Sorry I haven't updated in so long but I been so busy at work. (Christmas
in retail what a pain!)
But I'm glad that you all been so receptive to my story idea. If its any
consolation I had it written I just needed to type it. So without further
waiting here is the long awaited next chapter
Chapter 2: A bizarre Delivery
A few days later
****************
After identifying and searching the place in the video and finding nothing but a little piece of fabric that looked like it belonged to an article of clothing at one point.
Max felt uneasy to say the least.
With nothing to go on but a video clip that was yielding no leads at the moment.
There was no way of knowing who or what those people on the video where.
At least her and Logan tend to think they're people, but they where still for the large part an unknown.
The last thing she needed right now was something else on her already full plate.
Max continued to think about how large of a threat these people might be to her and for who's side they might be on, or if they had their own transgenic frying agenda?
While she walked into the café she was to be meeting Original Cindy for lunch that day.
The place looked like it used to be pretty classy before the pulse hit.
But now it was just another run down hash joint trying to scrap by in this broken world.
After about five minutes her thoughts were disrupted by the arrival of Original Cindy at the table.
"Hey boo what's happening?" "Nothing much" responded max. Not wanting to burden Original Cindy with her problems just yet.
"How has it been going with you?" asked max "I'm telling you this city is getting weirder by the day.
There must be some kind of religious intervention in town this week cause I kept seeing some strangely dressed individuals on my runs today."
Max suddenly stiffened at hearing this "What do you mean strange?" asked Max.
"Well, I don't mean your kind of strange.
But more like really ugly drag queens kind of strange."
Max looked at Original Cindy blankly showing her undivided attention.
She would have laughed at her friend's description if it hadn't sounded so close in description to the people she saw in the video at Logan's.
"Really! How so?" Asked Max. Trying to get Original Cindy to go into more detail.
"Well it was like they were wearing the clothes but didn't bother with the makeup and wig." That clinched it for Max.
She knew without a doubt that Original Cindy had seen the same people.
Max let the subject drop so not to alarm her friend, but made a mental note to tell Logan about it later.
After talking about some other stuff for a while over lunch it was time to get back to work.
As they rode into Jam pony they heard Normal yell in their direction "I have a hot run over to 396 Hammer toe and Rockston!"
"Is he talking to us?" asked Max. As her and Original Cindy's bikes came to a stop. Normal walked over to the 2 girls and handed them both oddly shaped packages. "Yeah Boo, he's talking to us!" Said Original Cindy as she sighed disappointedly.
"Hey Normal this all the way over in the heart of South Market." Complained Max.
"Like I care you slacker! Now get-going time is money! BIP! BIP! BIP!" both max and Original Cindy shot him a very dirty look then turned their bikes around.
After getting outside they stopped to try to shove the packages in to their backpacks.
After a tough time with it because of the odd shapes of the packages they finally get on their way.
The trip there was smooth till they got to the sector checkpoint.
There they saw Alec in line waiting to get through. "Isn't that your homeboy Boo?" asked Original Cindy.
"Yeah, that Alec." Said Max. After leaning a little to see up the line. "What's he doing?" asked Original Cindy trying hard to make out what was going on.
Max leaned out again and took a closer look at what Alec was doing.
Which was not hard to do with her enhanced vision.
From where she was she could clearly see Alec trying to pick the pocket of the man he was talking to in front of him. "Well what's he up to?" repeated original Cindy. "Trouble!" Max practically spat out in a disgusted tone.
She got off her bike and said to Original Cindy. "Watch this." And then handed her the backpack containing the packages and leaning her bike against Original Cindy's. She then started to walk up the line to where Alec was.
She was so focused on him she didn't noticed the short little man standing in the line a few spots back from where Alec was.
The short little man had short white hair that stuck straight up in different directions.
He wore glasses and had a funny looking nose.
And was dressed in what looked like a black cloak that went all the way to the ground and at quick glance could be mistaken for a dress.
The little gentleman watched closely as to where the girl was going.
Max reached Alec just as Alec had the worn and tattered wallet in his hand.
Seeing this Max quickly put her arm around his shoulder and said "Hey buddy!"
Then quickly said "O! How nice of you to pick up that nice man's wallet for him after he dropped it!"
Alec, who jumped slightly at Max's sudden appearance, had an almost fearful look in his eye as she said that.
The man looked at him and said "O! Thank you! I didn't even know I dropped it!" then reached out his hand and Alec reluctantly handed the man his wallet back.
"It's so nice to meet such an honest young man in this day an age!" Said the man "It sure is!" Said Max with a fake smile plastered on her face.
The smile and sentiment fooled the man. But let Alec know he was in big trouble.
"Would you excuse us?" said Max to the guy and with that she squeezed the arm she had around his shoulder around his neck and dragged him bike and all out of line, and back to where Original Cindy was standing.
The motion was so quick that it took Alec completely by surprise.
As soon as they got back to Max's place in line she started to yell at him. "What the hell did you think you were doing, Especially at a sector checkpoint? What part of low profile don't you understand?"
Alec started to stammer then finally was able to speak clearly said "I was just trying to get a quick score of cash off the guy?"
Hearing that statement Max was furious and it showed in her eyes.
Original Cindy commented "You are not that stupid!" "Yeah he is!" said Max then smacked him up side the back of the head.
"For 3 reasons. First for one thing you thought you could get away with this in the first place! Second you try it at a sector checkpoint. And third you got caught!"
"And your point is?" asked Alec.
"Her Point is that you got to much to be looking out for to be trying something that stupid!" said Original Cindy.
"Exactly!" said Max.
"You want to get caught by Ames White?"
"No Max" said Alec.
"The get to the end of the Line!" Max said as she glared at him.
Alec knew that it was times like this that there was no arguing with Max cause it was not winnable.
Also it was smarter health wise to listen to her any way.
So Alec grabbed his bike and reluctantly went to the end of the long line.
As soon as he was out of hearing range "original Cindy commented to Max "See this is why I don't date men!"
Max laughed slightly at her friend's comment as she got back on her bike and got back to waiting to get through the checkpoint.
After getting through the checkpoint without further incident, the girls ride deeper into the heart of south market.
After about 20 minutes the girls come to a stop at a street sign that read hammer toe Ave. "Ok here is Hammer toe where is Rockston?" asked Original Cindy after looking around for awhile max spotted it on her left. "Over there" she said pointing to the street sign that read Rockston Road.
Heading of in that direction both girls rode for about 10 to 15 minutes till they finally came to building 396. "This is it?" asked Original Cindy. "Guess so." Said Max unsurely.
The building they looked up at was tall but narrow.
It also looked a lot grimier then all others surrounding it, if that was even possible.
The girls got out the packages with about as much struggle as they had getting them in there to begin with.
"You got the clipboard max?" asked Original Cindy
"Yeah" answered max.
"Ok then who are we delivering to?" asked Original Cindy Ruffling through some of the paper work Max Finally found the answer. "It says here a MR. A. D.," said Max "A. D. what Boo?" "It just says A. D." answered max, "O. K." said Original Cindy.
They got off their bikes and walked up to the door of the building.
Original Cindy knocked on the large wooden door that at one point must have been painted blue cause patches of paint still clung to the weathered door.
They stood there about 5 minutes before knocking on the door again.
This time max rapped on the door a bit harder then Original Cindy did.
Dust flew off the door from the force of Max's hand. "Jam Pony messenger. You have a delivery," said Max.
After about another 5 minutes Original Cindy said, "I don't think anyone home boo." "O yeah they are I can hear them moving around in there." Max said.
"I don't hear anything," said Original Cindy.
Then the look of understanding replaced the puzzled one. "O! Ok." said Original Cindy, when she realized max was talking about her advanced hearing.
"What you hearing Boo?" "They're arguing who will answer the door." Said max, " Now it's quite." Continued Max.
Just as she finished speaking the door was flung open.
In the door was a tall greasy man with a hook nose and a nasty scowl on his face.
"I'm with Jam Pony and I have a delivery for a Mr. A. D." Said max as professionally as possible.
"What? Did you say?" said the man with a British accent and a bad attitude.
"Are you Mr. A.D.?" asked Max.
"NO! I am not!" the man nearly shouted.
"Well go get him! He has to sign for his packages!" said max in a cool but steely tone that meant that Max was getting angry.
Original Cindy's eyes widened when she saw the look on her friend's face and the tone of her voice.
She knew that when max got angry it was not a pretty sight. The look she saw on her friend's eyes was the same she had seen when max was getting ready for a fight.
"I'll take those." Said with Disgust. Max squinted her eyes just slightly and said back to the man with as much determination and attitude she could muster while still being professional and said in a real menacing but clear tone "You already said your not Mr. A. D. So I'm not giving them to you. You get back there and find him and tell him to get out here and sign for his delivery! NOW!" as Max said that last word she stepped right up into the man's face to stare him down and to show she was not in the least bit intimidated.
Original Cindy's shock grew on her face as she watched her friend get nearly hostile with the man.
Original Cindy watched as the 2 tried to satire the other down for a good 5 to 10 minutes. But the atmosphere was so tension filled those minutes seemed like hours they passed so slowly! Finally the voice of a neutral third party broke the tension filled silence.
"I am Mr. A. D." The man said with a pleasant smile.
Original Cindy looked past her friend to the owner of the voice.
He was an elderly man with long white hair and beard. He also had on half rim glasses.
Original Cindy watched the man approach.
He seemed to have a kind expression spread across his face.
"What is it you young ladies seek here?" he asked in a very warm and polite tone.
"Were from Jam Pony Delivery service sir. We have packages here for you sir." Said Original Cindy in her most polite and professional tone of voice.
Without moving from her place max ever so slightly moved her head to make eye contact with the older gentleman.
Her facial expression changing instantly.
"We require your signature for proof of delivery. Were under strict orders to deliver only to the recipercant."
Max said in a polite business- like tone that matched the kinder expression on her face. She continued onto say "we got a rather rude reception from your door man here sir."
As max referred to the man in front of her a tone of distaste and disgust crept into her voice.
Also her gaze flicked back to the man directly in front of her the steely don't mess with me look fell back into place then left just as quickly.
The elder man stepped forward and said "sorry for the inconvenience ladies. I understand how important it must be to follow the rules in your kind of work."
"Yeah the boss is kind of a stickler for rules and orderliness." Said Max politely.
Original Cindy handed Max the other package and she moved a single step to the side and back a little and handed the older man both packages.
Then pulled out the signature clipboard and pen held them out to the man and said "sign here please" and pointed to the dotted line at the bottom with the pen in her other hand.
Handing the packages to his associate and taking the clipboard from her left hand and the pen from her right signed where Max had indicated, Then returned the clipboard to Max.
"Thank you for using Jam Pony for your delivery needs" Said max most formally and business like tone "Have a nice day." Said Original Cindy. "You too ladies." Said the gentleman.
Then the elderly gentleman shook both Max and Original Cindy's hands and gestured to the man next to him to do the same. With much hesitation and reluctance the man finally out stretched his hand to the girls.
Original Cindy first then to Max, when she gripped his hand she squeezed it until she heard a few small pops and cracks. Then she let go and smiled.
Enjoying the knowledge that she had just broken his hand.
Then the girls turned and departed for their bikes.
As the girls got to their bikes Original Cindy was about to comment on that delivery when she saw the smirk on Max 's face.
"Alright what did you do girl?" asked Original Cindy.
"What do you mean?" asked Max while trying to look and sound as innocent as possible.
"Don't even try it Boo! I know you well enough to know that, that is your, you done something look. Last time you had that look you had pulled something major over on Normal. So I ask again what did you do?"
"Nothing much!" Said Max with a sarcastic but gleeful tone in her voice.
Original Cindy shot a skeptical at her friend for about a minute before it dawned on her what had most likely happened.
Understanding spread across her face quickly then she said, "You broke the man's hand didn't you? That would explain those cracking and popping sounds I heard. If you did that's cool. Cause that guy was way out of line with his attitude! I'm surprised you didn't snap him in half."
"Well I would have but then I would have had to listen to Normal lector on how breaking the customers being bad for business and stuff." Joked Max. Both girls laughed as they headed back to work.
******************* Back at the house. ********************
The door to the building closed.
Then the older man said to the other man "how's your hand? Broken in six places I believe?"
"Seven!" responded the other man very spitefully.
Suddenly the short man that observed Max at the checkpoint line earlier appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
"Reporting back from your mission?"
"Yes sir."
"What did you find out?"
"Well of the six strong leads to either Miss Verona or one of her descendents, I found that lead I was checking on today seems to be the best bet to finding a descendent."
"That's good." Said the older man.
"Descendents? Why are we looking for her descendents?" asked the man with the broken hand.
"Because it was discovered that time runs differently here then from our own dimension.
So there is no telling how old Miss Verona is now or if she has had any children since her disappearance.
Plus if any children she has had have shown any sign of powers at all it's that child's birthright to attend the school.
Most importantly because of her and her child and/or children's bloodline they have family back home that desperately needs them." Answered the elderly gentleman.
"O! It's always about the golden child! I swear the universe does not revolve around him!" shouted the man in a very angry and disgusted tone.
"True as that maybe he is are only hope for peace!" replayed the older man in a very calm and peaceful tone.
Then turning back to the short man, "which of the leads were you following today?" "Number 5 sir. This particular lead is a young woman who at the very least will have valuable information. But based upon the few facts we do have they are all strong indicators that she maybe an actual descendent. The most compelling evidence is the very similar physical resemblance. It's not striking or exact but close enough to be a relation."
"Do you have a Picture of this young lady?" The elder man asked politely.
The short man took out what looked like a stick from his coat pocket and waved it. A small beam of yellow light and a puff of smoke shot from the stick and a picture appeared in the short man's hand.
He handed the picture to the elderly man. The short said, "From the research I've done she is working for a messenger service in the city.
But could not find out which one of the messenger services she was employed at."
The elder man nodded his head in reference that he heard what the short man said. Then took a look at the picture and smiled.
"Well we now have the answer to that question. She was here a few minutes ago with a delivery. I believe that she said the company's name was Jam Pony."
"Ok so now what sir?" The short man asked. "We wait."
"Why wait?" asked the short man.
"Cause if she is the one where looking for she'll be back looking for answers."
"I don't understand. Why would she come back?" asked the short man.
"Because when she was here earlier I had shaken her hand. Before that I put a small spell on my hand.
If she is not that were looking for then nothing will happen. But if she is a descendent of Miss Verona then the image of a small blue lion shall appear on her inner right arm between her wrist and elbow.
Also it will make any power she might have dormant within her awaken and surface if it hasn't already."
Chapter 2: A bizarre Delivery
A few days later
****************
After identifying and searching the place in the video and finding nothing but a little piece of fabric that looked like it belonged to an article of clothing at one point.
Max felt uneasy to say the least.
With nothing to go on but a video clip that was yielding no leads at the moment.
There was no way of knowing who or what those people on the video where.
At least her and Logan tend to think they're people, but they where still for the large part an unknown.
The last thing she needed right now was something else on her already full plate.
Max continued to think about how large of a threat these people might be to her and for who's side they might be on, or if they had their own transgenic frying agenda?
While she walked into the café she was to be meeting Original Cindy for lunch that day.
The place looked like it used to be pretty classy before the pulse hit.
But now it was just another run down hash joint trying to scrap by in this broken world.
After about five minutes her thoughts were disrupted by the arrival of Original Cindy at the table.
"Hey boo what's happening?" "Nothing much" responded max. Not wanting to burden Original Cindy with her problems just yet.
"How has it been going with you?" asked max "I'm telling you this city is getting weirder by the day.
There must be some kind of religious intervention in town this week cause I kept seeing some strangely dressed individuals on my runs today."
Max suddenly stiffened at hearing this "What do you mean strange?" asked Max.
"Well, I don't mean your kind of strange.
But more like really ugly drag queens kind of strange."
Max looked at Original Cindy blankly showing her undivided attention.
She would have laughed at her friend's description if it hadn't sounded so close in description to the people she saw in the video at Logan's.
"Really! How so?" Asked Max. Trying to get Original Cindy to go into more detail.
"Well it was like they were wearing the clothes but didn't bother with the makeup and wig." That clinched it for Max.
She knew without a doubt that Original Cindy had seen the same people.
Max let the subject drop so not to alarm her friend, but made a mental note to tell Logan about it later.
After talking about some other stuff for a while over lunch it was time to get back to work.
As they rode into Jam pony they heard Normal yell in their direction "I have a hot run over to 396 Hammer toe and Rockston!"
"Is he talking to us?" asked Max. As her and Original Cindy's bikes came to a stop. Normal walked over to the 2 girls and handed them both oddly shaped packages. "Yeah Boo, he's talking to us!" Said Original Cindy as she sighed disappointedly.
"Hey Normal this all the way over in the heart of South Market." Complained Max.
"Like I care you slacker! Now get-going time is money! BIP! BIP! BIP!" both max and Original Cindy shot him a very dirty look then turned their bikes around.
After getting outside they stopped to try to shove the packages in to their backpacks.
After a tough time with it because of the odd shapes of the packages they finally get on their way.
The trip there was smooth till they got to the sector checkpoint.
There they saw Alec in line waiting to get through. "Isn't that your homeboy Boo?" asked Original Cindy.
"Yeah, that Alec." Said Max. After leaning a little to see up the line. "What's he doing?" asked Original Cindy trying hard to make out what was going on.
Max leaned out again and took a closer look at what Alec was doing.
Which was not hard to do with her enhanced vision.
From where she was she could clearly see Alec trying to pick the pocket of the man he was talking to in front of him. "Well what's he up to?" repeated original Cindy. "Trouble!" Max practically spat out in a disgusted tone.
She got off her bike and said to Original Cindy. "Watch this." And then handed her the backpack containing the packages and leaning her bike against Original Cindy's. She then started to walk up the line to where Alec was.
She was so focused on him she didn't noticed the short little man standing in the line a few spots back from where Alec was.
The short little man had short white hair that stuck straight up in different directions.
He wore glasses and had a funny looking nose.
And was dressed in what looked like a black cloak that went all the way to the ground and at quick glance could be mistaken for a dress.
The little gentleman watched closely as to where the girl was going.
Max reached Alec just as Alec had the worn and tattered wallet in his hand.
Seeing this Max quickly put her arm around his shoulder and said "Hey buddy!"
Then quickly said "O! How nice of you to pick up that nice man's wallet for him after he dropped it!"
Alec, who jumped slightly at Max's sudden appearance, had an almost fearful look in his eye as she said that.
The man looked at him and said "O! Thank you! I didn't even know I dropped it!" then reached out his hand and Alec reluctantly handed the man his wallet back.
"It's so nice to meet such an honest young man in this day an age!" Said the man "It sure is!" Said Max with a fake smile plastered on her face.
The smile and sentiment fooled the man. But let Alec know he was in big trouble.
"Would you excuse us?" said Max to the guy and with that she squeezed the arm she had around his shoulder around his neck and dragged him bike and all out of line, and back to where Original Cindy was standing.
The motion was so quick that it took Alec completely by surprise.
As soon as they got back to Max's place in line she started to yell at him. "What the hell did you think you were doing, Especially at a sector checkpoint? What part of low profile don't you understand?"
Alec started to stammer then finally was able to speak clearly said "I was just trying to get a quick score of cash off the guy?"
Hearing that statement Max was furious and it showed in her eyes.
Original Cindy commented "You are not that stupid!" "Yeah he is!" said Max then smacked him up side the back of the head.
"For 3 reasons. First for one thing you thought you could get away with this in the first place! Second you try it at a sector checkpoint. And third you got caught!"
"And your point is?" asked Alec.
"Her Point is that you got to much to be looking out for to be trying something that stupid!" said Original Cindy.
"Exactly!" said Max.
"You want to get caught by Ames White?"
"No Max" said Alec.
"The get to the end of the Line!" Max said as she glared at him.
Alec knew that it was times like this that there was no arguing with Max cause it was not winnable.
Also it was smarter health wise to listen to her any way.
So Alec grabbed his bike and reluctantly went to the end of the long line.
As soon as he was out of hearing range "original Cindy commented to Max "See this is why I don't date men!"
Max laughed slightly at her friend's comment as she got back on her bike and got back to waiting to get through the checkpoint.
After getting through the checkpoint without further incident, the girls ride deeper into the heart of south market.
After about 20 minutes the girls come to a stop at a street sign that read hammer toe Ave. "Ok here is Hammer toe where is Rockston?" asked Original Cindy after looking around for awhile max spotted it on her left. "Over there" she said pointing to the street sign that read Rockston Road.
Heading of in that direction both girls rode for about 10 to 15 minutes till they finally came to building 396. "This is it?" asked Original Cindy. "Guess so." Said Max unsurely.
The building they looked up at was tall but narrow.
It also looked a lot grimier then all others surrounding it, if that was even possible.
The girls got out the packages with about as much struggle as they had getting them in there to begin with.
"You got the clipboard max?" asked Original Cindy
"Yeah" answered max.
"Ok then who are we delivering to?" asked Original Cindy Ruffling through some of the paper work Max Finally found the answer. "It says here a MR. A. D.," said Max "A. D. what Boo?" "It just says A. D." answered max, "O. K." said Original Cindy.
They got off their bikes and walked up to the door of the building.
Original Cindy knocked on the large wooden door that at one point must have been painted blue cause patches of paint still clung to the weathered door.
They stood there about 5 minutes before knocking on the door again.
This time max rapped on the door a bit harder then Original Cindy did.
Dust flew off the door from the force of Max's hand. "Jam Pony messenger. You have a delivery," said Max.
After about another 5 minutes Original Cindy said, "I don't think anyone home boo." "O yeah they are I can hear them moving around in there." Max said.
"I don't hear anything," said Original Cindy.
Then the look of understanding replaced the puzzled one. "O! Ok." said Original Cindy, when she realized max was talking about her advanced hearing.
"What you hearing Boo?" "They're arguing who will answer the door." Said max, " Now it's quite." Continued Max.
Just as she finished speaking the door was flung open.
In the door was a tall greasy man with a hook nose and a nasty scowl on his face.
"I'm with Jam Pony and I have a delivery for a Mr. A. D." Said max as professionally as possible.
"What? Did you say?" said the man with a British accent and a bad attitude.
"Are you Mr. A.D.?" asked Max.
"NO! I am not!" the man nearly shouted.
"Well go get him! He has to sign for his packages!" said max in a cool but steely tone that meant that Max was getting angry.
Original Cindy's eyes widened when she saw the look on her friend's face and the tone of her voice.
She knew that when max got angry it was not a pretty sight. The look she saw on her friend's eyes was the same she had seen when max was getting ready for a fight.
"I'll take those." Said with Disgust. Max squinted her eyes just slightly and said back to the man with as much determination and attitude she could muster while still being professional and said in a real menacing but clear tone "You already said your not Mr. A. D. So I'm not giving them to you. You get back there and find him and tell him to get out here and sign for his delivery! NOW!" as Max said that last word she stepped right up into the man's face to stare him down and to show she was not in the least bit intimidated.
Original Cindy's shock grew on her face as she watched her friend get nearly hostile with the man.
Original Cindy watched as the 2 tried to satire the other down for a good 5 to 10 minutes. But the atmosphere was so tension filled those minutes seemed like hours they passed so slowly! Finally the voice of a neutral third party broke the tension filled silence.
"I am Mr. A. D." The man said with a pleasant smile.
Original Cindy looked past her friend to the owner of the voice.
He was an elderly man with long white hair and beard. He also had on half rim glasses.
Original Cindy watched the man approach.
He seemed to have a kind expression spread across his face.
"What is it you young ladies seek here?" he asked in a very warm and polite tone.
"Were from Jam Pony Delivery service sir. We have packages here for you sir." Said Original Cindy in her most polite and professional tone of voice.
Without moving from her place max ever so slightly moved her head to make eye contact with the older gentleman.
Her facial expression changing instantly.
"We require your signature for proof of delivery. Were under strict orders to deliver only to the recipercant."
Max said in a polite business- like tone that matched the kinder expression on her face. She continued onto say "we got a rather rude reception from your door man here sir."
As max referred to the man in front of her a tone of distaste and disgust crept into her voice.
Also her gaze flicked back to the man directly in front of her the steely don't mess with me look fell back into place then left just as quickly.
The elder man stepped forward and said "sorry for the inconvenience ladies. I understand how important it must be to follow the rules in your kind of work."
"Yeah the boss is kind of a stickler for rules and orderliness." Said Max politely.
Original Cindy handed Max the other package and she moved a single step to the side and back a little and handed the older man both packages.
Then pulled out the signature clipboard and pen held them out to the man and said "sign here please" and pointed to the dotted line at the bottom with the pen in her other hand.
Handing the packages to his associate and taking the clipboard from her left hand and the pen from her right signed where Max had indicated, Then returned the clipboard to Max.
"Thank you for using Jam Pony for your delivery needs" Said max most formally and business like tone "Have a nice day." Said Original Cindy. "You too ladies." Said the gentleman.
Then the elderly gentleman shook both Max and Original Cindy's hands and gestured to the man next to him to do the same. With much hesitation and reluctance the man finally out stretched his hand to the girls.
Original Cindy first then to Max, when she gripped his hand she squeezed it until she heard a few small pops and cracks. Then she let go and smiled.
Enjoying the knowledge that she had just broken his hand.
Then the girls turned and departed for their bikes.
As the girls got to their bikes Original Cindy was about to comment on that delivery when she saw the smirk on Max 's face.
"Alright what did you do girl?" asked Original Cindy.
"What do you mean?" asked Max while trying to look and sound as innocent as possible.
"Don't even try it Boo! I know you well enough to know that, that is your, you done something look. Last time you had that look you had pulled something major over on Normal. So I ask again what did you do?"
"Nothing much!" Said Max with a sarcastic but gleeful tone in her voice.
Original Cindy shot a skeptical at her friend for about a minute before it dawned on her what had most likely happened.
Understanding spread across her face quickly then she said, "You broke the man's hand didn't you? That would explain those cracking and popping sounds I heard. If you did that's cool. Cause that guy was way out of line with his attitude! I'm surprised you didn't snap him in half."
"Well I would have but then I would have had to listen to Normal lector on how breaking the customers being bad for business and stuff." Joked Max. Both girls laughed as they headed back to work.
******************* Back at the house. ********************
The door to the building closed.
Then the older man said to the other man "how's your hand? Broken in six places I believe?"
"Seven!" responded the other man very spitefully.
Suddenly the short man that observed Max at the checkpoint line earlier appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
"Reporting back from your mission?"
"Yes sir."
"What did you find out?"
"Well of the six strong leads to either Miss Verona or one of her descendents, I found that lead I was checking on today seems to be the best bet to finding a descendent."
"That's good." Said the older man.
"Descendents? Why are we looking for her descendents?" asked the man with the broken hand.
"Because it was discovered that time runs differently here then from our own dimension.
So there is no telling how old Miss Verona is now or if she has had any children since her disappearance.
Plus if any children she has had have shown any sign of powers at all it's that child's birthright to attend the school.
Most importantly because of her and her child and/or children's bloodline they have family back home that desperately needs them." Answered the elderly gentleman.
"O! It's always about the golden child! I swear the universe does not revolve around him!" shouted the man in a very angry and disgusted tone.
"True as that maybe he is are only hope for peace!" replayed the older man in a very calm and peaceful tone.
Then turning back to the short man, "which of the leads were you following today?" "Number 5 sir. This particular lead is a young woman who at the very least will have valuable information. But based upon the few facts we do have they are all strong indicators that she maybe an actual descendent. The most compelling evidence is the very similar physical resemblance. It's not striking or exact but close enough to be a relation."
"Do you have a Picture of this young lady?" The elder man asked politely.
The short man took out what looked like a stick from his coat pocket and waved it. A small beam of yellow light and a puff of smoke shot from the stick and a picture appeared in the short man's hand.
He handed the picture to the elderly man. The short said, "From the research I've done she is working for a messenger service in the city.
But could not find out which one of the messenger services she was employed at."
The elder man nodded his head in reference that he heard what the short man said. Then took a look at the picture and smiled.
"Well we now have the answer to that question. She was here a few minutes ago with a delivery. I believe that she said the company's name was Jam Pony."
"Ok so now what sir?" The short man asked. "We wait."
"Why wait?" asked the short man.
"Cause if she is the one where looking for she'll be back looking for answers."
"I don't understand. Why would she come back?" asked the short man.
"Because when she was here earlier I had shaken her hand. Before that I put a small spell on my hand.
If she is not that were looking for then nothing will happen. But if she is a descendent of Miss Verona then the image of a small blue lion shall appear on her inner right arm between her wrist and elbow.
Also it will make any power she might have dormant within her awaken and surface if it hasn't already."