Veteran's day
Lauren's P.O.V.:
The rest of the week came by for all of us in the neighborhood until today Wednesday the 11th which was Veteran's day. I always enjoyed that holiday with the school celebrating all of the veterans but I knew dad and Jayden wouldn't be there to see me celebrate them since I was speaking at the assembly in school today. The last time I saw dad and Jayden was back in 2003 nearly 6 years ago, I was 6 years old and Jayden was about 13 at that time. The both of them were preparing to leave for Panorama City at Uncle Ji's request. My uncle lives in New Zealand and has been a guardian of a family house that has been home to multiple generations. He often came to visit when nothing troubling was happening and loved spending time with us. To put it simply, it was amazing. However, it changed one day when I was four and our family received a call from Uncle Ji saying creatures known as the "Nighlock," he put it, were looking for Jayden, dad and the warriors destined to defeat them. Somehow, they must have figured out where the two were and wanted to get them. So, knowing what he had to do and was right, Uncle Ji asked Jayden and dad to come over to Panorama City, where it would be safe until the quarrel calms down. Little did they know, it would find them there. They agreed to go down and was so hard for me to see them leave. I remember their last day here in New York like it was yesterday.
(Flash back)
Lauren's P.O.V.:
"Do you have to go now daddy, I wish you could have stayed longer with us before the nighlock arrived," I said holding onto my dad who had me in a tight hug. "I know Lauren, but this is part of our destiny. Your brother and I have to go. We can't disappoint Uncle Ji," he told me. "But I won't see you again," I cried. "That's not true Lauren. You'll see me again when your destiny is fulfilled," he admitted. "Yes but you'll miss most of my milestones like me being confirmed, going to middle school, high school, oh daddy what will I do without you," I sobbed into his chest. "I know Lauren, but we have to and I need you to be strong okay," he told me. "I don't know if I can be strong. I want you both to stay," I cried into his shirt. "Come here Lauren, it's okay," he said comforting me as I continued to cry. It would be difficult for me even now without dad and Jayden. I would miss them both to death.
'For you'll being in my heart, yes you'll being in my heart," a voice sang in the doorway of my bedroom. Through my sobs I calmed down to see Jayden in the door way singing to me. "Jayd," I called to my brother through sniffles. I have a bunch of nicknames for him. "Come here Laur, my little sis," he said holding out his arms as I ran over to him and gave him a hug. "It's going to be different without you here, will you still come back after it is gone? I know you told mom," I said to him. "I don't know Lauren but promise me one thing always," he told me. "Which is," I asked through sniffles. "You'll be a great little sister," he said. "I will Jayden. I promise," I told him. "That's my sister," he told me with a hug.
"Everything packed Jayden? We got a long flight," dad asked him. "Yes dad all set, I'll meet you in the car soon. I just want to say some final goodbyes," he told daddy. "Okay don't take long buddy. I don't want to keep Uncle Ji waiting," he said with the suitcases rolling them out of the room. "I'll miss you so much," I said hugging my big brother. "I know you will Lauren. Here, I know your birthday isn't until August but I wanted to give you something," he said going into his jacket pocket and handing me a small box. "What is that," I asked. "Open it," Jayden told me as I gently opened the box to reveal a butterfly necklace with the colors of my birthstone and blue mixed in. "It's beautiful Jayden," I told Jayden looking at it. "You like it," he asked. "Yes," I smiled. "I knew you would Lauren. Promise me always you'll wear this necklace because it connects to us, you, me, dad and our family. I will always be by your side even if I'm miles away or get lost when I'm gone. It has magic Lauren," he told me. "Magic," I asked. "Yes. Remember Lauren, I'm here with you and I promise one day you, me, and dad will reunite and be a family again okay," he told me.
"Okay Jayden I promise, but how will I navigate everything without you? Hector and you share being a dad to Jess and I. Dad cares to," I cried. "I know. Hector will guide you even if I'm not here. Remember we will reunite when your destiny is fulfilled okay," he asked me. "Okay," I sniffled hugging my brother with necklace still in the box. Hector soon appeared in the doorway to my room and saw me hugging Jayden. "Hey, dad's ready to leave whenever you are," Hector told him with a smile. He nodded and soon got up before taking the necklace out of the box and placing it around my neck gently and closing it. "Promise you'll stay safe," I asked looking at him. "I promise Lauren," he said with a grin and soon grabbed his suitcase and wheeled it out the door to the apartment where a taxi was waiting for dad and Jayden. Dad was already there waiting for him. I looked at my dad and Jayden as they said goodbye to mom, Hector and Jess. I could feel my heart breaking piece by piece but I held it in. As my father and brother came to me, I reached out my arms to give them big hugs. "Bye daddy, bye Jayden," I sniffled as I held them one last time. "Bye, my little princess," he told me with a soft kiss. " Bye Lauren. I love you. Remember my promise," Jayden told me with a smile as I let go of their embrace. Jayden and dad soon opened the door to the apartment and went out to the taxi as I watched them pack up then soon leave. As I saw the taxi disappear over the line of the neighborhood with Jayden looking back and I think dad to, a heart break was felt in my chest and I just cried onto Hector's arms watching my big brother and dad leave to fulfill their destiny.
End flashback
Ever since that day, I felt sad around Veteran's Day and I keep praying to God that one day, if it be his will they would come home like they promised. I felt like the promise was broken since we hadn't heard from them in a while. A few weeks after they left, we got letters saying good things that they were okay and loving Panorama City and staying with Uncle Ji. They even sent post cards which I keep in my treasure box. Yet, one day changed us when Mom got a letter from Uncle Ji saying dad went missing after a Nighlock invasion leaving Jayden in Ji's care after sealing the threat away temporarily. Good news was Jayden was safe but we weren't sure about dad. We all feared he was dead. Even just a few months before the adventures of the Electric Company began, Uncle Ji told our family in a letter that the threat has seemed to be at peace which was good news for us; yet no word of dad. I remembered the promise he made to me and I vowed to never forget his promise that he made years ago. Still, it never was the same here without Jayden and dad.
I wrote letters to uncle Ji asking him how Jayden is and he replies that he's doing well and misses me so much, along with the family and hopes for the day he could come home. All was well for a while until, a few days ago after the cheese incident that uncle sent us a letter with a notice reporting my dad's disappearance and in the words of my uncle, "it came back," . The threat came back and now Jayden who uncle sent me a picture of him at age 20 looked so handsome was taking the charge in leading a team to defeat them once and for all. I was proud of Jayden who I knew could do this with honor. Still, the hope I had he would come home dwindled just last week, when mom told us she got a phone call from uncle Ji saying Jayden disappeared and is now missing. When I heard the news, I just cried and cried as Hector comforted me. It pains me now knowing Jayden is missing. My family hasn't planned on a funeral or service for them yet but I made a vow to keep my head held high until they both returned. That vow I still live by to this day.
I finished getting ready and looked on my night stand to see the photo of me as a baby with Jayden and dad. Jayden was playing with me in my bouncer as I smiled in the picture. Dad was looking at the camera smiling as Jayden did too looking at me in the picture. I smiled at that photo and felt a few tears in my eyes as I just knelt down in front of the picture of the three of us that was near the statue of Our Lady of Fatima. "I miss you guys," I whispered before a few more tears came strolling down my cheeks.
"Lauren, come on we got to hurry. We'll be late for school and," Jess was saying coming into my room but stopped when she saw me crying. I didn't hear her come into my room and just felt her arms around me in a hug. "You miss Jayden and Dad don't you Lauren," Jess asked kneeling next to me. "Yeah. It's hard without them being here for today. I wanted so much for them to come home and hear me speak," I sniffled as I hugged my sister. "I know. This is hard for me too along with Hector," she answered. "How's Hector holding up," I asked. "Well, I think he's feeling upset too and misses Jayden a lot," she answered. "Jess, I don't know if I can go through with my speech," I admitted honestly. "Lauren you are going to do great with your speech and look, were going to get through it together okay," she told me.
"Okay," I replied. "That's my sister. I'll meet you downstairs," she said getting up and I went over to my closet to get my backpack and my bracelet that I wore on Veteran's Day for dad along with my necklace for Jayden. Since I had my speech ready for the assembly, I knew I can do this for them. I soon got onto the Metro with my sister over to the middle school where Sean was there with Keith waiting for us at the entrance. "Hey. Sorry were late, Lauren had an emotional breakdown," Jess apologized. Sean looked at me with a soft smile. He knew about my situation with my family and hoping I see them soon.
Sean's P.O.V.:
"That's alright Jess come on let's get to homeroom," Keith told the girls as we got into school just in time for the late bell and homeroom as well. I looked at Lauren who gently held her necklace in her hand though she was wearing it. "You feeling okay Lauren," Keith whispered. "I think so," she sniffled just at the speaker came on starting with the pledge and announcements. "Good morning everyone this is Mr. Jones speaking. As you guys know we are having a vet's assembly today in the auditorium around 1:00. All those who are participating please come down to the auditorium for 12:30. The 7th grade will have their assembly first so after lunch please go to your period 5 class then walk over with your class to the assembly. 8th grade please follow the same procedure. If there are any questions please feel free to come and chat with us to help get settled, now onto further announcements," Mr. Jones told everyone on the P.A. The announcements continued for a bit and the speaker soon turned off. Keith looked at Lauren and Jess with concern and honestly none of us bothered to tell Keith about the whole thing with Lauren and why today she let down a mask or guard to be quite honest. We would have to tell him today. Lauren was in most of my classes and as we got closer to lunch, I could see her a little bit of her personality coming back but I knew it was sort of underlying today. Lunch time soon came and Lauren, Keith, Jess and I we were all having lunch together though Lauren sat quietly eating.
Keith's P.O.V.:
"Lauren, are you sure your okay," I asked her. "No, not really Keith. This is honestly a hard day for me and my family," she told me after finishing some yogurt. "Why hard? I thought you broke through it during PE," I replied. "Well it did for a bit; but honestly today feels raw," she admitted. "How and why raw," I questioned. She looked to Jess who nodded. "Keith," she told me before taking a shaky breath. "I can't do it. Jess can you tell him," she asked feeling some tears coming again. "Sure Lauren," she smiled. "Did I do something to hurt her," I asked concerned. "No, the truth is. It's time you know the reason why Veteran's Day is hard for our family," she told me. "Okay," I said confused. "You see Keith, growing up Lauren and I had 2 amazing older brothers who we looked up to as siblings," Jess told him. "Two brothers," I said surprised. "Yes. One of them is Hector and the other one was our other brother. His name is Jayden," Jess told him. "Jayden," I asked confused. "Yeah, Jayden Michael Ruiz was his full name and he was one of their brothers," Sean answered. "Lauren and I had a strong bond with them when we were kids. All of us loved being together along with our family," Jess smiled remembering part of her childhood. "Yet the two were made for more just as I was in regards to my destiny," Lauren spoke up and I looked at her. "What do you mean Lauren," I wondered. "Many years ago in Japan, there were demon creatures called Nighlock and roamed the Earth terrifying those in order to bring up their destruction. Japanese Legends told of Samurai warriors whose powers passed down every generation would defeat these monsters," Jess explained part of the legend. "Yet everything seemed fine but almost 4 years ago, the nighlock found a crack in the Earth vowing to rise up once again," Sean added in after Jess. "Okay," I said stunned. "Lauren was six at the time when our uncle told dad and Jayden they had to come to Panorama City to be safe if they were to find them in Brooklyn, yet they promised us when all is said and done including Lauren's destiny is fulfilled, we would reunite with them and be a family again," Jess concluded as she hugged Lauren tightly knowing this was hard for her and the family to bear.
"Wow. I don't have any words," I told them. "No need for words Keith. Honestly, my mind is on dad and Jayden right now. I miss them so much. I wish they were here," she told me. "I know and understand Laur. You promised to stay strong for them and I know you will. Honestly, wherever they are I bet they are proud of their daughter and sister speaking at the assembly today," I told her rubbing her back a little bit. "Thanks Keith," she smiled as Officer Flynn came by our table.
Jess's P.O.V.:
"Hey you three," he greeted us. "Hey Officer Flynn," we replied back with a smile. Well I should say all of us except Lauren. "Hey Lauren, you okay," Officer Flynn asked seeing her soft smile. "Yeah I'm okay. Trying to stay strong that's all," she replied. "Is it about your father and older brother," he asked. She nodded yes. "Ah," he realized.
Lauren's P.O.V.:
"Knowing you Lauren, I know your a champion and can overcome it for sure," I smiled as Officer Flynn said those words to me. I blushed and just smiled. "Thanks," I told him as he walked back. Sean looked at his watch and knew it was almost 12:30. "Laur, you have to go," he told me. I got up and soon walked over to the auditorium with my speech ready along with the backpack. I gently touched my necklace and bracelet as the seventh grade began to pile in at around 1. This was like Narnia all over again only this time it was for the vets not the play.
Voices were dwindling down after Mr. Jones got on stage at one to start the assembly. "Welcome everyone and our vets to our annual veteran's assembly. We appreciate your courage, determination and sacrifice for our nation. To that we owe you a debt of gratitude," he told the crowd. Everyone applauded including me as I sat on the chair on stage looking over to see my sister and friends looking at me with smiles.
"Now, I invite all of you to please stand and remove your caps for the national anthem performed by the Brooklyn Middle School choir," he told us as we stood up. I removed by beanie as the choir began to sing. I looked over at the American flag with my hand above my heart thinking of dad and Jayden. Tears began to form in my eyes but I held them in. "Lord please guide me and help me," I prayed in my head. Afterwards everyone applauded and soon sat back down. Mr. Jones introduced a few students who gave beautiful stories of some of the veterans here at school including those who served on 9-11 which I was surprised. I knew my turn would be coming up."I now would like to invite to the podium, one of our students who wrote a piece called what is means to be a veteran, Lauren Ruiz," Mr. Jones told the crowd as I stood up to applause from my class mates. I went to the podium and prepared the speech I had written down ready to speak.
"What does it mean to be a veteran? It means to understand one's courage who was willing to put everything on the line of duty for his country and the world including God," I began to speak as everyone listened.
"We as Americans are proud to have our veterans with us everywhere because they hold to us a gate that can open to America's past as they tell us their stories of being in war countries. Countries we never hear about or read in our text books. Even some who are in the military are in there for a special purpose. They alone have the capability to tell their stories and how they survived those ordeals just like us," I continued.
"Many people today view the military differently but on the inside, it is a family unit. Just like military families, veterans are part of the military family. The people who would put everything on the line are like those of what St. John said in the bible, "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends," I said quoting the verse. People looked me with honesty as I continued to speak. "I am honored to be speaking about veterans today and like most of us here we are proud of them for their courage, sacrifice and dedication. I for one am proud to be part of a military family but I also have two of my own in the family. Which are my dad and big brother Jayden who I hadn't seen in a while since I was six," I said looking out to the crowd.
"After the events of 9-11 my dad and Jayden were determined to fight in the war. I always remember them wanting to help in anyway they can. Yet, they couldn't because something was after them and honestly they had to leave for protection against the enemy and for their destiny. "It wasn't until a few weeks after they left that my family received word from our uncle that dad was missing and Jayden he was fine with him," I said starting to tear up. "I remember the times when I saw them with me and how Jayden always placed me at ease while singing you will be here in my heart and dad telling me a story before bed and how he would pray a decade of the Rosary with me for protection. I knew the two would do great wherever they went and every day I keep my promise to them both of wearing my butterfly necklace and my bracelet for them," I said showing them the bracelet of my father whose image was on the bracelet.
"I know they are with me in my heart. But I know wherever they are one day I will find them again and reunite with them when my destiny is fulfilled. Dad, Jayden if you are hearing this, thank you for your service, for being my heroes and family. I love you both and I hope to see you soon," I sobbed for a second before wiping tears. Everyone afterwards started to applaud and give me a big ovation as I sat back down on the chair near the podium. "That was beautiful Lauren," a classmate said to me.
"Thanks," I told him as the assembly continued. The armed forces medley played with the orchestra and everyone joined in on the singing as we honored the vets in our lives. A few minutes went by and 8th grade came down for the same thing. This time when I read my thing, I didn't tear up but I knew one way or another they would. The bell soon rang and I went back to class which was math. Sean was in my class and we worked on fractions throughout the period until we met up with Jess and Keith to go home.
"You alright Lauren," Sean asked me was we rode the subway. "Yeah, thinking about dad and Jayden right now. They're my heroes. I miss them," I said looking out the window.
Third Person's P.O.V.:
In a different part of the world Jayden Ruiz now Jayden Michael Shiba was practicing with his team of Samurai Rangers preparing for the next attack on the Nighlock since the disappearance of his dad and Lauren's. "I miss you Jayden," a whisper blew in the wind. Jayden stopped in the fighting position he was in and slowly stood up touching the paper picture of Lauren as a baby that he kept for quite some time. "I miss you so much little sis. Hope to see you soon," he said to the picture and kissed it.
"Jayden, you okay," a blonde girl asked him. "I'm fine Emily, just thinking about my family and dad. I hope their okay," he replied to Emily. He walked back into his temporary home with the others still hoping that one day he will see his little sister.
Meanwhile, Stephen Ruiz in the middle of nowhere following his army patrol around the town of Damascus where he had heard about it in the bible. "I miss you Lauren," he whispered and soon followed the men back to base for the time being.
Okay, there you have it guys! Filler is done. Okay I just need to point out that Mr. Ruiz is not dead he is missing because after his ranger duties he recovered and went into the military. I know that wasn't in Samurai but wanted to point it out. Until then guys stay tuned for more updates and for my mystics fans I will be uploading the new chapter as soon as I can.