In Search Of The Answer: O2
Billy grinned and nodded excitedly. "That's great!"
Warren Daniels, a new kid at school who'd quickly formed a close friendship with Billy, stopped walking to brush his gold blond hair out of his eyes and adjust his glasses.
"You think?" he asked, trying to contain his enthusiasm.
Billy laughed and nodded again. "Quite often!"
The two boys were discussing their project for the school's science fair on the way to the park, enjoying the freedom of the Saturday afternoon.
They'd just reached the opening in the fence when Billy got a message on his Computer Wrist, which he'd stuffed deep into his backpack.
"Hang on, I think that's my phone," he lied as he shrugged off the bag.
Warren nodded. "I'll go set us up in the regular spot," he said.
Alone, Billy took out the device and opened his inbox and frowned in mild confusion.
To: Billy B.
From: Mortimer M.
Subject: Recent Discovery
Message:
Urgent. Tracking you. Have to talk.
Cautious, but intruiged, he replied.
To: Mortimer M.
From: Billy B.
Subject: RE: Recent Discovery
Message:
how urgent & why now? i'm busy.
Billy rolled up the sleeve of his hoodie and strapped on his Computer Wrist, then covered it back up with the grey fabric.
Warren was all set up by the time he got there, and had already claimed the rosewood pieces for himself. Billy sat down across from his friend, taking the cedar side. He reached out and picked up a pawn, turning it over in his hand and admiring the delicate craftsmanship of the woodwork.
"Wow..." he breathed, clearly impressed. "Your aunt's amazing!"
Warren nodded, beaming with pride. "I know, right? She always makes the best Christmas gifts. Of course, it takes her all year to make a gift for each of us, but it's well worth it."
Billy nodded and put the piece back down on the board. It was time to get serious.
Just as he was about to make his first move, however, a hand grabbed his shoulder and turned him around.
"Get lost, McMire!" Warren said angrily. He hated how the raven haired boy pushed people around, like he was so much better than them.
Mortimer gave Warren a glare, then returned his attention to Billy.
"Now, Four," he ordered coldly.
Billy shook his head. "I'm busy," he replied in the same blunt tone. Mortimer's frown deepened.
"It's urgent. Stop wasting time." His hold grew tighter.
"He's not wasting time, he's doing what he wants!" Warren cut in, standing up for his friend. "Don't throw a fit because he has free will. Or do you not know what that is?"
"Shut up, Daniels! Four has to go." Mortimer hauled Billy off the bench with this.
"His name is Billy, and that's his choice!" Warren refused to back down. Billy simply groaned with annoyance and put his hands up.
"Calm down, Warren. I'll only be a minute," he assured.
Mortimer clearly wasn't thrilled with this compromise, but dragged the brunet off with him anyway.
Once they were out of earshot, he shoved Billy against a tree and pulled out his tablet.
Wincing, Billy tried to give his nemesis a look of reason. "Okay," he began, "what's so important?"
Mortimer stopped whatever he'd been doing and looked up at Billy.
Billy, with his ruffled brown hair, freckles, and blue eyes. So normal, yet... Mortimer had tested them both. He knew the truth.
"Well?" Billy prompted, growing impatient. All this fuss would not be for a staring contest.
Mortimer nodded and reluctantly passed him the tablet.
Analysis results? This had better be good or I'll- Billy's thoughts were interrupted, however, by what he read. Mortimer, seeing the boy's jaw drop, took a step forward.
"Tell me what you're seeing," he demanded, but it was quieter than usual.
Billy held up a finger- Wait a sec- and read the results again. Three samples had been tested. Two unclassified but almost identical, and one human.
"Well, whatever the samples are, I... I think they're part human. No idea what the rest of it is, but there's definitely some human in there. Why? Did- Oh jeez, did you find the origin of man?" Billy asked with increasing excitement.
Mortimer's shoulders slumped and he took the tablet back, shaking his head and staring at the ground with a strange, empty smile.
"It's us, Four. That's us."
So that's where I'm leaving you for now. On a cliffhanger. Because I'm terrible and improvement doesn't mean "She stopped using her cheap and evil cliffhanger trick", does it! MUAHAH-
I'll probably update soon though (which means that now that I've said it, I'm never updating. XD) because chapter 3 and most to all of 4 are already done, but I'd like to edit them some more to work out some continuity problems.
{'3}{ Signing off!