The Clash

Chapter 3: "A Number"

"Look, I just need to stay here for a few days. I'll find a job, it's not like there's a shortage of minimum wage high school drop out work around here." pleaded Sharei.

"A few days? To save up how much money exactly?" questioned Tracker.

"All I need is one paycheck. I'm asking to borrow your address; a house number and telephone to put on an application. Then I'm gone."

"Gone where?" asked Sean.

"I don't know. But it's obvious that you don't need three extra mouths to feed. Once I collect I'll get out of your place."

"What about Cate? She should be in kindergarten."

"Yeah, I know." said Sharei, almost ashamed. "But, you need a house number to register for that too."

Thalia was asleep and Cate was just outside of the screen door, playing on the steps. The three Cameron siblings had not seen each other since the night that Thalia was born. Sharei had disappeared after being discharged from the hospital. Occasionally, people got phone calls from her, never from a permanent number though. Just a payphone, whenever she had a quarter to spare. It was more obvious to outsiders how much Sharei cared about her brothers when they were younger. She loved being their little girl, especially since she never got to be their father's. Even Sean, the baby of the family, felt it necessary to protect her.

"I know that showing up here wasn't the best idea. But you're my brothers and I love you. Money is tight for everyone, but we should be tighter. We're a family." Sharei meant every word and truly felt that her brothers would be able to help her out. But, she always did have a way of improving what needed to be said.

"Yeah, well, a fucked up one." said Tracker. "But, a family nonetheless."

"I'll make up the couch." added Sean.

Author's Note: Yes, I know that was a short chapter. But, I felt that I needed to explain a bit of the family's background and set up everything for future events. I hope you enjoyed what you have read so far.

I really do adore getting all of your reviews. Of course, the compliments are nice but I'd like to know what you would like to see. Thanks!

Thanks to Ale Curtis-Carter, fairysk8r and PsYcHoJo for what they wrote! I'm really glad that you like it so far and that you appreciate my hopeless attention to details. :)

(By the way, PsYcHoJo, Sharei's name is pronounced "Sha-ree".)