The United

Chapter 11

How is this even possible? I thought as I glanced over at Aaron. How is it, that we are going across the country looking for Jayda, and we have powers.... How is this normal? How did it happen to us? Whatever the reason... I'm glad it happened. Because I wouldn't change a thing... I guess this happened for a reason that no one knows but the divine God up above, and he will show us eventually... Is it our destiny to help the gifted children? Or perhaps it is more than that... our little group, our United, we have become almost like parents to them..... Are we destined to be their parents? To adopt the poor orphaned children and raise them in a way that makes them feel the love and care of true parents?

 "I know this is hard for you....." Aaron said softly looking over at me. "You are only 19. And all of these responsibilities are being thrust upon you... I am not doing enough to help you through this." He took my hand in his and smiled slightly, his blue green ocean eyes seemingly glowing.

"What do you mean? You are helping me raise Kaden, and that is one of the only responsibilities I have that I wasn't ready for..." I managed to say, and kept getting lost in my own thoughts.

"How can you say that? You are a leader, a warrior, you fight on the frontlines for you life and save others... You were tortured by an enemy as a prisoner of war...." Aaron looked shocked.

"You fight on the frontlines as I do, and you have for longer... I know you have... And you were forced to fake your own death... That is true responsibility..." I said calmly again and kept walking forward. 

 "You are really strange... You know that right? You have told me before You are weak, and yet, you do so much more than you should be. You are not a parent, and you are raising your brother as a son, you are a leader of a small army of highly unstable supers, and we are crossing the country in search of your sister, who has wings, and will probably keep going... How did you and I end up in this Mar- Shadow.... How did we end up in this crazy insane situation, that we shouldn't be able to handle but we are treating as if it is normal?" Aaron said shaking his head. 

 "We are adaptable? Excepting? We are realists Aaron.... We accept things as they are... powers and orphaned or not..." My tone had icy in it, and I stopped myself before I said more. "I am so sorry.... I shouldn't have said it like that...." I looked at the ground, unable to look Aaron in the eyes. 

"It's okay sweetheart... I can not imagine the pain you were in when you were with your family and this happened... And you saw... I was lucky... I was at college... maybe they are still out there..." Aaron said calmly.

"I guess so... My dad could still be out there too.... Kaden and him were separated, and If he is still alive, maybe he is the first adult super we have found...." I smiled slightly at Aaron, but a sharp pain hit my gut, and I stumbled forward.

Aaron looked shocked, and helped to steady me, and I began to shake. This wasn't like before though. "Jayda..." I muttered sensing something was wrong, before everything went dark. 

                                                                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Jayda!" I woke in a panic, and bolted upright. I had a terrible feeling that something bad was going to happen, and the thought that Jayda was involved made me sick.

"It's okay Maria.... Shadow.... You're safe.... Jayda is fine.... Okay? We are going to find her, I know we will." Aaron walked over to me, and tried to calm me down. 

"How far is the city?" I said nervously, hoping we could get there in time. Aaron had to know if it came down to it, I don't care how much pain it caused me, I would use the void in my realm to save Jayda.

"Not far. If you are okay, we can make it there soon. I see the city in the distance... This use to be a sub division before the plague came through and destroyed everything." Aaron looked around him his eyes shining with pain.

"I-I'm fine...." I said as I got to my feet. I was shaking, and felt weak, but I needed to get to help Jayda.  

"Not so fast. I saw you wince as you stood. You are not okay." Aaron said, and tried to get me to calm down.

"What are you now? A doctor? I'm fine. A little pain never killed anyone." I said and staggered forward.

"Actually... yes... Remember? I went to medical school. Pain kills a lot of people. Please don't push yourself so hard." Aaron said and tried to get me to stop.

"Look, You told me not to use my powers and I haven't, but you can't expect me to slow down and waste time I could use to be looking for Jayda..." I said and continued on my path.

"Maria.... Please..... You need rest. You can't just keep going like this... You need to recover..." Aaron tried to get me to stop, but I kept walking forward. 

Eventually Aaron followed me, and we made our way to the city. I looked at the ground. Blood.... Dark Blood.... This was Jayda's... I was sure of it. I began to feel sick as I traced the trail. I followed it to an alleyway, and walked into a dark house. There was a folded piece of paper on the floor. I opened it, and recognized Jayda's handwriting. 

                To: Shadow and Hot-head

Leave me alone. I don't want you following me, I wish to be alone. I might come back when I feel better. But for now, it's best you head back to the base. Hot-head, i'm sorry that I killed you, but don't call me your sister. You're not my brother. No one is anymore. Shadow, sister, I'm sorry for killing someone so dear to you. But seriously, stop following me. I'm fine, just go back, and maybe one day, I might come back. But don't hold your breath, it'll be a while.

                                                                                                       From: Masteama

                                                                                                               Also, don't feel bad. This is my fault. 

I read the note with trembling hands before I dropped to my knees. I stared at the note as tears welled up in my eyes. I tried to fight the tears, but I couldn't. Aaron walked to me, and placed his arm on my shoulder. He sat down next to me and pulled me close. I buried my head in his chest, and he held me tight, whispering that everything would be okay. Sister.... Please.... Come back to us... I silently begged Jayda, and began to wish I had Kathleen's abilities. I could find her and comfort her from here. I could.... I wish.... I have to stay strong.... Jayda wouldn't want me to be like this.... I have to do what she wanted....

I blinked back the tears that still fell and pulled away from Aaron slightly. He smiled slightly, as if hoping that I could cheer up with a smile. He then wiped the tears that were on my face still away with his hand, as I fought bursting into tears yet again. I felt as though I had lost a part of my heart. And I had. My sister..... How can I go on without your help? I thought sadly, and looked into Aaron's eyes. They mirrored my pain, but his shone with regret. 

"This is all my fault...." Aaron muttered and took the note from me. "You are in pain, Jayda's gone AWOL, and it is my fault...."

"How is this your fault? You didn't cause me to be in pain... You didn't hurt Jayda...." I said with my eyes wide. Tears still fought to fall from my eyes.

"I did in a way..... I called her my sister... I tried to help her when I should have let her be... She pierced me with her darkness....." Aaron muttered and looked at the ground.

"But if that is true....." I said eyes widening, "You wouldn't have survived.... No one can survive....."

"I didn't...." Aaron whispered, and took a sharp breath in.