AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter follows on from CHAPTER 1: THE PALISADES of my new story: FUSION: LOS ANGELES.
"My name is Dave, Dave Lizewski. . ."
"They know that, dumbass!"
"I was just trying to be conversational, is all."
"Look, Dave: if they've been reading this Forsaken shit for what . . . err, three-hundred-and-fifty odd chapters, you would think they'd've figured out your name by now."
"What are you two going on about – this is supposed to be a narrative for fuck's sake!"
"Stephanie – you butted into my last narrative, back in Chapter 302, so be a good little brat and stay the fuck outta this one."
"Talk about an intergalactic ego!"
"Stephanie! Show Mindy some respect, please."
"Hah!" Mindy declared.
"Mindy," Dave cautioned.
"Okay, dumbass, do your fucking narrative . . . jeez!"
"It has been a week since FEAR died on the streets of Chicago. Sunset Phoenix is gone, too. So are friends – one permanently. Mindy has since returned from fucking around in L.A., setting up a new team. . ."
"I was not 'fucking around', asshole!"
"Prancing around the beach in next to nothing, from what I hear. . ."
"Stephanie!"
"Hey, guys! What's going on?"
"Tommy, sssh – we're doing a narrative."
"Cool! Just wanted to bring these over."
Stephanie quickly snatched something out of Tommy's hands – just not fast enough for Hit Girl's eagle eyes.
"Why would Tommy have a pair of your panties?" Mindy asked with a raised eyebrow.
"It is not what your sordid mind is dredging up from the gutter which flows through that fucked-up brain of yours," Stephanie growled.
"I think it's time for you, me, and Chloe to have a chat," Mindy grinned.
"Like fuck, we do!"
"If you two are getting down to the panty level. . ."
"Dad!"
"You're on your own, pal!"
Mindy and Stephanie began to bicker while Tommy looked on, enjoying the verbal sparring match.
"Anyway!" Dave continued, ignoring his wife and daughter. "Chicago has calmed down and people have gone back to enjoying their lives in peace. In some respects, people were happier to be mugged by real thieves rather than the mafia, or worse."
ABC7 Eyewitness News
Chicago appears to have returned to normal with their very own true vigilantes – eat your heart out, New York! Normal service has returned with the death of FEAR and the total disappearance of the Russians and the Sicilians. A more streamlined force of vigilantes has been seen out on the streets immediately following what has become known as The Battle of Chicago. Hit Girl was conspicuous by her absence, but her partner, Kick-Ass, was readily visible as he patrolled with Wildcat by his side. Even the Chicago Police Department have left their armoured vehicles at home as officers patrolled wearing their usual stab-vests with only pistols to hand. There have been many who openly condemned the city-wide battles which took many lives, on both sides, including that of the vigilante known only as Medic. Some have called for the vigilantes to be stood down while others have openly thanked the armour-clad individuals who have selflessly risked their very lives to keep the city which we all love, safe from tyranny and oppression. Tributes have been laid at the spot where Medic was callously gunned down while treating a wounded Chicago police officer. The corner of West Van Buren Street and South Franklin Street has seen flowers, gifts, and accolades appear steadily over the past few days. The City will mourn those who died for a long time and they did not die in vain. The work to rebuild the damaged parts of the city and the destroyed infrastructure will go on for many months. The ripple effect of the battles will remain but the brave Chicagoans who occupy this fair city will rise to the occasion and continue on with their day to day lives. As for this mild-mannered reporter, I have but one thing remaining to say:
'Thank you, Fusion. Thank you for remaining by our side. Thank you, also, to the forces of Law and Order which continue to protect the great city of Chicago against those who wish to do its citizens harm.'
Friday, October 28th, 2016
It had been almost two weeks.
They had won a great battle, but they had suffered a great loss. In general, the moral was suffering and there was a lot of focus on anything but past events. There was a lot to prepare for and a lot of clearing up to do. A lot of Fusion equipment had been lost or damaged and there was a major inventory underway to find out what needed to be replaced. There was everything from bullets and weapons, through combat suits, and onto motorcycles and SUVs to be replaced or repaired. The damage to physical bodies and to minds was ongoing and would take time. Most schools around the city had been closed for over a week which made things easier and it allowed a lot of tell-tale bruises to heal.
For some, the end of the battle and the deaths of certain villains had allowed them to return to their homes in the certain knowledge that they would be safe from harm. First among those was the Dade family who were released from their enforced protection. Mindy had thanked them all personally, including all the members of Synthesis. They had not been in harm's way, but their value had been invaluable. One positive was an upsurge in memberships at D-JAK which occupied certain members of Fusion and gave them something else to focus on. Chloe, in particular, was focussing her energies there along with Curtis. Ryan had returned to his ship and relative normality. It would be a difficult time and Mindy knew that handling death was difficult for all and she wished it upon nobody – except, of course, for certain people who did deserve to die.
Dave was a constant comfort for Mindy who shouldered much. She was only eighteen-years-old, and her slim shoulders had to bear everything. From time to time, Dave insisted on his own shoulders taking some of the weight off his wife's own shoulders. The one thing that Mindy was perhaps selfish about was her own family who had come out of the battle almost unscathed. Stephanie's dunking in the lake had caused no negative after effects. Although, Mindy was a little sour about losing her attack craft. However, she was pleased to be able to go shopping. Mindy was spending a lot of time down at Safehouse Zulu where she had taken over the operations area as her office with paper strewn all over the place. Indeed, she was not alone as she was often joined by various canines and a few vigilantes while she worked.
As for Stephanie, she was not enjoying her Saturday morning.
Training Facility Echo
Stephanie was feeling distinctly uncomfortable as she lay on a hospital bed, naked but for a bed sheet with her legs spread apart and a pair of hands prodding at her lower parts.
Dr Jennifer Staite was chatting away like it was perfectly normal to be giving a ten-year-old girl a pelvic exam. Stephanie just felt weird and she kept shifting her bottom around on the table.
"Stephanie, please keep still, or I cannot finish. Pelvic exams are not fun for any girl, let alone one of your age. I understand this is not your first."
"I was unconscious the last time," Stephanie pointed out.
"A desirable state, I will admit, Stephanie. Dr Bennett was very colourful in the description of your attack in her notes. Are you sexually active?"
"Do you want to be shot on your first week?" Stephanie growled, and Jennifer laughed.
"I had to ask – it's part of the check-up and well . . . your mom dropped a hint."
"Okay – I was at my boy – err, my friend's place and I accidentally dropped a pair of knickers. The idiot was bad with his timing when he returned them. They were clean and unworn. Megan suggested that I carry a pair just in case my first period crept up on me."
"A very prudent suggestion, Stephanie. Okay, first periods are almost impossible to predict, so it's a good idea to be prepared. However, you are only ten, so you could wait another two years, or it could happen tomorrow. Okay – all appears present and correct. These exams are important, young lady, and you will have many more should you wish to remain healthy. Your body is changing. . ."
"So, I've noticed."
"My job is to keep you healthy, Stephanie, and I intend to do my job to the very best of my ability. You can close your legs now and get dressed."
"Thanks, Doc."
"This place is truly amazing, and I have some large shoes to fill," Jennifer said as Stephanie pulled on her clothing.
"My Mum is a born leader, and everybody would follow her to hell and back. Some of us have suffered bad things as we grew up and we have become child assassins. I lost most of my childhood, but Mum has given me a new childhood and we respect each other. We have freed many others and now we have more that have been freed but who must be punished for what they have done."
"This life is going to take a lot of getting used to but I'm all for it. I still have a lot of you to meet but I like what I've met so far."
"Oh . . . you ain't seen nothing yet . . . Surgeon!"
..._...
As Jennifer watched the youngster finish her dressing, she saw the vicious-looking scar on her upper right chest and she was amazed that the girl had survived so much.
It was only her third visit to the subterranean facility and she was struggling to comprehend the shear magnitude of what was existing beneath the streets of Chicago. Mindy had mentioned many things, including something called Urban Predator which had featured prominently in Stephanie's files. Her full induction was still awaiting her and she was dreading what she might find out. For the moment, her primary task was treating those who had been injured during the battle. Learning how Fusion worked could wait for another day, Mindy had suggested – the medical support came first.
"Thanks, Doc – see you soon, no doubt," Stephanie offered cheerfully as she left the room.
There was a muted knock on the door and the next patient entered.
"Hi, Doc!"
"Lauren Edwards?"
"That's me!"
Jennifer chuckled at the happy, smiling, bubbly teenager.
"Please take a seat, Lauren."
That afternoon
"Have you no shame?"
Abigail looked up from where she was lying on the tiles, surrounded by rushing water. She grinned up at the equally naked Stephanie.
"I'm showering," Abigail pointed out to her friend.
"With your legs wide open like a . . . whatever," Stephanie pointed out to her friend.
Abigail laughed at the suggestion.
"I'm a girl – that's what a girl looks like down there."
"It's unseemly," Stephanie persisted as she pushed Abigail's legs together.
Stephanie found it a little strange, but she was wanting to regain control over her own body. For years, she had been forced to show her body off to all and sundry during punishments and worse. Maybe it was just her growing up, but she wanted privacy and she wanted to control who saw her naked body. Other female Predators, like Saoirse, had been forced to endure puberty and the inevitable changes to their bodies on public show – but Stephanie had had enough.
Her life was her life and her body was her body; she was in full control of it.
..._...
Abigail had visited Charlotte every day.
Was it guilt? A little, but Abigail knew how lonely it could be as an ex-Predator, so she chatted with Charlotte or she just sat there providing some sort of comfort for the girl. Charlotte appeared to appreciate the company considering the alternative. She was young, twelve-years-old, and if it were not for the slight bumps on her chest, and with the shaved head, you could have been forgiven for seeing her as a young boy. Twice, Fury had escorted the boy, Jake, from his holding cell to see Charlotte, and the girl had significantly brightened up during each visit. While Urban Predator had strongly discouraged relationships, those relationships still occurred. It also surprised Abigail how the survivors of Urban Predator sometimes bonded with each other, creating surprising relationships – take her and Stephanie as an example. Charlotte seemed to look on Fury as a friend, so after nagging Mindy to pieces, Abigail was allowed to forgo the mask.
"Who are you?" Charlotte had asked guardedly as she saw the young girl slip through the curtains.
"My name is Abigail, Abigail Wilde."
The girl appeared relieved to hear a British accent for a change.
"Fury, right?"
Abigail nodded.
"I'm in a real bind, aren't I?"
"Yes, Charlotte, you are."
Charlotte was very depressed. She regretted everything, all the way back to her decision to sign on with FEAR as a Marauder. Abigail saw the tears forming – the girl often cried during the night, she had been told.
"What's going to happen to us?"
"Honestly, Charlotte, I have no idea."
That evening
South Whipple
Abigail returned home that evening to find a very morose looking Brad sitting with Lauren on the couch.
It was fairly obvious that Brad had just returned from the hospital and his Dad. Abigail looked directly at Lauren who grimaced. Then Lauren jumped up and she pulled her morose boyfriend to his feet.
"Brad, come with me. Abigail, please see to it that we are not disturbed."
"What are you going to do?" Abigail asked.
"Do you really want details, little Abigail?" Lauren smirked, and Abigail cringed as her sharp mind grasped what Lauren meant.
..._...
Brad was on autopilot as he allowed himself to be led upstairs and thence into his own bedroom.
Lauren shut the door and she turned the key in the lock. She pulled Brad down onto the bed and she looked into his eyes.
"Brad, you need a distraction. How about that distraction being me?" Lauren suggested as she undid the buttons on her blouse.
Brad noticed, and his eyes came to life but otherwise, the boy did not react.
"Do you want me, Brad?"
"I love you, Lauren; you know that."
Lauren lifted Brad's T-shirt up and off. She liked the boy's developing muscles. He had always been strong, but since he had been properly working out, his body had developed nicely. However, other parts of his thirteen-year-old body had been developing too, and Lauren enjoyed those parts – not that she had done more than stick her hands down his shorts and then get her hands all sticky a minute later. The boy had been there when she was in pain – she still was in pain but that was not the point – so she was going to be there for him. Lauren kicked off her shoes and she popped the button on her jeans. Brad shook his head.
"It's way too soon, Lauren," he said.
"Bradley, I decide when is too soon," Lauren retorted with a little anger. "It's been nine months and I want to lose my real virginity to the boy I love."
"Lauren, I . . ."
"I'm not forcing you, Brad, but I want you to be my first."
Brad grinned as he blushed slightly, and he stood up. Lauren kicked off her jeans and she stood there in just bra and panties. She knelt down and she pulled open Brad's belt and then his jeans. As she slid the jeans down, she noticed that one part of the boy was up for it. It was the first time that the fourteen-year-old had been 'up close and personal' with her boyfriend's 'equipment'. Lauren eased down his shorts – not an easy task with something sticking out, but with some gentle manipulation, Brad was naked. Lauren stood before Brad and she turned around, so the boy could release her bra. The bra slid down Lauren's body and off her arms, all the way to the floor. She could feel Brad's warmth as his body touched up against her own.
Lauren shuddered as she felt fingers moving carefully across her bare shoulders and then down across her chest. Then those fingers began to gently massage her breasts before one finger touched Lauren's right nipple and she squealed. She giggled as Brad kissed her on the neck before he pulled her down onto the bed where he lay beside her, kissing the girl on the lips. Lauren loved kisses on the lips – they tingled. When Brad kissed her, she felt warmth inside her and the kiss had other parts of her body tingling too. They were feelings which she had never felt before she had met Brad. He was gentle, and he exhibited caring in his touching and his kissing. He would always treat Lauren with the greatest of respect and she loved him for it. She giggled as she watched his dick throbbing slightly where it rested on her left thigh. She loved it when she could tease him, and she enjoyed how her body could cause his body to react.
Brad was messed up with his Dad being in hospital at death's door. Everything had been going so well for his family. His Dad was doing well at his job. His Mom was happier than she had been in years. Then Abigail had come along, and he had gained a little sister whom he loved to bits – she was damn weird, and she was British, but she was awesome. He had been very upset when Lauren had been injured and he could still see the medical dressing below her panties. The boy stared down at the panties. Beneath them was the forbidden fruit as far as he was concerned. He had seen it, of course, only he had never touched it. His eyes flicked up to Lauren who nodded. Brad's eyes flicked back to Lauren's white panties and he sat up, so he could reach them properly. Both hands shook as he reached for Lauren's silky-soft skin which was hot to the touch.
Lauren giggled as Brad's fingers touched her skin and then the waistband of her panties. Without conscious thought, Lauren lifted her butt off the bed to allow Brad to pull down her panties. Brad swept the panties down Lauren's long legs and over her feet with the pink-painted toenails. Brad stared down at the small inverted triangle of dirty blonde pubic hair.
"What do I do with it?" he asked stupidly.
"Oh, Brad!" Lauren exclaimed, and she giggled uncontrollably.
Brad grinned sheepishly as he gently moved his fingers through the until that moment, forbidden pubic region.
..._...
The two youngsters emerged forty minutes later, and they headed down the stairs.
"You two enjoy yourselves?" Rachel Murphy asked gently, a smirk on her lips.
"We never did nothing," Lauren tried, her face very pink.
Brad just stood there an enormous grin on his face.
"Honey, Brad's standing there grinning like a Cheshire cat. Abigail looks appalled to the brink of a breakdown . . . and as for that scream."
"You heard that?" Lauren winced.
"Yeah!" Abigail growled as she looked up at Brad.
Abigail held up her left hand, the thumb and forefinger forming a circle and she stuck her right index finger into the circle. Brad nodded happily.
"You two are so disgusting!" Abigail almost shouted as she bolted up the stairs and Rachel shook her head as Abigail slammed her bedroom door.
"Never a dull moment around here!" Rachel commented. "You take it gently now, Lauren – but thanks."
Wagner Road
Lauren left Brad arguing with Abigail about something incredibly trivial – which was still an improvement over his previous state.
"Well, well, well," Emily chuckled as her daughter set foot into the living room. "The frisky filly returns."
Lauren froze, and her face turned a deep red.
"Mrs Murphy called you, huh?"
"Oh, yeah. Standard for when two youngsters have sex for the first time."
"Ewww!" Lizzie exclaimed as she followed her sister into the room and overheard her mother. "You've just fucked?"
"Lizzie!"
"Sorry, Mom."
"Brad was so low, and I wanted to help. I only had one thing to give him and that was me."
"It's okay, honey, just take it slow and be careful."
"We used a condom – that bit was kinda fun; putting in on him."
"I'm outta here!" Lizzie squealed as she began to feel nauseous.
"Rachel Murphy was very thankful for what you did – he's like a different boy. Although he and Abigail are still arguing as far as I can tell, things have lightened up over there," Emily went on.
"I wanted to lose my virginity the right way at a moment of my choosing."
"I understand, Lauren; I really do."
Glenview
Stephanie was relieved when her friend finally called.
When Mindy had told her that her friend had been shot, Stephanie's response had been one of outrage and worry. She had wanted to get on a plane directly and fly to London. Only Mindy had made Stephanie see sense. By the time Mindy had found out about Electra's injury, three days had passed, and Electra was healing. For Stephanie, she hated hearing anything happen to her little friend, but Vengeance's ordeal had been awful. However, Electra appeared to have been in the thick of it and she had survived – even saving the life of a Royal Princess! Stephanie knew that Electra was very brave and very skilled. She also knew that Electra would have been annoyed to know that Stephanie was worried about her when Stephanie knew exactly how capable Electra was.
Still, seeing Vengeance appearing on television, escorting the British Prime Minister had filled Mindy with pride at how the organisation which she had sowed the seeds for, had risen to the call and stuck to their principals. They had pulled off the most amazing resurrection, pretty much saving an entire government and maybe a country. Needless to say, Stephanie was itching to see her friend, come what may. Mindy said that it would have to wait a few weeks until sometime in November when she was planning some event or other – Mindy refused to let Stephanie into what was apparently a big secret. Stephanie had threatened all sorts of sanctions on Mindy, from violent torture, up to and including death, should she not divulge the secret to her eldest daughter.
Naturally, Mindy took great delight in allowing her daughter to suffer.
The following morning
Saturday, October 29th
Glenview
"Dad?"
"Yes, my little puff adder."
Stephanie grinned before responding.
"Dad – can you give me a lift into town – I need to go buy stuff?".
"Clothes maybe?" Dave suggested as he noticed his daughter's jeans looking a little tight.
"She had to suck her tummy in real tight to get the button done up, this morning," Anne-Marie commented as she kept well out of arm's reach while she rounded her big sister.
"You do seem to be filling out in places, Steph," Dave conceded.
"Yeah!" Anne-Marie exclaimed, bravely prodding Stephanie's left bump with her forefinger.
Stephanie growled but before she could attack her younger sister, Dave stepped in between them.
"Okay, you two – Stephanie, go get ready."
..._...
About four hours later, Mindy heard the front door opening and closing.
"Hi, Dave – where's Steph?"
Dave turned and Mindy grinned at Stephanie's attempt to stride across the hallway and then up the stairs. Stephanie paused as the two sets of eyes caught her mid-stride.
"In here, young lady," Mindy directed.
Stephanie knew there was no avoiding it, so she reluctantly altered course for the kitchen. Mindy could see immediately what Stephanie was trying to avoid people seeing, but she put that to one side as she took in the new clothes. Stephanie had new jeans which had space for growing and were turned up at the end of the legs. She wore a new blouse and a new winter jacket, as well as a new pair of lightweight boots. Mindy was very impressed by the girl's new look.
"I am very impressed, Steph – you look good."
Stephanie grinned but then she faltered as the conversation turned to the elephant in the room. Stephanie's chest appeared fuller than before and more rounded.
"How does it feel?" Mindy asked gently.
"Like something alien."
"I'm a little surprised you came back with it," Mindy stated.
"Well," Stephanie explained. "Dear old Dad gave me three choices. Go get a bra myself, let him take me to get a bra, or let you take me. As if I would go bra shopping with Hit Girl!"
"Hey!"
"I wasn't about to go on my own, either, but Dad made me go. So, I'm now fitted with a size 30-AA bra. Got a whole load of spare's too."
"Well done, Stephanie. It gives you a fuller figure. I know you hate it – most girls do. Megan refused point-blank for ages. Anyway, I'm proud of you for proving how grown up you are – and you are growing up, honey."
Stephanie grabbed Dave and Mindy in turn and hugged each of them.
"You two make the best parents," Stephanie informed them happily.
"Go – before you make me cry," Mindy said and Stephanie grinned enormously. "No – I mean it; go before I cry."
Stephanie vanished speedily as Dave hugged his wife.
"Did she really mean that?" Mindy asked. "Are we good parents?"
"Well, she would know," Dave replied.
That evening
"Mommy?"
"Yes, honey."
"Stephanie's wearing a bra!" Anne-Marie exclaimed and she giggled along with her brothers.
"Yes, Stephanie is wearing a bra – I'm wearing one too; is there something funny about that, Anne-Marie?"
The eight-year-old scowled as her plan to humiliate her big sister exploded and fell totally flat. Stephanie's scowl changed to a grin and only Dave noticed her sitting up straighter and exuding an air of maturity. The two boys were still muttering between themselves and giggling but they were ignored as usual. Anne-Marie was annoyed but she let it slide – the devious little girl had other ways to embarrass Stephanie.
However, Stephanie had a plan for that.
The following afternoon
Sunday, October 30th
Training Facility Echo
"Anne-Marie! Danny! Jamie!"
The three kids lined up behind their sister, a little unsure about unfolding events. With Dave's assistance, Stephanie had assembled most of Fusion around the giant mat on Level 0. Naturally, there had been some good-natured goading once Stephanie's new undergarment had become general knowledge with Anne-Marie's assistance. However, Anne-Marie's assessment of who might enjoy winding up Stephanie had fallen flat, yet again, as many of the females present wore bras and knew how unsettling the first bra was from first-hand experience – especially the Predators. Stephanie glared at everyone present – especially the male variety.
"Now – as my sweet sister has informed the entire world, I am now wearing a bra, so all the hints and snide comments can STOP! For the perverts amongst you, I am wearing a 30-AA bra – however, I will NOT be providing size updates. But let me be very clear: any bastard who talks about my bras . . ."
Without warning, Stephanie turned, and Anne-Marie was seized and thrown across the mat where she landed with a scream in a small heap.
". . . my boobs . . ."
Danny received a severe punch to his chest and a kick to his left thigh which sent him reeling across the mat in a different direction to his twin.
". . . or any other part of my body . . ."
The very apprehensive Jamie received a spinning hook kick to his side which sent him flying after Danny where he landed in a messy heap on the mat.
". . . and I may just lose my temper. AM I CLEAR?"
Stephanie ignored her whimpering siblings as she headed for the elevator. Megan was impressed, and she wished that she had been more forceful about her own first bra. Many grinned at Stephanie's demonstration but most gave her a wide berth, knowing what she was capable of when angry.
Mindy and Chloe simply applauded enthusiastically.
..._...
"Little sis?" brad asked Abigail a short while later.
"Yes, Brad."
"You're older than Steph, right?"
"About six months, why?"
"Shouldn't you be wearing a bra too?"
Abigail laughed.
"You've seen me in a swimsuit, Brad – me and pancakes have a lot in common if you hadn't noticed and I'm about as hairy down below as the average pancake too."
"Please, don't hold anything back on my account, sis!" Brad growled.
"See!" Abigail grinned as she lifted her top for Brad to see.
"Thanks for that," Brad grimaced, then he grinned. "They are flat, I'll grant you that!"
"Told you!"
"Give it three months and I'm sure you'll have something," Brad challenged.
"I dunno – they've still got a long way to go; maybe more like six months."
"Care to place a bet on that?"
"You're on, big brother."
..._...
Chloe was in the equipment storage area on Level 3 when she was tracked down by Becky.
"Hi, Peanut!"
"Hi."
"Something wrong?" Chloe asked as she sat down on the steps which led up towards the main armoury.
Becky sat down next to Chloe before looking up at her.
"Mum . . . can I ask you a personal question, please?"
"Of course, honey," Chloe replied.
"You . . . well, Anne-Marie said that shortly before you found me, you were pregnant."
"Oh."
"Am I the alternative?" Becky asked. "Did you take me home as a replacement for losing your baby?"
"No, honey. I genuinely love you. A lot went through my mind that week – losing my baby was still very raw. Okay. Would I have taken you home if I was still pregnant? Yes, I would. You are my child for as long as you want to be my child, Rebecca."
"That makes sense. I do want to stay with you and Dad – I love you both. I just wanted to be sure that you really wanted me."
"You will always be my little Peanut."
"Will I get a little brother or sister, one day?"
"You never know – but not until I'm older."
"I can live with that," he eight-year-old commented as she gave Chloe a hug.
"Love you, Mum."
The following morning
Monday, October 31st
South Woodlawn
"Sabrina!"
"Yeah, Mom!"
"Give your brothers a nudge, please!"
"Ewww, their room stinks – do I have to?"
"Yes, please, honey."
Eight-year-old Sabrina gingerly pushed open the door to the bedroom that her two eight-year-old brothers shared. As she had prophesied, it stank . . . she reached an arm in and flicked the light switch.
"Turn the light off . . ."
"It's too early . . ."
"Time to get up, boys!" Sabrina yelled at the top of her voice then she let out a little scream as a couple of pillows struck her in the face. "Honestly!"
..._...
Slightly less apprehensively, the eight-year-old headed for the bedrooms of her cousins, Leo and Hunter.
They were both awake and Sabrina gave each of them a morning hug. She had been very concerned at seeing the bruises sported by both boys, not to mention the signs of injuries from two weeks previously. There were many things which she and her brat brothers were not allowed to know about concerning Leo and Hunter. They were cousins which meant they were family, so she felt safe around them, but there was something she could not quite fathom about the two boys. Neither had ever hurt Sabrina, but they had accidentally heart her brothers, Samuel and Simon a couple of times. But that had been before their move to Chicago. Sabrina may have been young, but she was not stupid, and she had one or two ideas as to what the boys were and how they might have gained their bruises and injuries.
Unbeknownst to the young girl, she was about to find out so much more than she would ever have thought possible.