CHAPTER 24: Realization

I woke up bright and early. Calmly getting up and going to the bathroom as I hear a small sound of clutter happening in the kitchen. My mind just ticks and goes to the kitchen to only see Jack having his mug of coffee in one hand and reaching for a banana with the other. I completely stood there with no sense of where I was standing. I look like a zombie just staring at an anomaly.

Jack, "Shadow? Are you okay? Shadow… SHADOW!"

I snapped out of it, shook my head, what happened.

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

"Oh um sorry. I didn't even realize it. I was just going to the bathroom."

Jack pushes a friendly smile, "It's okay boy. Do you want some coffee?"

"Sure. I wouldn't mind having one."

Jack makes me a coffee the usual way he makes his coffee and gives me the mug. The smell of the coffee just tells me it's a hot dark roasted coffee, I went to the fridge to try to add some milk with the little space I got left in the mug. He didn't leave much room for it though.

"Let's go sit outside."

"Okay sounds good." I turned out not thinking

Jack coughs to get my attention. I turned around as he raised an eyebrow at me.

"Oh right sorry." I knew I was having an off morning. I was thinking way too much.

I went behind Jack to push his wheelchair to go outside. There are a few chairs around a table. I placed Jack as best as I could next to the table and sat close to him. We took out cups of coffee and started to trade sips at them. The coffee was so strong for me, it was hard for me to drink. Jack was already on his way to eating his banana while I didn't get halfway through my coffee. We stared off into the sky as we see clouds move from right to left.

"Hey, um sir. I-"

"Yes, son?" He takes another sip of his coffee.

"How did it feel to lose your daughter?"

Jack, almost spitting out his coffee, was shocked by the question. "Why would you ask such a question?"

"I'm sorry that I'm asking a personal question but… losing her traumatized me. I didn't know how to go on with my life or how to continue. But ever since I woke up, I always felt like you have settled with this change that she's gone. You look like you are still able to move on in your life."

Jack placed his mug on the table, "I understand how you feel about your curiosity. But to tell you the truth, I don't even know how I have all this strength myself. When she passed away I couldn't help but feel useless and weak, even though I was trained my whole life but my human self lacked any magical power. It made me feel weak compared to her. But I indeed moved on eventually. After some time thinking about her and the times we spoke to each other. And she told me one thing that I will never forget. That she believed in me. She was the only one that trusted me to fulfill a mission she started. And she trusted me on whatever mission I told her to. She believed that I would be able to end this war, and her death was expected."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Jack let it out, "Shortly before her death. She was acting differently. Almost like she knew she was going to die. When we had this conversation together, I didn't question it because it's what every warrior thinks about. Her life was always at risk and her thinking about death is natural. But I feel like she knew her time was coming and couldn't do anything to stop it."

"But what about me? Why didn't she talk about me? Why didn't she tell me? My last days with her were the best days of my entire life. Why didn't she warn me?"

"Son, maybe she didn't want you to get mad at her. Why would anyone tell you that they might die soon?"

To understand another's mind is just impossible. I look down at my coffee thinking.

Jack looks at me, "What are you thinking son. Spit it out!"

"Well, um, no I'm not thinking about anything. I just want revenge."

"That's a strong feeling that can make you do the same mistakes you did before."

"I want to know who is responsible for sending the army to kill Katy. Once I do I-"

Jack lays his hand on my shoulder, "What about your team?"

"My team?"

"Yes… I'm seeing you not trusting them yet." He started to look disappointed.

"I, well, it's not that."

Jack didn't believe me.

"I never worked with a team before. I don't know how to make bonds with them. Making a simple friend is hard for me."

Jack leans back on his chair, "Oh…" He re-evaluates his thoughts, "This is all new to you. But don't you think they deserve this trust from you?"

"Do they?"

"Well? Don't you see it? They've been sticking by your side and have been following your command."

I looked at him.

"Your teammates support each other no matter what. You all have one problem and that's the war. But you don't have to put your entire focus on this one problem. You all have separate problems and you need to learn that each problem is worth as much attention and time as this war."

"You think so?"

"I know so." Jack crosses his legs and folds his hands with a smirk.

I start to nod my head, I understand what I need to do. "I know what I need to do."

"Easy boy. Do me this favor and remember these words. Teammates support each other no matter what, bright or dark days. This is how you can show them how much you really care about them."

I stood up confidently, "Thank you, sir."

He smiles, "You can call me Jack, it's fine. You're welcome, kid."

I went back inside the house and I see Michael leaning on the back of the wall sipping his coffee and enjoying the morning.

Michael asked, "Everything alright with the old man?"

"Yes and we also have a new mission." I passed Michael and was about to race the stairs.

"What is it?"

I turn around, "We are going to get Johnny out of that prison."

"Hell YEAH!"

"Get ready and tell Naomi. I'll go tell Harper."

"Right away sir!"

I stopped midway through the stairs. Sir? He never called me sir. Why did he do that? Is that… his form of respect? I knocked on the bedroom door to where Harper and Scar were sleeping and I might've knocked a lot more than I usually do.

"Coming, coming geez." I knew it was Harper's voice and she was about to answer the door.

She peeks her head out after opening the door slightly. Guessing she was still in her PJs having messy hair and didn't want to be seen like that. She yawns, "Huh? Shadow? What's up?"

"I got good news."

"What is it?"

"Our new mission is to get your boyfriend out of jail."

I can see Harper froze. She gasped and the door opens a bit more and her hands were on her side and couldn't believe what she heard. I said it once more, "We're gonna get him out."

"A-ar-are you serious?"

I nodded my head and leaned in, "We are going to need a bigger team anyways."

Harper let out a high pitch, somewhat holding it back, screaming of excitement. She ran to me as fast as she could and jumped right on me to catch her midair. She felt so soft and gentle. Somewhat lighter than what I usually thought. "Thank you thank you thank you thank you so much. I really can't thank you enough."

"Tell Scar to get ready. Let's get to work."

That brought my mood up sky-high. How Harper ran up to hug me and thank me felt so nice. It felt like I struck gold after years of mining in this one tunnel. Felt like I helped connect the team more just by making this one decision. The house was already scrambling and by the time Jack came back inside. The smile on his face knew the team was in motion to do something great.

"Hey, Mister Shadow…" It's Yanni and it looks like I woke her up. "What's with all the noise?"

"Oh sorry for waking you up Yanni. Here, let me carry you."

Yanni reaches her arms out to me as I grab her and carry her gently to rest on my chest.

"Can I make you breakfast as an apology?"

"I want cereal please."

"Will do."

I see Nina in the kitchen drinking her water. We said our good mornings as I take care of Nina's sister. I made Yanni a full bowl of cereal. I sit down next to Yanni and it seemed like she was still too tired to even lift the spoon. So I had to help feed her and she was very happy. By that time Michael and Naomi showed up. Naomi was in high spirits.

"Goooooood MORNING Y'ALL!"

Nina starts to laugh, "Good morning you two."

"Oh, I see food."

Nina replied for me, "Yes, Shadow made Yanni some cereal."

Naomi froze, "What? I want cereal too."

Michael went in immediately, "Me too!"

"Hey hey hey." I stopped everyone, "there isn't enough for everybody. It's just a small box for Yanni."

Yanni started to giggle because she is being served as a queen.

"What's this idiotic excuse? There is a local store near us. You can go get more, lazy."

"I uh bu-"

"No but, go get us cereal."

Naomi shouted, "Yesss!"

I didn't know what to say. I was going to be the knight for Yanni but for some reason. Two large guardians walked right up to me. Took the bowl away from me and dragged me outside the house to buy some cereal. Nina gave me the money to buy it. I can't believe they ganged up on me like that. This switched everything that was on my mind. I went to the store and got two big boxes of the same cereal that I gave Yanni. It was her favorite so I only assumed everyone else would've wanted the same cereal. I came back home with the cereal boxes in my arms and I already see everyone sitting at the table waiting for me.

Yanni celebrates, "Yey the cereal is here!"

Naomi criticized, "Finally."

Scar demanded, "Now make us cereal."

Naomi's eyes widened, "Oh yes, good idea. Michael, you are helping him too." She starts to push Michael into me.

"Ow."

"Hey! What for?"

Naomi sat back down and crossed her legs in confidence, "Because we want that."

Nina did the same, crossed her legs, mirroring Naomi, "Yup."

We had no choice. Five, maybe six if Linda wanted to vote, against two. We started to make the cereal for everyone even though it's so easy that they can do it themselves. I turn to look over my shoulder to see the girls having their girly chat or whatever they call it.

"Urgh, these girls own our asses."

"Yep. It seems to be the case."

We gave everyone their bowls and even made two of our own. Naomi demanded Michael to feed her, which he did. I kind of expected that to happen after she saw me feeding Yanni. Maybe it is just me focusing too much on one thing. I should learn how to live more.