In the Name of Order

Chapter 14: Aid

We're still all gathered in the hardware store. Topaz, Ankah and my mother joined us a few minutes ago. My mum says our transport to the doctor will be any minute now. She also states that Ankah and Topaz will be parting ways with us. Topaz doesn't make eye contact with anyone.

"Ankah contacted the Purus doctor, so she knows to only expect the rest of us. Ankah and Topaz will stay here for some time then your dad will organise a safe way to get them to a more comfortable place until our situation subsides," my mother glances at Thea and I as she speaks.

"Is dad alright?"

"Your dad is fine, Willow. We'll see him soon. Kane and Mathea, no one is to know that you are Gifted. I'd leave you both behind, but we may need your skills."

"I don't mind staying with them, Mrs Bare. In case there's any trouble here."

My mother considers this for some time; leaving Kane here with Ankah and Topaz. I don't believe that's best considering the tension in the room, but perhaps Kane shouldn't come with the rest of us.

"No, that's alright. You'll come with us, Kane."

"Maybe Thea should stay behind," I say. I don't know where we're going, but I'm not too sure I want Thea caught up in all of it.

"No, she will not. Be prepared to leave, Mathea."

Mother walks over to her sister and gives her the tightest hug, wiping away Ankah's tears that have returned. Ankah is the first to pull away, always wanting to be strong on her own. I look at Topaz and don't think I should say goodbye to my cousin. He catches me staring at him, so I offer him a slight smile. He doesn't return it, and I don't blame him.

I begin walking to Ankah, but, remembering I was willing to hand over Topaz to the black market, decide against saying goodbye to my aunt.

Mathea hugs Aunt Ankah goodbye and gently places her hand on Topaz's shoulder, slightly squeezing it as a show of comfort. Kane says nothing to anybody and rather walks over to the door of the hardware store; the object that will lead him away from this drama and into the next. I follow Kane to the door, and Mathea follows me.

"They're here now," mother says while holding the phone Isiah held when advising one of us to hand ourselves over to his friends.

Mother walks over to the door, and we all make way for her to open it. She barely sticks her head out then motions for us to follow her.

We move towards a black van without looking back at Topaz or Ankah, but I hear as one of them slam the door shut as we exit the store. I see a few people jogging this early in the morning, and there is only one other vehicle near us.

As we climb into the van, the door of the hardware store is flung open. Everyone in the car watches as Ankah starts walking towards us.

When the driver looks to my mother, possibly wanting to know if he should wait for her to sort out whatever this issue may be, my mother shakes her head at the driver.

"Drive," she says in monotone voice.

Ankah is closer to the car now, and I notice a pained expression on her face. However, no tears fall from her eyes. Ankah may have run out of tears today.

"You killed him," Ankah's voice is brittle as she addresses her sister. "You killed him," my aunt repeats this louder.

"Drive please." This time the driver adheres to my mother's request, and the door of the van slides shut right before Ankah is able to reach us.

The car begins to move, but Ankah does not return back to the store. She now repeatedly slams her hand against the car, but after she gets a couple hits in, the driver decides to pick up the speed. I turn my body to face to the rear windshield of the car and see Ankah is chasing after us.