The Time We Have Left

Chapter 11: Of Love and Planetary Massacre

(Previous Chapter: "And what did Tyrone mean by, 'if you don't want to lose what's most important to you'?" Matthew asked. I felt a little dizzy all of a sudden. "A better question...." I said, "What's the harm in joining?"

I felt all of them stare at me, concerned. They didn't want me to join, but I couldn't lose Hope. Why was she so important to me? I shouldn't have ever come here. The bus pulled up, and we all went back home. No one spoke, and everyone drowned in their own concerning thoughts. Why did I even bother leaving? This wasn't up for discussion. I needed to join.

-

Everyone went their separate ways, and I met my foster mother at the dining room table at the house.

"I need to talk to you." I told her, seriously.)

Chapter 11: Of Love and Planetary Massacre 

"And I am Catastrophically in love with you." - Cassandra Clare, Clockward Princess

She sat at the kitchen table. "Like I care," she said and took a sip from a mug. I slammed my palms on the wooden table, frustrated. My sudden outburst scared her. She set the mug down and glared at me, angrily. "What is wrong with you, child?!" She yelled at me.

"I know who you are, and I know now why you don't let me talk about what I can see. I'm a reminder of when your sister, my mother, was killed - so you run away from the reality of who I am and what I can see. But I need answers - why did you make me feel the same way everyone else made me feel all my life?!" I asked, anxious to at least get through to her. 

She eyed me suspiciously. "Where did you go?" She asked. I sat down parallel to her at the kitchen table and composed myself. "When I was at the hospital, I met someone who said they were my grandfather. He told me things." I explained. She huffed angrily, "So you spoke to Tyrone." She said, "My father." I nodded. "and I really need answers." I said, trying to seem serious, but it came out more like a beg or a plead.

She humphed and took another sip. "Aidan, you and I are one in the same. I can see the things you do, too, I didn't want you to talk about this curse because your mother never wanted you to have this. She died trying to get you away from it. So, I will probably forever unconsciously blame you for her death." She said, bluntly. I couldn't get angry, I blamed myself as well. I played with my fingers and looked down. "Then why did you adopt me?" I asked.

She let out a heavy sigh, "Your mother asked me the night before. It meant everything to her, and it was her dying wish. Or at least, that's how I took it. I couldn't say no. But don't get me wrong, I completely regret your birth, but I never wanted you to meet my father." She said. I creased my forehead. "But why?" I asked. She huffed, "Because he'll try to make you participate in your role at Cerberus. I know you must already know about it. That old man isn't one to procrastinate the things he's desperate about." She said. I nodded. "I do. And he already asked... well, he threatened someone if I didn't participate." I told her.

She squinted, "So? Are you getting soft, now?" She pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and put it in her mouth. "Aidan, lemme ask you somethin. Are you in love?" She asked, bluntly. My cheeks grew hot immediately and I instantly thought of Hope, and how much I cared about her. I scratched my head, "I don't know." I said.

She humphed, "So, you are. Now lemme ask you another question - do you love this person more than the world? Now, before you answer that... I should make this clear, I ain't askin because I want to know how much you love this person. I'm asking because you should know, if you choose to participate in Cerberus because you're afraid of losing that person, the entire world will be at stake in return. Innocent people all over will die and we will live forever. Do you want that?" She asked.