2/13/2023

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Cursed

Chapter Forty-Seven: Disappear

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I shuffle around the small kitchen awkwardly, trying my best to remember where all the supplies are. Jade leans against the stove silently, watching my every movement. Her backpack, which she inexplicably brought with her, sits at her feet, with a familiar plush Cheshire cat poking his head out of the unzipped front pouch. I settle for microwaving some milk instead of putting forth any extra effort, and as such our hot chocolate is done rather quickly. We stand in silence, occasionally taking sips from our mugs until Jade breaks the silence.

"Touch," she says quietly, poking a cold burner on the stove.

My lips twitch into a smile. "I almost forgot about that."

"My poor hand was sore for weeks," Jade sighs in fake exasperation, clearly trying to hide her amusement.

"You were a mess."

"Indeed."

The ticking of the wall clock once again becomes our only background noise as we sip our cocoa. Jade fidgets nervously, as if trying to figure out how to say something. As stressed as I am, Jade seems entirely worse for wear. I just wish I could help her. Having her here reminds me of how I failed to protect her from the Shadows when we were little. All I want is to make it up to her.

"What's with the backpack?" I ask.

Jade bites her lip, setting her mug on the stove. She bends down to zip it up, slinging one strap over her shoulder.

"I want to move it somewhere that I can grab it easily. In case... tomorrow doesn't go well."

"What do you mean?"

Jade avoids my gaze. "I think I'm going to run."

I can feel my jaw drop cartoonishly in shock. It shouldn't surprise me, not really, but still.

"You're kidding."

Jade shakes her head. "I can't do this anymore. I have a plan, but I'll have a heck of a time convincing Roy that it will work. Once I know he's safe, and you're safe, then I'm leaving for good."

"Define leaving."

"I... don't want to be an assassin anymore," Jade says hesitantly. "I just... can't. I can't do it. Not after everything Ra's did."

Ra's Al Ghul. The leader of the League of Shadows. A good leader will do anything for their team. I'm almost afraid to hear what a bad one like Ra's could be capable of to make Jade leave.

"Will you be safe?" I ask. It's the real, most important question here. I just know the Shadows will hunt her down if she's not careful. She's one of their best, there's no way they'll take losing her lightly. "Do you have somewhere to go?"

"Lian, my mentor, was planning on leaving. She was going to take me with her. After I left the Academy, she was all I really had left. She was like a mother to me, you know? We had a safehouse set up, somewhere not even Ra's knows about. Except one day he found out what she was planning. He murdered her, right before my eyes. Said he could take it if she left, but he wasn't going to lose me too."

Jade pauses here, avoiding my gaze. Her cheeks are burning, and her eyes are holding back tears. I set my mug down and reach for her. She nuzzles her head against my shoulder as she leans into my embrace.

"So the safehouse, right? That's where you're going?"

"Yeah," Jade sniffles.

I hesitate, before asking, "Will I see you again?"

Jade clutches me tighter, and I think I know the answer. If she gets caught, they'll probably kill her. But if she manages to escape from their grasp, she'll be on the run for the rest of her life. If her safehouse is really as fool-proof as she says it is, it's likely that she has enough supplies to hide there forever. Why would she risk coming out just to see me?

"Stay safe, okay Jade?" I whisper, holding her tighter.

I wish things could be different. I wish we were never put into this situation. I wish we were living a different life, one where neither of us ever fell into the HIVE's grasp. Maybe Jade could've been adopted by my parents too, and we could've been happy. But this life is not so fair or just, and I won't ever see her or my family again. So for now, all I can do is hold her tight and wish for a better life.

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Quote of the day:

"Great party! Can't wait to tell my therapist about it when I'm older. Bye!" -Louie, Ducktales

May the odds be ever in your favor,

Spectrobes Princess