Chapter 12

Jennifer

We were walking down the street. I hadn't yet ditched the sunglasses, but my eyes were open. I had given up on worrying about it for a while. We had bigger fish to fry.

Sarah, of course, helped me out by translating.

'So we know how they're hiding,' Cassidy said. 'That's good. Now we know how to avoid getting one of those things in our heads.'

'It's hard to believe,' Danielle said. 'I wanted to be a full member for so long, and I was so mad that they refused me before, but now I'm really glad. I mean, just imagine…'

'That would be the "if it sounds too good to be true" rule at work right there,' Cassidy commented.

'The question is what we do now.' Sarah said. 'Now that we have knowledge, how do we use it?'

'Well, sounds like they starve after three days without some kind of food. I'm guessing it's a special kind of food, because they were talking about getting shipped up to get some. Maybe if we could cut off the source of food…' I let everyone think about that for a second.

'They would all die,' Sarah said slowly. There was a long pause.

I wasn't quite sure if I liked that idea. As much as I hated the thought of these things taking over our brains, I'm not a sadist. I didn't want them to die, just to go away. I needed time to think about this. 'First things first though,' I said, hoping to distract attention from the idea of slaughtering thousands. 'I don't feel safe in the hospital right now. I think I need to find another place to live.'

'What?' Sarah asked. 'Why?'

'Look, I think they're in the hospital. If Heather really was taken, then I'm thinking that the patients aren't far in the future. Besides, I can be of more help if I don't have to go to school.'

'Wait wait wait wait wait,' Sarah signed vigorously. 'Not going to school? I thought you were talking about moving in with me!'

'No. Your dad won't let Keri in his house. I couldn't give Keri up.'

'So what are you talking about?'

I paused. Did I really want to say it? Was I sure? But I knew the answer. I couldn't keep pretending. If a normal life was what it cost me, then so be it. I took a deep breath, letting it fill me with energy. 'I'm talking about disappearing,' I signed. Sarah waited a moment before speaking to the others to translate.

'You're talking about what?' Danielle asked. I watched her face. I didn't have much experience, but she seemed to be preoccupied with something else even while there was obvious shock at my suggestion.

'I've been thinking about the yeerks being at the hospital. I'm not positive, but I think Heather's taken. It's not safe for me there. What if they find out that I know?'

'So move in with me,' Sarah said angrily. 'We'll find a home for Keri and you can visit her.'

'No,' I signed.

Everyone sort of stared at me, uncomprehending. This was likely what was meant by the term 'blank stare.'

'I think I'm going to fake death,' I continued bravely. 'I can only pretend to be blind for so long, and besides, you guys need someone who can spy without needing to go to school. I can morph fast, so I'll be fine living in the woods.'

'Wait, woods?' Sarah asked.

'Where else did you want me to go?' I shot back.

'I have a place,' Danielle said. 'There's a treehouse out on my property. It's by a clearing and my parents promised not to go there a long time ago. I don't think they'd bother the place. None of the riding routes go through it, and it's a really, really nice treehouse.'

'That sounds perfect,' I signed. 'Now, how are we going to do this so people stop looking for me?'

Sarah nearly exploded. 'What if you ever want to come back?' she demanded. 'You can't just pretend to die and then pop back up the next minute. You're not thinking this through! What about going to school and learning and getting a job? What about your future?' Her eyes were wild. She was furious. Her face was gaining more color by the second.

I smiled at her as calmly as I could, 'I never had a real future,' I signed. 'You've always had to help me with everything. Now I have a chance to be independent and I want to take it. If I stay in school and pretend to be blind and deaf when I don't have to be, what's the point? You can teach me what you learn at school. I'll learn to read and then I can read your textbooks. Normal society isn't built for me. I need to do this to be free.'

Sarah cast her eyes down. After a pause she said, 'Okay.'

'Man, you guys are nuts,' Cassidy commented. 'But this sounds too fun to pass up. I'm in.'

And so I told them my plan on the way down to the riverside, in search of a fisherman.

A/N: Ahh! Chapters are getting shorter! Before anybody complains about what Jennifer is doing, I want to assure you that yes, it is indeed a rash and almost stupid descision. Jennifer is scared. Really scared. I think it's something like the sixth book that I'm going to have that is completely about her--hopefully I get that far with this--and you'll be able to see more about her character.

Only a few more chapters left of this book :D