Tim

"Cameron?" I asked, breaking into a hushed conversation that he was having with Erica.

He stood up from his crouching position and Erica clung to his leg, her thumb in her mouth. Now, I wasn't really one to call things adorable, but...She was the definition of 'adorable'.

"Yeah?"

"I think it, uh, would probably be best if everyone got some sleep. You know, because we're in a bit of a-" I started, but Cameron quickly coughed and nodded toward Erica unobtrusively.

"Sticky wicket." I finished, Erica not understanding the metaphor.  

"Right. Erica, go get ready for bed." Cameron ordered, Erica nodding and scurrying off to her 'bed'.

I watched quietly in a corner of the small cabin as everyone tried to get themselves comfortable. It wasn't too hard. They were all dead tired and welcomed sleep with open arms. Except Phoebe who was happily playing with a metal pot on the floor. When Carol took it away and tried to put her to bed, she started to cry because Carol took the pot away. After a while, she got Phoebe to sleep, and it was a peaceful scene. Cameron was laying out a couple of blankets as Liza tried to get him to tell her a bedtime story, but then Carol walked over and said she'd do it.

I watched the peaceful scene for several minutes before my chest started to ache. The pain grew bigger and bigger until it physically hurt, so I clumsily stumbled out the door, taking a deep breath of fresh air and wiping the hot tears that started to slide down my face. A few sobs escaped my mouth before I could stop them and I quickly covered my mouth, walking to the farthest end of the porch. Every time I looked at this poor family, no father, flat broke, nothing to look forward too, I still saw that with these burdens, they're much happier than me. 

I leaned over the rail, shutting my eyes and trying to keep the memories from flooding back...But it didn't work.

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"So, Mandy, how did training go?" Maddie asked at the Christmas Eve dinner table.

"Great! I've learned a lot."

"You'll have to demonstrate for us after dinner," Mom said, cutting the juicy ham down the middle.

"Uh, are you sure that's the best idea? Mandy, mixed with training and breakable dishes, doesn't blend very well."  Olivia warned.

It was true though. I had a tendency to be very clumsy, especially when there were breakable things nearby.

"Mandy...I missed you." Laura whispered, clinging to my arm.

"I missed you too Pumpkin."

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Suddenly, a giant cry escaped my lips and I smothered my mouth, looking scared toward the door, hoping no one had heard. After a half a minute of waiting for someone to come out, I relaxed. No one had heard. I sat down on the wooden boards of the porch, trying my hardest to erase my memory. I pulled my knife out of my belt and checked the blade. It was razor sharp, as always. I looked around me at the pond and the flowers, trying to take my mind off the past. Again, it didn't work.

"Why do you always do that?" I heard Cameron's voice come from beside me.

I snapped my head up, realizing that I was still fiddling with my knife. He really actually had a natural talent for sneaking up on people. That was the second time he'd done that to me.

"Do what?" I asked, not sure what he was talking about.

"You always sneak out."

"And you always follow me."

I guess that struck a cord because he immediately started to blush a little, for what I reason, I had no idea.

"Well, I guess you're right about that...There's just a little part in me that can't resist an adventure." He said, smiling jokingly.

"Hah, well hang around me much longer, and you'll get in a lot more then an adventure." I told him, half as a warning, half as a joke.

"And that's suppose to mean..?"

"Nothing...Just forget I said that."

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Cameron

"Nothing...Just forget I said that."

No way!

"Fine...But still, why do you always sneak out?"

She shrugged, but then decided to answer.

"I guess it's because I'm not use to crowded spaces...I've lived alone for a while you know."

"Huh, I gathered that." I mumbled, regretting it after I said it.

"What's that suppose to me?" She asked, giving me hurt look.

"Nothing! I didn't mean it!" I hurried to reassure her.

I expected her to go on about it, but instead, a smile slowly broke out over her face and she slapped my arm, making me sway slightly.

"And neither did I," She laughed.

"I was just messing with you...But you're right. It's not hard to tell that I've been living alone in the woods most of my life."

"Wait...You said you had siblings?" I recalled, a bit confused.

She stiffened and her eyes widened a bit. I thought there was maybe something wrong with her, but then she answered me with a rushed explanation.

"I did...I mean, I do...Wait, no, I...I just."

"Tim, is there something you're not telling me?"

"You don't trust me, do you?" She asked, not even bothering to look at me.

"Well I don't know! It seems I'm taking an awful risk putting the fate of my whole family in some stranger's hands!" The words came out  more aggressive then I had intended, and I felt bad when she looked at me with a visibly soar expression.

"Oh I get it! That incident back at the house doesn't convince you at all? Or the fact that I figured out your family was in danger in the first place! I guess none of that means anything to you!"

She had a point, but at that moment I was too angry to control my words.

"Well I have a rite! I don't know anything about you. Every time I ask about your life, you cut me off like there's something to hide! Who are you? Where are you from? Where are your siblings?"

"What?"

"Your family! Where are they?"

"I can't-"

"I know. You can't tell me. Why? I think I have the rite for an explanation. How am I suppose to expect you to understand what we're going through?"

"Because I know, Cameron! I know everything that you're going through!"

"But where-"

"THEY'RE DEAD CAMERON!!!" Her words seemed to physically hurt her and tears started to cascade down her face.

"Wha-what?"

"THEY'RE ALL DEAD!!!"