The Family - Volume 2

Chapter 3

- Go on a mission with Joy?" choked Zoé. It's out of the question! I deserve better than that. It's not that I'm not interested in helping The Family, far from it, but I might as well do it on my own, in which case I'll do much better.
- Ah low what should I say then," I mumbled.
Emma sighed once more.
- It's not a question of who you're going with or who you're not, it's a question of whether you're willing to help.
- Of course I'll help!" cried Zoé. I'm just saying Joy won't be much help.
I grumbled and almost insulted Zoé.
- What if the situation gets complicated? Given how little intelligence you possess, it's going to be complicated for you to find a solution.
Zoé was about to retort, but before she could open her mouth, Emma stepped in.
- That's enough, girls! For the moment, the situation is fairly stable, but it could quickly deteriorate. If you want me to continue my explanations, you're going to have to tolerate each other. The next time I catch you squabbling, I'm off to find someone else who's better suited to the task.
Was the situation so serious that Emma had to go to Zoé and me for help? Anyway, for the time being, I had to stop messing with Zoé. At least, until Emma had explained everything.
I glanced at my classmate from afar and she seemed to have made the same reflection: for the moment, we'd put our differences aside.
- I prefer that," said Emma. So I guess I can trust you completely from now on.
Although Zoé and I didn't like each other too much, we had to remember that we shared similar genes and traditions. And, when it came to The Family, focusing on it was far more important than our petty squabbles.
- First of all, Joy," Emma continued, "I have to tell Zoé everything. I can't guarantee that you'll be safe on your mission, and you might even run into Tyna. But, if you follow my instructions correctly, nothing serious should happen to you.
- Wait," Zoé said. What are you saying, Joy already knows something? And what's Tyna got to do with it?
- If you let her talk for two seconds, maybe we'll hear the end of it," I retorted.
Zoé refrained from replying with her usual scathing reply and remained silent, crossing her arms.
- I don't mind that the situation is desperate," I said, turning to Emma, "but I don't see why Zoé has to know everything.
- I know it can be hard to tell her everything, nevertheless even if you don't get on very well I know I can trust her to keep the secret. Besides, Jihn is her father as well as a member of the AS and he already knows everything. Finally, if you meet Tyna on the road, she might say something that might seem foreign to Zoé, but if you see her, there's no time for discussion.
I felt Zoé's piercing gaze on me, and I knew she was dreaming of being able to get a word in edgewise.
- Okay...
Emma then briefly explained to Zoé the story of the Mysterious Ones, the real one.
- What?" exclaimed Zoé when Emma had finished. Is this a joke?
She burst out laughing, but when she saw that we were all stunned, she started again.
- Is this a joke?" she repeated, this time more seriously.
- No," replied Emma.
For my part, I sat silently in my chair, wishing that everyone in the world knew my secret - everyone, that is, except Zoé.
The latter judged me up and down before adding:
- Whether you're one of the Mysterious Ones or not, don't expect any special treatment from me.