A/N: A couple of things happened since I last posted this. 1. I figured out HTML format! 2. I started writing In a Heartbeat fics, meaning I don't have as much time for Animorphs :-(
Thanks to Temrash 113 for that excellent review. Even though it was mostly critism, it was constructive, and right about now, that's what I need.
We followed him down several streets. He kept turning, as if to avoid being followed, although he was walking normal speed. I chalked it up to paranoia on his part and kept close enough that I could see him but far enough that he wouldn't notice me.
We were winding towards the country, out by all the farms, I noticed. The riding was quite uneventful. We had to be stealthy and quiet, and kept our eyes on him 99% of the time. The rest of the time we were checking our watches, making sure we didn't have to head home too soon. (I had to be home by 6, and Leigh had to be home at 5:30).
After a while, it got too hard to bike, especially since Marco was still on foot. Just when we were about to give up and go home, Marco turned suddenly and went into a barn. We followed and watched from where he accidentally, or maybe carelessly, or maybe even on purpose, left a crack open in the barn door.
He took off his shoes and as we watched, a realistic feather tattoo popped up on his skin and too-tight t-shirt, and his weird spandex shorts too, and changed into feathers. Real feathers, like from a real bird! As I watched, arms melted into wings, then his nose and mouth stretched to become a hard, curved, ripping tearing beak. Toes melted and reformed into huge bird talons, then shrank with the rest of him down to normal bird size.
"An osprey. He's changing into an osprey," whispered an amazed Leigh, who liked to watch birds when she was really really bored. And that seemed to happen a lot.
"MARCO!" I yelled. I didn't know where the voice came from. Then I realized… it was me. I guess part of me decided that I had seen enough.
Faith! I guess he recognized my voice, or he'd known I was following him all along, because he answered. But something was different… it wasn't spoken. It was in my head! Faith. Leigh. You will not tell anyone about this. Nothing at all. Meet me in 3 days in the park at, say 4:30. The same park I was in with the dogs and the bird. I can explain then. Until then, trust no one. You caught me at a bad time. I have very important things to do. He flapped his osprey wings and went to leave. As he flew above my head I heard, well, with my mind, but… you know what I mean Oh, and Faith? I never got to tell you but, I love you.
I said, in a whisper, but I'd hung around with Leigh enough to know that he'd hear, "I love you too, Marco."
* * *
Around 5:45, I finally made it home. I was met by a
distraught Chris.
"It's been 3 days. 3 days! And no emails. No calls. Where
is she? I haven't seen her on the streets. I haven't seen her at school. She's
gone. GONE! Where is she? I have to find her. It's been 3 days. 3 days! And no
e-" He was cut off from his ranting by me.
"What? Who?" I asked frantically. Panic is
contagious.
"Jordan. She's missing. It's been 3 days. 3 days! And
no-" he was once again interrupted by me.
"I know. You have had no contact from her. But some
weirdness has been happening with me, too, lately. I can empathize. And I'll
tell you one thing. Jordan is safe. I can feel it." I told him.
As I entered the computer room to check my emails, I could still hear Chris muttering to himself, "3 days! And no emails. No calls. Where is she? I haven't seen her..." Oy!
* * *
Author's Note: It's over. This chapter at least. Yes, Team
Omega, I finally updated. Temrash 113- about the Yeerks finding them and trying
to silence them, that'll probably happen, I don't know "tomorrow" in their
time. I won't tell you what happens
other than that. Now that I have somewhat an idea, review, and expect the next
chapter maybe Sunday-ish.
