that thing /huge!/ This thing screams 'jacked up!' What I would do to have a truck like this... Oh well that's never going to happen and I should continue on before the owner shows up and uncle gets ticked off for me taking to long... But holy crap I think I'm in love!

I finally manage to tear myself away from the Topkick- while resisting the urge to more thoroughly check it out- and continue inside.

An hour and a half later finds me loaded down with bags... and their all for uncle James. Although, I do have twenty five dollars left. Maybe I could check out Hot Topic... no! But I did get everything uncle wanted... Ok, I am so going in.

A trip to and up the escalator- in which I love along with elevators- later and a walk toward the middle of the shops I enter Hot Topic then glance around.

Ten minutes later finds me paying for a new chain for my jeans and a black and red t-shirt with a skull and the band name AC/DC on it- I totally love them- And I forgot to mention I wear chains didn't I? You'll find that my memory absolutely freaking /sucks./

After exiting the store, I perch on a bench and stuff my Hot Topic bag inside my book bag, sort out the bags as evenly as possible and even placing some of the smaller ones in larger bags so it's easier to carry them, then stand to leave. Only to walk around the side of the escalator... and run smack into someone's chest.

Feeling like I just ran into a brick wall, I shake my head to try to clear it, before looking up, eyes widening at what I find.

A man the size of a freaking house- metaphorically speaking- wearing army pants, combat boots, a black t-shirt that shows off the muscles of his chest, stomach and upper arms, and dog tags is standing over me. Feeling a weird pull inside my chest, I clumsily stand. Which is when I finally notice the man- who's also fit but not as muscular as the other, or intimidating- holding a three year old girls hand. Staring up at the bigger mans face, I sputter "s- sorry! I didn't see- I'm sorry for running into you sir." Then immediately begin berating myself internally at my utter foolishness.

He answers with a grunt, holding my gaze for a moment with the bluest of blue eyes I have ever seen. They're practically glowing for Pete's sake! Then we both look down when the little girl speaks in her limited English and I notice his eyes soften. "Are you 'fraid of Hide? Don' worwy he won' hurt you if you no mean run into him. You didn' mean to did you?"

I answer her with a shake of my head, casting the big guy that she called Hide a hesitant look before looking at the man holding the three year olds hand, trying to hold in my nervousness.

But apparently he notices and offers me a warm smile and holds his free hand out "hi, I'm William Lennox, but you can call me Will or Lennox."

Blinking in surprise, I almost forget about his outstretched hand, before giving myself a mental slap and hesitantly place my hand in his and shake, before bringing it back to my side.

He continues to stand their looking at me expectantly, yet patiently and it isn't until the little girl who must be his daughter speaks up that I remember his question "well wha's yur name?"

Almost automatically I answer "Katlyn, what's yours?" Then immediately I feel like bashing my head against a wall.

Though she, nor her dad, William, seem fazed and a giant grin spreads across her face "I's Annabelle!"

I- for the first time in years- feel the corner of my lip curve upwards ever so slightly and I say before thinking "that's a pretty name."

/Whats wrong with you!/ I mentally wail and almost, /almost/ give into the temptation to jam my head into the bottom of the escalator.

Though, Lennox seems unfazed about me talking to his daughter and even when I glance out of the corner of my eye notice that Hide doesn't show any reaction either, just annoyance and yet I can't help but feel that it's about something else.

Then suddenly I feel Annabelle pat my hand and I turn my attention back to her.

With her head tilted to the side, she inquires with all the innocence a child can muster "why's you still seem scared? I's already say Hide no hurt you and daddy no hurt you's eiwer."

Darn kids and their natural curiosity! Well I can't say anything but still!

But before I have to answer a women with wavy blonde hair stops beside Will. She looks down at Annabelle, then Will questioningly, before looking at me. With a warm smile, she says "hi I'm Sarah, who might you be?"

Gosh this is the most I've had to talk to people! Well besides work now that I think about it... but still!

Trying not to run like there's no tomorrow from the situation I got myself into I answer "Katlyn."

Still managing that smile, she retorts "that's a pretty name, now I hope these three haven't been bothering you."

/Quite the opposite actually/ I mutter to myself mentally, as I watch Will look at her affronted, Annabelle look up at her with a pout, and Hide glare at her slightly, before grumbling something unintelligibly. But I manage to answer, causing Lennox and Annabelle to look at me and cutting Hide off. "No, it's actually the other way around. I actually ran in to, um Hide I think Annabelle called him."

Sarah blinks in surprise, gives me a curious look, then- seemingly changing her mind- changes the subject. "So what's a young girl like you doing by yourself?"

Panic washes over me at those words and I fumble to come up with an explanation "I, er I'm eighteen." Nice one, I am sooooooooo toast.

But instead of... whatever I might have been expecting all three adults look at me in surprise and look me up and down, making it hard to resist the urge to shift my weight.

Still looking surprised and now a bit confused she answers "oh, I'm sorry you just don't look your age."

Rubbing the back of my head nervously I mutter "yeah, I get that a lot." And that's when I glance passed a now frowning Hide to see what time it is... and my eyes very nearly bug out of my head at the time, 5:00, uncle's going to kill me!

Spurring myself into action, I gather all of the bags for uncle up, then hoist my own bag over my shoulder. Turning back to Sarah I state, knowing my face is paler than usual now- which is saying a lot- "sorry but I have to go. My uncle will k- be expecting me."

Seeing her share a frown with Will and, seemingly a silent conversation, before turning back to me with a now strained smile, she offers "we'll walk you to your car." And, before I can protest, grabs the bags out of my left hand.

Now let me set something straight. I don't cuss but I do use placement words- as you could probably tell- but right about now I was as close to being almost tempted to curse as it comes. /Almost./

Scrambling for something to say- and thinking of nothing- I decide to tell the truth, well some of it. "I don't have a car."

That causes all of them to look at me with a mixture of confusion, curiosity, and shock.

And little Annabelle, bless her heart, had to ask the one question that nearly made me run out the double doors right behind me with the utmost innocence that made my heart clench. "Then why don' you ride wit' us?"

And I think Hide is like a mind reader or something because he suddenly looked like he was prepared to stop me if I did just that. But what he did- while vague- nearly made me test how fast he is.

He nods.

Why cruel universe? WHY?!

And then he just had to take the rest of the bags- except mine- and Sarah's and look at us expectantly.

So, despite my obvious protests, we all head for the exit- with little Annabelle now holding my hand instead of Will's and practically dragging me to a very familiar vehicle.

Could this day get any worse?