Thank you so much for all the lovely reviews! You're all the best! For some though, things were a bit confusing. This is the sequel to my first story, so for first-time readers of my work, it'll make a lot more sense if you read Blood first.

Disclaimer: I claim ownership of the characters Angela, but I own no part of COTT. I write solely for pleasure, not profit.

Chapter 2

My head is spinning, and I'm sure it's not because I've gone beyond the normal boundaries of what could be considered a "normal" happy. If anyone asked at this precise moment though, I'd gladly take a padded cell and be deemed clinically insane! Why? Cause I just don't care! Call me crazy, think me insane, whatever, but I think this is the happiest moment of my life! My sister is alive! Meaning breathing, beating heart, and other vital signs! I think Ares has a megaphone somewhere in the training arena. I'm gonna go steal it and make sure the whole city knows about it! I`ll shout it from the rooftops! Better yet, announce it over public broadcasting! Maybe I could borrow Harmony's van...

"Hold on a second," Neil remarks, finally being interested enough to glance briefly away from his own reflection, "that name sounds familiar."

"Yeah, Neil." Theresa says with excitement, getting to her feet. "That`s the name of Archies sister!" Nods and excited exclamations begin to make rounds about our group, and more people take to their feet.

At long last I get a hold of myself and my emotions. I look Hermes straight in the eye. "Show me, please!"

"I thought you`d never ask!" the messenger god says. With a wave of his arm, he ushers us all out of Hera`s sanctum and back down the hall. The journey to his communication centre seems like a blur, all the sounds of happiness and the congratulatory remarks all kind of blend together to make a type of static mumble, as my mind can only seem to focus on the news. She`s alive! All these years I had thought...but then with my death...what Minos told me...and now this? I just can`t believe it! I feel like I`m high...

Yet, another part of me is starting to tell me not to get my hopes up. I`ve learned in the past that that can be a very dangerous thing to do. I`ve been on that nasty roller coaster ride, the one that fills you with so much hope you feel like you can touch the sky, only to send you falling back down towards the ground. I mean, it`s not the first time I`ve ever tried to locate my sister, but every single incident left me downtrodden and broken with nothing to show for it. I also never had access to many computers either, so I finally had to give up, having spent my resources, hoping that whatever had happened to her she was in a better place.

Before I even realized it, we're standing in front of Hermes` large display of computers and equipment. The air seems to buzz with the all the excitement and everyone around me is hyped to learn more. Me, I just hope it`s not another dead end. As Hermes lowers his goggles to his eyes dramatically and begins typing, bringing up various windows, I brace myself.

"It was actually one of the most complex searches I`ve ever done. That`s why this took so long." Hermes began explaining. "I had to bypass various high security firewalls, and even hack into a few government databases. If it weren`t for Odie`s high grade operating system and state of the art programs, it would probably have been impossible."

I give Odie a meaningful look, and before I even say anything, he reads the gratitude in my eyes. Smiling, he flashes me a grin and a thumbs-up. "No sweat!"

Returning my attention to the pop-ups on the various screens, Hermes continues. "I started with what I knew, of course. I ran the information through a program called SigmaTracer, which allows me to pinpoint specific areas of search and separate them into different locations, such as newspapers, articles, online journals, and webpage's."

"That sounds a lot like Google to me." I can`t help but state the obvious.

"Google, smoogle." Odie replies. "SigmaTracer is much more sophisticated. It has the ability to override algorithms that disallow information from being seen, such as `members only` junk, or information that has been censored. It can even access information from private companies and international corporations!"

"Sounds cool!" Herry exclaims.

"Sounds illegal." I frown. Then I recall what he said exactly. "Wait, censorship? I thought that was purely political and judicial."

"Not by a long shot. They say internet censorship is on the rise in most democratic First and Second World nations. It`s especially bad in dictatorships. They say that almost forty percent of the internet is off limits to the average person. SigmaTracer can give us access to most of that, including sites and information that have been censored in other countries. We just can`t get access to government information. That we have to hack."

"Like I said, sounds illegal. But if it works in our favour..." I look pointedly at Odie. "Just don`t get caught."

"Ye of little faith..."

"Anyway," Hermes continues, "I first focused on newspaper articles from the time and area of your accident, Archie." Hermes highlighted a few of the windows. "There was only mention of the accident, and of a lone survivor. Because you were so young, they never published your name, though I knew who they were talking about." Clicking on one of the windows, an enlarged, grainy photograph of my family`s car being dragged out of a dirty green river pops up. I have to look away, suddenly feeling very sick to my stomach. A gentle hand is suddenly on my shoulder, and I meet Atlanta`s worried eyes.

"Sorry about that." Hermes apologises sheepishly. "I thought I had that closed off...not what I was looking for."

Taking a deep breath, I force myself to look back, but not before giving Atlanta a grateful smile. Hermes, thankfully, has removed the picture, and has instead replaced it with what looks like an old newspaper clipping. "It`s alright. Please, continue."

"Here`s the original article. Like I said before, not a heck of a lot to go on." He explains, allowing us to read a bit of the article. For such a violent accident, the clipping was very vague. Luckily, no pictures that I can see. Hermes gives us another moment before continuing, "So, I expanded my search into the newspapers and other media of the surrounding towns and communities. At first I didn`t find anything in relation to the accident itself, so I tried a different angle and found this article here from a town almost five miles downriver from the accident scene!"

Bringing up another clipping, Hermes doesn`t say a word; the headline speaks for itself. In large bolded letters, the clipping screams "Young Child Found near Death in River!" This article does have a photo, but the only image I can make out is the river itself, and half an ambulance.

"This one proved more useful, though it was still hard to pick through. It states that a man was down by the river early that morning kayaking when he saw her floating downstream, clutching a piece of driftwood. He quickly rescued her and phoned 911. Again, no names, but it did have information on the girl for the public so anyone with information or anyone who might know who she was could come forward." He scrolls down the page for a moment, before a small box appears near the bottom. It`s entitles "Victims Description" and contains, in point form, the known information. I slowly read it, but I know it`s her before I reach the third point.

"Approximately ten to twelve years old, Caucasian, green eyes with orchid coloured hair...that`s Angie to a T!" I explain, as everyone turns their attention on me. "She won`t be twelve until November 29th..." here, a thought enters my mind, and I can`t help but smile at the irony. "She used to always tell me that she liked being a Sagittarius because she thought bows and arrows were cool." I grin at Atlanta. She grins back.

"This is where it started getting tricky..." Hermes brings us back on topic, all dramatic as though he were telling an epic Greek tragedy. Too bad my whole life has been one huge-ass tragedy after another. "It was one hack job after another. Medical reports, police reports, and a stack of other legal documents that were closed to the public, as you can imagine. But what a tale they weave!" Suddenly the screens erupt into a flurry of action as window after window starts popping up. I can only watch on, awed as the past ten years of my sisters life starts flashing in front of my eyes. Hermes is doing his best to narrate as he works.

"So after the accident, she was near death, and taken to the closest hospital via an emergency helicopter. There, she was questioned by police, but couldn't remember anything. According to medical reports, asides from a broken wrist and some minor contusions, there were no signs of head trauma. The official report claimed that she was suffering from psychogenic amnesia, most likely caused by shock. Also, it was never connected that she might have also been involved in the car crash, and her state was thought to be a case of parental neglect."

Neglect...amnesia...a broken wrist. The words don't just seem to hit me, but penetrate to my very core, making my bones ache. My soul hurt. She must have been terrified! I have to be the shittiest big brother in the history of shitty brothers! I let her down when she needed me the most. I let her tiny hand slip through my useless fingers...if there was ever a reason to wonder if I should hate myself...

"Why wouldn't the police have connected the two incidences?" Jay asks, seeming baffled. You're not the only one, man! "Archie and his family go off a bridge, and then a little girl matching his sisters description is found downriver? I mean, it seems pretty obvious what happened and who was involved."

"I'm guessing she must have crossed over jurisdictional lines." Odie pipes up. "Most district officials aren't too keen on sharing information with other districts, except when they're asked to. Since Angela had amnesia and couldn't fill them in on what happened, my best bet is that they came to their own conclusions and moved forward."

"Also, I remember not being found until the late afternoon. By then, it sounds like Angela had already been found and patched up before I even became aware I was still alive. News of the accident wouldn't have reached the public yet anyway." I tell them. Still, though, sometimes I think a can of sardines could do a better job than some cops they have on patrol...I can slowly feel myself getting more and more frustrated by the moment.

"Either way, no one came forward claiming to know her. She was deemed a ward of the Crown, and put into foster care under the new name Coral. From there, records show she bounced around for quite a while..." he brought up a large map of the nation, with about a dozen or so small red dots at various different places. A black line connects them all in no seemingly distinct pattern. It looks more like a toddler got a hold of his parents permanent marker, and used the map as a colouring book.

"And you got all this information from a single program?" Jay asks, looking a bit uncomfortable.

"I don't even care anymore." I said, a bit more harshly than I wanted. Jay just gives me a glance, but doesn't say anything. Smart man. Right now, I'd rather commit a felony than not know where my sister might be. Looking at the lines again, there seem to be no pattern, and its confusion just makes me more frustrated.

"So, this is all well and good, Hermes," I snap, "but could you just tell me where she is?" There's this tinny warble in my voice that I can't explain, but I'm just going to blame it on my emotional state. Pointing at the lines, I look at him. "This...it doesn't show me anything but my failure as a brother."

I really didn't want to say that. I'm dead serious. God damn filter! Now everyone is looking at me in the same way they did when they first learned about Robert. That all encompassing pity; the one thing I neither need nor want right now.

"Yes, right, sorry." It's pretty bad when a God apologises to you. "Well, then I found out about this." Hitting another button on the screen, another tiny black line suddenly jumps straight off the screen. The monitor next to it lights up with a large map of the world. Watching it closely, it suddenly stops in central Europe, marking the spot with a small red dot.

Before I can even ask, Hermes goes on. "After numerous failed foster families, as you can see," he waves at the monitor, "it seems she was adopted by an older couple, a Master Corporal in the Armed Forces and his wife. The most up-to-date information has confirmed that he is currently stationed in Munich, Germany."

"Germany..." I whisper, feeling like I've been hit by an epiphany. That, or a Mac truck. Everything I just learned over the last few minutes has finally begun to sink in, and it's hard to breathe. I have to turn away from the screen for a moment, clear my head...

"Hey, Arch, you alright?" Herry's two large hands pat my shoulders, but in my state, the kind touch nearly lays me out on the floor. Actually never mind. Herry has yet to take into account he has the strength of the average bear; I'd probably be eating tile in any state.

"Uh, yeah." Everyone's staring at me now. I can't take all this at the moment; it feels like the room is getting smaller and smaller. "I uh, just need to get some air. Thank you Hermes, for everything." Without another word, I turn and leave, stamping down the urge to run as I feel seven pairs of eyes on my back.

The small breeze whips my hair about as I watch the sun starts to set slowly from my vantage point on the roof of the Brownstone. Too bad I have so much on my mind right now; it's hard to really appreciate it. Angela's alive! I just can't believe it...a flash of memory invades my thoughts: an eight year old me standing next to my grandparents, crying hysterically as a small, empty casket is lowered into the ground next to a tombstone with my mother's name. I shake it away. It's not going to help thinking like that, especially with all this new information. There was just one question that kept repeating over and over. Now what?

A soft click interrupts my thoughts, and I glance back towards the door. Theresa, the oh-so stealthy one she is, grins at me, one hand still on the doorknob. Turning back to the sunset, I give her a half-hearted "Hey."

"Hey," she says, coming to stand next to me. "We were all wondering where you went."

"I had a lot on my mind." I sigh. I run a hand through my hair, absently thinking I should get it cut. It's gotten a bit long, even for me. "I just needed some fresh air and time to think."

"Understandable." Leaning on the edge, forearms crossed, she scoped out the view. We both stand there for a moment, not saying much, until she gives me a sidelong glance. "For someone who just found out his long lost sister is still alive, you don't seem very happy."

"That's just it, though!" Slamming a fist on the rough limestone, it does little to vent my frustrations. "It sounds like she's doing just fine without me in the picture. From what I heard, it didn't sound as though she ever got her memory back. If I just pop in and say 'Hey! How's it going? I'm your brother, by the way.' I could just be causing more trouble for her." Again, my hair gets a good finger-comb, which just makes my cow-lick worse. "But...I really want to see her. I need to see she's okay, with my own eyes. I...just don't know what to do. Should I fill my own selfish needs, and possibly screw up her life? Or should I just let her be?"

It just hits me that I've just spilt my most inner feelings to Theresa, of all people! We never really got along that well, though these last few months have been pretty good. Still, I'm surprised. By the look on her face, she's probably thinking the same thing. Still...she's not stupid, and I really am interested in what she might have to say. Sure, I'd rather it have been Atlanta, but I'm not going to complain.

"Think of it this way," she says, after a moment. Come on, girl, please say something helpful! "Even though there was no information on it, what if she has, or eventually does, get her memory back? Then she's alone, in a foreign country with a new name, a new family, and no memory of why. To me, that seems unfair."

Face, meet ledge. Theresa, that was an awesome answer, but now I'm even more confused as to what I should do. My life is so screwed. If I weren't so stubborn, I'd just give up. I give a pitiful groan, and I can practically hear Theresa smirk. I bet she's just loving this! What a sadist.

"Also, even if she never gets her memory back, she still must be scarred from the accident. If I were to wake up, whether it have been in a river, or a hospital, with no idea who I was or where, I would be pretty freaked out. I can't imagine how scared a little girl like her would have been." She looks me straight in the eye, which must be hard considering my face is still planted in the limestone barrier. "I would also want some answers. And you're the only one who can give that to her."

I sigh again. It's amazing how much of that I've been doing lately. But I have to admit it, she's good. And she's right too. But there's just one more factor to take into consideration...

"And what about Cronus? He could follow me there, and I'd be leading him straight to her. Or he could attack the city again while I'm gone. Even though he's MIA doesn't mean anything." Again, face meet ledge. "There are just so many factors in play, and if I don't play my cards just right, it'll only end in disaster."

"You don't seriously think we`d let you go alone would you?" Theresa asks, genuinely surprised. "At the very least, Jay would have someone go with you."

"This is my issue. My family."

"And you`re part of our family." Theresa says quietly. "Everyone cares about everyone, and if someone has a problem, we all do. Don`t put all the pressure on your own shoulders. Let us help you."

"It`s just going to take some time to think about. Like I said before, I have to play my cards just right. I don`t want to end up with a catastrophe on my hands."

"Or, you could end up getting a Royal Flush." Theresa pats my shoulder, and then heads towards the rooftop doorway. "Just take some time and think about it. No matter what he decides, I'm sure it'll be the right one."

I can't help but stare as she disappears, the door closing softly behind her. That was probably the nicest she's ever been to me, and I can't help but look around for hidden cameras. I half expect a crew to pop up from behind the patio furniture and announce I'm on some disturbing reality TV series. Once I'm certain I won't have to punch out a television announcer, I once again look out onto the city. It's now bathed in deep oranges and crimson as the sun sets lower. "A Royal Flush, huh?" My hand unconsciously slips under my shirt and grips my silver medallion. I run my thumb over the emblazoned 'A', and just think about life in general, and before I know it, the sky turns black.

"HEY! WAKE UP!"

Holy fu-! Taking to the defensive, I throw my hands up and scream like a little girl as I, and all my bedding, roll out of bed and onto the floor. Hitting the floor hard, I take to my knees and peer over my comforter. "What? What is it?"

"HA! Oh, my god, you should have seen your face!"

"Was that before or after I thought I was going to die?" Oh, that's how it is. Have I introduced everyone to my new alarm clock? No? Goes by the name of Atlanta. Louder than a harpy, and comes in a stylish shade of red. Perfect for any room!

"You serious?" she's laughing as if this is a joke. I don't really get it. Neither does my sore tailbone. "It's time to get up already! Breakfast is ready."

"Breakfast?" I glance at my other, not-as-loud alarm clock. The red digits are flashing 10:10am at my face. "Geez, I slept in!"

"You're telling me?" Atlanta gives me a hand off the floor. Giving her a quick hug and a morning kiss, she grabs my hoodie and passes it to me. "You're usually the one waking me up at six thirty for our morning run. Imagine my surprise when I wake up at nine instead."

"Sorry about that, 'Lanta." I give her another kiss; a quick apology. Any reason to kiss her, and I'm so there! "I had a late night."

"Theresa told us you were up on the roof." She says, walking out into the hallway. Tugging my hoodie over my nightshirt, I follow close behind. "Are you alright?"

I wrap an arm around her waist and pull her close as we walk. "I just had a lot to think about. This is a huge discovery! A chance at having my family with me again! But, I don't want to mess up her life in the process, you know?" Giving her a quick squeeze, I stop her before we get to the stairs. She gives me a look that reads of both worry and curiosity. "I'll be alright. Everything will work out as it's supposed to."

She looks at me. I look at her. We continue on. She then gives me a cocky grin. "When did you get all...I don't know, philosophical?"

"Aw, geez, I'm sorry! I didn't tell you?" We finally hit the kitchen, and the group turn to me as I spike their curiosity as well.

"Tell me what?"

"I'm a closet Swami."

"Oh, my god! You're such a dork!" Grabbing a piece of toast off the table amid chuckles and snickers, she hucks it at my head. I just grin, catch it, and shove it in my mouth.

"No throwing food!" Athena bellows, her xiphos in hand. "Now, sit and eat!"

Flipping her a quick salute, I take a seat between Atlanta and Odie, who has his nose buried in a thick book. Swallowing a chunk of toast, I glance over his shoulder. The first two words I read, I probably couldn`t spell if I tried. "What are you reading?"

"It`s a book on astrophysics. It`s really interesting." With that, the conversation is over. He didn`t even look up, too interested in the book before him. Grabbing another piece of toast, I just shrug.

"So, how are you, Archie?" I glance over at our captain. Ever the mother hen. "After you left yesterday, we were all pretty worried."

"I`m good. I still have a few things to think about, but yeah..." I shrug again. I know where this is going, and I don`t like it.

"Well, when you do decide, just say what you intend to do. We`ll put some supplies together, and-"

"Whoa. Hold on a second. No one would be coming with me." Wiping a few crumbs off me, I match Jay`s hard-laced look. "This is about me and my family. My problems...mine! End of discussion."

"I don`t think so." Setting aside his cereal, he stands, leaning across the table towards me. "We stick together. That`s how this team works."

I get to my feet as well, matching his stance in a show of defiance. The others have begun to pass worried glances and eye rolls. "As much as I respect that, I don`t remember giving you or anyone else here control of my personal decisions."

"As long as you`re a member of this team, we work together. No one`s problems are their own."

"No fighting in my kitchen!" We look over at Athena, whose pointing her xiphos in the direction of the living room. "Take it outside!"

Grumbling, I head out. I quicken my pace as I hear Jay following me. If I can just reach the stairs, I can get to my room and hopefully get him off my back. Even he wouldn`t dare bothering me then. My hopes are dashed though, as Jay grabs my arm and pulls me around. I pull out of his grip, glaring.

"Don`t touch me!" I growl, making sure he knows where he stands with me right now.

"Don`t walk away from me, then." He throws back. His eyes are dark. "Why are you always so willing to throw yourself in the fire? Why won`t you let us help you?"

"You didn`t have to bury her empty casket!" I yell, not caring about indoor-voices right now. "You didn`t see the look on her face when we went off the bridge. How can you possibly help me, or even know how I feel about all this?"

"I would if you`d talk to me!"

"We have talked, you and me. But words are different than actually experiencing it. I have nothing more to say to you. Just leave my family out of your personal agenda."

"Last time your family was involved, you almost got everyone killed, not to mention you die-"

My emotions suddenly take hold of my body completely, and I throw a vicious right hook into Jay`s jaw. He hits the floor as several gasps arise from the kitchen, the others having stopped eating to watch our confrontation. Standing over him, I feel a small sense of satisfaction at the flicker of fear I see in his eyes. Fixing him with a fierce look, I whisper dangerously, "Stay out of my personal life."

Getting over his initial shock, he stays down, but looks at me squarely. "As of right now, you`re off the team."

More gasps follow. Theresa steps forward, looking scared. "Jay..."

"No." He`s slow to get up, and I smirk. "Archie`s made that choice on his own."

I snicker, which by his expression, was not what he expected my reaction to be. "Who knows..." I grab my medallion, holding it out so he can plainly see the silver `A`. "I might not even be the person you`re looking for."

Glancing at the disbelief on everyone`s faces, I pause when I reach Atlanta. She looks less disbelieved, and more along the lines of scared. I give her a wink before climbing up to my room and slamming the door behind me. My mind`s made up. I can`t stay here anyway. Grabbing my gold ankle brace, I slap it on before grabbing my bag. Throwing some essentials inside, with a handful of clothes, I quickly put my sandals on. Just one more thing...reaching over to my bedside table, I grab the ever present photograph. Running a hand over the faces, I toss it in as well. Having collected what I need, I head for the window. Throwing it open, I scan the area and make sure it`s clear. My bike is parked across the road, shining in the sun.

A knock breaks my thoughts, and I swing towards my door as it opens a crack. Atlanta stands there, looking troubled and something that scares me even more than that...she looks vulnerable.

"You`re leaving? Were you even going to say goodbye?"

I walk over to her and pull her into a tight hug. Kissing her hair, I whisper, "I have to do this on my own. I have to."

She gives a shudder, then turns her eyes on me. They`re wet, but she`s too strong a person to shed the tears there. "Promise me you`ll be careful."

I give her a crooked grin. "Of course!" Another quick hug, and I turn and walk to the open window. Grabbing my whip, I unreel it and snag a nearby tree branch.

"I love you, you idiot!" she yells at me, still looking worried and lost. "You know that right?"

Slipping a foot over the ledge, I sit there and just stare at her. Seeing her scared like this shakes my very core. I hate myself, since I know without a doubt that I`m the one to blame here. "I know. I love you too, babe."

Without another word or glance, before my heart can change my mind, I jump.

Bit of a slow chapter, I know, but more action is promised ahead! And as far as that program SigmaTracer, it is fictional. I made sure I wasn`t copyrighting anything, since I hate lawyers. I also chose the name as Sigma is part of the Greek alphabet, and in mathematics means "the sum of everything". Thought it sounded fitting.

Please review and tell me your thoughts. I`m not sure how long it`ll be until the next chapter, as I`m going through a rough stage right now, but it shouldn`t be too long.

Until then, ja ne!

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