**************************************
CHAPTER FIFTEEN:
About a month after New Years, Alex and Isabel sat down in one of the booths at the Crashdown to have dinner. The waitress took their order, and went to give it to the cook.
"You know," said Alex. "It feels weird coming in here and not seeing Liz or Maria around. I can't believe one is away at boarding school and the other is in New York with a big music contract."
"I've noticed you don't seem bitter about Maria getting that recording contract," said Isabel. "I mean, you and Valenti both were playing with her on stage that night when she was discovered."
"Ah, I've kind of just put playing in the band as a hobby," said Alex. "I mean, we're good and all, but....Maria is terrific. I think she actually has a future in the business. What I really feel down about is having the two girls I love like sisters on the other side of the country. If it wasn't for you, I'd feel really alone right about now."
"That's how Max feels," said Isabel. "He has been down in the dumps since Liz left, and there is nothing Michael or I can do to bring him out of it. Now, Michael is distracted by his friend getting killed at Metachem."
"Yeah, Kyle told me he got his Dad to join him working security there, to look into the murder," said Alex.
"Michael was really upset," said Isabel. "He feels responsible, somehow. You know Michael, when he gets obsessed about something, he'll chase it until he catches something."
"Yeah, trouble usually," said Alex.
**
Later that night, Alex and Isabel were sleeping together in Alex's bed. Since his parents were out of town, they took the opportunity for intimacy and were now enjoying just sleeping in each others arms. They were wakened from their sound sleep by the ringing of Isabel's cell phone. She climbed out of bed with a blanket wrapped around her for warmth, and went over to the chair where her purse was to pull out the cell phone.
"Hello," she whispered, hoping not to wake Alex, but knowing that was futile right afterwards when she looked over and saw him turn the light on.
"Isabel," said Max's voice on the other line. "Where are you? I tried calling you at home."
"I'm at Alex's," said Isabel.
"At this hour," said Max. "Do I even want to know what you were doing there?"
"What are you, the morality police?" asked Isabel. "Look, did you just call to find out if I was in bed with Alex?"
"Oh, shit, is Max pissed?" asked Alex in a whisper.
"Isabel, there's been a problem," said Max. "I need you to come over to Michael's. Alex, too. Valenti is missing."
***
About a half an hour later, Alex and Isabel arrived at Michael's apartment. Max, Michael, and Kyle were already there, and Kyle was visibly upset. They were told that while Michael and Valenti were investigating the murder at Metachem tonight, they found out it was an inside job. The two of them also uncovered evidence that the people at Metachem were investigating Michael, and maybe Max and Isabel as well, and may know they are aliens. But Valenti was caught by the wife of the President of the company, and her security men, and Michael barely made it out to get help.
"So what's the plan?" asked Isabel.
"You, Michael, and I break into Metachem, find Valenti, and get him out," said Max. "We also destroy any evidence they may have about us."
"I'm going with you," said Kyle.
"No, you can't, Kyle," said Max. "Its too dangerous."
"Its MY FATHER that's in there!" said Kyle. "I'm GOING!"
"We'll get him out, man," said Michael. "I promise. But, you would be more of a hindrance than a help."
"Max," said Alex. "Can I see you for a second?"
Alex and Max went out onto the porch of the apartment. "What is it, Alex?" asked Max.
"Max," said Alex. "Its Kyle Father who is missing, and right now he feels helpless. You've got to make him feel like he is doing something to get his Father out. Otherwise, he may follow you and try to do something crazy. Imagine if you were in his shoes, and it was your Father. Would you want to be left behind worrying?"
Max let out a sigh. "No, I wouldn't," said Max. "But he can't go in with us."
"Then let him sit outside with the get away car ready," said Alex. "It will make him feel like he is doing something. I'll stay with him, to make sure he is okay."
"You're coming, too?" asked Max. "Alex, we could really use someone here..."
"No way, Max," said Alex. "You are taking Isabel in there with you, and I WILL be there to watch her back."
"Alex," said Max. "Thanks, for the advice. You're great to have around, you know that?"
Max reached out his hand, and Alex took it in his in a firm handshake. "What are friends, for?" he asked. "I'm just glad you don't want to kill me for sleeping with your sister."
"Maybe later," said Max, with grin indicating jest.
The two of them went back into the apartment. "So," said Michael, "you two done shooting the breeze so we can go and rescue Valenti or what?"
"Yeah, we're going," said Max. "All of us. Kyle, you and Alex will stay outside with the car, keeping it ready to get away in a hurry. If you see us come running out, pull the car over and pick us up."
"Okay, will do," said Kyle. "Let's just get going."
****
Two hours later, Kyle and Alex were sitting outside the Metachem facility in Max's car, waiting with a walkie talkie for any news from inside. Max, Michael, and Isabel had gone inside about an hour ago, and they heard them speak over the radios to each other once or twice. Other than that, no word.
"Why the HELL is it taking so long?" asked Kyle.
"Take it easy," said Alex. "It's a big place, and they have to be cautious. You just have to chill out and wait."
"That's easy for YOU to say," said Kyle in a biting tone. "That's not YOUR FATHER in there!"
"No, but ISABEL IS IN THERE!" shot back Alex. "And believe me, I'd love to be in there right now watching her back instead of sitting outside with YOU!"
Kyle let out a deep breath. "Look, I'm...sorry, man," said Kyle. "I know you are worried about her. I had no right to say..."
"Its okay," said Alex, letting out a deep breath of his own. "You're upset, and you have every right to be."
"You know, it seems that Max and the others have done nothing but get my Dad into trouble ever since they pulled him into this," said Kyle. "Me too, for that matter. I mean, he has lost his job for them, and now he is being held prisoner by a bunch of wacko alien hunters."
"Max and the others don't want anything bad to happen to your Dad," said Alex. "They love and respect him. We all do. And remember, Max saved your life. Mine too. Your Father knew that helping them was the right thing to do. He took a stand to do what was right. You should be proud of him for that."
"I am," said Kyle. "And, to tell you the truth, I've...kind of grown fond of Max, Isabel...even Michael. You guys are my friends, and..."
An alarm went off inside the building. Kyle and Alex turned and saw smoke coming out of the building. Then, over the radio, they heard the frantic call of Michael's voice.
"ALEX, KYLE! WE'RE COMING OUT! SOUTH ENTRANCE! HURRY!"
Kyle turned on the ignition, and gunned the engine. He gunned the engine, and drove towards the south entrance to the facility. When they got there, they saw a bunch of guys in suits and a blonde woman coming out, two of the men carrying another. The men saw the two boys pull up in the car, and pulled out guns.
"OH SHIT!" yelled Alex.
The two boys ducked as the men fired at the car. Kyle, still ducking behind the dashboard, put the car in reverse, and back off, as bullets impacted on the car. They heard another car speed, away and looked up, only to see three men with guns still there.
But then, they saw Michael, Isabel, and Valenti come running out of the Metachem facility. Michael and Isabel ran towards the armed men. Valenti screamed for them to stop, but they ignored him.
"ISABEL!" yelled Alex, who jumped out of the car and ran to his lover's aid.
Isabel and Michael raised their hands and reached out with their powers, sending two of the men flying backwards. But the other did not falter, and aimed his gun straight at Isabel.
"NO!!" screamed Alex, who collided with Isabel and pushed her to the ground, just as the man fired his weapon.
Everything went quiet for a moment, as Isabel turned and looked at Alex. She was frozen in fear as she saw Alex, holding his side and looking as though he were in great pain, fall to the ground with a loud thud. Then, she saw the blood oozing out of his side.
"ALEX!!!!" screamed Isabel, who crawled over to his side.
Michael, meanwhile, in a fit of rage, sent a wave of destructive energy at the gunmen, killing him almost instantly as he was knocked to the ground. Then he, Kyle, and Valenti joined Isabel at Alex's side.
"OH, GOD NO!!!" screamed Isabel, crying and holding Alex's limp body in her arms. "HELP HIM!! PLEASE!!!"
"Where's Max!?" yelled Kyle. "He could heal him!"
"Max is dead," said Valenti. "We have to get him to a hospital!"
"And tell them what," said Michael. "What do we tell them about how Alex got shot?!"
"I don't care!!" screamed Isabel. "He needs a hospital! NOW!"
"We'll work something out on the way!" said Valenti. "Everyone in the car! NOW!"
Another cliffhanger for you, fair readers. Don't you just love em! I do. Ha, ha, I love my power!! Anyhow, don't miss what happens next. Be sure to tune in for the next installment to find out whether Alex lives or dies. In the meantime, what did you think of this chapter of the story, or the whole story to date? Please, do provide feedback by posting any comments you have in a review. I have been pleased with the amount of feedback I have been getting so far, and would love to see some more comments from my readers.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN:
About a month after New Years, Alex and Isabel sat down in one of the booths at the Crashdown to have dinner. The waitress took their order, and went to give it to the cook.
"You know," said Alex. "It feels weird coming in here and not seeing Liz or Maria around. I can't believe one is away at boarding school and the other is in New York with a big music contract."
"I've noticed you don't seem bitter about Maria getting that recording contract," said Isabel. "I mean, you and Valenti both were playing with her on stage that night when she was discovered."
"Ah, I've kind of just put playing in the band as a hobby," said Alex. "I mean, we're good and all, but....Maria is terrific. I think she actually has a future in the business. What I really feel down about is having the two girls I love like sisters on the other side of the country. If it wasn't for you, I'd feel really alone right about now."
"That's how Max feels," said Isabel. "He has been down in the dumps since Liz left, and there is nothing Michael or I can do to bring him out of it. Now, Michael is distracted by his friend getting killed at Metachem."
"Yeah, Kyle told me he got his Dad to join him working security there, to look into the murder," said Alex.
"Michael was really upset," said Isabel. "He feels responsible, somehow. You know Michael, when he gets obsessed about something, he'll chase it until he catches something."
"Yeah, trouble usually," said Alex.
**
Later that night, Alex and Isabel were sleeping together in Alex's bed. Since his parents were out of town, they took the opportunity for intimacy and were now enjoying just sleeping in each others arms. They were wakened from their sound sleep by the ringing of Isabel's cell phone. She climbed out of bed with a blanket wrapped around her for warmth, and went over to the chair where her purse was to pull out the cell phone.
"Hello," she whispered, hoping not to wake Alex, but knowing that was futile right afterwards when she looked over and saw him turn the light on.
"Isabel," said Max's voice on the other line. "Where are you? I tried calling you at home."
"I'm at Alex's," said Isabel.
"At this hour," said Max. "Do I even want to know what you were doing there?"
"What are you, the morality police?" asked Isabel. "Look, did you just call to find out if I was in bed with Alex?"
"Oh, shit, is Max pissed?" asked Alex in a whisper.
"Isabel, there's been a problem," said Max. "I need you to come over to Michael's. Alex, too. Valenti is missing."
***
About a half an hour later, Alex and Isabel arrived at Michael's apartment. Max, Michael, and Kyle were already there, and Kyle was visibly upset. They were told that while Michael and Valenti were investigating the murder at Metachem tonight, they found out it was an inside job. The two of them also uncovered evidence that the people at Metachem were investigating Michael, and maybe Max and Isabel as well, and may know they are aliens. But Valenti was caught by the wife of the President of the company, and her security men, and Michael barely made it out to get help.
"So what's the plan?" asked Isabel.
"You, Michael, and I break into Metachem, find Valenti, and get him out," said Max. "We also destroy any evidence they may have about us."
"I'm going with you," said Kyle.
"No, you can't, Kyle," said Max. "Its too dangerous."
"Its MY FATHER that's in there!" said Kyle. "I'm GOING!"
"We'll get him out, man," said Michael. "I promise. But, you would be more of a hindrance than a help."
"Max," said Alex. "Can I see you for a second?"
Alex and Max went out onto the porch of the apartment. "What is it, Alex?" asked Max.
"Max," said Alex. "Its Kyle Father who is missing, and right now he feels helpless. You've got to make him feel like he is doing something to get his Father out. Otherwise, he may follow you and try to do something crazy. Imagine if you were in his shoes, and it was your Father. Would you want to be left behind worrying?"
Max let out a sigh. "No, I wouldn't," said Max. "But he can't go in with us."
"Then let him sit outside with the get away car ready," said Alex. "It will make him feel like he is doing something. I'll stay with him, to make sure he is okay."
"You're coming, too?" asked Max. "Alex, we could really use someone here..."
"No way, Max," said Alex. "You are taking Isabel in there with you, and I WILL be there to watch her back."
"Alex," said Max. "Thanks, for the advice. You're great to have around, you know that?"
Max reached out his hand, and Alex took it in his in a firm handshake. "What are friends, for?" he asked. "I'm just glad you don't want to kill me for sleeping with your sister."
"Maybe later," said Max, with grin indicating jest.
The two of them went back into the apartment. "So," said Michael, "you two done shooting the breeze so we can go and rescue Valenti or what?"
"Yeah, we're going," said Max. "All of us. Kyle, you and Alex will stay outside with the car, keeping it ready to get away in a hurry. If you see us come running out, pull the car over and pick us up."
"Okay, will do," said Kyle. "Let's just get going."
****
Two hours later, Kyle and Alex were sitting outside the Metachem facility in Max's car, waiting with a walkie talkie for any news from inside. Max, Michael, and Isabel had gone inside about an hour ago, and they heard them speak over the radios to each other once or twice. Other than that, no word.
"Why the HELL is it taking so long?" asked Kyle.
"Take it easy," said Alex. "It's a big place, and they have to be cautious. You just have to chill out and wait."
"That's easy for YOU to say," said Kyle in a biting tone. "That's not YOUR FATHER in there!"
"No, but ISABEL IS IN THERE!" shot back Alex. "And believe me, I'd love to be in there right now watching her back instead of sitting outside with YOU!"
Kyle let out a deep breath. "Look, I'm...sorry, man," said Kyle. "I know you are worried about her. I had no right to say..."
"Its okay," said Alex, letting out a deep breath of his own. "You're upset, and you have every right to be."
"You know, it seems that Max and the others have done nothing but get my Dad into trouble ever since they pulled him into this," said Kyle. "Me too, for that matter. I mean, he has lost his job for them, and now he is being held prisoner by a bunch of wacko alien hunters."
"Max and the others don't want anything bad to happen to your Dad," said Alex. "They love and respect him. We all do. And remember, Max saved your life. Mine too. Your Father knew that helping them was the right thing to do. He took a stand to do what was right. You should be proud of him for that."
"I am," said Kyle. "And, to tell you the truth, I've...kind of grown fond of Max, Isabel...even Michael. You guys are my friends, and..."
An alarm went off inside the building. Kyle and Alex turned and saw smoke coming out of the building. Then, over the radio, they heard the frantic call of Michael's voice.
"ALEX, KYLE! WE'RE COMING OUT! SOUTH ENTRANCE! HURRY!"
Kyle turned on the ignition, and gunned the engine. He gunned the engine, and drove towards the south entrance to the facility. When they got there, they saw a bunch of guys in suits and a blonde woman coming out, two of the men carrying another. The men saw the two boys pull up in the car, and pulled out guns.
"OH SHIT!" yelled Alex.
The two boys ducked as the men fired at the car. Kyle, still ducking behind the dashboard, put the car in reverse, and back off, as bullets impacted on the car. They heard another car speed, away and looked up, only to see three men with guns still there.
But then, they saw Michael, Isabel, and Valenti come running out of the Metachem facility. Michael and Isabel ran towards the armed men. Valenti screamed for them to stop, but they ignored him.
"ISABEL!" yelled Alex, who jumped out of the car and ran to his lover's aid.
Isabel and Michael raised their hands and reached out with their powers, sending two of the men flying backwards. But the other did not falter, and aimed his gun straight at Isabel.
"NO!!" screamed Alex, who collided with Isabel and pushed her to the ground, just as the man fired his weapon.
Everything went quiet for a moment, as Isabel turned and looked at Alex. She was frozen in fear as she saw Alex, holding his side and looking as though he were in great pain, fall to the ground with a loud thud. Then, she saw the blood oozing out of his side.
"ALEX!!!!" screamed Isabel, who crawled over to his side.
Michael, meanwhile, in a fit of rage, sent a wave of destructive energy at the gunmen, killing him almost instantly as he was knocked to the ground. Then he, Kyle, and Valenti joined Isabel at Alex's side.
"OH, GOD NO!!!" screamed Isabel, crying and holding Alex's limp body in her arms. "HELP HIM!! PLEASE!!!"
"Where's Max!?" yelled Kyle. "He could heal him!"
"Max is dead," said Valenti. "We have to get him to a hospital!"
"And tell them what," said Michael. "What do we tell them about how Alex got shot?!"
"I don't care!!" screamed Isabel. "He needs a hospital! NOW!"
"We'll work something out on the way!" said Valenti. "Everyone in the car! NOW!"
Another cliffhanger for you, fair readers. Don't you just love em! I do. Ha, ha, I love my power!! Anyhow, don't miss what happens next. Be sure to tune in for the next installment to find out whether Alex lives or dies. In the meantime, what did you think of this chapter of the story, or the whole story to date? Please, do provide feedback by posting any comments you have in a review. I have been pleased with the amount of feedback I have been getting so far, and would love to see some more comments from my readers.