Authors Note: In honor of my birthday here's a nice long chapter. Hopefully it will tie you all over for a few days because I'm not quite sure if I'll be able to update within the next three or four days. Finals are due next week and while I only have two actual test I have three projects due by Thursday.
phi4858- You know I may have to start e-mailing my responses to you. I swear you have got to be so close to all the answers, or most of them anyway.
Kaine, Benny and "Father's" relationship is a strange one. And I promise it will all become clear around the time the boys are found. As for Pete's and the twins' reunion... it all is a bit to simple isn't it. Keep that in mind. I promise that there is a reason. Now when you'll find out that reason I can't say. But knowing you, you'll probably figure it out before I actually post the chapter.
LadyJadePerendhil- I can tell you that the person getting powers is the last person you expect and that they won't be the only one. And no you never mentioned to me how much you loved the old mean Parker. I'm glad you enjoyed her brief reappearance. Who knows she may just come back once she finds the people who took her boys. That is if no one else gets to Erik and the other kidnappers first. And don't worry Alley and Will won't get into too much trouble. At least not right now. But when the boys are found Will's going to have to deal with some repercussions of some past mistakes.
Oh and at lest two other people are going to kick the bucket before the epilogue. You know my stories they have a high death rate. I'll remember that you get to exorcize Kaine, don't worry.
CHAPTER 14
MORE PROBLEMS
November 5, 2010
11:06am
Bangor, Delaware
Safe House
Jen paused to pick up a few scattered toys from off the livingroom floor, and placed them in the large toy boy in the corner of the room. She glaceed towards the couch and saw her nephew Logan with a large leather book on his lap. The book was easily half Logan's size.
"Logan sweetie what are you doing," Jen asked the little boy.
"Readin'," Logan replied. Jen didn't quite know if Logan was truly reading or just looking at the illustrations.
"And what are you reading?"
"Book," Logan said, not looking up from the volume in his lap. Jen resisted the urge to sigh, with Logan one never quite knew if the boy was being a smart ass, or he was just that innocent. Knowing that Jake and Rachel were his older brother and sister, Jen was leaning more towards that fact that Logan was being a smart ass.
"What type of book are you reading?" Jen questioned.
"A big one," Logan replied this time looking up at his aunt. The little boy's blue and green eyes sparkled with mischief.
'Yup, smart ass,' Jen thought to herself.
"Did not!" Came yelling from the den. Jen knew the owner of that little voice any where.
"Amy mad," Logan said turning back to his book.
"I can tell," Jen said dryly, and left the little boy to his reading. Jen walked to the den, there stood her youngest daughter Amy. The little blue eyed brunette was a splitting image of her father's childhood pictures, yet at that moment she looked to be like a miniature Miss Parker, except Amy was clad in a pair of overalls, a red long sleeve shirt and a backwards Red Sox's hat, oppose to a leather mini skirt and blouse.
Amy stood with her hands at her side and balled into fist as glared at her cousin Kat -Emily and Nick's eldest child. Kat's tiny face was so red that matched the flowers on her dress. Behind Kat sat her little brother Shane. The three year old sucked on his thumb as his eyes darted back and forth between his sister and cousin.
"What's going on?" Jen asked sternly.
"Amy took my teddy bear!" Kat yelled.
"Katherine Paige Stamatis there is no yelling in this house," Jen told the five year old. Amy stuck out her tongue and her cousin and grinned.
"Amy, do not do that again," Jen warned. Kat smirked and Amy clenched her jaw as she glared at Kat.
"I didn't take her stupid teddy bear," Amy scowled crossing her arms over her tiny overall clad chest.
"Did too," Kat said.
"Did not. Why would I even take your stupid teddy bear? Teddy bears are for babies, and I'm not a baby. I'm Daddy, Jerry and Greg's big girl." Amy taunted. Jen buried her face in her hands for Amy was defiantly her father, and brothers' "big girl", or to be more accurate spoiled girl. Amy -like her other cousin Alex- was a tom girl at heart, who loved to rough house with her older brothers, as well as her cousin's Jason and Jack.
Amy -again like her cousin Alex- was also known for her temper. Jen knew that had it been one of the boys who had accused Amy of stealing something, Amy would be on the floor fighting with them. In a way Jen wished that it was one of the boys, that way Amy could get rid of all of the pent up tension she was feeling.
Amy was very close to Jason and Jack and out of all of the younger children she was taking their disappearance the hardest. It didn't help matters that her older brothers and sister, as well as her father were gone, not knowing exactly where they where left the little girl frightened.
"Kat sweetheart I'm sure that Amy didn't take your teddy bear. Maybe you left it at home by accident," Jen said
"I didn't Mommy packed it for me," Kat insisted. "She always packs it. Amy took it and hid it cause she's a butt face."
"I am not!" Amy bellowed as she lunged at Kat. Kat screamed and Jen grabbed Amy by the suspenders of her overalls. "Lemme go. Lemme go," Amy said squirming to get at her cousin.
"That'd be a no," Jen replied dryly. "Can I get some help down here," Jen yelled hoping someone could hear her. Seconds later Jeff and Jamie entered the den.
"What's going..." Jeff trailed off as he saw Jen holding a struggling Amy, and Kat making faces at Amy.
"Ha ha you can't get me," Kat teased. Amy's face grew redder and she let out a scream that rattled the den. Or at least that was what Jeff thought rattled the walls of the den. All of a sudden several picture frames went flying off the wall. Without thinking Jeff dived covering Kat's body with his own as Jamie did the same with Logan, and Jen pulled Amy into her arms.
Mere seconds later the room stilled. Jeff was breathing deeply, he wasn't going to lie to himself and pretend he wasn't scared. He had been witness to one of Alley telekinetic tantrums, and knew the damage that was capable. But the question was who caused the room to shake. No one in the room was a telekinetic. In fact no one in the room save Jeff and Jamie even had any abilities, and even then Jamie and Jeff were just pretenders.
"Jeff you're squishing' me," Came Kat's muffled voice.
"Sorry Kitty," Jeff said rolling off the little girl.
"So um that was um, unexpected," Jamie said holding Shane in her arms, the toddler looked a bit shaken.
"Where did it come from is my question," Jeff spoke.
"I think I can answer that," Jen said softly looking down at her daughter. Shane had looked shaken, but poor Amy looked as though she were about to pass out from fright.
"So um who's up for a bit of research into Sam and Jen's files?" Jeff asked brightly.
"I'll grab Jon. Oh and while I'm gone, Let's not make Amy angry," Jamie said getting up from off the floor and exiting the den. "Oh Mr. Broots you're presence is requested," Jamie yelled as she headed for the stairs.
November 5, 2010
11:06am
Blue Cove, Delaware
Abandoned Building
Will had no idea that a small town like Blue Cove could have so many warehouses, and abandoned buildings. He had been searching the less than pleasant parts of Blue Cove, along side Alley. The twins had arrived in town last the previous night, and were staying at their mother's former residence, with their Uncle, and former Centre sweeper, Sam.
The twins had been up since dawn trying to find any sign of their brothers. Sam had invited the twins to join in on the surveillance team that was set up in the old Parker Manor, but Will and Alley had declined. They wanted to search for the boys on their own.
"You picking up anything?" Alley asked her brother, as she rubbed her hands together in attempt to warm them.
"No," Will sighed. The two had been reaching out telepathically to see if they could sense their brothers. "Maybe they aren't in Blue Cove at all. The Centre had a bunch of other places, Dragon House, Donoterase, Carthis, and those are just the ones I can name off the top of my head."
"You want to stop for lunch? Uncle Sam invited us. And I don't know about you but I'm starved," Alley said.
"Might as well," Will mumbled. "I can't even feel my toes any more it's so damn cold." Will and Alley returned to their car- Alley's black 1958 jaguar roadster- and drove to their mother's old home, but first stopping by the old Parker Manor to pick up Sam.
"You know how creepy it is that you to can drive," Sam muttered as he got into the front passenger seat next to Alley. "It makes me feel old."
"Well you are fifty now," Will said under his breath.
"I may be old but I'm still young enough to kick your ass William," Sam told the boy.
"Please old man you've slowed down in your ripe old age," Will said grinning.
"I haven't slowed down, but I know someone who needs to," Sam said as he gripped the armrest. "Alley the speed limit is forty five, not seventy eight."
"Relax Uncle Sam," Alley said nonchalantly as she shifted gears and increased her speed.
"This is a country road not a highway," Sam groaned. "God I always prayed that if your mother ever had children they would never take after her when it came to driving."
"What's wrong with Momma's driving?" Alley asked innocently.
"She drives like a bat out of hell. And so do you!" Sam yelled as Alley came to an abrupt stop. Sam quickly got out of Alley's black convertible, and shakily made his way into the house.
Half and hour later the trio was sitting at the kitchen table looking over a series of maps.
"So we've covered the North quadrant, and we're going to start on the East," Will said placing his carton on Chinese on the table. "Hopefully we'll find something there." Will sighed as he ran a hand through his mussed hair.
"I forgot to tell you two your father call. He your mother, Aaron, Andros, and Alex, are going to the Dragon House. Ethan, and Jon are taking Jake, Rach, Cassie, and Marc, to Donoterase. Lex and Julia are heading out to Angel Manor with Angelo, Toby, Terra, Mike and Maddie," Sam informed his nice and nephew.
"What about your three?" Alley asked.
"There on their way here, but first thier stopping by the safe house to see Amy. Then they are going to come back down with Jamie and Jeff," Sam said. The agent smiled when he saw the twins' faces light up at the mention of their significant others.
"And Debbie?" Will asked.
"She's going to the safe house. With her Dad, Jamie, Jeff, and Adam not there, she's decided to help out. The younger ones have stared to realize what's going on. They haven't been sleeping well, and to make matters worse it seams that my daughter has become a telekinetic. Which is why Lissa and the boys are stopping by the safehouse," Sam sighed.
"What! How is that possible? You're a carrier for the pretender gene so it would fit that Amy is a pretender. But a telekinetic?" Alley said shocked.
"Jon did some digging on in my and Jen's Centre files. It seams that both Jen and I underwent a procedure as kids, in hopes that it would amplify what ever latent abilities we had."
"You mean like what Raines tried to do to Angelo to make him a pretender," Will interrupted.
"Yes but without the creepy chair. Well it didn't work on Jen and I but apparently it had an effect on Amy and it gave her the ability to perform telekinesis. Oh and here's the kicker, your mother, and father under went the same procedure as I, and Jen did, about ten years before the two of you were created," Sam said grimly.
"Wait that means that, Jace and Jack..."
"Exactly," Sam told Alley. "There is a very good chance that Zane and Gabe have much more potential than thought. And could very well be the reason they were taken."
"Shit," Will and Alley cursed.
"What makes this so bad is that we now have to go back through all of our files to find out what abilities are naturally ours and which Raines and Cox gave us through genetic manipulation," Alley sighed. "God I thought I'd never say it but I wish that wheezing bastard was still alive.
"Don't say that," Will told his twin. "Oh and Alley you're forgetting one thing. Remember Mendel and the pea plants. There's a chance that these abilities we inherited from Mom and Dad -if we did at all- where not inherited by Jace and Jack. We have no idea what Raines did to create us, and how it affected what we are."
"Don't say that. Please," Sam said burying his face in his hands. "The last thing I need to worry about is Amy or any of the other kids developing a new power right now. Not with Pete, Zane, and Gabriel, missing. The family split up along the Eastern seaboard, and Adam, well Adam's off on his little quest."
"Yeah and knowing our luck Eddie and Uncle Ethan probably got the same procedure as you, Mom, Dad, and Aunt Jen. And as we all know all too well our abilities develop under extreme stress. Which mean we better be prepared, for Logan, Kay, Kale, and Adam to all start developing new abilities," Will said.
"Wonderful. As if we didn't have enough on our plates already," Sam muttered.
November 5, 2010
1:21pm
Bangor, Maine
Safe house
"Mom," Greg called softly entering the safe house, He knew it was naptime for the kids and his mother would skin him alive if he woke the children up. Behind Greg came Jeremiah, Lissa and Debbie, all four of them lugging a backpack.
"Greg!" Came the shriek of a little girl, and a blue and red streak launched itself into Greg's arms. Somewhere in the house Greg heard a goan as a baby -Kay or Kale most likely- began to cry.
"Hey there Ames," Greg smiled.
"Missed you," Amy mumbled into her big brother's chest.
"I missed you too," Greg replied.
"And us, did you miss us as well?" Lissa teased her baby sister.
"'Course I did," Amy replied holding her arms out to Lissa. Lissa took Amy into her arms and dropped a kiss on the younger girl's forehead. "Mom told us you got yourself a little power, guess you really are becoming a big girl huh?"
"Don't want it. Can't you take it? It's scary Lissa," Amy sated resting her head on Lissa's shoulder as she played with Lissa's necklace.
"No sweetie I can't," Lissa replied
"Why not?" Amy asked.
"Because big girl, it's something that can't be taken away," Jeremiah told his sister.
"Um, I'll go see where everybody else is," Debbie said and headed up the stairs.
"Amy, where is Mom?" Greg asked.
"Cleanin' up the den. I made all the pictures fall off the wall. But it's Kat's fault, she's the one who made me mad. She's the one who turned me in t' a freak," Amy spat bitterly
"Lis, Greg go help Mom. I need to talk to Amy," Jeremiah spoke softly. Lissa handed Amy over to Jeremiah and she and Greg went seek out their mother.
With Amy in his arms, Jeremiah carried the five year old over to the couch. Amy sat in her brother's lap but refused to meet his green eyes with her blue ones.
"Amy, you have to look at me eventually," Jeremiah said softly. Amy shook her head. "Sweetie, you've got nothing to be ashamed about. We all lose our temper from time to time, and from time to time things happen to fly off the wall or get set ablaze. But that doesn't make you a freak. It makes you special."
"But if I'm special they'll take me too, like they took Jasa, Jacky and Pete," Amy said looking up at Jeremiah. Jeremiah's heart broke to see that Amy beautiful blue eyes were filled with tears and her bottom lip trembled.
Jeremiah pulled Amy into his arms, and the miniature telekinetic buried her face into his chest. "Hush, baby girl, it's okay," Jeremiah said rubbing calming circles on Amy's back. "I won't let them take you. I'll kill anyone who ever dreams of laying a finger on you."
"Promise," Amy asked sniffling.
"Pinky promise," Jeremiah said holing out his pinky finger to Amy. Amy wrapped her own finger around her brother's. Jeremiah placed a kiss on Amy's finger and the little girl smiled.
"There's that smile I love," Jeremiah said. "Now let's get rid of those tears." Jeremiah took cuff of his sweater and wiped away any traces of Amy's tears.
"Jerry..."
"Yes, baby girl?" Jeremiah asked, Jeremiah was the only person who could get away with calling Amy baby girl. The five year old often protested that she was a big girl, but she secretly enjoyed being Jeremiah's baby girl.
"Can you teach me, t' use my power?" Amy asked.
"I'm only here for a little bit but I'll see if I can give you the basics,"Jeremiah replied.
"You're leaving?" Amy questioned and Jeremiah could hear the underlying sadness and anger in his sister's voice.
"I have to baby girl. They need me to help find the boys," Jeremiah told her. Amy bit her lip, and Jeremiah inwardly smiled. He was able to tell that Amy was trying to be like her older brother and be understanding.
"Okay," Amy said. "But you gotta help me first."
"Deal," Jeremiah said.
November 5, 2010
5:59pm
Blue Cove, Delaware
Russell Summer Home
"Dad!" Lissa called out as she Jeremiah, Greg, Jamie, and Jeff entered the house. The group of five had left the safe house after Jeremiah had given Amy a few quick instructions on keeping her abilities in check.
"He's not here," Will said entering the living room, Alley right behind him.
"He's over at the Parker Manor," Alley elaborated as she walked over to Jeff.
"Hey, how you holding up?" Jeff asked Alley, as he pulled her into his arms.
"Better with you here," Alley mumbled into her boyfriend's chest. Will smiled at his sister, as Jamie walked over to him.
"Glad you're here," Will said as he giving Jamie a kiss. Both Jamie and Jeff were twenty, about six months older than Will and Alley. Jamie and her brother were fraternal twins, both had dirty blond hair and hazel eyes. Jeff was a few inches taller than his sister, placing him at six feet even. The twins were former Centre projects. They had been taken from their parents at a young age to be used as part of the pretender program. After the fall of the Centre, Jamie and Jeff had been reunited with their family thanks to Will and Alley who had discovered the older set of twins' files.
"What are we chopped liver?" Lissa said in mock disgust, as Will and Alley hugged Jamie and Jeff.
"I just saw you," Will said.
"Screw you too," Lissa replied grinning. Jeremiah inwardly smiled at the banter between his sister and Will.
"So what can we do to help?" Jeremiah asked.
"Keep your coat on and follow us out. We're heading over to the Manor see if anything's been spotted," Alley said stepping out of Jeff's arms.
"Yay surveillance," Greg muttered dryly. Greg was well noted for his short attention span.
"Don't worry little cousin, after that we'll be hitting the streets asking questions and stuff of that nature," Will told Greg.
"So Sam tell you about how little Amy almost brought the house down?" Jeff asked Alley grinning.
"Not in detail dear, but I'm sure you will," Alley replied.
"Kid damn near put you to shame Al..." Jeff began
November 8, 2010
1:28pm
Unknown Location
Holding Cell
For the past five days the three boys had been left alone. No one entered the cell save Bret who brought the children their meals and a fresh change of clothes each day. Each morning the lights in the cell the three brothers were confined to turned on at six. At seven Bret would come and escort the boy's to the shower. There they were given ten minutes to wash them selves in the icy cold water. At seven thirty was breakfast, at twelve was lunch, and dinner was served at seven. The lights then went off at nine at night. To occupy themselves Pete, Jason and Jack would talk of their family, make up stories, and play games.
Unfortunately for the boys their 'leisure time' together came to an end on the fifth day when Erik came for Jason, and Jack. The metal door opened just as the brother's were in the middle of lunch. As soon as Jason, and Jack caught sight of Erik they hid behind Pete. Pete stood in a protective stance in front of the twins.
"Can I help you?" Pete said cooly.
"I'm here for Zane and Gabriel," Erik said. Erik had taken to referring to the twins by their proper names. Jason and Jack cringed when ever Erik used their names. At home only the adults referred to the boys as Zane and Gabriel, and they never said the boys name in the tone that Erik used. A tone that was laced with venom.
"Your brothers have had the past five days sim free, Master Parker," Erik said voice heavy with sarcasm.
"Don't call me that," Pete growled.
"I will call you what ever I like boy. Don't think yourself to be mightier than you are. You are nothing more than a pawn," Erik snarled. Pete remained silent and Erik grinned knowing he had angered the boy.
"Now, Zane and Gabriel are to accompany me to the sim lab Master Parker, with or with out your blessing. Boys come," Erik said snapping his fingers. Not wanting to make matters worse Jason and Jack stepped from behind Pete.
"I won't let you take them," Pete said in a firm voice, his blue eyes hardening.
"You don't have a choice," Erik said. "If the two of you come now your punishments will not be a severe," Erik said to Jason and Jack. The twins were torn, they wanted so badly to stay with their brother, but were frightened as to what Erik might do. Jason and Jack began to move towards Erik, and the man smiled. Erik's smile quickly faded when Pete held his brothers back.
"No you two are staying here with me," Pete told the boys.
"Is that so Master Parker?" Erik asked.
"Yes," Pete replied.
"I tried," Erik sighed and then left the room. Jason and Jack stared at Pete in disbelief. They understood that their elder brother held some power but never did they imagine that Pete would be able to keep the beatings at bay.
The children's relief quickly fell when three burly men entered the room. One dealt a blow to Pete's temple and the other two dragged Jason, and Jack kicking and screaming out of the room.
Review please it would be the best birthday gift anyone could give me. Well next to a third Pretender movie.
Up next: Will and Alley share a dream thanks to Will's inner sense. Let's just hope they -and you all- interpret them right