KSIONDZ KANEKII

🇵🇱Country Poland Found me on instagram _kane_kii_ Wattpad: @KaneXkii

[ksiondzkanexkiii]

LIST OF WORKS

Part of the story is on the wattpad (I originally put it there but I open to new pages), I put a link to every page where you can find the story. Choose where you like to read best No which history is not inserted yet on other pages such as Noebook or Tumblr

ONE-SHOT

OPEN/CLOSE

You can place orders for One-shot, I'll take anything. I'll write when I have time. Orders can be written on my profile or in pv messages (on any platform) If I didn't notice your message please don't be mad at me! I may have missed your message, or it was spammed.

List of characters on one-shot at the bottom

HISTORY IN PROGESS

GOD OF WAR

Heimdall x OC

,,Until Odin Separates us"

WATTPAD

NEOBOOK

One-shot coming soon

CALL OF DUTY

Captain John Price x oc

,,Maybe you're not a bad person"

TUMBLR VERSION

WATTPAD

NEOBOOK

John ,,Soap" MacTavish x oc

,,A piece of child"

WATTPAD

One-shot coming soon

TROLL HUNTERS TALES OF ARCADIA

ANGOR ROT

,,I will never leave you again"

TUMBLR

WATTPAD

NEOBOOK

One-shot coming soon

Plan for the next fanfics

☁️The Witcher universe (Game)

Vernone Roche, Iorweth, Eskel, Ge'els, Avallach, Eredin, Vesemir

☁️ Call of Duty universe

Alex Keller, Rudolfo Parra

☁️ Tales of Arcadia

Vendel, Angor Rot,

ONE SHOT

In the order put for whom is the one-shot (which character from the game/series/movie) briefly described what is to be included in the one-shot

You can ask for anything. I'll do my best to fulfill your requests.

ONE SHOT ORDERS FOR:

Heimdall - God of war Ragnarok Captain John Price - Call of duty Johnny "Soap" MacTavish - Call of duty

Avallach - The Witcher

Eskel - The Witcher

Vernon Roche - The Witcher

Eredin - Witcher

Ge'els - Witcher

Angor Rot - Troll Hunters Tales Of Arcadia

Gunmar - Troll Hunters Tales Of Arcadia

Bular butcher - Tales of Arcadia

Iorweth - Witcher

Alex Keller - Call of duty

Rudolfo Parra - Call of duty

Vendel - Troll Hunters Tales Of Arcadia

Vesemir - Witcher

Negan Smith - The walking dead

Captain Robert ,,Bobby" Nash - 911

Captain Owen Strand - 911 TEKSAS

Philip Graves - Call of duty

Doctor Greg House - Dr. House

Tim Bradford - The Rookie

John Nolan - The Rookie

David ,,Deacon" Kay - S.W.A.T

I will not write one-shot/stories about actors, I do not feel comfortable with it, I prefer to describe fictional characters who play/voice. Give me time to write one-shot/stories, I'm human and I get busy because I have school and other private things…

WILL NOT WRITE

Age differences (Too much age difference above <7 is no longer an option) Stories with Actors (Fictional Characters Only)

About me:

I come from Poland so English is not my first language, sorry for typos or incorrect grammatically sentences. I'm trying my best but I'm a man I've made mistakes

A head of great imagination and infinite. Keeping you in suspense and leading the reader into the good clouds of carefree life I have been writing since I was 10 years old, only now I gather my courage and insert my works Who knows? Maybe someday I will release my book on paper.

If you have questions find me here

Found me on instagram _kane_kii_ Tumblr: @ksiondzkanexkiii Neobook: https://neobook.org/ksiondzkanexkii/

or ask a question here (as you prefer)

[thatboisus]

me logging onto tumblr after consuming a new piece of media

[ksiondzkanexkiii]

He was a fairy <3

When describing the fight scanes, I kept in really

Odd moments...

But I want to note how well animeted and guided is the fight between Angor and Jim

[ksiondzkanexkiii]

I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU AGAIN || FRAGMENT

CHAPTER SIX

To find the full story go to wattpad or neobook

Chapter Seven

Chapter Five

- Histories forgotten by time," Blinky said excitedly as the widow entered his library, she expected to find there all she currently needed come what may, she was most anxious to find Jim.

The widow raised her eyebrows seeing the excited group looked as if they had found some kind of puzzle and almost immediately found the solution - If we had found the treasure," Blinky muttered sinking his nose into the books while heading towards the table on which the ash lay, which puzzled Anoan.

She thought Blinkous belonged to the purer trolls - Then we can manage to exterminate Gunmar, Blinky you nut! - Complimented Jim chided in a strange way according to the widow especially that she didn't know what was going on because she got into the middle of the conversation

- Gunmar is going to die - Tobes cheered and Aaarrgghh standing behind the teenagers expressed his worry by muttering under his breath - Caution -.

- Careful - Confirmed Blinky as everyone walked closer to the table on which the book lay - The Triumbric Stone rocks have been hidden for centuries, however, if he solved this riddle - Explained Blinkous with his finger running over the page of the book, everyone stood around Blinky to also look at the page he was pointing to - There would be a chance -.

- Lives overshadow the wicked and eternally possess power - Claire recited almost immediately remembering the words hidden in the book that Blinky burned - Make Vendel not interested in your expeditions - Anoana muttered looking at the drawing of the Triumbric stone. The whole group almost jumped up hearing the widow suddenly Jim quickly shook his head to ward off the shock from his face

- We will be grateful - replied Jim sending her a short smile, the widow only bowed gently lowering her head gently to the ground joining her hands on her chest - However, you must be careful and act quickly - She added after a while - Vendel will start to suspect something - she added after a while

- We'll be so fast that Vendel won't notice," Tobes said proudly, thrusting his chest forward, the widow nodded gently, smiling as she heard Toby gently whispering through the braces he had on his teeth

Everyone looked at each other silently devising a plan their smiles betrayed only that they were convinced of the validity of the plan they came up with without pronouncing it

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆

The sound of the approaching Vespa interested Barbara, who was sitting on the living room couch waiting impatiently for her son, whom she was very worried about because he had not answered his phone or said where he was going.

She called every possible place however no one saw Jim it looked as if he had sunk to the ground. Barbara sipped her tea trying to calm her nerves that were bubbling in her mind worrying about her son

When she heard the teenager park his Vespa in the driveway her impatience reached the ceiling waiting for the boy to open the door saying innocently - Hi Mom! I'm back," Jim called out, not yet noticing his mother's worried together angry look

Barbara almost immediately stood up crossing her arms over her chest almost in an accusatory manner - Where have you been? - She asked immediately wrinkling her eyebrows there were dark bags under the redhead's eyes showing her fatigue from work and the amount of worry she had experienced over the last hours

The teenager in front of his mother stiffened seeing her posture and the tone of voice she gave him - What do you mean, I was in the library - The teenager mumbled, trying to pretend to be relaxed so that his mother would swallow the hook of the lie he made up on the fly. Barbara was not fooled by seeing her son lie straight to her eyes - With Claire and Tobes - He mumbled further shrugging his shoulders -.

 - The library closed three hours ago! - Argued Barbara pointing an accusatory finger at her son - Where were you I ask? - She repeated her question, which she had been asking herself for the past four hours

Annoyance also began to build up in the teenager when his mother asked him where he was, she acted as if he was five years old and was supposed to come home after nine o'clock, but hell he was sixteen she couldn't order him what time to come back he is almost an adult - Gosh I don't know! - Exasperated, he sighed -We went for a walk -He continued trying to get his mother to calm down and stop droning on about it

If he could he would have told her about the whole amulet thing, but he couldn't, he couldn't put her in danger - I'm worried here and you can't come up with a better lie? - Argued Barbara further, looking accusingly at her son and offended by how unsuccessfully he lies to her face without even considering her feelings or anything else

- I'm so sorry - He threw out these words the teenager waving his hands in the air turning on his heel to walk away towards the stairs - You can stop worrying - Exclaimed the teenager climbing up the stairs heading towards his room to disappear behind it - Because after look! I'm back - With these words he disappeared behind the door of his room slamming the door behind him

Barbara struggled to hold back her tears as she jumped slightly hearing the door slam, she gently lowered her sleeve so she could wipe away the tears that were growing in the corners of her eyes. She slowly moved toward the stairs wanting to knock on Jim's room but halfway up the stairs she stopped, rejecting the idea to return to the couch her visions were blurred by tears that ruined her makeup, which was already ruined after many hours of work

Jim was sitting at his desk when he turned on the lamp at his desk unaware of the person behind him - She's worried Jim - A female voice behind Jim spoke up causing him to jump up in his chair instinctively reaching for the amulet and then turning around to meet the widow who was a head taller than him.

The widow raised an eyebrow seeing the behavior of the teenager, who was catching rapid breaths - Your instincts are good, but you are hurting your mother - She muttered, looking at him from top to bottom as the teenager normalized his breathing

The teenager looked at the widow as if she had told the world's worst story, rested his hands on his knees as his back gently leaned forward - What are you suggesting? - He raised an eyebrow suspiciously before the widow had time to answer anything Jim did it for her - Are you suggesting to tell her about the whole troll hunter thing? - He asked rhetorically - That I fight trolls and other creatures after nights? - The teenager even mocked his own words

The widow tilted her head slightly to the side while shaking it disapprovingly as she watched the teenager also shake his head while looking at the amulet - No. That's not what I meant - She stated casually moving around the teenager's room looking at the books and cassette tape on his bookshelf - In fact, I wanted to tell you to correct your lies somehow so as not to hurt her - She smiled innocently looking at the boy over her shoulder

Jim rolled his eyes at the widow's statement as he furrowed his eyebrows a moment later - How did you get here? - He asked suddenly and out loud. This question he wanted to ask himself in his mind, the widow only shrugged her shoulders

- You left the window open so I flew in," she replied without caring, reaching for one of the comic books on his shelves - Besides, did you ever think to go home through the window, too? - She asked rhetorically - Then you would have an excuse that you were in the house all the time and your mother forgot to check the room - She added quickly leafing through the comic book, which, however, was not as interesting as she had thought

Jim did not answer only closed his eyes with fatigue also running his hands over his face to ward off fatigue, he did not even think about what the widow said was some solution at the same time even more avoidance of Barbara and the consequences associated with mother and son moving away from each other.

By the way, it was the perfect solution to avoid arguments

- But she didn't come here to give you lessons on how to lie to your mother," muttered the widow again moving around Jim's room casually looking at the various inventions in his room, "So what is it? - Asked Jim pulling his hand away from his forehead

Anoana finally settled on his bed looking at the fatigue painted on the teenager's face - He wants to know if you are sure about this - Asked the widow quietly, seeing the confused look of the teenager - Sure of what? - Asked Jim tilting his head

- Going to the Darklands," replied the widow casually, "Defeating Gunmar could cost you and your friends their lives Jim," she murmured quietly, "And that's because of one little creature? - she stated bluntly, almost since the plan to save Enrique came up the widow was against it

Not because she didn't want to save the children located in Darklandas, but she was more afraid that Gunmar might escape - You volunteered for a deadly mission because of your unspoken love for Claire - The widow continued to drone on seeing Jim's determined face she knew he wouldn't let go as easily as she assumed

He won't come up to Claire and say he's frowned upon saving Enrique - I'm sure of it," the teen finally replied, straightening his back even more as if he wanted to puff out his chest in a show of pride and courage that currently surrounds his aura, "We will save Enrique and kill Gunmar -

The widow swallowed her saliva hard seeing how determined the boy was this worried her even more, she had the feeling that her love for Claire and her desire to get recognition from her was overshadowing the teenager's true judgment - Jim, it won't be easy - Before she had time to answer anything more the teenager interrupted her

- I know, everyone tells me this however I won't change my mind - He replied shaking his head - I know it won't be easy however I feel I can do it - The teenager argued - I killed Bular so Gunmar won't be scary to me especially if we get all the Triumbric Stone - The teenager continued to argue

The widow wanted to answer him but Jim again preceded her - You would have done the same for your husband or for Indun - He threw this text freely making the widow pull in air suddenly.

He was right that if Angor or Indun landed in the Darklands she would do anything to save them even if it meant facing Gunmar - You're right for them I would even jump off a cliff or run into the Darklands without a weapon or a plan - Confirmed the widow after a minute of silence, the widow got up from the bed, which squeaked when it lost the weight of the troll

- However, this is not my only concern," she added after a moment as she looked down to be able to look at the boy, "There are many children in the Darklands," she explained quietly, "You must save only Enrique without considering the other children, being in the motherland you will not have much time to take more than one child," she explained calmly.

Jim obediently nodded his head in memory writing down the widow's words. Come on the teenager was overflowing with information he was getting from the senior council of troll hunters and others tried to write down in his memory every clue he got - Come on I believe that even without this heroic act Claire would love you - She added more quietly looking at the teenager who wanted to deny it

- In spite of everything and as for Claire," she interrupted, gathering her thoughts and the words she wanted to say to you, "I haven't found you a place for a date yet, but I'll find one soon," she said suddenly dismissing the thought she wanted to utter, she moved her left hand to make purple streaks escape from under her marble fingers to open the window that the teenager had just closed when he returned to the room

- You don't have to - The teenager wanted to change his mind, which he had expressed earlier about the date with Claire who he wanted to take after the ball. However, the widow interrupted him - You are an awkward boy, I will help you make your date less awkward. That's what you asked me to do and I will do it," she replied dispassionately, although the glint in her eye made Jim understand that she would not let go so easily

- This is an act with which I will be able to pay the debt I owe to you -.

- What kind of debt? -

- You protect the Trollmarket, you protect every troll," she interrupted, "You protect us even without having the stone skin or speed that trolls have.

As they both stood in silence the widow spoke one last time - By the way, you can lie to your mother as much as you want, however, you are moving away from each other and you are both suffering - She paused to take a breath - Keep that in mind - She stated once again leaving the teenager in a minefield who had to figure out the meaning of her sentence on his own

Anoana no longer stood in one position when the purple smoke enveloped her body shrinking to the size of a rat, she squealed several times jumping on Jim's desk - Oh Jim - You squealed recalling something she was yet to say - Don't take the oracle's word for it - The rat twirled its long brown and pink tail

- I believe it is possible to kill Gunmar as well as Bulara however, it requires training, dedication and a lot of courage," she muttered, "The last troll hunters may be jealous if they claim you won't kill Gunmar," she added after a moment's thought. She took one last look at the teenager with her black eyes as she slowly nodded her head to run out the open window a moment later.

The widow jumped onto the gutter that ran along Jim's window to slip off it and run toward the forest to effectively disappear even in a hit. Jim escorted the widow, who was in the form of a rat, to the forest line, as she had already disappeared behind the forest line.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆

The widow has rarely slept during the daytime for the past few days, when mostly the trolls slept she flew out of Trollmarket in search of romantic date spots to help the troll hunter get Claire's hand while looking for a suitable gift to give her.

The task seemed easy and yet it was difficult the widow had to limit herself to choosing a place in Arcadia she could not fly out further than she would like.

The matter was made easier by the fact that she could turn into a bird and search everything from the air only landing from time to time to rest or assess a place, which looked promising from the air, when she landed to assess the place, however, it looked dull and unattractive.

Too many bushes

Not enough flowers

No path to the location

Anoana was slowly losing hope fatigue was getting more and more impossible to live with. The widow's eyes were closing on their own as she tried to stay alert and watch where she was flying and how high she was flying, she didn't want to collide with a building, a tree or maybe even a human being as far as that went. Still, the widow's eyes were not as obedient as she wanted them to be she kept telling herself

I'll close my eyes for a while

To slap herself in her own mind after a while to keep her sanity, which was quite a challenge as the thoughts magnified and fatigue did not let go. This kept the widow unfocused on the flight

It was a big mistake

She found this out quite painfully

She closed her eyes for a moment and then painfully collided with the bark of the tree, a painful squawk issued from her beak as she felt as if the beak would break at the same time pressing on her brain as she bounced off the tree to painfully hit the branches bouncing off and falling each time painfully squawking and whimpering. As her delicate bird spine hit the ground moments she lay dully staring at the sky.

When she heard giggles above her head she rolled over to be able to stand on her feet at a moment when a woman was just taking her picture forgetting to turn off the flash. The widow sent her a bored look which the human woman couldn't understand through the hawk's expressionless face.

The sack of meat walked away giggling into the phone looking at the photo of the hawk - Sack of meat," the widow sneered rolling her eyes as she led the human woman away. When the strange woman disappeared over the hill the widow only now had time to look around, delight almost immediately shining in the widow's eyes.

She had to tell Jimbo about this place almost immediately she had no time to waste. Lifting her wings high, she momentarily soared into the air without waiting a second longer and directed her flight toward Arcadia Oak.

Approaching the high school where the human Troll Hunter and his friends attended, she did not expect to hear Lake's screams, if it were not for her sharpened hearing she probably would not have heard it interested in the noises she headed towards the playing fields from where the noises were coming from.

Did she expect Jim fighting a mud golem?

Don't.

She didn't expect it, her eyebrows momentarily shot up when she saw Jim hanging on to the golem as he firmly held the have that was impaled on the butt of the mud monster. She didn't want to disturb Jim's master so she calmly settled down on the soccer frame with patience as she watched the troll hunter struggle

She wanted to see Jim fight, she assessed him with a critical eye or her hope that Jim would show the senior council of former troll heroes that he could kill Gunmar himself without losing his life. The mud golem caught Jim in its earthen hand firmly squeezing his abdomen causing air to escape from Jim's lungs - It wasn't supposed to be like this," the boy complained as the earth golem tossed the boy and kicked him

- Well the golem has a golem," said Widow turning her head to look at Jimbo who was entangled in the net, Jim looked up to see the hawk watching him. Lake could have sworn he saw a mocking smile on the hawk's beak

As long as birds can smile

- A widow? - Pouted a surprised Jim seeing a familiar brown bird that can talk he knew only one person who could do such a thing, she didn't even say anything else when the mud golem started to cringe or make sounds only known to itself - Get up hunter still your opponent is alive - Reminded the widow

- Oh right," the boy recalled while trying to disentangle himself from the rope that wrapped around his leg, "Besides, what are you doing here? - He asked while struggling with the rope at the same time.

The widow squawked, reminding the boy that he should hurry his moves and attack the mud golem - I flew to you, but I see you're busy," Anoana whined, watching the teenager have no idea how to fight the golem and how to kill it. She didn't interfere, she knew he would soon figure it out.

She watched as the boy tried to climb up the golem towards its neck he had a plan to pierce the golem's arteries optionally just cut off its head, his plans were foiled the moment the golem grabbed him again squeezing him tightly so that he would have no way to escape - Well there you go again you're caught," the widow concluded

Jim, if he could would have thrown a bored glance in Anoan's direction however now he was a bit preoccupied

- What are you doing wrong Jim - She called out jumping to the side to avoid a collision, with the mud that rips off the golem when it makes sudden movements - Change tactics, find a weak point - Reminded the widow

- Thanks a lot for the advice - Howled Jim irritated by the widow's comments at the same time his helplessness. Jim's knee began to refuse to obey him as a throbbing pain issued from his kneecap - But why don't you tell how to fight it? - Cried Jim as he turned toward the golem just meeting his fist

Jim flew back two meters had to quickly do a dodge without thinking about the pain that just haunted his back as the golem tried to crush him with its fist - I'm not the hunter," cried the widow as she watched Jim struggle, at the critical moment she would attack - You want to defeat Gunmar, you have to train. My help here would make - She paused as she watched Jim select a sword and cut off the hand of the mud monster

The monster looked at its severed hand making a sad purring sound, Jim taking advantage of the monster's disorientation ran towards its leg cutting it off just like the hand. The mud golem fell to the ground and the widow jumped aside again to avoid getting a ricochet of mud - Yes! - She praised the widow seeing that the fight was heading towards the boy's victory 

When the golem wanted to grab Jim again with its uncut hand in this one the boy quickly removed the golem's hand by cutting it off at the wrist. Everything went smoothly, too smoothly. At least according to the boy, but the widow said nothing but brief praise and criticism when it went right or wrong.

Everything was going well until the golem regenerated by rebuilding for itself again its limbs that it had lost. The golem wasted no time trying to trample, crush with its fist or anything else to kill Jim. Fortunately Jim was agile so he managed to dodge everything the golem had to offer, the widow didn't expect it however Jim jumped on the Golem's hand and then on its shoulder to bounce off the ground and slice through the golem's chest

The attack resulted in the unveiling of the doll located in the golem's heart, the teenager's eyes widened at the sight of the stone doll located in the golem's heart after a moment, the shock washed off the teenager's face to be replaced by the cleverness in his eyes and a smile as he clenched his fingers tighter on the sword's hilt.

- You have a plan, congratulations put it into practice do not wait - The widow called out wanting to feel the teenager, before she could finish the sentence the golem managed to throw a ball of earth at Jim, and when he dodged the attack he was kicked straight in the stomach - That's right, quick planning - finished the widow

The teenager got up on his feet holding his abdomen without wasting a moment longer he stretched out both hands summoning his sword with a yell of effort he brandished it to gain enough strength and speed to throw the weapon towards the place where the stone doll, obscured by the ground, was located.

The sword pierced through the entire body of the earth golem The doll's impaled on the weapon effectively left the golem with no way to regenerate to continue attacking the boy. Even an unconscious golem could have been dangerous, as it almost crushed the teenager, but the teenager jumped away at the last moment - Congratulations," the widow praised, "But it's not over yet," she added.

The boy looked at the widow and his shoulders slumped, the widow looked at Jimbo and then at the doll, which was still impaled on the sword of Daylight - You have one last step left," whispered the widow, the teenager obediently nodded understanding what was going on. Hopping on the Golem to shorten the path to his sword, Jim ran up to the stone doll to take the totem in his hand and destroy it by smashing it in half

The widow flew closer to the teenager to settle next to him changing its shape into a dog, Jimbo's shoulders slumped as he looked at the damage the golem had done. The boy's mind was more preoccupied with the pain that existed in his body - What was that? - Asked Jim looking at the remains of the totem and then at the dead earth golem, which was now just a pile of dirt and mud

Jim looked at the large dog that sat next to him - Animus Totem - the widow muttered - Ask Blinkous about it - she added, wanting to lose the questions Jim knew were simmering in his little head

- I found a place where you can invite Claire," she said looking towards Jim, who groaned in displeasure. Anoana raised her eyebrows suspiciously as she saw the boy wipe his face with his hands - What's going on Jim? Isn't this what you asked me to do? - She asked, tilting her head as her dog ears tuned in

- No, No," said Jim quickly, "Thank you for doing that I just have a lot on my mind," Howled the boy grabbing his stomach, which was hurting him. Certainly its bruised - He doesn't want to talk about it - he added after a while breaking the subject - But where is this place? - Asked the boy as he threw the broken totem on the ground

To find the full story go to wattpad or neobook

[ksiondzkanexkiii]

I Will never leave you again | Angor Rot

Fragment

To find the full story go to wattpad or neobook

CHAPTER FIVE

Chapter six

Chapter Four

The widow has spent the last few hours meditating to regain the calm that has always flowed through her veins however since last evening she can't seem to get it together and the anxiety and premonition that something bad is about to happen

Of course she was stressed about the mission that the troll hunter had imposed on himself, however, she calmed down a bit when he told her that his group of friends consisting of Aaarrrgghh, Toby, Blinky and Claire would help him fight Gunmar although she calmed down more gently, anxiety still coursed through her veins.

The former troll hunters had shown quite bluntly that Jim might not be able to cope with the fight against Gunmar and the mission he had signed up for was extremely dangerous and would lead to the painful death of anyone who joined Jim's ranks.

When the widow heard footsteps approaching her she opened her eyes still sitting on the ground of her cave, when she looked towards the entrance to the hollow of her cave she raised an eyebrow seeing the troll hunter - Jim? - She called out to the slightly confused widow getting up from the ground, when her hooves stood more securely on the ground she straightened up and joined her hands behind her back - What brings you to me? - She asked emerging from the shadows

Seeing the young troll hunter's lips tighten into a thin line the widow's eyebrows rose even higher as anxiety flooded her veins further agitating the blood that flowed, she felt the calm she was trying to achieve quickly evaporate only to have the storm in her mind return - Well, I was wondering - The boy began uncertainly rubbing his knuckles

Anoana canted her head as she turned to walk over to the table and sit in the chair next to it gesturing for the boy to sit across from her which he quickly did without another word, as the boy and the troll sat across from them an awkward and tense silence filled the widow's nest - What is it Jim? - She asked more quietly and a blush appeared on the boy's cheeks and ear tips

The widow smiled gently waiting for the boy to finally say what was bothering him at the same time he himself didn't know how to form the words even in his own head - It's about this - He began his sentence - Kanjigar believes that once we enter the land of shadows we won't come out of it again until we kill Gunmar - Murmured the teenager walked away Anoana sensed the lie and bypassed the topic he came for originally.

- Since when do you listen, fallen trolls? - She raised an eyebrow - They can say what they want because they say what they believe in - The widow said quietly - Besides, you know your worth and you know better if you can do it or not - She shrugged her shoulders as she said this at the same time she waved her hand reluctantly getting up from her chair to approach one of the tables to start preparing something. Jim looked at the widow's back and then at the ground pondering his next question or defending himself over the spirits who might be talking right

At the same time, it is the widow who may also be right

The widow smiled under her breath sensing the troll hunter's mood gauntly she had to hide her surprise that he had come to her and not Blinkous or Tobes on this matter that was preoccupying his mind, but she felt he must have a valid reason why he had come to her - But that's not why you came to me, is it? - She finally asked, turning toward him and in her hand she held for the mugs

Approaching the table again Jim nodded slightly - It's about Claire - He finally said nodding his head in thanks for the drink she put in front of him, Anoana raised her eyebrows she should have expected it, that matters of the heart would come to her after all she is the only woman he knows. Besides her mother and Claire, or maybe she knows another girl? Anoana shrugged her shoulders however she smiled as she sat down across from the troll hunter again - So what's the matter? - She asked again with the same question

- The spring ball is coming up - Murmured Jim - I wanted to invite her but I have no idea how to do it - Irritated, he ran his hand over his face while sighing heavily, the widow meanwhile sipped her tea quietly as she closed her eyes enjoying the taste of the drink

The widow and Jim exchanged glances as the troll took another sip of the drink - I'm surprised you're coming to me with such a matter - When she spoke she didn't look at the troll hunter only looked at the mug, which she set down on the wooden table with a quiet knock that issued when the stone mug made contact with the board - At the same time it's nice that you're coming - She would add not to discourage the teenager from coming to her for advice.

Jim swallowed hard as he looked inside his mug at the same time sniffing the suspicious decoction not knowing what it was at the same time fearing it was the slime that trolls drink - It's a tea made from cherry blossoms and mint leaves - She said as she saw the boy looking at the drink - I suspected your tea recipe and prepared it myself - She bragged and Jim nodded slightly in understanding at the same time gently glad he didn't have to drink the slime

- But as for Claire, I can't give you advice - She said as she twirled the mug in her hand tilting her head - Women are different - She interrupted - Just like every creature, everyone likes something different. Invitation to a date -.

- For a ball, not a date. Just a ball - The teenager interrupted her, the widow had to refrain from giggling - An invitation to a ball should come out elegantly at the same time without any friction. I don't know about human women, but we trolls, when looking for a chosen one, look for a troll we will love and one who will defend us in critical moments - She said as her voice became quieter and quieter as she dully watched the liquid in the cup swirl around

The teenager listened to her words at the same time trying to decipher them - This helped on average - He muttered while burying his face in his hands at the same time groaned not satisfied. The widow this time giggled seeing the dilemmas of the young teenager - When I met my beloved - she began her story slowly Jim did not change his position, however, if the ears of people allowed themselves to rise Jim's ears would certainly do so

- At that time he was not yet my husband nor was he my boyfriend at the time, he came to my nest one time in the middle of the night and took me to the woods - Recalled the widow as she spoke slowly and nostalgia and longing permeated her words and her eyes drifted away in nostalgia as she recalled - We liked to race especially in the trees, jumping from branch to branch. We did the same thing when he took me out of the nest we played at our best not minding that the moon was at the top of its path -.

- We believed that Hestia was watching over us and would make sure we didn't get lost - She paused as a smile adorned her face - We ended up in a clearing where we rested and later became our meadow - She muttered, grinning - We came every night to fool around.... come one time he took me to the meadow, when he came he was stressed I didn't know what he meant - She paused as the memories raided her head as the nostalgia became greater and greater and made the widow feel as if she was drowning in a lake of memories

- At the time I didn't know what he meant however he took me to a clearing, wove me a garland and then instead of playing as usual we just lay and looked at the stars - She winked smiling at her reflection in the tea, Jim listened to Anoan's story quietly sipping his tea afraid to make any sound for fear that if he interrupted the widow's story she would stop telling - When we were about to return he gave me a ring - She winked pulling off said ring to hand it to the boy so he could look at it

- Reading a little about your human customs I know that this is how you propose - She smiled gently as the boy's blue eyes examined the gold ring that was interlaced with brown leather in the middle making the leather surrounded by two gold hoops in the center of the ring were carved two letters , “AA” Jim could guess that these were the initials of Anoan and her husband however he did not know his name

But he surmised that it began with , “A”

Logical

- However, in our language it is a question of whether we want to enter into a romantic relationship - She gently smiled as she picked up the ring from the teenager putting it back on her ring finger covering the imprint that had formed after not taking the ring off for a long time - I agreed, out of that joy we started dancing in that meadow - At this mention she giggled shaking her head at the fact that she had strayed from the subject

- But that's not what you asked - She muttered when she finished giggling - I'm telling you about it because you can use the same idea - She said quietly - Find a beautiful place where you feel safest and there ask her to go to the ball with you - She smiled gently as she continued to twist her wrist at the same time holding a mug of tea, which had managed to cool as well as Jim's tea

Jim mused slightly - But where can I find such a place? - He asked quietly in thought, the widow didn't even know if it was her he was asking or himself - You know Arcadie even better than I do, surely you know some romantic place - The widow joked, tilting her head as she looked at the boy with curiosity and calmness at the same time

Anoana shook her head at the boy's helplessness and seeing the cogs in his head churning as he thinks not only about dating Claire and inviting her to the ball, but thinks still about Gunmar and the lack of time for such things as date preparations - I can find such a place - The widow suggested raising an eyebrow - I fly out every morning anyway to get alchemical ingredients so I can go a little off course - She suggested

The widow's offer fell on Jim almost as if from heaven, because he immediately nodded his head - If it's not a problem - He muttered after a while crooking his face - No! it should be me who finds it - He wanted to argue but the widow silenced him by raising her blue hand - Jim, it's not a problem for me - She argued further - I will help you - She smiled gently

- Yes I can only repay the debt I owe you - She replied after a while, when the silence relaxed to make it more comfortable come from the words of the widow Jim slightly surprised she deduced it from the way he furrowed his eyebrows and his lips parted - For your sacrifice and the killing of Bular - She explained to him

- But - He wanted to argue again however the widow again interrupted him by raising her hand in a gesture that he should remain silent

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Fragment To find the full story go to wattpad or neobook

[ksiondzkanexkiii]

I Will never leave you again | Angor Rot

Fragment To find the full story go to wattpad or neobook

CHAPTER FOUR

Chapter Three

Chapter five

The party at the inn was in full swing everyone was happy that Gunmar's son had been killed by a troll hunter and the bridge of the beheading had been hidden in the marketplace for this reason Vendel finally cheered up when he realized that nothing threatened the marketplace or the trolls.

Anoana stood in a corner of the tavern sipping tea the wound from a few days ago was still healing and her left arm was too bandaged but that didn't make the woman stop her little expeditions, since she knew that Bular wasn't lurking in the shadows somewhere she could move more freely around Arcadia she didn't necessarily remember fondly the encounter with the dark prince when she left the marketplace at night to collect healing herbs

She wanted to forget about it at all

She swallowed her saliva hard and her jaw clenched tighter as she felt the pain from the scar that remained after meeting Bular in the forest she never forgot the stress that flowed through her and the thought that she wouldn't make it out alive before it was too late out of nowhere Kanjigar appeared and saved her

To his unwillingness

Despite everything, the widow did not manage to thank him, however, the news of Bular's death and Kanjigar's avenging filled her with gratitude and pride for the troll hunter. The widow's quiet footsteps headed towards Vendel - So? - She asked tilting her head, the old man looked at her with a raised eyebrow waiting for her to continue what she wanted to say - So now you believe in our human troll hunter? - She asked, putting down her empty tea mug on the nearest table

Vendel sighed, but smiled - Maybe you were right, the boy will do great deeds - He admitted, however, still rocking to the rhythm of the music that was playing in the background, Anoana smiled proudly - I'm always right - She muttered earning a giggle from the elderly troll, The widow gently bowed to the old man as a gesture of respect turned on her heel and walked away in a direction only she knew in herself

Before the widow had time to leave the inn she was stopped by the voice of a young troll - Are you leaving already? - Asked Indun while sipping her drink closely watching the older troll - The party hasn't even started - Whined the younger troll as he approached the widow

Anoana only smiled - Parties are not my forte Indun - She reminded the younger troll by gently waving her hands in an unwilling manner, ever since she lost Angor her social life was closed only to her friendship with Vendel and Indun. Come the last few days she has opened up enough to try to befriend a human troll hunter, maybe it's also due to curiosity - All the more reason not to celebrate on this day - whispered the widow looking dully at the ground

- Tacos for everyone! - Cried Toby handing out Tacos to everyone as he said, but the widow shook her head refusing to accept human food her portion was given to Indun who without argument accepted an extra portion of Tacos which she clearly liked

Anoana, even though she was smiling tried to hide the pain in her eyes - You should be amused Anoana - Indun muttered while swallowing the Tacos that Domzalski distributed, the widow sent a murderous glance towards the younger troll - Don't look at me like that - She only shrugged her shoulders unmoved by the widow's gaze - It's been almost three centuries! You've continued to pick yourself up and you don't even sing like you used to,” the younger troll argued further, unconcerned with the widow's increasingly angry gaze

- Sing? - A voice behind Anoana suddenly spoke up, causing her to roll her eyes as she turned to look at the teenage troll hunter. The widow closed her eyes and ran her hand over her face with fatigue - Anoana used to sing when we celebrated something or during ritual times - Explained an excited Indun smiling pointing at the widow as if the troll hunter didn't know who the younger troll was talking about

- I used to sing is the correct answer,” the widow mocked, ‘I used to sing,’ she crossed her arms over her chest as a grimace spread across her stony face, Jim's blue eyes gently lit up as he smiled, ”No. I will not. I will not do it - growled Anoana wanting to head for the exit to end the conversation however she did not do so why? She had no idea but her legs refused to obey she felt as if her legs had become a real stone preventing her from moving in any direction to escape from this conversation

- You sang during the battles you won - Indun spoke up again wanting to persuade her mentor to return to the old habit she had abandoned so long ago - Bular is dead is a reason to celebrate - She argued further the younger troll causing Jim to be more and more interested Blinky sitting next to Jim was not too thrilled about persuading Indun to sing Anoana, likewise the interested party herself

- Isn't this a good reason to return to old habits? - Persuaded this time by Toby interjecting himself into the conversation, the widow felt every troll's gaze fixed on her stony skin. She shouldn't celebrate without him. She shouldn't sing without him. She shouldn't play the drums without him - Unless you're afraid - Indun wanted to joke with the widow but was met with the worst look the widow could give her

- No - She growled almost at the younger troll, the widow was famous for being calm and her nerves were made of steel it was hard to upset her however Indun never got to know Anoana's worst anger until today - I will not play, celebrate, sing. Even more so on this day,” Anoana hissed fending off the conversation by running for the exit to lose the curious gazes of the trolls

The chief of the market also watched the situation worried about the widow's mood wanted to intervene, but before Vendel could intervene or do anything else to calm the widow she had managed to leave - And to this one what happened? - Jim asked, confused by the widow's behavior.

Indun sighed heavily - Young Indun can't understand some things - Murmured Vendel shaking his head looking then at the younger troll looking guiltily at the ground and then at the door through which the widow left - Today is the day she let her husband out of the village - Blinky spoke up putting his hand on Jim's shoulder - And he never came back to her - He finished with a slight twist of his blue face as his orange nose wrinkled up

- It has been almost three centuries and she is still after him refusing every pastime she did with him - Explained a worried Indun - Despite persuasion she is still looking for him while refusing everything - She finished - Including my training - She mourned as the daggers hanging on Indun's back began to burn her as she thought how long it takes her to persuade the widow to do anything other than look for the ring or bury Angor

The younger troll shook her head and Vendel spoke up this time, sensing the atmosphere that was thickening with each passing moment - Those are topics for other days, right now we are celebrating the capture of the bridge of the beheading and the killing of Bular son of Gunmar by our troll hunter! - Exclaimed Vendel spreading his arms out to the sides the party moved on and every troll forgot about the drama that unfolded moments later

- And no one helped her look for her husband? - Asked Jim and his voice was quiet as he looked at his mentor, Blinkous only shook his head - When the war for the common lands, Gunmar attacked her village she tried to protect her village and her people with her husband - Explained Blinky slowly but after a moment he shook his head - That's a story for another time - He stated directly cutting himself off from the topic - And it's rather for Anoana to tell you - sighed gloomily the blue troll and his ears drooped

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[ksiondzkanexkiii]

I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU AGAIN | Angor rot

CHAPTER THREE

Next chapter Four

Chapter Two

You can find the entire chapter on Wattpad, Neobook

- Mrs. Anoano! - Cried Tobes' voice as he ran toward the widow, who was busy preparing for the trip she had planned - Ma'am! - cried Tobes this time gaining the attention of the woman, who slowly turned toward him to see the teenager running toward her

She raised her eyebrows however anxiety flooded her veins the closer the teenager approached - Toby? - She muttered quietly, wondering what the teenager might want from her at the same time she wondered when she told him her name however she shrugged her shoulders at that thought probably Blinky or Aaarrrgghh told him - Are you okay boy? - she asked looking down to look at the boy who barely reached her hips.

Toby stopped in front of the woman rested his hands on his knees trying to catch his breath, Anoana slightly croaked - Sure, take time to breathe - She muttered waiting for the teenager to stabilize his breathing, which was uneven after his frantic run

Toby finally, when he caught his breath straightened up fast enough to make something in my hips gurgle, at which Anoana's face twisted even harder hearing the sound, Tobes looked at the widow with a bemused gleam in his eye - Our troll hunter has a birthday tomorrow - He began to speak at the same time gently whispering through the braces he had on his teeth - And I thought whether to have a surprise party at the smithy, you know! With balloons, with music," Toby said enthusiastically. Anoana blinked slowly without understanding a word

- Birthday party? A party? - she inquired while tilting her head, Toby couldn't see her eyes through her distinctive scarf she wore on her head however, seeing how she slightly parted her lips in thought he understood the hint that the widow had no idea what he was talking about - Birthday? Is it some kind of ritual or something like that? - She inquired and the depth of her voice showed even more confusion and maybe even slight stress

- No. Birthday," Toby began to say, wanting to explain to the widow what the birthday party was all about, but the widow's movements were jerky as she clenched her stony fingers tighter on the leather book she held in her hand even forgetting that she had anything in her hand at all

- Oh by the gods it's been a long time since I've participated in rituals," she whispered to herself realizing this as she covered her mouth lightly with her free hand, she didn't focus on what Tobes was trying to tell her she practically didn't listen to him as she thought about the rituals she missed and even didn't perform herself. After she lost her husband she stopped performing any rituals without him it wasn't the same, when there was a ritual to welcome spring she had no one to give the flower that first grew on the ground after the thick layers of snow disappeared, and she had no one with whom to throw the replica of the goddess of winter, into the waters that had thawed out

Tobes jumped up and waved in front of her face finally snapping the widow out of her reverie as she looked at him with boredom and a raised eyebrow - What? - she asked calmly come the note of sarcasm threaded through her voice

- Birthday is the day people are born, every year we throw parties to celebrate the day we were born," Toby explained, Anoana raised her eyebrows hearing Tobes explanation. She had never celebrated such a thing, nor had she ever heard of such a thing, although she often spent her free time among humans, or not as a human, but as a bird or rodent. Most often it was a bird, but when she became interested in something in a building she would change her form into a rodent or an insect and fly into the rooms that caught her attention

However, she found out quite painfully on the fact that being an insect, she has to watch out for flip-flops, people have an ugly habit of killing insects however, she will not say these words out loud

- Is it birth day - She muttered raising her eyebrow not sure if she understood correctly however Tobes nodded vigorously, he no longer had the strength to correct his pronunciation after Blinky instead of using the word , "Birthday" used the more poetic version , "Birthday" Toby thought that was why he twisted the words to appear smarter however when Anoana said the same thing Tobes realized that it was not Blinkous' pronunciation that was faulty after all

- Something like that," muttered Tobes nodding vigorously, the widow straightened up more to avoid humping like Vendel as her shoulders slumped as she still wanted to solve the mystery of why Toby had come to inform her of the troll hunter's birthday. She wanted to figure it out for herself first so as not to come off as a fool, "And for this reason I came up with to make a surprise party and invite you to it," said an excited Toby crossing his arms proudly on his chest.

The teenager was proud of his plan - At the same time, he wants to ask you for help - He added in a quieter voice almost dreamy enough that Anoana, despite her long ears, had to move them gently to understand what Tobes was saying

- Help? - Anoana asked puzzled, tilting her head - What can I help you with Toby? - She muttered, she had to stop frowning so much on her face, because she could feel the muscles that were frowning starting to hurt from the long pull of her eyebrows down.

- I came up with a plan to create a story as Aaarrrgghh lost his temper when the trolls are in the forge of heroes," said the teenager still proud of his plan, "Blinky would say push the button of the blades to run between them, and when Jim shows up and tries to alleviate the situation suddenly one of the platforms will open to reveal a mass of balloons and confetti! - excited the teenager

Anoana blinked several times still not seeing herself in this plan - But what am I supposed to do? - She mumbled finally, Toby only snickered and waved his hand dismissively - No big deal just pretend to be scared and run away and when Blinky opens the balloons and confetti we will all shout , "Happy Birthday" - Explained Toby adding quotation marks as he said what to shout

The widow was not convinced about this plan - But why should I appear there? - she whispered - To make it more believable, I can't ask Vendel, because he'll laugh it off! - Toby argued and Anoana's shoulders slumped. She felt slightly offended and taken advantage of, however, the vision of the party before the expedition effectively overshadowed her bad mood that wanted to appear after the words of the human teenager

- Well, so be it," she tiredly ran her hand over her face and Toby gave a short exclamation of joy, "In that case, tomorrow around seven o'clock in the morning," said Toby in a quick departure without giving her an opportunity to say more or anything. The widow only rolled her eyes, but smiled at Domzalski's childish joy

✮⋆｡°✩⋆˙⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆*: ･ﾟ✧*: ･ﾟ✮⋆｡°✩⋆˙⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆*: ･ﾟ✧*: ･ﾟ

You can find the continuation of the chapter on Wattpad, Neobook

[ksiondzkanexkiii]

I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU AGAIN | Angor Rot

CHAPTER TWO

Next chapter (three)

Chapter One

Find a story on Wattpad, Neobook, Tumblr

Anoana wasn't too interested in the new troll hunter in fact she was never up to date on who the current new troll hunter was. She always believed that it was her husband who would be able to protect her even if he never returned from his trip to the islands of the gods as she called it, it's not that she didn't miss Angor the truth is that there wasn't a day or night in which she didn't weep watching the bed she sleeps in still empty on the other side.

It was as if she believed that Angor would regain her soul and return to her and Morgana would eventually be killed so that the couple could once again happily develop their village.

A village that is no longer there. She wasn't able to run the village she handed over the power to Vendel however she is still beside the old man to help him, not all the trolls of Rot village took the sudden change of power well they hoped that Angora's wife would handle the pressure and make them rebuild their village somewhere other than the marketplace however none of that happened. According to Anoana, this was the safest option she could have chosen.

she couldn't handle the pressure of being a leader she was used to standing by optionally suggesting what to do, smiling at the crowd when her husband spoke or she had time to help her subjects in the village. Here she helped the blacksmith with bringing rare metals she found in the deepest caves, here she helped in the troll nursery to teach the young trolls about the magic that could be extracted from every object from flowers, from tree leaves, from tree bark she showed them how to extract magic, from the nature that surrounded them on every side.

However, not every young troll was interested in this so she had the story of her expeditions in store, which were more interesting for children however, when the village of Rot joined the marketplace and there was no trace of Angor Anoana's heart broke however her hope that she would get her husband back did not diminish. She had a bad feeling about the expedition and yet she let him out of the village she feared that he had died on the way to the island where Morgana is located however, when she heard that Angor had become an assassin for Morgana her heart beat harder and her hope was strengthened she dreamed every night of meeting her beloved.

She disregarded the crimes he had committed, she told herself that he had been forced to do so. Since he was left, when Anoana learned that Angor had lost his soul her heart broke again every day and night she sat over her books and even books borrowed from Vendel optionally from Blinky with more willingness or less to lend to his wife the killer, she tried to find a way to retrieve Angor's souls from the hands of the shadow goddess however with poor results.

Unable to find the right spell even if she used forbidden books, after sleepless nights she finally succumbed to Indun who, each day worrying about her mother-to-be, urged her to rest. When Anoana finally succumbed to the younger troll she quietly uttered a vow to find a way to be reunited with her husband even if it was at the cost of her health or life, when the woman finally scaled back her attempts from finding a way to get her husband back she did not let go of learning spells such as transformation into any living being in this world

She was able to change into a lizard, a bird, a horse practically any animal she could dream up into she even went so far as to try to change into a dragon or a griffin, but she failed however with the help of an old friend she soon got the desired effect only she had a small problem.

She couldn't change into a human being whenever she tried and the magic around her blew away everything around her creating a small tornado and she slowly floated into the air feeling the magic flow through her body stretching or shrinking parts of her body however not everything went as smoothly as she wanted it to

Although she resembled a human her skin was flesh-colored maybe slightly pale, but to her eye her complexion was too pale, she still couldn't hide her horns or her tail the sun kept burning her turning her skin to stone, despite many attempts she still failed, when the appearance suited her thinking it wouldn't arouse people's suspicions the sun had a different plan, she couldn't produce a shield that protected her from the scorching sun just waiting to turn her to stone.

 After several months of trying to turn herself into a human she finally gave up still living on the border of the Market in the most remote place, it's not that she didn't want to meet other trolls or talk to them she just didn't feel confident to live in a stone heart without Angora, after losing her husband she felt that her position had declined and she shouldn't elevate herself above other trolls as if she did before.

Although the biggest reason she isolated herself from the rest of the troll society was that trolls didn't like shapeshiftersodź she took lessons from the "hiding" of a certain young wizard to change her body into animals, she was afraid to brag to C about her abilities for fear of being shunned by society. Although Vendel knew what she had learned and applauded her power, which she continued to strengthen, he respected her decision to hide it in secret although he didn't understand why.

- Anoano what are you thinking about?  - Asked Vendel's calm voice as the stone tankard came into contact with the stone table, the old man's heavy footsteps rang out among the crowd of other trolls in the tavern. Vendel sat down in front of the troll with his drink as his pale eyes looked intently at the widow - Your head is full of thoughts at the same time it is full of tension, not what you would expect from a wizard - Vendel added with his scholarly tone

Anoana smiled with difficulty as she listened to her leader's every word, her green eyes momentarily fixed on Vendel's staff made of a stone heart which, like the stone heart in the middle of the troll market, shimmered pink and orange - You're thinking about him again aren't you? - Vendel asked rhetorically, seeing the gaze of the woman, who thoughtfully began to braid her long red hair in a tight braid so as not to get her precious hair wet in a mug full of dried leaves, people call it tea, but Anoana didn't like human tea, so with the help of her transformation into a cat and a bird she watched people make this invention.

And she created her own mixture of leaves that tasted good to her, Indun and Vendel. The pleasant smell of brewed leaves split her nostrils as she thought of an answer she could give to the old man - It's been centuries since I've seen him, I've only heard horrible stories until he suddenly sank to the ground - whispered Anoana not wanting to speak louder so that the inquisitive ears of the trolls wouldn't hear what she was saying, she moved her protruding long ears gently to pick up any suspicious words in the tavern but heard nothing of interest

- I hope to find Infern Copul to give him back his stolen soul and to get back his husband," she stated her plan so confidently however not once did she move further from Arcadia even using the sewer tunnels she was unable to go further than the end of the city then doubts and maybe even panic flooded her veins effectively scaring her from traveling further. She had no problem leaving the market or Arcadia when she was trying to find out what the tea was made of however, when she wanted to move on the expedition and get her husband back fear was wracking her body.

- It was a rhetorical question," Vendel muttered, wanting to throw another smart remark, but refrained, "You've been planning this for decades and you still haven't done anything about it," the old man shook his head in disapproval he knew what it was to lose love however Anoana couldn't accept the fact that Angora was gone and unlikely to return to her life, he was defeated and imprisoned even the old man himself didn't know the exact location of Morgana's servant's prison.

Anoana squinted exceptionally she was not wearing a scarf, on her hair she had loose tassels hiding her green eyes, without a scarf she felt a bit undressed however she did not want to tie a scarf on her hair. Vendel dropped by her house while she was weighing potions out of boredom offered to drink tea together Anoana couldn't refuse him so that's how she ended up here. At the inn.

- I know Vendel - She muttered as her shoulders slumped in resignation - However, I will soon be able to go further out than before - She added after a while in the same dreamy tone, she twisted the stone tankard in her hand as she looked at the drink that was swirling inside the tankard - Please change the subject - She sighed heavily through her nose however Vendel understood why she asked this so he meekly nodded his head

Vendel did not have to think long about the next topic of conversation - Our human troll hunter challenged Draal to a duel. Did you hear about that? - He asked raising his eyebrow as he took a sip of tea without taking his eyes off the woman in front of him. The light blue troll's eyebrows rose high up, she was not yet used to the fact that their new troll hunter was human however she did not underestimate Jim, she had seen him from afar and knew that this young boy would do great deeds however he needed solid training not a tournament of who would die faster

- Are you sure this rumor is true? - asked the woman skeptically, putting the tankard down in front of her with a silly clatter as the tankard touched the stone floor of the table - Isn't this another invention of Draal? - asked the woman - The last time Draal challenged someone to a duel it turned out that the opponent didn't even know about it - the woman added after a while under her breath

- This time I trust Draal's words - Vendel muttered, rolling his eyes at the words muttered by the widow - I am inclined to believe that the troll hunter dared to challenge Draal - Vendel defended himself, finishing his tea without paying attention, that the widow hadn't even started drinking her warm decoction - I'm betting that the fight will be short anyway - Vendel shrugged his shoulders - But I hope I'm wrong - He added after a while feeling Anoana's appraising gaze on him

- Don't you believe in a boy? - She asked curiously, she knew such a case. Indun, considered by many a weak and naive girl too weak to face the monstrosity of this world and yet, when Anoana and Angor trained her taught her how to fight, how to use simple spells such as shield protection then Indun grew into a capable warrior, everyone could envy her. Anoana had a feeling that Jim Lake Jr. will be similar to Indun no one believes in him except a group of friends however at some point he will grow into a capable warrior for whom everyone will bow down for the work he does

Vendel squinted his pale eyes and murmured something under his breath - Disbelieving someone is a strong word - explained the old man linking his hands together on the table top he pressed his lips tighter together forming his mouth into a thin line feeling how his lips are still moist after drinking tea - However, I will admit that I have mixed thoughts about the boy - explained Vendel scratching his long beard, Anoana smiled gently hearing the sincerity of her friend who sometimes becomes her mentor

- Amulet chose Jim must have a reason," she finally explained taking the first sip of tea in this meeting, "Jim may have potential he doesn't know about yet," the woman muttered turning her gaze from Vendel to the table to their right, where Blinky was sitting, Aaarrrgghh, "Jim can be like a crystal, if he is polished well -

- This will emerge a strong fighter - Finished Vendel knowing what Anoana wants to say - I might agree - The old man followed the woman's gaze and also looked at the two friends, before he could utter his next words Anoana forewarned him

- However, you don't believe Blinky is a good teacher - She raised an eyebrow as she slowly turned her head towards the old man straightening up in her seat even more than necessary - I believe Blinky has learned from his mistakes and a bond will soon be formed between him and our new troll hunter -.

- Anoano, you are forging ahead," sighed Vendel, also taking his eyes off the table of trolls they were looking at, the market leader said nothing more to even contradict the woman's words. He wanted to chastise her for once again looking too far into the future, which might kick her in the butt because of what she had thought up and failed - In that case, will you come to the fight tomorrow? - finally asked the old man changing the subject

Anoana shook her head with a mocking smile on her face as she gently dropped her head. When she lifted her gaze she encountered two people sitting across from Blinky and Aaarrrgghh she immediately recognized the troll hunter and his friend - A busy schedule I have - She winked with a smile, ran her tongue over the top line of her teeth - However, I will come - Finally she looked towards Vendel nodding her head

Vendel smiled - In that case, I'll see you tomorrow - He said goodbye to the woman, who answered him with a brief nod of farewell as she stared dully into the mug of tea in front of her. When she raised her gaze again she stuck her gaze into the foursome who were whispering to each other, not overhearing them her long ears lowered to avoid accidentally hearing what secrets they were whispering to each other.

She hoped she wasn't looking too far into the future and Jim would turn out to be what she hoped he would become. She stared intently at the foursome contemplating the human troll hunter she hoped she was telling the truth and Jim would turn out to be worthy of having the amulet and maybe even be the best troll hunter in the history of trolls.

She smiled under her breath as she finished her tea in one gulp and moved away from the table. She would get up to go to her house and prepare for tomorrow's duel between the troll hunter and Draal, she didn't notice that the new troll hunter was also looking at her as she was looking at him. Jim turned again toward Blinky who was assessing the photo that Toby had taken when they fought the shapeshifter in the museum, but the troll hunter had something else on his mind right now other than worrying that some troll was looking at him as if he was assessing him.

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Jim's speech after winning the battle with Draal brought only the fact that Vendel left the marketplace with the help of Blinkie and Aaarrrgghh to check what Jim saw was actually a decapitated bridge and not some other monument. Panic broke out in the marketplace, but Vendel with the help of Anoana and Indun successfully calmed the crowd of anxious trolls.

At the request of an elderly woman, Indun stayed at the market to keep watch over the peace while she was away.

Vendel, Aaarrrgghh and Blinky waited behind the human troll hunter and his friend at the time the market leader was looking at the displays on display in the museum, Vendel did not necessarily understand the art that people enjoyed so much. Holding his scepter tightly as his patience ran out Aaarrrgghh looked around from time to time hoping that Jim and the appendage would soon arrive Blinky meanwhile was boiling in place with stress trying to somehow strike up a conversation with Vendel but after another reluctant mutter from the leader he finally understood Vendel's allusion and stopped talking.

- Let's hope he does something about the cameras," Jim muttered, stepping through the window inside the museum as he began to look around for a potential museum security guard this time Toby was trying to squeeze through a narrow window. Letting out a sigh and moving around the troll hunter's friend tried to get inside the museum

- Oh boy, so it's true," muttered Toby squeezing himself into the window, as his body slowly squeezed through the window frame, Jim extended him a helping hand but Toby ignored it or didn't even notice it, "The criminal always returns to the scene of the crime," after saying these words Tobes body finally freed itself from the grasp of the window to jump inside and fall to the ground with a silent thud, Jim seeing his friend fall only contorted his face in a sign of pain

- He thinks the Arrest will convert us, but it's even worse," concluded Domzalski trotting after his friend unable to catch up with him, Jim without turning behind him walked on without waiting behind his friend knowing he was following him

- Lucky there are no goblins," whispered Jim more to himself than to Tobes, the two teens were walking deeper into the museum, where the market leader, Aaarrrgghh and Blinky were waiting behind them, however, the teens were not the only ones who were late.

Vendel was getting more and more impatient, but he was looking curiously at the relics on display and his eye was caught by an old-fashioned dress from the Renaissance, but he didn't like it, He furrowed his brow and wrinkles formed on his forehead as he began to gently tap the mannequin on which the dress was displayed with his scepter - What a ridiculous garment - he muttered under his breath and Aaarrrgghh and Blinky were forced to stand behind him for a good half hour while the leader looked at one and the same thing.

The two trolls simultaneously rolled their eyes, however, when they heard footsteps behind them they turned to see Jim and Toby walking hurriedly toward them. Blinky had a tightly wrinkled nose - You're late," he accused them almost immediately as the teenagers approached them

- Yes, Yes, sorry Draal trained Jim," explained Tobes which was clearly meant to keep the secret that Kanjigar's son now lives in his basement to protect the teenager and his mother Barbara. Tobes receiving an elbow to the stomach looked with a confused look at his friend, who threw him a brief look full of anger, the green big troll raised his eyebrows a little lower than Blinky's

- Draal? - muttered Aaarrrgghh - He was training? - Finished Blinky both confused whether they heard correctly

The young troll hunter squirmed when he realized that he would have to explain to his mentor and Aaarrrgghh that Draal lives in his house to protect him and his mother - Yes. He has settled a bit in the basement - Jim had a tendency that when he was stressed or didn't know what to say he waved his hands to emphasize his point of view this moment he rubbed his hand over his knuckles as he explained - He makes for a bodyguard - Lake shrugged his shoulders not knowing what more to add

Blinky squinted - Of course the defeated troll turns to the victorious duelist asking for shelter," Blinky concluded sarcastically, linking his hands in front of him as if he wanted to pray to the gods that Jim would not be stupid enough to make it true

- So everything is fine? - Summed up Jim with a quiet hope that what Draal did was normal however, when Blinkie's shoulders slumped and he threw him an angry look and Aaarrrgghh behind the blue troll was shaking his head the teenager quickly realized that what Kanjigar's son did was not normal for the custom of trolls

- Oh yes everything is fine," concluded Blinky almost growling at Jim, "As long as there is no catastrophe even worse because of this! To a cataclysm! - outraged Blinky still throwing sarcastic remarks. Jim sighed heavily feeling embarrassed, before Blinky could continue his tirade interjected Vendel who stood behind the two trolls and listened to everything

- Are we, with apologies, waiting to be caught? Or are you going to show me what is supposed to resemble a bridge of decapitation? - Demanded Vendel and impatience and annoyance flooded him as the meeting grew longer and longer, when Blinky wanted to answer by placing his one of his four hands on Jim's shoulder but the words had not had time to leave his mouth when a small white bird flew into the museum. Not a typical bird, as it did not resemble a pigeon or any other bird often found in Arcadia

The bird was white one on its wings there were brown and red feathers that created an ombre effect on the bird's wings. As the bird was getting closer and closer to them Jim unconsciously pulled out the amulet sensing that this bird could be a threat come to think of it the little one sensed that something was wrong with this bird because it wasn't acting like a well... a real bird... The teenager wasn't wrong because the closer he got to them the more the animal lowered its flight to soon turn into a ball of light which transformed into a troll.

Anoana straightened up coming out of the bird's body she corrected her white dress the closer she got to the group, her steps were steady she was in no hurry. Jim raised his eyebrows seeing Anoana remembering that she was the one who had looked at him in the inn but now the trolless was wearing her familiar headdress and the tassels fell freely down covering her eyes and part of her nose and her light blue skin stood out delicately against the dark museum - Vendel where is that characteristic calm of yours? - Anoana almost mocked the leader by standing next to him

- Did she? - Toby pointed at the troll looking at her long white horns which were not curled like those of other trolls, but she had horns similar to a deer and her red hair was pulled back but in front she had two braids, her hair reached her calves she was a bit bigger than the hunchbacked leader, maybe if the old man had straightened up Vendel would have surpassed her - She was a bird just now! - Said Toby loudly however Jim quickly silenced him

Lake and Domzalski didn't know what to think they had heard about shapeshifters only that the ones in Blinkie's story didn't turn into animals - Oh - Anoana muttered - I didn't know that my entrance would cause so much confusion, she hurried - She added after a moment in thought - Apparently people have never seen real magic - she added thoughtfully

Vendel merely rolled his eyes, unable to wait to see the decapitated bridge as long as the young troll hunter actually saw the decapitated bridge. Before Jim or anyone else had time to ask questions about the magic Anoana was talking about Vendel interjected - Can we move? - demanded the leader

Blinky shook his head, shaking off his surprise at the widow's sudden appearance. Galadrigal patted Jim again - It was just our hunter who wanted to lead us - Blinkous stated, the teenager only smiled awkwardly

- That's right," choked Jim, "I was just about to do it," muttered the teenager as he started walking toward where he found a bridge, or something that resembled a bridge of decapitation.

The group moved deeper into the museum Anoana was enthralled by the art that was on display for visitors, whenever she could she would stop to look at the exhibits, when the group moved away without waiting behind the troll this one walked away from the exhibits she sped up her steps to be able to catch up with the group that was not waiting behind the widow.

Jim walking towards the bridge of the decapitated head which he found or as he let it pass he found, the widow didn't listen too much however she focused when Jim opened the door - And then we escape from the goblins - Jim explained and Anoana raised her eyebrows, she really should have listened from the beginning when Jim spoke however she couldn't help but be more focused for the museum exhibits - And what do we see? The bridge of the decapitated head - Jim dramatically pushed back the white sheets that covered the closed exhibition

The teenager to add drama rested his hands on his hips, but to the group's eyes appeared an unknown large thing hidden under the sheet. Blinky and Vendel's eyes widened and after a moment they looked at each other, the two teenagers would move to be able to reveal to them what was hiding under the sheet being sure that it was the bridge of a decapitated head, the group of trolls slowly approached the two teenagers who were trying to pull down the large tarp.

Anoana approached the two teenagers - I'll help - She murmured kindly bending down to pick up the white tarp wanting to help the young troll hunter and his appendage however Aaarrrgghh preceded her pushing the teenagers away. The widow, understanding that Aaarrrgghh would pull down the tarp in one stroke just as the teenagers obediently stepped back giving room to the bigger and stronger troll

Aaarrrgghh pulling down the tarpaulin in one motion showed the eyes of the group a huge wooden ship from some era, the widow bet that the ship was from the medieval era or maybe even the Viking era, it was hard for her to tell however the ship itself made her delighted with it. Vendel looked at the troll hunter with annoyance - It doesn't look like a bridge to me - the old man muttered The widow wanted to throw him a sarcastic remark, but refrained as she looked at the ship

- Well he was here - The human troll hunter stressed mumbling quickly wanting them to believe his words that the decapitation bridge was here, if he was so insistent that he saw the decapitation bridge then, why is there a Viking era ship here? Anoana turned her head slightly as Lake continued to explain however he spoke quickly and it was difficult to understand any words, the troll hunter pulled his friend by the hand wanting him to confirm his version of events - After all, you were here yesterday you even took a picture! - Lake almost begged Domzalski to confirm what Jim was trying to present

- Apparently so - stammered Toby - But it wasn't sharp and I forgot to turn on the lamp - argued Tobes without even noticing how Vendel's face is getting more and more annoyed as they listen to the explanations of the troll hunter and his friend - Plus that crazy pace - muttered Toby and Jim crooked more and more when he realized that Blinky might have been right, that he was predicted - We were rushing blindly, they were chasing us - argued Tobes further, ignoring Jim's nervous eye

- Maybe there was no bridge? - grimaced Domzalski as he came to this conclusion, Vendel on cue turned towards the smaller blue troll with an accusatory and angry look full of irritation that flooded the veins of the older troll as he continued to hunch over while holding his scepter as tightly as he could

- Blinkous Galadrigal - Vendel pronounced the name almost with even more irritation as he watched the smaller troll's shoulders slump as the older troll looked at him accusingly - I haven't left the marketplace for a century - Recalled the marketplace chief - I agreed to this trip because you deluded me with the vision of seeing the bridge - Said an exasperated Vendel as blood bubbled in his veins

- You put me in danger Blinkous," Vendel sent him an even angrier look, to which Blinky replied with the same crossed his first pair of arms on his chest and rested his second pair of hands on his hips as Vendel tapped his cane on the ground to express his displeasure more forcefully

- If Master Jim claims to have seen," argued Blinky, but he was not allowed to finish, "So you let yourself be misled," growled Vendel, the widow looking at the situation like the rest of the group, she let the air out hard through her nose shaking her head

- We both know how much you like conspiracies and plotting," Vendel argued, wanting to explain to Galadrigal what a mistake he had made by trusting the young troll hunter so much that he took Vendel out after centuries when he didn't have to leave. Anoana looked at the troll hunter whose shoulders slumped hearing Vendel vent his anger at his mentor. The widow didn't want to say anything for now to curb Blinkous' reprimand

- Conspiracies meddle me," Blinky argued as he said this very poetically pointing his finger at the chief to emphasize his point of view, "That's why I want to expose them," he argued further punching his fists in the air as more and more irritation awoke in the lesser troll as in Vendel.

- Like when you decided to rid our world of cat meat," Vendel raised one eyebrow in boredom as he heard Blinke's resistance to Blinke's claim that the troll hunter might be right, Anoana took no sides she knew that at some point the shapeshifters would want to rebuild the bridge of the felled head after all Bular wants his father back and Gunmar wants the whole world. The widow knew it was a matter of time when the dark night would come she only hoped that she would find her husband in time to give him his soul at the same time run away with him as far as she could to hide in the darkness of the caves.

- A big misunderstanding," Blinky indignantly moved back as he rested all four pairs of hands on his hips, Jim looked confused towards Aaarrrgghh who was standing behind the ship. The human troll hunter asked a silent question to the pacifist if what Vendel was saying was true to which the latter nodded without uttering a single word to interrupt the argument between Galadrigal

- And remember how you made us believe that our furs were teeming with fleas? - Vendel continued to argue however Blinky did not see his errors in this

Anoana quietly sighed, seeing the growing argument - But it's true - She muttered under her breath, but no one heard it at least she thought so Jim sent her a confused look this time - Calmly this outbreak has been resolved but sometimes it happens that a troll has fleas - she explained to the teenager, who only nodded in understanding

- Prudence the highest virtue," Blinky argued, but he felt the ground disappear under his feet as Vendel became increasingly aware of his mistakes which made the chief even more distrustful of him if he trusted him at all....

- Everyone believed it," Vendel muttered, "Everyone in the marketplace thinks you're paranoid! -

- If everyone thinks so then it must be some kind of conspiracy! - Exploded Blinky without paying attention to the words, his earlier arguments went to ruin when he realized what he had said before he had time to correct his words, the old man ran his hand over with fatigue knowing that the conversation would have no effect. Vendel slowly turned towards Aaarrrgghh, Toby, Jim and Anoana who were standing behind the two trolls who were arguing

- Well your youngster is trying to play the hero," he muttered casting a glance at Jim and then looked at Blinkous again pointing an accusatory finger at him, "You, on the other hand, are looking for danger where there is none," accused Vendel

Anoana was alert she listened to what Vendel was saying at the same time she did not take her eyes off Jim and Tobes, seeing them both lower their heads in a sign of defeat after the old man's words her heart beat harder seeing their sad faces she moved to stand between them and put her stone hands on their shoulders, sending them a small warm smile of encouragement wanting to make them feel better with poor results.

Both boys smiled briefly at the widow however, their grim expression returned, she squeezed her hand tighter on the troll hunter's shoulder. Vendel moved forward - Aaarrrgghh take me home," ordered Vendel, the larger troll muttered something in agreement moving towards the exit but stopped to look at the widow with a silent question if he was coming with them.

Anoana merely shook her head in response to Aaarrrgghh, she pulled her hand off Toby's shoulder as he moved behind Vendel and Aaarrrgghh to escort the market chief away. Anoana glanced at Jim seeing him looking awkwardly at the floor, out of the corner of her eye she watched Blinky who crossed his arms over his chest in annoyance. Anoana sensed that she should leave to give them space to talk however she was not going to do so without adding her words

- Don't lose faith troll hunter - Whispered the widow, leaning closer to the smaller teenager to be on an equal level with him, the boy at her words raised his head to look at her - You know what you saw - she continued as she turned her gaze away from the boy to look at the ship - It's been centuries since Gunmar has been in the land of shadows, it's obvious that he will want to escape - she explained interrupting the

- Having a loyal son at your side who could take on armies of shapeshifters at any time - She swallowed hard again interrupting her words, she let go of his arm continuing to look towards the ship and not towards Jim - Not everyone will believe you or follow you however no one can question what you saw - Finally she looked at him as the boy looked at her with a puzzled expression as he tried to understand her words

- You can make them believe your word and I know a person who will investigate the matter," she added with a gentle smile, Jim furrowed his eyebrows only watched as the widow cast a quick glance in the direction of the blue troll, who still stood there like an offended child with his arms crossed over his chest. He crossed all four arms and his cheeks pouted like an offended child.

Jim wanted answers from the widow and maybe even an explanation of how to make Vendel believe a human troll hunter, Jim just like the woman before him looked towards the ship. Anoana only shook her head, the widow spoke puzzlingly to the teenager specifically would the young boy discover the answers to her words on his own

- Vendel thinks you got carried away by your imagination when Blinkous told you the story of the trolls," she muttered, placing her hand on the teenager's shoulder again, "Imagination can sharpen our senses preparing us for the unexpected, you're a troll hunter worried you'll have to face Gunmar or his son," she sighed.

- I believe you saw the bridge however the question is, where is the bridge? - she asked deafeningly and the teenager shook his head, no longer believing himself.

Jim almost threw up his arms pointing to the ship, he could have sworn on his life that he had seen the bridge right here - I swear I saw it here - Jim argued looking around the room hoping to find a clue to where the bridge might have disappeared however he saw nothing in particular - How am I supposed to find the bridge when even now I'm not sure I saw it - Jim sighed, his nostrils flared as he looked pityingly at the widow who was taller than him

Anoana gently tilted her head - Do you stop believing in yourself? - She asked, but she knew the answer to this question, Jim reluctantly nodded his head - Bad - she reprimanded him - Very bad, a good warrior does not doubt himself - she squeezed his arm tighter, wanting to encourage him, although she did not know if it actually worked.

The widow looked at the boy waiting for his question seeing it forming in his head - You talk about a good fighter, when I'm not even a good fighter - He muttered looking at the troll next to him - How do you know I will be a good fighter? - He raised his eyebrow suspiciously

Anoana only giggled shaking her head at the teenager's question - You have to find the answer to this question yourself - She joined her hands on her stomach as she looked at Jim, who only mumbled without getting a sufficient answer, she knew he was speaking in riddles however she wanted to hint to the boy what to look for in the dark corridors of ignorance to discover what he had not yet discovered himself - When you find the answer you will tell me yourself - she smiled gently

- Are you a good fighter Jim Lake Jr? -

Jim clenched his jaws tighter as he looked at the ship Anoana sensing Blinky approaching Jim stepped back to give them space - I swear he was here - Jim muttered wanting to look at Anoane who was not next to him, when he turned around he met Blinkous who was approaching the teenager

- Maybe Vendel is right," muttered Blinkous, "Na I told you fairy tales and you let your imagination run wild," Blinky stated, so many questions were boiling in Jim's head so many riddles at once that he didn't know what to do himself. Jim only firmly shook his head believing that he had not predicted and saw the bridge of the decapitated head, when the teenager wanted to ask the widow something he noticed that the widow raised her hands above her head like a bird preparing to fly and her body begins to surround magic at the same time shrinking to the size of a small hummingbird, which quickly escapes through the open window through which Jim and Toby entered.

Jim sighed heavily as he looked at his mentor, "It's my fault," stated Blinky pulling the teenager out of his reverie, Lake had not previously caught the sad tone of his mentor however, when he realized this he wanted to help Blinky regain his faith that he was not at fault and maybe even helped

- No - Denied the boy coming closer to the troll so he could see him - It's not your fault at all - Argued the boy further - Please believe me, just like she believed me... Well - Jim interrupted his argument for a moment realizing that he didn't know the widow's name and yet she messed with his head, he put his hand on his chest - Well like that troll, I really know what I saw - he argued as the teenager's shoulders slumped to the side just like Blinky's

The light blue troll only sighed heavily, turning towards the teenager - If there is no proof they must be somewhere else - Blinky stated grabbing Jim's arm wanting to give him his support, Jim stood there with a serious look on his face as he watched the desire to uncover the conspiracy arouse in the blue troll - Get on with your studies better - He instructed in an authoritarian tone - And I will investigate," the troll whispered, sending a small smile towards the teenager, who reciprocated.

[ksiondzkanexkiii]

I'll never leave you again | Angor Rot

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CHAPTER ONE

- Angor - The trolless called out as she entered the cave she and her husband inhabited. Their previous cave had been raided by Gunmar's evil forces and the whole village had to flee and wander to find a new place to live. Away from the wars so that the children could grow up in peace, so that the parents did not have to worry about whether their children would return home, or whether the older trolls would be thrown out of the house and beaten to death by Gummies who were looking for a moment's fun.

The woman's voice was strained and the slight breaking of her voice was audible to her husband. Nothing could be hidden from him he knew her too well however he did not avert his golden eyes from the preparations for the expedition - This is a bad idea - She interjected again the blue troll looked worriedly at her beloved sensing that his plan would not work out. She had always believed in her husband but now she doubted his idea undermining his authority as leader of the fallen village of Rot, some of the village managed to escape but some were not so lucky

Those who managed to escape followed the marriage worried, the little trolls cried and the mothers tried to soothe them the men tried to soothe the stressed women. However, the way towards the safe haven was long and hard and for this reason some trolls died on the way from exhaustion their loved ones were also tired, but they stubbornly went on - This is a very bad idea Angora - The woman pleaded the further her husband did not pay attention to her

Finally long light blue claws touched her husband's stony grey skin wrapping her hands around his biceps - Please listen to me - The woman almost begged him to listen to him walker for a moment, she did not trust the sorceress she wants to go to Rot.

- I cannot defend the village of Anoana - He finally spoke up seeing her beautiful green eyes in full view, she was not now wearing her familiar headband which has a tassel on the front covering her eyes and the back of her nose however the distinctive two black claws painted from the eye to the corner of her mouth were on her cheeks - This will help me gain more strength - He confessed facing his wife

Her eyes expressed great worry and concern at the same time exhaustion caused by the trek that had stopped two days ago. They were three days ahead of Gunmar's army, but nobody knew when they would find them again and kill everyone Angor did not want to let this happen again, he had to protect the people at all costs.

He could even give up his birthstone, his soul to protect his village, his people. He could give his life for the Anoana he loved in all worlds.

The light blue troll's lips parted slightly as she raised her hand to touch her husband's cheek, who almost immediately snuggled into her palm squinting and a quiet cat-like murmur issued from his throat - How am I supposed to defend my village when I can't even protect you? - He whispered opening his eyes to encounter cuts and bruises on her body most of the wounds were on her hands and arms, when those in need were helped to get up and walk on. She had a cut on her cheek from Gumm Gumm who attacked her when she tried to help a small troll escape from the village.

He let her out of his sight for a moment and when he heard her shrill scream he froze almost immediately, when he saw Gunmar's servant standing over her and aiming his sword at her wanting to kill her in one blow or inflict as much pain as he could before she would die, he raised his stone hand and ran his finger under the cut being careful not to inflict pain on her. He was worried too, but he did what he thought was right

- The expedition won't take more than two days, we'll still have a day's head start on Gunmar before he finds us - He whispered and his eyes jumped from the cuts on her body to her green eyes

She clenched her jaw tighter looking at him almost appraisingly - Why don't you let me swim with you? - She whispered, coming closer to him - Let me help you - she whispered even more quietly than before raising her other hand to take both stone hands on his cheeks she had to stand on tiptoe to reach, Anoana and Angor were similar in stature they were almost humanoid, their bodies were similar to human bodies more than other trolls they were tall and slim but Rot was taller than his wife.

She barely reached his shoulder however this did not stop them from indulging in affection every day, Anoana gently tilted her head to get a better look at him from a different angle, she wanted to know the answer to her question. She could see Angor's thoughts churning as he thought of an answer that would satisfy her, he sighed heavily through his nose - It's dangerous you know that - He whispered, the woman's hands clasped tighter on his cheeks, he knew she did not accept his words at that moment - Someone must take care of the serfs while I am away - he added after a while hoping that his wife would loosen the grip on his cheeks

- In that case, don't go," she persisted, not wanting to let him go, sensing that something bad would happen. She would be angry with herself if something happened to him she could even say that she would never forgive herself for not being beside him when he gets hurt and vice versa - Stay. Angora please - Anoana still begged him hoping that he would change her husband's mind but she knew him too well and for too long she knew that he was stubborn and wanted to do well, but the black nightmare was standing over her trying to warn her of the danger that was just waiting for her attention Angora

- It will be alright, love - he whispered lifting her chin gently to press his nose to her forehead - Before you know it I will be back with magic and we can live without fear of Gunmar finding us and killing us - he whispered into her forehead, she closed her eyes feeling his nose pressed against her forehead before she had time to respond or enjoy the touch that was meant to reassure her he moved away tucking the last things into the pouch in his belt.

- If I do not return in two days, find a market and stay there with our people - whispered Angor standing at the exit, he was worried about his wife, he could not imagine how she was worried about him but he would not like his nightmare to come true, if Gunmar attacked again he would not have enough strength to fight back. He would not want his wife to die in agony as well as his subjects, he was worried about everyone - It is safe in the market place, please go there with our subjects - he added after a while

- As soon as you are in the market place I will be waiting for us there - He confessed without giving her room for argument or any other words she looked at the ground when he said this without being brave enough to look at her worried green eyes. When he finally got the courage to look at her one last time she said nothing just watched him walk away.

As he looked ahead, as he walked through the middle of the temporary encampment his people had set up he could feel their gaze on him as they looked at him in awe of his courage and sacrifice, no one else would ever dare to look for Morgana. No one would ever dare to ask Morgane for the power she possessed.

As Angor passed through the camp every Troll when they saw the leader bowed gently but this time everyone knelt on one knee lowering their heads low in homage to him and silently conveying their gratitude that he was trying to help them even at the risk of his own life. Even if his wife does not like it and is forced to watch the stature of her beloved disappear somewhere over the horizon.

- I didn't believe you would let him go - A voice beside Anoana spoke up and footsteps approaching her made her realise that her best friend stood beside her as she stared dully at the horizon behind which Angor had disappeared, she didn't even know when the sun was slowly setting - How are you feeling? - Asked quietly Idun gently stroking her friend's shoulder looking with worried eyes as Anoana started to look around realising that she had been standing in one position for hours and was still looking at the path that Angor had followed

- Hopeless - Anoana wheezed, turning her head towards Idun she was young she had dark purple skin and her long black hair was tied in a high step that filled the space between her horns which curled at the ends in spirals. Idun stood out from the other girls, she wore dresses that had cuts on her thighs and on her shoulders she constantly wore a belt in which she had various vials of healing potions and poisons pinned. The time of war has caused the young troll to carry vials with her every time she will be able to defend herself however they are usually hidden in a pouch clipped to her belt. On her back was often a bow, which now lay safely in her temporary shelter but still close enough to the weapon to reach for it as quickly as possible during an attack.

Indun had violet eyes of exceptional beauty, however, she was personally ashamed of them, as it was rare for a troll to be born with violet eyes - I don't know how to feel - Mumbled the older woman after a while, Anoana was older than Indun by at least a hundred years but the two women were friends and were inseparable sometimes Angor claimed that Anoana adopted Indun, as the younger troll was more willing to be in the company of his wife than his own parents.

This made Angor feel jealous at times, however, he would not admit to wanting his wife's attention so much and not wanting to share it. It's not that he didn't like Indun hell he liked this kid he taught her how to hunt and cook good food optionally weaving in teachings on how to be a good leader and how to be a good troll. Anoana and Angor acted as parents in Indun's life without even knowing it the young troll suffered when they weren't there, the purple troll's parents weren't the best or the worst she herself didn't know at what level to define them as they didn't give her the attention the young troll needed

They were not interested in what she was doing all day long

They were not interested in what new things she learned from the village chief

Her parents lived their own lives and all she could do was feel like a fifth wheel but Angor and Anoana effectively made her find the light in her life again and every day she stood with new hope that Angor taught her something new and maybe Anoana would take her with her to look for ingredients for potions or they would learn new spells together.

- Do you think she will get what she wants? - asked Indun quietly, worrying about the older troll as much as Anoana who looked again at the horizon of trees behind which Angor had disappeared. The trolls had a problem with sunlight because as soon as the sun's rays fell on their stony skin it painfully burned their skin turning them into real stone taking away the colour of life that had previously shone in their eyes, which would later turn into grey and emotionless stone - Is Morgana even alive? Does she exist? - asked the younger troll, stopping from foot to foot

- They say that Morgana fell into the ocean because of King Arthur, there is no chance that she will survive - muttered Indun, looking at the trees, in whose shade they would hide to protect themselves from the world and the sunlight. Anoana shook her head - Don't believe these rumours sun - confessed quietly Anoana turning her body towards the younger troll putting her hand on her shoulder for Indun to turn towards her - You see, before Gunmar attacked our village we fished a man out of the sea - recalled the older woman correcting the belt that was wrapped around the younger troll's shoulder - We said a prayer for the man to survive and the goddesses of this world would make her still alive –

- Did they succeed? Did they bring her back to life? - Indun interjected by tilting her head tightly clenching her jaw. Anoana merely smiled and shook her head

- 'It was the decision of the goddesses we have not been able to see if they restored the soul of the woman from the sea,' Anoana confessed quietly, she lifted her hand from the younger troll's shoulder and embraced her cheek stroking the stony skin beneath her eye - 'But we believe that the woman found renewed peace in the world of the living or perhaps she only now knew peace in the world of the dead,' whispered the older troll, she leaned over to press her forehead against the younger troll's forehead - 'And you believe it,' she whispered closing her eyes

Indun looked for a moment at Anoana who presses her blue forehead against hers, the younger troll followed Anoana's lead and also closed her eyes - Of course - whispered the younger troll, after a few seconds they moved away from each other - So now you are in a leadership role? - asked the teenage troll curiously - You mean I can be your right hand? - Indun raised an eyebrow and Anoana dryly giggled while shaking her head

- 'You're too young to be my right hand,' the older trolless giggled as she headed towards the other subordinates Indun took one last look towards the forest sighing heavily at Angor's departure from the village, the young troll hoped that Rot would find what he needed and that the legend of Morgana would not be a mere fairy tale to keep the spirit of the children to believe that there was still magic. The young troll turned on its heel and with long and quick steps tried to catch up with Anoane without having to run up but failed.

- So what is the plan? - asked Indun as she followed the older woman, looking under her feet to avoid falling over tree roots

Anoana only sighed heavily - He instructed us to go to the market place - she confessed quietly - That is reasonable. He said that by the time we get there, he will be waiting for us there - with that the time leader muttered - It makes sense, it will take us two days to get to the market and he will have time to get the magic from Morgana and come back - Anoana shrugged her shoulders wanting to believe what he was saying but stress and uncertainty coursed through her veins as she thought about it more intensely

Indun followed Anoana seeing her shoulders tense and her back as she artificially straightened up pretending to be calm and everything was going according to plan however Indun knew that Angor's wife was worried about him and the expedition he had not taken her on with him. The younger troll watched as the blue trolless moved by the villagers ordering them to get ready to go to the market again, Indun only watched as Anoana began to rule this temporarily over the people of the fallen village of Rot.

The younger troll swallowed hard and went off on her own to pack up her belongings left over from Gunmar's raid on the village of Rot, it is not that Indun did not want to comfort Anoana or see that the older troll needed it, but she began to think that her words would be unnecessary and Anoana would not accept help anyway to calm her thoughts and satisfy the storm that was coursing through her veins.

[ksiondzkanexkiii]

MAYBE YOU'RE NOT A BAD PERSONE | John Price

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

,,Hypnosis"

Chapter twenty-eight *soon*

Chapter twenty-six

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CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

- I am concerned about the smoke," whispered the redhead, "Can we check it? For my peace of mind - she asked and the siblings shook their heads

- Relax Jinx! - shouted Ava painfully grabbing Jinx's shoulders and massaging them seemingly gently and yet Jinx's shoulders ached. Apparently, the alcohol had hit their brains causing them to be out of touch with the world and neither of them was aware of the flames of the fire that was hiding in the nooks and crannies of the house, yet showing its signs in the form of smoke that was coming in through the ventilation grilles

- Drink! - Mouthed Ava putting the drink to Jinx's mouth and Eric pulled on Jinx's red hair causing a headache for the teenager and a short "Ow" from the redhead, Ava took advantage of the fact that Jinx's mouth was open and poured alcohol into her mouth due to the fact that her head was tilted back by Eric who was pulling her hair she couldn't spit out the alcohol that was rudely poured into her mouth

- What are you guys doing? - annoyed the teenager - You are mean - she muttered and the siblings giggled

- We are relaxed - shrugged his shoulders Eric letting go of Jinx's hair and kissing her on the forehead as an apology, Ava let out a quiet , "awww" as she watched Jinx - Well now kiss - she encouraged them pretending like she was making out with some imaginary boy

- You are disgusting - muttered Jinx

The redhead's eyebrows furrowed tightly and the muscles in the teenager's body tightened the more she wanted to delve into her mind to find the missing pieces of the puzzle. However, it didn't yield any results so far, as she saw it all as if from a screen in a movie theater still nothing new came out of the case, but it kept adding more and more pain the more she tried to find answers. The resistance of memories was great enough that Anoana's mind made her see everything she was trying to forget

- Focus Jinx," called out Isolda's uneducated voice, the two teens connected on the camera to talk. The captain allowed Jinx to have her phone and laptop on the trip so she could talk to her friends while Anoana was in Amsterdam and he was busy, he didn't leave her unattended on the laptop and phone they had agreed that at the end of the week he would check everything she did on the laptop and phone - You need to relax, stay focused and think about what you want to see - Isolde instructed

Pallastride was in her small room sitting on the bed and the laptop was on her lap as she gave instructions to Jinx trying to conduct the most effective remote hypnosis possible, she hoped Anoana would find the missing pieces of the puzzle or the walker would retrieve those memories she had forgotten about

Jinx was sitting in the middle of the hotel room in her bedroom their room consisted of three separate bedrooms a small kitchen and a bathroom. It was a small room meant only to provide for the needs of Garrick and Price who would return from a reconnaissance or successful raid to eat, wash up, discuss what Garrick had screwed up during the raid or while gathering information and then go to bed. From time to time Price would ask how the teenager's day was going, and when they returned during the time Jinx was talking to Isolde, Noah or Aria would greet her friends and also get into a little discussion asking how their vacation was going.

Anoana made no secret of the fact that she was bored while the duo of captain and sergeant were doing their work fortunately or not fortunately she discovered the magic of tiktok, Isolde had to explain a lot to Jinx how social media works however the redhead quickly understood.

- It's not that easy Pallastride," muttered Jinx, her eyelids twitching as she moved her eyes to see as much as possible while she was in her memories. She held her breath as her shoulders slumped, "My last words to my siblings were awful," she croaked as she heard what she said to them, even though she teased them it hurt especially since she couldn't apologize to them for what she said

- What did you say to them? - asked Isolde tilting her head seeing through the camera how Anoana's eyelids move as she moves freely through her blocked memories - Calmly exhale, let the air out let your brain remember what it wants to block, don't let the negative aura get in our way - Pallastride said these words quietly watching her friend's reaction carefully

- What do you see Jinx? - whispered Isolde being close to the microphone so Jinx heard what she whispered

- I told them they were disgusting," muttered Jinx, hesitating to end the hypnosis, "They poured alcohol in my mouth, not a great amount," she added after a moment, "And those familiar jokes they uttered.

- A small amount of alcohol can make it harder to remember certain things," Isolde explained, floating a theory as to why Jinx remembered so little of the fire - How much of it did they pour into your mouth? - she asked after a moment of silence

- A small shot - Jinx didn't like something, they poured alcohol into her as if they cared to get her drunk. Just what would they do then? What was their plan? - It was a little shot, why did it make me lose consciousness? - Jinx asked this question out loud and Isolde wrote it down on a notepad on her computer, signed the file as , "Check later" and saved it in a folder deeply hidden in other folders on her laptop

- How about a strong martini? - Asked Isolde, she did not know much about liquor however Jinx shook her head

- Pure vodka, I have a strong head, but why did it affect me so quickly? - Anoana asked the question out loud again and Isolde would write it down to find the answers later, both teens didn't like something or maybe it was just them thinking too much and going into the wrong corridor as they need to and the answer follows them shouting which way they should turn and they don't listen to it - They were planning something - muttered Anoana - Something they wanted to do just what? -

Isolde had already managed to write these questions down - Maybe they thought that a little alcohol would allow you to open up to other people? - suggested Pallastride laying down more comfortably on the bed gently moving from the nervousness and uncertainty that coursed through her veins. Anoana shook her head

 - Then they encouraged me to drink and not poured into my mouth," she shrugged her shoulders, "I spit out the alcohol, but not all the same it had an effect on me and it worked hard as if she had drunk at least ten shots," explained the teenager

- Go deeper into your mind you will remember - encouraged Isolde and Anoana only sighed heavily, fighting with her mind to let him see what he blocked.

- You are disgusting," muttered Jinx, spitting out the rest of the drink from her mouth she felt like hitting them. She felt the warmth of the alcohol melt down her esophagus and stomach and then the percentages of alcohol flowing through her veins dimming some of her thoughts. It had been so long since she had felt the taste of alcohol and its effects that she didn't feel well, especially weak when she imagined Price smelling the alcohol

She didn't want to imagine the punishment she would get

Too late she did

She had already imagined it

But she could feel her eyelids becoming heavy as she inhaled air that was increasingly prickly in her lungs. It really bothered her, the dizziness was striking practically knocking her off her feet it was impossible for alcohol to affect her so quickly and the fact that she had such a weak head for alcohol. She always had to try very hard to get drunk she never had a hangover after one drink and here she felt like she had a hundred.

She tried to call out Eric or Ava, but all that came out was a quiet murmur, almost babbling, if someone had been standing next to her they wouldn't have understood the words she pronounced either.

Eric and Ava stood over her as she fell

Eventually she too fell and her gaze would sink into the darkness, which took a minute to finally look around at her surroundings. They were in flames, the Rodriguez house was on fire and she was lying in the middle of the kitchen amidst the dancing flames she tried to hear if Ava and Eric were getting up, but apparently they had lost consciousness due to the smoke.

- My head hurts," muttered the redhead clenching her eyes tighter, something she didn't remember after waking up in the ambulance is how much her head hurt before she collapsed in the kitchen at the Rodriguez party. It certainly wasn't caused by smoke inhalation - Something is wrong, I missed something," she muttered to herself

Isolde watched her closely through the webcam, she couldn't touch Jinx to comfort and support her and she really wanted to do so. She wouldn't say it out loud, but she was worried about Jinx wondering if she had done the right thing by recommending hypnosis for her, Jinx's decision took as long as a full three days and they got to work almost immediately. And Pallastride is now questioning her decision, out of all the nervousness she started biting her nail crusts she always did it when she was deep in thought and questioning everything and when she was nervous like she is now

Only now the questioning and the stress came together

Jinx took a few steps back in the world of hypnosis to take a better look to see something she had noticed and then successfully blocked out in her mind to the point where she couldn't remember

Three people entered the kitchen as they poured her alcohol, three suspicious people too large as if they were going to be students however they were not teachers. Perhaps Rodriguez's parents and their friend? Jinx didn't think about it any longer she had other reasons to worry such as spitting out alcohol, some of which she managed to swallow. When she started mumbling to argue with the Rodriguez siblings however, it didn't last long when she felt a radiating headache more accurately from her occiput.

Jinx suddenly drew in air holding it back as she watched her inert body fall from the chair even if it was only hypnosis she was chastising herself for not paying attention to the three suspicious people who entered the kitchen. It was immediately apparent that they were not typical partygoers but people who had entered the kitchen for some purpose, Jinx could not see any more as the world of hypnosis suddenly went black

 She lost consciousness her eyes were closed so she couldn't remember anything when her eyes are closed, but she strained her hearing. Maybe when one is unconscious one's hearing magically continues to work? At least she had that hope which worked because she heard murmurs and some words that were too blurry for her to understand what they were saying. Even with her best efforts, she couldn't understand anything but

"Put it here."

"Хорошо, переоденься*".

"Идиот* spill so as not to pour it. We don't need a real..."

"Мы выйдем через дверь, ведущую к....".

That's all she could hear, when the image of the world created by hypnosis reappeared immediately she was there, lying barely conscious on the ground and next to her Eric and Ava also unconscious. As she walked closer to them to get a closer look at what they looked like, she didn't want to watch them die by watching them burn alive, even though they were lying unconscious. Her eyes widened in pure shock

Two teenagers rushed into the kitchen, boys perhaps a year older than Jinx, both wearing similar Hawaiian shirts that now covered the lower part of their faces as they tried to stop the smoke from entering their lungs, simple blue jeans. One of them had irregularly shaped glasses and light blond hair that had turned red through the orange tint of the flames, and was very skinny. The other, on the other hand, was without glasses, but was chubbier than his friend had thick dark eyebrows and long brown hair tied up in a small bun, which, because of the party, was slightly disheveled and looked like it had been neglected. He differed from his friend in that he didn't have a plain black T-shirt under an unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt, but had a black T-shirt with some kind of logo on it. Maybe some kind of band?

 With his eyes looking for those who still stayed at home. When they saw the redhead on the ground they almost immediately ran over to her grabbing her arms and started dragging her toward the exit. They were coughing from the smoke, even though they had their mouths and noses covered with their shirts, they both wanted to act like heroes by saving those who had inhaled smoke from the fire and lost consciousness

They dragged Jinx as far as they could, it was going reluctantly, but they couldn't help hurrying as much as they could however they didn't have the strength. When they reached the living room suddenly the roof structure partially collapsed losing stability due to the intense flames, the planks that managed to crumble and fly towards the three teenagers awkwardly landed on the redhead's left side

This she already knew how she only had her left side burned, the fire must have started on the roof and the intensity only gathered in the kitchen. Was it because...

- Robert let go, we have to blow! - cried the skinnier boy pulling his friend back by the shoulder - The firemen will pull her out! - cried the blond-haired boy again as he continued to try to pull his friend away from the unconscious Jinx. Finally, the brunet let go and both boys ran out of the house with their last strength, leaving the unconscious Jinx behind

She stood over her unconscious hallucination watching closely as wounds were burned into her by the heated boards that had fallen from the roof structure.

- Isolde! - Jinx shouted suddenly opening her eyes shocking Pallastride with this, even though she was on the other side of the computer in her warm home, Jinx quickly found the laptop getting up quickly from the ground to approach the table where the laptop stood she leaned over the chair so Isolde could see her face which had pure shock and pain and disbelief written all over it.

Pallastride became even more stressed when she saw the face of Jinx who could not get a word out of herself because of the shock that flowed through her - What is it Jinx? - Isolde urged her to say what she saw - Talk to me darling - she urged her on, Isolde's blue eyes moving quickly as she studied the redhead's face through the camera with her eyes. This was the first time Pallastride had seen Anoane in such a state

Jinx quickly pushed back her chair to sit in front of the laptop – I saw them - she muttered after a moment and her gaze dropped to her hands - It's not Eric and Ava who can live - She choked out finally, pinching the root of her nose. She herself could not believe it did not know what Isolde would say about it

- What? - Isolde almost screamed hearing Jinx's words. She wondered what she meant by how can Rodriguez be alive if they died in the fire? It was not a big fire, the fact the roof collapsed, but it was the fault of the old structure and the age of the house, the master of the house himself, that is, Theo Rodriguez claimed that the house was already so old that not a big thing could make it collapse yet they still lived there - What do you mean? After all, they died Jinx - Denied Pallastride

- No, they can live - Jinx almost begged with her eyes Isolde to listen to her - Erick and Ava wanted me to drink alcohol, rudely poured it into my mouth then the three suspects entered. I do not know who they are and what they look like I saw them out of the corner of my eye and in hallucinations they were only black I only heard their footsteps and quiet whispers - she explained on one exhale turning red due to lack of oxygen supply to her lungs she continued to explain to Isolde what she saw and she listened with a serious face considering Jinx's words

- I spit out the alcohol, however, I swallowed part of it," she continued explaining without seeing Isolde write it all down and the clatter of the thump of the keyboard fills Pallastride's room as she quickly notes everything down just as Jinx recounts while blowing out the blue fringe that falls into her pupils, "There must have been something about the alcohol because it quickly started to affect me, even though I didn't drink much, I didn't drink at all I swallowed it by accident and the other part I spit out. How did it work on me? Besides, when I spit it out I felt a sharp pain in my occipital -.

Jinx, when she mentioned hitting her occiput unconsciously reached out to touch the place where she felt the pain center hoping to sense something that would catch her attention. However, there was nothing there, if someone had hit her it was too late to sense the bump that might have occurred after the hard blow that made her lose consciousness.

- You mean Eric and Ava wanted to put you in debt? - She asked Isolde skeptically, not because she didn't believe the redhead simply because she didn't know what to think about it, which side to take. Should she dissuade Jinx from pursuing the case or try to help herself solve the case? Maybe the detectives themselves will discover what happened to Rodriguez.

- It looks like it," Anoana shrugged her shoulders the more she thought about it the more she felt like her brain was going to explode, "I lost consciousness, I didn't see anything, but I heard words three voices I didn't know and heard Erick, when I opened my eyes I saw that they were burning next to me. I looked at them and saw - Jinx interrupted, the more she thought about it the more she could not believe it herself

- What did you see Jinx? What were those voices saying? - Isolde questioned Jinx wanting to get as much out of her as she could while not wanting to hurt Anoana 

Anoana shrugged her shoulders as she tried to decipher what the words she heard meant - I don't know, they were speaking Russian I don't know that language - Jinx defended herself, raising her hands in a gesture of surrender - But I heard Eric's voice, he said - She raised her hands to make quotation marks with her fingers - He said something in Russian and then told her to be careful and not to pour it - She lowered her hands and her shoulders slumped the more she thought about it all it didn't make sense

Isolde thought about it for a while - Say what you heard, maybe I can find a translation of it - She tossed out an idea and Jinx caught eye contact with her through the camera, Anoana pressed her lips tightly together in a narrow line pondering the proposal Pallastride considered every pros and cons. Both teens did not know what could be behind it all however they were determined to find out

- Good - Anoana finally answered after a long moment of silence - Price can't find out, we need more information if it was arson - she dragged her last words thinking if she could be right

- It's going to be a bigger settlement - Isolde interjected - Aria's dad is a firefighter and Aria and I were taught a little about fires and he took us on campaigns so we could watch - Isolde explained when she saw the confused look on Anoana's face who asked without being loud, "How do you know that?" - Where there is the beginning of the fire there is the most sediment and the most burned," Isolde concluded

- You're in London I'm in Amsterdam, we'll have to wait a bit behind before we check the Rodriguez house, and we'll have to get inside too. Probably security or police are guarding the burned house - She instructed

- I will go there, two people can be a crowd. I will go in there quietly take pictures and send you -.

- No. do not send me -

- Why? -

- The captain checks his laptop and phone, he can't know anything -.

- Don't you want to tell him? -

- And if we are wrong then what? Hm? He can tell us to let it go and believe that Booth and Rockford will solve the case - -.

- Don't you believe that? -

- No - Outraged Jinx almost mocking Isolde - I believe in my hypnosis, come on I just did it, but let's skip this detail - Anoana tried to joke with a mocking smile on her face however it didn't work on Pallastride which Jinx regretted. Isolde looked at Anoana with pity, the red-haired teenager's shoulders slumped - You'll go there anyway, right? - she asked more quietly looking at her hands

- Yes - She stated matter-of-factly the teenager behind the screen, getting up from the bed - And I'll do it later today - She said leaving the eye of the camera to change into more comfortable clothes and those that won't be in sight - I'll call if I see something interesting - She informed, speaking from the other end of the room but loud enough for the microphone to hear her voice

Jinx merely nodded, looking dully at the screen where Pallastride had just disappeared. What if she was wrong? And she will lead Isolde into a dangerous place and an even more dangerous mission, since Eric and Ava faked their deaths it means it could be serious business, something like the cartel or other terrorists. Or maybe it was Jinx thinking too much and only faking it because of her past and surviving the fire, she hoped Isolde would find some evidence for Anoana's thesis. Jinx could only pray that everything would go according to plan

- Isolde - Anoana called out suddenly, she tightened her lips into a narrow line as she thought of further words she wanted to say, but nothing came to mind but a simple

 - Be safe," she almost whispered these words while looking intensely at the camera, and when the already ready to act Isolde reappeared on the screen Jinx held her breath, what if something happens to her? Anoana really wanted to be next to her to enter the burnt house of Rodriguez however, she was stuck in stupid Amsterdam

Jinx was really worried, she didn't know if Isolde was up to the task. It's not that she didn't trust her or anything, she trusted her she just felt a strange tightening in her stomach and her heart was pounding faster than the world's fastest horse could run. The look in Pallastride's blue eyes was full of determination and willingness to take any risk, Jinx almost shuddered seeing that look it reminded her a lot of Jack, who had the same look before every mission they had to undertake back in the days when Anoana was in Mexico

Isolde's gaze softened, "Always," she pronounced without speaking aloud and Jinx nodded her head in agreement. Isolde leaned closer to the laptop and pressed the button to disconnect, the two teens didn't say goodbye, but they both didn't feel the need to do so. They knew it wouldn't be long before they were reunited to talk about what Isolde had found in the burned Rodriguez house, or maybe what she hadn't found. Jinx, although she liked adventure would have preferred Isolde to have found nothing.

ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ

- When will you arrive? - Asked Price pushing a button on the radio to connect with Laswell who was flying to them, the captain was in the water under the bridge. With his gaze he studied the boat that was approaching them, the Al-Katala boat was approaching them at a slow pace creating small waves as the bow of the boat parted the water advancing the floating machine further forward with the help of the engine at the back. John was hidden and adrenaline was already flowing through his veins the closer the boat approached.

- In less than an hour," Kate replied and her voice was distorted by the radio, "Where are you? - She inquired

The captain looked to the side looking for Garrick, who was also floating above the water hiding opposite the captain behind a wooden dock - Canals, under the bridge - The captain replied and his voice was rougher the more he calmed the anxiety that flowed through his veins. Use your stress to fight, anxiety and adrenaline make you constantly ready for battle, he repeated it in his head like a prayer - I'm watching the boat Al-Katali - he added after a while

- Is it carrying a missile container? - Kate almost became animated at the information the captain gave her, Price only shook his head and Laswell couldn't see it but she could hear the resignation in his voice

- Not this one - He sighed knowing that he was taking away Laswell's hope - Certainly not this one - He spices up his statement to further sadden Laswell who lets out a quiet sigh of defeat

- May it get us where we need to go," she sighed protractedly, fighting the urge to lighten up. The closer she got to Amsterdam the more nervousness got to her, Zyani scored rockets on her watch she wanted to change that. To correct the mistake. She was determined to do so at all costs, disregarding whether it was legal or not. She had to take the rockets away from Hassan before it was too late

- In contact - John ended the call looking at the boat one last time and then at Kyle - Gas - he called out to Garrick over the radio nodding in his direction - Ready? - he asked without waiting for Garrick's answer

The sergeant nodded briefly - Yes captain - he stated without further ado, releasing the button on the radio

- Let's follow that boat - Whispered the captain, on command they both bounced off the walls to dive to be invisible to the boat for a moment they emerged as Al-Katala's boat passed them. They both pinned themselves to the back of the boat to be dragged by it so as not to lose their enemies, who are unaware of their presence

After a few minutes they were finally able to unbuckle themselves from the ship to swim up to the fin to hold on, the captain was assessing the pier for the presence of Al-Katala - Good Laswell we are - He growled into the radio without taking his eyes off the pier

- Roger John, what do you see? - Asked Laswell expecting any information that might be useful to the investigation, the captain pulled out binoculars to put them to his eyes. A few seconds passed behind before the captain realized how many potential enemies were on the pier

- Al-Katala is loading cargo on the Barge - He informed seeing one of the enemies waving his arms to guide properly the ship, which is parking to moor and load unknown cargo on its deck.

- That's your target," Laswell instructed, letting the air out hard through her nose as she checked the time on her watch impatiently and the flight lengthened every minute. She felt like time was doing her a disservice and going slower than it should, normally the days blend into the night and at the moment every minute seemed like an hour - Find out who they are working with - She gave them an order leaning back so that her back met the uncomfortable backrest of the plane.

- Yes sir - John took Kate's order, pulling the binoculars away from his eyes and handing them to Garrick, over his shoulder who picked up the object put it to his eyes as did the captain- Guards to the perimeter - The captain murmured warning the younger man

- Yes, Al-Katala is everywhere - Whispered Gaz looking around with binoculars that zoomed in on the number of enemies also assessing their armament, he waited behind the captain's plan

- You have to take them out to get on the barge," spoke up Laswell who was listening to their conversation, John rolled his eyes slightly at his friend's statement. It was as if he didn't know what to do himself. The captain picked up the binoculars from Garrick, who passed them over his shoulder to dunk them in the water as he had to hide them in his pocket - Get to work boys - She instructed Laswell - Over and out - She dropped the radio on the seat next to her however the device was close enough for her to eavesdrop on how the mission was going

John looked over his shoulder to be able to look at the junior sergeant - All right let's split up - he began his monologue telling about the plan - I'll get out of the water, you clear the docks - the captain brought up the words.

- Just be quiet," Price added after a moment, looking at Garrick with his eyes telling him he wasn't joking. Kyle knew when the captain was joking and when he wasn't, but seeing his gaze he only nodded his head accepting the older man's plan - We'll meet at the barge - Murmured the captain waiting for Garrick's confirmation

"Yes, on your sign," Kyle replied, pushing away from the fin they were holding, Price had managed to hide in the water at that time, the sergeant swam closer to the docks he was supposed to clear, but after a while the captain hid under the water, diving so that the guards who stood at the end of the docks would not notice him.

FT Alphaville

 "Let's get on the barge," Price exclaimed as he tried to open the locked gate, looking around for potential enemies who might have spotted them. Meanwhile, Garrick completed the killing of a member of Al-Katali who stood closest to the barge, after a moment joined the captain – Behind me – Ordered the captain when finally the lock of the gate let go and let the man open the door

"Laswell, we're about to get on the barge," the captain kept up to date, as Kyle's barge was just behind him.

- That's right. Inform after all –

"Yes, Silence," the captain muttered as he approached the top of the cabin, hearing voices coming from inside. It sounded as if two grown men were arguing over something, they had tense voices and were speaking fast, which the captain could not understand, because the two arguing men were speaking another language, the captain with quick and quiet steps headed towards the cabin door leaning against the wall and listening to Gaz also stood in front of him listening and trying to understand what the enemies were saying.

“Listen,” the captain whispered, finally recognizing the language used by the suspect men—Spanish—the captain purred, looking at the sergeant for a moment.

"That's what it sounds like," Gaz said.

- Ready? -

- By your sign -

According to Garrick, Price opened the door by firing two shots at the man, who was standing closest to him, running up to him and grabbing the hair on his neck to use the wounded enemy as a shield.

- What the fuck? “A member of the cartel, confused by this situation, yelled out, reached for his weapon in order to kill Price and Gaza, who boarded the barge, at which time he aimed at the other man who didn’t even have time to get up from his chair and reach for his weapon when Price shot him. The sound of the gunfire was muted by the silencer.

When both soldiers were sure that the two cartel members were dead, he left the body he was using as a shield for sure, shooting one last time in the abdomen. The captain looked down the stairs that were next to them with a gun in front of him in case the cartel members suddenly wanted to jump out and surprise them.

The captain's footsteps were quiet as he descended the stairs, Garrick walking right behind him and whispering over the captain's ear. Price, noticing another enemy standing at the door, fired a bullet without thinking, hitting him in the head. The man's body fell to the ground, the poor man didn't even realize where the shot came from before he died, it was a quick death, because Price hit him in the head right away, killing him.

Garrick was insuring the back of the captain who was passing over the body of the man he had just killed when something caught his eye – Look at this – The captain nodded to reveal the dead man’s neck, showing Kyle’s tattoo – Las Almas – said the captain looking at the tattoo of a crescent moon with a skull pierced in the middle with two sabres around it was a tattooed snake, the tattoo was a hallmark of the Las Almas cartel – the Mexican Cartel – explained the captain looking up to meet Kyle’s calm gaze but inside the sergeant was stressed

What the hell was the Mexican cartel doing here?

- What are they doing here? “To hell,” Garrick said, “the same question that was playing in his head and making quite a mess.” The captain rose to his feet standing upright. He only shook his head when he realized that Jinx was from Mexico. She told him that she was in one of the Mexican cartels. Maybe later he'll ask if he knows what the cartel is

Price caught on radio - Laswell, Iran uses Mexican cartel to transport -

"Throw a name John," Laswell said.

John sucked in the air – Las Almas – He winked, behind his back there were murmurs and thuds that became more and more frequent with each passing moment, as if someone had done something in a hurry or fled.

“Hassan is working with Narcos,” Laswell concluded, her eyes widening as she processed this information. Just above her head was the sound of her wrist belts, and the voice of the captain was heard over the loudspeaker on the plane. Laswell didn't listen to him, but her head was pounding with questions and theories about where the missiles might be and what Hassan might use them for. She had a bad feeling, very bad.

Translations

Хорошо, переоденься - All right, change your clothes.

Идиот – Idiot

Мы выйдем через дверь, ведущую к.… - We will come out through the door leading to...”

[ksiondzkanexkiii]

MAYBE YOU'RE NOT A BAD PERSON | John Price

find a story on Tumblr/Wattpad/Neobook

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

,,The first flight by plane"

Chapter twenty-seven soon

Chapter twenty-five

- So here's the deal - the captain started talking his voice was serious he wanted to give a speech on the next plans he and Gaz have to carry out but this time he has to take the teenage girl with him because he won't have anyone to leave her with and he doesn't really want to leave her with Riverstream - I have to arrange something in Amsterdam -.

- Mission? - the teenage girl interjected she was sitting opposite him on the armchair they shared a wooden table made of dark oak, on which stood a mug with tea for the captain and orange juice for Jinx - Cool - she muttered even the captain did not answer that this is what missions are all about

- Yes well I have missions to do - he shrugged his shoulders - But first you'll go back to school catch up, you won't be at the end of the school year because I'm taking you with me - he confessed, he spoke calmly almost imitated Seeley when he questioned her however the captain's voice was more hoarse than Booth's - After the grades we'll leave by then you have to pass everything - he instructed her

- Sure Captain - she rolled her eyes, hearing his instructions of course she will listen. She doesn't want to risk an argument, after which she might regret opening up to the captain at all and saying her real name or whatever. However, one thought kept her thinking - What if I don't pass? -

She asked suddenly the captain expected any answer, but not this one he was not prepared for such a question and John Price is famous for preparing for any eventuality - Good. That's not the question I was expecting," muttered the captain, "If you don't pass then the next class you will be repeating that class," he said in line with the school's expectations after students fail to pass to the next class. The captain thought Jinx was too smart and stubborn not to pass to the next class

- I was more concerned with how you would take it," she muttered under her breath, playing with her fingers

The captain snorted under his breath - First of all, don't mumble under your breath - Price rested his elbows on his knees leaning forward to get a better look at the teenager to see if it's a concern that she had bad grades and won't correct it in three weeks or if it's about something else - If you don't pass I won't be angry. It happens to everyone," he confessed

 - Even you? - she asked quietly under her breath - Have you ever failed to pass to the next class? - she corrected her question looking at him with the same penetrating eyes

- No - Almost immediately he denied it, however, he screwed up his face letting out a heavy breath through his nose - I studied well only a few times I had a crisis in which I almost did not pass, but every time I succeeded - he added after a while sending a smile to the teenager - so I believe that you will also succeed - he added.

The teenager only nodded, taking the mug from the table to take a big sip as she thought intensely, her grades were not bad so she didn't have to worry about anything, but she was worried that a bunch of midterms and tests would fall on her head after two weeks of absence due to grief she hadn't experienced much. Maybe for the fact that she hadn't known Ava and Eric as long as Isolde, Aria or Noah however, she knew it would be sadder and emptier without them, but there was nothing she could do to change that

The only thing she could do was hold her head high and go on with her life, or at least try as far as she could.

- Can you handle it? - asked the captain seeing her thoughtful face, the teenager nodded her head at which the captain sent her that characteristic smile of his in the shape of a "v" - That's good, tomorrow you go to school so get ready - he instructed her, himself getting up to return to the continuation of his routine, which he had planned for today.

The mission was to gather information in the world's most smuggled place, Amsterdam. Simple raids nothing more. Enter, gather information optionally silence a few targets and leave unnoticed

- I'll try," the teen sighed, and her shoulders slumped as she thought about how much she would have to earn to pass the next class. At the thought of it, she was already getting uncomfortable and feeling tired

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 - Look who finally showed up! - exclaimed Aria as she saw her red-haired friend enter through the main doors of the school, she cheered loudly enough for Isolde and Noah to lift their heads from their books to see what had excited Aria enough to jump up sitting on a pouffe

Isolde smiled when she saw Jinx, "I didn't expect you to come back to school after that," she muttered, her smile dimming for a moment when she wanted to mention the fire but refrained. Only Noah sat there with a grimace clearly not happy that Anoana returned to school

- I didn't expect to be back either," muttered the teenager as she threw her heavy backpack to the ground and sat down next to Pallastride, looking at each friend in turn, assessing their appearance

Noah hadn't changed much, however, the black bags under his eyes spoke of his trouble sleeping even if he wouldn't admit it, however, he continued to be himself it hadn't changed come on he had become a little grumpier and grumpier. Aria's eyes no longer shone as brightly as they did when the two Rodriguezes were alive she was more dim, but she continued to smile although it was no longer as wide a smile as it was then

The death of the siblings affected everyone especially Aria's smile and disturbed Noah's peaceful sleep. Only Isolde looked as if it didn't move her like Jinx did, or she hid her pain so as not to cry in front of the audience fearing triggers or whatever, Anoana suppressed her pain because that's how she was taught.

That any pain needs to be suppressed to gather strength for revenge or to gather strength for other crimes however, the freckled teenager had her quiet dream to be able to have a person around whom she can freely express herself and cry and scream when something bad happens. However, Jinx thought it was the most distant dream that would never come true just like sailing around the world with her little sailing ship without stopping at ports or other sea stops.

She had her little trial when she tried to perform this , "small" feat and the temporary mother she acquired when she was in the cartel supported her and not what Kay taught her how to sail like a professional. She took lessons from him she was stubborn that he would teach her because he had accomplished it

David Henry Kay sailed around the world without mooring

So it was obvious that Jinx, then seven years old, would latch on to him like a turnip to a dog's tail to teach her everything. When everyone thought she was ready at the age of eleven she was ready to realize her dream however little Jinx then screwed everything up

She turned off the alarm that alerted of approaching ships and went to sleep, she was awakened by a loud and unpleasant sound of metal rubbing and Pink rocked unsteadily on the reins, the whole cabin was trashed almost immediately by the strong rocking of the sailing ship, when everything calmed down and she thought it was safe she looked out over the cabin to see the following

Fucking tanker

The Jeb tanker did not miss her almost ramming her. Fortunately for the then young Anoana that tanker missed her however not enough to avoid a collision, Pink's mast lay broken on the hull of the small pink sailing ship and the side of the ship was disgustingly scratched and scraped. At the time she did not know what to do she knew she had to go back however she did not want to let go of the attempt and let her , "mother" and David down

She called Kay the concerned man asked her to give her coordinates, which she did. But incorrectly. Dyslexia then overcame her by the immense stress that flowed through her, the digits changed places eventually David picked her up from the middle of the sea and took Pink and Anoana from the middle of the ocean took them safely home while giving her a reprimand for turning off the alarm

Since then she has not made another attempt to circumnavigate the globe, only crossing the Atlantic Ocean to get from Mexico to London, where she is now. She never thought her life would turn out this way

- Five pounds for thoughts? - whispered a British lady's voice in Anoana's ear she lifted her gaze from nothingness to look at Isolde who smiled at her by tilting her head. Noah and Aria were engaged in their conversation about final grades, Anoana reciprocated the smile by gently shaking her head finally letting out a quiet snort.

- I've been thinking about all this," the teen whispered, but loud enough for Isolde to hear her between the loud conversations of the other students in the hallway, where it was always noisy almost every bench was occupied by groups of students happy that not long summer vacation was almost counting down to them, "You know Eric and Ava... These things," she sighed looking at her joined hands under the table

Pallastrid was silent looking sympathetically at her freckled friend, she blew her blue bangs out of her eyes because they were falling into her eyes. She had to get that hair trimmed because it was already getting too long for her taste - Everyone is thinking about them," Isolde confessed, gently stroking the other teenager's shoulder in a gesture of consolation, "So everyone is supportive so tell me what's on your mind," she patted her shoulder to re-grab the pen she had been twirling between her fingers earlier

Anoana shrugged her shoulders - Have you been questioned by detectives too? - she asked, looking at Isolde who nodded - So you know them - she winked

- Rockford and Seeley were with me about six days after the fire," Pallastride explained, not looking at her friend, but at the notebook in front of her, quickly writing down the last things she wanted to write down so she could talk freely with Jinx and look at her blushing and freckled face - What's the matter with them? - she asked after a long moment of silence that enveloped them both in a strong hug. Both of them did not even notice the moment when Aria and Noah disappeared

- When the fire broke out I was in the kitchen talking to Eric and Ava.... - She interrupted her monologue, she couldn't collect herself after talking about it more. She could pretend to be tough, but sometimes she felt soft like a newborn plant - I smelled smoke I was worried about it, but Ava said it was the smoke machine breaking down again or missing that cartridge for making smoke or whatever it was - she explained slowly looking in front of her sometimes looking under the table to look at her hands she was playing with

Isolde listened to her patiently she knew the pain caused by traumas she had one herself it was hard for her to talk about her mother without crying or interrupting every third or second word. She was unable to open up two years after the death of her mother who died in a car accident, this happened when she was only seven and already her mother had left her. Her father endured the worst of it, but he did his best for little Isolda to grow up to be a good student and a good friend to everyone

Which he succeeded in doing

Jinx pinched herself at the root of her nose - The point is that I was in the kitchen with them," she said in short order, "And the detectives claim that the firemen found me in the living room barely alive," she explained, leaning back like an annoyed child to hit hard against the backrest of the bench she was sitting on, "I don't understand how I got there," she ran her hand through her red hair which was loose and reached her almost waist was gently curled. It was possible to guess that if she had straightened it, it would certainly reach beyond her waist maybe even reach her buttocks

- Maybe you went to check this machine, but you don't remember it because you passed out because of the smoke," muttered Isolde, trying to find some rational explanation that wasn't coming the more she thought, "Or you wanted to check for a fire," she added after a moment scratching the back of her head

- No that can't be it," sighed the teenager, "I didn't move anywhere, I was still sitting in my seat," she explained further, continuing to go along with her opinion, "I couldn't leave, I didn't know anyone at the party so I didn't go dancing, I didn't go to check the machine for that shitty smoke, because Ava and Eric were talking to me and I believed Ava that it was the machine playing pranks again and letting out stinky smoke -

Isolde crooked her head, her elbow was leaning against the back of the bench as she sat sideways on the bench to face Jinx. She rested her head on her hand and used her other hand to hold her leg to keep it from sliding off the bench seat - Do you really not remember why you were there? Maybe you were drunk and don't remember or it's because of stress or whatever," she suggested ideas hoping she would remember anything

Jinx, however, shook her head and her face was stony but there was an ounce of pain hidden deep within her blue irises. The pain of the death of Rodriguez, of Jack, the pain of losing this temporary , "mother" who had accepted her into the cartel however she had grown close to her, the pain for not having contact with David, the pain of not being able to fulfill at least one dream. All this was gathering inside her, waiting until she could burst into the most pitiful cry or the most aggressive attack

- I completely don't remember anything else," she muttered, every night she dreamt about how she fell from her chair and Eric and Ava were lying next to her unconscious and the fire suddenly explodes rapidly approaching them, she sighed heavily letting out a heavy sigh through her nose, "No matter how I try I can't remember -

- Did you tell the captain? - asked Isolde suddenly, Anoana did not expect this question the more so from the mouth of her friend. She raised her eyes to notice that the latter was sitting facing her and her head was resting on her hand - You said he was ex-military he knows how to deal with traumas maybe he can help you remember things you don't remember - explained Pallastride seeing Jinx's silent question

Anoana again shook her head - No, I didn't say anything to him - she muttered - I don't need his help and yours to remember - she confessed after a moment of awkward silence - I can manage on my own - she said.

- Try meditation - Isolde recommended, not caring about her friend's words, she continued sitting unmoved by Jinx's repulsion - Apparently it helps to remember things we don't remember - she explained, Pallastride had to be careful not to give out a scientific monologue - she knew that it could end with Jinx leaving looking for Aria and Noah to get away from the scientific monologue, although she usually listened although after a while she drifted off with her thoughts when Isolde said something she would never have thought could help

- Maybe I'll try, maybe I won't," she shrugged her shoulders and sighed heavily again, scratching her chin and looking in the opposite direction of Isolde, avoiding looking at Isolde's posture or looking into her eyes. "Forgive me for not helping much with the project," she muttered, wanting to change the subject.

- Forgiven, we got a good grade - Isolde sat up straight on the chair to pack her things and a pen in her bag, which she threw over her shoulder getting ready to leave - I'm going to look for Noah and Aria are you coming with me? - she suggested getting up from the bench to do what she said, which was to look for her friends

Jinx nodded taking her black backpack from the ground which she threw over one shoulder. They both moved towards the smoking room, which was behind the school betting that there they could find the two missing they were looking for - So meditation what? - asked the redhead thinking over Isolde's words - How is that supposed to help me? - she asked, wanting to get Isolde to talk to her

It may have been noisy in the corridor because of the many conversations of the students, who had to shout at each other to understand what they were saying, but Jinx would not have wanted Isolde to remain silent or for an awkward and nervous silence to form around them, which slowly encompassed them. Isolde did not expect Jinx to take her words seriously she looked over her shoulder to meet curious blue eyes that have the same question asked in them , "how is this going to help me?" or , "how do I find the answers".

- Our brain remembers everything it sees," she began to explain as they continued walking down the corridor, "In stressful situations, our consciousness may fade but it is recorded in our brain every shot we may have forgotten is further buried somewhere deep in our neurons," she said slowly and explained as best she could while avoiding scientific words so Jinx could understand

- What you don't remember before the fire outbreak continues to be in your brain only the factors make you think you don't remember," she said opening the door to let the redhead pass and then stepping outside the school herself to head to the right towards the back of the school, "Meditation will allow you to go deeper into your brain and remember the things you claim not to remember," she explained gesturing with her hands

- So you are saying that I actually remember everything only the trauma makes me think I don't remember? - Jinx grabbed Isolde's wrist to stop her and ask her if she understood correctly she was looking for a meaning that didn't seem to exist. The brown-haired merely nodded affirmatively while blowing out her dyed blue fringe that fell into her eyes

- More or less," she confirmed to her, she could see that she was looking for the meaning in what she said but she gave her time to make her understand everything as she should without giving her new clues on how she should think, "My dad deals with mythology as you know, because you study with him, but you can also meditate so if you find the meaning of what I said you can go to him for help," she suggested, shaking her hand for Jinx to let her go.

Anoana understood the hint and let go of her hand - Sure - she muttered quietly looking at the ground still searching for the right words to say them - I don't need help from your father in particular - she muttered after a while pinching herself at the base of her nose - I just need to think about a lot of things - she shrugged her shoulders turning her gaze to the side to see if anyone overheard old habits are hard to discard

- It still doesn't make sense to you does it? -

- Not a bit -.

Isolde laughed shaking her head, but said nothing more even Jinx gently laughed at this exchange of words however the thought of submitting to hypnosis began to weigh on the shoulders of the teenager she considered this choice at the same time she was afraid of what she might see there. If Pallastride is telling the truth and if indeed memories are blocked by trauma then why does she remember everything during her time in the cartel? During the time Garza raised her, so many thoughts were running through Jinx's head that she didn't know what she should think about it all and which path to take

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- Have you ever flown in an airplane young one? - Asked Garrick looking at the teenager who was looking curiously through the windows at the airport, both of them were waiting behind the captain who was busy checking in his luggage and the teenager, exceptionally they had to fly on a civilian plane and not a military one as usual because of Jinx who had to fly with them. Her eyes were full of curiosity as she looked and assessed everything that passed by them

The captain woke the teenager early in the morning the day before telling her to pack everything she needed for no telling how long, the mission should theoretically only take three weeks however it usually didn't end up taking three weeks. He helped her pack everything she needed

Not only that, they flew exceptionally on a civilian plane, the captain wanted to be a week early because he wanted to let the teenager explore Amsterdam with him it's a nice break from the work he will have to do. He would have liked Jinx to have had a little break from school and get her thoughts away from Eric and Ava he guessed, because talking to her was becoming more and more difficult as she kept going into her thoughts however he didn't know that she still hadn't decided whether to dare try meditation or not.

She was afraid to talk to the captain about the subject because she didn't know what he would think about it

What if she scoffs at the idea? What if he doesn't support her?

Come to think of it, she didn't know that they were flying a week earlier because the captain wanted to do a more thorough reconnaissance she thought he wanted to spend time exploring with her. Maybe that was the case maybe not, she couldn't guess mixed thoughts she had about it

These questions kept killing the teenager from the inside the more intensely she thought - Jinx! - Called out Kyle when after more minutes she didn't answer him, Anoana almost jumped in place hearing Garrick's voice suddenly over her ear as the taller man looked at her closely with a raised eyebrow - Contact Jinx - he waved his hand in front of her eyes

She sent him a bored look - I listen to you all the time Garrick - She muttered pushing his hand away from her eyes - Where is Price? - She asked looking around, something is taking him a long time with this briefing. Garrick looked around and shrugged his shoulders the captain was still setting up the flight plan, since they were supposedly going to fly on a civilian plane however it was a private plane. It pays to have contacts like Laswell, but the sergeant doesn't have one yet.

- I don't know," muttered the sergeant sitting down more comfortably on a plastic chair, "sitting on those chairs was not the most comfortable," I asked, "Is this the first time you've flown on a plane? - he repeated his question looking at the red-haired teenager and his dark brown eyebrow raised and his lips formed a small smile he guessed that this was her first flight he guessed by how much Jinx was brimming with delight when she saw the iron birds

She tried to guess which one she would get into and tried to think of what it would be like to fly in a plane. She tore her nose away from the glass looking at the sergeant, "Yes," she replied her blue eyes quickly returned to the window looking at the machines taking off and landing through the reflection in the glass she watched the airport bustle with life

Kyle giggled turned his gaze away from the teenager to look around looking for John optionally searching for any danger that might threaten him, Jinx or other civilians staying at the London airport - Are you nervous? This is your first flight, how do you feel about it? - asked Garrick, pulling his phone out of his pocket

The teenager giggled again tearing her gaze away from the glass to get closer to Kyle and sit next to him. She shrugged her shoulders as she casually rocked her legs out of boredom, "I don't feel anything," she muttered, "I'm not stressed about the flight I'm more curious about what it's like," she added after a moment, looking over Gaz's shoulder to see what he was doing on his phone

- Oh really? - He almost scoffed - And aren't you afraid we'll crash? - he raised an eyebrow looking at her with a mischievous smile. The teenager sent him another bored look with an unspoken , "Really?" she patted him on the shoulder. It was around six in the morning she didn't have the energy to stress about the fact that they might be making for the ocean or anywhere else she hoped she could enjoy the view from the window unless the sergeant took the window seat first

- We won't crash, but the window seat is mine," she said in as stern a tone as she could muster while threatening him with her finger to listen to her words. Gaz merely giggled, pushing away her finger, which she poked into his shoulder

- Sure, Sure," he mocked her, "I'll be the first one to sit there," he sent her another mischievous look raising his eyebrows and quickly lowering them, his brown eyes spoke of the determination he had in him to accomplish the mission he had stated

Take the first seat at the window

“Behind him you’ll argue about who’s going to take the seat at the window, but know we’ve got the whole plane to ourselves,” said the captain’s voice out of nowhere, causing Jinx and Gaz to jump up without expecting the captain, who stood over them with a raised eyebrow—Gaz really? - The captain winked, seeing that he too was frightened

"Excuse me sir," Garrick muttered, trying to explain his behaviour, but it wasn't because of the teenager who intervened.

“You’re scary old man,” she smiled innocently when Price said it, only to roll her eyes when she heard her joke — “That gray hair is especially scary,” she whispered enough that Garrick heard her. The black sergeant had to squeeze his mouth into a narrow line so as not to giggle at the joke, but he didn't want to spoil the teenager's humour

They both thought the captain hadn’t heard it, but he gave them a look again, saying, “Really?” They both couldn’t stand and started laughing chaotically they couldn’t even catch their breath between giggles – We have to go on – their captain took his carry-on bag and the teenagers

"We're on our way, Captain," Gaz said as the three began to walk towards the last ticket check after him to board the plane. The teenager followed the captain and the sergeant followed her two muscular men made a delight at the airport especially the women whispered at their sight and the men looked at wondering how much time they had to spend in the gym

No one paid attention to the little girl walking between them as if she were covered in their bodies, but she did not complain.

The check-in on board the plane passed quickly, Anoana did not even blink and already rushed to the seat at the window Kyle did not even fight for that seat earlier conversation it was just jerking it was indifferent to him where he would sit but he wanted to establish a bond with the teenager finally they are condemned to each other for the next weeks.

They sat in their seats, Anoana by the window, Captain in the middle, Gaz by the corridor. They were the only ones on the plane, it was a small plane, but enough to fly over the North Sea and land in Amsterdam, it was a short flight because it lasted not a whole hour. Everyone settled down, the flight attendants checked all their seat belt buckles and began to explain what to do in case of an accident.

Jinx didn't listen too much, she kept looking out the window, listening in one ear maybe some of this information that the flight attendants were trying to convey was lost.

- Your first flight? “This time the captain asked, Jinx shrugged, hearing this question again from the other side of her mouth, but nodded in the affirmative, “You’ll like to see you,” purred the satisfied captain, waiting for the plane to start circling towards the runway. Kyle was already in his world as he put on earbuds to listen to music to relax during the flight to prepare for the clash with Al-Katali

All unguarded ports and canals are a smuggler's paradise, Laswell says, and he's damn right, the captain and sergeant have to prepare for anything they can find there. Iran's got a warship there so they've got to expect everything there. Their biggest target is a cell that's supposed to sail through and dock there in a week's time until then they have time to scout.

If they get their hands on something new, their stay in Amsterdam will be shortened, if not, three weeks will be planned in Amsterdam. Gaz hoped that they would find something interesting there but the captain had a different opinion, of course he wanted to find something but he was always afraid of what they might find in the smugglers Al-Katali knowing these bastards could smuggle everything right under the noses of the authorities and the military

He didn’t even know when they started. He thought of how the plane began to speed up and the teenager next to the captain held her breath as the metal bird began to pick up speed to bounce off the ground, the bearded man moved slightly on the chair to pull out the teddy bear from his pocket and pass it to Jinx.

Jinx did not expect to see her bear, much less in the hands of the captain, who held the plush bear very gently as if it were made of porcelain. The teenager looked at the teddy bear, which is very sentimental, not understanding where the man got it from

"As we were leaving, I noticed you didn't pack it," he explained as the teenager picked up the teddy bear. "I knew you'd be nervous about the flight, so I took it with me," he added, shrugging his arms as if it were nothing for him, but for Anoana it was a lot.

If Valeria saw that she still had that teddy bear, she would probably laugh sarcastically suggesting that Anoana throw that teddy bear away, because it’s too old to cuddle up to the Hug.

When Anoana looked at the window, she noticed how high they were, not even a minute or two passed, and they were already so high that the buildings were getting smaller and smaller and the street traffic was disappearing, only the delicate lights were rising higher and closer and closer the clouds were. The captain watched as Jinx looked at the landscape with such fascinated eyes, smiled gently it could have been a good trip and a good mission sensed in the bones that everything would go smoothly as it should.

The flight was supposed to be short, because it was supposed to last an hour and twelve minutes, maybe even shorter. Silence filled the cabin from time to time, flight attendants would come to ask if they could get something to eat or drink, but each time they refused because they didn’t feel hungry or thirsty. suddenly asked the teenager, surprising the captain and breaking the silence in the cabin

- In conversion? In a spiritual sense? – asked the captain, not quite understanding what the teenager wanted to ask, he removed the back of his head from the backrest so that he could look at the teenager who had been sitting next to him before his head was turned to the ceiling as he tried to fall asleep to get some sleep taken away from the check-in at the airport

“No,” Jinx shook her head. “Do you believe that people can change from bad to good, or vice versa, from good to bad,” she explained, her head resting on the back of her chair as she looked at him. The captain's look softened gently as he drifted off the sleepy remnants he didn't think too much about whether he believed people could change

"He believes in making decisions," he muttered after a moment, "Good or bad, it's hard to tell if the decision that was made was the right one," he continued, but Jinx didn't feel satisfied with the answers.

- You think I'm here because I made bad decisions? -

“You had to live through what you did when you were younger and living on the streets influenced your decisions,” Price interrupted his little monologue, sighing, trying to put the words together and give the teenager enough answers to satisfy her. “For you, it was the only decision and a good decision for others, it could have been a terrible decision and a bad one,” he shrugged, pausing.

How do you view bad decisions? Is this all the evil you're fighting? – she asked quietly, the captain could not now think of her questions later asked what she was talking about now he wondered how to answer her

"If I have to choose between one evil or another, I'd rather not choose at all," replied the captain, the teenager smiling softly as she heard these words, writing them down in her memory, silence filling their conversation, which stopped as they both had to think about further words.

- Why are you asking Anoan? He asked quietly, and spoke her name even more quietly, so Garrick’s ears could not hear it, even through his headphones. Kyle's headphones were not any good gently heard how his music played, because the headphones pierced listening to very interesting metal or Rock, Jinx could not distinguish these two genres from each other or maybe the same and the same?

She sighed heavily as she looked at the teddy bear on her lap – I wonder what Laswell saw in me that she had found that I could change – she mumbled at last, looking up at the bearded man next to her – I don’t even know if I can change, it seems some habits can’t be thrown – she shrugged her shoulders as if it were nothing to her, but her thoughts were louder than she thought

The captain smiled softly and compassionately as he looked at the teenager's dislocation he knew all too well that many of the recruits he had to set up had this thought. Even from himself he had the same thoughts as a teenager at that moment. Now he knew that the whole socialization was going in the right direction and the teenager wanted to rehabilitate himself

“You’re already changing Jinx,” he assured her, “You’re friends with Isolde with Noah and Aria,” he began to explain what he meant, that he was already changing. “I hear you used to be more closed in yourself, you didn’t tell anyone about your real name, but you told me about your name, you’re starting to open up to people and new possibilities.”

He interrupted his monologue to see Jinx smiling softly, “Why are you thinking about that, Jinx?” – he asked again, this time using her book – “What’s on your mind?” he asked, hoping that the teenager would answer, but she shook her head as if she were punishing herself.

“He wants to have a cause or deed or proof to the devil whatever you want to call it,” she cursed quietly. “I mean, he wants to have something that I can draw a thick line on the cartel story,” she finally explained, spitting out the thoughts that were going through her head.

The captain smiled knowing that he had done a good job doing little in his mind, but he tapped himself on the shoulder. He knew that the teenager was doing it of her own volition and within five days of arriving at his apartment her thoughts began to change and it was slow to open up because after a few months, maybe even a year, she opened up and told him her name while getting traumatized by the fire.

But it was an accident

But he was proud of the teenager, but they still hadn't reached the point where the government itself would say that it was the right time to release her into society. This time will probably come when Anoana will be eighteen, but it's only a year or two from now that the captain still didn't know when her birthday would be. She didn’t know herself, so that was the problem.

“You’ll find this reason,” he muttered, “Probably sooner than you look you’ll find something you can turn away from the cartel and forget about them.” He smiled at her to calm her nerves and thoughts, reached out his hand and moved the teddy bear closer to her heart.

It looked like he wanted to reassure a five-year-old child who was afraid to fly, but it was meant to be a gesture of comfort or support. A bit strange, however, it worked in its own twisted way, the whole Trio was approaching Amsterdam – Get some sleep to get to the hotel – he ordered her to sit down again to turn her eyes to the ceiling to try to sleep again.

The teenager nodded her head obediently following his command, closed her eyes to sail off into the land of dreams. The hotel had a reserved hour from the airport to get there only the next day the military got them a car to move around. Nobody knew what was going on in the White House.

It's like everything's boiling over Hassan Zyani's stolen rockets.

[ksiondzkanexkiii]

MAYBE YOU'RE NOT A BAD PERSON

Chapter twenty-five

Next chapter (26)

chapter twenty-four

find a story on wattpad/tumblr/Neobook

 

Since the conversation on the rooftop, the Captain and Jinx have almost grown closer. In the morning Jinx woke up in her bed lying in the clothes she wore yesterday, but she had no idea how she found herself in bed, the only rational thought that came to her mind was about the following

She sleepwalked

At least the ground has landed her back in bed and not somewhere on the other side of London

Then she'd be screwed

And then she would cry

Does anything

She herself does not know

And who cares? She contorted her face as this thought possessed her mind like a naughty demon. She slid off the bed and dragged her feet toward the closet door to pull out loose sweatpants, it was Saturday or Sunday so she didn't even have to bother to go to school

Well

School

I wonder when the captain will tell her to go to school claiming that her grief has come to an end. If she felt it at all of course she was sorry that she would no longer be able to talk to Ava

 won't be able to kiss Eric

won't be able to play pranks on siblings

won't be able to help making pranks

will not hear their laughter

Her knees softened as she suddenly sank to the ground making a quiet , "of" her body became weaker as she thought about all this, this devilish fire. She wondered what would have happened if she had checked the house when she smelled the smoke and not listened to Ava, who said it was the house machine that was giving off such a stench. She was foolish to believe her in the end the Rodriguez siblings were drunk

they didn't think soberly in their heads just had alcohol that overshadowed their common sense that Jinx had, she should be the one to lead them and save them from the fire, but she didn't. How stupid she was to believe on the words of drunken teenagers.

She snorted under her breath through her thoughts she might have been mad at herself for not overhearing, but she can't turn back time. Even if she really wanted to.

There was nothing she could do

She dressed in black sweatpants that matched a black strapless shirt on her shoulders also threw on a Hawaiian shirt that she stole from the captain's closet she liked it and the captain did not wear it so she took the opportunity, she got up in a good mood she was even willing to ask the captain to leave the house outside to breathe fresh air

She left the room improving the collar of her shirt with Hawaiian patterns she didn't bother with buttoning up the buttons outside it was warm and she wanted to take advantage of that. She didn't bother with the bandages on her left side today was their last day

The doctor would recommend pulling them off today and letting the wound , "breathe" she could not wait for the moment of pulling them off

- Hey," greeted the captain putting the cups on the table in the living room, when he raised his eyes met the sight of his shirt pointed his finger at it, "is this my shirt? - he asked raising an eyebrow

- Maybe - Jinx shrugged her shoulders still wrestling with the collar of her shirt which stubbornly did not want to go up but kept turning to the left side, the captain approached the teenager and corrected her collar

- We'll talk about it later," he muttered standing over her, when she raised her eyes she met two men sitting on the couch and watching her closely and next to them on the armchair sat Annalise, Jinx furrowed her eyebrows wondering what was going on

Both men sat and looked at her appraisingly which stressed the teenager one of them was older maybe even older than the captain he had brown hair however the graying was immense to the point that only brown patches remained. The man was most likely from Germany or Australia it was hard to tell, but he had a distinctive accent, the mysterious men wore a perfectly pressed shirt tucked behind Jean pants held up by a black belt with a funny buckle, he had his hands on his knees however, when the captain placed the cups on the table the stranger leaned over to grab his drink

He had wrinkles on his forehead and crow's feet at the corners of his eyes, the wrinkles appeared from old age or stress, the captain had the same problem, but he was thirty-one or thirty-five years old she couldn't even remember exactly how many

- My name is Tim Rockford - The older man introduced himself - And this is my partner Seeley Booth - Tim introduced his younger colleague, their age difference may have been as much as twenty years. The elder teaches the young, the master teaches the student. At least, that's what Anoana thought when evaluating the younger man

He was black-skinned his black hair was cut short, but without an interesting pattern on the side of his head. Pity. He was dressed quite elegantly at the same time more casually than Tim, they were partners but with different views, their style of speaking, dressing and walking spoke volumes.

She had not yet seen them take the steps, but she was sure that Tim would walk like a lady in a straight line and Seeley would walk like a real , "tough guy" if you can call him one

- I'm a detective from the police department," Tim continued his monologue, showing his badge, "And Booth is a sergeant from the fire department," Rockford explained, taking a small sip of the drink that Price had prepared earlier Jinx didn't know what was inside the mug, but she could suspect that it was tea, which hadn't even cooled yet, as the detective furrowed his brow as the boiling water burned the inside of his mouth

It probably hurt, but he didn't say anything - Mrs. Riverstream you probably already know - for the first time Seeley spoke up sending the teenager a brief smile to try to calm her nerves with poor results, as the teenager still felt lost in the situation - Why don't you sit down? - he offered as if the Captain's house was his office or interrogation room

However, it made sense at least according to John, he put his hand on the teen's shoulder gently squeezing it. Jinx finally took her blue eyes off the two detectives to look inquiringly at the captain, who gently nodded to tell her that he was next to her, Anoana hesitated for a moment more, but finally hesitantly walked over to the chair where Price had just been sitting

She sat down slowly, unsure of what awaited her and what it was all about. And what the hell should she do?

- You probably have a lot of questions," began Seeley, he had a good approach to difficult youth or just children. He had two young children himself, so he had gained experience - But first we also have questions - he said slowly each word he spoke devilishly slowly

- It's about the fire at the Rodriguez house," Tim interjected to his partner, "We're trying to figure out what happened there," he said as he pulled a small notebook and pen from his pants pocket to write down the words the teenager would say, the teenager looked at the notebook with a raised eyebrow, "If you tell us something we don't already know write it down and then we'll check it," Rockford explained with his accent

- Do you understand that? - finally Annalise spoke with her well-known dryness never believed a teenager would change. Even more so after what she had done and who she had become refusing to know anything other than the person who uses the nickname , "Jinx" Riverstream had never met the real , "Jinx" or experienced the softness of Anoana who is hidden under the nickname , "Jinx"

Defense system

Jinx nodded - Yes, I understand," she muttered not sure whether to say anything further or not, she looked over her shoulder to see if the captain was still in the room or had gone. But he was standing there leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest his gaze studied the two detectives and the social worker finally his gaze fell on Jinx, he nodded again giving her a sign that he wasn't going anywhere

- I thought the hearings were held more... - she fell silent, not knowing what word to use to appear smarter than she looks

- Ustronomical? Private? - prompted Seeley, still looking appraisingly at Anoana who nodded - Well you're right, but your situation is -.

- Complicated - interjected Tim apparently already wanted to start the interrogation, Tim sent a glance in the direction of his partner with a silent command, as Seeley after a moment from his pocket pulled out a small recorder - The conversation will be recorded as long as you do not mind? - asked Rockford rhetorically

- What if he's in the way? - asked Jinx - Yes hypothetically," she added after a moment causing a small snort behind her back, the captain smiled hearing her question and had even more trouble holding in a giggle at Tim's answer

- Then we will record anyway," Tim smiled sarcastically, "Have you known Eric Rodriguez and Ava Rodriguez for a long time? - He asked already moving on to the actual questioning without wasting time with introductions or explanations of unnecessary things

- I got to know them since I went to school for the first time - Jinx leaned forward and her elbows rested on her knees as she played with her hands, everyone might have thought she had already gone through her grief, but that was not the case she still felt the burden of never seeing them again - A few months -.

- Were you close? - asked Seeley still with a calm voice however Jinx heard a note of nervousness in his voice

- We were best friends with Erick constantly playing pranks on his sister and vice versa," Jinx smiled gently as she recalled those moments, "There was not a day when one of the siblings did not play a prank on the other one.

Tim wrote down the information in a notebook - Since you were friends then maybe they told you about their enemies? Maybe someone threatened them? - Asked Rockford, the teenager only shook her head

- No one threatened them and even less had enemies," she shrugged her shoulders, "Or they didn't tell me which I doubt, everyone liked them more or less. They were the reason for smiles in some people," she explained

- Have they had any problems? Financial, with a boyfriend or girlfriend? - asked Booth, Jinx raised her eyes to look at the younger man - Maybe they told you about their exes who have a problem about them breaking up? Or about their crushes whom they rejected," he summarized his question seeing the question written on Jinx's face

Jinx let out a quiet , "Oh" but shrugged her shoulders trying to remember - I was closer to Eric than with Ava, but he told me about Iris - she confessed after a moment of silence, when she finally remembered - I had the impression that he still had feelings for her, because he kept looking at her, but she didn't pay attention to him - she explained, Tim vigorously wrote down this message and would note later to go to Iris

- Iris? - queried Booth they needed a name

- Iris Graves," she replied, "However, he looked at Iris with puppy dog eyes at the same time he looked the same way at Herrera," she added after a moment of thoughtfulness, recalling the last time Eric mounted the

- Victoria Herrera? - inquired Rockford noting down Herrera's name again they had already questioned her once, but she never mentioned that Eric might have had feelings for her and that could have given them motive

Jealous boyfriend gets rid of competition

Stalker who defends his victim whom he stalks

These were two of the few motives that appeared in the minds of the detectives when they looked at each other with the same ideas and words in their heads - Yes, Vic," confirmed Jinx, "The relationship between him and Iris was a touchy one for him as was the relationship with Herrera, when I wanted to find out more to tease him he started to be unkind to me," she explained without knowing the connection to this

The detectives nodded their heads in agreement - Did you know Ava was using drugs? - asked the arson detective looking at Jinx turning her head slightly to the side to get a better look at her, Jinx raised her eyebrows thinking they were joking she was more inclined to say it was Eric who was taking, but she left it to herself

A wave of shock and then confusion passed across her face this was enough for Seeley to understand that she did not know even if she did not manage to utter a word - N-No, I did not know - Jinx almost whispered it her courage in her voice was lost somewhere

- You have an interesting and heavy file," Seeley muttered, "You're probably not proud of it, but we have to ask if you were the one who brought drugs into Ava's life? - He asked raising his eyebrows while watching Anoana's reaction closely

Anoana at first did not know what to answer another accusation in her direction? She would not have the strength to defend that she had been brought to the right path, at least she tried to be good. The influence of the captainodź a small one made her herself crave for changeodź her mind was still trying to return to her old habits. At least she returned to one, which she is not proud of either

But smoking cigarettes gave her some inner peace

- Jinx does not take drugs or smoke," he spoke up behind the teenager's back, "She watches this," the captain defended the teenager from this question, knowing that the teenager decided to change of her own free will, not much he had to fight to do. Some factor made her want to do it on her own, however, he had yet to find the answer to this question that was simmering in his head

What factor made Anoana herself want to change and why she trusted him enough to tell him her real name and briefly tell her story

- I see," said Tim, "Let's move on to the day of the fire," he sighed, not liking to explain teenage murder cases much less children, "What time did you show up at the party? - he asked

- I don't remember," muttered the teenager remembered little of the entrance to the party perhaps due to the stress that was then swimming through the teenager's veins, Jinx looked over her shoulder seeking help from the captain, who did not refuse to give her a helpful word

- I was supposed to take her around 8 pm to Rodriguez, but we were about two hours late," he explained, saving the teenager from this question, Tim nodded his head as a sign of understanding

- Why are you late? - This time it was Seeley who took the baton of asking questions again, Tim and Booth exchanged the baton that asked the questions

- I didn't know what to wear," she explained calmly, "The captain had the idea to go to the store and see for new clothes," she smiled gently at this memory she was grateful to the captain for paying for her dress even if it had suffered in the fire

- So you showed up at the Rodriguez house around two o'clock? - Tim inquired, Jinx muttered

- I think so, but I'm not sure I didn't check the time on my watch with Price agreed that I would be there by midnight at the latest," she explained, the two detectives looked at the captain looking for confirmation, which followed a nod confirming the teenager's words

- And the fire didn't happen after twenty-four by any chance? - asked Annalise skeptically for the second time after the start of the meeting - Were you not supposed to be there then? - she asked again, looking for some loophole in which she could again put Jinx in the reformatory with a note of , "not repairable" or , "lost cause"

The detectives looked at each other - Actually," muttered Rockford, skipping back a few pages in his notebook to check the information, "The fire broke out at twenty-four forty," he said and his fingers deftly returned again to the page on which he had been jotting down notes, "If you could have been there by twenty-four, what were you doing there at almost one in the morning? - he inquired

John could have explained it, but before he did he wanted the teenager to tell her version - I had agreed with the captain that when he was going to honk," she explained, "That's why when the agreed time was approaching I sat in the kitchen, because there it was relatively quieter and I would have heard the car honking, by the way there was the only free window to the street - she continued her explanation

- I extended my mission, we raided one of the cartel outposts. A drug raid," the captain added, explaining his tardiness, "When we finished I just got a call from the fire department that Rodriguez's house was on fire and Jinx was unconscious, then I arrived as soon as I could. My sergeant can confirm this," he added after a while, giving a full picture of the situation while not saying too much because he couldn't tell most of it because it was a secret military operation.

Tim nodded understanding - You say you were in the kitchen there was someone with you to be able to confirm this? - He finally asked looking at the teenager taking his eyes off his notebook, still loosely holding the pen in his hand

- A lot of people would go in to pour themselves alcohol or there to get groped before settling into their bedrooms," she squirmed at the memory, "I didn't talk to people at that party, I don't even know if they noticed I was there," she shrugged her shoulders as she leaned her back to rest it against the back of the soft chair

- You must have talked to someone if you sat there for so many hours," Seeley said, hoping that she would answer and not hide behind the words "I don't remember" or "I don't know." He understood that many victims don't remember much about the attack they suffered, but he hoped that the teenager would remember more than a normal civilian because she herself was a witness to the crime and has a large criminal record.

So she knew how to deal with the stress of the attacks however, she was never as a victim, but was as an attacker

- I was alone in the kitchen drinking raspberry juice, soon Eric joined me and then Ava. We were talking," she explained shrugging her shoulders as if it was no big deal just a simple conversation with best friends

 - And then you went to the living room to dance? - Booth asked, glancing at Tim's notes. Jinx furrowed her brow and shook her head at this statement

- I was talking to them in the kitchen they asked how I liked the party, I was still in the kitchen when I smelled smoke - she paused to take a breath, she felt the weight of guilt on her shoulders, even though she had done nothing - Ava said that it was probably the smoke machine broke down again and smells from it, but nothing threatens us - she continued to explain, but the memories of this blurred and whitened

When she continued to tell the story she felt like she was making up a story because nothing was sticking and she couldn't remember if she went to the living room dancing, but she was sure she didn't, "In the end I started getting weak and passed out," she explained.

Tim and Seeley looked at each other with furrowed brows, Jinx began to get restless she looked over her shoulder at the captain looking for an explanation of what was going on.

And what the hell is going on?

The teenager didn't understand this, the captain didn't know what was going through the detectives' heads something didn't seem right to them, but they hadn't said it out loud yet. Price took a few steps closer to the teenager to put his hand on her shoulder he knew that the trauma of the fire might be in her head maybe not showing itself too much, but he knew that there it was hidden in the darkest corner just waiting to explode

- Is something wrong? - inquired the teenager furrowed her eyebrows, which almost merged into one line and her forehead was furrowed

- The firefighters found you in the living room," they explained after a moment of the nervous atmosphere they had brought on after carrying on the dialogue with their eyes not saying a word, Jinx almost mocked their remark

- The whole time I was in the kitchen with Ava and Eric," she said, "I saw them fall unconscious next to me," she said these words more aggressively than she intended, "Besides, what is this all about? You are interrogating me almost two weeks after the fire - she became indignant, irritated a little more and veins would pop out on her forehead

- We had to question others at the party there were at least two hundred people inside as well as in the garden of the Rodriguez house," explained Seeley and Tim sent him a chastising look saying , "Don't tell her" because Rockford feared that Booth would reveal why they had started investigating

- And I was the last one because I have the blackest past? - She asked raising an eyebrow, Tim unscrupulously nodded his head confirming her claim

- We need to determine how the fire started and from what," explained Tim, "The criminal division joined this investigation for the fact that Eric and Ava died during the fire," explained Rockford explaining as much as he could, some words and facts had to be kept secret for the sake of the case.

The matter began to get complicated and Jinx did not know what to think about it - So you suspect me? - she raised an eyebrow knowing the answer to this question, but she wanted to hear it from their lips

- Of course you are suspicious - Annalise almost mocked the teenager's reaction - You were the only one there with such a rich file, I don't even know how Mr. Price agreed to party and leave you there unattended - she added after a while looking sternly at the captain - He shouldn't have let you maybe if you hadn't shown up there maybe Eric and Ava would be alive they were good kids - she sighed sadly, at the same time she sighed to get a fresh breath of air after speaking on one exhale in her squeaky tone

Anoana furrowed her brow considering what Annalise had said, was it even true? The truth was that Riverstream must have had a big dick, since she said her accusations out loud in front of the detectives, who could have easily cuffed her for it but they didn't comment anything. Jinx did nothing during the event and she was the only one who knew about it

Because she was the only one at the event

Annalise, Tim, Seeley and John were not at the party at the time they were working alone or relaxing after their work maybe even playing with their children or mumbling to their wives or husbands how much they missed them during their shift and how much they thought about them at the time a real horror story was happening in Anoana's life

Booth sighed heavily - We can't rule you out, anyone who was at the party is a suspect," explained Seeley without spurning or straightening out what the social worker said it was as if it suited him. What offended Jinx immeasurably from all this anger her already red cheeks became even redder spreading the blush even to her ears and forehead and her freckles hid under the red cloak of blush

- Well, you must be mocking me," muttered the teenager and the captain gently snapped her in the back of the head to watch her words sent her a communicative look

- Don't you remember how you got into the living room? - questioned Rockford - Or maybe you set the fire in the kitchen, but Eric and Ava covered you so you hit them in the back of the head to make them unconscious and you could have escaped only to be poisoned by the smoke - Rockford speculated which irritated the teenager even more

She did nothing, nothing! She just sat in the kitchen and sipped stupid raspberry juice or orange juice she no longer remembered herself. But she was in the kitchen going nowhere she couldn't talk to her peers at the party

Either they talked about the drugs they ineptly took or the guys wanted to , "pick her up" and in fact just drag her to bed for one night to later brag to a friend that they slept with another chick, which they added to the collection called , "overgrown chicks" or , "whores" however brutally they would call it

- Eric and Ava were my friends I wouldn't kill them - Jinx almost growled offended by what Tim accused, the detectives were testing her for the time being the teenager failed the test - Besides, I've never killed a human being and never will," she said almost in a whisper after a moment of silence in which she had to rethink her words

Seeley sighed heavily, knowing that they had annoyed the teenager too much to continue asking her about the details of the fire, so he decided to let the subject go, "That's all," he muttered finally, too nothing new was learned, "Thank you for your answers," he confessed after a moment, slowly getting up from the couch and his bones shot up

- Oh, the old age of joy," giggled Tim as he heard his partner's bones skip to the right place and Seeley giggled, after a moment Rockford took a small card from his pocket and handed it to the teenager, "If you are reminded of anything call this number," he explained handing Jinx his business card and handing the other to Captain

- I'll walk you out - Offered the captain as a decent housekeeper always had to escort guests to the door of his apartment, he followed a group of people consisting of Riverstream, Booth, Rockford. When he was sure that they had moved far enough away from Jinx so that the teenager did not hear - Do not be offended by Jinx's words - he muttered quietly

Even if he knew that the teenager was not eavesdropping he preferred to remain discreet - She has not yet experienced mourning," he whispered, looking at Tim the chief investigator of this case of arson of the Rodriguez house

- We know how it is, Captain," said Tim raising his hand to calm the captain's nerves which were already calm for the situation that had just happened, "We've handled a lot of cases, we're used to civilians not trusting us or shouting at us," he confessed, putting the notebook in his pocket, "Jinx somehow behaved differently after the fire? Any signs of aggressiveness or anything else? - he asked after a moment of silence everyone wondered what to say

The captain only shook his head - She only shut down more for two maybe four days she didn't leave the room - he explained shrugging his shoulders and tucked his thumbs behind his belt - She would go to the toilet or get food or drink, she avoided me - Price continued, recalling the first week after the death of the Rodriguez siblings

- She became more secretive," he shrugged his shoulders shaking his head, "But she got back on track actually yesterday, she opened up," he explained tilting his head as he spoke scratching his chin with one hand, not much he could say to help the detectives not because he couldn't by the government or anything else just not much was going on

- I see," muttered Rockford wrinkling his eyebrows, the brunette stood beside him and looked at the captain with her hazel eyes. Her eyes had a silent wariness in them as she opened her mouth to voice the question

- Does the captain say that she opened up? - She asked, but did not wait for his answer - Did she say something specific? Maybe something that will land her in a reformatory or her story? - she asked

- Why do you care that she should go to a reformatory? - asked the captain raising an eyebrow at Riverstream's questions, he didn't understand this sick passion to put Anoana in a reformatory. Annalise merely shrugged her shoulders like an innocent child who does not understand her mistake and this woman was twenty-nine years old

- Because it's a lost cause," she whispered, "She can't be changed," her voice was quiet she looked behind the captain to see if Jinx was eavesdropping but the teenager was still sitting in her chair she didn't want to get up until everyone left

Price only rolled his eyes at Annalise's words not having the strength to argue about it, the teenage girl was a debatable matter the captain no longer had the strength for - She only said her real name and her story in brief," he explained after a heavy sigh through his nose

- Really? Did she tell you the name? - Annalise almost mocked not believing the captain, her fingers tightened on the handle of the briefcase she had in her hand - Let me guess Lisa, Anna? - said Annalise guessing Jinx's real name

However, she wasn't close, the captain looked over his shoulder at the corridor where Anoana was sitting at the other end waiting for him to maybe have breakfast or whatever else to do, The captain slowly straightened up looked at the ground and shook his head. He wasn't going to tell Riverstream the teenager's real name, unless the teenager would let him

But no such permission was given

- No. none of those names," he muttered, "I won't tell you, even if you give me a million dollars or whatever," he looked at the younger woman while tilting his head and his voice was more hoarse than usual. For God's sake he felt like smoking a cigar to relieve himself

Riverstream merely snorted under her breath and left the captain's apartment like a storm abandoning the subject. The brunette knew very well that the captain would not tell her anyway and she was not going to ask Annalise had one important rule

She never asks

Tim and Seeley merely nodded goodbye and followed the younger woman out without trying to catch up with her simply headed to their car, which was a black Ford Fiesta.

Everyone dispersed in their own direction The captain quietly closed the front door by turning the lock on the door and returned to the living room to find the teenage girl who had not moved even an inch or millimeter, she was deep in thought trying to remember something at least that's what the captain deduced from the way her eyebrows crinkled. It was missing that her vein would pop out

The captain with quiet trained steps headed to the couch where the detectives were sitting a moment ago, sat down on the couch spreading his arms to the sides spreading out as comfortable as possible and taking up as much space as possible, he closely watched the teenager watching her thoughts churning - As far as I can see from here how the cogs of your head are working," croaked the captain's voice breaking the silence

The teenager looked at him pulled out of her thoughts, "It's just," she started to say, but did not think her words through so she closed her mouth to think about what to say, "I never thought I would be accused of murdering my friends," she muttered already more quietly

The captain pressed his lips together in a narrow line which caused his lips to be hidden behind a thick brown beard - Hmm - muttered the captain understanding the teenager or at least trying to understand - No one likes to be accused of something - he muttered - even more so when you know you didn't do anything -.

The teenager looked at the wall next to her as if it was the most interesting thing in the world or maybe she lacked the courage to look at the captain - I'm used to being accused of stealing or setting something on fire or whatever - the teenager whispered so John had to strain his hearing to understand what she was whispering under her breath

- But murder is something else," finished the captain knowing what he wanted to say, "I believe you did not do it," he added after a moment of tense silence, Jinx only snorted under her breath gently smiling she looked at the captain tilting her head

- Are you saying that so that I would believe you? So that I would continue to trust you," she said as if she wanted to sniff out his plan, which could have been made to tell him about what was going on in the Rodriguez house at the time and not the detective or the social worker, "I haven't killed anyone and never will," she reported her promise

 - I believe you," the captain smiled relaxing even more, "But let's change the subject," he muttered, "We've suffered enough already," he added tilting his head, he pointed to the loose unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt the teenager was wearing, "That's my shirt right? - he asked rhetorically knowing the answer to this question

- Perhaps, you didn't dress her so now she is mine," Jinx smiled innocently and Price laughed

- So be it," he muttered rolling his eyes, however, the smile did not disappear from his face, "Come on it's too big for you," he complained, of course he could have bought the teenager the same shirts, but in her size so that she would detach from his shirts however, he did not feel like getting up and going to the store to look for the same shirts

Both fell silent, however, the silence in the room was not nervous or awkward it was calm without any major demands Jinx and John locked themselves in their worlds. Thinking about what they might have said differently or what they might do later

- Since you trust me enough to know that I didn't do it," Jinx began to say dragging out the last words, "How can you be so sure? - she asked suddenly rejecting the idea of saying more than necessary

John moved his gaze from the ceiling to her looking piercingly at the teenager gently squinting his eyes and then looked at the ground shrugging his shoulders - Because I know you are not willing to kill a person - he confessed after a moment of silence - You may have had a shitty life, but you would never kill anyone - he muttered

- Why do you think so? - she asked curious - You know me a few months maybe even already a year, I don't even remember when I appeared here and you trust me so much? - she expanded her questions further doubting the captain and maybe also because she was curious about his view of the world

He again looked at her - I do not know the answer to this question Anoana - he whispered - However I would answer you most likely it would be a lie, I have not yet found the answer to this question - he answered honestly, he interrupted his monologue for a moment to take in air with his nose hard

- Of course, I could tell you that I see the good in you, but that's probably something you've heard many times before suppose from Laswell," he shrugged his shoulders looking at the ceiling again and the teenager quietly giggled nodding her head which the captain couldn't see but he sensed her answer

The teenage girl only muttered under her breath unintelligible words to the captain - Don't mumble under your breath - he rebuked and Anoana rolled her eyes but muttered a silent , "sorry" Silence again met them still calm without any tension however in the teenage girl it was still boiling in her head

- I was all the way in the kitchen how come I ended up in the living room? - she muttered to herself, the captain's head darted toward Anoana, as he looked at her miraculously without breaking his neck in the process

- Maybe due to stress you forgot? You know adrenaline you saw the fire and started to run away, but you lost consciousness," John suggested, scratching the back of his head, Jinx only shook her head

- I would have remembered that," she denied the captain's theory, "I was still in the kitchen when I lost consciousness I saw that Eric and Ava were still standing, but moments later they were lying down," she muttered, but she herself wasn't sure if it was true, "And after that I don't remember anything," she confessed even more quietly, her voice didn't resemble a whisper she was moving her lips more than making a sound

- I don't know how you ended up in the living room," confessed the captain, getting up hard from the couch, "But I don't know how you are, I'm hungry," he confessed, heading for the kitchen. At the mention of food, the teenager's stomach rumbled loudly, letting her know it, the teenager quickly got up from her seat from this sudden movement, her head spun slightly, but with quick steps she headed for the kitchen following Price 

[ksiondzkanexkiii]

MAYBE YOU'RE NOT A BAD PERSON

Found story on wattpad, neobook or tumblr

Next chapter (24)

CHAPTER TWENTY-THIRD

John Price knew that there were many ways to go through grief, he never questioned how Jinx was going through her mourning however, he didn't like the fact that she had become more oppressive which he didn't like. And a lot, but he couldn't chastise her for going through grief he could only stand beside her in the most difficult moments and keep her spirits up.

He understood that she did not want to talk to him about the fire, she was experiencing it all quietly. However, when she did say something to him she was more abrasive than always he had a fear that she had returned to her old habits and her curiosity about the normal world and her desire to change was gone along with Eric and Ava.

He sat at the table, a mug of steaming tea standing in front of him as he stared dully at the sky outside the window. He hadn't entered Jinx's zone, hadn't gone into her room since he'd left his paints and canvas there. Garrick's advice he took to heart saw that it was probably the only way to get the teenager to open up to him without having to speak. But she wouldn't leave the room, and that's where a gigantic problem arose.

He didn't even know if she had drawn anything on the canvas, but he didn't go into her room. Or should he? He asked himself this question every morning, and his worried eyes glanced at the door of the teenager's room every time he left his bedroom. Even books no longer relaxed him, his thoughts kept drifting back to the teenager, who sat locked in her room twenty-four hours a day only coming out when she was hungry, thirsty or needed to take care of herself in the bathroom.

She didn't even wash herself, Price felt as if she had lost her purpose for wanting to socialize. And this bothered him, of course he had seen other soldiers survive the loss of a friend or even family however every time he saw these souls broken by the mortality of having their loved ones taken from them

It was tearing him apart

But he knew he couldn't change it, he regretted that he couldn't show the middle finger to death and laugh death right in the face. As long as death has a face...

He knew when he needed to give someone space to express his emotions and he knew when to approach and support a person in a given crisis situation, but now? He didn't know, at the same time a part of him wanted to help the teenager and the other part of him was screaming in his ear to take the plunge and he began to further socialize the teenager hard, the sooner he finished and social services considered her , "safe" the better for him

Regain peace at home

The tea that stood in front of him had already cooled down, but his fingers were still tapping deafeningly against the porcelain of the mug. His thoughts drifted away and his blue eyes only told how far away he was on the sea of thoughts, but his attention did not escape the fact that the door of the teenage girl's room was opening. He had questions to ask her, although he did not think too much about them, but his head was cluttered with thoughts

He listened to the quiet footsteps of the teenager, who was heading toward the kitchen probably to brew herself another batch of tea, which apparently calmed her down and at the same time make herself something to eat. John swallowed his saliva hard as he tore his gaze away from the window to look at the teenager, who stood like a pillar of salt in the doorway from the kitchen, staring at him.

And she almost felt stupid, she disheveled and unwashed stood before him in dirty clothes the same ones she had four days ago. Her breath could have killed even a rodent. The blue shirt that accentuated her blue eyes, which were now without any sparkle, not even the faintest glint of mischief.

As if someone had erased that glint in the eye

Her skin was paler than usual due to the fact that she didn't get out of the house much, Price let her stay home he didn't want to send her to school when she hadn't gone through mourning yet and not sure how she would behave he feared some kind of fight caused by her not being able to keep her emotions in check. Her red plaid pajama pants covered her legs, which were crossed as if she was holding her urine to keep from peeing in her pants

And him, sitting there in fresh clothes and a freshly trimmed beard those two familiar mutton patches on the side of his cheeks connecting under his mouth and nose. That familiar beard almost made Jinx curse and dream at night, at the same time he was dreaming for her and behind every dream she called a nightmare she could find solace in his arms.

However, by no means will he admit that he needs help, the first rule of the street

No one cares about your feelings

Street rule number two

Don't trust anyone and they will leave you sooner or later anyway.

He sat there dressed in a navy blue short-sleeved shirt that hugged his muscles to show them off even more, he was wearing short shorts. His body glowed with sweat as if he had just returned from a workout

Did he go jogging without her?

They looked at each other quite awkwardly, she began to play with the hem of her shirt as she automatically began to make herself something to eat and put water on for tea. She did this automatically without even noticing how her muscles were tense, her spine was straightened like a taut rope, the air from her lungs escaping so fast that she couldn't keep up with taking in a new portion.

- Jinx? - called out quietly the captain watching her whether she liked it or not, he leaned in gently and crossed his arms on the table. He watched her carefully nothing escaped his watchful eye sometimes he felt like a falcon looking out for its prey, but he didn't want the teenager to feel like she was prey.

In a way she was, but he knew Jinx didn't want to be treated that way. Maybe he hadn't known her long and a few months... Well maybe it had been close to a year or so since he had arrived, he didn't even know when her birthday had been

Why did he think of her birthday now?

He had no clue, however, this question interested and slightly frightened him, because did he miss her birthday?

When the teenager did not respond and still made food he decided to use a louder tone - Jinx - he called out louder gently tilting his head hoping to see her face walker side profile, but nothing of that she stubbornly stood with her back to him. As he watched her a familiar smell of nicotine and smoke hit his nostrils, he now did not have a cigar within reach even in the morning he had not lit a cigar so it was not from him that the smoke stank

- Jinx - he called out even louder he saw the teenage girl's shoulder blades almost join together as she tensed up - Look at me - he commanded her, her hair was greasy and her curls were tousled more than usual even the messy bun at the base of her neck could not mask the fact that her hair was in a deplorable state

She did not obey his command - I told you something - he continued to order and she still ignored him even did not say anything back to him as she had been in the habit for the last few days, he gently sighed giving up trying to order her he adopted a different strategy - I want to help you Jinx and you push me away - he began to speak more calmly watching her

- I don't need your help Price," she almost hissed these words and her voice didn't even resemble a whisper, but it was all softly spoken, "I don't need anyone's help," she added finally looking over her shoulder at him

She sent him a brief meaningful look. She may have said that she didn't need help and pretended to be tough, but deep down she felt lost and alone, that all good things would one day end again, and she didn't want to let him closer to her so that he wouldn't have to die in agony. She brought bad luck and did not want to put this curse on him

So she went back to her cold walls that she had torn down at the time of meeting him, of course she had the desire to socialize especially after she met a group of friends however now that two of her five friends had died she no longer felt the need to socialize.

- Everyone needs help at some point," Price began to say and Jinx merely giggled humorlessly at his words

- Only the weak need help," she muttered under her breath, speaking more to herself than to him. The captain furrowed his eyebrows of course he heard her words he was not old enough not to understand her words

- Even the strongest needs -

- Support? -

- Yes -

- Then push this putty to everyone else and not to me - she growled throwing the knife on the countertop turning on her heel to look at him, the captain raised an eyebrow hearing her tone of voice. He didn't like it - I'm too old to hear it anymore," she added after a moment much quieter than before.

The captain was silent for a while his thoughts drifted away and the roles were reversed now Jinx was looking at his reaction however after a while she turned around to continue making herself food. She wanted to get it over with and hole up in her room again, she didn't realize that the captain was pondering whether Jinx smoked he could still smell the cigarettes.

After a while he moved his chair away from the table where he was sitting, raised his body Jinx did not pay attention to what the captain was doing she was too focused on slicing the cucumber. The captain simply leaned over her pulling his nose hard, it was from her that he smelled cigarettes and now he had confirmation that his nose was not deceiving

- You've been smoking - muttered the captain just above her ear, stated such an obvious fact that Jinx's face dropped, but she still guffawed that she didn't care and that she didn't know what he meant - Jinx. He smells cigarettes - stated again such an obvious fact that Jinx did not know what lie to come up with, she had to think fast

- Something is wrong with your nose," she muttered under her breath, "I didn't smoke and even if I did I don't have anything to smoke with," she sent him a bored look, not at all that when she went to set fire to Eric's hideout on the way she robbed the drunk people she saw along the way, Jinx seemed to have dreamed it however, when she woke up the next morning the guitar was still under the bed and in her pockets she had a lot of wallets and packs of cigarettes sometimes she came across a full pack sometimes a few cigarettes were missing.

- Jinx," growled the captain dangerously, his irritation boiling over, even the tips of his ears turned red as he tried to restrain his anger, "Don't make an idiot of me," he threatened her, standing behind her and looking down at her, an unpleasant cold shiver ran down Jinx's back as she felt his gaze on her.

The same assessing gaze she felt every time she opened the window and lit a new cigarette, she may have been alone in the room at the time however it felt like someone was watching her from the shadows. Somehow she didn't care about it however it wasn't one of the most pleasant, but for the unhealthy nicotine smoke she ignored it. As long as she delivered a new dose of harmful homes

- I'm not making an idiot out of you, I wouldn't even dream of it," she sneered, snorted under her breath without amusement setting cucumbers on the sandwich she had made for herself, she was already about to take the plate with the sandwiches when the captain's hand found itself on her forearm

- You're not going," he muttered, "We'll talk first," he added after a moment, he did not give her room for discussion brazenly snatched the plate with sandwiches from her hands to put them back on the counter and he led her over to the chair where he had been sitting moments earlier, "I don't hear you say the word , "No," he said as he himself sat down at the table opposite her

He leaned forward and crossed his arms again on the table top she sat across from him quite awkwardly, her hands were under the table her nails were effectively finding dry cuticles to pluck. Stupid nervous habit, she must quit it at some point.

- Then what do you want from me? - She sighed looking unhappy that she was put in this situation, she may have been more oppressive and snarky, but sometimes she didn't even have the strength to pretend to be , "strong" and , "brave" anymore if she had to be like that at all

- Talk," the captain raised an eyebrow, "That difficult? - He asked sarcastically at the same time rhetorically, the teenager only rolled her eyes. She raised her hands and rested them on the table top to push off and stand up

- Sit down - ordered her captain and the British accent became even more apparent than usual, this only showed how annoyed he already was. The teenager only looked at him with a raised eyebrow, however, she still stood, but did not make any move, not even a word was spoken - I ask for something - he added after a while John's blue eyes looked at her as if they were about to kill her

If sight could kill

She would be dead by now

- This request and so I will not listen to your request," she smiled innocently, when she finished her sentence, she was about to grab the plate of sandwiches again

- Jinx - Price hit the table with a song, causing the teenager to jump up, if that was the way things were going he was not afraid to use more drastic measures. Of course he wouldn't hurt her, he had no intention of doing so he only intended to scare her - Sit down - he growled again

Jinx pondered for a moment more, she could take a chance and play on his nose still not listening to him. As if she had earplugs in her ears, she looked into his eyes that could kill her with their sharpness she bit the inside of her cheek she was torn between the choice of listening to him and optionally not getting punished

Or

Disobey it and have problems later

When she looked at the door she was considering the two options and the captain knew it well - If you don't listen," he began to say and she tore her gaze away from the door frame to send him a cold look

- If you already want to threaten me come up with something interesting," she shrugged her shoulders as if she didn't care, everything drains out of her so easily. She ignores everything - Something that will encourage me to stay and listen to your boring monologue - she added after a while again sending him an innocent smile and rabbit holes made on her freckled cheeks.

Her freckles were made more visible by the fact that she didn't get out in the sun as often, her skin also faded. The captain swallowed his saliva imperceptibly his fingers tangled against each other causing him to join his hands and press them together so hard that his knuckles turned white, he considered his every word he had to choose wisely so that she would listen to him

- He just wants to talk, I'm not asking for much Jinx," he began to speak in a tedious voice and Jinx looked up at him, standing over the table and critically assessing his every word

- Do you say that to every one of your soldiers? - she asked curiously and the Captain was slightly taken aback by this he expected any question, but not necessarily a question about the army - Because if so - Jinx dragged out her words muttering at the end, she really didn't care, she wanted to hear words that would be given only to her.

Words that only she could hear, she did not want to hear the words spoken to everyone.

 - If you let me finish, you'll see," insisted the captain hiding his annoyance at being interrupted again, he hated being interrupted, he was used to being listened to and not asking unnecessary questions, after all he is a captain, but Jinx was never interested in his military rank for her he was just a crutch that caused the opening of a new path, which was called "normal life for a teenager".

The only thing she was grateful to him for was that he let her go to school even if Annalise annoyed him... and along the way she also annoyed Jinx, but she was grateful to them for giving her the chance to go to school and finally learn to write. Maybe it wasn't easy at first because she didn't know how to write so she copied the movements of her classmates or friends optionally the teacher if he happened to be writing on the board and not dictating into a notebook

She was grateful to the teachers who wrote on the blackboard what they were supposed to transcribe and not dictate, how many times it saved her skin until she finally learned to write reasonably. She didn't know how to write, because what use is it to anyone living on the street?

Living on the street, you worry about whether you will have food for the next day or whether you will die of hypothermia in the winter.

- Well, go ahead, I'm turning into a listener," she mocked, moving her left leg gently backwards with her right hand placed on her chest leaning forward as if she was bowing to him as if he were the highest aristocracy. She sent him a mocking smile at the same time the captain snorted seeing her behavior

- I don't know how you feel," he began to speak calmly, "But he wants to help you," at these words Jinx rolled her eyes, how many times she heard these words until she wanted to vomit when she heard these words, "I can't let you rot in this room, he wants to know what's going on," he said in a stern tone seeing her behavior

He was not blind or stupid, he saw the dangerous glint in her eye as if he was treading on a thin line to fully annoy her - Besides," he pointed his finger at her, a little rudely thought the teenager, "You stink of cigarettes, you pretend that you did not smoke them however, you smell of smoke," he accused her quietly sighing and shaking his head in disappointment

- You could have masked the stench of smoke better is first of all," he began to enumerate even lifting his finger up, after a while he added another finger, "Secondly, you don't leave the room, and when you do you go to the bathroom or the kitchen," he continued to enumerate and Jinx's muscles were getting stiff and ready to run away

She felt like a deer ready to run away - What are you getting at Captain? - she asked quietly, but dangerously, as if she wanted to bark out to him the most vulgar words she could get out of herself - What else do you want to reproach me with? - she almost growled at him and her blood was boiling

- He wants to help, I already said that," he sighed, "But I was waiting for you to give me a signal when to help you however you don't do that," he explained calmly pulling the cup towards him, with the tea he had left on the table earlier, the tea was already icy but still drinkable he took a small sip gently contorting his face as the cold drink invaded the inside of his cheeks

- She doesn't need it," she wanted to continue her statement but the captain raised his hand and silenced her

- Help?  - he mocked - Yes you said it already - he teased her, looking at her briefly and then at the mug of tea he held in his hand, the quiet clink of the clatter of the porcelain against each other cut the momentary silence that had formed between them - If you want to lie, lie to someone else - he looked at her seriously

- But don't lie to me. Remember this - this time it was he who sent her an innocent smile in the shape of a "v" Jinx only twisted her lips in a grimace hearing the words of the captain and seeing his innocent smile - What is bothering you Jinx? - he asked straightforwardly, effectively making Jinx even more eager to leave the kitchen, but her muscles seemingly ready to escape did not even move an inch or a walker a millimeter

- Nothing is bothering me Captain," she muttered and her mixed accent was more audible to the captain, he knew she was lying. The purple bags under her eyes did not match her at the same time it was the sunken eyes that told him the whole story of what the teenager was going through

- Your mouth says something else, your body language says something else and your appearance says something else Jinx," he sighed looking down at her, "You can lie even to yourself thinking everything is fine," he leaned back and when his back met the back of the chair he crossed his arms over his chest

- Fuck," whispered the teenager her arguments were running out, as much as she wanted to end the conversation something told her that this was the last moment she could beg for help. She wondered whether to take advantage of this fact or not, she looked towards the window that was next to them opposite the door that only called her to run away like a frightened deer, she looked at the sky and the birds that flew in the clear sky.

Heaven was supposed to help her make decisions however she still felt she could not choose

- Far from hens," muttered the captain shrugging his shoulders, the teenager had to suppress the urge to giggle, "Let yourself help Jinx, I understand that," he was about to continue his statement when Jinx interrupted him again

- You don't understand shit Price," she growled again and her irritation which moments ago had stopped bubbling like the worst storm in her blood suddenly returned with redoubled force. If ships swam in her veins she was sure that the waves of blood would have sunk every ship of peace she had inside her

- Then enlighten me," he leaned forward again looking at her defiantly, "Since you're already in a position to shout at me then you're in a position to tell me what's bothering you," he said in a quiet but threatening tone, if Jinx had been smaller surely her blood would have frozen and fear would have taken over her helm causing her to flee.

If sight really could kill she would be dead, she repeated over and over in her head, but that was the truth.

Even if she wanted to deny it, she couldn't

Into a big swamp I've gotten myself into, thought the teenager looking around looking for some support in the furniture her mind was working a hundred miles an hour and the answers with which she could answer the captain multiplied so much that she couldn't keep up to judge which ones were perfect to say

- You won't understand anyway," she muttered looking at the sandwiches that were still on the kitchen counter, she had even lost her appetite for them already, "No one ever understands so why do you ask," she asked this time and not the captain, John only sighed heavily

- Don't turn the cat on its head," he threatened her quietly, "You had the urge to shout at me, you did it so let this head of yours finally understand that I'm trying to help, but you won't let me," he continued to say quietly and threateningly until Jinx got goosebumps

- Maybe he does not want your help? - she raised an eyebrow and forced herself to bring out the most innocent voice, she sent him a brief smile - Not always everyone wants help, you are a captain haven't you learned this rule? - she raised her eyebrow looking down at him while standing

- Sit down and talk to me," he commanded her and his tone of voice didn't change Come on, the captain's blue irises expressed more than just worry for her, his eyes showed something more than a cold side, but she couldn't work out what the emotion behind the coldness was.

Jinx swallowed her saliva hard but listened to him slowly sat down on the chair again sitting opposite him. She sat stiffly still ready to run away, blinking frequently and quickly another sign that she was stressed her leg under the table jumped nervously

- How are you feeling? - he asked looking at her it was a question one of a million he wanted to ask her, but he wanted to start gently. Without arguing come on and that goal failed

- Excellent - Sarcasm flowed out of Jinx's mouth as easily as if she was spreading butter on a bread roll, but even that was coming her way reluctantly - That's not what you want to ask right? - She asked raising an eyebrow she wasn't stupid she knew the captain was going to ask something she didn't like, but he wanted to start slow

- What do you want to lead to Captain Price? - She asked wrinkling her eyebrows and leaning forward to get a better look at him, he raised his hand and scratched at his beard gently crooking his arm - Something interests you, but you are afraid to ask - she mocked

- He wants to know if this fire was not your fault," he said seriously, Jinx at first thought he was joking after all why would he ask here? But when she looked at him like that she saw that he was not joking and his question was serious

Small but clearly blue eyes watched her reactions, which were quick and did not hide her surprise at first her eyebrows furrowed just enough for the wrinkles to remain then she raised her eyebrows with a mocking smile, but when she realized she was not joking her face returned to a stony side

Expressionless

Emotionless

- The fire department says there was arson," he explained, speaking quietly so as not to frighten her at the same time she wanted to look serious on the other hand her muscles were tense enough that one wrong word or move and she would run away like a frightened reindeer

- The firefighters found you and the Rodriguez siblings in the kitchen you suffered the least - he continued this time looking at her injuries her left side of her body her arm, abdomen, hand was in a bandage to protect the burns from infection and environmental contamination - Why? -

Jinx was silent at first, she thought it was an unfunny joke or some silly dream. However, it wasn't, and that scared her, of course she had her share of petty crimes like theft or robbery... well that's all she did, but to set fire to her friends' house? And cause their deaths? She would never go to something like that

It was funny to watch how she could not get a word out of herself, how she was speechless - Jinx answer to the question - he spoke as calmly as he could however anxiety was bubbling in his veins, what if it was all true? However, her reaction did not indicate this.

- That what I'm asking?  - She snorted still unable to believe what he was accusing her of - You want to tell me that it was my fault that the fire broke out? - she scoffed, still feeling as if she was dreaming she purposely pinched her arm to see if she was dreaming, but she was awake - You've got to be kidding me - she scoffed

- If so, this is extremely not funny," she indignantly looked at him her mind was darkened by grief at the same time she was annoyed that he accused her of such a thing.

- The fire department says otherwise," he leaned forward as he spoke these words, tilting his head to the side he raised his hand to scratch his beard, "Jinx, sooner or later they will get to who set fire to the Rodriguez house, but he wants to know," she did not let him finish

- Did I do it? - she mocked snorting under her breath, leaning back. She had stopped trusting him, if she ever trusted him at all - No, no, I think I'm asleep - this situation really felt like some kind of absurdity to her, something pulled out of the blue, something that shouldn't be.

- I'm serious Jinx," he almost growled at her feeling her mocking him, mocking him. He watched this as she almost threw herself on the chair like an offended five-year-old child could not find a comfortable position felt uncomfortable and wanted to run away

- And I'm serious that I didn't do it," she replied crossing her arms over her chest pretending that it was all draining out of her

That it doesn't move her

That it's all really about wanting to put her back in juvie

Her eyes widened at this thought, and if in fact this is the point? If in fact the captain doesn't want her here anymore and wants to get rid of her by the way driving her into a bigger corner of guilt. Her face dropped and her eyes darkened more she had no desire or strength to cry in front of the captain come on her mind wanted to cry to get it out of her she couldn't in front of John, her body was still tense to the point that her knuckles had turned white.

She clenched her jaw hard she could almost feel her tooth crumbling and the Captain could hear it, she swallowed her saliva hard, but the lump in her throat did not allow it. Her throat was dry just as her lips almost immediately demanded water

- You want to put me back in the reformatory," she stated matter-of-factly, Price let the air out through his mouth twisted in disbelief this conversation was making him more and more tired. And the teenager's conjecture sounded irrational to him at the same time he could not blame her for thinking so

He shook his head - No, but the fire department and the police are checking the clues," he warned her, "And supposedly you acted suspiciously," he argued and the teenager increasingly did not believe him they wanted to frame her for something she had not done. She had honor she would never burn alive her friends even her enemies

She would never kill a man

Of course coincidences walk on people, in an accident she may have inadvertently caused people could die, but setting fire to someone's house? Even if she was with the cartel, she didn't do it

She only looked at

- I behaved normally," she defended herself almost hissing at him like a snake, "I just sensed that something bad was going to happen," she looked at her hands, which rested on the table top and her fingers intertwined with each other, she had the right feeling. If only she had listened to that voice in her head Eric and Ava would probably be alive

- Who told you that? - She asked curiously tearing her gaze away from her injured hands, since the fire she had acquired the ugly habit of picking at her skin, her fingertips gently bleeding and made tender by the fact that they were not wearing protection and the unruly cuticles protruded just waiting for the teenager's teeth to try to pull them off.

- Mrs. Dorinson," he said truthfully, not missing the fact of how Jinx's hands look, "And you have a problem and he wants to help you," he continued and Jinx only rolled her eyes and groaned in displeasure

- I'm fine," she crossed her arms over her chest with her back hitting the back of the chair

- Your body says otherwise," he repeated himself, "You need help, accept it when someone offers it to you," he interrupted

He was silent for a long while watching her indignation, his face became stony of course he was expressing concern, but he was slowly getting tired of explaining it over and over again and eternally repeating himself

- Because then it will be easier? - She said what he wanted to say again, mocking him she shook her head with a dry and emotionless giggle - Forgive me Captain, but it doesn't work - she replied looking at the window and not at him

- If I let someone in then they leave me," she explained looking out the window at the birds flying by and merrily flying in the cloudless sky, "Then why do you want to? -

- Because it's my job," he defended himself with the same words as always and that and Jinx was getting bored

- Bullshit Captain - She almost shouted at him, leaning forward - We both know that - She said in a quieter almost whisper without taking her eyes off him, she was shaking emotions were bubbling in her just asking for a wrong move that will make her explode

- Say something else - she whispered - Something... that will make me consider your proposal - The captain looked at her quite annoyed, his patience was reaching its zenith and his desire to talk was subsiding. This is not how it was supposed to look - I did nothing, if there was arson by a third party it was not me - She defended herself already spoke normally not an ounce of sarcasm or derision could be found in her words

- I'll trust you on this," he muttered looking at the teenager's hands, "You're in pain," he stated matter-of-factly, the teenager at first didn't know what he meant seeing what she was looking at she hid her hands in the pockets of her pajama pants

- No," she burbled while correcting herself in the chair, she moved quite uncomfortably. The captain only smiled gently under his breath he knew that the teenager did not like to lie when she was sitting, because then she moved awkwardly.

- Be that as it may, but try not to do it again," he muttered looking into her eyes, they caught eye contact once again in this conversation she only swallowed hard

- Because what? - she asked almost with derision, but with curiosity

- Because later you will have calloused and rough fingers," he answered truthfully, but did he have confirmation of this? No. that's what his mother explained to him, so he wanted to pass it on, he always thought the woman was right

She only snorted under her breath while shaking her head - What are you acting like that for? - she raised an eyebrow, she wanted to detect a ruse in him that would herald that he wanted to extract information from her by being nice and caring to her.

She knew the trick and wasn't about to fall for it

- What kind of magic trick is this? - She went on, not paying attention to the fact that the captain's nostrils dilated and irritation began to appear in his eyes - Laswell taught you this or what? - she sent him her familiar smile, with which dimples appeared

- That's no trick Jinx," muttered the captain with a tired expression on his face, "It's called worry," he added after a moment

- How many cigarettes did you smoke? - he asked, but got no answer he could have guessed that he would get no answer only to be doused with urine

Jinx continued her tirade, but the captain was running out of patience and wanted the teenager to finally understand what he wanted to say and convey to her, apparently she was too dumbfounded to understand it

 - Because if so," she interrupted her statement by a loud bang that rang out in the kitchen

- Because I'm worried about you! - shouted the annoyed captain slamming his hands on the table moving away from the table and the chair fell to the ground with sensation, when he rather aggressively got up from it, he was breathing hard as if these efforts cost him all his energy, when he looked at the teenager with a stern look after a while, however, he closed his eyes and rubbed his tired face with a heavy sigh

 - Is it so hard to understand that I'm worried about you? - he added more quietly - And that he doesn't want them to lock you up for something you didn't do, if you didn't actually do it," he mumbled looking at his hands, but the teenager stood there frozen with fear, when he looked at her again he realized that the teenager had turned her back on him and with a quick step began to walk out of the kitchen leaving behind the sandwiches she had been so eager to eat earlier.

He watched her disappear behind the kitchen doorframe, heard her quick footsteps heading towards the room and then the door closing - Fuck Price - he whispered to himself - You fucked up - he stated matter-of-factly and began sipping the cold tea he had made for himself earlier

He will talk to her later

In the evening, when they had both cooled down from their emotions, if he moved after her now he would probably be met with more fire than he is now. And that was not what he wanted

He didn't have the strength for it, not even the desire to stand in front of the bigger fire that the teenager had lit however he knew she needed help. Even if she wouldn't admit it, too many times he had seen recruits call for help with their gestures rather than words.

They were closing in on themselves

They locked themselves in their barracks and didn't come out for days. As far as they could they only went out for training or to use the restroom

They ate and drank less

They often sat in their heads in the land of thoughts

And all these symptoms are now exhibited by a teenager who is more impetuous than a recruit in the army. He sighed heavily and took another big sip of cold tea

[ksiondzkanexkiii]

MAYBE YOU'RE NOT A BAD PERSON | JOHN PRICE

Chapter Twenty-Four

NEXT CHAPTER (25)

Found story on wattpad, Neobook or Tumblr

The evening came as quickly as the teenage girl escaped from the kitchen when the two argued in the morning, the captain sat at his desk organizing papers with no end in sight but his mind wandered mostly to the teenage girl.

He tried everything not to think about how else he could have steered the conversation, he didn't think he had screwed up just that he had screwed up to the second or even hundredth or thousandth power. The captain muttered under his breath while fiddling with a pen in one hand and holding papers in the other, the cigar between his lips leaning up and down as he moved his lips playing with the deadly smoke.

Meanwhile, Jinx was sitting on the roof her legs dangling freely at the edge of the roof, looking up at the stars hoping they would answer her question or give her a break

Which she wanted so badly

The nightmares don't let her sleep, they have deepened more than the last days she dreamed that she returned to the Mexican cartel a big mistake of life that doesn't give her peace even at night. She wanted to cry and shout to the universe for everyone to give her a break

She did not know how to feel

She wanted to shout

She wanted to cry

She wanted to have friends

She wanted to have someone to say , "I love you" to.

She wanted peace and quiet

She wanted to know what love, infatuation or any love crap is

It's not that she wanted to die or anything she just didn't feel a purpose she didn't know what she was living for and how to live. She always thought that the stars would answer her questions, but she was not getting answers, on her lap she had her favorite journal with which she wrote everything down without thinking, tapping her pencil against the pages of the notebook.

Her thoughts drifted back to when she was on her sailing ship

Pink

She wanted to feel free again like she did at sea, but she knew that even that would not give her the answers she wanted or give her what she wanted.

Thinking too much, she quietly snorted under her breath as she lifted her gaze to realize that the stars had not yet appeared and the sun was slowly setting behind the horizon hiding and giving the advantage to the moon. This did not change the fact that she was alone on the roof of the building

Unaware that the captain gently knocked on her room, however, the silence answered him, he stood in front of the door to the teenager's room having sliced apples in his hand, looked at the closed door waiting for the teenager to let him into her room

However, this was not the case

This silence didn't please the captain come on, because it is finally quiet in the apartment

However, this was not the case

He gently grasped the handle and pressed it, when the lock finally sprang open heralding that the door had opened he pushed it open so that his legs carried him deep into the teenager's room, which was empty. The captain's blood froze almost instantly and the captain's nostrils dilated as his eyes closely examined every nook and cranny of the room praying to see where the teenager could hide or where she could escape

The bed was unmade and on it lay loose sheets of paper scattered about, he didn't think, but impulsively he would take them to look through them he thought that when he saw what the teenager had drawn he would know where to look for her however he was surprised when the sheets depicted different locations....come on it was more things the teenager apparently cared about

A sailing ship drawn in pencil in as much detail as possible with the inscription on the side , "Pink" looked closely at the drawing the sailing ship had one of the two masts drawn destroyed, the captain raised a curious eyebrow and his eyes jumped to the second sheet of paper, which depicted some kind of abandoned house, but it looked burnt out the roof had collapsed and she pressed the pencil harder at the windows or doors as if she wanted to depict smog.

The third and final card depicted... the roof of a building ref... focusing more on the landscape to reflect the beauty of the stars however he knew the place, Price's eyes widened to the size of golf balls as he looked towards the window of the teenager's room

The grilles were disheveled and the wind gently blew the curtain, something he hadn't noticed before. With quiet practiced steps, he approached the window and looked out through it gently pushing the window casing to open it wider. The fact that the fire escape staircase did not have a staircase lined all the way up gently reassured the captain

That is, the teenager continues to be somewhere near the apartment

He looked around but knew nothing, pushed back the bars and jumped over the window sill. He landed hard on the dark green floor of the fire escape staircase which shook when the captain's weight appeared on it.

He still held the cards in his hand, when he looked again at the last card of the three, it was definitely on the roof of the apartment he had sat there many times. When he shifted his gaze to the orange sky, which was becoming increasingly black and dark blue all he did was sigh heavily, after a few minutes he finally gathered his courage and started up the stairs.

He wasn't sure what he would find at the very top of the stairs however Jinx was still sitting on the edge she didn't even notice when the captain appeared behind her she quietly hummed under her breath a tune she heard when she was still in Mexico.

A melody that accompanied her journey across the Atlantic Ocean, a song that gave her strength refusing to ever admit it. The captain only smiled under his breath as he watched the quiet teenager his steps were quiet as he approached her like a predator his steps began to get louder

Maybe it was a deliberate play and maybe not

Hearing footsteps behind her, Jinx looked over her shoulder to encounter the captain standing over her, who was looking at her with a stern gaze. She swallowed her saliva hard as the blood in her veins began to flow faster along with her faster beating heart

The silence was awkward both didn't know where to start their sentence - Cap - Jinx spoke up first breaking the ice of awkwardness

He merely muttered something unintelligible under his breath pointed to the seat next to the teenager asking quietly if he could sit next to her she only barely nodded unsure of what the captain had come up with in his head

What thoughts are flowing through him

What is he planning

What does he want to say?

- Jinx - he said sitting down next to her with a heavy sigh he did not look at her not because he did not have the courage. No. he believed that if he didn't look at her she would talk more, it didn't escape his notice when she quickly closed the journal and set it aside he accepted this as having the desire to talk and he wasn't going to miss this chance while he had the chance.

- That's my name," joked the teenager, not taking her eyes off him for a while yet, but then she looked at the setting sun, which had already almost hid, but for the sake of the joke she stays still in place as if curious how this conversation would go on she had to squint to see well.

They sat in silence, which did not turn awkward, the atmosphere around them was calm a gentle wind brushed their uncovered skin Jinx sat in her pajamas and felt most the cold wind and the change in temperature, which dropped as the sun disappeared.

The captain sat next to her and continued to look at the drawings she had drawn, when he looked at them like that he realized that some of the details were smudged which seemed strange to him, because as he noticed the teenager was very fond of drawing the details of every thing. However, part of the sailing ship was smudged I tried to turn the drawing over to understand if it was the perspective that was affecting it, however, this was not the case.

Jinx watched him out of the corner of her eye seeing him thinking - Didn't you wonder how I got here? - she asked quietly breaking the calm silence that had accrued next to them, the man looking at her then at the drawn sailboat was silent he would not say it out loud, but he was afraid that if he spoke up the teenager would stop talking and return to his walls

- I crossed the Atlantic ocean," she said suddenly and quickly which the captain did not expect, his eyes widened as he looked at her having a big question mark above his head which could not be seen however his eyes very reliably showed his confusion

- Did I? - before he had time to finish his question Jinx giggled seeing his surprised expression, covered her mouth with her hand as she laughed even more

- You heard right," she said between giggles, the captain's face continued to express surprise but at the same time he himself smiled hearing the teenager laugh, something he hadn't heard in a long time and didn't expect to hear for the next few hours, days, weeks depending on how long the teenager's depressive state would last

- I was in Mexico, I was born and raised there - she began to tell her story with great enthusiasm, the captain looked at her and turned his head to the side listening to her with interest he did not even dream of interrupting her - In I lived quite uninteresting conditions, in short - she shrugged her shoulders

It looked as if everything that had happened to her didn't matter to her and she would have it somewhere deep in her ass however every night when she closes her eyes she still dreams the same nightmare, and when she opens her eyes and sweat drips from her forehead and back it causes that when she wakes up she doesn't remember what she dreamed - Not interesting conditions what? - asked the captain as if he wanted to mock her, but his tone dripped with concern and curiosity that was aroused in him when she told the story - What do you mean? - he raised an eyebrow

Jinx only shrugged her shoulders again twisting her face in a grimace - Well - she started dragging out the words - I don't remember too much - she muttered under her breath and the captain sent her a gentle chastising look saying , "he didn't mumble under his breath" she started scratching her hand thoughtfully trying to form a meaningful sentence so the captain would understand what she meant

- You were too small to understand what was going on, but you ran away from home anyway? - He asked what first came to mind not necessarily betting that he would hit the jackpot almost with his guess, Jinx when he said his guess almost immediately looked at him miraculously without breaking her neck

- How did you know? - she raised her eyebrow high - Do you have some kind of magical powers or what? - she mocked

The man only snorted under his breath with mild amusement - No bee - he muttered, sighing softly and scratching his chin - Unless we describe conjecture as super powers - he joked looking at her significantly, the teenage girl only slapped him gently on the shoulder giggling

- No. I'm not going to start calling you super man," she shook her head in amusement as she watched the captain rub the spot where she hit him, she didn't even hit hard enough to hurt him however the captain's ego told him to pretend to pout and hurt him. The teenager apparently forgot that she was supposed to be angry and offended at him

And once again bad

Because he laughs and acts as if nothing happened, does the captain cringe because of it? No. Absolutely. It's good to see the sparkle in those blue eyes also appeared a flash of mischief, but also amusement

- How did you manage to cross the ocean with this," the captain began to ask, searching for the word that perfectly described Jinx's sailing ship, "With this junk," he muttered, looking at the drawing of the teenager

- This is not gold - she indignantly crinkled her eyebrows and sent him a meaningful look - This is , "Pink" sailing ship, which has survived more than one voyage with me - she boasted almost proud of her achievement even if she risked her life and health at the time she was proud of herself that she managed to do it

She had an undiscovered dream, which was to sail around the world precisely on , "Pink" a sailing ship that was damaged and the repair of it would surely consume so much money that she would not pay it out until her death. However, she could dream, because who can forbid her?

- I sailed from the coast I don't even remember what it was called - Jinx mused trying to remember the name of the port from which she sailed a few years ago, but after a while she shrugged her shoulders abandoning her attempts to remember - It was hard to get past the border and water guards, but somehow I managed -.

- How? - The man asked further cutting into her sentences at which she sent him a bored and warning look

- I don't know, I guess the god I don't believe was watching over me," she muttered, "This one time," she whispered to herself, but the captain's trained hearing heard it and gently snorted under his breath

- Don't you believe in him? - He raised an eyebrow correcting his body to sit more comfortably as a teenage girl threw her legs down freely to rock as he leaned his back back and rested his hands on the floor of the roof. He watched her as the sun set the orange sky highlighted her fiery hair

- God sucks," said Jinx almost on one exhale and faster than Price could register he raised his eyebrow questioningly and under his breath issued a short , "Hmm". - Because, after all, why did he have to send me to my parents, who as foreplay practice in the basement? - Jinx expressed her disgust with a vomiting reflex that was feigned

- In the basement? - asked the captain, not knowing if he heard correctly - Your parents? - he continued to ask and the cogs in his mind were working at top speed

- Don't ask. I don't understand it either," she muttered waving her hand reluctantly wanting to get rid of the topic of parents and their disgusting foreplay. However, it was too late, Jinx's mind was overtaken by the memories she so badly wanted to get rid of, however, two words of the captain's , "basement" and "parents" managed to make her think too much again on a topic she should have buried seven meters underground long ago

Or even deeper

- Hmm - The captain muttered under his breath scratching his thick brown beard, which has gray hair, the level of stress at work has made him gray faster - But one question I will ask - Jinx only groaned dissatisfied that she would not leave the topic as she asked

- One quick question," she pointed her finger at him however she smiled gently, she may have been offended at him but it didn't make her stop smiling she felt she should smile after all Eric loved to see her smile and she loved to smile even in the most stressful situations

Why was that? She didn't know

Maybe for the fact that in stressful situations she did not know what to do

- The basement, that's the one you recently painted on - the captain leaned forward again to get a better look at the setting sun - It's the same basement in which? -

- Yes. - Jinx quickly answered his question knowing what he wanted to ask - The same one where they had sex, did drugs, drank alcohol or whatever even worse - she shrugged her shoulders passionlessly shaking her head and in her hands there was suddenly a small pebble which she played with tossing up and down - And this is the basement where I grew up - she muttered after a moment of silence

He watched her out of the corner of his eye, so that she didn't even realize he was doing it. Her mind was focused on a small stone that, unbeknownst to her, had ended up on the roof and now seemed like the most interesting thing in the world

At least for Jinx

- But - she dragged out the words with a click of her tongue - I crossed the ocean, I came here - she continued waving her legs with a frown - Several times I thought I was going to die - she giggled without humor - The storm surprised me - she recalled

- But you did it," Price smiled as he watched the moon slowly climb upward in the sky, "How? -

- I don't know -

- How? -

- I don't know Price -

The captain merely snorted under his breath as he saw Jinx starting to get irritated as he pressed harder and harder. Price gently smiled under his breath sending her a typical ,,v" shaped smile - What if I had answered that question for you? - he asked rhetorically at the same time not giving her the opportunity to argue.

Jinx rolled her eyes groaning displeased - I beg you not - she muttered burying her face in her hands shaking her head hard enough that even her shoulders rotated - She doesn't want a moral conversation - I muttered and her back fell to the ground as her legs still dangled inertly from the edge of the roof

- In that case, I'll be quiet," he laughed seeing what the teenager was doing, he too didn't like it when his mother said moral things. She nauseated then, however, he loved her more than life and listened patiently even if he really wanted to run out with a ball in his hand and join his friends on the field

- You remind me of me," the captain confessed as he lay down next to the teenager his hands were joined on his chest and looked up at the stars that appear above their heads when it gets dark enough for them to shimmer above.

Jinx moaned even louder - Less pity Captain - she gently slapped him on the shoulder - No moral talk - she rolled her eyes, but did not move from her seat, maybe because she nevertheless wanted to listen to what he had to say or maybe it was just the routine that has crept into her bones and even John can not dissuade her from watching the stars like every night

- When I was young," the captain began, dragging out each syllable

- Oh Mercy," whispered the teenager, "Tell me quickly, because I don't feel like moving to get away from you," she muttered, looking at him turning her head to look at him. He did not even look at her his gaze was directed towards the stars however after a few seconds when she looked at him he turned his head and was now looking at her

- Short and quick story," he smiled sending her that silly smile in the shape of a ,,v"

- Promise? -

- Promises -.

- Well, tell us," she rolled her eyes again at the same time turned her head towards the sky, he looked at her for a while longer and then also looked at the stars

- When I was young I was extremely... - he paused gathering his words - In short, I wasn't the best child - He wanted to go on, but the teenager's laughter interrupted her

- Captain as a naughty child - she couldn't believe it, especially since it came out of his mouth

- Yes I know it's hard to believe," a dry chuckle came out of John's throat, his throat still clamoring for water and his voice as hoarse as ever from the cigars he smoked almost every day come to think of it, since the teenager came to his apartment he smokes much less. Maybe it's because he doesn't go on missions and he doesn't have to unload his stress on the noxious smoke that poisons his lungs

- I smoked in corners when the adults didn't know, I snouted, shh a lot to list," he shrugged his shoulders wrapping himself even more with the sweatshirt he was wearing, it was getting colder outside due to the fact that the sun hid behind the horizon at the same time stealing heat and the moon was not strong enough to give enough warmth

Jinx continued to giggle imagining little John running into dark corners to hide with a cigarette between his fingers or even already lit. What he was saying was hard for her to understand and imagine, in her eyes the captain was already perfect from birth, a kid who was born into a happy home.

What worries might he have?

- In the end my mother found out about it," he muttered and sadness was painted on his face when he mentioned his mother, he felt uncomfortable with this he tried to hide it by changing his position to hide his hands behind his head to serve as a makeshift pillow, "How she found out I have no idea, but my suspicions were directed towards no what Archie," he confessed shrugging his shoulder

Jinx was not deaf and blind she saw the discomfort of the captain, she did not dare to look at him only continued to look at the stars however, her smile subsided and was replaced by an expression of confusion and poker face or maybe even concern? - Archie? - asked the teenager

- Probably some primate, since you suspected him - she looked at him gently correcting herself to make the uneven floor of the roof more comfortable. At least a little more comfortable - Or he got under your skin so much - she did not have time to finish

- It was my friend," confessed the captain and his face was stony and did not express any emotion that even Jinx was horrified, "He was worried about me and I did not understand why," he looked at his knees, as his feet were hidden behind the edge of the roof, passersby below did not even notice the two figures on the roof with their legs hanging off the edge and swinging freely

- You sound like you -

- Did he have a sense of guilt? -

- Yep -

- Because I have - the captain shrugged his shoulders and then looked at her - you see he and Maria made me realize that I spoil my life with cigarettes - he shook his head as if he himself did not believe his words - Archie promised me not to tell my mother that he smokes, however, this promise he broke - complained the captain

Jinx didn't necessarily know what he was trying to get at. What should she get out of this story? She wondered and her thoughts were louder than the highway, which is about 3 kilometers away

- What are you getting at John? - she asked aloud, not wanting to hear the story anymore not for the fact that she didn't like his voice or story. With that she could lie. She just wanted to hear the moral of the story already, maybe it was narcissistic or selfish or whatever you call it. Because he was listening while she was talking about , "Pink" and she interrupts him and wants the moral already

The captain only swallowed hard - The moral is that you are not alone Jinx - he muttered looking at her - You have someone who cares about you being healthy happy, someone who definitely cares about you having a happy life and living the way you want - his voice was no louder than a whisper and yet the teenager had to strain her hearing to understand what he was saying

Jinx did not say anything only swallowed inaudibly, she felt a large lump, in her throat that prevented her from speaking and the captain accepted that she could continue speaking - Jinx surely you have someone you can trust, someone who will help you achieve your dreams - he whispered looking at her with an emotion that the teenager could not define

- And you definitely have a person who doesn't call you , "Jinx" because you trust her to know your real name," the Captain continued to say and his voice became more and more distant as Jinx fell into a realm of thought, questioned every possible decision she could make now or words that could come out of her vocal pages but could not get anything out.

However, one thing she could tell, the name , "Jinx" in his mouth sounded like a curse, which she now wanted to wipe off, mull over, kill, end, all the worst things as long as he didn't say , "Jinx" anymore.

- Anoana - muttered Jinx without looking at the captain, the man was confused about what she meant raised an eyebrow questioningly and the teenager looked at him then at the sky - My real name - she added after a while in an awkward tone, because every now and then she grunted as if she had not used her voice for a long time

The captain was silent for a long moment himself not knowing what to say, he didn't even think the teenage girl would tell him her name how did it happen? He didn't have the faintest idea, but that didn't mean he wasn't glad she told him. Come to think of it, he didn't know if it wasn't the teenager's plan to obscure his attention, when he wonders what she meant she quietly slips away without noticing.

- You asked my name," she moved with applause as she spoke her eyebrows almost landed in her hair, "My name is Anoana," she continued to mumble under her breath, the captain tilted his head back to get a better view of her

- I'm glad you're telling me this," he replied after a few moments of awkwardness completely unsure of what to say next. It was a bit like a teenage girl taking away the tool he wanted to use

Plucked

- And I didn't have a person I trusted so one hundred percent," she continued, not even knowing if the captain was listening to her even if he wasn't, she wanted to tell it to the world to take the burden off her shoulders, "I ran away from home because there was too much violence for me, I ran away I found myself in an even bigger swamp, but at the time I thought it was my family -

Her eyes glazed over when she recalled this, of course she hid a lot of facts, but the older man couldn't blame her after all she was just a teenager who had gone through something in her life that she shouldn't have to go through

Currently, she should be sitting and doing homework or doing her favorite hobby or partying late into the night

What she dreamed of

But not Jinx or Anoana as she called herself, she had survived hell and now she wanted to open the gates for the Captain after thinking about it for a while she thought it was the only right decision she could make at the moment. Would she regret it later? Perhaps

Even if it helps with the weight on her shoulders and gently eases it, she knows that this burden will never go away

- I sailed from Mexico because I was born and raised there, I know I don't have an accent it's for the fact that after thinking about it for a while I came to the conclusion that my parents were American and British how did I come to that? I don't even remember anymore," she said rather quickly on one exhale she was surprised at herself when her lungs were not demanding oxygen and she was still talking

- I swam here, only to realize later that I was not the only one who escaped from that swamp - she shrugged her shoulders - Escaped not what Jack, I considered him a brother, but Kate and some Echo three zero or zero three - she tried to remember, but stress flooded her mind which did not make things easier - No matter and her friend caught us. They put me in a reformatory and him I do not know where -.

She looked at him further her eyes were glazed, but she did not allow herself to cry - Next you know - she shrugged her shoulders gently pulling her nose - Do you really think I have someone I can trust a hundred percent, when my life is one big mountain and I am Sisyphus? - she asked rhetorically

The captain only smiled calmly - You will find such a person Anoana," he whispered to her, reaching out to put his hand on her shoulder to comfort her. She did not flinch or do anything quietly enjoyed his touch, as he was warm and she was only in pajamas consisting of a short-sleeved shirt and big pink checked pants - Just as I found Archie -.

- This is how I will find my Archie," she finished the sentence he wanted to say, they thought the same thing. The captain sent her a reassuring smile

- It takes time and a willingness to change," he muttered sending her a meaningful look and she just rolled her eyes

- Don't spoil the moment - she giggled and he pulled her to his chest - What are you doing? - she asked surprised when she put her head under his arm, he was warm well at least his warmth was coming out of his sweatshirt she didn't even know she was shaking like a leaf in the wind.

She was so focused on the conversation that she didn't notice that she was cold and yet he noticed it as her legs twitched and her lower lip was about to tap its teeth. She moved closer to him to draw more heat

- I wouldn't dream of it," he almost whispered these words in the deafening night, the teenager's ears registered the words he said, "You are cold. - stated directly

- you're about to start barking those teeth enough to scare away even the ghosts," he muttered 

Silence arose between them. It wasn't awkward but it was so quiet that even the crickets were afraid to speak up lest they spoil the atmosphere

- So, ‘Jinx’ is a nickname,’ muttered the captain, as if he was satisfied that he had figured it out almost immediately, only he did not know his real name at the time, ’Why such a nickname and not another? - he asked, hoping that she would answer him

- It's quite... - She started to say, but interrupted looking for words - A long and stormy story - she muttered after a while - Maybe one day I will tell you - she waved her hand absentmindedly

Price had to hold back a groan of displeasure at the teenager's refusal, but he nodded his head as a sign that he understood that he should not push. If he'll tell another time then he'll tell another time, he knows the word , ‘No’ and he knows when not to push, this wasn't an interrogation of a prisoner of war but a conversation with a simple teenager who's had a screwed up life and messed it up even more by falling into a

Into a swamp

They lay there for a few more hours or minutes, John didn't even know he had lost track of time however the quiet snoring from under his arm made him realise that they had probably been sitting there for a long time and the teenager had managed to fall asleep unexpectedly. He snorted under his breath scratching his chin finally lifted his big and burly body

He bent down to put his hand on the teenager's back and the other under her knees to lift her bride-style to carry her to bed. The poor thing had fallen asleep hard enough that she doesn't feel him carrying her, or feel and tactfully ignore him to find himself in bed.

He entered her room by the same route as he entered

That is, through the window

With two large steps he approached her bed and laid her down on the comfortable mattress covering her with a white duvet. He covered her almost under her nose, just as he was about to leave her room he was reminded of the drawings in his pocket that he had taken from the roof when he was returning with her in his arms, he pulled them out of the back pocket of his trousers he was about to put them down on the bedside table when again the unrefined details caught his attention

Maybe it was just a small thing and he was thinking too much

However, just to be sure, he wanted to make an appointment for Jinx to see an ophthalmologist, maybe the memories were fading and maybe she was seeing poorly. Two possible options.

[ksiondzkanexkiii]

I'll never leave you again

Prologue

Find story on Wattpad, Neobook or Tumblr.

Next chapter (1)

The crackle of branches interrupted the peaceful silence of the forest, quiet footsteps and quiet humming accompanied the figure that moved in the shadows of the forest. She couldn't go out into the sun unless life was unkind to her and she wanted to turn to stone, the quiet humming of a song came out of her dark blue lips and her green eyes looked down intently to find what she was looking for.

Healing plants, flowers with which she could heal the sick. Plants that would speed up the healing of wounds as well as disinfect them.

The forest around her consisted only of massive oak trees with thick bark partially dried and ready to be stripped off to be used for making houses or other tools. She made a mental note to tell the local blacksmith about the readiness of the trees to gather the needed wood from them for harvesting, her fingertips sliding over the rough texture of the wood.

A gentle smile adorned her face as she felt the power flowing through the tree.

The power of life

The power of life that everyone has, plant, troll, shape-shifter or even humans or... Gumm Gumm, the latter she dreamt in her worst nightmares. No matter what she was doing or if she was having a successful and nice day always, when she closed her eyes all she saw was Gunmar who would attack her village destroying everything she and the other trolls had created.

Her smile dropped and worry almost immediately flooded her thoughts. A heavy sigh left her lips she would give up her birthstone to protect her village even better... she would give up her soul for everyone living in the village hidden at the edge of the lush forest.

She wanted to protect every young troll hide her from the war that was beginning to take its toll and come dangerously close to them, but her husband believed that Gunmar or the humans would not dare attack them. They probably don't even know of their existence, the Troll market would never betray their location

And in a time of crisis, they would surely come here to ask for help and they would give it.

Crops are more lush than they have been in recent years, crops are surplus to the point where they can rot in sacks. Trade between the village and the stone-hearted Troll market is thriving very well, when she thought about it now her smile returned

The birds were chirping over her head as if they were happy to see her, the pleasant song you birds chirped was like honey to her ears. She loved it when birds sang a happy tune, she loved birds she always dreamed of being able to fly among them and feel that freedom that birds only knew. She gently tilted her head as she watched the birds fly over her head.

Then

She felt calm, her thoughts were simple and carefree. Everything around her was so peaceful at the same time it was dark, her bare feet touched the soft grass that tickled her she let out a quiet giggle as she felt the tickle of the grass on her stony skin, the basket, made of sticks she had on her back was loaded to the brim with flowers and other herbs

Even the best stacked ones were gently sticking out of the basket's construction. Her steps were heading towards the village already she could see a mountain on the horizon that had a large mine entrance in it, one of the many entrances to the village of Rot. She couldn't wait to set the heavy basket down on the desk, come the basket filled with herbs and other flowers might seem light however it weighed its own.

Especially after walking for several hours

She was also looking forward to seeing her husband, although she would not have to look for him, as she was probably worried again about the war, which instead of going north was coming dangerously close to them, Gunmar's army could find them any moment, but Anoana did not yet feel the danger it could entail

She was calm, but Angor however was not calm, he had increased the number of patrols around the village to know where the armies of Camelot and the armies of Gunmar were, two camps that were fighting a battle towards the victory of the humans, but it was for now a matter of time when Gunmar would win and bring eternal night.

Angor feared this, but a small spark of hope burned within him that no one would find their village. They were really far set from the war yet he still felt this uncertainty, war was never predictable and this irritated Angor

He liked to plan. He liked to know everything. 

He wanted to take care of his people like the good chief that he is, his father had always taught him that , ‘Planning is important, but even more important are the trolls in the village for them you must first ensure their safety before you go into battle’.

His father was wise, Angor had always admired him when he was still young. He had even made a vow to himself that he would be the same leader his father had been and maybe even better, time was to verify if his vow spoken at night in the moonlight would fully come true.

He had an even more important task on his shoulders, not only the defence of his people was paramount, but also that of his beloved.

He had and even had to defend her from the war lest even she hear of Camelot's or Gunmar's advances, he treated her like a little troll who didn't necessarily need to hear of bloody battles somewhere beyond the village's borders, he would have been happiest to lock her within the four walls and not let her out.

Of course he knew she could handle a weapon like a bow or a dagger, but he had always worried if she would return safely from her expedition or if Gunmar would catch her or if people would catch her and lock her up somewhere in the cells of Camelot, that fear bubbling through his veins since he had not seen the end of the war.

Even if he told her not to stray too far from the village she would not listen to him

She was too stubborn

At the same time, he loved her more at the same time he hated her.

Even if she had elongated ears like an elf's, he feared whether she would hear the enemy approaching in time or whether fear would cause her to panic and fear would cause her to freeze in place. Therefore he liked to test her

Just like now

When she was returning to the village there was no way around Angor's prank as he leapt from tree to tree branch to branch of another tree doing it as imperceptibly as he could, at the same time not taking his eyes off his victim who was walking smiling and unaware of the impending attack.

Before he attacked he liked to watch her, he even loved to see how she admired nature approaching each tree to check the protection spells while admiring the magic coming out of the tree bark. How gently she handled the flowers, which she later used for decoctions to cure sick trolls or to create clever traps for dwarves.

Maybe the dwarves were useful for the hairier trolls, as they effectively ate parasites out of their fur at the same time they were very annoying, constantly tangling under their feet or making some kind of prank. To the displeasure of everyone but his own.

He always loved how carefree his wife was and yet smart. But in her own way. She wanted to protect the people from war, but thought war would never come to them, they were too hidden. Only from the top of the tree did he watch her hips sway as she walked and her blue skin contrast with the green of the grass. Her skin colour would match the sky perfectly and the pale horns on the top of her head resembled a deer, if she ventured too close to a human village some hunter might kill her by accident. Her horns resembled those of a deer, it's easy to get confused especially when her antlers are sticking up behind a bush and her body is hiding behind a bush.

He leapt onto another branch, which creaked under his weight alerting the troll beneath him, her eyes widened and her muscles tensed as she turned on her heel to check what was hiding behind her back. She saw nothing suspicious, yet she sensed a presence. Someone was nearby, but her eyes couldn't find anything suspicious

Maybe because the scarf she had tied on top of her head and whose tassels fell over her cheeks and eyes gently obscured her vision while hiding her beautiful green eyes, but the tattoo came out from under the tassels of the headband she always wore tied on the back of her head and going behind her ears, the tattoos were straight lines coming out from under her lower eyelid crossing her blue cheek ending in a sharp line, also a black line was on her lower lip following evenly on her chin.

She muttered something under her breath - Maybe it's just an animal - she muttered to herself, she might not have noticed the deer which are famous for their skittishness. She shrugged her shoulders as she was about to move towards the village again Rot noticed a strange shadow appear on one of the trees, as if something was watching her from a branch. As she looked more closely though a slow smile appeared on her face

- It's definitely an animal - she spoke louder, she spoke loudly and it was special she knew who was sitting in the tree watching her by the way trying to scare her. In her own way to tell her not to stray too far from the village even if she knows she won't listen to him - There is nothing to be afraid of - she spoke into the deaf forest as if the trees were going to answer her

And that was not the case, the silence was eerie nevertheless a shiver ran down the Troll's back as she looked deep into the dark forest, the sun was slowly setting and growing darker. She may have been a troll who would be turned to stone as soon as she stepped out into the sun, but she liked to watch the sun set, when she looked up into the sky which shimmered with familiar oranges and yellows and some of the clouds were pink she let out a breath of air - I'm late - she whispered, every evening she went out to the mountain where the entrance to the cave where the village is located

She had never missed a sunset before, her eyes dropped to the ground and her stone feet were tickled by the moss. She shook her head and moved on towards the cave entrance - Are you going Angor or not? - she spoke up suddenly not paying attention to what was happening behind her back

And this could have had disastrous consequences.

- Behind your back - spoke a deep voice behind her back, he always knew how to make shivers run down her spine. She hated him for it and fell even more in love with him, one of the reasons why she wears the amethyst carving ring on her ring finger on her left hand and still carries the dagger he forged for her at her breast.

- ‘You know how to scare me,’ she muttered, glancing over her shoulder to look at the tall troll, who could be said to be three metres tall-come on, he was a little shorter, she barely reached his shoulders and yet they fit together like lost two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. A rough giggle left Angor's lips as he looked down at her and she had to lift her head to look at him in all his glory

- I guess that's my speciality - He murmured smiling at her while tilting his head, his ram's horns making his face resemble the shape of a skull. He loved to blend into the shadows to suddenly jump out and frighten her when she least expected it, they loved this kind of fun it made them laugh maybe they were brave leaders every day but when the door closed they loved to mess with each other. This is what their marriage was about he leads and protects the village she is his right hand and helps out

Large black eyes that had gold glittering pupils watched her as she pulled a glowing stone from her pocket and began to draw an arc on the wall leaving a blue outline, just as she was about to touch the centre of the drawn arc she felt her husband's rough hands encircle her waist to draw her close hiding his face in the hollow of her neck

He humped considerably at this, his nose gently inhaling her scent of lilac and gooseberry. He could inhale it all the way to his death, his fangs gently brushing against his beloved's stony skin and the distinctive vines emerging from his arms and legs stood out against Angora's grey skin. A soft giggle issued from Anoana as she gently lifted her hand to place it on his jaw, which gently brushed the skin of her neck

- Do you know that we will have time for this in the evening? - she asked quietly, but the smile did not disappear from her face, he did not answer only winked something under his breath snuggling tighter into her neck to which she replied still with a soft giggle

- The evening will come soon Angor - she reminded him finally pulling out of his embrace - You will survive until then - she sent him a flirtatious smile, when she put the piece of stone heart back in her pocket, he sent her a gentle smile and nodded his head - she was right, later there will be time for tenderness now they had to finish their work

However, they both did not know what fate would befall

What the Norns had planned for both Trolls

Their love was strong, but would it survive even the darkest times?

He could only ask the gods that the love he had bestowed on Anoan would never fade away

When they both passed through the portal previously drawn by Anoan they knew they were finally home

But even at home it can be dangerous 

[ksiondzkanexkiii]

MOŻE NIE JESTEŚ ZŁĄ OSOBĄ | CENA JANA

Next Chapter (23)

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Chapter Twenty-Second

17 May 2021

Two days had passed since the fire. Two days since Ava and Eric had died and she had done nothing, while she lay in the hospital her only friend was silence optionally an annoying monitor beeping over her ear signalling how her heart was working, but she got used to that later too.

The doctors kept her in hospital overnight just to be safe, she was fine so they discharged her and the captain picked her up from hospital.

The silence in the car was awkward, nobody said anything.

Because they didn't know what to say

The captain didn't know how Jinx would react to her friends death, he wanted to see her reaction first and then comfort her. Otherwise it could end badly

Jinx herself didn't know how to feel, what she should think. What she should do was all making her feel lost and alone, as if she hadn't felt this way before, but now it had intensified. Scenes kept replaying in her head of her lips dancing with Eric's lips, it was so beautiful. And then she panicked and ran away, and when he found her, she herself didn't know how to feel or what to say to him

But he understood that

He gave her time

But that time was over

And she didn't have time to find out if he felt the same as she did, or if it was just a kiss to start an adventure for one night.

She ate poorly, her head so busy with thoughts that she didn't have time to eat or drink, not even enough time in the day to wash up. When they returned from the hospital the weather was not good for them, it rained terribly, making them both wet very quickly from that day onwards, as if the souls of Eric and Ava had not been given peace and were giving signs by the weather.

With that, Jinx found herself sitting on the windowsill and looking out of the window watching the race of droplets that trickled down the window and new raindrops arrived. The drops hit the ground and the window creating a peaceful melody

Jinx's thoughts wandered everywhere, as they had for the past few days. She could not find the peace

Which she wanted so much

At this moment

She may have lived on the streets for most of her life trauma was her friend, but she never had to face the death of friends. Of course she had to survive being left behind by Jack, but this was different

Deep down she felt empty as if a god had laughed at her and stolen a part of her.

Blue eyes gazed at the race of drops that ran down the window. She let the air out through her mouth, she didn't know why the fire had started or how long she had been unconscious, hell she didn't even know why Eric and Ava hadn't helped.

She could have helped them, but she was too weak, she lost consciousness too quickly.

And she was the last to lose consciousness

God hates her

The problem is that she doesn't believe in god.

Fuck

- Jinx? - The captain's voice rang out from behind the door, gently knocking on the wood of the door making his presence known. She didn't answer and he took her silence as an answer that she could come in, she heard the door open and the captain's head emerge from behind the door looking at her with a slight frown written across his brow. Looking down at the teenager, who was pressing her knees to her chest, she didn't even look at him

As if he didn't exist.

She tended to sit in her realm of thought, but this was different. She usually reacted to a knock and to him entering the room and now she didn't even look at him

- Kid? - he called out again, he didn't speak loudly rather he said his words quietly not wanting to startle her as long as she was listening - Can I come in? - he asked still sticking his head out of the door

- You already did - She replied without emotion, she did not even shed a tear when she was in the hospital or in the flat. Even in "her" room she did not shed a tear, she did not want to show weakness. Not for any reason. Even if, in her soul, she screamed and cried like a little child, her blue eyes broke away from the view outside the window to look into the captain's eyes - Don't come in. She wants to be alone - she answered calmly

This was strange for the captain, he understood that everyone goes through grief or trauma differently. But Jinx's behaviour puzzled him, he asked himself if the teenager shed a single tear. Does she live in the belief that showing weakness equals death - Not this time Jinx - he confessed quietly opening the door wider. In his hand he had a canvas, paints and brushes he wanted to do the same exercise that Kyle had once recommended to him

He was curious to see what she would paint now, but she wouldn't let him in. They returned to the flat and she immediately locked herself in her room - I don't feel like Price - she muttered quietly, her knees pressed tighter into her chest as she looked at him. She really didn't feel like doing anything.

- It wasn't a question Jinx - he replied dispassionately, entering the room. It was his flat he could do whatever he wanted even if the teenage girl didn't want it - Do the walker - he left the same set on her desk with which she had painted before only the canvas was new, when he looked at her he could see she didn't want to express her emotions but he was no fool he knew how the death of the Rodriguez siblings had affected her. She had closed herself off more, he feared if she would return to her old behaviour

Maybe she hadn't caused any trouble before, but now it could be different, and he didn't know what to expect - Just paint what you think about most often - he confessed, allowing himself to sit on her bed, it hadn't escaped him that on the bed was her rubbed journal with many drawings on two pages

Willingly without wanting to, he looked at what she had drawn. One of the largest drawings which took up almost a whole page was of an abandoned house, he didn't quite know where it was and what hidden meaning it had, but apparently it was important to her, the second drawing on the same page was

Eric

She drew Eric and the figure next to him, a practically unfamiliar figure was sitting on his lap and looked like he was kissing. This was something he hadn't expected, was Jinx jealous of Eric? Did she feel something for him?

- 'She doesn't want to,' she replied without much emotion again looking at the rain outside the window, she wasn't interested in anything else, her thoughts were one of the most interesting things in the world she could do.

Now

Immediately

Continuously

Until fucking death

- You don't have to do this now - He said and his tone dripped with concern, which surprised her. She had never expected someone to speak to her with such concern woven into their words and such a concerned look, it was so

Unreal

She turned her head with such speed that it was a wonder she didn't snap her neck. Come on her neck hurt. She looked at him as if he had said the stupidest thing in the world to her however she nodded. Slowly, uncertainly, not trusting his words. He didn't take his eyes off her, judging her every move and every muscle movement, but he had to watch closely to see how her shoulders stiffened.

He nodded slowly, closed her diary so she wouldn't think he was going to look in her notebook, which she was treating like a diary, although a little poorly guarded if she let him see what was inside. It is true that he could only see the open pages and did not look deeper, but he respected other people's privacy even if curiosity ate him alive

- do you want to tell me something? - he asked with the same concern that Jinx could already vomit.

- Yes - she replied - Get the fuck out of the room I want to be alone, I don't need your help and care - she replied dryly, even aggressively. As aggressively as she could muster, looking at him with murder painted in her eyes

- 'First of all, be more polite,' he said seriously, as his expression changed from concerned to cold and serious. He almost felt offended by her growl Jinx only rolled her eyes

- Please leave the room - she almost mocked him but said more politely as he asked. Come on he didn't like her answer he didn't press further, just like her he didn't have the strength to continue arguing about such petty things

- As you wish," he muttered as he got up from the bed, "But do as I asked you," he added as he headed towards the door, he glanced over his shoulder at her as his hand found its way to the door handle. He knew he had to help her through this mess, but as long as she wouldn't let him there wasn't much he could do

It is she who must first accept his help

Then she can act as she wishes

 Her gaze rested on the window again however the raindrops were no longer as interesting, her thoughts raging like the waves of the sea in a storm. It was a lot for her... even too much as she shifted her gaze to the things the captain had left on the desk, she bit her lower lip slightly as her gaze shifted to the journal on the bed. Even though it was locked she remembered how she had drawn Eric's hiding place

It all happened quickly

ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ

Dressed in a black sweatshirt with the hood pulled over her head she jumped out of the window beforehand wrenching the bars off the window like she always did when she made an illegal trip. She landed smoothly and quietly on the fire escape stairs and looked around her. There was no one in the alley

A clear field for a free escape

Her legs instinctively began to run down the stairs towards the self-inflicted mission. Perhaps unnecessarily, but she felt it was the right thing to do even if it wasn't moral

Was anything

Did she know anything about morality?

Well... she was the last person who should be commenting on it

The backpack on her backpack was not pleasantly heavy, only the backpack, which was almost empty, was not weighing on her shoulders, but the weight of her idea was weighing on her shoulders. It was as if her guardian angel wanted to advise against what she had planned

But she had to do it

Approaching Eric's hideout, she stopped at the cars and drained the petrol from them. She didn't have the cash to buy a canister, if she bought one at a petrol station it would arouse suspicion. She had to manage in other ways

As always

It wasn't difficult she obtained the tube from the captain's flat and poured the petrol into water bottles, she knew it would come in handy one day to store the rubbish in her room. Perhaps also a bit out of laziness she didn't want to take the rubbish out of her room

But who would judge her?

The captain.

He always frowned when she didn't clean her room however her subconscious told her that every bottle, every piece of paper could one day be useful for something

And that day came

Turning off the fifth bottle full of flammable liquid, she hid it in her backpack. It was late and there was not a living soul on the streets, so she was calm and did not have to worry about being seen. Only occasionally someone would walk past her, but too drunk to notice what the teenager was doing

Throwing her backpack over her shoulders, she ran towards the abandoned house that Eric had appropriated by making it a hideout. The oxygen in her lungs was escaping from the demanding run, she may have been athletic and a frequent runner but the smoke that had lodged in her lungs during the fire still occasionally scratched her lungs

However, the doctors said this would be the case for the next few days or weeks, her lungs were hounded by the noxious gas.

The moon appeared in the sky making it dark everywhere only the streetlights defended against the darkness until she turned towards the tall grass disappearing behind it. It was a shortcut towards the hideout.

Eric had shown her this when he always escorted her to the captain's flat.

Running through the tall grass she actually ran blindly, not thinking much. She was simply focused on the mission she had set herself, she should have thought about whether it was the right thing to do, but she was too stubborn and determined to do it

However, when she saw the dilapidated house she doubted. Stopping in front of the stairs leading to the warrants, she swallowed hard the lump in her throat didn't allow her to breathe freely and swallow her saliva, she didn't want to think about speaking anymore. Gathering every ounce of courage she had she climbed each step to approach the door.

She pushed open the heavy wooden door which made a familiar creaking sound. Oh how she disliked the sound then now she hated it even more, she remembered Eric opening the door for her to enter first

A real fucking gentleman awoke in him

Every time

Every fucking time.

She hated it at the same time she felt even more warmly for this boy who was now gone. And he would never come back. And she would never tell him how she felt about him, whether she accepted his crush or not

Going deeper into the house she felt her muscles even begging her to back off and escape to a warm bed, her mind working at a hundred miles an hour also begging her to back off her self-appointed mission and think it all through in every way possible

But every part of her stubbornness told her she was doing the right thing. In the end, Eric would have wanted her to when she climbed the stairs and found herself in the room where Jinx and Eric were.

Jinx looked away as the memories surged into her brain, she let out a shuddering breath - Get a grip Jinx - she chastised herself, looking again into the centre of the room

She saw the drawings on the walls that Eric had painted, she saw that broken bed. And that fucking guitar, which lay just as they had left it last time

Leaning against the bed

The blanket, still spread out, waited for the two to come back and continue their kissing sessions and maybe even for them to do that first time.

Her first time

That first time when she would say yes.

Her legs moved her towards the broken bed to pick up her guitar. She sat comfortably on the bed and put the guitar on her leg, looking at the strings she didn't know how to play, even though Eric had taught her the basic notes and even one short piece, when she jerked mindlessly at the strings and the sound of the guitar drowned out the stillness of the deserted house she almost held her air

Which was already ragged and constantly held back

- 'Fuck,' muttered Jinx quietly, her gaze dropping to the floor and then looking around the walls. If Eric was here

- I'm so sorry," she whispered into the air knowing no one could hear her, "I'm so terribly sorry," her voice trembled threatening to make them burst out crying. She couldn't afford it

First rule

Do not show weakness

Clenching her jaw tightly almost crushing her teeth in the process, she got up from the bed, which creaked when it lost the girl's weight. She put her guitar on her back and threw her backpack on the floor hastily pulling out bottles of petrol. She didn't know if she'd have enough for five bottles, but the house was made of wood so even if she didn't have enough petrol the house would still burn through the flammable wood that would fuel the fire

Opening the first bottle the smell of petrol hit her nostrils almost immediately, holding her air slightly to avoid inhaling the smell of petrol which she liked, but not in this situation. She began pouring the petrol around her being careful not to douse herself or her backpack.

Her movements were quick but precise, using every drop of petrol she had and throwing the empty bottles behind her without thinking much. When she was sure that the whole house, or the vast majority of the house, was covered in flammable liquid, she put the rucksack back on, adjusting the guitar so that it did not interfere too much and did not dig into her back.

She still had some petrol left in the fifth bottle. She started pouring the liquid towards the exit. Perfectly enough

As she stood in front of that old white house again, memories almost flooded her brain as she laughed with Eric. She may not have spent much time in this place but she certainly knew she wanted to, pulling out the cigar she had stolen from the captain earlier she lit it, the buzz of the lighter disturbed the stillness of the night and the soft light from the end of the cigar testified that it had ignited the

The familiar smoke of nicotine almost immediately stank around her sticking to her clothes like a tick drawn to blood. Smoking quietly in front of the hiding places she felt nothing, as if Eric himself was whispering in her ear that she was doing the right thing.

Because maybe she was doing it, but she didn't know it

Maybe it wasn't the moral thing to do, but in her eyes it was the right thing to do. He had hidden this hideout from everyone for so many years, why should this place continue to exist now that he was no longer in this world? Since he had died then his hiding place would die, which hid every secret of his that she hadn't managed to find out and didn't want to when he was dead and hadn't told her

The ash fell on the damp grass and the smoke ignited her lungs almost reminded her of that feeling when she was in the Rodriguez house during the fires and suddenly lost consciousness. If she hadn't listened to Ava and gone to check it out maybe they would both be alive.

It was her fault. She should have listened to her gut feeling and checked the house, she didn't even know how the fire started, but if she had checked the house when she smelled the smoke. Surely the siblings would have been alive then.

Smoking a cigar did not bring her the solace she was looking for on the contrary it brought her new thoughts that she wanted to get rid of. She growled quietly under her breath - No point - she muttered under her breath as she let the smoke out through her nose after taking one last drag. She did not extinguish the cigar merely threw it in the wet trail she had made as she left the abandoned house

The flames would almost immediately burst out to occupy any part of the hideout that was covered in petrol. She watched everything burn, a smile gently adorning her face as she tucked her hands into her pockets and her eyes twinkled as she watched the flames dance inside the house, taking a few steps back to be able to see the rock of the fire and the smoke rising from the roof of the abandoned house

She almost felt proud that she had done it, she let out a calm breath closing her eyes - Have fun Eric - she muttered quietly - Someday I'll join you up there - she added after a while - I promise - she whispered promises looking at the night sky, the black smoke covered the stars, she would have to wait until morning to see the big black cloud that was hovering over the abandoned house

- Rest in peace - she bit her lip looking at those stars that were not covered by the smoke - Eric and Ava - she whispered their names almost feeling their hands stroking her shoulders almost as if they wanted to tell her that she had done the right thing

ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ

She doesn't know how much time has passed since the hideout started to burn, but the roof had managed to half collapse and the boards that weren't covered in petrol had already taken on a fire that was burning them mercilessly. The moon was slowly disappearing behind the horizon and the dark smoke over the abandoned house was already visible against the background of the oranges that were rising with the incoming sun and the distant dark blue that was hiding with the moon.

People were only now waking up in their homes to start a new day, but not Jinx, she had stayed up all night just watching the burning building her hands which were frozen trying to find warmth in the pockets of her sweatshirt. It didn't help much

Those who had already woken up and noticed the dark cloud in the sky almost immediately called the fire brigade when their minds realised where the fire was. The fire brigade receiving the call dispatched units and the sirens could be heard even from the other end of the city, Jinx looking towards the city settled into the tall grass disappearing so the firemen wouldn't notice her.

She was no fool she knew that the firemen would know that someone had set fire to the building however she hoped they would think it was an unfortunate accident. Someone didn't put out their cigarette and an old building built of wood caught fire, sometimes she thought people were stupid so she hoped very much that this would be the case

Which was very possible

Because who would bother with an abandoned building?

She sprinted towards the fire stairs by Price's flat, the guitar on her back and her backpack slowing her down a bit, but she could still run fast. When she turned into an alley she knew like the back of her hand, she lowered the fire ladder as quietly as she could while still running as fast as she could. She had to get away from the fire brigade and she had to get there before the captain woke up, and she had five minutes to do it.

She climbed the stairs almost jumping up every other step. And when she was at window level she swooped in like a bird that couldn't see the window and dumbfounded from it, panting heavily she threw her guitar off her back and hid it under the bed and dropped her backpack somewhere on the ground of her room. Too unconcerned about where it landed

Her movements were swift as she grabbed a screwdriver and began to screw down the bars, pretending that nothing had happened during the night. When she heard footsteps in the captain's bedroom and the last screws were screwed in she threw herself on the bed covering herself with the duvet and pretending to sleep. She heard the captain shuffling around the house and when she realised she was going to pretend to sleep in her sweatshirt

She was dumbfounded

She quickly pulled off her sweatshirt and threw it into the corner of the room, lay down again and her heart was beating a hundred miles an hour almost coming up her throat causing her to feel a wave of nausea. However, the captain suspected nothing and did not enter her room. Unintentionally Jinx smiled triumphantly even from the window of her room she could see the great black cloud of smoke that covered the orange and yellow of the morning sky.

Her mission had gone successfully

She thought it would be difficult however everything went according to plan. At least for the time being, as she did not know if the fire brigade would be inquisitive and she wondered how the abandoned building started to burn, however, when she thought about it more deeply she knew that she had played it right, because she had left a cigar there, which could indicate that someone had not smoked a cigarette and the wooden house had caught fire. There were a lot of homeless people there all the more homeless cigarette smokers so the fire brigade should not be inquisitive

Otherwise known as

An unfortunate accident

[ksiondzkanexkiii]

MAYBE YOU'RE NOT A BAD PERSON

chapter twenty-first

Next chapter (22)

The story is also on wattpad, the link to my profile can be found in biography

six days before the fire

Quiet giggles split the silence in the school corridor, two teenagers tinkering with something at their school locker. Brunet opened the locker with a stolen screwdriver, the giggles were endless with Eric who opened his sister's locker by breaking the hinges on the locker door.

- Are you sure about this? - asked Jinx crossing her arms over her chest looking around the corridors to see if anyone was walking over. The corridor was empty no stray soul was in the corridor, every student was in class bored in their school desks. Jinx was catching doubts whether making a "joke" to Ava was a good idea, especially knowing how the black-haired girl can take revenge

- Already panicking Jinx? - We haven't even got to the best part," he joked, looking fleetingly at the girl next to him, "You'll see, you'll laugh about it," he said, sending her a charming smile that could have swept her off her feet, his cheeks dimpled from smiling so much. And gentle wrinkles appeared at the corners of his eyes.

- 'I'm not panicking -' the teenage girl indignantly squeezed her arms tighter across her chest wanting to look even more serious than she looked - 'I just don't want Ava to take revenge on me -' she muttered

- So you're panicking - sang Eric shaking his head. Oh how he loved to annoy people Jinx couldn't even count on the fingers of one hand how many people he annoyed and how many enemies he has because of his jokes

- No Eric. I'm not panicking - dipped Jinx raised an eyebrow looking at Eric's back, she raised an eyebrow as she watched him assemble some kind of mechanism in her sister's locker - Besides - she started as she took a few steps to lean sideways against the lockers next to the unlucky locker that would fall victim to the prank - I don't even know what you came up with - whispered the teenage girl looking around to see if anyone was coming

- You'll see - he smiled innocently raising his head to meet the gaze of blue eyes, he was looking at her when she wasn't paying attention to him - You don't have to worry about Ava, she'll be angry for a while, but then she'll forget - he confessed further looking down at the red-haired teenager - You'll still laugh about it - he confessed quietly as if he was talking to himself

- I promise - he muttered almost inaudibly, she would have to strain her hearing to hear what he whispered, but she did not. She had another task and she was focused on it without even noticing that he was looking at her with those buttery, puppy dog eyes. A heavy sigh escaped Eric's lips as he went back to work on the cabinet, Jinx looked at him and raised an eyebrow

- What are you breathing so loudly for? - she said not knowing what emotion she was stirring in the boy, he merely shook his head

- Nothing important. See if anyone is coming - he instructed her, no longer gathering the courage to look at her and concentrated on his task. Jinx only raised her eyebrows more, but she started looking around again and became impatient

- Empty in this corridor like... - she fell silent looking for a comparison

- In the ass? - he joked smiling at his joke, the redhead only quietly snickered

- Yes. That's what I meant - she confessed shaking her head wanting to chase away the urge to giggle that wanted to assault her. A seemingly simple and so well known joke and yet it still amused her and managed to make her laugh, most probably with its simplicity it made people laugh.

- Well, look - he continued mockingly assembling something in his sister's cupboard without even deigning to look at her when he spoke - I've gotten to know you so well over the last eight months - he laughed

- You don't know anything about me Eric - muttered Jinx shaking her head, he could say that he , "knows" her well, that he knows her every secret even the most embarrassing one. But he didn't really know her and she didn't know him, they would need years to know every secret and experience what. A statement so familiar to everyone and so old and still being called out by everyone.

Jinx quietly sighed under her breath as she looked at one of the clocks in the corridor, there was a walker one clock in each corridor and the hour showing on the clock said there were five minutes left until the end of the lesson - Hurry up Eric - she hurried him - You have five minutes left - she warned him discreetly looking around but there was still not a living soul in the corridor apart from them. Even the teachers were sitting in the halls teaching the other students or sitting in the staff room completely uninterested in whether any student had escaped from the lesson.

- I'm almost finished - he muttered as he continued tinkering feeling the pressure of time, his movements were fast and decisive but at the same time imprecise, if he hadn't felt this time pressure he would probably have finished faster

- Four minutes - she warned him and Eric's movements were even faster, but still too slow for Jinx's taste

- Three minutes - she discreetly looked around straining her hearing to hear if anyone was coming, but all she heard was the scrambling of Eric who was correcting the trap with such fast movements that she would have envied the expression herself

- Do you have a plan for when he realises it's our doing? - she asked suddenly. As if she had forgotten the fact that she was hurrying Eric, who started to sweat, feeling the pressure of time, looked at her in passing - What are you staring at?

- You'll see, I've planned everything so you'll laugh about it - he smiled as he threw everything he needed into his backpack quickly zipping it up and throwing it over his shoulders he quickly closed his sister's locker and Jinx suddenly grabbed his wrist. He pulled the redhead peer towards the other corridor connecting to the corridor of the ,'unlucky locker' as he called it.

They hid behind the wall and Eric kept giggling, he pulled his wrist forward and checked the time on the watch on his wrist - One minute to the bell - he smiled mischievously but couldn't keep a stony face especially when he imagined what his little sister would look like pissed off

Very pissed off

She will even be ready to murder him and optionally Jinx, but will defend the red-haired teenager from his sister's wrath.

Even if it costs his life

They both waited patiently for the bell to ring that heralded the end of the lesson, the minutes dragged on and resembled hours. Not minutes, it was supposed to be a minute then the bell rang, they both felt as if an hour had passed. Jinx was slowly growing impatient, patience has never been her strong point especially when they plan to perform some joke

- You didn't tell me what you had planned - whispered Jinx looking at her colleague next to her, he waved her hand to keep quiet

- Shh - he hissed like a snake - You said it, just watch - He pointed with his finger to her where the locker was, about to become the object in the crime over Ava's joke. Jinx swallowed hard, but fell silent she didn't want to argue with Eric, she merely shook her head in disbelief - Just look - repeated more quietly to the boy who was struggling to hold back his laughter.

Finally the longed-for bell rang over their heads, the same annoying sound that heralded the end of the lesson and the announcement of break and for some the end of classes for today finally rang. Students almost ran out of their classrooms to go outside to sit on benches and gossip and some fled to dark corners of the school so they could smoke. Jinx and Eric tried to spot familiar faces among the crowd of teenagers running out of classrooms

- C'mon, C'mon," mumbled Eric under his breath as he looked over the crowd of people who were almost battering them. Jinx was looking at the students and Eric, not even focusing on Rodriguez's sister's locker anymore.

- Don't get so excited," joked the teenager quietly, earning herself a bump on the knee, she muttered a silent "Ow" and rubbed the sore spot - What was that for? - outraged the redhead and Eric sent her a bored look

- I will excite myself as much as I want - He smiled innocently - I am a free man and I can do everything - he said proudly patting his chest. He looked at the teenage girl who was now sending him a bored look saying , "Really?" she raised one eyebrow but a silent snort escaped her lips as she shook her head

Sometimes they had really stupid conversations that she would never even dream of having - Just don't slip up - she confessed looking down so she could see Rodriguez's face she blushed softly

- I don't drool - he muttered shyly as if she had uttered some embarrassing secret of his that she was never supposed to know, she raised her eyebrow more

 - Not at all - she teased and he looked even more like a bundle of stress not only stressed about a joke he didn't know if it would work, but also about Jinx starting to get into his sensitive topics. That is, the topics of arousal and behaving to his liking, he had already started to wonder himself if he was actually drooling when he saw her or anyone else. Almost unconsciously, his hand found its way to his mouth and under his chin to check if he was dribbling saliva

Jinx laughed out loud seeing what the teenager was doing - You drool at the sight of... - She paused her words trying to find the name or the name of the victim that had caught the black-haired man's heart, she scratched her chin thoughtfully - You drool at the sight of Iris - she smiled innocently looking at Eric who had stopped blushing

- drooling at the sight of Iris Graves? - asked Eric shyly refraining from hitting himself on the forehead with an open hand Jinx nodded her head holding back a smile

- 'Exactly,' muttered Jinx still looking at him and he was looking at his hands or his shoes, hard to tell as he lowered his head and she didn't have such a good view of his brown eyes she could have been lost.

- She's my ex,' Eric argued and Jinx's face dropped. Iris used to be his girlfriend? Does he have a girlfriend now? Is he single? How many girlfriends did he have before he met Jinx? These questions popped up in the teenager's head like a speeding Tir about to drive into a wall of dilapidated bricks threatening to collapse at the first hard impact. A wall that held all her thoughts that she wanted to bury, but at the same time wanted to hear them

- Your ex-girlfriend? - muttered Jinx quietly in disbelief, her jaw dropping gently - So you were friends with Herrera? - she asked after a moment of silence that was heavier than ever since they met, and they have known each other for eight months. They've known each other since she came to school here and still no one knows about the programme Jinx is in and she seems to be doing well.

- I haven't made friends," he shrugged his shoulders as if it was some sort of triviality, "It's never been an easy thing with Vic," he muttered looking over to see if he could see his sister on the horizon

- Vic? Are you referring to her in shorthand? - she asked curiously, looking towards the unlucky locker that was about to become the murder weapon in a joke you against Ava, Jinx wouldn't have said it out loud but she felt a slight sting in her chest when he mentioned Victoria as if he hadn't spoken her words that had been hiding deep inside him and now Herrera had escaped him to someone else. When she looked at him Eric wasn't even looking at her or the locker

He was looking at Herrera who was standing on the other side of the corridor, looking at her with almost... puppy dog eyes. Jinx's jaw clenched as she looked at it, her heart ached she didn't even understand why she felt such agitated emotions inside her

After a while Eric sighed heavily gaining Jinx's interest, he shook his head, when he looked at the ground he was deep in thought - I say that because it's easier - he muttered after a while, Jinx had to strain her hearing to understand what he was mumbling under his breath, at that moment she understood why Price didn't want her to mumble under her breath

Because you can hardly understand who is mumbling something under their breath

- Easier? - she asked slightly confused - In what sense easier? - she asked, genuinely curious as to what he meant - Did you have feelings for her when you were with Iris? - she raised an eyebrow almost guessing what he might be going on about and why he was so thoughtful

Eric wasn't going to answer it was a touchy subject for him maybe because he didn't know what to feel himself. Or maybe he didn't want to talk about it because he liked to play with his feelings?

- Why do you ask? - He almost spat with venom as he looked up to meet a pair of blue eyes looking at him as if he was a work of art on display in a museum - Are you jealous or something? - he asked raising an eyebrow waving his hands slightly annoyed but not letting it show on his face

Jinx almost moved away from him, she furrowed her brow. It had been so long since she had heard that tone of voice from anyone even the captain had not used the tone of voice he had spoken to her. She lowered her arms along her body not knowing what to do with them, it was the first time someone had accused her of possibly being jealous of her feelings for another person.

And she didn't know what to do about it

She wasn't even jealous, because what should she be jealous of? If she wanted to she could see that any boy or girl would look at her. She smiled at the thought and then her face dropped.

I guess that's how she could

She didn't even know

- I'm not jealous - She defended herself when she realised he was silent - And don't even talk to me in that tone - she hissed quietly, she wanted to look dangerous and she could look that way. Then, of course, when she wanted to, she wanted to scare him gently at the same time she didn't want to scare him enough to make him piss his trousers

- Then why are you so interested in Vic and Iris? - he asked, raising an eyebrow, turning towards her so that he could face her - And why do you reproach me for supposedly drooling? - he asked and Jinx fell silent and her lips tightened into a narrow line.

What was she supposed to answer that?

And how was she supposed to answer?

- You're exaggerating," the redhead confessed. She didn't know what else to say and that was the first thing she thought of which was stupid. She casually waved her hand as if she didn't care, snorted under her breath and Eric looked at her with raised eyebrows and looked at her like an idiot - Stop looking at me like that - she growled quietly and he raised his hands in a gesture of surrender

- I'm sorry - he muttered quietly under his breath. He felt like saying something else but restrained himself even if he really wanted to he wouldn't say it out loud. He was too afraid of Jinx to tell her

Joke.

He wasn't afraid of her

But he wanted to continue to be friends with them, so he held back his malice so as not to offend the redhead.

- 'Let's not argue better,' Eric whispered, Jinx had to strain her hearing harder to understand what he whispered, the corridors were noisy with everyone shouting at each other to be able to understand what someone else was saying. The teenage girl furrowed her eyebrows as she looked at her taller friend, who straightened up was taller than her by a head she practically barely reached his shoulders and she was one of the tallest girls in the group.

- 'We're not arguing,' she furrowed her eyebrows even more and the frown deepened as she pulled her eyebrows tightly into a single line, she looked at him angrily, 'You want to argue? We can, but don't cry when I win this war - she threatened him with her index finger wanting to look even more threatening than she looked

But he only giggled wanting to throw another smart remark and perhaps humiliate her, when the loudest shout in the corridor caused everyone to faint and the sudden silence woke up the school.

 Ava had fallen into a trap

And they weren't looking

When Jinx looked out over Eric's shoulder she had to cover her mouth with her hand to prevent any flies from flying into her mouth as her jaw dropped towards the ground. It was a water trap prank most familiar to the whole world, but still....

It was still funny especially after the glitter suddenly shot out of Ava's locker when she wanted to reach for the tissues, Isolde, Noah and Aria who were standing next to Ava had the same face as Jinx only they did not cover their mouth with their hand. Eric started laughing loudly, breaking the silence that had fallen in the corridor, every student was looking at poor Ave and looking appraisingly at Eric, they knew the jokes of Rodriguez, but sometimes the others were tired of their constant teasing and the jokes that sometimes were not funny, but some also started laughing joining Eric who had tears in his eyes because of his hysterical laughter.

It all looked like something out of a TV series for teenagers, the same series that should have ended for some season, but the directors want to continue it even though the ideas for the episodes have run out.

- Eric - she called out quietly to the redhead, when Eric was still laughing and didn't react to her call - Eric - she called out louder and he still didn't answer her but rolled on the ground, he didn't sense the deadly gaze of his sister he was too busy laughing at his "funny" joke

- Eric! - Jinx almost screamed when finally the black-haired man started to wipe the tears from his eyes, but he was still giggling

 - 'What,' he asked between giggles, the redhead grabbed him under the chin with two fingers and turned his head towards his sister, who was looking at them. If sight could murder they would be dead, that was certain, and it was certain that she wouldn't have met Ava or Eric before, because they would have murdered each other with their sight

- Oh - muttered Eric

- Are we running away? - whispered Jinx without taking her eyes off the Rodriguez sister, Eric nodded his head

- We're running away - He stated taking Jinx by the wrist almost pulling her with such force that she would have fallen over, by some miracle she kept her balance and tried to keep up with her taller friend who was still pulling her by the wrist. Neither of them dared to look back to see if Eric's sister was running behind them, but they heard heavy and fast footsteps behind their backs, maybe they couldn't see that she was running, but hearing it was enough for them to start running faster.

- 'Faster, faster,' Eric urged, his hand slipping from Jinx's wrist but still not letting her go, their fingers tangling against each other as they ran frantically. The redhead didn't know where they were running simply her legs were running behind Eric and her lungs were begging for a new dose of oxygen causing Jinx to become breathless. She got more breathless than Eric and it was she who was more athletic than the taller teenager, it wasn't fair in her eyes, but she didn't have time to think about it when they were trying to get away from Ava

When they ran out of the school grounds they still didn't stop running, even though they no longer heard footsteps behind them. The passers-by they passed looked at them suspiciously and some with a gentle smile evidently thinking they were in a relationship.

 And this was not the case.

I guess.

Neither of them said anything about their feelings and even if they felt something for each other, they said nothing to each other, as if they were afraid of being rejected by their half. Or maybe it was fear of rejection?

- 'Eric,' cried Jinx between breathless gasps as she tried to catch air, but not quite making it, Eric didn't react he continued to run holding her hand securely. He didn't hold her tightly enough to hurt her, but he also didn't hold her gently enough to let her go - Eric! - cried the red-haired girl again, now she understood what the captain meant when he whined that she was thoughtful.

- Where are we running to? - she asked airily thinking that Eric would suddenly wake up from his trance and tell her where he was leading her, of course she could just pull her hand out of his grasp but her body didn't want to break that warm connection that was growing in their joined hands.

If he had planned something she was curious what he had planned, he hadn't told her much what he had planned what kind of joke he wanted to make to his sister, but she had to admit even if the joke had been repeated enough even it was funny, just at the thought of it a smile appeared on her lips. She made a mental note that she would have to apologise to Ava later for the joke, she didn't want to be on the bad side of the Rodriguez sister, she knew how she could take revenge even if she hadn't experienced it first hand. Eric's stories were enough for her

- You'll see you'll like it - Eric said continuing to run without even dreaming of letting her go, he led her through the winding paths of London. You could even tell he was making everything so twisted on purpose to make her lose her bearings, Jinx shook her head in slight displeasure. She was practically spitting out her lungs here already and Eric looked as if the frantic running had no effect on him

- Stop being so mysterious," she indignantly shook her head even more, not even looking where she was running she trusted him to guide her so she wouldn't run into anyone. Eric glanced over his shoulder at her gently slowing his run only quietly giggling seeing her indignation

- But then it wouldn't be so romantic - He smiled innocently sending her one of his sweetest smiles. A smile that Jinx felt like scratching out, she was already about to ask what kind of romance he meant and what he was even thinking about, when she looked at her hand, which was still tangled with Eric's fingers. She sent him a bored look as she took her hand from his grasp and Eric's lips puffed up as he lost the warmth of Jinx's hand, but he respected her decision to let go of his hand. He never pushed for physical contact if someone didn't want it.

-Romantically? - she said rhetorically looking around -But romantic to me - she said pretending to be offended when she saw nothing but a few houses and fields, although one thing caught her attention an abandoned house just behind Eric's back

- I think you've noticed - He whispered when he saw her gaze pause over the dilapidated abandoned house that had suffered through lack of care for it, Eric giggled and his long strides took him towards the abandoned house Jinx however remained standing still unable to move when Eric looked over his shoulder to see if the girl was following him. She didn't.

With a heavy sigh he turned on his heel and his hand was again on Jinx's hand tangling the squares together, sometimes physical contact is more necessary than anyone would expect - You'll like it, trust me - he smiled adorably at her, sending her the same smile she felt like scratching out but this time the urges were quiet even she herself reciprocated his smile looking into those chocolate eyes she could sometimes get lost in just as she was lost in Isolde's eyes.

What was she supposed to do? She liked Eric's eyes as well as Isolde's.

And she liked Eric and Isolde. They both made Jinx think twice, even four times, about what to answer in order not to look like an idiot, and the heart in her chest fluttered more than she could describe in her diary, which she writes so wearily every night, writing down what she did that day and what she learned from the captain. She may not have wanted to change too much, but if she was going to surround herself with the kind of people she now surrounded herself with then she had the will and motivation to change.

For Ari

For Noah

For Eric

For Ava

For Captain

For Mrs Dorinson

For... For Isolde

She knew she could count on them even if they didn't know about Jinx's socialisation programme except for the captain he was the one who was supposed to socialise her. Only he and the teachers knew about the programme the students no longer needed to see and Jinx did not boast about it.

As Eric pushed open the dilapidated front door of the abandoned house Jinx had a Dev ju feeling, as if she had once been here but did not recognise the place. Eric being a gentleman let her through the door to enter first Jinx snorted with gentle amusement spread her arms as if holding a gown and bowed gently thanking him for the priority Eric at her behaviour also giggled

As she stepped inside a feeling of familiarity surged through her veins but she couldn't understand why her subconscious wanted so badly to tell her something she wouldn't understand anyway, she looked around her everywhere the wallpaper was coming away from the walls due to the neglect of the walls and the spiders just decorated the corners creating fantastic webs that no one cleaned, the floor creaked due to the dampness collecting in the house. The building had been abandoned for a long time, it could be seen at a glance, the weather was destroying the building without a tresco and nobody cared whether the house could collapse or not.

When she felt a tap on her shoulder she almost jumped up, and when she turned to be able to see the brown eyes sparkling with mischief, he nodded to the left without using his mouth to tell her , "Follow me" he only gestured to her as if saying something was too slow. He headed towards the stairs which were in a bit better condition than the floor, but also creaked under their weight. Eric almost jumped up in place without fear that the floor beneath him might break Jinx quietly laughed at his behaviour.

He was behaving like a small child who gets excited about a present that was under the Christmas tree and couldn't wait to open the present.

- Calm down, or the floor won't be able to withstand the pressure of your jumps yet - She joked and at the same time rebuked him, worrying whether the boards would withstand the weight of both of them at the same time to withstand the weight of Eric's jumps - Eric, be careful - she rebuked him again when he didn't stop jumping

- What is so exciting? - she asked, looking at him and then at her own feet to see how she had to step on the floor to keep it from crumbling, the floor may have looked strong, but she didn't trust herself or the building to support their weight and she didn't want to end up in hospital broken

Because then how would she explain it to the captain? That instead of being in lessons she was wandering around abandoned buildings with Eric and still not watching him walk.

- 'You see,' Eric started to say as he opened the door to one of the rooms at the top of the building, the room looked like a bedroom but was better cared for than the rest of the rooms. Eric must have cared about this room it was evident, the paintings on the walls openly told what kind of artistic soul the boy had which she didn't expect to see. She didn't even think the boy could paint, much less that he would paint motifs of the Witcher and other books or games as she might have guessed. Although she didn't really recognise the characters she only saw how much detail he added to each painting on the wall, how much time it must have taken him, she couldn't believe what she was seeing

- This is where we can hide from Ava it's the last place she'll think of to find us - He said throwing himself on a chair that didn't look like it belonged in the assortment of the abandoned house, maybe he had taken an unused chair from his house and was now secretly using it here. As she looked around the room she saw the dressers which were scraped of white paint, the curtains gently flapping through the draught that had formed at the open window

- Where did we get this place from? - asked the curious redhead gently touching the dried paint on the wall as she examined every painted detail with her eyes

- I've lived all my life in London - he said casually leaning back in his chair to open the cupboard by the door and inside was a portable battery activated freezer, Jinx raised an eyebrow slightly looking at Eric who was concentrating on pulling something out of the freezer - There's no place I don't know - he went on rummaging through something - And this place has been abandoned for so many years I've made it my - he fell silent searching for the word

- A base? - Added Jinx guessing what he wanted to say Eric

- Base is a strong word, more of a hiding place - he said as he sat up straight again and had a beer in his hand, one bottle he threw to Jinx which she barely caught without even asking her if she was drinking - When I am sad or want to think I come here - he shrugged his shoulders opening his bottle of beer with the ring he wore on his ring finger

- And are you hiding here from Ava? - She inquired sitting down on the ground in front of him and set her beer down beside her. She didn't want to drink the beer she'd given up alcohol and was glad she'd given up that shit, she didn't even want to think what consequences she'd face if the captain saw her with a beer in her hand, she remembered what it was like to be so drunk you couldn't move and suffer from a hangover the next day, she didn't want to go back to that. For no money at all, she had made a vow in juvie to quit walking alcohol and she wanted to keep her word.

- She did. When I make a joke to her it takes her a long time to get angry with me - he shrugged his shoulders again as he took a long sip of alcohol from the bottle, he wasn't looking at her just looking at his shoes considering every possible topic they could talk about

- Aren't you afraid I'll betray your hiding place? - She asked raising an eyebrow as she looked at him, now she felt about the weight, on her back that she was still carrying throughout the escape. She took her rucksack off her shoulders and threw it into the corner almost immediately feeling relieved as she took the weight off her shoulders

- I trust you - Eric smiled looking at the redhead - Besides, you have to hide from Ava yourself now - he argued and Jinx had to admit she was right. Even if it hurt, because she didn't like to admit it.

They sat in silence and Jinx kept looking around her. Admiring everything around her her gaze was caught by a guitar leaning against a large double bed, she didn't want to lie down on the mattress even if it looked very soft she didn't even want to think about it. How many bugs must have been in that mattress the very thought sickened her, but the guitar leaning against the bed was beautiful and neatly made of light oak. It looked expensive, too expensive for the owners who had lived in the building before to just leave the guitar leaning against the bed.

- Are you not drinking? - Eric asked suddenly, breaking the silence or maybe he was even saying something, but Jinx wasn't listening to him, she didn't know. She looked at Eric and at the unopened beer next to her, she shook her head

- Sorry - she muttered quietly

He nodded gently leaned forward, took the beer from her and put it in the freezer, which was hidden in the wardrobe - Clever - she muttered looking at the closes of the wardrobe - Also a place where you can get drunk without punishment and without extra eyes - she summed it up and Eric nodded looking at the hand, which held the beer

- You know a lot - he confessed quietly almost whispering so as not to disturb the peace that surrounded them and he didn't want to drown out the chirping of the birds - Have you ever had a place like this? - he asked curiously raising an eyebrow. She felt a slight lump in her throat when he asked this

Of course she had.

And she had shared this hiding place with Jack

She had to think very hard about whether she trusted him enough to tell Jack or the walker about him. She pressed her knees gently to her chest and hugged them with her hands - A sensitive subject? - queried Eric looking at her and seeing her flex her muscles, he didn't want to ask her about a sensitive subject or subjects she didn't want to talk about. He was a little concerned, thinking that he had screwed up the conversation at the very beginning and had planned a lot.

- Not just that - she said after a moment of tense silence, rubbing her brow with her fingernail, thinking deeply until a wrinkle appeared on her forehead - I think too much - she giggled nervously, swallowing her saliva hard - When I had a friend, even a best friend - she started to tell the story, but she fell silent collecting her words, she almost forgot how to form a sentence - We both liked to play, even though he was much older than me - - I don't know, I don't know.

- Older? - Eric asked, taking a long sip of beer - How many years older? - he got curious looking at her, interrupting her story

- Four years - she told him - Coming back - she grunted awkwardly sitting down more comfortably on the ground - We loved to play with each other - we even had our "base" where we often met - she told him and her gaze became distant, but there was a smile on her lips when she recalled all this - she would give her soul to spend a few more moments with Jack. To be able to play with him, even though she's sixteen and not six like she was then.

- What was this place? - Asked a curious Eric. He was curious and Jinx was suddenly silent

- Almost the same as this one - she said and her hand shot up and her finger pointed at everything around her - Also an abandoned house, I remember we stole some lights and a battery and then hung them up in the base - she recalled and a giggle came out of Jinx's mouth and moments later Eric joined in the giggling

- We used to paint on the walls too, although more to Jack painting than me - she recalled letting out a nostalgic sigh - He didn't let me paint too much he thought it was too small. But he would give me a sheet of paper and I would paint with crayons.

- Mean - joked Eric drinking his alcohol - And what happened next? - he asked curiously

Jinx shrugged her shoulders, she couldn't tell him because she couldn't, but she also didn't remember much. Either her mind had erased her memories or the cartel had stressed and manipulated her so much that she remembered little from before she joined them.

- Nothing. We had fun and laughed," she said, so evasive she looked at the planks, which were gently beginning to grow moss - And you? - She asked looking at the boy in front of her - How did you find this place? And why did you conclude that it was your hiding place? - she asked curiously, wanting to change the subject

Eric just shrugged his shoulders - One night when I was coming back from a party so drunk that I don't remember much of it - he recalled as he played with the bottle flicking his wrist to feel the liquid inside the bottle swirl - I don't remember much of it, but in the morning I woke up here with a massive hangover - he recalled and Jinx snorted under her breath

- 'You're an alcoholic,' the red-haired teenager complained, gently slapping him on the calf. Eric let out a quiet , "Oh".

- I am far from being an alcoholic - he complained looking at her with a meaningful gaze and she raised her hands in a gesture of surrender - But I found I liked this place, it's not far from my house - he shrugged his shoulders - It just so happened - he said cutting off his words to take a sip of beer

- That it became your second home - whispered Jinx and Eric nodded slowly and her gaze remained on the guitar. Eric would be a fool if he didn't notice this, he gently tilted his head looking at his redheaded friend then at the guitar he once brought here so he could play in peace, theoretically he could play at home in the privacy of his room, but Ava would then drop by his room claiming she wanted to , "listen" to him play, but in reality she would come to complain about how he wasn't doing it

Ava sometimes forgot that he was just learning to play the guitar. But that was three years ago, now he was pretty good at playing the guitar, he just needed a quiet place where no one would disturb him and this abandoned building gave him such opportunities.

- Do you know how to play the guitar? - he asked suddenly seeing her gaze studying the guitar, he put the beer down on the floor and with a heavy sigh he would get up to take the guitar which was leaning against the bed, he went back to Jinx and sat next to her just against the wall looking at his guitar which he got for his birthday from his parents

 - No - Jinx denied shaking her head, she moved closer to Eric sitting shoulder to shoulder with him also looking at the wooden instrument - But Jack once tried to teach me to play the guitar - she recalled with a gentle smile

- I guess Jack was a good friend - Eric whispered looking at Jinx hiding the jealousy that was aroused in him as she mentioned Jack more and more often, even if it was the first time she talked about him. 

- Brother - She corrected him, looking into hazel eyes that were not focused on her but on the guitar. Whenever she looked at him she saw his gaze flee from her as if he didn't want to admit that he was staring at her - I considered him more of a brother than a friend - she sighed heavily as she bent her legs so she could rest her hands on her knees

- Maybe because I was little - she whispered and Eric's head shot up, miraculously not breaking his neck

- This, where were your parents? - he asked suddenly - It sounds like you're three years old and you're already going outside for days on end - he croaked as he said this

She giggled quietly seeing his frowning face - It's not like that - she said between giggles - They just weren't too interested in me that's a fact - she said playing with her fingers bending them in different directions - But I think I was six when I met Jack - she confessed

- I think? What do you mean probably? - he raised his eyebrows high, this conversation was strange and interesting at the same time and he had no intention to end it

- Memories are fading - she confessed, she lifted her head up closing her eyes - I didn't cherish them and I barely remember him - she whispered

- Oh - he muttered - I didn't know -.

- How were you supposed to know that? - she asked rhetorically and he nodded slightly admitting to her that she was right, they both sat with their shoulders touching and in complete silence. Eric gently shifted and sat up more comfortably so that he could begin to pluck the strings to make the sound.

It was slow yet beautiful Jinx gently smiled under her breath and her eyes were still closed and her head turned towards the roof. The sun was shining on the two of them through the window, illuminating them more, as if the sun itself wanted to tell them something. Or maybe to encourage them to do something. Time flew by slowly each minute seemed like an hour, but they were not complaining, they wanted to spend as much time as possible with each other and now they had the perfect opportunity.

No one dared to break the silence that was almost perfect for the two of them, no words had to come out to make the atmosphere calm and perfect for resting. The tranquil notes that came out of the guitar through Eric could effectively lull Jinx to sleep and the smile never left her face as she listened to the peaceful melody

- It may not be the height of romance - she started to speak quietly as if she was afraid of drowning out the chirping of the birds that were merrily chirping outside adding to the beauty of the moment - But I understand what you wanted to show me - she whispered opening her eyes to look at him

Eric smiled gently hearing her words - So that's how you picked up Iris? - she asked curiously, Eric gently shook his head and grinned which did not escape Jinx who felt bad that she had caused Eric to think more and his flash of mischief and happiness momentarily disappeared because of her silly question

- No - he contradicted her after a moment of awkward and nervous silence - She flew at the fact that I have rich parents - he stated plainly, he was healed from the wounds Iris had caused, but he was still thinking a lot about the subject he didn't want to fall into the same snares again that Iris had shown him, but he knew that Jinx certainly hadn't sprung a similar trap.

- Oh - muttered Jinx - I didn't know... Sorry - she whispered

- Don't be sad Jinx - he smiled gently - Iris is a bitch and you didn't know it - he joked and it was effective because Jinx quietly snorted at his joke gently slapping him on the shoulder and he laughed making a sound of , "Hehe"

They both started laughing because of the sentences they exchanged, or maybe it was also because Jinx and Eric got caught up in the silliness that assaulted them and made them unable to stop laughing the more they looked the more they giggled. For a good five minutes they couldn't stop laughing, and when they calmed down silence ensued, but still they smiled

- Do you want to play? - He asked suddenly as he looked at his friend next to him again. At his question Jinx's head suddenly turned towards him miraculously without breaking her neck, she looked as if he had asked her if she had ever killed a man or accused her of things she had not done

Still

You never know

Right?

Jinx quietly snorted under her breath as Eric tried to shove his guitar into her hands, but she successfully defended herself - I can't play the guitar - she argued, but Rodriguez didn't want to hear it

- Then I'll teach you - He said almost proud of himself for coming up with the idea. Jinx sent him a meaningful look saying , "Yes? Then try it" she gave him a silent challenge she thought he would give up, that he would think she was too stubborn to keep trying. What she didn't expect was for Eric's arms to wrap around her waist and for him to move her and settle Jinx between his legs.

He moved her as if she wasn't brewing anything, while she sat stiff as a wooden peg Eric didn't care and positioned her so that she could take in the guitar and he could navigate her freely through the guitar strings. She could feel Eric's warm breath on her neck as he breathed calmly and her heart beat fast enough in her ears as if it was about to leap out to run across the world and back into place, she let him move her body as long as she felt comfortable letting him

His hands were urgent and determined to teach her how to play the guitar, when she leaned with her back against his chest he placed the guitar on her legs - I'm holding here - he whispered over her ear and a shiver ran down her spine, when she felt his warm breath over her ear it was so exciting at the same time Jinx could sense the uncertainty and nervousness and her muscles tense up at the thought of how Eric was sitting close to her.

And how she was sitting close to him

- Just slide your finger along the strings - he gave her instructions as he held the top of the guitar giving it a more pronounced sound and left her full will as to the rhythm she should play, whenever he saw when she needed to be corrected his other hand immediately did so

Jinx smiled softly as he corrected her elbow to rest it against the edge of the box renaissance-style. They both sat like this in silence, when only the guitar made a sound he would correct her when the sound was too falsified he didn't want her to lose her desire so he whispered quiet praise in her ear causing her to feel more nervous.

He wanted to help and it had the opposite effect even if she smiled she had to hold back every cell not to blush, she couldn't afford it. She would burn with shame if he saw her red face, maybe even redder than her hair even if he liked it.

Because he liked it, when Jinx blushed her face would turn red like a beetroot or a tomato and her red hair was more highlighted, he loved her red hair it was soft and he could mistake it for the colour of fox fur. They didn't even pay attention to the fact that the sun was slowly starting to go down so that the moon could replace it, only a gentle breeze reminded them of the hours they had spent together

- Why don't I teach you to play the guitar? - asked Eric suddenly breaking the peaceful silence, even the birds had stopped chirping outside. The wild animals were slowly going to sleep they should too, but they were enjoying their company too much

Jinx giggled briefly shaking her head thinking Eric was joking - I don't think I'm up to it - she said with a gentle smile when just the note she wanted to play came out very crooked and unpleasant to the ear - See? And you hear - she asked with a quieter giggle and he poked her in the side making her jump up

- I'll teach you - He said grabbing her chin in two fingers to direct her head so that he could look into her blue eyes in which he liked to drown as she did in his eyes - You'll be even better than me - he told her seriously enough that she wondered if he had made a silent vow to her.

She nodded gently, unable to get the words out. Maybe it was the proximity that took her speechless, or maybe it was the fact that she could feel his eyes drilling a hole in her soul. She didn't know, but she felt like a little girl who didn't know what to do and didn't know what to feel, her hands starting to sweat. He gently took the guitar out of her hands to put the object down next to them, he didn't take his eyes off her, once they caught eye contact they couldn't break it even if they wanted to.

They couldn't

They were connected

He gently stroked her cheek with his hand and a stray strand fell from her forehead tickling her cheek, he tangled the lost strand around his finger and put it behind her ear. A small and typical gesture and yet it made Jinx unable to hold back a blush as she felt his smooth fingers on her cheeks which puffed up slightly like a squirrel's. Every muscle in the teenager tensed as she looked at him and Rodriguez seemed so calm

As if he had done it many times

Because he probably did it many times

But not with her just doing it to another girl.

It was an impulse. They both felt that they should do it even if it was going to be the forbidden fruit in paradise

 they just did it.

So suddenly

Their lips came together in an expectant kiss, it was intense they both felt like they were in heaven as their lips danced in a synchronised dance.

Such perfect timing nothing could spoil it, even if Jinx didn't get back to Price's flat in time. She had another activity that was almost so anticipated for her at the same time she felt like she'd gotten herself into something she shouldn't be getting into, her thoughts starting to get louder as they kissed.

You shouldn't be doing this

Whispered a voice above her ear, maybe the voice was right, but she wanted to do it. She still felt that rebellious teenager inside her, who sometimes grew weaker with each passing day, but in moments like this, she would awaken anew to experiment.

She rested her arms around his neck gently correcting herself to be able to kiss him more comfortably, they were both lost in the moment. They closed their eyes to be able to feel more and their bodies merged together, come on they didn't fit together like two missing pieces.

He was too tall so she almost had to climb up on his shoulders to kiss him comfortably and he had to hunch over. She rested one hand on his cheek and he held her waist to keep her from slipping off of him, time almost slowed down around them and the sun was setting with each passing moment they finally pulled away from each other to take in the air that had escaped from their lungs after an ardent kiss

They were both panting heavily as they looked into each other's eyes, finally a smile adorned Eric's face as he watched Jinx laugh. This situation made her laugh, but it wasn't a sarcastic laugh, on the contrary, it was a laugh of happiness as if it was just what she was missing - I told you - he whispered into her mouth - You will laugh about it again - he added after a while, barely a whisper and yet she understood his words.

She looked into his eyes tilting her head to the side, with a smile that would gently fall to become a shy grin - Don't flatter yourself - she whispered as she looked at his lips for a second and he took the initiative and kissed her again.

They kissed like that for a few moments more, when the voice in her head wouldn't let up and the muscles suddenly bunched up in her back

Stop

The voice commanded her and she pulled away from Eric, placing her hands on his chest as his hands found their way to her bottom.

This was wrong.

And now she realised it

He looked at her reoriented, not understanding why she was pushing him away now. He thought he liked her - What is it? - he asked confused not knowing what to think about

- We shouldn't do this - she whispered shyly, not daring to look at him. She stepped out of his embrace, he didn't argue let her go - I'm sorry - she said quickly, getting up from the floor to quickly go get her backpack that was lying in the corner of the abandoned house

- Jinx? - called out quietly Eric looking at what she was doing trying to understand what she was planning. But he didn't understand anything, he thought she liked what they were doing. Or had he gone too far? Jinx gave him no answer - Stay - He called out after her when he realised that she was running away from him.

He got up quickly on his feet and tried to catch up with her, he ran in front of the abandoned house right behind her, but she had already disappeared into the tall grass. He looked everywhere, but he didn't see her anywhere, the grass didn't even move, the universe had just spit in his face

- 'I'm sorry,' Jinx suddenly confessed surprising him, she stepped out of the tall grass as if nothing had happened. As if nothing had happened, as if she hadn't just run away from him a moment ago - Just let me think about it - she confessed looking at him coming out of the hiding place she had found in the tall grass

He looked at her with his lips slightly parted and his brow raised - What do you mean? - He asked slightly annoyed, he wanted to understand what Jinx was thinking about. What the hell is she doing?

- 'This is the first time,' she said suddenly, 'I just...' - she interrupted suddenly looking for words. And the words she said hit Eric like a brick wall, he now understood. He couldn't put pressure on her

- Sure - he said - I understand - he added after a moment of awkward silence - Take as much time as you want, and when you understand what you feel - he interrupted

- Then you know where to find me - he sent her a gentle smile - I'll walk you out it's late and dark - he said as he retreated inside the abandoned house to get his backpack. He didn't even leave her room to argue.

The way back to the captain's flat was not long, they walked in silence, but it was not awkward. A pleasant silence returned to them, words didn't have to fall out of their mouths to bridge the gap between them. Eric didn't go any further than Jinx didn't want to so he kept her at a distance

It was a pleasant surprise to him when he felt Jinx's little finger join his gently tangling with each other. A smile came over Eric's face, they were walking quietly and the chill of the night was getting worse, when he noticed Jinx shivering without a word he pulled off his sweatshirt

He stopped Jinx and started to put his sweatshirt on her - What are you doing? - Asked the surprised teen as she allowed him to manoeuvre her body so that he put the sweatshirt on her, almost immediately she felt a pleasant warmth, his scent wafting from the sweatshirt immediately hit the teen's nostrils and a gentle smile appeared on her lips as she inhaled his scent

- You're cold - he explained in a simple sentence, but Jinx still didn't understand

- But you will be cold now -

- It won't be -

- It will be -

- Not true, I won't be colder than you - he smiled gently as he combed her hair, dared and grabbed her hand in his and she didn't run away with her hand. Almost in thought he jumped up

She didn't have the strength to argue anymore, she gently nodded her head too tired to argue also too happy to give up her sweatshirt. She smelled him and she liked it even if she didn't understand what she was feeling

ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ

- Where have you been? - asked the Captain's stern voice as Jinx unsuccessfully tried to quietly close the front door as she said goodbye to Eric, obviously the boy had not escaped the Captain's attention. He raised his eyebrow high expecting an explanation from the girl - I'm listening and I'd better not lie, because I'm pissed today anyway - he muttered

- Well - she giggled awkwardly putting her backpack down under the shoe lockers - Here and there - she confessed shyly correcting her sweatshirt which was too big for her by at least a size so her hands were sinking into the sleeves of the black sweatshirt, the captain concealed his smile under his chin. Ever since he had met Eric he had seen the way he looked at Jinx just waiting for the moment when it would suddenly become apparent that they were together

He won't believe in love until Jinx and Eric are together

A bit of teenage thinking, but that's what he thought. In his eyes they were made for each other - Here and there? She needs specifics. - he commanded her as he returned to the living room to plop down on the couch, with Jinx following him

- 'I promised to keep it a secret,' she confessed as she sat down next to him, pressing her knees to her chest - 'I'm sorry,' she whispered, the captain looked at her with a raised eyebrow

- I don't like it, but walker tell me who you were with - he said displeased that she didn't tell him where she was, but respected that she was keeping secrets. He had seen Eric, so he guessed she was with him, but he preferred to hear it from her - Were you with Rodriguez? -

She nodded slowly, still sniffing the sweatshirt Eric had given her - Yes - she confessed, looking at the captain in her eyes he noticed unspoken questions or words. It's hard to tell.

- Do you want to say something? - he asked suddenly cutting through the silence that had ensued, even the TV was afraid to speak up lest he cause an argument between them, but Price was calm. He trusted his brother Rodriguez, in fact he trusted the whole Rodriguez family they were decent people he knew Teodoro Rodriguez father Eric and Ava had served together in the unit once before he became a captain and before Teo started a family with Anna.

They were a lovely couple, they suited each other. I wonder if Teo would have met the captain after so many years of separation

- Nothing - she shrugged her shoulders, looking at the TV which was playing quietly in the background - I just like to think - she stated however silly that statement was, John snorted under his breath shaking his head but didn't pursue the subject he was too tired after the many hours spent at the base on paperwork and rehabilitation he still had to attend

Jinx wondered whether to ask him how he should understand what he was feeling when he spoke to Eric, but seeing his tiredness she let the subject go. She'll ask him some other time, or not at all. Maybe she will find out for herself how she feels about Eric and Isolde, they both keep dreaming in her dreams at the same time she is dreaming the same nightmare

Fire

Building

Fire

Her gaze rested on the candle that was burning next to the TV, the scented candle that Price had been given by a work colleague to celebrate his return to base effectively made the whole living room smell of gooseberries and lilacs. Jinx swallowed hard as she watched the flame of the candle dance on the air of the flat dissolving the wax that sprayed the fragrance

Something was about to happen

And she didn't know what.