Author's Note:

Hi everyone, apologies for the long wait. :( I hope you all had an awesome Christmas & New Year and I also want to say another big Thank You for the support so far, it really means a lot. :)

Anyhow, feel free to send your thoughts in a review and I hope you all enjoy! :)

Chapter 26: Fun and Games

K-J

(The Headquarters on Floor 19...)

Rahim's behaviour was worrying me, just as much as it had concerned Kyle.

I thought I was partly to blame for it too, because I would often allow my fans to make a fuss over him whenever they saw us in the streets - and whilst I hoped he would have been able to tell me in his own time, I could sense he wasn't particularly pleased about it. Azra and Metin weren't too thrilled either and looking back, I hardly blame any of them. Then again, it was also confusing that Rahim never decided to come forward about his feelings. We'd always be open with each other and that was one the many things our family had taken through each generation.

I have no idea how my boyfriend and I are going to help him break out of his volatile shell, especially since the only way he expresses his feelings now is through hurting my own. And maybe... maybe I deserve it for forcing him and Libby back after we lost Amir and—

Stop it, Jade.

"Hey, guys!" Brecken greeted as Kyle, Henry, Libby and I decided to enter the Headquarters after our conversation on Floor 20. "Happy Birthday, Libby!"

"Thank you!" The younger girl chuckled as we joined them around the table housing our maps, also earning a pleased grin from my little brother - despite his eyes narrowing fiercely when they met my remorseful ones. You certainly know how to hold a grudge, don't you?

"Are you okay, Rahim?" I asked kindly.

"Me?" The 19 year-old shot back bravely. "I'm perfectly fine, Jade. You've got nothing to worry about,"

"Are you sure?" I gently questioned. Please talk to me, kiddo. I'd love for us to put this to one side, eventually.

My brother's bold smile faltered for a split second, then returning in a flash. "Yes, I'm positive. You don't need to worry about me anymore,"

"Of course, I worry," I shot back calmly, offering a reassuring smirk. "I'm your sister,"

You're probably thinking: why am I suddenly asking him all these questions? Well, there's a reason for that. I was hoping to intentionally break Rahim, forcing him to snap and tell me what was happening in his mind - yell at me, hurl insults, I didn't care - because I had a feeling that was needed for us to move forward, and he knew it. "Can we do this another time, please?"

Upon hearing his words, I ultimately gave up. "Okay, sorry,"

"Don't worry about it," My brother replied appreciatively, oblivious to the confused glances our four family members were quickly exchanging - before excitedly addressing his best friend whilst the rest of us decided to make conversation. "So, Libby?"

"Yeah?"

"You know that copy of GTA V I've got in my room?"

"I do," Libby asked with a confused frown. "Why?"

"Well, I was wondering - since you're now allowed to play it yourself, finally - if you wanted to have a shot at it? Brand new game, and I'll walk through it?"

Hearing this, the young girl slowly nodded with an intrigued yet nervous smile. "Alright, though I'm a little worried about what else you have up your sleeve for me,"

"No more pranks," Rahim replied, chuckling. "You've got my word on that one,"

"Fair enough," Libby giggled, then asking in a concerned manner: "But, what about your game? Won't that get deleted?"

"No, no," My little brother answered. "We'll have two separate files, so mine won't get booted - don't worry,"

"Okay," The young girl responded, happily adding: "I'm it, let's do it,"

Rahim smirked mischievously. "Alright, let's go,"

The two then rose from their seats and began making their way out, earning our attention. "Hey!" I called out. "Where are you both off to?"

Cue a quiet annoyed sigh from the older kid. "I'm about to walk Libby through GTA V. Anyone fancy watching?"

"Hell yeah!" My boyfriend cheered excitedly, pulling himself up to his feet and joining them with an eager Henry in tow. Of course he'd be the first to sign up.

"Have fun, guys," Brecken told them, grinning.

"You two aren't coming?" Libby asked with surprise.

I smiled kindly. "No, I think we'll be okay for now,"

"You sure?" My boyfriend questioned, jokingly telling us: "I mean, Libby might end up getting thrown in prison - you wouldn't want to miss that, would you?"

Hearing this, Libby slowly turned her head to glare at him (Well, if looks could kill...) and I chuckled. "Yes, I'm sure. You guys have fun," Plus, I don't think Rahim would want me to ruin his street cred.

"Okay, we'll let you know how I go!" The 18 year-old teenager bade Brecken and I a fond farewell as she, Kyle, Rahim and Henry left the HQ.

Looking forward to it.

J-K

(Floor 20...)

"So, you really think I'm going to be thrown in jail?" My surrogate daughter addressed me amusedly, whilst Rahim led the three of us upstairs and down the right hallway where we had met up earlier. Are we heading back to Libby's room? It would be pretty cool to see what her base of operations are like, sometime.

"Well, it's possible," I teased, smirking when I saw Henry shaking his head in disagreement. I'm just f*cking with you, kiddo. You're gonna be great!

The young girl appeared to sense this, as she playfully rolled her eyes. "Why don't we just see how it pans out? I guess it would be pretty funny if I actually did get arrested, thinking about it,"

I couldn't help but stifle a chuckle. "Yeah, it would,"

"Or," Rahim chimed in. "Libby might surprise all of us and bail to Vinewood Hills,"

"Yes! That's a good point, actually," Our youngest friend cheered, flashing a smug grin before jokingly proclaiming: "Screw you, I quit. Rahim and I are rich, Kyle!"

Our 19 year-old buddy burst out laughing, whilst I raised my hands and initiated an unimpressed mock-surrender. "Okay, okay, congratulations,"

Cue the teenagers to share a satisfied high-five, before my suspicions were unexpectedly subverted when Rahim led us into a room right next door to Libby's - which was most likely his own base of operations. Wow, okay. Interesting. The older kid's room had a decently large space with navy blue painting the walls, which were accompanied by multiple framed images consisting of family and the Dark Knight himself (awesome!), and a dusty blue draping the carpet. It also had a black television with a PlayStation 4 console plugged in on top of a black set of shelves and the final aspects included a wooden desk and chair perched in front of the window (which happened to be loaded with stuff) and a double sized bed with lighter shelves perched next to each side.

"Cool room you got here," Henry beat me to complimenting. Agreed, but I was kinda expecting it be more like Batman.

"Thanks," Rahim replied, whilst he was busy setting his PlayStation console up. "You guys should see the amount of controllers Libby has, when you get the chance,"

"How many do you have, Lib?" My buddy asked her with interest, prompting me to raise an intrigued eyebrow.

"Four," Libby answered solemnly, just as the familar music of the Playstation greeted our ears and the older kid took his controller from the console, logging into his account. "One for myself and the other three for my siblings,"

"Oh right, okay," Henry responded in understanding. That's really cool that you play video games with them! "So, can you talk to them?"

"Yes," The younger girl revealed in a bubbly manner, earning a small smile from the three of us. "I know they've been looking out for me since the Outbreak, and I can tell whenever they're here due to a lot of things,"

"Like what?"

"Well, white feathers are a big sign. My family and I used to see them a lot," Libby explained, grinning fondly because of the memories she was telling us. "And I also remember coming across a baby robin, which flew straight into my bedroom ages ago,"

"Wow," Our friend commented positively. That must have been Adam stopping by.

"That's really cool stuff, isn't it?" Rahim questioned excitedly.

"Yeah," I agreed, managing to catch a glimpse of three familiar figures happily standing next to their elder sister. And look who decided to join the party! Welcome aboard, kids! "Are there any other signs?"

"I know there's one other," Libby told us, gesturing to her lapis ring. "I've had this for a while now," Cue a forced sad smile. "And I think it strengthens my bond with the spirit world in some way,"

"Like Rey and Kylo Ren?" Henry asked, feeling bad for the poor girl.

"Something like that,"

"Our bond is a lot different than Star Wars, though - just FYI," Adam told him in a friendly manner. "I mean, there's no lightsaber fights and I doubt they'll happen anyway - so, rest assured, mate,"

I smirked. Good to know.

But before I could follow up with a comment, the sounds of a car being broken into caught our attention - which prompted Henry to sit by the desk and the two teenagers to get themselves settled on Rahim's bed, with the latter exclaiming: "Okay, we're ready!"

"Nice!" I cheered, quickly turning to address the younger girl's siblings. "You guys want to join us?"

"Why else do you think we're here, Kyle?" The teenage boy responded, as he and the girls excitedly perched next to their sister. Okay, I'll take that a yes. Sweet!

"Who were you talking to, just now?" Henry questioned with confusion.

"Have you ever communicated with spirits?"

"No, I haven't," My bud answered. "Why?"

I couldn't help but grin. "Because the Tower's got three new residents,"

The dumbfounded look on his face was priceless. "Don't tell us that you can see them too,"

"I think I just did, buddy," I shot back, smirking.

"At least I'm not the only one, now," Libby remarked with a surprised smile. You and me both, kiddo. "May I ask when this started, or is it some kind of power like I have?"

"I... It's started, about four weeks ago," I cautiously informed her, whilst Henry and Rahim decided to make conversation about the game. "You remember those errands we had to do for Rais?"

My surrogate daughter's grin faded. "I don't particularly want to," She then continued, feeling more at ease. "So, you began talking to my siblings around that time?"

"I sure did," I confirmed. "And by the way, I didn't mean to bring any horrible memories up,"

"No, no, it's okay," The younger girl reassured me. "I think it's really cool that you can talk to Adam, Hannah and Reagan,"

"So do I," I agreed, solemnly adding: "Though, I don't understand why I can,"

"Maybe it's because they know you're one of my buddies?" Libby suggested happily.

"Yeah, maybe," Good thing, too.

Meanwhile, Rahim had his finished game loaded and he was already on the New Game section of the pause menu. "You ready, Lib?"

"Yep, let's do this," The young girl stepped up bravely, taking the Playstation controller from him and kindly addressing all of us with: "Does anyone want to have a go, after I do?"

"I wouldn't mind having a shot, actually," Henry answered eagerly.

"Okay," Libby replied. "How about you take over after the first mission and I'll help you out?"

"Alright, looking forward to it,"

After this, it took six words appearing on the now black screen to get our attention:

Lundendorff, North Yankton, nine years ago.

Okay, here we go!