G.U.A.R.D. Book #2: Aberrations

-23-

    "He's on his way."

I didn't bother looking up at Jade. She stood over me, hands in the pockets of her jacket. Turns out, she had had an emergency number of Slade's this entire time and decided not to bring it up.

She plopped down on the concrete next to me.

"You asked earlier why I chose the name Jade Gold," she said. I didn't respond. Didn't even look her way. I just continued staring blankly at the wall across from me. "I picked it because all my life, I've felt like no one has ever wanted me. My mom abandoned me, I was isolated from most other agents because G.U.A.R.D. believed they hindered my chance of reaching full potential. Lee... Slade was really the only person who showed any affection for me. You know how that turned out.

"I never belonged in the League, to say the least. So when I left, I thought about what I wanted to be called from then on... I wanted to be named after something that people wanted, coveted. Loved. So I chose Jade Gold."

Though I listened, I didn't answer.

"And..." She sighed, taking out a cereal bar from her jacket pocket. "I'm sorry."

I blinked. "It's not your fault our mom killed her first husband."

"Couldn't agree more." She took another bar from her pocket and waved it at me. "Want this?"

I slowed grasped the object and unwrapped it. I was hungry, but didn't have an appetite. It wasn't a good feeling. Still, I dug my teeth into the sugary snack.

"How can you not know how it happened?"

"I already told you what I know. They left for two days. She came back with no explanation of what happened to Dad. Left within the hour. G.U.A.R.D. found his body soon after." Jade tore off a chunk of her dinner. "Dad never got justice. Guess it pays to have family in high places. They let Jo off without even a warning."

I felt sick. Eager to change the subject, I asked, "So what was the file about?"

"Ask Knife," Jade responded. "She's the one who gave it to Jo."

I froze mid-chew. "That's the thing the League's after, isn't it?"

"So I've heard."

"And it's really that big a deal?" I swallowed.

"You have no idea. It could change the whole world, Lightsaber."

I glanced to her. "Was it worth crossing over two countries, nearly getting killed countless times, and getting burned on your head?" I almost asked if it was worth killing all the people she had, but didn't. She would just get mad if I brought it up. I wondered if killing was in our blood. The thought gave me a shiver.

In answer to my question, Jade slowly brought up her cereal bar and bit into it, chewing with her face in mine. I slid further down the wall, crossing my legs. Seconds passed slowly. They turned into minutes, which in turn turned into hours. Neither of us said a word. Finally, when the street had quieted somewhat, I spotted a silver Sedan that had driven around the block multiple times.

"You see that car?" I asked, nodding my head towards it.

"Yeah. that's probably him."

Just a few minutes later, the Sedan parked on the curb in front of the alleyway, and Slade half stepped out of it. I felt a wave of relief crash into me, so strong and unexpected I couldn't breathe. I hadn't realized how much pressure I had felt over the last past few days.

"Dustin," he said, gazing at me with wide eyes. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," I answered, surprised at how steady my voice was.