Body of Scars

Chapter XI

(Jared’s P.O.V)

“Guys can we get a huddle? A huddle please” voices Jona at a near shout, ushering the group in with waving arms. He seems oddly cheery and I’m not sure if I prefer this Jona or the one I met only last night. The Jona who pondered on the reason for his existence and listened to some band called Mum and the Ford. Sasha and Dax step forward as I make my way toward them, Than giving a disgruntled huff as he reluctantly follows. Isaac is still bound to the wall and I see Jona send a malicious grin toward him, “We aren’t bitching about you, I promise” Isaac eyes him warily and I feel the confusion wafting from him like cheap shampoo. 

The group settles in a loose circle, in turn each member of the group eyeing Isaac to make sure his secure. “Okay well” begins Jona, clapping his hands together excitedly and scanning the group thoughtfully, “Who wants to start?” he asks and I see Sasha rub her head in confusion. “Start what?” she asks and I see Than glance at her in unison to the entire group. He looks at her differently from Jona and Dax, who eye her and turn their attention back to Jona. Than keeps his gaze steady, almost waiting for her to look at him. Though when she does he turns away, uninterested. I know better. “The prayer of course” answers Jona enthusiastically and I see Dax shove an elbow into his ribcage, Jona doubling over and giving a dramatic groan. “I was thinking last night how we don’t have anything on this Timor guy we’re about to see” voices Sasha. “What do you mean?” asks Dax thoughtfully, no doubt already concocting evil methods in his mind. “I mean we don’t have anything on him. No leverage. No reason for him to tell us where Charolette is” It’s surreal, hearing Charolette’s name spoken aloud. Hearing it turns my fear and reluctance into believing her gone tangible. “What about this guy?” suggests Jona sending an absent wave in the direction of Isaac. “Isaac might not mean anything to him. We don’t know” continues Sasha and I decide to join the discussion. 

“Well does he have a family. Someone he loves close by that we can hold while questioning him?” I ask and I know the suggestion is appalling. I hate it myself. Bringing wives and children innocent of this messy knowledge into something like this. Though in finding Charolette I have no boundaries. The group is silenced by a thoughtfulness that shifts from face to face. Than meets my eyes, giving a nod which I take as understanding. “I’ll ask Isaac then” states Jona, beginning to move toward the bound man, though Sasha steps before him, her slim leg stretching the distance to halt Jona’s eager stride. “I’ll do that” she speaks and its not a suggestion. 

She turns swiftly and begins a steady and I believe, a deliberately sexy, walk to Isaac crouching down before him and speaking in hushed whispers. Dax has turned away though Than stares thoughtlessly after her, his eyes hungrily travelling down her body and up. Jona is eyeing her backside with the expression of a lion observing prey and I know his words before he speaks them. “It’s great to have a hot chick working with us” I glance toward Than in anticipation. He has turned from Sasha and now looks to Jona who stands comfortably, occasionally throwing a greedy glance over his shoulder at Sasha’s crouching form. “Don’t say that” speaks Than through gritted teeth and I see Dax roll his eyes. 

“Than you gotta break free of that ghetto girl attitude. A hot mess like Sasha isn’t gonna notice you if you’re constantly playing the grumpy, protective, school-boy crush role” voices Jona and Dax and I give Jona an appreciative look, both surprised into silence. “Jona what-” begins Than though Jona holds a respectful hand up to silence him. “Than you’re a seemingly attractive guy though you possess no apparent skills in the art of flirting. You need to do something that might be hard for you. It takes practice and maybe a little bit of sweat, blood and tears” continues Jona and Dax and I lean forward expectantly, Than folding his arms with a questionably smirk on his face. “What’s that?” he asks and I hear the amusement in his voice. “Smile” states Jona, flashing a brilliant grin before giving an exaggerated shrug.