I stared at the sky as the cool wind breeze seemed to remove any stress. It seemed like I was still weary. Even though my brain knew I was safe, my heart was heavy, and paranoia got the best of me.

The people I loved, the people I thought I knew.... they all abandoned or betrayed me.

I slumped against the wall behind me and closed my eyes, letting myself doze off.

That is, if not for the large bark that interrupted my sleeping. I peeked through one eye and flinched when I saw a large dog running my way.

"Oh shit!" I yelled, jumping to my feet as fast as I could. "Calm down, he's just trying to play." A voice tried to reassure me.

"Mhm, I'll believe that for a second!" I yelled before taking off.

The dog was hot on my heels, and I was losing stamina pretty quickly, since I was sort of out of shape.

I fell to my knees and tried to catch my breath, but also giving up. If I were to die now because of my bad shape, then so be it.

But the dog didn't try to maul me to my death. Instead, it jumped on me, and licked my face all over.

Disgusting as it was, it reassured me. At least it wasn't using it's massive teeth. I pushed it away as its owner finally neared us. "I'm sorry, we were taking a walk, but the moment he saw you, he bolted. I don't even know why."

I rolled my eyes before dusting myself off. "I don't care, just get it away from me."

"Wow, not a dog person, eh?"

I raised a brow. "No. Not exactly."

I knew that if I told him that I was attacked by every single dog in my lifetime, he would laugh, so I didn't.

"Well, I love 'em. They're loyal, and really nice. I feel bad for you."

I turned away from the blonde boy and stuffed my hand in my pockets. "Don't care how you feel just get it away from me."

The boy obliged, and clipped a leash to the dog's collar, and tried to pull it away.

But it only whined. "Come on, Skippy, let's go!"

I almost laughed at the ridiculous name he gave the beast, but decided to ignore it instead.

But the dog wouldn't budge. It planted itself right next to my feet, much against my will. "Nevermind, I'll just leave." I offered before taking a step away.

The dog followed me, clearly dragging the boy along, since he didn't have enough strength.

"Wow you're pathetic." I laughed, as he pulled at the leash.

"Oh be quiet." He muttered, trying his best to hide his frustration.

"Okay, okay. Nevermind. You know what, just... let's just sit for a while. I'm kinda bored, and maybe this demon could keep me company. Even though cats are clearly better."

The owner seemed even more annoyed, but obliged happily. He plopped down onto the grass and let 'Skippy' loose.

She only neared me, and set her muzzle on my lap, confusing me. "What the hell is it doing?" I asked, glancing at the weakling.

He stared at her with wide eyes. "She never does that to me!"

He seemed jealous, which somehow made me feel proud.

"Oh! I'm Arthur, by the way."

"Okay."

"......."

"What?"

"And your name.....?"

I raised a brow. "You don't need to know it." I wasn't about to act chummy with a guy as annoying as him. I mean, 'Skippy' was nice, but the guy was a pain in the ass.

"Come on!" He whined, pouting like a child.

I rolled my eyes, but refused to tell him. "Pleeeaaaasseee?"

"No."

"Pleeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaassssssseee?"

"Goddamn it, no. Leave me alone."

"Pretty please?"

"It's Caspian, you annoying rat."

Arthur laughed at my comment before wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

"You're stubborn, you know that?"

"You're one to talk."

Arthur raised a brow as he glanced at me. "I think we're going to get along just fine."

"That makes one of us."

I pulled away from him, and awoke Skippy, who looked up at me, innocently.

I groaned before sitting back down. The dog wagged it's tail, happy to fall back asleep.

"So, Caspian, why is everyone being so discreet about you?" Arthur asked, his green eyes searching my expression for any clues.

I shrugged before turning away. "I don't know. Maybe ask them? I'm just here hiding from some crazy gang."

Arthur didn't seem satisfied with that answer, but I didn't really care.

"Arthur!" I heard someone yell. Arthur's head shot up, and he groaned. "Shit. I forgot."

"What? What did you forget?"

"Skippy's owner was waiting for her...."

"Huh? She's not your dog?"

"Nope....."

A boy came running over, the glare on his face was quite scary, even though the boy himself seemed harmless.

"Goddamn it, Arthur. I told you to hurry you lazy rodent!" He scolded. Skippy instantly jumped off my lap, and ran towards their owner.

It stung a little, but I got over it.

"Last time I ask you for a favor." He added, sneering at Arthur.

He turned his back and walked off, ignoring me, who watched in shock.

"And that was...?"

"Hmm? Oh, that was Callan."

"Callan?"

"Yeah. You know Damian? Well, that's his youngest brother."

"Yeah... they both have really pretty eyes."

"Yeah. It sort of runs on the family. And now they're going to kick my ass. I should've returned Skippy..."

I laughed before thinking back to the boy. He looked really small. Smaller than me. But he was strangely scary.

I looked to Arthur and rested my chin on my palm. "Does he have any more brothers?" I asked, wanting to hear more about the family I would be stuck with.

"Yeah. There's Sam, the twins, and Callan. They're dad gave them his position, so they work together. Except for Callan."

"How come I haven't met them?" I asked, curious.

Arthur tapped his chin thoughtfully.

"Damian's really overprotective of them, and hardly lets them in on anything remotely dangerous."

"So I'm dangerous?" I asked, a playful grin teasing Arthur.

He shook his head with a smile. "No, but your captors are. But don't worry, Damian will protect you."

I nodded before staring up at the clouds.

"I'm not scared." I assured myself.