“Rebecca?” A small hand shook Rebecca awake. “Rebecca?” The blonde sat up and stretched. “Good, you’re awake!”

Rebecca turned her head to find Megan smiling at her. She smiled back. “Hey there.” Rebecca said as she messed up the younger girl’s hair. She sat up before noticing how little sunlight was shining into her room. “Isn’t it kind of early to get up?”

Megan shook her head. “We have to be dressed and have breakfast ready by eight every morning, otherwise Master Shawn gets cranky.” She explained. Rebecca almost laughed at her word for Shawn’s attitude. “Now, get up! Brother wants to talk to you.”

Rebecca nodded. She pushed away the covers and climbed out of bed. By the time she had fixed her clothes Megan was done making the bed. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“The beds have to be done every morning.” Megan replied. “Master Shawn checks.”

“Well, Master Shawn seems to be a very strict man.” Rebecca commented.

Megan grabbed Rebecca’s hand and led her from the room. “Master Shawn isn’t that bad…”

The blonde stopped and pulled her hand from the younger girl’s grip. “Not bad?” She asked loudly as she stared at Megan. “He’s awful; a maniac! Kidnapping children and forcing them to call him ‘Master’!”

“Rebecca, saying such things about Master Shawn is going to get you in a lot of trouble.” Rebecca’s eyes moved from Megan to Ian, who was walking up the stairs. He crossed his arms when he reached the top and gave Rebecca a disapproving look. “Megan, go downstairs and eat.”

Megan nodded before doing as she was told. Ian watched her walk down the stairs then focused on Rebecca again. “The children here are just like the children outside of this house. They don’t keep secrets well.” He stated. “You’re lucky only Megan and I heard you. She most likely won’t tell, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Master Shawn came stomping up here at any moment.”

“I don’t care.” Rebecca replied. “By the end of today he is going to know that I despise him.”

Ian shook his head, almost amused. “Well, come on.” He said. “Master Shawn is waiting for us in the dinning room.” Without waiting for an answer, he turned and walked down the stairs.

Rebecca stood where she was for a moment. She played with the idea of not going down stairs, but quickly pushed it from her mind. Following Ian was the best thing for her to do. If she didn’t, not only would Shawn be mad, but Ian might also get in trouble. Ian didn’t deserve to get scolded for her decisions.

Sighing, Rebecca walked down the stairs. At the bottom she looked around.

She stood in a fairly large hallway area. Directly across from her was the front door, and she played with the idea of checking to see if it was unlocked but knew it wouldn’t be. To the left was a coat rack that held several coats and next to that, pushed against the wall, was a small, dark wood, half circle table with four drawers. A living room area was also to the right of her. Stepping off the stairs, Rebecca turned toward the living room. She noticed a hallway leading behind the stairs and took note of it.

Before she could examine the living room someone called her, “Rebecca! In here!” She turned around. A young girl in an apron for someone twice her size stood in the archway of another room to the left of the stairs. Her red hair was lightened by what seemed to be flour. Her freckle-covered face was covered in the same substance. She held a wooden spatula in one hand. “Come on, Rebecca! Master Shawn is waiting for you!”

Rebecca watched as the redhead turned and skipped back through the archway and into the darker room it led to. She hummed a happy tune as she left. Cautiously, Rebecca approached the dark room.

It was a dinning room. The floor was a dark wood that was so polished that Rebecca could see her reflection, and she feared that if she walked on it she would ruin its perfection. The walls had the same color wooden panels traveling to about hip height, ending just under the windows. The top half of the wall was painted a dark red. Black curtains hung from the three windows on the far side of the room. A long table extended from the left side of the room and had twelve seats, one on each end and five on the long sides. The table was covered in a blood red tablecloth; the chairs had the same color cushions.

“Isn’t this a happy room?” Rebecca commented to herself sarcastically as she examined the dark room.

“I enjoy it like this.”

Rebecca froze as his cool voice filled the room. She turned her head to the right to see Shawn standing in the room, a swinging door still moving behind him. He had his arms crossed and was staring at her. His dark brown eyes were calm but not at all nice as they watched her. His brown hair was a mess yet it somehow suited him.

Shawn uncrossed his arms and approached Rebecca. She took notice of his dark choice in clothing. A simple black t-shirt with a company name she did not recognize written across the front and a pair of loose, almost black, blue jeans. She almost found it ironic that he wore white socks.

When Shawn stood in front of her Rebecca felt herself take a step back as she met his eyes. Instantly, she felt herself almost give in to him as she met his eyes. They were so intense. Nothing was said between the two as Shawn stared at Rebecca. For a long while he examined her, judged her.

Finally, Shawn spoke. “You’re late.”

Rebecca almost apologized but caught herself. Her face hardened. “I don’t care.” She responded. “If you think I’m going to obey rules set by a kidnapper, you’re dead wrong.”

Shawn frowned. “You will not call me such a name.” He hissed. “And you will abide by the rules of this house. Like it or not, you are here and I’m in charge. Fail to listen and you will be punished.” Rebecca moved past Shawn as if ignoring him. He grabbed her arm roughly and pulled her around to face him. “Don’t make this any harder then it has to be, Rebecca.” He said; his voice strained as if he were struggling not to yell.

Rebecca pulled her arm from his grip. “You kidnapped me!” She shouted. “You’ve kidnapped all of the children in this house! I refuse to make it easy for someone like you.” She motioned around her with her arms. “Because of you I’m locked in this terrible house while I could be at home with my family!”

Shawn sighed irately. “Don’t pretend you were happy with your life.” He told her as his eyes narrowed.

Rebecca’s eyes widened as she stared at him in disbelief. “How—?”

“Master Shawn, your breakfast is ready.” The redhead said as she stuck her head into the room through the swinging door.

Shawn nodded to her. “Thank you, Bailey, I’ll be there in a moment.” He said calmly.

The red head named Bailey bowed her head respectfully. “Yes, Master Shawn.” Then left.

Shawn turned back to Rebecca who was now glaring at him. “You spied on me!” She accused. “You…you stalker!”

“Why do you insist on calling me names?” Shawn asked, irritated.

Rebecca crossed her arms. “Any names I call you are rightly disserved.” She responded smartly then turned away, her hair flaring out behind her and in his face. She made her way to what she guessed to be the kitchen.

Shawn’s eyes widened at her disrespectful action then he tensed as anger rose in him, his eyes darkened to almost black. “Rebecca, don’t you walk away from me!” He shouted, the objects in the room shaking, his order demanding to be obeyed. Rebecca did not stop. “Rebecca!”

Before Rebecca reached the kitchen door it opened. Ian stepped out looking flustered. He quickly stepped in between Rebecca and Shawn, even though his master was making no move toward her. Rebecca moved up close behind Ian without thinking about it. She was uncomfortable when Shawn was this angry, but she wanted to show that she would not obey him like the others when he yelled or commanded her to listen.

“Master Shawn,” Ian spoke calmly, seriously, “You are scaring the others. Please stop shouting.”

Shawn clenched his fists as he stared at Ian. His jaw tightened as his eyes focused on the blond. He seemed to think something over in his head before he closed his eyes and sighed. His muscles relax, and he unclenched his fists. “Alright.” He said, his voice seemed a little strained but it did not hold the anger it had before.

Ian nodded to Shawn before turning to Rebecca. He touched her face gently with his fingers. “Are you alright?” He asked. She nodded and he let out a relieved sigh.

“Ian, you need to teach this girl how to behave in this house.” Shawn said as he approached Rebecca and Ian. He was once more calm and cold. Rebecca frowned. His mood swings were getting on her nerves. Shawn stopped near them and Ian turned to face him. “I will let this incident slide, but next time she disobeys me she will be punished for it, understood?”

“Yes, Master Shawn.” Ian replied as he bowed his head respectfully.

"Do you understand, girl?” Shawn asked as he focused on Rebecca.

She glared. “I have a name.”

“But until you use mine I will not use yours.” He replied emotionlessly. “Now am I understood?” Rebecca glared at him but did not answer. Shawn took a step closer. “Am I understood?” He repeated, emphasizing each word as his eyes met hers and locked.

She continued to glare but responded, “Yes.”

“Good.” Was Shawn’s heated reply. His eyes lingered on Rebecca before landing on Ian. “Get the girl some breakfast and when the others are done let them outside.” He spoke his new name for Rebecca louder then the rest of the sentence, but that’s not what captured her attention. The children were allowed outside?

“Yes, Master Shawn.” Ian replied.

“I’ll be upstairs checking the rooms if you need me.” Shawn told us before making his way out of the room.

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Ya. I don’t like this chapter very much and so far it just seems the story doesn’t have much of a plot yet. It’s comin’ just hold on till the next chapter.

Review please.