The Devil You Know

Chapter 48: You're Really Leaving

Jade didn't sleep all night, and either did I. I stayed by the house with her that night, Joel and Naomi were leaving the next morning. They looked a little uneasy, but both were absolutely sure that they wanted to do this. They didn't have anything packed, the recruiter they talked to said they didn't need anything but the clothes on their backs, ID and a little bit of money.

Jade sat in the kitchen, Naomi right across from her as they talked quietly. Jade was crying, and Naomi was holding her hands telling her she would be fine, she wore a simple black t-shirt and a pair of jeans, the last thing I would see her in for who knows how long. I left the two to talk, who knows when the bus will be here to pick them up.

I wandered upstairs and to Joel's room, knocking lightly. He opened the door and looked at me, letting me in and sitting back on his bed, we were silent for a moment, and Joel was staring down at the floor, fists clenched. He took a deep breath before looking up at me, I wondered if I would see him again, or if I'd see Naomi again. He stood and I stood with him, looking at him as he extended his arm out to me, I grabbed it and he pulled me into a one armed hug.

"You take care of yourself out there" I spoke as sternly as I could. "You take care of her too"

"Nothing's going to happen to Naomi" he said with such certainty in his voice, but he didn't say anything about himself. "You stay strong on the Homefront, and make sure Jade does too" he cleared his throat and looked out of his window, looking for the truck.

"You're sure about this...?" I asked for what felt like the hundredth time, he chuckled and looked back at me, nodding.

"It'll be good for me, was my plan since I was a kid" he paused "and Naomi, she'll destroy herself if she stays here" I nodded, not having anything else to say, all I could do was hope they'd come back, and pray that they'd be safe. He looked around his room one last time and took in a deep sigh, walking out. He paused in the hallway and looked down at what used to be grandmas room, he opened the door slowly and walked in; everything was the way she left it. Joel stood in the middle, looking around and a small, barely noticeable smile tugged on the corners of his lips. "I'll keep her safe grandma" he whispered, and he made his way out.

We walked down the stairs together. Naomi and Jade were now standing, arms wrapped around Each other, I could hear Jade mumbling into Naomi, I couldn't understand what she was saying, Naomi whispered back to her, whatever she said made Jade look up. "You promise?" She rasped, Naomi chuckled and nodded. Jade wiped the tears under her eyes and took off a bracelet, one she wore since I could remember and put it around Naomi's wrist, she smiled at Jade, a smile full of sadness and hurt, but Jade was her strength in a way.

The girls turned to us, and Jade walked to Joel, it was time for them to say their goodbye. Naomi walked up to me and I held my arms open for her and I hugged her tightly, resting my chin on the top of her head. We didn't say much, we didn't have to. When she pulled away she looked at my face and smiled. "Thank you for everything, Brendan." I held her hand and placed the other one on top of it.

"You get your ass home safe" I laughed and she nodded. We could hear now the heavy tires of the truck pull up In front of the house, Naomi's smile faded and she looked out the window.

"Joel..." She spoke quietly, her voice thick. Joel and Jade appeared from the living room, Jade tearful again and he looked out the window. He nodded at Naomi, who looked to her big brother for support. I wrapped my arm around Jade who held onto me, letting silent tears fall on her face. Joel and Naomi looked around their home one last time, Naomi mumbled something to herself... Or maybe to grandma, who's presence was always felt in the house. The siblings walked out together and we followed behind, Naomi hugged Jade again, telling her she loved her and she promised to come home, Joel nodded at me, respectively, honourably, and I could already see the soldier in him, in both of them. I held Jade again as we watched them enter the cattle truck, full with a bunch of other new recruits, and in the next second they were gone.

Jade and I stood there in silence for a moment, not knowing what to really say or do. Jade started college in a couple of days, so she had that to somewhat take her mind off it, but it wouldn't help much, I knew she would do her best regardless. I kissed her head and she wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly, she held onto me in silence, not able to say another word.