From the Ashes

18

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ONE WEEK LATER

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"Did you know that Jensen was one of them? Do you know that you have him locked up in one of those cages!" Jensen's father yells as he walks into an office, waving around arms. He dons a military suit of tan camouflage. He stomps loudly in his heavy boots. His eyes dart around in an irate manner. 

"Talk to me!" He screams and kicks the chair in front of him so it hits the wall with a clash. One of the wooden arms flies off.

A man sits at the desk in front of him. He remains still and silent, his eyes not moving from his monitor. The sound of furious typing is all he gets in return.

"Hey!" He yells when he doesn't receive a response immediately. He bangs his fist on the desk, causing it to shake.

The man sitting at a desk across from him stops typing and looks up from his computer. His facial features were almost identical to the man in front of him--the high cheekbones, sunken cheeks, and strong nose solidify their relation.

He crosses his arms, making his navy button-up wrinkle. A badge hangs around his neck but is blocked by his arms. He raises his black eyebrows, causing more wrinkles to form on his face. The wrinkles on his forehead reach his dark grey, thinning hairline.

"Yeah," he says, bluntly.

Jensen's father stills for a moment, his eyes narrowing. "What?" He asks him in disbelief. "What did you just say?" His voice drops an octave and steps closer to the desk.

The other man rolls his eyes. "Of course I knew, John. What do you think I'm doing here?" He retorts boredly as he stares up at his brother.

"He's your nephew, Lee. " He glares down at him in disgust.

Lee rolls his eyes at his statement. "Don't start that. You forget that I'm the head of security here. I know what you said to your son." He motions around his hands for emphasis.

"But you're not like me, Lee. You're not supposed to be like this. I am. I'm the one who screws everything up every chance I get."

"Cut the bullshit, John." Lee stops him from going on any longer. "We both know you said those things to him because you can't stand showing anything resembling love to a human being." He rolls his eyes again. "Your son is a Lynx--a very dangerous and very supernatural creature." He waves around his hands. "Emphasis on creature." He points his index finger up. "I have to do my job, John, no matter what creature," he pauses to make a pointed expression, "I have to capture in order to keep us safe. You said so yourself. It's my duty."

He brushes his hands together and leans back. "So, you do your job and I'll do mine."

John stares at his brother with a deadly look on his face. "I regret what I said," he tells him. "And—I don't need to explain my reason to you. But trust me, I had reasons." He slams his hands down onto the desk, causing it to shake for the second time.

Lee scoots back in his chair and crosses his arms, his brother's actions not fazing him.

"Does Jensen not count as 'us', now? I don't care about the rest of them. I just want my son!" He pleads to him, vulnerability seeping through his words.

Lee raises his eyebrows once more. "So you'll completely comply and won't ask any questions if I just release him?" He asks him, pondering the possibility in his head.

John nods his head reluctantly, even though he knows what he's just proposed is selfish to the other kids. But that's not his priority right now. He watches his brother's mouth twitch and his dark eyes glaze over, deep in thought.