تیسرے فریق کی I don't own Maximum Ride. You don't own Maximum Ride. But we do own the books!
Strangers- A Maximum Ride Story
by: stripedpolkadots
Chapter 10: As Fate Would Have It
"Come on guys, does this seem fair? How many against one? And whoa, let's not forget I'm blind! How's that gonna look, the captain of the football team picking on the token blind kid? I mean, how cliché can you get? Captain of the footba-OOF!"
Jeremiah doubled over and placed his hands on his knees. "Hey, you know that's what killed Harry Houdini, right? One punch to the gut, and he was out like- UNH!" Slowly, he got up, dusting off his hands. "Alright, alright, you don't like jokes, I get it. Jeez, you coulda just said somethi- " Jeremiah wondered if maybe it was time to swing a few punches of his own. Because right now it seemed the entire football team was taking turns at using him as their own personal punching bag. He raised and arm, and lifted the other slightly. A meaty fist slammed into his side, and he grabbed it. Grasping it tightly, he aimed his own fist into towards the connected jaw. From the howl of pain and the liquid now dripping down his knuckles, Jer was able to safely assume that he had made contact. He raised his arm to hit again when both arms were yanked behind his back painfully.
"Bad move Helen Keller. You're gonna regret that."
Jer kicked backwards, and heard a satisfying thud, but the person only flinched, and didn't let go. Jer grunted as a punch landed on his rib, and was about to shout when someone did it for him.
"HEY! I know you apefaces ain't beatin' up my cousin! Because I know ya'll ain't that stupid!"
Jer groaned. "Go away Jess. I got this!"
"Like hell you do! Fraiser Kelly, you let my cousin go, or so help me, I'll-"
"What? Get your horse to sit on me? Get to class Jessica. Don't get your pretty little head involved in things that ain't yo' concern."
For once, Jer was inclined to agree with Fraiser. "Get inside Jess, I'll handle this."
"Jessie? What's going on? We're going to be late for- oh my GOD, Fraiser Kelly, you let him go right now!"
"Well, well, well, if it ain't a little cheerleader. Why don't you come shake those pom poms a little closer?"
Jeremiah growled, and bucked his head into Frasier's chest. Fraiser shouted, and pulled Jer's arms back even further. Jer felt like screaming.
"Julie, take Jessie and get inside, now!"
"No way Jer! That's like… one, two,…. Thirteen against one? At least this way we can even the odds."
Fraiser and his crew burst out laughing, and Jeremiah couldn't blame them. "Ooh, a cowgirl and a cheerleader. I'm so scared, I'm about to piss my pants!"
Jeremiah couldn't resist. "Wouldn't be the first time this week, would it Kelly?"
Someone punched him in the face, and Julie screamed. "Ya'll better stop before I come over there!"
"Julie, Jess, what're you- hey! Let go of him!"
"Oh, great! Listen Jared, take Jessie and Julie inside, alright? I can handle this."
"Sure you can cuz. Come on Fraiser, let him go. We don't want any trouble."
"Shoulda told loverboy here that before he started hittin' on my girl!"
"Ohmygawd, you were hitting on Peaches Turner?! That slut?!"
"Jessie!"
"What? It's true! That girl could probably give you more everlasting gifts than Santa Claus! And by gifts, I mean the kinds that keep on giving."
"Jessie!"
"What Don't tell me you aren't thinkin' the same thing!"
"Are you talkin' bout my girl?!"
The grip on Jer had loosened, and he took this opportunity to twist loose. "See? Everything's under cont-RAWL!" Suddenly Jeremiah was on his back, somebody's sneakers were digging into his kidney, and he was hearing the wild chaotic mess that meant Jessie had joined the fight.
Waiting for just the right moment, he shoved upward, knocking the hulking mass of human off his back. He grabbed someone around the middle and hurled them to the ground, throwing in a few kicks in the process. He heard a scream and darted towards the source, grabbing Julie around the middle. She was still flinging her pom poms around, snarling incoherently. "Dirty rotten bastard- put me DOWN Jer, I'm not done with him yet!" Jer heard the sounds of whoever Julie had been pummeling scrambling away, and he tightened his grip on the still struggling cheerleader. "Jess? Jared? JESS?"
"She's right there, kicking Chris Aiken in the balls- hey! Hands off my sister! Get your stinkin' paws off my sister! Jer, he's grabbin' Jessie's arm! Lemme go, lemme go help! Argh! Get your hands offa her- yeah! Kill him Jared! Come on-" Jeremiah threw Julie over his shoulder and waded back into the mess. Following the sounds of Jessie's highly obscene shouts, he grabbed her by the scruff of her neck. "Come on Annie Oakley. You too Jared. The last thing you guys need is another fight on your record. Especially you Jess. You're barely here enough as it is."
"No way Jer! We're gonna show them that the Winkler family is not to be messed with!"
Jeremiah sighed. "Bring Julie inside Jared. I'll take care of Jessie."
"I'd like to see you try- hey! Let go! You better let go Jared, or I swear-"
Jer could hear Jared struggling to drag Julie into the building, and he tightened his grip on Jessie.
"You have five seconds to let me go big cuz, or you're in for a world of hurt." Jer sighed and began the long walk over the fallen bodies as he tried to ignore the verbal threats being shouted into his ear, and not to think about the fact that he was bruised, broken, suffering from and massive headache, and it was barely 8:00 in the morning. Oh, and let's not forget the shit on his shoes.
=== 1+2+3+4 ===
"Ms. Jackson, we are very disappointed in you. As a scholarship student from a public school, we thought you of all people would appreciate the value of a crime-free environment in this school."
Savvy looked at the ceiling and struggled not to cry. Her nails were bitten to stubs, and if she kept on wringing the hem of her skirt like that, it'd fray. She took a deep breath.
"I'm telling you, I didn't put that money there! And I didn't take it back either! I don't know what the envelope had in it- Alyssa just told me to put it Ms. Loodes' desk!"
Principal Truman threw his hands up. "There you go, trying to bring poor Alyssa into this again! I don't know how many times I'm going to have to say this to you, but Alyssa Kerr has been sick for the past two days! I even have a copy of the doctor's note right here!"
"She gave me that packet! She told me-"
"Sorry to interrupt, Principal Truman, but the video has arrived from security."
Savvy tensed as Mackenzie stuck her blond head into the room. She must be a student aid this period. Aaannnddd… cue Phantom of the vampire music…
Mackenzie handed the tape to Principal Truman and gave Savvy a little wave on the way out for all to see. Of course, she added a sneer when she was out of sight of the teachers, but Savvy didn't bother to point that out. At this moment in time, Mackenzie Dale could pull out a bazooka, and no one would say a word.
Principal Truman popped the tape into the TV and hit play. Savvy leaned in, eyes glued to the screen. Her mass of curly hair was unmistakable, even in black and white. She held her breath as the miniature her opened her locker and pulled out a textbook. She frowned, and bit her nails as the miniature her closed her locker and pulled up a knee sock. The breath flew out of her in a whoosh when she saw her mass of curly hair head down the hall.
"That's… that's impossible! This is the wrong tape- this has to be the wrong tape!"
Principal Truman pointed to the little white figures on the bottom of the screen that very clearly dated the event to the day before.
"But I- Alyssa- she gave me that packet!"
"Ahh… you're still going to stick to that story? Then I have no choice. Go to your locker- clear it out. You're expelled. And the secretary is calling the police as we speak."
Savvy felt faint. The world seemed to spin for a horrifying moment, and then anger straightened it out.
"What are you talking about?! She gave me that envelope! This is the wrong tape, it's gotta be the wrong-"
"You may either stay here, our out in the front office. You are not to leave the building until the authorities arrive. Ms. Loodes, if you will come with me to fill out the necessary forms?"
Savvy could feel the tears coming and she balled her fist. "Ms. Loodes, I didn't take your money, I swear! You have to believe me Ms. Loodes, Alyssa Kerr gave me that tape- Ms. Loode's, please!"
Savvy felt her heart break and the tears come when she saw the look Ms. Loodes gave her. It was one filled with sadness, anger… but worst of all- regret. Regret that she had ever trusted Savannah Jackson in the first place.
=== 1+5+15 ===
"Girl don't worry! My uncle Mario can fix this! He'll sort out Truman in a heartbeat!"
"Cállate, Izzie, she doesn't want to kill the man, she just wants him to listen! And aren't they looking for your uncle Mario? I think I saw something about it in the news…"
"Nah, they gave up on that. Nothing to tie him to it. Uncle Mario may be a lot of things, but he is not sloppy. But Savvy- what about Loodes? What did she say?"
Savvy looked up from the chair in the holding room. So far, she'd counted: twelve roaches, two coffee stains, three points of mold on the wall, and one screw stabbing her in the back.
"Savvy? You there girl?"
"Nothing… she didn't say anything."
Eva and Izzie were silent. They both knew how important Sara Loodes was to Savvy. Eva stuck her hands through the slot in the bullet proof glass. "Hey girl. No hay mal que por bien no venga. There is not bad from which good does not come. Kay?"
Savvy snatched her hand away. "No, not kay! Everything but kay! I've been kicked out of school Eva! I've been arrested! I'm in jail! Oh God… I'm in jail!"
Savvy had sudden images of bars slamming shut… of walls closing in on her… of men in white coats… she was in a cage-
Eva jumped when Savvy's breath turned shallow, and when she began choking, Izzie and Eva looked at each other, frantic.
"She's hyperventilating! Dios mio, what do we do?!"
Izzie jumped up and ran for the door. "I'm going to get help- someone to open the door- you try to calm her down, kay?"
Eva nodded, and began slapping her hands on the glass, trying to get Savvy's attention. "Savvy! Savvy! Hey girl calm down! Come on, look at me! Savvy-"
"What is going on in here?!"
"Grandma Taft!" Eva jumped up and offered the older woman her seat, which she gratefully took. Dante stood in the background, hands behind his back, looking nervous. Eva knew how he felt- she wasn't all that comfortable being in a police station either.
"Savannah? Are you all right? It's me, Grandma Taft. Savannah honey?"
Eva looked towards the door, wondering what was taking Izzie so long. She was about to go search when the Italian girl came barreling through the door, two policemen right behind her.
"See! If she dies, I'm suing you! I'm suing all of you! I'm suing the entire goddamn precinct! You think I can't?! Watch me! I remember every word you said, every minute you wasted! And my uncle Donny is gonna sue you! And if he can't, my uncle Alfonso is gonna kill you! He's gonna-"
Eva threw a hand over Izzie's mouth and gave to two cops a pleading look, although on the inside she was seething. "Please… I've never seen her hyperventilate before… but she's claustrophobic- I think that has something to do with it…please… you've got to open the door-"
Eva stopped talking when her voice broke. The two policemen hadn't moved, but one of them was asking someone what to do on his walkie-talkie.
Izzie had stopped talking, so Eva let go of her mouth. Izzie wrapped an arm around Eva and squeezed. "Don't worry, she'll be okay. People hyperventilate on TV all the time, and they're always ok, right? I mean, hyperventaliating is just an increase in the rate and depth of respiration that leads to not having enough carbon dioxide in the blood… nothing too serious."
Eva snorted, and gave Izzie an incredulous look. "Oh god, you really do listen in biology, don't you?"
Izzie blushed, and shrugged. She had just opened her mouth to retort when someone caught her eye. "See? Her mom's here now, now they can open the doors. Hi Ms. Jackson, we were just- Oh!"
Izzie and Eva stumbled backward as Ms. Jackson dashed past them, a medicine bag in hand. She stormed straight up to the officers and stuck her chin in their face. "I am a practicing nurse, and that is my daughter who is suffering polymyxin morphine relapse, causing anaphlyatic shock, and I can assure you that if there are any lasting damages, this precinct will be sued for every red dime it's got."
"That's what I said!"
"Not now Izzie!"
"Are you going to let me in, or does the media need to be notified?"
"Um… of course ma'am, right away. Let me just… here."
Izzie held her breath as Ms. Jackson rushed into the room and stabbed Savvy with a shot. She heard a communal breath released as Savvy's breathing slowly returned to normal.
"Alright folks, clear out. We need to read this young lady her rights, so you people are gonna hafta wait outside. It should only take a minute."
Dante helped Grandma Taft up, then wasted no time in getting out from under the eyes of the police officer. He did, however, stop to give Savvy a wink. Savvy took a small comfort in it. She knew how hard it was for Dante- for any of her friends to walk into a police station. And her mother- her mother had surprised her, rushing in there like that, hair flying, panic clearly written on her face. Savvy felt an uncomfortable and strange rush of love for the woman.
"Alright… it's… Savannah? Savannah Jackson?"
Savvy drew her mind away from her hand being crushed by her mother to the police officer in her face. She drew back and scowled.
"Yeah, that's me."
"Sign here."
Savvy hadn't even reached for the clipboard when her mother snatched the forms from the officer.
"Hello? Underage girl here? She's not signing anything."
"Ma'am, under New York State code, any minor over the age of 16 can sign a release of statement, with or without parental consent." Ms. Jackson gave him a withering look. "Does she look over 16 to you?" The officer scratched his head and peered closely at Savvy. "Well... yes... I mean... how old are you Miss. Jackson?" Savvy frowned. "14. What does that have to anything- my mother will sign the papers."
"Well, its just that… then they've brought you to the wrong department… you need to be in Shelly's office."
Ms. Jackson stood up, furious. "My daughter has been in a holding cell since 10:30 this morning. I was not informed until 4:15, when her friends called me after school. I was neither called, nor notified by this department in any way. And now you want to tell me she's in the wrong goddamn place? Are you out of you mind?! I want to talk to someone in charge. Put me in contact with someone's who's in charge goddamit, NOW!"
The officer stood up too, sweating profusely. "Now… now calm down Ms. Jackson. Shelly is a very nice lady- her office is just down the hall, if you'll just follow me please, I'm sure we can work this out…"
Ms. Jackson picked up her bag and grabbed Savvy's arm. "Work this out my ass. Let's go Savannah. Maybe this Shelly has a little common sense to work with. Wait- let me check your shot. Lead the way officer."
Savvy offered the arm where the shot had been injected, confused. Ms. Jackson leaned in close to Savvy and spoke in a fierce whisper, so low Savvy had a little trouble hearing.
"Listen to me Savvy. I've talked to someone- you're not going to jail. No- don't say anything, just listen. There's this program in D.C- I've paid some good money and got you in. That Ms. Loodes agreed to write you recommendation. They're giving you tonight to pack ,then you leave tomorrow for the new semester. But listen- your medicine… pack your medicine, but stop taking it. It's bad for you. Really bad. You're not really-"
"Hey! What's going on!"
Ms. Jackson straightened quickly. "What- a mother can't console her daughter anymore?"
The officer narrowed his eyes and took a step further. Savvy lifted her chin, and was surprised to see her mother do the same thing. She didn't understand all of what her mother had said, she had lost concentration after her mother said she wasn't going to jail, and her mind had shut down when she said she was going to D.C. All the way to Washington D.C…
"Ms. Jackson?"
"Yes?"
"Yes?"
"I'm talking to the Savannah. Shelly's ready to see you now. You'll be booked there."
Ms. Jackson tightened her grip on Savvy and led her into the brightly colored room.
=== 6+3+2 ===
"So? How'd it go? Are you going to jail?"
"Eva!"
"What?"
"Listen, just ignore Eva Savvs. I can take care of this. Just tell me who your judge is, my uncle Angelo is great with dealing with judges, he can-"
"Izzie!"
"What?!"
"Hey lil mama, what'd they say? Did that cop get rough? I didn't like the way he was lookin' at you. I got Tic and D-Tay ready if you need me to take care of him tonight…"
"What was that young man?"
"Nothin' Grandma, just lookin out for Savvy."
"Mmhmm… how are you doing honey? Are you okay?"
Savvy melted into Grandma Taft's hug and tried to block out the rest of the world. She didn't know how she was supposed to tell all these people that she was leaving the state in less than 24 hours. For a minute she considered hiding out with Izzie or Eva, but she quickly dismissed that idea. They'd find her, then send her to jail for sure.
"Thank you for all your support, but Savvy and I really need to be going now- she doesn't have to long to pack."
"Pack?"
"Pack?!"
"Oh God you are going to jail!"
"Just let me call uncle-"
"I'm not going to jail. At least… I don't think I am."
There was silence. "I… I'm going to this… boarding school thing. It's like… juvie for rich kids in Washington- I don't know how I got it, I just did. I have to stay there for 10 months. Then I can come back on probation."
Eva burst into tears, and Izzie's face turned red. "But… but…"
"Hey cmon lil mama, I can fix this. You just stay with Tyrese until the heat dies down, and then you-"
"You will no such thing Dante, you know better!"
"Vamos Eva! Que tenemos que ir! We need to go!"
Eva dried her tears and turned to face her older brother, who had just walked through the front door. If she hadn't been so grim, she would have laughed at the blush now on Izzie's face. "Not now Miguel! Didn't you get my message?"
"No, mami just said pick you up here- you better not have gotten into trouble girl!"
"¡Cállate idiota! Savvy's being arrested!"
"Yeah, and you can wait outside, vato."
"Dante!"
"What Savvy? He doesn't need to be here-"
"Yeah but you feel right at home, don't you payaso!"
"Say that to my face!"
Savvy grabbed Dante's arm, and Eva stepped in front of her brother. "You guys, now isn't the time! Savvy's in trouble!"
Dante shrugged off Savvy's hand and crossed his arms. "You just tell your brother not to start nothin- I got boys surrounding this place."
Miguel sneered at him. "You think you're the only one, cabrón? You try anythin' and you'll be walkin' outta here with a-"
Grandma Taft, who had been deep in conversation with Ms. Jackson, finally decided to intervene. "Boy's, I don't care whose gangs you're in, but if any one of you dares touch the other, so help me, I'll tan your hides myself, we clear?"
Both boys shrugged sheepishly, and promptly started a staring contest. Izzie dragged Savvy to a corner, where she and Eva proceeded to bombard her with questions.
"Do you have to go?"
"Is it gonna go on your permanent record?"
"How come Alyssa wasn't on the tape?"
"Washington D.C or Washington state?"
"Are you allowed to have visitors?"
"Cuz I got great-uncle Benito in Washington state, and cousin Carlo in D.C…"
"Do you have to go?"
Savvy could feel her eyes welling with tears, and she pulled her two friends into a hug. "Yes, I don't know, I really don't know, D.C, I think so, absolutely not Isabel, and… yes. I have to go."
"Is this… goodbye?"
Savvy sniffed, muffled by the tangle of bodies in their group hug. "I… I think so. My train leaves tomorrow at four in the morning. And my police escort gets to the apartment at 7 tonight. I have to be packed by then. So… yeah, I think this is it."
"Just like that?"
"Just like that."
=== 2+4+24+6 ===
"Hey mom, what was that you said to me a few hours ago? When you were whispering to me? I didn't really catch ever-"
"Wh- what? I never said anything to you! What are you… what are you talking about?"
Savvy frowned, confused. She had just finished lugging the last of her luggage down the hall to the living room/dining room, and was plopped in the middle of the sofa. Her mom was in front of the microwave, packing her medicines.
"Yeah you did. It was like… don't take the medicine, or something. Did you mean don't pack it?"
Ms. Jackson gave a shrill, false laugh, and Savvy stared. Her mother's eyes were darting all around the kitchen, resting on the microwave and a spot just above the fridge. Ms. Jackson raised her voice. "You must have missed part of that sweetie. I said: don't forget to take your medicine. Every morning, and every night, like you always do, right?"
"…Right…"
"Good, good then. Why don't you go to sleep. Don't talk anymore. Just go to sleep."
"But I haven't taken my pills-"
"Don't! Oh, just… just… oh just take them! Good night sweetheart… cupcake… lollipop."
Savvy took a pill, squinting at her mother, who was currently acting even stranger than usual. Maybe it was the stress of finding out your daughter almost got sent to prison…
Savvy shrugged. She better get to sleep- she had an early morning tomorrow.
=== 3+6+9 ===
"Shade! Shade, what did you do?!"
"Nothing! I just- you never said it would go off like that!"
"It isn't supposed to! You didn't listen to me! You must have connected the wrong wires- damnit Shade, why were you lighting fireworks at 2 oclock in the morning anyways? The parade's not until this weekend! Why would you- oh. Oohhh… it was never for the parade was it? You… you lied to me."
"Shut up, dipshit, they might be listening!"
"I hope they are! Someone could've gotten hurt tonight Shade! What if the Delaney's hadn't gone to Kentucky for a week? They have two babies- God Shade, someone could've died!"
"Shut up Jerry, I didn't know the grass would light up like that! And don't talk so loud!"
"I'll fricken scream it into a microphone! What kind of idiot plays with high powered fireworks in a field?!"
"Will you-"
"Sheldon? Oh Sheldon baby, they just called me- are you ok?!"
Sheldon? Theres a shocker…
"Yeah, I'm fine mama, I just hope Jerry's learned his lesson!"
Jeremiah froze, and felt the cold stare of Shade… Sheldon's mother migrate to his face.
"Wait… what?! What are you talking about, me?! You're the idiot who was playing with the fireworks!"
"Not according to eyewitness reports Jeremiah."
Jer smelled the tobacco before he heard the sheriffs voice. "Sherriff Cromley, I wasn't anywhere near the Delaney's house this morning. I didn't even know it had burned down until you called me in here!"
Cromley blew a smoke circle before placing something in Jeremiah's hands. "This yours?"
Jer felt it, and recognized it instantly. "Yeah, sure, it's my… my… uh…"
"Firework making kit?"
"Uh… I guess you could call it that…"
"Are you going to deny that you built the firework that burned down over two square miles of land, the Delaney's home, and injured three of our fine firemen?"
"No, but I didn' t know-"
"Know young Sheldon here would accidently stumble across it before you could put your vandalism attempt into motion?"
"No- no, of course not! He told me that it was supposed to be for the parade- for the annual parade-"
"Jeremiah, the extent of the damage done to this town, and it's citizens leaves me no choice. I have to place you under arrest."
Jeremiah wondered if this was just a horribly realistic nightmare. "But… but… you haven't even heard my side of the story! Which I might add, is the TRUE one! Are you seriously gonna believe he just happened on a firework and accidently lit it? That's the lamest story I've ever heard- Justin could come up with something better! And he's six! Are you not even curious as to why he was in the field at 3 in the morning? Are you really that stupid?!"
Jer knew instantly he had gone to far. The choked silence in the room made him very aware of that. Sheriff Cromley blew out another cloud of smoke, and Jer's eyes watered. He felt the Sheriff move closer.
"How old are you again Jeremiah?"
"Uh… 16. I'll be 17 in two months."
"Right… right. Where are your parents Jeremiah?"
"I dunno… I've been staying with my aunt."
"Yo' aunt Helen who runs the farm off Pollock Street?"
"That's the one."
"Well you're a very lucky boy. You fall straight under Alabama State Code number 12, precept 27, amendments A, B, and F."
Jer sat up a little straighter. "So I'm not going to jail?"
"Oh yes you are. But not in this county."
"Wha- why?"
"Seems arson ain't enough anymore… where were you born Jeremiah?"
"Well, um… New England I think. Maybe Virginia?"
"Guess again. You truly are a lucky boy- your birth certificate states that your were born in the District of Columbia. As in-"
"Washington D.C."
"And if you take a look at this list, there are only three juvenile detention centers in that county… one is for girls, one is for fella's who'd kill ya as soon as look at ya, and… well how many does that leave?"
"One."
"Exactly. And what is the name of that fine establishment?"
Jer rolled his eyes. "Wouldn't really know Sherriff, seein' as I can't see that list I'm assuming you're holding out to me."
Cromley blushed, and cleared his throat. "Yes, well, it's uh… Remman County School. Fancy name for a fancy place. Full of arsonists and thieves and vandalists, just like you."
Jer scowled, but didn't bother to respond. There would be no point. Right now, he wasn't going to jail. He didn't want to push his luck- what little of it there was.
"We've called your aunt. She's coming to pick you up- didn't sound too happy about that. You have tonight to pack. The semester starts tomorrow- you're flying out in about two hours."
Jer blanched. Two hours?! His cousins were going to kill him. Not just kill him- murder. Absolute murder.
=== 8+4+2 ===
"What is going on?! What the bloody hell is going on?!"
People moved far out of the Director's way as she stormed to the security room. "Hank you better have some goddamn good news for me!"
Hank Athlon, the director of security for Itex looked up from the security camera, looked up, fear in his wide blue eyes.
"Well… not exactly…"
Janssen grabbed Hank by the collar and dragged his face towards hers. "What do you mean, not exactly?", she ground out.
Hank gulped. "There's a bit of bad news- a lot of bad news. And there's good news."
"Explain."
"Well, uh, it started yesterday morning. Some girl framed subject 97B for a robbery- got her arrested."
"So? Un-arrest her!"
"We can't."
"And why the hell not?"
"Well, she falls under juvinille departments. And we… uh, didn't put anyone in juvenile departments. Our guy in the NYPD called a few hours ago. He tried to play her as 16, but Renee screwed things up, told the other cop how old 97B really was."
The Director frowned. "Why? She up to something?"
"We don't know. She was acting strange at the apartment later on- kept watching the cameras."
The Director turned to walk away. "Keep an eye on her. So we got Max going to Washington, and Nudge going to jail. It can't get any worse."
"Uh… actually? It can."
Slowly, Janssen turned back around. "Excuse me?"
"She uh… she's not going to… um… jail."
"Well, then, where is she going?"
"Remman County School."
"No you idiot, that's where Max is going."
"… yeah… she's not the only one."
"If you value your life, you better be kidding."
"It get's worse."
"How?!"
"Um… subject 88C? He got arrested too."
"What?! Are we just churning out a bunch of delinquents? What did Cedric and Kate do?"
"They don't know. They're still on that mission in Russia. The boy's been staying with Cedric's sister- Helen. She doesn't know anything about us."
Janssen's nails dug into her palm. "Alright. Get them back, immediately. Get them into court- we can't afford to have Iggy in jail- not with his blindness."
"Well he's not going to jail."
"Good, you were able to get him off?"
"Actually… no… he's… listen, you might want to sit down."
"What? Where's he going?!"
"He's going… you're not going to believe this… I mean, the odds are…"
"You better not be saying he's going to Washington."
"… he is?"
"God! You're all utterly useless! God- get Fang out of there, now! I want Fang in another country, now!"
Hank blinked. "No can do. We never issued him a passport. You said you didn't want any federal evid-"
"I know what I said! Can he leave the state?!"
"Sure, but-"
"Do it! Now! And double surveillance on Angel and Gasman- this is all to much of a coincidence- someone's doing this on purpose- I don't want them getting their hands on those two as well."
"About that. That was the last bit of bad news."
"You better not tell me they got arrested too!"
"Oh no, not that. It's just that- well… I guess we didn't do a thorough enough background check on the au pair. Turns out she… well, helped three thugs kidnap subjects 126A and 131B. There- that's the end of the bad news! Ready for the good news?!"
"KIDNAPPED?! How did that happen?! When did that happen?! What are Clark and Jane doing?"
"Right now they're playing the part of the bereaved parents, but I've told them about the au pair. They can't reveal her without revealing the hidden cameras, and those can be traced. But the Florida State police are already on the case, and they're about to bring in the FBI."
"Bad, very bad! The FBI was never satisfied we were on the level- what if someone who worked on the flock fiasco recognizes them from the Dallas Cowboys game video footage? You've got to find them first Hank! Your job and life depend on it- are we clear?"
Hank gulped, and nodded. "Perfectly clear. But don't you want to hear the good news?"
"There is nothing good enough to fix my mood now."
"The Chinese called. They agreed to your request to speed up the money transfer- they're willing to go two weeks ahead of schedule. They've wired another 7 million into our account, and set a date for the delivery- they expect the experiments in four months time, drugged and crated in a boat in the San Diego Bay. Once they have the experiments, they'll wire the last 2.3 billion. Sound good?"
Janssen stifled a scream and smothered the urge to grab Hank aroud the neck. "No it does not sound good! Did you not just tell me two of the flock were just kidnapped, and three arrested? How the hell are we supposed to get them drugged up and in a crate in San Diego in four months? You better find those kids Hank. The Chinese have a lot of money in this deal, and something tells me they don't take IOU's."
=== 5+25+125 ===
I crossed my arm and bit my lip. My last goodbye's had been hard, and I wasn't ashamed to admit I had spent most of the time crying. 8 months in Washington. That was a long way away from Lani and Ala and Waldo. I'd miss John Jacob and Dawn and Karla and-
I sniffed and stiffened my spine. I had spent more time crying in the last two hours than I had all year. I wasn't much of a crier. But still… I looked out through the plane window and took my last glimpse of California. I stared until it was too far to see, and then I leaned back in my seat. I sighed, looking around anxiously. This was my first time on a plane, and I hated it. It seemed the walls were constantly closing in, the floor was always shaking, and it was empty except for me and my police escort, who had done nothing the entire plane trip but stare at me. It was unnerving. I gave him a dirty look and turned my gaze back out the window. The clouds were zooming by, and I felt instantly calmed. I suddenly had the crazy desire to break through the glass and fly out to the sky-
I drew back from the window, startled. I'd just had the most realistic vision of being out in the sky- no plane around me, nothing holding me up, just flying through the air… with my wings.
=== 3+2+4+1 ===
ehmahgawd longest chapter evaahh!!1!!oneone!! -- yeah, im excited. mostly because they'll be meeting next chapter (finally). but also because this chapter was kinda sorta megalong. im puh-leased with myself. in a major way. ive been doing some major computer creeping during my (ugh- required) computer class and my yearbook class, so this chapter was typed vveeerrrryyy quickly (and every time i saw my prof. coming i would have to minimize and pretend to be doing something else soo... yeah) BUT the point of me saying that is that if there are any mistakes, its because i could only take the time to do a really quick spell check and sometimes even spell check misses stuff (le gasp! i know i know, whodathunk?!) AAAANNDDDD im sorry for any atrocious spelling/grammer mistakes in the last two chapters. as soon as i have more time ill try to go back and... fix it.
AND! i want to utterly lavish love upon my reviewers. (see? creepy sometimes). sooo *deep breath* babiixilyx3, kimothy kerosene, star of calamity, aruallee, bubblylady, she wants to move, purplewingsfly, mothereveiwer, fangsgirl123, Xxmgxx3445xX, and Gem Jaz? I 3 YOU. seriously. and lovelyNblue and maximumrideisthebestbookever thhaaannnkkk yyyyooouuu for your reveiws! seriously, you two reveiw like... every chapter. which makes me smile. not a particularly attractive smile, but very eager. and anara celebvilya? i 3 advice. i never find it annoying, unless it comes in the form of a obscenity-laden flame (coughcookiemonstercough). but yeah, if you could tell me what in particular needs explaining? ill try to work on that. :]
aaaannndddd fuzzylogic11. this chick rocks. likee.... yeah. just sayin.
SO. just wanted to clear something up with the random names that were thrown in there (in case it wasnt clear)
Renee- she is Ms. Jackson
Clark and Jane- they are Mr&Mrs. Travis
Cedric and Kate- they are Mr&Mrs. Winkler
.... in other words- the flocks "parents" are just whitecoats. who could pass as parents. is all.
soooo... i think thats all i had to say! im gonna try to respond to EVERYBODY'S comment in a reeeallllyyyy long pm, but it might take awhile. because right now my mother is obsessed with college applications. has anyone here ever filled out the college app? its an abomination. no lie. AND im really busy in school. as stated in the previous chapter. im just sayin this so people will REVIEW. please. puh-LEASE. i freaking LOVE reveiws. even if its just one word. or two. or three. :)
-stripedpolkadots
All my bags are packed
Im ready to go
Im standin here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
Tell me that youll wait for me
Hold me like youll never let me go
cause Im leavin on a jet plane
Dont know when Ill be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go