Chapter 4

The next day Harmione dropped us off at school. She had Bryan with her. They were off to run a few errands.

"I'll pick you up later, have a good day!"

As she made her way out of the parking lot Genesis ran over to the upperclassmen side of the building.

"Later dweebs, don't do anything stupid today!" Her red hair swished back and forth as she met up with a friend of hers. Her pink backpack bounced up down as well. Jesse pulled his bag up on one of his shoulders. We headed for our lockers. During the early mornings everyone had breakfast and time before homeroom to talk freely among themselves. Mostly for those who got there between 7:30 and 8:00. There were two bells to let us know if we were going to be tardy. For most teachers it was the same thing. In the classroom by the first bell, seated by the second.

Jesse and I were always there before both bells. Harmione got us to school just as Mom instructed. I unzipped my backpack and began putting my books in my locker. Jesse had a locker several lockers down from mine. I overheard him talking to some other kids.

"I can't believe Tabby fell for you..." I heard one of them say.

"Yeah... she should really go out with me instead." Another stated. I just ignored them.

"Maybe she asked you out as a joke." The third guy said.

"Yeah or a dare." The fouth guy replied.

"I don't know...maybe Tabby really liked me." Jesse tried to explain. In that moment, I thought I should defend him, but I didn't.

"Yeah keep telling yourself that!" One guy remarked. They had a huge belly laugh at Jesse's defense. They scattered and hit Jesse into his locker.

I always stood by. I wanted to act but I was just too upset with him. I knew it was wrong, but I let my emotions get the better of me.

Jesse and I had the same classes except 5th period. We had different electives. He was too busy taking American literature while I took soccer. It was there I met some guys from the 11th grade. They played for the senior high team. Occasionally coach would allow the older students to teach the younger ones a thing or two.

There were 4 guys: Adrian, Tyson, Bentley, and Sean.

They were all 16. On the field Adrian played left fullback, Tyson played center, Bentley mostly played in the defending position, and Sean was the goalkeeper. They had different girlfriends almost every other week and everyone in school basically worshipped the ground they walked on. They had been friends since elementary school; practicing, and sharpening their soccer skills. They had high hopes of making it to the big time. I knew they weren't too bright but they were okay kids. After practice they met me outside the soccer field.

"Yo! Justice! Tyson hollered. I pointed at myself. Even though he said my name I couldn't believe he was actually talking to me. He gestured for me to come over. I did.

"Justice...those were some awesome moves you had out there today." He said.

"Really?"

"Yeah Justice...in fact the boys and I think you're a lot like us...you got the sports talent...You're a champ with the ladies...and you're sooo much better than your brother." Adrian explained.

"We've been looking for a 5th guy for our group for a while. You in?" Sean said after.

"Me? You want me to be apart of your gang?"

"What are you deaf and stupid Tennyson? Yeah you!" Tyson exclaimed.

"Yeah, you could be a made guy. You could officially be one of our brothers." Bentley spoke up.

"You could rule the school Tennyson. We really need someone to carry on our legacy after we graduate here." Tyson replied.

I thought about it for a moment. It was everything I wanted in my high school life. The ultimate dream realized. I could play the sport I love with real brothers who care about me. We could make such an impact together. By my senior year; everyone would be eating out of the palm of my hands. It sounded too good to be true. It would help me cope with my anger towards Jesse. I could get my happiness back.

"It's a deal.. Sure, that's cool." I told them.

"Great see you later Justice."

"Bye Just."

"Late."

"Bye guys." I said back. I smiled. My smile didn't leave my face for the rest of the day.

That night however, something terrible happened. Charlie was in charge while Harmione had to work. I was sitting at the kitchen table with Jesse and Genesis doing our homework. Charlie came in holding Bryan on his hip.

"Okay, now guys listen up particularly, Justice and Jesse...Harmione had a rough day,...she'd be really upset if she came home and I had to tell her you guys were fighting again...so don't even start it with me tonight, understand?"

"Yes sir." Jesse exclaimed.

"Yeah Charlie." I said back.

"Good. Now what do you want for dinner, Bryan and I are going to eat something different so don't even worry about us?"

"Can we have tacos?" Genesis asked.

"Tacos? Yeah, I can do that. Sound good boys?"

"Yeah."

"Sure...whatever."

After dinner Charlie let us have a little free time but wanted us all in bed with the lights out by 9:00. We did as he requested of us. Only this time Jesse and I took the pull out bed in the couch while Genesis took the bed in the guest room. Around 9:30 almost 10 everyone had gone to sleep. The house was quiet. It was starting to get colder so the heat had kicked on. As we slept; it was then we heard Charlie scream. It startled everyone in the house. Jesse and I kicked the blankets off and quickly turned on the living room light. Charlie came down the hall frantically holding his phone to his ear. Genesis appeared behind him. Her red hair in a bun on top of her head.

"Come on Har! Pick up your phone!" Charlie shouted as he entered the kitchen.

"Gen? What's going on?" Jesse asked.

"Bryan...he's not in his room...the window was open ajar...I think he's be kidnapped."

"Who the hell would want to kidnap our nephew?" I asked. I was so much more confused than shocked.

"Ssh!" Jesse and Genesis said together as Charlie entered the living room again.

"Okay...okay...did either of you see Bryan in the last 30 to 40 minutes?"

"No..."

"Nope."

"Sorry Charlie."

"That's fine...I put him down...and I didn't go check on him until now...okay...okay...uh...Get your clothes on all of you, sit together in the living room I have to call the police."

Charlie entered the kitchen again. We heard him start crying. Genesis began to cry when she heard Charlie cry. We were taken down to the police station. Our sister's house became a pinnacle point of an investigation. A search for Bryan was to take place by morning. We were stripped of our cell phones and anything metal if we had it. We were all then questioned about our final moments with Bryan. We were placed under police protection and taken to a small room to await updates.

Charlie was a nervous wreak. He bobbed his knees up and down in every chair he sat in. The last room they took us to, he could no longer stay seated. He began to pace the floor.

"Charlie..." Genesis started to say something when we heard the squeak of the door. It was Harmione. As she ran in Charlie met her half way.

"Harmione!"

She embraced him and Charlie held our sister in his arms.

"Charlie what's happened?" She said and began to cry.

"Everyone had just gone to bed...I got up to check on Bryan...and he wasn't there Har...I...I don't know...there was no noise...no...nothing...the air was deathly still...I didn't even hear him cry out to me or...scream..."

"Do you think it was Vilgax or another alien?"

"The cops said whoever took him seems to be human...but he made a mistake...I might not have heard him come in but I know how he got out...Bryan's window was open.

"Then that's it...they've got him...someone has my baby."

"Har I swear that I would have done everything I could if I-"

"It's done."

Our sister stood froze unable to speak. She began to sob hysterically. Jesse and Genesis had tears in their eyes. I tried to remain strong about the ordeal.

When we were released we were taken into the care of Grandma Sandra and Grampa Carl. Genesis went home with Great Uncle Frank and Great Aunt Natalie. Harmione and Charlie had a suspicion about who abducted Bryan. They realized Bryan was the initial target of this person but didn't want to put us in harm's way. They told us not to worry. We all tried to pull ourselves together as best we could be.

In the meantime I wasn't too worried. I knew Dad would probably swoop in and save Bryan or something and I wanted to work on being one of the guys.