Challenge Issued By: Tokoloshe Monster
My first choice from your selection is going to be: Jeb's reason for leaving, as well as his final moments in the E-house.
Author's Note: Request numero seis(:
Guys, I'm no longer accepting challenges for One-Shots. ): I'm sorry everybody, but I've gotten way more than I've expected, and along with things going on in my personal life, I don't have time for it all. I figured I either had to ditch my aunt or these, so I'll try and finish out the requests I already have and then after that I'll be done. :P I think I already said this in the last one-shot, but I don't recall and am too lazy to check, so I'll say it again.
In regard to this one-shot, I think it's pretty clear about the formatting (Well… not really), so let me explain it real fast. The regular print is written in third person, and the italics are Jeb's thoughts in regard to the above paragraph(s). Then in underlined italics, I thought it would be kind of cool to add in some input from Max; her thoughts on Jeb's thoughts. Cool? Cool.
(See above paragraph for the perspective)
Jeb looked around the house one last time, his glances lingering on everything and memorizing every detail of the place he had come to call home. He wanted to remember it all, and he promised himself that he would. The white fridge that was slightly brown from all of the dirt… the floors, which were messy beyond all hope and covered with everything from toys to food to bombs… the couch, on which the upholstery was just starting to crack… The blankets, messily strewn about… He loved it. All of it. He never wanted to forget this room. He wanted for every little detail to remain encrypted into his brain until the day he died.
Which will be pretty soon, if I don't get the hell out. They made it very clear what the Erasers can and will do to me if I offer any resistance. Together we could've kicked their asses, big time. You should've just told us. We would've helped you.
Jeb took a deep breath and walked into the first room on the left: Nudge and Angel's. He would miss his baby and his chatterbox. He chuckled softly at how Angel was tucked into the curtains and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. Then, he moved onto the Nudge Channel. He couldn't help but think about how different she looked with her mouth actually closed for once. She was the loudest of the group by a lot. He was pretty sure that if there was a contest for the person who could talk the longest out of everyone in the world without stopping, she'd win hands-down— but that was why he loved her. He brushed his lips over her head as well before he departed.
They're both so cute… I can't believe I'm leaving them. Who's going to read them their magazines and color with them now? I will, that's who. I shouldn't have to. You should be the parent; not me. But what's done is done, I guess.
Right across the hall was Jeb's next destination: Gazzy's room. Jeb couldn't help but think to himself with a loving smile about the child's lack of organization as he stepped in through the doorway. There were half-finished bombs and other things strewn about the floor, and the Gasman's clothes hung from open drawers. There was a pile in the corner that, from the stench, Jeb assumed must be dirty. He thought about throwing them in the washing machine really quickly, but then decided against it. He was to change nothing when he left. It was to be as if he had never existed. He bit his tongue and gently tousled the sleeping boy's hair before moving on once again. He couldn't honestly say he would miss the stench.
The kid's a mess. Maybe one day he'll learn to keep down that cowlick. Can you live with yourself, knowing that you left such an innocent boy in such a horrible way?
As he entered the room next to Gazzy's, he couldn't help but think of how well this tidy little coven identified with the person it belonged to. There was not a mess or belonging in sight, which very clearly represented Fang's orderly composure. The only thing on display there were a bunch of notebooks, which were lying around the pre-teen's slumbering form. Jeb assumed that Fang had fallen asleep while writing again and chuckled to himself. The kid was so… unique. Secluded. It was rare that he talked, ever, even though he was so young. Jeb brushed the long black hair out of his face and kissed his forehead with as much care as possible.
I still remember the first time he ever opened up to me… It was one of the two times that I've ever seen him cry in my entire life. I hope he doesn't hate me for this too much. He WILL hate you. For the rest of his life. I hope you're happy that you've lost his trust.
Across from Fang's room was Iggy's. His room was a cross between the two before his. It wasn't a mess, but it wasn't quite organized, either. It wasn't clean-smelling, but it was nowhere near as disgusting as the Gasman's. Bombs were strewn across the floor along with other projects of his, but they were all finished. The only incomplete ones were resting on top of his dresser. The drawers were open and the clothes were all jumbled together, but none hung out or rested on the floor. Jeb was going to kiss him goodbye when he heard a hissing voice in his earpiece remind him, "Five more minutes, Jebediah. Get your ass out of that house before we have to come in after you!"
They were going to kill me… and the flock, too! What the hell was I supposed to do? I don't know… Maybe NOTbetray us? We would have been happier to die with you on our side than live with you against us.
Finally, next to Iggy's room, came Max's. Jeb almost couldn't go in, but he quickly realized that he was being stupid and forced himself to enter. He knew that he would hate himself more for leaving if he didn't get closure. He stared at the girl with her golden-brown hair strewn across the pillow behind her head. He sighed sadly and gazed at her with a loving expression on his face. He cupped her face in his hand and shook his head. He didn't want to say goodbye… But, what choice did he have? The deal was that he would go to the School and the flock would live. He had to go.
I can't believe I actually managed to say goodbye to my Maximum. I hope she can take care of the kids like I did… I'm not YOUR Maximum, asswipe. Go to hell. And I'm a better leader and parent than you ever were.
Jeb saw that he had two minutes left, so he quickly stopped in the bathroom to stare at his reflection. He shook his head and sighed as he looked down at the sink. He couldn't even look at himself. He hated himself for this. He really did. He glanced back up at his face just in time to watch a single tear roll down it. He couldn't believe that this would all be gone.
I'm going to miss them… all of them… That was my home. 'Was' being the keyword. It's gone now, and even if it wasn't, you wouldn't be welcome. You'd be dead before you came through the door.
Jeb heard the wolfish voice snarl in his ear, "One minute before we go in there and rip your throats out!" He felt his heart skip a beat as he walked through the hall and out the door, casting one last glance at the house he and six kids had built in the shape of an 'E'.
Goodbye…
Traitor.
A/N: I actually really like this one. I think I managed to be in character with Jeb, and I'm really proud of how this one turned out. :D But what do you guys think?
