The Institute ~Completed~

Chapter Nineteen: They're gone or not.

"What do you mean they're gone?'' Asks John. Both Jessica and Jake knew, lying wasn't an option in this tragic case. So they had no choice but to tell the truth and only the truth. "They're dead." Jake answers. "Jake you're lying." John says with a chuckle. "I'm afraid sir I'm not." Jake sadly says. Unfortunately, Jake was telling the truth as much as they wanted it to be a joke, it wasn't. The realization hit John and Janis so hard. There was no more words to say. Everyone was speechless. All who inhabited the house was quiet except for loud breathing. John lost his son and granddaughter in one day. He doesn't understand why God decided to take Em now. Cotton was only nine. Johnny was only seventeen. Both so young, so loving, so close. The hard part of this tragic news is no one could of known or stopped it. John stared at a pic of his son and granddaughter. They were happy. So alive and carefree. All hugs and no kisses. Like they should be. Now they're dull and lifeless. All decayed and no flesh. Like they shouldn't be. "Dad?" Jessica comes into his bedroom with to mugs. "Yes Jessica?" He looks up from the picture. "Did he love her more than he should have?" She asks handing him a mug. "I can ask you the same question." John replies.

Jessica blushes. "How did you know?" John lifts Jessica's chin so she and him could look directly in each others. "When Cotton's offer came, you were quick to take it. The only reason you did so, is because you couldn't bare to see her with someone else. As soon as Cotton met Johnny he fell in the same position as you did. You're definitely brother and sister. You guys were more alike then you thought.'' John explains carefully. Amazing how he knew his children better than they know themselves. "Jake on the other hand, he knew she needed a family more than she needed love. He saw the way you looked at her. That's why he was so angry all the time. It wasn't her fault nor yours. Things like this happens. I used to be jealous when other people even dared looking at your mother." He continues. This was news to Jessica. She never knew why she loved the nine year old so much. Couldn't think why until her father explained it. "But my brother?" Jessica pushes. John shook his head. "You're brother he's hard boy to explain. He didn't like Jake not because of him almost killing Cotton but because he was another guy. A guy that could break him apart. Unlike you, you didn't see Jake as a threat nor Johnny. Although you did see that either one could hurt her. No wonder she adjusted to you so quickly. You had more power over her than the boys.'' John explains further. Jake was listening in quietly. He knew something was up. He was going to confront Jessica about this when they get home. "Oh. Wow you pay attention to a lot don't you?" Jessica asks. ''I'm just that way besides you couldn't keep a secret from me even if you tried." Johnny says with a chuckle.

"I think me and Jake are going to go home." Jessica says as she gives him a kiss. "Night." He says as she disappeared into the kitchen and walks out of the back door with Jake behind her.

--

* 6 months later* Jacob still doesn't know. He was in America for year.

Jacob walks into the school for their last year. As confident as he could. He had some news for his cousin but what he was about to hear would send him in turmoil. "Hey Guys where's Cotton?" Jacob asks with a smile. Jessica just stood there silently. Jake couldn't look at Jacob. Jacob's smile faded. "What's going on?" Jessica looks at him and hugs him. "She's never coming back." Jessica cries. Jacob looks at Jake. Jake just shakes his head. "What do you mean?" Jacob makes Jessica look at him. "She fell and she died along with my brother. There was nothing we could do. It happened so fast!" Jessica answers. Jacob shook his head. "No! That's impossible! Not her!" He bout stumbled into Aleigh. "Jay its true." Jake says taking Jessica's hand. "She's not dead. Your wrong!" Jacob snaps. "Well it is!" Jake snaps back.

"Oh please. You think we'd be gone that easy." Johnny limps their way. Cotton follows right behind him. "See?" Jacob says and runs over to them. "But but I don't understand!" Jake slurs his words. "The drop wasn't that far down. But we did earn some injuries and if I hadn't broke her fall, she would have been dead.'' Johnny explains. Cotton limps her way over to Jessica who looked like she was going to pass out. She touches her hand which immediately went cold. "It's me! Mum its me." Cotton whispers. Everyone was glued to their spots just looking at Jessica who looked lost and Cotton who was shaking. "No!" Jessica pushes back. Johnny caught Cotton. "Jessica please!" Johnny pleads. Jessica just shook her head in disbelief. "You're dead! I don't believe this!" She yells. Cotton was on the verge of tears. "Jesy!!! They're alive cause we all can see them." Jake grabs her. Johnny and Cotton get up. "It's been six months! Why are they back now! Why didn't they come back earlier!" Jessica screams into Jake's chest. Cotton looks at Jacob. "Jay." She whispers. Jacob grabs her. "Because, they couldn't remember who they were." Jacob answers the question. "We ended up living with some people. One day me and Cotton were walking past her house and we both suddenly remembered everything." Johnny explains.