Jackie stretched as she opened her eyes, letting each and every muscle individually wake up. The sun was shining through the white curtains and directly onto  the sheets where she lay. Jackie glanced over at Cole, who was still fast asleep in his cot. Jackie silently crept out of the room and into the main area which was divided into a kitchen and a family room,

Her hungry stomach growled loudly as Jackie looked at the food sitting in the refrigerator. She decided to make some eggs for breakfast, hoping the scent might wake everyone else up.

###

     About a half an hour later, Jackie could hear bed springs squeaking and feet stepping on the creaky floor boards. Soon the door to Finn's bedroom opened, making an obnoxious squeaking noise.

     Loud groans erupted from the flooring as Finn walked over it with large strides every time.

     "Oh." Finn muttered under his breath as he spotted Jackie pacing around the stove trying to find the ingredients that she needed.

      Forgetting that Cole and Jackie were staying with him and his uncle, he reluctantly pulled out the chair and sat down.

Jackie pivoted around to see a groggy-looking Finn sitting silently at the table. His hair was messy and he had no shirt on. She tried her hardest not to look at his abs, but it was nearly impossible for her not to. As she did so, her cheeks turned a bright red. Feeling uncomfortable, she said the first thing that came to mind.

     "Good morning. I'm sure you- um - know my name, but hi, I'm Jackie." She greeted, holding her hand out for him to shake.

     Jackie swallowed, knowing that she had sounded like a total idiot when she had said that. She felt heat rushing to her cheeks again as she realized what she had done.

     Finn skeptically shook her hand and examined Jackie for a moment. Her long brown hair was put up into her classic bohemian braid and her blue eyes were glowing. You could tell by looking into her eyes that she was a quiet girl with a bright and bubbly personality once one got to know her better.

     To Jackie's surprise, a small smile appeared on his lips and she almost leaped up with joy. According to Mr.Vandel, Finn had not smiled yet since they came. This had made Jackie feel extremely happy that she made him smile herself.

     "Um. . ." Cole gaped, confused at what he was witnessing.

    Cole made his disgusted face and strolled over to Jackie who was gazing into Finn's eyes.

     "Oh haha, sorry. Um, want some eggs?" Jackie blushed as she held the pan of eggs in front of Cole.

     "Yes." Finn answered instantly.

Cole shot Finn an iratated look even though he did not seem to notice or care, and then he looked at Jackie with a huge smile.

     "Sure." Cole replied with a quick nod while he grabbed a plate from the middle of the table and piled eggs onto his plate.

     As the children ate their breakfast, Jackie wondered where Mr.Vandel was. He was not in his bed, outside the cabin, or by the boat. After all, the boat was perfectly roped to the dock like yesterday.

     "Finn, where is Mr.Vandel?" Jackie asked nervously as she feared she lost another person in her life.

      Jackie looked deeply into Finn's eyes waiting for his response. Jackie did not want to lose another person in her life.

     "Oh, he didn't tell you?" Finn gaped as he raised his left eyebrow, "On Tuesdays he always goes out to get more wood from the forest in the morning. I am quite surprised he did not mention anything to you guys, he is usually pretty good at keeping up with that kind of stuff."

     Jackie felt relieved that she knew Mr.Vandel was safe and just finding wood out in the first. She really did not want to lose another closely known person in her life. Jackie let out a relief filled sigh and continued eating her eggs.

###

     "I'm home, children!" Mr.Vandel shouted taking out his cigarette and dabbing it a little to get the ash out.

     He flicked the butt of the cigar into the little trash can and pulled off his muddy boots.

     His pale blue eyes made him look tired and especially with all the much on his face, he looked very strong and muscular. It was clear to see the relation between Finn and Mr.Vandel.

     "Hello uncle!" Finn replied running a hand through his thick blonde hair.

Jackie was insanely in love with him when he did that. She thought it was the most adorable thing he did.

     "Stop looking at him all dreamily!" Cole mouthed as he glared at his sister.

     She turned to Cole and gave him a nasty look. She groaned and walked out of the cabin and into the woods.

~

     "Boys, do you want to help with the wood?" Mr.Vandel asked as he washed off his face and hands.

     Cole and Finn were full from eating so many eggs, but they knew that they had to help Mr.Vandel, or else.

     Finn and Cole were already somewhat friends but oddly, Cole didn't exactly like Finn just yet. He thought he was extremely self-absorbed and stupid.

     Cole did not want Jackie to like Finn since he thought that she would not want to hang with him; She would want to be with Finn instead. Cole turned around and examined Finn and scowled angrily.

     "I'll just go, I guess." Cole finally muttered as he stood up and slid on a pair of Finn's old hiking boots and grabbed Mr.Vandel's hatchet.

        "Oh, you don't want to go Finn?!" Mr.Vandel asked surprisingly as he looked at his nephew in shock.

     "No, I do." Finn answered roughly as he shot an evil glare at Cole and then looked back at his uncle and smiled politely at him.

     "Alright, I'm going to rest for a while. You boys go get some more wood. It's going to be a cold night. I'm sure there are some severe snow storm warnings going around here. Good lord, what is happening to Poland?" He questioned out loud as he lay on the couch resting his red hat over his face.

     Cole sighed sadly as he began realizing again that his beloved father was in war and that his mom was captured now. He began to tear up slightly, but he immediately swallowed them back.

     Man up, idiot. Men don't cry!

     Cole thought to himself as he rubbed his eyes. To help gain confidence and reassurance, he looked towards the forest and inhaled deeply.

     He quickly shook off the thought and ran to catch up with Finn who was already far away from him. Then Finn and Cole went out into the deep and lush woods. The sky was already darkening up around them. . . and fast.