https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/9-13.mp4 Jioni zoned out. A chilling thought hit her: this could be the last time Brandon ever saw her. And this would be the last time she saw him: a wrinkled face scared by stress, messy red hair pushed and pulled by worry, and the stiffest posture signaling discomfort. That was her best friend, and …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/9-12.mp4 Jioni stayed still for a moment, but her legs instinctively went to pacing. Her behavior wasn’t risky. It was survival. How could he not see that? She headed for the window again, but Brandon stopped her from leaving. “Wait, please.” “Okay,” Jioni whispered. Brandon sighed and reached for a top shelf. He held a …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/9-11.mp4 “Okay, so you’re going to Outergen?” “Yeah.” “And then what?” “What…?” “You’re going to Outergen, and then what?” Brandon repeated softly, doing his best to disguise his frustration. “I don’t want to be rude. I really don’t. But that is by far the most absurd thing you’ve ever said. Going to Outergen, if you …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/9-10.mp4 “Wait, listen. There’s nothing for me here. I haven’t eaten in two days, maybe three.” Jioni’s eyes darted through the room. She stumbled backwards. “And I don’t have a payment for tomorrow. A-and I don’t want a handout, I want to figure it out myself!” “I’m sorry, but I don’t think deflecting is gonna …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/9-9.mp4 A beat. “Okay. So. That’s what else they’ve been saying.” Brandon exhaled. “That you would never become an Agent. A-and I’ve tried defending you many times. But I guess it’s true. So if you’re not going to be an Agent, what will you do?” “I’m not a good fighter. I can’t pass the Junior …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/9-8.mp4 “No, it’s ok, really. If you want, we can train together later this week.” Jioni smiled unauthentically and then shook her head. Though she felt comforted, the way he always asked to hang out was never in a way that they weren’t training. It was rare, especially these days. To just hang out without …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/9-7-1.mp4 Her wrist was caught by his hand. Jioni stopped, then turned to him. Before she could react, he pulled her into a hug. A tight hug. She immediately hugged back and felt calm again. Her whole body ached from the fight an hour ago, but the pain melted off of her with this gesture. …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/9-6-1.mp4 Finally, Brandon’s locked eyes looked somewhere else. His expression was hidden. He pushed himself up against the bed. Readjusting; then he stood up, showing an inch of unease. “Okay.” He said. “Okay? You don’t believe me, do you?” Jioni said. “I don’t know how to prove it to you but that’s the truth. Tracey …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/9-5.mp4 Jioni’s eyes widened, then became vacant. Her hand glided over her bruised face, which had several scratches and cuts. Her dreads lay uneven and sporadically over her. She tried to think of a way out of the topic, but Brandon’s eyes were locked. “The Tenebris,” Jioni said. The vague truth was the option Jioni …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/9-4.mp4 “Um, first, um. Are you okay?” Brandon started. His voice was now wooden. “Kathy told me you were damaged, so I just wanted to know if you were okay. I was actually looking for you today?” “Looking for me and not practicing?” Jioni grinned. Brandon rolled his eyes with a smile. “Yes, but are …
