Fracted (Book #2)

Chapter 48: Knock, Knock, Bro

A cool breeze swept my hair back when we entered the building. But not as cool as the Academy's entrance door. That day felt like I had hope in myself. I wish meeting the guy would make me feel the same way.
"Hello?" Hunter called out loudly after three batches of multiple knocks.
"Who is it?!" A masculine voice shouted obliviously from inside. "If it's about the rent, then you're too early, Carl!"
"It's not Carl!" he shouted back. "My dad sent me here for a reason. He said you'll help me find the truth about me--I never knew an Innate could actually help me in this situation."
"Okay, he did say something about a couple people visiting me."
A couple locks click and unlock. I could feel his presence right next to the door. As the door swings open, my jaw drops in shock.
My old friend, emerald-eyed Jackson. I could see he's in shock too.
"Hello, old friend," Jackson greeted.
Not minding the pain in chest, I charge forward and hurl a punch to the right side of his face.
"That was for Eiffel!" I shouted.
He falls back, further insid the apartment. I jumped in and threw another punch.
"And that was for your hypocrisy!"
As I prepared the final punch, his bloody face focused on me directly, stopping my fist from making an impact to his jaw. I try pushing my fist forward, but his mind was inevitably stronger than my hand.
"Jess, stop...I'm sorry, okay? Right, I know I was a hypocrite--all I'm asking is your forgiveness and consideration."
I unclenched my fists and tried catching my breath. I helped him up and shook his hand. I'm surprised Patrick and Jason didn't hold me back. Guesd they got tired of carrying me that they forgot I keep exploding like a bomb.
"You two know each other?" Hunter asked, obviously lost from what he's seeing.
"Okay, suddenly he's not in much pain anymore," Jason stated.
"You got that right," I said. "Sorry I poured out all of the pain on your face," I said to Jackson.
"It's fine. It was partly my fault so--Why don't you guys come in and sit?" He said politely.
"I'm so sorry," I apologize again. "I think something's wrong with me these days."
"We've all had that feeling, so don't ever think about killing yourself, okay?"
He walks into the kitchen, only taking four steps while I sit down on the sea-green leather couch next to Clare. He grabs five glasses and filled them up with orange juice. He tossed the whole carton to the trash and walked over to us with a tray.
"You guys must be exhausted," he said. "You three..." he points to Patrick, Jason, and Clare. "stay here while Jess, Hunter, and I go to somewhere else where we can talk privately. Don't ask quetions."
"Okay," Patrick said. "We're free to do anything though, right?"
"Yeah, okay."
"I'll search your fridge, I'm starving."
"Good to see you too, buddy," he chuckled nervously. "Come on, let's go to my room."
He slams the door quickly and pushed us down his bed and sat us down.
"This is pretty, dudes," His eyes widening. "This is very urgent information."
"You got that right," Hunter said, rubbing his shoulder that Jackson had grabbed tightly.
"What's this about anyway?" I asked.
"There's a note," He jumps on the wrinkled bed sheets. "that Benjamin gave me."
"When did he give it to you?"
"Five days ago."
So that's why he was at the shore at the right time when Patrick and Jason needed help with the alligator.
"Now listen, he told me not to open the note until you and Hunter arrive, but why would I trust someone I just met who would give me an oblivious note, right? So I opened it before you guys came."
I looked at Hunter, I was close enough to see what's inside: What a little rebel, I like him already, he thought. I agree.
"What'd it say? How come we're involved in this?" Hunter asked.
"I-I think you guys should read it..." He had the tone of a doctor delivering bad news to a family about a deceased relative.
He passes a small, folded lined paper to both of us. Hunter shook his head and pushed the paper towards my crossed legs. I was too nervous to look, to touch the paper and scan it with my eyes. I don't want my eyes to get dirty. But my eyes were so insistent:

Dear, Jackson:

Please forgive me for what I'm about to tell you. I know this might be too hard for you to understand, but please take care of your brothers. I know my time is coming, but sometime now, they'll be the ones knocking on your door. I should know, because you got your mental abilities from me, and I know how things work and so do you. That is why I trust you.

Sincerely, Benjamin, your father

P.S. It's time for Hunter to know the truth about his biological family.

Great, another thing to be worried about. How am I supposed to break the news to an atomic bomb? Should I let him read it? No. But if I used my mouth, I'd end up not having one anymore.
"What?" His head turned away. "What'd it say?"
I turn to Jackson, who was far more both dismayed and amused. He mouths a few words that I could not decipher. I nodded still.
"Um...Hunter," I started to say, my heart leaping in a different direction. "Hunter, you're ad--"
Jackson bolts forward, grabbing the back of my neck on one hand and cupping my mouth with the other.
"Did you not hear what I said?" he whispered. I shook my head.
"Apparently no." I pry myself from his hand.
"I said, "Break it to him someplace where he can never hurt you," You never know when he plans to kill."
"Guys? What does the letter say?!"
"I should tell him," I say aloud. "Like right now."
Yes, Jackson. I'm defying your request.
"What? No!"
"There's no stopping the truth, because it's capable of anything."
"Do what you want. After all, I am responsible."
"Responsible for what--? Just tell me what's in the note, please!"
"Let's just get this out if the way, okay?" I slowly take his gun.
"What's all this fuss about, tell me?"
And I sighed in a long sigh, "You're adopted." My heart pounded.
"I'm...what?" His nose flared and his voice trembled as if he was about to cry.
"Listen, bro, it's actually not that ba--" Jackson calmly said. But not until Hunter pushes him back with great force and storming out of the room.
I ran through the door, chasing after my supposed brother.
"What's all the door-slamming about?" Patrick asked.
"I gotta go get him," I said.
As we made our way to the elevators, Hunter seemingly pushed the button a trillion times but the doors haven't yet opened. I chained myself to his arms from behind. He flailed around loosely like a badger trying to escape from a sack. This kid is too strong for his age--is he really a twelve year-old kid? Really.
"Hunter, stop! I know this is hard for you but..."
The back of his head flung back, squishing my nose flat.
"Now you know how it feels," he blustered. "Jerk!"
"I'm not a jerk, I'm your brother!"
Then his leg twists around my shin and he dives back, sending both of us down immediately.
"I'm not calling you that, forget it!"
He headbutts me again and ran towards the elevator that just opened. Before the doors closed, I had the chance to get back up and ignore the never-ending migraine he caused me and jump right in.
"You're never gonna stop, aren't you?"
"No, I won't."
"Is there even a point to this?!"
"Yes there is, brother."
"Stop it!" He pushed the first floor button. "I am not your brother. I'm adopted, right? So I guess there's no answer to whom I'm related to." He sniffles. Here come the tears you'd never expect to flow out.
I waited for the elevator's ding, so that he could have a little air. Poor kid, he's too young for this kind of stuff, no matter how snooty he can get.
He stomps out of the building, still bawling. Both snot and blood dripped from his nose. I followed, of course.
"Leave me alone!" I ignored.
"Stop following me!" Still ignored.
In one simple quick turn, he throws something sharp, which I didn't dodge but instead phased. He snarls in frustration. I block his way through making the forcefield glass. His head ricochets from the barrier, he flushed in anger.
"Would you stop?! I don't need you, anybody!"
I grab him by the shoulders, no regrets, and pulled him up to my chest. Is this for real? I am hugging a delinquent. Never thought that would actually happen.
"There, there," I whisper.
"I said stop!" He pushes me away.
I still had the doubt that he would accept me as a brother. But why did I accept too fast? Because he's the only memory I have of dad?
"I'm not coming with you--I can't believe I escaped that island for nothing," he growled.
Can't stop this feeling; it's like I'm capable of doing it but one half tells you not to but the other prohibits you from doing it.
He departs from me, and with no uncertainty, I zap his neck in one single touch on the vein.
"You're coming with us wether you like it or not. After all, we are family."