Alfred bounded down the stairs and into the dining room where I was reading peacefully, enjoying the quiet afternoon. He pranced up behind me trying to hold in his laughter, failing miserably as he crept up behind me and tapped me abruptly on the shoulder.

"TAG! YOU'RE IT!" He took of running only to stop as he saw I was not pursuing. I rolled my eyes and continued reading my book, trying to ignore him. I heard him let out a long sigh as he wandered back over to me tapping my shoulder again, harder this time.

"I said TAG YOU'RE IT!" He folded his arms and began tapping his foot. I set my book down and casually turned to him, raising my eyebrows as I saw him staring back at me.

"Alfred, I told you. I refuse to play those types of games. They are not fun and honestly don't appeal to me okay? Why don't you draw or read or do something productive with your spare time? It would probably do you some good to sit down and relax for once instead of you running around all the time. I understand you are nine and have all this energy but try and remember I'm a year older than you and I don't want to play those childish games." Alfred's expression looked pained as I watched him back away a few steps. He began to fidget with his hands, looking away from me. I wanted to say something more but somehow the words escaped me. Alfred just nodded and took off out the back door, I could tell he was trying his best not to cry.

I sighed into my hands as I glanced over at the back door. I didn't mean to hurt his feelings but he was getting on my last nerves, he had only been here for three weeks and he was already too much for me. I was over whelmed by how much energy he had and how he always wanted my attention. Don't get the wrong idea, I was glad he was there but he didn't quite understand the term personal space. Which for me, is a big problem. I wasn't used to all this attention, the other boys practically ignored me so Alfred's affections were just a bit much for me to handle sometimes. I looked down at my book and then to the door. I let out a heavy sigh and got off my chair heading to the back door.

"Alfred? Are you out here?" I stepped outside glancing around the backyard. I didn't see him. I walked around looking under things and around bushes but still i could see no sign of him. I began to worry, what if he had run away? No, no. I told myself, he probably is just hiding and trying to scare me. I called out for him several more times but I got no answer. I shrugged and began making my way to the house when I heard a shout from above.

"Artie! Artie up here!" I glanced up only to see the roof of the porch, I quickly backed up to see Alfred's head pop up over the side of the roof. My jaw practically fell off.

"What the, how did. What are you doing up there!? If Nana sees you doing something so dangerous she is gonna-"

"Artie relax, I come up here all the time." He grinned down at me and let out a small laugh. I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth, how could he be so calm about doing something so dangerous? I looked around at the ground and found a stone on the ground, I picked it up and hurled it at him, luckily for him I have terrible aim and I threw it woo high so it flew way over his head.

"HEY! What was that for!?" His smile faded into a frown as he sat up and dangled his legs off the edge.

"You know better than to be doing stupid things like this. Get down from there!" He laughed and slowly stood up, walking to the far side of the roof. I noticed the shed was over there and realized what he was about to do. I froze in horror as he jumped. I tightly shut my eyes and covered my face. I listened intently, waiting to hear a loud scream or a shriek, but nothing. I removed my hands from my eyes and opened them to see Alfred standing in front of me, a puzzled look on his face.

"Uh, Art, what are you doing?" He tilted his head and smiled. I immediately felt my face flush as I turned away from him. Damn him making me worry like that. I felt a hand on my shoulder as he laughed and tried to turn me towards him. I jerked my shoulder away from him and stormed off into the house. I was furious at myself for getting so worried over him like that. I heard him come chasing after me.

"Alfred leave me alone," I said sternly as I turned to him.

"W-why? What did I do wrong?" He shuffled his feet waiting for my response. I suddenly felt my anger burst up from inside me and I gave him a hard push.

"Idiot! Do you realize you could have gotten hurt!? What if you fell off? What if you had broken your neck?" I backed away from him, looking into those blue eyes. He looked down and laughed.

"Arthur I made sure it was safe before i went up there, that log over by the shed is a perfect boost to get me on the shed and since the shed is lined up with the house it's like a ladder. I was safe the whole time and even if I wasn't, it was an adventure!" He smiled and stepped towards me. " I was just waiting for the sun to go behind the mountains and the best view is on top of the house. It looks really cool and well, it's something I used to do with my family before the accident." He kept smiling but his eyes held a different emotion. I saw the pain there again in his eyes but I didn't want to ask about it, not yet.

"I was just, worried about you, that's all," I tried to sound stern but my voice came out shaky and weak. He hugged me tightly and laughed all too loudly in my ear.

"Aw that's okay buddy! I was worried about you too, thought you were gonna explode or somethin' the way you were yellin' and stuff." He laughed and poked my nose. I thumped him on the head as my response. We both laughed and began a poking war when suddenly we heard Nana yell for us.

"Race you!" We said simultaneously. Alfred took off like a bullet, laughing as usual. I shook my head and followed.

We ran to the family room only to stop short as we saw a tall man standing with Nana. I glanced at them both then to Alfred, who seemed to be as shocked as I was, if not more.

"Boys this is Mr. Vargas, Arthur I believe you have met him before. He was here about two months ago, do you remember? He is here to talk with you more and spend a little time with you boys." Nana's face was bright and cheerful, I couldn't understand why, I knew why this man was really here.

He was here to take Alfred away from me.