Betrayal Is My End

Chapter 12

Tsu

The room was darkening, but as it got quiet I noticed Kai was staring laser focused at the shadows. What is he doing?
The room was utterly silent and almost uncomfortable, the fear in everyone was palpable. Jerome had just murdered someone in front of us. In. Front. Of. Us. I shivered slightly at the memory of the sound the bat made when it made contact with Bri's skull.
It was a sound I'd heard all too often growing up, between my fathers' fists and my sisters'. Jason sat with his jaw clenched, glaring at his brother, this isn't good. I worried at my lip as I watched the two brothers clearly at opposing sides. The lines had been drawn in the sand.
Can we fix this? My chest ached slightly and I felt a twinge when I'd take deep breaths, but I was surprisingly fine.
Davi can't keep doing that. I thought casting a look to him, it can't be healthy for him to heal all these wounds like this. He seemed to be zoning out a lot lately. But, this time was different, I could see his hand was crackling with electricity. He had a light smile on his lips and I could tell he was amused with whatever he was doing.
I watched him for a moment longer before continuing on to look around the room. Brandon was paler than the paint on the wall- which was a surprising feat. Kai was focusing his energy on the shadows which, as I focused, I noticed that they had started moving. What the- I squinted and stared harder and, sure enough, they were moving. Squirming almost.
I heard crackling, and looked over, once again, to see Davi. Only he wasn't just letting the electricity stay on his fingertips. Now, he was shooting finger guns of sparks off into the darkness with an amused glint in his eye. Jerome leaned against the wall and was smiling like a mad man, he had a crazed glint in his eye and I could tell he was enjoying this.
I don't understand.. what are they- Davi sighed just as Kai took a deep breath, it was clear they both amped up their juice as they both threw their power at the shadows. Suddenly, it opened up and I heard a thud as three people fell out on the ground next to me. Everyone sat with bated breath staring, shocked, while I leaned over and stared at the three of them for a second.
It was the two boys and girl from the Ambassador Hotel. She controls shadows, I mentally face-palm myself for how late to the party I was at figuring this out. Slowly, I look them over taking everything in, I fought that one. I flick my gaze to the first boy and he has enough awareness to wink at me.
The second boy, I don't remember what he does, I think he fought Davi. "So," Jerome says catching my attention and shaking me out of my thoughts. "I hear you need my help." The first boy, I think Jake said his name was Dylan, sighed and looked up sheepishly, "well," he said quietly. His head dropped in surrender for a moment before he stood quickly and dusted himself off.
"Sorry, we had to meet like this, but, Dylan Williams here at your service. This is Dave, and his girl Stahsi." He said gesturing to his friends. Stahsi was in all black; black skinny jeans, plain black shoes, and a black t-shirt that looked old and ragged. Her hair was in dual Dutch braids on either side of her head, and she was adorned with simple makeup. She looked absolutely stunning.
Stunning, and pissed. Dave stood quickly beside her and pulled her into a hug, he wrapped his arm around her waist and smiled. He looked around and nodded to everyone looking calm as can be. Like we were all old friends and not enemies on the verge of killing each other. Dylan cleared his throat to refocus the groups' attention. "So, as you know, Jake was arrested." Jerome nodded and Dylan bit his bottom lip looking slightly sheepish. He's definitely the behind the scenes person, he has no flare for dramatic speeches. "He wasn't supposed to be. That was never in his plans, see, when Mikey went and took the spotlight it kind of blew everything up. Jake's escape route got blocked and the inside men we had planted to transport him- well they died."
I felt my shock on my face for a moment at his bluntness before wiping it clean, as I looked around I could see the others do the same. "I have to save him but- I don't have the manpower to get in and get him." His voice shook slightly, it was clear he didn't want to admit this out loud.
He huffed a sigh and blew his bangs out of his face, being here was hurting him but there was something else to it. "If I may?" I say before I even have a chance to think it through, Jerome raises a brow at me but nods.
Dylan turns slowly and I can see some scratches on his face and neck. I wonder if those are from me? We had fought earlier, good. "Why do you want to save your brother?" The question came out calm and considerate, careful even.
He frowned before pursing his lips and studying me, Dave and Stahsi didn't say a word but it was clear by their expressions they were bothered by the question. "Not to intrude or anything," I continue after a long silence, "but, I don't know, just seems like you'd be better off without him. Bloods thicker than water, but water tastes better."
A ghost of a smile showed on Dylan's lips and I saw amusement in his eyes but he just stared blankly, clearly thinking how to answer. Davi and Kai snickered quietly, while the others did their best to stay as invisible as possible.
Dylan sighed before speaking and I could tell he was thinking of long ago pain he'd buried deep down. His tone was heavy, and his shoulders sagged slightly, it was a look I knew all too well.
He was at war with himself and didn't want to admit it. It took a moment of hard thought but still, his eyes met mine as he spoke. "Honestly? I agree with you. Water is better. However," he shrugged and groaned slightly, rubbing the back of his neck. "See, Johnny was my brother but, I never really agreed with him much in what he did. When he died, I don't know, I just shrugged it off as inevitable. When Sydney-" he paused for a moment and his voice cracked.
I watched him for a moment and saw as he clenched and unclenches his jaw.
His hand was curled into a fist at his side and he looked truly angry. It's like he was watching her death over and over again. He took a deep calming breath before speaking again. When he did, his voice came out pained, "when Sydney died, I felt like I lost everything. I- she was my life. I babysat her, I raised her while Johnny was busy building a life in this world. She was mine." His lip trembled and his body shook with rage but he kept himself still. I was honestly impressed with his composure.
"When she died, I lost everything. I came close to killing myself, to be with her. I couldn't handle the pain. But Jake, he-" he paused and bit his lip staring off at seemingly nothing.
Holy shit, I was not expecting him to just throw his life history at me. I looked around and saw the others staring at him, it was clear they hadn't been expecting it either.
His mind was clearly far away as he thought, "he pulled me out. Gave me purpose again. Trained me, beat me to a pulp, rebuilt me. He made me who I am. I owe him this much."
I felt a simple companionship with him, he was absolutely broken but was trying desperately to stay whole. It was honestly admirable. Jerome made a tapping sound then, catching my attention, I glanced from Dylan to Jerome and saw he was looking to Lauren. She nodded quickly and I watched him purse his lips in disgust. He stared for a moment and, as he did, I could see the gears turning in his mind.
He was trying to work all the angles in this and trying to see if Dylan was playing him.
After a moment, he must've made his decision because when he spoke I could hear the firmness in his voice. "Alright, that's honorable enough, I suppose." He said it offhandedly almost like an insult and I couldn't help but chuckle softly at it. He was so detached, it was clear he didn't like dealing with emotions this openly.
"But, we're not exactly honorable people here so, realistically, what can you bring to the table?" Dylan looked taken aback by this and didn't answer right away. Lauren stepped forward and whispered in Jerome's ear.
He nodded to her and they spoke quietly for a moment while Dylan focused his thoughts and opinions. Lauren nodded once before stepping back and out of the room, Jerome cleared his throat and I watched as everyone turned to him.
"Children, I do believe it's time for the adults to talk. Therefore, everyone out," he said gesturing to the door. For a moment, no one moved then, I heard a small crackling and yelps all around the table as Davi stood. "Did you hear him? The man said out. Now, move!" Slowly, the room emptied with Davi, Kai, and myself at the end when Jerome spoke up. "Not so fast, you two," he said pointing to Davi and Kai, "stay back. Tsu, keep order out there." I bit my lip and felt the panic rise up inside me internally before I forced it down.
"Got it," was all I said before closing the door behind me. I could feel the eyes of Davi and Kai behind me but I didn't turn back, I forced myself to stand tall on my own. I have to prove I'm worthy of being an executive for him. I want to survive in this life. I have to handle everything he gives me, even if it is babysitting.
I took a deep breath and leaned against the wall outside in the hall and watched as everyone talked around me. I closed my eyes and when I did, I kept seeing flashes of my father. His face filled with rage, his hands clenched at his sides, the bruises on my wrists and face. I took a shaky breath trying to steady myself.
Son of a bitch is dead and still messing with me. I'm going to get past this, and I'm going to burn this world down. I felt myself instantly calm, when I opened my eyes though, I was surprised to see a pair of hazel orbs staring at me. I gasped and pulled back effectively smacking my head on the wall and grimaced in pain. The eyes widened and the person backed up, I rubbed my head slowly and let out a slow breath before opening my eyes again.
"Jesus," I muttered and finally the person spoke, "sorry dude! I didn't think I'd spook ya that bad, I just thought you were sleeping or something so I wanted to check you weren't. Guess it'd be weird if you were though, huh, didn't think about that. Hmm," he said and pursed his lips. "Yea probably should've just tapped your shoulder or something, sorry dude."
I shook my head softly, shaking the cobwebs out that had seemingly formed and halted my thoughts. "I'm- I'm fine. It's ok, what can I do for you?" He looked me up and down, clearly trying to discern if I was really ok.
I smiled softly and his eyes softened, I could see the crinkles around his eyes already as he smiled too. It was a full, real, smile and it was absolutely breathtaking. This man was absolutely gorgeous and lighthearted.
"You're the weather girl, right?" He didn't seem pressing just curious, I smiled softly before nodding and he leaned back looking at me fully now. "Whoa! That's so cool! So can you, like, make a tornado?" His speech picked up along with his evident excitement and it all came out in a quick jumble. I couldn't help but chuckle out right now, "uhh, I don't know," I say slowly thinking about it.
"I don't think I've ever had need for a tornado?" He frowned at that, "so like, you've never tried?" His curiosity was cute and reminded me of a kid, he genuinely wanted to know the answer.
"That's definitely a no, I haven't tried." I heard footsteps coming toward us, when I turned I saw the girl in all black. Stahsi, my mind filled in the blank quickly as she leaned against the boy who was smiling at me, his name was- Dave. My mind supplied quickly now. I looked from him to the girl and smiled.
"You must be Stahsi?" She looks to me suspiciously before she smiles and nods but it's strange, the smile doesn't reach her eyes. It doesn't even come close. She looks closed off and cold, it was strange to think of them as a couple but, I suppose opposites attract.
"Yep, that's me. Master of shadows, you're Tsu. Weather girl, right?" I nodded again and Dave smiled widely, "Stahsi! She controls weather," I frowned looking from him to her and saw her nodding.
She was clearly used to his obvious outbursts, must be a daily thing? "Mhmm," she said indulgently and he smiled, "can you believe she's never, and I mean never, tried to make a tornado!?" Stahsi's eyes widened comically and she turned from Dave to me and shook her head, "why? That'd be the first thing I tried- well," she said pausing and thinking it over.
"K, maybe not first. First I'd probably just make it rain a lot," she said with a shrug. Dave nodded enthusiastically and I couldn't help but look between them amused. He had a sweet childlike disposition, he saw the good in everything and saw the world with wonder.
He was excited for new things, new people. While Stahsi on the other hand, it was clear she saw the world for what it was. Dark and troublesome. It was clear she'd lost her faith in humanity a long time ago, but something about him brought it back. Even if just slightly. He took her hand and started playing with her fingers while she yawned and leaned against the wall beside me. "So, shadows, huh?"
She smirked at my crappy subject change but didn't exactly shy away.
"Yea. I didn't really do much with it at first, I was too scared. I figured it was a curse of a power. I hurt someone I really cared about when it first developed so I swore I'd never use it again. But, I don't know, life got hard and I got curious." She shrugged again and I nodded, "I get that, mine didn't always feel like a gift either. Mine caused me a lot of pain for a while but, I think I've got the hang of it now."
She opened her mouth to speak but Dave cut her off unintentionally as something caught his attention, "Stahsi, look! It's Timothy! Come on," With that, he yanked her toward the younger and left me to think in silence.
I watched them speak to him quietly, and couldn't help the smile that played on my lips. It was clear he trusted them, they were his life line in this life. Just as Davi and Kai had become mine. I felt my feet moving before I even knew I'd made the decision to go talk to him.
As I got closer, I felt as well as saw the tension rise in Stahsi. Dave frowned and looked at her questioningly before turning to me and smiling. "What's up tornado girl?" I rolled my eyes and turned to Timothy. His head was down and he looked almost pained to be near me.
I chewed my lip before gesturing to his right wrist, "what's the tattoo?" Dave and Stahsi took uncertain step closer to Timothy and I didn't expect him to answer. Only, he did, "it's the family crest. We all get it." His voice was low and I had to strain to hear him but once I did I felt my eyes widen. Dave and Stahsi turned theirs out too and I reached out, tracing Timothy's gently.
It was intricate, beautiful, and powerful. "It's beautiful," I can't help but gasp and I feel his slight pull. When I look at him, I see shock in his eyes. "W-you're not mad?" He asked and I scoffed, "Timothy. You did what you had to, to survive. Clearly I'm the last person to judge you on that." Slowly my hand rose and cupped his face looking at him, Dave and Stahsi backed off slightly giving us our space.
"I'm glad you found your family. You found your Kai, your Davi." He grimaced at that and I chuckled, "well- the terms are certainly different but the meaning is the same. They saved you, protect you. They're your water."
I tap his wrist gently and he laughs just as Dave does, he claps Timothy on the back, "hell yea man! Drink up," he says and leans in just as Timothy pulls away.
I laugh loudly and feel it in my soul, a simple joyous thing. Stahsi shook her head but didn't budge from Timothy's side. "I hope this truce sticks," I say after a moment and the three of them turn to me in question. "Because, if after all this, they expect me to kill you on sight just because we've chosen opposite sides? I won't do it." Stahsi's eyes widened and Dave's mouth dropped but Timothy pulled me into a hug. It was tight, but it felt right. Slowly, I wrapped my arms around him and he whispered in my ear, "I couldn't- wouldn't- hurt you. You're all I have left of this life."
I couldn't help the smile that played on my lips as he spoke, please let us, get through this in one piece.