Chapter 26

Flashback:

Five years ago.

Laura is standing in front of her father, in their small kitchen. Her father (Eduardo (senior) still holding the letter that was addressed to Laura.

“Papi, why don’t you want me to do this. Help me understand, because they’re willing to help me pay for college. Something you always wanted me to do. This feels like the best career choice!” Laura declares her argument.

“My child, this is not a career! These are games. You’re just going to be playing games. Tell me how that is a job!” Her father retaliates.

“Papi, the teams have sponsors. They get a cut of the tickets sold at the pro league games. The championships have price pools. It’s the same as any other sports league. I understand how you feel but times have changed.” Laura explains.

“I don’t need my daughter to explain how time works. Your mother and I fought our way here. Struggled when we got here. Day after day, year after year. You want to take all of that and just play video games? I just don’t know how to take that. How do I even explain that to the family back home?” Eduardo pleads?

“Who cares what they think?!” Laura yells.

“I do! They’re my – I mean our family!”

“You used to tell me that family will love you no matter what. So why do you care so much?” Laura asks.

“This isn’t about our family. This is about you throwing your life away to play games Laura. On top of that, you weren’t even going to tell me about it.” Her farther states.

“Because we knew you would react like this!” Laura lashes out.

“Oh, because I guess I’m so predictable. You still shouldn’t have hidden it from me.”

At this time, tears begin to swell in both father and daughters’ eyes. For a moment, they both see the pain within each other. Then Laura gives in.

“You’re right. I shouldn’t have kept it from you. But isn’t this what you and mom sacrificed all that for? New opportunities for me. Avenues of life I wouldn’t have otherwise?” Laura ponders.

“Yes… It is. I just, want the best for you.”

“I know you do, but you have to let me live my life.” Laura explains.

“She’s right.”

Both Laura and her father turn to see her mother at the other entrance to the kitchen. Her long brown hair flowing past her humbling smile, with her hands clenched together. At the sight of his wife, Eduardo breaks down.

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“I know I don’t know everything, my love. I just don’t want to make a mistake.” Eduardo senior cries.

Laura’s mom runs over and embraces her husband.

“It’s okay Mi’amor. You remember all the mistakes we made?” Laura’s mom reminds.

“Of course.” Eduardo senior answers.

“We have to let her make her own, and she will. But I don’t think this will be one of those mistakes. If we don’t fully know the correct course, we have to trust that we raised a child that is smart enough to make her own decisions. We will still be here if she needs us.” Laura’s mom states.

Hearing this causes Laura to cry a little harder.

“There’s something else, papi.” Laura chimes in.

Her father raises his eyes from his wives’ arms, to look at his child.

“With that letter, the team is willing to pay me an advance.” Laura says.

“An advance for what?” Her father asks.

“The procedure.” Laura says.

Her father looks at his daughter dumbfounded.

“For as long as I can remember, I felt like I could only be half of myself.” Laura reveals.

“You’re talking about changing your gender.” Eduardo senior reveals.

This completely takes Laura off guard. She immediately looks at her mom, wanting an explanation.

“I’m sorry sweetie. There are some things I can’t keep from my husband. But hear him out.”

“We discussed it. Again and again for a long time. I may not understand this as well, but if this is something that you want, then it’s your body to do with, as you will. Your mother and I will always love you.” Eduardo senior states.

Laura stands there. Completely taken back. She thought of dozens of ways this conversation could go, but she never thought of this outcome. Her mom smiles at her and opens her other arm. Welcoming Laura. She runs over and embraces her parents. The Sun shining through the window and on the warm family hug.

“I was told you would probably change your name as well.” Her father brought up.

“I am.” Laura answers.

“Have you thought of possible names?”

Laura looks her father in his eyes.

“Eduardo… junior.”

Eduardo embraces his daughter, and soon to be son.

END OF FLASHBACK.

**

Present day.

In VBL. Eduardo (Jr) dodges a combined attack from Nora and Jin. While Desmond attempts to sneak away.

Desmond inner thoughts: I’m glad the surprise attack worked out. Although the quick scope was a gamble, I have to find a vantage point in order to act phase 2 of our plan!

As Nora and Eduardo trade blows, Jin spots Desmond trying to make his getaway and sprints toward him. As Desmond sees this, he quickly aims his sniper at Jin and pulls the trigger.

“Wall!” Jin yells.

The wall appears just in time to block the sniper’s shot. As the sparks from the bullet scatter, Jin grabs the wall and flings it toward Desmond. Hitting him square in the chest and sending him crashing into a nearby store front. The active wall rebounds in the air, as Jin leaps up and grabs it.

“Nora, get down!” Jin orders.

Without hesitation Nora chooses to trust her teammate and ducks under Eduardo’s next attack. Eduardo is met by Jin’s wall, smacking him directly in the face. Nora looks up in time to seize the opportunity. Slicing Eduardo upward across his chest, which sends him flying into the air. Jin’s wall makes it back to him, as he distributes the momentum across his body. Jin spins backwards and, throws the wall once again.

Although Eduardo is able to deflect the wall this time. Sending it flying in the opposite direction and down to the ground floor of the mall. So, when Nora leaps toward Eduardo, he successfully deflects her attack, grabs her arms and throws her to the side.

Jin inner thoughts: He still has a fight in him. I’ll have to be ready for –

“Now!” Eduardo screams.

Before Nora and Jin can react. Desmond fires another shot form his sniper rifle, hitting Jin directly in the face. Sending him flying into another store front.

Nora inner thoughts: Damn it! We were so occupied with Eduardo that we completely lost sight of Desmond. The white death sniper has a high damage output so Jin can’t afford to take another one or two shots. If I had to guess, Eduardo is slightly above half health. Jin was just knocked away. That leaves me alone to fight these two.

Eduardo stances up.

Nora then looks back to see Desmond reloading his sniper.

Nora inner thoughts: Can I do this?