All Grown Up (Sequel To WDE)

9.

Zeus' Pov

I woke up in a trunk, cramped. I had tape over my mouth. I try to scream but they come out muffled.

"The boy is up," a guy says.

"Ah, he should hope his daddy saves his sorry carcass."

I raise an eyebrow. My dad? Ares is not the man he once was. I used to listen to him talk about his combat days but now ... I don't expect him to be the same person.

"Can't we just leave him alone? What if his father doesn't show up?" Another guy says.

"You know we'll kill him and everyone he loves. And we'll make his dad watch."

I screamed. As much as I hate my family, I don't want them to die. I miss Jayla and my friends. I feel the car slow down and the doors open.

Someone opens the trunk. "Hi, I don't have long. Here's some food and a phone. Don't call the police. I have a portable charger for you. I'm going to untie you." The person unties my arms and takes my tape off.

I hold in my scream. "Who are you?"

He smiles. "I'm Adam."

"I'm -"

"Zeus. I know," he sighs. "Look, my brothers, Aamir and Abraham are coming. They don't know I'm checking on you."

I nod and he shuts the trunk.

I lay back down. I grab the phone and text Jayla.

Hey ... I'm sorry about what happened - Zeus.

It's fine :) - Jayla.

I was an asshole ... I just didn't want you to see that side of me or come to that lame party - Zeus.

Lol silly , why wouldn't I? - Jayla.

Lol nvm. - Zeus.

Okay. Where have u been? Everyone's worried about u - Jayla.

Yeah right.

Just clearing my head - Zeus.

Mhm. You can talk to me. - Jayla.

Really? - Zeus.

Yeah , we're really close friends - Jayla.

I think.

What if I wanted to be more than friends? - Zeus.

...
...
...

I have a boyfriend, Zeus. He goes to another school . I'm sorry . We can still be friends. You're really sweet. - Jayla.

I give up and text my dad.

Dad? - Zeus.

Zeus, where are you? - Ares.

I don't know. They're taking me somewhere. I'll send you my location and other info - Zeus.

I send my location.

Dad? - Zeus.

I love you too Zeus. - Ares.

I wipe some tears. I turn over and feel an envelope poking me. I shine the phone's flashlight at it.

To Zeus from Ajax.

I open it and read it.

Listen, I know we aren't on the best terms. I know you think no one loves you. That dad doesn't care about you. The trust is , you're the most loved person in this family. I know you distanced yourself because of us, but we love you, man. I love you. I'm so grateful you saved me and my sister. In more ways than you'll ever know. I want you to know that I only bother you because I want to learn how to me more like you. You're a better hero to me than Superman or Iron Man or Batman or anyone. You're Zeus, god of all gods. I know you're super into superheroes and I want you to be happy. I know you like to travel, and if you'll have me .. I want to go with my favorite hero to his fortress of solitude.
Love, Ajax

Enclosed are two tickets to Comic Con, a big deal  in comics, fantasy, gaming, etc. It had a picture of Stan Lee , signed with "We'll meet one of your heroes together".

I tear up. I've been a dick to everybody and pushing them away. I know they love me so much.

When I was about 8, I saw a group of boys picking on Amber and her thick hair. They dragged her by it and tried to cut it with safety scissors. They spat on her while she cried. It was her first day of kindergarten.

Ajax was too small , especially for his age, to stand up to them. I marched over to the group.

"Stop!" Amber screamed.

The boys kicked her.

"Why should we, lightskin?" A boy by the name Jason said.

"Yeah, you're so ugly!" A boy named Dennis said.

The only white racist boy in a group of black kids (I can't explain how that worked) named Teddy said, "You're stupid, fat, ugly and black!" I guess he jumped in.

Ajax trembled in the corner. He hid behind a tree, looking at me. I knew he was too afraid to say something. He was always short on his physical development so I didn't judge.

"Leave her alone!" I said. The boys jumped. Since I was older they feared me.

Jason stepped forward. "Why should we?"

"Because she's my sister and I'll break your nose."

He ran at me with the scissors and I punched him in the nose. I think he cut me with the blades but at the time I didn't know whose blood was whose. I kicked the other boys asses. They left and I helped Amber sit. Ajax ran to us.

I wiped Amber's tears and offered to walk them home and stop to get ice cream. I love them both. Ajax hugged me and picked up Amber's lost hair. I sighed and promised to protect them forever.

Little did I know I had to mean it.

When the twins were 8, we went to a movie. Ajax left to go to the bathroom by himself. He took forever, so I went to check on him.

"Aj?"

No answer.

"Ajax?"

I heard sniffles come from the bathroom stall. I knew if had to pee he wouldn't need a stall. I saw grown legs and his little ones on the toilet.

I broke the door and saw a man molesting Ajax. I should have known when they left at the same time. Ajax was already having growth issues with being nearly mute along with dyslexia. He didn't deserve to be molested.

I was tall for twelve. I pushed the man and kicked him, throwing him off my brother. Ajax started crying. The security came and took the man away. Ajax held on to me. "My hero...Superman..."

He looked at me ... He looked up to me ... He treated me like I treated my dad when we first met. I didn't want to get too attached because I knew , in the end , even with my help , he would have to get through that alone.

I hold the tickets and cry.

Adonis took care of me many times. I remember when I was seven and I fell off my bike coming down a hill. I scraped my knee badly and she tended to it. She kissed it , then took me out for pizza. She was the mother I could only imagine. She doesn't get enough credit for that. I pushed them away because I didn't want them to need me. I didn't want them to need me as much I needed my mother.