CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-ONE FADED

A WEEK LATER ~MAE~ “Frank, lunch is ready” I said simply, after knocking on the door repeatedly. “Will be downstairs soon, I'm busy right now” I heard him respond and I only breathed before walking away. “You guys started eating already?” I said, descending the stairs with my gaze on the kids who didn't stop shoving pasta into their mouths. “Too hungry to wait” Emery said with food in her mouth and I giggled. A knock suddenly sounded on the door, just as I was about sitting down and I scrunched up my brows. “Who's that?” I blinked. “We've never had a visitor and dad warned us against having any, who then is that” Emerald said in a low tune. I shook my head sideways, trying not to believe the thought that it's an intruder or maybe a robber. “There's no neighbor around and we have no social workers, who then is that?” I thought, taking a step forward. The knock sounded again and this time, I turned to the kids. “Don't talk and don't come over.” I said and they nodded, holding