Author's Note: Been a couple days, but I've got Rachel's chapter done now. School is evil! Hopefully this weekend I'll be able to get a couple more chapters up. ^_^

Chessrook44: Yup! Quote's from Pirates of the Caribbean…Best movie! Well, one of the best, anyhow. Thanks for the review!

SD: Oh, good…I'm glad you like him. And the fire's hot…Just blue colored. Which kinda makes it seem cold, but, oh, well. Thankies muchly for reviewing!

Liaranne: Ahh! You haven't seen the movie? You really should. It's great. And there is a reason for the new chara's powers, but I don't want to give it away. ^_~ *nodnod* It is a bit like the X-men movie, which rocks, by the way.

LJstagflower4e/JCtigerwolf4e: Eee. Thanks a lot for the compliment!!

Lady Aura: *sweatdrop* No, Sammie really isn't that bright. Well, sometimes she is…But with the zebra thing, no. Daniel is a bit random, but he's going to be important to the plot line…Eventually. Thanks for the review!

Sharina: lol…I'd have him set the chair on fire, but people'd get suspicious. ^_~ Or maybe I'll have him do it anyway, who knows. Yup, I like your story…It's fun. The newest chapter's good, too, by the way. ^_^

Disclaimer: "Have you tried not being a mutant?"

Chapter Twelve – Rachel

aka The Case of The Missing Bird (Dun-dun-dun!)

When I went into second period the morning after Sam's weirdness, I was prepared for the worst. For some reason, I fully expected Sam to come charging at me with a Dracon beam. I figured I should be up close to her, though, so I could see if she did anything suspicious, so I sat down next to her.

She smiled at me. "Hey, Rach." She greeted, like she would if I had sat down next to her before she went all weird and freaky.

"Hi." I replied, trying not to sound suspicious.

"Did ya get your homework done last night?" Sam asked, pulling hers out of her binder.

I nodded. "For once, yeah, I actually did."

Sam laughed. "I'm actually surprised he still bothers to give it to you."

I grinned. "Hey, as long as I ace all my tests, I can not do a single piece of work and still get an A."

"The motto I live by." She said with a wink.

I laughed a bit. Hey, if she wanted to pretend like nothing had happened, then so could I. We were silent for the rest of the class, seeing as our teacher decided he wasn't happy with his student's behavior lately and needed to spend most of the hour yelling at us. Finally, though, he shut up in time to give us our homework and leave us the last five minutes to talk.

"So, what are you doing after school today?" Sam asked, probably in an attempt to make conversation.

"Not much." Except spy on you. "How about you."

Sam shrugged. "Watch TV and try to get enough energy to do this stupid worksheet."

I nodded, then an idea occurred to me. "Hey, you wanna do it together? We could go to the coffee shop or something."

Sam blinked, looking like she was considering. "Sure. Why not? You want my number, so you can call me?"

"All right. Here, I'll give you mine, too." We exchanged numbers just as the bell rang.

Sam shouldered her bag and smiled at me. "See ya later, then."

I nodded again, waving. "Bye."

I watched her leave, waited a few moments, then headed out. I caught up with Cassie on our way to third period.

"Hey, Cass. Guess what?" I greeted.

"Hmm?" She asked.

"We got this really hard worksheet to do in science. I /hate/ that teacher. He spent most of the day yelling about what evil little children we are. Plus, he can't even remember anyone's name." I grumbled.

Cassie patted my shoulder sympathetically. "Sounds fun."

"Hah, hah. Anyway, I decided to do it with this other girl in my class…Figured we'd meet at the coffee shop and work on it over drinks. Her name's Sam…You know her?" I had to put on the act, you see, in case any Controllers were listening.

Cassie pretended to think about it. "Sam…Does she have black hair and green eyes?"

I nodded. "Yup. That's her."

"Yeah, I know her. She's in my PE class." Cassie stopped at her classroom. "See you at lunch, Rach."

I nodded, continuing on. "Later, Cass."

The day passed uneventfully, until part of the way through sixth period, when Tobias stopped by. Or, well, more accurately, he probably just flew overhead, but it's the same thing.

Hey, Rach. Marco's on Sam's trail right now. I'm gonna follow her after school, until she gets home. Then I'll hightail it back to the barn to tell you guys what's up. Jake wants you to go there after school. Tobias said.

I gave a nod, acting like I was responding to the girl talking to me. "What about while you're gone?" I asked, earning a strange look from her.

"But I won't be gone. Haven't you been lis…"

It'll only take me ten minutes or so to get from her house to the barn. You guys won't be waiting long. I should be there in under half an hour. He replied, drowning out the other girl's voice.

"Works for me." I said.

See ya later, Rach. He called, his thought-speak voice already getting faint.

The girl shot me a nasty look and moved on. I guess whatever she had been talking about was important to her, or something. Oh, well.

After school, Cassie and I met like we usually do and headed for her house. Jake and Marco arrived with Ax a bit later. While we waited for Tobias, I told Jake about my invitation to do the worksheet with Sam.

"Well, that was probably a little rash, but I guess it could work." Jake said. "It's a good thing you offered to meet in a public place."

"I'm not stupid, Jake. Shut up, Marco." I said before he could say anything.

Marco grinned innocently. "Me? Now why on Earth would you ever think I would say something in response to that?""

We talked for awhile longer, until I began to grow impatient.

"Where the heck is he?" I grumbled.

"Ax? How long has it been since we left school?" Jake asked.

Just over an hour and a half, Prince Jake. Ax replied.

"Don't call me Prince." Jake said.

"Jake, he said he wouldn't even be a half an hour." I said.

"I know, Rachel." He muttered tersely.

"Give him another little bit." Cassie offered. "Maybe she stopped somewhere before going home."

We waited. Ten minutes went by. Nothing. Thirty. Still nothing. By the time another hour had passed, I had realized it. Tobias was not coming back.