All that has happened flows through your mind. The cupboard, your aunt, stepfather. Suddenly
the overwhelming feeling of these events rush forward. The rush makes it feel like drowning and
makes you sit on the floor. Staring forward, not specifically at anything in the room. Ping. Your
phone rings. Rumor, your older brother by 5 years. Well not by blood, since your mother is his
godmother.
You pick up the phone and answer the call. "Hello? Serran, you there?" "Yeah," "Good, hey
heads up I'm coming home so is Elodie, Temptation and Ellington." "Really?" "Yeah, but can
you tell me why? Are we going to visit Étienne?" "Um, I can't tell you but no it's not for Étienne."
"Why?" "It's better if mom tells you." "...Okay, well I'm with Elodie, Temptation and Ellington had
to take another bus." "Are you near?" "Yeah we'll be there by night time, Temptation and
Ellington might arrive an hour after us." "Okay I'll inform mom." "Okay, huh what do you mean to
shut up? You can sleep once we get there." "Is Elodie trying to sleep?" "Yeah she says I'm too
loud." "Well I agree, I guess we should hang up." "Okay, bye then." "Bye see you later." Trrr.
Rumor and Elodie, taken in by your mother when their parents died, they're twins. As well as
Sherry's older siblings. Temptation on the other hand is your stepfather's child. Ellington was
adopted by your stepfather when he was 6.
You place your phone down and get up from the floor. You walk towards the door and go down
the hall. "Mum!" "Yeah?" She walks out of the restroom. "Mum Rumor says he and Elodie will
come home at night. Temptation and Ellington will get home a little later." "Okay, Maya has
already unlocked their rooms." "...Mom? How are we going to get Étienne?" "Oh that?" She
lowers her voice down to a whisper. "His care team says he can get out. That he's not a threat
to himself or anyone. Chris is going to pick him up last since we have to get his things first. And his father can't see that Étienne is out." "Okay." "Mhm, now go and play with your siblings if you
want. They're in the yard." Your mother smiles while patting your head. "Aunt Fount, I've
finished cleaning myself. Can you give me my towel, please?" "Yes honey. You must be cold to
sit in the water." She walks into the restroom and closes the door. You walk down the stairs and
into a hall. Passing the kitchen. Then to a sliding glass door. You open it and walk down the
steps. The yard is also half a garden. Mostly herbs that your mother dries and sells or uses
around the house. The separation between the yard and the garden is two polls that your
mother uses to dry light colored fabrics. In the yard are your siblings, most of them playing Old
Soldier.