Chapter 3 - Shadows of the Past
"Yes Daniel, I know who you are," said Hank, "I was a close friend of your father's." A highly confused Daniel replied, "I knew he worked for Petrichor, but I didn't know you two actually knew each other." "Yes, we actually knew each other since college. We were best friends back then, and even though we had our differences and petty rivalries every now and then, we were always there for each other in the end." Brad got suspicious and jumped in saying, "I've known Daniel for many years now Mr. Zimmerman and his father never mentioned you a single time. Care to explain that?" "Honestly, I have no idea," replied Hank, "I don't know how he could've not talked about me to anyone." Brad then gently plucked one of Hank's hairs before replying, "I'll be the judge of that." Brad then pulled a mysterious device out of his backpack and dropped the hair sample into it. "I call it the 'Snitch-a-Nator 9000'. It's like a polygraph, only it tells you if the person being questioned is being honest just by inserting a sample of the person's DNA rather than checking their pulse and breathing rates. In other words, it actually works. Now let's take a look at the results, shall we?" The group then stared into the Snitch-a-Nator 9000's screen, only to find out that it read, "TRUTH". "Well look at that B," mocked Sue, "Mr. Zimmerman was telling the truth after all." "Sorry about that sir," said Brad with an embarrassed look on his face, "I was just looking out for my friends here, y'know. Plus, I really wanted to test this out." "So you're an inventor as well?" asked Hank, "That's very impressive young man." Brad grinned and simply said, "Wow, thanks sir."
Just then, Brad's cell phone rang and it displayed the local hospital's number. Brad put the phone to his ears just as Wordsworth yelled, "Brad… STOP SNITCHING!" Sue and Miles laughed as Brad accidently dropped the phone and fell on his knees as his ears started ringing. Yurei picked up the phone and put it on speaker asking Wordsworth and Clay about Ricky's ankle. "Oh God, it's horrible," shouted Wordsworth, "we got him into his room and blood started spewing everywhere like a freaking fireman's hose. It's all over the walls, floor, and ceiling and it even got in the doctor's mouth! Oh my Lord, we were barely able to stop it!" Everyone gasped in horror while Yurei grinned and said, "Please tell me you got it on video." "Nah, we're just screwing with you guys," said Ricky in the background, "the doctor says I'll be back on my feet in a month." Everyone calmed down while Yurei whispered, "Dammit." "Tell you what," said Hank, "since it was indirectly my fault that your friend landed in the hospital, allow me to give you all a lift. You kids up for a ride in my limo?" Just then, a limousine pulled up next to them and an attractive woman with curly red hair opened the back door. Hank smiled at the woman and then turned to the group of friends saying, "Meet Sarah Jones, my lovely vice president." Mike muttered to Sue, "She could put a horn on a jellyfish, eh Sheila?" Sue merely responded by giving the Aussie a backhand across the back of his head. "I call shotgun," said Miles as he was the first to dash for the back seat. Brad nodded his head replying, "You fool, you can't ride shotgun, we're in the back of the car." "Just shut up and get in mate," said Mike as he picked up Brad and tossed him into the limo. As the limo drove off someone said, "Now this is a sweet ride." "Indeed it is," replied Hank with a smile, "it's definitely not cheap, but it certainly is a beauty." Daniel and Brad looked at each other very confused with Daniel saying, "Huh? That's weird, it sounded like it was coming from this Terrafin toy." Mike laughed saying, "Mate, this ain't some freaking toy story. Everyone knows that toys can't actually talk." "Yeah, you're right," said Brad. Daniel remained quiet as he noticed a dim aura coming from the toy.
