Kianda

11 *Jake*

Now that was a whole revelation. I didn't see it possible before, but as I now compare it, it's quite obvious. They have the same eyes, the same closedness and they use the same bow. I should've seen it before.

As I come home, my sister asks me where I've been. "Didn't ya want me to do some sports?" She walks up to me, and says: "Well, then." She starts to say something else, but before she can speak, I ask: "Where's father? Shouldn't he be home by now?" She nods. "He should, actually. But ya know him, he's late as usual. He has sent me a message saying that he'll be home only by 10pm, so we should get dinner without him." I sigh. Could have seen it coming, though. "Well, I'm going to do some homework. What time do you think we'll have dinner?" "You? Doing homework? You've changed. What or who did you meet this year that has changed you like that?" she answers. "Dinner will be ready by 6, I think. So you have an hour." I walk to the stairs without answering her questions.

Once in my room, I start researching. I want to know if what I think is really true. After half an hour, I close the website and start on my homework. It's not much, but it has to be done. After awhile, my sister yells upstairs: "Dinner's ready!" I close my books and walk downstairs.

"As ya weren't into having a conversation earlier this day, let's have that conversation now," she says. I sigh. Ofcourse she wants to know all about my day. "First, I want to know what or who ya have met, that makes ya do your homework." She looks at me. "Nothing, really. I just thought, it's a new year, let's do better this year," I answer innocently. She chuckles. "And I should believe such a lame excuse? It's a girl, isn't it? Who is she?" I sigh. I will not get out of this without telling her about Sasha, so why would I even try. "If you must know, her name's Sasha, and she's new at our school." "See? It's not 'a new year to improve' as you said, it's just a girl. I can't wait to meet her," she says with a smile. More quietly, she adds: "Little Jake is finally in love." She chuckles softly. I ignore the last part, and say: "You'll meet her soon enough, or you'll never meet her." She looks surprised at me. "What... what do ya mean?" "Agh, nevermind," I answer. She looks at me with suspicion, but keeps quiet about the topic the whole time after. The rest of the conversation is about unimportant topics, like how Lucas is doing and how school's going.

I decide to stay downstairs, to wait for father to return from his work. While I'm scrolling through my instagram, I hear keys rattling and the door opens. I put down my phone and wait for him to hang his coat on the rack and put his shoes off. "Jake! What brings you to staying out of your room at this time of the day?" "Hi father. I wanted to talk to you 'bout something," he answers quietly. Father plops down on the couch and slaps beside him. "Come, sit down and tell me what bothers you, boy." I stay standing where I stand, and look at him, saying: "No, I'd rather stand. I wanted to talk about what you're doing as a job." He looks at me, puzzled. "What about it? It's quite clear what I do, nothing incomprehensible." I sigh. How will I bring this without exploding my father? "It's not that I don't understand what you do for our living, it's just that I..." I don't know how to finish it without angering him. "You what? Please, tell me," he says in a mocking tone. I'll try again. "Why do you do what you do? What is the pleasure in it?" He sighs. "Boy, you wouldn't understand." "Then at least try to make me understand, father. Please," I answer. "I need- no... we need money to live here. To live anywhere. Without money, we can't do anything." "Father, I understand that, but why in this way? There should surely be other, less harmful ways to earn money, right?" "They wouldn't give me the money I need, and you know that," he says. "But killing innocent people? Is that the only way?" I can feel anger burning inside me, but I have to keep control over it, else he'll explode. And that is what I don't want to happen. "How else would you suggest I can make enough money for both of you?" He stares directly into my eyes. "And, to correct your mistake, I don't kill them, I only take from them what I can sell." "And you keep them their whole life ever after. They are captive their whole life in which they can't do anything but yammering. You take away what could have been joy, or maybe love! That is, to me, taking away their whole lives. And taking lives is also known as murder," I say, loud. The anger is getting the better of me. "I do what I can to keep you and this world safe! They are dangerous!" Father starts yelling at me. "They are humans with blue eyes and flippers on their feet. Tell me, now, what is so dangerous about them, then?" "What is wrong with you, Jake? How dare you! You go to your room and stay there, tomorrow as well! I'll call you in sick. Ask your sister to bring you breakfast, maybe, because I won't. And give your phone to me, you'll not use it while you're in your room. Now!" I put my phone on the table and walk upstairs. There goes my attempt. Sigh.