[i]“Well…kind of,”[/i] said Roland, taking a seat near the kitchen table, [i]“I’m kind of worried.”[/i]

[i]“Well Roland, we’re all worried,”[/i] said Mr. Noonan, laughing a bit, [i]“I mean we know you care about Avery, and we-”[/i]

[i]“Yeah, but..”[/i] continued Roland as he interrupted, [i]“It’s just that…well…I have a feeling that he’s going to find her, you know? And that when he does, he’ll try to kill all of us for trying to-”[/i]

[i]“Roland”[/i] said Mrs. Noonan interrupting Roland this time, [i]“Are you talking about Avery’s father?”[/i]

[i]“Yeah,”[/i] replied Roland as his face expressed a worrisome look, [i]“I mean, I want to help Avery, but I’m scared also. Her father will probably do anything he can to find her…but I don’t want anyone of us to get killed trying to protect her. It’s just not right.”[/i]

As Mrs. Noonan walked over to the sink to clean her hands very quick, she knew that not only was Roland worried of Avery’s safety, but everyone else’s as well. 

[i]“We’ll figure something out along the way sweetheart,”[/i] said Mrs. Noonan to Roland happily, [i]“If it comes down to it, we’ll have a patrol of troops guarding outside the house, you know like in the movies?”[/i]

[i]“Exactly,”[/i] said Mr. Noonan laughing a bit harder now, [i]“We’ll be ready for whatever happens Roland. Even if we have to leave town or go into another continent, we will be one step ahead and do everything in our power to keep each other safe. You need not worry ok?”[/i]

As they spoke of their plans, it made Roland feel a bit calmer, but the feeling still stood within him. He believed Mr. and Mrs. Noonan, but he wasn’t sure as to what could happen, or if things would be too late. It was boggling him so much that he couldn’t think straight, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to fight it off unless something could be done.

[i]“I’m going to try to rest a bit too I guess,”[/i] said Roland as he got up and began walking away from the table.

[i]“You aren’t hungry?”[/i] asked Mrs. Noonan, [i]“Dinner will be ready shortly.”[/i]

[i]“Will you save a bit for me and Avery?”[/i] asked Noonan, [i]“I know she’ll be hungry when she wakes up.”[/i]

Mrs. Noonan smile back at him nodding, agreeing to leave leftovers for both him and Avery. Once all was said and done, the only thing Roland wanted to do now was get a couple of hours of sleep.

[i]“Steven,”[/i] said Roland, plopping down onto the couch, [i]“Try to keep the noise down ok? By the way, dinner will be ready in a few moments.”[/i]

[i]“Really?”[/i] said Steven, [i]“Well then I’m going to the kitchen. You can have the living room all you want because I’m starving.”[/i]

As Steven rushed out of the main room, Roland made himself more comfortable by laying across the couch, resting his head onto the armrest and closing his eyes. Even though there was still a bit of noise coming from the kitchen, it wasn’t too much to keep him awake as he starting dozing off and eventually falling asleep.

Hours later, Roland had woke up hearing a noise that sounded like footsteps. The rooms were dark due to the lights being out, but it wasn’t going to prevent him as to finding out who was up roaming around. As he got himself up off the couch, he reached up to the ceiling fan and pulled the switch to turn on the lights in the room.

[i]“Someone awake?”[/i] questioned Roland, waiting for a reply to find out if anyone was up and near.