JAKE
We were flying. Soaring above the oceans and beach, not a care in our minds. Why would we? The Yeerks were being unusually quiet, and not one mission had come up in weeks. Of course, we hoped that the Yeerks had left our town, but as Marco put it, hope was just another word for wishful thinking. But we could still relax for now.
Rachel's sleek Baldy flew about two hundred or so yards ahead, and Cassie's osprey was five hundred feet above her. I was below, and Ax brought up the rear. Marco and Tobias weren't with us; Marco was helping out his Dad, and we hadn't been able to find Tobias that morning.
Actually, we were all secretly worried about Tobias. He hadn't been hanging with us so much, and was spending more and more time alone, flying to faraway places. He was avoiding us often, and changed the subject when we brought up his strange behavior.
In fact, ever since Taylor nearly tortured him to death, he hadn't been himself.
Ready for a race, cousin? Rachel asked in thought-speech.
As I'll ever be, I replied.
We shot off simultaneously. I was faster, but Rachel had had a head start and she also had better lift. It was getting to be close when she shot over a dumpster and stopped short. I zipped past her, unable to stop. When I finally pulled out of my dive, I went back to Rachel's Dumpster, where she, Cassie and Ax were now perched.
What is it? I asked.
Ax cocked his head toward me. I believe that it is a black hole.
I felt a sinking feeling. I thought that black holes were only in space.
Ax's harrier eyes seemed to convey the same dread that I now felt. So did I.
But how is this possible? Cassie wondered.
Now Ax was getting frustrated. I do not know. However, this strange whirlpool inside of the Dumpster is projecting electromagnetic waves similar to those in black holes. It can only be a black hole.
I looked at Rachel. Go get Marco.
When she was gone, we demorphed and Ax remorphed to human. Then we settled down in an alley nearby and waited for the others.
Suddenly, a familiar red-tailed hawk zipped by, along with a Cooper's Hawk.
"Tobias!" Cassie gasped.
The other hawk stopped short. Who's there? It snapped. Hearing no reply, the two birds raced downwards, right into the Dumpster. I jumped up and ran to the Dumpster. It was empty, but the black hole at the bottom roiled, much like when water in the sink does when you unplug the drain.
"He went inside," Cassie said in hushed voice. At that moment, I was ready to slap her. Why was she stating the obvious? Why wasn't she preparing to take action?
I guess she saw the look on my face, because she shut up. I wasn't bothered because I hurt her. I had more important things to do than comfort my "girlfriend".
Rachel and Marco arrived then. We filled them in on what had happened, and then took a quick vote. It was unanimous, of course; we would follow Tobias and the other hawk.
Rachel was first. She hoisted herself into the Dumpster, and for a second, hung on to the side. Then she let go and was pulled in.
Marco and Ax both morphed bird and dove in a moment later.
Only Cassie and I were left. I felt bad about hurting her, and quickly apologized. She seemed appeased as she climbed into the black hole.
Now it was my turn. I had decided to go as human, so I clambered into the Dumpster. I wasn't quite ready to let go, though suction was pulling me in. Then I suddenly saw a face poke over the edge of the Dumpster. An Andalite face. I forgot to hold on in my fear, and let go as Visser Three's voice suddenly roared in my mind.
Then a black calm enveloped my mind, and I was lost.
A/N: OK, that was weird; not quite how I expected it to turn out, but my stories tend to write themselves. I know it was a bit short, but it's past two AM here, and I'm too exhausted to write more. Anyhow, please review! I really must know if this story is as odd as my sister claims that it is! Also write if I messed up on anything; feedback is appreciated!
This fic takes place between books 34 and 35!
Disclaimer: To my utter sorrow and despair, I do not own either series. K. A. Applegate owns Animorphs, as does anyone she's sold rights to. Star Wars is owned by Lucasbooks.
