Chapter 4 - Infirmary

As Martin left Miss Spark's classroom and headed to his dorm, his U-Watch began beeping. It was a call from M.O.M.

"Hey M.O.M," he said slowly, surprised. "Is something wrong?"

"No Agent Mystery," M.O.M said in her careful, monotone voice. "I just decided to check in and see how Marvin is doing."

Martin scowled at having been reminded about the other boy. "How am I supposed to know?" he muttered. "He's probably finding another way to screw up again."

"Well, I hope you two can get along this time."

"I seriously doubt that but thanks."

When Martin headed back to his room, Billy and Java were no longer there. Instead, there was a pile of messy cards on his bed in their awake. Just as Martin was about to settle in and take a shower, his cell phone began ringing.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Martin?" Billy's voice asked. "Where are you?"

"In my room, why?"

"It's Diana! She's in the infirmary!"

Martin nearly dropped his phone. "What? How did she end up there? What happened?"

"I don't know, but she's unconscious." Billy sounded anxious. "Marvin brought her to the infirmary and called me - "

"What?" Martin's shrill voice exclaimed. "Marvin took her to the infirmary? Then it's clearly all his fault! He must have done something to her!" He clenched his fist at his side. "I'll be there, hold on."

Martin rushed to the infirmary, forgetting everything expect the fact that his sister was there and probably in trouble. When he reached the infirmary, he raced inside, panting heavily. "Where is she?"

Billy, Java, Jenni and Marvin were surrounding the bed at the end of the infirmary; lying motionless on the bed itself was Diana. Her thin, bloodless lips were parted and her eyes were closed shut.

Billy looked up at Martin worriedly. "You're here," he said in relief.

Martin didn't answer; he stormed up to Marvin and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, pushing him against the wall.

"Martin!" Jenni cried. "Stop! You'll hurt him!"

Marvin seemed surprised, but amused nonetheless. "What? What's wrong with you?" he asked, squirming beneath Martin's grip.

"What. Happened?" Martin bit out through his gritted teeth.

"I found Diana on the ground, just in front of her room, and brought her here." Marvin's tone was simple.

"Why were you even anywhere near her room in the first place?"

Marvin looked greatly amused now, but covered it up with shock. "Didn't your own sister tell you? We were going on a date."

It was as if the wind had been knocked out of Martin; he released Marvin's shirt and stumbled back, bumping his leg into the edge of the bed. He stared, waiting for Marvin to burst out laughing, saying that it was all a joke.

Marvin brushed himself off, looking up at Martin. "You two sure are very close," he said sarcastically.

Of course Diana didn't him; she was too busy being angry at him. But still, how could she have kept it from him? "How?" was all he asked.

"I asked her at lunch, after you left," Marvin explained. "We were going to see a movie." He sadly looked towards the bed. "I hope she'll be alright."

Martin stood there, unable to believe his own ears; his stepsister, going out with this slimy jerk? How could this be possible? No! What if they got married in the future? What if Marvin became his...brother-in-law?

His mind swirled and it felt as if he would pass out soon as well.

"Martin?"

He turned, suddenly aware of everyone else watching him. "Huh?"

"Are you, like, okay?" Jenni asked, squinting at him. "It looks like you're going to puke or something. Gross, go to the bathroom!"

"Did you guys know?" Martin asked light-headedly. "That Marvin and Diana were..." He could barely bring the words to his mouth.

Jenni looked slightly miffed. "No, I didn't. Oh well, as long as Di's happy, I'm happy."

"At least someone approves," Marvin said, giving Martin a dirty look.

But Martin was no longer in shock; he could feel anger boiling in his veins. He was angry at Marvin, angry at Diana and himself! How could have Diana kept this from him, no matter how much she claimed she hated him? They told each other everything! That's what step-siblings did!

Well, two can play at this game, he thought, smirking to himself.