Chapter 8
May 26th
"Checkmate," Jake said in a monotone voice as he placed his piece.
"No way you beat me again," Paul said in shock as he looked down at the board.
"Afraid so honey, you got no where to go," Michelle confirmed "Is that the fourth time tonight?"
"Fifth," Jake said and Paul let out a sigh.
"Where the hell you learn how to play chess this well?" Paul asked.
"Bill taught me when I was younger."
"You're telling me that fatass plays chess?" Jessica asked in disbelief.
"What does weight have to do with the ability play chess?"
"That's not what I'm saying, I'm asking because Bill doesn't seem like the type to play chess," Jessica replied and Jake gave a confused look.
"What do you base that assumption off of?"
"Well I don't know, he just doesn't seem intelligent enough for the game."
"You shouldn't judge people based on appearances and preconceptions. He's quite good at the game believe it or not."
"Well it seems he taught you well," Paul said "Considering I've never beaten."
"Or perhaps you're just bad at chess," Michelle suggested.
"What do you mean, you've never beaten him either," Paul said in a defensive tone.
"Easy, no need to get all touchy," Michelle said as the two teens chuckled at Paul's response.
"Michelle you play me now, I'm tired of losing," Paul sighed.
"Don't think it will be that easy," Michelle replied as they began setting up the board.
"I don't get how you guys find chess fun," Jessica stated.
"Just because you're bad at it Jess, doesn't mean the game itself is bad."
"Like either of you two can talk, you've never beaten Jake," Jessica retorted and Jake let out a chuckle.
"But you don't see us complaining now do you."
"Those who are lacking in skill tend to complain more after all," Paul added and Jessica rolled her eyes in response.
"Also the fact that you got so defensive when you're skill was put into question hints that you do find some enjoyment from the game," Jake explained.
"You can be really annoying sometimes, you know that right, "Jessica grumbled.
"Sorry about that," Jake replied with a smile on his face and Jessica sighed in response.
It had been three days since Jake's encounter with the bloater and life was back on track. Jobs resumed the for Jake the next day like Joel and Tess said, despite their reluctance. These nights Jake, Jessica, Paul and Michelle spent together were now a common occurrence since Jake first met them. They would play various games that were common place back Paul and Michelle's day and talk and laughed with each other.
"What is this feeling?" Jake pondered as his thoughts began drifting elsewhere "It's so calm and peaceful. But it feels almost familiar," Jake thought and then he thought of his family as well as Joel, Tess and Jessica "I see, I knew I had felt this before."
"Hey Jake," Jessica said dragging the boy out of his thoughts.
"Hmm what?" Jake asked in response.
"Penny for your thoughts Jake," Michelle asked.
"No it's nothing," Jake said while shaking his head "Anyway what did you want to ask?"
"She was asking if you had thought of any names for the baby," Jessica said.
"Oh yeah that's right. Sorry I had forgotten, so I haven't really given it much thought."
"Well that's ok we still have time to decide," Paul added as he moved a piece.
"Still better to decide," Michelle said.
"There's no advantage to hurrying through life," Jake replied.
"I suppose you have a point."
"Checkmate," Paul said.
"No wonder you were so silent," Michelle replied.
"Well we should probably get going. It's getting to the time Aunt Tess considers late," Jessica stated.
"Well alright then, you two stay safe now," Michelle said.
"See you kids," Paul said.
"See you," the two teens said simultaneously.
May 27th
After Jake's job today he decided to head to one of the building's outside the zone that the smuggler's controlled, building was generally used for the meeting that smugglers held every now and then. Nobody except smugglers knew about the location of this building and it was quite some way from the QZ so the military never really got near it. The building itself wasn't all that, although unlike most other it was still intact. It was just a two storey house with a large garden, of course the smugglers made sure it was sealed of and several traps set up to prevent infected entering. The reason Jake was here was because he felt like training and also because the area was quite peaceful. Jake had a target carved into the wood fence in the garden, and Jake threw knives at that target, each right next to each other on bullseye. Jake then heard footsteps coming towards him, he turned to see that it was Paul who was there.
"Oh it's you," Jake said, not that he was worried since only smugglers knew the layout of the traps and therefore only they could get in.
"Well aren't you quite skilled," Paul complimented.
"Again complimenting the ability to kill as if it's something praise worthy," Jake thought "What brings you here?" Jake asked ignoring the compliment.
"It's surprisingly peaceful out here wouldn't you say?"
"I suppose so," Jake replied as the two of them looked up towards the night sky.
"It's relaxing, the feel of this place."
"Can't argue with you there," Jake replied and finished collecting his knives.
"And you?
"Training."
"So I see."
"Isn't Michelle expecting you?"
"Thought I'd stretch my wings a bit," Paul replied "And shouldn't you be back home?
"Not for another couple hours
"You gonna keep training?" Paul asked and Jake nodded "Why don't you spar with me then?" Paul said and Jake was a little shocked at first but agreed.
"Ready?" Jake asked.
"Whenever you are," Paul replied. Jake then observed the area to see if there was anything of use and found exactly what he was looking for.
"Here I come," Jake said and ran towards Paul, there was a bench table between the two of them so Jake leapt up onto it and jumped into a roundhouse kick for Paul on his left side. Paul then blocked it and Jake landed on the ground and threw out a right jab aimed at Paul's chest, so he jumped backwards to avoid it.
"Not holding back are you?"
"And neither should you," Jake replied and then went toward Paul once again.
The two of them spar for a bit until Jake was out of breath, his hands were on his knees and he was breathing rather heavily.
"Shoot, looks like I lose," Jake panted.
"Looks like this is the one thing I can beat you in," Paul replied.
"Looks like I got a lot of work to do."
"Go a bit easy on yourself. You did much better than I expected considering your age. I guess it's like they say, you really are exceptional when it comes to thing stuff."
"That's not a good thing," Jake thought "I'm still inexperienced."
"Honestly give yourself some credit. You're better than a lot of others around," Paul reassured "Anyway we should get going," Paul said and the two left.
