Fury

Chapter Four


"Of all the embarrassing things you could have done, you had to choose the one that would get you disqualified! What the hell were you thinking?!" Ma screams. Java can only bite her lip and try not to cry. One of her competitors had purposely spilled water on her with a stupid grin and Java had flown into a rage and had to be pulled off her. The judges had quickly taken her out of the competition. Ma went on and on until she noticed how much attention she was getting, after which she quietly told Java to wait in the car until her sisters were done.

The twelve year old walked to the car with Pa. If he was angry, he did not show it. He had said nothing except that he was disappointed, something that made Java feel worse than if he had screamed at her. She brushed off the few tears that came to her face and hardened herself. It was a stupid contest anyway. It's not like her Dad had shown up like he said he would. She knows she would have destroyed the competition.

Two aggravating hours later, Ma and her sisters return to the car. Siva got silver for her age group, and Ebony of course got the gold. Java can barely contain her seething as her littlest sister comes up to her proudly.

"Look!" Ebony says to her brightly, showing off her medal. "I used the move you practiced with me and it worked so good!"

Ma gushes over her sisters, making the occasional snide remark to Java's lack of performance. Siva stays quiet, sensing the tension, and rubs Java's wrist soothingly from her seat next to her. Ebony is simply happy to be altogether, her fingers playing with the medal.

When they get to the house, Ebony cautiously pulls on Java's sleeve. "I'm sorry they kicked you out. It wasn't your fault. Here." She offers her medal to her sister, placing it in the palm of her hand. "It can be like we both won."

Java is in no mood for her sister's kindness and scowls. "I don't want your stupid medal!" She exclaims as she tosses the medal as far away as she can. Ebony begins to cry and Ma starts to scream.

The night ends with Java throwing herself on her bed. Her face is red from where Ma slapped her and she is so angry all she can do is cry. Siva tried to comfort her but Java screamed at her to get out, her rage and despair pulsing through her like electricity. She wishes everyone would leave her alone and die. She swears when she is old enough she will run away and find somewhere that actually felt like home.


It takes her longer to recuperate than she expects. It's a full three days before she is well enough to begin training the girls in combat and survival. She begins with the later, showing them how to forage and how to set traps for small animals. Amaya is upset any time they catch anything and Java concedes to letting the small creatures go, even if the wasted effort annoys her. Survival training goes a week before Syd unsurprisingly begins demanding to know how to fight. After re-affirming with Sara that this is what she wants for them, Java begins to show them how to throw punches.

Syd takes to the training like she was made for it. Amaya, however, isn't as keen on it as her sister. Some days her training ends early, Amaya stomping inside to go sulk. It seems no matter the task, Syd sticks through every exercise she sets her on. The girl digs holes, she does repetitious work outs, she learns to make traps and snares. She's had a lesson ending with her so covered in mud her short blonde hair disappeared. Java can't help but feel a little proud, even if she never shows it. She tries not to get too attached to the sisters, tries not to notice their little interactions that make her heart scream for her siblings. She steels herself and focuses on getting the hell away from anything that makes her think of her past.

Sara keeps her clothed and fed. She even lets her sample a little of their product, sour tasting beer she brews in large vats in their basement. She mentions they come from a long line of boot leggers and booze runners. She also accompanies Sara on her product runs outside of Liberty. Java wears an old jacket with the hood pulled up and no one pays her much mind. The saloon sits abandoned each time they come through, soothing Java's anxiety and anger. They've run into trouble only once, but nothing a kick to the head didn't solve. Java has also been monitoring the dweebs who attacked them before. She has spent quite a few nights locating their headquarters and figuring out their routines. Sara has seen her go out and come back, but has yet to ask her where she goes.

If Sara knows what she has in mind, she hasn't mentioned it.

Time flies until a month and some change goes by. The girls are never anything but kind to her, though Sara does have a tendency to ask questions that make her stiffen. From asking about her family and upbringing to where she came from and why she is hiding. She usually answers with something vague or nothing at all. Their benevolence is hard to trust and expressing gratitude has never been one of Java's strengths. She reciprocates in her own way, helping Sara get over her injury, having her stretch and do exercises to strengthen her leg. Her limp is soon a thing of the past. The girls get a decent handle on surviving in the wild. Java pushes Amaya until she is able to defend herself long enough to run away. Syd becomes proficient in hand to hand combat, enough so that Java sets up a mini training pole in their backyard so she can continue after she leaves. Syd keeps insisting to train longer and longer, as if she can sense how imminent Java's departure approaches. She already has a pack of supplies ready to go up in her room. The sun is setting and it's starting to get cold. Syd is literally shivering where she stands but refuses to go in until she can do a flying back kick just right. Her right ankle is bruised from various attempts. Amaya has long since stopped training and is watching from the tire swing, her long dirty blonde braid flapping in the wind.

"We should go in. Your sister will be home soon." Java tells her, pulling her jacket tighter around herself.

"No, a couple more times!" She begs.

"And what am I going to tell Sara if you get sick?"

"That it's my own damn fault." The preteen says sourly.

"Sydney!" Amaya scolds from her perch. Her sister glares at her.

"I am twelve years old. I am not a child." She proclaims, her arms crossed and mouth in a pout.

Java laughs at her. "You are also nowhere near being an adult." She looks at the darkening sky. "It's not the most effective move. You need room to do it."

Syd puts her hands on her hips. "If the Fire Jaguars see me do that, they will know not to mess with us."

"Or they will start bringing more weapons when they come for you." Java says severely. She finds herself laughably repeating the same platitudes her instructors had given her. "I told you, knowing how to fight is not going to solve all your problems." Syd is cross and Java can feel a tantrum coming. "You can try three more times and then we're calling it."

Amaya grows bored and goes inside. Java points at the highest target and instructs her to kick it. Her first go is too low. The second is as well. Java directs her to get more momentum. The girl grits her teeth and shouts. Her impact with the target resonates. Syd stares at the target in surprise for a moment before jumping up and down. "I did it I did it I did it! Did you see, Eve? I did it!"

"You did." Java motions toward the door with her head. "Let's get in before your sister is back." The two of them turn to face each other and bow.

Sara is already in the kitchen when they go in. Syd tells her excitedly about the day's activities. Then she begins begging to be taken next time there is a supply run, proudly stating how bad she will wreck the fire jaguars. Sara shakes her head and tells her no and the young girl begins to shout.

"I'm so tired of this! You treat me like a baby! I have done everything Eve has asked me to. Why won't you let me help?!" Sara ignores her rampage and continues to make dinner. Syd lets out a scream of annoyance, but is otherwise out of steam. She goes stomping up to her room.

Java sits by the stove quietly as Sara works. When she is sure the girls are out of earshot, she turns to Sara. "Were you able to get it?"

She nods. "I don't know what you would need it for, but it's stashed in the basement." She turns to face Java. "Don't let the girls see it."

"Of course not. You already have your hands full now that they know how to fight."

Sara rolls her eyes. "They're becoming teenagers now. I expected a handful." She stops working for a moment. "When I was their age the worst thing that could happen was being late getting home." She laughs sadly. "It's not fair, Eve."

"Life wasn't fair before the virus either." Java reminds her quietly. Sara nods and looks away sadly. "It's not hopeless though," Java adds. "They have you. You... seem like you handle them very well."

"I was so mean to them before the virus." Sara admits guiltily. "I had been an only child for half my life and then the girls came along. I hated having these two kids following after me all the time. I complained to my parents and would try to ditch them." She looks away forlornly. "I was an idiot."

Java shakes her head. "You do fine. They're alive and healthy. You're a much better big sister than I ever was." The last part comes out without her realizing and she instantly becomes quiet.

"What were your sisters like?" Sara asks over her shoulder. Java stiffens and thinks of Siva and sighs. She starts talking before she can stop herself.

"I was the oldest. My middle sister was a girly girl, really sweet and gentle, no matter how mean I was. My youngest sister was a brat, super competitive our entire childhood."

"You didn't get on."

"No, not really. Except maybe when she was really little." Java smiles sadly. "When my youngest sister was born, she was so pale and cute we begged Ma to name her Snow White." She shakes her head. "From the moment that girl was old enough to compete, she was keen on winning. It was all she cared about. There wasn't a single activity I could do where she wasn't right there doing it too. Always copying, always showing off her medals and ribbons, always trying to get me to pair with her so she could show me up. I hated it." Java is so agitated she can no longer remain seated. She gets up and starts pacing the kitchen.

Sara looks over her shoulder at Java and considers her next words carefully. "When I was Syd's age and the girls were four and five, our parents put us all into gymnastics. I really liked it, but I never got a very good handle on it like they did. Amaya did a split before me; it was kinda embarrassing." Sara steps away from the stove and begins grabbing dishes. "Syd was really great at it. She hated all the other girls, but she was awesome. She was there less than a year before they started talking to our parents about having her compete."

"It explains why she was able to take up martial arts so quickly."

"Yeah. And looking back, I think I was a little jealous of the attention she got. I mean, my mom made her these special outfits and stuff."

Java laughs bitterly. "Oh yeah, she would win and Ma would spoil her rotten. And any time I couldn't do the same…" She trails off and her mind goes somewhere mean and spiteful. She finds herself thinking of her Ma and she seethes inside. She doesn't notice the sad look Sara gives her.

"Eve?"

It takes Java a moment to remember that's supposed to be her. "Yeah?"

"Did you ever think maybe your little sister just wanted to spend time with you? That maybe it was less about winning and more about being like her big sister?"

Java glares at her sharply instead of answering. Sara has the good sense to drop it and takes off her apron. "Dinner is ready!" She yells from the kitchen door. Amaya comes bounding down a minute later. Java and Sara are already at the dinner table.

"Sydney!" Sara hollers, to no response. She looks at Amaya, who just shrugs. Sara stomps up the stairs and continues yelling for her sister. Java and Amaya have barely started on their stew when the yelling turns into an argument. They hear a door slam before Sara comes back downstairs and removes her plate, quickly carrying it to the basement. Java finishes as fast as possible before Amaya begins to play twenty questions and escapes upstairs. She begins going through her supplies when she hears something raking the side of the house. She can't get a view of it from her window, but she determines where it is and sighs deeply. She rushes outside to the side of the house to see Syd clinging to a pipe besides her bedroom window, as she had predicted.

"What are you doing?" Java asks loudly. Syd shakes slightly but remains on the pipe. "Get back in the house." She orders, her voice icy and sharp.

"I'm tired of being treated like a kid!"

"You can be tired of being treated like a kid inside your room. Now get inside!" She hisses. Syd turns her head away and remains stationary. "Am I speaking Swahili? Move Syd!"

"I can't." She moans out. "I lost my footing and now I can't get back."

Java rolls her eyes and tells the girl to stay still. She runs back in the house and up the stairs. She enters Syd's room and sticks her head out the window. Syd has a death grip on the pipe, her lithe little limbs wrapped around it tight. Java groans and leans out the window next to her. She puts her hand out to the girl. "Come on." She urges. Syd stares at her like she is insane. "I won't let you fall." Java promises.

Syd slowly reaches out until Java has a good hold of her arm. The girl slowly starts inching forward until Java can scoop the petite girl up and bring her inside. She drops Syd off with a crash and slides to the floor breathing heavily. She's just about caught her breath when Sara appears.

"What's all the racket?"

Syd's eyes go wide as she looks at Java. Her eyes are scared and pleading.

Java shrugs. "I didn't like how she talked to you earlier, so I was having her do forms. Got a little carried away." She tells Sara casually. The young woman gives her a look before she surveys the room. She doesn't look entirely convinced, but turns back and tells them to knock it off. When Sara is safely downstairs again, Java turns to Syd. "Now what was that about?"

The girl sighs and buries her head in her hands. "I have worked so hard to learn to fight. I just want Sara to let me help."

"And by help you mean let you stomp on as many Fire Jaguars as you can." Java says with a laugh before her tone gets severe. "Your sister is doing everything possible to give you a peaceful life. I've seen girls your age selling themselves for food or shelter, some even with kids of their own." Java looks at her with hard cold brown eyes. "You should be grateful."

Syd puts her head down further and breathes heavily. "I know." She says quietly. "But I know you're gonna be gone soon. I just want my sisters to be safe."

Java watches as she mopes for a moment before moving next to her and tentatively placing a hand on her back. It seems to calm her down. Java thinks over the whole situation, wondering how much she can really share with a child.

"Sydney, how well can you keep a secret?" Java asks seriously.

"Better than either of my sisters." She says earnestly, pushing her bangs from her eyes. "Why?"

"You're right, I will be leaving soon. In fact, I leave tomorrow. Your sister arranged for me to catch a ride across the water." Syd opens her mouth to speak, but quickly shuts it again with a look from Java. "You and your sisters helped me when I needed it. I won't leave you here defenseless."

"What are you going to do?" Syd asks quietly.

Java smiles, slow and wicked. "I am going to give those assholes bigger problems than they know what to deal with." She says smugly. "They will pay for what they have done and they won't be able to hurt any of you again."

"How?"

"Let me worry about that. Not a word to your sisters. I have a feeling they will try and stop me." She looks at the young girl sharply. "And no more escape attempts out the window. Deal?" Syd mutters under her breath but nods. "Good. Now go downstairs and eat while Sara is in the basement brewing."

Java leaves early the next morning. The girls are all up to see her off. Sara lets her have an old kid wagon from the back to carry her supplies. Java manages to stutter out how grateful she is for everything and thanks Sara as sincerely as she can. Sara gives her a look of pride before throwing her arms around her. She feels awkward, but lets the young woman have her moment. She and the girls bow to each other one final time, and then she leaves before anyone can get any more emotional.

The sun has just risen when she gets to the camp. She sees the box of booze she had anonymously left outside their lair is empty. As she expected, most of them are passed out in various positions in their club house. She drags her wagon to the back of the building and begins setting up its contents to blow. The propane tank is small, but more than enough to get the attention of the Techno trucks coming through the area. Java shoves a firecracker on top with a long fuse and lights it. She gets a good distance away and climbs a tree. When the explosion goes off, it's loud and obvious. She sees a Techno convoy leave its path and head towards the destruction.

Java climbs down and quickly walks over to the small pier. She trades the requested booze for passage and settles herself on the small deck. Her stomach has been cramping and she hopes the air will help. She can still see the smoke from her little parting gift and watches the smoke get smaller and smaller until she can barely see it. Her boat disappears across the sea as she leaves the area for good.


Notes: Expect a few familiar faces to begin popping up in the upcoming chapters. Thank you everyone for reading and commenting. Would love to know if anyone else binged the show during the pandemic like I did.