Chapter 47 – The Quest for Truth

Before you begin questioning why I'm on a bus right now, let me start off by saying that we hadn't reached a decision on our vacation dilemma. Or rather, we hadn't set a date for it yet. Florida was still option numero uno in the Martinez home. But this bus has nothing to do with the sunny beach state. It actually meant something horrible in my book. Or something that used to be the cause of horror.

Since Fang couldn't convince Mom to allow us to go to D.C., he (as well as myself) still had many questions regarding Itex. And with all other options eliminated — sans running away from home — we were headed the next best thing: Jeb's house.

And by some strange, weird cosmic realining I kind of thought it was a good idea.

(Insert horrified gasp here).

Mom, being pleased that Fang had let up on the D.C. idea, called Jeb as soon as Fang had made the suggestion. Of course Jeb was more than happy to oblige, seeing as he hadn't seen us since New York. And once the call was made, Mom purchased the bus tickets that would take us to his town one hour away. And surprisingly enough she trusted us enough to go on our own. Not that I was complaining; I still wasn't sure how much I could trust my mom after that whole Fang-running-away-revealing-her-past ordeal.

So that basically set the scene. Fang and I, on our way to Jeb's, to learn more about our purpose and design. I didn't expect to get too many answers, but surprisingly Fang was more optimistic. He trusted Jeb for some unfathomable reason. And I think he suspected that Jeb was our ally since he helped us in New York. And what was even creepier was that I was starting to believe that, too.

The father I never wanted, or maybe the one I wanted to get away from, was easily the most confusing person in the whole universe to me. Even more puzzling than Fang. He'd always been the guy who would never be there for my finer moments, always annoyed me to no end. I suppose dad's everywhere act like that, though. For a while I questioned his motives, even assumed the possibility of him being an America's Most Wanted stalker, but after New York I didn't know what to think. He'd helped both Fang and me. When we were cornered, he'd fought Erasers to help us escape. And he even escorted us back to Maryland. If that wasn't someone who was on our side, then this is the best cover-up Itex could have imagined.

I leaned my head against the bus window and closed my eyes.

How easy it would be to forget everything we've been through! If I had the option, I would check out of this insane life and do something on my own. If I didn't have a strange conviction that there was something greater to come, I would probably hide under a rock until this whole genetic war had ended. Then again, is it ever my style to run away?

That's right, Max, the Voice helpfully injected. You need to take everything in stride. Accept your responsibility.

Um, yeah, when am I supposed to learn about said responsibility? I have a schedule and stuff that I just can't set aside.

I thought I heard it sigh. You need to set your priorities. Saving the world is more important than your petty cares. You have to open yourself up and the truth will come to you.

Thanks. I really wasn't in the mood to deal with the Voice anymore.

I looked toward Fang, who was sitting next to me with his eyes closed. A bag with his computer and a notepad sat on his lap. I poked his arm. "And you brought me along because…?" I tried to play the devil's advocate; I didn't want him knowing that I was just as excited as he was. Okay, maybe not as excited, but I was (sort of) looking forward to it.

He opened one eye in a slit, looking like a snake. "Because you need this information just as much as I do. Actually, you need it more. I'm merely curious; you have a destiny you need to fulfill."

Sometimes he had a startling resemblance to the Voice.

My annoyance was piqued as we stopped behind a long row of vehicles. "Why did we have to hit traffic? This is the summer; haven't people heard of taking bikes?"

"Relax. Even with traffic we'll be there in fifteen minutes, tops."

Jeb lived in an area where tons of commuters came to work. I thought it wouldn't take this long, but then again I'd never paid him a visit during commuting hours. Being on a bus with a bunch of tired, irritated businessmen heading to work wasn't ideal.

"Hmm…" I watched as the slowly moving vehicles passed away to allow a couple of police cars through. "Wonder where they're going?"

"Dunkin' Donuts," Fang said confidently, causing the two of us to laugh hysterically.

It wasn't until twenty minutes later that we pulled into the appropriate bus stop. We followed the slowly moving line out of the commercial bus and made our way to the roads. Jeb's house was about a ten minute walk from here, located in a ritzy region for those higher up in life. It bothers me to think that I could have been living in a mansion instead of a farm. But instead of being an ideal family in a giant house, Jeb and Ari lived in an expensive-looking Mod, one-story home.

Once we set off, I had to talk to relieve my anxiety. "Do you think we're really going to get the answers we want?"

"I think he wants to help us, but he can't disclose any information directly. If we imply specific details, he can tell us what we want to know creatively."

"Really?"

He shrugged. "Your dad is weird, definitely, but he wouldn't have helped us before if he wasn't on our side."

"Well, I'll give you that one. But what specifically are you going to 'imply'?"

"I haven't decided yet. I was going to see where small talk hade taken us and then build a plan from there." We turned the corner from a shopping outlet to a line of trees heading toward the area where Jeb lived.

A couple minutes later we were approaching the eerily quiet home. I wouldn't say this was like a scene from a horror movie, where the ominous music starts playing and you know that you're walking into danger. But I knew something was wrong. Terribly wrong. My senses were screaming at me to run, but I knew I couldn't.

Fang was just as twitchy as I was. "You feel it, too?" he asked.

I couldn't speak around the lump in my throat, so I nodded.

I tip-toed to the front door and was shocked to see that it was left ajar. My heart beats crept to an even higher level than normal. So some of you out there are probably smacking your head, mutturing to yourselves, "Max, you idiot, you should have seen this coming." Well, yeah, maybe I should have. I'd been so paranoid I should have known that something horrible would happen. But noooo, stupid Max falls into stupid trap.

In a moment's notice I pause before entering.

Fang raises an eyebrow at me. "What? You're chickening out?"

It took a lot of restraint to keep from smacking him. "I just... I don't know if I want to see what's inside."

I could see him contemplating some snide remark, but he dropped it. Before I could stop him, he pushed past me inside. This ultimately had the effect he wanted since I followed him into the swanky house.

I must say, for all the weird vibes I'd been getting, I was surprised to see the actual home looking completely undisturbed. Everything was in very similar order to when we'd been here for Thanksgiving. It looked modern and stunning, but somehow unhomely. It was a little unnerving.

He wandered idly around the rooms, checking for anything out of the ordinary. I mostly just stood in a tense, shaking state of unease. I didn't like being in this place alone (and I mean without adult supervision).

Sirens wailed nearby.

Catching my attention, I bolted to a window and peered through to the driveway.

My mouth nearly fell to the floor. Two police cars, lights flashing, came roaring up the road toward this house. Once they were close enough, the officers emerged to survey the surroudnings.

Fang came up behind me. "What's going on?"

"I don't know, but I'm going to find out."

"Max, wait!" he called, but I was already running. He hung back as made my way outside and approached the men.

They acknowledged me with an odd look. "Miss, is this your house?" the taller one asked seriously.

I shook my head. "No, but it is my dad's. What's going on?"

By my panicked expression, they seemed to debate whether to share the information with me. After a long pause, the other officer said methodically, "The 911 dispatch received a call shortly ago. We came, even though the nature of the call was never clear. All we were able to pick up was a voice asking for help…" His voice trailed off, as if he suspected foul play to be involved. Or a stupid prank.

"What? I talked to my dad, like, and hour and a half ago. He was expecting our arrival —" I looked back but Fang was no where to be seen. So much for always having my back.

The two eyed me again with a strange look. "Um, well, if what you're saying is true, then we'll need you to stay to file a report."

A helicopter flew overhead.

"Um…" I debated, feeling very distraught suddenly.

Fang appeared in the doorway, outside of the officers' view. "RUN," he mouthed.

I didn't need another warning. I bolted down the driveway, followed by an invisible Fang. Angered shouts rang from behind me, but I knew I couldn't stay. This place felt very off. Very wrong. Something had happened between Mom's call and now.

When we were out of sight, Fang reappeared, nearly making me pee my pants. "Ah!" I half-shouted.

He rolled his eyes. "I checked out the rest of the house as quickly as I could. Everything looked normal except for Jeb's office. It was trashed. And all of his records on Itex were missing. Then there was a note..." He drifted off.

I gritted my teeth. My mind put two and two together quickly. The horrible conclusion came to me. "Jeb and Ari…" I couldn't even finish.

Fang met my eyes fiercely. "They're gone."

To be continued...

For the record, I have started writing for the sequel, but I'm not sure when I'll start posting it. I want to get a few chapters ahead so I can have more timely posting. (The sequel will be called "Anything But Easy"). And I might start with some new stories I've been throwing around in my head, or finish some of my other stories first. I don't know; I'll post a poll or something. A big thanks to everyone who has stuck through this story from the beginning!! :) And tell everyone you know to read "Not So Normal"!!!

--biteoutoflife--