(pov jack)
I rushed after hérèse but…
– (I'm going back, it's better)
Nothing was going according to plan anymore; he was literally being threatened by "the white hand." I didn't have the courage to get close to him this time; he'd have to fend for himself. The atmosphere around them was heavy and anxiety-inducing, far too much for me.
I turned on my heel and escaped as quickly as possible so as not to meet his gaze.
– (He's always aiming higher than himself; he's playing a bit too hard)
Leaving, then, was my salvation, or so I believe.
Once I got back to my neighborhood, at 3:20 PM,
The usual greetings had become very distant, almost like whispers accompanied by an insistent gaze that followed me the whole way.
It was the first time.
Was the whole neighborhood in a bad mood?
In short, I stopped in front of the gate of my "house"
I took a deep breath, brought my wife's satchel down and pushed the gate open wide.
– I'M home…
I found myself facing a group of 5 adults; they were seated in the large courtyard, surrounded and served by my older "sisters".
These are the personal guards of the chief of Bé.
I didn't know how to take it... I couldn't even swallow, I was petrified.
I let my bag slip from my hand, letting it crash heavily to the ground, kicking up all the dust around it.
Finally, all eyes turned towards me.
My mother ran, she grabbed my arm and pulled me away from there with long strides.
– Stay in your room… okay… we feel busy… don't do anything… don't say anything…
Her voice was as trembling as those cold fingers that gently caressed my face.
I couldn't help but feel guilty.
She smiled at me as if nothing was wrong, but I could clearly see the anguish and fear in her eyes.
And yet I had done everything to never again have to watch that expression appear on her face.
What did I do wrong?
Did I pick up the wrong voice?
Should I beg them? Or just join them and be done with it?
All these questions were swirling in my head, my jaw clenched, my eyebrows touched, my fist unconsciously curled, and I began to stare at the ground with rage.
– Jack… Jack.. JACK.. JACKSON
He ended up yelling "my mother"
She shook me violently, bringing me back to reality a little.
"Don't think anything stupid, trust me," she said, puffing out her chest.
– Have I ever disappointed you?
His confidence and his gaze began to stir a small feeling of joy within me.
– Never, you never betrayed me.
She gently pinched my cheek and sent me off to my room.
– Put on your headphones and turn up the volume.
It's not like I could protest since she had just turned the key in my door and locked me in.
Eventually, it had become normal.