I could hear the television playing in their room, that's all they did in that room, at least, I think that was all... I heard someone knock at the door, I wasn't sure if The Watchers had passed on by or not so I hesitated to open the door. I barley opened the door beforeit was slammed shut again. Gaven took a deep breath as he leaned against the door. "You ran here?" He nodded his head and sat down on the love seat. "So, are they still out there?" "Yeah. They are trying like crazy to get you." I frowned and looked at the floor, "What'd I do this time?" They saw you take bread from the bakery this morning. I sighed and then took the loaf of bread out of my bag that I hid under the couch.

"It's Madison's birthday tomorrow. I thought this would be a good present." Gaven smiled at me and the gave me a hug. The hug lasted for a long time, we both just sat there, in each others' arms. "So. They are going to beat me again for stealing bread?" I said, I expected Gaven to let go and look at me by this point but he remained holding me in his arms. "Yeah. I ran here, they almost got me..." I jerked away from Gaven and looked at him sternly. "They beat you?" He looked at the floor and didn't respond. I clenched my fist, "Take your shirt off." He shook his head violently and held his sides. "Gaven!" He sighed and pulled his shirt off and threw it on the floor. There was nothing on his chest, "Turn around..." Gaven slowly turned around, "They're only scratches..." He whimpered. "No, these are more then scratches Gaven. They're like three inches deep!" They deep cuts covered his whole back, some of them fresh.

"Did they beat you this morning?" "Last night." I felt the anger filling my body as I closed my eyes. He took me in his arms again. "Don't worry, everything is going to be alright." Gaven was one of the few people I would even dare to hug. I loved hugging Gaven, I loved how he was taller then me, it made me feel safe. I nearly fell asleep against his chest. He kissed my fore-head and picked me up. I didn't bother opening my eyes to see where he was taking me. After a while I opened my eyes, I was laying in his lap on the love seat, right where I wanted to be. The sun began to set, and we still hadn't moved. If it was up to me, I would stay like that forever. I looked up at Gaven just to see him looking down at me, he always looked at me.

"Madelene." I raised my eyebrows to show I was listening to him, "Why do you put up with this?" "I put up with it because I love you Gaven." "I love you too." He smiled as I shut my eyes to sleep for the night. When I woke up I was laying on the couch, not in Gaven's lap. I sat up immediatly to find him. "Maddie! You woke me up..." I turned around to see Gaven laying right behind me with one arm still wrapped around my waist. I covered my mouth and started to laugh, "Sorry!" Gaven's eyes opened in fear, he froze and then quickly covered my mouth ad pulled me down into his arms. "Don't...move." I wanted to scream, but I had no reason to yet. I saw a shadow pass our window behind the curtains. It stopped and turned our way like it could see us. Gaven pulled me tighter to his chest, I could feel his heart beating faster with every moment.

I shut my eyes, if I shut my eyes, I wouldn't have to see anything. If I didn't see anything, I wouldn't be as scared. The only thing that scared me was how Gaven pulled me tighter and tighter every second and his heart beat thumped faster, and louder then ever before. I finally opened my eyes, all I saw was black. Gaven had pulled me so close to his chest that I couldn't move. Slowly, his grip loosened, but not by much. He managed to look down at me and tell me it was all going to be okay. Gaven had always told me this to clam me down, even when I knew it couldn't be okay. "Are they gone?" I whispered. He nodded his head and smiled at me. I outstreched my arms to loosen Gaven's grip on me but he didn't budge. "Gaven! Let me go please." He whispered something and then let me go.

I stood up to strech and yawn, "So? Who was it?" "Them." "Oh..." Gaven stood up and walked over to the window, slowly, he opened the curtains. "They're gone though. I think they wanted us...After all, I'm in trouble with them, and so are you." "What? Why are you in trouble?" He clenched his teeth and sat down in the chair, "I wouldn't help them in a plan to get you out of your cottage, so I was beat. And last night when I escaped, they saw me heading for here." I kicked the small wooden stool that sat next to the door and watched as it flew across the room. "Hey, hey!" Gaven calmly said as he headed for me, "It's not your fault Mad, don't worry! It'll all be okay someday!" I felt the tears coming, but I didn't let them out, "Yes it is Gaven! It's all my fault! You have to tell them, and help them when they want to find me, if you don't they'll hurt you! Don't do this for me Gaven..."

Gaven's face went from clam, to complete anger in a matter of seconds, "Madelene! It is not your fault! I love you! That's why I'm doing this for you! You are doing the same for me, it's my fault you got on The Watching List anyway!" "No it isn't! I knew Kyle would do this to me if I went with you, so it was my choice! I wanted to be with you!" This was the first fight we have had in months. "Why do you stay? It's not like I'm bringing you any good anyway." "...but you do..." Gaven kicked the wall and sat down on the love seat again. I could tell he was angry with himself. I sat down next to him and grabbed a pillow and set it in my lap. I poked his shoulder and then patted the pillow. He rubbed his fingers through his hair and then nodded at me. His eyes looked tired, and sad. He scooted over to me and then put his head down on the pillow.

I raised my hand and began to stroke his hair, I do this at least every day. I loved his hair, he hated it. I heard the bedroom door open and Madison and Ragin walked out, "What do you guys need?" Gaven asked without even looking up. Gaven loved my brothers, and they loved him too. Ragin and Madison looked at each other for a moment and then screamed, "GAVEN!" Gaven laughed and sat up to see the boys. "Hey guys, how are you?" The boys didn't say anything, they just hugged Gaven. Ragin released himself from gaven's arms and made his way over to me, "Hey Maddie, could you make me some grilled cheese?" I kissed Ragin on the fore head and headed to the itchen that was only feet away from the love seat.

I pulled out the bread and cheese as the boys played patty-cake with Gaven. I watched them and laughed, Gaven would make a great father someday. I put the bread and cheese in the microwave that barley worked until the cheese became warm. We haven't had real grilled cheese ince I was four and Ferris died. Ragin jumped up and down and sat next to Gaven, this was where he always ate, next to Gaven. After takign one big bite out of his sandwhich he offered some to Gaven. Madison took the offer instead, Gaven laughed and then looked my way. He sat there for a moment, staring at me, then he got up and joined me in the kitchen. He walked behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist and layed his head on my left shoulder, I laughed.

"Maddie! Somebody is knocking!" Ragin said with bread stuffed in his mouth. "Thanks buddy!" I laughed as I headed for the door, without thinkning, I opened the door up all the way to a big, black, cloke. It was one of The Watchers. Before I had a chance to scream The Watcher slammed the door open and grabbed me in one arm, then, he headed for Gaven. Gaven opeed up one of the kitchen drawers and pulled out a knife, "Put her down!" He yelled as he waved the knife infront of him. The little boys were screaming, but mom was still no where in sight. They both fled to the bedroom and slammed the door shut. The Watcher grabbed the knife's blade and bent it to the end of the handle. While Gaven looked at the knife in confusion The Watcher knocked it out of his hand and grabbed him with his other arm.

Gaven looked at me and then grabbed my hand, "It's going to be alright!" He yelled as I screamed and kicked at The Watcher. I felt the tears run down my face for the first time as I struggled to get out of The Watcher's grasp. He didn't budge.