I glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand next to the bed.
2:30. I sigh. I can't procrastinate any longer.
With another heavy sigh I throw the covers back and turn on the lamp on the nightstand which fills the room with a dim glow. This allows me to easily find the small metal box in the abyss of my backpack. It was six inches in length and two inches thick.
There is a keypad on the top and I type the four letter code into it. A quiet beep is heard and the lid pops open, revealing the 10 tiny cameras in two rows, all ready to go.
Once they are safe in my pocket I head into the hallway and listen for any sign that someone is awake. My ears pick up the sound of snoring from the room next to mine, Leo's if I remember correctly. Man, for a little dude his snore was pretty loud.
I have to feel my way to the stairs because of the lack of a light in the hallway. Thankfully I remembered which direction they were in.
I'm relieved when I make it to the main floor and the gigantic windows allow the light from outside to fill the space. It wasn't much, but I was able to see the silhouettes of furniture and every expensive piece of junk these people had.
I guess shouldn't complain about the amount of things the family owned, since it created numerous nooks and crannies for cameras to be hidden with little chance of being found. But I can't help but be a little jealous over how much the Davenports had. These kids live in a lap of luxury while I have to do things like this so I don't go hungry since my guardian can't hold onto a paycheck for long.
The obvious solution to my problem would be to turn Laura in for neglect. Only it wouldn't be a guarantee if my next foster parent would be any better, and I'd have to move. I've moved over 10 times in my life and don't want to go through the stress of that again.
I've already hidden three cameras in the kitchen and living room while thinking about my miserable life. My next stop is the hallway by the dining room and I take time to look at the pictures on the walls. Most are of Donald, big shocker. The man is obsessed with himself, I'm surprised he was able to love someone else and have a family. I wonder who was Adam, Bree, and Chase's mom.
Actually, as I glance again at the pictures again I noticed that none had the trio in them. It was either just Donald and some were of Leo and his mom. Interesting.
But I don't have time to wonder about that right now. A camera is planted on the rim of one of the picture frames. It was black so the camera blended in perfectly.
I froze when I heard a noise until I realized that it came from my stomach. Pursing my lips I decided that a quick snack couldn't hurt, I already had almost half of the cameras up.
After rummaging around in the fridge I settle for a cold slice of pepperoni pizza leftover from dinner and a glass of water. I drank the water first and it felt like heaven as it went down my dry throat. After downing half the glass I set it down and reached for the pizza.
"What are you doing?" A voice asked. My reflexes kicked in and I swiveled around connecting my fist to whoever dared to sneak up on me. They fall to the ground with a thud."Ow!" I blinked and realized the voice sounded familiar and I paled. Uh oh.
"Chase?!" I whisper - shouted in surprise, wincing at his crumpled form on the floor. He glared at me from the floor.
"W- why would you do that?" he asked, getting off the ground while rubbing the corner of his mouth where my punch apparently made contact. I threw up my hands.
"It was a reflex! Next time don't sneak up on me!" I said in defense to which Chase just shook his head. "What are you doing up?" I asked hoping he would let this slide. I was also irritated that he was the one to catch me sneaking around of all people. Did he see anything?
"Funny, I was going to ask you the same thing." He countered and his eyes narrowed while he crossed his arms. No he didn't. Thank goodness.
"I was hungry and decided to have a midnight snack." I lied smoothly. I picked up the slice of pizza and took a bite of it even though my appetite left when Chase showed up.
"You know, some people consider it rude when their guest rummages through their fridge without asking. "
" Would you rather I woke you or your parents up at 2 in the morning just to ask if I could have a snack?" I asked snarkily.
Chase sighs and shakes his head. You know, he does that a lot when we're together.
I take another bite of the pizza when the normal awkwardness fell between us.
" So, what's your excuse for not being in bed?" I asked though I could care less. I hate awkward silences.
" Couldn't sleep. " Chase answered simply while shrugging. Ok, not going to get much out of him.
"Are you going to get something to eat or..."
He shook his head.
"No, but I'm going to get an ice pack for the bruise forming on my face." I'm not ashamed to admit that a part of me was happy to have punched him. Considering what he had said to me yesterday and the fact he tried to prank me tonight.
"Yeah, you're not the first person I've done that to." I said and Chase gave me an annoyed look.
"That's comforting." Chase replied sarcastically. I smirked and went to sit down on the nearest bar stool. But when I saw Chase tense up I get back on my feet, alert and tense also.
"What?" I asked growing concerned.
"Did you hear something?" He asked back and my eyes darted around the large room for any movement while I listened.
"No. " I said at first, but then my ears picked up something and I realized it came from outside. My heart began to pound. "You're right, I heard something that time." I said quietly while Chase came over next to me and we glanced at each other uneasily.
" Stay here. " he ordered before leaving me by the counter to creep over to the front door. I scoffed. There's no way I'm being told what to do by him. I'm not helpless.
I take a step in his direction before thinking of something and doubling back to grab a frying pan that was drying in the sink.
"I told you to stay over there!" Chase whispered harshly when I joined him but I held up a finger to shush him.
"And let me get the blame if you're hurt or worse because I didn't help? Not happening." I replied firmly and leaving no room for an argument. Chase shook his head but didn't say anything else. He unlocked the door and silently opened it.
He stepped outside first and I followed closely behind, leaving the door open just in case we needed to run in suddenly.
I attempted to walk out further, maybe to the drive way but Chase held out an arm preventing me from doing so. I gave him a look but it was ignored. I had never seen Chase like this before. He had this intense look in his eyes that I'd never seen in the short time I've known him.
Choosing to listen to him because of his take charge, no nonsense demeanor I scanned the landscaping from my spot for any movement and swore I saw a bush rustle but it could have been my imagination. Except I got the feeling that someone was watching us.
When I turned to see if Chase saw anything my brows furrowed in confusion. He had his pointer and middle finger pressed to his forehead with a serious expression on his face. His eyes seemed to brighten even though it was nighttime.
"What are you doing?" I asked and he jumped as if he forgot I was there. He cleared his his throat awkwardly.
"N-nothing. Uh, doing this helps me think." he stuttered out, not looking directly at me and I squinted at him suspiciously. I swear he gets weirder every day.
I don't know how long we waited silently until Chase said we should go inside. He had a hand on my forearm since I didn't look away from the yard and guided me inside. I hadn't seen anything, but still had the feeling that I was being watched.
"It could have been an animal."Chase suggested to reassure me once we were back inside.
" I'm not scared. " I said.
" Oh really? Then why the frying pan?" He asked and I pointed it at him while replying.
" Uh, because I'm not stupid enough to go investigate without a form of self defense." I said in a 'duh' tone, "Unlike someone I know." I successfully shut him up again, man it's fun to knock him down a peg every chance I get. "Should we wake up your dad?"
"No, whoever was out there is long gone."
"How do you know? " I asked, not believing him.
"Uh, I just do." Was his pathetic response. Before I could question him again he continued, "I'll go see if I can get Eddy up and running. You should go back to bed. Make sure the windows are locked. "
"I don't need you to tell me what to do." I told him defiantly, and I pause and think before continuing. "I'm going back to the room, but not because you told me too. "
His jaw clenched. "Just call me if anything happens."
"Don't think I can if I'm murdered. " I commented with a straight face and he looked at me weirdly. "What? I'm just saying." I smirked at him before turning around and leaving him standing there, probably questioning my sanity.
When I get back to the room I don't notice the folded piece of paper until I almost sat on it. I don't recall leaving that there.
Filled with curiosity I open it and my heart skipped a beat when I read the short message.
I hope my son didn't scare you, he was going to see if you had done your job.
Don't bother putting the rest of the cameras up. I found what I needed thanks to the one in the hallway.
Come to the address below for your payment.
So it was the employer's son who was out there? My eyes widened and they darted to the windows. One of them was open, and I hadn't been the one to do that. He was in here. A rush of anxiety went through me at the thought of being watched - who knows how long he was out there?
On the one hand I'm relieved that I didn't need to sneak out again. But it rubbed me the wrong way that he sent someone to spy on me. What would have happened if I didn't get the cameras up?
Feeling overwhelmed I crumpled up the note and it was shoved into the bottom of my backpack along with the box containing the remaining cameras. The next thing I did was close the window, and I shivered while doing so - the cool air not being the only reason.
I crawled into bed and after shutting the lamp off I wrapped the blankets around me tightly. It took a while for me to relax enough to go to sleep, but I knew it would be restless.