Fracted (Book #2)

Chapter 50: Message

I squeeze through Patrick and Jason and pulled myself closer to the seats infront of me.
"Jackson, wait," I said. "I'm getting out."
"What, why?"
I don't know why, but even though he threatened to steal my powers, I just wanted to see him see me.
"I just have to."
"You're not going anywhere," he said.
"Oh yes, I am," I insisted.
I ran through the car door, not even caring about what the people outside might see. I bolted straight to Henry, who had his hands in his pockets and looking around cluelessly. For once he looked innocent and harmless, unlike those times where he made fun of me and started punching me. "Just for fun," he said. But was that fun for me?
Eventually, I stopped running once I got to the sidewalk. I just let him drift away. I sighed in frustration.
The vehicles behind Jackson's rental car started honking. I could see Jackson's gloomy face staring at mine. He shook his head and clenched the steering wheel, his knuckles turning extra white.
"What the heck was that?" Jason asked. "I thought you were gonna leave us just like that."
"It's...it was nothing," I said.
"Oh I'm pretty sure it's something," Patrick pushed.
"What was it, Jess? It's not about Henry, right? You were just imagining things, right?"
Right. Right.
I'm just being paranoid. But I can't stop the feeling of approaching him but not saying anything to him. I guess I just want to tell him that everything is okay, and that our family's gonna be fixed. Or will it?

I hardy touched the breakfast sandwich, even though it's the most decent food I've ever gotten. Alligator meat wasn't actually that good if you come to think of it. My stomach calls for nothing, but soon it will. This might be unhealthy, but it is satisfying.
"Jess, are you gonna eat that?" Patrick asked.
"Later," I answered blankly.
"You're anorexic then," Jason added.
"No."
"Jess, you have to eat," Jackson insisted convincingly. "Or else, if we're attacked, you'd have no energy."
I take the soggy sandwich from the bag and unwrapped the paper and start munching on it.
"How did you do that?" Patrick asked Jackson. "He just obeyed you in a single command."
"It's the connection we have that's why," he said.
Now that he said it out loud, I've felt the connection even more. Like the chain of our friendship was more than just a chain. Because it was.
"Wish I was able to do that with my dog," Patrick said. "But good thing he knows exactly where he's supposed to go when there's emergency: my cousin's house."
"Your dog's pretty smart."
"Yeah, I know."
We drove around New York, and still no 'Missing Child' flyers. Apparently, there's way too much 'Lost Dog' flyers in Manhattan.
Eventually, we ran out of gas. I guess we were so caught up on helping Hunter that we forgot to help ourselves first.
"What now?!" Jason furiously kicks the car door shut when the six of us got out. "We're stranded."
"Yeah but, at least we're in New York. I mean, who wouldn't wanna go to New York?" Clare positively implements.
"She's right," I said. "Where are we, Central Park?" I ask, looking at the red leaves falling off the tree above us.
A huge fence separated us from the trees that surrounded the park. I think it serves as a cage for the squirrels that like to climb up the trees.
"Before it drifts off my mind," I said to Jackson. "Where are the others? I kind of miss 'em already."
"They're on patrol, all over US. They're still looking for runaway students, but mostly for the last of the Andrés. They all know I'm here in New York, but they don't know the reason why. They only know that I'm on patrol just like them."
"Why didn't you tell them?"
"Because I didn't know until I got the note from dad when I was still on patrol."
"So if we see them again, is it gonna be like a reunion party or are they just gonna get mad at me for leaving?"
"Both, I guess."
I admit, I miss those weirdos.

I swivel around the creaking swing, my elbows dug down my thighs and the heels of my hands pressed against my chin. I wait pointlessly until help comes, so did my friends. Nothing came not unless we moved around. But our environment has mesmerized us.
Patrick swooped up and down next to me, Jackson laid on the pile of maple leaves while looking up at the snow-white sky. Little crystals fall from the sky like dust as the climate got frigid. I hug myself and shivered.
"Maybe we should get back inside the car," I said.
"Shh...can't you see what Jackson's trying to do? Look," Patrick pointed across me, where Hunter drags himself up a maple tree. I'm surprised the branches have not yet been broken. I guess he's taking things lightly all of a sudden.
Clare slid down the steel slide perpendicular to us, trying too hard to not make a sound while Jason ran silently toward Jackson, covered in grass and dirt.
"I don't really get it."
"Well you see, Hunter's in a really calm mood right now so...that's another way to forget something tragic."
"Are we still gonna look for his real parents?" I ask.
"I sure heck wouldn't. I mean, he's just a Zip Benjamin found in some alley, do you really think he matters right now in the midst of our problems?"
"Of course he does. He's my brother," I say in persuading conviction.
"Not legally."
"In my heart, yes. No matter how bratty he can get he's connected with my father--You know, you should shut up, okay? It was partly your fault that he's dead."
Shoot, I'm starting to lose it again.
"Guys, stop." Clare holds my shoulder. "Especially you, Jess. Try your hardest to stop yourself from saying anything that can get you killed--especially by someone that's your teammate."
I rub the back of my neck, looking for the chip-tracker. I walk off the swing set and approached Jackson, who was far more than just laying down and looking up at the sky. He was mouthing words I couldn't decipher.
"Jackson." I tapped his arm with the tip of my shoe.
"Yeah?" He sat up.
"Get this thing out of my head," I demanded.
"Why? What happened? Does it still hurt?"
"Well, I'm the one that's starting to cause pain. Look." He looks at Clare, who was talking to the gloomy Patrick.
"Oh, Jess, what'd you do?"
"I...kind of blamed him for dad's death."
He dropped his head on his palms and sighed.
"Then we need immediate help right before you end up killing a teammate." He rapidly scratches the back of his head with great stress. His manly scent spreads through the cold, frosty air.
The clouds circled above us like a mixed berry ice cream swirl. Trees rustle against each other and the branches snapped loudly, as if an army of people are coming after us. Like the army of Zips would know where we are exactly. The kids playing at the playhouse at the other side of the park's fence ran for their parents, probably panicking. Could it be a storm? A snowstorm? A blizzard? Or is it just a bad day for all of us?
"Stay close to each other," Jackson said.
I held Jackson's arm and shivered. My sparks electrocute his palm out of fear.
"Calm down, Jess. There's just a few of 'em left all around America," he said.
"It's not that. I'm worried he'll take me away from my loved ones."
"He won't. He'll have to go through me first."
I wish his protection would be limitless. No matter what happens, he's sticking with me.
"I--We have a message for you," an eerie voice called out loudly, loud enough for me to know it's André's. "And I have no intention on hurting you--at least not for a few days..."
"What do you want?" I ask.
"It's not what I want, Jess. It's want you want."
"What?" I have a bad feeling this is going to be a deadly cat-and-mouse game.
"Here's the thing: you have exactly five days to turn yourself in. It's your choice. Or else, for each day that you don't turn yourself in, one of your friends' blood will be spilled."
What is wrong with this guy? And what's his deal with his own race of Innates?
"Where should I turn myself in?"
No one I love will die ever again.