Fiftysix - Seven Rue Page 0,123

me how you got in?”

His voice was low and raspy, and something about it made me feel warm and cozy inside.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, then pointed to the window I broke.

All three looked into the direction I pointed, but couldn’t really see what I was actually pointing at.

“You gonna talk to us, sweetness?”

Sweetness.

That didn’t sound right.

I opened my mouth, knowing there won’t be anything coming out of it.

I closed it again, unsure of what to do.

Surely, none of those men knew how to sign, and I looked around for something to write on.

I should’ve packed a pen.

God, how did I think I would communicate with people if I’d ever meet any?

“Think she doesn’t understand us,” the grumpy one mumbled.

“She understands us just fine. She’s just a little too shy for my liking. In the end, it’s her who broke into our cabin.”

He was mocking me.

I pressed my lips into a thin line and took a step back, thinking just grabbing my things and going would be the best thing to do.

But the guy had other plans.

“Uh-uh, you stay right here. Talk. I’m not really good at staying calm, so you better tell me your name or we’ll have to do this the hard way.”

No idea what he meant by that, but he sure intimidated me with those words.

Also, there was a huge dog sitting next to him, and I didn’t want him to attack me.

I didn’t like dogs.

Was scared of them.

Ever since getting bit by one when I was four, I tried to avoid them.

I opened my mouth again.

“You’re just scaring the shit outta her,” the one on his right said.

He looked slightly younger, but I guessed all three of them were in their thirties.

“What’s your name, sweet girl? Did you get lost hiking?”

Now, that felt like a better start to a conversation.

But yet, I couldn’t tell him my name, and instead nodded to answer his question.

“All right. Can you tell us where you’re from?”

For some reason, his calmer voice urged me to sign, so I lifted my hands to reply.

I’m from Juneau.

All three frowned at me, then the other two looked at the youngest one.

“She can fucking sign. Talk to her,” the one in front of me said.

“Wait,” the other said, letting out a harsh laugh. “If she’s mute, how the fuck can she hear?”

There it was.

The one question I got asked all the time.

“I’m Summit.”

I turned my head to him, now knowing that he could read sign.

That made me relax a little.

“These are my brothers, Willem and Nordin.”

After introducing them to me by pointing at each of the men, I slowly nodded and turned to look at Nordin who made the comment about me not being deaf.

I can hear just fine, I signed, looking back at Summit.

I’ve been mute since birth, I explained.

“She says she’s been mute since birth, but can hear just fine,” Summit said, glaring at Nordin. “So watch your fucking mouth.”

After getting Summit’s attention back, I continued to explain myself.

I needed a safe place to stay, and after walking for days, I found your cabin. I’m sorry I ate your food, but I was hungry. Please, don’t be mad at me.

Summit watched me carefully, then nodded and lifted his hands.

Don’t worry, he signed, then turned to his brothers.

“She needs a place to stay, has been walking for days and found shelter here in our cabin. I think we can keep her here for a little while longer until we head back to town.”

Nordin muttered something under his breath, and Willem nudged his arm with his elbow. “Quiet,” he hissed, then turned to look at me.

“What’s your name?”

I looked at Summit again, then signed my name.

Echo.

Summit’s mouth curled up into a smile again. “Her name is Echo.”

“Well, shit. That’s fucking ironic,” Nordin laughed. “Her parents must’ve been real jokesters.”

“Quiet!” Willem growled, giving his brother a dark look.

I ignored Nordin’s words and looked back at Summit instead.

I don’t want to bother you any longer. If you tell me where the next town is, I can get there myself.

Summit raised a brow and shook his head. “That’s not gonna happen. We’re miles away from civilization, and I think you’ve done enough walking.”

Willem looked at my bare feet and sighed. “We won’t be back in town for another two months. If you wanna stay here with us, you gotta follow our rules and not do anything stupid.”

He was offering me to stay?

That was…nice.

But why was I having doubts now?

Staying here was safe.

I looked back at Summit,