Shifting by Rachel D'Aigle Page A

stood, staring, her arms folded.
    “And the message is?” he choked out.
    “We’re still watching you.” Her pudgy face scrunched up as she said it. After staring at Colin for an entire silent minute, she plodded away. Colin raced the last few steps to the Mochrie house, but stopped, afraid to go in. When he did finally dare to enter, it was quieter than he expected. Sheila and Mireya calmly sipped tea. There was no sign of Jae or his father.
    “There you are, expect you went to see Meghan. How is she, the poor dear?” asked Sheila, with no indication that anything out of the ordinary had happened.
    “Fine,” Colin said, questioning why they weren’t all yelling at each other. “She should be home tomorrow.”
    “Jae and his father are out. Life must go on you know, and he’ll have to work harder now that he’s been sent back to the beginning,” said Mrs. Mochrie. Her eyes stared blankly at a wall.
    Mireya smiled weakly and announced she was going to bed. Though hardly sleepy, Colin followed her, so he wouldn’t have to talk any more.
    “Is Jae in a lot of trouble?” Colin dared to ask, before Mireya got into to bed.
    Her already weak smile faded.
    “This is the second time he’s been sent back to the beginning. Dad is none to happy about it and told him he wasn’t leaving his sight this week.”
    Colin nodded.
    As he lay down his thoughts twisted between right and wrong. Perhaps Juliska, realizing she had to dish out some kind of punishment, ordered the least possible, knowing what Jae had done was not all that bad in the end.
    Still, Colin did not trust Juliska’s cunning nature; he was positive she did not trust the twins, and worried deeply his sister could not see it.
    He also thought it odd that Sheila Mochrie did not question him after he had come home. He reached out for Meghan to say goodnight. She was already sleeping.
    Tomorrow, before school, he would tell Uncle Eddy. Perhaps he would have some answers.
    “I have to say this is a little unexpected, so soon at least,” said Uncle Eddy. “They’ve accepted you, though. That is good.”
    53
    “I’m not so sure they have actually accepted us.”
    “If their leader has, then they will, too. Not that I don’t still have things to teach you.” Colin was pleased that their uncle was not angry or worse, leaving, and reached out for his sister. She was blocking him.
    “When do you want us to come back, Uncle Eddy?” he asked.
    “Whenever you can, Colin. I will be here waiting.”
    Timothy came floating in then, talking to something neither Colin nor his uncle could see.
    “C’mon, almost there, a little bit farther,” coaxed Timothy. “Look what I found!” he exclaimed. A kitten followed him, meowing softly.
    “Where did you find that, Timothy?” He leaned over to have a closer look.
    “In an ally searching for food. Poor itty bitty.”
    “He does look hungry,” Colin said, picking up the kitten, noticing the tuft of white hair on top of its tiny head.
    “Searched all over for its mother, no luck though,” said Timothy, looking worried about the kitten’s future.
    “I don’t see why I couldn’t keep him, or her. Which is it? asked Colin.
    “It’s a her,” pointed out his uncle. “Curious, though,” he added. “Wonder how she got here?”
    “I’ve seen plenty of Svoda with pets,” said Colin. “I guess I would have to okay it with the Mochries.”
    “I am sure they would not abandon a poor little kitten,” said his uncle, proud that Colin would be so quick to take in the little thing.
    “Look at this,” said Colin. “She’s got two different colored eyes, one green and one white!”
    “Huh. So she does,” replied his uncle. The kitten snuggled up in Colin’s arms and fell to sleep, lightly purring.
    “Guess I better go. I’ve got to get this little thing home, meet up with Meghan, and then, off to school.” His voice did not sound hopeful in the least. “Bye, Timothy. Bye, Uncle Eddy.” They both waved