Between The Light & Dark

Part of a Machine

Chapter Five

Belle's POV

Li told us what Jade was planning as soon as she left, but she insisted we do nothing to stop her. I obviously disagree full heartedly.

So, now it's 10:37 PM and I'm sitting by the front door, waiting for Jade get back. I'm squished into the corner of the couch, with Dan sprawled out across my lap. He passed out about thirty minutes ago, and I can no longer feel my legs, but he looks so peaceful. He's been so stressed out lately, I've gotten used to seeing him wear a furrowed brow, but that disappears when he sleeps.

I think about how carefree he was a year ago. Always grinning and teasing me, but things were very different a year ago.

Worrying about Jade has become a full time job. Between that, and training, Dan and I are awake almost 19 hours every day. We take turns, of course, so some days I might get a full six hours of sleep, but I'm just a restless wreck when I do. Even when things seem to be going well...

The doorknob turns and I jolt forward, pushing Dan off my lap. He wakes up just as he hits the wood floor.

In walks Shadow, cool, calm, collected, and alone.

"Where is she?" I ask through gritted teeth.

He flashes me a taunting smile as he unbuttons his pea coat, "Did I miss curfew?"

"Where. Is. Jade." Every ounce of me wants to slam his head into the fortified front door, but I know that will not help the situation. It sure would feel good, though.

"Jade? Why, last time I saw her she was a bit, uh, preoccupied." His black eyes glisten with amusement, but Dan's had enough.

"What did you do? What the fuck did you do to her?" In less than a second, Dan is towering over Shadow, backing him up against the wall. He's very careful not to lay a hand on him, per Xavier's request, but Dan has gotten very good at intimidation. He's had to use it on Jade a few times.

"I did nothing but help." Shadow's expression darkens, but the smirk does not leave his lips. "Now, if she got into trouble after I left, that is not my fault."

"After? Why did you..." I have to stop myself from asking a question with an obvious answer. He left Jade because he does not care about her. He doesn't care about anyone but himself. "What was she doing when you left?"

"Hmmm..." He taps a single finger against his chin before closing his eyes and pointing the same finger at me. "I believe she was getting her ass handed to her by a handful of special agents."

Dan's intimidating persona falters as he looks back at me. We're both thinking it. That doesn't sound like Jade.

"I was afraid this would happen..." A soothing voice speaks up from the staircase.

Li's standing halfway on the stairs, wearing her favorite pajama shorts with yellow chicks and a cotton purple shirt.

The smirk on Shadow's face disappears when he sees her, as if he's suddenly lost the upper hand.

"Earlier, Jade and I were meditating, and I noticed she didn't have a complete handle on her mutation. Jade's abilities are amplified by extreme emotion, which I'm sure Shadow is aware of since making her upset has been his main goal since he got here, and meditating seemed to have the opposite effect."

"Li, I dropped out of high school, you're gonna have to explain that." Dan adds as he returns his attention to where Shadow is standing.

"Jade suppressed her strong emotions, diminishing her fighting and tracking capabilities, as a way to keep herself from acting from the opposite end of the spectrum."