Gift

The Beginning of the End

I played with the hem of my shirt nervously, we we're no doubt going to get on the plane soon. Even after all the prep and training we went through I'm still not sure if I'm completely ready for all this. The Shade and Treesh districts have been at war for god knows how long. Jean has connections with them, and Grey is in danger. So I'm here to help.

My name is Adele. I have the fire gift right now. Sometimes I view it as more of a curse. My parents died in the fire I got my power from, and it's been really hard getting along ever since. I had to leave my brother Jack to go on this mission with some other members from Jean's coalition. Jack didn't like the idea but he let me go. 

I cried a lot this morning. I can tell some other people did too. The puffy eyes weren't a rare sight in the airport today. We're flying to Hadestland right on the Treesh-Shade border so the coalition can stop the war that's been going on over Grey's land for years. It's my district and I want to protect it.

"Hey, I'll be right back, I need to go to the bathroom." Jean said getting up from his seat, rubbing his hands together in an uncomfortable manner.

"Don't miss the flight." Patrick jokingly said, and proceeded to drop his glasses that he was cleaning. James laughed at Pat's expense before waving Jean off.

"Hey, wait up. I'll come with you so you don't get lost." Felix said to Jean, stepping up and following after.

Jean visibly rolled his eyes and quickened his pace.

"Wow, rude." Felix said and started easing into a jog.

I know Jean has a past with the Shade district, but I don't know the details. Actually, I don't know any facts besides that he hates talking about it and being there, so I imagine this isn't going to be a fun time for him. I think back to what Jean said to the coalition before we left for the airport. He was very stern about keeping our guard up and being safe all the time. I don't think that the Shade district is a very nice place.

Shade is known for its aggressive nature, it's very much a survival of the fittest mindset there, or so I've heard. It's not down right barbaric but if you're not careful enough you'll be taken advantage of.

Treesh is a less violent place, but the standards are terrifying. Act out of line and they'll banish you. Perfection is what Treesh wants, but perfection is unachievable.

Grey is my district. It's normal, there's good and bad people and we can all just be us. I can't let Treesh or Shade take over what we have. I won't let them.

People that come from the Grey district bleed red blood, but the people from Shade bleed black blood, and the people from Treesh bleed white. That's how you know where they come from.

Everyone in the coalition has to do a blood test to show they're not a spy. I've seen everyone's blood, even when training and accidents happen, so there's no one I can't trust here.

Jean and Felix haven't returned yet. I look to my left, and Matthew is gazing out the window.

"Are you nervous?" I ask, trying to start up conversation.

"Not really. I do spy work all the time. I know what to expect. Don't worry, I'll protect you if anything goes wrong." He said. It would be a lie to say I didn't have a small crush on this boy. I smiled back.

His smile makes me smile.

Felix and Jean come back into the waiting area.

"Wake up the sleeping members we all need to sit where we're supposed to if an attack happens so we all make it out alive." Jean said in a monotone way while rubbing his eyes. He looks and sounds tired, I feel bad for the guy, he's talked about his insomnia before.

I watched as Martin shook Adam awake.

"Dude get up." Martin said.

"Give me 5 minutes." Adam said in a sleepy tone.

"The plane is taking off you're my sitting partner get up or we're leaving you here." Martin rolled his eyes and continued to shake Adam.

"I'm up, I'm up! Quit shaking me." Adam said.

"All passengers on flight 2284 please board the plane now." The automated voice rang through the hall and we all stood up, ready to get in the plane.

Even through tiredness I could see Jean's regret and anguish in his face, Ive never seen him more worried, and it troubles me.

"Don't worry Adele. I think this'll be a good experience for you, after all you're going to new places for free!" Matthew said while grabbing my hand while we walk.

"You think so? I'm just a bit.. scared of flying is all." I lied at the last part, maybe Jean doesn't want anyone to know he's stressed.

"Well, don't worry. If we crash Pat will save us with his wind gift." He said, and smiled up at me again.

I couldn't help but smile back.

"Yeah, I guess you're right."