Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

This place wasn't anything special-just a random estate Charles picked up,

mostly so his two dogs could have somewhere to go wild. He didn't think much of

it. After all, he'd seen far better.

"Clara, you just ate. Walk with me for a bit? Might help you digest."

"Okay." She answered right away, practically bouncing after him.

Back when Charles lived with the Chester family, his only real interactions with

people were during missions-usually the dangerous kind. Now, with someone

actually choosing to tag along just because, he felt a strange kind of curiosity.

They hadn't gone far before Clara started to slow, her steps turning careful-the

pain from her wound catching up to her.

Charles noticed right away and turned them back. Soon, they were sprawled on

the giant sofa in the living room. Charles grabbed a game controller and handed it

over.

"You know how to play? Let's do it. I'm seriously good at this."

She glanced at the controller, then at him, and nodded.

Charles couldn't help but grin. He switched on the console.

Super Mario popped up on the screen. It was a total classic-ancient, really.

Nobody played it anymore.

His older brother was always too busy with work to bother. Mitch was off chasing

to actually play with him-and Clara

good at it,

honestly the first time in his life someone had played a game with

for fun.

around in the

of fruit, changing the bandages on Clara's

took a break.

played until late afternoon. Charles was

ready for another

blocking their way. "Charles, let her rest a bit

I know you're excited, but you need to think about her

go of Clara's shoulder. "Alright. You should

sleep, Clara."

eyes sparkled as she looked at him, catching the

to hide.

want to go out, I'll go with you," she said softly. "I'm not tired.

wave of happiness shot through Charles, prickling from his

grabbed her shoulders, held back for a second, then gave her

pat.

Seriously. From now on,

if we're

it, ready to argue, but Charles was already pulling her

before she could

wanted to

so Charles turned

on them, will

overseas-people here don't

running loose. If

have to

out at the police

doctor nodded, reminding him gently, "Charles,

come back early."