Prologue

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"Mom, do I have to go to the support group today?" I ask as Kai puts my cart down on the floor.

"Nya..."

"I know, I know. Lloyd's got his surgery coming up and of course I wanna be there for him but, I feel like it doesn't help me."

"Why do you think that sis?" Kai asks.

"All Wu ever talks about is how he lost his ding dong due to cancer!" I half yell, unable to keep my emotions in check.

Kai snickers, covering his mouth to try and hide it. Mom rolls her eyes and I spot a faint smile come across dads face from his seat at the dining table. Mom looks over at dad, spots his smile and glares at him.

"Don't encourage them Ray," the smile drops and dad goes back to filling out the forms he started earlier. "Nya we need to go now. Kai help Nya bring her cart please."

I drag the cart to mom's car and climb into the passenger seat. Kai lifts the cart and places it at my feet. Kai kisses my forehead before shutting the door. Mom climbs into the drivers seat and drives me to the support group.

***
Mom lifts the cart onto the floor as I jump out of the car. I shut the passenger door and turn to my mom.

"Go on sweetheart, I'll be out here in two hours," mom says climbing back into the car and doesn't start the engine.

"Are you staying here for the two hours?" I ask, fiddling with the tank.

"Yes I have some reading to do," mom holds up a thick book. "I won't get anything done if your brother and father are home. Especially if Kai has Skylor over."

"Sky's coming?!"

Mom giggles. "Yeah."

"But I wanna see her."

"I know honey but she'll still be there when we get back."

"Okay...I'll see you soon mom."

I head towards the entrance of Ninjago City Church. The support group is held in the basement of the church. The 'literal heart of Jesus'...or so mom says. As I reach the door, a familiar voice makes me jump.

"Nya? What are you doing here?"

"Lloyd!"

I run and jump into the blonde's arms, dragging the cart with me. He chuckles and hugs back.

"I was starting to think you weren't coming," Lloyd murmurs into my hair.

"I-I'm sorry. It-it's just that...I'm not sure this is helping me."

"Yeah I get that. I spoke to uncle on the phone yesterday."

Lloyd's uncle, Wu, runs the support group. Lloyd's heard his 'I lost my ding dong because of cancer' story over a million times.

"He said he's going to try and not focus on it."

I roll my eyes. "Will he actually do that though?"

"Eh...probably not. Come on, I'll help with the cart."

"You don't need to-" I start to say but get cut off.

"Nope, I am. Let's go."

Lloyd picks the cart up and we slowly walk down the spiral staircase, which makes it even harder to walk down while someone else is carrying my oxygen cart.

The basement is in the shape of a cross. In the centre of the room, there is a circle of chairs for us to sit in and talk about our feelings and how we're getting on. Which, admittedly, would be better if there wasn't the illness which takes people's lives and tears families apart.

Lloyd steps onto the basement floor and places the cart down. I jog down the last couple of stairs and drag the cart over to the circle of chairs. There are about ten other children and teenagers already sat around talking to each other.

"Hello nephew, Naveah."

We turn around and spot Wu stood at the base of the stairs, with his arms folded, his long beard nearly touching his feet. His long white robe drags along the floor as he walks towards us, using his staff for extra support.

"Hello Wu/uncle," Lloyd and I say at the same time as he leads us towards the circle of chairs.

Wu walks up to the little podium and gently taps the end of his staff on the edge of it. Everyone quietens down as Wu begins the session, the same way he always does, talking about how he lost his ding dong because of cancer. Just as Wu finishes his story, I feel a pair of eyes staring at me.

Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed the prologue of Our Assigned Fates. I will start writing this book as soon as I've finished In the Precinct. Hope you're all staying safe and well.

Our Assigned Fate: a Ninjago Jaya AU ✔️Where stories live. Discover now