I sighed as the road became unfamiliar. "Are your parents going to be ok with you spending all this money?" Jack asked Seth and Sara.
"We have been through the terms of our finance, if you are concerned about your compensation..." Seth snapped.
"What my concern is the fact that there are two kids plus the kid I'm living with in the back of my cab with a wad of cash. Your drop-off point is in the middle of nowhere. In my book, that's a little chapter called running away" Jack groaned.
I glanced at Seth; he didn't want to deal with Jack. I don't blame him. Since I'm helping him, I need to know why he and his sister need to come here. I decided to ask while Jack was talking to Dominick. "Is something wrong?" I asked. Seth turned to me. "You don't have to answer" I sighed.
"It's okay. Becky, I wish I could tell you. But I'm afraid you won't understand" he muttered.
Maybe there's a reason he's acting like this. Maybe he's trying to protect me. I mentally rolled my eyes. I can take care of myself. I've gone through worse. Anyway, he doesn't know me well enough.
"The vehicles behind us are indicating a pattern of pursuit" Sara cried.
"There are no vehicles following" Jack denied.
Seth and I looked back to see three black Jeeps. Seth looked concerned. "At your current speed vs. theirs, they will overtake us in less than a minute" Seth remarked.
Wow, he really is smart.
"Relax, kid. I'll let them pass" Jack said, slowing down.
I let out a groan; I knew something was wrong. But Jack always doubts my instincts, no matter how right they are. Seth looked at me. "Has he always been this way?" He asked me.
That's the first time anyone's fully trusted my instincts. "Yeah, I'm used to it" I told him, unaware of the upcoming dangers that would not only test us but also create a bond between me and Seth.
"Open road, people! It's all yours" Jack called, sticking his arm out and gesturing at the Jeeps to let them overtake us. As one of the Jeeps drove past, Seth, Sara and I peered up into the dark-tinted window. "See? There's no one following us. I'm the king of these roads" Jack said smugly. Then we got boxed in. Seth and I exchanged worried glances. Part of my worry was for Seth and Sara.
"Who is Mr Wolfe, Jack Bruno?" Sara asked.
"Sara! I thought I told you not to ask him about that!" I hissed.
"Get down!" Jack yelled. We did so. Pissed off and thinking it was more of Mr Wolfe's men trying to lure him back into crime, Jack smashed into two of the Jeeps 'Grand Theft Auto' style then speeded ahead. We rose our heads.
He's still got the attitude. I guess old habits die hard.
"It appears we have not alluded them" Sara pointed out.
"Stay down!" Jack ordered; his tone sounded like a commander's so we did what he told us. There was clunking coming from the door. Undoing my seatbelt, I checked it but fell out onto the road, a Jeep headed for me! Even though it was over 6 miles away, I knew it meant my death!
Seth's POV:
I briefly glanced behind me when Becky fell out. I know I must do something. Wait, I could use my powers. It's risky but I won't let anything happen to her. That's decided, I'm going to save her. I don't care if I expose what I am.
"Seth, no. That's not a good idea" Sara whispered, hearing my thoughts.
"I have to try, Becky's life depends on it" I told her in a low voice.
"It's too dangerous. For both you and Rebecca" she begged.
I adjusted my body's molecular density so I went though the vehicle. I ran to Becky's side then helped her to her feet. She looked at me, confused. "Seth? How did you..." she began to ask.
I knew why she looked so confused, she doesn't know what I am. But no human can understand."Get behind me" I ordered, my tone was gentler than intended. She obliged as I turned to face the Jeep, holding her wrist. My eyes hardened as my molecular density changed. I may not trust humans but I won't let this girl die. The black Jeep - the one that was about to kill Becky - collided into me then shattered and elevated at an angle, resulting to a explosion.
"What the? Seth? You're not hurt?" Becky asked. Sara used her telekinesis ability to reverse the cab. Soon Becky and I were back in our seats as if nothing had happened.
"Is everyone ok?" Jack Bruno asked, still unaware of what had almost happened.
"We're fine" Sara cried.
"We should just keep moving" I said sternly, panting.
Jack Bruno got out. "Stay here" he told us.
Once she got her breath back, Becky glanced at me. "Now I'm confused. What on earth is going on? Who are you?" she asked.
I sighed. I should tell her, maybe she can keep a secret. "Sara and I are extraterrestrials; we're on a mission to save our planet, located 3,000 light-years away" I explained. Becky was quiet as she let the truth sink in then she smiled. Why would a human smile when she learns her friends are aliens?
"I'm actually ¼ extraterrestrial from my mom's side. And thank you, Seth" she said.
"For what?" I asked.
"For saving my life. You didn't have to do that" she told me.
She's thanking me? "You're welcome" I replied and smiled, realising it was right to trust Becky. It caused her to blush and smile back. She understands because she's exactly like us – not at all human. Didn't Elder Ray tell me he had a granddaughter on Earth who's the same age as me? I guess he meant Becky, now I can keep my promise to help her accept what she is.
Jack Bruno came back and started driving, disrupting the moment between me and Becky. "How are you holding up?" he asked.
"We're fine, Jack" Becky replied.
"Sorry I dragged you three into this" he apologised.
"There is no need to apologise. You are not always to blame" Sara replied.
"The urgency of our mission has not decreased" I stated.
"Don't worry. I'll get you there. You've earned it" Jack Bruno replied. He drove on.
"We're here" Sara told him an hour later. He pulled over at an old house that had been a hideout for us when our parents conduced an experiment years ago. Sara and I used to like it here as children. Now, we felt unwelcome.
"Here? There's nothing here. Someone was expecting you, right? Doesn't look like they're home" Jack Bruno asked as he drove into the driveway.
"Don't worry, Jack Bruno, we will soon be reunited with relatives" Sara reassured him.
"Ok, that'll be $720.50 but after what went down today how about we cut that by 20..." he began but I handed him the $15,000 before he could say more. Sara and I got out and headed for the house. I was towing Becky along by the hand. We went in then hid behind the furniture in the living room. I took the tracer out of my jacket pocket and activated it with my free hand, the three of us kept close. Oddly, Becky wasn't afraid, despite the goosebumps down her arms. Her cheek brushed against my shoulder.
The light that emitted from the tracker illuminated the shadows on our faces, particularly Becky's freckles which looked like tiny brown kisses on her face. "Wow" I heard her say. I smiled when I saw the wonder in her eyes. I shyly squeezed her hand, which I was still holding. She smiled back sweetly, returning the gesture. Both of us were blushing a dark red.
I've developed a soft spot for her. She's still grateful to me for saving her. To be honest, it made me feel better. She's the first human I actually care about. Becky winced when something hit my shoulder, keeping close to me. Her other hand gripped my sleeve. Prepared to protect both my sister and my new friend, I looked up to see that Jack Bruno had followed us. "You shouldn't have jeopardised your life by following us" I snapped.
"Are you in any trouble?" he asked.
"I suggest you return to your vehicle. Your services are no longer required" I ordered coldly.
"He was only trying to help" Sara defended.
"We don't need it! We can't trust humans. It's just us, Sara" I reminded her.
"Jack Bruno, we appreciate your efforts to assist us but my brother is right. We can involve you no further. My brother and I will return Rebecca to you safe and unharmed when we complete our mission" she tried to persuade him.
Jack Bruno snorted, he didn't think we were capable of protecting her when we are.
At that point, I glanced at Becky; her eyes seemed glassy. She bit her lip; I immediately felt guilty. I hadn't meant to make her think I don't trust her. Humans like Becky are different, there's no one else like her. "It's different for you, Becky. I promise, I can and will keep you safe. Just stay with us a bit longer" I told her, squeezing her hand to reassure her.
As soon as I did that, her expression softened. "Ok" she whispered.
It made my heart soften a bit. Why am I willing to protect this one human girl? Why don't I want her to leave my side? Because she understands me more than any one? I might be in love with her. Why shouldn't I? She's kind, trustworthy, has a beautiful name, understanding, can see my good qualities and obviously my type. But she's still a human and I'm an extraterrestrial. I can't love her. We're too different.