Uncles office was quite smaller then what I remembered, when we were kids Alex, me, and little Remi all played hide and seek in this very room, while I was lost in memories Uncle was sitting behind a large desk and was looking at the folders that I gave him.
"Did you agree to this?" He suddenly asked, I looked at his worried face.
"We have a verbal agreement but I needed a professional opinion, well Alex be safe?" coming out of my memories I asked him the only question I was worried about at the moment.
"Yes--" he whispered, before looking at the documents with a troubled face, "--which he should not be considering the lengths of his crime, but since they are giving him immunity--" He looked at me straight in the eyes, "--they want something from you which I am not comfortable you should agree too?" there was a lot of concern there as he closed the folders.
I stepped forward and collected the folders from his desk and said, "As long as he is getting immunity we can handle the rest Uncle--" I stopped him from saying anything more as I continued, "--you know what you used to say right uncle--" he gave me a resigned nod, "--are you coming with me, you could help convince Alex that this is the best for him..."
I put the folders in my briefcase, and started to make way towards the office door, I took a look around once again at the small office.
"You three used to be so cute, you know, now you are grown up and making all the decisions--" he clapped the back of my back as we both turned around and exited the office door, Aunty was still working in the kitchen so I knocked politely to get her attention, startled she turned around and said, "what-- leaving already? you just came here Ryan, at least have some snacks."
"Some other time Aunty" I hugged her when it suddenly hit me that I do not know when and if I will see her again, or anyone else for that matter, she hugged me back a little confused, and when I detach from her I could see her looking towards Uncle with a clear question in her eyes.
"I'll be back home soon, family trouble." she nodded at Uncle's statement as she turned off the gas and removed her apron, "I'm coming too"
At her statement Uncle and I shared a look, he nodded so I said, "Let's go then we don't have much time..."
I left the house and looked at the sedan, even though the windows were tinted and I couldn't see anything I knew Ellie would probably be looking so I said, "Start the car we don't have much time."
Hearing the sound of the gate opening Uncle came out followed by Aunty, he looked at the car as he passed the car keys to Aunty, "Is it them?" He questioned to which I nodded and a strange look appeared on his face, "How soon do you have to go?"
I looked at the screen and said, "3 hours max--" looking back to his sad look I said, "--we'll do proper goodbye's later, let's go!"
I walked to the car and slipped into my seat saying, "Let's go."
"So you don't trust us?" Ellie said as soon as I settled and closed the door.
"What do you mean?" Feigning ignorance I looked outside as Aunty drove the car out f their garage and Uncle soon settled beside her, I could see her starting to rapid-fire questions at him.
"Your Uncle's a lawyer, we did a background check remember?" Her body language suggested that she seemed a bit offended at me double-checking the deal.
"Of course, I have known you for 2-3 hours? you expect me to trust you? don't be barmy"
'This girl really confuses me, why would she take offence to that of all pieces.'
"Hmm" crossing her arms she started looking outside the window as we traveled for about half a kilometer before arriving outside my house.
I could see Mom and Mel waiting on the lawn and they hurriedly stood up upon noticing our car stop outside the house followed by Uncle's car.
'Alright, time to get scolded--'
I opened the gate of the car and stepped out catching the attention of both of them, Mel started running to me and jumped to hug me and I had to brace myself by putting my right leg behind my body as to not fall over.
'ouch! that's a tight hug...'
Mom appeared behind her, she had a concerned expression mixed with confusion as she looked at me up and down likely noticing I am wearing clothes I don't own.
"Where the fuck were you, Ryan!!" Mel let go of me and looked at me up and down while demanding answers.
'Tactic 1: divert attention'
"Don't you look beautiful" I brushed a strand of her blond hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear, she blushed a little but her face turned annoyed as I failed to dodge her punch that she aimed at my chest.
'ouch, Tactic 2: Tell her you missed her'
"I missed you, Mel" I hugged her again as she buried her face in my neck. I looked behind her to notice Mom was talking to Uncle trying to figure things out.
"Alright let's go, is everyone here?" I whispered to Mel as she let me go and nodded, "Just a minute--" I walked back to the car and opened it to grab my briefcase and said to Ellie, "You'll be okay staying out here, you could go and grab something to eat by the time I am finished here."
After saying that I closed the door and turned around to notice Mel, her perfectly trimmed left eyebrow was raised as she noticed me talking to Ellie before she could say anything I said, "Shut it! I'll tell you in a bit--" she pouted at that and my attention was drawn to her lips, which turned into a grin as soon as she noticed where my attention was focused.
"Not one word--" I said as I grabbed her by the elbow and turned her around leading her toward the door as she said, "So you an Escort now? does it pays well cause I need a new shade of lipstick--"
She stopped at my dull look but after being together for 2 years now I could see the worry in her eyes, I leaned towards her, kissed and cheek, and whispered, "I Love you, Dumbo"
The worry in her eyes vanished as she pinched my ass as we entered the door.
"Ouu!!" I glared at her but Dad's voice intervened my retaliation plans as he said, "You better have a good explanation or there will be a whole lot of 'Ouu' later--"
'That was terrible--'
At my bland look, even he looked a little embarrassed before glaring at me, "Explain"
I looked around the room and notice Alex sitting on the sofa so I Iet go off Mel's arm and sit down before him on one of the chairs. It took a second before the whole family was sitting around the table in our drawing-room. I placed my briefcase on the table and opened it to extract the folder containing the evidence and also the Immunity deal, I let them drop on the table before putting the briefcase aside.
"That's a very cool suit's impression brother but what it that..." Little Remi was sitting on one side of me as she stretched her hand towards that but Uncle stopped it by grabbing it.
'well she's 16 so it doesn't mean we have to exclude her, I guess, but that decision is Dad and Uncles'
"How long Alex?" He seemed startled at my sudden question as all the attention shifted between me and him.
"What are you on about Ry?" He looked confused, I looked at his clear green eyes and realize that maybe he isn't that far gone.
"How long have you need dealing drugs?"
A simple statement that sent ripples across the room as everyone turned to give me a crazy look, but after seeing my serious face they tuned to Alex's guilty one. I put an arm around Remi as she stiffened and then leaned into me while Dad finally looked at the folder lying on the table and Uncle grabbed the one with the evidence and then passed it to him.
'at least he seems like he's feeling guilt--'
Everyone waited patiently for dad to finish reading the folder while I notice mom was already crying a little. I sat up and indicated to Mel to comfort Remi as I stood up and walked behind Mom and hugged her neck from behind the sofa. she buried her face in my arms and continued sobbing as Dad flipped through the pages.
"Since 3 years ago--" Alex finally spoke drawing everyone's attention to him, I notice that he wasn't looking up now and tears were running down his face. I notice mom stiffen when she heard his voice and I could see her fighting with herself whether to comfort him or ignore him.
"ALEX YOU BASTARD! what the fuck were you thinking?" Dad finally lost it and he threw the folder down and stood up from his seat and Uncle quickly stepped up and stopped him before he resorted to violence.
Alex on the other hand flinched upon hearing Dad's voice before he too burst from his seat and said, "I DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT OKAY? I HAD NO CHOICE!"
Years of pent up paranoia and guilt seeped through in his voice as he stared at everyone with wide eyes before flopping down in his seat.
"Brad and I wanted to try some weed when we were 15 and we managed to find a guy who sold it locally by the bookshop, he said in exchange for getting it for free all I had to do was deliver some of it to a place downtown--" He sounded bitter, clear regret seeped into his voice as mom seemed to want to reach toward him so I loosened my hold on her as he continued, "They recorded me delivering weed and then threatened me to release the video to the police if I don't work for them, I didn't have a choice!!"
Mom finally escaped my hold and reached him, she slapped him hard and even I was stunned before she hugged him tightly, Alex's eyes bugged out for a second before he seemed relieved and buried his face in her shoulder while both of them sobbed quietly. I looked at Remi and while sniffling a little even she was smiling a little, Dad was the only one who looked defeated as Uncle said, "You always have a choice Alex, you could have come to any of us and we could have told you that consuming weed isn't as illegal as dealing it, we could have just get it chalked down to a misdemeanor and you would be safe."
I walked to the nearby desk and picked up a pen before walking back and picking up the second folder, Mom and Alex seemed to be crying even harder now but at least the guilt on his face has washed off. I opened the folder put it on the table and signed it right above my name. My action drew everyone's attention as I walked up to Alex and Mom.
"Do you regret it? will you make a different voice if you had a chance?" I looked into his eyes as he nodded and finally letting go of Mom and said, "I would, it took me a lot longer to realize that I should have just talked to Dad and Mom about it, that is why I was moving away, I realized I was too deep into it and didn't wanna drag you guys too." Mom clutched his hand painfully and he winched a little, but before mom could say anything I extended the folder towards him and said, "Here sign this then"
He looked confused as Dad and Alex asked at the same time, "What is this?"
"A clean slate, Immunity, if you give up your source and promise to go for a month of rehab--"
His eyes shook and Mom was giving me wide eyes, "Is it true Jacob?" Dad asked uncle to which he nodded as Alex grabbed the folder with shaky hands, he and mom read it together, and even if they couldn't understand all of it they could find terms like immunity in there, mom suddenly rushed me and tackled me into a hug, being ill-prepared this time I lost fell over before Dad arrived before me and placed a hand on my back before hugging me from behind.
Removing mom's hair from my face I looked at Alex and he was staring at me, I shook a little, and dad and mom let me go so I moved towards him. I lifted the pen towards him and said, "There is always a choice Alex--"
He shook and wiped his tears before grabbing the pen and signing the paper, as I bent down to pick up the paper he clutched at my hand and after standing up hugged me tightly.
"Thank you, Ry" I chuckled and patted his back before he flopped in his seat and everyone seemed exhausted with emotion but at least everyone had light smiles on their faces.
'right! time to change that'
Only Uncle seemed to get what signing the paper meant and his frown stood out in the happy crowd, Dad seemed to realize that not everything was over, "What is it Jacob, what did you do to get Alex Immunity?"
Uncle and I shared a look and Aunty also realized that this didn't come from Uncle so she also stared at me, I sighed and reached into my blazers chest pocket and took out my badge before placing it on the table.
A small piece of paper framed in plastic became the center of attention as I said, "well even the government doesn't give immunity for free, in order to get that I had to accept a long-term assignment out of the country. And I can't talk about it it's classified"
Happiness was replaced with concern as everyone alternated between looking at the card before mom shook her head and said, "No, no, no, no, I am not trading one son fOR THE OTHER!!" She screamed the last part at me so I closed the distance between us and hugged her as I said, "Don't worry mom I am a technology specialist, not a covert specialist, I am 100 km away from all the fighting, the only reason I am selected is that they needed someone young for this assignment, going as a transfer student--"
She still shook her head repeatedly so I had to hold her and calm her down.
Another minute or two of everyone's silence before suddenly everyone started bombarding me with questions.
'sigh, how come they have more question for me than Alex the drug dealer... heh that has a nice ring to it--'
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After having a family meal and Mom doting on me I proceeded to say my goodbye's to everyone. Each of us cried and hugged and Remi even refused to let go. I slowly stepped out of the house with Mel holing one arm and Remi holding another.
"When will you be back?" Mel asked as she sniffled, there were some tears in the corners of her eyes but she shook her head to make them go away.
"Classified" I smirked at her as she shook her head and said, "dick"
Ellie stood in front of the car, Mel looked at her up and down before turning to me and said, "She's gorgeous", with narrowed eyes.
Mom and Dad stepped forward to talk to Ellie as I had the urge to rub the back of my head but couldn't as Remi was holding onto it.
"That's Ellie, she's my partner I guess?" That earned me another frown as she looked at her before grabbing my head and kissing me.
'Uuuuu'
I could taste the sweet flavor of her lip balm as she kissed me, Remi finally let go of my hand so I turned to her and placed my right hand at the back of her head and pulling her closer, she flung her hands around my neck as we stood there for a while.
Mel pulled back after a long time and we just stood there, our eyes close and foreheads touching one another.
*Whistle*
Alex's whistle shook us out of our comfort zone as both of us notice everyone looking at us, I turned back to her and pecked her lips before saying, "Wait for me?"
"Always" I smiled at her quoting Harry Potter to me, "I love you" I kissed her mumbled I love you before moving on to turn to my sister. I hugged everyone one last time, and as I hugged Alex, I said, "Take care of them for me while I'm away?" he nodded and I notice there were some tears in his eyes.
I waved my hand and open the car door before one last look slipped into the sedan. Ellie was sitting on the other side and was giving me a stoic look.
"What?" I gave her a confused look to that she said, "we are late, there are just 10 minutes left on the timer."
'Oops! guess that plan goes out of the window.'
She rummaged with the back of the driver's seat and with a click a compartment opened.
'Wow, that's cool, a real spy car!!'
She picked out two magazines and handed them to me and said, "here, we don't know if we'll be summoned together or not so take these and survive."
I placed the mags into my chest pocket and looked around at the setting sun, "You reckon there will be sun and moon there?"
Upon hearing no answer I turn to her and notice that she was giving me another one of her nostalgic looks.
"What?"
"Nothing, be prepared for anything and be ready to use that imagination to think up as many questions as you can--"
'huh, questions?'
"wha--?"
"Get ready, ETA 3 seconds!"
I looked at my screen and the countdown timer slowly trickled to 0, a strange feeling overtook me and my whole body started heating up.
'what is happen--'
And the scenery of the setting sun blinked out of existence as darkness overtook me... before a familiar screen appeared in front of me.
[Begining Teleportation...]