Cole's p.o.v

Landing at the middle school, I land on the ground. Getting my phone, I dial Jay's number. He doesn't answer but I see headlights flash four car's down. Going to it, a blue toyota Camry, Jay in the driver seat. Tapping the hood, he unlocks the car. Sliding into the leather seat, I buckle. Jay is looking at some papers, a folder in his lap. Reading the last, he puts them in the folder, closing and putting it in a case. The case is set in the back seat, Jay buckles. I notice he did it all with his right arm only. Starting the car, he backs out, again right hand on wheel.

At the gate, he looks pulling out. "You know, it takes both hands on the wheel to turn." I say, trying to make hem leagh. His face is anything but happy. "Not in my case I can't. You ate yet." He asks. "No, I told Zane not to expect me for dinner." I said. "Did you tell any of them." He asked, I red flag it. "Only that you wanted to meet, not where at." I say. He visibly relaxes, stopping at a red light. It turns green, he pulls off. At the next light, he merges left, blinker on to turn into Frank's cafè. He pulls up, killing the engine and unbuckles. I get out as he does, the car locks.

Going in, Frank meets us. "Hello cole, Mr.Gorden. Your table." Frank asks Jay. Jay nods, Frank goes to the table that's always reserved. Taking the card, Jay sits, I follow. "Your usual Mr.Gorden." Frank asks. "Please, Cole's with me." Jay says. I order what I want and Frank leaves. Jay looks around, relaxing more. He takes off his hood, I get a first look of his face. Jay removes the glasses, perception. "The guys that did this, held me for six years. I escaped three years ago yesterday." Jay says. He doesn't show it but I can tell he's getting antsy. Wrippingmy mouth, I gently take his hand.

"Where do you feel safest at." I ask hem. "Home, with dad." Jay said. Jay gets up, waving to Frank. Frank nods, going to the cash register. Jay walks out, I go to pay the bill. Frank shakes his head "It's already payed." He says. I nod, heading out and get in Jay's Camry. He pulls out, heading home. "Frank set up a way for me to pay like that. He knows it I get up like that, I'm nervous." Jay said. He pulls into a drive with gates, reaching up and presses a button. The gates open, he drives in.

"This house belongs to Cliff Gordon." I exclaim. Jay smiles as the garage opens, he goes in. "He's my biological father. Ed and Edna adopted me." I'm shocked. Getting out, another car is beside us. "Dads home. Come on in." Jay said, climing the three stairs to the house door. Jay opens it, walking in. "Dad, I'm home. I have a friend with me." Jay calls. Cliff peeks from around the corner, he smiles. He comes into full view, a mixing bowl in hand. He extends a hand, I shake it. "Cliff Gorden." He says. "Cole Brickstone." I say.

Jay hugs Cliff, going down a hall. "I'm a change. Be right back." He says. Cliff smiles, motions me to follow in the kitchen. I sit at the snack bar as Cliff passes me a bowl. Handing me a wrisk, I mix it up. "Which ninja are you." Cliff asked. "Earth ninja." I say. Cliff hums "Rachael Brickstone's boy." Cliff asked. "Yes, how." He grins. "Rach and Lillian, Jay's mother, were best of friends, sisters really." Cliff said. The batter mixed, Cliff slides a pan to me. Half, all, the other half." Cliff explains, pointing to some melted chocolate on the stove. Jay comes back, daring sweats and a tank top under an open jacket.

I pour half of the batter, pick up the pot of chocolate and pour that. The rest of the batter is layed on top. Shaking the pan, air bubbles come up. Cliff points to the over, already preheated to three-fifty. "Twenty minutes. Middle rack." He says. Doing that, I set the timer and sit back down. Jay picks his arm up, pushing something to me. It slides to a stop near me, I pick it up. "Look at it." Jay said.

Flipping the cover, the first picture is of someone on a hospital bed. Gaze over three red lines, breathing tubes in his nose. His one uncovered eye is looking at the camera. Right arm held up in the peace sign. Despite the fact that half his body is covered in bandages, he's smiling.

The next is the same man, this time, Cliff is side hugging hem. I notice the ginger hair, red slashes, and the first time a stub where his left arm should be. The bottom of the picture has the writing 'Jay Walker Gorden, one month in recovery.' I look at Jay, he now.has the hoodie off. The stub now seen.

"Today makes three years I'm free. "Jay said.