The Two Brothers

By N.M. Martinez

Thirty years ago, there was a Revolution. Born in the aftermath, Jimmy was the first child from a human experiment to demonstrate unnatural abilities at a very young age. In the same incident that tore his family apart, he found his salvation and surrogate father in the tribe's leader, Henri Smith.

Now Henri's daughter from the Neutral Territory has arrived in the Southlands, stirring up memories of a girl Jimmy once worked to protect-- memories tied to another child of Henri's whose arrival precipitated an event that would define his adult life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: N.M. Martinez
• Release date: Dec 16, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465813534

N.M. Martinez

N.M. Martinez lives with her boyfriend and their two cats in Monterey Bay. She harbors a not so secret crush on Isaac Asimov, loves comic books, and enjoys playing old school games. Her main project right now is the Ruin Series which will be a series of stand alone stories that will be linked through common characters and crossover moments between stories.

Book preview

By N.M. Martinez

Cover art by c.r. favre

http://misosoupaddict.deviantart.com/

Copyright © 2011

Thirty years ago, there was a Revolution. Born in the aftermath, Jimmy was the first child from a human experiment to demonstrate unnatural abilities at a very young age. In the same incident that tore his family apart, he found his salvation and surrogate father in the tribe's leader, Henri Smith.

Now Henri's daughter from the Neutral Territory has arrived in the Southlands, stirring up memories of a girl Jimmy once worked to protect-- memories tied to another child of Henri's whose arrival precipitated an event that would define his adult life.

Smashwords Edition License

Notes:

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords to purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This one is for all the friends I’ve met playing Sims. I’ve been very lucky to have found you all.

Table of Contents

Part One

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

Part Two

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.8

2.9

2.10

2.11

From my Notebook

1

The hairs on the back of Jimmy's neck rose as he stepped inside his apartment. He hesitated a moment before walking in fully and shutting the door.

After the bright fire pits downstairs, the apartment appeared dark to his eyes, but he knew he was not alone. Only one person would dare to enter Jimmy's apartment when he wasn't present.

Brandon.

There was a sharp intake of breath from the person on the couch. And I'm supposed to be the mind reader. Brandon's voice sounded close to the door, but he hadn't stood up yet. If he had wanted to fight, he would have attacked already. You're creepy when you want to be.

Jimmy stepped over to the kitchen to light the lamp. His little brother knew this apartment as well as Jimmy did. He had grown up in it after all. Brandon wasn't sitting in the dark because he couldn't find the matches.

The lamplight barely reached Brandon who relaxed with an arm draped across the back of the couch. Hard lines were etched into his face, not permanent yet, though they were hereditary. For a moment, Brandon looked just like his father. Then he spoke.

You didn't have to take her. I could have taken her.

Jimmy didn't step away from the counter. He eyed his brother. You needed some distance. You get attached too easily.

Brandon scowled and looked away. It had been the same look he'd given Jimmy earlier when he came to Brandon's apartment to pick up the package and turn her in. Brandon had looked ready to attack Jimmy until she stepped forward and agreed to go, her eyes large and round, her face even paler than usual.

Brandon didn't bother to stand. Fuck you. I'm not a little grunt needing training. I don't want you telling me what I need.

Jimmy poured himself a cup of water with the jug he always kept on the counter. He didn't bother to look up at his brother when he spoke. You're always in training. He took a sip from his glass, holding onto it securely in case he would need to use it. It would be unfair, but they were brothers-- fighting was never fair between the two of them.

Brandon stood from the couch. He was young, but not that young anymore. Most of his growing was done. Though he stood shorter than Jimmy, he was blocky and broad-chested, thick in the waist and the arms. Of the two brothers, he had more muscle mass and plain raw strength. Those who took him on for the first time assumed he'd rely on his strength alone, but Jimmy had been the one to teach him how to fight. He'd worked to keep Brandon out of his comfort zone. The result was a fast fighter who also happened to be powerful.

Brandon sighed and ran a hand through his hair. I told you that I'm fine where I'm at. I'm doing a good job, aren't I? Henri's made no complaints.

Jimmy dropped the glass to the counter, his fingers muffling the clink of the glass against the chipped counter top. That's not the point.

Drop it. Brandon was at the counter now, one hand resting on the top as he glared at Jimmy. He could only be pushed so far. Brandon was just like his father in that respect. Henri, the tribe's leader, could only be pushed so far too.

Brandon sighed again. Paula made it there safely? You didn't try to scare her, did you?

Jimmy bit his words out. Yeah. She's fine. Brandon and the girl had spent two weeks in the close proximity of his apartment. Brandon couldn't control his power any more than Jimmy could, and so those two weeks had been spent catching every little thought of hers that rose above the rest. He'd bonded with the girl, and now he felt responsible for her in some way.

Brandon still stood with his hand on the edge, fingers curled up as he looked towards the door. In a calm voice, he said, Good. Because otherwise we'd have to talk again. The words rolled off Brandon's tongue easily. It wasn't a threat. Threats were for those who had no power and needed the people around them to be afraid. Someone with true power would say what they meant and stick to it. And Brandon would.

A smile tickled the corner of Jimmy's lips, and he had to raise his drinking glass again to cover it.

Brandon noticed anyway. Sometimes I'm glad that I can't catch any of your thoughts. Other times I really want to know exactly what you're thinking.

Jimmy moved the glass away from his mouth and let his smile spread across his lips.

Another sigh came from Brandon, but he said no more. He backed away from the counter and went to the door. For a moment he paused, then he left, shutting the door behind him.

2

Jimmy knew Brandon wouldn't stay angry forever. It wasn't that he was forgetful or particularly forgiving. They were brothers, and the only real family either of them had except for Henri.

Until the Neutrals handed over that girl.

Jimmy let Brandon lead them down the slowly darkening streets on their way back to their homes. There were any number of ways they could have gone, but it was clear they were heading towards one street in particular. Jimmy said nothing until they turned down the street where Henri's apartment building was located. Then he cleared his throat.

Brandon continued towards the dilapidated building that Henri called his home. It's been a few days. Someone has to watch out for her.

Henri's watching out for her.

Brandon grimaced, but said no more.

They continued down the street, the quickly cooling air nipping at their skin. Brandon stopped close to the front entrance. Jimmy glanced up at the old building, his eyes falling on the windows of the second story room. A long-repressed memory twitched, sending a shiver up his spine. It was unavoidable. Every time Jimmy came to see Henri, the reminder was there, just down the hall. No one spoke of it any