Jools: I know! *pets My Loanna*
Gracie: You know Sammy just loved that comment!

Chapter 12

The next day I wasn’t in the mood to talk to anybody. I was still angry, and I knew I couldn’t face anybody without exploding. So I stayed in my room through most of the day. I didn’t even go out to eat breakfast, or lunch. My stomach was aching for food, but I ignored it.

I wanted to write a letter to Loanna, but that would mean walking out of my room. Then again, I don’t think I would be allowed to write anybody. I hoped she didn’t get into too much trouble. I should have woken up earlier so I could get her out on time. If it weren’t for Aleksander’s sadistic ways, none of this would have ever happened. The more I thought about him, the angrier I would get. I tried not to think about him and focus on something else.

Around seven that night, I got a knock on my door. I didn’t say anything as it slowly opened. Jacoby peaked around and gave me a tentative smile.

“Do you want something to eat?” he asked.

“No.” I replied stubbornly. I wasn’t going out there.

“Come on. Nobody is in the kitchen. I’ll heat you up something to eat.” He coaxed.

“I don’t want to go out there.” I said. Didn’t he get it? I didn’t want to see anybody.

“Fruit salad? Extra apples?”

I hated how well Jacoby knew me. I bit the side of my lip in thought, should I risk going out there?

“Is anybody in the kitchen?” I asked quietly.

“No. Come on.” This time I got off my bed and followed my brother out of the room. I saw the light on in my parents room, and I heard talking coming from Aleksander and Otto’s room. I took a calming breath and entered the living room as Jacoby walked into the kitchen.

“If you cut the apples I’ll cut the watermelon for you.” He said to me.

“Are there any strawberries?” I asked.

“I was going to make a strawberry shortcake, but you can have some.” He smiled.

“I don’t have to have any.” I said, feeling guilty for eating his strawberries.

“No. It’s fine.” He chuckled, handing me two apples to cut up. I took a knife out from the drawer and began cutting one of the apples into a bowl. Jacoby pulled out half a watermelon, and set it on the counter. He also took out a knife, slightly bigger than mine, and began cutting up the watermelon.

We both looked toward the living room at the sound of a sharp knock. I turned to Jacoby to see if he knew who it was. He just shrugged and walked into the living room. Slowly, I followed him and watched as Aleksander opened the front door.

“Uncle Matt!” Aleksander said happily, embracing the man standing in the doorway.

The man looked almost exactly like my father. He had the same mahogany colored hair and the same cheekbones. They also shared their hazel colored eyes. What made them different though was their height. Uncle Matthaios was almost a foot taller. We rarely saw our uncle. I didn’t know much about him. He was very mysterious. I didn’t even know where he worked or where he lived. The only time we saw him was when he visited us.

“Mum! Uncle Matt is here!” Aleksander called, letting him inside.

“Uncle Matt!” Otto yelled excitedly from the hallway, and came shooting out like a racehorse.

Uncle Matthaios chuckled and caught the boy as he launched himself at him. He lifted Otto into the air and my brother began to squeal with laughter. “I’ve missed you Boy.” He laughed, before throwing him down lightly onto the couch. Otto laughed again as he landed on the soft cushion.

“Matt?” My mother walked into the living room, a reserved expression on her face.

“Hey Brown Eyes. How’ve you been?” Uncle Matthaios turned to her.

“I’m fine. What are you doing here?” she asked, giving him a quick hug.

“Well, is Milo here?” he asked running his hand through his hair roughly.

“He should be home any minute. Is everything ok?”

It was weird how after every sentence my mother ended it with a question. I was beginning to notice the look on her face too. She had a calm look on the surface, but I could tell she was hiding an anxious gaze.

“It could be better.” He shrugged.

My mother took a breath before saying, “Otto. Go to your room.”

“But Ma!” Otto groaned.

“Now Otto.” She said sternly.

Otto scowled as he walked out of the room. A door shutting showed that he did as he was told.

“They haven’t found us have they?” My mother asked, crossing her arms over her chest protectively. What did that mean? Who was she talking about?

“I’m not sure.” He replied, as the front door opened again.
“Matthaios?” my father said, looking slightly confused.

“Hello little brother.” Uncle Matthaios grinned lazily.

“This isn’t going to be an exchange of presents visit, is it?”

“Is it ever?” he gave a half-hearted chuckle.

My father gave him a light smile, before motioning him to the armchair. Uncle Matthaios sat down on the edge of the chair, his elbows resting on his knees. My mother sank down onto the couch with my father at her side.

“Kids, why don’t you go do something.” My mother frowned.

“We don’t have to move again do we?” Jacoby asked looking put out.

“We need to talk. Go.” My father said.

We didn’t need telling twice, and we scattered into the kitchen. We all tried to get the best part of the wall to listen through, as the grown ups began to talk.