That hit him like a truck.
Jeb's heart thumped loudly as he tightened his jaw. His hair swaying slightly.
But how will Amy's safety be guaranteed? If this disaster happened...it can happen again.
"I understand your concern for your sister."
Jessica smiled as she patted Jeb's shoulder.
"I will try to get you both together."
Jeb's jaw relaxed as his gaze lowered down in thought.
The annoying man glanced at Jeb in curiosity as his expression was unreadable. A phone call snatched his attention as he picked up the call.
"Aight, cooming!"
Amy clasped the door frame as she peeked out. She looked hesitant. She wanted to tell that she'd be okay-but the words couldn't come out.
"Come on kid. Make the decision already!"
The smoker's voice filled insult to the serious atmosphere as he streched his legs laying them on the table.
Jeb had to make a choice.
Stay with his sister
Or ,
train with his power and harness it's abilities.
"I'll do it."
Jessica stared at him for a while as she faced away from him.
Jeb's hands fidgeted as he locked eyes with Amy. His feet tapped against the floor in a cycle.
Amy walked towards Jeb as creaking noises came from the floor. She clasped his hands firmly.
"I will be fine, don't worry. You must become strong in order to protect me."
Her voice indicated maturity not found in her age. The maturity that came from trauma that one should not bear.
Jessica smirked as she was taken aback by her words.
The annoying man didn't show a reaction as he flicked a lighter as it briefly illuminated his empty eyes.
Jeb's eyes widened and he paused for a while.
"Alright thanks Amy."
Jeb squeezed her cheek as he treaded across the room.
###
Beep! Beep!
A sound of a car horn alerted Jessica as she ran down the stairs.
Her boots clacked against the granite as her formal tie glided in the air.
Jeb was already down as he leaned against the car gate, crossing his arms. Amy was inside the car admiring the interior.
Sitting in the driver's seat was the annoying man as he was looking outside the car window. He smirked at Jessica as he called out.
"Lad! get in the car."
Jeb didn't notice the calling as he looked to be in deep thought. Jessica tapped his shoulder removing from the state.
"You were sure lost in thought huh!"
The man laughed with passion-but practised. Jeb couldn't figure out the reason why.
The car drove away in a high speed pulling Amy back. The buildings passed in a fleeting moment-a glance and lost forever.
After some time, the landscape changed from city to the country side. The trees, hills and meadows calmed Jeb down as he smiled after what seemed like a long time.
"This is the country side. We have to go through this area to reach the HQ."
Jeb gave a slight nod as he looked hesitant to say something.
"Can we go through my hometown?"
Jessica didn't answer for a while as the sound of changing gears filled the canvas of silence.
Jessica glanced towards the annoying man as the he sighed deeply.
"...Sure whatever"
The smoker grunted slightly before answering.
Amy curled her hands up to her palm tightly but she didn't say anything.
###
Pillars of smoke rose through the sky as the smell of ash lay present in the atmosphere. Piles of burnt and damaged rubble that once had been houses of people were now destroyed.
Helicopters circled around the perimeter as a team of people searched through the rubble.
News reporters swarmed through the site like insects as the police failed to contain them.
Half-eaten corpses were being recovered from the streets and buildings, taken into vehicles.
Amy closed her eyes as she sunk her face in her thighs. Her breathing became disoriented as Jeb tried to calm her down.
Jeb stared at the scene. His eyes locking down at the corpses. But one of them made his heart sink.
It was his best friend.
The one he had grew up with. The one he had spent every moment of his existence.
His eyes were missing from his eye-socket. His stomach looked like something chewed through like a snack. His tibia sticked out from his leg causing Jeb to look in horror.
Another body caught his attention.
It was his classmate.
She had her leg twisted abnormally. Her neck turned out like a doll.
The world suddenly seemed colder and harsher for the young man.
Jeb gritted his teeth biting his lips so fiercely that blood started to come out. His pupils contracted into a point.
Why did this happen...Why?!
Jessica tightened her grip as her posture became stiff.
"Oh man this is bad."
The man playfully added while smoking a cigarette.
"Do you think this is a joke?!"
Jeb couldn't contain himself anymore as he lunged towards the man throwing his entire weight forward.
Jeb clenched his fists tightly.
A faint glow emanated from the tattoo on his palm as it flickered.
The man didn't give a reaction as he just smoked his cigar.
Jeb's fist shot towards him-landing on his jaw. But it didn't connect. The blow didn't do any damage.
What?! How?!
Jeb furrowed his brows but he propelled towards the man.
Again.
The man didn't even flinch. He just sat there smoking his cigarette.
Jessica stood up from her seat and neutralized him before he did it again.
"Argh! You emotionless bastard!!"
He struggled very much but couldn't do anything against Jessica's strength
Amy gasped as she covered her mouth.
She had never seen Jeb act like that. She became scared not knowing what to do.
Tears welled in Jeb's eyes as blood trickled down from his lips to his chin.
The man scoffed as leaned against the seat.
"Don't act like that lad! You still have a long way to go before you can beat me."
Jessica glared at the man as she slowly let go of her hold on Jeb's arm.
"Why did you say that?!"
"Oh sorrry! There I said that, happy?"
"He's just a kid!"
The smoker flicked the cigarette out of his hand as he turned his head towards Jeb.
"He has to get used to this."