Chapter 26- The Itex List

This is going to be our special little six-year-old's time to shine. That's right, Angel's the star and point of view of this chapter.

Enjoy.

Angel

It's always been this way. Don't ask me when it started. Mama says it's a gift, Max says I'm special and it's our secret. It doesn't matter; I don't feel like sharing it with other people anyways. I've always known I was different. I can see through people, and if I focus, it's almost like I can read their thoughts and on rare occasions, control them. I've always known the mal-intents and goodness in people.

I saw that Fang loved Max back in the caves after Max told us to run to safety when we ran into the cavern guardian. I saw through Sam when we first met him. At first, it was a curiosity towards Max that was burrowed into his brain. Then it got darker and darker and he wanted her, he wanted to possess her and take her away. And then he left with Iggy and Gazzy and when they came back Iggy and Gazzy were guilty and then I could see what they did. I could see why they were so ashamed. They didn't tell me and I knew. The letter from Kate to Fang confirmed my suspicions. So, don't believe me? I have a couple of sentences involving a few choice words from Sam's mental dictionary telling you exactly where you can stick that opinion.

Now imagine walking down the street and feeling whatever though pulses in their heads. Tuesday night at Tiffany's, Hotel, Money, Dinner with Samantha. And then there are the rude ones that I have to watch out for whether it's directed at me or Mom or anyone. Those are the ones that make my mom wish I can't hear thoughts.

But now I purposely have to keep my ears peeled for anyone who might know anything about Itex. It's harder here with so many people and so many stray and jumping thoughts. Since I'm not just searching one person's head, I have to open up my mind to let them all in. It's too crowded and it almost blurs my mind. I squeeze Mom's hand for support. She smiles encouragingly at me and I focus again, skimming across thoughts to find the word Itex or shifters.

"Hey!" a brown haired man shouts as he bumps into me and my pouch goes flying. He sees me and his eyes soften, shifting quickly from another stress-filled thought that I didn't hear, "Oh, I'm sorry, sweetie. Here, let me get that for you."

"Thank you," I grin up, not letting him know that I was reading his mind. Then his gaze shifts up to Mom and all his attention does too. I can almost see him gaping inwardly. Mom's pretty, an old pretty unlike Max's young pretty. I guess they're about the same age.

"My apologies, ma'am," he says smoothly, his voice lowering. I roll my eyes internally. Oh boy.

"It's alright," Mom smiles uncertainly at him, "Mr…"

"I'm Ethan Lucas," he says quickly, offering a hand for Mom to shake. She does gingerly. This is a human custom, I've observed.

"I'm Mrs…Hawk, and this is my daughter… Olive," I follow her line of sight to a restaurant named Olive Garden. Brilliant, mother.

Mr. Lucas's face falls, "You're married."

Mom stiffens and I can feel her getting sadder. She doesn't like to think about dad. She still does in her sleep sometimes and it scares me because I can feel the loneliness in her. "Not anymore," she says softly.

"Oh, I didn't mean to intrude," Mr. Lucas says.

"Oh no, it's fine," she says dismissively, hesitating for a split-second so it's clear she's not fine before smiling.

"Can I take you out for a coffee?" Mr. Lucas says abruptedly and I feel his thoughts turn back to the stress. He sounded like he was making a list of what to do for the next week: Boss wants three reports by Wednesday, Ana's prescription to be picked up in the Itex pharmacy tonight, get ready for the meeting Friday, Itex leaders wants to review staff tomorrow, call Wendy, call Mother, call Aston, cancel plans Monday, take Mrs. Hawk out (I bristle at that one), Itex research review.

He thought about Itex three times in a minute. I think it's safe to say that he has some involvement in it.

I nudge Mom's side, "Do it. I'll explain."

Her eyes widen at me before she faces Mr. Lucas again, "Of course, we'd love to."

"Mommy," I face her and wave her down so her ear is right in front of me, "Itex."

I see her start to understand.

"So, are you new to the area, Mrs. Hawk?" Mr. Lucas says casually, sipping his revolting smelly black substance.

"Please, call me Valencia," she says cordially, "And yes, my daughter and I have just moved here."

"Where were you before?"

"Oh, we moved from place to place. We lived in the Catskills for some time," Mom gauges his reaction. There is none. I frown.

"That's interesting," he muses, "The company I work for has holdings in the Catskills. Did you like it up there?"

"Very much, but we couldn't stay," Mom tells him, "What company do you work for?"

"Itex," he says off-handedly. I shoot Mom a victorious grin and she pats my hand and I hear her proud of me. Is Itex not a bad thing here?

"I don't think I'm familiar with that company," Mom demures.

He almost chokes on his coffee, "You-you've never heard of Itex?"

"I'm afraid not, Mr. Lucas," she says, feigning hurt.

"I'm sorry, Valencia, it's just- Itex is famous. Itex is a pharmaceutical company. We make drugs that help people. Also we have shipping yards, air lines, insurance companies and other business."

"Sounds impressive," Mom sips her weak herbal tea.

"I like to think so, my dear," Mr. Lucas. That sounds greasy and disgusting. From Valencia to my dear in two seconds. Honestly. I'm never getting married.

"Get him thinking about Itex," I whisper in Mom's ear.

She resumes talking and I dig into his mind. I can see his face change for a slight second as I search. "Sorry, headache," he says and Mom looks disapprovingly at me. There's a strip of paper dancing in front of me, but it's really on a computer. "Congratulations, Mr. Ethan Lucas," the 'email' said, "You've been accepted to work at Itex…"

Then there's a list.

Chairman- Harold Lewis

CEO- Dr. Ivan Terrance

General Manager- Brigid Dwyer

Business Development blah blah blah. I skim down and take note to search up Harold Lewis and Ivan Terrance and Brigid Dwyer. My eye catches on a familiar name. Marian Janssen. The Queen. My jaw drops.

"Close your mouth, honey," Mom chastises.

"Max!" I yell, catching up with them, waving a thick yellow phonebook in the air, "I found the head of Itex!"

Max takes the book from my frantic hands and looks down to where I circled. She looks at me happily and hugs me. I hear her proud of me too. And then I hear the rest of the pack proud of me.