Chapter 2

A Chapter by Iris

He was a short, stout little man. Completely different from the tall, burly male I was expecting. He had short cropped red hair that dotted his otherwise bald head. Seeing him reminded me of that nursery rhyme: I'm a little teapot, short and stout. And he did look like a teapot. He was rather a laugh. The only thing that kept me from sniggering was that military suit. That was no laughing matter. Behind him was a tall, lanky kid of about sixteen. He was the polar opposite of the Teapot:thin as a stick and shy as a kitten.

By now, my tears had stopped and I gazed at the intruders with shameless curiosity. Finally, Teapot broke the silence. "Are you the unlucky one?" he asked scrutinizing me with calculating eyes. "Well?" he demanded when I hesitated. Clearing my throat, I glared at him. "Do you see any other fifteen year old around here, Mister?". Everyone gasped. Asad had trotted over to the Teapot and was looking at him thoughtfully. Teapot didn't notice. He was too busy spluttering an glaring at me. "You...you...how...dare....!". "What?" I asked, feigning innocence. Inside, I was seething. This man strides into my house like he owns it and thinks he has the right to take me away! Well, technically he does. Still! I wasn't going down without a fight. The boy who had come with the Collector was looking at me with approval. I turned my attention to the Teapot that was currently trying to regain its articulation. "Young lady", he began, sounding eerily like my father, "You are being Collected. I am your Collector, Officer Baton. As such, it would do you well to drop the attitude. It will not gain you any alliances, and trust me, you need all you can get." I stared at him resentfully. He was right of course. Being angry would get me nowhere. It would just increase the number of people with a personal vendetta against me. What actually surprised me, though, was that Teapot, er, Officer Baton actually seemed to care about what happened to me. Why should he bother?

The tall kid was nodding so vigorously it seemed that his head would fall off. Then I noticed Asad. He was patting the Collector's knee. "Are you taking my sister away?" he asked, full of innocence. Baton looked down, his face morphing into one of a loving father. I ,stood, shocked. "Yes little one", replied Baton gently. Asad's lip trembled. "Don't cry young man, she will be alright", Baton amended hastily. Asad sniffed," Will you keep her safe? Pinky promise?" he held out his pinky. Baton hesitated his eyes darting around our faces. Mom looked hopeful, beseeching. Sara's eyes pleaded with him. Dad let his mask of control fall. As he rested his gaze on me Baton came to a decision. "I will do what I can to keep your sister safe", he sighed and hooked his pinky through Asad's tiny one, "Pinky promise". Mom touched Dad's arm. Adjusting her shawl, she placed her hand over her heart in silent gratitude. Dad nodded at Baton. "Thank you", he said softly, "She means the world to us. If you can keep her safe we owe you our lives." Baton gave a curt jerk of his head in acceptance. "Okay then, enough with the mushy stuff", he announced ,clapping his hands, "Say your goodbyes now and prepare to leave. Don't take anything too big with you." He turned on his heel and walked out. The kid followed behind him like a shadow.

prev chapter

© 2015 Iris

Author's Note

So, what about it? Is it getting better? Or not? Does it leave you wanting to read more? Review, please. All criticism appreciated.

My Review

Would you like to review this Chapter?
Login | Register

Reviews

April Child

Another good chapter. The humour changes the feeling of the fear from the previous chapter but the suspense is still there and I definitely want to know what happens next.