Chapter Eight

Assuring his friends and Vanessa that Joe was probably fine, Frank led Joe towards the nurse's office. Once he was sure no one was looking, Frank pulled Joe inside the boys' restroom. Checking that the room was empty, Frank turned to Joe and began questioning him.

"Okay, Joe, tell me what exactly happened out there! How did you manage to jump on top of that car!"

"I have no idea! I'm just as stumped, as you are, Frank! I mean, one minute I'm standing there waiting for the impact. Then next thing I know, I'm flying through the air. It was weird, Frank, really weird."

"Weird how? Explain it to me."

Joe opened his mouth, then shut it. He tried again, but still couldn't come up with the words. Frank waited patiently; Joe took a deep calming breath and tried once more.

"You're going to think I'm crazy. But…but it felt like a giant hand picked me and then just dropped me onto the car."

It sounded crazy, but Frank didn't believe that Joe was crazy. It was starting to make sense to him.

While Frank stood thinking, Joe recognized the expression on his brother's face.

"What? Do you know something?" Joe asked.

"Maybe. Do you remember yesterday, in the cafeteria? When Aaron threw that chair. How it seemed to hover in the air for a second and then it just fell?"

"Yeah," Joe answered.

"You did the same thing. I mean, you seemed to hover in the air and then you dropped down!" Frank seemed to beam as he spoke to Joe. "Don't you see, it all fits together!"

"Let's pretend I can't fit it together. Would you mind explaining it to me?"

"Later, not right now. I want to get more facts first. Come on, let's go." Frank took Joe's arm and started dragging him away.

"Whoa, where are we going?"

"I'm taking you to see Nurse Johnson," Frank stated.

"What for? I'm fine! No broken bones, no concussion, not even a scratch!"

"Joe, you were almost hit by a car. I want you checked over."

Joe was going to argue with Frank, but after one look at his brother's concerned face, Joe let out a sigh.

"Okay, you win."

*brainchild*brainchild*brainchild*

Dr. Warner read the report once more. He wanted to make sure this was real. He couldn't afford to make another mistake. Rubbing his hand up and down his thigh, he recalled the last time he had called Mr. Black. Warner had been so sure that they had found the girl.

"No, I'll check this out myself first. I don't want to go through that pain again."

Picking up the phone. "Mary, get me the next flight out to Bayport, NY."

*brainchild*brainchild*brainchild*

Carolyn had been quiet the rest of the day. The whole school was talking about Joe's near miss with a car. Rumors were flying everywhere.

As Chet drove Carolyn home, a question had been swimming around in his mind. He glanced over at Carolyn.

"Can I ask you something?"

Carolyn was uneasy, she wasn't sure she wanted to hear the question. "Sure, Chet."

"How did you know? How did you know that someone was up in the tree?"

Carolyn breathed easy; she could handle this question.

"Well, it's kind of hard to explain. I've always…oh, I don't know, could tell when something bad was going to happen. I could sense it."

Chet smiled. "I understand, Joe's kind of the same way. Only he can sense when Frank is in trouble."

Carolyn smiled; she was glad she saved Joe.

The thirteen-year-old girl walked down the hallway; behind her walked her bodyguard. Not that she needed one; he was there to make sure she didn't get away.

They passed several rooms; in each one there was some form of training going on. One room had men and women practicing fighting with swords. Another room, street fighting. As they were passing another doorway, a man stood watching the girl go by. His arm was in a sling, his face bruised and battered. He glared at the girl.

She ignored him until he took a menacing step towards her. Suddenly, the man felt his throat close shut, he couldn't breathe! He fell back against the wall, his eyes filled with terror instead of hatred.

The girl felt a tap on her shoulder; she glanced at her guard, then turned away.

"He asked for it," she said.

The guard laughed at the man, who could now breathe. "She's right, you did."

Carolyn woke with the sun shining in her eyes. She shivered as she recalled her memory/dream.

*endofchapter*endofchapter*endofchapter*

Author's Note - Please read the author's profile for more information about the author and thank you all for reading!