May 14, 2020 edited

Not perfect but better...No plot changes

The drive was long and quiet. M1 tried to start up a conversation a couple times but with my one word answers and a couple grunts he gave up within 30 minutes. Sitting in the back of a black SUV I stared out the window while listening to my music. I kept it low enough so I could hear anything that may have been said but they didn't talk. The whole four hour drive I could feel their eyes on me which I ignored. I was getting annoyed, grumpy and hungry but decided keeping my mouth shut would be the better route to go. See I don't alway pick fights. It usually starts off with a sarcastic comment that leads to more. Sometimes my sarcastic comment and sometimes not. Honestly I prefer not to speak to anyone. It's not that I was shy, I just don't like anyone or could care less what anyone had to say.

I had to admit the last hour the scenery was pretty. I had to fight my body from relaxing too much but with the scenery it was a challenge. We were surrounded by the woods and mountains. The last town we went through was almost an hour ago and the last house I saw was about 45 minutes ago. I started to notice the odd gravel road a few minutes ago that branched off this main road but saw nothing else. They seemed to lead nowhere.

Between my body getting stiff from spending so much time sitting and the 7 hour plane ride plus the 4 hour car ride I was getting really tired and hungry. I was just about to ask how much longer we had to go before I heard a chirp coming from a phone.

M2 picked up his phone and placed it to his ear. "We will be there in 5 minutes." He said to whoever was on the other line. There was a couple yes' and a no before the phone call was done.

As to his word less than 5 minutes later we turned on to a wide dirt road. Another 2 minutes and I saw the first building I had seen in awhile. It was huge! It looked more like a glorified fancy 5 story hotel with a few homes farther out. The place was surrounded by trees just like Uncle Thomas had said.

"Here we are Miss Stevens. If you will follow me I will bring you to your Uncle Thomas." M1 stated as he opened the car door and waited for me to join him.

"It's a Mac. Not Miss Stevens." I grumbled.

With a nod he led the way forward. I wanted to take my time to check everything out but exhaustion had my feet follow him and in hopes for a bed sooner than later. M1 opened the double doors and led us inside. I was a few feet in the foyer when I felt eyes on me. I stopped to look around. The place was homey with its rich dark wood and creamy beige walls. What wasn't homey was the 20 pair of eyes that were staring at me from the room on the left. I did not like crowds and walking into a new environment with this many new faces was far from comfortable.

"So this is the infamous niece," A males voice said from behind me right before I felt a gentle finger slide from my waist, across my back to end at my shoulder.

I moved before I even thought. I had his wrist firmly in my hand and his body over my shoulder landing on his back. His wrist still in my hand I twisted his arm and had my boot covered foot against his throat. "DO. NOT. TOUCH. ME." I did not yell, my voice was low, controlled and threatening.

I knew everyone was now standing rigid compared to the relaxed state just seconds ago.but I ignored them keeping most of my focus on the scum under my boot. If someone moved towards me I would deal with them but until then I would deal with the scum under my boot. When the guy I had on the ground smiled I added more pressure on his throat and twisted his arm a little more. When his smile grew I threw his arm away as if it burnt me. "You are a sick fuck aren't you?" It was not meant as a compliment.

"Mackenzie!" A deep voice barked deeper in the house. My head snapped up to see those familiar blazing blue eyes. It was only those eyes that had me stop cold.

I knew who he was immediately and had mixed feelings about it just as fast. "You look like him." That was all I said. He did. There was no way anyone couldn't see the family resemblance. Their eyes were even the same except my fathers were cold.

"Thomas, she is a feisty one, I like it." Said the idiot I had thrown on the floor but he didn't seem to learn his lesson the first time.

I felt his body inches from my back and the barest of touch against the back of my neck. Between my exhaustion, hunger, my dad's brother that looks almost exactly like him and the fact that this scum had the balls to touch me again I lost it. I swung around and slamed the guy against the wall with his arm twisted behind his back. Another inch and his shoulder would be dislocated. From behind me I could hear people yelling but I ignored them. Well that was before I felt a strong arm snake its way across my waist to pull me back.

Smashing my head back I felt my head connect with a chin. It was enough of a shock to wiggle out of the grip to grab the knife I always kept in my waistband. Another second later I had the scumbag back up against the wall with the knife against his throat. The screaming stopped abruptly. All you could hear was my heavy breathing. It wasn't from exhaustion it was from struggling to keep myself from completely losing it. "The next time you come within 3 feet of me I promise I will show you what I can do with my friend here." I pushed the blade up against his throat so there were no misunderstandings.

"You are even worse than your father was." There was a chuckle right after that statement. "If you would please let Nick go I would appreciate it. I believe he has learned his lesson." My Uncle Thomas said. He was closer to me than before but still kept a reasonable distance. I wasn't sure if Nick learned anything. If I was reading him right he was getting off on this. And that was what made me nervous to begin with. He got off on the rough stuff or at least acted like it.

Slowly I backed away from the idiot, oh wait I mean Nick. His face was towards me and we watched each other while I slowly moved further back while he stayed glued to the spot I had him in. Even though I was scared I didn't show it. If anything all they could see was anger and disgust. While all I could see was awe in Nick's face which creeped me out even more. Slowly looking away from Nick but keeping him in my sights while looking at my uncle.

"Ok everyone the show is over," A guy with a very deep and rough voice said from behind me. I wanted to look but there was no way I was turning my back on Nick. I had the sneaky suspicion that we would be having a few more encounters in the near future. "Nick go get some fresh air." Nick hesitated for a second before slowly pried himself from the wall and moved slowly to the door where he left. I felt my body relax a bit.

"Mackenzie why don't you follow me and I will get you something to eat before I show you to your room." My uncle said as he watched me with an expression I couldn't explain.

Taking a step towards my uncle I turned my head a bit to the left where I saw M2 looking annoyed and M1 looking pissed. It was also when I noticed that M1 had a split lip and blood dripping down his chin. Well I guess now I know who grabbed me. I actually felt a little bad so I did something I don't usually do. I apologized. "Sorry about that M1." I gestured to his lip.

"M1?" He asked, looking confused after the shock of my apology flashed by.

I just smirked. "I think I have pissed you off enough already so I will just keep my mouth shut." With that I walked away following my uncle as I slid my knife back in the inner sheath I had in the inside of my waist band.

The kitchen was huge and modern and very white. I mean everything was white except the stainless steel fridge, stove, and dishwasher. All industrial size. No one else followed so I relaxed a little more and jumped on one of the bar stools that surrounded the center island while my Uncle Thomas went to the fridge. I was struggling not to stare at him. He looked so much like my dad but a much younger version. I felt at ease and bothered by it at the same time. I didn't like the fact that he reminded me of my dad at all but at the same time I took comfort in it. It was a very confusing thing and I hated it. I really hoped this next couple of months went by fast and I could avoid as many people as possible. The last 10 minutes did not look promising.

"Grilled cheese sandwich ok with you?" My uncle asked, bring me out of my inner thoughts.

"Sure." I was so hungry I would have eaten just about anything at the moment. I had questions, I wanted answers too but I typically am not one to start off any conversation so I sat and struggled in silence.

Ten minutes later I had 2 gooey grilled cheese sandwiches in front of me and a large glass of milk. Mumbling my thanks I dove in like a starved man. Ok woman. A few minutes later the plate was clean and my belly was full. It always amazed me how my mood drastically improved on a full stomach.

The whole time my uncle sat across from me and ate while trying not to stare. Taking our plates he placed them in the dishwasher. "You're not a talkative one are you?" There was no judgement in his voice, just curiosity.

I shrugged my shoulders and stood up when he did not sit back down. I really hated people towering over me more than they usually could. I wasn't short but I also wasn't tall. I was average height at 5'6". "Not usually. It's better that way. I tend to piss people off." I met his familiar blue eyes and fought not to turn away. Just looking at him opened up feelings I didn't want to have. Then he smiled a warm friendly smile. The same my dad used to have. The same one I haven't seen in years even though it has been less than a year since I last saw him. I had to turn away and swallow the lump that suddenly appeared in my throat.

He chuckled softly then whispered, "Just like your father." Clearing his throat he continued, "Ok you must be exhausted. I will show you to your room. Tomorrow I will give you a tour of the place." He started to leave the kitchen and I followed. "There are quite a few people that live here. It is almost like our own community. All of the un...unattached young adults live here and most families have their own homes." He explained as we climbed up the stairs. Finally the third floor and he went down the hall to the end. The stairs alone would give me a decent workout.

"Here you go." He opened the door to show me a large room with a queen size bed, dresser, walk-in closet, a couch and a TV mounted on the wall. This room alone was nicer than my aunt's whole house. "Over there is your bathroom. Your suitcases are in the closet. The bathroom is fully stocked but if you need anything else let me know. Tomorrow I will show you around and introduce you to a few people. Monday you start school. The kids usually carpool but we will discuss that tomorrow. What time do you usually wake up?" There was a lot of information he was throwing at me but I was keeping up even though the room held most of my attention.

"Six." I answered. When he didn't say anything I turned to look at him. He looked shocked by my answer. Before he could say anything or ask anything I stated. "I run in the morning. Every morning. Thanks for dinner but if you wouldn't mind I would like to get some sleep." I could be polite when I needed to be. Plus I am usually only rude to people I either have an issue with or for those who gave me attitude. Ok and those I feel uncomfortable around. The list is probably longer but how was counting anyways?

"Ah sure. Umm ok I will see you bright and early. Yeah ok 6am it is." My uncle stumbled over his words and left my room shutting the door softly.

Moving to the door I locked it then headed for the bathroom. A hot shower and bed was calling my name. After a quick shower I was too tired to scrummage through my clothes to find something to sleep in so I just crawled into bed with the towel securely wrapped around my body. I actually prefer to sleep naked but being in a new place made me a little more cautious. My skin feeling the breeze and the way the soft sheets felt against my skin gave me a sense of freedom.