Mockingbirds Don't Sing Lullabies

Chapter Thirteen: Ten years earlier...

Jasmine Harunei let out a sigh as she pulled her daughter's long hair into a ponytail. She could feel the young girl's tension in the air. She forced down the urge to smile. Her daughter was smart. She had every right to be tense. Jasmine mumbled under her breath, "I wish we could cut this unruly mess of hair." This time she did smile as her daughter visibly tensed up. The girl just mumbled a small,"Me too.." Jasmine pulled the ponytail tight and stepped away.

"There. Perfect."

"Mamma..?" For once Jasmine didn't slap the girl for calling her mamma.

"Yes, my little druid?" The little girl's muscles relaxed a bit.

"What are we doing today?"

"You know not to ask stupid questions like that. We are going to see your big brother."

"I thought you didn't like Ceader?"

"He's my son. I may not like him at times but I will always love him. Like I will always love you." She smiled and placed a kiss on her daughter's forehead. She pulled the little girl from her chair. Jasmine crouched down in front of her daughter to straighten her collar. As she stood up a flash of confusion passed over her face. It was gone in a second. Why had she done that?

Mountain followed her mother quietly and with caution. Even at five she knew her mother didn't do things without some reason behind them. She looked up at her mother as they made their way down the hall and out the warehouse. She quickly returned her eyes to the street ahead. It only took them a few minutes to reach the apartment door. Her mother knocked in a succession of three. There was a slight grumbling from the other side before the door swung open to reveal a tired Ceader.
"I'm busy today Mounei come-" Ceader stopped when he noticed their mother. "Mother... Is there something I can do for you?"

Their mother scanned her eyes over Ceader. Mountain subconsciously did the same; taking in his nike shirt, blue jeans, tanned skin, and messy white hair. His green eyes locked onto Mountain's for a brief second before returning to their mother's violet-blue ones.

"I wanted to see my son."

He looked between both Mountain and their mother. "Come in." He moved out of the way to let them in. After closing the door, he led them to his kitchen. "Tea?"

"Yes, Thank you." Mountain watched her mother sit down and look around. "Where is your... boyfriend?"

Ceader narrowed his eyes. "I was unaware you knew about Leo."

"Of course I know about Willow. You think I don't keep tabs on you?"

Ceader opened his mouth to answer when the front door opened.

Ceader's eyes drifted to the hallway just as Willow emerged.

"Hey. I got off of work early..." His voice drifted off as he noticed Ceader's family.

"Leo this is my mother Jasmine and my sister Mountain."

"Hi."

"Leo why don't you go show Mountain our board games?" Willow nodded and took Mountain to a different room, leaving Ceader with his mother.

"An efficient way to get rid of unwanted attention. Good to know you haven't forgotten what I taught you."

"Why are you here, Jasmine? We no longer have an audience so speak freely."

"This is America, son, all speech is free." Ceader scoffed. Jasmine continued. "I need a favor from you."

"What exactly do you need?"

"It's time to enact our plan. Your father is at the peak of his ego. Mountain is an adolescent with a malleable mind, the perfect time to shape her as we see fit."

"The favor fits in how?"

"I need you to love her."

"Mountain?"

"Yes."

"If your goal is to turn her on them, why are we shaping her into a 'loved' child?"

"Because we need to break her. One can not be broken who has nothing to lose. We must give her something to lose, someone to lose."

"You plan to kill me?"

"I told you long ago this was a possible outcome. Only together can we shape her as we wish. You are good with your manipulations. Especially with Willow. You proved yourself with him. It's time to do the same with your sister."

Ceader let out a long sigh, pride mixing with frustration. Willow was not a work of his manipulation quirk. Willow's feelings were his own. Ceader pushed his thoughts aside and gave his mother a curt nod. "Then let's begin."