The Typhoon ~Vash x OC AU~

Prologue

Heat pricked Jonas's skin as sweat slicked his brow. The stiff material of his new slacks hung from his hips. He felt restricted and restrained but took a deep breath, then grabbed his suitcase.

"Elana," he called, entering the kitchen. The hardwood floors creaked under his weight, and he winced as the brassy light filtered through the mesh curtains, flooding the tiny kitchen with a warm glow. "Elana?"

He could barely make out the figure sitting at the kitchen table through the sharp gleam. A figure with long, frizzy golden hair tied into a ponytail and slender fingers pressed together as she stared out the window.

"Elana," he repeated, "are you ready?"

Slowly, she turned, bringing her deep chartreuse eyes to his. Jonas clenched his jaw. He knew that look all too well.

"Please, don't try to make this difficult," he sighed, massaging his temples. "We don't have time for it."

"Who said I was going to be difficult?" Elana asked, pushing up from the chair. Her tone was flat and cold – detached. She breathed steadily, grabbing her suitcase before bringing her stare back to his. "You've already made it clear that I don't have a choice."

He squeezed his eyes closed and exhaled sharply. "Lana...please, not this again. Not right now. We've been through this."

"Yes. I know. Precisely. Which is why I'm not being difficult."

"Lana..."

"Am I not cooperating? Am I not gathering my shit? Am I not dressed and ready?"

"You are, but you're being awfully bitter in doing so."

"And what would you prefer?" Elana snapped, shooting sharp glares at her brother. Jonas could feel the knives in her eyes. Her chest rose and fell heavily. "I am being forced to leave my home, Jonas. I am being forced to leave the one place I have ever known, and forced to leave people I love and care about." Her bottom lip quivered as tears glossed her eyes. Her voice became hoarse as it trembled. "I am doing as I am told. I am not being difficult. I am being upset."

The pain in his sister's eyes tugged at Jonas. He knew this was hurting her. He knew that she didn't want to leave. He felt those same things. He was shattered at the thought of needing to pick everything up and go. He didn't want to. He didn't want to leave their home or loved ones, but he knew they had to.

Home wasn't safe anymore. Home wasn't where they should be. Home was dangerous.

And he wanted to protect his sister. If he couldn't protect his mother – and he knew he hadn't – then he was going to protect the one most precious to him. The one piece of family he had left.

And if that meant Elana would hate him, then he would endure all the glares and smart remarks, and even take blame for her pain. If it meant getting her somewhere safe, then he would gladly shoulder her hatred and hurt.

"I know," he sighed. "And I'm sorry. I wish...I wish things could be different. Really, I do. If I could change things, I would, but I can't. All I can do now is take us somewhere safe."

Elana's expression softened as the tears trickled down her cheeks. "But what if we never find somewhere safe? What if this is the safest place?"

Jonas knew his sister was lost in her hope, but even she knew those words were a lie. Where they were wasn't safe. Nothing about that place was safe, and they both knew that.

Still, her eyes bored into his, the tears bending the light in them. Desperation drifted at her surface, and as much as he wanted to set her mind at ease, he knew it was better to simply rip the Band-Aid off and remind her of the harsh reality.

"You and I both know this place isn't safe, sis," he said. "Not anymore."

And it never was, but he didn't say that.

Elana's face fell. "I know you're right. Deep down in my heart of hearts, I know that, but it's...it's hard, ya know? Letting go of a place you know, people you see all the time...it's not easy." She sniffled. "I know this is for the best, but it hurts. I mean, Mom's grave is right over there, and we're just gonna leave her."

A twinge tugged at Jonas's chest. He squeezed his eyes, swallowing the lump forming in his throat. He would not cry – he told himself so.

He inhaled sharply. "We're not leaving her, Lana. Not really. She'll be with us. Right here in our hearts." He pointed at his chest, flashing a small smile at his sister. "Mom will always be with us. No matter where we go or what we do. She'll always be right here."

Elana watched her brother, and Jonas knew she was soaking in his words. He didn't know if she believed him, but he also knew they couldn't stay there much longer. They had to leave. Time was of the essence.

"I'll tell ya what," he smiled, setting his suitcase to the side. "We'll say a final farewell to Mom, but after that, we need to go."

More tears drifted to the surface of Elana's eyes as she nodded, "Okay. Deal."

And after they said farewell to their mother's grave, they left, never looking back at the house that overlooked the sunset.

**Bello lovelies! Well, that prologue, eh? We got to see a bit of Leilani's mom, Elana! That's exciting. That said, any idea what all is going on here? Feel free to take a gander! Oof. So, I'm finally writing this prologue on 07/01/2024, which is way after I began typing this book. Look, this part was being a pain. This is the first version of it I actually like. This only means that (at the time of typing) we're nearing this book's launch. We'll see how much further I get before then! But I hope y'all enjoyed that prologue! As always, thank y'all so, so much for all your love and support! Y'all are the cat's pajamas! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross