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

good at

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

for fun.

doctor hung around in the background, quietly

the bandages on Clara's wrist and neck whenever

took a break.

afternoon. Charles

door, ready for another

their way.

excited, but you need to think

go of Clara's shoulder.

sleep, Clara."

at him, catching

to hide.

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

of happiness shot through Charles, prickling

grabbed her shoulders, held back for a second, then

pat.

Seriously. From

if we're not

ready to argue, but Charles

before she

wanted

so Charles turned to

on

overseas-people here don't

loose. If they

I'll have

out at the police

nodded, reminding him gently, "Charles, make

come back early."