Future

Ms. Norbert was nice enough to organize me a drink and something to eat before starting. She also took the only visitors chair, so the goon had to keep standing.

Apparently it had been decided that my I had to stay in Brockton Bay, not that I minded all to much, home was to dangerous to return to, because my sister couldn't and wouldn't be moved she had gained complete control of her powers. Trouble was, she wasn't cooperating and they had to keep her sedated at the moment. They couldn't force her because she would rip them to shreds, I felt strangely pleased at that thought.

During my prolonged sleep someone important had made inquiries and they had found out, that the people who had almost gained custody of us, after my parents untimely death, should not have been able to gain that right, as if their attempts at stealing hadn't clued me into that. And combined with the attack on me and my sister, the fact that their mutilated bodies couldn't be identified and the fact that there had been multiple tries to siphon off the remainder of my parents assets by unknown parties, were enough to attract the attention of some bigwig in the Youth Guard, who had sent Ms. Norbert and Ms. Johansen, two very well regarded and experienced agents, to clean up this mess and ensure our continued survival. Or how Ms. Norbert but it, "to make certain we would have a wonderful family where we would be loved, well cared for and would get the support we needed to thrive ".

In the back of my mind, I knew that we had only warranted that amount of attention because my sister had triggered with a useful power. People on top didn't move, just because a few Nazis got rid of a dysfunctional family to fund their cause. No, my sister was the price and my happiness was used as a bargaining chip. I probably should have minded that fact a lot more, but it was a lot more care than my parents had ever shown me, so I wasn't too bothered by it. It actually appealed to me. They didn't try to be hypocritical, they helped me to help themselves and as long as my sister had value to them, I could count on them giving me enough leeway to make my own decisions.

I was told, that there had already been a few families who had declared themselves happy to take me in and I would be able to meet them at a later date. Mine and my sisters inheritance had also been secured, funnily enough the state had offered to pay for the restoration of the burned manor as an apology for messing up with our custodians. The majority of the monetary assets had been frozen and would be paid out when we reached 18 or were emancipated, whichever happened first. The rest would be payed out as allowance for me and my sister. The properties would be managed professionally by a firm affiliated with the Youth Guard until we came of age.

I didn't care much about the money, I still had a big bank on my own account and my sisters was even bigger. More than enough to survive a few years at least. What I did care about, was the fact that they had made those decisions without any of my input. It rankled to be treated like a little kid, I might be young but I had long ago learned to survive with only my sister as backup. Which again reminded me about my sister and the fact that even the thought of her in my vicinity gave me goosebumps. I didn't know how to deal with this, I didn't know how to survive without her, but at the same time I was afraid she would be the one to end me.

Ms. Norberg was nice enough to not comment on the fact, that I lost focus and didn't listen to anything she said after that, but the goon wasn't as tactful.

"Listen Kid, if you don't want to listen we can deal with it for you. You only have to sign and we will be out of your hair."

The responding glare from Ms. Norberg didn't even face him and he continued to prod.

"Your sister is dangerous and it is only for the best if you remain separate for now. If you agree you will get a nice family and will not have to deal with us and her until she has gained control of her powers."

He gave me a printed form and a pen to sign.

"Stop there Korban, this is not the only option. Benjamin has the right to keep in touch with his sister and while it might hurt to see her right now, there is no need for him to sign this."

She turned to me, took away the form and told me directly.

"This form will allow them to make all the decisions. You shouldn't sign away your rights to your family like that. We can organize a nice home for you, close to the PRT and Protectorate Headquarters, where you can visit your sister when you are ready, without you having to give up your rights to visit her. I know it is seems impossible right now, but the pain will pass in time and family is important. Enough so, to sacrifice a little happiness to ensure a better future."

I had learned that family was important at a young age, not blood family, the family you choose and my sister had always been my only family. I didn't want to deal with this anymore. I longed for the peace of sleep, I longed for the time my sister had not gained those powers, times when it could be just us, two children against the world.

"What other options is there? It didn't even take a day after their deaths, for someone to break into our house and torture my sister. She has almost killed me twice now. Do you know how much it hurts to lose a limb? Never intentional, but how can I live with her knowing that she could kill me on accident at any time?"

How can I live without her?

"The PRT cell is the safest she has been." In years, but they didn't need to know that.

"I can't live with her." I can't live without her.

"I want her safe, I want her happy, but I can't. I just can't." I didn't even know what it was I couldn't do anymore. I couldn't turn back time, no one could. I couldn't save her from this, just how I couldn't safe her, crushed under that bookshelf. I couldn't keep her safe, I couldn't even protect myself from her. This wasn't like all the other times. I couldn't fix it. For the first time in years, I missed my parents. Not my blood parents, but the idea of parents, protectors who cared for you enough to protected you from the world and all its problems.

"Oh Benjamin, there is no need for you to take all of this onto yourself. That is what I am here for, I will help you deal with all of this and when you are ready I will accompany you to see your sister."

She moved to give me a hug, but I shrank back into myself.

The goon tried to say something but this time Ms. Norbert gave him a swift kick to the shin and he shut up.

"Don't worry Benjamin, you have time to make a decision. I will go and deal with the paperwork and return tomorrow. I promise you, everything will work out."

She gave a stern look to the goon and they left the room in short order.

I didn't look up and only waited for them to leave, then I cried. For myself, for the life I had lost, for the changes that had yet to come and for my sister. And then, I planned.