~What do you think so far? Please review!~Chilly P
Chapter 7: "Something's Wrong With Val"
~*~
Tyler Connell watched, amazed, at the sight before him. Val Lanier, normally cool, calm and collected, was acting like a crazed woman! What in hell is wrong with her? What in her life is going on that is driving her absolutely crazy? And it's my fault she won't tell me what's going on. I didn't think that it was wrong to tell Hank and Jamie what's going on. Then, the idea hit him. This is a genius idea! Why didn't I think of it before? It would have spared him much of the pain her was experiencing now, that's for sure...
~*~
Catie Rauf was at her locker when Tyler rain up to her, panting like a dog.
"Hey, buddy, what's the rush?" she asked, her voice dripping with the sarcasm that leaked onto her small smirk. She still could not understand what Val, her best friend, saw in this overachieving nerd. Then again, though she thought with a silent chuckle, Val IS an overachieving nerd.
"Catie....do.....you know.....what's.....going on.....with Val?" he panted.
"Um...I did notice she was acting even more wierd than normal.... (Look who's talking, Tyler thought. She's the one with green hair, not Val)..... but she hasn't said a word to me." Catie paused to make what she had to say more dramatic. "Besides, even if she HAD told me anything, my lips would be sealed. You know she'd kill me if I said anything to anyone, especially YOU."
His interest was piqued. "Really? Why woulnd't she want me to know?"
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe because you talk to other people about her life," she replied smugly.
"UGH! You know about that!?" Tyler exclaimed, exhasperated.
"Yup. Val is one steamed chick, man."
Tyler lowered his head and slumped away down the hall.
Poor guy, Catie thought. He really does like Val, I know he does. And he's real concerned about her too. Too bad Val is too mad at him to notice. I'll have to get her to forgive the guy, she thought.
~*~
Wendnesday that same week Val and Brooke Lanier, along with their mother went to pay a visit to the man than would hand them their unexpected and unwelcome fresh start.
The man introduced himself as Matt McCogner, and handed all three women a manila folder.
"Each of those folders contains your new identity, location and the rules of the game. Now the Witness Protection Program can only help you if you cooperate," he lectured them. "No keeping in touch with friend, family, et cetra because that will totally blow your cover. I believe Detective Anchor has already been through the basics with you already," he said. "We want you out of Kingsport ASAP. It's too dangerous here. Make sure you don't notify one single, solitary soul that you are leaving for what we hope will only be a short time so you can move on with your own lives."
Vals' new name was to be Haille Mathews. Brooke's, Kimberly, and their mother's Elizabeth. They were going to be living on Myrtle Beach in a beautiful beach house overlooking the ocean. Everything would have seemed absolutely perfect to an onlooker, except they didn't know the circumstances of the move and identity change, which entirely ruined the whole thought of the Laniers ever being happy there. And worst of all was-no Tyler! In Val Lanier's, now Haille Mathews's eyes, no one could ever replace Tyler Connell.