The Glade and Its Glitch: Book 2 Allies or Enemies

Chapter 3

"Jay!" Edna called, "Dinner will be out in eight minutes!"

"Ok, Ma!" Jay called back, "Sorry 'bout that."

Nya, who was on the phone with him, laughed, "It's ok Jay. How are your parents?"

"They're good. The junkyard's quieter than I'm used to but anyways... Any news on Cole?"

"Nope, Kai's ankle is better though. Soar's better too but he doesn't want to talk. I think he's a little shaken up from Huntress attacking him."

Jay hummed in response.

"Do you think she'll attack us?"

"I don't know. Do we even know anything about Huntress? We'll have to ask Soar what she's like."

Back at the monastery, Nya nodded to herself, "Jay are you sure you're ok? We're all alright here, and I know you needed a minute to yourself. But we're all a little worried."

"Yeah, I'm ok."

"I know you too well Jay, that's a lie. Cole made you think of Nadakhan didn't he?"

Jay didn't answer. He just stared out at the horizon. He had a pretty good view of it from the roof of his parents' trailer.

"You know you can talk to me about him right?"

"We should be focusing on Cole. It's not important right now."

"All of us are concerned about you Jay. And they don't know why. If you won't tell them, at least tell me. Help me to understand."

"Seeing him limp as you brought him back, it just made me think of when Cole found me. I was just laying there in vengestone chains. At least Cole fought back, I didn't."

"It's not that you didn't Jay, you couldn't. You were wearing vengestone, you couldn't fight. If Cole knew about all this, I know he wouldn't think you're weak. Think of how strong they'd all think you were."

"Emphasis on were."

Nya groaned, "Jay you're being ridiculous. No one would ever think you're weak. Imagine if we fought Nadakhan now-"

"Oh please no Nya I can't think about that. It's bad enough I still have nightmares of him coming back."

"Ok, but Jay, they'd never think you're weak. You're strong, just as strong as the rest of us. And if you ever want to talk about the nightmares."

"I know, but-"

"Jay! Dinner in four minutes, come get ready!"

"Sorry, Nya, hang on. Ok, ma!" Jay called back down. "I think I gotta go."

"Your mom's sweet Jay. But promise me you'll come back to the monastery soon? And you're not alone in this, I still have dreams about him. You can talk to me."

Jay grunted as he jumped down from the trailer roof, "I'll be back in two days. You really missed me huh?"

Nya's face flushed, "Well we all did."

"Yeah, uh-huh," Jay grinned, "I love you."

"I love you too, you idiot. Bye."

"Bye," Jay hung up the phone and stepped inside the trailer.

"Any updates on Cole?" Ed asked as he set the table.

Jay shook his head, "We're all worried, it's been a week and he's still unconscious."

Edna walked over and rested a hand on Jay's shoulder, "Cole is strong, and so is everyone else. You'll make it through this."

The three Walkers sat down at the small dining table next to the side of the trailer. Once everyone was dished up, the conversation continued.

"Why'd you come home son?" Ed asked, "You don't visit very often, and it seems like it'd be better for you to be at the monastery."

"I don't know. I couldn't stand being there while Cole was so weak. It just feels wrong."

"Don't you think Cole would want you to be there? And Nya?" Edna asked between sips of soup.

"I'm planning on heading back in a couple of days."

"But that doesn't explain why you came in the first place."

"It made me think of Nadakhan ok!" Jay burst out, "Cole was hurt, and cut, and bruised all over. Whenever I see him I think of Scrap-N-Tap. Of getting beat up by pirates while I can't do anything to stop it." Jay shoved his chair back and stood up, "And Huntress. She did this to him. When I find her-"

"Jay," Ed said firmly.

Cut out of his rant, Jay looked down. His mother sat with her hands up as a gesture of peace, her eyes were wide and she looked scared. Ed was the same way, fear was hidden in his eyes and one hand was held out to Jay. The junkyard's power flickered.

"Sorry," Jay muttered looking down at the floor.

"It's alright son, no one's hurt." Ed took Jay's hand and pulled him back to the table.

Edna relaxed, "How did we not realize your powers when you were younger?"

Jay laughed, "Guess it's probably good you didn't. That would have been dangerous."

"Your mother and I are immensely proud of you, Jay." Ed said, "And your biological parents would be too."

"Thanks, dad," Jay responded. You and Ma are the only parents who matter to me. He thought, before resuming his dinner.