He is a like a different person... just like last time.
Shyn is like a chameleon changing its color depending on its surroundings... depending on what danger he is in.
The one controlling Jet's life now is not the guy holding the knife on his neck, but Shyn... Because of a one single name that Shyn mentioned, the guy did not breathe a word, however he gave Shyn the serious glare, leaving creases on his forehead... The guy then slowly and deliberately surveyed me. After that, he relievingly loosen his grip on the knife, and threw it away on the floor.
I closed my eyes... I think I can breathe comfortably now, like a thorn has been pricked out of my chest! I am standing still, as I breathe hard due to the surprising fight that I just gone through... furthermore, Jet's life threatening situation...
The guy walked passed me, squatted down, and lifted his buddy, carrying him in his shoulder like a sand of bag. He walked through the door, and glanced at me quickly and warned, "This is not the last one, Kreizer."
Jet took a gulp and suddenly dropped his knees on the floor...
"Wow," Shyn gaped like he was surprised... "Just how many enemies do you have?" He amazingly asked as he dropped himself on my couch. "So?" That smile again... "When should you sign the papers?"
"What is your problem?" He is unbelievable! "Family doesn't just mean signing over a piece of paper, or changing my name. It is not that simple to decide whether I should or I should not sign that. I mean why?! Why are you so invested in this?"
"Because it is my job. I want this done fast, because I have much better things to do than arguing with a little girl like she lost her toy. Do you know what parents do when that happens? They buy their kids the exact same one! You lost your mom? The Smiths are there! Blood is blood! Family is family! "
"I am not 'those kids'!"
"But, you're still a kid. Decide for yourself, before I talk to your father. Mr. Rei is a little challenging to find. I am sure he would like you to meet what's left connecting you to your mother." He grabbed something in his pocket, he waved it in the air quickly, "I'll expect you to go here." ... and placed it on his side.
Shyn stood up and looked like he was leaving, so I quickly grabbed the fancy silver invitation card and ripped it as loud as I could. He stopped, looked at me, and smirked shaking his head... then he left.
"What the heck was that?" Jet asked while we stared at the door.
"I am thinking exactly the same, Jet. What the heck just exactly happened," I asked glaring at him while channeling all my anger to him.
Jet moved his head sideways, wearing a guilty sad face. "I am sorry," he whispered.
I did not say anything, and just tiredly sat on the floor... looking at my trashed apartment. My floor's full of broken shards, my chair is in pieces, my table is upside down.... I do not even want to see my room. I hope I can sleep with this mess- my room?
Crap! My room! I rapidly crawled and stood up, checking my room! My sketches! I feel like my heart is going to explode!
Geez! I sighed, leaned on the wall, and took a breath of relief. Fortunately my sketches are on the corner, unopened and safe! What a night...
"He is not really there, is he? My brother..." Jet suddenly said breaking the silence in the room.
Sigh, "Jet, I already told you that. Why did you not believe me?"
"I was just, you know, just... I was just hoping that if, if I will be the one to go there, he would show up."
I moved to his side, and gave him a light pat on his shoulder. "There are at least three bases that the Gladiolus handle. The group that I am in, that you are in, is not even the main one. Since they think we are just kids or too young..." I sighed, "... we handle the smaller things for them. And, your brother can definitely handle the bigger things. So, he is okay."
"Yeah," Jet whispered.
Minutes of quietness filled the room, and then he suddenly looked at me worried, "I, ah.., Ava, I saw that man..." Jet averted his eyes, nervously avoiding my gaze.
"What man?"
Jet presses his lips and fidgets his fingers, "Remember when, when I, I snuck in your room... because you told me not to? I saw your sketches of a man, in almost every page of your sketchbook. Ava, today, he... he was there."
My heart almost stopped! So if those two guys really are from the main base...! Before I completely process everything I heard, I quickly stood up and head for the door, but Jet's hand grabbed my arm to stop me. I shook my head and pushed his grasp away from me.
I heard him fell on the floor, "He is not there anymore!" He yelled as he grunted in pain. "This is why I do not want to tell you about it," he muttered. "You always act before you could think sometimes!"
"You have no right to tell me that Jet!"
"I have! I have thought about joining Gladiolus a hundred times, I even stayed put, because you said so! Now, how about you? Did you even spent a second to think of a plan?"
A breath escaped from me, and I gaped in disbelief... I can't believe I am hearing that from someone younger than me. I brushed my fingers through my hair and looked up, "I am waiting for a chance to see him... Oh, god! I blew it! I totally blew it!" If only I waited! If only I was patient enough! I should not have snuck in that office that night! Oh, stupid, stupid, stupid!
My head dropped, as I bow my head, I brushed my fingers through my hair again, and breathe as deep as possible...
"Promise me one thing." He is still looking at me with worry in his eyes, when I should be the one being worried about him because of his state.
I looked at him perplexed, "What now?" There is more for him to say? Well, I get what he is thinking. He is worried because I might just dig up my own grave sooner than my right time to leave this world.
"No matter what, promise me that you will do your best to stay safe. I do not want you to be missing like my brother... or worse," He paused, and stared at me...
I nodded to assure him. For now, at least I know that the man I am looking for is still alive. I haven't seen him since Rei found me. That man is alive... That is enough as a good news... for now...
"Ava...," he hesitatingly said. He took a deep breath and said, "I heard... he will be at the Dragon Castle a week from now."
W-What... This kid, why didn't he say that earlier?!