"When are you from?"
"When?"
Maybe he'd made a mistake. He had to have meant "where". Right?
"Yes, "when" is my question because, in my experience, "when" is not always what you think." His words were followed by a monstrous giggle.
My jaw droppe...
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Jeremiah had called me to some stupid meeting before I could eat my breakfast.
My starvation was making me grumpier than I already was. I hadn't really heard much of what he had to say, but the breakdown was him going on and on about making "tough decisions as a leader".
I suppose that should have been my first clue.
When he mentioned Jake's name, he suddenly had my full attention. I hadn't seen Jake around the place. I figure he was trying to get some sleep before training.
But now, from the way Jeremiah was speaking, I had a sick feeling in my stomach that something was wrong.
"What about Jake?" I asked.
Jeremiah smiled cynically. "I've been making a lot of compromises lately, Miss Creed. When Mr Groove phoned me up asking for Mr Maxwell, I decided to do something to benefit me for a change."
I shot up from my seat. "If you hurt him I swear to God-"
"You'll what? Paint me to death?" Jeremiah taunted. "Besides, I didn't lay a hand on him. I simply told Dante where he might be and what time."
I ran.
Training was about to start, but Jake liked to get there early and set up.
When I reached his usual spot, his weapons bag was on the floor and Shir was in chains. I was fuming with rage.
I'm going to kill the bitch and make Jake watch. Dante's words vibrated in my head.
Oh God.
People were starting to arrive for practice. I ignored there confused looks, pulling at Shir's chains to try and get her lose.
"Let her go!" I yelled.
Jeremiah had finally showed up and was already shaking his head. "You're the one who said the community needs protection. I suspect the lion will do the job sufficiently."
Before I knew it Jeremiah was giving his 'I'm the boss' speech to everyone. I didn't hear a word. All I could think about was what Dante could be doing to Jake at the very moment.
Shir was looking at me with sad eyes, begging me to set her free. I gave her a firm glance back to say that I would help her when the time was right.
Eventually, Malvin and Veera showed up. Malvin intervened and I fell to the ground, explaining what had happened.
Malvin was giving me a sympathetic look but Veera seemed disgusted. Who would have thought that she'd be the one to silently tell me what needed to be done?
Pull yourself together.
It felt like my heart had been ripped out of it's chest, but who would want to follow a leader who couldn't deal with the tough situations? What's that expression?
