WINTER IS COMING

[Doom]

"Actually, I haven't got one," said Cameron with a shrug.

[Gifted]

"Well, hopefully we'll be able to help you around here a little, then." Stephanie said.

[Doom]

"Oh, don't worry about me," said Cameron dismissively. "I'm plenty capable even without a power."
"I think it's worth our time to discuss what we'll do in case of emergency," said Blake. "I already have escape plans worked out, but I'm interested to hear what you'll do, Stephanie. After all, you seem to have thought out everything else."

[Raven]

"I believe Stephanie's implication was towards the fact that you're the only one of us who isn't going to be hunted by the government," Kailen pointed out. "If you were to betray us, we'd be screwed and you'd walk away untouched. Besides, we're at a disadvantage if you know everything."

[Gifted]

"That and I haven't seen enough of the house yet." Stephanie said with a smile. "You'll have to give me a day or two, but I'll come up with something."

[Doom]

"And who says I'm going to betray you?" Cameron asked, sounding hurt. "Blake is family. You know, it's a little rude to be accusing—"
"Enough," interrupted Blake. "I assure you, Cameron is on our side. He wouldn't be here if he wasn't trustworthy." He turned to Stephanie. "Feel free to examine the house at your leisure. There's a secret room in the cellar that we'll use to hide if the police try searching the house. Check the barrel in the corner. It's got a false bottom. The switch is inside that."
Blake stood with a groan.
"I'm a bit peckish. 'Think I'll grab a bite. Anyone else hungry?"

[Gifted]

"Sounds good to me." Stephanie nodded. She went to follow Blake to the kitchen.

[Doom]

"I'm good, thanks," said Cameron, returning to his book, though not before giving Kailen a sour look.
Monique said nothing to Blake or Cameron, instead standing close to Kailen.
"Hey," she whispered. "I know you're just trying to be careful, but I think you should try to be nicer. They don't have to let us stay here. They're doing us a kindness. We should be kind back."

---

"We have plenty," said Blake when stepping into the kitchen. "Just not much variety. Mostly stuff that keeps well. Personally, I'm hankering for a Twinkie. Feel free to grab whatever." He opened the door to the pantry, which was deceptively spacious, and pulled a Twinkie from an open box.

[Raven]

Kailen got to his feet as well, still not trusting them.

[Gifted]

"Will do." Stephanie said, using it as an excuse to take stock of the supplies without taking their word for it. "Sorry about Kailen by the way. He's... well, this has hit him especially hard."

[Doom]

"You're not kidding," said Blake, already tearing into the Twinkie. "That's not normal teenage angst. I can hear it in his voice. He's in a really bad way."

[Gifted]

"Yeah, he... well, he doesn't like to talk about what happened. I'm sorry about his attitude. He was quite nice before all this happened."

[Raven]

"So how did you and Blake meet?" Kailen asked, glancing at Cameron.

[Doom]

Monique grinned, appreciative of Kailen's effort.
"As he said earlier, I'm his son-in-law," said Cameron, not looking away from his book. "I married his youngest daughter five years ago. We became fast friends."
"I... didn't even know that Blake had any kids," mumbled Monique.
"Now that I think about it," said Cameron, "Blake did mention that he and his sister didn't get along. Maybe your mother didn't like to talk about him?"
"Maybe," said Monique with a shrug.

---

Blake crumpled up the wrapper, nodding pensively.
"It's understandable. If what I suspect happened did happen, well, I can't blame him. I'd probably be the same way."
He noticed Stephanie inspecting the pantry.
"See anything you like?"

[Raven]

"So where's your wife?" Kailen asked.