Chapter 1
Serene
10 years ago
My little hand trembled in fear was the black beat up pickup parked outside the lavish house, we were the odd ones out in the sea of fancy cars and large houses. Marcus the man who had been taking care of me this past week turned to me. “Get out.” His voice was gruff, the only emotion in his voice was one of anger, when I didn’t move from my position he growled. Getting out the car not bothering to close the door and came to my side.
Compared to Marcus I was tiny; I was after all only 8 years old. With an iron grip he pulled my out the vehicle from my tiny arm dumping me on the ground. He didn’t wait for me to get up or for someone to come out the house and get me. He threw my bin bags full of things on the floor beside me along with the wolf teddy my father had won me and drove off.
As he was no longer there to scold me the hot tears that had been threating to spill for the past hour final fell as a sob broke out. I couldn’t see who it was that had some to my aid through the blurriness in my eyes, so as soon as they touch me, I flinched away crying harder. I just wanted my daddy…. But he was no longer here, he left me just like mommy had. “Hush little dove…” the voice was soothing and familiar, using the name my parents gave me at birth.
I sniffled a couple of times and whipped my eyes before sneaking a peak at a lady crouched beside me, she had light brown hair and dark green eyes that were warm and welcoming as she looked down to me. Concern written all over her face and her touch was gentle. I knew this woman…. Not well she had come over a couple of times on mom’s birthday and mine but I knew her most because she was a mom from the children in my class.
“There we go, lets head inside shall we.” I nodded lightly still sniffling as she helped me to my feet grabbing my bags as I gripped my teddy for dear life and looked at the top of the daunting stairs. There stood four children, The eldest was Brandon. He was two years older the I was but was kind. He has fluffy brown hair like his mothers with lighter Greens eyes. The next two were the twins Xander and Xavier, the only things setting them apart was Xavier was a timid book worm with curly platinum blond hair and crystal blue eyes while Xander was an outgoing jock with spiky pitch black hair and silver steel orbs. The twins were the same age as me.
The youngest was Matilda, she was 3 years younger than me. She had unruly red hair that would not tame and mismatched eyes for blue and green. Before we could begin climbing the stairs another car pulled up, “Oh perfect timing!” the lady’s voice was cheerful and full of love has she gently placed my bags down heading over to the car. A boy slipped out from the back seat. He was no older than me and the twins.
He had white hair and eyes brown and his eyes were an odd mix of reddish, purply white. Was he blind? He looks a little like those white bunny’s albert bunnies I think daddy called them… I stood silently waiting to be told what to do. The boy looked at the top of the stairs with no emotion before turning and locking eyes with me. I watched his eyes lock on to every scar and bruise that was on show before looking back at me. Well, he’s not blind, he did not wait for the happy lady before walking over to me. He stood before me towering over me, I opened my mouth to speak but before I could he arms evolved me into a hug. It was tight but not painful.
He smelt earthy and of rain, my body relaxed as if it was being protected by family. I instantly missed the arm as he pulled away but his hand took my gently as he looked at the lady smiling lightly. I think daddy used to call her fi-fi? She ushed us up the stairs, the boy keeping a hold of my hand the entire time looking ahead. Everyone remained silent till we entered the dining room where we were all sat around. The white boy pushed his chair beside mine and sat beside me taking my hand once more.
“Okey, so introductions are in order. Of course, you already know my name. But you can call me fi-fi or mama. This hear are my children, Brandon, Xander and Xavier and lastly little Matilda.” She gently pats each on the head as she introduced her children. “Of courts you four already know Little Serene from school, but…” she looked at the white boy. “For your knowledge, this is Serene. She is the daughter of my best friends and will be adopted by me from today onwards.”
“Everyone this is Rift Jones; He will be your new foster brother from today.” She sat on the empty seat of the round table and smiled at each of us. It was Xander who broke the silence first.
“White, does he look like that?” If Fi-fi was surprised y the question she did not show it.
“Rift is what the medical professionals would call an albino. All this means is he did not develop a pigment after birth like to did to get black hair so he remains white.”
“Are they meant to look so sick?” he asked staring at rift, Fi-fi shook her head.
“That’s just the way he looks Xander. Don’t be rude please.” She scolded lightly making him shrug. When his eyes turned on my I felt rift tense his hand tighten slightly.
“Why is she here?” his voice grew a little angry causing me to shrink in might seat.
“Because she will be family so be nice.”
“I don’t want her here!” he shouts, I instinctively flinch. “She’s a baby! She cries more then Matilda!” his voices grow louder.
“That’s enough!” Fi-fi shouts looking down on Xander who didn’t even flinch. “Brandon shows them to their rooms please.” He nods and gets up. She follows his lead and leave the room.
“Boys, I need you to look after Serene.”
“But…”
“No Xander. Both her mom and dad are gone, they aren’t coming back. She’s scared, she cry's and flinches because that man who had her before was a bad man. I need you to be her friend, her brothers. Okey?”
I hear a unison of okays as we head up the stairs.
