Chapter 27 - 6.8-2

Josh, John, and Jake were making their way down the street that was along their route. The place seemed empty and quiet, unlike everything that had happened over the course of the day. It was a nice change of pace. "You think we'll be able to find Jen and Boss?" Jake inquired randomly. "If they are here, I am sure they are fine. Boss may not look it, but he has taken some boxing classes. I've had a few spars with him here and there." Josh would remark. "Yeah, and Jen doesn't seem like someone who would let another person walk all over her." John would add. "True..." Jake would mutter before exclaiming, "Wait, What!? You fought with Boss?" Jake shifted his attention towards Josh.

"Only a few times. When I find out he did boxing in his spare time, we decided to have a few friendly rounds. He's pretty good." Josh would reply. "Wow... So, where did you learn to box?" Jake inquired since they were already on the topic.

There was a brief silence. Josh would shift his attention towards John, who would nod. Jake seemed a bit puzzled by this silent action. "When I was still in middle school, I started to take boxing classes. Mostly for my own sake, but it was after my mother and father were gunned down. We decided to stop by our local bank. I was just watching videos on my phone while my mother and father were trying to cash in a large check. It was a peaceful day, really—a day like any other. Everyone was going about their own business until a couple of masked robbers entered the store and started firing off their guns in the air to get our attention. They told everyone to lay down and not move. Everyone was scared, so everyone did as they were told. Then, the robbers went about their business with the teller and demanded money to be placed in a sack. All anyone could do was just lay down; no one wanted to die." Josh would sigh heavily.

"It would have been fine if that was all they wanted, but they wanted my mother's ring. It was a gift from my father. They felt it had high monetary value. So they tried to take it from her. My father was upset by this and told them they could have anything else, just not the ring. The robbers didn't care. They knocked him aside and threatened my mother. My mother was going to give them the ring, but my father tackled the guy. The other guy fired upon my mother and father... maybe it was out of fear because my father spooked him, or maybe they just wanted to kill someone. I don't know... Shortly after, police arrived. I guess the teller had hit some kind of switch... But that didn't matter to me. I pretty much shut down after that and was taken in by John's family. John was the one who helped me out of the depths. John introduced me to someone he thought could help me. That person taught me boxing. At first, I took my classes without care, but when my coach opened up about his past and family, I felt a connection. So, I started taking my classes seriously, and by then, I found that I could move on. John gave me my late mother's ring when he felt it was time. Which is why I have it now." Josh would explain.

John just silently allowed his cousin to speak on the matter. Meanwhile, Jake listened carefully. "I see..." Jake would murmur. "I suppose that is why I get the vibe that you two are like brothers." Jake would add, and Josh would nod with a smile. "John does feel more like an older brother to me rather than a cousin, and I am grateful to know him and his family." Josh would remark, and John would smile silently.

"What about you, John? You seem like a wrestler." Jake would remark after a moment of silence. "Hm? Me? Oh, It's Judo. There is no special reason why I took classes. I was overseas at the time I took them. Father was still alive then. I just took the classes to pass the time since I was bored. Father passed away due to an illness he contracted. So, it wasn't anything serious. We tried many doctors, but they all said it was only a matter of time since there was no cure and nothing could be done. They could only ease the pain, but that was it. So we tried to prepare for it. Of course, it hurt when he passed on. It took a good bit of time before we were all able to return to our daily lives, but it still feels like a piece is missing even now. Regardless, I am proud to be my father's son. He was a great father." John would take hold of the necklace in hand while looking at it with admiration. Upon closer inspection, the necklace appeared hand-made. There was no tag that a company had it. "Having Josh with us does help keep the atmosphere brighter, though." John would add with a smile which caused Josh to smile in return. "Although, he could do without the women problems. You are just a trouble magnet for them, ya'know. Even that Jessica chick was eyeing you." John would tease Josh, which caused him to groan. "Don't bring that up. Besides, that girl has a boyfriend. I would rather meet a girl like April. I'm tired of crazies and cheaters." Josh would sigh heavily with exhaustion and shrug. This caused John to chuckle lightly. "You bring it upon yourself. I suppose now you will take my advice." John would add with a light chuckle.

The atmosphere was airy and wonderful. Jake kind of felt out of place since it seemed like this was a family moment. "Speaking of combat ability... Where did you learn to move like that? You pretty much came out of everyone's blind spot. Even that girl was surprised." Josh would shift the attention towards Jake. He would scratch his cheek lightly with a wry expression, "Busted eh...?" Josh and John would look at him. "I mean, if you don't want to talk about it. You don't have to." John would add. Jake would shake his head. "No, it's fine. I mean, all of you talked about your past, so It's only fair." Jake would comment with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"My parents died early at a young age. My mother passed after giving birth to me. Something about her being physically weak: my father died a few years later, mostly due to depression. I guess he couldn't stomach being without my mother. I was tossed with my outside family, but they were unruly. They treated me like a piece of trash rather than a human. Called my mother a whore and my father a piece of shit. I didn't understand their problem back then, but I found out it was because of some internal family crap. I usually slept in a shed instead of the house, and I had to find my own food and water. So I turned to theft at a young age. I got caught several times. Most of the time, I was just scolded, but there were a few times people let me go. I think it was because I was a child. When they asked where my parents were, I just shrugged and shook my head. Perhaps they took pity on me. Regardless, as I went through my life stealing things, I learned several tricks. One of which was to keep to people's blindspots, and the other was sleight of hand." Jake would explain with a shrug as if it was nothing. He was rather laid-back and carefree about it. As if he had accepted what happened to him. After all, that was all he could really do at such a young age.

"I see..." John would mutter.

"I don't mean to be so blunt, but wouldn't a knife be more effective with your skillset?" Josh asked, which caused Jake to frown. "Yeah..." He muttered softly. "Is there a reason you don't use a knife?" John asked, and Jake nodded. "Are you a pacifist?" Josh asked, and Jake shook his head. "Nothing like that. It's just..." Jake paused for a moment and grimaced at the memory. "I killed someone once. I doubt the person was innocent. He seemed like a thug. One night, I used the back alleys as cover to get home since it was easier and faster. Besides, I knew all the routes. I overheard a girlish scream, and when I went to investigate, a man had a woman pinned against the wall. I was actually going to mind my own business. After all, I didn't know the woman, but I saw the begging in her eyes when she looked at me. She was pleading for help with tear-stained cheeks. For some reason, I couldn't just turn away after that. I walked up to the thug and told him to let the woman go. I guess the man found it funny that a child was trying to threaten him, but when he told me to buzz off, I told the man I would call the cops. The man turned his attention towards me and kicked me. I wasn't prepared for it and fell onto my back. The man started to beat me up. Calling me a brat and whatnot. I couldn't do anything back to the man. I was looking for anything I could use. I remembered I had a pocket knife. I carried one mainly for my own protection. So I pulled it out and stabbed the man. I wasn't planning on killing him. I was mainly going for the shoulder, but I ended up cutting into the man's neck from the side. The man started to gurgle on his own blood. The shock that I stabbed a man went through my head, and I sat there watching the man die. I don't know how much time passed... but when I came to, the woman was long gone, and I was sitting in a small pool of blood. After that day, I never wanted to touch a knife again... I use blunt weapons because at least I can knock someone out rather than kill them..." Jake would explain.

"I see..." John would comment.

"So that's why..." Josh would remark.

Jake was prepared for disgusting remarks about how he was a murder or killer, but it seemed that he didn't get those remarks. "Well... you were only a child. Besides, you tried to save a life, and you were only defending yourself. There wasn't anything you could do." Josh would comment. "Yeah. I doubt it would have been any different if I was in your shoes." John would pitch in.

"You guys..." Jake would murmur with a few tears. "Thanks..." Jake would add, and Josh and John would smile softly. "We are friends, after all." John would comment with a warm smile. "Yup. Perhaps we should tell others about ourselves. Especially Don and April." Josh would comment. "I agree. Besides, maybe Don will open up to us." Jake would add. "Mhm. It looks like he opened up to April, and April seems to have accepted him. So, I see no reason why we wouldn't." John would be inclined to agree. The three of them seemed to continue their merry conversation and even asked about Josh's problem with girls along the way while finishing up their route.

Meanwhile, Noah and Tyrone were working on Don's Tonto. As Tyrone continued to bring what Noah asked for, Noah decided to strike up a conversation. Noah had a few questions for Tyrone. It occurred to him during their meeting before Don and April woke up. Tyrone's length of time here for someone who is non-combatant is rather odd. The only reason he came to that conclusion was simply that Noah himself was a non-combatant. "Say, Tyrone. You've been with a lot of groups over your course here, right?" Noah asked while he worked.

"Yeah. I drifted from various groups. Some ended up dying off, while others simply went their own way." Tyrone would reply, "Why, what's up?" Tyrone asked as he rummaged through a toolbox, looking for the specific tool that Noah asked for.

"Well, I am curious. Was there anyone combat originated in your groups?" Noah asked. Tyrone came up behind him and placed the tool on the table beside him since he had found it. "Not really. We did what we had to do to survive, but no one was as combat originated. Not like Don anyway." Tyrone would remark. "I see. Well, I think Don is an exception. Rebecca knows how to throw fists and use basic firearms, but it was just her and me. We've seen our fair share of dangers. I'd say that after Don saved us and we made it here, there haven't been any life-threatening events for me." Noah would remark as he took the tool and continued about his work.

"True." Tyrone would agree while watching Noah at work, waiting for any other tools or materials that he may need to get.

"So, how have you survived for this long? I am not saying I don't trust you. I just find it odd. You are a teenager with no combat skills. You learn pretty fast, but other than that, It seems like you don't know a thing about firearms either. It just strikes me as odd." Noah would comment bluntly.

Tyrone's expression drifted elsewhere. "I see..." Tyrone muttered before releasing a soft sigh. "Well... Umm... How do I put this..." Tyrone would fidget around. Noah stopped what he was doing to look at Tyrone. "What?"

"It's my Seed." Tyrone would comment, and Noah's brow rose curiously.

"Your Seed?" Noah would remark with question marks above his head.

"Yeah. I would rather not let others know. So if you promise to keep it on the down-low, I'll tell you." Tyrone would speak up while looking at Noah. Noah was a bit taken back by this. He was being asked to keep a secret from the others? Wasn't that a bad thing? I mean, sure, he could just agree and then tell everyone, which was a jerk move in that part; however, Noah decided that he would judge for himself. If this threatened those around him, he would tell everyone. If not, he could possibly keep it a secret. "I... Suppose." Noah would remark with a serious expression.

Tyrone would nod, "Thank you." Tyrone would inhale deeply before exhaling just as deeply as a means to prepare himself. "I can talk to the bugs. All of them. Those who are hostile and those who are not. I have been able to survive mainly because of that. I have persuaded hostile bugs to leave me alone and even use non-hostile bugs to get around here and there. Sometimes, I even ask non-hostiles to provide shelter in exchange for information. For example, there was this one time when I asked a moth to keep lookout overnight for me. In return, I would provide information on any predators that may have been in the area." Tyrone would state

Noah looked confused, so he asked, "So you are a Bug Whisper?"

"Something like that. The range at which I communicate with them isn't super large. It's within normal talking distance. I can force the communication distance to increase to a shouting range and a little further, but it tires me out quickly." Tyrone would reply with an explanation. "Anyways, you see why I wouldn't want everyone to know. I've told a few groups I have been with about my Seed, and they all used me. Even that man found out and used me to keep the bugs away." Tyrone would mutter. Noah would release a heavy sigh, "Is that all?"

This remark caused Tyrone to give Noah a confused look. "You think that we'll use you because you can talk to bugs?" Noah would question rhetorically with a dismissal wave of his hand. "Yeah... I doubt it. Don's pretty strong, and I know April's bow isn't just for show. Rebecca isn't a pushover either. Now we have two-nut jobs here, not to mention a doctor. I doubt they'll stay here forever, but even so. If anyone plans on using anyone, you would be on the bottom of that list." Noah would express. "I honestly believe you should tell the others. I think you have a cool Seed. It could come in handy, especially for information gathering. You could ask the bugs what is around and what is going on. In fact, there is a lot you could do. You could even be more helpful than me. However, I won't force you to tell the others. I just suggest you should eventually." Noah would return to his work.

Tyrone was honestly surprised. This was the first time no one has tried to use him for his power. It felt odd compared to how he was usually treated. He was given the option to tell the others or not, and it seemed like Noah truly intended on keeping Tyrone's Seed a secret. A smile curved across his lips, "Thank you." Tyrone would remark. "No need to thank me. I am just honest. Besides, I am sure everyone else would appreciate it if you told them as well. Anyways, can you get me a piece of sheet metal?" Noah would remark, and Tyrone would nod gleefully. The two of them would continue to work in harmony while talking about various other things—their interests, what they did on Earth, and what kind of girls they liked. Tyrone felt a kinship with Noah the more he conversed and felt that Noah was his first friend in this world.