"Used to this?! Does anyone have to get used to this!"
Jessica's voice crackled like thunder, her anger overriding her professionalism.
Amy flinched and her fingers curled into her palm as she swallowed hard.
Silence followed . No one dared to say anything. Jessica's breathing became heavy as the words hung for a while.
"You think this is okay?" She continued, her voice shaking with fury. "That these kids deserve this!"
The smoker grunted slightly as he paid no attention to her ranting.
"Are you even human?!"
The man didn't say anything. He didn't do anything. Not even a sigh.
"It's fine Ms.Jessica."
Amy tried to calm her down by clasping her shaking hands. Jessica's breathing started to become steady as her trembling faded.
Jeb buried his face in his hands not saying anything.
His mind trapped in the stages of grief.
"Whether they deserve it or not." The man continued "The past is gone. They need to be strong and..."
His voice trailed off as if he was going to say something that he didn't plan to say.
The rest of the car ride was filled with silence, broken only by the hum of the engine.
Nobody said anything. Everybody knew that it was not the best time to say anything.
###
"We're here!"
The smoker slipped back into his easygoing state acting as if the argument never happened.
Jeb lifted his head, his eyes drained of joy as he opened the door.
The building was surprisingly small. It was like a residential building, not taller than five stories.
The smell of cheap fragrance filled the air as the indistinct gossip added to the casual background.
A sign hung loosely from the wall as a rusty nail tried it's hardest not to let it fall. The sign read 'TO LET' and couldn't be noticed with a glance.
Amy frowned at the sight. She looked disappointed by the building. She gave a low and quiet 'Tut-Tut'.
"Not as expected?"
Jessica patted Amy on her shoulder as she gave a subtle but tired smile.
"It's nice"
The smoker glanced back at them and smirked as he lit a cigarette.
They went inside the place.
The walls were burnt slightly possibly due to a mishap. People looked at them curiously while children swarmed around them.
"Is Ramin here?"
Jessica asked a nearby woman who was going upstairs.
"Oh, Ramin!!!"
The woman's high-pitched voice caused Jeb to flinch and frown.
Clack! Clack!
The sound of boots clacking against the floor could be heard as it became clearer and clearer.
Ramin was an old man, he was fat and had plump cheeks. His age showed through his falling white hair.
"Yeah?"
His breathing quickened as sweat ran down his face. It looked like he had run a marathon when he just ran down a couple stairs.
"Yo, old man!"
The annoying man's voice caused Ramin to glance the other way as he covered his face in irritation.
"You have grown fat."
"Why are you here, Ocard?"
So his name is Ocard.
Jeb thought as he clenched his fists in anger.
Ocard moved swiftly across the room as he leaned towards Ramin. He mumbled something as his eyes contacted Jessica.
"Let's go."
Ocard gestured for the siblings to come. Amy hesitatingly went with Jessica, tugging her sleeve.
"Follow this old man, alright?"
Jeb gritted his teeth and his gaze became fierce as he targeted his glared towards Ocard.
If looks could kill, Ocard would be dead by now.
Ramin whistled as he walked towards the back of the complex.
He spun the key skillfully leaving Amy impressed. Ocard didn't come with them as he had something to do.
Jeb looked confused as he frowned. Why would the office of The Force be around this small building?
"So you are the kid? Heh...
"Pretty young."
Ramin turned around and laughed.
"Where are we going?"
Jeb's expression was serious.
"You will now soon enough boy."
That isn't a complete answer.
Jeb was about to say something when a hand calmly grabbed his shoulder.
Jessica's expression was unclear as she waved her head gesturing to not say anything.
Birds chirped as a formation of parrots flew in the sky. Dogs barked loudly as one of the dogs started fighting.
Ramin led them towards a farm. There was no road leading up. There was a faint patch of dirt indicating the way.
Ramin bent down as he grunted loudly. He started to scrub the ground.
A shimmering glinter of metal shone due to the sunlight.
It was an iron trapdoor.
Ramin put the key in a small hole as he turned it. He lifted the gate as a staircase was seen.
"Alrighty! I can't go in so you folks have to do this yourselves."
He laughed with great pleasure as he bid them goodbye.
They went into the dark staircase as light slowly got lost.
It's so dark!!
Amy flinched as she closed her eyes. Jessica somehow felt this and put her hands over her shoulder.
Jeb followed them behind closely. He watched his steps suspecting something.
After some time they stood face to face with an elevator. White fluorescent tubelight flickered over them adding on to the eerie feeling.
"Let's go in."
Jessica pushed some buttons as the elevator gate slowly opened.
The elevator looked old almost historic. As if it had been never used before.
Jeb looked uncertain as he took a glance at Amy who was just as nervous.
Click! Click!
The melancholy but satisfying sound of the elevator closing added on to the element of elegance with age.
Time had seemed to slow down in the elevator as Jeb looked bored. He leaned towards the mirror while playing with his hair.
Jessica stood crossing her arms as she tapped her shoes against the floor.
Amy started to play with her nails checking them out frequently time to time. She kept mumbling to herself.
The elevator snapped.
It jerked violently before finally stopping. Jeb almost lost his balance as Jessica held him.
Ugh! What a nuisance.
Jessica gritted her teeth in annoyance as she stepped out. The siblings followed next clearly shaken by the ride.
They were greeted by a long corridor. A dim blue light filled the corridor as a strange-unidentified smell caused Jeb to wince.
A strange feeling caused Jeb to swallow hard as his heart began to thump.