There is a knock at the door.
Quickly I hide under the bottom bunk while Mitch stands and steps to the door ready to open it and expecting to see his "vacation girlfriend".
Mitch double checks with a glance that I am safely and completely under the bed and then opens the door.
"Hey 'Mitch'" A voice I don't recognize says from the door, before continuing with an annoyed edge asking, "Mind if we come in?"
"Uh, um, uh," Mitch stutters clearly shocked obviously trying to get his bearings
"Hey bro, you okay?" the voice continues trading a bit of its annoyed edge for a touch of concern, "You don't look so hot."
"Oh, yea, sure," Mitch mutters his response slowly trying to regain his ability to think, "Get in here before anyone sees you!" Mitch hisses as he finally regains his composure and remembers the trouble guests could cause.
The feet and the voice are quickly ushered inside our cabin as Mitch quickly checks the hallway to make sure no one saw them. Satisfied that no one noticed our strange guests, Mitch returns locking the door behind him.
"Um, I think you should probably be out here for this Bella," Mitch calls to me nervously
"Well, well if it isn't your 'twin' sister." the voice sarcastically quips obviously annoyed once again.
"Well, well if it isn't Mitch's fraternal twin brother Boomer." I reply mocking him and returning his petty attitude. Now that I am out from under the bed though I can get a better look at both our intruders. The one who is obviously Boomer really is an odd study in genetics compared to Mitch. The juxtaposition between them is stark. Boomer's skin is dark chocolate just like their mother while Brady carries the olive tones of their father. Mitch is about a head taller than Boomer and still has some of lankiness of youth while Boomer has more of a barrel-chested frame. I can see their father in both of their eyes though. I turn my gaze to the one I originally dubbed the feet and upon consideration add, "Hmm Make that Mitch's fraternal triplet brothers Boomer and... red?"
"What?!?" Mitch gasps his mouth gaping and eyes wide staring at me.
"How?!?" Boomer gasps simultaneously again showing their sibling bond as his expression matches Mitch's exactly.
"Boz," says the feet trying to be cool, "do you wanna go on a date?"
I let out a snort enjoying their surprise "First off," I start, "thanks for the offer but I am not going on a date with you Boz." I coldly reply before continuing with the more important topic, "Second, really guys? it's pretty easy to tell. Boomer is literally wearing one of the king rings you told me about Mitch," I say pointing to Boomer's hand, "Then I see Boz here, who looks like a red headed version of you Mitch, is wearing one too. Logic says that if he's wearing it he must have taken over as co-king of Kongkea. Well since only your family can rule Kongkea, and the only way multiple people can be king at the same time is if they are siblings born on the same day from the same womb the only explanation is an unknown triplet brother." I conclude feeling quite proud of myself and pretty sure I B.S.ed that explanation quite well.
"How did I miss that?" Mitch asks annoyed at himself
"Well, your brain broke since someone who shouldn't be here was standing in front of you. Also, because I am a genius." I explain winking at him unsure if he wants to admit that since he abandoned Kongkea he's changed a lot and should actually have caught that Boz is wearing his ring.
"That makes sense... you are a genius after all," Mitch mutters ruffling my hair absentmindedly accidentally giving me a jolt of his anxiety. (sometimes mind reading abilities are inconvenient) He continues on by turning to Boomer and Boz asking, "Speaking of 'not supposed to be here', Why exactly are you guys here?"
"Well.... that's kinda a really long story" Boomer replies shuffling his feet uncomfortably.
I sigh knowing I am not going to like this but also feeling the weight of responsibility fall on me, "Why don't we all sit down and get comfortable. Between the bed and chair, we should have enough room. Then you two can tell us what is going on. and why you tracked Mitch down way out here" I suggest sitting on the bottom bunk and patting the spot next to me for Mitch, since the top bunk is folded up there is plenty of headspace for him even though he is taller than me.
"Sure," Boomer sighs taking a seat on the bed on the other side of Mitch, "We can talk but does she really have to stay for this 'Mitch'?"
"Bella stays. If you don't like it, you can leave." Mitch's voice is harsh, and it surprises me he would speak like that right after being reunited with his brother.
"Ah, she's fine Boomer just tell them," Boz speaks up from his perch on the nightstand that also serves as our dresser.
Boomer sighs obviously unhappy but having to live with it. "See it's like this, the night you ran away," Boomer looks at Mitch who cringes "So uncool by the way. I tried to follow you, but a huge hurricane type storm struck the island making it impossible. I tried to follow you anyway, but Mason kept catching me and dragging me back inside." Boomer shakes his head, "I couldn't believe you just cut and run like that bro. I thought I meant more to you than a note left while I slept"
Mitch cringed grabbing my hand but staying silent. I struggle not to flinch away as his guilt, fear, and anguish flow into me. I know he doesn't mean to hurt me, and I know I need to help him by holding his hand. Sometimes reading minds and emotions through touch is a real pain though. I lean my head onto Mitch giving him what comfort I can.
Boomer gives a disgusted shake of his head but continues anyway, "The storm raged for several days and when it cleared, we found a ship parked in the middle of the courtyard. It was mostly intact as if the storm picked it up off the sea and set it down in the courtyard. Boz here came climbing out claiming to be the king of the island of Mindu and asking for refuge because Mindu sank during the storm. Of course, I said sure the more the merrier, then there was some drama with...." Boomer trails off as though censoring something, "anyway one thing led to another, the Elder and Mason admitted to hiding all records of our triplet after Boz was lost in a storm at just two years old. After a very rough start Boz is now co-king of Kongkea and he and I figured out how to be brothers since my other brother abandoned me."