Chapter Four: Becoming A Musketeer

That particular week, the week before everything changed, was in fact quite eventful in itself. First of all, I had made some progress towards developing a real friendship with Miss Parker. I had never had a female friend and neither had she so the concept was quite new to both of us.

I had mentioned that I was going out for lunch and that perhaps she might like to come along to get away from the office for a while as well. She had agreed and what had started off as lunch became a long lunch followed by a shopping expedition. Away from the pressures of The Centre, both of us were more relaxed and for a little while at least we were just two women with nothing more to worry about than whether we would be able find suitable shoes for a new outfit. Miss Parker had wonderful taste for fashion and she took great pleasure in selecting some beautiful new items for my wardrobe.

As I turned around in front of a mirror examining one particularly flattering grape-coloured suit, I noticed my french roll was looking a little less than perfect after all the trying-on of clothes. I reached up and pulled out the comb that was holding my hair in place, in order to re- do it. Miss Parker actually gasped as my reddish curls tumbled out around my shoulders and down my back. I mentally cursed myself for lowering my guard enough to do something so stupid. After all, Miss Parker would probably not remember me from when we were children - I had never been close enough even to speak to her back then and I doubted she had ever actually seen me - but that was no excuse for taking stupid risks.

She smiled at me - which took me aback a little. She didn't smile very often at all - and mostly there was something menacing about it. However, I had now discovered that when she genuinely smiled, she was truly beautiful - it was like a light had been turned on inside her and that light reminded me of Catherine. She spoke. "You have incredible hair! Those curls! Why do you never wear it down?"

I shrugged, thought quickly, and replied off-hand. "Oh, it gets in my way too much at work."

She nodded. "And I have only seen you at work."

We both were silent for a moment and I swiftly twisted my hair up again and replaced the comb. Miss Parker gazed appraisingly at the outfit I was wearing. Her smile, as well as the satisfied feeling radiating from her, told me that we would be purchasing it.

"You should wear this one back to the office." Her smile grew wider as she added. "Broots won't know what hit him."

I blushed furiously and was surprised at how exceedingly pleased I was by her suggestion. "What's that supposed to you mean?" I asked feeling a bit silly but wanting to know more. I felt like I was back at high school - and I hadn't ever been to high school.

Miss Parker laughed delightedly. "You can't tell me you haven't noticed the way he hangs on your every word. It's so obvious."

"What's obvious?" I mumbled, feeling a little bewildered, but enjoying this conversation. As the saleswoman attended to us, other shoppers browsed nearby and Miss Parker teased me about Broots, the whole scene seemed so normal, so ordinary, that for a moment I felt oddly content.

"That he likes you, silly." Miss Parker announced. "I think he'd love to ask you out."

"Really?" I blushed again and grinned stupidly. "Well now, what do you know." What was going on? Why was I grinning like an idiot? I had a vague idea that Broots liked me and we certainly got along really well but I still seemed to have some kind of block where he was concerned - or perhaps I was too scared to perceive truly what his feelings for me might be.

Miss Parker and I bantered some more on the way back to work. By the time, we returned we were both feeling quite relaxed and even perhaps a little happy.

Sydney commented. "Well, your outing seems to have done you both quite a bit of good. That suit looks lovely on you, Melinda."

"Thank you." I replied shyly, accepting the compliment as gracefully as I could - after all, I had never received any as a child, except of course from Catherine. I didn't feel quite as in awe of Sydney as I had been but he still maintained a certain quality of mystique to me.

Broots came into the office, having just gotten a fresh cup of coffee, and I nervously awaited his reaction. He rewarded me with a double-take and by missing his desk completely when he went to set down his cup. Miss Parker flashed me a quick 'I told you so' look and a grin before vanishing into her office. When the door shut behind her, I thought of the door that had been opened between us that afternoon and hoped it would not be closed again so easily.

I hurried to help Broots mop up his spilt coffee. Luckily the cup had not broken. Embarrassment radiated from him so I teased him gently. "Whoa, did you just get a sense of deja vu?

"Huh?" Confusion clouded his features.

I grinned and punched his arm lightly. "Kinda reminds me of the first time we met."

He flushed and chuckled. "Yeah, sure does." He added softly. "You look really nice."

It was my turn to blush.

Sydney had watched this exchange with interest. It pleased him that I was kind to Broots and that we had become friends. Gaining Sydney's approval felt extremely satisfying somehow - though that was not why I had become close to Broots. It had just happened naturally - and it felt good.

The mood was broken by the appearance of Brigitte - she did not look amused. Sydney retreated to the safety of his office but I sensed he was still observing the scene from behind the door. Broots looked like he'd also rather be elsewhere and I could sense him contemplating finding something suddenly urgent to do somewhere else. However, despite that he stayed put because he didn't want to desert me! I felt a sudden urge to hug him.

"Where the hell is Miss Parker?" Brigitte whined angrily. "I've been calling her office all afternoon."

"I'm sorry, Bridget." I began, thinking that I wasn't sorry at all.

"Brigitte." She emphasised the french sound of the word, obviously annoyed.

"Whatever." I replied off-hand. I knew that acting the way she required was the smart thing to do but there was something about the woman and her smug condescending ways that irritated me beyond words and I couldn't do it. "Miss Parker returned to the office only a moment ago."

As Brigitte moved towards Miss Parker's office, I stood in her way. "Get out of my way!" She practically shrieked.

"I apologise, Brigitte, but Miss Parker gave me strict instructions that she was not to be disturbed by anyone for at least an hour." This was a blatant lie but I didn't want Brigitte to ruin the lovely afternoon we had shared just yet. Miss Parker deserved an hour's peace.

"I'm not just anyone! I'm her mother." Her voice rose a few octaves and she stamped her foot like a spoilt child. Mr Parker and Brigitte had actually married a few weeks ago. I couldn't help shuddering at that thought.

"Step-mother." I said quietly but firmly, feeling like adding 'wicked' to the front of that. "That's all very well, but I'm afraid I still can't let you see Miss Parker right now. Perhaps you would like to leave a message?" I smiled infuriatingly sweetly at her. I heard something that sounded suspiciously like a snicker hurriedly choked back coming from the direction of Broots.

Brigitte missed it, thank goodness. "No, I would not like to leave a message." She said emphasising each word through carefully gritted teeth.

"Well then, I can't help you I'm afraid." I replied politely. "Please feel free to return again in an hour. I'm sure Miss Parker will be happy to make some time for you then."

She glared at me, biting down hard on one of those stupid lollypops she always ate until it cracked, before turning and flouncing away.

Admiration radiated from Broots and a similar feeling also emanated from the direction of Sydney's office as he emerged once again now the storm had passed.

"Whoa." Broots breathed. "Did Miss Parker really tell you she wasn't to be disturbed?"

I shook my head and shrugged. "What can I say? I lied."

"Are you sure that was wise?" Sydney asked, though I sensed he was quite happy about what I had done. I was beginning to wonder about the wisdom of my actions myself. What had I been thinking? It was not exactly sensible to make an enemy of Brigitte. She was annoying and often acted like a child but she could also be very dangerous.

I shrugged. "Probably not, but I just couldn't help it. Besides, I didn't think it was fair to ruin Miss Parker's afternoon straight away."

Sydney nodded understandingly.

Miss Parker emerged. "Did something just happen? I thought I heard someone shrieking."

Broots spluttered with suppressed laughter. "That was Brigitte."

"Brigitte?" Miss Parker's eyebrows raised with interest.

"Oh yeah." Broots replied. "It's okay, Melinda got rid of her for you."

The three of us - Sydney, Broots and I - exchanged glances and then burst into laughter. Miss Parker looked at us quizzically waiting for an explanation.

I grinned, buoyed by the others' amusement. "I pretty much told her that absence makes the heart grow fonder so perhaps she should consider leaving." Sure, it had been a stupid move but it certainly had felt great at the time.

Miss Parker smiled. "Really?"

"Well, not in those exact words, of course." Broots cut in quickly. "Melinda was very polite. Very professional."

I was rewarded with a brilliant smile as Miss Parker imagined the exchange. "Well, well, well," she said, sounding both amused and impressed, "perhaps I should consider giving you a raise then."

I perceived her acceptance of me in a daze. They all accepted me. I was part of their team and as such was awarded with their loyalty and trust. They were the Three Musketeers and I was D'Artagnion. All for one and one for all and all that. It felt really good to belong, to not be alone anymore. The feeling was marred by the certainty that if they knew the truth about who I was then they might not be so accepting. My heart was heavy with that knowledge.

A significant indication of my acceptance as a full member of the team came later that week. A sweeper team had returned from the last known location of the ever elusive Jarod with a couple of boxes full of the things he had left behind.

Sydney approached my desk carrying one of the boxes. "Melinda, I have to take these boxes to someone who might be able to work out where Jarod went by looking through these things. As you know, Broots is otherwise occupied fixing a glitch in our computer system and Sam," - Sam was Miss Parker's personal sweeper "went with Miss Parker to her meeting. Would you be able to come with me to carry the other box?"

I sensed that this was a big thing he was allowing me to do. Who was this person we were going to see? "Sure, no problem."

"Great. The other box is on my desk. I'll meet you by the elevator." He left the office carrying his box with ease.

I stood up slowly and carefully. It had been hard to concentrate on my work with those boxes in Sydney's office practically calling to me. However, there had been no way to get to them without arousing suspicion. Now I had free access to one of them - and in private. I hurried into Sydney's office and took hold of the box. I looked inside and picked up an empty Pez dispenser from within. Strong emotions overwhelmed me as I stared at it with intense concentration.

"Oh, Jarod." I whispered brokenly, as his beautiful, powerful essence permeated my senses like the drug that it was. How long had I yearned to truly remember what it felt like to be near his spirit again. How safe it had made me feel. Jarod had been my only comfort - my only refuge - from the horrors inflicted upon me once Catherine was no longer around to protect me. I owed my sanity, and perhaps my life, to someone I had never met in person - and he wasn't aware of my existence at all.

I brushed away the tears streaming down my face. Sydney would be waiting for me. I dropped the Pez dispenser back in the box, picked the box up with shaking hands and went to meet Sydney at the elevator.

As we made our way through The Centre, Sydney noticed that there was something less than composed about me but he chose not to say anything for which I was very grateful even though it bothered me that he was always watching, observing everything. He saw more than I wanted him to and what he saw intrigued him. This added to the stress slowly building up within me. I really had to be more careful, I told myself.

Sydney eventually led me into a small room and motioned for me to put my box alongside his near the door. Sitting in the corner of the rather dark room was a man. I stood motionless as he got up from the floor and approached us.

"Good afternoon, Angelo." greeted Sydney.

Angelo did not respond. He wasn't even looking at Sydney. He was instead staring at me as I was staring at him. His eyes lit up with recognition and before I could stop him he had gathered me up in an embrace. "Friend." He said quietly.

Sydney was fascinated by this reaction and that frightened me. I quickly pulled away and sent Angelo a quick mental warning. Later, I promise. He nodded almost imperceptibly. "I guess he likes me." I laughed nervously.

"It would seem so." replied Sydney. He turned to Angelo. "Angelo, could you have a look through these things for me?"

Angelo moved towards the boxes and began pulling things out one by one. Sydney then turned to me. "Melinda, will you be alright here for a moment? I have to get a file from my office. All you need to do is write down anything Angelo says about any of the objects. He won't hurt you."

"Sure, Sydney. I'll be fine." I replied, taking the notepad from Sydney's outstretched hand. Sydney gazed at me for an uncomfortable minute and then was gone.

Angelo stopped his perusal of the boxes and came towards me again. This time I swept him up in a warm hug. "I have missed you so much, Timmy." I whispered.

"There is no more Timmy." replied Angelo sadly.

I held him more tightly. "I know."

Did I ever. I had known the boy, Timmy, both before and after Dr Raines' hideous experiments had turned Timmy's outward perceptions inward and made him the empath now known as Angelo. I knew all this because I was to blame.

I felt Sydney returning so I released Angelo with regret. I spoke to him with my mind. My name is Melinda now. They don't know I was here before. Will you keep my secret? Angelo smiled and nodded. I breathed a sigh of relief and he went back to the boxes just as Sydney re-entered the room.

"Has he said anything yet?" asked Sydney.

"Nothing that will help us find Jarod." I replied quite honestly.

"Thank you, Melinda." He took the empty notebook from me. "I'll take over now. Could you see if Broots and Miss Parker are back yet and if they are then could you send them down here please? Then it'll be about time for you to head home, won't it?"

"Home?" I repeated dumbly. The word sounded strange to me because I had never really had a home. The first fifteen years of my life had been spent at The Centre and for most of the next ten I had lived with my lovely computer nerd, sharing his life, his work and his house - but it had never been my home. Now all I had was a tiny, almost empty, apartment with nothing but my memories and my nightmares to keep me company. Suddenly, I felt extremely alone and not at all looking forward to the weekend which now stretched hauntingly long before me.

"Yes. It's getting quite late. Any big plans for the weekend?" Sydney echoed my thoughts.

I sighed, "No. I guess it'll be a good chance to get my washing done, hey?"

Sydney grinned mysteriously. "Well, don't despair just yet. I have a feeling you should probably keep tomorrow night free."

"Saturday night? Why?" I asked even though I knew he wasn't planning to tell me more.

"You'll just have to wait and see." He smiled again and I got the distinct impression that it had something to with Broots. Intriguing.

"Okay. Good night, Sydney. See you later, Angelo." Angelo didn't look up but I heard his farewell in my head. Visit again soon. I promised I would.

"Sydney?" I hesitated at the door. "What does Jarod look like? I mean, it's not like I need to know - it's not as if I'm going to run across him in the street or anything. I guess I'm just curious." Even though I knew it was quite an ordinary question to ask, it didn't stop my heart from pounding. I had often wondered what Jarod looked like - to know his spirit so well and not be able to see his face was something that had bothered me for a long time. I could easily have ascertained his appearance from any of the people here who knew him but somehow I didn't want their impressions clouding things.

Sydney got out his wallet and removed a small photo. The fact that he had Jarod's photo in his wallet did not surprise me as he would need to show it to people he was questioning about Jarod's whereabouts. What did surprise me was that he glanced at it briefly before handing it to me with a smile that radiated a kind of fatherly pride.

I steeled myself - with Sydney standing right there, waiting to observe my reaction, I would have to be very careful. I forced my hands not to shake and dropped my eyes to the picture.

It was a good thing that I had prepared myself. Jarod was gorgeous. He was beautiful right down to the little mole under one of his soulful brown eyes. With Jarod's face indelibly imprinted on my mind, I gave the photo back to Sydney. "He's um.. pretty good looking actually." I stammered, feeling very shaken.

Sydney seemed amused but then his emotions changed to something else. He was thinking about how young I was and he was worried for Broots for some reason. How strange. Did he think I was some teenager about to develop a huge crush on Jarod just because he was good looking? From my experience - and with the aid of my abilities - I knew that just because someone is attractive on the outside doesn't guarantee beauty on the inside. In Jarod's case, however, I already knew that he had a beautiful soul and now I had discovered that it also came in a very attractive package.

"Anyway, I guess I'll see you Monday, Sydney."

I hurried out of the room, without waiting for a reply. As I closed the door behind me I heard Angelo murmur, "Melinda... lonely."

And Sydney's reply was, "Well, we'll see what we can do about that."

When I returned to the office, Broots was back, obviously having fixed whatever computer problem had arisen. He seemed to be waiting for me.

"Melinda!" He grinned happily. "Where have you been?"

I explained that Sydney had taken me with him when he went to see Angelo.

"Oh." He replied, evidently uncertain as to how much I had been told about Angelo.

"Yeah. Angelo seems nice. Doesn't talk much, does he?" I spoke casually.

Broots relaxed. "Nope. Not much." He paused, again uncertain - and nervous. "Listen, are you doing anything tomorrow night?"

I smiled. "As a matter of fact, I'm not. Did you have something in mind?"

"Well, you know my daughter, Debbie?"

"Not personally." I laughed.

He laughed too and tried again. "Anyway, she's staying at a friend's place and I was thinking about going to see a movie. Would you perhaps like to come with me? Like on a.. you know."

"Date?" I finished for him gently. "Sure, I'd love to."

"Really?" He asked, sounding amazed. He had expected me to try to qualify it into a 'just as friends' thing.

"Of course." I smiled again. He was so sweet. "How about you give me a call tomorrow during the day and we can work out the details." I almost felt like asking him to call me in a few hours as well. The thought of my empty apartment was still weighing on my mind.

"Okay, that'd be great!" He enthused.

"Oh, Sydney wants you and Miss Parker to join him in Angelo's room. Is she back from the meeting yet?"

"No, but I bet she wishes she was. When I went past the conference room just now, it did not sound pretty in there at all."

"Hmm." I mused. "Maybe we should go rescue her. What do you think?"

"Geez, I don't know." He looked a little white.

"Follow me, Broots, I'll show you how it's done." I grabbed his hand and he followed me meekly to the conference room.

"Are you sure about this?" Broots whispered, as we approached the doors where Sam, Miss Parker's sweeper, was waiting outside impassively.

"Positive." I replied firmly. "Hey Sam." Sam nodded in reply. The raised voices inside the conference room were easily discernable from the corridor just as Broots had indicated. However, it was the atmosphere that I sensed within that fueled my determination to get Miss Parker out of there. I could feel her distress and frustration clearly. I swung open the doors and entered the room before Broots could stop me. Even Sam looked a little surprised.

Not as surprised as those within. Mr Parker, Mr Lyle, Mr Raines, Brigitte and Miss Parker all went silent and stared at me. I didn't feel afraid - despite the room being filled with people who could pose a serious threat to my future - because all that mattered was Miss Parker.

She blinked. "Melinda. What can I do for you?"

"I apologise for interrupting your meeting, Miss Parker, but Sydney asked me to let you know he needs to see you as soon as possible.

Miss Parker knew an escape when she was being offered one. "It must be important then. I'll come at once." She stood immediately and left with me before anyone could raise any objection.

Broots scuttled nervously out of the way as we came through the doors - he'd obviously been listening. I could easily sense his admiration of my daring.

Miss Parker turned to me. "So, what's so urgent?"

I grinned ruefully. "Oh, you know, Sydney's with Angelo and those boxes of Jarod's stuff. He thought you and Broots should join him when you were free."

"That's it?" She asked incredulously. She gave me a dazzling smile. "You are a godsend."

I shrugged with mock nonchalance but couldn't help smiling back. "Just doing my job, boss."

"Okay, Sam and Broots, you're with me. Let's go." She said briskly. "We'd better let Melinda go home now to get changed."

Broots and I looked at each other, puzzled. "Changed?" I asked. What was she talking about?

"Oh, didn't I tell you?" Miss Parker's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Tommy is cooking dinner tonight and we want you to come. He's looking forward to meeting you. My house at eight."

I stared at her in surprise. Miss Parker was inviting me to dinner to meet her boyfriend, Thomas? Tonight? I could hardly believe it.

She continued, adding in an offhand way. "Oh and why don't you bring Broots with you - make it an even number." She looked at me knowingly. 'Bitch.' I thought with affection 'That was hardly subtle.'

I grinned at Broots. "So what do you think, Broots? Wanna make it two nights in a row?"

"Sure. Why not?" He grinned back.

Miss Parker raised an eyebrow. "Two nights?"

"Broots and I are planning to go to the movies tomorrow night." I explained.

"Is that so." Miss Parker remarked, clearly pleased. "Well we should get moving and get finished with Angelo if Broots wants to arrange a sitter for Debbie for tonight. I'll see you then, Melinda." She strode off down the corridor with Sam at her heels, obviously expecting Broots to also follow.

Broots said softly to me. "Do you want me to pick you up at a quarter to eight?"

I nodded happily. "Until then."

"Until then." He hurried to catch up with Miss Parker and Sam but turned back a few times to smile brightly at me. I smiled back easily and waved. They disappeared around a corner and I was alone.

Now that there was no longer anyone around to distract me, my thoughts were able to whirl freely through my head. The idea of dinner at Miss Parker's and a date with Broots were pretty exciting and overwhelming things to contemplate. However, I still couldn't ignoring my nagging fear that if my new friends - for that is what I had to admit they were becoming - discovered the truth about me that they would turn from me and I would lose them.

Then I would be truly alone. I would have no-one, except of course for my lovely computer nerd who would always be there waiting for me. I felt the urge to call him, to hear his familiar voice, but I couldn't take the risk of contacting him - perhaps ever again. There was no way I could allow The Centre to link him to me just in case things went wrong. It was the least I could do for him after all those years of taking care of me - and for encouraging me to return to confront my past when hiding away doing nothing became unbearable - even though my leaving broke his heart.

Angelo. I still had dear Angelo. However, even though he had never blamed me for what had been done to him, I couldn't help but feel responsible and that guilt weighed heavily on me and made it hard to gain any comfort from Angelo's presence.

As I approached my car, which was parked in the carpark near The Centre, all those demons from my past swirled up to haunt me, the past I could never escape.

If only I had been able to save Catherine. The very next day she had planned to rescue me from The Centre - along with Jarod, Angelo and the other children. Then along with Miss Parker, Catherine's beloved daughter, we would all have escaped together to Europe. What a life I might have had! What lives we might all have had. Safe and free in the warmth of Catherine's love, I would have grown up with Miss Parker. And Jarod.

Oh Jarod. Had I, with my lack of courage, left it too late to return to The Centre? By the time I had returned, Jarod had already escaped - after learning of the evil deeds performed by The Centre using his work - and had been out in the real world for two years. Would it have helped him if I had returned earlier - if he had known earlier of the true horrific nature of The Centre? Could I have spared him even a little pain? I owed him everything but had I already failed him?

I stopped beside my car and buried my face in my hands. All the tension and stress that had been building up within me, slowly but surely, since my return burst forth in torturous agony. Would I ever be free?

Overcome as I was, I failed to become aware of the figure who approached me from behind. I did, however, feel the cold sharp steel at my throat and heard his harsh guttural voice in my ear.

"Don't move, don't scream - or I'll kill you. Now, give me your handbag."

I struggled to control the turmoil of my emotions enough to concentrate on using my powers against my attacker but then his true purpose hit my mind with a force that was almost physically painful. He had no intention of just robbing me of my money. The vile depravity writhing in his consciousness filled me with mind-numbing and crippling terror. This could not happen to me again!

Suddenly, in my mind, I was once again the defenceless girl in The Centre with no-one to hear my screams as sordid, vicious horrors were inflicted upon my young body. This was not happening again - it couldn't! But I could do nothing - my voice would not work and my abilities failed me.

My silent screams echoed soundlessly throughout the vast complex and as the man shoved me violently to the ground tearing at my clothes, my head hit the concrete so hard that I saw stars. I felt Angelo's response to my distress, soft but firm, 'Hold on. They come.' Then the welcoming blackness claimed me and I knew no more.



I desperately crave feedback! Please let me know what you think of my fic - min_coates@hotmail.com