Another one for the list! The new schedule seems to be working so far, it got me off my ass to write this at least. Now I've just got to focus on starting Tuesday's chapter tomorrow. I hope I don't procrastinate and try to do the whole thing on Tuesday.

Almonds and iced tea

Food for writing do they be

Happy reading!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Simon stared up at the ceiling of the Bell’s Tacos sleeplessly. A screen glowed to his right brightly, yet it casted no shadows. He had made his preparations, now all that was left was to wait. Wait and think.

He had spent the last few hours wondering, deliberating on whether or not he should, or even could go through with this. For a time, he had considered simply leaving Thomas behind, but it was a short lived thought. He was family, and Simon needed to at least make sure he survived long enough to be stupid once more.

The problem was, Simon’s plan consisted of taking away somebody’s free will, and it was practically slavery, even if was for their own good. Simon had become a lawyer because he wanted to help people be free of debts and burdens, not trap them even further.

Simon sighed, and shifted on his makeshift bed. Nobody had wanted to sleep on the filthy floor, so blankets and cushions were piled onto counters and tables. There was a risk of falling, but everyone seemed to consider it better than sleeping in the dirt. Despite what they might want you to think, restaurant kitchen floors are not the cleanest of surfaces.

From his position on his countertop bed, he could see the gentle rise and fall of his mother’s shoulders as she slept peacefully on the other side of the room. Simon’s eyes softened. Despite how annoying she could be at times, Simon was really grateful for everything she had done, trying to raise two boys on her own couldn’t have been easy, especially not with one like Thomas.

A light tap on his shoulder startled him out of his thoughts. Simon turned to find Tiffany’s face looking down on him.

“It’s 1:30. Prime time for some secret spy stuff!”, she whispered with a grin.

Simon nodded and got up quietly, moving over to his mother’s sleeping form.

He brushed some hair out of her sleeping face solemnly, and said, “Sorry, mom, you’ll have to sleep a little longer, just let us take care of everything.”

He activated the contract.

ContractThis Contract dated 4th of July, 2016

Between

Marie Belfonse of -adress indeterminate-, NYC, NY (Contractee)

And

Simon Belfonse of -adress indeterminate-, NYC, NY (Contracter)In consideration of the Contractee following certain orders that the Contractor sets, and the Contractor promising to give no orders that could harm the Contractee, both parties agree to keep, perform and fulfill the promises set out in this Agreement.

1. The Contractee will remain sleeping for as long as physical contact is made between either the Contractee and the Contractor, or the Contractee and Miss. Tiffany Oliveira.

2. The Contractee will follow the person in contact with the Contractee for as long as the first condition is met.

Signed,

Simon Belfonse

July 4th, 2016

Simon blinked as he noticed the date for the first time, and gave a low chuckle. It was supposed to be a day of celebration, yet the nation was in chaos.

He made sure not to move his hand from his mother’s forehead before Tiffany took firm hold of her hand. Gently, Tiffany pulled her up, and his mother, still sleeping, stood up steadily.

Simon let out a relieved breath at the sight. He was still not certain of the limits of his powers.

“Alright. I’ll meet you at the west washrooms.”, Simon said, no longer needing to remain quiet.

Tiffany nodded and smiled reassuringly at him. “Good luck. Go get that idiot brother of yours.”

Simon nodded, and headed out into the dark hallways.

Many people had managed to find candles or flashlights, and the lights cast long shadows on the walls. The walls were covered with people slumped around, wrapped in blankets or just hugging their family members. A few people sobbed quietly, no doubt mourning their missing friends or family. It was a sombre sight, and Simon moved quickly through the throng of refugees, eager to be out of the hole he had found himself in.

Soon he had reached the Wallmart. For his “valiant contributions”, Thomas had been offered sleeping quarters in the clothing section.

Simon stepped through the wide open entrance carefully, making sure not to make any noise. He was fortunate that Elliot was not paranoid enough to post guards at the entrance to his castle.

At the thought of the man, Simon’s eyes drifted towards the other end of the store, where the door to the employees lounge, Elliot’s quarters, was located. For a short time, he had considered ending the whole thing by going after the head man himself, but he quickly dismissed the thought. He was no murderer, and as much as he hated to admit it, despite his ambition, Elliot was doing some amount of good here. Simon certainly wouldn’t let him use his family members, though.

Simon crept through the store, making sure to watch for any lights or people getting up for a late night snack. There weren’t too many people allowed to sleep or live in the store, and the few that did mostly slept in the clothing section, where they were reasonable insulated, and had plenty of bedding materials.

Soon the sounds of snoring came into earshot as Simon made his way closer. He pushed his way through a few hanging jackets, and found himself among 3-4 sleeping figures. He spotted Thomas’ face directly to his right, and stepped gingerly over a bearded man towards him. Simon crouched next to his brother and brought up his power screen. His finger hesitated over the button, and Simon took a last look at Thomas’ face.

“I’m sorry brother.”, Simon whispered, and activated the contract.

ContractThis Contract dated 4th of July, 2016

Between

Thomas Belfonse of -adress indeterminate-, NYC, NY (Contractee)

And

Simon Belfonse of -adress indeterminate-, NYC, NY (Contracter)In consideration of the Contractee following certain orders that the Contractor sets, and the Contractor promising to give no orders that could harm the Contractee, both parties agree to keep, perform and fulfill the promises set out in this Agreement.

1. The Contractee will be unable to speak for the duration of the Contract’s existence.

2. The Contractee will follow all verbal orders of the Contractor.

3. The Contractee will not use their powers for the duration of the Contract’s existence.

Signed,

Simon Belfonse

July 4th, 2016

Thomas opened his eyes sleepily, apparently roused by his brother’s words. ‘Huh?’, he mouthed, confused, but no sound came out. As Simon’s face registered, his eyes snapped open, and he tried to say something, but the words were unsaid.

Reacting fast, Simon ordered him quietly, “Do not wake anyone, or try to attack me. Get up quietly, and follow me without making any noise. This is for your own good.”

Thomas’ eyes widened in confusion as his body moved without his consent, then a look of understanding came over him as he realized what happened. Quickly, his face turned to pure rage, and he glared hatefully at Simon.

Simon grimaced, and muttered again, “I’m sorry.”

As quickly as he could without waking anyone else, he led his brother out of the Wallmart and into the hallway. They made their way without incident to the western bathrooms, where Tiffany stood waiting with his mother, who slept on blissfully.

Tiffany nodded to him, and they made their way to the exit. Simon checked the hallway, but didn’t notice anyone around. Quickly, they walked over to it, and began clearing the makeshift barricade. Suddenly, the sound of somebody’s throat clearing sounded behind them, and Simon whirled.

Leaning on a cane with an apathetic expression, was old man Jerry.

Simon froze, recognizing him, then relaxed. Jerry had a power, but it was non combative. All he could do was see what a person’s power was.

“Ah kinda ‘spected yah t’do this eventually.”, Jerry said in a low tone. “I ain’t gonna stop yah, but I gotta ask, why all th’ secrecy? Ahm sure if ya just asked Elliot, he’d let ya out no problem.”

Simon snorted, but stayed on guard. “You clearly don’t know Elliot very well. He’s trying to go to war, you know. He’s not going to let potential soldiers just leave, and I’m definitely not leaving my only brother here to die.”, he said.

Thomas looked at him hard, as if challenging the fact that Simon was trying to help him.

Jerry was silent for a long moment, then sighed deeply. “Aye, it’s a foolish move. Right then, off with ye lot. I’ll put the barricade back up when ya leave, and I ain’t gonna tell Elliot nothin’ in the mornin’ neither.”

Simon smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Jerry. Are you sure you don’t wanna come with us?”

“Hmph, naw. I got kids ah me own in here, ‘n’ ah can’t protect ‘em all by meself. I’m gettin’ old y’know.”, Jerry said, waving him off.

Simon nodded, and tore down the rest of the barricade, leading his small group out of the mall and into the night. He looked back from the parking lot, and waved goodbye to Jerry, who was putting things back. Simon barely caught him nodding back in acknowledgement.

Simon turned back to the dark ahead of them. They were free from one known danger, but now they had to survive the unknown.

Ugh, that 3 stars is so ugly. Why do people give random 0.5 stars :'(