“Xilfer”
“w-what if he won't...?”
My bro's question made me feel colder than the rain that showered down upon me. His question consumed my thoughts. I had no idea what I would do if Cortes would not return the island back...if he would not return our stupid brother back.
I lost track of time. It felt like I stood still in years. Everything around me became a blur. Every sound no longer registered in my head. My brother's question echoed in my mind endlessly.
“Rainbow Dash!?”
Th-that voice!? I gasped as I blinked. Could it be? It was faint, but I heard it loud and clear. It was his voice... It was his! But how!?
“Jay!?” That was Claire's voice...
“Bro!” And that was Kronz's... “Hey bro! God, bro! You all right!?”
“Jay! Jay! It's really you!”
“Bro! Drat, I don't think he can hear us...”
My throat felt dry all of a sudden. Claire's and Kronz's voices kept on calling Jay out through my phone. If they're making a prank, then this is a sick joke. With that in mind, I was finally able to speak.
“Kronz, what's going on?”
There was no answer. I assumed that my brother carried his phone away from his ear. It makes sense, if Jay's really back for unknown reason.
“C-Claire! Wait up!” I heard my bro's voice along with loud footsteps. I then heard a loud slamming noise. That was probably the door. “D-darn, I need to work out some more...” My bro said to himself, likely, as sounds of feet against stairs echoed through the phone. Somehow, his realization made me smile. It made me remember the good ol' days. I was exercising daily, and my two bros would join me during the weekend.
“Oh, hey, you still there Xilf?” Kronz asked, and I could hear his hard breathing.
“Yeah. So what's happening?”
“Wait, hold on, I'll send you a photo. Y'know what they say, photos deliver thousands of messages than words alone...” Kronz explained, and while he did, I could swear that I could hear Jay's faint groans. What the hell's going on back there?
Before I could say something however, Kronz ended the call. Darn it.
No sense standing out here under the rain. I went back inside the building, walking down the stairs. The sounds of my descent on the metal stairs echoed in the gloomy walls of the building. My mind was full of questions. It was unusual for me, but I held a straight and serious look as soon as I entered the room...where...
“Seth...what the hell are you doing?”
“What?” Seth asked, turning his head at me while suspending both his arms in front of the girl's terrified face. “I wasn't touching or sniffing her!”
“Hey Xilf!” Bug called, and I turned to him. He was putting bullets inside his gun. “I've been wanting to put a bullet inside that crazy dude's head for a while now...” He sounded annoyed, and he glared at Seth's shivering form. “May I?”
I was about to reply when I felt my phone vibrating. I held it in front of my face, and I saw that I received a photo. I opened it...
“What are you reading?” Bug asked.
I smiled as I put my phone back to my pocket. “Porn...” I then walked towards the table, and sat on a chair. “Seth, get away from her.”
Reluctantly, Seth stood up and sat on a chair near the table.
“Where's Blade?”
“He took a piss somewhere,” Bug shrugged.
The door behind me opened, and closed.
“Yo!” Blade took a seat. “We havin' a meetin' or somethin'?”
“Something like that,” I nodded with a serious smile as I felt my phone vibrating again. I pulled it out and opened Kronz's message. “Next phase...” I said after I read the message.
After I put my phone down on the table, I eyed my crew, noting their serious expressions...minus Seth...
“And...that would be...?” Seth asked impatiently.
I stood up and turned towards the door. “Prepare everything. We're going to the bridge.”
“Whoa!” Seth's voice echoed in the room as I walked towards the door. “We're gonna blow up the bridge!?” I could feel how excited he was about that idea of his.
I turned and gave him a glare. “Blow yourself up for all I care.”
Blade snickered as I opened the door.
“What about the girl?” Bug called out before I could walk out of the room.
“We're bringing her with us,” I walked out and turned to the room, eyeing the girl on the far corner of the room. Her eyes showed clear signs of uncontrollable fear. “There's going to be a reunion soon...”
I saw Blade's and Seth's confused looks before I closed the door.
“Two, in fact...” I whispered to myself with a small smile.
“We're not taking the car?” Bug asked as I led them to the basement.
I flicked the switch and the lights flared, giving us light to see three motor bikes. They look bulky and heavy, but they'll do.
“I'd love to see you drive the thing through that dead traffic,” I replied without looking at them. They could be dense sometimes, but whatever. I pulled the girl's hand as I walked to a corner of the room. She was hesitant when I removed the ropes around her hands. “Stay there.” I glared at her. She was shaking, and it... I shook my head slightly. “You'll be seeing your big sister again, if you promise not to do anything stupid. Got that, kid?”
She was trying hard to blink her tears back. She gave me a weak nod. That's good enough.
“Didn't know you were such a softie, man.” Blade said, and the others snickered.
“Says the guys that told me that I should give more time to my family,” I glared back at them as I pulled my phone out. I decided to let them know we're going there. I doubt they'll call the police, anyway. I think that maybe I caused Claire great distress. I don't want that.