Everlasting Family

Sean Green- Chapter 20

Macon, Mississippi- 1954- Sean Green

Chapter 20

When we moved to Mississippi, we decided to avoid the Academy shelter there. They didn't call them shelters these days, they were Academy communities, but Owen and I were old school. Over the last hundred and forty years it had become increasingly easier for us to adjust to the changes in the world. We saw it as a challenge and I think our brothers have too.

Our brothers. Something about our family was still incomplete and we all agreed on that. We love each other like family, like brothers, but there is something missing. We all just KNEW when we met each member that they were supposed to be part of our family, but it has been sixty five years and we are all beginning to think that the members we feel are missing won't ever truly exist.

Today is the day we can officially say we are moved into our new house in Mississippi. We travel light, clothing and mementos, nothing that requires more than a car to carry. We have been working for so many years that money is of no issue anymore. We generally rent fully furnished houses and buy anything else we may need. We are professionals at moving now, so it is always a painless experience for us.

"Let's go out to eat, I don't want to cook," Luke whines, rubbing his stomach.

I nod my head in agreement, plopping down onto the couch next to him. "I saw a diner a few miles away when I went to the store. Maybe there?"

"Very well," the ever proper Owen states, grabbing his wallet and keys off the counter. "Shall we, gentlemen?"

Snorting, I hop back up and grab my wallet as well. "Gentlemen?! Where?!"

I hear Kota and Nathan snickering behind me as Owen glares. "You are not nearly as humorous as you believe yourself to be, Dr. Green."

"Are too!" I yell over my shoulder, making my way down the drive.

Luke pushes me playfully with his shoulder and laughs when I push him back. "You are a violent brat, who taught you such things?!" I ask, pretending to be offended.

"I believe that was you, doc," Silas chuckles, pulling then end of Luke's chin length hair. "You have always allowed him to be a rugrat."

Luke pulls away from Silas and mock-glares at him. "I am not a rugrat! You take that back!"

"You'll have to catch me first," Silas eggs on, taking off in a sprint with Luke hot on his heels.

When the rest of us catch up to them, they aren't more than two blocks away and they are frozen in place. I chuckle and jog up next to them.

"What's the matter, guys? All the exercise and training we have been doing over the years and you get winded on a quick sprint?" I place my hand on Luke's shoulder when they don't answer. "Guys?"

Following their line of sight, I realize why they froze. A figure lay crumpled and broken in a ditch on the side of the road. My eyes widen and my feet move before I can think.

"North! Go get my bag!" I shout, jumping down into the ditch. "Luke come help me. Silas and Kota go get a room at the house ready. Nathan, go get the car and bring it here so we can transport him easier. Owen, stay up there in case Luke and I need help with him."

No one hesitates to do as I order, they are all moving before I have even finished speaking and I am grateful. When I get closer to the man laying there, I breathe a sigh of relief when I see his chest moving. He is alive, barely. Someone beat the hell out of this guy, then left him for dead.

Luke gets down so he is on the ground with the guy. Some strange expression crosses his face as he looks at the man on the ground. I know that face. This man will be a part of our family, if everyone agrees.

"Hello?" Luke calls, trying to wake the guy.

I'm shocked when his eyes crack open and he lets out a painful cough.

"Fuuuuuucccccckkkkk," he groans, trying to pull in some quick breaths to ease the pain. "Just leave me the fuck alone, let me die like this."

"No way, bro," Luke tells him with a strained smile. "We are going to help you. Let us help, okay?"

"Help? Why the fuck would you wanna help someone like me?" the guy asks through short pants for air.

Luke doesn't answer for a long time and I almost think he isn't going to. Finally, as I hear the car pulling up and Nathan coming over to help, Luke opens his mouth and replies to the guy.

"Because that's what we do. We are Academy, and if you'll have us, we will be your family too."

The guys eyes widen for a second as he stares at Luke like he has grown two heads, but to my surprise he nods as if already trusting Luke at his word.

Glancing around, I see all the guys are back from their tasks and they have that same look on their face that Luke had on his. This guy, whoever he is, belongs with us.