Arc. 2/Ch. 2: Being Back
The next morning, Benjamin woke up alone in bed, but was welcomed by a lovely smell that told him exactly where she was. He smiles and gets out of bed before heading down to the kitchen. There's practically a morning feast being prepared that has it smelling like IHOP in the house. They went all out with it, too; eggs, sausage, toast, waffles, pancakes, everything.
"As much as I love and have missed all this, it's getting to be a bit too much," he smiled as everyone in the room turned to him.
"Oh, shush it!" Julie joked. "There's no such thing as too much."
Benjamin grinned and glanced at Tommy, who laughed. He took a seat at the counter next to him while Julie and Racheal finished their cooking and began making plates for everyone. Everyone sat around the counter as they each had a plate with the food they liked. Some even had a second plate for the big stuff like the pancakes and waffles.
Nothing like a huge breakfast to start off your first morning back home.
They all sat and ate with Benjamin thanking them for all of it. It was feeling just like old times.
"How did you sleep?" Julie asked.
"Mmm, I had some trouble at first, but it got better," he responds with a glance to Racheal, who smiles.
"I'm sure you'll have to get used to sleeping in a normal bed now, but you'll get there," Julie smiled.
They kept eating for a second before Benjamin had to ask something that's been on his mind.
"Was I wrong?" This captured his family's attention. "Asking about the company, I mean?"
"Oh, no, not at all," his mother assured. "I'm happy you're wanting to be a part of it. It's just..." She hesitated to continue.
Benjamin could tell there was something she wanted to say, something she was keeping from him, just couldn't say what.
"It's just not the right time now, that's all," she finished, but it certainly was not the full story.
Nevertheless, Benjamin smiled with assurance, not wanting her to feel bad about this.
"Just wanted to make sure," he noted and she smiled.
"Ok then. Oh, I almost forgot. If you go anywhere today, remember Blake Duncan? Our head of security?" Benjamin nodded. "After he drives me to work, I've asked him to look out for you if you go anywhere out."
Benjamin smiled with a nod.
"Ok Mom, thanks."
After breakfast was over, Julie left for work to also give her kids their time to each other. Benjamin wanted to take a few minutes to see how Racheal's bow collection had held up. She wasn't as into Archery as he was, but he managed to teach her some stuff while getting some mighty fine bows, under the condition that he also get her some crossbows, which she really loved. Racheal laughed as she entered her room to find Benjamin sorting through her bows. She knew it was only a matter of time before this happened. She knocked on the open door to get his attention before walking up to him.
"Just couldn't help yourself, could you?" She grinned.
"Well, brings back good memories," he smirked before putting one of the bows down. "Have you kept up on your practice?"
"A little, whenever I can," she shrugged. "It always helped me feel connected to you still."
Benjamin smiles with the warmth of that notion.
"Must be weird being back after so long," Racheal said and Benjamin nodded.
"Yea, it's... certainly an adjustment period, but it'll pass," he replied with awkwardness. "Is it weird for you to have me back?"
"Mmm, I wouldn't say weird, still a bit hard to believe, to be honest." Benjamin hummed a small laugh before things got a little serious. "Also, part of me did have this fear that if you ever did return, you wouldn't be the same person you were before...."
She was bashful about that confession, but her brother understood.
"Well, I'll be honest, I'm not, but I am still your brother, and that will never change." She smiled before he continued. "Which reminds me, I wanted to give you something."
He pulled a necklace out of his pocket, which carried a stone with a Chinese symbol on it.
"I uh... did some exploring around China before hitching a ride back and found this at a Buddhist temple. It represents Reconnection."
He places it over and around her neck as she admires the carved object. She holds it in her hand as it hangs around her neck, admiring its beauty with the love it carried from her brother.
"It's beautiful, I love it," she grins with a small tear in her eye. "Thank you, Bubba."
They embrace for another big hug.
Unfortunately, it was right after that when Racheal got the call from work. It seems she will need to help take care of business before spending the day with her siblings. Benjamin understood, though. He knew the importance of her job and what it meant for others.
Plus, he secretly hopes he can help with her job later on.
With Racheal at her job, the two brothers were left to have their time together; and what could be a more perfect way to do it than with a video gaming session?
They sat in the gaming room of the house and went through several games at a time, including some new ones Ben hadn't played in the past few years.
"OH!!!" Ben exclaimed after landing a knockout blow in Mortal Kombat.
"WHAT THE- you lucky bastard!" Tommy replied and Benjamin laughed. "When did you get so good at this game?"
"Well, I've gotten pretty good at survival, amongst other things," he muttered the last bit as Tommy laughed.
"Alright, next game," he says as he goes to switch them out again.
Once he's done, before it officially starts, Benjamin sees the chance to bring something up.
"Alright, so what is it?"
Tommy looks at him with confusion.
"What is what?"
"Whatever it is Mom doesn't wanna tell me whenever I try to talk about the business."
Tommy sighed through his nose as he put the controller back down and shifted more toward his brother.
"She just doesn't want you to worry. You only just got back and shouldn't have to stress over anything, not just yet."
Benjamin smirked before responding.
"Tommy, I've only had myself to stress about for a long time. Not to mention, there wasn't much to do on that island, so won't mind having a few things to strive for."
Tommy could see where he was coming from and knew he would find out eventually and deserved to know. So, he blew out a sigh before spilling the beans.
"Ok, to put it bluntly, the company's in deep shit."
Benjamin furrowed his brow.
"And what exactly does 'deep shit' mean?"
"It's.... been slowly losing money for a while now..... to the point where... they're actually considering a couple of offers..."
"For someone else to buy the company?" Benjamin knowingly asked, not loving the idea of someone snatching up the life's work of his parents.
"Now you know why mom didn't wanna say anything," Tommy nodded.
"But how could we be losing money? We're one of the most charitable industries in the entire country."
Tommy took in another breath and let it out before continuing.
"Tell you the truth, Benjamin, things haven't been any easier for us in the past few years than I'm sure they've been for you. Not long after what happened with you and Dad, our oil rig got blown up by some eco-terrorists. Mom kept trying to keep up the benefits for families of both the workers and the staff members on the gambit, but then..... the Amsterdam Disaster occurred."
"The Amsterdam Disaster?" Ben asked with confusion.
"A couple of years ago, a series of bombs went off all across the city. The first of which went off at Amsterdam Avenue, hence the name. A lot of people died, many others were hurt, and about thirty percent of the entire city's population was rendered homeless."
"Oh my God...." Ben replied in disbelief.
"I know, and even worse, is that those people now live in what is known as The Glades."
"The Glades?" He asked again, but knew he wouldn't like anymore of the answers.
"It's this great big slum that takes up a quarter of the city, closed off by a wall no less, thanks to all the bureaucrats this city is known for. It's definitely not the best living environment for people stuck there."
"Son of a bitch," Benjamin leans back into his seat. "I mean, I knew this city had a bad rich vs. poor problem anyway, but this is even worse than I thought."
"Yea, and like I said, Mom tried to get the business to help out all she could, but the whole situation in general was ugly and left a lot of people not very trusting of corporations, including ours. Add in the fact of how all the costs started adding up and things started getting scary for us. The company's reputation tanked a bit, business kept getting messy-"
"But wait, it still doesn't make sense that it sunk THAT bad, not with the dynasty our family's built. Could something else be going on without Dad here to oversee things?"
Tommy thought for a second before answering.
"Maybe, but I wouldn't know, I don't work there."
Benjamin thought about everything Tommy had told him. It was a lot to take in and almost hard to believe how much this city and his family had endured in his absence. He knew what he would be up against once he came back, just not how much of it he would have to face.
He needed to know exactly what he was up against and what all he was fighting for.
"Is it alright if we take... a little detour in our day?"
Tommy raised an eyebrow at that question, wondering where this was going.
"What for?"
"I need to see the Glades."
X
At CNRI, Racheal arrives at work and is welcomed by her boss.
This is Elizabeth "Beth" Copeland. She is a legal aid attorney and co-founder and owner of CNRI.
"Hey, sweetie," she welcomed her intern. "I'm sorry to call you in of all days. I know your brother just came home and everything. We just need everyone in for a few hours."
"It's OK, Beth, I understand, and so does my brother. So, what's up?"
"A meeting with our clients. Somers and his lawyers are still trying to intimidate them along with their talks with the judge."
This angered Racheal and hoped it wouldn't be long before they nailed this bastard.
"Also, that police sergeant is here," Beth noted and Racheal perked up. "He's in the waiting room if you wanna see him. Just make it quick. The sooner we get done, the sooner you can get back to your brother. "
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you."
She quickly heads to the private waiting room as Beth laughs. Once she enters, she finds the man Beth was referring to.
This is Sergent Josh Fatu of the SCPD and member of the Organized Crime Unit.
"Sup, girl?" He smiles when she enters.
Racheal smirks before she charges and jumps into his arms. Josh is caught by surprise as he barely catches her with her legs around his waist. She then crashes their lips together, earning a humming moan from the sergeant as he keeps her lifted. She then breaks the kiss with a proud grin as Josh regains his look of surprise.
"Damn, baby girl, what's gotchu all fired up?"
Racheal giggles.
"I'm just happy today."
"I guess you got a lotta reason to be. Congrats on yo brotha by the way."
"Thank you," she grinned.
"I know it's a little early to be bringing this up, but when you planning on tellin' him about us?"
Now she was getting a little nervous.
"Uh, like you said, a little early, don't you think?"
"Come on, girl. You still haven't introduced me to everyone yet," he mentioned before growing a cheeky smirk. "You ashamed to tell 'em about this big bad Samoan cop you've been seeing?"
"Maybe," Racheal joked back, earning a chuckle.
"But anyway, the real reason I'm here is 'cause I heard you workin' the suit against Martin Somers?" He got serious for a moment and Racheal shrugged.
"I'm an intern, Jey, I work whatever case my boss is on."
"I know, just please be careful. You know he ain't the type to play nice with anyone."
"Trust me, I do, but I'm not here to play," she promised with the utmost determination. "That creep doesn't get to force people out of their homes and get away with it."
Joshua smirks again.
"Look, I know what it means for you to put guys like him away, and you real sexy when you get like this. Just watch out and don't be afraid to call if he tries anything. Me and mah boys are ready to jump his ass if we need to."
"Mmmm, why should I worry when I have my big bad ucey with me?"
He giggled again before they connected again for another kiss.
Meanwhile, Benjamin and Tommy are being driven to the Glades by Blake Duncan. They took one of the more normal-sized cars, not wanting to stick out too much and draw attention to themselves.
"You sure about this?" Tommy asked as they sat in the back of the car.
"Yea, I need to see how it is down there," Benjamin nodded.
"Don't worry, sir," Blake called from the driver's seat. "You both are safe on my watch."
Ben admired the confidence and conviction he had with his promise. He also recognized the way he would say "sir" and how disciplined he was.
"You're ex-military, aren't ya, Blake?"
The bodyguard smiled.
"Yes, sir. Army, to be exact."
"Whatchu do over there?" Benjamin asked.
"I was a medic, but I had several qualifications."
"Hmm, anything fancy?" He curiously asked and Blake smirked.
"Bomb disposal."
Benjamin blew a long whistle.
"A few other things, too," he proudly added.
"Damn, what made you take up security after all that?"
Blake opened his mouth to answer but became hesitant. It took him a brief moment, but he was able to explain.
"Personal reasons, that and it pays well."
Benjamin laughed.
As they continued their drive, some other people had made their way to the Glades.
Margot Robbie and her documentary film crew were currently at work, getting lots of B-footage at one of the entrances while preparing for a little press rally. Joining them at this time was the very narrator of this film, Margot's friend and candidate for Star City's mayor, Nick Aldis.
"Feeling ready?" Margot asks as she walks over to check on her friend as he prepares.
Nick is patting down his nice suit while taking in a breath.
"Do I look ready?"
"Definitely," she nodded with a confident smile.
Nick looks back at the press along with the number of his followers attending and nods with a grin.
"This is a big moment for us," he notably stated.
"It is, and it's going to be great," she smiles with a pat on his shoulder.
"So long as no more rich celebrity homecomings steal our thunder again," Nicholas Nemeth noted as he joined the two.
Margot rolled her eyes at him.
"Please stop. We've already been through this and it's not important right now."
Nicholas let out a sigh.
"You're right, sorry. We should focus on this." He takes in a breath of his own and lets it out. "Alright, shall we?"
"We shall," Aldis nods.
At this time, the McFarland brothers had arrived at a separate gateway entrance to the Glades. Blake parks and switches off the car before he and the brothers exit. He sticks with them as they walk up to the open gates. They had driven alongside the brick wall that takes up most of the surrounding structure, but are now at the more fenced part to catch a glimpse of the inside.
"My God..." Benjamin says as he observes everything. "How the hell is this even legal?"
"With the amount of civil unrest at the time, it was easy to see this as the perfect solution," Tommy answered.
The three men stood and watched with disgust and disbelief from Benjamin. He never thought he would see anything like this before, especially in his own city.
"I can't believe I'm saying this: but for once, I'm actually glad Dad's not here anymore. He would not have been proud to see all this."
Tommy frowned as he glanced at him, but what Benjamin did next was rather shocking.
"Do me a favor Blake, stay here with Tommy. I need a closer look."
They glance at Benjamin with confusion and shock as he is already entering the Glades.
"Woah, wha... Benjamin?!" Tommy calls but gets no response.
His brother just keeps on walking.
"Uh, does he know what he's doing?" Blake asks, which Tommy can't help but wonder himself.
Benjamin continues his way through the Glades, seeing the trashy, filthy, lawless nature of the large neighborhood. All around him, people looked overwhelmed with fatigue, stress, sorrow, and looked to be doing anything and everything they could just to survive. There were even some petty offenses taking place in broad daylight. None of them even cared to notice Benjamin passing through, being too caught up in their own affairs. This was no way for anyone to live, no environment that anybody could feel comfortable in. Nobody should have to live like this either. Benjamin would do anything right now to give these people the life that he grew up having.
Luckily, seeing all of this was just all the more motivation he needed for what he was already planning. He would make things better for these people one way or another.
He walks down an empty street, hoping to get back to Tommy and Blake and return home. However, he stops when he hears the distinctive sound of a gun locking on him. He slowly turns to see some street punk with a small pistol on him.
"Hand over your phone and wallet, now!" He demands.
Ben raises an eyebrow, almost laughing. He already has his hands in his pockets, so pulls them out.
"You're looking at the wrong guy for this, bud," he dryly smirks.
The robber just looks at him with confusion.
"Not even a phone?"
"Sort of, just not on me right now," he shrugs.
The thug then looks at his chest.
"What's that around your neck?"
Benjamin narrows his eyes before glancing down, reaching into his shirt before pulling out his Arrow Totem.
"Is that worth something?" He asked.
"Only to me," Benjamin replies with a warning tone, but this idiot didn't buy it.
"Hand it over."
Now Benjamin smirks, almost laughing for real.
"No."
Now, the robber was ticked off.
"Whatchu say?" He moves closer with the gun, trying to be tough.
Unfortunately, he got too close for his own good, allowing Ben to snatch the gun away and smack him in the face with it in the blink of an eye. The punk groans on the floor while clutching his nose as Ben empties and takes the gun apart. He then crouches by the thug and speaks sternly.
"I said 'no,' and the next time you ignore that, next guy may not be as forgiving as me."
He stood up before walking away, tossing the gun in the nearest trashcan he could find.
Meanwhile, Nick Aldis is currently giving his speech with Nemeth by his side, along with their supporters and his peers, watching with the cameras and microphones all around them.
"One cannot claim that they stand for Star City if they do not mean ALL of Star City; and the Glades is a part of Star City, whether all the one-percenters want to admit it or not! There is no reason not to treat them as such and having them closed off by a wall is insulting to all of us as a city, as a people, and as a society! The very existence of this wall is a disgrace to all of us! Now, it is time to tear down this wall and unite our fellow Starlings as one again. It is time to put an end to this meaningless civil war this great city has endured and remind ourselves that we make up this city together!"
The audience cheered and applauded as Margot, her colleagues, and their campaign people watched with all smiles. He continues speaking as a certain someone begins approaching the entrance.
Benjamin is walking alongside the wall, needing to find the nearest exit before he finds more trouble, and this is the closest one not far from where he entered. As he drew closer to the gateway, he could hear the applauding and commotion happening in the distance and grew curious as to what was happening. He reaches the exit, noticing some of the crowd, and begins examining them until he spots one particular person who really catches his eye.
Margot glances over and spots the former Olympian at the entranceway. She recognizes who he is right away and grows both shocked and curious as to why he is here. Benjamin doesn't quite recognize her back, but she does look familiar to him and quite beautiful.
"Hey, is that Benjamin McFarland?!" He hears somebody ask and whips his head over to see what he has walked into.
"Oh shit..."
All the reporters begin shouting questions at him while the cameras are flashing. Nick and Nicholas have also glanced over to see the disruptor of their time and are not happy about it whatsoever.
Benjamin begins a fast yet awkward pace away while ignoring the attention he had suddenly and inadvertently drawn.
"This just gets better and better," he mutters to himself.
Indeed, it was getting better because someone was not letting him go that easily.
"Yes, a big welcome home to the prodigal son, the American hero himself, Benjamin McFarland!" Nicholas Nemeth called.
Margot and Nick both grew worried as they knew what he was doing as Benjamin stopped with furrowed eyebrows. He slowly turns to face the politicians with a challenging expression.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?"
"Nicholas Nemeth and Nick Aldis, Star City's Aldermans."
Now Benjamin understood what this was.
"Right, well, I apologize for having disrupted your conference. I'll be on my way then."
He respectfully turns away to leave, but that doesn't seem to be good enough for the candidate.
"I understand. You were just seeing how much has changed since you've been gone, or perhaps even how the other half lives."
Benjamin stops again as Margot and Aldis try to stop Nemeth, not liking what he is doing. Then, a familiar car quickly pulls up and Tommy and Blake step out.
"Benjamin! We heard on the radio," Tommy says as he and their bodyguard rush over. "Come on, let's get out of here."
"And the oldest brother has arrived as well!" Nicholas continued. "Maybe now that the family is together again, McFarming Industries can return to its former glory and start benefitting the city."
Ben peered over his shoulder with a dagger-like stare, not believing the nerve of this guy.
"Just ignore the prick. Come on," Tommy cupped his shoulder and got him moving back to the car.
"Yea, I suppose the McFarlands have their own problems to deal with. There's your American hero ladies and gentlemen!" The people supporting the Alderman, except for Margot, Nick, and a few others, seemed to be sharing his anger and looked to be ready to start ganging up on the former Olympian.
Benjamin stopped again, having a blank expression, but Tommy knew what he was thinking.
"Don't do it, Ben. Don't do it. Just get in the car," he quietly urged.
Then, of course, Benjamin turns around.
"Shit..."
No way could he walk away from this. After all he had just seen, this guy was going to call him out and rally the people against him? Not without a response.
So, the audience starts to grow quiet as the archer shockingly walks up to one of their golden boys and speaks closely to him.
"Mr. Nemeth, I understand being an Alderman means you were selected by the people to do this, and that is very important and comes with the utmost responsibility, but don't think that gives you the right to question my Olympic status or my family's integrity. We've been the backbone of this city long before these people even knew you, and we have done nothing to earn your criticism. So, don't you dare desecrate my late father's great legacy again. I get you're a crusader and always fighting the good fight, but do you know the difference between a true, honest to God crusader and just a loudmouth with a stick up his ass?"
Nicholas looked at him questionably, a bit startled by this response and worried where he was going with this.
"A crusader knows who their fight is with, whereas the loudmouth is just looking for a fight. So, if you wanna bring your fight to me, just know, in case it wasn't obvious, I'm very sensitive about people using me as a punching bag for their bullshit."
Now Benjamin walked away, and the candidate had nothing left to say to him. He just watched in uncomfortable silence, along with those around him, as Benjamin entered the car with Tommy and Blake before leaving the Glades.
"Sorry about that. The rest of the day is ours," Benjamin assured as they kept driving.
"No problem, just remind me never to piss you off ever again." Ben and Blake both laughed. "Seriously man, that island made you scary. What happened to you over there?"
Benjamin dryly grinned with his brow shot up briefly.
"A lot."
The rest of the day went by smoothly. Racheal was able to join her brothers after the meeting was over and they spent the day gaming, watching movies, bowling, playing putt-putt and bumper cars, visiting arcades and different restaurants, and even playing laser tag. Interestingly, they got Blake to join in on some of the activities. It was a memorable, fun-filled day with time perfectly spent with his siblings. Benjamin even made an effort to enjoy this day with them and feel like his old self as much as possible.
Because tomorrow, everything is going to start changing.
(A/N: So, what y'all think of this turn of events?
The next part will be a photo dump to show off each of their bow collections. Then, the next actual chapter is where the fun really begins!
Stay tuned and don't forget to vote and comment. Have an awesome day/night everyone!)
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