Chapter 4

As he headed down his road, unsure of where he was heading, Connor pulled his phone from his pocket. The screen told him he missed four calls from an unknown number and that he had three voicemails from the same. He activated his voice mail and listened to his messages:

"Connor, hi, it's Abby. Listen, I'm sorry to ask you for this, but I really need your help. My brother Jack took our pet lizard, Rex, to school and some kid, Tony Durran, took him. Jack is devastated and I really need your help to find him, please. Just call me back, yeah?" End of first message.

"Connor, hi, it's Abby again. Look, I know you're probably busy but I really need your help, please. I've got to find Rex; he's my only link to my old home. Just, please call me back." End of second message.

"You know what, Connor? I thought I could trust you! I thought you wouldn't turn out to be someone different once I got to know you, but I guess I was wrong. Don't ever talk to me again, Connor Temple. I hate you, you horrible person! If I ever see you again, I'll kill you!" End of third message. There are no new messages.

Connor didn't realize it, but he had stopped dead in his tracks by the time the third message had come on. When it was over, Connor simply stood in place, hating himself more and more each second. Abby had needed him, and he had let her down. For what, to get into an argument with his mother. His mother hadn't spoken to him in years, she could've waited another day; but Abby, Abby had needed his help then, and he hadn't been there. She was right to hate him, he hated himself. He knew he had to make this up to her, but how. Connor re-listened to the first message. Tony Durran, he had to find Tony Durran and get Rex back. Then at least he could live with himself afterwards, even if Abby still wanted nothing to do with him.

Thinking hard, Connor remembered a John and Rachel Durran that lived only a few blocks away, maybe Tom was their son, or they were related to him in some other way and knew where he lived. As headed over to where The Durrans lived, Connor realized he might need some help convincing the Durrans that Tony had taken Rex. Looking around wildly, Connor knew Becker was the closest person he knew that could help him. Connor ran off in the direction of Becker's house without a second thought.

He arrived there a few minutes later, sweating slightly as he rang the doorbell. Luckily, it was Becker himself that answered the door.

"Connor" he said, more than a little surprised, "What's going on, why are you all sweaty? Is something wrong?"

"Yes," Connor gasped, "My friend, Abby, had her lizard stolen by someone named Tom Durran, and I know some Durrans, but I might need help convincing them that their son stole a lizard, and you were closest, so I came to see if you could help me, please?"

Becker raised an eyebrow, "Where's Abby if it's her lizard?" He asked, looking around his door to see if she was waiting outside.

"She's mad at me." Connor said quietly, "I ignored her calls like an idiot, and now she won't talk to me because I let her down."

Becker had heard all he needed to know, he would never leave a friend in trouble, even if he didn't know Connor that well. "Dad," he called back into the house, "I need to go out for a bit, I've got a friend who needs some help."

"Ok," his dad responded, "Just don't be out to late, Hil, it's a school night."

"Yes, sir" he replied, "C'mon Connor, let's go find your missing lizard."

"Thank you so much." Connor said with a relieved sigh as they set off in the direction of the Durrans. "Why did your dad call you Hil?" He asked, looking over at Becker, "If you don't mind me asking."

"I've often wondered the same thing myself." Becker replied, smiling to himself at the private joke. Connor didn't push the issue as they carried on.

They reached the Durran apartment in tem minutes and Connor rang the doorbell. Mr. Durran came to the door.

"Um, yes?" he asked, looking at the two boys in puzzlement. "What can I do for you two?"

"Mr. Durran," Connor began, "I'm Connor Temple, I think you knew my parents. I was wondering if you had a son named Tony.

"Oh, Connor, how nice to see you again. Yes, my son's name is Tony, why?"

"My friend's little brother brought his pet lizard to school today and said your son took it from him; we were wondering if you could check his things to see if your son has the lizard."

"Tony came home with a lizard just today, claiming he found it at school, let me go get it for you, just wait here for a moment." As Mr. Durran walked off, Connor and Becker exchanged looks of glee at their good luck. Moments later, Mr. Durran brought out a cardboard box and held it out to the boys.

"Is this the lizard in question?" he asked the two boys. Connor had never seen Rex before, and he knew Becker hadn't either, but it looked like the type of lizard you would name Rex, so Connor replied, "Yes it is, Mr. Durran. Thank you for all of your help."

"It was no problem," Mr. Durran assured them, "and believe me, Tony will be punished for this, you have my word." The boys thanked him again as he closed the door.

"If that's all you need me for, Connor," Becker said, "I'll just head on home."

"Don't you want to come with me to Abby's and give her Rex back? You know, share in the hero treatment."

"Nah, I'm fine without the hero treatment, thanks." Becker replied casually, "Besides, aren't you the one who needs to get back in Abby's good books? I don't even think she knows me yet. You can take this one Connor; you'll be fine without me."

Connor just grinned, "Thanks mate, I really appreciate everything you've done tonight. Anything you need just let me know."

"I'll keep that in mind," Becker replied as he headed off, "I'll see you tomorrow, Connor."

Grinning widely, Connor went to Abby's house, holding Rex's box gently. When he got there, the first thing he noticed was the lack of lights on in the house. It's only 9:30, he thought to himself. She should be up. Connor walked up the front door and rang the doorbell. After a few moments, a small, tousle haired boy answered the door. That must be Jack, Connor thought to himself.

"Who're you?" the boy asked, looking up at Connor.

"Is Abby here?" Connor questioned back

"Yeah, but she went to sleep early tonight. She said I could stay up until ten if I'm quiet, so I'm being quiet while watching the telly." Jack was grinning, looking proud of the trust Abby placed in him to be quiet.

"Are you Jack?" Connor asked, just to be sure.

"Yeah, why?" Jack responded warily.

"Because I think this," he pulled Rex's box out from behind him with a flourish, "is yours."

Jack's face lit up. "You found Rex! Thank you so much. What's your name?

Connor grinned, "Tell Abby that C-" suddenly Connor stopped. It didn't really matter if he got the lizard or not, that wasn't the real point. The point was that she needed him and he wasn't there for her. Finding Rex was just a way to make him feel better.

"Tell Abby that a kind stranger brought him back" he told Jack. "Have a good night Jack, and keep Rex in the house from now on, yeah?" Jack just grinned at Connor as he walked off. For once, Connor felt like the hero.