6. Mine
Snacks were given, so Ellie stopped tormenting her sister, and finally, the delicious smoked food was ready. We stuffed our faces in relative silence. Ellie kept us all amused, but my hands were too busy shoveling the food in to be more involved than listening. Besides, it seemed like they all needed a moment to catch up, and what better time to do that than over a meal?
With us all full of food and exhausted from the day, it was time for bed. As I was getting Ellie’s attention to ask for her to show me my bedroom, including toiletries and extra clothes, she interrupted me.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep.” Her voice was quiet, even though it didn’t need to be. Odie was cleaning up her smoker, and Cy had disappeared somewhere else.
I smiled at her and reminded myself that she was only seventeen. Today was a near-traumatic experience for me, but if I was seventeen—well, I had already gone through quite a bit by then, so maybe comparing us wasn’t the best move. Anyway, a normal teenager would be affected by this in some way.
Movie on the couch? I figured if we fell asleep out here, at least it would be two birds, one stone.
“Are you sure? You look exhausted.”
Thanks. If signing could look deadpan, I nailed it.
She rolled her eyes and chuckled. “I kind of threw off your whole day—life actually. If you want to go to bed, I’ll manage.”
I shook my head. Comfy clothes and brushed teeth, then a movie.
“Really?” Ellie stood up straighter, and the exhaustion I saw creeping in was snuffed out with that one movement.
Really.
She leapt forward, wrapping her arms around me. “Thank you, Mine.”
Pulling away, she grabbed my hand and dragged me through the hallway and to the second door on the left before opening it. A bed was in the far corner with a nightstand and lamp. A dresser was against the right wall along with the bathroom. To my left was a closet that jutted from the wall and had a simple door. I didn’t go digging around in it, but it seemed large enough, especially for the little—nothing—I had with me.
The furniture was all a dark hardwood to match the rest of the furniture in the house, which I liked. It was sturdy and went well with the decor that they had. Really, as long as it was all functional and I had some decent bedding, I didn’t care too much.
“This is your room. There’s not much since it’s just a guest room, and well, they don’t do the whole guest thing.” She shrugged and walked over to the bathroom, flicking on the light. “But there’s a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, yadda yadda, all in there for you. I’m guessing it’s horrible, so I will order us some good stuff tomorrow.”
And what do you know about the good stuff? I joked.
“I’m spoiled. I know.” She said that with so much serious pride that I couldn’t help but laugh at her. Ellie ignored it and flung open the closet, which was relatively small but plenty big enough for me to keep my nonexistent clothing in. “My dad texted me,” she said while refusing to look at me. “He’s having some of my stuff and yours delivered tomorrow. I have no idea what will get here or if it will actually be in good shape. I’m sorry about that in advance, but I will order new versions of whatever they destroy.”
I placed my hand on her shoulder, and Ellie turned around, her lips turned down in a frown and tears filling her eyes.
This isn’t on you. You tried. They didn’t listen.
“I know that, but I still feel so bad. I ruined all of our lives because—” I covered her mouth like I had done back on Lucinda’s porch, giving her a stern look.
Letting go, I signed, You were going to be sex trafficked. Do not apologize for saving yourself or bringing me into it. If I had learned what happened later and had refused to help… I trailed off and huffed. Never, ever feel bad about this. You’re safe. We are safe. That’s what matters.
I didn’t know Odie and Cy, but I was confident in that statement. They would protect us, and if Lucinda showed up, I didn’t think she’d last long without a solid amount of force behind her back.
Ellie fell into my arms, sobbing. I held her and rubbed her back, knowing she needed to let it out without shame. It was a hard fucking day, and truth be told, I’d probably have a cry later myself to get it out of my system.
After a few minutes of soothing her, she stepped back, wiped away the remaining tears, and cleared her throat. “My room, then? I have some clothes in there that you can borrow. I guess Cy and Odie planned to have me visit and wanted me to have everything I normally would.”
Does it help the sting?
“A little. At least I know they wanted me around. I think they were just worried I didn’t want to be around them.” She gave a sad little shrug and turned toward the door, but I stopped her.
What designation is your aunt? I had to know what we were up against. I still needed to get more details from all of them about the Primarchy, but this was a start.
“Beta. Thankfully. I’m guessing that’s part of her mental issues.” I nodded and nudged her out the door.
Her room was the same set up as mine but in reverse. Plus it actually looked like a bedroom and not some haphazard storage unit with a plain bed and matching dresser and nightstand with no personality whatsoever.
The bed was in the corner with one nightstand next to it. The dresser was against the wall to our left next to the bathroom door. The frame and furniture were the same as my room, but where I had simple gray bedding, Ellie’s was a pink, blue, and purple tie-dye. Small shelves were littered around the walls with a few pictures on them, but there was still plenty of space for Ellie to add to them. A large white and fluffy rug took up most of the floor space too.
Wanna trade? I wasn’t sure she was paying attention, but then she laughed.
“Yours will be all dolled up in no time. It’s the least that dad of mine can do.” Rich kids with their daddy’s credit cards… Any typical day, I’d be rolling my eyes in disgust but not today. I will use this power for good. My good.
Make his pockets hurt.
“Oh, I intend to.”
Ellie opened a drawer and sifted through the stacks before choosing a pair of gray sweats and another in black. A second drawer was opened, revealing shirts. She chose two at random, throwing one at me along with the black sweats.
“Meet you out there in five.” Without waiting for a response, she locked herself in the bathroom.
I couldn’t blame her. Not only did I need to pee, but the monotony of getting into pajamas and brushing my teeth was welcome.
Back in my bathroom, I took care of business and refused to rush. With my teeth clean and my long brown hair up in a messy bun thanks to a stray hair tie, I checked out the clothes Ellie gave me.
The sweats were basic baggy joggers with large pockets and cinches at the ankles. They looked big enough to fit me, so I slid off my leggings and put them on. They rode up slightly on my ankles, but the rest fit perfectly fine. Tossing off my shirt that was covered in dirt and my bra because fuck those things—plus I didn’t have much going on in that area anyway—I unfolded the gray T-shirt.
On it was a cutely designed praying mantis with the words “I bite” across the top. It was the greatest shirt I had ever seen, and I wasn’t giving it back.
Laughing to myself, I threw it on and left my room.
Stepping out of the hall, I didn’t see Ellie anywhere just yet, so I got myself some more water and got comfy on the larger couch, wrapping a thick and cozy throw around myself. The room was dark besides the TV that played more Shark Week specials on a low volume. We had left lights on in here, so I had a feeling Odie came through and did a sweep before disappearing again.
I must have fallen asleep because a poke to my cheek startled me awake. I gasped and jerked upright.
“Oh, sorry, I thought your eyes were just closed.” Ellie looked sheepish, but I didn’t know if I believed her. “I’m just going to go over here.” She backed up and fell onto the two-seater couch, mimicking my burrito status.
No other words were said as she grabbed the remote and put on a new rom-com. Ellie left the volume to just loud enough so we could hear but low enough that sleep would be possible.
I couldn’t even tell you the first five minutes of the movie because I fell asleep again. This time, I woke up to see Odie lifting Ellie into her arms and vanishing down the hallway. Half of me thought it was part of my dream, but I doubted that was the first time Odie did something like that.
I really didn’t want to get up and walk myself to my bedroom, but no one was going to take pity on me like they did Ellie. The bed looked comfortable enough, but everything else felt cold. Maybe I would stay here for tonight.
My eyes fell shut again, but seconds later, my shoulder was being nudged. I groaned and opened one eye to see Cy’s annoyed face. Where was Odie now?
“Go to bed. I’m not carrying you.”
I snorted and rolled over.
“Fine, sleep out here, but know Odie will be up at five a.m., making breakfast and being annoying.” I heard her take a few steps, then I wiggled and flopped around in a little tantrum on the couch before turning over to see Cy watching me.
I stared into her eyes without a care in the world. Getting up sucked, and she knew it. My reaction wasn’t strange by any means.
“Do you have seizures or something we weren’t told about?” she deadpanned.
Releasing my arms from their cocoon, I replied, My sleep has been ruined three times. I get to be upset.
“And my entire life has been ruined. Deal with it.” With the way her jaw tensed, I didn’t think today was the only thing she was referring to.
Sitting up, I kept the blanket slung over my shoulders, intent on taking it to bed with me. I brushed by Cy and looked up into her icy blue eyes.
I’m not sorry. I protected Ellie, for a little bit if nothing else.
Her full lips turned to a straight line before her head fell back with a heavy sigh.
“We should probably thank you for that.”
Did that mean?
“Go to bed. We have a lot to deal with tomorrow.”
Ignoring my attempt to get her attention, Cy left me alone in the living room once again. This time, though, she left me with a little bit of hope too.