They settled back into Louie’s house. Rosa glanced at the clock, it was one in the morning, she really needed to get some sleep. But she couldn’t, not just yet. Curiosity burnt inside and her heart demanded answers.

“Do want some tea?” Louie asked, hanging his coat, “help calm your mind”.

“Alright” Rosa agreed. She still had no idea what was in them hot beverages but they’d never failed her yet. She took a seat in the living room while Louie made his way into the kitchen.

What had he meant he doesn’t trust them with her life? Had her father not recruited them just like he had Louie? Why was he trustworthy but not them, what made him different? … Why had he saved her? Why was he taking care of her?

The questions took hold of her.

Louie wandered back in with two steaming mugs. He handed one to Rosa and cupped his hands around the other.

“Why are you doing this?” Rosa questioned abruptly.

“Hmm”. He glanced with a confused gaze.

“I understand why you saved me, but why take me in? There must be a protocol in place right? People I can be given to. Surely you didn’t have to take me in yourself … so why?”. After she finished, Rosa could barely hold his gaze.

Stern blue eyes fell upon her and instantly her face dropped. He stared at her silently for what felt like infinity, and she couldn’t decipher his thoughts.

“I owe your father a debt” Louie said calmly.

“A debt?” Rosa asked, her curiosity giving her sudden burst of confidence helping her re-meet his gaze. “What kind of debt?”.

“A great one” Louie answered. Rosa thought she heard a hint of pain in his voice. “An unpayable debt”.

Rosa felt lost for words, she took a light sip of tea. “What was my dad to you?” she asked carefully.

Louie’s eyes went soft. “That, is a long story for another time” he answered taking drink from his mug. He got up from his armchair and grabbed a photo-frame from beside the TV. “But here”, he handed her the frame, “this may satisfy some of your curiosity. Well either that or breed more” he joked.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Rosa analysed the picture. At a brief glance, It depicted 5 people, all with joyful grinning faces, they resembled a family. She looked closer. She knew this family.

‘Dad, Mum, Emma’. Her parents didn’t look a day different from when she last seen them, youthfully locked into their mid-twenties like always. However, Emma resembled how she did back when she was a teenager, the picture must’ve been taking years ago. However, what stunned her wat that Louie was there, standing with an arm around her father’s shoulder. He looked exactly like he did now, as if he hadn’t even aged a second. Emma stood in front of them all childishly posing and holding an expressionless young girl who couldn’t have been older than six. She had black hair and a clear Hispanic origin. Wait.

‘That’s me’ Rosa realised.

She could barely recognise herself, but it was definitely her. Comparing that little girl to herself now, it was as if time had allowed her to finally grow soul. Strange though, why couldn’t she remember this? It was true that Rosa struggled to remember her youngest years especially before meeting the Elactis. It was like a great haze blocked her sight whenever she tried to look back, distorting the memories, she knew something had happened but couldn’t make out what. But still, Rosa thought surely she’d still be able to remember an entire person. However, despite clearly meeting Louie she had absolutely no recollection of him. Rosa’s eyes never left the photo. They really did look like a family.

“Just who are you?” Rosa asked stunned.

Louie grinned, exactly like he did in the photo, he then took the picture back and placed it next to the TV. “A family friend” he said.

“Louie …”, Rosa placed down her mug and nervously fiddled her fingers, “I can trust you, right?”

Louie finished his beverage and stood. “The way I see it, what choice do you have” Louie stated, before heading towards the kitchen.

Rosa nodded and stared deeply into her tea. He was right

“But”, Louie stopped at the door, “if it provides you comfort, then yes you can trust me” he told her.

She couldn’t help it, as smile shone on her face and Louie vanished into the kitchen. She quickly finished the remainder of her drink and followed him into the kitchen.

“Can I ask one more question?” Rosa inquired.

“Go on”.

“You said that you don’t trust them with my life. Why?”.

“Someone has betrayed the Hunters” Louie said solemnly.

“What?” Rosa questioned baffled.

“I don’t know who, or why, but until then I’m not risking your safety” Louie stated. He then sighed. “It’s true that I may have been a little harsh with Audrey earlier. I know she’d never betray us” Louie confessed, “but I also don’t trust her to make the correct decisions when it comes to you. At the moment, I trust none of them with your life”.

“Maybe they’ll surprise you” Rosa suggested, “my dad brought them all together. Just like he did with you”.

A smile broke across his face and he chuckled. “You’re not wrong. Alright I’ll keep it in mind. But it’s also time for you get some sleep”.

Rosa nodded, sleep sounded very pleasant.