Here is the new chapter for The Black Lotus, sorry it's late. I would've had it done last week but I was at Work Experience at my aunt's and I couldn't get wi-fi. I hope you enjoy and if so please review!
The Next Morning
Jack was packing a few final things and making checks on what he's already packed. His mum had tried to pack for him but if she did that then he couldn't bring any of the equipment he would need to bring. Including a plain black gi with matching masks that he told everyone to bring, it made them all look like ninjas. But he also told them to pack their normal gi just in case their parents decide to snoop through their suitcase. As he was packing some equipment his mum popped her head around the door and Jack had to throw a hoodie on top of it.
"Hi honey, you ready?"
"Nearly, just checking over some stuff now."
"Sweetie, can I ask you someth-"
"No mum. Nothing you can say can change my mind." Jack said before his mum even finished her sentence
"But you didn't even let me finish." Mrs Brewer replied
"You didn't have to. I knew that you'd say that."
"And there's nothing...Nothing I can say... at all?"
"No mum, why can't you realise how important this is for me?"
"Fine." Mrs Brewer replied with a straight face "Come down with your suitcase when you're ready."
"I will." Jack said as his mum left his room
Jack surveyed his room to see if there was anything else he would need for the trip. As he did he saw his trophies on a shelf and sighed. He loved his mum, he really did. And he hated having to lie straight to her face, she was hoping that he would go to China and come back a champion with yet another trophy. When the reality was that, he was going to China to save his Grandfather from a group of paid assassins, the best in the world as well, who will kill his grandfather unless he joins them. And if their mission goes badly then he might not come home at all.
Now all he can think of is why he told his friends because now they're in danger from The Black Lotus and if they know that they are who Jack holds most closest then they won't stop until they have all of them to use against him.
'What have I done?' Jack thought 'What have I got myself into? What have I got my friends into? Rudy, Milton, Jerry... Kim. If anything happens, to any of them...'
But Jack knew even if they didn't come with him to China now, they would be affected by The Black Lotus whether Jack is killed by them or they use his friends against him. Kim is too stubborn to back down from coming to China with him.
Kim
His constant thought.
But he put his thoughts aside for now and finished packing. Soon he was downstairs having a snack and talking tactics with his dad.
"Now I know I haven't done Karate in a long time. Years even." His dad said
"Hundreds." Jack joked
"Very funny. Do you know what you're going to do about training tomorrow?"
"Training tomorrow?"
"You said you had to go early to get ready for this competition, I expect this will be for training and getting over jet lag."
"Oh yeah. I don't know, but I texted Rudy earlier today and he told me he was up all night working on our training schedule. So we'll probably hear about it on the private jet."
"When do you have to be at the dojo to leave with Rudy?"
"We should get going actually because he said to be there at 10:30 and it's 10:21." Jack said
"How long does it take for you to get there by bus?"
"15 minutes but I normally have to run to get it."
"Well it's lucky we're taking you and that I'm a fast driver."
"I'll get mum then." Jack replied standing up and going to the bottom of the stairs to yell "MUM! WE HAVE TO GO!"
"Coming!" His mum shouted back in reply then came down the stairs
"How did you not notice the time?" Jack asked his mum "You're always early to everything."
"I was busy with something else."
"Busy with what?" Asked Jack
"I was trying to contact with your grandfather, to see whether he was aware you were coming to China."
"Really Mum?! That's pathetic! He's your dad and you don't want him to see his grandson?!" Jack replied "You told me and my friends that he didn't own a phone."
"I just wasn't entirely keen on your grandfather coming to the party. It was your father who gave Kim the address." When Jack's mum said that, Jack's mind swirled with thoughts.
'If she had given them his phone number then they might not have found out where he lives. He could've come to my birthday straight away without any of this hassle!' Jack thought then punched the table
"Calm down Jack." His mum said opening the door to go to the car "Come on, your father's already sitting in the driver seat and has put your stuff."
"Fine." Jack spat then walked out of the door and faced his mum "But we're still going to talk about this."
Their whole car journey was quick but entirely silent. Then they entered the mall and they couldn't not talk because Jack was bombarded by a mass of blonde giving him a strangling hug.
"Kim! Kim calm down."
"Sorry but-but you were late and I thought..."
"Thought what sweetheart?" Jack's mum asked
"He might not come."
"Well, he might not have come if I didn't convince Jack's mum here." Mr Brewer said putting his hand on his wife's shoulder
"I know." Kim replied "Jack called me when I was packing for this."
"Oh he did, did he." Mrs Brewer replied looking at her son
"You need to come inside. Rudy's talking to parents about the trip." Kim told Jack's parents then the two sat in the courtyard soon joined by Milton and Jerry.
"So what's going to happen when we land?" Kim asked whispering so their parents won't turn around and hear them talking
"We're going to the hotel Bobby booked for us and plan hopefully."
"You said that they're all over right?" Milton asked which Jack nodded to in reply "What if they see you in the street and try to get you?"
"Milton's right, you'd need to be in disguise." Kim agreed
"Don't worry, if I have to go out I'll wear a hoodie or something to cover my face." Jack replied then took a deep breath "Guys, I think you should all stay here."
"What!?" They all shouted in a whispered tone
"Why?" Kim asked
"It's too dangerous. I was thinking what if some of us don't come back. I can't live knowing that it would be my fault." Jack said with his head in his hands
"Jack, we know the risks and we're still willing to help you." Kim said grabbing hold of Jack's hand "If they do something to you or turn you into one of them and we weren't there with you, I won't be able to live with myself."
"Me either." Jerry said
"Same here." Milton joined in
"And I'm sure Rudy feels the same." Kim assured Jack, "Jack, if you go down... then we'll all go down with you. Together."
"Right." Milton and Jerry said
"Thanks guys." Said Jack who then pulled Kim into a hug which was then interrupted by Rudy
"Sorry guys to interrupt. But... we need to go." Rudy said sighing
"I know." Jack replied as they all stood up
They all said sorrowful goodbyes, Kim was near tears when she hugged her parents goodbye because little did any of their parents know that it could be the last time they saw their children.
They got into Rudy's car quickly. Milton in front with Rudy to give him directions, Jack and Kim were next to each other so Kim could rest her head on his shoulder and he could comfort her, and Jerry sat on the other side of Kim.
"Where are we going to get on Bobby's private Jet?" Jerry asked
"A private airport where we'll get on Bobby's jet for a 13 hour flight." Replied Milton
"Thirteen hours!" Jerry moaned "That's way too long!"
"Jerry, we've been on the long flight to China before remember? For the tournament?"
"Oh yeah..." Jerry said then everyone turned around and ignored him for the rest of the car journey, when nearly there Kim saw that Jack was staring out of the window aimlessly.
"Jack?" Kim whispered
"Yeah." Jack whispered back
"I'm scared..."
"Me too." Jack said still staring out the window
"What happens if they catch us?"
"I don't know... and I hope we won't find out." Jack said turning to face Kim who looked slightly petrified. They leaned in and kissed for a moment. A very soft and small kiss but a kiss all the same, Kim then rested her head on his shoulder again and Jack rested his head slightly on hers. Kim holding Jack's hand traced circles with her thumb, just thinking of the things to come.
The rest of the car journey was silent until they reached the private airport where they would take Bobby's private jet. When on board they all took a seat and once again Jack stared out of the window. Kim was pacing the jet realising this was it. Rudy was sitting down on the couch relaxing and taking advantage of going on Bobby's luxury private jet by eating a whole plate of shrimp puffs. Milton was on his laptop and Jerry sat there listening to music.
Jack looked around and saw his friends who were coming with him maybe to their deaths as he could be and thought of reasons why he should let them come. What would he do if they all came back except one, no matter which one, even Jack. It would change them and he could never forgive himself for this. Jack started to get angry and you could see it in his face but the others were distracted and didn't notice Jack's anger flaring. So what happened next surprised them all, Jack punched the chair and stood up kicking everything trying to break something to get his anger out.
The others were all startled by this sudden outburst of rage from Jack as this never happens but when it does happen it's bad. The others had to restrain him and Kim had to talk to him to calm him down, at first he was still angry. Angry at everything; angry at the Black Lotus, angry at his Grandfather, angry at his parents, angry at his friends, angry at the world. But eventually he did calm down and sat next to Kim holding hands again. It was dark and the others were asleep but Jack was still up. Jack thought Kim was asleep next to him but she opened her eyes and turned to Jack.
"Jack?"
"Mm?" Jack replied turning his head
"Jack, no matter what happens... we'll always have each other."
"What if we don't when we come back?"
"We'll still be together forever."
"Forever seems like a long time with you."
"Not long enough." Kim said staring into Jack's eyes she then put her hand on his cheek and leaned in to kiss. Jack kissed back and it was long and intense like all their feelings and worries about the future mixed into one amazing kiss.
"I love you." Kim said
"I love you too."
"And no matter what happens..."
"We'll always be together." Jack finished for Kim who was now crying
"Forever." Kim said nodding as tears streamed down her face
They fell asleep soon after that together resting on each other. Ready and prepared for what the next few days might bring them.
Sorry to leave it there but I have a special chapter planned for the next one. I really hoped you like it because it took ages to write! If you do like it then review and if you have any ideas put them in the reviews. I'm not saying all include them or not because I do have a plan but it's kind of nice to hear what you guys, the readers, think of my stories... byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!