Freedom Is My Redemption

Chapter 12

Jerome had left the room and I could tell the tense air of excitement was charged and settling over us. The time is now, we are doing this. Our biggest mission ever, in the four months I've been here with them, I've learned so much. We weren't the good guys in the eyes of the law or in our nation's eyes but we weren't the bad guys in our eyes. We did what we had to, to keep ours safe.
We have to do this to make this world better for our own, and that's what we're going to do. No matter who gets in our way. I took a deep breath and looked around the room. These people weren't just my friends, they were my family. More so than any blood relative ever could be, they became my connection to happiness.
They're the family I chose for myself when the world failed me, and I couldn't be happier. Timothy and Jason sat to the side slightly off from everyone, I watched as they joked and laughed. Jason ruffled Timothy's hair making him glower at his older brother, they fought a little but mostly it was Jason being annoying.
I felt a small pang in my heart at the sight, I'd never had that easygoing love with my own sister. She'd used me as a scapegoat and then a punching bag, without ever seeing it as wrong.
I turned away feeling my heart hurt, Julia was sitting on the ground with her legs sprawled out in front of her looking like a child. I couldn't help but smile as I watched her chat animatedly with Ash. She put her left hand out and wiggled her finger to Ash who turned red and threw his head back laughing heartily.
I shook my head and finally turned to my boys, Kai and Davi. They had their heads bent together and were talking quietly about something that seemed to be quite serious. I frowned but didn't interrupt them, for fear it was something important. Something caught my eye, though. As I turned, Jason had moved from torturing Timothy and was now beside Julia annoying her. He was like the awkward younger brother who had a crush on his sisters friend. They'd be adorable together. Take it Julia, I watched them for a moment before turning and walking out the door Timothy had used a moment before.
He was just a little ahead of me, but I could tell even from the distance I was at, that he had his head hung. I felt my curiosity immediately piqued.
He turned and went into his room and closed the door, as I got to it I debated on whether or not I should knock.
I bit my lip and looked around self-consciously before raising my hand and knocking quietly. It took a moment and I actually contemplated leaving when the door finally opened. I smiled as he peeked around the door and slowly met my eyes. "Hi Tsu, shouldn't you be with Jerome, planning- something?" He finished quietly and I couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped my lips. Looking at him, I could tell he was uncomfortable. He wouldn't meet my eyes and he kept glancing down the hall, "what's wrong?"
He bit his lip before opening the door and letting me come inside, "I'm just- I'm not feeling too well I was working on transferring."
"Transferring? You mean to Misther?" He nodded not really seeming interested in the conversation, I sat on what I assumed was Jason's bed. It had a dark quilt with matching sheets and was half made mostly thrown together. Beside it was a nightstand the drawers were open and spilling out and over. On the other side of the room was a much tidier bed that was crisply made up with lighter blue sheets and a dark blue blanket.
Jason's side was messier while Timothy's was perfectly clean, proof everything had a place. Misther Monkey sat atop the other bed across from me and I felt a smile tug at my lips. He sighed and plopped down on the bed pulling Misther into his lap and shoving his face into his head.
He sighed as he did and I could tell he was calming slightly. He stared up at me from the corner of his eye but I waited for him to speak, I wanted him to tell me why he felt so awkward around me. I'd thought we'd worked through everything. He turned his head back down so his face was in his monkeys head and I sighed.
"Why are you transferring? You know you might need it for what today has to offer?" Now it was his turn to sigh, it was an annoyed sigh one that you give after explaining something for the fifteenth time. He squeezed tighter on Misther before he finally answered.
"I just- I don't want to have all of it right now, I want to hold off on it. I don't know how to explain it." His lips were pursed and I watched as he started transferring his power. I couldn't help but bite my lip trying to hold back what I was going to blurt. My mouth was faster than I could stop though, "but why? I mean, don't you need it, it can't be good to keep doing this- right?"
"I have control of it, but I don't like having all this at my fingertips." He said wiggling them for emphasis, "it makes me feel sick when I hold it all in. So I just kind of, let Misther hold it. Do you want to hold him?"
I feel my stomach drop and I'm sure the shock shows on my face as he just laughs. It was so contagious, that I started giggling too. It get good to just sit and laugh with him, Timothy was the younger brother we all never knew we wanted. He was sweet and always ready to listen, and he always knew just how to make you laugh.
Once we calmed down, he practically threw Misther into my lap and I tried to look as calm as I could.
Inside, though, my heart was absolutely pounding and I felt like I was gonna be sick. "He likes you. Do you like him?" I look from Timothy to Misther and it's strange but I can feel something click into place. A warmth grows in me and I nod, "I do. He's an awesome little guy, and an amazing addition to our team. I feel honored he likes me."
I feel as the memories come to mind of him helping me when I couldn't find myself. It wasn't Davi or Kai who got me through the storm in my mind, it was Timothy.
Misther was strange to me because, he shouldn't have this much power or character but- he does. I feel the deer subside in me and I cuddle Misther to my chest for a moment. Slowly, I feel a calmness sweep over me, as I do I look to the door and see Kai.
He smiles at us and I can see he's cleaned up, his suit isn't as ruffled as it's been and his hair is combed more. He needs a hair cut.
I sigh as I shake the thought from my mind, there's more important things going on than Kai's hair. I need to focus, when he looked at me I felt my face fall, the time for joking was over. It was time. "Jerome's ready and looking for you- you better hurry."
I nod solemnly but turn back to Timothy, he's standing now looking slightly uncomfortable.
All the easy going attitude he'd had with me was suddenly gone and he was right back into his shell. I turn back feeling the sadness and worry bubbling in my chest, stop it. There's no need to be sad, you're going to see everyone again. You're just scared, we don't have time for this, I took a deep breath and bit my lip "just- think about it, ok?" He dropped his eyes and rocked on the balls of his feet before nodding, Kai looked back and forth between the two of us clearly confused. Timothy was worrying at his bottom lip before he squared his shoulders and answered me. "I won't need it though. And besides- I don't want to take the chance of hurting you- or anyone else- again."
I opened my mouth to protest but at that moment, Jerome came and snatched me by the wrist, "we don't have time for this- let's go." With that, he drug me off down the hall and through the laundry room into the house, and out to the porch. The storm was in full bloom now.
The wind, which had been warm just yesterday, was now ice cold. As we moved, I felt the spray from the rain hitting my face like small pellets. I watched Jerome bunch his shoulders a little, the only sign he was cold, and couldn't help but smirk. He stopped and turned back to me and smiled, "alright, you all know your jobs."
I turned and realized it wasn't just us, but everyone. This is it. Go time, we're gonna get our freedom today. "I trust all of you to do your tasks and get back here. Even if you can't get here right away, we've gone over the safe houses. Use them." As one, we all nodded and started to disperse into our groups, it was dark out and the rain was giving us more than enough cover.
I heard Jason groan just behind me, "Tsu, baby? Maybe it doesn't have to be so, I don't know, wet?" I shrugged at him and turned before he could see my smirk. The others shuffled but slowly started braving the cold.
As they did, I watched Jerome freeze and stop mid- step. He turned back to me with a questioning look in his eyes and I couldn't help it, I lost it. I started laughing so loud I was thankful for the rain pelting the house to hide it.
What they didn't realize was, just like I could create the weather I can control it. Meaning, "you can keep us dry." Jerome said with a small amount of wonder in his voice.
"And clean! Hell yea!" Jason finished. Jerome started off slow, coming out of his shock and Jason jumped out onto a puddle smiling like a madman when no dirt or water sprayed up onto him. I rolled my eyes "Jerome- I told you, I control the weather. Why are you shocked?" I watched as amusement played in his eyes but he shook it off and turned towards the cars. I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn around expecting to see Jason ready to badger me. Instead, I'm pulled flush against the person and I see a flash of black spiky hair before lips are pressed against mine.
I smile into it as I feel arms around my waist, and throw mine around his neck pulling him down more to my level. He pulled back and I huffed, "survive this and I'll give ya more than you can handle- got it?" He says with a wink and I roll my eyes at Davi but nod anyways feeling the color in my cheeks.
"Very cute and all but-" Kai says and kisses my cheek. He takes my hand and presses it to his lips looking up at me. In his eyes I see heat and determination and even a little something else. I feel as my face heats up even more.
I hear cat calls and someone even whistles to which Davi yells some insults and threats. I nod to Kai just as I had Davi and he winks at me, "you'll be fine." He pulls me into a quick hug and whispers to me, "just remember, anything he does I can-and will- do better."
With that, he nudged me off towards Jerome who's leaning against the porch, "are we done yet, or should we do this another time?" I open my mouth to answer and he just puts his hand up, "I've heard enough. Here," he tosses keys to me and I frown. "I- don't know how to drive?" The words come out slowly as I come to realize what he wants, I can't drive! Is he crazy?
Last time I tried to- well, Mikey wasn't too pleased when his brand new car needed a new paint job.
He's gotta be- he scoffs and grabs the keys back from my hand, "don't scratch it you ass," Davi calls and I see as we walk towards his truck. "We're not taking your car?" Jerome turns and looks at me over his shoulder, "you think I'd risk my car? You are crazy," with that he got in and the engine turned over instantly roaring to life.
I give one last look at my friends- my family- before getting in and closing the door. Please, be safe.