Rogue Ghostbird

Chapter 11 - Morning

Melody

I woke up to a sudden noise. My instinct was pure reaction. I pulled the gun I kept under my pillow and rolled into position.

That is how I found myself with my gun pointed to my father's forehead at 6 o'clock in the morning. Once I realized my mistake, I quickly lowered my gun and my father relaxed. It was Luke.

I lecture him, "Do you have a death wish? Has your brothers told you nothing? Never sneak up on Russians."

He points out, "You aren't Russian."

I roll my eyes, "Luke, we were raised Russian, same thing."

Luke shrugged, "Not exactly. I wasn't expecting it. I would have avoided you if I was ready."

I give him a playful shove, "No you wouldn't have."

He crosses his arms and glares at me playfully, "You are a ten year old. I didn't think you would sleep with a gun."

It was my turn to shrug, "A good habit to have."

And it was Luke's turn to roll his eyes, "Either way, I am trying to make chocolate chip pancakes and I thought that Leif might want to help."

I smile, "I think that Leif and I would both be interested. I'll get him."

I tip-toe over to Leif and shake him awake. I am really happy that Luke is considerate of his son. Leif would have been heartbroken if he would be ignored. If he was sad, the family was sad without his smile. 

Leif followed me back out of the room and ran into a waiting Luke. Without any words, we spoke with our eyes to head downstairs. The kitchen was beautiful and I loved it already. I loved cooking and baking back home.

Leif and Luke got the ingredients out while I got the bowls. I cringed as the metal bowls clanged together. Hopefully, no one would wake at the noise. 

It didn't take us long to prepare the batter. Luke took a bag of chocolat chips from underneath the table. He had taped it there! I could see Leif's brain working. I think that soon enough Leif's chocolate stash would be there too. Luke had just started to bake the pancakes when I heard footsteps. 

Leif whispered to me, "Go distract them."

I listened for once and headed them off at the bottom of the staircase. Like I expected, it was North. If North was anything like his son, he would throw away my pancakes. But if he was like Noah, I would distract him.

I asked, "What are you doing awake this early?"

North grunted instead of answering and attempted to push his way past me. At this, I was given enough ammunition to distract him long enough for the pancakes to be made. I made my eyes start to water and burst into tears.

North looked panicked at my expression and said, "What's wrong, Melody?"

I blubbered, "You hurt me. . ."

He actually had pushed me into a wall, but I was used to pain. If I was a regular little girl, I would be in tears, but Alec during training had pushed me farther. But North didn't need to know that. 

North looked even more panicked, "What!"

I hugged myself, "You shoved me into a wall."

He got down on his knees in front of me, "Are you okay? I don't know my own strength."

At the ruckus we were making, I heard my family waking. The first one who came down the stairs was Noah. He saw the scene and could smell the pancakes in the air. I could see his internal battle, stopping Leif vs. seeing what was wrong with me. I saw the exact moment where he chose me instead.