Rose as she was chowing down on a plate of food Martha set out for her gazed at the clock to her side and had a bit of a shock. "oh, my god we're going to be late. Everyone finish eating now we're leaving".
Nathaniel with a disappointed look said to rose as he continued to eat, "we're only 5 minutes over schedule Rose so relax".
"But we have to find Adam and give him his gifts now. None of us will be back home till tonight and that's way too late I don't want him to think we forgot".
Rose had a look of worry on her face that Nathaniel and Danton both noticed. Rose is a shrewd penny pinching woman, but she genuinely cares for the people she lives with. They were all different people with separate backgrounds but Rose brought everyone together and made everyone feel cared for. To hinder her would be a crime in of its self.
Immediately the two stopped indulging themselves and said their goodbyes to their friends.
Back out the window, they went with Danton following closely behind. Up a ladder, they scaled reaching the top of the roof. Many other people were seen taking the same path as them. They speeding walked across ceramic shingles and jumped over gaps. The somewhat difficult terrain was child's play for them as they moved forward.
As they walked access rooftops bypassing most inconvenient obstacles down below Rose asked with rushed breath, "Nathaniel is Greg going to meet us there".
Nathaniel had a worried look at the mention of Greg who was another member of their family. As Nathaniel looked back Danton had a similar look on his face. Greg to make a long story short was considered the problem child of their group. That wasn't to say that he didn't get things done. No, he provided just as much as any other person in the household it's just what he took interest in was the problem. Not wanting to make a big deal over the whole thing Nathaniel covered for Greg and altered the convention about him entirely.
"Greg was working a night shift I doubt he even has the energy to stay awake let alone make it down here in time. Though he did chip in to get Adam a gift so it's not like he has to be here himself to present it. Danton you have the gift on you right?".
Danton following along with what Nathaniel was doing replied, "of course I do I had to fight my way through a bunch of other people just to grab it there's no way I wouldn't have it on me. Adam's gonna freak when he sees it I just know it".
Intrigued Rose asked, "what did you guys get him anyway".
Simultaneously the two said, "you'll see".
Nearing their destination the group made their way to the street below. Their shadows darkened the path as they walked towards a community center plaza across from them. Though the center was older than most it was not abandoned its age gave it character and giving this timeless monstrosity a much-needed facelift was another one of Nathaniel's brothers named Adam.
Danton wasn't the only artist in the family Adam was the other. His Graffiti artwork was more impressionistic in nature but like Danton, his style carried with it a pop for a new age. Nathaniel couldn't understand completely how or why Rose chose people that didn't like to conform to any kind of standard to live with each other but he had to admit it made things interesting.
Adam was working outside of the center painting a mural along with a few other artists in the community like him assisting. With a loud whistle, Danton got Adam's attention which was good enough to attract him over. Adam was a kind man who had matching soft blue eyes to match his personality. This paired with his thick leathery alabaster skin added with his towering figure portrayed him as a gentle giant from stories. Splashes of paint and dirt on his clothes made him look dirty, but that's practically what Adam looked like every day, so anyone that knew him was use to the sight.
It didn't take long for Adam to arrive in front of everyone once he did he didn't even get the chance to properly speak before Rose ran up nearly jumping on top of the man for a big hug. From Adam's own words when he spoke of that day to others he swore he saw Rose's eyes sparkle with starlight as she shouted happy birthday to him and hugged him even tighter.
"Birthday, this is why you guys are here. Couldn't this have waited for a less embarrassing time other people are watching?".
Rose rebuked, "of course we couldn't this is an important day for people more so now because today your finally an adult like me".
"She's right dude forget about those people today's all about you. We'll at least for the next 10 minutes till we leave, but till then all about you ain't that right Nathaniel".
Danton's words took a moment to reach Nathaniel's ears because his attention drifted towards the mural Adam was assisting in making. The mural was fluff piece in support of The World Navy. The picture showed boats sailing on a sea of flames. Though the water burned the ships did not the ships sailed with purpose towards a rising sun in the distance which upon closer inspection wasn't a sun at all it was a man covered in flames that shined just as brightly as the sun.
Though his back was turned towards everyone it was easy to figure out who the mural was referring to. It would be hard to play ignorant about such a popular figure rising up in the world. To not know about the beacon of hope Sigmund Haru would be like not knowing where your feet where. Somethings you can claim ignorance about for others you have to admit to your own stupidity.
Though Nathaniel's animosity to The World Navy was great especially during this point in his life he appreciated the painting Adam was making because though it was quite detailed it left much to the imagination for any viewer passing by. It allowed room for even someone like Nathaniel to dream of becoming a symbol of hope whose passion lead and burned a path for others to follow. A bright path so intense it brought fear to any monsters lurking below.
Arising from his stupor Nathaniel replied to Danton's words, "it is unless your suddenly too old for stuff like this because in that case we'll just take our gifts and go".
"I just didn't want to make a scene you guys don't have to be like that, so come on and surprise me".
Adam waited in anticipation as Rose presented her gift first, "usually your suppose to save the best for last but who cares about that, TADA!". In one swift motion, Rose pulled out a bundle of tickets that made Adam go wide eyed when he inspected them.
Stammering he said, "these are tickets for The Golden Dome how did you get these? Wait, I already know how what I should be asking is who did you rob".
Nathaniel and Danton were just as shocked as Adam when they heard what she took out. The problem with the tickets wasn't how they were obtained the problem was with who presented them. That gift didn't aline with the Rose they knew bringing her whole character into question.
"Who are you and what did you do with Rose your definitely not her?". Danton said on edge.
"There's no way the queen of cheapskates would ever buy something like this". Nathaniel uttered backing up Danton's claim.
Defensively Rose spat out, "I didn't rob anybody and you don't need to know my sources just know that I got everyone tickets to the biggest robot tournament of the year, so show a little appreciation instead of suspicion".
"I'm not sure that's possible when considering the Rose we all know who still using the same tea bag from half a year ago just gave us something worth more than two months rent. As you can see our suspicion isn't ungrounded". Adam said awkwardly while scratching his chin.
"Stop digging into it and just enjoy the fact we don't have to listen to the fight over the radio".
"Alright sorry for the questions thank you Rose I love it. Rose blushed a bit as Adam leaned in for a hug. Once that was over he turned to meet the other two.
"So, what did you guys get me this time is it my girlfriend's underwear again or are you going to surprise me with a real gift?".
"Hey, that was a real gift. If you didn't like it you should have returned it" Danton said.
While blushing Adam replied, "how am I suppose to return to her something like that? I threw it away you bastards".
Scoffing at those words Danton sarcastically said, "ya, sure you did. But since you want a real gift I guess I'll just throw this toy away it's for babies anyway and your a big boy now aren't you".
As Danton spoke he pulled out the gift he carried in his bag and waved it around in clear view for Adam to see. It took Adam a moment to realize what Danton had but once he did Adam didn't hesitate to lunge in for it. With one hand Danton kept Adam at bay and with the other, he thews it to Nathaniel. Nathaniel caught it over his head and threw it back at Danton once he saw Adam charging at him.
"Stop throwing it you guys are going to damage the box". Frantically Adam ran around trying to catch the objects they were throwing only to be expertly herded by them both. In a turn of events, Adam with an unseen burst of strength and speed grappled down then picked up Nathaniel and sprinted after Danton. With Adam closing in Danton had no choice but to pass the box to Rose in hopes she would do the right thing.
Rose caught the box and easily identity the item as a doll or well more specifically a part of a collectible action figure series that Adam is obsessed with. Adam has many such items in his room or well their room since Adam shares a room with Rose. Rose wasn't all that much of a fan of those things the figurines watched her sleep and she didn't like that.
In a rush, Adam arrived in front of Rose with Nathaniel still on his shoulder he steadily walked closer as if approaching an easily startled wild animal. "Rose listen to me in your hands is a rare vintage, ... Wait, wait, no don't!". Without even bothering to listen Rose threw the box overhead to Danton. In Adam's stupor, Nathaniel broke free of Adam's hold. With Nathaniel free, the three corralled Adam's every move.
This was how Nathaniel remembered a time in his past when things were brighter. But, to Nathaniel, as he remembered it this moment felt strange to him running was suppose to be fun. So, why did his blood freeze with fear at this moment, why did his legs pounding on the floor weighing him down as they became heavy as lead, why were his lungs on fire? This very moment that was suppose to be filled with love and joy reminded him of herding cattle but they were not the dogs on the hunt they were the scared sheep.
Following the feeling like a dogma the void made clear this feeling before the pleasant scenery of day turned night and stars dotted the sky. The dream turned into a nightmare the chase became real, "And so once again the hunt continued they ran we ran".