"Oh, let me choose!" Shane piped up from the basement compartment, excitement practically vibrating through his voice.
"Okay… who?" Waan asked, tapping his fingers impatiently.
"How about the oldest and the youngest?" Jessica suggested.
"Hmmm… oldest and youngest… that's Peace and Pearl," Jennifer pointed out.
Olivia immediately shook her head. "Bad idea. Peace is six and Pearl's almost twenty."
"I love a challenge," Peace said, smirking like she had already won.
"Try? Peace, are you out of your mind?" Cai asked, worry written all over his face.
"So I've been told," Peace shrugged, her expression one of pure disgust. "And remember, I survived four years in Thailand… surrounded by middle-aged people. Disgusting ones, at that."
Pearl stepped in, reasoning. "Let's try… she's my sister. I won't hurt her."
Peace tilted her head, voice dripping with snark. "You'll be my sister if you marry any of my siblings. For now? You're my opponent."
Justin leaned close to me, whispering, "This is such a bad idea."
I grunted, frustrated. They seemed like the only sane ones here. "I know, Justin… but what can I do?" I muttered back as the middle of the room cleared for the match.
"Catch me if you can," Peace taunted.
Unknown to everyone, Peace had been rubbing her palms together, building friction. The static ignited, crackling around her, and she vanished.
To her, the room looked normal everyone was there but to everyone else, she was gone. She hovered like a distorted reflection behind a pane of shattered glass, electricity dancing faintly around her.
Pearl listened for any sound footsteps, breath, movement but the room was dead silent. She inhaled sharply and shot fireballs in every direction, trying to anticipate Peace's position.
Peace stayed calm, dodging each attack while controlling her own breathing. She knew she couldn't sustain her powers forever, so she waited… and then struck.
Out of nowhere, she appeared behind Pearl. A sharp kick slammed into Pearl's right knee, friction scraping against the floor as Peace vanished again. Pearl stumbled, pain shooting through her leg.
Before she could recover, Peace hit her left knee with the same precision. Pearl crumpled, defenseless.
Peace moved with lightning logic, striking the second vertebrae of Pearl's neck. Pearl collapsed, unconscious.
The room froze. Gasps and wide eyes everywhere some convinced it was her power; some knew it was sheer tactical brilliance.
"Well that was relatively not easy I need water"Peace said as Dustin help her with a bottle.
"Told you to stop playing hide and seek first,If you had started the knee attack 5 seconds earlier you wouldn't run outta breathe"Dustin corrected with a snarky smile.
Peace did funny faces at him as she gulped the water.
"Ohh and she will be okay?"Peace told Josh who was clearly worried about Pearl.
"Very Good Peace,Now who would like to explain the tactic"Wann asked but everyone was silent.
"One of the reasons I would never become a teacher"Waan grunted and looked around everyone was normal but Austin was rather confused.
"Austin explain why she used that tactic"Waan suddenly asked Austin which made him straighten his back.
"Well if I knew i would look confused"He retorted and Waan sighed.
"Why do you think Peace kicked Pearl in her knees first"Waan asked.
Olivia, Shane, Jennifer, Jessica and Mook were very attentive.
"Well Peace statics made her invisible not taller and Pearl was obviously taller than her so for her to reach her neck she had to make her crouch to her position?"Austin asked with an insure voice.
"Of you know why are you confused"Waan asked clearly tired of him.
Austin broke into a chuckle.
"The atmosphere of the room is too tense it feels like a military camp in here I had to lighten up the mood"Austiysaid Woth a beautiful downward smile.
Beverly sighed.
"AUSTIN "she screamed and He laughed nervously.
Waan couldn't help but laugh.
Waan couldn't help but laugh.
"Okay… you don't like how serious everyone is?" Waan asked, crossing his arms.
"Yep," Austin replied blankly.
Waan signaled Dustin to get ready. He wanted Dustin to catch Austin off guard.
Dustin walked slowly—so slowly you could barely hear his footsteps. He aimed to land a punch, but in the split second Austin moved…
"Shit! My heart wants to jump out of my chest! That was close," Austin said, clutching his chest.
"Let's party," Dustin said, sprinting toward Austin.
He swung, trying to land a punch, but Austin dodged every strike.
"This is starting to look like an anime scene. I have goosebumps," Jade Clifton remarked, shrugging.
Dustin smirked. Austin grinned back.
"Hit me," Austin challenged, dashing toward Dustin in a desperate attempt to land a punch on his jaw.
Dustin sidestepped with perfect timing, slamming him lightly on the side instead.
"Shit… shit…!" Austin groaned, kneeling on one knee.
John jumped up, worried.
"He's gonna be fine, I hope," James muttered, equally concerned.
"Okay, I've had it," Austin said, cracking his neck.
His eyes flared red, flames dancing beautifully within them.
"Damn, that's hot," Crustin said excitedly. "Pun intended."
"Seriously, Crustin, shut up," Jessica Junior said, clearly frustrated.
Dustin laughed. "Beautiful colors? I've got mine too," he teased, as if glowing eyes were a competition.
Austin's eyes glowed brighter and brighter. The room grew hotter by the second.
"Let's play, shall we?" Austin smiled, eyes burning with intensity.
I could feel worry creeping in.
"Dad, should we stop them?" Jade asked, noticing my concern.
"Nah… not yet," Waan mumbled, curious to see what would happen.
Austin charged, aiming to attack Dustin as fast as he could, but Dustin dodged effortlessly. Without breaking a sweat, Dustin pinned Austin to the floor, using his legs to hold him down.
Austin gulped, and the flames in his eyes dimmed.
"What a position," Jas teased, smirking.
"Stop… they're seven. What could go wrong?" Joy asked, shrugging.
"A lot," Treasure and Kate replied.
"Get off me!" Austin demanded, struggling to break free.
"And why should I?" Dustin asked with a smirk.
"Justin looks like he wants to eat me alive," Austin whispered in Dustin's ear—then quickly got off him, straightening his clothes.
Justin glared daggers at Dustin.
Meanwhile, Crimson and Chris hadn't said a word, lost in their own worlds.
In the compartment, the parents could feel the tension radiating from the children.
"I feel like we are going to be in-laws in the future"Olivia told Mook with a confused look
"Yeah"Mook said with same confused look.
"And my son is in the middle?"James muttered.
"Training is done for today"Waan said dismissing the children.
B's POV
After dismissed us for today every was heading to the elevator.
It seems they have forgotten we have a serial killer on our neck.
"And where do you guys think you are going?"B asked crossing her arms as there parents Left the basement.
"Upstairs duh red hair"Jas said as if stating the obvious
Well she was.
The hatred I have for this girl needs to be checked.
"It seems you need glasses jas,My hair is back to be being Brown"I replied in a snarky tone.
"Meeting now"I said in a commanding tone this was followed by series of Goans
I looked back and gave them a death stare and they all went quiet.
"I thought so too"I said as I walked to the being table and screen in the corner of the basement.
"Gavreel, Crimson, Kate,Crimson and Chris and many others you guys have said less than two words care to explain why?"I asked as I crossed my arms.
"Honestly,27 people,4 families, It's a lot of people and we only have one motive to find someone who kidnapped our siblings,We don't know how to talk to everyone it's just too overwhelming,"Gavreel explained and it's totally understandable.
It's too overwhelming.
"I know it's hard a group of 19 people is too much I know but what can we do about it"Kate sighed.
"Honestly it's no ones fault that we have a serial killer on our neck who is out to wipe us"Cai added.
"And that's why we need a leader"Peace suggested.
"We have one already"Jade Clifton point out.
I looked confused a leader already?
When?
How?
Was i sleeping when it was chosen?
"Who?"I asked curiously.
"You"They all replied.
"Ohh me"I said Till it hit me "wait me,Why me of all people?"
"Don't argue accept it"Pearl said as she groggily woke up.
"Pearl is up"Peace said in a cute voice as she helped her up
"I totally forgot about her"Chris whispered in my ear and I nodded.
"You little rat took me out in a flash"Pearl said as she held her neck
"Who taught you that"Pearl asked as she pat Peace.
"Christiana"She replied.
"Whose that?"crimson asked curiously.x
"She's dead"She said inna sad but cheerful tone.
"Ohhh"We all said.
"Any way back to us being a group of 19,What of we divide each other in to teams and then we all report here when we found something,And note the team would rotate so that everyone could get closer is that clear"I asked and no one replied.
"I said are we clear?"I asked again in my commander tone inherited from my mom.
"Yes"They all chorused.
"How are we going to team up?"Kate asked.
"Simple the first group is Austin, Crustin, Dustin and Justin,You are to choose a leader in five minutes"I said I looked around a bit.
"Jennifer, Beverly, Peace and Crimson, Pls Peace don't argue with Jennifer"I continued grouping
"Josh, the two jades and Cai,Yes I can't be with you all the time"
"Kate,Pearl ,Chris and Gavreel,Chris you are stuck with the oldies"
"Heyyy"They said defensively
"And finally Me, treasure,Joy and I hate to admit Jas,"I added as she glared at me
"The feelings is mutual"
I have them time to discuss between themselves and choose a leader.
"Big sis I have a question can I change groups"Crimson asked nervously.
"No"I replied and she grunted.
"The first group"I was referring to Dustin group obviously
"Group name and leader"I asked crossing my arms.
"The group name is Us and the leader is Dustin"Austin replied on there behalf.
"I still think Crustin would do a better job but I don't have a choice do I"Dustin replied not clearly happy that he was the leader.
"Group 2?"I asked
"Merc and leader Crimson"Jennifer replied.
"No,I don't wanna lead "Crimson flat out declined.
"It seems the lee Matter's have beef with leadership"Kate joked
"Just do it"Chris tried to convince
"We don't have all day the third group?"I mumbled
"Group name Identical leader Cai"Jade Clifton replied on there behalf.
"Hey,hey,hey why me,Why can't Jade do it"Cai complained
"Nope, leadership is not my thing"Jade LM blatantly refused
"Group 4?"I sighed
Gav, Pearl,Kate all looked at Chris.
"You guys aren't thinking of using me as a leader right?, Gav is 18, Pearl and Kate almost 20 and I'm not 10 yet so don't think of it"Chris refused before they could even choose him
"Chris group name Star"Gav said
"Guys this is not fair I'm not even 10"Chris looked shocked.
"Can you guy's stop arguing About leadership"I tried to reason with them
"Well apparently the Lee's have leader phobia"Jas tried to mock
"That's not a thing"Justin replied
"Shut up"Jas said immediately
I sighed again,I wonder how we are all going to get along.
"So what about our group"I asked Joy treasure and Jas.
"Group name could be BP"Joy said excitedly
"What's that?"Treasure asked confused
"Blackpink,B is Jennie,Jas is Lisa, I'm Rose and treasure is Jisoo"Joy explained.
"Wait, what"Jas and I said confused
"The name of our group is a k-pop group that just debuted"Jas asked curiously
"What they are cool, Boombayah"Treasure said and Joy squeaked.
"Your group is crazy"Pearl whispered in my ear
"I know"I replied totally tired before we started.
"Let head upstairs and tell our parents"I suggested as we all head to the elevator when we got to the living room the were sitting round the table with glasses of wine and talking about a kingdom or something
Immediately we entered they kept quiet.
"Well that was odd"Cai said as he crashed on the sofa.
"Anyways Babe we have divided ourselves into subgroup for the villain stuff and there's no way you guys aren't help so it's either you group yourself too"I ordered.
"Talk about being bossy"Jennifer said in a complimenting tone.
"I don't have all day moms"She Added checking her watch.
"We could divide our self's in two groups,The men's group and the women's group"Olivia suggested and I nodded.
"For the men's group Shane,Waan,James and Jessica"Mook divided.
"Wait why am I one the men's group"Jessica added.
"The resons are obviously,You lok like a man and John looks like a girl case closed"Jennifer supported and Everyone nodded except Jessica.
"Leaders?"I asked again.
"The first group Waan the second group Mook"John replied.
"You didn't even ask if I want to be the leader"Dad questioned
"Stop complaining and just do it"Shane said shutting dad up
"Is it's so easy do it"Dad retorted
"Can you guys stop arguing in front of the kids Jesus"Jennifer scolded
"So let me get this straight,The leader of the 7 groups are Dustin, Crimson, Chris, Cai,Dad,Mom and Me"I confirmed and they all nodded.
"Wait 27 people,four families,7 group's and all the leader are from the Lee Matter family,"Jas asked as if she just made a discovery.
Well she did in a sense.
"Wait. Hold up. Dustin, Crimson, Cai, Chris… You're telling me ALL the leaders are Leematters? What is this, a family dictatorship? The rest of you just gave up your free will?"Olivia question.
"Guess leadership runs in the blood, even if y'all deny it."Shane commented.
"I want a refund on these genes." Dustin said with a sigh.
"Same"Crimson joined in
"I'm in a group with teenagers but they made a 9 year old a leader, makes no sense"Chris grunted as he head to the kitchen for water.
"Stop complaining"Gav added.
Yes,The house was crowded.
27 people is not a joke.
Yes, not everyone might get to talk.
Yes,some people might feel like am extra or side character.
And being a leader of this big group is overwhelming.
But we will figure it out I hope.
Talking about figuring things out why does this place sound like a local market.
"Can everyone stop talking"I said quietly.
"CAN EVERYONE STOP TALKING"I screamed and everywhere went silent.
"Good, now before we fore we have a manipulator and serial killer on our hands and the only clue we have is Madison Bear Kentucky and a stupid address in New York"I reminded them.
"Who is that anyway?"Jade LM asked.
"I knew we wouldn't be here"I replied snarkly
"Is she always like that?"I heard Olivia asked my mom
"Yes, During missions"She replied with a shrug.
"Our team could find out stuff about her right?"Justin said asked his group and Me at the same time.
"And how are you guys going to do that?"Kate asked.
"Simple we just need 4 good computers and a room"Austin replied.
"They are the techy group"my Dad said to no one in particular.
"Great,My group are going to check on the weird adress"I added.
And everyone nodded
"Wait if you guys are going to do all the work what are we supposed to do"Jessica asked.
"Work?"I replied with a smirk
"Work?"The all asked.
"Yes we will me needing money and resources"I replied with a duh tone.
"We are definitely going to spend money,Who's gonna take care of the accounting"I asked looking at Pearl
"I study architecture not accounting"Pearl downright refused.
"I'll do it, I'm a commerce student"Gavreel pointed out.
"Yes I totally forgot"I said rubbing My temples
"And the weapons and stuff?"I asked again
Leadership is a lot of work I'm almost outta breath
"We will take care of that"Cai replied
"The Merc group is gonna help with the address,It's settled The us group will help with background check on who Madison is, Identically group is gonna help with training and weapons, Star group is gonna help with the accounting,The adult group is gonna help with money and resources and finally The BP group is gonna help with the address too,"I explained making sure everyone was clear about what there responsibilities are.
"And finally leadership is stressful can't someone else do it"I tried to negotiate
"No "the all replied
"Damm it"I cuss and everyone laughed as Each group started to talk with there teammates
"Get a lot of rest this night we head out tomorrow at 10am,And I'm signing out for now , Bye"I said running as fast as I could to my room and I locked the door
I crash on the bed with a thud.
We've been so busy with stuff I totally forgot about Pearl.