19 Chapter 19

What did we do?

That was what kept going through my mind as Alison and I stepped out of the game house. The Captain also wanted to see Alison and she was pissed that she'd been pulled away from her new friends. Clareta had chosen to stay behind and it definitely wasn't because pool was fun. I had a feeling she would no longer be in the game house when we get back. I spotted the car Tatyana said would take me to the Captain almost immediately.

A red SUV was in front of the park across the road. We crossed the road to the waiting car and saw that Zeke was in it when we opened the door. A man I didn't recognize was in the driver's seat.

"Is it a family meeting?" Alison inquired and I shrugged before we got in. "We just got here. Are they kicking us out?"

Zeke shook his head just as the man in the driver's seat said, "No. I'll be bringing you back here after your meeting with the Captain."

"Should we leave Jack?" she looked out the window. He was currently playing fetch with some children and he looked like he was having fun.

"You're coming back here so yes," Zeke answered and the car started. People smiled and waved at us as the car curved around roads.

"Is Daniel still asleep? I asked.

"No. He and Wesley are watching a movie."

"Oh," I muttered as I remembered the handshake high five and wondered if it was the same Wesley.

"I thought you said we weren't being kicked out?" Alison asked when the estate gates came into view and the man laughed.

"Then where are you taking us. Is the Caldwell outside the estate?"

Zeke snorted before he hunched over, his shoulders shaking with laughter and Alison sneered at him.

"If this meeting is because of your Zeke and Daniel take the streets skateboarding parade in the middle of the night, I'll kill you," she stated and the man laughed again.

"I don't think it's about that but I think Caldwell will be willing to overlook that because you're new," the man said.

There were a couple of men in fatigues on the street, holding bottles of water and laughing. A couple of girls that looked my age ran out of a house and hugged some of them.

The car came to a stop at the house next to the gate and we got down. As soon as Zeke shut the door, the car drove off, leaving the three of us standing in front of the house. Alison let out a short scream and my eyes darted to her in concern.

"Where's he going? I thought he said he was going to take us back." She looked at me like she expected me to know the answer.

She frowned when I didn't say anything and looked back at the car that was now headed to the other road opposite us after making a U-turn. She let out a sigh when the car stopped.

"Guys!" Ezra yelled, waving us over as he came from the back of the house. He had a huge smile on his face.

"That's really weird," Zeke muttered as he opened the gate and we all filed in.

Ezra disappeared around the back and we followed him. The ground had been paved with honey coloured bricks and roses had been planted in circular beds. There was a garden filled with African lily flowers that looked well cared for.

Ezra and a man in fatigues were sitting on a wicker patio chair under a beige coloured umbrella. The man was tall and muscular with square shoulders and black, close cropped hair. The pool in front of them twinkled akin to a crystal in the morning sun. There was a sandwich in a plate and an empty cup on the table. He looked extremely confident in his uniform as he talked into something he held to his ear.

That must be Captain Caldwell.

He looked up as we approached and gave us a small smile. "Okay. They're here."

He got up from the chair and walked up to Zeke, handing over what looked like a small cinder block with a very long antenna. Zeke looked up from the object to the man before he gave me a confused look as he cautiously brought it up to his ear. Ezra grinned at me as I furrowed my brows at him.

Why are you smiling, you weirdo?

Recognition dawned on Zeke face and his mouth fell open. "...Mum?"

Seconds pass, my brain taking his words in, struggling to comprehend what he just said. My brain can't formulate a thought, at least not one based in any language. Relief and a dozen other emotions ran through my body. Zeke's face buckles and tears roll unchecked, washing a path to his chin before Alison jumps and snatches the phone from him.

"Momma!" she squeals. "What about Dad?"

He tries to grab it back from her but I beat him to it. "Mum!"

A deep rumbling laughter came through the phone stealing the breath from my lungs. "Hey, Kit Kat."

"Dad!" I cried out as Zeke lunged at me and I take quick steps away from him.

"Careful," Captain Caldwell said.

"God, I've missed your voice so much. How are you baby girl? I don't even know what to say" he said with a laugh.

With each word more tears fall, tears I don't wipe away. "I'm fine, dad."

"I hope –"

Zeke snatches the phone from me and uses his other hand to keep me at bay while also trying to dodge Alison who kept jumping to try to snatch the phone.

"Be careful with that!" the man's voice boomed as Alison finally grabbed the phone and I jump.

He stretches out his hand and Alison hesitantly walks up to him while frowning before she removes the phone from her ear and places it in his hand.

"Okay... Ezekiel, you're the oldest. Here you go," he said as he handed the phone to Zeke.