Chapter 71 - Bondage
"You have...never met Renee's mom before. Right mom?" Jin asked as normally as possible. His stomach felt a pull which increased a little from feeling Ami's hands holding the back of his shirt.
"No, but I am assuming she looks close to what her daughter looks like. What's wrong? Did something happen outside?" Samantha asked.
"Not really...by chance do you know the name...Tiffany Sander?"
"..." Mrs. Ainsley answered with a couple of blinks. She then shook her head a little then looked back at him with a small smile. Both teens felt a little tense.
"I probably didn't hear you clearing...who was the person's name again?" she asked looking directly at him.
'...shit...I knew this was a landmine...' he thought. Feeling his nerves starting to act up, he bit down on the inside of his lip. Clenching enough to feel pain, it helped him block out the pull in his insides.
"Tiffany Sander."
"...I see...I do know her..." his mother stated and kept the small smile. "Is she friends with Renee's mom?"
"...no..." Jin answered carefully.
"Is Renee's mom passing a message from Tiffany to you?"
"...Renee's mom...said her name was Tiffany Sander."
"...ah..." Samantha spoke. Her hands were curling into fists as she became rigid.
'...her wrath...is building again...' Selbith thought not moving away from behind him.
"...and what message...did she have...or any?"
"...she just told me to say...hi to dad for her...and invited me to their household."
"You are not going over there," his mother stated firmly and quickly.
"...?" both teens reacted blinking. Samantha leaned forward to be nose to nose with him. Her eyes held an intense gaze.
"...is...that...clear...?"
"..." Jin replied with a stoic blink. "...yes..."
"Good," Mrs. Ainsley stated. Leaning back, she relaxed her hands.
"From now on...you will not associate or communicate with that woman. Do you understand Jin?"
"Is this another secret I will not be told about?"
"..." the woman responded with a frown. About to open her mouth, her son crossed his arms over his chest. An irritated expression came over his face.
"If that is how things will be, then fine. I won't ask about. I will remember to not bring it up again. Is there anything else you want me to understand or follow?"
"..." Samantha reacted curling her hands into fists. Lowering her into a downcast, she just stood there.
"...no..."
"...kay...night mom..." he stated. Without hesitation, he moved his hands to his side and began walking toward his room. Without commenting, Ami followed close behind him.
"..." Mrs. Ainsley spoke looking up.
Watching the two go up the steps, only Derek's daughter was glancing back at her with alerted eyes. Thinking that she would stop at his door when he opened it, she followed him inside. The door to his room closed quietly. Alone in the living room, she slowly sat back down on the couch. Staring at the coffee table lost in thought, she curled herself up.
'...to protect him...I have to push him away...' she thought. Reaching behind her and grabbing the blanket that was draped on the back rest, she covered herself. Muting the TV and turning the ceiling fan light off, she hugged her knees to her chest.
'...but if he doesn't trust me...will he follow me...?'
'He's always been a good boy...and listens to what I say.'
'But with all the things I thought I have left behind coming back...I don't want him involved.'
'All those people from the past...they will ruin my family,' she pondered feeling her nerves being squeezed.
'They have already penetrated...they know where we are...and are going to influence Jin.'
'Alex hasn't let go...he is still talking to Derek...it will only be a matter of time before Tiffany tries to infiltrate and get him.'
'I should have questioned myself when Jin finally found a friend...why wasn't I second guessing enough?' Samantha thought putting her head down on her knees. Her mind continued to brew as the TV painted different lights and shadows all over the living room.
In Jin's room, Selbith felt able to relax. Watching him walk toward his window after turning on the ceiling light, he stood in front of it. Looking at his reflection, he didn't have a good or bad expression. Looking around the room, it seemed the same as she saw it when she was in his cell phone. However being here in person, it seemed slightly different.
"..." she said walking toward him. Getting next to him, his face seemed a bit grave.
"It is rare to see look so serious."
"..." he replied blinking and not looking at her.
"I am a bit surprised...I only heard of triangular affairs in fictional tales in the mortal world."
"...yeah?" the sophomore responded looking at her with a small frown. "And in hell, its the norm?"
"..." Selbith answered looking deep in thought for a second. "More or less, yes...with or without consent."
"...yay..." he stated sarcastically and looked back at the window. "Something to relate to being in hell."
"I take it you view this as a sin."
"The act of keeping secrets? No."
"The affairs?"
"...it's not my problem..." he stated then narrowed his eyes. "I'm not a person to judge...but my view of it is sour."
"Please tell me you don't follow those holy religious teachings," she asked with a look of mild disgust.
"I'm not associated with a religion...what I view may or may not be coincidental to those teachings."
"If that is so and affairs is not your problem...then why are you bitter?"
"..." Jin answered relaxing his face. Turning around, he walked to his bed. Lying down, he stared at the ceiling. A couple seconds passed by and Ami's face was above his.
"You can not avoid me...so answer."
"...I don't like being pushed around and left in the dark," he spoke annoyed staring back at her. "Makes it harder to cope when the possibilities of more secrets keep increasing."
"..." Selbith stated standing back up. Looking at the space next to him, she walked around to the other side of the bed. Sitting down, she laid down next to him.
"...true...if known secrets won't be told...then how much more are lurking within your premises," she agreed. Placing her hands together and on her stomach, she stared at the ceiling. Hearing nothing passed by them for a few moments, she turned her head to look at him.
"Why not discover the secrets yourself?"
"...I looked at my mom's year book when she was in high school years ago..." he began continuing to gaze at the ceiling. "...there were a couple of pictures of Ami's father with her inside of it...I just put two and two together to figure that Derek and mom were friends or dated."
"...I see...that would be an indication that they were together at one point," she agreed.
"...as for the others lurking around..." he stated then closed his eyes. "...I'm not going to find what they are."
"Why not? You are of the same blood line. You have a right to know," Selbith remarked.
"Right or not, I'll honor what mom and dad want...it doesn't involve me."
"Giving up already? Have you become that weak?" she asked then saw him turn to her. He got in her face and looked angry.
"...you don't accept your family...or accept the identity you possessed...you don't understand how it feels...so shut up," Jin stated in a low tone.
"You don't scare me Jin."
"...whatever..." he stated getting up. "I'm going to go brush my teeth then go to bed."
"...fine..." Ami stated then got up as well. Watching him head toward the door, she got right behind him. With a hand on the handle, he stopped. Feeling his nerves being agitated, he frowned.
"What do you want?" the sophomore asked looking over his shoulder.
"I'm not staying alone in a room," Ami declared. "I will follow you."
"My folks aren't going to do anything to you."
"You said I have trust issues...I am still acting on that."
"..." he replied sighing out loud with irritation. Looking back forward, he shook his head.
"Fine. Do what you want."
"..." Selbith reached out and grabbed his arm. He didn't move as she gripped it.
"...what now...?"
"..." she answered giving him an intense gaze. Oddly, he felt that it was both suppose to be intimating and frightened.
"...given how your household is...you...are the only individual I trust here..."
"..." the sophomore spoke just blinking.
"...I'm not leaving your side...I don't care what you are doing..." she stated evenly and firmly.
"..." Jin replied looking at her then closed his eyes. "You've got to be kidding..."
"I'm not."
"Really? Do you know how concerning that sounds?"
"You trust your family...I don't."
"For the love of...they aren't going to kill you," he told her with a look of frustration.
"I don't know that for sure."
"..." he responded and did a face palm. "You are killing me."
"You look pretty alive to me."
"Look...there is boundaries and limits to this...being by my side bit."
"...Jin..." she started glaring at him.
"You are going to watch me while go to the bathroom?" he asked narrowing his eyes at her.
"As long as you are in my sight, I'm fine."
"Even in the shower?"
"Don't make me repeat myself."
"..." Jin reacted with an agitated groan. "What happens...if you don't just want to look?"
"I didn't care when I was in my reaper form...I still don't care now."
"Are you sure of that?" he asked crossing his arms over his chest.
"You doubt my word you buffoon?"
"Never had a daydream or dream about something else?" he retorted.
"No there never..." Selbith began then stopped. Remember something from the hospital, she blinked the shook her head.
"Never huh...mmm-hmm," the sophomore stated then opened his room door.
Walking out, someone was right next to him. About to retort him, he froze and stuck his arm toward her. Blinking, the living room lights were turned off. The only illumination was from the TV below that made lights and shapes dance on the wall randomly. Seeing him walk out quietly, she looked at his path. Seeing it was leading to the restroom door, she followed him.
About to speak, he slowly turned around. Giving her a sign to be quiet, she nodded. Turning around and getting to the door, he slowly tried the handle. Seeing that it was not locked, he opened it. As he was entering the darkened room, Ami took a glance at the stairs opening. Seeing a majority of the living room, there was a figure on the couch.
It looked to have a cloak over it. The figure was facing the TV and was the size of a dwarf. Hearing two clicks, there was light illumination behind her. A fan of some kind turned on as well in the room. Seeing the silhouette's head move, Selbith immediately backed up.
Jin was about to close the door when something pushed it out firmly. Backing up while holding onto the handle, Ami entered and passed him. About to tell her to get out, she pushed his back and had a tense expression. Mentally sighing, he closed the door quietly. Turning around, the rail thin teen got in front of him and reached out her hand. A mild click was heard from the door handle.
"..." he reacted a little baffled from hearing the lock being pressed. Seeing her move her hand back to her side, she stared at him.
"...what...are...you...doing...?" he whispered unamused.
"I'm not staying outside with a person not sane."
"..." Jin responded with a mild scowl. "My mom is not insane."
"Then what do you call your parent's behavior?" she countered.
"She is going through a rough time. Leave her alone."
"With the lights off, cloaked to hide her form, and have a sporadic images flashing through the room with no sound," she stated. Emphasizing her claim, she pressed herself against him and got nose to nose with. Both were looking at each other with intensity.
"Only corrupt shapeshifters and vengeful spirits emit those characteristics."
"...mom...is not...those things..." he spoke through clenched teeth. "...knock it off...right...now."
"..." Selbith replied staring at him with her own scowl.
However, hers was fueled by apprehension. Just about to speak, there was a rattled behind them. The teens froze in place feeling their nerves being jumpy. Both slowly looked at what made the sound. They saw the door handle move again before stopping. Opening her mouth, the sophomore spoke first.
"Yeeaaww?" he asked sounding like there was something in his mouth.
"Brother...I need to pee...can I come in?"
"..." Jin replied moving to the sink. Turning on the water, he cupped his hand underneath it and put it to his mouth. Spitting it out, he kept the liquid running.
"Something wrong with the one down stairs?" he asked in a normal tone.
"...it's...scary down there..."
"..." he responded with closing his eyes. Feeling someone get close to him, he looked at Selbith. Whispering, he narrowed his eyes.
"...not a word...from you..."
"..." Ami spoke with a frown and crossing her arms over her chest. Sighing out loud, the sophomore turned off the water.
"Fine fine," he answered then approached the door.
Ignoring her seemingly glue herself behind him, he unlocked it. Opening it a little bit, Ami's hands were on his back and gripped him firmly. Seeing no one of his height behind the door, he looked down. Gene was standing in front of the door and looked up. Walking inside, he closed the door.
"Is mom still mad?" he asked looking a little scared.
"Mom just needs a little alone time to think about things," he replied and put hands in his pockets.
"Is she angry with us?"
"...I don't think so...why?"
"...well...mom doesn't like...secrets hidden from her," the boy commented looking down and putting his hands together.
'...no...why is everybody...' the sophomore thought feeling his right eye twitch. Mentally shaking his head, he continued to listen.
'I don't care...I just have to not care...then I'll be fine.'
"That is true. Mom is a bit...sensitive to things like that right now."
"...more like a..." Selbith began then saw his head move.
"..." Jin commented with a stern look.
"Why is she in here?" Gene asked surprised to see Ami behind him.
"..." both teens replied. Before he could think of a response, she cleared her throat quietly.
"...Jin...was showing me...how the..." the female started then glanced behind her. Lifting her right hand, she pointed.
"...bath tub...functions."
"Oh. Okay," the boy said. "Were you going to take a bath?"
"...not at this time..."
"..." Gene replied with a nod. Looking back at his older brother, he looked tired.
"I'll leave so you can do your business...?" Jin started to say. His hand was grabbed and blinked from being startled. Looking at his sibling holding his hand, he had a look of fear.
"...brother...could...you stay here?"
'...oh no...no no no no...not another one,' the sophomore thought. Moving his free hand to the bridge of his nose, he mildly pinched it.
"What do you mean Gene?"
"Mom is...scaring me," the boy answered walking closer to him. He could feel the smaller sibling begin to fidget.
'...please don't egg it on...please don't egg-' Jin repeated until she spoke.
"Does your mother remind you of a vengeful dead spirit? If you stare, make a sound, or speak, it will attack you," Ami spoke in a whisper looking around the side of his torso.
"...y-yeah...it reminds me of those horror jump scares in some games and online videos," the boy replied looking a little relieved.
'YOU LITTLE...DAMN IT!' the male teen growled in his head. To not show frustration, he continued to pinch the bridge of his nose. Not effective enough, he moved to rubbing the outer corners of his eyes with same hand.
"...you two are being overly paranoid..." he mentioned put his hand back to his side. Feeling someone move their head toward his, he knew who it was
"...your younger kin agrees with me...what were you saying before...Jin?" Ami whispered in his ear. The tone of mockery made him clench his teeth together. Sighing through his nose, he felt too tired to care.
"...fine...whatever..." he said. Getting out of their hold on him, he approached the door.
"You two do your thing."
"W-Where are you going?" Gene asked.
"I'm going to check on mom," he stated. About to get a hand on the door handle, four hands grabbed him.
"Are you an imbecile!?" Selbith whispered harshly.
"D-Don't do it brother. I haven't seen mom do this before. It's scary," the boy protested quietly.
"Listen to your me and your kin. You are going to an early grave."
"...let...go...of...me..." Jin seethed without raising his voice. "...right...now..."
"..." Ami reacted from seeing his arms and hands shaking a little.
Looking down, fists were seen as his fingers seemed to dig into his skin. Remembering similar past events, she let go of him. Taking a step back, she saw that his younger brother was still holding on. Going to him, she placed her hands on the child's shoulders. It seemed to be enough for Gene to see what Jin was doing and emitting.
"..." the younger bother spoke then let go. Letting the female teen pull him back, the sophomore remained where he was.
"I'm just...going to check mom...and then I am...going to bed," he stated calming down.
Not caring about being quiet, he opened the bathroom door. Looking up to view what was in front of him, he froze. A cloaked silhouette was standing there and looking straight at him. Hearing the two behind him stiffen, he bit down on his tongue. Forcing himself to not react and remain calm, he remained where he was.
"Yes mom?" Jin asked in an impassive tone.
"..." she answered stepping into the doorway. When the light from in the bathroom hit her face, there were black streaks running down from her eyes. Given that the blanket was still over her head, part of her face was still shadowed. It made it appear that she had black eyes. The sight caused the other two in the room to flinch with fear. Blinking, Samantha removed the blanket from her head.
"What are you three doing?" she asked. Seeing how her makeup was ruined from crying, she looked exhausted and depressed.
"...Gene...was showing Ami how to operate the shower/tub," the sophomore stated.
"...oh...shouldn't you three...head to bed?" Mrs. Ainsley stated with a tired yawn.
"We will after finishing up here."
"...okay...Jin...?" she continued and had a downcast face.
"Yes mom?"
"Where...is your father?"
"I am assuming he is either in your bedroom or in the study room."
"Do you know...for sure which one he is in?" Samantha questioned while rubbing her forehead.
"Are you seeking or evading?"
"I just don't want to...disturb him at the moment."
"...I see...I'd have to check to see which room he's-"
"We will look now," the woman demanded and grabbed his wrist. Pulling him out, the door to the bathroom seemingly closed by itself. The last sight was two silhouettes amongst a bright flash in the background.
'...by hell's domain...' Selbith thought blinking a couple of times in surprise.
Continuing to hold his wrist, Samantha went down the stairs with her son in tow. Reaching the living room floor, she led him to the bathroom that was on the opposite wall of the TV. Opening the door, she let go of him. Turning on the lights, it blinded both a little.
"...why did you do that?" Jin asked a bit unnerved from her actions and her appearance.
"You three were being suspicious," she stated then opened up a medicine cabinet. Getting a makeup remover wipe, she closed the small door and began to clean her face.
"Can you deny that?"
"...no...not really," he stated then crossed his arms over his chest. "You alright?"
"...somewhat...the whole day can be reflected in how much has happened."
"...agreed..."
"...I'm sorry...I'm acting bizarre..." she stated removing all of her make up. It made her look less scary.
"You are going through a lot."
"...but...I'm your mother...I am supposed to be an anchor of support," the woman claimed looking at the color tainted wipe.
"Kind of hard to do when something occurs and makes you unstable."
"...I know..." Mrs. Ainsley agreed regrettably then looked at him. "But...I still want to be."
"..." Jin commented with a nod. "Should I check up stairs first or down here?"
"...let's go look in the study room..." Samantha suggested.
Exiting out of the bathroom, both walked quietly to the next room on the adjacent wall. Getting to the door, the sophomore leaned his head on the door. Putting his ear on it and listening, he couldn't hear any type of snoring. Trying the handle and seeing it was unlocked, he slowly opened the door. Not hearing a creek, he peered his head inside.
The room's lights were turned off. Little to no light was shining in from the glass sliding door that lead to outside. Waiting for his eyes to adjust, he slowly entered. While looking around, he focused on anything that seemed to move. Not seeing any figure or silhouette, it was very quiet. Exiting and closing the door behind him, he faced his mother.
"There is no one inside," he muffled loud enough for his mother to hear.
"Thanks honey," she replied with a weak smile.
"Would you like anything?" Jin asked getting out of the way.
"...no...there is extra blanket and pillow on the recliner in there...you did check there, right?"
"Yes mom."
"Did you poke the space just in case?"
"Like you taught me...yes mom," he answered with a nod.
"...sorry...I must be really tired."
"It is okay," he mentioned. Watching the woman put a hand on the door knob, she turned it. Opening it to the darkened room, she stopped and looked back at him.
"Night Jin."
"Night mom," the sophomore spoke remaining still.
He saw his mother looking down then back at him. Narrowing his eyes, he had a feeling of what she was going to ask. Grinding his teeth, he gave up from having no energy or will to deal with his dislike. Walking to be in front of her and getting her attention, he leaned forward. Kissing her cheek, he leaned back. She reached her arms out and gave him an affectionate hug.
"...thank you...I feel better..." Samantha mentioned smiling.
"..." Jin frowned and willed himself to not tense up. "You're welcome."
"...Jin...?"
"Yes mom?"
"...promise me...you won't leave me..." she asked in a worried tone.
"...!?" he reacted with alarming surprise. Thinking about the words used and remembering someone who stated that to him, he felt his insides trying to boil. Controlling his initial reaction to clench and flex every muscle he could in aggravation, he slowly moved his arms. Giving his mother a hug, he felt her become less tense.
'...no...' he thought staring at the door.
'...not her too...'
'...I will not stand for this...' he declared in his mind while increasing the intensity of his gaze.
'...I will not accept this...'
'...I...don't...'
'...I...WoN't...' he mentally raged and hadn't blinked yet.
'...I...'
'...I...!'
'...I...!'
"...I promise mom..." he spoke calmly.
'I hate this-I HaTe ThIs-I HATE THIS-I HATE THIS!-I HATE THIS!-#I#$HATE#$THIS%#!' he mentally roared while trying to burn a hole in the door with his gaze.
"...I won't go anywhere..."