Transform Me (A "Shatter Me" Trilogy Fanfiction)

FORTY-SIX: REUNION

46: Reunion

We make our way towards one of the abandoned buildings and I quickly realize two things: (1) This is the first time I've ever been outside Japan; and (2) Juliette has a lot of allies.

And when I say a lot, I mean the receiving areas of the abandoned airport we're currently in are practically filled with all these people. There has to be at least five hundred of them—more than the number of people who live in Souseiki Dousa.

For the first time, I actually believe we'll stand a chance against The Reestablishment. With all this extra help, we could possibly win this. The hope that begins to swell within me is hard to suppress. Despite the near-crippling exhaustion from being jetlagged, the adrenaline is enough to keep me wide-eyed on my feet.

When the people inside see us enter, the chatter and noise gradually hush until there's a pin-drop silence. I feel somewhat self-conscious is my clunky, metal suit. Then in the silence, excited murmurs ensue. I catch snippets of them, mostly about Juliette.

"Juliette!" A voice suddenly calls out.

A tall, scrawny teenager starts squeezing his way towards us.

"Man, oh man, am I glad to see you!" His handsome, boyish face breaks into a smile.

"I'm glad to see you again, too, James." Juliette replies warmly.

"Hey, what about me?" Kenji cuts in, feigning hurt.

James grins. "Hey, Kenji. Good to see you again, too. And you, Aaron."

The rest of the people slowly and eagerly begin making their way towards Juliette, Warner, and Kenji. Caitlan and I end up being pushed to one side, but we don't mind. We're more fascinated with how much of a celebrity Juliette actually is. It's amazing how many people know her.

After about a good fifteen minutes, Dougal good-naturedly breaks up the crowd. He reminds them that we've just endured a ten-hour flight and need to rest. I'm grateful for his sensitivity.

He leads the five of us to a large room for us to change out of our suits. It feels strange being out of it. For the past few hours, I've gotten so used to the weight of it that now, I feel incredibly light.

We leave the suits in one corner of the room and wait for Castle. He enters the room a few minutes later, followed by James and six other people, who Castle introduce Sonya, Sara, Alia, Lily, Winston, and Brendan.

"Before anything else," Castle begins, "I'd like to introduce the members of Omega Point to Hiroko and Caitlan, who are our allies from Sector 21 in Asia."

Sonya and Sara. I recall Kenji telling me about them before.

"Pleasure to meet you." Sonya and Sara chorus with warm smiles.

The rest of us exchange nods of acknowledgment.

"We were beginning to think you guys were dead." James says as he gives Kenji's arm a playful punch. "I'm glad you aren't."

"I'm glad we aren't, either." Kenji grins. "Shit, man. It feels like I haven't seen you guys in years."

"How many people do you think are in here?" Caitlan asks me as the rest of them continue catching up.

"There are close to six hundred fifty of us right now," Castle responds, hearing her. Six hundred fifty. My eyebrows shoot up is surprise. "There are more friends on the way. A lot of people all over the world are greatly indebted to Juliette and they're more than willing to lend a hand. All in all, we're expecting close to a thousand to be with us within the next forty-eight hours."