Infinity

Chapter Five: Emotional Turning Point

Before going on the long, dangerous journey, Jake would have to give some minor explanation to his friends and family about why he was leaving. He decided to start with Miranda, the only person in the apartment complex he communicated with.

"What do you mean you're leaving?" Miranda questioned. "Why are you going?"

"Look, Miranda, I can't really tell you," Jake sighed. He looked back at his apartment door, where Chris and Ben were waiting inside for him. "It's sort of... top secret."

"Does it look like I care about 'top secret'?" Miranda asked. "Tell me Jake... now!"

"Ok, ok... but you seriously cannot tell anyone about this, you hear me?!" Jake hissed. Miranda nodded.

"Ok... here goes," Jake sighed. "Inside of my apartment are two people of a secret organization called S.T.A.M.P. They have requested for me to go on a dangerous journey to fight human-like aliens called Dublekas that want to take over the Earth and universe. There's this prophecy that the organization follows, and the chosen one has to go on the journey to save the world! Apparently I'm the chosen one since I fit the characteristics of him. I want to go on an adventure, and I need to save the world! This is the adventure I've been seeking my entire life! Please understand Miranda; don't tell anyone." Jake looked at her with desperate, pleading eyes.

"I... I know about Dublekas," Miranda confessed, staring at her feet. Jake's jaw dropped.

"What?!" Jake yelled.

"They tried to attack me once," Miranda explained. "It was the middle of the night, and there were six of them. They had broken into my apartment, and they tried to grab me and take me away to... wherever they live or something. I was able to get my rifle, and I killed one with a single bullet. The others fled. They're so fast, it's scary. They flew away in their giant UFO, and people had mistaken it as an airplane." Jake was silent for a moment.

"So... you pretty much know what the Dublekas are like and the danger I'm getting into by going on this journey?" Jake asked. Miranda nodded.

"Jake, you are an intelligent, wise, and... silly guy," Miranda sighed. "I think you have what it takes to save the universe, and I do believe you are the chosen one. So get out there, go with S.T.A.M.P, and kick some alien butt!" Jake chuckled and nodded. "And don't worry; I won't tell a living soul about this conversation. Or a non living soul." Jake laughed again.

"Thanks Miranda," Jake thanked. "You've been the greatest neighbor ever. I'm going to miss you." Jake and Miranda embraced into a hug.

"Jake, stop talking like you're going to die!" Miranda snapped. "You're going to be fine!" Jake chuckled again and nodded. Miranda sadly waved, with tears in the brims of her eyes, as she stepped into her apartment.

Jake sighed. Still outside of his apartment, he dialed his mom's phone number. He decided to explain everything to his mom and ask her to tell everyone else in his family about what was going on. He didn't have the emotion, or time especially, to deal with that. Besides, he still had to call Luke and Tommy after calling his mom.

After a couple rings, Jake's mom answered her phone. She greeted with her usual, perky voice, "Hi Jake! How are you doing sweetie?"

"Good Mom," Jake answered. "Uh, I graduated college yesterday and-."

"Oh, honey, I'm so proud of you," Jake's mom sighed. "I just wanted you to know that. No matter what you do in life, just know that I love you and I'm proud of you." Jake sadly sighed. His mom wasn't making the situation any better. He was afraid of what she'd say and, especially, breaking her heart.

"Is something wrong Jake?" Jake's mom asked. He was able to hear the concern in her voice.

"Mom... I'm going on a long, dangerous mission," Jake explained. "I know, my future was so bright and I just graduated, but I'm the chosen one to save the universe against human-like aliens! Don't tell anyone except our family. Not even your closest friends! This is a top-secret, dangerous journey." For a minute, there was silence on the other end of the phone.

"Jake... if you're the chosen one, then it's meant to be," Jake's mom sighed, her voice wavering. "Just know that I'm still proud of you. You'll be fine, I know you will."

"That's the thing, Mom," Jake sighed, staring at the ground with his voice giving out on him a couple times. "I... I don't know if I'll make it back alive." There was an even longer silence on the other end. "Mom?"

"I have faith in you Jake," Jake's mom sighed. He could hear the sadness in her voice. "I'm going to see you again, I know that. I love you so much Jake."

"I love you too, Mom," Jake said while trying to not sob loudly. "Tell everyone else I love them so much."

"Ok sweetie," Jake's mom sighed, obviously using all her strength to not burst into tears. "I love you. Goodbye."

"I love you too, Mom," Jake repeated. "Goodbye." Jake hung up. He didn't want to face any more emotion with telling his loved ones goodbye, so he wanted to get Luke and Tommy's goodbye over with. Luckily, Luke was with Tommy when he had called him, so he was able to tell them both at the same time.

"What the heck man?" Tommy questioned. "You're leaving?"

"Are you already moving?!" Luke gasped.

"Maybe he's still a little drunk from last night," Jake heard Tommy whisper. Jake sighed.

"No," Jake answered. "I will tell you why I'm leaving, but you have to promise you won't tell anybody about this. Seriously, this is top-secret."

"Oh, if it's top-secret, it's got to be good," Luke chuckled. "I promise on Tommy's life." Jake heard a slap in his phone. "Ow! I was kidding! We promise!"

"Ok," Jake sighed. "I've been recruited as the chosen one by an organization called S.T.A.M.P. They say I'm the one who has to go on a long, dangerous journey to fight human-like aliens called Dublekas. I'm leaving right after I get off the phone with you two."

"Wow man... that's some pretty wacky stuff," Tommy sighed, at a loss with words. "But we believe every word of it. You're not crazy, Jake."

"I better not be," Jake laughed.

"Look man, don't worry about it," Luke assured. "I've been doing those kickboxing classes with you, and you know your way around weapons. Those aliens will regret ever meeting you!"

"Thanks man," Jake laughed. "I will surely miss you and Tommy's great senses of humor."

"We'll miss you too Jake, but we're going to see you again," Tommy said happily.

"Yep," was all Jake could mumble. He couldn't even bring himself to guarantee that he'd ever see his best friends ever again.

"Bye Jake," Luke and Tommy called into the phone in-sync. "Tell us about your alien fights when you get back!" They hung up.

Jake sighed sadly and stared at the ground. Everyone had such a positive attitude about him being fine and making it back alive... except him.

Jake stepped back inside of his apartment. Chris and Ben were waiting for him in there. When he stepped inside, they stood up together.

"Ready to go?" Chris asked. Jake smirked.

"Let's do this," Jake responded.