The Truth

Chapter 13

-Jack-

     We've been walking for at least three hours, but we've made a lot of progress. At first, the buildings thinned, and then we were walking on the side of a road that stretches through flat fields of nothing. 

     "I'm so hungry. I'm so tired." Cindy complains and I sigh. She's only been walking for about an hour since I continued carrying her for awhile. There is no way she's as tired as Blake and I but I don't say that. Instead, I nod.

     "Me too, I'm exhausted." Blake agrees and we stop for a moment. "We can try to find some food." He says and seconds after the words were out of his mouth, a small diner appears a few yards away.

     "That's weird..." I say suspiciously, but Blake and Cindy aren't listening. They run for it. and I slowly walk, feeling nervous. Things that pop out of nowhere when you need them tend to be dangerous. We walk in and a little bell in the back goes off. It looks old fashioned, and just plain old. The seats are worn and the tables are broken, but the smell of food is overwhelming and we sit down in a booth. There isn't anyone else here, but food is still being cooked. I grip the table, sure this is a trap of some sort. 

     A waitress comes from the back, wearing a pink dress and a black apron. She looks to be in her early twenties and when she smiles at us, she looks exhausted. 

     "My name is Kathy, I'll be your waitress today. Here are your menus, let me know when you're ready." She hands us the menus and leaves. 

     "Cindy..." I say and she smiles at me. "I...I um...I don't know how to read." I can feel heat flood my face at my embarrassment, but she just nods understandingly. Blake, however, bursts out laughing. I bury my face in my hands as he cracks up. When I look up, he has tears in his eyes.

     "Blake, be nice." Cindy scolds and reads me the menu. 

     After we get our food, Blake and Cindy talk while I eat. I stare out the window, trying not to let any emotions or memories get to me. Cindy's sitting next to me and casually places her hand on top of mine on the bench. I stop breathing and I'm suddenly aware of everything around me. My heart picks up and I force back a smile. I flip my hand over and she intertwines her fingers with mine. She smiles and plays it off like she's smiling at something Blake says. I've touched girls before, but none of them interested me in anyway. Cindy is different; something about her pulls me towards her, and she makes me feel like all the bad things in my life aren't might not be my fault. Maybe.

    The waitress comes and hands us the check. Blake slips his credit card into the pocket and asks Cindy to come sit with him. I let go of her hand reluctantly, and when Blake puts his arm around her, I realize how wrong it was of me to do that. She's in a freaking relationship, Jack. I chastise myself.

     After about thirty minutes, the waitress still hasn't returned. Blake begins to trash talk her and after another half hour, we get up and just throw some cash on the table. 

     "That wasted so much time." Cindy whines and I agree. We could be closer to the hotel if we hadn't had to wait. I find myself very excited to sleep in a hotel. I've never been in one before and it sounds amazing.  

     We walk to the door and Cindy attempts to open it but it stays put.

     "We're locked in." she says and immediately the three of us run to the exits, pushing, pulling and pounding on all the doors. I pick up a chair and hurl it at the window but it just bounces off. Fear grips me tightly and I fight to control my breathing. The feeling of being locked up with no way out is all too familiar to me.

     "What do we do?" Cindy asks me. 

     "Isn't Blake in charge?" I protest.

     "Well you're always Mr. Smart Ass." he smirks and I stop and think. The waitress. 

     I run into the kitchen and there on the counter is a note for us along with a backpack.

Blake, Jack, and Cindy,

You've come so far already. I didn't expect to see you all get this far, especially with those expertly placed explosives. I promise you'll get out of the diner, if Jack can figure it out. In this backpack are all the supplies you could need to survive on the streets, although I doubt Jack needs any of it. The train is a bad idea, but if that's the way you go, I'm warning you that staying together is vital.  You don't know me, and it'll be a long time before either of you sees me, but I guarantee that we will meet one day and hopefully be good friends. I am a seer, so I can see everything that's going to happen, but of course it's against the rules to share. However, I can give you some information that might be helpful for you.

  Cindy, you are searching for your brother, but don't forget the original goal in your mission. Defeating Zarathos is always your number one priority, no matter what. I promise you'll see your brother again, but not in the way you may think. Also, don't underestimate yourself. Yes, you do need to stick with Blake and Jack, but don't forget how incredibly powerful you are. Don't rely on someone else to protect you because one day, you're going to be on your own. Remember that nothing can stop love, not even death.

  Blake, your problems with your father will never be resolved, though I think you knew that a long time ago. I promise, however, that things will turn out okay. Don't forget who truly cares about you. I hope you make the right decision when it comes down to it, and I hope you know that the right choice is often the hardest to make. You're strong, but don't let arrogance get in the way of your better judgment. Jack is much smarter than you when it comes to danger and getting out of tough situations, so listen to him. Everyone has their own battle that they're fighting, and you should never judge someone because you never know what they've gone through.

  And my sweet Jack. You have blossomed into a gorgeous young man, and I'm so proud of who you've come. Your time with your parents was hard, and it's not over yet. Many more hardships await you, more than any of the others, but I'll be looking after you. Don't ever break your promise of never giving up. If you think you know pain, you don't know anything yet. Nothing is more painful than the pain of loss. Don't let yourself be taken advantage of; stick up for yourself and show people what you're truly worth. Things will get much worse before they get better, but you can handle it. Don't despair, and know that there is someone out there that loves you. If I could take all your pain away, I'd do it in a snap. 

   You three are all truly amazing, and I can't wait until the day we meet. Until then, stick together, make good choices, and never give up. I love you all.