At the Hut

"So is this plan a go?"

"Yep. Tomorrow morning. Bright and early."

"We want all the kids?"

"Every. Last. One. There's no room for pity here, do you hear me men? It's time for revenge."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tim

Alright, this family may not be rich, but the Mrs. over here sure knows how to make a mean chicken noodle soup- even without the chicken. The warm broth slides down my throat and satisfies me in a way only one other thing has- my own mother's cooking.

I'm sitting at their giant family table. I feel a little awkward and almost guilty because I'm positive I'm sitting at what used to be the father's spot. Judging by the fact that there's a girl who's practically a newborn, the wound of losing the man of the house is probably still fresh.

"Thank you so much ma'am. This soup is the best thing I've tasted in ages," I say genuinely before drinking the remainder of the broth straight from the bowel. 

I'm immediately embarrassed by that last action when I see all the kids staring at me. But then, one of the little girls, smiles at me and laughs. "You're funny," she comments.

I smile sheepishly, feeling the color drain from my cheeks.

The lady smiles at me, giving me the feeling that I have no reason to be on my guard.

"It's my pleasure, really. And please, call me Carol," she says.

"Ok," I reply rather lamely.

"So," Carol starts. "How do you know Cameron?"

Cameron? Ohhhh yeah that's the kid's name that..

Cameron and I both snap our heads up to look at each other and laugh nervously.

"We don't- I don't-" I stutter.

"She- Um.." Cameron tries.

One of the boys- Josh I think it was?- starts laughing and winking at Cameron. This earns him a smack upside the head from Cameron. Some inside joke/annoying family... thing I guess.

Suddenly I remember why I'm here. And that I need to take action to save this family from the monsters after them.

"Actually Carol," I say nervously. "Could we maybe... Talk? umm.." I glance around at the seven pairs of curious eyes and one set of downcast ones from Cameron. "Alone?"

Carol looks skeptical but soon shrugs and says,"'Course, dear. Cameron watch all them."

"Yep," he mutters.

I get up from my spot and gently take Carol by the arm to lead her outside.

"Ma'am," I start once we're outside, not knowing why I suddenly got formal again. "I'm glad to have met your family but unfortunately I do not come for mild conversation."

Carol raises an eyebrow and looks at me curiously again. "Whatever do you mean?"

I sigh and start nervously twiddling my thumbs.

"Was your husband's name Garret?" I ask.

Her eyes go wide. "What does Garret have to do with anything?" she asks, suddenly angry.

I hold up my hands, trying to get her to calm down a little bit. "A lot more than you think," I say quite frankly. "He got on some men's bad side during his life. Ma'am, I heard them discussing their plans for revenge on him and-"

"That's too bad because he's gone," she says, shortly.

I nod. "I know, Carol. And so do they. So they... They're coming after his wife and children," I say slowly.

She looks up at me, anxiety written all over her face. "What do they want with us?"

"I don't know," I admit. "But ma'am..." Something suddenly hits me.  "Ma'am we have to move your family somewhere else until we get this men out of your hair for good."

She shakes her head. "Tim, darling you can't ask me to do that I-"

"We won't have to scare the kids," I reassure her. "I'll take care of the men and you'll be able to come back here in no time."

"You'll take care of them? Darling, I can't ask you to-"

"Trust me, I can handle it."

The birds are the only noise for a little while. And then Carol asks the question I've been dreading this entire time.

"How do I know you won't lead my babies right into these men's hands?"

I resist the urge to look anxious after that, feeling she'll only be more suspicious if I look like I've been caught in the act or something.

I look her dead in the eye and say, "Carol, I will die for your family. Family represents everything beautiful in this world."

She still doesn't look convinced. So I grit my teeth and continue. 

"And so help me if I'm lying, you have every right to take my very life."