Chapter 5- "Check Mate"

"Will she be hanging out with us at all today?" I whisper- low enough and close enough to Noah's ear that Caleb and Grant couldn't hear.

Noah shrugs, munching on a chip. "Probably not- she's always busy on Sunday."

"Doing what?" I hiss, but Noah is unable to answer because Grant suddenly jumps up crying in victory.

"In your face!" His voice rings- a finger pointing at Caleb and his carefully unamused expression. "Finally. I told you I could beat you."

The chess board in between them showed that Grant had just claimed an easy win. Noah was applauding the young boy from her spot sitting criss cross on the coach, above those on the floor. I sat next to her- staring out the near by window.

I manage to give Grant some sort of smile when he looks up expectantly with his big brown eyes. Otherwise my mind is else where. Not with a chess game or with Noah and her big bowl of food seated in her lap. I'm staring into the flurry of snow outside.

It was too cold to do much, so we were cooped up with the warm stove, Miss. Orr's cooking, and board games. Noah's convinced me that this is no way for me to have seen District 8- she and Caleb beg me to come back sometime in the summer. I plan on it, my father would let me... I just wish to stay longer, that school wouldn't come.

Apparently (and I was never told before) Hope doesn't ever appear on Sundays. It's become something of common knowledge to all those who know her. Noah shrugs it away as if- 'Yeah, duh, Hope doesn't exists on Sundays.'- and Caleb says it as if it was a relaxation day for the girl. Grant says it all pouting- while Noah's mom and Tera tells it as if it is tradition that they have no idea why it started or what it represents.

All in all no one seems to care Hope disappears every Sunday.

It's been like that for years and that's what drives me mad... was she with the guy? Was she.. playing that 'game' she mentioned?

I didn't understand what she referred to. Did she mean herself in general? Did she mean everyone else? The whole concept of life itself?

I'm over thinking it. But I wanted nothing more then to go out in that haze of snow to find her. Even if I was wearing only a T-shirt and jeans.. I'd be okay with getting hypothermia if I got answers in return.

Drastic, I know.

Noah and Caleb keep trying to lull me into playing chess- but I'm no good at it. Plus I don't feel like it, all I do is bounce my foot and watch the weather- just waiting for the snow to stop so I could lure them all outside, and I could be searching for a sight of Hope.

I didn't look up for a long time until I felt the coach shift under me. Noah was getting up and slipping onto the ground, intent on the game board as Caleb and Grant went into another round- making it about the ten billionth one.

Bored, I stand also- but slip unnoticed around the coach and then slink into the kitchen. Noah's mother is in there. I smile at her as she looks up from a book, that is propped on the table in front of her.

She returns it and then raises an eyebrow. "What's the matter? Are you feeling okay?

I shrug, standing awkwardly over by the table- until she nods me into the chair across her. I stumble to sit, the mumble a light reply. "I'm fine."

"You look upset."

I stare into her eyes, they aren't the bright blue that Noah has, but they are still blue- and I felt like they had the same negotiation skills her daughter did.

"Just thinking about things- I keep hitting dead ends." It was truth enough.

But she suddenly takes interest, setting aside her book and leaning forward. "What are you thinking about?"

I sigh, because I should of known- she isn't like my mother who is satisfied with half explanations. They only make her more curious and now she is all motherly- willing to help me. She may be like Noah but she's defiantly not someone I'm going to tell all my... girl trouble.

"Just you know, normal stuff." I shrug nonchalantly, lifting my eyes to the window outside. My hands fidget on the table though, I can't help it.

"It's about Hope isn't it?" She says a moment later- I snap my gaze to her. She sits straighter a amused and satisfied look on her face. "I'm right aren't I?"

I nod, curtly, and she grins.

"Well what is it? What are these dead ends? Maybe I could help you." She shoots off, looking just as perky as Noah at the prospect of setting me and Hope up.

"Well.." I couldn't believe I was doing this. "Don't you ever wonder what she's doing on Sundays?"

She nods, having been prepared for this question. Though she seems to really consider it by that tone in her voice. "I've thought about it. And it hasn't been every Sunday since I've known little Hope. It didn't start until she at least ten. Started repeating itself every Sunday- first I thought she was attending those religious things that have started up with the new freedom... but they had no idea who she was when I asked." There was a considered pause before she met my gaze. "I was concerned about it at first, but I know if any girl was wondering alone around here and was completely safe in doing so- it'd be Hope. Course though I guess I've just assumed she was with her family."

"Family?" I respond, thinking of Keera. I lean forward against the table on my elbows. "Have you met her family before?"

She shakes her head. "Oh heavens no." There was a sad expression crossing her face. "Tera told me that I should never mention it- not even to Noah. Because you never know with that girl.. and of course Tera didn't want to tell Caleb, but Hope doesn't have parents."

The fact struck me, but for a moment it wasn't odd. Then I recalled the way she blushed- when I had mentioned her mother. She talked of her as if she was still around though... it was concerning, why would she hide it?

"You won't tell anyone will you?" I nod quickly, and Miss. Orr smiles in relief. I wouldn't tell anyone, I'm surprised she told me- but I guess there's a different between best friend and what I try to maintain with Hope.. I would never bring it up really- why? Why would I want to make Hope remember that?

"Do you know if she was related to a woman named Keera Grooves?" I ask now, watching her face closely and her eyes widen slightly.

"Her mother." I stiffen my shoulders- she's confirmed my fear. I did mention it to Hope. I sprang it on her. I felt my heart sink slightly.

"Do you know.. how?" I whisper, trying not to look away from her face.

Noah's mother shook her head. "Tera only told me little. She looked very sad about mentioning it- I believe she knew them."

It made sense why she favored Hope now. Maybe Tera was her parent's friend, maybe Hope reminded her of them. Hope kept those people alive to Tera, maybe she treated the parent's bad- maybe this is how she redeemed the behavior she regretted now..

I wondered what Hope knew of their past relationship. I wonder if the woman was always nice to her- or it was a recent thing. I wanted to see Hope so badly..

"Do you have any other questions?"

My thoughts race to find one, I can't really see any thing that she would know...

"Do you know where she lives?" I ask, respectfully- and as unstalker like as possible.

She shakes her head. Damn...

"Do you know who raised her? Since her parents.."

There was a audible draw of a breath, she pursed her lips and her foot tapped. "Well..." She began kind of lightly, uncertainly.

"Well?" I press.

"Well... Tera mentioned a couple that took her. But when she said it- it was through clenched teeth. I didn't know if she hated the couple or if she was lying... oh I'm just not sure." There was another pause before she mumbled even more question like. "I remember there was a drama a few years back concerning this. Noah missed it completely- and I think I only caught a glimpse of it."

I felt myself raise for a good bait- hoping for something good. I tried to simmer the excitement in my eyes but it seeped through my voice. "What?"

"A man." She murmurs, softly. "Broke into Tera's house. All I know is I remember shouting- of both Hope's name and Caleb's.. I think. Though I don't think Caleb had anything to do with it." Her eyes turn to the arch way into the living room, staring sweetly at the Caleb in there. "I didn't see the man, just heard all the yelling- and the banging, then the glass when he broke that window. He sounded panicked to me, worried about Hope."

Where in Gods forsaken name are all these mysterious men in Hope's life coming from?

A man, first seen hugging her. Another worried about her enough to break into a house, shouting. Maybe they were the same, maybe they weren't. Maybe I'm too late to win her affection- maybe she's stuck in a triangle I have no idea exists. Maybe one of them are her adopted parent and I'm over assuming things...

I rub my temple suddenly- the questions keep coming, the more answers Miss. Orr gives me. I feel like nothing can ever be settled. Not until Hope gets here, not until she answers them fully- with truth.

"Thank you." I say, standing up and giving a waning smile. "That helps." Sorta.

I walk away then, back into the living room- leaving her to her book. I slouch next to the window sill though- instead of the coach, waiting for the snow to stop.

After a long lunch, more games, a few bored hours of actually doing homework- and then debating with Noah's mother if it was still snowing out... we were finally let outside.

It was just an hour before six, and it was actually still snowing a bit- but with the jacket Caleb let me borrow again it wasn't too bad.

I kept shifting my gaze through the crowd of people. Looking for her face. It never popped up. Instead I was distracted by the stores, and their knick knacks. We roamed around and with the freedom of walking my legs- I worked off a lot of tension. I stuck to Grant's laughable side, while Noah and Caleb followed much more slowly.

I heard her giggle enough to know that he was entertaining her well...

We were all heading down the sidewalk, back towards Noah's house- as it was well near eight now. With two hours of wandering and my pockets full of new things, a new scarf wrapped around my neck, and my wallet empty of any money. I was looking forward to returning to a beautifully made meal that Miss. Orr would have for us... when I spotted her.

I don't know how. She had a scarf pulled up all the way to her nose, and a hat tucked around her ears- every last string of hair tucked up and away. Her body was bulked with the jacket and her jeans were nearly camouflage in the crowd.

The ever telling factor were her eyes.

Oh and the man, whose arm was hooked through hers... he could probably be factored into the equation about how I'm shocked I saw her at all. Since he was pretty much my giant height- but thicker, broad shouldered, and strong faced.

No jealousy hit me when I saw their arms hooked together and they were actually talking behind their scarfs. Friendly talking..

I wasn't jealous. Mostly because the man had enough lines on his face- he had to be in his late fifties- and he hunched while she was half helping him stumble through the icy sludge. And who is jealous of a fifty year old man on the arm of the girl you like?

Not me. But I nearly ran from my spot, I left Grant and he hardly noticed- I just melted into the street, heading across the way.. where she was.

She was walking in the opposite direction though and I was having trouble getting through. I kept getting shoved aside, we were in the middle of town and people were just leaving a late days at work, they were aggravated and hungry.. I was just in their way.

I fought my way after them and by the time I got through, I spotted her standing outside a shop- the man was no where in sight. So I picked up pace and approached her, I was nearly two feet away when her eyes lifted to me.

"Damien!" She gasps, and a hand flies up to her chest- as if I've given her heart attack. Her eyes are wide but then they are flying around everywhere, mostly in the shop until they are back on my face. "What are you doing here?" She demands, softly.

"I wanted to talk to you.." I start, trying not to be offended by the way she obviously didn't want me here. But what did I expect? "You said something yesterday and I.."

"Forget it. You should get out of here- I'm busy." Her voice is a forced calm and she crosses her arms over her chest. "Go back."

"Where?" I snap instantly, slightly irritated now. I was waiting all day, patheticly, and she was trying to force me away. I'm not going to accept it.

"Back to Noah! Back to District 4! Away from me!" She hisses, in a whisper. Why did she always whisper? Did she think someone was eavesdropping everywhere? Was she paranoid and a compulsive liar?

Oh and those words stung like hell- but I numbed them out with the bitter cold wind flowing around us.

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm here.." I reach forward then, like she had yesterday, but I was softer then her and I caught her gloved hand. Running my thumb over her knuckles. I felt her shudder- but she didn't pull away. "Can't you just.. tell me what's the matter? Why, do I feel like you'r-"

That's when the shop door opened and that huge man came hobbling out. Hope froze like a deer in headlights. The man's seam eyes zone in on our hands extended between us.

His eyes lift to her and her wide eyes show bewildered- he raises an eyebrow. Then he is glaring at me and he smacks away my arm with one of his meaty hands. "What do you think you're doing boy!" He shouts, and I flinch- while I see Hope sigh, as if in relief.

The man steps between me and Hope, hiding her from me, like he was a shield.

"Get lost you scoundrel!" He shakes a fist at me, he looks only half angry at me. But there was a true threat in his eyes. "She don't need none of your trouble- get! Go!"

I stare at him, and then try to peer behind him when suddenly his voice is booming. "You better get moving now, or you'll be sorry- never show your face round here again. My people- you don't know who you're mes-"

Then it is as if Hope was shocked back to herself because suddenly she slips up to the man's side and she takes his arm delicately into hers, whispering soothingly. "Uncle, please. He's no threat- just another sap. Now let's get home before little ones starve, okay?" Her voice is like she is talking to a child- or an old man who has lost half his wit..

The man still glares at me. Uncle? Truly? They look nothing alike. He listens to her though and grumbles things under his breath- making fun of my appearance, they turn away from me. I'm left more confused then ever...

Little ones? What? Children? Were they just made up- for his tangled mind? Did she have siblings? Was this the adopted father of hers?

More questions- more and more questions...

But then she looks back, over shoulder- half was down the street.

She mouths. "Sorry." And then she turns back around.

Was this what she does every Sunday? Take care of this old man? Maybe she had nothing to do with the 'little ones'.

I stood there for awhile, until finally I turned away- walking back to Noah's.

When I arrived I was greeted with a bunch of shouts from her and her mother, ranging from glee to stern worry. Once that was over with I got a cold dinner, sat on the coach thinking over today, and its added mystery, before finally I drifted into sleep. I sunk into a strange dream though, almost immediately- I was with Hope, and she was dressed up like a tribute, all fancy and beautiful on those opening ceremonies. She had a crown of diamonds on her head though, like a princess. She sung me a song- I don't remember it much, but she was telling me not to cry and then she kissed my cheek, with tears on her face. It ended with her whispering two words, that chilled me- "Game over."

And then she proceeded to back away from me until she was standing at the top of a cliff- I reached out for her, a desperate adrenaline kicked into my heart- but she fell or I thought she did, I woke with a jolt before it ended- gasping for breath.

Note to self: Don't ever let Hope near cliffs..

A/N: What does the dream mean? ABSOLUTLY NOTHING. Probably just that Damien should stop going to sleep thinking about her. Anyway TO EVERYONE!: THERE IS NO, NONE- NADA! ZILTCH between Noah and Damien. NO NOAH x DAMIEN. NEVER, EVER. They aren't even meant together, they are only friends. Hope and him! Him and Hope! You'll see... once you really know her.. Anyway thanks for reading. Please review! Next chapter will come quicker if you do AND it's from Hope's POV- so you'll be getting a LOT of answers. (Ignore my typos, I'm typing in the dark) -Taryn(: