Hi! So I realized there was a typo in my last chapter, my midterms start on 12/15 and end on 12/19. I think I typed in 19 b/c it's the midterm I'm most worried about :P. So yeah, only updating on Saturday the next two weeks, then back to normal for one, and Saturday again for Christmas…though I'm considering updating that Tuesday, not sure if it'll be this story or with the holiday one-shot. PM me with thoughts on Tuesday's (12/23) update.
'The world breaks everyone, and afterword, some are strong at the broken places.'–Ernest Hemingway
MPOV
After discretely buying last-minute tickets this morning, I haven't made a move to do anything about Utah. Maybe we can get through the airport and flight without anyone saying where we're going…which isn't likely. Today's excursion, if we're to take Sydney's list literally, should be quick. Hartford is a mix-up of the same roads that continuously intersect one another. If taken literally. West Hartford and East Hartford seem to be considered different form Hartford. Thus, quick searching. "What if she isn't anywhere we search?" Carly's voice startles me.
"What do you mean?"
"What if they put her in Re-Education." I hesitate.
"I don't know. There's only one Re-Education center in the US and that's been found out, I doubt they'll put anyone there again. They'll have to rebuild, which means no serious punishment from the Alchemists for a while."
"Sydney was in it? The center?"
"Yes."
"What…what was it like in there?" Her question simultaneously startles me and angers me. I don't understand the latter response. Carly has a right to know because of her sister, I just didn't think she'd ask. Which explains me being startled, but angry? Maybe the thought of the injustice done to Sydney and one of my other acquaintances, the thought of the conditions, and being curious about them but not asking the victim–though I loathe myself for thinking either of them that way–just makes me angry. I go with a semi-neutral response.
"Ask Sydney."
"I did. She didn't answer me." This truly infuriates me. Before it was a flicker of indignation that could become anger, this is fury.
"You're sister didn't answer you and you ask me instead? Did you ever think she doesn't want to talk about it? If she were to tell anyone in the world what happened, it would be Adrian, but she hasn't even told him. The people there with her were only truly with her for a third of the time. They don't know everything. Tell me this, if you were in her shoes, would you explain?"
CPOV
I'm surprised by Marcus' explosion. We'd been talking and he'd been calm, but all of a sudden boom and he's practically yelling. I knew it was a long shot that he'd know, but Sydney wouldn't tell me and I recognize the look in her eye. It's the one I wear every day. "I just wanted to know so I could help."
"Then don't ask her, or anyone else."
"Marcus, I looked up the laws regarding felonies in Utah."
"And?"
"They can prosecute him if I have evidence. I don't have any evidence and I never gave a statement." Marcus glances over at me.
"Doesn't matter, it's a serious felony."
"Here's a hint, my time limit is a year away from being up. It could be months away."
"We don't need months, we just need a few hours."
"What?"
"Did I not mention we're going to Utah? Must've slipped my mind, we have tickets."
"You son of a–" I smack him with the back of my hand instead of finishing.
"Don't worry, we still have time before the flight to look for Zoe." I sigh and nod. It's a battle that I've been slowly losing. "You don't have to do anything if you don't want to, but I think you should."
The airport gives me a headache even though we've already been through security. The noise and heat coming from the people surrounding us was enough to make even the most patient of people want to explode. I don't even hear it when our flight number is called, Marcus ahs to nudge me with his duffle to get me up. The flight is only two hours before we touch down at O'Hare and have to connect through to Salt Lake. Then we get the lovely 25 minute drive up to Layton and to mom. For some reason, we aren't getting a hotel.
The trip goes by quickly after I start writing a speech for my next event and before I know it, we're sitting in front of my mother's new house. It's two stories and has brick fronting as well as a two car garage. I take a deep breath and climb out of the car. "She knows we're coming, right?"–Marcus is silent.–"Right?"
"I forgot that part, I thought you'd call her." Men.
"Fine!" Pulling out my phone I dial mom's number. It rings a couple of times before she answers.
"Hi Carly."
"Hi mom, would you mind if a friend and I came over for a couple of days?"
"Sure? When will you be here?"
"Now. Said friend didn't tell me that you weren't informed of our coming presence."
"Okay, I'll unlock the door." I murmur a response and hang up.
"Come on you." Mom is unlocking the door as we reach it and she pulls it open with a smile. I go into her arms and sigh. "I'm sorry about Zoe."
"I know darling, it wasn't your fault…have they found Sydney?" I remember back to the call I'd made after Adrian and Marcus had come by. It had been tearful.
"Yeah and on top of it, she's married."
"Recently. And to a good guy. I'd trust him with my life." Marcus has to lean around me to interject. He hold out his hand with an award winning smile. I roll my eyes. "Marcus Finch at your service."
"I know who you are. It was a big deal when you went rogue. You helped my daughter then?"
"She helped me and we began working together against the Alchemists, then I helped her boy–husband spring her from Re-Education. They proceeded to run to Vegas." Mom raises her brows.
"Who is this husband of hers?"
"The reason she was in Re-Ed in the first place." I can't help but respond.
"Oh? Why don't you two come in and explain what's going on, I have coffee brewing." I grin. The Sage family's coffee obsession came from mom. Dad only drank the stuff if he wanted to get into the good graces of whoever he was working with, but us girls drank it like it would keep us breathing. Marcus and I follow mom inside and to the living room. It's mostly bare, having just moved in, but there's a couch and a love seat. I flop back onto the couch and watch as Marcus takes the chair. Mom comes back with three mugs balanced in her arms.
"I suppose I should start from the beginning." Marcus announces after drinking a few sips of the proffered coffee.
Alright. Another late night chapter, but one more I was busy :( I am terrible at coming up with names for parents, so please PM me with first and last names for the Sage Mother. How do you think said mom will react to everything? Also, right now I only have a Christmas one-shot in mind, but if someone would like one for Hanukah let me know so I can write it up for the 20th (not the start, but it's midterm week so…).
R&R
Ciao!
