The seven of us walked along toward our strawberry patch—technically, it was mine—Jeb had left a will, leaving the house and lands surrounding it, including the strawberry patch, the area where we learned to play and the ravine all to me—but to be fair, I called the house our house and the lands our lands, even though the others had no say on what I did with the land.
Angel looked at me and asked, "Emerald, what are you thinking about?"
"Our land," I began.
"You mean your land," Angel corrected. "The rest of us are technically tres—trep—trisp—"
I said, "Trespassers. And, no, you're not. You are my family and I say you can stay and stay you will."
Angel nodded and skipped to catch up with Max.
I smiled and thought, This is my home. This is my family. This is where I belong.
Then Angel screamed.
I gasped in shock and yelled, "Guys! Battle up!"
The others nodded and we all leapt toward the Erasers.
Growling, I gave one a hard and fast roundhouse kick in the chest, followed by a quick punch to the jaw.
I turned to my next opponent quickly.
I heard Angel's scream again and I sprang into action.
Max flanked me and was quickly pinned.
I dodged the Erasers and managed to wrestle Angel free of the Erasers.
"Angel, run," I ordered tensely.
Unfortunately, most of the uninjured Erasers ganged up on us and one grabbed my legs forcing me to fall.
Then a second one snatched Angel back.
Then the rest pinned as me as the first two and a third Eraser began stuffing Angel into a burlap sack.
I kicked and fought and struggled, but watched horrified as Angel was stuffed into a sack as she screamed and cried.
Crumpling, I passed out, after recognizing Ari.