Part Three - A Friend Indeed

MAX

I came to, still groggy, to see stars twinkling. That doesn't seem right I thought as I struggled to focus my blurry eyes. I blinked once, then twice and the room came into view. I was sprawled on the floor, staring up at the ceiling of my hospital room. Then the pain hit me full force.

Krit. Syl. Dead. Oh God! I wanted to go to them, to cradle them in my arms. To hold and soothe them. To touch them one last time. But I couldn't risk being seen. White was here. The hospital was no doubt swarming with his goons. I had to make my getaway and it had to be fast.

Looking around, I searched for a way out. My eyes lighted on the air duct behind the counter to my right. Picking up what looked like a cross between a scalpel and a screwdriver, I eased off the screws from the vent cover. I climbed inside, pocketing the instrument and carefully replacing the cover. I took a deep breath and turned around.

Slowly making my way through the vent, I had to decide what direction to take. I figured White's men would be covering all the exits and that down was the way to go. The faster I made it to the basement the faster I'd make it out of the hospital. I had to find a place to lay low.

I knew I was going to need help to get out of this mess. But focusing on my immediate goal was first and foremost in my mind. Escape.

After a series of turns and slopes, I made it down to the basement. At least I thought it had to be the basement. There was nowhere else to go from here. Ahead of me was my exit and I prepared to remove the cover to the vent when I heard voices.

Peering through the slats, I saw what looked like two custodians, mops in hand.

"Frank, I swear. They were holed up here in Sacramento . The boy was caught on the Museum's surveillance tape, stealing some rare pieces. How he managed to get out is beyond me. They tracked him down and followed him to a place on Corland Avenue . Musta been his digs 'cuz they trailed him a few times, always to the same place. Someone musta given him the heads-up though, 'cuz he and the girl hightailed it just seconds before that NSA guy, Agent White, stormed the place." The first voice stopped talking as Frank murmured.

"Hmm. So how'd they get caught, Ernie?" he asked.

"Man, those kids knew how to run! It was like the wind, y'know? When something passes so fast you can't see anything but wind? Well anyway, they were running and this White guy pulled his gun and shot 'em both. They got away though. Some dude found them a few blocks from the hospital, unconscious. Brought 'em in and White found out about it. Guess he'd cased the joint out, figuring they might show up. He shot 'em both dead, point blank. I sure as hell wouldn't wanna piss the guy off, that's for sure."

I held my breath, willing myself not to cry as I heard the account of what led up to Krit and Syl's deaths. Rage built inside me as I thought about White. One day I WILL kill that bastard, even if it costs me my life. But until then I had to stay alive, which was proving more and more difficult as time passed.

I wondered how long I would have to wait in the vent. Frank and Ernie didn't seem to be going anywhere and as much as I would have liked to bust through, I knew there would be ample time for them to call for help. And so I waited.

What seemed like hours later, Frank and Ernie left the room. I removed the slatted metal covering and leapt from my hiding place. It was time to find Krit and Syl's digs. I had to see if they had any information on my other siblings. If they did, and White got his hands on it, I'd never forgive myself. My siblings' safety came before my own. I'd protect my family with my life.

Corland Avenue . It was a nice street. Pretty buildings with white latticework, windows with awnings, paths lined with flowers. And trees. So many trees. This must be one of the nicer parts of town. It made me wonder what Krit and Syl had been up to that they could afford an apartment here.

I was wondering which building was theirs when I noticed a man loitering outside a smart redbrick townhouse. He kept looking up at the second story and down again, sweeping the street periodically. One of White's men, no doubt hoping someone would do just what I was contemplating.

I considered how to get into the building without drawing any undue attention when the opportunity presented itself to me.

A police officer was approaching from the opposite end of the street. I made my way toward him, in true transgenic fashion, alternately blurring and ducking. I came up behind him, put my arm round his neck, and squeezed. Unconscious, he fell to the ground. I dragged his body behind some bushes and proceeded to undress the man. I didn't have time to feel bad about my actions. Time was of the essence.

I hurriedly dressed in his uniform, pulling the cap low over my eyes. I walked towards the townhouse, past White's goon and entered the building. Phase one of my mission completed.

I climbed the stairs slowly, listening intently for any trace of sound. I could faintly hear a radio playing and what seemed to be a baby crying. I reached the second floor landing and put my ear against the door to my left. Yep. Definitely the wrong door. I crossed the hall and stood in front of the second door.

Again, I listened for sounds inside the apartment. Hearing nothing, I proceeded to pick the lock. The door opened and I quietly stepped inside.

The apartment was bare. Completely and utterly empty. I went through the rooms, one by one, checking cupboards, drawers and closets, finding nothing.

I allowed myself a small smile, thinking my siblings must have cleared everything out before making a run for it. The alternative was too frightening.

I snuck back out of the apartment and down the stairs. The man who'd been outside before was gone and the street was deserted. Night was falling and I had to find a safe house to hole up in for the night.

As I started walking, I heard a shout from down the street. Suddenly, a bullet whizzed past my head and I knew without a doubt I'd been spotted. Shit, this is SO not good I thought as I dodged bullets, blurring with all the speed I had. They knew I was in town. I'd never get out of here without help.

About twenty-odd blocks later, I allowed myself to slow down. I knew I couldn't afford to stay in any public lodgings, which ruled out hotels, motels and inns. I had to find a place where it would be hard to find me, so I made my way to the seedier part of town. Hiding out with prostitutes and drug addicts wasn't so appealing, but staying alive definitely was.

I found a derelict bar that seemed to be populated by Sacramento 's finest and brightest brutes, goons and whackos. God, my life sucks I thought. I looked around in search of a payphone. I had to call for backup.

With the way I left Alec, I was sure he wouldn't be inclined to help. So I chose the next best person. Biggs.

I picked up the phone, inserted four quarters and dialled. He picked up on the second ring.

"Biggs? Max. Got a sec?" I asked, my tone light, not revealing how nervous I was.

"Sure thing, Max. What's going on?"

"I've got a situation…" I started as he cut me off.

"What's wrong? You don't sound so good" he said, his voice laden with concern.

"It's White. I'm in Sacramento . He's onto me and I need help. I…I can't call Alec. He and I…never mind. I just can't call him. But I really do need help. You up for the challenge?" I finished, somewhat lamely.

"Tell me where and I'm there. Are you okay for a coupla days? 'Cuz it's gonna take me that long to get to you."

I could hear rustling in the background and muffled voices.

"Biggs, who else is with you?" I asked, hoping to God it wasn't Alec. I didn't want him to know what was going on. After the embarrassing outcome of our little 'chat', the last thing I wanted was for him to know I'd gone and gotten myself into this mess.

"OC and Sketchy. Why?"

"Oh, never mind." I said warily.

"Max, I know what happened. And for what it's worth, Alec feels really bad. I'm sure that if we told him what was…" I cut him off.

"NO! I do NOT want him to know about this!"

"Okay! No worries. Let me clear everything with Normal , I'll make up some story to Alec, though I really hate the idea of lying to my best friend, and I'll head out. Now what's the address?"

I told him the location of the bar and hung up the phone.

All I had to do was lay low until he got here.

TBC

Part Four

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