Saturday, February 11th, 2017
Blairhoyle
It was time for some family time, away from Scotland.
Therefore, at 4 A.M., one cold, damp morning, all the kids were rousted from their sleep and forced to dress before being shoved into the backs of various vehicles for the trip south to somewhere just as cold and damp. Keira learnt one or two new swear words from Harper, as did Cassie from Jake, and Alexandra from Charlotte. Charlotte, for one, was not in a very lady-like mood at that time in the morning. Kaitlin, though, she awoke in a remarkably good (and annoying) mood. There was also pleasure as a tired Naomi also joined the group. Everyone met up at Blairhoyle before climbing aboard a small fleet of three Ford Tourneo Custom nine-seater minibuses. The only person not going was Eric – he had upgrade work to take care of, and he was very happy to be alone. Cameron, Keira, and David were driving. One of the buses carried the luggage while towing a large trailer. The other two buses each carried a dog in the rear. Once everyone, and everything was loaded, the convoy set forth on the three-and-a-half-hour drive.
In all, there would be thirty-four people on the trip – seven of whom would be joining directly.
..._...
Naturally, they had made it just forty miles before Kaitlin piped up.
"I need to wee!"
"You should have gone before we left," Cassie told the girl with little sympathy in her tone.
"I did," Kaitlin pleaded.
"She did," Jake commented. "Then she downed a massive glass of milk."
"I'm only small and so is my bladder," Kaitlin pointed out to laughter from Charlotte and Harper.
"Kaitlin!" Cassie exclaimed. "Keira?"
"She can fucking piss her knickers!" Keira growled from behind the wheel as she looked for somewhere that Kaitlin could pee.
Ten minutes later, a humiliated Kaitlin climbed back into the minibus after having to empty her bladder in the dark and the freezing cold with everyone watching.
"Nothing changes, does it?" Naomi grinned.
"Nope!" Charlotte laughed.
"Fuck the both of you!" Kaitlin growled as she pulled on her seatbelt, scowling at everybody.
..._...
Two hours later
M74 Services
"Run!" Olivia shouted
"What's up?" Dakota asked as she came out of WH Smiths.
"Craig dropped some Mentos in a two-litre bottle of Coke," Olivia grinned. "Boom!"
"Oh, shit!" Dakota responded, grinning as both girls ran outside and over to the minibuses.
"Goddamn animals!" David Montgomery growled as he shoved his son into the back of the minibus.
"That was cool!" Kate laughed as she ran past to another minibus.
"No, it wasn't!" Sinead stated and she was not smiling.
"Any of you put another foot wrong...," Natasha said pointedly.
"Let's get these little shits to hell week," Cassie grinned.
Brathay How
Ambleside, Cumbria
The Lake District
8 A.M.
As was usual for that part of the world, it was cold and wet.
The three minibuses turned off the road and drove through a pair of wrought iron gates which opened silently and up a tarmac drive. The gates closed behind them. At the top of the drive, they curved around a natural small rock formation which hid a single garage attached to a small cottage. Ahead of them, a large house was arrayed ahead of them and to the left of them. The driveway appeared already occupied with five vehicles already parked up. There were three utilitarian-looking 2016 Land Rover Defender 110s, a 2015 Range Rover Sentinel, and a 2008 Vauxhall Astra estate. The three minibuses pulled up and the tired, cramped, youngsters emerged.
"Welcome to Brathay How!" Lynn called out as she emerged from the main entrance.
"Fuck!" Kaitlin announced as she slipped out of the minibus. "It's sodding freezing!"
As Harper walked past the Astra, she heard a voice.
"Hello, Harpy."
"Fuck off, Rylee," Harper growled absentmindedly before taking two more steps and then stopping dead.
Charlotte laughed as she saw the major confusion on Harper's face as the younger girl turned around and stared at Rylee Clarkson. It took about twenty seconds for Harper's brain to catch up with what her eyes were seeing. Charlotte smiled as she saw tears welling up in Harper's eyes. Harper stepped up to the smirking Rylee and then hugged the older girl very tightly.
"Fucking hell, Rylee!" Harper hissed.
"It's good . . . to see . . . you, pal," Rylee replied as she struggled to breathe.
"Let the bitch breathe, Harper!" Charlotte called out.
Harper released Rylee and wiped her eyes.
"I can't believe that you are here," Harper said. "Or that you're even alive."
"It's Rylee," Charlotte shrugged. "She's so damn annoying death would just throw her back!"
"Funny!" Rylee grinned as she joined the group heading inside the large house.
..._...
"Wow!"
That appeared to be the general response as the youngsters – and the adults – crowded into the large reception hall. Immediately inside the front door, a set of oak stairs led upwards to an open landing set about four feet off the ground before splitting left and right to continue up to the first floor above. Over to the left, past a grand piano, there was a door leading off to somewhere unknown. To the right, a stone fireplace, surrounded by oak panelling was filled with a roaring fire. The kids pulled off their jackets as they warmed up, dumping said jackets onto a large leather two-seat sofa placed a head of the fireplace below the oak staircase. As Rylee pulled off her new winter jacket, Jake pointed something out to all present.
"Rylee?"
"Yes, Jake?"
"Are you wearing a bra?" the grinning boy asked.
Rylee's face exploded into life like the Blackpool illuminations and her jaw dropped open in surprise. Rachel chuckled at her daughter's embarrassment and chose to respond for her.
"Yes, Rylee got her first bra on Thursday," she explained.
"Mum!" Rylee hissed as her face got hotter and hotter.
..._...
It had been going on for about a month.
Georgia had pointed out, more than once, that there was something pointing out – out of Rylee's chest. Rylee had done her utmost to move any discussion concerning her chest on to something else, but Rachel had persisted. She was surprised to finally find something which was beyond her daughter's 'training'. Rylee appeared to be chronically embarrassed by the changes occurring to her body which had began soon after Christmas. Rachel had given her daughter her space, having recognised the onset of puberty. For two weeks, Rachel had tried to persuade Rylee that she needed a bra but persuading the new Rylee to do anything against her will was borderline impossible, Rachel knew from bitter experience.
That Wednesday, after Georgia had explained that boys at school were noticing Rylee's prominent nipples and that Tricia had enjoyed humiliating Rylee, Rachel had decided that enough was enough. Therefore, when Rylee had returned from school on Tuesday afternoon, Rachel had handed the eleven-year-old a present. Rylee had not been best pleased when she had seen the AAA bra her mother had bought her.
"No fucking way!"
..._...
"It itches and it feels horrible," Rylee complained.
Charlotte laughed. "Welcome to the club, Rylee."
Rylee ignored the sniggering coming from Jake and a little girl she thought she remembered as she turned to Naomi.
"Hi, Naomi."
"Hello, Rylee," Naomi replied, somewhat icily, from the sofa where she had sat down to rest. "You look good."
"Thanks. Are you okay? I understand you were hurt."
"Yeah – long story," Naomi growled.
"I assume that Little Miss Giggles, here, is Kaitlin, right?"
"Yes, I am Kaitlin," Kaitlin grinned.
"Yes, before you ask, she is still destroying things," Naomi threw in, much to Kaitlin's annoyance.
"Ha, fucking, ha!" Kaitlin responded in a show of mock anger.
"Right, people!" Sinead announced in her command voice. "We have bags to unpack and you need to find your accommodation for the week. When I call out your names, find your bags and go to the stairs. Alexandra and Lynn will show you your rooms, each of which has a name. Dakota, Kate, Olivia – second floor, Broadsword. Jake and Ewan – second floor, Bloodhound. Christopher, Jeremy, Jordan, and Craig – first floor, Battleaxe. Charlotte and Scarlett – first floor, Boadicea. Jessica and Kaitlin – first floor, Coventry. Naomi, Harper, Rylee, Electra..."
"Electra ain't here," Harper pointed out.
"Yes, I am!" an indignant voice responded, and everyone turned to see three people entering the reception hall.
Electra was mobbed by her friends before attention focussed onto the other pair.
"Hi, guys!" Mary grinned as Ginny joined the adults. "We were just in the garden – we wanted to surprise you."
"Amber, shut your mouth, it looks so undignified," Scarlett suggested.
"But...," Amber stammered. "She's..."
"Princess Mary? She's nothing special, believe me," Charlotte commented.
Amber scowled, unnerved by the presence of someone so important.
"As I was saying!" Sinead called out over the ongoing introductions. "Naomi, Harper, Rylee, Electra – first floor, Brazen. Mary, you are joining Charlotte and Scarlett – first floor, Boadicea. Amber and Diana – first floor, Boxer. The adults will be scattered around to keep an eye on the miscreants. Right, MOVE!"
There was pandemonium as the children scrambled for their kit and the stairs.
Swindon
Blake had driven south, just the previous afternoon.
He was on a mission to find someone. That evening, he had pulled into the drive of a large property on the southern outskirts of the town. As he climbed out of his Jaguar XF saloon, Blake looked up at the property. His briefing papers had told him that the place housed fifteen youngsters between the ages of six and fourteen. He was there looking for a single child of eleven. After being welcomed by the lady who ran the children's home, Mrs Bloomfield, Blake was led into a comfortable living room from where three girls were chased away by Mrs Bloomfield. Mrs Bloomfield briefly vanished before returning with a young boy. The boy had dark brown hair and matching eyes. His wiry frame was only about an inch short of being five feet tall.
"Mr Schneider, this is Simon Dalton," Mrs Bloomfield said with a smile. "I will leave you two alone – please call, if you need anything."
"Hello Simon, I am Blake Schneider."
"Why are you here?" Simon asked.
"I am here to offer you a new life. Let's sit."
Blake and Simon sat down on opposing chairs.
"I know who you are. I know what you are. I know how you came to be here."
Simon said nothing. Blake pulled out a small computer tablet and opened up a file.
"Simon Dalton. Taken for Urban Predator, March 28th, 2014. You were just eight years old. Last year, you were rescued in Toulouse and you ended up here. I understand that you have behaved impeccably, and Mrs Bloomfield thinks very highly of you."
"She's nice," Simon admitted.
"Someone else was taken, the very same day," Blake prompted.
The boy hesitated before responding as tears welled up in his eyes.
"Rylee," he whispered as the tears fell. "We tried to stay together. The French police, they separated us – I never saw her again."
"Would you like to see her again?" Black asked.
Simon simply nodded.
"Then, so be it."
..._...
Therefore, that very morning, soon before eight o'clock, Simon had packed his personal possessions and clothing into a holdall, and he had jumped into the waiting Jaguar.
The pair had a long journey. It would take over four hours to drive to Ambleside in The Lake District. Simon spent most of the first hour in silence as his mind struggled to cope with what he might say and how he might react on seeing Rylee after almost a year of being apart. He ad dreamt of that moment, many times. He had also dreaded finding out that Rylee was dead. The time he had spent in the children's home had not been bad. He was treated well. He was fed and clothed. The worst had been the loneliness. He had not been alone, per se, but the other children were relatively normal and had no concept of what he had been through. Once or twice, in the first few weeks, he had acted out, but Mrs Bloomfield had calmed him down, much to Simon's surprise.
"Are there other Predators alive?" Simon asked as they raced up the M6 motorway.
"You make forty-eight, if I am not much mistaken," Blake replied.
"Wow!" Simon exclaimed.
"Did you know an obnoxious girl called Harper?" Blake asked.
"Harper? Can't keep her mouth shut to save her life . . . thinks of herself as the centre of her own little universe?" Simon ventured.
"That's the one!" Blake chuckled.
"She may not be too happy to see me and Rylee," Simon commented.
"Oh?"
"We were kind of rough on her – Rylee actually shot her in the thigh."
That explained an extra scar which Harper had not been very willing to explain, Blake thought.
Blawith, Cumbria
11 A.M.
Three hours after their arrival, the youngsters had changed and were fully kitted out for a walk in the hills – no mean feat in itself!
Seventeen children and four adults – Sinead, Cassie, Ginny, and David – mounted up in the four-wheel-drive Land Rovers. The Land Rover Defender Station Wagon County 110 was utilitarian with seven seats, a full-length roof rack with ladder, chunky off-road tyres, a raised air intake, and a winch mounted on the front which could be relocated to the rear as required. There were three of the Land Rovers at their disposal. Each child was fitted out with stout walking boots, thick socks, outdoor clothing which included lightweight trousers, T-shirts, jumpers, waterproof jackets, gloves, and hats. Each of the younger children would carry a daysack on their back which contained lunch, some water, dry socks, and a few personal effects. The older members carried a larger pack which contained much the same as the younger members, but with the addition of first aid equipment, emergency equipment, as well as extra food and water. Each also carried a map, a compass, and their route, all inserted in a waterproof map case which hung around their necks.
For many of the children, the drive south towards Lake Coniston and then down the west side of the lake had been an eye-opener. Many had never seen mountains or so much greenery. David and Sinead were both intimately familiar with the area, as was Craig from his younger years.
"Up there," David explained. "That is The Old Man of Coniston."
"They named it after Dad," Craig whispered to Kate who burst out laughing.
"Is there a mountain or fell called 'annoying little shit', Sinead?" David asked rhetorically, causing laughter at Craig's expense.
At a tiny village, called Water Yeat, they turned right up a narrow farm road before pulling over where the road terminated, parking up on the grass. Once all twenty-one, and two dogs straining on their leads, were gathered outside in the cold and the vehicles were locked up, Sinead turned to the group.
"Right! You will ALL behave, or else! That includes you, Jake, and you, Kaitlin."
"Why pick on me?" Kaitlin whined.
"Because, you are the youngest here, and you have a tendency to cause trouble," Cassie explained.
"Why mention me and not Charlie?" Jake pouted.
"Because," Cassie went on. "Charlie is well-behaved."
"That's what you think!" Jake stated.
"Shut up, Jake!" Charlotte growled.
"We have an easy walk to start you all off, should be easy if you shift energy from mouths to feet," Sinead directed. "This is Beacon Fell, an ascent of 820-feet over less than two miles. We will have lunch at the top. Remember, no fighting. No scaring the sheep. No annoying other walkers. Do not drop litter or throw ANYTHING! Oh, Kaitlin, honey – those are not raisins."
Kaitlin quickly dropped the small round black things which she had picked up off the ground.
"I never thought they were," Kaitlin muttered. "What are they?"
"Sheep pooh," Ginny grinned.
"Ewww!" Kaitlin exclaimed as everybody laughed.
Grasmere
Due to their ambulatory issues, Keira had taken custody of Diana and Jordan.
Climbing would have been too much for the both of them – especially for Diana, despite her attempts at insisting she would be fine. Instead, the three of them had made for the small town, not too far away, which was famed for its gingerbread. Though, the pair could not climb mountains, they had no problem on the flat and level as they walked around Grasmere. Their first stop was to the Grasmere Gingerbread shop where they stocked up on a large quantity of gingerbread, rum butter, and Kendal Mint Cake. Seeing as there was no rush to head back to Brathay How, Keira then headed up the very steep Red Bank road out of Grasmere and then heading west through Great Langdale and onto Dungeon Ghyll where there was a wonderful eatery called the Sticklebarn Tavern.
There, they relaxed in the warmth and enjoyed a hot steak sandwich each.
Brathay How
Naomi, too, was not going walking.
The nine-year-old would stay at Brathay How with the other adults. She had no problem with that – anything was better than the hospital. The youngster had hated every damn minute of her time in bed. Then had come the previous evening visit form the doctor who had examined every inch of her body. Naomi had spent almost a full week detached from many wires and tubes. She had also been able to walk unaided a few yards further each day, including to the bathroom where she could wee in private. It had also been the first time Naomi had been able to see for herself what her body looked like since her injury. The bruising around her chest wound was spectacular and it felt it. As for the back, that was no better.
Then, just that morning, she had been awoken at some godawful hour. After Cassie had dressed Naomi, much to the independent girl's annoyance, Naomi had cried as she had found herself leaving the hospital. Cassie promised that she was not going back, so long as she took care and did nothing to get herself sent back. Naomi never thought she would ever say it, and would never say it, but she really missed Kaitlin, more than anything. The drive had been trying but seeing all her friends had been so amazing. Yes, she had hugged a very surprised Kaitlin who had hugged her back...surprisingly carefully. Naomi had slept most of the way south, only waking up when Kaitlin prodded her to find out if she was asleep.
That morning, once everybody had left, Naomi had been sat down in her bedroom by Rachel Clarkson, who, Naomi learned, was a paramedic. Rachel checked out Naomi's wounds and changed the dressings. It felt strange meeting Rylee and Rylee's Mum, Naomi thought, but she had been very pleased to see Rylee alive, despite their past. Mrs Clarkson was very gentle, and Naomi felt at ease as she was prodded and poked.
"Any problems, young lady, you let me know, understand?" Rachel directed. "None of this Predator macho bullshit, yes?"
Naomi had laughed at that.
"No bullshit, I promise," Naomi replied. "I want to get better so I can be with my friends again."
"You're doing well, Naomi, just don't be tempted to overexert yourself," Rachel said.
"Thank you, Mrs Clarkson."
"Call me Rachel, please."
Naomi redressed and they made for the kitchen where Alexandra was busy baking.
"That smells good!" Rachel exclaimed and Naomi nodded.
"We have a cake for afternoon tea – carrot cake. We have a lot of cupcakes to make. Naomi, you up for giving me a hand?"
"Yes!"
"Go wash your hands, please," Alexandra directed. "Tea, Rachel?"
"Please."
Dungeon Ghyll
"I could get used to this," Jordan commented as he lay back, sipping his hot chocolate.
"Tell me about it!" Diana agreed as she dug into a ginormous chunk of chocolate cake.
"I know you guys would rather be with the others," Keira said. "But it would be too much."
"Well, considering the weather, this is much better," Diana grinned.
Jordan nodded as he took a bite from his own chocolate cake.
"Bet it's not so cosy where they all are," he commented.
Beacon Fell
Amber was not happy . . . not at all!
She was wet. She was cold. She was miserable. She did not have her laptop – Scarlett had made her leave it behind where they were staying. She hated walking. She hated being with people. She hated everything about the trip.
Amber dragged along at he back of the long line of laughing youngsters. She was also annoyed because Harper and Scarlett kept chivvying her along. Even the damn dogs, she thought, kept nudging her forwards. She had been given custody of Sasha. The big female dog was having a great time and preferred to be moving at a decent pace, often dragging Amber along, forcing the girl to move her feet and stave off being dragged along the ground. Finally, she got the shock of her life as someone else intervened.
"You don't appear very happy," a voice stated. "It's Amber, right?"
Amber stopped dead as she found that she had been directly addressed by HRH Princess Mary. Harper slammed into the back of Amber, not expecting the girl to stop dead on the narrow stony path.
"Amber!"
"We've not really been properly introduced," Mary said. "I'm Mary."
"Hi," Amber replied. "Why are you here – with this lot?"
"Long story – I met some of them, last year. Electra and I go to the same school, actually, Kaitlin and Jake do, too," Mary explained.
"Shouldn't you have an entourage? Protection?"
"Oh, I have protection," Mary grinned. "I always carry a condom or two."
Harper and Scarlett almost fell over as they laughed. Amber scowled as a woman approached.
"Hello, Amber, I'm Ginny. I am nutcase's protection."
To emphasise that fact, Ginny pulled open a flap on her jacket to reveal a holstered Glock pistol. Amber's eyes went wide at the sight of the firearm.
"Come on, Amber," Scarlett said as she steered the shocked girl up the path. "Let's get a move on."
Sasha's partner, Nika, barked loudly as he pulled on his lead which Scarlett was holding.
..._...
Further ahead, Kate, Olivia, and Dakota were heading the group with David.
"Oh, cool!" Kate exclaimed as they rounded the final corner and found themselves gazing out over Beacon Tarn.
"Fancy a swim?" David asked.
"We'll, pass," Olivia replied as she and Dakota exchanged shakes of their heads.
"It's an amazing view," Dakota commented.
"Much better from the top," David said.
"This isn't the top?" Olivia asked incredulously.
"No."
"Great!" Olivia mumbled to herself.
"We follow that path, to the left of the tarn and then curve around and the top is just up over there," David explained as he indicated the route with his hand.
"Come on, boys!" Sinead called out to Jeremy, Christopher, and Ewan. "Stop gossiping and keep walking – that way."
"What are you doing, Craig?" Jessica asked as she saw the boy standing facing a bush.
"Taking a piss."
"Oh – moving on...," Jessica replied as Charlotte and Kaitlin ran past.
..._...
Twenty minutes later, after a spot of scrambling up a steep pathway, they were finally within sight of the summit across a flat grassy area before the path split around some rocks before re-converging just below the summit.
Just about everyone, except for David and Ginny, bolted the final two hundred yards. Even Amber joined in as she raced ahead of Harper and Kaitlin. Naturally, Craig and Olivia were in the front, however, Dakota was closing steadily, her long legs giving her an advantage. Jake was not doing bad, but he was outclassed by Ewan and Kate who passed him easily. Mary did well, leaving Electra far behind. However, Craig was the first to touch the cairn at the top with Olivia a fraction of a second behind. By the time David and Ginny appeared, there was a messy scattering of exhausted children around the summit.
As Kaitlin unpacked her daysack for lunch, she grew very angry as she found that she had carted up the fell, several stones. Sinead and Kate simply burst out laughing without a single pretence at innocence. There was much laughter as Kaitlin threatened to 'teach Sinead a thing or two'. Not that the Royal Marine officer was much fazed by Kaitlin's anger. Kate, though, she received a punch in the shoulder from Kaitlin. Everybody dug into their packed lunches which included meat sandwiches, a sausage roll, a packet of crisps, an apple, and a carton of fruit juice with a Mars Bar for dessert. They were all in high spirits – even Amber – and their energy was returning thanks to the food and drink.
Scarlett and Kate spent ages staring out across Coniston Water, over eight-hundred feet below them, amazed by the view.
Brathay How
3 P.M.
The seventeen, slightly frozen, youngsters trooped inside via the backdoor and into the boot room
There, they removed their muddy boots before trooping up to their rooms to shower and change. While they changed, Rylee received the shock of her life when Electra undressed.
"Who the hell did that?" Rylee demanded as she saw the scars on Electra's body.
"Things didn't go all that well for me when I was a Yellow," Electra replied. "It was a Predator."
"Damn!" Rylee commented as she hesitated until she thought the room was empty before pulling off her clothes.
"Yep," Naomi commented from the doorway. "She definitely has boobs . . . kind of . . . and something that might be hair down below."
"Bit meagre, to be honest," Harper agreed as she walked into the room and stripped off.
Rylee laughed as she grabbed a towel, knowing that she should not be getting embarrassed about it.
..._...
"What's with the third set of kit in our room?" Jake asked when he arrived back downstairs.
"All in good time, Jake," Alexandra replied as she handed the boy a tray of mugs, each filled with steaming hot chocolate.
It was when Jake had placed the tray down on a table in the drawing room, as directed, that he noticed Naomi talking to someone standing in the corner of the room. The person was a boy and his back was to Jake, however, something was very familiar about the boy. Then the boy turned slightly.
"Bloody fucking hell!" Jake exclaimed.
"What's up Jake?" Harper asked as she entered the room before stopping dead. "Cuntfuck!"
"What's with all the swearing?" Charlotte demanded before her mouth dropped open. "Motherfucker!"
"We having a profanity contest?" Rylee asked as she pushed past Charlotte before simply finding herself speechless and totally confused for a moment before uttering a single word. "Simon."
The boy grinned at his stunned friends.
"Hello, Rylee."
..._...
For a moment, Rylee did not move, but Naomi saw the tears overflow Rylee's eyes and flood down her cheeks.
Naomi also noticed that Rylee was shaking slightly. Naomi may not have got on with Rylee, in the past, but she knew how much Simon and Rylee meant to one another. She had been amazed when Blake had appeared with Simon in tow. They had spent an hour talking and Naomi had explained to the adults what Simon meant to Rylee and vice versa. Finally, Rylee regained the ability to move and make sound. She ran forwards and hugged Simon tightly, sobbing into his shoulder. Simon, too, was crying. As others appeared in the room, they were ushered away from Simon and Rylee by Harper and Charlotte.
Rachel grinned as she watched her daughter hugging Simon. She had heard all about the boy from Naomi and she could understand Rylee's feelings for him. Eventually, the pair separated and they both sat down on a sofa where Charlotte handed each of them a mug of hot chocolate and a plate of carrot cake.
"Thank you, Charlie," Rylee said, ignoring the tears of happiness which still ran down her cheeks.
"Thanks, Charlie," Simon added.
"So, Simon, what do you think of Rylee?" Harper asked.
"She's taller," Simon replied.
"So are you," Rylee grinned.
"You're still beautiful," Simon added, and the room exploded into wolf whistles and crude comments as Rylee's face went bright red and she wished for the floor to open up beneath her feet.
Rylee felt really weird inside when Simon said that, but she had no idea why.
..._...
An hour later, Rylee had finished both her cake and her hot chocolate.
She got up and went over to Harper.
"Do you still have it?"
"Have what?" Harper responded.
Rylee grabbed Harper's left arm and turned it over. Harper saw Rylee looking at her 'Z' tattoo.
"You are mine, remember?" Rylee said pointedly.
"Yes."
"Is there somewhere we can talk – you, me, Si?"
Harper went to speak with Alexandra who pointed at the stairs and explained on for a bit. Harper then returned to Rylee and Simon after firstly whispering something to Charlotte who nodded.
"Come with me," she said.
Harper led the pair out of the drawing room, and she turned right before finding a set of backstairs. Harper went up two flights of stairs, coming out on a landing on the second floor which contained a large open area and a locked room. Rylee heard more feet behind them, and she saw Charlotte on the stairs below.
"I asked Charlotte to guard the stairs," Harper said. "I trust her with my life."
Simon and Rylee both nodded; they trusted her too.
..._...
"What's up?" Harper asked.
"You are Zeta," Rylee began. "That means Simon and I can trust you, one hundred percent."
"Okay – should I be scared?"
"No, Harper," Rylee replied. "We have had our differences, but you stepped up and became a true Zeta. You made me look good, and that means I see you as a friend. Right now, I am scared."
Harper blinked. Rylee? Scared? Those two words never went together.
"One week ago, I knew nothing about all of this. I was just a girl who had spent two years being abused and taught bad things. Then I spent the best part of another year trying to cope with being normal again. I had nobody to talk to who knew what had happened to me. I was too afraid to tell my own mother in case she disowned me or became ashamed of me. I thought that everybody I knew was dead, or that I might never see them again. Then I went and killed two men and suddenly, I find myself being whisked off to Wakefield and I spend hours being grilled by some fucking halfwit copper. Then I find myself in a new world. I meet Electra and Charlotte, not to mention a fucking princess! I understand that Keira is your sister, right?"
Harper nodded.
"She was great. She helped me out by telling my Mum all about what I went through. I still half expected my Mum to just leg it out of the room – I wouldn't have blamed her, neither. That Stephanie girl told me that I was going to be looked after, then my Mum receives a shitload of cash into her bank account. What is going to happen to me, Harper? What is my life going to be like? What is Simon's life going to be like? Can we stay together? I trust you with my life, Harper, please help me."
Harper was stunned to hear Rylee almost begging for her help. Okay, moving from being alone to being looked after in a normal-ish life was not an easy transition, so Harper could understand where Rylee was coming from.
"So many questions," Harper mused. "From this moment on, you are both safe. You both have choices to make about your lives. You are both in full control of what happens to you. Nobody will force either of you to do anything against your will. You want to spend the rest of your lives with each other, no one will stop you. There are limits, of course, but generally you are free." Harper paused for effect, grinning. "You want to hide your boobs and pubes, you can."
Rylee growled ominously as Simon raised an eyebrow. Harper laughed. Rylee gave in as she felt her cheeks heating up. She unbuttoned her shirt to reveal her bra.
"Are those boobs?" Simon asked as he looked a little closer.
"A bit microscopic, to be honest," Harper grinned.
Rylee bit her lip as she felt her cheeks heating up. She had no idea why she was feeling embarrassed, nor why she said what she said next.
"You want to see them?" she asked coyly.
"I'm outta here!" Harper called out as she fled for the stairs.
As Rylee slipped off her shirt, she felt a strange feeling as she stood there topless but for her bra. That feeling got even stranger as she fiddled around before the bra finally popped off. Simon smiled approvingly – Harper was right; there was not much to see, but there was more than the last time he had seen her. Rylee decided that it was time for all or nothing, so she quickly shed the rest of her clothing.
"I've seen your twat before," Simon reminded Rylee. "I even touched it, once, remember?"
"It's different, now."
"So, I see," Simon commented. "My dick's still the same size."
"Let's see," Rylee grinned.
Simon undid his belt and he pushed down his trousers and underwear in one go.
"See."
Rylee grinned as she saw that Simon was pointing at her.
"Your balls are bigger," Rylee pointed out as she felt her cheeks heating up again.
"I s'pose."
Then, Simon was surprised as Rylee grabbed his dick. It was Rylee's first penis. She had seen dozens before, in all shapes and sizes, but she had never actually touched one before. Simon reciprocated, and Rylee jumped as she felt fingers on her nipples – she had not realised how sensitive she was. Then Simon moved his hands down into Rylee's still sparse pubic hair. Rylee made no attempt to stop him as he continued to explore. The feeling was like nothing she had ever felt . . . both youngsters jumped as there was a coughing sound.
"What's going on?"
Rylee realised that her Mum was standing there, at the top of the stairs, watching her naked eleven-year-old daughter standing in front of an eleven-year-old boy who had his trousers and underwear around his ankles, not to mention the fact that each was busy exploring the other's body.
"I wanted Simon to see my new bits," Rylee explained.
Rylee had not started menstruating and it looked like Simon was a while away from being able to make Rylee pregnant, so no harm was done, Rachel figured.
"I wanted to speak with the two of you," Rachel said. "How about you both get dressed, maybe?"
"Oh," Rylee muttered as she quickly pulled on her knickers, trousers, and shirt, stuffing the bra into a pocket of her trousers.
Once Simon was dressed, Rachel sat down on a beanbag, waving the two children to do the same.
"I spoke with Naomi, earlier, and Harper just a few minutes ago. I understand how much each of you means to the other. This afternoon, after Naomi and I spoke, I thought about you, Rylee, and about Simon. I have now come to a decision, and I am willing to offer Simon a home, with us, in Ilkley."
Rylee was stunned. She could not move for almost a full minute, but then she leapt up and she hugged her Mum. Then she pulled away and turned to Simon.
"Do you want to come live with us?" Rylee asked, a look of hope etched into her face.
"Of course, I do," Simon replied, grinning broadly.
"Thank you, Mum," Rylee grinned. "Thank you, so much, for being my Mum and being there for me the past year. It can't have been easy for you, and I wouldn't let you into what happened to me."
"I love you, Rylee," Rachel replied. "No matter what you are, or what you do. I am proud of you and I am so pleased to have you for a daughter. Simon, if you want to be my ward, then I would love to have you. Harper and Naomi have told me that you are honest and that you care for Rylee more than anything. I also know that Rylee would never accept life without you beside her."
Simon nodded as Rylee felt her heart leaping within her chest.
..._...
That night, after everyone had eaten a full meal of steak and chips, all cooked by Lynn and Alexandra, the younger members retired upstairs to their bedrooms.
Despite many of them being tired, there were the usual crude comments while they changed into pyjamas, not to mention some bonding. Simon headed down a floor to say goodnight to Rylee. His mind was still reeling with the events of the day and what his future might entail . . . a future with Rylee. As he stepped into the bedroom being shared by Naomi, Harper, Rylee, And Electra, Simon smiled. Harper was pulling on her Rainbow Dash pyjama top while Naomi lay on her bed, already in her Rarity pyjamas. Electra stood over by the large curved window in her Applejack pyjamas while Rylee wore a pink set of Pinkie Pie pyjamas. Simon laughed.
"That is so you, Ry!" Simon said as Rylee scowled.
"Mum says that as I am a girl, I need to behave more like a girl," Rylee grimaced.
"The pyjamas were not our idea," Harper added.
"These are so cool, aren't they?" Mary commented – she was wearing a set of Princess Twilight Sparkle pyjamas.
"Not seeing it," Amber stated, wearing Trixie pyjamas.
"They're cool," the Sweetie Belle clad Kaitlin proclaimed.
"You just don't have an inner pony," Scarlett grinned, displaying her Nightmare Moon pyjamas.
"So not funny," Olivia complained.
She wore Princess Cadance pyjamas while a scowling Craig wore Shining Armour pyjamas.
"Oh, I don't know," Diana chuckled – she wore Sunset Shimmer pyjamas.
Charlotte ignored the grinning Jake as she looked down at her own Daring Do pyjamas. Kate was very pleased with her Spitfire pyjamas, despite being far too old for My Little Pony. Dakota wore a set of Starlight Glimmer pyjamas.
"Why did I end up as Diamond Tiara?" Jessica wanted to know. "She's bitchy."
"Sounds like a perfect match," Jeremy pointed out.
"Why am I the only boy to be forced to wear this?" Craig wanted to know.
"Why not," Keira grinned – she sported a Princess Luna T-shirt.
Natasha wore a Princess Celestia T-shirt, leaving Cassie to wear a Songbird Serenade T-shirt. Sinead looked in – she wore a Gilda the Griffon T-shirt.
"Okay, guys – to your own rooms, please," Sinead directed.
"There will be no wandering between rooms," Cassie explained. "Olivia, Craig will not be dipping his wick, tonight."
Olivia's mouth dropped open at the blatant comment on her and Craig's sex life. Everybody laughed as each went their own way, chatting happily.
Simon and Rylee hugged before they went to their respective beds.
Brazen
"Thanks, guys."
"For what, Rylee?" Harper asked.
"Accepting me."
"We've had our differences, but we're friends now," Naomi said. "I'm just glad that you're alive, Rylee."
"I was amazed to find so many of our kind alive – it's just amazing," Rylee admitted. "And to find that Simon was alive . . . wow!"
"I always liked Simon," Harper admitted. "He was hard on me, but it paid off."
"He was always fair," Naomi agreed. "He never went out of his way to cause trouble for me."
"Rylee did," Harper laughed.
"What can I say," Rylee grinned. "I'm a brazen bitch."
Bloodhound
"It's really good to see you, Simon," Jake said – and the boy meant it.
"It's been worth the wait – to find you guys alive . . . and to see Rylee."
"She's looking good," Jake admitted.
"Eyes off, cunt!" Simon laughed.
"Have no fear," Ewan stated. "Jake has eyes only for Charlotte."
Jake went very silent as he felt his cheeks heating up. Simon laughed as he turned over and closed his eyes. The boy smiled as he considered where his life was going.
Ultimately, he did not care – so long as he was with his Rylee.