Mute
Everyone knows I’m quiet. People call me Mute. Some people think I actually am mute. I don’t mind that. But the hardest thing about being quiet is when you talk for once, everyone stares at you shocked. They look at you like you’re some alien. It makes me uncomfortable. But sometimes, I need to open my mouth and speak. After a while, people will get used to my talking. And now I know I have to go beyond just sharing my opinion once in a while. Nick and Joe need our help. It’s beyond obvious they want to stop fighting us. And maybe even join us. But someone has to talk to them. And they need to listen. I’ve decided that I’m going to talk to them. I need them to know they don’t have to do this anymore. So one day, right after Le Café closes, I slip out the back door, transform (just in case) and fly over to the warehouse.
It’s a nice cool night. It’s not humid but it’s not freezing. It’s good weather for early April. And it’s not raining which is always much appreciated in April. I glide through the night sky, my bat wings slicing the air. I’m soaring, flying faster and faster. I don’t even need to flap my wings. My momentum along with the evening’s breeze is enough to carry me for a little while. I finally stop and land in front of the warehouse. I’m tempted to fly in the window so they don’t see me coming. But I remind myself that if I’m going to have a non-violent talk with them, I need to enter peacefully. I open the warehouse door and step inside. My hands are shaking. I know they can’t possibly know I’m coming but if they do somehow they could be waiting for me with a gun. I shudder and open the door the rest of the way. I don’t make a sound so Nick and Joe don’t even look up.
I’ve never seen them look so little and lost. They’re sitting on the floor with their legs crossed. They look like two little specks on the massive wood floor of the warehouse. They look pretty beat up. Bruises, cuts and little scratches cover them from head to toe. Their clothes are torn and stained with blood. I clear my throat and they look up, startled. Nick jumps to his feet quickly while Joe stumbles trying to get up. Nick finally just yanks him up. “What do you want?” Joe demands yanking out his gun and pointing it at me. “Don’t shoot!” I cry. “I just want to talk.” Joe lowers his gun. “About what?” he asks. “We’re not going to join Super Six if that’s what you want.” Nick adds angrily. “N-no. Well . . . not exactly.” I stutter. “What do you mean ‘not exactly’?” Joe asks narrowing his eyes. “You don’t have to join Super Six but . . . I was kind of hoping . . . maybe you could stop helping Rob and Scotch.” I sound like a little kid trying to persuade his mom to buy a lollipop. “No way!” Nick sputters. “But-” I protest. “Rob and Scotch will kill us!” Joe cries interrupting me. “I know. No! I mean . . . they won’t.” I insist. “I mean . . . they said they’d kill Matt but he’s fine.” I stand taller. “So? He almost died.” Nick reminds me. “Only because of you two.” They both stiffen. Joe shifts from one foot to another.
“Well . . . Rob and Scotch still could kill us either way.” Joe insists nervously. “But I won’t let them. Me and the rest of Super Six won’t let them.” I plead. “So you’ll protect us?” Nick asks curiously and hopefully. I give a strong nod. “We won’t let them hurt you. I promise.” I hold up my hand. Joe bites his lips. “Well . . . maybe we’ll consider it. But don’t get your hopes up. I’m telling you now it’s probably a no.” Nick says firmly. I nod happily. Even if it’s not looking too good, even considering leaving Rob and Scotch might be enough. And I notice Joe doesn’t seem as firm as Nick. He looks like he wants to help us. “Well . . . thanks. It’ll mean a lot to me and the rest of Super Six if you even just consider.” I explain turning to leave. Slowly, I trudge over to the door hoping one of them will stop me and tell me they’ll come with me back to Le Café and never see Rob and Scotch again.
“Wait!” Joe calls out. I smile and turn around. “Uh . . . you don’t need to walk back to Le Café. I’ll teleport you.” Joe offers. I hesitate. Do I trust him enough to just blindly follow him and hope he takes me where I want to go? I finally decide trust is what we really need most now. “Okay.” I agree. He walks over to me and opens a portal. He walks in and I follow. Next thing I know we’re behind Le Café. It’s pretty dark. I might not even see Joe if it wasn’t for his red glow. “Sorry about Nick. He can be a little . . . well . . . gruff.” Joe informs me. I nod knowingly. “And we really will consider it. I mean . . . I hate working for Rob and Scotch and I think it’d be better for all of us if we just quit.” He adds. He’s preaching to the choir now. “Yeah.” I look at the door wondering if anyone besides B.B is still here. “I gotta go. But trust me. I’ll talk to Nick and we may very well stop this fighting.” He finishes. He teleports away and I stand alone in the dark for a minute. “I trust you.” I say even though he can’t hear me.
