“Caeden. Lyn. Wake up.” The voice broke through my dream of a zombie bear attacking me and I groaned.
“I was having a good dream.” I complained.
“Yeah well. You can dream again later. We’re here.” Tia was rolling her eyes as I sat up, before looking at Caeden who was still asleep.
“Sleepyhead,” I muttered before going up to him and poking him and repeatedly saying his name. I grinned when he groaned and turned away from me but I continued poking him.
“Caeden, I know you’re awake.” I shared a glance with Tia and she silently crept up, and smacked Caeden in the back of the head. He immediately swung his arm in a punch but Tia danced out of the way just in time. I chuckled as he sat up, his eyes closed tight.
“Anyone know where my sunglasses are?” he asked, placing a hand over his eyes to help block out more light.
“Put your hand down for a sec.” Caeden did as told and I slipped the new sunglasses I got him for his birthday on his face.
“These aren't my sunglasses.” Caeden said even before opening his eyes, “Don’t tell me you got…”
“Yup!” I said cheerfully. “Once you fell asleep we swung by the nearest store and it happened to have some of these in stock.”
“Lyn. I already told you, I don’t want any of these. They’re too expensive.” Caeden protested.
“Too bad. They are your birthday present from Lyn.” Tia forced back a giggle as she said it.
For reasons I never have understood, Caeden didn’t want the glasses because they were expensive. But when your parents are the second richest people in the world, and you live a luxurious life full of things that others would think expensive, both siblings, parents and other people would be confused. Our mom and dad get around 2 trillion dollars every year, which adds up in the end. Only the journalists for Mr. Rynon, another candidate for governor of Tennessee, have more money because of their parents. Tia voiced the opinions of many others when she added:
“Besides. How can you say they are too expensive when you have things that cost more than them? This van, not including the security systems, is worth more than those. And you live in a mansion! You, along with your parents, are ranked to have the second most money in the world! So the words: ‘it's too expensive’ should never come from your mouth when most people can’t afford what you are calling too expensive.” Tia said all this with her voice low, presumably too angry to be able to raise her voice.
“Well-” Caeden began but was cut off as Tia slapped him and stormed out of the van.
“You're an idiot Caeden.” I shook my head and followed Tia outside, to where the long line of SUVs was, along with Titania.
“There you three are.” Titania hugged all three of us in turn, and turned around to face the rest of her team, “We need to have a meeting about what all is going to be included in my speech today. Meet me in the conference room at 12:00.”
“What about them?” someone asked, only the tiniest hint of disgust in his voice as he pointed to us three.
“They will be attending as well.”
“But ma’am!”
“No buts. They are journalists and highered to protect me. They will be attending the meeting.” With that, Titania headed inside the building, trusting us three to follow, which we did, smirking at him as we went.
We were only 10 minutes into the meeting and already everyone was arguing. I sighed as I looked at Tia and Caeden, both obviously annoyed, the same way I was. And for once, I was glad we all knew sign language, despite the fact none of us used it much.
Should we intervene? Tia signed.
Maybe. It is getting annoying, Caeden signed back.
Do either of you want to do it? I knew what the answer was, but I asked for verification.
No, you do it. It wasn’t a suggestion, instead it was a command coming from both of them at the same time. I rolled my eyes and stepped forward.
“Alright everybody. This meeting isn’t gonna go anywhere if you keep fightin like this!” I shouted, and the room immediately quieted. “Just talk about one idea at a time, and try to be calm. Got it?”
Everyone nodded and I stepped back, for a little while. The arguing started up again 5 minutes later.
“Y’all are starting to annoy me so how about this?” I rubbed my temples as I spoke, a headache starting to develop, “Take votes on what to include. If you don’t get what you want, too bad. Deal with it. Now, I'm leaving for a bit. Call me if you need anything.”
I stalked out the door and slammed it shut behind me, heading for the kitchen. I needed some pain killers but those would make me sluggish and that wouldn't work well where I was going after the kitchen. Instead, I grabbed a water and a snack, wolfing them down as I walked, placing my hand impatiently on the testing panel at the door to the outside world and practically ran outside. I closed my eyes for a brief moment before looking around. Where to go? I already knew where: the forest. It was only a few yards away so this time, I did run. I climbed up a tree and sat on a branch, my back to the trunk of the tree.
“Nothing like a nap when zombies could get me any second.” I muttered to myself before closing my eyes and doing just that.
I woke to the sound of leaves rustling above me and I looked up. A little cat was peering down at me from the branch above me.
“Hello kitty kitty.” I said softly as I sat up. Upon closer inspection I found it was merely a kitten, likely alone. I reached up slowly to grab it and bring it down, “Come on little kitty, I won't hurt you.”
The kitten purred in my arms, yet shook with fright at the same time. I held it gently, yet tight as I climbed out of the tree. I slowly made my way back to the building, most of my attention on the kitten and my surroundings.
“Let’s see how my friends react to you being here.” I chuckled as I approached the door, a blood testing unit installed beside it. “This could be a problem…”
The kitten would need blood tests, likely one for each paw to get inside the building. Yet there was only one kit, and it was too big for the kitten. I tapped my ear cuff and said “Call Caeden.”
There were a few beeps as I waited for him to pick up then: “What is it?”
“I need a little help out here.” I looked around cautiously, trying to make sure no zombies snuck up on me.
“What happened?”
“Well see…I found a kitten, and I want to keep it. But to get it inside it needs tests, one for each paw." At this, the kitten gave a loud mew before falling asleep in my arms.
“I’ll ask someone to bring-”
“No. You come. I want it to be a surprise.”
“Fine. on my way.”
“Disconnect,” I said, hanging up.
A few minutes later Caeden was at the door, holding four tests small enough for the kitten. He stepped outside warily, and approached me and the kitten. The kitten had climbed on top of my head and was nibbling on my hair, which I kept trying to pull away from it with a chuckle.
“Where’s the- oh.” Caeden stared at the top of my head and I laughed. I gently grabbed the kitten and brought it down low so it could take the tests. I gently placed one paw on the first, the kitten mewling in protest as the needles bit into it. I did the same for the other three paws and all turned out clean.
“Yay. now I can keep it, right?” I held the kitten close as we both looked at Caeden.
“I guess.” he said with a chuckle and shook his head. I stepped up to the door and placed my thumb on the panel. I walked through calmly despite my excitement, and I headed to the room in which I was staying for the time being. I set the kitten down on my bed and began getting ready for decontamination.