Ariella woke up and yawned. She pushed off the thin blanket and adjusted her jacket. She hadn't worn pajamas in years. She sat up, and her stomach immediately rumbled. It always happened, and Ari was always hungry, unfortunately. Time to go to the mall again. The mall was the place she was at most, and most restaurant owners had memorized her orders (the food was cheaper and better than buying groceries since she didn't have a working stove or kitchen).

The brunette stood up, stretching, and looked down at her clothes. She was still wearing the jacket and pants from the other day. She grabbed an clean shirt and her black backpack. Stuffing the shirt into the front pocket, she walked stealthily into one the apartment buildings' lobbies. They had nice bathrooms, and the secretaries almost never noticed her. It was the security cameras she had to worry about. She had memorized all of the locations already, though. Experience was a handy thing.

Ari pulled over her hood, put her head down, and walked through the lobby. She kept her eyes on the ground. Families were rushing around since it was Sunday, so she blended into the crowd. She went into the bathroom, locked the door of the stall, and quickly changed. Walking back out, she fixed her messy hair and was going towards the exit of the apartment building when she saw someone familiar.

It was the African-American girl from the other day. She was near one of the counters with a black purse. Ari widened her eyes and walked as fast as she could to the door. The girl gave a single glance but looked away. The sunlight hit Ari's eyes as she went out, breath fast and heart thumping in her ribs.

Had the girl been following her? Did it mean that Henry was also following her? Ari thought about it silently on her way to the mall again. As she strolled down the quiet street, she barely heard the men gather up behind her, secretly. She was about to go into the mall's food court, when someone grabbed her arms, causing her to want to scream. She didn't though. Too risky.

Ari powerfully elbowed the person behind her, also kicking them in the shins. The man yelled out in pain and let her go. Ari ran the other way, back to the apartment building. If she was in a crowd, it would be harder for them to find her. Ari was running, looking behind her, when she ran into someone. She fell down, almost about to cuss. Could the day get any worse?!

She looked up and widened her eyes to see Henry looking down at her.

"Oh you again, what's up-" She cut him off by getting up and pushing him away. Ari heard him running after her, and she wanted to punch everyone around her. Why was this happening to her?!

Ari sprinted faster and felt families looking at her in confusion. She twisted around the corner and right into Henry's arms. He put a hand over her mouth and pulled her into a smaller clothing store. There were no workers inside, and he lead her to a dressing room. Ari debated about kicking him in the balls.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you, ok?" he put his hands up. Ari examined at him warily, standing in the corner by the opening of the dressing room. "So...you're welcome." She tilted her head. "I just saved your life." He crossed his arms. She made no response. "You aren't going to talk?" Ari shook her head and looked around as she always did. Not talking gave her a gift for observation.

The dressing room was small as most dressing rooms were. There was a small bench in the corner but they were both standing. The teal walls were a nice colour. One wall had a sticker that read: FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS. She scoffed mentally. In the back, a mirror reflected Henry's outfit, jeans and a simple light shirt. She saw him fix his hair and then clear his throat.

"Ok well, those dudes were chasing you huh?" he said. Again, she made no response. "I'm guessing that's a yes. Well, I'm here to tell you that they were actually after my friend Noelle, but then saw you. They're going after both of us." Ari narrowed her eyes. "Yep." She crossed her arms. "You don't believe me?" She shook her head. Henry sighed and pushed back his hair. "Just trust me, ok? I can take you back to where my friends are, and they'll tell you. Plus you'll be safer there." He held out a hand, and Ari backed up a bit, shaking her head. "You don't want to come?" She continued to shake her head. "Please?" Ari pushed past him and walked out of the room. "Come back!" She ignored him and kept walking until she was out of the store. He wasn't following her, and she blended into the crowd.

Ari pulled her hood over her head and bent down as if she was listening to music on headphones. Her backpack jingled a bit, and she remembered how she was supposed to buy food. Her stomach rumbled. Ari looked around cautiously and didn't see any shady figures, so she made her way to the mall's food court.

She sat down at a table and looked up at a nearby clock with a sigh. It had been a long day, and it was only 10:37 in the morning. Ari was getting out some money, and someone walked across from her. She glanced up and looked back down immediately. It was one of the men. She cursed under her breath and quickly stood back up, swinging her backpack on. Before he could notice her, Ari walked rapidly to the mall's exit.

"Hey! She's over there!" he shouted. Not very smooth, jerk, Ari thought.

She started to run again, backpack swinging. The outside light hit her face, and she had to squint for a second. She felt the men catching up to her and started to run again when a car screeched in front of her. Ari stopped with a jolt, and the passenger door opened, revealing Henry in the driver's seat.

"Get in before I grab you again," he said. Ari clenched her fists and got in.

Henry stepped on the pedal and sped away. Ari looked behind her at her pursuers, who were angrily trying to run after the car. One of them narrowed his eyes and pulled out a phone. She noticed his many rings, and her heart dropped. She turned around to the front and curled up. Henry looked over his shoulder and saw her.

"You ok?" She nodded, pulling her backpack to her chest. There was a pause. "So uh you don't talk?" She shook her head. "Oh ok." The rest of the ride was in silence, Henry driving smoothly through the New York traffic and Ari thinking about the ringed man.

Ari had never driven around these part of the city before. Even though they only drove about three blocks, she gazed out of the window in curiosity. Shiny cars drove along with them, the fluffy clouds dotted the sky, and busy pedestrians walked around like bees in a hive. Ari got the feeling of love for her city, even if she didn't show it. Henry seemed to know that she didn't want to talk, so he just kept his eyes on the road.

After a few minutes, they reached a street of apartment buildings with classic red bricks and black doors. There were cliche trees growing out of the stained sidewalk, and less people were around. Ari saw a curtain flicking open and close from an apartment on a higher level. Interesting.

Henry parked the car on the sidewalk under a signpost and got out. He ran to open the door for Ari, and she stepped out, backpack swung over her shoulders. The brunette locked the car doors and walked towards the middle building.

"C'mon," he waved. Ari followed him, looking behind herself just in case. She breathed a small sigh of relief to see no one. Henry went up the short steps and pushed open the door for Ari, ushering her in.

Inside was an airy atrium with staircases leading upwards to other levels. There was also an elevator. She thought it all looked nice but a little messy. Ari noticed the coffee stains on the seemingly white tiled floors, the sloppily placed flowers, and orange rust on the black handles of the stairs. The blemishes made the place seem more real.

"We're on the third floor," said Henry. He started walking up the stairs, and Ari went behind him, wondering why they didn't use the elevator. He seemed to read her mind. "Oh the elevator is broken by the way." She nodded, and they kept going up.

On the third floor, Henry ushered Ari down the long, wooden hallway. She could peer over the wall to her right and see the atrium below. He stopped by a door labeled "B21", took out a jangly keyring, and unlocked the door.

"Welcome to my humble abode," he smiled. Ari raised an eyebrow but walked in. He went in after her.

Ari had forgotten what a normal apartment looked like. It was chaotic but quaint. Wires were spilling out of an office room, and the living room was all sorts of colours. She heard yelling from the other side of the apartment, and light came out from various rooms. She could tell was also cooking in the kitchen. Ari wondered who else lived with Henry.

"I'm home!" he shouted. Ari stood awkwardly in the corner. The African-American girl came out from the kitchen in a grey apron and weilding a spatula. She had some jeans and a crop top underneath.

"Where the HELL were you-" She stopped at the sight of Ari and tilted her head. "And who the hell is this?"

"The girl we saw yesterday, remember? Now play nice, Noelle," Henry said, going over to her. The girl, Noelle, laughed.

"Says you, one of the worst people ever."

"Hey!" Henry glared. Ari held in her laugh.

"So what's your name?" Noelle asked. Ari made no response.

"She can't talk," explained Henry. Noelle raised an eyebrow.

"A mute girl? Damn, Henry, you keep getting weirder and weirder people."

"Ignore her, she's just territorial," Henry said to Ari.

"I am not!" Noelle threw her hands up.

"Sure," he winked, also laughing. "Anyways, that is Noelle Maki."

"Nice to meet you," Noelle said.

"Henry! Where've you been-woah..." Another boy sprinted into the open space, and he slowed down when he saw Ari. "Who's she?"

"Don't get star stuck, Danny boy, she can't talk," Noelle said, patting his back and walking back to the kitchen.

"What did I just say, Noelle?!" Henry said.

"Can't hear you!" she said. Henry rolled his eyes.

"Ok well sorry," he apologized. Ari shrugged. "This is my little brother, Danny Casper."

"It's Daniel," Danny said. He stuck out a hand to Ari, and they shook. "Hi!" Ari examined him. Danny and Henry looked a bit similar, both had brunette coloured hair and sparkling eyes. They had the same build and also dressed with the same style. But maybe that was because they lived together.

"He's the baby boy," Henry ruffled Danny's hair. The younger boy frowned.

"I'm only younger by a bit," he muttered. Henry laughed and let him g.

"Where's Ames?" Henry asked.

"I'm here! Oo we have a new girl?" A bright, Asian girl ran in. She had short hair, jeans and a white blouse, gold earrings, and a bright smile. "Hi, I'm Amy Lynn!" Ari gave a small smile.

"She can't talk!" Noelle shouted from the kitchen.

"We get it!" Henry facepalmed.

"Danny, here help me with these wires," Amy dragged the boy over to the living room, where more wires were tangled and stacked.

"Amy, I helped you with these yesterday though!" he complained.

"Whatever," she said. "Work on these first." She handed him a device wrapped up in the black cords, and he sighed, unwinding them.

"Ames said that this would take a little bit yesterday!" he whined to Henry. He mimicked the girl with his hands too, making a "this is small" sign. "'Only a couple minutes!'" Amy hit his arm. "Ow!"

"So uh this is where I live," Henry said to Ari. She nodded. "We're being chased, like you, but don't worry. You're safe here." He grinned. "And maybe this can become your family!"

"Food is ready!" Noelle declared. Danny used the cue to get up and run to the kitchen.

"Hey! Danny, get back!" Amy groaned. She chased after him.

"Stop fighting in the kitchen!" Ari heard Noelle yell.

"Sorry they're a little crazy," Heny laughed. "Maybe you could at least stay for dinner?" She gave a small smile and nodded. They seemed trustworthy. Almost like a family.

A/N

we've met the other characters!!

a lot will be explained in the next chapter woot woot

also just a note: ari doesn't have silver hair yet ehehe

HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED!