Skylar
         
When playing hide-and-go-seek one never wants to be with Gage. He just turned six and is physically incapable of not talking for longer than five seconds. But I'm eight so I can tell him to shut it.
   
I somehow ended up with him, hiding in the hall closet of my house. Thankfully Kyle is "it" so this shouldn't take too long.
   
"Sky scoot over, you're squishing me." Gage whines.
   
"Hush, I think I hear Kyle." I say softly. I move over slightly and peer through the key hole.
   
"Seriously scoot!"
   
"Samuel Gage Weston, shut up." I exclaim slightly louder than a whisper. I hear voices outside the closet.
   
"I'm gonna tell--" He stops, evidently hearing the voices as well. Through the key hole I can see that the door to dad's office, across the hall, is halfway open. Within I see dad, Henri, and Mr. Lee Kiezer. "What are they saying?" Gage asks quietly.
   
"I can't hear too well." I listen harder and start to make out sentences.
   
"Think about what could be possible with them." Mr. Lee's voice.
   
"The only thing they can make possible is more division and bloodshed. Look back at history Lee." Henri says desperately.
   
"They just didn't know how to use the gift that was given them. But we could use it right. We could take over this show and lead these people the way we want to lead them." He has this sense of wonder to his voice, but he also sounds angry.
   
"Do you realize how insane you sound?" Now Henri is angry.
   
"I'm just doing the right thing Henri. Doing what we should do for the people of Skorix. They deserve a better leader than the piece of trash they have now."
   
"Lee, the Leader made a mistake, but he is not corrupt. He is still good for the people."
   
"A mistake? Is that what we're calling it?"
   
"And I know that mistake cost you--"
   
"Cost me? Lisa and Nick are dead and I swore I'd avenge them."
   
My dad steps in now. "Those rings are meant to remain hidden. I'm sworn to protect the Leader. If you use those rings, or anything else, to harm him, It will be my responsibility to stop you by any means necessary. Do not put me in that position." His voice is calm, but threatening.
   
"We'll see Ben." And with that he storms out and I jump back away from the key hole.
   
Gage and I sit in silence for a few seconds and then he asks. "What it is?"
   
I hesitate. "Nothing Gage." Is all I can manage without revealing in my voice the fear that has engulfed me.

It has been a ridiculously long day. I never appreciate it when a kid vomits on my head. I don't care if you have a compound fracture, don't puke all over me.

Twelve hour shift puts me home at 8:30pm. I enter through the laundry room, drop everything, slip off my shoes and make a b-line for the box of cereal waiting for me in the pantry. I've missed dinner and cooking a "real" meal requires energy that I do not have.

Tori walks in as I'm pouring milk into my bowl. "Hey you." She says.

"Hey. I feel like I haven't seen you in days." I say with a big grin. I turn back to my bowl and sprinkle some sugar over it.

"Long day?" She leans against the counter.

"That's an understatement." I say with an exasperated look. She just laughs at me.

"What about you? How's Dean?"

"Dean's good. He's actually looking to move out of his apartment."

"Can he afford that?"

"He's says he can. Says he's rocked the apartment life long enough. Anyways, I'm happy for him."

I smirk. "So are you like helping him?"

"Yes."

"Having lots of input?"

She blushes. "Yes."

"Hmmm. Ok." She elbows me in the side.

"Anyways, yes my day was very long and actually kinda weird. I found some weird substance in this dogs wound. And get this, the owner said she saw the wound smoking right after it happened."

"How buckets of crazy is this lady?" I say with my mouth full of cereal.

"That's the thing, she's a great client. One of my favorites actually. So I'm completely stumped. But maybe we'll have answers soon. Dean's running all the tests."

"Well maybe soon then." I stop chewing, lean toward her and smell her shirt. Smoke. "Y'all are having a fire without me?"

"S'mores too."

"Then why I am I eating this?" I set the bowl down in the sink. Linking arms, I half drag her out the back door. I see the fire-pit all aglow and the rest our little gang of seven. "Kyle's doing I suppose?" I think making campfires is his favorite thing to do with his ability.

"Well, actually it was target practice for Jordan. Kyle thought he needed precision practice or whatever. And he kinda started a fire with his sparky-ness. Kyle contained it while Lore and Jordan ran for the marshmallows." Tori and I laugh at the ridiculous visual that gives. Jordan's not the most skilled with his ability to control electricity.

We've reached the circle of adirondack chairs that surround the campfire. I come up behind Jordan and pat his shoulder. "Nice job Jordan." And we all start snickering.

"I think you all owe me a thank you. The s'mores wouldn't be here without me." He replies, trying to defend himself.

I fix myself a s'more and take the empty seat between Lore and Kyle. Only now do I notice Kyle's plugged up his phone to a speaker. Spirit In the Sky by Norman Greenbaume. Good song. I take a bite of the chocolate marshmallow heaven and settle further into my chair.

Next to me Kyle grabs his Newcastle and stands. Clearing his throat he says, "Alright, I suck at speeches and I actually think they're kinda dumb. So, anyways, a toast to Jordan." He raises up his drink. Everyone follows, raising various things from Blue Moons to mugs of coffee to water bottles. I'm left to pathetically raise my half eaten s'more. "Congrats on finishing the easiest four years of your life." Two exasperated "KYLE!"'s come from myself and Lore. I actually hit his leg with my foot. But we all laugh nonetheless. That's about as close as the Bryant's can get to touchy feely-ness.

Jordan smiles, "Thanks Kyle. Means a lot."

We continue to sit and enjoy the fire and each other's company. I rest my head back against my chair, silently listening to Foreplay by Boston. This is exactly where I want to be right now.

Teague

We stood watching from the living room as mom and dad stood in the kitchen, talking is hushed voices. Us kids had been assembled, but why, we didn't know.
    
Mom had baby Lorelai in her arms. My dad kissed mom's forehead and then Lorelai's. They walked towards us, apparently finishing their conversation.
   
"Come hug your father kids." Mom says, still looking worried.
   
"Where are you going?" Daniel's small voice asks.

"I've got some work to do with Henri. We'll be back soon, don't worry." He picks up four year old Jordan and gives him a hug. We all file after and give dad a hug and kiss. I don't know about my brothers and sisters, but this all seems different than some usual trip for his work.
   
He says goodbye, smile on his face. With a last look at mom he leaves through the front door. Everyone starts to disperse, except me. I feel a like I can't breath. I don't want him to leave. I'm scared. Too much weird stuff has been going on. Too many whispered conversations.
   
I dart out the door. I hear mom call my name, but I don't stop. I run down the front walk and onto the tree lined, gravel drive. I see dad's truck not far in front on me. I run faster.
   
Dad's break lights come on and the truck stops. He gets out and starts walking towards me. I get closer to him and he kneels, arms open. Tears running down my face, I crash into him. He wraps his arms all the way around me. "Teague, why are you crying?"
   
"I don't want you to go, I'm scared." I choke out.
   
He pulls away and looks at me face. "I know you are, but I have to leave. I've got a job to do."
   
"Are you gonna stop him?"
   
"Who?" He says with a puzzled look.

"Mr. Lee."
   
"You're a smart kid" He laughs. "Or just good at eavesdropping. But yes, I'm going to do my best. He's done something wrong and I have to go try and take care of it." With his thumb he wipes a tear off my cheek. "Teague, I know you're scared, but I need you to be big for me. I need you to watch out for your siblings. Even Kyle. I know you two bicker, but you need to look out for each other. Okay?"
   
I nod. "Okay."
   
He smiles softly and pulls me into a hug. "Now you run along back home." I nod again. He stands. "I'll see you soon."

Laying in my bed I stare up at the ceiling. You know, contemplating life's problems. I've been tossing and turning for what seems like all night, but turning my head towards the clock I see it's 2am, so only a few hours.

Yielding to my hunger, I sigh and get out of bed. I don't know why I'm hungry seeing as how I ate like six of those s'mores tonight. Nonetheless I make my way downstairs and into the kitchen. Reaching the pantry I search for a good midnight snack. Hmmm, peanut butter or a pop-tart? My thoughts are interrupted by a loud thud somewhere in the house. The heck was that?

I quietly exit the pantry and silently slide the 9mm pistol out of the end drawer. Yes, the Bryant's junk drawer contain a firearm and no, this is not paranoia, this is precaution. And her name is Nelly. I turn the corner out of the kitchen to where I think the sound came. We have a guest room down the hall and kinda an office/library room next to it. With my thumb I turn off the safety. I turn into the guest room quickly and check my surrounding. I flip the light switch on and see nothing. I check the closet and the bathroom as well. Still nothing. I turn the light off and start to exit the room. hearing another loud thud, I pause. I hear a voice coming from the office.

"For crying out loud." Sky. Smirking I turn the safety back on. I tuck the gun in my waist band and walk into the office.

"Nice job." I've evidently startled her, she stops herself right before swearing at me. "You successfully scared the crap out of me. I even got Nelly."

"Paranoid much?" Ok, maybe I am a little. She bends down trying to pick up some stack of books. Ah, that was the loud thud. She can't seem to hold them, I go over to help before she decides to drop them for a third time. I turn on a lamp and then grab the books from her. "Thanks, I dropped them twice and on my freaking bad toe." Only then do I see that they're photo albums. And then I see her face. The lamp has lit her face revealing her tear stained cheeks.

"Sky, what's wrong?" Although I think I can guess. She smiles, shakes her head and fresh tears slip out of her eyes. I set the albums down on one of the wing-backed chairs and pull her into a hug. She lays her head against my shoulder and I just let her cry.

After a minute she lifts her head and pulls away from me. "I'm fine, Teague." She smiles and wipes her face. "It's just...this will be another life event she wasn't suppose to miss." Mom. She'll be missing Jordan's graduation. "You learn to push memories and grief away, but I just couldn't tonight."

"I know. Sometimes I miss her so much it's suffocating. Dad too." She nods. We stand in silence for a moment.

"Anyways." She clears her throat. "They wouldn't want us to cry. This is big for Jordan and we need to be celebrating."

"Yeah, can't believe the turd actually finished high school."    
She snorts. "Well, you finished so."

"True." I laugh. Like me, Jordan was more into sports rather the actual school part. I don't mean football, lord knows we're too skinny, or basketball. Nah, the Bryant kids mostly stuck to cross country and lacrosse. I guess you could say we don't like those mainstream sports.

"I'm not going to be able to sleep for awhile."

"Me either. Ooh, what if it's one of those twin things?"

She rolls her eyes. "You're such a dork." We split the stack of albums and leave the office. We come into the living room and set them down on the coffee table.

"Hang on, I'll be right back." In the kitchen, I grab the box of pop-tarts and pour two glasses of milk. I return and hand her a glass.

"Bless you." She says, reaching for a pop-tart. "So, pick one." She nods towards the albums. I settle on the couch next to her and pick up an old tattered one. Pretty sure this one is from Skorix. I have a memory of mom carrying a couple albums in her arms even during all the panic that had erupted right before we came to earth. I guess that's a mom thing.

"This one looks early." I say and open it up on my lap. And the first one is a naked baby picture of Kyle.
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A/N: First time I ever made myself cry while writing was when I worked on this chapter. Yeah, I'm weird like that. :) If you enjoyed Three please vote and feel free to comment! Thanks for reading!!
~Emerald_Parrish✌🏻️