Infirmitate

NINE | Jacob

The walk back to the Ramsay house was a quiet one. None of the guards spoke and Noa, Daniel and I were far too concerned for Alexa's safety to say anything. Daniel had suggested that we go against Alexa's wishes and stay nearby but a guard quickly shot him down and told him it would be a violation of the white flag agreement.

Once we reached the back yard of the house, the guards went their separate ways and Noa, Daniel and I went inside the back door. As soon as we stepped into the building, shouts could be heard from the sitting room. We all glance at each other cautiously.

At the sound of Stephen's angry shouts, Daniel shrugs the argument off and walks toward the kitchen. Noa shakes his head at me before heading upstairs. It's obviously a family argument and no one seems to want to get involved.

I sigh and walk to the front of the house where the sitting room is. I knock on the open door when the family of four still doesn't notice me after clearing my throat. Thomas' eyes glance towards me but it takes him a moment before he stops the conversation.

"That's enough!" Thomas shouts over the voices of his family. "Father, Stephen and I are old enough to make our own decisions. We are staying here and that is final. I think it would be best if you and Adelaide get home as soon as possible."

The hurt in Mrs. Dupont's eyes don't go unnoticed by her husband. "You may call her Mother, and no, I believe we are right where we are supposed to be." Mr. Dupont turns his nose up at his son.

I decide I should step in before they begin to argue once more. "Actually, Mr. Dupont, you would be much safer if you left today. Alexa is off meeting with the Powered People Protection Force's leader as we speak. Right now, we are under the white flag agreement. Neither side can harm the other. This may be your only chance of escape."

All eyes turn to me at my words. Mr. Dupont's jaw ticks furiously at my truth. I can see in his eyes that he knows I'm right. His eyes fill with either determination or stubbornness, I can't tell.

"I am not leaving my son to be slaughtered in this...this ungodly place." Mr. Dupont flares at me from across the room. I shake my head. Why must businessmen be so stubbornly foolish?

Stephen then glares at Mr. Dupont. "So it's aright if I stay here to 'get slaughtered in this ungodly place'?" Mrs. Dupont shakes her head frantically. "You know he meant the both of you, darling." Stephen shrugs her hand off his arm when she reaches for him.

"No." He growls as he steps closer towards me. "It doesn't matter. This is my home. Alexa is here. I won't leave her." Thomas nods his head in agreement. "We have finally found our purpose, Father. If we must die, then so be it."

Mrs. Dupont wails abruptly at Thomas' words. "I can't lose my babies, not again. Alexandra Ramsay is the one that killed your sister!" As she rushes forward to plead with her son to change his mind, something inside Stephen snaps.

He holds out a hand to hold her from getting closer and shakes his head as if disappointed with a child. "She knew the cost. She chose to fight for the one she loved and she died for it. Alexa didn't kill her, Julia killed herself the moment she sided with that monster."

Mrs. Dupont's face goes pallid. "How can you say such things?" Tears stream down her cheeks. "You used to love her so dearly." She whispers. "What happened to the Stephen I once knew? You are not him."

She breaks eye contact with him and turns to her husband. "Our bags are packed. A carriage is outside waiting. I have lost all of my children." Her voice shakes as she holds her hand out to Mr. Dupont. "I think it's time we go home."

Mr. Dupont takes one last look at his son before taking his wife's hand and leading her out of the room and through the front door.

We stand in shocked silence for what seems like several minutes. Stephen is the first to speak. "Cheer up." He slaps a hand across Thomas' chest. "It got them away, didn't it? They'll be safe now."