Chapter 8

Venice, Los Angeles

Diana is driving her car to Chiro Sanctuary to see her boyfriend. She still has some days off due to what happened to her brother five days ago, so she informed Lalita ahead about her visit. The reason why she wasn't still mopping back at the house is because of her uncle. Mark can't stand seeing her like this day after day so he told her to get out of the house instead of staying and blaming herself. He reassures her that Percy will be found. Diana doubts it. If it were true, others like her brother would've been found by now.

But that wasn't the only reason why she going to the bat conservatory to visit Josh. He hasn't visited, or even call, her ever since the last time he did after helping her uncle with shopping. At first she thought he might've been take too due to his silence, but Lalita told he's been busy at work. She even adds that he hardly left for home either since he's been working on something. Which is unusual. Whatever the case, Diana's going to find out if he's alright or not. Plus she's wondering if he's avoiding her all because of Percy's "prank", and if so, she's going to give him a piece of her mind!

The moment Diana parked her car in the parking lot of Chiro Sanctuary, she walked into the conservatory and almost ran to Josh's office. The moment she entered, Diana is aghast.

Josh's office is more messier than usual! Papers are disorganized, the lab is untidy with some of the gadgetry left on, and empty bags, boxes, and containers of food takeout is everywhere! It's like he moved into his office from his apartment! The fact was proven when Diana noticed a sleeping bag along with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash, along with a bag of spare clean clothes!

"What the—!?" The young woman then felt a hand on her right shoulder, surprising. Remembering what her uncle taught her, she elbowed the stranger in the ribs and then flung the supposed assailant over her shoulder by grabbing the arm that touched her. Then Diana was about punch the fellow in the face until she realized it was Josh, groaning in slight pain.

"JOSH?! I'M SO SORRY!" Diana apologized as she helped her boyfriend up.

"Don't worry, I'm alright. It's my fault for startling you."

Diana immediately sighed in relief. "Thank goodness. I didn't break anything did— PEE-YEW!"

The young woman pinched her nose in disgust from the odor emitting from her boyfriend; as if he never took a shower for a while. As she got a good look at Josh, his lab-coat has wrinkles, he clearly didn't change his clothes from wrinkles and food stains, has a stubby five o'clock shadow, bags under his eyes from the lack of sleep, and greasy hair. Not to mention the bad breath.

"My gosh Josh, why do you smell so bad!"

"Huh?" Josh raised his brow. Then he took a whiff of his armpit and gagged a bit.

"I was told that you were working on something, but I didn't think that you would neglect your hy—"

"THAT'S RIGHT!"

Josh immediately went into the lab section of his office as he turned off all the gizmos and retrieving both the papers and what appears to be syringes, with caps on the needles, containing liquid unlike she's ever seen. He then places them in his satchel as he then started heading out the door.

"HEY?!" Diana grabbed the scruff of her boyfriend's coat and forces him to face her as she continues "Where the heck are you g—"

"I KNOW HOW THEY'RE DOING IT!" Josh said as he grabbed Diana's shoulder with smile.

"Who?"

"The kidnappers!" Josh explained. "I figured out how they're kidnapping people!"

Diana's eyes are widened. Does this mean that he knows how Percy got taken?

"How—" He interrupted her again explaining how he found the two syringes on the day he went shopping with Mark and visiting Percy's memorial.

"Then I began researching their contents! At first I thought there was an error to the computers and other lab equipment. But after a few more repeated tests, it turns out to be true! I couldn't believe it at first, and the data wasn't wrong! It sounds like something out of a science-fiction movie!"

"Josh what are you talking—"

"We're going to the FBI —they're currently working with the LAPD before they head back to Quantico in four hours— and give them the evidence and data I gathered from these syringes!"

Diana is now getting annoyed from being cut off a lot. "You still haven't explained— Wait, we?"

"Yeah, I want you to hear what I'm going to tell how these people are doing. How they took you brother!"

"Why can't you just tell me now!"

"I rather have you hear it with them. Plus I don't want to waste time!"

Diana sighed as she then said "Well if we're going, you need to clean yourself up."

"But—"

"NO BUTS!" Diana argued. "I'm not going in the car with my boyfriend who smells like a homeless dead person! I know that the conservatory has a person bathroom with a shower, shampoo, conditioner, and soap when the employees need it. Now grab your toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, clean clothes, and GET GOING!"

Josh knew it was pointless to argue with his girlfriend when she's this serious. He then walked towards where the shower is located with Diana behind him.

Two Hours Later...

It was difficult at first to get a meeting with the FBI, but both Josh and Diana managed get to speak them alone from the ears of the LAPD. There are only three of them: Haldon "Hal" Smith (the head leader of the investigation), Derick Harmon, and Robin "Rob" O'Brian.

Josh told them about how these kidnappers catch their victims and how they get away without getting caught while providing them the printed data on the syringes he researched. After an hour of explaining... the FBI wasn't convinced while keeping a straight face from staring at him as if he was a mad man.

Even Diana is conflicted whether to believe Josh or not. His data couldn't be fabricated since she read them herself, plus the equipment he has is brand new since he got them over a month ago and they never malfunction or provide any errors. But the results of the data and Josh's explanation really sounds like something out of a science-fiction movie.

"So let me get this straight Mr. Kennett." Hal began to speak as he then picked one of the two syringes. "You're saying these syringes can turn anyone into an animal?"

"Yes." Josh replied.

"And you theorized that they're transporting their captives in vans while looking like that they work for the zoo or any animal-related occupations?"

"Of course!"

"Just one more question..." Derick began to ask. "... are you on drugs?"

Josh stared at them in disbelief as he then outburst in rage. "WHAT?!"

"Forgive him." Hal said as he then gave Derick a quick annoyed scowling glance. "But he does have a point. All of this sounds really far-fetched."

"I'M NOT MAKING THIS UP! WHAT WOULD I GAIN FROM LYING!"

"I don't know, maybe to impress you girlfriend?" Derick replied. Josh looked infuriated in response. "After all, her brother was taken not too l—?!"

Josh grabbed the collar of Derick's shirt violently as he pulled him over to the other side of the table, glaring at him face to face closely. Diana gasped in response. "JOSH!"

"LISTEN HERE ASSHOLE!" Josh began to say. "I CARE ABOUT PERCY LIKE HE WAS MY OWN BROTHER! IF YOU THINK I WOULD BE A TOTAL THRISTBUCKET TO TELL FALSE INFORMATION JUST TO—"

"THAT'S ENOUGH MR. KENNETT!"

Hal pulled Derick back to his seat as Josh released his grip. "Again, I apologize. But that's no excuse to manhandle an FBI agent like that! You're lucky that I don't have you arrested here and now! And that wouldn't look good on your fresh clean record."

Josh looked surprised. He was sure after Dio cleaned his record, no one —even members of the government— would know... but apparently there were some copies made which infuriated him. Josh was a serial killer, serious criminal, or anything serious like that. He just made some stupid choices, got in with the wrong crowd, and was at the wrong place at the wrong time on a few occasions while living on the streets of Brooklyn.

Diana on the other hand wasn't. Before they became a couple, he explained about his past and how Dio expunged his record. He was okay if she stopped dating him because of that, but Diana didn't care about it since she loved the present/current Josh in front of her. Plus he learned from his mistakes and became a better person which made her love him even more.

"Yes, I know how Mr. Heliodoro had it expunged before he took you to that foster-home of his."

"But we will take your word in consideration while taking your papers and the syringes for further analysis." Rob added.

"Seriously?!" Derick said in disbelief. "We can't—"

"Derick." Hal said sternly. "He wouldn't come all this way for nothing!"

Then Hal looked back at Josh and added "I suggest you and Miss Conlan head back home. And if we learn that the syringes and the research on them turns out to be some joke, I promise that your record won't be clean again. Understood."

Josh nodded, but with a frustrated expression.

"Come on Josh." Diana said as she pulled him up. Then the couple headed out of the room.

One Hour Later...

Josh was moping in frustration at the kitchen table of the Conlan residence while Diana was reading the extra copies of the research on the syringes that Josh brought with him. After she was done reading them, Diana walked to him and placed the papers to him with serious expression. Josh looked up at her.

"Diana—"

"Don't say it Josh! I believe you."

He was surprised. "You do?"

"Of course you dummy! Your research is authentic! Plus if they were fake, I would've noticed it!"

"Then why didn't—"

"I'm just having a hard time believing all of this." Diana replied. "I mean, there are terrorists that are kidnapping people by turning them into animals! And doing who knows what to them! I can't even imagine what Percy is going through! Along with others like him!"

"That's not the worse of it!" Josh said. "The FBI won't even look at the evidence I gave them only after a few months. And if they do look at them right away, it will only take them weeks whether or not to take action!"

"How do you know that?"

"I had a few run ins with them before, back when I still lived in the streets of Brooklyn."

"We can't just stand here and wait!"

Josh's expression then changed into a mischievous smile. "I'm so glad that you said that."

"Why are you looking at me like that." Diana asked in slightly worried tone.

"I had a back-up plan just in case that they won't take the evidence seriously."

"And that would be..."

"We're going to get Percy back ourselves!"

Diana couldn't believe her ears. "HUH?!"

"I have a friend in Canada that can get more data and detail from the research on the syringes."

"Is it the same friend that's a unbearable, narcissistic, unhappy looking, and Einstein-level prodigy know-it-all?" Diana asked. "The same guy that graduated from college with a Bachelor's degree at the age of eighteen?"

"Yup." Josh replied with smile.

Diana groaned. The friend that Josh is mentioning is Osbert "Ozzie" Hughes. They both grew up at the "Home of Future Samaritans". But unlike Josh, he was found as a dumpster baby with only a sticky note bearing his birth date. He went by many names until he decided one for himself at the age of five. They first met when Josh first arrived there. Both of them didn't get along at first but within a few weeks they became best of friends. Diana still doesn't believe how Josh can still be friends with him despite his irritating personality. He didn't even leave a good impression when he unintentionally insulted her intelligence the first time they met.

"Do we really need to visit him?"

"Of course. He's smarter than a super computer and is more accurate than the equipment we have back at the conservatory. Plus, I'm willing to bet he has better tech and gizmos than the stuff we have back at work as well!"

"Well just bringing the printed data won't be enough for him."

"And that's why I gave one fake syringe of the two to the FBI."

"Wait wha—"

Josh then pulled out a capped syringe from his back with mischievous smile.

"JOSH!" Diana exclaimed in disbelief. "I can believe you done that!"

"I might have a clean slate, but that doesn't mean I've forgotten what I learned from the streets."

Diana didn't know whether to be impressed or furious.

"But we can't just leave! We have work, college—"

"I've already made a few calls to them about my absence." Josh said. "I have enough credit to make up for the missing assignments for college. Plus the professors said I can make up for them in January. And don't worry, I didn't tell them the actual reason for it."

Diana was totally perplexed.

"You should make the calls to both Lalita and your professors about your absence as well." Josh advised. "I know you have enough credit to make up for it too. Plus I bet your professors will have you make up your work in January as well."

Well he isn't wrong about that. Diana thought.

"Also leave a note to your uncle." Josh added. "Can't let him get all worried if your all up and gone. Just leave out the part with the kidnappings, Percy, and the FBI."

"Leave him a note? You make it sound like we leaving tonight or something?"

"Actually we are."

"WHAT?!"

"I know an old friend from Brooklyn that owns a private jet. We're supposed to meet him in two hours at the Los Angeles International Airport. And don't worry, he's one of the good guys."

"This is happening so fast!"

"I know, isn't exciting!" Josh said with thrilled grin. "It feels like I'm reliving my adventurous life back in Brooklyn!"

Then Diana noticed Josh getting up, grabbing his bag, and headed toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Diana asked.

"To pack up my stuff." Josh replied. "I'll be back to pick you up in an hour. I suggest you do the same."

As he was about to leave, Josh turned to her girlfriend and added. "Also bring a jacket, it's totally brick there."

Then Josh left leaving Diana all perplexed still. Then after a while she then pulled out her cell to call both Lalita and her college professors while writing a note to her uncle.

Unbeknownst to her, both Tai and Wyatt listened to the whole conversation while hiding below the window outside. They didn't mean to eavesdrop on them, they just wanted to check if Percy's family is okay.

"I don't believe..." Tai began to speak quietly. "Percy, Ange, my twin siblings, and the rest of the people that got up and kidnapped... are turned into ANIMALS?!"

"Dude, this is trippy." Wyatt spoke quietly in agreement.

They both remained silent for a while until Wyatt expression changed into a look that both Percy and Tai know all to well that he has plan... and it also means trouble.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking." Wyatt said with a grin.

"No. What?"

"We should follow both Diana and Josh, sneak into the private jet, and join up into this grand adventure!"

"You can't be serious!"

"You want to help find Percy do you?"

"Of course, but—"

"And this is a grand opportunity to also find your siblings and Ange!"

Tai couldn't argue with him there. Plus he knew Wyatt wants to help find Ange because of her being his crush and all.

"All right, but we need to pack up and leave a note telling them that we found a lead to where Percy, Ange, and my siblings are. We must be back to follow Diana and Josh before they leave."

"Wow." Wyatt said all impressed. "I thought you're going to argue with me because of school and such."

"Not when our friends and my siblings are on the line."

Both of the friends smiled as they quietly left as well.

"By the way Tai," Wyatt began to ask, "what does 'brick' mean?"

"I have no idea." he replied.

Author's Notes

Hal Smith's appearance is inspired by Leroy Jethro Gibbs from the TV show "NCIS".

Derick Harmon's appearance is inspired by Nick Miller from the TV show "New Girl".

Rob O'Brian's appearance is inspired by Spencer Reid from the TV show "Criminal Minds".

"Thirstbucket" is a New York term meaning "very desperate".

"Brick" is a New York term meaning "cold".