Until We Fly: The Guardian Legacy

Chapter 34: Home

-James-

"I'm coming too!"

"No James, you're not! And I'm not giving you a choice."
Jake snapped.

"You can't stop me! Static, tell him he can't stop me!"

"Jake, just let him come. He won't do any harm."

Static put a hand on his shoulder but he didn't seem to be listening.

His expression suggested he was over thinking something again, like he always does.

"...Static...can I meet you outside?"
He finally spoke.

"Uh, sure? Why?"

"I just need a word with James. We shouldn't be more than a few minutes."

"...okay..."
Static mumbled, giving me a slightly concerned glance before heading outside with Blank.

Jake sighed, rubbing the back of his neck and pacing a little.

"James, you're...you're gonna need this."
He muttered, pulling out the small cube Kaîleika had given me.

I took it from his hands.
"...why do you have this?"

"I found it in your room. Just tossed in the drawer. You weren't keeping it safe."

"Do you know what it does? Why did she give us these?"
I asked, examining it carefully in the palm of my hand.

"No..." He looked away, almost with guilt, "not yet. I feel like this is something we have to figure out on our own."

"No, that's dumb. We can figure it out together.""
I frowned, getting agitated as I shoved the cube into my pocket.

"I'm sorry. But...I know you'll use it at that right time."
Jake hadn't looked me in the eyes once.

"Jake, are you okay? You seem off..."

He took a deep breath before turning to face me.

"James..." He whispered, closing the gap between us with one smooth step, "...I'm... I'm sorry..."

Before I could question it, he pushed me back with all his force, knocking me off my feet.

Behind me was a portal, immediately teleporting me somewhere else.

Jake, you idiot...
What have you done?

*****

My eyes shot open.

...No...

There was no way...

The sight of my old bedroom lay before me, like a memory I had pushed away.

Why?
Why did he do that?

"Why the hell did he do that?!"
I yelled, punching my wall.

Suddenly, a voice called up along with heavy footsteps clambering the stairs.

My door flung open and there was Paul, staring, panting.

We both stared in silence.

Of course.

I can't believe it...
I'd...abandoned him...

Just after Natalie had...

Just when he must have needed me most...

What kind of person am I?

"...James?"

What's been wrong with me?
Pushing everyone away, putting my own needs before theirs.