Chapter Fifty-Three
A Father's Impatience
Major Charles slowly closed the small photo album and placed it back into his bag. "We have to go after them," Charles said, keeping his voice steady.
"Wait a second," Jason said, "A couple of days ago you said we had to stay put."
"Well we haven't heard from Sydney in quite a while," Charles argued, "I'm worried. As much as I don't want to return to that place, I don't know how much longer I can take it. We have yet to hear a single word from them. They could be dead for all we know."
Jason wanted to argue that perhaps they were on their way back right now with Jarod and Miss Parker but he knew that that would be a lie. Even he knew he couldn't make it sound real.
Jason got up and gently squeezed his father's shoulders. "Jarod's smart, Dad. He's a survivor. Sydney and Broots will bring him back to us safely," Jason paused, "And Miss Parker too."
Major Charles stood up and embraced his youngest son tightly. Jason had had a hard time dealing with the knowledge that he was a clone of Jarod, but he was only a clone in due to genetics. While Jarod and Jason had the same abilities, same smarts, and same looks, they were two completely different people.
Charles felt as though God was giving him a second chance. He had never believed in God before but he tolerated Margaret's beliefs in a higher power, because he had loved her so much.
Charles gave a jump, "Ah!"
Jason busted out laughing. Charles pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. He had forgotten that he shut of the ringer and put it on vibrate. Charles gently rubbed his hip. It had shocked him. Charles flipped open the phone, "Hello?"
"Dad?" the voice was quite, but most importantly, the voice was female.
"Emily," Charles asked in a shocked and hushed tone. It only took a split second for Charles to regain his fatherly tone of voice, "Where are you?"
"That's not important," Emily said, "What is important is that you have to help Mom."
"Your mother," Charles asked, excitement welling up inside of him, "You know where she is?"
"Yes," Emily said, her voice steady and careful, "but I'm worried about her. She's scared."
"Scared," Charles asked. "Of the Centre? What's she scared of."
"Of you," Emily said, her voice quiet and afraid.
Charles slowly sat down in his chair, "Emily," he said slowly, "You know that I love your mother very much and that I would never hurt her. I've looked for her for years. I would never do anything to harm her."
There was a long pause on the other line. Charles patiently waited for Emily's response. Finally she said, "I know that Dad, but she's afraid. I think it has something to do with these dreams she's been having lately but she won't talk about it."
Later, Charles would have sworn that his heart had actually stopped beating for thirty seconds. He took a deep breath, "Dreams? What kind of dreams."
"Dad, I don't know," Emily said, frustration radiating throughout her voice, "As I said she won't talk about it."
Charles chewed this knowledge over his mind for a moment, "Emily, Jason and I are coming to you."
"No, Dad, you can't!" Emily said, practically frantic, "Mom will be upset if she knows that I called you. I've wanted to for months but she's practically begged me to keep it myself."
"She's been having these dreams for months," Charles asked. He felt almost panicky. "Emily listen to me very carefully. I know that you don't want to betray your mother's trust but I need to come see you. I can help your mother. You have to believe me."
"I do," Emily whispered in a sad voice. Charles understood. For so long their family had been shattered and every time they took a step forward, in the end they wound up taking two more steps backward.
"Emily, listen carefully," Charles said, "Your mother needs help. I can provide that help but you have to tell me where you are."
Emily took another deep breath and then said, "Okay."
