Edited.

Brynn always hated being alone in public.

Why? She wasn't too sure. It might have been the loud people or the crowded spaces; either way, being in public made the twelve year old's nerves go through the roof.

Despite her fears, here she was, in an airport cafe waiting for someone she'd never met or even seen before to pick her up. Someone she believed to be called Marv.

She was completely alone. Quite literally in her mind. It had been that way really since her mum passed when she was eight and she was placed in the care of her previous guardian. Milo Kingslee.

God, the name itself sent torturous chills through her entire body. Simply thinking about him caused her to recoil a little into her already hunched position.

Along with the news of her recent guardian's passing, she was also informed about a family she never knew she had and when it was stated that she had brothers, she thought one or two. Not seven. And she had been told of her birth father who died just two years ago. She didn't know how to feel about that.

She didn't even know if they were coming to pick her up.

She didn't even know if she was going to be picked up because what if this was just another stupid trick? She really didn't want it to be. She really really didn't want it be.

She did everything the social worker instructed her to do, the mental list hadn't left her mind ever since it was told to her. The social worker- Gloria- stated everything.

Board the plane, which she did after she was dropped off at the airport by the lady herself. She helped her find a suitable guardian for the duration of the plane ride and left once shae was alright.

Exit plane and find a man named Marv, which wasn't as simple. She'd waited until everyone left to leave herself, not wanting to be trampled on by the tall adults, and then nervously looked around for this Marv.

She didn't know who Marv was though or what he looked like. Was she looking for someone who had her name on a piece of paper or something? Was she supposed to find someone who looked like a Marv and take a chance?

She felt a little embarrassed standing there waiting for someone who evidently probably wasn't around, so she wandered a little because maybe he was further back. And she kept wandering until she was in the middle of the airport and still had not found a Marv.

A bit hesitant, she decided to sit in the outside area of a Burger King restaurant at a single rounded table for two. She was slouched down, trying to avoid eye contact with everything. Her arms were in the front pocket of the plain black jumper she was wearing and her dark blue jean-covered legs were crossed at the ankles as she swung them back and forth underneath the chair.

And now, when she thought about it, it was probably rather foolish to sit here seeing as now Marv wouldn't be able to find her.

It was probably foolish to believe anything at this point. Milo could have done this. She didn't think even a heart attack could stop that man. He was probably waiting for her somewhere in this airport right now. She moved her eyesight upwards to look around a little, half expecting him to jump out and yell surprise. Perhaps everyone here were in on it too.

Or perhaps she did in fact have brothers, but they didn't want to come. Perhaps she was forever to live in this airport cafe? Perhaps-

She felt her phone vibrate from where it was in her front pocket, resting against each of her fingertips. Well, her phone meaning Milo's old one given to her after his death for convenience.

She took it out with her left hand, squinting at the cracked screen displaying the notification on the lock screen.

Marv should be there now, he's our driver.

-Callan.

A creased formed between the girl's eyebrows and slight relief flowed through her. She hadn't been forgotten. But she was also wondering how Marv would find her, she might have to move around to look. Did Marv know what she looked like?

Bringing the phone up to hold it with both hands, she typed out a response to be polite.

Thank you.

Callan. She remembered hearing about Callan from the social worker. She was told about all her brothers in fact. Callan was her second oldest brother who worked with her oldest brother, Zayne.

Re-reading her message once again to make sure she made no errors, she sent it and then re-read the message Callan had sent. What if Marv couldn't find her? Or what if she gets into a car with a stranger pretending to be Marv? She wouldn't put it past society. Or-

"Ms Verlice?"

Brynn jumped, her posture straightening as she looked up to see a man standing on the opposite side of the table. He wore a white dress shirt, black dress pants, shoes and blazer, a black bowtie and a large grin. He had salt and pepper hair, kind blue eyes with bushy eyebrows and his hands were joined behind his back.

Brynn quickly stood, and once her feet made contact with the floor, she moved back a tad; this guy was at least five eight, towering over he five. Standing as tall as she could, she furiously twisted her hands together behind her back.

She cleared her throat quietly, "yeah, hi. Are you uhm..." She didn't know if she should say the name of who was supposed to be picking her up. They could lie. Adults liked to lie.

The man didn't seem off put in any way. "Marv? Yes that would be me, miss," he smiled then took a noticeable nostalgic look of the girl's nervous face, "gosh I haven't seen you since you were just a tot."

Brynn didn't know what to say to that. She gave a small smile, "hey." She reached over to the back of the chair she was just sitting on, pulling her backpack straps off and slinging the left one over her left shoulder. "I'm Brynn, sir, it's nice to meet you. And I think that it's just Kingslee..." she trailed off a little uncomfortable. Someone had just called her Ms, she was sure it was supposed to be the other way round.

And she didn't know if she should take her brothers' last name. As far as she knew, she was still legally Kingslee. The name made her cringe internally, but it was all she had. Her mother's name was ripped from her the second she died. Brynn Knight turned into Brynn Kinslee and Brynn in no way wanted to welcome herself to take their last name.

Marv faltered a little, "oh." He cleared his throat, keeping his grin there nonetheless, "well then Brynn, shall we? He tilted his head down a little in a small nod and then gestured more firmly to the backpack over her shoulder.

"Is this all you have?" he asked, furrowing his eyebrows in what could be assumed as concern.

It was all she had. A plain black backpack she used to use for school holding all she belonged- not including what she was currently wearing- such as two white long-sleeved shirts, two pairs of black leggings and a phone charger. It was better than nothing.

She tightened her hand on the left strap self-consciously, "yeah." Marv sensed her nervousness, wanting to put the child at ease, "that's alright, Brynn. Here, let me," he stepped forward and lifted his right, white-gloved hand to take the bag from her only to recoil it back when she stepped back a little alarmed, face pale.

"Are you quite alright, Brynn?" he asked, face not masking any concern or confusion he felt at all.

"No," Brynn straightened herself out, "sorry, it's, uhm it's fine. I've got it." She hadn't had an actual conversation with someone for nearly four years- no one besides school teachers or Milo- and she felt like she was messing this up.

"You sure, little one? You must be exhausted after such a flight?" The term of endearment caused Brynn's face to flush. She couldn't remember being referred to as something so nice.

"Not at all. I've got it, thank you," she assured.

Marv's grin returned, "come along then." He moved his right shoulder back. giving Brynn the chance to get closer so they might walk together.

She moved closer, tensing immensely when he placed a soft hand in between her shoulder blades, carefully steering her the right way to the exit.

They got outside, Brynn's eyes not-so-subtly widening at the sleek black car right at the entrance. Walking down the three steps to where it was parked, Marv went slightly ahead to open the passenger side.

"I've got-" Brynn started, but Marv raised his hand, "nonsense." Giving the man another small smile, she nodded although she wasn't sure how she felt about someone doing so much for her in such a short space of time.

"Thank you." She got in, placing her bag in the foot space on the floor and rested her back against the beige leather seats with the door shutting after her.

---

The car journey lasted nearly two hours and by the time the two arrived at the house- mansion- it was already dark out. The chilly, not entirely night but not entirely day over darkness. There were no bright street lights down the road they were driving on. Nothing but copious amounts of trees littering the entire surrounding area.

The girl was almost nodding off against the window as the light pattering of rain sounded and the little droplets dribbled down the window, partly illuminated by the lights on the extravagant driveway they were now driving down.

Once the car came to a smooth stop, Marv looked towards the young child, smiling softly. The man stepped out of the car and rounded the hood of it to the passenger side, carefully opening the door.

Brynn's head tilted forward a bit, her seatbelt holding her up, but she stayed a little out of it. That was until Marv leaned forward to slowly undo her seatbelt, placing his fingers under her chin to tilt her backwards so he could carry her.

The girl automatically flinched back into her seat, lifting her arms up but stopping them just before they could fully cover her face. Marv retracted immediately.

"Woah, it's okay, it's only me Brynn. I'm just carrying you in, you can go to sleep," he whispered just as alarmed as she was, though Brynn was still a little shaken up and embarrassed, feeling her heart pounding against her ribcage. She shook her head, trying to ignore the slight shake in her hands.

"No it's fine, I'm awake." The girl reached her hands down to grab her backpack's top handle and heaved it onto her knees. Marv moved himself from out of the car and took two steps back, placing his left gloved hand on the top of the door, waiting for her to step out.

Brynn stepped out whilst mentally calming her heart rate down like it had any impact.

"Thank you," she thanked the man, walking away from the door and reaching out to shut it herself, but Marv did so before then.

"Like I said, it's not problem, Brynn," he smiled down at the girl, eyes creased from how wide it was. His eyes looked up to overhead, then back down to Brynn, whose eyes were struggling to look up due to the small drops of rain pouring down, steadily getting heavier and rapider.

Marv's eyes looked back down at her and then his whole head nodded towards the house, Brynn turned her head only, firstly shocked by the sheer size of the mansion before her.

The humongous driveway fitted the humongous house. She didn't think she'd ever seen a house this big, even when she passed the rich streets on her walk to school- and she thought nothing could ever be bigger than those houses. She was now proved not right. What on earth did her brothers do?

Taking a quick glance at the house was finished with when she saw what Marv was signalling at. A man, who looked to be at least six five, was making his way down the few steps in front of the mansion porch in a- what looked to be- expensive dark navy, work suit which was getting wet in the rain.

"Brynn!" he called out in a deep voice, which matched his exterior the way Brynn would have imagined it would. The unknown man got closer, his hazel eyes, much like Brynn's, never leaving Brynn as his smile grew, white teeth glistening despite the heavy downpour and darkness of the evening.

Strands of his dark brown hair, similar to Brynn's own, started to mat down on his forehead but he didn't seem to mind or notice at all really.

Brynn pushed her upper body back a little to create some distance just in case, but the man was now extremely close, wrapping his big arms around her shoulders and placing one hand on the back of her head to push her further into him. "Oh god, look how much you've grown," he muttered into her hair.

Brynn did not know what to do, the action was so sudden that she winced and now she was being hugged. Hugged.

He released her, trying not to pay mind to her shell-shocked face, and started gently rubbing the tops of her shoulders. "Come on in you must be freezing," he smiled, straightening himself up and giving a nod to the man behind her, "thank you, Marv."

Marv nodded, smiling, "of course, sir." Sir? He looked to Brynn, "nice to see you again, Brynn."

Brynn was already being led towards the mansion's front steps by her shoulders. She tried to turn her head to look at him nonetheless to thank the man. He had been the most kindest anyone had been to her in years.

"Thank you." Marv nodded, not taking his eyes off her for a good few seconds before rounding the front of the car to the driver's seat and driving off.

Brynn struggled keeping up with the man she-had-yet-to-get-the-name-of up the steps to the large, lit porch. The double doors were already open revealing the interior.

Marble staircases were left, right and centre and beautiful works of art surrounded the room as well as two clear glass tables in between each staircase, atop of them, large bouquets of flowers.

The man walked her up the centre staircase and down a hallway, and then another one, and then another, and then another.

Opening one of the doors in the extensive, luxurious hallway, the man entered the room, switching the light on, with Brynn walking behind him. The room was quite extensive.

Before Brynn was a bed big enough for an entire family with a long, white, cushiony storage box at the end of it and a light grey rug laid in the middle on the soft white carpet of the entire room. Two windows were on either side of the bed and a desk was on the right side of the room. On the left were two doors- Brynn wasn't sure what was behind those.

"Your bag and clothes are drenched, Brynn," the man stated, closing the door behind him. Brynn's face remained on the room decor- it was indescribable.

The man walked to one of the rooms Brynn wasn't sure about, the one on the right. He walked in for about five seconds before coming back out- this time with a pile of folded clothes in his hands.

He paused and looked at the girl's face, smiling sadly, then getting closer frowning at the tenseness in her shoulders when he placed his left hand on her right shoulder. Brynn looked up at the tall man- she'd guessed that this was one of her brothers and she felt awful for not knowing which one.

The brother pulled her along to the door on the left and the second he opened it, bright white lights switched on. Brynn internally jumped, lights could do that?

"Why don't you get changed into something warm, hm?" the man didn't really question, more so told nicely. He handed her the pile of clothes he had in his hands.

"I'm sorry we might not have anything you might like, we haven't had the chance to ask you yet so we got a few bits we weren't sure about," he rambled a little breathlessly. Brynn took the clothes a little hesitantly.

He was apologising for giving her clothes? This was the kindest thing someone's done for her in years too.

"They're really nice, thank you," she spoke for the first time to him, quietly. He deserved more than a thanks in Brynn's opinion. He didn't have to do this, nor did any of her other brothers.

The man smiled and placed his hand in between her shoulder blades on her back, she recoiled away from it and tried to make it less noticeable by walking forward into the pristine bathroom.

However the man's face hardened, "are you alright, sorellina?"

Brynn turned back, a little confused by the nickname, what did it mean? She responded, "yeah." It was silent for a few minutes and the man seemed perfectly fine looking at her, taking her in. Brynn's hand crept towards the opened door.

"I'll just," she started and the man snapped out of whatever he was thinking of. She moved the door a little for emphasis, "I'll just get changed then."

The man cleared his throat, "yes, yes of course." He took a step back so Brynn could close the door properly and she did just that, locking it out of reflex the second it was shut.

Once it was locked, she leaned back against it, and tilted her head back on it. Her mouth thinned out into a wobbly line and she clenched her eyes shut tight. She was going to mess this up.

"I'll just be here, hun, when you're ready," the man's voice sounded from the other side, causing her head to bounce back up a little startled and her face to heat up profusely by the term of endearment.

"Y-yeah thank you," she replied trying to keep her voice steady. Not wanting to keep him waiting, she took her backpack off and put it against the door then changed into the clothes, stopping when she was fully undressed in front of the large sink mirror, which was on the right, opposite the large shower and bath and adjacent to the toilet. Everything was so white and clean.

Brynn didn't feel clean looking at herself in the mirror though. Everything was scarred and she didn't like it. She hated it.

Sucking in a pitiful whimper, she maneuvered and unfolded the piece of clothing on the top and held it up in front of her, it was a plain black jumper and looked like the most comfortable thing in the world to her. Slipping it on, as well as the matching sweatpants-and even socks-, she couldn't believe clothes could be this comfortable.

She folded her wet clothes and placed them on the right side of the sink, debating if she could rinse her face because her eyes looked a little red. She couldn't find a nozzle to switch it on though. Reaching out to see if it was a button or something, she flinched and jumped back when cold water came out when her hand went under it.

What was that?

She carefully and hesitantly reached back out to do what she just did again, shocked when the water just came out when her hand was back.

Since when could water do this?

She put her other hand underneath it as well, still amazed, and cupped some, rinsing her face. Wow.

A knock on the door brought her out of her thoughts. "Brynn, hun are you okay?"

"Yes, I'll be right out," she replied, nearly falling trying to pick up the wet clothes and get to the door before he got impatient and mad. The sweatpants were pooled at her feet, particularly bunching up at her heels- she'd noticed when she kicked her soaked bag from the door to the right hand corner not wanting the man to see or take it.

Nearly sliding into the door, she opened it to come face to face with the man. With a smile, he took the wet clothes she was holding in a vice grip. "I'll wash these for you, sorellina," he said.

Brynn wanted to know which brother she was speaking to, she already felt bad that she didn't. "I can just dry them it's fine..." she trailed off hoping to catch his name, but her plan didn't work.

"It's no worry, Brynn," he assured, tightening his grip on the materials to keep them in his hands.

It was silent for a few more seconds, before Brynn really needed to know his name. "I'm sorry, which brother are you?"

Hurt was written all over his face, but it disappeared before it could even be registered. Fearing she said something wrong, she focused her gaze on her sock covered feet. "It's just I haven't seen pictures or anything, I didn't mean it in a rude way-"

She froze when he raised his thumb and forefinger up to her chin and raised her head to look at him. She met his daunting stare as his features slowly softened. "Callan, honey. I'm Callan."

The girl slightly smiled, this was her second oldest brother.

"Nice to meet you," she said, subtly tapping her toes against the hard marble underneath her feet.

Callan looked wounded, nice to meet you. He cleared his throat, "it's nice to meet you too," he gave a steady smile and patted the top of the pile of clothes.

"I'll take your clothes downstairs to wash them. Come downstairs when you're ready and settled. Feel free to look around for a bit."

"Thank you, Callan." Callan remained where he was for three more seconds, looking down at her, mouth slightly agape before he closed it and swallowed and went to leave.

Sighing, she looked around the room. Her new room. It was so nice. It looked like one of the rooms out of the magazines her mum used to have. When her mum had passed away, Brynn got to keep some of her things, including the magazines she'd owned. She used to read those things for hours, giving eight year old Brynn one so she could pretend to read too and feel included.

She didn't have those anymore. She wasn't allowed anything after her mum died.

Moving her focus back to the room she was in, she focused her gaze on the bed. It had white sheets with four white pillows neatly placed at the top. At the end of the bed lay one light grey thick blanket and one mint green thinner blanket on top of that one.

The two windows had white shutters on them which were open, revealing the black inkiness of the now night sky. It was a sight Brynn never thought she'd get to see.

And it was a sight Brynn couldn't look at any longer because she had to go downstairs. She had to go see Callan and she had to meet the rest of her brothers even though she really really didn't want to.

Leaving the room, she did her best to recite the twists and turns Callan made, but there were so many hallways. She went right, then she went left, then she went right then right again, but then she walked back because going right twice didn't make sense.

So she went left, then came to a single hallway with one door at the end of it.

The hallway had plain white walls like the majority of the mansion and the door was dark oak with a round handle. It looked like it led to something important.

Brynn's natural curiosity wanted to know what, but this wasn't her house, she knew it would be inappropriate to snoop so she didn't.

But apparently it looked like she was about to.

She violently flinched when a hand gripped her upper right arm and spun her around. She gasped when she came face to face with ice blue eyes glaring at her and a sneer placed upon his face. "Did no-one ever tell you that snooping is considered rude?"

He was crouched down to be right in front of her face, some strands of his black hair falling over his eyes, "hm?"

Brynn was petrified, was this one of her brothers?

"I wasn't snooping, I promise," she assured, trying to break from his grip. His grip tightened.

She winced, whilst he narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure about that, sorellina?"

"I promise," she said quietly, he was really close to her face and it felt like he could see straight through her this close.

The man didn't look convinced, but a voice halted him in saying anything else. "Leave her alone, Zaiden."

Brynn turned her head to where the voice came from, seeing a man who looked sort of similar to the one holding her arm come closer. And then she looked back to Zaiden. This was Zaiden.

"Was just saying hi, Zachary," the latter muttered, but Zachary didn't pay attention to him. He came up to her and stood at Zaiden's side.

"Hey, Bry," he smiled, looking over her entire face. Brynn remembered hearing about the only twins in the family. They looked somewhat alike but their attitudes seemed to differ.

"Let go, Zai, jesus there's no need," Zachary gripped Zaiden's hand which was holding her and dragged it off. Brynn brought her left hand up to rub it, it kind of burned. Zaiden's grip was much firmer than Milo's which got her thinking. What could he do if he got mad at her?

"She wanted to look around." Zaiden stood back up to his original height, as did Zachary. Even their height was similar, about six three.

Whilst Brynn was rubbing her arm, she missed the looks exchanged between the twins at the door down the hallway. Zachary looked back at Zaiden tensely. "Well, I don't see any harm in that. It's only father's old room."

Zachary turned to Brynn, "why don't we go downstairs?" He wasn't asking, more telling her that she was, in fact, going to be going downstairs.

Brynn's face went red as she nodded. "Okay."

She watched as Zachary's hand made its way to her right shoulder until it landed there. He pulled her a little to get her to start walking. She started walking at his left side.

As they were walking, however, she was still drawn to that door. Turning her head to look at it, she only saw Zaiden stood there, arms crossed with a daring look. Her eyes widened as a hand was placed on top of her head, turning it around to face the front again. She knew it was Zachary, but she didn't want to look up at him,

The girl followed him until they reached the top of the stairs, walking down them and through the main entrance hall. They came in front of double doors which were slightly open.

"Callan's in there, okay Bry?" Zachary stated, looking down with an expectant look. Brynn stepped back one to look up at him properly, Zachary seemed nice.

"Thank you," she nodded. He stayed there for a few more seconds, just watching her making her a bit uncomfortable.

Eventually his eyes blinked, "alright then." He took hesitant steps away until he was out of view from the girl.

Brynn's confusion didn't last too long as she went up to the door, pausing when she heard voices.

"How many times does your temper have to get you into trouble, brother mine?" the voice she identified to be Callan's was heard. He sounded different to what he sounded like upstairs though.

"I don't know, Callan. How many times will one of your business associates say idiotic things?" another voice said, one she hadn't heard before.

"You keep your mouth shut next time, Silas," Silas. "Do you understand me?" Callan responded, sounding more agitated.

Brynn suddenly got the feeling that she was being rude. Eavesdropping on her brothers' chat, especially after they let her stay here. Her stomach dropped and she moved away from the door not sure what to do. She could still hear them talking.

"Why, Callan?" Silas retorted. "It's not like they were of any use."

"It's about composure, Silas you know this. You're lucky Zayne's not dealing with you right now."

Zayne, the oldest brother. What would he do?

"I'll ask again, Silas. Do you understand?"

It was silent for a while; Brynn didn't know what was going to happen. And obviously Callan got impatient as he started speaking again.

"You know who's here now, Silas. Do you understand?"

Before his answer could be given and heard by Brynn, another voice came from right behind her.

"Brynn?"

---

<3