Author's note: sorry its been ages since I last up dated I've been real busy and all that blah blah blah. I rewrote this chapter so many times so sorry that its short. Short but sweet :) Review and tell me how to improve, ily x
Initially the adults were cool towards me; I am a stranger, new and untried, and yet another mouth to feed. But after max had led me through the group, introducing me and glorifying my bravery (they all found it extremely impressive that I had lived on my own for so long), they regarded me with a new found respect , awe and maybe a little sympathy. I am relieved, and although I have to swallow back a few biting remarks when members of the group give me pitying looks, I am glad that I have seemingly won over this eclectic collection of strangers without having to prove myself in some way. Well, to be honest it is max that is doing all the winning over, but I'm not going to complain.
My first day of being with other humans and I am already intrigued with the blur of organised chaos, I would have to get used to other people moving hurriedly about my temporary living quarters, and not having to go for my knife. As I sink my head down on the little bed that I had been assigned I look about the room. It is small and box like, its four walls almost identical in length and width. There is only one bed, a chest of drawers and a small window on the south wall – I already scouted the window; the room is on the second floor but there is a drain pipe clinging to the wall just outside and I bet if the worst happens, I could sneak out.
I stare at the ceiling. Its colour has drained and its once white paint has metamorphosed into an off-green, mould is collecting in the corner. A knock at the door sends me into a defensive crouching position and I have to settle me nerves and shake myself out of it before I go to the door. Jace is leaning against the doorframe, his hand stretched out in offering. I look into his palm and see a strange assortment of sweets, puzzled I look up into his face, eyebrow raised. He grins charmingly and pops one into his mouth.
"Your right not to take one," he says matter of factly, "I found them in the kitchen with the packet open."
"Is that safe?" I ask, intrigued with the handsome stranger stood at my door.
"It'll probably kill me." He remarks glaring down at the sweets in his hands. "But at least this way I have control over how I die, and it's not by the teeth of our dead." He throws a gummy bear into the air and catches it between his teeth. "Besides, they taste good."
He holds his handful out to me again and I take one and begin to roll it around my fingers in a wry fashion.
"What are you doing here?" I finally say, my curiosity at his visit getting the better of me.
"I've got watch duty and valentine wants you to come with me." He stands up straighter at the sound of his father's name and I watch as his expression hardens.
"So you're my babysitter." I groan and ignore the disappointment that I feel when I learn he's here because valentine told him to be, and not because he wouldn't to be. Not that I care. He turns away, expecting me to follow.
I let him lead me through the mansion; he walks in a swift pace and my little legs have to struggle to keep up with him. The people we pass all stare at me with openly inquisitive faces and I fight the urge not to glare at them. Making friends is hard, and if Valentine has sent Jace to watch me, I need all the friends I can get if I want to stay in this decrepit group.
"Heads up," Jace says tossing a pack of survival gear at me. "You're going to need a tent when we start moving. It's not big but it'll keep the rain off you when we camp on open ground. You know how to put up a tent right?"
"Not really."
"I can show you," Jace says smiling, "tomorrow I promise. But right now you have the honour of my presence until midnight- we have first watch. Stay with me for a couple hours, and then I'll let you sleep- you could probably use it as we're heading out as soon as it starts to get light again."
I smile back at him and follow to where he has set up watch, I can't help thinking about this boy- this gorgeous, mysterious, arrogant human being- is probably going to get me killed.
