I don't own Race to Witch Mountain.
Chapter Nine: Tranquilized
(Sara Point of View)
Sara wept as she pulled the trigger twice, shooting two darts out, and her parents collapsed, unconscious from the sedative. Then, pulling out her cell phone, she called Henry. "Hello?" the man answered, sounding somewhat lazy.
"I have them asleep," the girl whispered into the phone. "They're ready to be picked up."
Sara could almost imagine a smile lighting Henry's face. "Good," Henry encouraged her. "We'll be there to pick them up and to drop your brother off." But when Henry came, smiling at the girl as she led them to where her parents were, Sara felt even more depressed.
Henry looked around her spaceship, looking as if he were eager to get his hands on it. Sara, who felt uncomfortable with it, knew better than to try to tell him how she felt or to tell Henry's scientists to stop using their instruments to measure whatever they were measuring on her spaceship. Sighing, she sat down.
As soon as her parents were picked up, Henry looked down on her. "Very good," he congratulated her. Then, with a snap of his fingers, Seth was dragged in and tossed at her feet, no doubt having been sedated. "Your payment," Henry gave her a final greeting before heading off.
The men left the ship there but it was already too late. Her parents were gone, and who knew when Henry would bring them back. Feeling guilty but knowing that she had no choice in the matter, Sara collapsed onto the ground next to her brother, the guilt of turning her parents in going through her mind again and again.
Not fifteen minutes after the men had left, Seth woke up, groggy, and no doubt somewhat traumatized. But upon seeing his sister sitting on the floor weeping, he turned on his side as he couldn't quite stand up yet, still somewhat dizzy, and he asked her calmly, no judgment on his face, "What did you do?"
Sara wept for a little while before pouring out her heart to him, including how Henry had convinced her, or blackmailed her into doing it. "Do you think we'll ever see them again?" she asked her brother and Seth looked away.
"It just means that they're apart of the plan," he muttered.
"Do you hate me?" Sara asked suddenly, wondering if she had lost her brother's trust.
Seth looked at her for a very long time. "No," he firmly replied. "I don't hate you at all. And I don't blame you either. Truth be told I might have done the same thing if I were in your position."
"Do you think I'm weak?" Sara asked her brother, wondering what the answer would be, and fearing it.
"No," Seth replied strongly. "You're compassionate, and true strength is compassion, not pride, ego, and feeling like you have to be insensitive to others, like I am, like I act. In truth, you are stronger than me. You're not afraid to show your feelings like I am."
Sara sighed some, appreciating what Seth said, and she hoped that he was sincere about it.
Seth rested for a few moments, and when he was ready, his eyes tear-stained despite the fact that he tried to hide it, he summoned his sister. "Come," he said. "We should head back before Jack and Alex make it home."
(About an hour ago)
(Unhealthy Seth Point of View)
The boy had been touched that Jack and Alex would do this for them, would take time out of their busy day and treat them out not only to get them the things they needed but a few gifts, and would make them feel like a king and a queen for a day. They were so loving to Seth and Sara that the two felt like it was a healing experience, and the boy wished it would last. But, sadly, they had to go home as it was time to pack for the big day.
Seth wondered how his people would respond, especially seeing as they didn't know who the original was. Would they look at him and his sister as imposters? Would they even accept them? Just because their parents and friends had accepted them didn't mean that their people would accept them readily with open arms.
Seth wanted to know that everything would be all right, that he would be welcomed back without question, and that his parents would be able to protect him no matter what. But even he questioned that.
As they pulled into the driveway, which was about a quarter mile long before they even reached the house, Jack and Alex noticed Seth's downcast face, especially when compared to his delighted expressions earlier. Alex turned around, concerned. "Are you two all right?" she asked them and Seth looked away, aware that his sister felt the same way that he did.
Instead of answering, Sara mused, "I wonder how it will be when we get home?"
Jack glanced back in the rear view mirror. Upon seeing their pitiful faces he asked, "Are you worried about what's to come?" The two of them nodded. "Hey," he greeted them. "Don't worry! It's not good to worry about these things, come what may. But whatever happens, whatever is in store for you two in the future, me, Alex, your brother and sister, and your parents will be there for you to help you through it."
Seth looked up, not so hopeful, but slightly comforted at the thought. Truth be told he didn't want anything bad to happen, and it made him afraid that that was a possibility. But it would help to be surrounded and have the support of those he loved. Their love would hopefully help him.
Sara sighed, seemingly worn out and exhausted, which was understandable considering the state her body was in and that she was still recovering from the physical trauma let alone the emotional trauma. She had perhaps exercised her body more than was wise, considering the state she was in, when she was having fun wandering around the store, trying things on, being taken to an amusement park and being scared to death by a roller coaster ride, which would have been fun except she questioned how safe it was. No one else, including her brother, seemed to question how safe it was as they were busy having fun with the ride, so she kept her mouth shut, but she had to admit that it did give a good thrill. She only questioned the safety because she saw the rust on the metal structure.
After that they had headed to the gym and played some dodge ball, and Sara, now in the backseat, was still having somewhat a hard time understanding the rules. And after Alex had severely scolded Jack for throwing the dodge balls too hard, they had stopped when they all ached. The man couldn't control the strength and power of his throw, so they stopped, rather than just kicking Jack out of the game.
Sara and Seth were still sore from that experience, more sore than Alex because they were still recovering physically. But despite that she wasn't afraid of Jack even though he had unintentionally been rough, and had had fun with the game. One thing was sure, she wanted a rematch sometime soon. Thankfully they might get the chance once they were on her planet, that was considering if they could replicate the materials and objects that were needed. That, and Sara wanted to make sure that extra cushions were added to the ball, and they would still be able to throw it just right, otherwise, knowing how hard Jack throw, she may as well end up with bruises. She might even have bruises now, but she doubted that. Looking down at herself she saw that she didn't, thankfully. She was healing well even if she had a long ways to go.
Seth was tired beyond measure and although it had been fun, especially doing an outing that lasted the rest of the day, the boy was eager to get to bed. He didn't really want to head back to his planet, for some strange reason, perhaps anxiety about the future, but he looked forward to spending more time with his family and friends without the interference of Henry Burke. He hoped that the man wouldn't interfere with their attempt to make it home, but he highly doubted that. From what he knew about Henry Burke the man would do his best to keep them there. And he would do his best to get both Seths and Saras back, however it fit into his plan.
But they weren't expecting what was coming. As Jack drove into the garage and as the four of them departed from the garage into the house they heard the quite sobs of a girl, Sara no doubt, and Jack and Alex rushed over to find her sitting in the corner of the room, Seth nowhere around. "I'm sorry!" the girl cried to them. "I'm so sorry!"
"Sorry about what?" Alex asked in confusion, and Seth had the feeling that something bad was going on, that something bad had happened.
"I didn't mean to!" the girl explained, still sobbing, still not telling exactly what had happened. "He made me do it! He said he'd kill Seth if I didn't! I was trying to save Seth's life!"
Seth and the others were immediately alarmed. "Sara," Jack asked warily, worried. "What did you do?"
Sara turned away, shame in her eyes as she was asked this. For a while she didn't respond; then they heard footsteps and Seth, tear eyed, was seen coming down the stairs in the opposite corner. But Amelia and Ashton were nowhere to be seen. "Where's mom and dad?" the unhealthy Sara asked and Seth shivered, worried.
Sara turned away again, too ashamed to speak. But Seth, the healthy Seth, turned to them. "They were taken by Henry Burke."
(A few hours later)
(Sara Point of View)
The last two hours had been hysterical, full of crying children, a worried Jack and Alex, and tensions as Sara shamefully hid her face for the deeds she had done. While everyone seemed to have forgiven her for her act, Sara was having a hard time forgiving herself, and so she wept in her room, preferring to be alone, and refusing to let anyone see her. She didn't seem to want comfort.
As Sara wept in her room, several times Alex came upstairs, wishing to speak with her, as Jack, being a guy, was unsure of what to say to comfort her. But this time was different. Alex wouldn't leave and insisted that she come in, despite Sara's pleading that she go away.
Alex sat on the edge of the bed, gently rubbing Sara's back as the girl wept into a pillow. "You did what you knew best to do," Alex whispered. "You didn't want either of them to die, so you gave in. There's no shame to that."
"And now my parents are gone," Sara bemoaned.
"And if you hadn't done what you did," Alex stepped in further. "Then Seth wouldn't be alive, would he? And probably your parents wouldn't be either."
"If they ever come back," Sara grumbled.
"They will," Alex replied with certainty, and when Sara faced her, a confused expression on her face as to how on earth Alex could have known, then the woman replied, "If Henry wanted your parents dead he would have killed them on the spot. He wants something from them, and he needs them alive to get it. Otherwise he wouldn't have coerced you into giving them up. More than likely their apart of his plan somehow. That, and he was probably trying to delay us from leaving earth, if I'm correct." Alex looked intently at Sara, wanting a response.
Warily, Sara sat up and nodded her head. "Yeah, I think he does want them and they're apart of his plan." As the girl said this it was obvious that it took a lot for her to say it, and that it was difficult for her to do, even painful.
But Alex frowned. "I wasn't referring to the part about them being a part of his plan, and Henry wanting to kidnap them," Alex gently reprimanded Sara, knowing that Sara was avoiding the subject as she didn't want to talk about it. But, unfortunately for her, Alex needed to know as it was crucial to their protection and everyone's safety. "You know which part I was referring to."
Sara stayed silent, unwilling to give away, pain in her eyes. "Sara?" Alex gently corrected her again. "Was he, or was he not trying to prevent us from leaving earth?"
Sara stirred and got up suddenly, uncomfortable with the situation. "You know what," she murmured, putting on her jacket that was lying on the bed. "I'm going to get something to eat."
But Alex jerked her back to sitting on the bed suddenly, making the girl wince slightly and Alex looked apologetic that she had heart the girl, but unrepentant that she had kept her back for interrogation. "Sara," Alex warned, a little more force this time.
The poor girl started tearing up and rocking back and forth, in emotional pain. "Please let's not talk about this anymore, Alex," the girl plead, but Alex shook her head, refusing to back off.
"I need to know," the woman stated simply, and she waited as Sara sobbed a bit so that the girl could get her composure. "I'm sorry that I have to be harsh and push you, but this is everyone's safety, including yours, at stake."
When Sara still didn't say anything the woman brought the girl into her arms and cradled her gently, protecting her, comforting her. But still, Sara couldn't speak.
Finally, Alex asked, "What did happen, Sara? You never did tell us."
Sara shook her head then, still unwilling to respond to the woman's questions. "Please," Alex pled. "I need to know what happened and I want to understand what happened to you, so that I can help you heal."
Finally, Sara managed to put herself together enough to answer one question. "Yes," she admitted. "It was more than that; he was trying to delay us from leaving earth. He wants to keep us here permanently." But after this she refused to say anymore, despite Alex's pleadings, and no matter how much Alex asked what happened to her.
Finally, Alex let it go, seeing that she wouldn't make progress, at least not tonight. So she cradled Sara more and let her cry on her, reassuring her, giving her comfort that everything would be all right, that she'd have her parents back soon. She told her that they'd understand why she did it and wouldn't hold it against her, and would still love her the same, and that she, Sara, would indeed be able to make a full recovery. But Sara still wondered if her parents would hold a grudge against her, be mad at her or angry at her for it. Would they understand why she did it? Would they understand that she did it for Seth?
Sara didn't want to think anymore, so she just cried, attempting to rid her system of all the emotions she possessed. She wanted nothing more than to start over somewhere else, a new identity, a new life, so that she could get away from Henry hopefully. But she knew that it was far too late for that, for everyone knew her face; she was a celebrity.
Exhaustion swept her as she wept and she hoped that she would find the next day better. Finally, snoring slightly, she was asleep and Alex placed her on the bed, and put covers over her before exiting the room quietly, and shutting the door behind her so that the girl could sleep.
(Seth Point of View)
The boy didn't know what to do. He didn't know what to think. Sure, since his capture and since his release only a few hours before Jack, Alex, and the gang came home, he had felt the pressure of comforting his sister for the deed she did. He didn't know completely what Henry had been threatening her with, but he knew that it involved him at least somewhat.
Jack and Alex had been taught to use the spaceship, but for some unknown reason ever since Henry Burke had showed up in it with his men, it no longer worked. It wouldn't even power up even though Seth had the device that should have allowed him to use it. He didn't know what to do, but one thing was for sure – they weren't going anywhere, and there was no way they could leave earth. Seth and the others couldn't even contact his people to get some help, not that he wanted to leave his parents behind or anything. It's just that he figured that's what his parents would have wanted, for him to get to safety.
And so, since they were stuck on earth, they were on their way to Harlan's for advice, seeing as he was a close family friend of not only Seth and Sara's family, but the Bruno's as well. He might have something, some way to help them hide from the government until they could get things sorted out. Henry had been quite bold to steal them, even knowing how the public would react (and when the public found out about Seth and Sara's brief capture, as well as the capture of his parents they reacted in outrage). The public had been just as outraged, and protested quite strongly, when they found out about the unhealthy Seth and Sara and their treatment by the government.
This was how compassionate the people all over the world were about Seth, Sara, and the good members of their people and other alien races, though they wouldn't give the same kind of courtesy to Seth and Sara's military, or any alien that was hostile. They wanted to protect Seth and Sara, and to ensure their safety while on their world the best they could. And since Seth and Sara's arrival, and the proving of Jack and Alex's book to be true, and all the information on the horror the poor kids had endured, people were less trusting of the government.
But this didn't seem to stop Henry for some reason. He seemed to think that he could do to them whatever he wanted whenever he wanted.
But Seth and Sara, Seth and Sara were still mortified at what the government had done to them. And the unhealthy Seth and Sara were still recovering. It was almost too much for them to go through any more traumatic things. But unfortunately the healthy Seth and Sara suspected that many more horrific things would happen to them before it was over, to one end or the other. The unhealthy Seth and Sara didn't even want to think about it or consider it because of everything they went through. It was too much for them.
Seth thought on the things that had happened in the last few days and he began wondering what they should do. He wondered why Henry and the government did the things they did and what the master plan was. He sighed, and when they pulled up to a large driveway that was Harlan's he got out.
The house was big and the land was big. It was what earth people would have called an estate. Pretty flowers lined the driveway, and the pavement was perfect and uninterrupted with cracks, creating a rich feeling. Trees were surrounded by mulch and beautifully colored rocks, pale blue, a striking pink, some red, and other colors as well. They were smooth and well rounded, and Seth wondered how much time it took to arrange a lawn like this. It must have been hard work to maintain it.
Seth looked around, shutting the door softly, and he was about to step on the grass to wander around when Jack's voice came reluctantly behind him with a mild reprove, "Seth, don't. It probably took them a long time and a lot of work to get their garden like this, and people take pride in their gardens. It's not polite to walk on people's lawns."
Seth sighed, relieved that he knew before Harlan could scold him even lightly for it. He didn't want to be rude to the man who was trying to help them and had helped them on multiple occasions. That was the last thing he needed to do.
Now that everybody was out of the van, the whole vehicle being cramped because they had everyone in there, they walked up the wide, curvy pavement that snaked up to the sheltering before the door, and before Jack could ring the doorbell it was opened. Harlan's happy face peered out at them and a smile of delight lit his face when he saw the kids. "Well hello there!" he greeted all the Seths and Saras and the two healthy ones customarily rushed into his arms for a hug, as had become habit for them, and which was accepted delightedly by Harlan, while the unhealthy Seth and Sara warily looked at each other and eyed Harlan nervously despite the fact that he had helped them last time. They were now timid and shy from what they had gone through and it would take them a while to warm up to Harlan.
"Don't you want a hug?" Harlan asked, a little disappointed, and Alex gently nudged the two kids closer who hugged Harlan stiffly, then warmed up to him and hugged him tighter. When they all pulled away, the two healthy siblings excited, Harlan invited them in, the unmarried man and forever bachelor asking them if they wanted anything to drink.
"Lemonade!" Seth and Sara shouted immediately, Harlan's secret and special recipe having become the kids' favorite drink while on earth. Seth had secretly peeked at the recipe before, and there was some sort of unusual ingredient in it that differed from the standard recipe. Stevia was it? It sounded like some sort of granulated leaf to him from what he knew about earth. The other two ingredients were fresh garden picked lemons and sugar, though less sugar than most recipes because stevia was a sweetener, as he had found out when he had asked out of the blue what stevia was a week after snooping through the recipe to Harlan's famous lemonade.
Harlan chuckled when he saw the kids' response. "I should have known, I should have known," he murmured softly, bemusedly to himself. Then he turned to Jack and Alex, and the other two kids. "Would you like some?" he offered to them. Jack and Alex nodded their heads politely while the other two kids widened their head in fear and shock, shaking their heads slightly to indicate 'no', having remembered the time when Henry used to drug them with their food and their water. The only reason they knew it was through their food and water was because for some strategic reason Henry had wanted them to know intentionally, and he had boasted to them about it. The unhealthy kids remembered how terrible they felt when they had been drugged, and they didn't want to come close to that again.
Jack and Alex must have sensed that something was upsetting the kids, and so they placed some gentle and reassuring hands on their shoulders, then guided them in the house so that they could shut the door, it being hot outside. They wanted to get them and the kids indoors where the air conditioning was. It would make them feel like the kids were safer, that they were safer and no one would get heat stroke or something like that.
The unhealthy siblings stayed close to Jack and Alex, not as outgoing because they weren't used to Harlan like the other Seth and Sara was, and because they were more timid and shy due to the traumatic events in their lives. They kept looking to Jack and Alex for reassurance who would quietly whisper to them that everything was all right, that they were all right, and that they were safe. They kept telling them that no one could harm them here and that Harlan was a good man and that he'd never harm them.
Meanwhile the healthy Seth was sipping away at his lemonade, wishing that the cup of lemonade would last forever. 'Mmm,' he thought. 'This tastes so good!' He could see that nearby his sister felt the same way, and as she slowly took sips he realized that she was trying to savor every minute of the delightful taste. 'If only Harlan were our personal chef,' he thought to himself after observing his sister, but upon thinking on it he realized that he didn't know anything else about what Harlan cooked as the man had only ever made them lemonade. What if he were a terrible cook? Suddenly, Seth didn't want to think about it.
Harlan sat on a chair in front of them, in the process of drinking his own lemonade. He looked as if he were deep in thought. "So," he began. "You wanted to see me? There has to be a good reason behind that."
Alex nodded. She hesitated before replying, "As you know by now, Amelia and Ashton are being held captive by Henry Burke and we can't contact their people to tell them what's going on. We need to find a way to get them back."
Harlan glanced briefly at Sara, who cringed slightly, before answering back. "You need my help to find them, and that's why you're here?" The others nodded. He sighed. "Believe me, I have looked and looked and looked after I found out the news and whereas before I could usually find something, especially since we have a hacker in our midst working for us, I wasn't able to find anything, not even on Seth and Sara, Seth and Sara. I tried everything. WE tried everything, and we can't find one single thing on them. Whatever it is they want with them, they have it secured tightly in a place we can't find, and we can't hack into it."
Jack put his head in his hands, frustrated and worried now. "So then what do we do? Should we take the kids and put them into hiding?"
Sara seemed to shift uncomfortably, as if she didn't know what to say or if she even wanted to say anything to begin with. But the way she acted it was as if she wanted to say something but she was bound not to say it on consequence from Henry Burke, and who knew what Henry Burke would do if he found out.
They all turned to her. "Sara?" Alex asked gently. "Is there something you want to say?"
Sara shook her head quickly and looked away, tears quickly forming in her eyes. Alex gently put her hand reassuringly on the girl's shoulder, but the girl remained emotionless. Just then Seth began to worry, especially since Sara knew something and she wasn't going to say anything at all. Whatever Henry had threatened her with he had threatened her well.
"I don't want to hide," Sara finally said, suddenly, out of the blue.
The others seemed to respect that and take this to heart, but Seth didn't know if he wanted to take it to heart and respect it and follow the hinted council at all. After all, that had gotten his parents kidnapped, right? The boy frowned, and Jack seemed to notice it for he glanced at him briefly but then he ignored it. Seth didn't know what else to say. What could he do? They were caught in a pickle already and it wasn't as if he could offer advice to counter Sara's when he didn't have any advice to give to begin with.
The unhealthy kids remained quiet, emotionless, and much more like vegetables. They never entered the conversation, they didn't even try. For some reason they didn't like hearing it, even when it was about protecting them. They looked like they didn't want to hide either. But – wait – did they know something as well?
Whatever it was Seth respected their decision to remain quiet and the boy looked at Harlan who had his eyes closed, thinking hard about what else they could do. "I honestly don't know what to tell you," he said to them, in a giving-up kind of way. "I don't have any other advice than to hide."
Sara cringed at this, clearly uncomfortable with his advice. "Then how do we get my parents back?" she asked timidly.
Harlan shook his head. "I honestly don't know. Like I said, we tried to find evidence of where they'd been taken and it's all been in vain. We can't find any traces of them."
Sara moaned. Seth could tell that this is what she had been afraid of. Seth tried to comfort his sister. "Don't worry," he encouraged her. "We'll get them back. We always do and they will always be delivered back to us."
"After they'd been through terrible things," the girl muttered and Seth flinched at the truth of this. It was not something he wanted to hear, even though it was entirely truthful.
The boy sighed. "What do we do now?" he asked the man, their host. "What do we do while we wait for Henry to deliver them back, that is if he even will. And what does he want from them anyways?"
Harlan shrugged regretfully. "I honestly don't know. I don't know why he wants them and what exactly he wants from them. It is a mystery."
Jack at this point felt that it was needful to interject. "Perhaps we could at least take some time off away from the public eye, not necessarily hiding, but as a way to get away from thinking on things?"
Harlan nodded his approval, but took in the look of Sara's panicked face, which brought concern but did nothing to change the decision that had practically been made ever since it came out of Jack's mouth, "You could use my mobile home if you want. Perhaps you'd want to go sightseeing? Learn more about this country?"
The kids said nothing, and as silence filled the room Alex nervously broke it. "That would be wonderful!" she exclaimed in fake enthusiasm in an attempt to bring life into the atmosphere that was now void of emotion, and where only fear rang loud. "Thank you for that generous offer, Harlan!"
"My pleasure," the man replied, getting up and taking their cups to the sink. Then he proceeded to lead them to the enlarged garage where he kept the mobile home, took the keys out of his pocket and off the ring, and handed it to Jack. "Make sure to bring it home in one piece," he encouraged.
Jack smiled playfully. "You know that I always bring things home whole, not a ding or a dent in them."
Snickers from the unhealthy kids brought surprise to everyone and Seth had no doubt they were thinking of the first time they had come to earth, where in Jack's old job he had had a beat-up cab by the end of the day. "That you do," Harlan responded with narrow eyes, almost finding it funny, but not quite.
Alex drove the kids home while Jack drove the mobile home onto the driveway, and they proceeded to walk indoors. "All right!" Alex encouraged them. "You heard Harlan! Go get packing! I want enough clothing and other supplies for at least seven days, preferably more, because I don't want to go spending money on unnecessary things when we already have them in the house and should have packed them along."
At this all the kids groaned, not eager for their little road trip. After all, it wasn't their idea. And what was the point behind this anyways? Seth knew the secret reason, or he suspected he knew it. While Jack and Alex felt threatened they wanted to do everything they could to keep the Seths and the Saras from getting captured. And if a road trip would do it, then that is what they would do.
The whole point behind the road trip was to keep them moving to where hopefully Henry and his men couldn't kidnap them. Plus, they'd be out in the open, not in a secluded spot where Henry could corner them or where he could separate them and pick them off one by one or kidnap them one by one. That way Seth, Sara, Seth, and Sara were always under the watchful gaze of Jack and Alex, and they wouldn't have to worry about the kids wandering off. After all, where could they wander to when they were in a moving van?
Besides, the only way Henry could get them would be to chase them in their vehicle. But while they were taking public roads, it would be an outrage to the public if they heard that Henry had stopped them and harassed them while traveling. Leaving the country, which they weren't doing, was one thing. Staying in the country was another. Not that Henry hadn't been able to harass them in the public before, but that was while they were standing still somewhere. Here they would be on the move, well, mostly.
They'd stop for nights and Jack and Alex would never let the kids leave their sight for one minute while they were stopped. They'd never split up or anything. Before, they had. Jack would take some of the kids one place, while Alex would take some of the kids another place, while the parents went with one or the other, observing how earthlings did things.
But not anymore. They'd be all together, just as they worked out with Harlan. They'd check in with a bunch of people over their cell phones every few hours or so, and every morning when they first woke up, plus every night they went to bed. That way if they didn't check in their friends knew that something was wrong and to send out a search party.
Seth still didn't know if he wanted to do this or not. It felt fearful, like he was taking a step into the unknown. It was scary, especially since they had a crazy man who was more than likely chasing them or watching them. Seth wondered if they were walking right into a trap.
But as he looked closer at Jack and Alex as he was putting things into the RV, he realized that there was a more subtle, hidden reason behind doing this and Harlan had known what it was all along. There was something they weren't telling the kids, more than likely for their safety.
Could it be they already had some sort of plan to get their parents back? Or could it be something else? But one thing Seth knew for certain now and he didn't dare voice it to his siblings or anyone else in case Henry was watching and would catch on if he said anything. The entire conversation that they had had at Harlan's house had been a fake! It had no meaning to it! It was full of subtle words, code words, all referencing to something that must have been prearranged! It was something that even the kids didn't know about!
And Seth wondered what it was.
Yes, I know that this took a while to post, but as I said in my other stories, I'm rotating between stories. Please forgive me for taking a while to post this next chapter.
It's not as long as I wanted it to be, but there really wasn't much to say in this chapter. It was more preparatory for what's coming up in future chapters.
Please read and review! I'm still seriously lacking in reviews! And don't be afraid to mark this story as a favorite or something like that! It's much appreciated when you do!
'Til next time, my fellow fanfiction readers!
With thanks,
Firestar'sniece
