fallen | ✓

Chapter 41: "Burning Bond"

(Tagged: Crane Town)

Two Months Later

A snowball launched into my face as I rounded the corner to go back to CT. I sputtered, screaming as the cold smacked against my skin. I desperately brushed it off and looked up, seeing Brook, Joao, and a few other men with them that had snowballs in their hands. Joao snickered and I immediately knew the snowball was from him. I devilishly smirked and grabbed a ball of snow from the ground, dashing at him and smacking it into his face.

He screamed and fell backward into the snow. Then another snowball impacted into my back and I almost fell on top of him. I twisted around to see a small child who was giggling behind his fort. Then I glanced around more and they all had their sights on me.

Well, this isn't fair.

They all launched their snowballs at me and I screamed a little, the cold spiraling through my skin on impact. I then saw Brook in the corner of my eye and saw her biting back a giggle. Then Joa got up, grabbing two snowballs, darting after the man and little boy. Oh, joy. A snowball fight. The man grabbed the nape of Joao's shirt and dumped a bunch of snow down his back. Joa let out an ear piercing scream, falling back on the ground, desperately trying to grab the snow off. But it was stuck to the inside of his cotton shirt.

"HELP!" He cried out.

"It'll melt. Just gotta wait it out." I said with a snort. He desperately slammed his back on the ground when suddenly the man dumped a heap of snow on my head. I screeched, grabbing a snowball and slamming it on the man's helmet.

"Ow- I can't see!" He yelped, falling back into the snow. I grabbed more snow as another snowball smacked into my shoulder. This went on for quite a long time, actually. Just snowballs pelting into faces, and backs. Even going down a lot of shirts. I ended up frozen as fuck so I decided to go back inside Crane Town. Joa and the man followed, Brook going with Sam. Apparently, he's the babysitter.

I sat in my usual spot, bringing my knees to my chest. The buildings blocked the cold and harsh blizzard-like winds. I began to feel slightly warmer when the man walked up, holding out his hand.

"Hope I didn't pelt ya too hard." He snorted. "I'm James." I shook his hand.

"Carmen Jackson," I replied, casually. I felt tired and I wanted a nap. "I'm gonna go sleep for a bit," I said, standing. James simply nodded as I brushed past him, walking up the ramp. I unlocked my door and walked inside, locking it again.

A lot happened in the three months after Joao shot the girl at Florida. I was in a pool of anger that was over my head. After a couple days I cooled off completely, and it was fine after that. I built up more of a relationship with the kids, especially with Jackson. I found out that Brook had two guns already, and Jackson was super jealous.

But I also built up my relationship with Joa. He didn't kill anyone else. He mainly focused on taking care of the kids and I. It was so weird how he could be close to killing someone, then snapped back to being caring and considerate. Well, more or less.

I took off my boots and socks when there was a knock on my door. I stood and cracked the door open slightly. Standing there was Joao. "Hey?" I raised a brow.

"Can I come in?" He said, leaning his shoulder on the door frame. I nodded, opening it all the way.

"Welcome," I said, motioning inside. He pushed his hand on the door, walking in as I turned, dropping off my backpack. His hand snaked around my waist and he pulled me closer, his lips brushing against mine. I felt a surge of energy as I felt his grip tighten slightly. "Lonely?" I chuckled.