Chapter 3

A boy and a girl, both seven years old, ran through the halls of the refuge.

"Hurry up Anthony!" screamed the girl.

"Don't call me that!" he yelled back.

Neither was watching where they were going. They rounded a corner and bumped into the warden, Snyder.

"Well, well, well." He murmured. "Looks like the kitchen help gets the day off since you two can help clean up the kitchens." He grabbed both kids and dragged them to the basement. Anthony groaned inwardly when he saw the full sink. The pots were about as tall as the ceiling. It would take them forever to clean it up.

"I want all of the pots clean and you both will not get any food or go to bed until it is done." Snyder said. He walked out of the kitchen, turned around, and locked the door.

Immediately Chrys fell over laughing.

"You think by now he would finally realize that I'm a girl." She managed to get out.

"I don't." Anthony answered. She didn't look at all like a girl. Her body was shaped just like a boy, and her hair was as short as his. And the clothes weren't exactly girlish either.

"Let's hurry up and get this over with." Chrys said as she began to wash the dishes. After four hours, they were finished. They sat on the floor resting when suddenly Chrys jumped up.

"I'll be right back." Chrys said. Race sat on the floor and watched Chrys take out a hairpin and pick the lock. She opened the door and walked out. 25 minutes later, she walked back inside.

"Where did you go?" Race asked.

Before Chrys could answer, Snyder walked in and dragged them to bed.

Later that night, Race was sleeping peacefully when he was shaken awake.

"Chrys?"

Chrys was standing over his bed with a smile on her face.

"What do you want? I was dreaming about races." Anthony complained.

"Again?!" Chrys exclaimed.

"Yeah again. So what's going on?" He asked.

Chrys sat on his bed and reached in her pocket. Slowly she pulled out a gold watch on a chain. Anthony gasped. When he was caught by the bulls and sent to the refuge, they took all of his belongings including his watch. His mother gave it to him right before she died. Anthony had to hide it from his father, who occasionally would sell anything to get money for beer. He had to endure six years of beatings until he decided to run away. Anthony slowly reached out and took the watch. He opened it and examined its smooth surface.(where did the engraving go? Maybe somewhere in the next chapter.) Chrys sat there smiling.

"How did you get this?" Asked a bewildered Anthony. Before Chrys could answer, a kid about six and a half walked over.

"What's going on?" he asked in a tired voice.

"Nothing. Go to bed." Answered Anthony.

"But I want to know!" he whined. Anthony looked nervously at Chrys. If this kid kept it up, someone would come in and find out about the watch. Immediately Chrys walked over to the little kid.

"Listen up sweetie. Didn't anyone ever tell you you should respect your elders?"

The little boy nodded.

"Someone did? Good." Said Chrys as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Well, we're your elders so respect us."

"What if I don't want to?" he asked.

"Then I'll break your legs, okay?"

Immediately the little boy ran back to his bed. Anthony sat on his bed silently laughing to himself.

"That was great." He managed to get out.

"Thanks." Chrys said smiling. She walked over to her bed and fell asleep. Anthony rolled over and began to shut his eyes. Tomorrow, they had to do kitchen duty again.

'I hate doing the same thing over again.' He thought.

Little did he know, the next day he would see something he shouldn't have. Something that would force him to run away and change his name and clothes. Something that would put his life in danger if he was ever found again.