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the
bathroom, I sat down on the bed and waited.  For about thirty seconds. 
    I
stood up and opened the door, cautiously peeking out into the hallway.  Then I
straightened my spine and thought, fuck it.   I exited the room
completely and a small electronic keypad caught my attention.  It was attached
to the wall at about shoulder height to the left of the doorframe.  Curious.  I
didn't notice it the first time around. 
    I
reached out to touch it and a hopeful, child-like voice said, "Are you my
new mommy?"
    I
was visibly startled at the voice, not used to being caught unawares.  I turned
and saw a kid, a boy, just out of arm's reach.  He was looking at me with the
same curious expression I was just staring at the keypad with.   He looked like
he was maybe ten or eleven. 
    I
didn't say anything because if I had opened my mouth, "What the
fuck?" would have come out.  What is it with children equating boobs with
motherhood?  Well, besides the obvious.
    My
face must have related this because he chuckled and said in a slightly deeper
voice, "I'm just screwing with you."
    Relieved,
I glanced back at the keypad.
    "We
never use those.  They're for in the case of an emergency."  I raised my
eyebrows at him and he elaborated.  "The doors use two regular locks, one
doorknob and one deadbolt, for your sense of privacy.  But for actual safety,
the keypad activates steel bolts that shoot into the door to either lock
someone in or lock someone out.  It's not as easy to pick," he finished
lightly.
    I
was now living in a secluded place that had steel bolts installed in the
doorframes for my "safety."  How stupid could I be?  I was so out of
my league here.
    He
took a step closer and said, "Relax.  I've been here for two years, and
I've never seen them used before." 
    We
stared at each other, taking each other in.   He was shorter than me, hitting
just above five feet.  His voice cracked here and there, like it was starting
to change with puberty.  He had shaggy, dark blond hair that looked like it was
transitioning to brown and vibrant green eyes.  Vibrant green eyes that were
staring at me patiently but expectantly, not unlike Brooks, and I realized I
should probably say something before he assumed I was mute.
    "That's
reassuring," I said.
    "Mmhmm,"
he mumbled.  "I'm Oliver."
    "Alex."
    "So,
you officially joining the Super Thieves?" he asked.
    I
smirked and said, "On a trial basis." 
    "How
old are you?" he asked.
    "Twenty
one.  You're what, ten?"
    "Twelve,"
he said indignantly.  "Almost thirteen," he tacked on. 
    "You've
been here two years, already?"
    He
nodded and said, "You're looking at the premiere badass of the
compound."
    I
felt a smile form on my lips and my body relax.  I decided right then and there
that I liked this kid. 
    He
glanced down the hall and said, "You've been given the tour?"
    "Nope,"
I said, popping the sound on my lips.
    He
nodded his head to follow him and we walked side by side down the hall as he
filled me in, pointing out various rooms as we passed them.
    "This
is the second floor, where all of the bedrooms are.  The third floor is
dedicated to classrooms.  First floor is basically dedicated to the kitchen and
general living areas.  Two giant rooms take up the whole floor.  Lots of
couches and space.  Fourth floor is the gym type area and the studio.  Giant
room with mirrors covering the walls and lots of open space for combat training
or whatever."
    "Where
are the other people?" I asked.
    He
checked his watch and said, "It's after lunch time now, so they'll probably
be in the general education class.  Except for Ethan.  He's probably in the
studio."
    "Actually,
I was supposed to wait on Brooks, so --"
    "And
clearly you were intending to wait patiently on him to explore this
place," he said sarcastically.
    Fine, I thought, sucking it up.  I followed
him up the stairs and we didn't have to go far before I heard voices.  The
excited trill I felt in my stomach last night