Forever & Always

Chapter 17: Whist✔️

(v) - to hush or silence; to still; to become silent

Pronounced: wist

•Winter's pov•

I run over to my brothers and begin cutting the ropes around their wrists and feet. The 3 of them look at my face in shock. I realized my mask came down as soon as it did. The reason I didn't bother putting it back up was because I couldn't do that while fighting all the guards and because I wanted Charles to see my sinister smirk as I broke his neck with my hands. As I looked at him, I could tell what he wanted to question me about. I know what a lot of people think, that I don't have or need anyone. But they're wrong.

I need my family.

Without them, I don't know where I'd be, what I'd do, or where I'd go. I know they sent me away, but it was for a good reason. I was only 6 and training wouldn't have started for another 4 years. Our enemies weren't going to wait 4 years and for me to be able to defend myself at least a little to attack. They were going to attack as soon as they saw me and my family at our most vulnerable moment.

Even if they did wait or if they're attacks weren't extreme or successful until I began training, there's only so much a 10 year old can learn about how to take down someone 100x bigger than them. You can't teach a 10 year old how to not show fear towards some stranger who's over 6 feet tall, is very big and buff, and is out to get you. It takes time to learn how to control and conceal your fear, and we didn't have time.

But instead of sending me to an orphanage in a different country, my father sent me to live with his most trusted friend who has a family and experience in being a father. He gave me up to someone who he knew would love and treat me as if I were his own. I wouldn't have wished for Wonder to come with me, because as much as I would've loved to have him with me, he didn't need to be apart from our family. He wasn't the target, I was. Therefore, he had no reason to be separated from the others.

He deserved at least a semi-normal life with his family, whether I was in it or not. I didn't want him to go through what I did. My family had an impossible decision to make, but they did it for my protection from their enemies. And, in a way, it worked.

"Winter?" I hear my twin's shocked and confused voice.

"I know I have a lot to explain, but not here. Come on." I say as I finish untying my brothers and handing them different weapons I know they can defend themselves with. I lead us out and away from the warehouse, killing any guards we see while leading them to the car Lorenzo drove here. I knew the others would be here. I also know that they saw me breaking in and knew better than to interfere. Charlie told me they arrived just when I had.

When we get to the car, the boys get in while I run to my motorcycle. I follow behind them to make sure there aren't any stragglers trying to finish the job. We arrive at one of their warehouses and by this time, my mask is back up. We walk in and follow Vincenzo and Lorenzo to one of their private meeting rooms. We all take a seat and I pull my mask off again. Then I explain.

"While I was living in Brazil, I saw things. People who live on the streets and have nothing were and still are ignored by those who have everything. People who have money can spare a few hundred dollars and donate to shelters, orphanages, and charities. They could make a difference in the world, granted a small one, but a difference nonetheless. I saw people getting killed, raped, assaulted, and harassed on the street, yet the police either do nothing, or they take too long to really accomplish anything. Some police officers themselves use their title and the fact that they have a gun to look down on and treat others like shit. They aren't trained on how to handle those with disabilities like they should be and they aren't held accountable for their actions when they do something wrong.