The Phoenix Society

Chapter 24

My eyes squinted against the sunlight as I scanned the active morning streets. I spotted Jonah instantly. He was leaning against the building, with his leg propped up on the side. His hands lay in the pockets of the long jacket he wore, something I found quite odd given the warmer weather, while his eyes were wandering the crowds of people on their way to start the day.

"Jonah." I stepped toward him, cautiously. While he seemed to be alone, I didn't know what he was planning. There was no way Monroe would send him out here, without some ulterior motive.

"I'm surprised they let you out of the coup." He spoke, his eyes not wavering from the street. Something was different about him. While he still held himself with authority, there was a slight sadness in his eyes that wasn't there before. He looked different then when I had fought him in Sector 4. He looked different from when he shot me in the ally.

"You have a chip." I stated. His reactionless expression told me all I needed to know. I was right. "Jonah, we can help you."

"Since when are you and them a we?" Jonah scoffed. I could tell he resented me for joining up with the Order, but it's not like I had much of a choice.

"Since they helped me get Laken." I crossed my arms. I still couldn't figure out why Jonah had risked everything to come out here. It definitely wasn't to argue with me about helping the Order.

"I don't need help from your or your new friends." Jonah finally looked at me. I could see a redness in his eyes, like he hadn't slept in days.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him quietly, lowering my defensive stance. While Jonah and I aren't particularly on the best of terms now, I mean he has tried to kill me multiple times...a part of me still cared for him. We had spent countless days together while working with my father. We had bonded over beatings and injuries. Out of all the Phoenix's, Jonah was always the one looking out for me. I could only assume that if he was risking his life leaving Sector 4, it must be for a good reason.

"I came to warn you. What Monroe is creating... it's bigger than you. You're not safe. You and Laken need to get out of here."

"What do you mean? We already know about the chips. We're trying to-"

"It's not just about the chips." Jonah cut me off. He looked at me nervously. "You can't trust them."

I scoffed, crossing my arms. "That's rich coming from you." While I barely knew these people, I definitely trusted them a lot more than Jonah in this moment. I mean he's tried to kill me more times than I can count.

"Listen, I can't tell you anything else. Just be careful."

"What do you mean you can't tell me anything else. You've barely told me anything." I told him confused. Jonah was not making any sense. I've felt safer with the Order than I have in my entire life. "Jonah, please. Just talk to me. Maybe I can help."

I heard the door to the bowling alley open, causing my attention to shift. Banks stood, eyes agape, as they flickered back and forth between me and Jonah. I could only imagine what he was thinking in this moment. He had watched Jonah and I fight; seen the injuries I had occurred from it. Yet, here I was, having a casual conversation with that same person. I was having a conversation with the enemy. I didn't blame him for the smoke seemingly coming from his ears.

"What the hell are you doing?" Banks asked. His voice was stern, and his brows were pressed into a thin line, telling me he was pissed. I knew that I had just destroyed any trust he once had in me.

"Damn it." I cursed as Jonah took off down the street. In that moment, I made a split-second decision, one that I knew was about to ruin that trust even more. Banks must have seen it in my eyes because he took a step towards me.