CHAPTER 23: Secrets Behind the Witch

We were still discussing plans on the sleeping arrangement for the entire team since there seemed to not be enough guest rooms for everyone here. We kept going back and forth on where we should sleep. The girls were thinking about sleeping in Katy's room but I refused because I didn't want anyone to mess up Katy's room or touch anything or mess it up. I was… kind of on edge with not being close with Katy.

"Oh, I have an idea!" Naomi storms out of the room.

Harper looks at Naomi weirdly and then looks at everyone else that is focused on Naomi, "This girl looks so calm but is so crazy."

Michael agreed, "Indeed."

Naomi comes back a few minutes later and the next thing everyone sees coming out of the door is Nina still looking a bit upset.

I immediately took defense, "Wait Nina, I can explain."

"Don't worry Shadow, I explained everything to her. So this is what's going to happen. The girls take Nina's room. Michael and I stay in the guest room and Nina sleeps in Katy's room. She's Katy's sister so I don't think you would mind that." Naomi explained.

I started to blush and was embarrassed, "Wh-what?"

Michael quickly said, "Plan settled, let's go."

Everyone in the second left out of the room leaving me and Naomi together. We were looking at each other and I was giving an awkward smile. As Nina was blushing more by the second, she pointed her finger on the floor.

"YOU! Sleep on the floor."

As she commanded me harshly, I couldn't fight it, even submitting a defeat, "Of course."

I took a spare pillow and a small blanket. I laid it next to the bed and got myself comfortable while Nina took the bed. I wasn't sure what to say at this point and Nina didn't say a word as well. The room was completely silent and I didn't know if I should break the silence or leave it. When I wake up the next day, I sit up to see Nina already gone and the bed completely made and clean. I steady myself up and go downstairs to see Nina and Linda preparing breakfast for everyone. The rest were sitting on the table giggling and talking. Seems like I am missing out but I didn't feel bad about it.

"Look who finally woke up." Michael had his arm over the chair and turned around looking at me.

He always seems to be so happy to see me which is comforting but I'm not sure about it. This feeling of having someone happy to see me, was an alien feeling to me so it made me doubt his happiness. On my right I hear Yanni shout "Mister Shadow!" as she came running toward me and jumped onto me to which I caught her, almost losing my balance.

Linda, "Come sit son." As she places a plate filled with cereal and another plate placed in the center that had a variety of fruit. "Here is your breakfast."

I studied the environment for a bit. Still surprised by the humble behavior. How did I end up like this? I thought I was going to live on my own terms and solitude. I turned my head to the left and saw the girls whispering to each other as they stared at me and smiled. As I carry Yanni in my arms, she tends to love playing with my hair.

"Come on dude, what are you staring at?" Michael invited me to sit next to him on an empty chair that was on a corner of the table. I pulled out the chair and sat down, putting Yanni on my lap facing toward me to continue having fun braiding my hair. She is trying her best to recreate my braid.

Michael bumps his elbow on my side, "Ready for training today? Linda and Jack said we need to see the new members' capabilities."

Jack rolls in, "Michael told me everything about those two. We need to put them on the test. I don't know much about the tiny one. Since she's just a normal human being."

"I'm sure she can be useful somehow," Michael reassures.

I finished drinking my cup of milk, "We just need the dedication to fight. Right now it's all just hope."

Everyone was beginning to finish their breakfast.

Linda claps her hands together, "Alright everyone, Let's all go outside. It's time to train."

The whole team synchronized a nod toward Linda. They got up and picked up their plates to clean up. Headed to the backyard and did some stretches. I put Yanni down and gave her a big hug before leaving because she didn't want me to leave. Made me feel bad for having to do this to her so I gave her a promise to be the first person I go to when I'm all done. And she gets all happy and smiley. She's so cute. I do my best to treat her in a way that I have a younger sister. And she has an older brother. I go outside and as I slide the door behind me shut. Linda already has plans.

"Alright Harper, you are gonna go fight shadow and show us what you got."

"Oh! Okay. Shadow, you ready?" Harper gets into her ready stance.

I twist my head and crack my neck, "Yea bring it."

As the match officially starts, Harper reaches deep in her pocket to take out tons of mini potion bottles and throws them in the air. The bottles didn't wait to descend as they exploded immediately in the sky creating a heavy cloud that blinded the entire outdoor arena. I covered my mouth expecting it to have some effect if I breathe it in. Not gonna risk getting defeated by some slight paralysis with whatever concoctions this witch brewed her potions. I frankly turn my head back and forth and try to sense anything; movement, breathing, heart rhythm. Anything that can give me a small slight signal and direction.

"Where did you go!"

"Over here, little boy." She began to giggle and it felt like I was trapped in a dark cave. The laughs start to echo in my ear.

Then I hear a bottle making a sound behind me. I immediately look back to see a potion in the air being thrown at me. I get my katana out as fast as I can to deflect the bottle. I lost my balance, hitting the ground but keeping an eye on the bottle. As the bottle hits the ground it makes a crackling noise. Acid. An acid potion burning up the grass and a strong odor followed.

I shouted, "Poison?"

More distant giggling, "Yep"

More acidic bottles were thrown randomly in the air. It didn't even seem like one person was throwing the bottles. I start deflecting bottles all around me. The space between me and the foggy smoke was getting thin so I had no choice. I put my sword away and activated my demon power inside me. I closed my eyes and located a heat signature, anywhere. It was faint but, "Found you~!"

Harper was surprised and in a panic threw all her poison potions scattering them in the air like a shotgun firing at a full spread. Everything started to become in slow motion. I became full focused to see exactly where each bottle was in specific positions. I deactivated my power and took out my sword. Remember where the heat signature was and the bottles. I charge right through the bottle, deflecting and dodging. Harper yelped in fear as she was already off balance and fell on the grass as my movement was so swift that all the smoke had dissipated and in Harper's point of view was me looking down at her with a sword pointing right at her chest.

"Checkmate."

"Tsk."

I lend her my hand, "You almost got me there if it wasn't for my power. You are a very tricky girl."

Harper covers her mouth with a fist, looks away, and giggles. "You are very powerful too. But don't think too highly of yourself, if I wasn't sleeping for months you wouldn't stand a chance."

"And that's the signal to get started."

Michael comes in to say, "Let's start with just sparring one another to get used to each other and see what capabilities we have when it comes to an actual battlefield."

"HA!" I screamed, "That's a cheap way of telling me you want a rematch."

Michael chuckles, "Good call on my bluff. Little cat girl."

"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME!"

I immediately threw a punch at him. Michael as expected saw it coming and blocked it with ease. Michael and I are now in a brawl against each other. Harper walked to the side to sit down a bit and relax. She seemed to be exhausted. That's normal if you were sick for months and all of a sudden running as fast as a cheetah hunting its prey through tall grass. Scar and Naomi were practicing on each other as Scar works on her reflexives as Naomi shoots her sniper at Scar in close range. Linda sees Scar holding up quite well in her situation. The fights kept going on for hours. Relationships between each other will get better but for now, the boys seem to be with the boys. And what I mean by the boys, it is just Michael and me. The girls were mostly together as well. It was a good day for both of us as we happened to train our full strength and test the limits. Linda comes out and claps. "Hey kiddos, time to eat. The food is hot and ready." We were having a great meal. The food tasted even better than before and I complimented both Linda and Nina for their excellent cooking as usual. But this tasted extra good. I was putting as much food as I possibly could into my mouth. Nina was staring at me, worried, she couldn't understand how this much food could fit into my tiny body and still look skinny. After eating big meals, the luxury to which I only had now, is making me feel tired. Like giving a big treat for me and having Linda as a mother figure for me, it makes me feel comfortable and secure. Everyone starts to head into their rooms and so did I. Resting my head on the soft, gentle pillow. Closing my eyes… Knock knock.

"Yes?"

"Hey…"

I sat up and stretched out my arms as Michael pops out of the door and walks in. He sat on the edge of the bed. "Sorry for waking you up dude, I just couldn't sleep."

I don't know how this was a good possible reason for him to come to my room and wake me up but I went with it. "Um… okay." I honestly didn't know how to react to this.

Michael looks around confused. "Wait isn't Nina supposed to be sleeping here as well"

That question completely hit me. I totally forgot she started to sleep here now. I didn't even think about it at first when I first got into the bed. I must've been really tired. "Oh wait you're right. She must have seen me sleeping on the bed and just decided to sleep somewhere else. Dammit … now I feel bad."

There seemed to be nothing coming out of Michael's mouth which led to a really bad awkward silence. A part of me just thinks he needs another walk. "Wanna walk and just maybe… talk it out."

Michael turned to me and smiled, "you read my mind, boy."

We got up and started to get ready. As we go downstairs, we see Nina sleeping on the couch as I predicted. Now I truly felt bad. She had a blanket covering her and everything. Feeling so selfish, I immediately took care of it. Michael looks at me but my mind was planning on how to deal with it. "I'll take care of it." I took the blanket and tucked it around her. Reaching underneath her with a blanket, I was able to slip through and carry her up gently without waking her. I got to Katy's room and placed her on the bed properly which hopefully I was fast enough for her not to get sick. As I got out of the room and closed the door, Michael was gone assuming he was downstairs. When I got halfway down the stairs I heard weeping. I went running right away and found Michael tending to Harper. She was hiding her face as her tears went through her hand.

"Harper? What's wrong?"

"N-no…"

"Harper…" I take her hands away from her face and placed them on her thighs. "It's okay, we're a team. You don't need to hide whatever you are going through."

Harper looks away, "No it's not that."

Michael rubs Harper's back, "What do you mean?"

"Look this is stupid. If I tell you, you will think I am stupid or something."

Michael immediately talks after her, "Why would we think that? Just tell us and maybe we can find a way to help."

"Alright alright but it's a long story."

I got up to get some tissue and a chair to sit in front of her. I place the box of tissues right next to her. She picked up a couple of tissues to wipe her watery eyes and cheeks and then wiped her nose. She adjusted herself and took a deep breath. She was trying her best to control her breathing. "So, um, before this all happened. Before I lost my parents and my ability to move. I had a lot of joy in my life. I had my parents but I also had a boyfriend next to me at all times."

I lean in closer.

Michael asked, "You had a boyfriend?"

Harper explains, "Well, we are still together."

"Did he hurt you? Did he break your heart? Do you want revenge?"

I immediately shut down Michael by saying, "Michael, shut up, let us hear the rest of the damn story."

"Oh, right."

I look at Harper, "Please excuse this idiot, he's an idiot. Anyways, continue."

Harper laughs a bit, "Yes well, um, he's in jail."

We both snapped, "Say what now?"

Harper raised both of her hands halfway to hold us, "I know I know but he is not a bad person. I swear, I promise."

"I don't understand. He's in jail and not a bad person? Why is he there then?" I said.

"Um… well."

Michael added, "Was he a victim of a crime?"

"No… umm."

Harper makes a fist and slams the couch, "This guy fights for the right things but is using the wrong methods."

We both looked at her confused. Harper sighs, "He grew up in a difficult family. He never really was able to communicate with them well, especially his dad. But they both had some things in common, they never could stand injustice. So, they fought against injustice the way they thought was right. And to answer your question Shadow, I don't think you would want to know what he did." She turned her face almost a complete one-eighty.

"Huh?" I shook my head, "Just tell me, I need to know."

There was a moment of silence.

Harper gave in, "Fine. He worked with his father, in the mafia his dad owned. His dad was the boss of the mafia. When Johnny realized this is what he wanted to do, he grew up and joined to help the mafia grow.

Michael repeated the name, "Johnny?"

"Yes, that's the name of my boyfriend. He joined his dad and started training. He had to go through tough training, but it was more painful mentally than physically. He learned the art of knife throwing and working on perfecting his aim, even in the dark. He was taught to survive and fight for the cause he believed in, but that wasn't the problem. Their way of executing their missions was the problem. The methods they used to fight were evil and horrible. Cruel to say the least. He had to execute everything that was on the kill list from his father. One day though, Johnny was finally caught by the police one day, and his list of crimes was just way too big. He is on the line for execution but thank God nothing has happened to him yet."

"What happened to his father?"

"I'm not sure. When the police stepped in, the mafias really can't do much. The only thing he could do was contact the few members he had working for him that were police officers themselves to help Johnny's case and get the best lawyers in the country to make sure he doesn't get executed. After the whole trial thing, I got one last look before he walked out the door and he looked toward me and disappeared. I wasn't able to get in contact with him much. Ever since then my family was constantly bombarded with demon attacks nonstop."

I stood up and went next to a backyard door to think about this. This is such a strange request.

Harper pleaded one last time, "Shadow, please. It's a bad list but he only did it to other bad people. I promise he's a good person.

Why does this keep happening? I was never born to be a leader. Why am I the one making this important decision? This shouldn't be right. Am I about to break out someone who has been convicted of a killer through the legal process? I'm going through this in my head so many times.

"I understand, Harper." Michael gently tells Harper.

"Thanks but…" Harper turns and continues to stare at Shadow.

I don't turn to face Michael and Harper. I look to the side staring at the floor out of all places. "Give me time to think about it." I left them in the dark.

"Shadow wai-."

Michael stops Harper, "It's fine, let him go. He's just going to calm down. He's a lone wolf, he'll figure something out."

Harper wanted to say something but couldn't. She held back while watching me go to my room. I went to my room and Nina was sitting on her bed, well Katy's bed. She stared at me weirdly.

"Shadow?.... You okay?"

"Yes, I was just having a talk with Harper and Michael."

"You don't seem… okay."

I laid down on the floor and pulled my blanket to cover me.

"Do you want to sleep on the bed tonight?"

I did not respond.