Between Love and Blood Chapter 7
In order to duck inside I had to bend about a third of my height. Once done I clearly saw the reasons as to why Mr. Ages didn't wish for us to even touch anything here.
Circling around everywhere I looked in place I managed to locate a ton of cylinders, beakers, and glass tubes connected together with nothing, but chemicals. Other containers standing around were the same with the only difference being if they didn't hold chemicals they held materials important to his lab. On one side of the lab stood a large open book, its pages filled with words and equations combined together. All led to a number of experiments he had going on at one time or at a certain length. Whenever Mr. Ages was presented with an empty notebook none of its pages remained blank for very long. A small wooden table stood opposite containing miniscule bottles to their own standards that being either empty or half filled. There being bowls placed beside an assortment of grinding materials.
As I stood there looking around somewhat distracted Mr. Ages and Justin got into a separate conversation. One which they didn't wish me to hear. A big argument soon broke out between them, but not of the original subject Mr. Ages was furious about.
Grudgingly, Mr. Ages said "Well I do agree with you in coming here earlier I have to wonder if you're in the right state of mind."
"What do you mean," asked Justin, confused.
"You know very well what I speak of," said Mr. Ages. "Jenner is not going to take kindly to what you've done when he learns his younger sister has left the safety of the Rosebush. Every single person in the Colony knows he never allows her under any circumstances to leave. He'd prefer to keep the girl below ground."
Justin said "I already know this, but Joanna really needed to get out of there. She's honestly been stuck away from the sun outside for way too long. I can deal with Jenner's anger as I have done many times before. Besides it was her own decision to come out."
Folding his arms across his chest, brow raised in disbelief, Mr. Ages said "Oh really? And you didn't force her in any way?"
"I didn't coerce her into anything," assured Justin. "She came of her own accord and volition."
Cautious, Mr. Ages said "Justin, you and I know very well how unpredictable Jenner can be when it comes to his temper. If he takes his anger out on Joanna instead of us…"
The rest was left hanging in that sentence the meaning more than clear to those who were able to easily read in between the lines.
Justin opened his mouth to speak until someone they both thought hadn't originally been in on the conversation interrupted directly in the center of it.
"There's no need for either of you to do any of that," I said. "Once I explain things to my brother I'm sure he'll calm down some."
"Joanna," said Justin, smiling as he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, "we…we didn't realize you were listening in."
I could tell he was nervous as was Mr. Ages since he shifted on his feet at the expression in my eyes.
A bit condescending, I said "If you didn't want me to heart anything of which you spoke you shouldn't have been standing so close or speaking up in such loud voices."
"I thought we were speaking in low whispers," said Mr. Ages.
"Obviously not low enough," I said, tapping my foot. "If you honestly believe the level of your voices was low you need to seriously have your hearing checked, Mr. Ages.
Mr. Ages began muttering what I suspected to be thoughts of denial, but at the same time stuck a finger into both of his ears, wiggling it around as though to clear it.
Justin brought a hand to his mouth to muffle his laughter which only stopped when Mr. Ages aimed a furious glare at him. Instantly Justin shut up. In spite of a smile that kept trying to sneak its way out no matter how hard he tried to hold it back.
Annoyed, Mr. Ages said "My hearing aside we do have a right to be a bit concerned. You say you're able to easily handle your brother's anger, but a lot of us have seen you get hurt a few times by him before. Some of those injuries I've had to treat for you."
I knew very well of the sort of injuries he was referring to. My brother and I had a loving relationship, but there were times when things were strained. Each incident was when Jenner let loose on his fury. These events were few, but I did come out with a few cuts along with bruises here and there. Most of them I could tend to myself, but with some of the more serious marks I've had to go to Mr. Ages for assistance whenever he was in the Rosebush. Although none of them in truth were the least bit life threatening. At times Mr. Ages would question me of them about how they had come to be. He would never have asked it outright, but he always pressed the issue that Jenner was the actual cause of them. I never disputed his claims and neither di I say they were true. Basically I just left it all unsaid. Fortunately all were nice and concealed by clothes making sure no one noticed them causing extremely few inquiry's to be asked.
My face was like hard stone as I looked at Mr. Ages, the smile like ice.
I said "That was a while ago and it has since been resolved. I've been calming him a lot better now these days."
Justin and Mr. Ages shared a meaningful look, but didn't really put up further debate. They knew how defensive I've gotten over Jenner when people were talking behind his back. They weren't going to get into it with me now.
Authors Note:
Happy New Year!
Hope this is a good start to a brand new year! ;D
