"Nice to meet you." I greeted, holding a hand out to Sam. He took my hand and shook it, sending a kind smile before moving out of the way.

Stepping into his place was a stronger-looking boy with bright red hair.

"I'm Adrian!" He chirped, his golden eyes staring deeply into mine. I smiled and nodded, as an exact copy stepped out from the shadows.

"And I'm Andrew!" He added. I glanced at the both of them, though I couldn't find any difference. Even their clothes matched!

"And Callan's not here right now, but he'll be home by lunch!" Sam informed while removing his sweater.

"Uh, I don't mind..." I mumbled, feeling a bit awkward. Damian had asked me to spend the day with the four, but I had no idea why.

From what I had gathered, the four were all close, but Callan never seemed to be around.

"Hey, where exactly does Callan run off to, if you don't mind me asking." I questioned, a little curious.

"Umm.... he's just a bit adventurous, but to be honest, I couldn't really tell you. He's never in one place these days."

"Sooo... what's your favorite color?" I asked, trying to start conversation.

The brothers glanced at each other, with a face of confusion.

Suddenly, they bursted out laughing.

I sat and watched the three struggle to breathe, shocked.

"Y-you're asking us our favorite color?"

"Yeah?"

"What are you? A kindergartener?"

I was offended by Andrew's words and shrugged. "Why? Is it weird to want to know someone's favorite color?"

The two nodded, and I rolled my eyes. "Just tell me."

Adrian and Andrew answered at the same time.

"Blue."

"Red."

I looked to Sam and he thought for a little. "Hmm... yellow?"

I smiled before leaning back.

One more hint.

"And animals?"

Yet again, the two answered at the same time.

"Lions."

"Tigers."

I gave Sam a pointed look and he tapped his chin.

"I like... cats."

Well that was quite strange.

I laughed at Sam's answer before hearing the creaking of a door.

In walked a frazzled Callan, who looked tired enough to pass out that moment.

He glanced at me, and I couldn't help but feel a little intimidated. He was the smallest brother, but he was also the least friendly so far.

He merely ignored my presence and passed the four of us. I looked up at Sam, curious to see his reaction.

I quickly averted my eyes when I saw the sad look he gave while staring at Callan's back.

Did something happen?

Adrian and Andrew patted Sam's back. "He'll get over it." They tried comforting, but the look of hurt never left his face.

"Uh.... is something wrong with him?" I asked, hoping to escape the awkward tension.

Andrew nodded, his eyes meeting Sam's as if asking for a silent confirmation. Sam gave it, and Andrew took a deep breath.

"Callan never was this... quiet. He use to be quite the chatterbox and got along with everyone. But then he got involved with a good-for-nothing asshole who constantly manipulated him. But he let it happen since he was blinded. The person that had to break it to Damian was Sam, who basically forbid him from every seeing them again, so he holds a grudge for that."

I instantly clambered up. This was definitely to heavy for me to handle. I should have just kept my big mouth shut.

I awkwardly glanced between the three of them.

"Yeah, well, he's just acting stupid, at the moment." Andrew randomly had a burst of anger.

"This is all his fault! If Callan wasn't so blinded by a no-good, self-absorbed asshole-"

"Uh, Andrew, can we not talk about it here?" Sam interrupted, sending him a pointed glare.

Andrew calmmered up, and sent Adrian a look of disappoiment.

Adrian just sighed. "He'll get over it. We all did."

I couldn't help but think of those words. Has it happened to all of them? Has their family work and position affected them all equally?

Sam shook his head. "Yeah, well, Callan's different. He's just.... He needs more protection. He makes rash decisions and always hurts himself."

His words stung, for some reason. even though they were directed at his younger brother, I felt a strange pain. Even though I feel as though everything that happened to me wasn't my fault, a small part of me feels like it was.

I shouldn't have relied on Rylan. I shouldn't have involved so many other people.

Sam placed a hand on my shoulder. "You okay?" he asked, a look of worry on his face.

I nodded. "Yeah."

I also felt a little sorrow for Callan. He was born into this family, and grasped onto the first person he could. But what do I know?

We're both stuck on boats. His is sinking, and mine is on fire.

Either way, we both need to get off, and find a place to survive.

Andrew looked at the door and dug into his pocket. "I'm going out." hr announced.

We all watched, though Sam looked a bit worried, he didn't stop him.

Adrian just looked away, paying no mind to his twin brother.

And at this moment, I had made w decision.

I can't stay here. This broken family was so focused on fixing themselves, and yet, here I was, distracting and burdening them.

I had two options. I could continue to run away, or, I could confront these kidnappers.

Either way, Damian won't be happy.

But that's not important.