CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Jet stared at the night sky. Alice and Alec were already asleep. But like usual, he couldn't find enough peace in the night to slumber as they do; despite the quietness of the place compared to his rundown apartment beside the train tracks. He sighed; his breath leaving a trail in the cold night of winter.
Ao landed on the railings in front of him. With a frown, he raised his hand just inches away from it. Ao slowly nuzzled into his fingers as if asking for attention. He continued to play with her as the night turned colder.
"You'll catch a cold, kid," the voice behind Jet made him jump surprise.
He looked over his shoulder to find Alec leaning on the door frame behind him. He pushed himself off the frame and walked out to the balcony to stand beside Jet. At his appearance, Ao turned to him as well and he gave the little crow a treat. She cawed happily as she took the treat out of Alec's hand.
"Where's Alice?" Jet asked.
Alec pointed in the direction of Alice's room. "Asleep. Seems like she really needs it more than we do,"
Jet shook as cold air blew. "She hasn't even used her powers ever since she joined us. What sleep are you talking about?"
"Well, she might still be recharging," Alec guessed. Then, he patted Jet on the back. "Get some sleep kid,"
Once alone, Jet leaned back on the railings to look up at the moon. He let his head dangled over the edge; not finding any motivation at the moment. The clouds came and went, sometimes blocking the moon. He closed his eyes to savor the air.
It was during the start of winter when the Freakquency happened. And it was also then that Jet had lost his family. Everything went to hell that day. That was why Jet found it harder to sleep during winter.
He hated reliving it all.
~oOo~
"Dammit, Jet! Learn to listen, will you?" Alec berated in complete exasperation.
Jet ran off without waiting for Alec despite the older man's continuous reprimands. He chased after the monster that ran away towards the highway bridge. The bridge was evacuated of humans but the vehicles weren't so lucky. The monster dodged over cars to keep out of sight. Smart monsters were rare but not impossible. And Jet really hated those.
-"Why do you not listen? He said to wait,"-
Alice's voice spoke in his head. He looked up and saw Ao flying just above him. But Alice was nowhere to be found. He spun the iron pipe he had picked up as he jumped up the car to catch up with the monster.
"Hey, dumbass!" Jet yelled.
The monster turned around just in time to see Jet towards it, his pipe ready. But the monster grabbed his pipe and threw it to the side. Jet, caught-off-guard, flew with the pipe. He landed on top of a car and the windshield broke beneath him. His left elbowed was lodged in the windshield. Pieces of its glass were digging into his flesh.
The monster growled as it stalked towards Jet who couldn't get his elbow free off the windshield. He grunted as he tried to pull it out but it only caused him to bleed more. Ao cawed loudly as she flew in a circle above him.
The monster reached Jet and it stretched its arm to grab him. Prepared for the worst, Jet closed his eyes.
-"Why do you not fight?"- The voice in his head asked.
"What's the point?" Jet answered out loud despite not seeing her anywhere.
The monster wrapped its hands around Jet's neck and pulled him up. The car creaked as the windshield shattered when the monster freed Jet. He dangled a foot in the air as the monster let out a deafening roar.
He gripped at its hand, unable to breathe. The monster opened its dislocated jaw all ready to devour him whole. Jet clicked his tongue in frustration as he stopped fighting.
Despite that there was neither storm nor rain; lightning struck the monster where it stood. At the force, Jet flew back; hitting his back at the metal railings on the side of the highway. The monster let out one, thunderous roar before the bolt of lightning devoured it.
Jet, panting, saw Alec running towards him. The older man was clearly mad. As soon as he was in front of Jet, he knelt down so that they were leveled and then gave Jet a hard smack in the head.
"Oh shi!" Jet cursed as he fell on his side. "I think I heard my brain rattled,"
"It's already loose before I even smacked you; explained why you can't follow simple orders,"
"It was about to get away!" Jet reasoned.
Alec gave him a very disappointed glare. "It was not. Since you've been assigned as my partner, have I ever let any monster escape?"
Jet rolled to the ground with a groan. "Fine. Fine. I'm sorry?"
Alec's glare hardened and he kicked Jet in the shin. The younger man's voice failed him as his mouth opened in a silent cry as he writhed in pain. Ao flew down on the railings and cawed at him.
"Damn. I don't really understand you but I know you're laughing at me, Ao," Jet grunted as he recovered and sat down, putting his earphones back on and chewing on a piece of gum.
Ao cawed once more and Jet growled at it. With a sigh, Alec shook his head at him before turning around. The clean-up team had arrived. Yet, Alice was still nowhere to be found.
"Where do Alice vanishes to every time?" Alec asked without looking at Jet.
The younger man shrugged. "Dunno. She doesn't say. She's probably laughing at us from far away,"
"She's not you, Jet," Alec quickly retorted.
The younger man answered with a feigned, mortified gasp. "I take offense,"
Ao cawed, interrupting their banter. She spread her wings before taking off to the air once more. She circled above them before flying away.