"Zack, Max, they're both still alive, that is, if you know who they are."
"Yes, yes, I do know them," she said with a smile, and I saw tears begin to form in her distant eyes. "But what about you?"
"Me?"
"Yes, didn't you just say you're part of Manticore? How?"
"I'm the daughter of Max and Zack."
"You can't be."
"I am, no one else."
"Oh…my…" Brin whispered and brought a trembling hand to her mouth. "You don't know how long I have been alone like this and suddenly…you… and…this."
"Would you like to see my mom?"
"Your mom?" she asked, not thinking clearly.
"Max."
"Please, yes, please."
We walked to my motorcycle, where I let her use my helmet. She hopped on behind me and wrapped her arms about my waist, since I had no back passenger seat belts. I was shocked at how delicate her frame was-she was so skinny that it worried me.
I drove quickly in the night, but not out of control. The last thing I needed was to send me flying off the bike and split my head open. Not pretty. And, if Brin was who she claimed to be, she couldn't die either. A pity that I had to be careful for once. I really was looking forward to trying out some jumps I had seen coming to the bar.
It didn't take me long to find the apartment, for I easily remembered the directions when I had left it. All in the genes of course, the ability to recall things so clearly. Sigh. Yet another part of my messed up body that haunted me daily.
We arrived at the apartment sooner than I had anticipated, and Brin hopped off slowly, gazing up at the building. "This is it?" she asked.
"Yes," I replied, taking the helmet from her. "C'mon, it's the third floor." She followed me into the building, as we both tried not to make a sound at such a late hour. Screaming neighbors wasn't something that I especially enjoyed. And, considering I didn't even know the neighbors made the possibility of getting yelled at worse.
Surprisingly, the door to the apartment was unlocked and I opened it. Brin stood behind me, watching carefully. Yet, as soon as I stepped into the room, a light flicked on as if remote controlled. Mom came out of what must've been her bedroom, hands on hips. "Where have you been? It's nearly two a.m. and you said you'd be back by midnight-"
"Mom?" I interrupted, trying to prevent myself from looking like a disrespectful teenager in front of Brin.
"What?"
"There's someone here to see you."
"Not now, Alanza. It's late."
"You want to, I know it, just please."
Mom sighed and crossed her arms. "Fine." I turned away from her and poked my head out into the hallway where Brin was waiting. Telling her she could come in, I closed the door behind her as she entered the illuminated room.
For a second, I thought that there would be joyous cries like the kind between Mom and Original Cindy when they had reunited. But there wasn't.
"Who's this?" Mom asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Mom, this is Brin."
"Brin?" I nodded as Brin stood there, her arms dangling at her side as she stared evenly back at Mom.
Mom shook her head, like she was denying something. "I don't know what kind of game you're trying to pull her, Alanza. But, it's not funny. This isn't Brin, so don't lie to me like this."
