All Wet

Chapter 16

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As we get settled in to Brin’s old room, I think about looking for Brin’s father at first. Where has the man taken himself off to? But, on second thought I look over at Alys and can see she is a mess, she really doesn’t need any more drama to her day.

Brin on the other hand is plowing ahead with her plans. She seems to think it is her mother, who needs to be convinced that she is making the right move. She leaves us to follow her mother back downstairs, where, Emma said something about making a meal for us. So instead of going out to look for Brin’s mysterious and grouchy father, I stay and the three of us clean out Brin’s room, so we can stow our affects and sleep undisturbed.

We strip the bed and clean out all the debris, using the same method as Brin, out the window. I make up the bed for Alys to nap on. She just sits in a corner and hugs her knees while we clean and is very grateful when I say to her.
“Alys dear, why don’t you take a nap now. We will stay here and keep the boys away from you.”

She gives me a sad smile and slowly climbs into the bed. She is asleep in an instant.

Then the three of us sit around to talk.

“Well, this is quite the mess.” Diana says, with her usual understatement of the facts.

“I am just glad the Brin is going to leave.” Catherine answers. Her eyes still sweeping the room in disgust.

“What I am wondering, is what the hell is going on? Emma seems to be the only human one here. The boys are..” I pause in search of a word.

“Morons.” Diana supplies with amusement.

“I was looking for something less derogatory. They have no mental stimulation, so it is no big surprise that they are only looking after number one.” I end and chew my bottom lip as I think so more. “What I was looking at was the father. He seemed off to me. I mean why live out here? His wife is pretty smart, and would not have fallen for his macho posturing. The boys, for all their lack of training, are smart and attentive, as is Brin.”

“You think daddy has something to hide?” Catherine looks at me in surprise.

“He was off. Why was he not happy about Brin coming back home. Yeah, maybe he did not want to feed us, but that is just too ridiculous for me to believe. Then, he just leaves the house after we get here, he does not sit in and listen to our story. Every-one listens to news. Especially when you have so little contact.” I argue back.

“Do we care?” Diana muses out loud. “If he doesn’t harm us, then I say, we live and let live.”

“All I am saying is, I do not like it.” I sigh. “I wish I could have touched him, maybe get a reading about him from that.” I mutter to myself

“Fine.” Catherine says, back to her grumpy attitude. I like that she has mellowed toward me over the week. At this point, I can tell she is only making a token effort of resistance.

“In that case, I am going to see what I can find.”  I say as I stand, I look at Diana and ask. “Would you keep Alys company, Diana ?”

“Sure, I was thinking of catching a cat nap, myself,”  She gives us a wry grin. “I figured we are going to set a watch tonight.”

Catherine gives her a short bark of laughter. “You got that right.” Catherine also stands and stretches. “I think a look around would be a good idea.”

I gesture for her to lead out of the room. She rolls her eyes and heads out of the room. I give Diana a small bow of thanks and follow. Catherine is already half way down the stairs by the time I get out of the door. I guess she plans to explore on her own.

I stop for a moment and listen for the sounds of female voices. Brin and her mother are in the kitchen. Her voice sound strident has she tries to convince her mother that this is her life and her plan. Emma sounds like she can’t believe that she is losing her baby girl, after getting her back. I wonder some more, why Brin was the only one taken from this group. Yes, she is the only girl on this farm but according to the Killmick settlers, there are at least 6 other families in this area. Why have they never been visited?

I tune out Brin and her mother. I listen to the wind. There are hidden places in this house. The wind rushes through the cracks. I listen. There are technologies, unused and unharnessed. How interesting.

I follow the hum outside and down a hill, until I come to a stream. Clear water flows across rocks making a small falls. Hydro power? I enter the stream to look for a turbine or whatever is hooked into the stream. I am up to my waist in water, when I decide what the hell, I will take a bath. It will give me a good excuse, if some one should ask what I was doing in the stream.

I toss my wet skirt off and unlace my boots. I am about to pull off my top when I sense that I am not alone. I look around. There, one of the brothers. Damn! I forgot about them in my hunt for the technology.

“Well looky here.” The oldest, I think, Billy Ray, says, there is a lip smacking grin on his face.

“Go away boy.” I command.

“Now, why would I be wantin’ to do that?” He saunters over to my meager pile of clothes. “You might have some strange hair up top, but everything else looks just fine from where I am standing.” He picks up my skirt and fingers the material. A big smile crosses his face as he drops it back down and strokes his skinny chest.

“Then you keep standing there, boy.” I lift my chin and cross my arms over my chest. “I do not want to hurt you.” I warn him.

“Now, why you go all unfriendly when I was here to be nice. My sister’s got good taste in friends.” A nasty grin slithers across his face.

Enough already, I roll my eyes and do another sweep of the area. The other boys are closing on the far side. So they have some strategy.

“I think you have had enough play time, Billy Ray,” I point my hand at him. “It is lesson time for you boys.”

I rush him. Billy Ray’s eye widen in panic as I gain ground and come abreast of him. I ball my right hand and slug him in the jaw. His eyes roll up and he falls straight down, like a puppet whose strings had be cut. I lash out with my foot and catch a second brother in the stomach. He huffs as I connect.
I jump off the rock and pirouette. I can see the second brother clutching he stomach in pain. Now, where is number three. I hear the sounds of shotgun being pumped and cold metal pressed up against my back.
Number three.

“Tilly, right.” I name him. “Be a good boy and put that gun down before you get hurt.”

“What the hell did you do?” He yells in my ear.

I shrug, while he is watching my shoulders move. I pivot and grab the gun barrel. I give a shove at Tilly with it, it hits him in the face, there is a crunching sound like his nose getting broken and he lets go.

I check to see if it’s loaded. And, no, it is not. Does anyone around here have ammo? I hiss in disgust.

“Unloaded. Really, Tilly, we have would have to have been born yesterday for that trick to work. Now go stand over there with your brothers.” I point with my chin.

He whimpers but complies.

“What am I to do with the three of you?” I put on my mean face. Yes, I know I’m standing there half naked in front of three over sexed delinquents. But right now I don’t really care. I am too angry.

The two who are awake give me a hangdog expression, of how sorry they are.

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