Bree:
I knew it was coming. This is why I lied to Owen-although it really wasn't a lie, I guess. I do have a family responsibility around this time of year. So the moment I walk in the lab, I am prepared for that distant, faraway look that I usually only see in Adam's eyes. I'm expecting the absence of my older brother. I am prepared to keep my family rooted and together, because I'm the only one who can do it.
Mr. Davenport locks himself up in his gaming room and claims to be 'working'. Chase drifts around the lab, doing homework and keeping to himself. Adam disappears into one of our many guest rooms. Leo and Tasha… they can't understand. They don't know her like we do… did. She disappeared just after they came to live with us. So they leave us alone, and suddenly we aren't a family anymore.
That's where I come in. I would love to fall apart in my own way. I've thought about it. Who would blame me if I were to blow my allowance on boxes of chocolate and settle in for a month of tears and depressing movies? Who would blame me if I made a den on the couch and didn't move?
The answer is obvious. I would blame me. Between a dad like Mr. Davenport and an older brother who still tries to lick his elbow on a daily basis, I am the real oldest member of my family. I have to bring them together. I am the one who, for two years in a row, has brought Mr. Davenport and Adam down for dinner. I am the one who, for two years in a row, has consoled Chase when he gets too close to breaking. I am the only one, so I knew it was coming all day long.
"Hey, Chase," I call out as I walk in the lab. Chase is seated at the cyberdesk, every textbook he owns spread out around him. He doesn't answer me, his hazel eyes locked on the book in front of him. I sit across from him and reach out to tousle his brown hair, smiling when he ducks away. "I'm talking to you. How was your day?"
Chase shrugs one shoulder. Which translates into I feel like crying.
"Today's just like any other day," I lie. It doesn't work. His hand, whiter than usual, clenches into a fist.
"No, it's not. Today is different. Two years ago today…"
"She disappeared," I finish when he trails off. My heart stutters at the words. I wish they weren't so easy to say. "I know. But that was two years ago."
"So I can't be upset my sister is missing?" Chase's usually happy voice turns hard, with an edge I wouldn't be able to identify two years ago. Now I know he's about to cry. Is it evil that I don't feel that urge?
"Of course you can," I say immediately. I lean across the cyberdesk and close his book. He looks up at me with those big, hazel eyes, and the question is there. Where is she? And the tears, the pain, the sadness, confusion… he's only a kid. He may be the smartest person on the planet. He may be the Team Leader, he may be mature for his age, he may be a million impressive things… but he's still a kid, and this is one problem he can't solve. He needs me. I don't feel it that often anymore, but I do now. "But it doesn't end your life."
"Nothing's ended. Just studying," Chase argues.
"You didn't go to school today," I accuse. I'm the only one of my siblings to have gone to school, not including Leo. Even I can't be strong all day long. School is my escape these days. "Did you even leave the lab?"
His silence is answer enough. I sigh, pulling back from him. I look around at my home, which seems empty. Leo is at the movies with Janelle, and the rest of my family is dispersed throughout the house. It feels wrong that, to me, this is the worst part of losing a sister. It is wrong. Everything is wrong about this situation. Why is it so hard for me to feel bad about this? Something has to be wrong with me.
"You know…I think Leo got that new Zombie Slayer or something game," I say in a brighter tone. "Want to go play?"
"Zombie Destroyers V," Chase says heavily, looking back at his book. "And I'm good."
"Come on. How long can it take the smartest man on earth to do his homework?" I complain. I think I see the ghost of a smile on his face, but it's gone before I can be sure. He doesn't reply, so I give up-for now. Just when I sit back with my tablet, ready to watch stupid reality TV, the mission alarm goes off.
"Guys," Mr. Davenport says emotionlessly two minutes later when he walks into the lab. Adam follows silently behind him. "Urgent mission alarm."
"We noticed," I say sarcastically as he starts typing away on his computer. His eyes widen at what he sees on the screen.
"What is it?" Chase asks, going to stand behind him.
"Something's gone wrong in my warehouse," Mr. Davenport says finally, clicking buttons frantically. I remember a conversation not so long ago, one that seems a lifetime ago. A happy lifetime.
'Mr. Davenport, I cannot stand them anymore. Can they please go live in your warehouse?'
'Bree, the warehouse is where I keep my explosive chemicals.'
"Don't say it…"
"The one with the explosive chemicals," Mr. Davenport continues. "The security cameras aren't up, something's wrong…I think the nuclear reactor is destabilizing."
"Why put a nuclear reactor in a warehouse with explosive chemicals?" I hiss. Mr. Davenport sighs, like it's obvious.
"I was transporting it to Facility X," he explains slowly. "If you don't stop it, the resulting chaos would-"
"Something would explode and take out half the planet, right?" I interrupt. "Don't worry, we got this. Let's go!" My excitement is mostly forced as I tug Adam and Chase to our capsules to get changed into mission suits. I am glad to see that familiar gleam in Chase's eyes as he focuses on the mission. This will distract him from the pain for tonight, at least.
"I'm sending the coordinates to Chase now. This is urgent, guys. Take the helicopter, and some com. sets," Mr. Davenport orders as we step out of the capsules. I take the offered communication device and hook it to my ear. The boys follow me out of the lab and to Mr. Davenport's helicopter, which has an autopilot that Chase easily programs. We sit back to wait the ten minute flight.
"Guess what Owen sketched me today?" I say to interrupt an awkward silence. Adam and Chase groan at the same time, which makes me smile. This is a little shred of normal that I desperately want.
"Bree, focus on the mission!" Mr. Davenport screeches in my ear. I wince, tempted to take out my earpiece and chuck it out into the darkening sky. I lean back, faking a pout, and watch my brothers closely. They don't move a muscle the whole flight… like robots.
The helicopter lands twenty feet from the warehouse, where a loud alarm is blaring and red lights are flashing obnoxiously. Chase leads the way to the source of noise and light agonizingly slow, stopping at the solid metal door. Which has a huge hole melted in the middle. Chase looks through the still smoking metal before dashing inside.
The warehouse is huge and the walls are covered with racks filled with large glowing green containers. Chase starts to walk straight to the nuclear reactor, but someone is already there. They turn around and everyone in the room gasps at once. Illuminated by the angry red light is a face I haven't seen in two years. I still remember her last words.
'I hate you, Bree! I hope I never see you again!'
"Dana?"
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