Family Reunion

What are the odds that I would run into family here at my place of living? In my case pretty slim. I grew up in the desert and oddly enough a lot of my family members like it there. I was the only one desperate to complain so much that I would move some place where the sun rarely shines.

Today I was walking along island. Just me and Sei. Kai had to go to work. Up ahead I see two people about my age. They looked familiar but I didn't think it was possible. Sure enough, they saw me and the started walking up to me with smiles on their faces.

It was them! My cousin Jade Rene and her boyfriend, Ben Queen. I could not believe that they were here so I questioned them on it.

"This is awekward," I said to them. "Never would I have expected to see the two of you out here."

"We decided to give it a try," said Jade.

"Now who's following?" I replied with a grin.

My family wasn't really a tight nit one. My parents had brothers but they were never close to any of them despite living in the same place. Jade and I didn't meet until high school for the very first time (we never knew we were related). We tried to see how things would go but the awekward of it all was constantly there. By our Junior and Senior year we had begun making progress to the point where it was less creepy and we became close friends.

"So what are you doing out here?" I asked them. "I thought you were going to St. Mary's."

"We were," Ben replied

"But," Jade took over. "After your little nature project in english class where you related your life to that of Dr. Frankenstein , I couldn't get those Seattle pictures that you showed us out of my head. In the end we ultimately decided to come."

"So what do you plan to do now that you're here?"

"We both have enrolled at the community college so we'll start there and work our way on up," replied Ben.

"That's great," I replied.

"And what have you been up to?" Jade asked. "Since graduation, you just split. No goodbyes, no e-mails, nothing."

"I had to go- there was nothing left out there for me. And you know me, I've always complained that I hated it there too much. I always said I would get out and I did. As of now though I have a job as a Captain for one of the tour boating companies and I also have a job at NTAC."

"You're kidding!" said Ben.

"I wish I was. I'm just trying to do the right thing for both sides."

Ben didn't say anything but after reading his thoughts I grew a little on the defensive.

"You guys aren't thinking about trying anything are you? This place is a major hot zone and I just don't want to see you get hurt."

"You've always worried too much, Cove," said Jade.

I looked at Ben and at Jade. I was able to read their thoughts. Sei began growling and after reading Sei's thoughts I knew he was looking at their pockets. I looked to and I recognized the image.

"Then give me a reason not to worry."

Sei continued to growl and after a little mind reading I was able to tell him to stop and that I would deal with the situation when time called for it.

"Sorry about him," I appologized. "He must see something that doesn't belong."

"Is he okay?" Ben asked.

"Yeah, he's fine. He just doesn't like what he sees that's all."

"Cove, I'm your cousin, everything is cool."

I looked at Jade and Ben and just smiled. I didn't want to crack down on them right then and there. As an NTAC agent it would be my job to continue questioning and then arrest them but thankfully I had the day off so I decided to let it slide.

"You're right, everything is cool. Listen, why don't you guys come over for dinner later. We can talk some more and you'll be able to meet Kai."

"Yeah, that sounds great," replied Jade.

After that they went their own way and I went mine. Sei started talking to me and I replied in a whisper.

"I know they had Promicin. I'll handle it, I promise."

I picked up a stick and tossed it. Sei ran after it and then came back.

"Good boy," I said to him.