Disclaimer: I don't own these characters and (yawn) yeah, whatever. You know what I mean.
Rating: PG or PG-13
Summary: Jarod pisses a few people off, and Lia is taken to be tested for Pretender skills.
!!!Author's Note!!!: Okay, for something that I'm setting up to work, I need to move the day forward one. So, "pretend" that when Jarod and Astrea were at the mall, it was Thursday, not Wednesday. Thursday okay? Sorry, for the inconvenience, and you can go back to reading now!
P.S if you haven't guessed what Lia is, you're practically handed the information in this chapter so don't fret!
Feedback: (The narrator can't think of a cute little story for this chapter and so I'm just going to beg for feedback like the pathetic creature I truly am.)
[kneels down on the ground and straightens clothing] Ahem. Oh please give me feedback!!!! I have a mother, father, and little sister!!! Feedback is what keeps me alive!!! Without it I am nothing but a worm!!! A hopeless, small, and wretched worm!!! [Gets up and bows formally while audience cheers for the stunning performance]
Quote:
"I don't know why we are here, but I'm pretty sure that it is not in order to enjoy ourselves." ---Ludwig Wittgenstein
***********************************ShadowElfBard***********************************
4:21 pm, Thursday
Blue Cove, Delaware
Indeterminable Location
(Sam the Sweeper)
Oh man did we screw up. We had them, we had them god da---t! And we let them give us the slip. Yet again. It shouldn't come as any surprise I suppose, but still it lowers one's morale to fail at your job. Especially when it happens over, and over, and over again. Ms. Parker's going to murder me…
"Hey Sam!"
I turn my head back around, still trying to keep my eyes on the road as I drive back to the Centre. "What?"
Jones' eyes twinkle with amusement from the backseat. "Me and Stan were just wondering what it is you'd like written on your tombstone, and if we could have your CD collection."
They both start snickering and I scowl. "Oh funny, very funny. You guys are a riot."
They calm down slowly, and Stan looks at me, still trying to keep from laughing. "Oh, don't take it so hard man, we're just having a bit of fun."
"Yeah," Jones adds on, coughing back a chuckle. "Besides, we all know that the ice queen is going to be royally pissed when she finds out what happened. We were just trying to make you feel a .little better."
I scoff at that loudly, as I focus once more on the road. "Sure."
Stan leans back in the seat, and puts his hands behind his head. "You know what I don't get Sam, is why you're even going to tell her."
"How can I not tell her?" I question in incredulity. "She's Ms. Parker for Christ's sake!"
Stan shakes his head. "Look man, all I know is that even if she is the biggest fish in the pond, and even if I wouldn't fight her for all of the money in Brooklyn, it doesn't mean that she's immortal. She's human, just like you and me, and that means that she can't possibly know everything that happens. Just conveniently forget ot mention it."
I give him a look of disbelief, dumbfounded by his ignorance. " 'Conveniently forget to mention it'? You have no idea who it is you're talking about."
Jones rolls his eyes to the ceiling of the car. "Come on Sam. Stan is right, she won't find out if we don't tell her."
"That shows how much you know," I retort. "Did you know that she gets calls from Jarod?"
Stan laughs. "So? What's he going to do, call her up and tell her 'hey guess what? I got chased by your sweepers while I went shopping'?"
"You'd be surprised." I then narrow my eyebrows. "Hey, where did the idea that he went shopping come from?"
"Gee I don't know, maybe it was because he had those plastic bags of his in a death grip?" Stan shakes his head in an almost remorse at my stupidity. "Stop pretending Sam. We all know that he went to the mall to go shopping, just like we did. Why he came to Blue Cove to do it though, is beyond me."
Beside him Jones frowns. "Everything that that weirdo does is beyond us. Sometimes I wonder if he's really all there. You know they say that there's a fine line-"
"Between genius and insanity," I finish for him. "Yeah, yeah, I know. But we're paid to bring him in whether he's loonier than Bugs Bunny or not. And so far, we've been failing miserably."
Jones folds his burly arms and grumbles quietly.
I drive on, the car filled with silence. Maybe I should do what Stan suggested. It's not all that important for me to tell her right? After all, informing her of a simple spotting of the elusive pretender would do nothing more than anger her. She'll find out sooner or later that he's in Blue Cove, and when she does I won't get shot. Yeah, I like that.
I smile to myself. I like it when I have good ideas…
6:32 pm, Thursday
Blue Cove, Delaware
The Centre
Ms. Parker's Office
(Ms. Parker)
"Hand me another one Marie," I growl at the technician who hastily complies with my order.
I'm seated at my desk right now; under the fluorescent lights they've recently installed throughout the Centre, signing various sheets of paperwork. It's all that I've really been doing today. Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork. They're not even remotely interesting documents either. Mediocre budget cuts, and formal protocol. This employee has a day off, this one is sick, that one's been transferred. It's all so meaningless really. I'd rather be looking at a DSA that Broots has snuck out of an archive, or checking out an old lair of Jarod's, or even discussing philosophies with Freud. But no, I'm doing ordinary, boring, and totally pointless paperwork.
Suddenly slicing through the almost drowsy silence is the ringing of the phone upon my desk. My hand shoots out and grabs it, and, just in case, I shoot a look at Marie telling her to start tracking down the signal.
"What?" I bark out in my personal yet highly clichéd fashion.
"We really have to work on those people skills of yours Ms. Parker," I hear Jarod scold into the phone.
"They work just fine for me Wonder Boy," I taunt as I lean back in my chair, wondering if I can keep him on the line long enough for the signal to be traced. "So what brings this irritating call? Found something on my family? Ready to dig up another sickening habit of my psychotic brother? Come up with a way to get Broots back on the pursuit team where he belongs?"
"No, no, and no I'm afraid. Just wondering what it was you're doing and wanting to ask if you've ever seen red rocks before."
My eyebrows shoot up in confusion. "Red rocks? Are you in Arizona?"
A chuckle comes from the other side. "Ah, ah, ah Ms. Parker. A magician never reveals his secrets."
"Jar-" but I'm too late and the line is disconnected.
I look eagerly over at Marie, and she gives me a grin that stretches nearly the entire width of her face.
"Its traced ma'm. I have it."
"Well where is he?" I demand, my heart pounding happily. I've got him…
"He's here ma'm, in Blue Cove. According to the computer he's in a closed down warehouse near the pier."
I smile at the response and get up smoothly form my desk, already moving towards the door. With this information there is no way that I'll be stuck here doing any more paperwork. Red rocks my cute little ass. I can't be fooled that easily Jarod…
I stride out into the hall, ignoring Marie's questions as to where I'm going, and then spot Sydney off in a corner, stuck talking with Mr. Thumbs.
"Syd?"
He turns towards me, relief clearly evident in his eyes. "Yes Parker?"
"We have the freak's location, let's go." I jerk my thumb behind me.
My evil twin is startled. "Jarod?"
"No, its Tippy the hairless monkey," I respond with thick sarcasm, rolling my eyes heavenward, and then turn back to the psychologist. "Now come on Sydney, we traced a call he made but if we don't get there soon…"
Sydney furrows his brow. "You traced the call? But Parker, Jarod wouldn't make a mistake like that. He-"
"He has," I snarl. "Look, ever since he was turned into an amnesiac he's been paranoid. You've seen it as well as I have. Face it Freud, your pet's overactive imagination and encompassing fear has caused him to slip up. He made an error, a fault, a blunder, an oversight. Now we have him, and I say let's go get him."
I turn and begin walking away, when Lyle calls, "hey what about me?"
I spin around. "What about you?"
"Aren't I coming as well?"
My lip curls. "No."
He returns my scowl. "I am still part of this Pursuit team. You have to take me whether you like it or not."
I clench my hands into fists but bite back a retort. "Fine," I ground out, none too happy about granting his request. "You can come. I can't stop you anyways."
He grins. "That's more like it."
As I move down the hall once more, despite the
fact that I have to take the psycho, I'm able to smile. It's on Jarod,
and this time there'll be no escaping me.
6:48 pm, Thursday
Blue Cove, Delaware
Abandoned Warehouse Near The Docks
(Ms. Parker)
I shoot my brother (I wish) and Sydney a look warning them to remain quiet as we approach the warehouse. We got here perhaps five minutes ago and had decided to park the car a block from the warehouse so as not to warn our prey that we'd arrived. I'm going to go for the speedy, smooth, and silent attack this time. There'll be no 'give it up!' or 'there's no escape Jarod!' Warnings are pointless, and my breath is too precious to waste.
I quickly cock my head towards the door that we've surrounded, ready to give the order for it to be opened, when Sydney's hand suddenly grabs my arm.
"What?" I demand quietly through perfectly clenched teeth.
"Parker, I don't think we should go through with this."
I ignore the concern and worry in his voice. "What are you worried about Sydney? Afraid that I can't bring Jarod in on my own without the sweepers to back me up? If that's it then let go of my arm because I can handle him better than those bumbling idiots can breathe."
His eyes narrow. "That's not it Parker and you know it."
I simply glare in response and shake him off of me. Then I turn to focus on Lyle. "Ready?"
He holds up his gun and gives that mad grin. "Always."
I bust open the door and we run swiftly inside. I don't even notice that the door's closed behind us as I point wildly from one area of the room to another, my gaze concentrated and searching for the lab rat. Then I finally pull away from looking at the trees, and actually notice the forest.
The room is a stereotype of every children therapist's waiting room. It's painted a dazzling, almost startling yellow with funny, cute little cartoons and clouds painted upon it. The room is decorated with pink fuzzy chairs, light green and blue blowup furniture, and tons and tons of stuffed animals with smiles that seem frozen in time. Against a wall are three white book cases filled to the brim with children's books, a vivid violet toy box next to them, and three different kids beds. There's a flat screen TV hanging on the wall plugged into a DVD player, and a sparkling and slightly gaudy Christmas tree stands proudly in the corner of this strange world. Underneath it is three presents. There's a song playing, and I recognize it as the "It's small world" song from the ride at Disney land. I look around for a stereo, and realize that it must be playing out of a hidden speaker.
All in all, the room is very, very, bright.
"My god," I breathe in disbelief. "I've died and landed on PBS."
My brother has lowered his gun, and his eyes are wide and darting. He's obviously trying to come up with a way to envision something evil and ruthless, but everything is so soft, fluffy and G rated that his attempts are failing miserably.
Sydney's inspecting the beds, and he calls me over.
I stand by him, and after I follow the trail from his pointing finger to the bedposts, my mouth opens in shock. I look at the other beds as well, and notice upon them the same exact thing. Painted in a glittery gold on each bed, are our names. One for Sydney, me, and my twin.
"What the hell is going on?" Lyle nearly yells, close to hyperventilating as a result of all the niceness about him.
That's when a faint click is heard from the other side of the room, and we turn and see the TV come on.
"Jarod," I growl.
The nearly life size version of him waves happily. "Nice to see you too Ms. Parker."
Sydney and I share astonished looks and the picture of Wonder Boy chuckles. "That's right Ms. Parker, this is a live feed. There is a tiny little camera hidden here that you won't be able to find, but that let's me see you, Sydney, and that demented monster you call a brother."
"What do you want Jarod?" Sydney asks calmly.
"What do I want?" he narrows his eyes and becomes visibly angry. "Why, I want a lot of things Sydney. Namely my family and complete freedom from the hell that you work at. But right now all I want is for you three to be out my way for a while." He looks around the room. "Consider this to be your home away from home for the next day or so." He focuses upon us and smiles. "Because you won't be going anywhere."
Lyle immediately bolts to the door where we'd come in, and though he pulls and yanks, it doesn't budge. "It's locked!" he wails in a childish tone that makes me roll my eyes.
I turn my attention back to Jarod, who's smiling irritably as the realization of our captivity comes into perspective.
I fold my arms. "So now what Frankenstein? I refuse to believe you'd be so bold as to just lock us in here. After all, what would we eat? What about going to the bathroom? And how the hell do you think you'd escape the reprimands of my father and the Centre?"
"What you'd eat is in the sparkling toy box over there, some special treats I picked out, and there is a door to a very beautifully designed bathroom facility on your far right. As to your 'reprimand' concern, I can only be punished if I'm caught, which I plan to make sure never happens." There's the grin again. "I hope you all enjoy your stay. I rented 'Barney and Friends', along with various 'Care Bear' DVD's if you get bored, or you can go read 'Curious George'." He looks over the room (his creation) once more and gives a thoughtful sigh. "It's beautifully innocent isn't it? It took over three hours to put together, even with the extra help I received."
Lyle focuses upon those words. "You have Astrea with you! You're breaking into the Centre!"
Jarod feigns surprise. "Oooh, it does have a brain, even if it is an itty bitty one." His eyes then twinkle in an almost alluring tenderness, as he looks straight at me, all mockery gone from his face. "The present's under the tree Ms. Parker," he whispers. He looks at us all and speaks in a louder voice, "oh, and to leave, there is a toy that will turn on every nine hours to give you a clue as to how to get out of here. I advise you not to shoot it." And then, in correspondence with his annoying personality, he's suddenly and abruptly gone.
I'm in a stupefied daze from all that has just happened. Jarod has locked us in. I'm a prisoner, in a bright yellow room, surrounded by stuffed animals and comforted by "It's A Small World"…. And I I'm with Sydney and Lyle.
I…am locked in…with Lyle.
Again.
I look down at the gun in my hands and contemplate death, wondering whether or not it could possibly be any worse than this.
6:59 pm, Thursday
Blue Cove, Delaware
Holiday Inn
Room 109
(Jarod)
"You do know that the woman on the other side will possibly kill you if she has the chance, correct?"
I chuckle, still putting away the recently bought equipment used to talk to the Pursuit team. "Yes Arthur, I'm aware of that."
He nods. "Ah, good. So I'm not the only one who noticed the glares of death that she gave you."
I turn away form him with a smile of amusement, and notice that Astrea stands in the corner of the hotel room, her arms folded and the crinkles in her perfect forehead showing the deep contemplation she's in. Something is worrying her.
"Astrea?" I ask tentatively, as her back remains turned to me. "What is it?"
She swivels slowly and looks at me, and I see the pain in her eyes. "Where is Broots Jarod?" she questions softly.
"Broots?" I use my skills as a pretender to sound confused and uncertain. "What do you mean?"
She clenches her fists at her side, and I'm aware that she's battling her transformation. I better be more careful of her more passionate emotions, they could very well put me in danger.
"You know exactly what I mean Jarod! I noticed that when we were purchasing items for and putting together the trap you laid, preparations for Broots had not been made. You even advised against me leaving my gift for him there." she walks close to me, anger fueling her movements. "You knew he wouldn't be there. Why was Broots not with them?"
For a moment, all I can do was stare at her in silence. What an idiot I'd been. I'd forgotten that she's also a pretender. I've spent way too much time being the only one I suppose, that I wasn't able to see how easily she'd understand my actions. Well, now I'm paying the price.
"The reason," I say slowly, "is because he is no longer on the pursuit team."
She stands, stunned, but hiding it well. She then crosses her arms. "How did this happen?"
Arthur is behind me, confused about all that is going on, but knowing enough to stay quiet and not get involved.
I run a hand through my hair. "The Triumvirate had him under suspicion before, as you know, and that alone gave them enough reason to believe he could have helped us out of the Centre. They couldn't prove anything, and didn't want to lose him because of a probability, and so instead they transferred him to a division where he'd be out of the way in the hunt for us."
"Well where is he now?" she growls, her eyes flashing briefly.
I'm about to open my mouth to speak, but then think better of it. I can't tell her where he's been put. If I do she won't look for the info she needs tomorrow and will instead try to "free" him, causing more problems. I have to keep her in the dark.
"I don't know," I answer, feeling horrible for having to do this to such a kind and innocent soul.
After gazing with an almost impossible intensity into my eyes she clenches her jaw and tilts her head back in defiance. "I know you're lying to me Jarod. I don't know why, but frankly I don't care. Broots is my friend, one of the first people who saw me as a person. You can keep you mouth shut, I won't try and pry it open, but tomorrow I will find out, and you can't stop me." Tears brim in the corner of her sparkling green eyes. "I'm going down to the clerk. Suddenly I don't feel like sleeping in this room tonight."
She nods her head, bids us goodnight, and grabs her bag before quietly and smoothly leaving the room, the door softly clicking shut behind her.
I stand frozen, my face betraying the astounding shock that's sweeping over me. I feel as though I've been slapped.
Arthur blinks at me in amazement. "Bloody hell Jarod, just how many women are you going to piss off tonight?"
7:18 pm, Thursday
Blue Cove, Delaware
The Centre
SL-25
Pretender Training Room
(Lia)
I don't understand anything anymore; everything is going so fast, so impossibly fast.
I look up at the burly men who are forcefully leading me through the halls with open fear. They came for me a few minutes ago, and not a word has been spoken since they hauled me out of my cell. I had, (and still don't for that matter) not an idea where I was going or why, and I doubt that I will find out until I'm actually there.
But that will be too late for me.
I'm led through double doors that are made of steel, and undecorated save for a faded sign above proclaiming this as a 'pretender training room'. I shiver involuntarily, and take on a whole new level of fright as I'm assaulted by old feelings and emotions that seem to seep from the room like odors from a forgotten time. I feel ready to gag, almost choking on the stench of it.
We enter and, predictably, the doors are locked behind us by more MIB wannabe's who flank the exit stoically. I'm led forward and the gorilla's that hold me halt in front of the demented doctor I've been trying to erase form my memory. I still try to worm away from him, because it's as though he wears some repellent perfume that causes my stomach to churn and my eyes to water. I have trouble standing still and not fighting my captor's openly, but ever fearful of reprimands I manage by sheer strength of will to remain straight and unmoving.
Raines scans me over once more, and I shut my eyes against his penetrating gaze. I can sense that he's turned, and so I take a chance and carefully watch him.
He faces a sweeper, a well-muscled, dark skinned man who, strangely, does not scare me, and speaks to him in low tones, though I can hear the conversation well enough.
"Everything's prepared?"
"Yes sir. All equipment and such is ready and waiting."
The doctor inclines his head in acknowledgment. "Good. Set up the first slides." He pauses for breath, "we'll start her slowly."
"Agreed sir," The man says nodding slightly. "I'll set it up."
The man walks calmly over to a screen and projector, and Raines brings his focus back towards me, though I quickly lower my eyes, not wanting the emotional assault I received the last time I met his gaze.
"Do you know what is going on? " he wheezes at me, his hands folded behind his back.
I shake my head negatively.
He seems disbelieving of that at first, but then purses his lips and continues on. "You are to be tested for an ability. There are people, remarkable geniuses, who have certain genes that enable them to enter the psyche of others, to become them in a way. By doing so they are everyone, and everything. From a mailman to a neurologist, they need only an hour or so of study before becoming the best in any field. In a way, they pretend to be others. Such is the reason they have earned the title of pretenders."
I begin to raise my arms in order to use my hands to form a response, but the ones holding me are unwilling to allow movement. Raines frowns at them, inclines his head in a gesture to where they clutch my limbs, and they reluctantly release me.
With the acquired freedom of my hands, I create my reply. Why do you think that I have this weird talent?
I see a gleam in his eyes of approval, and realize that he knows what information I was hoping to get out of his answer. " A very well-phrased question…Lia is it? Well, Lia, my theory is based upon the fact that your sister has it. It is very possible that the ability has been passed onto you."
I see. I have to draw up some courage for my next question, but manage to phrase it well enough. What if… what if I don't have it?
And all he does in response is give a grin that freezes the very marrow in my bones.
"Sir?" it's the bodyguard he spoke to a few moments ago. "It's ready."
"Strap her in," he orders and then walks to the side of the room, pulling along the metallic oxygen tank.
The man comes close to me and then gestures for me to follow him, wanting to give me a chance to either follow orders, or to let him drag me there. I choose to follow orders. I have no other choice really.
I sit down in a chair positioned in front of a projection screen, and the African bodyguard begins to solemnly strap me to it, though he's careful not to make it too tight. I let out a sigh and try to ignore how cold the metal of the chair is, and the bodyguard, hearing my movement, raises his head and tries to give me a small, barely noticeable, reassuring smile.
Our eyes meet.
He nearly gasps, and his mouth hangs open slightly. I can tell that he sees something in them, though I can't tell from his jumbled emotions what it is. He walks away from me then, though I can tell he wants to run, and after announcing to Raines that I've been safely secured, he asks permission to leave. The doctor questions his motives, and his answer is that a Ms. Parker has been sneaking around Raines' office and he would like to make sure that it's safe.
The doctor immediately grants him his request.
And as the bodyguard strolls out at a quick pace, I wonder why he lied.
************************************************************************************
Hey! Yes, I am in fact, still alive and writing, and once again I apologize for my tardiness. It's summer, and there is much to distract one's typing. ;)
-----Talk to you later! Please review!!!