A/N-Okay, I love Max but I just think Logan and her are made for each other and she doesn't really like Alec much. Although Logan creeps me out a bit and Alec is like dream come true, so I am completely and without a doubt ALEC TEAM. So I was thinking who of 09ers would be great for him, and I remembered Jondy's beautiful blue eyes and thought that's it! So I'm hoping you like the idea.
Please R&R it would make me very happy!
Ch.1 FIRST YEARS OF FREEDOM
The escape was not my idea. I mean escape to what? We didn't know there was anything else...
But first things first...
My designation is x-5 210 and I am a soldier. Not born, but created in a genetic lab. That lab was my whole world. I never took one step beyond big Manticore fences, still, we heard stories. We did after all have enhanced hearing, and guards weren't really trying to hide anything while talking among themselves.
The day of escape started like every other day. We woke up early in the morning, had a brief shower, three poor meals and lot of hard training.
The crucial moment of our lives came in the evening. We were standing in line in our barracks and Coach McCarthy was yelling at us. Same as always.
Only this time I couldn't concentrate on his words. My best friend Max, x-5 452 was shaking heavily. Last week they took Jack. They killed him. And now the situation was almost identical.
I was praying silently, begging Blue Lady to help her and hoping she wouldn't fall. My prayers weren't answered and she toppled to the floor with a loud thud.
The guards busted in, but we weren't ready to lose another one. In matter of seconds Eva was holding a gun and the guards were either unconscious or running. They were scared. They knew what we were capable of.
Boys helped Max and we started sneaking through the corridors. We broke rules and now it was either PsyOps or escape. And we were smart kids, it didn't take us more than second to decide what we would prefer.
Next thing I know Lydecker shot Eva. Eva was one of the older ones with Zack, Zane and Tinga. They always took care of us. And now she was dead. My sister. I felt tears, tickling in my eyes, ready to spill, but was doing my best to hold them back. I was a soldier after all. Soldiers weren't allowed to cry. My attempts to run like nothing happened failed miserably. I was crushed with grief and it was showed in my slowing steps.
Zane saw me falling behind. He was my favorite brother, always taking care of me. Just like every other time that I needed him he reached back for me. He picked me up and carried all the way to the window. I buried my face in his shoulder inhaling deeply his familiar scent. Few feet from the window he lowered me on the floor, squeezing my hand just once. With that little gesture everything was said- it was now or never. After a graceful dive through the window we continued running.
It was cold and snow was everywhere, but I have never felt this good, sadness and fear forgotten with adrenalin coursing through my veins. We were finally leaving this prison.
We met behind an old fallen tree and my Maxie looked better. When last of our unit came Zack gave us new orders. Max didn't want us to separate, but he wouldn't listen. We were paired together so I grabbed her hand and continued running.
We were evading and escaping like we were taught. Lydecker should be proud, only he was probably pissed by now. That thought brought a quiet giggle to my lips.
Suddenly I heard splash and Max was nowhere to be seen. There was only one big hole in the ice, nothing more.
She fell through.
-MAX! -I yelled in fear of losing her, fear of being alone.
No answer.
I didn't want to leave her, but I had no other options. I was comforting myself, remembering that she was the best in exercises in tank, I knew she will survive. She was a fighter.
I continued running for my life. For freedom.
Running through snow Jondy came across some road where she saw a big truck. The driver stopped to take a piss so she took this advantage and climbed in the trailer.
The truck was transporting clothes. There were boxes everywhere so she curled in one with the t-shirts and fell asleep. An hour later loud city traffic woke her up.
She snaked out wearing too big clothes from one of the boxes. The place was horribly dirty and loud. Everybody was a potential threat and this was an enemy territory. Her breathing increased and she started panicking.
Get a grip soldier! she chided herself. Just like she was taught, she turned off her emotions and concentrated at everything she ever learned about outside world. Money- first word that popped in her head, followed with food and shelter . She stole a couple of wallets from people's back pockets and grabbed some food at the market. Smiling at herself, for mission accomplished she sat on some bench and ate the best food in her life.
2015.
Jondy wake up in her cozy but small room in an old warn out apartment. Yawning a little she looked at the watch. It was 4 am. She slept less than three hours, again. With her shark DNA, long sleep wasn't something she was used to, but sometimes it was annoying her more than usual. Having at least three hours until Rose, her "mom" will enter her room to wake her up, she decided to take a walk.
She had been living with this family for two years now. They were the best and she was kind of hoping she wouldn't have to leave them. They lived in Pheonix and she loved it's warm dry air.
She sneaked through the window and jumped on the balcony of apartment under. Repeating action several more times with feline grace she was down in a minute.
Living on eight floor would prevent most of normal people to leave through the window, but she wasn't normal and sometimes it wasn't that bad.
Sneaking through sector checkpoints she came to most expensive sector with those rare rich people in a post pulse America. Jondy loved expensive clothes you could see in those fancy shop windows. Growing up in military facility and later in foster homes wasn't really glamorous life, but girl could hope right?
She sneaked in one of jewelry store, coming from the roof. Stealing was her usual late night pastime. She picked up some red, blue and pink nail polish, punk bracelet for her best friend Andy and some earflaps for herself. But she was here to earn some cash. Picking up all kinds of shiny necklaces, rings and make up, she thought about the amount of money she will get for them.
Felling happy with her catch she went home. She couldn't wait to show Andy her present.
Rose was serving some pancakes to her and her new baby sister Ruby, Rose's daughter, when a girl with a lot of dyed red hair busted in without knocking.
-Hey Andy, wanna join us?-Rose asked politely.
-Thanks Rose but I'm here to free you of chiquita over there. -she pointed to Jondy.
Rolling her eyes Jondy stood up and went to her room where she left her school bag.
Andy was her next door neighbor and best friend for last two years. Her new sister. But to say they were the same would be a huge lie. Andy was good and hard working girl, she had the best grades and teachers loved her, but she wasn't really typical teenage nerdy girl, she dyed her hair and was putting a lot of black make up. Also, always in black she was complete opposite Jondy's bright colored clothes, long blond hair and carefree, kick-ass attitude.
-Sooo...feeling like skipping school today?-Andy asked when they left apartment.
-Where would we go?
-Jessie and the rest of our gang are in the park.
Jessie was older boy from neighborhood, eighteen or something, and he was the one Jondy was giving the stuff she stole to.
Jessie had the whole gang rounded around himself and they ruled around this area. He had connections among some big fishes in criminal world, but he was usually selling stolen jewelry or branded clothes, but also some basic needs that were hard to get in these poor days. Like coffee, flour or toothpaste.
In exchange for their "hard work" all gang members had false sector passes and protection. Nobody from here was dumb enough to mess with them.
-That reminds me... I've got something for ya. - Jondy showed her the bracelet and earned a quick kiss to her cheek.
-You've got something for our boy Jessie too, or you gonna charm your way out of your job again?
-Yup, I've got some good stuff, he's gonna love it!-Jondy said with pleased look on her face.
-I'm sure he would've loved if you go with my plan, too. -the girls looked at each other and burst out laughing.
They approached the group rounded around two tall boys sitting on the bench, still snickering.
-Hey there.- one of sitting ones, who first saw them, greeted.
Everybody turned and welcomed them too.
Andy and Jondy were the only girls in their group, couple of older boys had girlfriends, but they didn't really belong with them, running jobs for Jessie and stuff.
-Got something for me?- Jessie asked winking.
He was a real charmer too, but Jondy wasn't interested in him, at least not as much as he was in her.
She smiled back anyway, a little flirting wasn't crime right?-Did you doubt?
-At my best girl? Never!
-Hey! -Andy protested jokingly. -And what am I? Your best boy?
Everybody laughed at pouting Andy.
Jondy reached to her bag and took paper bag with her last night's catch. -Here you go!
Jessie whistled looking at it's content. -Nice job girl!
-Well, "nice job" won't be enough. I need cash pretty boy!
Jessie laughed loudly to her, but reached in his pocket for money.
They spent the rest of the morning in their company and had no plan leaving soon, but fun was interrupted for Jondy with familiar Manticore guest.
She could feel her temperature rising and nausea in her stomach, protesting against the food she ate today. Engrossed in fun, she ignored the symptoms, but soon her hands started to shake and it was time for her to run away, somewhere safe, just like she did six years ago.
She gave them some lame excuse and went home.
Rose was working as a nurse in hospital so she had unlimited access to Tryptophan. Entering apartment a powerful seizure took hold and Jony fell to the floor remaining there for a minute. It was a good thing Rose had to work whole day and little Ruby was with her grandma. She crawled to her room and sat on the floor with her knees under chin waiting for it to stop.
Andy watched her best friend pale a little and excuse herself from the crowd. She knew something was wrong, but it was obvious Jondy wanted to be left alone.
Andy stayed for another twenty minutes, but was too worried enjoy her company.
-Although this men talk was fun -Andy said with grimace remembering previous topic boys obsessed with- I'm gonna go now.
-Ohh but Andyyy- one of them mock whined -You're girl, why would boob talk upset you, I mean, you've got two of them right?
-You talking 'bout them, Billy won't gain you access.
That brought loud laughter from the group and Andy left still smiling. They were yelling something after her but she just waved dismissively.
She was planning to leave her school bag at home and grab some food before checking on Dee, but as soon as she entered her room she heard dull pounding coming from apartment next door. Dee's apartment.
She knocked on her door but there was no answer, so she just entered.
-Dee, where are you?
There was no answer. She continued through the house cautiously, it could be a burglar, until she reached the bedroom. That's where she found her, lying on the floor, shaking heavily.
-Oh my God! Dee what's wrong?-she panicked, falling on her knees by her side.
-Nnno worries Anndddy, I'll bbbe gooddd in a secccc. -Jondy gathered what was left of her strength, to answer her.
-What is wrong with you?!
Dammit, why did she had to find me like this? Get your head in a game soldier and answer the question!
-I'll expllllain later, justtt ddon't tell annnnnyonnnne.
-But why Jadey?- The name Jondy was to unusual, so she had a substitute one in case Lydecker ever searched for a girl with her real one. Or closest to real, that genetically engineered freak like her could have.
-Please!- she pleaded so Andy nodded and sat by her side, gently stroking her tangled, blond hair.
When her shakes slowed down she sat by Andy, still having occasional tremors. The girl was watching her expecting answers, but Jondy remained quiet, deep in thought. How am I gonna get myself out of this shitty situation? Denial!
-What was that?
-What was what?
-Nuh huh, you're not getting out of explaining me! I'm listening.
Reduced truth?
-I have this nerve thing, no biggie.
-Lie!
Denial!
-Is not!
-Yes it is!
Jondy exhaled desperately. There was never a way around with Andy.
-No I really do have a neurological problem.
-Are you on drugs?
-Jesus Andy! Let it go. I'm not on drugs. I do have a neurological problem and I'm well capable taking care of it.
Andy opened her mouth to say something, but changed her mind and closed them without a word. A minute passed in silence.
-Why didn't you tell me? - her voice wavered, Jondy knew she was hurt.
-Like I said, it's no biggie.
-Well ...lie as much as you want, I'm just gonna ask Rose.
-NO!
-Then YOU tell me!
-I can't! -Jondy answered loudly, but despair in her voice was obvious.
-Well I WILL ask her then. -My God how stubborn can she get!
-She doesn't know.- Jondy said quietly.
For a moment Andy just stared not believing and then she erupted.- WHAT?
-Calm down Andy!
-When she comes home, you are telling her!
-Please, I can't. Please Andy just let it go.
-Then TELL ME!
-FINE!- Jondy knew her best friend won't stop, but was she wasn't quite sure whether sharing her biggest secret was the best solution? And if she does, who would believe her. Will she reject her? She was a freak after all! Tears started welling in her eyes, ready to spill. She was quiet for some time, thinking and fighting tears when she finally decided, Andy was her best friend, she will understand! She has to!- It's a long story.
-We've got all night.
-Ok... I guess I should start from the beginning...
TBC
Thanks for reading, hope you liked it. Please review, it would make me really happy an hopefully improve my writing. Next chapter soon if you're interested in topic.