For those who didn't really get what the dime was about its simple really; the gang didn't debate over the stuff like the animorphs did, instead they flipped a dime to decide, and it happens that Roger is extremely fond of this method.
Chapter Eight
"So, how are you doing?" Marco asked his friend with a wide grin on his face, he looked at the food try brought in and said, "I bet Ax could enjoy that."
'That' was a mashed mixture of something white, orange and a larger mixture of green things. Ax looked ready to home in for the kill, the only thing that restrained him was the knowledge that his Prince needed food to restore his health.
Unfortunately, Jake didn't think food was what mattered, "I'm not eating until you turn up with something solid."
"Jake, the things we're turning up with are as solid as your food. Which," Marco looked down at the steaming tray, "is not very solid."
This was one of the rare occasions that Jake acted so stubbornly on behalf of his safety, usually he had a bit more sense than that.
"So by the time we turn up with something solid you'd probably turn up in the morgue."
There was a considerable length of silence that followed with Ax's "What is a morgue?"
Another silence.
"Okay, okay." Marco said to Jake's long face, "We'll try to get something but don' get your hopes up too high."
"I don't care. As long as it's something-" Jake looked down at his food and pushed the plate away, "something solid."
"By the way." Marco said, walking up to the window of Jake's private room, "Nora talked to the police, turns out some of the blood was Tom's."
Jake sat straight as a billboard, "Couldn't you tell me this any sooner?"
"I didn't want to worry you." Marco looked away from the window and turned to face Jake, "We are trying to look for something Jake, we really are, I already contacted Erek and told him to be on the look out, you know the sharing is looking out for Tom too."
"I want to reach Tom before they do." Jake said with clenched teeth, he looked down at himself, "I shouldn't be here. Marco, I could just walk away."
"Don't morph Jake." Marco said seriously, keeping his voice down, "Its too dangerous. It would call attention to yourself."
Ax nodded his human head, "Prince Jake, Marco is correct, you shouldn't morph, it would undoubtedly heal you, this will highly puzzle your doctors and the sharing might get suspicious."
"I'm not liking this." Jake muttered darkly, "I don't like this at all."
The door opened and in came Jake's parents, Jean and Steve. Marco looked up, genuinely startled, "Hi Mr and Mrs.Berenson. I hope you're feeling better today."
"Hi mom, dad." Jake mumbled.
"Listen, Marco, we really appreciate your coming here and staying with Jake." Steve said as he sat on the bed beside Jake and ruffled his hair, "We don't know what we'd have done, with all the police investigations and the search going on." Steve sighed.
"Who me?" Marco joked, "I'm just keeping Jake company, you should thank Philip here, he's doing the entertainment."
Ax looked away form Jake's food, "Yes. I've been telling them jokes."
"Really?" Steve said good naturedly, "Let's hear one."
"No! No, em, that would be a bad idea" Marco looked panicked, he walked over to 'Philip' and slapped his back, "Bad jokes, man, real bad jokes."
"Jake honey how are you feeling?" Jean said she bent over and gave Jake a little kiss on the head.
Jake flushed and squirmed slightly, "Fine."
"Actually, the food is terrible." Marco said brightly, "Could I get him something decent to eat? Like McDonalds? Burger King? Pizza? Maybe a bag of chips?"
Jean turned to Marco, "Not really, I'd like it if Jake stuck to whatever it is they're giving him." She looked down at the tray and her face brightened, "Oh, look Jake, broccoli."
Jake screwed up his face, "No thank you. I already noticed."
"How about carrots?"
"Not really."
"The salad they brought in?"
"How about just killing me?" Jake muttered looking over at Marco with a 'get-rid-of-them' look.
Marco shrugged as if saying, "You're on your own."
"So Philip." Steve said, "I don't think I've seen you before. Are you new to he area?"
"He is." Jake and Marco said at the same time, everyone turned to stare at them.
"I am highly capable of speaking for myself." Ax muttered.
"He's a bit weird." Marco gave a fake smile. "You need time to get use to him."
"So, how were the first nights?" Jean asked her son, "I hope you slept well."
"I did." Jake squirmed again; there was something highly uncomfortable about being cross-examined by his mom in front of his comrades.
"Well I cleaned the mess in your room." She said, "I'd like it kept that way when you come back."
Jake sighed, "Yes mom."
Steve stood up and wondered towards the window. Jake looked at his father and said in an even voice, "You think they'll find him?"
Steve turned around and Jean looked away, "I hope so son."
The door opened and a breathless Cassie appeared, when she noticed Jake's parents she forced calmness in her voice and tried to compose herself.
"Cassie," Steve looked surprised.
"Mr.Berneson, Mrs.Berenson, hi. I-" She hesitated, and looked around, "I- did they tell you?"
"Tell us what?" Jean stood up.
Cassie looked like she was on the brink of crying, "What they found near the Sharing center."
"What did they find?" Jake looked alarmed.
"They found his clothes." Cassie said, she looked confused, "Tom's clothes."
Jake froze completely.
"They what?" Steve jumped up.
Jean gasped and her hands flew to her face.
"They want to talk to you." Cassie said to Steve and Jean, she looked at Jake's stone face helplessly, "To identify the body."
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Ohhh, what happened? For those who liked the cliffhanger; you're happy now aren't you?
I know that there is confusion between the deaths, but it is going to be cleared up pretty soon, you'd realize why I kept the issue under a considerable amount of confusion, after all, how many times can I kill Tom?
I promise that I'll send the next part just as soon as I get enough reviews, which may be soon or not soon enough-depending on demand (I'm cruel aren't I?)
