A/N: Today's the day where we see our characters finally having a proper conversation. Yet still awkward! Will Sam be able to gain Henri's trust? Go find out - Happy R&R!
Chapter 9: Interrogation
The next morning, I decide to wake up a little early to prepare some healthy breakfast for my ... mysterious guests. I greet them as they enter the kitchen, "Good morning!"
They don't answer and I feel like a fool standing by the stove as they sit.
John whispers something and Henri elbows him. The act was nothing like father and son but I keep that thought to myself.
"What's this poison?" Henri asks at the same time John mentions, "Smells like vanilla."
Offended, I ignore Henri while smiling wider at John, "This sir is one of my Nana's specialty: vanilla crepes avec du chocolat
noir."
"You're a chef?"
Not quite. "Yes - though I don't really have the proper credentials yet. I have my own recipes but well, I wanted to have Nana's help today," I confess truthfully so that he gets the point. Because of them, I wasn't able to get some sleep at all last night, afraid that I might be killed during so or that they leave without telling me. Lord knows why I should be but moreover, I lay there thinking, how can I make them open up to me? Because I won't start feeling safe myself if they don't. Frustrated, I mentally ask, what can I do to make them understand that I'm good? My name practically spells it out for them - hehe - ahem, no pun intended.
"Aren't you gonna eat?" asks John, pulling me out of my reverie. The boy has a dirty blond hair, with piercing blue eyes; well built and definitely a couple inches taller. Jealous of his height, I hope to catch up to him someday as my parents were after all, both genetically tall: my mom being in the higher fives and my dad a six footer. One can always dream I say; that is my only escape after all, like Two. Whoops - stop that line of thought Sam. You're forgetting the people who needs your attention right now. It's time to have a less death threatening chat.
I place the spatula in the sink, "Yes, of course." I pull out the nearest chair from me and its legs scratch painfully against the floor. Real smooth Sam. My position is adjacent to Henri who is beside John. "So," I say, "ready for school next week?" Based on his reaction, it was as if I dropped the atomic bomb on Japan again.
"I don't know," he murmurs. I can tell he's not up to it but, he kinda has to. It is after all illegal if he doesn't.
So I imply this by saying, "Hmm, it would be less suspicious don't you think?" This time, Henri drops his fork and coughs. What did I do now? I hand him a glass of water. After drinking it unceremoniously, he states, "Of course he'd be going to school. Right John?" He looks at him pointedly, "Unless you would like to help me clean up the house?"
I look around; the house certainly looks clean to me. I just had it refurnished after all. For them. And all I receive in return is a death sentence.
John, meanwhile, gets the hidden meaning and says, "Nah, of course I'll go."
Like a bubble, the intense atmosphere pops and disappears.
"So Sam," starts Henri and the bubble reappears! Not liking his tone already, I stop eating as I am unused to talking while doing so and look up. Here it goes again, "What grade are you in? Actually, I know: 11th, same as John's yeah?" Hah? That's it? I gulp my food; he's in for a shock with what I'm about to say I guess.
John drinks while I correct his father, "Actually, I already graduated high school." He coughs and spurts it out. I shudder: good thing I am not sitting directly across him.
I would have laughed if it wasn't for the seriousness of it all. "Here," I hand him a tissue. He looks embarrassed.
"So, you won't be going with John then?" Henri takes some more crepes, his grip on the fork a little too tight that I swear it will snap in two any moment now. I don't get it: how does me going to school affects John? Is that it? He's worried about his son going to school with me - with me? His son can literally knock out a scrawny kid like me in less than a second! He looks up at me again as he chews intensely.
I look down on my still unfinished crepe and get another bite off it. "Actually, I'll be there as an aid. He'll be seeing me running around the school I guess. Maybe even in his classes grading papers." His staring is poking a whole through my head.
"And how can you be like this?" Henri looks at me imploringly, searching for something he cannot find.
I shrug, "I'm gifted." If they don't believe and decides to kill me, then feel free to do so; but there is no way ever that I'll be giving away Two's identity to these...strangers.
"Gifted," he repeats, "but you're just a mere boy."
I'm confusing him now, I know. His curiosity is probably piqued as well but I couldn't help but take that it an insult; so I say, "A perfectly capable boy sir to be living on his own after graduating high school."
Henri shakes his head, "Of course, of course. I'm just stating mere facts. I've never met anyone like you that's all. You stand out."
I look at him as if he has grown another head and have to remind myself again that they are foreigners in Paradise. They don't know me; I'm a nobody - which is why I have to correct him: "No, no. Not at all. You see, everyone ignores me here, thinks I'm a freak." This information turns his eyes into wide saucers.
"Could you show us your ankle?"
What? That's such an odd request, no matter how innocent he is with it. "Umm, ok." I stand up.
This is really making me feel uncomfortable but the look on Henri and John's faces tells me it's not a joke. I'm about to raise the right cuff of my pants when Henri says, "Not that, the other ankle. Please." With wide eyes, I do so. There was nothing out of the ordinary and Henri deflates. I take it as my cue that we're done and I go back to my seat.
"You're just human," mumbles Henri while looking down and taking another piece of crepe; John does the same and I look at mine, still the first piece, to see it only halfway done. I take a big piece and put it in my mouth, then savor it slowly after remembering my manners.
"Of course, what else would I be?" and I wonder, do they believe in aliens too? Afraid that I might creep them out, I don't ask this eventhough I am really itching to.
"Hmmm, well, you're definitely an odd one but certainly not a freak. Right John?" Though I am, I don't bother negating Henri as it was the first nice thing he said to me and I thank Nana's crepes for doing their job.
John looks at me with a small smile on his face, "Nah."
Finally done with his meal, Henri wipes his mouth with a napkin. Mine meanwhile is still unfinished. He then extends a hand towards a surprised me, "Sorry for yesterday. I'm John's father, Henri Smith."
Rendered speechless, I look at his hand, then at his face, and back to the hand. Am I still dreaming? Smiling shyly, I say, "Sam, Sam Goode." Does this mean we're okay now?
I open my mouth to speak but then Bernie barges itself into the kitchen. I immediately get out of my seat because for the first time ever, I forgot to put food in his bowl! He whines and I pat his head, "So sorry boy, breakfast will be served in 30 seconds."
As I prepare Bernie's food, Henri asks, "Where did you find the dog?"
I smile at the memory. It was during school, on my way home. Bernie was standing by the gate, staring at me. I passed by, totally ignoring him. Nana and Two just died, I couldn't bear any company. And so, I went back to my old house, and he followed; I told him to go away, and even threw a rock at him. He never did, and I was thankful that he didn't. Bernie became my best friend after that but I had to hide him since I didn't know whether or not my father tolerated pets; it was best to not say anything. The minute I graduated however, and gained Nana's house, I took Bernie with me and finally gave him a proper home.
"He actually found me." I pour some dog food onto his bowl. "Aren't you a good boy?" I wash my hand and return to my seat to finish my plate. I find that the rest of the crepes are gone and I look at mine sadly - they didn't even leave me for seconds. Oh well. "I actually run my own business. I bake for the school cafeteria for 50-50 profit. I provide them with cakes and cookies - the 3000 students I mean. On special tuesdays, I prepare french toast for breakfast - free for the students but the school actually pays me. I'm earning enough to actually start my own savings; could even afford four years of university if I want to, but -" I shrug.
Henri looks at me; if impressed, then he doesn't show it, "What about computers though? How great are you?"
I face the challenge, probably slipping out how much I really know, "Computers are my hobby. And if you meant building and programming, I can do all - anything really." I wipe my mouth, and excuse myself. "If you are done, I'll wash the plates?"
Henri and John both nod. They look at each other again, communicating silently. I wonder if they honestly think I am thick to whatever they are doing. Thinking back to that morning, I found the chest gone; the computers and monitors were also active, reflecting the sides, back and front of the house.
My questions are still left unanswered. Who are they? More importantly, who are they hiding from?
A/N: I might have to re-edit this again later. I just didn't want to break my promise of updating every Monday. How is it? We finally got everyone into friendly terms. What do you think will happen next? Any guesses? Until next monday!
