I
Drew slept all the way home, Kimber looking back on him periodically to see if he was okay.
“Kimber,” Jamey said as they drove onto the former Disturbed Ones compound and down the short road that led to their house, “Drew’s going to be fine.”
“I know, but...”
They pulled up in front of the house and Jamey got out to help Kimber with the baby. “Stop worrying so much,” Jamey said as he got Drew’s car seat out of the backseat of the car; “We have help if we need it until everyone comes back from Jacob’s funeral. We’re all going to be just fine.”
“I am being silly, aren’t I?” asked Kimber, admiring her sleeping son for the umpteenth time since they were discharged from the hosptial. “We’ll be fine.”
When they walked into the house, Kimber was taken aback by the lack of furniture.
“Where’s all our stuff, Jamey?” she asked.
“In storage until we move into Julia’s house later in the month,” Jamey said.
“I hope there’s still a bed for us to sleep in, and that Drew’s crib is still here.”
Jamey smiled. “Of course there is, Kimber,” he said; “Zach, Adam, and Daniel helped me pack up everything while you were in the hospital. We just left what we needed.”
“I still can’t believe Julia is just giving us this house, and not letting us buy it from her,” said Kimber as she walked to their bedroom, where Drew would sleep until they moved. She placed the baby in his bassinet and covered him with a blanket. She turned on the baby monitor and left to go into the kitchen where Jamey was brewing her favorite tea.
“She’s still going to own it, and all we have to do is pay the bills,” Jamey said; “Remember that. We just have to let another young family member have the house when we get ready to move.”
“That won’t be for a long time, I hope,” Kimber said as she sat down at the table. “I mean, who would we give it to?”
Jamey brought Kimber her tea in her favorite mug (it said “I’m the cute one” on it. It was a gag gift from Niki when they turned 18). He joined her at the table with a cup of his own and said, “I don’t know, Kimber. Miri?”
“I was thinking more along the lines of Adriana or Sandrina, since they’re older than Miri. Maybe even Matt and Lisa,” Kimber said; “Do you think that Miri will make something with that Army Staff Sergeant she brought with her to see Drew?”
“You told me they seemed pretty close,” Jamey said. “You never know.”
Kimber sipped her tea and pondered on that a while.
===
Somber didn’t even begin to cover the mood of the Summers family as they boarded their plane early that morning. Yes, Rachel was emotional when she remembered why they were going to Washington, but Julia, Miri and the other children were downright glum.
Or at least that’s how it seemed to John Crossley.
They had been upgraded to first class because of who Julia was. That didn’t surprise John in the least. Julia deserved all the perks her reputation garnered her over the years, though Julia didn’t want or need the special attention. Especially not on this flight.
He and Miri sat in a row to themselves. There would be a meal service run, and the family’s dietary needs were well known. John assumed that he would get the same kind of meals they would. He wouldn’t have minded.
“Miri,” he said softly as she laid her head on his shoulder as if the very act of sitting on a plane exhausted her; “why were you so shocked that your mom suggested that I come with you guys to the funeral if I wanted to spend time with you?”
“I don’t know, really, John,” Miri said; “It just seemed like an off the wall thing for Mom to say.”
“Well, it is her father we’re going to honor at this thing, right?” Miri nodded, and John continued; “Maybe she thought it would be rude for you to up and leave and I look like an ass. I’m kind of glad she made the suggestion. I’m on leave for three weeks, and I’ve only been gone two days. This isn’t a problem for me if it’s not a problem for you.”
“It’s not a problem for me, either,” Miri said; “It just sounded so unlike Mom to say anything like that.”
“Then don’t worry about it,” John said. “Maybe my being here is a blessing in disguise. You never know.”
Miri nodded, saying, “This is true. I’ve been to way too many of these things as of late. It’s nice to have someone who gets me.”
John kissed her forehead and sat back in the seat. The plane would be taking off any moment.
It was once they got to Washington that would put him in a position to see what Miri and her entire family was capable of. And he’d know from that point what he wanted out of life.
And it would include Mirielle Grace Summers.
===
II
Pike looked over his plans for the demise of The Triad and their families. There was something wrong with the plan.
If he went through with killing all of them, he wouldn’t have his “pet” in eight years. And, he wanted her badly.
Maybe just Summers, San Marco and Donovan, Pike thought; let the rest of them suffer.
He didn’t count on the families’ special gifts. He had no clue about their “sixth sense”.
Or that the teenage girl he wanted when she was an adult would be the one to alert them to the presence of assassins.
Pike just wanted The Triad gone. Then maybe that would make recruiting people for A.R.M. easier. He knew what he wanted to be when they successfully took over the country again.
President for Life.
No Committee. Just him. He wanted to make all the decisions about those deemed Undesirable.
He was so hellbent on his plans that he never took into account that he could be foiled. Never even considered that someone could have him all figured out by that time.
That person sat in a classroom in an exclusive boarding school in the State of Vermont. And they would have the technical knowledge to bring Pike down. It would take years on their part to get their facts together, but once that was completed, there would be nothing Pike could do about it. His reputation would be so ruined that he couldn’t get a job at a fast food restaurant.
But it wouldn’t come to that. He would die.
By whose hand, not even the person who would eventually kill him knew.
Pike got on the phone to his assassins, and told them to just take out The Triad.
The assassins wouldn’t get a chance to do that.
Someone would “see” where they are and they’d meet their end before they even had a chance to pull the trigger to kill anyone.
But Pike didn’t know that.
===
Niki sat in her living room, wishing she could join her family in Washington at the funeral of Jacob Ross. She took a little comfort that Kimber wasn’t going either because she’d just had a baby.
Wow, how lucky are we? she thought sarcastically.
Niki remembered the first memory she had of the man she knew as Morbus until she was five years old. She was scared of him. She didn’t know why because he was always nice to her and Kimber.
“Why do you look like that?” Niki asked Morbus one afternoon when she was three years old.
“Like what, Niki?” he asked.
“Like you do.”
“Nicole!” her father admonished her. “That’s not nice!”
“No, no David,” Morbus said; “the girl has a right to ask.”
Niki saw her father’s face change. She knew he was having some thinkings.
“Niki, I look like this,” Morbus began, “because I had an accident a long time ago. Before Julia was born. I suppose I could get it fixed, but your daddy counts on me being scary looking.”
“Why?” asked Niki.
“Because there are bad people out there who want to hurt your daddy for what he believes,” Morbus said, “and it’s my job to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“By being scary looking?”
“Yes, that’s part of it,” said Morbus; “The other part is something you’re really too little to understand. Maybe your parents can explain it to you and Kimber one day when you’re older.”
“When will that be?” the girl asked.
“Many years from now,” her father said.
Niki looked at Morbus, who only repeated what David had said.
Now this damn cancer is keeping me from paying my respects, Niki thought. I didn’t think I’d take hearing about his death so badly. He’d been sick a long time.
Niki decided to light a candle for the soul of Jacob Ross, and prayed he had finally found peace.
After a while, she blew out the candle and sat on the couch and contemplated her own mortality. I’m going to beat this thing, she thought.
And this was where Drake found her when he came home from the University. By that time, Niki was fast asleep.
“Oh, my darling girl,” he said softly, seeing the candle on the coffee table; “I know losing family is hard. I know Jacob was like family to you. He was Julia’s father after all. I wish we could go to the funeral, but I see that you’ve already lit your candle for him. He knows his family loved him.”
He bent down and pushed a lock of Niki’s hair out of her eyes, then went into the kitchen to prepare dinner.
===
III
The Summers family arrived at Washington’s Reagan National Airport, where Jeremiah awaited them.
The younger kids were quiet as they got their luggage from the carousel; Miri introduced John to her uncle, and Jeremiah said,
“It’s nice to finally meet you, John. We’ve heard a lot about you!”
“All good I hope,” John said, shaking Jeremiah’s hand.
“Of course,” said Jeremiah; “Julia has spoken highly of your character. It’s nice to know that there are still young men out there who don’t want to shag every female in sight.”
“I’ve had my moments,” John said; “but not while I’m seeing Miri. She’s the only one I want to be with. That other stuff will come in time, but not until she’s of age. I’m not stupid.”
“That’s good, because she has male cousins who will kick your ass if you even think of going faster than Miri wants to go,” Jeremiah said. “That is, if her grandfather doesn’t beat them to it.”
John laughed, which Jeremiah found strangely comforting. He’s going to fit right in with this bunch, Jeremiah thought.
“I thought Natasha would come meet us,” Julia said as they went out to the van that her brother had rented.
“That was the plan originally,” said Jeremiah, “but she got caught up in other, um, things.”
“Say no more!” Julia said; “She and Darren are still newlyweds after all.”
“What other things, Mom?” Rachel asked.
Julia looked at her youngest and said, “Never you mind, Rachel. It’s grown up stuff.”
“Mom,” Rachel said; “We do know about what newlyweds do when they’re alone!”
Julia rolled her eyes. Damn, these kids grown up too damn fast! she thought as she got herself situated in the passengers seat up front.
She looked back and saw Miri and John sitting together in the very back seat of the van.
They were holding hands. Aw, how cute, Julia thought.
And she thought about her first real love. God, Ryan, I miss you, she thought sadly.
===
They snuck around the location of Jacob Ross’ funeral until they had all found hiding places. From where they were hidden, they would be able to take out The Triad. It was too easy.
They identified each other by number: Number One, Number Two, and Number Three.
“They’ll never know what hit them,” Number Three said to the other two. “Taking them out will be a pleasure.”
“And we’re getting paid well for our services,” Number One said. “I just wish we were taking out Draiman and his wife as well.”
“The Bossman may have other plans for them,” Number Two said. “Torture, disfigurement... just like the bastard they’re coming to pay tribute to. He should have died years ago.”
“He’s dead now and that’s all that matters,” said Number One.
“Without The Triad, our plans can go forward,” Number Three said; “I doubt very much that a bunch of kids will stop us.”
That was just it. It would be a bunch of kids who would stop them, because their parents trained them well.
The three assassins, and the man who hired them, were not counting on The Family to get in their way.
===
IV
With everyone settled in in their various locations, all that was left was the actual funeral and burial. Even the youngest children knew that the man in the coffin was not Jacob Ross, but his earthly remains. His soul, his very being, was with his Christine, wherever that may be.
That evening, everyone gathered at Natasha and Darren’s to talk about the threat to the lives of the three family members known by their enemies as “The Triad”.
“My weapons cache has enough firearms for everyone trained to use them,” Natasha was saying; “I suggest that Rachel and Aaliyah not be armed. I don’t have a crossbow, so Zach won’t be armed, either. Everyone else should have some kind of weapon on them at the funeral.”
“Agreed,” Nik said; “Everyone over 13 should have a firearm. Tash, that includes your kids and Jaime.”
“How will we know who to target if someone tries to carry out the threat,” Alex Springer asked; “No doubt that they could be anyone on the street at the time the service ends, or someone at the cemetery.”
“We’ll know, Alex,” Sandrina told him; “These guys from A.R.M. aren’t too bright. They will make a fatal mistake at some point.”
“We have Danica to ‘see’ them,” added Jeremiah; “Girl where did you learn that?”
Danica just shook her head; “Uncle Jere, I have no idea. One day, it just happened. My sixth sense has only been active since Kendria’s accident almost three years ago. Neither of us has really had to use it.”
“I kind of wish I had that ability,” Miri said; “But I’m glad I don’t. Just feeling that someone is out there, be they friend or foe, is enough for me to handle.”
After a while, everyone either went back to their hotels, or they went to their assigned rooms at Natasha’s. John bunking with Nikolai and Zach wasn’t so bad. He fell right asleep.
He knew that in the morning, there may be a mission to go on.
“Tash, I like that young man that Mirielle brought with her,” Darren said as they got ready for bed; “I hope that he and Miri can make something resembling a normal relationship.”
“Take into account that she’s not even 17 yet,” Natasha said; “I’m sure Julia’s watching that boy like a hawk.”
“True, true,” Darren said; “Are you going to be like that with Vixen?”
“Watching any boy she brings home like a hawk? Damn right I am.”
“I’d hate to be one of Vixen’s crushes then,” Darren said, laughing; “As if having the CIA Director as your stepfather isn’t bad enough...”
“No one messes with my little girl’s mind and gets away with it,” Natasha said.
“You don’t have to be mom and dad now, Tash,” Darren said softly; “Let me take on the dad role. You just be Mom.”
“Darren, my love,” Natasha said; “I’ve been doing it for nearly 14 years. It’s going to be hard to relinquish that role of single parent. You do need to get used to being the stepfather of teenagers, so I’ll try and let you be ‘Dad’.”
Darren kissed Natasha’s cheek, saying, “I do know enough to know that you have to let both of them find their own way in life. You’ve done a great job, Natasha; now let them test their wings.”
Natasha sighed silently. It was going to be hard to let the twins do that, but she knew that Darren was right. She couldn’t control their lives forever.
She prayed that what she had already done for them was enough, and that wherever he was in the great beyond, that Doug was proud of her.
===
He stationed himself right outside the Dixon/Vincent residence. To the casual observer, it was just a car parked in the neighborhood. In reality, it was Richard Pike keeping watch over his “pet”.
It didn’t even occur to him that they knew he was there in the car, watching the house. He knew what room she was in with her sisters and their cousin. He didn’t have to see her.
Pike had plans for his pet. But now was not the time to implement those plans. He wasn’t stupid, nor was he a pedophile (at least in his own twisted mind). He just wanted to make sure the men he hired to eliminate The Triad didn’t take out more people than was necessary. Just The Triad. That would make his pet more vulnerable.
And he liked having control.
He’d practice on a few other “pets” in the meantime. Get his ways just right, then made sure they disappeared.
Pike knew that she would fight him, and actually anticipated it. She’d have no weapons at her disposal, and she’d have to rely on him for everything, including her very survival. Or that’s what he’d make her think. When he tired of her, she’d go the way of the others: to make her disappear, never to be seen again.
Again, he didn’t anticipate that there would be several people who would move heaven and earth to find his pet and bring her home. One of those people would end his life using information gathered by his own flesh and blood.
He sat in a car on a cold October night, hoping for a glimpse of someone he couldn’t touch for at least five more years.
Jaime sat up in bed suddenly out of a dead sleep. Her sisters and her cousin Vixen were still sleeping. They weren’t feeling what she was feeling.
There was someone close, and they were not Friendlies.
She got out of bed and went downstairs to the kitchen to see if Aunt Natasha had anything to drink. Poking around the refrigerator, Jaime found some orange juice. She took it out of the fridge and set about finding a glass.
As she was reaching for a glass, a thought came to her. The presence that was near was not after any of the other members of her family who were at the house.
They were after her. She shuddered so violently that she dropped the plastic glass on the kitchen floor. As she picked it up, she thought, who would be after me? I haven’t done anything to anyone.
Grandpa Jacob had taught her and her siblings a breathing technique that calmed them when they got agitated. Jaime started doing that and calmed down almost immediately. Still she wondered.
Who would be after me? I’m a thirteen year old kid.
===
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