A Dreamer Caught In The Crossfire

Chapter 13

Jasmine had her window rolled all the way down as she watched the scenery zoom past, the breeze blowing her hair in all directions. They had driven a great distance from the bumpy dirt road that went to the compound and now they were smooth sailing on the tarred road. Eluard had decided that they were going to take the longer route through the mountains just to make the journey into town a bit more interesting. They drove in comfortable silence the whole time until Eluard spoke up.

"I've noticed something unique about you," he said.

"Do tell," said Jasmine as she turned away from the sight outside her window to face him.

"No matter where we go or whatever we're doing, you always find a way to zone out. And it's not like you only do it once. In the space of thirty minutes, I see you stare into the distance and put on this cute, expressionless face at least a dozen times."

"I'm not cute! I'm your worst nightmare," stated Jasmine with mock seriousness.

"You're adorable," stated Eluard, turning his face away from the road to smile at her for a moment.

Jasmine punched his shoulder playfully.

"No need to get violent!" chuckled Eluard.

Jasmine rolled her eyes.

"Oh shut up and eyes on the road."

"Yes ma'am. I see Brooke's demeanor is rubbing off on you. Sometimes I really wonder how a gummy bear with balloon hands like you could have caused that much carnage."

"Did you just call me a gummy bear with balloon hands?" asked Jasmine.

"What if I did?" smirked Eluard.

"Real funny. We'll see who'll be laughing after this gummy bear gets her balloon hands on your toffee stash."

Jasmine almost burst out laughing when she saw the color physically drain out of his face.

"You're kidding right? Please tell me you're joking 'cause I-"

"I'm just kidding! You can relax now gumdrop. I'm not that sadistic."

Eluard internally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hey Eluard?"

"Yeah?"

"You seem to know most of my backstory, but I don't know any of yours," she stated.

"I guess it's only fair that I tell you mine then," he said, his grip on the steering wheel tightening slightly.

"It is," replied Jasmine as she took her feet off the dash.

"Okay. Once upon a time there was a little seven year old boy living with his parents and older sister. Life was good, at least until the "bad men" entered town and wrecked everything. He was alone for a while until he met this really crazy lady who did magic-"

"Is the really crazy lady Winifred by any chance?" interrupted Jasmine.

"Yes, but shut up and let me finish! So he met this crazy lady who took him in. The crazy lady was really nice and fun to hang out with and over time she became like family to him," his voice cracked a little as he turned down the road that lead into the city. He paused to get himself together and continued.

"For a couple of years, this boy lived with the crazy lady until she decided that he should put his talents to use and help people. So this fourteen year old boy joined the military to try save other people from the bad men. The boy grew up to become me. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing," laughed Eluard dryly.