Chapter 8

I must have fallen asleep at some point, because the next time someone came into my cell, it shocked me awake. The person was the other agent at the train tracks, the woman. I assumed that they sent her because they thought I would open up more to a woman. Well, they were sorely mistaken.

"Hello, Brooklyn. You can call me Agent Morris," she said, sitting down on the cot next to me.

I didn't move a muscle, didn't even bring my head up from between my knees. If they thought that I was scared and weak, then there was more likely to be an opportunity to escape. Even though I can't do that. If I do, then I'll be a fugitive twice over for doing nothing but helping people.

"We don't wish to be your enemy. We only want to understand you, and hopefully get your help," Agent Morris told me.

I snorted, finally looking up. There was no point in hiding the fact that I wasn't afraid of them, even if there were dried tear tracks on my cheeks. Those weren't from being arrested, they were from being put in a situation that reminded me of past trauma. But they could think that they made me cry if they wanted.

"We are interested in your skills," she said.

"What skills?" I asked. If I was going to be stuck here, I wasn't going to be cooperative.

Agent Morris gave me a small smile, "You know what I'm talking about. We don't want to keep you here. We want to let you go, but you have to agree to some things first."

No doubt they wanted me to agree to stop using my powers and keep the fact that they arrested a minor for no reason a secret. That's what to be expected from a government agency, and it's part of the reason that a lot of heroes are only thought of as myths now, my parents included.

"Go on," I told her.

"We want to be able to call on you for help whenever needed, and we want you to keep your identity a secret. In return, this confrontation will stay off the books and we'll clean up any identity messes that could pop up in the future," she responded.

The disbelief on my face must have been obvious because she let out a soft laugh before adding on, "I know, it sounds too good to be true. But we have done this before with other enhanced individuals."

I had no doubt in that fact.

"What would I have to do for you?" I asked, keeping my hope in check.

"We would call on you if your particular skill set was needed in a mission. It probably won't happen often, or sometimes at all. We only wish to keep the peace," she answered, sounding extremely diplomatic.

I still wasn't going to get my hopes up, but I really did not want this to end in a fight. So, I gave a small nod and said, "Okay."

"Okay, what?" Agent Morris asked, though I suspected she knew what I was saying.

"Okay, I'll agree to your terms. But there is one thing I need you to agree on before we do anything," I said, turning fully to face her in utter seriousness.

She needed to know that I was not going to take no for an answer here. This was something that I refused to compromise on.

"I totally agree with you here. Oh! And don't let them know about me. They would probably lock us up in the psych ward."

"What is it?"

"You keep my family out of it," I answered simply, voice cutting like knives.

She took a moment to listen to what someone was saying into an earpiece I hadn't realized was there before answering, "Agreed."

I had no doubt they would eventually put two-and-two together and figure out that my brother and I were fighting crime together (if we ever got the chance to), but for now, all I cared about was getting out of that stupid metal box.

"Then please let me out of here. Now," I said.

I had kept a calm facade before, but now that there was an affirmative on getting out of there, I let my panic show.

"We need you to sign these papers first," she pulled out some official-looking papers from beside her, "These are to officially state you as a temporary consultant when needed. It also says that you won't speak a word of what we have you do to anyone. You know, a contract."

"There's always a catch."

Once again, I found myself agreeing with Khione.

"Just give me it," I said.

I glanced over it quickly before signing my name in a scribble at the bottom. I just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible and find Kai. He had some explaining to do.

"More like some serious apologizing."

Maybe that too. But we couldn't really blame him for his father's actions. We just needed to find out if his dad had learned about me from him or if he had learned about me from that thug. Inside, I was really hoping it was the latter. I had just finally realized that I liked Kai, and then his dad goes and arrests me!

"Okay! Well, you can come with me. Your brother and parents are waiting out front," she said, walking over to the door and giving it a knock. A second later, a guard from the outside opened it for us, and we walked out to the hallway once again.

I admit, there was a part of me that was suspicious of this being too good to be true, but never look a gift horse in the mouth, right? I just had to hope that it was what they said it was and continue on with my life. I was so close to finishing high school, and then I could finally be free. Or at least, that's what I hoped.

When we got to the lobby, I saw my family grouped together, nervously talking. I wasn't sure how they got there, probably told my Kai, but I noticed that they all seemed really worried, which just made my heart hurt in guilt from causing it. But I knew that what I did was right, and I had to stand by that, no matter what feelings I had.

I ran to them, finally letting my eyes water up, but I didn't let any tears escape. I first gave my dad a hug, then my mom, and finally Jax. They seemed shocked at first, but they all eventually sunk into it.

"I'm so sorry," Jax whispered in my ear.

I shook my head, pulling back and addressing all of them together, "No. You guys were just looking out for me."

And I meant it. I may still stick with my actions, but I understood where they had come from before. They would need some work on letting me live my life a little, but it was an improvement for them to admit it.

"Let's get out of here, huh?" Dad slung an arm over my shoulders, pulling me into his side and leading us to the front doors.

A large grin made its way onto my face as we climbed into the car. Even if they went about asking the wrong way, I would still be able to help people when the FBI asked for help. That's all I've ever wanted to do.

As we were driving back to our home, I finally felt like I had a handle on my purpose and my powers. They weren't a tool for destruction. They were a part of me, and I had control over them.

"Took you long enough."

Oh, and Khione is a part of me, too.

"Sadly..."

"You love it," I shot back.

"Yeah. I do. You're my family."