Oxygen

Chapter 9 - The plan

I feel like I'm getting ready for the hunger games. I put on my black jeans, grey hoodie and brown combat boots for the day. I have packed countless amounts of clothes, but Jordan says I won't be able to use any of it anyway.

I've told my Mum that I'm going on a school trip for a bit then staying at a friend's, and I don't know when I'll be back. This is going to kill her.

I carry my bag down the stairs, grunting at the heavy weight of it. Jordans car sits isolated on the side of the road, with him waiting next to it.

This is it. I spent as much time as I could with Evelyn this week, I went to the mall with her and stayed at her house a couple of nights, but that's not going to make up for me just disappearing.

I manage to lock the door, my bag hanging over my shoulder. This may be the last time for a while I see this place. A tear falls down my cheek as I head away from my home.

Jordan meets me half way. "I'll help you with that" he says, taking the bag. I'll probably have to leave it at his place anyway. Jordan turns to me and notices the tear rolling down my face.

"Hey, don't cry" he says, in a whisper. "I know this is hard, but it will get better some day soon" he assures me. I nod, and he wraps his arms around my shoulders and gives me a big bear hug. When he pulls away to take the bag, I get in the car. I bring my French braid over my shoulder, and prepare myself for the worst.

•••

When we arrive at Jordan's house we go straight into the room we were in last time. His dad's study, apparently.

His dad has come to help us. Since he spends so much time traveling for his job, he's never home. But now, the Kingsley's are going to help Jordan and I stay safe.

They're a huge family apparently, lots of cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. All of them are older than us, and have their own abilities, except Carol, Jordan's sister.

When we get to the room the large family are all gathered around, waiting for our arrival.

"Everyone, this is Fern" Jordan announces, with multiple emotions showing on his face and in his tone.

"Hi Fern" Jordan's dad, Michael, comes over to greet me first. "Nice to meet you" he says, his voice so loud it fills the room.

The rest of the family line up to meet me. For someone with no family except my Mum, this is pretty overwhelming.

I meet this one woman, Jordan's grandma, who seems to be the only one with no partner. "where's your husband?" I ask, assuming he's not here.

"Oh honey" the old woman says, "My Pete died years ago. It's okay, I've got plenty of family here with me" she says positively, hugging Michael and Cathy in her arms.

After everyone has met me, and asked me a million questions, Cathy and Michael tell us the plan.

"Right" Cathy says, her voice like a Queens, commanding and strong. "At eight o'clock tonight, you are both going to fly to America. There is a nice little area there that you can stay in. It is secluded from people".

Great, no human interaction for weeks. "You have to take two connecting flights, and once you get there you will pickup the rental car and drive to the house I've organised for you".

"Okay" Jordan says. "So where is this house?" He asks, more specifically.

"Oregon" Michael answers. "You will have to buy clothes and things on the way, we've organised a few credit cards under the name Grayson for you to use".

"When will we be coming back?" I ask, interested in the answer. "Once the third stage of the bonding is complete. We need to make sure you have your abilities before you come back, so that the Summer's won't be able to stop the bond. In the time your away, we will send Charlie, Jordan's cousin, to check on you".