Black Tattoo

Trained Mercenaries

I know I can never leave him again, I know that training makes me happy but the moment I saw my brother I realized I was never truly happy without him.

He is now sleeping in the back seats of the jeep and looks peaceful.

We told Ms. Hart that he would be staying with me for now, she was happy that we found him.

Once at the house I let my brother sleep in my bed, being careful to hide all my weapons. Leaving my room, Sokaku is standing a couple of feet from me, he has a questioning look.

"Your brother should not be staying here, he should be asleep in his bed at the women's house! You said you didn't want him to know about this." He says signaling the house with his hands.

"I can't just leave him there after I finally get to see him again." I don't see what is bothering him so much, my brother is just going to stay for a while. Right?

"Do you plan on telling him what you've been doing the past 3 years?" He asks crossing his arms over his chest.

I don't know what to say, do I want to tell him? 

"We are leaving once you talk to him." He doesn't ask. And I don't answer, I didn't have an answer.

I hear movement behind me and turn to look. It was Michael. He takes off running and leaves the house in a hurry heading for the gate. I follow him.

"Mich wait! Let me expl-." I quickly say the moment I step out of the house.

"There's nothing to explain! You're leaving again, you're going to disappear again and I won't know if you're alive or not!" He starts walking on the sidewalk. Tears in his eyes. "You know what, I actually let myself believe that maybe... just maybe you would stay and I wouldn't have to live in that house anymore!" Tears are streaming down his face, I can't stand seeing him like that.

It surprised me that he said does words as if they were poisoned.

"Has something happened? I thought John was you're friend?" I grab his wrist and make him look at me but his eyes are elsewhere.

"It's nothing, let me go. We both know you don't care about me!" He tries to get free and I let go of his wrist. He turns around and cleans his face which is now soaked.

It hurt me, that he would think of me like that. But what scares me the most is he getting hurt in that house. But it hard to believe, because they have been taking care of him for years.

"You think that I don't care about you...I guess, that's my fault I haven't been here much. And because of that I want you to know that I am so, so sorry." My eyes start to get watery. My voice is full of sadness. "You don't have to forgive me I am not asking you that." I continue saying. He turns to look at me and he sees me crying. I grab his shoulders. "But if anybody has hurt you! I will kill them!" My sadness turns into anger instantly.

He looks at me as if he is seeing me in a new light. After I moment he says. "But if I say anything they will hurt you." How ironic, I am trying to protect him and he is protecting me.

"Trust me I won't let them." I wipe away the tears. I am angry and you can see it in my eyes. Even in the air around me you can sense it.

"They yell and sometimes hit me if I do something wrong. The only thing that stops them from really hurting me is the money they get from you every month." He takes a big breath. "That's not all. I sleep in the attic and barely get food to eat, my bed is just a pillow and a blanket on the floor. I get picked on by the whole family. They clearly don't want me there and I don't want to be there." He shudderes just thinking about it.