Tele-Journey

Tele-Journey Part 5

It was morning,the sunlight shines through a severe crack on a wall to James face.He woke up squinting because of the sunlight.He got off the hammock and almost fell because he forgot about his left leg.Afterward,he walked around with his walking stick but got no signs of Luke's mom,so he went out to the streets.There were less people than last night,he thought they might still be asleep.Suddenly,a white-bearded old man called upon him.
"Hey there,never seen you here before lad."The old man was curious.
James didn't answer him,he was looking a bit nervous.But the old man didn't finish there.
"What happened to your left?"He referred to his left leg.
"It was torn off by a rubble."James answered.
Then,Luke saw James talking with the old man and went to get him.
"Morning James,you're early."Luke greeted.
"Oh if it isn't Luke.The last time I saw you you were just a little boy."The old man said to Luke.
"It's nice to see you again Uncle Joe,thank you for looking after my mom."Luke thanked him.
"It's a small thing,my wife was also happy to have her as a friend."He said.
"Alright,I'll see you around.Let's go James."They bid their farewell.
James walked around with Luke.Luke asked him if he was hungry and went to have breakfast together.He brought James to an outdated restaurant and met his mom.They always used the restaurant as their kitchen,as for the sources it was imported from another town.
"Where did you get all this food?"James wondered.
"From the neighboring town obviously.What,you think we're cannibals?"Luke was kidding.
"I mean how?"James said.
"So,have you decided?"Luke changed the topic.
"I t-think,I'll help."James stuttered.
"Good choice."Luke grinned.
As soon as they finished eating,Luke brought him towards a huge building in the town,probably the biggest there is.They entered the building,it was a total mess inside.James was just following Luke.As they walked around inside the building James saw a huge sign boards,probably the building name.It was written Deloin's Company.A lot of question was running through his head but he decided not to ask Luke on their way.They walked down a stair that led to a lower floor.At one point,they stopped in front of an elevator door.James was staring around.Luke opened the elevator door by himself and entered it.It looks fancy outside but rusty from the inside.Then,Luke pulled a lever and the elevator went down a few feets underground.
When they arrived,James' jaw dropped.It was an underground town that was packed with people.
This place looks as modern as the city above,but it was just "below".James was too stunned.His eyes were gone everywhere.He never expected to find a town under a town.
"Luke...What is this place?"James asked in a serious curiosity.
"Welcome to Xsandiora."Luke grinned.
While they were walking Luke explained to James a few questions that were given by James.
"Does the government know about this place?"
Luke gestured his hand around the metal that is surrounding the town.
"You see all that,that was made with special material that blocked any signal from outside to inside,the same goes for the opposites."
"Then how did you communicate with others using a handheld receiver?"
"HAHAHAH,you mean the walkie talkie?Funny thing is that we don't use it to communicate with people from below and above."
"Then why are there people that live above when they have this place?"
"Some people like to see the sun in the days and the moon in the nights, I guess."
"I see."
"Save your question,we've arrived."
They arrived at their destination.They entered the building and heard a really loud voice of people talking and laughing.It's a bar.Everyone were holding guns and rifles as if it was normal,probably normal to these people.After a while,they entered a fancy room.They saw a man sat on a expensive looking chair with a lot of documents on his desk.
"You have returned,Luke.How was your school in Zsantos?I hope you get along with the kids there"The mysterious looking man with long hair said.
"It sucked honestly,but Deloin's sudden appearance in that school was really lucky.''Luke responded.
"Sadly, you didn't manage to kill him."The man grinned.
"It was a real miracle because this guy over here teleported him out."Luke pointed at James.
James made an angry expression.
"So you're the kid who made the teleportation device huh?Impressive."The man complimented James and then he played a recording that shows Professor Allen launching the teleportation device in the city.James was disappointed in himself for giving him the blueprints.
Suddenly,a man wearing a mask that was covering his mouth entered the room.
"Morning Jerome,what brought you here?"Luke greeted him.
"LUKE!Perfect timing,Mallory, I'm here to tell you that we're executing the mission tomorrow."He stated.
"Approved,the faster the better they say."Mallory agreed with Jerome.
"We're heading to Zsantos first to pick up some stuff we left and begin our job."Jerome added.
Luke was speechless.All of a sudden,James told Jerome that he will be joining him.
"Aren't you the kid that we saved in the city?"Jerome Asked.
"Yes,I am."
"Luke,prepare him.He's not going to do well like that."Mallory said while gesturing his eye to James' leg.
"Got it sir."Then, they all left the room.
"Did they just let me join you?"James asked.
"Isn't It obvious?"Luke replied.
"I just didn't expect it to be that smooth."
After the weird meeting at Mallory's room,Luke brought James to their labyrinth.
"What are we doing here?"James wondered.
"Getting you a leg."Luke answered.
James read the sign board that was written "Greg's Prosthetic" and entered it with Luke.
"Greg,where are you?"Luke was looking for the shop owner.
"Down here kid."Greg waves his hand from downstairs.
"Where is the leg I ordered yesterday?"Luke asked him.
"Oh,it's right over there."Greg was busy making a prosthetic arm,so he just gestured his head to the prosthetic leg Luke ordered.It wasn't an ordinary prosthetic leg,it was a robotic leg.James was surprised a little when he saw that.
"Are you seriously going to give me this robot leg?"James asked in disbelief.
"What else could it be for?Now sit there."He helped James to install the prosthetic leg.
After it was done,James tried to walk around with his new leg.He had a pretty hard time with it,but at least he could walk without the stick.
"So,how is it?"Greg asked.
"It works and fits me."James told him.
"How about the special request I've made?"Luke asked Greg.
"Oh,I almost forgot about that.You see that blue bar over there,It can be charged and let out a sonic wave that'll make you jump high!The maximum is five so the more bars filled the higher you get to jump."Greg explained
"That's crazy!"James was amazed.
"Alright,let's go, we don't have all day."They went back upstairs to make the payment.
"That'll be $50 000."The cashier said with a smile.
Luke pulled out cash from his bag and gave it to her.James' jaw dropped.
"Did you just casually bring $50 000 in that bag?!"James exclaimed.
"Dude calm down,it's just $50 000."Luke said.
"It's not JUST $50 000 and you pay it just for me??"James was embarrassed
"It really is nothing..."Luke said expressionless.
James couldn't believe him.After that,they arrived at a warehouse where only certain people could enter and they met Jerome and his gang there.
"Finally,you've arrived Luke."Jerome greeted him.
"I brought our new members,this is James."Luke introduced James.
Then,each of them introduced themselves to James.
"As you already know,I'm Jerome, leader of this gang."
"What's up,I'm Carter,the technician of this gang."
"I'm Jessy,a sniper, I blow people's heads whenever Chuck is in trouble."
"And I'm Chuck,the always-head-first guy,if we were to rush into any danger I'm always in front of the others!"
"I'm Aris,I shoot while Chuck is distracting."
"That's everyone for you, there's actually one more person but he lives in Xsavion so you'll be meeting him soon.Anyway James, welcome to the Vandalier."Luke welcomed James for his first time in the gang.It was a warm welcome by all the members,Then,they all entered a lift to get to the surface again.They reached the surface and found themselves in an old factory.James wondered how many lifts are there to get to the underground town.They left the factory and get on a pick-up truck to get to the border between Xsandiora and Xsavion. Xsavion is the only town that is connected with Xsandiora even though it is guarded, there's always a secret passage that allows them to enter the town.As they arrived at the border,they they hid the truck behind a building.There was a ruined house near the border and they went straight ahead into it.In the house they revealed a tunnel that was covered with a huge plank.One by one jumped into it and walked their way through until they reached the other side.At the end of the tunnel,a ladder was attached to the wall leading above.Chuck climbed up the ladder until he get outside it was a well inside of a small house that belonged to their member.As soon as they all got out of the well.A man greeted them.
"Finally,you guys are here! I can't wait to leave.By the way who's this?"That man pointed his finger to James.
"Allow me,this is James our new recruit,James this is Steve,our driver and a hacker."Jerome introduced Steve to James.
"All right we'll be moving to Zsantos now, everyone to the van!"Jerome ordered them.
At that moment,all of them picked their stuff and prepared themselves as James stood there watching them.Carter asked James to follow him into a room full of weird machines.
"You'll be assisting me, portal kid."He smiled.
As they finished preparing themselves,they went to the garage to get into the van.It might take a day for them to reach Zsantos because the fastest route was by entering the city,but the security has been tightened due to their last mission.However,they still going into the city but with a different route.Most of them fell asleep,except Steve who was driving,Carter and James. James was staring outside through the window,still thinking about his family.Then,Carter striked a conversation with him.
"You're from Zsantos right?How old are you?"Carter asked.
"Yeah,I'm fifteenth."
"Same with Luke then.You see,between all of us Jerome and I are the eldest in this gang.To be frank,I'd never expected Jerome to bring him in,he was only eleven."
"That's awful."
"I know,I'm not sure whether he brings him in out of his guilt or he just doesn't care."
"Have you ever asked him?"
"I asked once,I said "why did you make him our bomber?"Then he said "he's young and small, he can go inside any small place to install the bombs."
"I understand that but what do you mean "out of guilt"?
"You see,Luke's father was our bomber."James was shocked after hearing that.
"It was a long time ago,a dark age for me and Jerome.It was our final mission that year,but a tragic accident happened.Most of the Vandalier were killed in a gunfight where me Jerome and Drake,Luke's father survived.We retreated to the van even though we were followed by a lot of police,shooting at us.We were reaching the van and suddenly,Drake was shot at his chest.I tried to save him,but the police marching towards us and Jerome pulled me saying we don't have time.I was stunned,I let Jerome pulled me and we left Drake."
"That's even more awful."James was sorry.
"You know what is more awful?We return the next day and find out it was Luke's tenth birthday.We told his mother first about it and I never showed my face to her till this day."
"It must be hard for him."
"It's hard for all of us."
Then,both of them went to sleep as well,leaving Steve to drive alone.After that,they stopped at a gas station to refill the gas and let Steve rest for a moment.They all stretched their bodies and walked around to get some air.James was looking at the city and Luke stand next to him.
"Few miles away and we'll get to Zsantos."Luke said.
"So is Vandalier the only terrorist gang around here?"James asked him.
"There's many of us,there's twelve gangs and each of them got the manager,as for us we got Mr.Mallory."Luke explained.
"I see."
"Seems like Steve is good to go now,let's head back."Luke and James went back to the van.
Afterwards,they continue their journey.As soon as they enter the city they keep their head down to avoid unwanted attention.Only Steve and Jerome sit still at the front seat.
After an hour inside of the city,they reached the other side of the border to leave the city and get to Zsantos.However,there was a roadblock.They had no other option but to go through it.
One by one the vehicles on the road were inspected by the guards.As they were in front of the exits,it was their turn to be inspected.All of a sudden,an explosion came from the vehicle behind.The guards was shocked and quickly went to investigate.They passed without any inspection and relieved.Then,they entered Zsantos safely.
"That was really a miracle!My heart was beating so fast that I was afraid the guards might heard it!"Steve exclaimed.
"Whoever it was that made that fuss I want to thank them, Haha!"Jerome laughed.
They arrived at their supply house and started packing their stuff into the van.
When they were done they immediately left.
"James wanted to visit his house for a moment."Luke told them.
"What?No,I'm returning to my house."James said.
"But you said you'd help us."Luke argued.
"I changed my mind."James said.
"That's not how it works-"
"Luke,that's enough.Let him be."Jerome interrupted.
"Would you mind if we make a quick visit,James?"Jerome asked.
"Sure,"James answered.
At that point,they arrived at James' house.James got out of the van and ran towards his house.He knocked on the door but it wasn't locked so he immediately entered his house.He looked for his father and Carol but got no signs of them.The other members were hanging around outside,only Luke and James went inside.Jerome was looking around and caught the lady was staring at them.
"Excuse me,are you a relative of the Smiths?"That lady asked Jerome.
"Oh we're not,but there is a kid living here we only take him here anyway."Jerome answered
"His name is James?"That lady asked.
"That's right."Jerome replied.
The lady gasped.She told Jerome that James and Harold Smith died four days ago and were buried at the Zsantos cemetery.Jerome went in to get James.
"My father and sister are not here."James told them.
"Alright everyone, follow me."Jerome said.
They followed Jerome by walking. They were puzzled but didn't want to question him.
They arrived at the cemetery.Jerome pulled James' shoulder and told him about what that lady said to him.They carefully read the names from each gravestones.James eyes were already in tears.They stopped looking around.James was stunned after seeing his name was written at the gravestone next to his father.He cried in front of his own grave.But at one point,he stopped,he stood and looking for something.He looked for Carol.He found no signs of her name.Which means she's still alive.
"I'll help you guys."James said it while sobbing.
"In return,you'll help me find my sister."He added.