CHAPTER 38

I watch the two look at each other and see the rest of the group looking around at each other's faces before focusing on me again. I hold my arms out to my sides and lean my head back to the sky; the clouds are dark gray and light with rain.

"Will you be persecuted until you can prove that you are walking upright or are you walking upright now and just need to stand with something that is more than you, worse than you," I ask, bringing my gaze back to the crowd.

I can hear some of them talking about worse than them, I can see some are beginning to understand but I am seeing Hideo in quiet contemplation while Vicki has moved closer and is now next to him facing me.

"I know why they've chosen me," I say quietly but happily," You will believe once you enjoy the pain they caused you. Tell others that in two days I will bring my message to bear for those who want to believe."

I heard through the crowd and back to class with my family quietly in tow. The rest of the day goes by with more quiet whispers and people talking but the highlight is after the fifth period when I'm leaving and I see Heather walking in my direction. I know she doesn't see me and I wait there for her; she gets within arm's reach before noticing me and backs up suddenly dropping some papers. I turn and look down at her as she cleans up the papers; I catch some of the words and guess at a speech. Heather finishes picking up her papers and composes herself to speak but I cut her off by chuckling. I walk away still chuckling and get to the gym ahead of some of the crew and head straight to Coach Campbell's office and close the door behind me getting his attention.

"Coach, are we having an assembly soon," I ask quietly.

"Yes actually tomorrow, Principal Jackson caught wind of a few students who have been attacked and apparently there are a few groups concerned and one that is speaking," Coach tells me leaning forward in his chair.

"I think I need to say something during the assembly," I say with a visible smile on my face," and I need your help to do it."

"What about my boy and girl," Coach asks concerned.

"They haven't come to me yet but I will be waiting for them at the bleachers once we're done here," I tell him before getting back to my immediate planning," I want to speak over them but not at them, any ideas on that sir."

"Get with my boy and I'll have something by tomorrow, but only if they get in this protection blanket you got," Coach tells me skeptically.

I leave the office and head out to the bleachers drawing my family out with me. I get seated from my perch and turn my attention to the only people there.

"There's going to be an assembly tomorrow. I have decided to say something during it since Heather's group will be making a statement about what happened to Kori. I'm going to tell the school about my 'vision'. Also I've brought Johnny on board and he's ready to help so Jun I'll need you to get him information about Kyle and his Russian bride," I dictate noting my last words make Devin scowl.

I see two figures heading up towards us across the field, I motion to my family that we have company and drop down to greet Tracy and her brother. I step in front of my family and greet our guests. I finally get to see Tracy after her altercation, most of her hair has been cut short and is matted to her head with some sort of hair product. I note the jogging coat and matching pants in blue and white but it's her brother who is only six feet tall and noticeably younger than Tracy but it's his clothing that probably has Jun feeling nostalgic with a black windbreaker slacks with a sweater vest underneath. I almost go after him first but decide to start with some love.

"Sister it's been too long," I say, placing my hands on Tracy's shoulders," this family has missed your determination and I'm glad to see you again, come by my house after school today so we can talk amongst those who know in private."

"Dad says that you're really unhinged but I should just listen to you and do what you say," Tracy says with a little determination," But you get in the way of my practice and I'm gonna kick your ass."

"I wouldn't expect any less from you sister. You on the other hand are a quiet simpering little shit and I'm not even certain as to why I haven't had Devin pull your arms off," I say turning my attention to her brother.

"I'm Isaac, our dad said I should stay around you and follow your lead but why are you attacking me," the boy says getting defensive.

"'Why are you attacking me' because you should be crawling on the ground not walking upright," I sneer and mock," you're a pathetic excuse for the male species. My sister Tracy has more temerity in her than you do. You do know what that word means boy?"

I can tell Isaac is pissed and that anger makes him foolish and reckless, I watch him drop his bag and swing with a right that I see coming. I let the punch hit me but lower my head so that his knuckles pop as they connect with the top of my skull. Isaac recoils from the punch holding his hand and cursing; I start laughing and turn to my family.

"He has fire right Brother Jun," I ask, still laughing.

"He is a Brother, should I help guide him," Jun asks, stepping forward.

"Of course, his fire is wasted and he doesn't hesitate," I say, placing a hand on Isaac's shoulder," You follow Brother Jun's lead and listen to what he says."

Isaac nods warily and backs up from me, boy has spirit and honestly I like him now more than I liked Jun the first day. We gather and leave school heading straight for my house to work and lighten the mood. Once at home and inside all appearances drop and Jun gets a chance to talk to Isaac and explain how the family works and why we're all acting the way we have been for the past couple days. Tracy looks confused but Isaac seems quick to pick up on what we're doing and the fear I'm trying to put in.

"People are wondering about some sermon you are going to deliver on Thursday," Isaac says, keeping me informed on the gossip at school.

The topic gets everyone's attention but my shrug ends any questions or comments as to what I'll say and do. Homework gets done again among the watchful supervision of my folks and everyone heads out before my Mom starts setting up sleeping bags. I get into my room and shoot Kori a text asking how she's been today and tell her that I miss her at school. I don't get a reply for a while but when I do it's just her telling me to be patient and she'll be back before I know it. I don't reply because I want her back at school now and not later. I head to bed ready for a grand interruption of Heather's activities.