Alright, this one's not as logn as the last one, but it is longer than 500 words. Thanks to those who have reviewed so far!
Disclaimer: Max is not mine...blah blah blah!
Chapter 14: On the Road...Again
That night, Fang, using his stealth mode (which is even more stealthy than his original mode, if that's possible), crept up to Nudge's small bedroom window. She was already set to go, with a small sack of things she needed. Fang helped her out of the window and met me at the end of the street. We walked to the nearest bus station, which was in a city by Lake Mead. We left the ATV as a gift to Nudge's mom.
We reached the bus station at about midnight; luckily it was still open. And, with another lucky stroke (what was WITH this dream?), there was a bus heading to Phoenix in thirty minutes. We boarded and kind of just sat there. Nudge eventually fell asleep with her head in my lap, her body sprawled across the next seat over. Fang sat in the nearest seat in the next aisle over. He kind of grinned when he looked and saw Nudge.
"She's out like a light," I whispered. He nodded.
"You should get some sleep, too," he said, just as quietly. I hesitated, and it was obvious.
"Max, remember; we're in a dream. It's not as if Erasers are going to come and attack us on the midnight bus. Seriously, get some sleep."
I gave him a half smile. He was right. Then Fang leaned over and pushed my hair away from my forehead, planting a small kiss there before leaning back across the aisle.
"Jeb, I don't see why you're doing this," said another whitecoat in the lab.
"I'm doing it because the Director wants it to be done," Jeb said bitterly. He turned to the other whitecoat, a woman, and his eyes softened.
"I know I hate it, and I know you hate it. You love Max, as you should. She's your daughter."
Jeb nodded, scowling.
"But I don't see why you have to treat Ari the way you do."
"Treat him in what way?" Jeb said defensively.
"Don't you see? He wants attention. He wants to make you proud. But you ignore him. You didn't even seem satisfied when the whitecoats were able to revive him."
"Ari is not the one who's supposed to save the world," Jeb retorted.
"No, but he's still your son. Besides, Max isn't going to save the world any more, either," the woman said.
"Max has been replaced," Jeb said defiantly. "And it's your fault!"
The woman frowned. "I tried my best, tried to guide her in her head. But she seemed to be annoyed by me, her little Voice. But I suppose that's expected, she is a teenager. I've read about that sort of rebellion."
Jeb laughed at that. "It seems to be that way, but even stronger in her, probably because of the genetic engineering. But you have been quite the mother figure - er, voice."
The woman raised her eyebrows. "That's my job. But, I will tell you right now, I was never fond of having to genetically alter BOTH of my children."
Jeb looked at his wife again. "I'm sorry. I wasn't either. But it had to be done."
We reached Phoenix in no time. I had to rouse Fang, who apparently had forgotten his own advice about danger and had stayed up much longer. We exited the bus, and because the next train to St. Louis was at 2:00 that afternoon, we found a park where we could sleep some more until we could get on the train.
We grabbed some food before we boarded the train, which satisfied even Nudge's stomach. It was only hours before we reached St. Louis, and we had just enough money left to get tickets to D.C. We were home before we knew it. And both Fang and I agreed; riding the train was definitely better than the luggage car.