Hey there readers! I was reading some good FFVII stories and was inspired to write up the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it! Please rate and review if you have some spare time! Its greatly appreciated.
Disclaimer: I do not own Fable or its characters, Lionhead Studios does. Jet and her family do belong to me though.
Chapter 3: Confinement
Anger. Absolute boiling raging anger. Jet did not want this. While she could be out there training, toning her body to the physical exercise needed to fight in a lengthy battle, she instead rested her lazy butt in bed. Confined to her room by her mother, Jet mostly stared at the wall. Many of her stitches had come out, uncomfortably she may add, but a few stubborn wounds took longer, antagonizing her of the ordeal she had to endure. She rubbed the bridge of her nose, sighing frustrated. This was not her. Sitting on her bum the past week was nothing of her personality. Jet loved being outside, keeping herself busy, saying hello to fellow Oakvale residents and secretly going to the garden near the village gates. Thinking about that, she realized that something felt weird being in that little square fenced in garden.
The past few times she graces the untouched dirt, quiet screams echoed in her ears. Jet would look around, finding no one and birds didn't flock away in noisy flight. A couple of times, she could have sworn she saw apparitions of a young girl and a younger boy. When she rubbed her eyes, they would be gone. One of the times, they actually waved at her before vanishing. Jet remembered feeling her eyes bug at the sight, disbelieving what she just saw. Despite such a finding, she kept it a secret for herself. Maybe, when she was allowed outside of the house, she would go and see those two again. It seemed like the children wanted her to know something.
Growling, she rose from her bed and paced the room. What could she do to pass the time faster than what it was crawling at? Already she had gone through the books she hadn't found time to read and it was best not to bring her blade out in broad daylight. Frustration raged through the young woman and she let it out on the wall, consequently surging pain up to her elbow. Flexing her hand, she realized the worst that it would succumb to is a bruise. Awkwardly she scratched her head, unsure what to do. Light knocks came at her door. Jet ushered whoever at the door to come in. Jack shuffled in, looking up with shining worried eyes.
"JJ?" She smiled weakly and squatted down, ruffling his head. Her little antics didn't cure him of his concern as his gaze returned the same way when she removed her hand. His face slowly turned into child scorn. Jet cocked an eyebrow, wondering where his cute innocence went to. "You hurt yourself, didn't you," questioned Jack in his child lisp. No matter how she looked at him, he seemed to have matured right there, understanding things that maybe he shouldn't. This alone disturbed Jet.
When did her baby brother understand the severity of the situation? She knew he knew by those eyes. He wouldn't stop watching her and no matter what she did, his face wouldn't change. What could she tell him? That things in this world weren't as pretty and nice as the flowers sitting on the window sills outside of their house? Ugly things waited for him when he grew up? What in Avo's name was she supposed to do? Jet desperately wanted him to keep his innocence. A child his age shouldn't have to deal with anything an adult could barely handle. And yet, some do due to their irresponsible parents, a voice echoed in her head. Things were beginning to get freaky at this point.
Jet sighed and stood back up, staring outside, towards her training ground. Oh how she would love to be outside right now. A tug on her skirt brought her back to reality. Looking down, Jack still held onto the hem of her bottom article, pouting that she hadn't answered him. Unable to soothe him with a false truth, she answered him a yes. Jet reassured him that she would be fine. The young boy looked up, with disbelief that she was telling the whole truth. She ruffled his hair and went with the flow of playing along. Jack finally let go and crawled up onto her bed, watching his elder sibling sadly stare out of her room. Truth was, despite the fact he was just a young kid, Jet enjoyed the company of her little brother. Hoping to cheer her up, Jack asked when she would get the last stitches out.
"Mother said two days at the most." Jack giggled and replied with a kiddish admiration of her being healed by morning. She turned to him, and smiled. There was that innocence she loved seeing in him. That beautiful wonderful child-like view of the world. A dark voice reminded her of that gut feeling something was hidden away about this village, that ludicrous garden. Her attention went back to him, keeping her smile the whole time. He in return gave a toothy grin, happy that she smiled for the first time since her birthday.
Hours pass and night clung the sleepy village. Jack fell asleep on the bed and Jet still stood in the same spot, watching, waiting. Waiting for what exactly? She didn't know and it rather bothered her. Ever since she claimed her katana, which she named Wind Whisper, she had been cautious of her surroundings. Somewhere deep inside, she knew something, or someone if it be the case, was coming. Maybe not for her particularly, but it was coming. Jet needed to be ready but when she needed to be out there, time just ticking by, she stayed within her room, obedient to her mother.
Jet didn't notice her father slip in, watching for a few silent moments at what his daughter was doing. He realized that nothing was going to happen, so he cleared his throat whilst picking up his son. Jet only turned her head to him, her eyes firm and ready. The man sighed and returned his gaze to her. Maybe her sharp insight would be her ultimate downfall.
"You feel it huh?" She nodded slightly. Jet voiced her need to be out there. She knew what was there and she would be much better prepared this time knowing what she was going up against. The ebony haired female hoped her father would understand, but fate was against her. "Sorry Jet, your mother said stay in here until you're completely healed. But by how your last set of stitches look, it seems that they'll be out tomorrow." His daughter smiled at him, gracious at his attempt to cheer her up. A respectful and grateful 'thank you' came to him and he nodded, reminding her to try and sleep. This time her head bobbed and crawled into bed. He stepped out and gently closed the door behind him, making a soft click. For the longest time, she traced the dark patterns of wood with her eyes until the eyelids became too heavy to keep open.