Chapter 3:
Tobias
I left the others to go and demorph behind the dumpster at the mall. We already had the place set up for me before and it proved to be a secure place to morph. After I returned to my hawks body, I waited a couple of minutes before remorphing. Morphing takes a lot out of you and can be exhausting when you do it back to back. As I was ready to remorph, my hawk hearing picked up an interesting conversation.
"…We shouldn't talk about this here."
"There is no one around. Besides, Visser Three wants us to guard the Pool entrances and exits."
"The Visser will have our heads if the bandits ruin this."
"He'll have more than that if things don't go as planned."
The pair stayed silent and continued to walk closer to where I was hiding.
"The bandits could be anywhere. What if they heard us?"
"And how would the Visser know that we discussed the information?"
"Because, he could be anywhere also. Could we go and discuss this privately. I do not like the possibilities while we are out in public."
"Fine. Let's go."
The controllers strolled off and I stayed right where I was for longer than I needed to be. When I finally felt safe, I remorphed and quickly put the clothes I was wearing earlier.
This was supposed to be our yeerk-free weekend, but it was looking like that would have to change.
I sighed and entered the mall, playing the conversation over in my head. I needed to find a way to break the news to everyone. As much as I didn't want to ruin our fun, we had to find out what was going on that the Visser doesn't want us to know about.
I approached the table and Rachel's eyes found mine. I don't know how she does it, but she seems to always be able to pinpoint me in a crowd…or the sky. I saw her eyes light up and I felt guilty for not staying with her.
"Hey" She greeted me when I was closer to the table. Her eyes asked me the question: What took so long?
Cassie was studying me and I kept my face blank, which wasn't hard for me to do anymore. I knew she knew I was hiding something and I hoped she didn't call me on it. I figured I could go and spy on Chapman and a couple other known controllers tomorrow. See if I can get any more information and then let the others in on what I heard. I sat back down next to Rachel and replied
"I had to find a different place to…well, you all know. Too many people around and you can never be too careful." I said lightly, and Cassie gave me a look that read Liar! And I returned her a look that said Am not. Or at least, I hope it read that. I'm not really that great at making facial expressions anymore. Hawks don't make expressions.
Jake and Rachel seemed satisfied with my answer. They started to chat again, and I could feel Cassie's eyes boring into me. I tried not to squirm under her gaze. I glanced over at her again, mentally pleading with her not to ask me. Cassie seemed to have gotten the message and joined into the conversation with Jake.
I realized now how much I've been hiding from my friends. I still haven't told them about my meeting with DeGroot yet. The timing hasn't seemed right and part of me doesn't believe it. How realistic is finding out your father is actually an alien who, for the most part, condemned you to becoming a hawk?
I felt Rachel's hand slid into mine under the table. I glanced over at her, wondering how she could always be so strong.
"Tobias?"
I snapped myself out of my thoughts. Pay attention to Rachel now, you can brood later. I told myself
"Hu?"
Rachel smiled at me and repeated her question.
"You ready to go?" She asked me.
I nodded, knowing we were going to go somewhere else, but I guess they decided where to go when I wasn't paying attention. The others stood up and I followed suit. I shoved all thoughts of yeerks and controllers out of my head and we finished the day in peace.
A/N: Hey everyone, sorry it took so long to update L I've been busy this weekend with graduation. I'm currently working on the fourth chapter and after I have my beta-reader check it over, I'll post it up. Hopefully, It'll be by Friday or Saturday but who knows for sure. Thanks to all who reviewed!
MasterBrattanGlad to know you like it. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Venus13: Glad to know you like it. Rachel and Tobias are my favorite animorphs too. (bet you couldn't guess ;) )
RT FAN14: Thanks for the compliment, it makes me feel good to know people really enjoy my story.