By the time anyone else is awake, breakfast is made and on the table.

"You're a natural cook!" Maribelle tells me with a wide grin, her eyes shining. "We barely did anything, and look at this meal!"

"I cooked breakfast every morning for my mom and stepdad," I answer absent-mindedly. "Mama loved my pancakes, but Nathan always wanted waffles." I take the cups from Nixie. "Besides, I could never have made this all without your help."

"Well, you are always welcome in our kitchen," Kyle informs me, handing Nixie the milk. "The Rizzos are very nice to us, but they have no interest in assisting us. It was nice having some extra help."

I smile widely. "Thank you."

"No, thank you." Nixie ruffles my hair and finishes setting the table.

Footsteps echo and then Nico practically trips on his way into the kitchen.

A string of curse words leave his lips as he rights himself, blinking blearily at me. It takes him a second to register that I'm standing there, because a wide smile appears on his lips when he does.

"Good morning, love." He stretches. "How'd you sleep?"

I blink, rapid-fire.

Mom never asked how I slept. And Nathan ignored my existence.

He doesn't press me for an answer, he just sits down. "Woah! Maribelle, you really outdid yourself this morning."

There are twelve types of pancakes, each with the ingredient used in it beside it to show. Banana, chocolate chip, strawberry, blueberry, lemon, s'mores, pumpkin, coconut, apple, cinnamon, rum, and liquor.

Then four types of waffles - blueberry, regular, rum, and chocolate.

There's freshly squeezed orange juice and apple juice, milk, water, chocolate milk, and strawberry milk.

There's bacon, eggs, and toast as well.

"Actually, Mr. Rizzo, Aurora here cooked breakfast this morning," Maribelle responds, squeezing my shoulder.

"Rora did this?" He gives me a startled look.

I nod shyly. "I cooked for Mom and Nathan every day. I wanted to help with breakfast."

"How'd you find your way to the kitchen?"

"Sierra and Savannah showed me."

He smiles. "Well, it looks amazing."

I smile and take the apron off, walking over to the door.

"Where are you going?"

I look over. "Back to my room?"

"Why? Did you eat?"

I stiffen. "I don't eat breakfast."

"You need to eat," Antonio says.

I look up to find him leaning against the entryway, Alex half-asleep beside him.

Antonio has a pressed suit on already, his hair styled. Alex is in plaid pajama pants with a white T-shirt.

Nico nods. "Please, Ror. Eat."

I hesitantly sit.

"Oh, you fuckers!" Michael yells.

Elias and Emilio jog into the kitchen laughing, high-fiving each other.

Michael angrily stalks into the kitchen, his hair dyed pink.

Alex looks away, his lips pressed together to keep from laughing.

"Boys," Antonio sighs. "Stop pranking Michael."

Neither of them respond.

"Why the fuck would you make alcoholic food?" Emilio demands, glaring at Maribelle.

"Actually, your sister cooked breakfast."

"Oh..." He looks at me and raises an eyebrow.

"Nathan always wanted rum or liquor in his food..." I look down. "I just... I cooked every morning. It's a habit."

"It's alright, Aurora," Alex assures me, sitting down. "None of us have to work for a few hours, we'll eat them."

They all sit down to eat, and I pick up a plate. I grab some pancakes and bacon, taking a bite.

"Do you want to go shopping for clothes today?" Michael asks.

I look up. "Me?"

"Yes, you," he laughs. "We can take you."

"You're excused," Alex whispers to Maribelle. She nods respectfully and leads Nixie and Kyle out.

"We want to establish some rules, and then discuss our plan moving forward," Antonio tells me, beginning to eat.

I tense, clenching my hands. "I know my rules."

"What are your rules, Aurora?" Nico asks me softly.

I grab a piece of crumpled paper from my pocket, setting it down.



Rule 1 - You do as told or else.

Rule 2 - Don't speak unless spoken to.

Rule 3 - Don't ask questions.

Rule 4 - You take what you're given with no complaints.

Rule 5 - Don't eat unless given express permission.

Rule 6 - Don't interrupt.

Rule 7 - Don't tell anyone anything.

Rule 8 - Only obey the boss of the house.

Rule 9 - Never leave the house without permission.

Rule 10 - Get straight A's in school.

Rule 11 - Wake up on time every morning.

Rule 12 - Have breakfast made and on the table before Nathan wakes up.

Rule 13 - Don't talk back.

Rule 14 - Don't tell anyone where your injuries come from.

Rule 15 - Always wear long sleeves.

Rule 16 - When asked to help, do so without questions.

Rule 17 - Don't call the police.

Rule 18 - If you ever end up with the police, don't answer any questions.

Rule 20 - Nathan will never kill you, you're no use dead.



Michael looks sick. "Ror...?"

Alex gently grabs my hand. "What did he do to you, Aurora?"

I shake my head, clenching my jaw. I shouldn't have given them the paper.

Fuck Annie and her ability to know me so well. I should never have trusted them so soon. This can only end badly. Maybe I'll be killed, or locked away, or-

"Aurora." Elias snaps his fingers in my face. "You're okay. No one's mad. What did your stepdad do?"

I shake my head vehemently. No. I can't.

"Can I talk to you for a minute, Aurora?"

I nod and stand, following Alex out of the kitchen. He sits me on the couch and kneels in front of me.

"We want to protect you and make you feel safe, but we can't do that if you don't talk to us. We will never hurt you, Aurora. Can you tell me what Nathan did though? He won't know that you told, and we can help you better. I know you don't remember us, and we're basically strangers, but we're your brothers, Aurora, and we'll do anything to protect you. You can trust us."

I close my eyes tightly and imagine I'm talking to Annie about it all. Just like the first time.





"Annie?" I called.

She turned, waving to her friends before hogging over. "You're here!" She hugged me, and I winced. Her brow furrowed. "What's wrong, Aur?"

"Can I... trust you with something?"

"Anything." She grabbed my hands and gestured to herself. "I trust you with my life, Aur. And my gender." I gave her a small smile at the joke, and she grinned. "You can do the same. I won't tell anyone."

"Promise? Because you're going to want to, but you can't. It'll only make things worse."

She looked concerned, but she nodded. "I promise. What is it?"

I glanced around. I lead her to a more secluded area of the hallway and lower my voice. "I'm being abused at home."

"What?" Her eyes widened and she tightened her grip on my hands. "Aur, what do you mean? Abused how?"

"Well..." I look away. "Nathan... hits me. A lot. And kicks me. And punches me. And puts his cigarettes out on me. And he cuts me."

"Aur...?"

"And if I'm not awake by 5:10 every morning to make breakfast, he makes me sleep outside. But I sleep in the basement all other nights. No blankets or pillows or anything." I take a deep breath. "There are... bodies. Dead ones. He makes me help hang them downstairs. And sometimes when my mom is late, he uses me for sexual gratification instead."

"Oh, God..." Annie looked ready to throw up, her face pale and hands shaking. "Are you... How are you?"

I gave her a small, tired smile. "I'm... Alive."

"I won't tell, because I love you and you trusted me with this, but I'm super worried for you."

"Thank you. I love you, Annie."

"I love you more, Aur." She hugged me and brushed the hair from my eyes. "I will always be here for you, okay?"

"Okay..." I buried my face in her shoulder, and she held me. "Annie?

"Yeah?" She pulled away to look at me, wiping some stray tears from my cheeks where they escaped.

"I'm scared to go home."

"I know, Aur. I know."