A Whole New Problem ((Closed))

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack couldn't believe it. He had been owled by Father, who had ordered that Jack come home immediately for the weekend. Wonderful. That could only mean that he had done something wrong and Father was going to deal with it personally. The wedding slipped into his mind at first, but then again, Father couldn't possibly be angry at that. Could he? The thoughts sent shivers down his spine. Waiting in the rain wasn't at all fun either. Cold rain, too. Where were they? Father had said he would pick him up from London Station. Jack shifted from foot to foot. Now, this just topped it all off. Father demanded he come home in the most obscene manner, and now he left Jack to stand in the rain. Haille was probably holding them up, Jack thought sourly. It was all her fault.

"Jack!" A Mercedes pulled up near him. Haille had her head sticking out for only a few moments. She probably couldn't stand the rain. Hah. Jack glared but picked up his small amount of luggage and opened the door. "Hurry up!" Father snapped. "Perhaps some help would make it go faster." Jack replied, throwing one of the heavier bags at Haille's head. She put up her arms just in time. Too bad. "Watch it!" "Ah, is little baby Haille grumpy?" Jack taunted only to feel a sharp slap in the back. "Shut up, Jack! Haille - move over and take Jack's bags." Father seemed to have complete control over Haille now. She obeyed without complaint. For some odd reason, Jack found little satisfaction in this new result. So, Father had finally grew tired of her.

The car whipped past the tall buildings. They had quite a ride to go, but Haille couldn't help but be the little whiner she always was. "Move over Jack!" "Why should I?" "You're on my foot!" "No I'm not!" "Move!" "You didn't say the magic word!" "Just move!" "No!" "SHUT UP!" Father roared, turning around to face them. Jack waved his hand in front of his face. "What did you last eat, Father? Onions?" Roger looked like he could strangle him, but Jack smartly pushed the button that made a glass window separate the back seat from the front. He watched with satisfaction as Father's face distorted. Ah. The window was coming down. Jack moved over to push it again, but someone else's finger was already there.

Haille locked it and leaned back, breathing like an elephant. Jack raised an eyebrow. This was... new. He wrinkled his nose, not sure if he liked it or not. "Stop." Haille said suddenly. "What?" "Making that face. It makes me feel.... weird." "I'm sorry to hear that." "So change it!" "Ever heard of ignoring something?" "Please!" Jack rolled his eyes. "You're impossible." Haille grinned. "Yeah, yeah, I've heard that a million times." She pushed back a strand of hair that was hanging in her eyes. It was the first time Jack had actually inspected her face. She had some eyeliner on that made her brown eyes sparkle, and mascara. She wore a fancy dress and bracelets dangled from her wrists. Heavy red lipstick topped it all off, and her hair was in an elegant bun. What did Father do to her?

"Jack!" "What?" "You're on my foot again!" "So what?" "Move it!" "Is it impossible for you to think nothing but of your feet?" "C'mon, please!" "Fine." Jack sighed and lifted his foot away. "Thank you. Now I can relax." "I hope so. You're really annoying when you aren't." "Oh." She leaned back, closed her eyes. It didn't last long. "Stop it!" She growled. Jack turned. "What now?" "You're clicking your tongue. Stop!" It would be a long ride.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Rendel Manor came into view. Jack grinned and gathered all his luggage in his lap. Haille was leaning against the door, obviously anticipating her escape from the car that held the two of them together. Actually, it looked quite similar to someone in a race. But instead of unlocking the doors, Father turned around and pointed down. His meaning was only too clear. Jack pressed the button that would send the window down, ignoring Haille's groans. "We're here." Jack looked out the window, bored. "I want you two to behave. I have some friends over, and you must be on your best behavior. Understand?" Again, a groan and a grimace from Haille, a blank look from Jack. That was enough for him. Reaching through the window, he put his face very close to Jack's.

"If you dare embarrass me in front of these people, you will regret the day you were born!" The threat was empty, Jack could see that. He already had made that wish more then once, but was too much of a coward to actually do anything about it. Haille gave a small little gulp beside him. Poor girl. She would have to get used to this. She followed hesitantly after Father. Jack, however, remained in the car. Until some violent gestures were made by Father. That meant he had risked enough all ready. "Come." He motioned, leading them to the door. Inside was the noise of loud music blaring. How exciting! Jack caught Haille looking around like a trapped animal. No wonder she looked so nice; this was the reason.

Inside were men. Not respectable men either. They looked half-drunk, half-blind as the stumbled through the house, bumping into walls and chugging a bottle of whiskey. Disgusting and very, very disturbing. The music would certainly make them go deaf, and they were dumb too. The slur in their words were apparent as they spoke not very fluently to each other. Jack rolled his eyes to the ceiling. Haille gave a Little strangled whimper. "You two will go up in your rooms until I call you down. Up there will be some of my guests' children. Remember what I told you in the car..." He was swept off by some woman who looked like she had caked the make-up on. Jack immediately reacted, racing to the stairs. Haille followed suit.

"This is horrible!" She moaned, looking quite distressed. "I'm glad your realizing that." Jack smirked. "If you want to live here, you'll have to get used to being bossed around." Haille grimaced. "It wasn't that. It was the people down there..." "Oh, them? They're always here. It's no big deal. They are usually asleep by five and dinner is some more beer. If you want to stay intelligent, don't venture near them. Wait until you meet their kids. A horrible bunch of rats, if I say so myself." "That makes me feel so much better, Jack." "True is true." "Whatever." They had reached the landing of the fourth level. Inside Haille's room they heard noises. Jack and Haille both shared a look of distress.

"They're in my room!" Haille cried, looking like she was about to cry. "It sounds like they're killing each other." Jack said, ignoring his sister completely. It was true, the noises coming from the room made his stomach queasy. He looked up; "You can go in there if you want, but as for me, I'm going up to my room." Haille cast a glance at her room and her lips trembled. "They're destroying all my stuff. Probably wearing my jewelery and trying on my clothes..." "I doubt they'll be in my room." Jack said, interrupting Haille's senseless tirade. "Father has more sense then to send them up there." Jack began his walk up the stairs, Haille right behind him. Again. He wished she could get lost, but truthfully there was really was no possibility of that.

Opening his door, Jack was relieved to see it empty. Haille grumbled something incoherent under her breath and hurdled into the room. Like she was wanted in there. Rolling his eyes, Jack closed his door with a soft snap and went to sit on his bed. Haille was in the chair, looking out the window. "I can't believe this. It's propaganda." She muttered. "Getting a little fancy now, eh?" "Could you just shut up for a little bit, Jack? Please? I wouldn't be in this room if I didn't have to. But I have to, so deal with it." She snapped, turning back to him with burning eyes. "What's the matter?" Jack snipped in his mocking voice. Haille glared. "Nothing." Silence. "I'm bored." "Haille, honestly, you need medication. Sleep medication, sedatives, whatever they're called." "Want to play a game?" Haille asked, so quickly Jack could barely catch on. "A game?" He pretended to think about it. "No." So they sat in silence.

[haille]

It was really long. And boring. Jack absolutely refused to do anything fun to pass the time. Figures. He just sat on his bed and pouted, like the big baby he was. Haille rolled her eyes and turned to rocking back and forth in the chair. Fun. Creak, creak, rattle, squeal. Lots of wonderful sounds. Each time it made the squeal on the wood, Haille winced. The people in her room probably could hear it. Finally, after many minutes, she spoke. "Are we going to go see them?" It was a tentative and hopeful prod at conversation. "Um, let me think.... No." Jack responded rather snottily. He turned toward his window. Haille rolled her eyes savagely. "But their in MY room. If it was your room, I'd come with you." Jack turned, wearing that smirk that always irked her.

"Of course. But it's not your room, is it?" He gave what sounded disgustingly like a half laugh half snort and turned away again. "Fine! I'll go down and check it out myself!" Haille challenged. "You do that." Jack didn't even turned to look. "Fine!" "Fine!" Haille stood up. "I'm going." "Go faster, then." In truth, she was hardly going at all. At a snail pace, she found herself wishing that Jack would come along. He was much more intimidating then her. Opening the door, she paused to see if any hope was left. He was turned toward his window again, staring absently at the bird roosting on the tree closest. Haille swallowed and stepped outside.

The trip to her room seemed like an eternity. She never felt so afraid. Her palms were sweaty so badly she had to wipe them on her blouse several times. She also gave random trembles and jerks as she hopped her way down the stairs. Damn you, Jack, she thought angrily. Would it have killed him to come down for her? Her door came up and she stopped, listening. The sounds had ceased, but she could hear murmured talking behind the door. Grrreat. Pulling herself together and giving herself no chance to think, she swung open the door. And it slammed against the wall. Nice. She entered the room, only to see about four eyes staring woefully at her, looking not at all angry about the door. It made sense. It wasn't their door after all.

"Um, hi. Is it okay if I stay with you guys for a little while?" It was HER room! Why in the hell was she asking them if she could stay? But they nodded their heads anyway. Good. She stepped inside, but didn't close the door behind her. She felt insecure with it closed. She sat down on a chair facing her bed, which currently held all four occupants. One of them looked about her age, the other was about a year older. She couldn't help but notice he was extremely good looking. "Er, my name's Haille Rendel. What's your names?" She looked at them pleadingly. The other two were younger, about six or seven, and both had huge owl eyes. They stuck on her, without blinking, and they seemed incapable of speaking. "My name's Nicholas." The good looking one said. Haille nodded. "The others are Kory, Kari, and Sam." He pointed at each one in turn. Silence developed in the speed of light. Nicholas turned away and scrutinized his nails. "So." Haille found her voice was stronger then before. "Why is it that you are here?"