UNPROTECTED

Part Five

Connor's POV

"Connor! You passed the test! Congratualtions, son!" Jude patted me on the back, making me grit my teeth in agitation. I hadn't even taken the ruddy thing and I had passed - that didn't even add up. "Those Reformation kickers won't know what's hit 'em when my son goes and kicks their ass'! I have a list of members from one of my spies right here for you, son."

"I didn't do it, Jude. How could I have passed if I didn't even do a single question? Hm? Told you this was rigged." He scowled at me in bitter disgust.

"Son, you are working with me, whether you like it or not and-Marcus? GET OUT OF MY HOUSE! You have no right to be here; GET OUT, I SAY!" Marcus smirked and turned to leave, giving me the 'I told you so' look. Earlier, after the girls had gone, we had discussed the fact of him coming home - he had said that it was too risky and that he'd be chucked out anyway.

"Father! He is your son! My brother! Our family! And you're just going to discard him in the streets?! Brilliant fatherhood right there." I scowled at him, making sure he knew how I felt.

"He chose trees instead of us! He chose trees instead of inco- family!" I could have sworn he was going to say 'income' and I believed he was absolutely capable.

"I'm just gonna...." Marcus swivelled round and began walking towards the door whenever I grabbed his arm, gripping it tightly in my arm. He stopped in his tracks, death staring me. "You're hurting me." I smiled.

"I don't care. You are staying here. You decided to help the people and give to them instead of hurting them and taking things away. You gave them oxygen whilst our loving father takes those peoples well-earned money in return for synthetic oxygen which was once free. You're not the one who should be leaving." Turning round to glare at out Dad, I couldn't help but feel good and as though a huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders.

"No. You're not the one who should be leaving." I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion at what Jude, my Dad, had just said. "You both should - before I hear any more arguments, you are to go and spend this money in the arcade so I can think and take in what you have just told me. Shoo!" Showing us away and filling our hands with money, I felt as though he was finally changing, as though he was becoming a good man.

But, impressions aren't always correct.