Edited and reposted for THe Wattys 2020

On july 12th 20202

He called me to come to the forest when I was getting read to leave Roxanne's house.

It was the perfect timing. I had sent him a text four days ago telling him we needed to talk in person, and he responded with 'I'll text you when I'm free". At first, I honestly thought it was his way of bailing.

It wasn't. He waited for me beside my AirCar, and together we walked to the cliff drop. When I saw him, I smiled. He was still loyal.

He didn't smile back. He only nodded at the direction we would be taking. I followed, head down. Was it a good idea? I looked at his figure from the back. His back in a green attire again was stiff. His footfall was heavy, on purpose I believed. His eyes were slits as he surveyed all his surroundings.

And one hand was always on his belt. I couldn't se any weapon. But did he have one? What if he took me there and killed me?

I brushed off the idea. There was nothing in it for him.

After about ten minutes, we finally emerged on the other side. I sighed "finally. I almost thought we were lost." It was my way of making conversation.

But Daniel completely ignored my comment. He did look at me, but his eyes instantly averted to something else around us.

I was convinced by then it was a bad idea. He wasn't in a good mood. That meant he would say no without thinking.

The opposite of what I was expecting ended up happening.

But before speaking, I remembered to do something that cost me a lot last time. "I should go check if someone's spying on me in the forest."

He shook his head. "I have people doing this consistently while we're here." I raised an eyebrow in awe. He was prepared, and thorough.

He was a man. Father had put him somewhere a while ago to be a man, and he was one now. That mean that he can come back home. I couldn't stop myself from thinking that.

But I knew not to ask. We had established the answer to it last time.

His tone was severe. I was dreading the 'no' he'd say. It felt like what he would say. He didn't fail to surprise me again.

"I need you to be my partner in this surgery- "

"yes."

I titled my head. "what fo you mean? Yes, as you agree."

"yes." His facial expressions were platonic, like he was describing the weather.

"'you need to know the detail before you agree. "

He shook his head. "just send me the details. When is it?"

"about eight months."

He slightly smiled, like that was a good thing. "yes. I agree."

Then he stopped smiling. "we might be making people suspicious by now. Let's go."

We walked back, and this time, I could see the dozens of shadows in the forest that Daniel didn't worry about. If their eyes met, he'd nod.

Otherwise, they'll just follow us out.

Once I got to my AirCar, he stayed until I boarded, and flew in the air to walk away.

I smiled, my head against the window. He was my blood.

He was my blood.

It finally seemed that we were related. I was happy with having in a way my brother back.

The next day, I got another family member. Although I didn't completely believe he was one.

It was... complicated.

***

Ok. I'm so excited for the next chapter. It's something I am dying to share with you all. Ahh... I love where this story's going. do you?

Leave your comments about it. Tell me what you think ! :)

As always, have an awesome day. I hope you find the strength to follow your dreams like me.

-Sel