We Were Strangers in the Dark – Chapter 7
By MyNameIsCAL
Well fed, Iggy and Gazzy fell asleep as soon as we got back. Fang lay on the couch, eyes closed, but I knew he wasn't asleep. I was still thinking about dinner, how Fnag had taken my under the table. Now that I thought about it, I had missed out on middle school relationships and high school dating. But there was no lying that I had grown fond of Fang, that I would admit to trusting him.
"I want to go to the library tomorrow," he said. "See if we can find out anything about ourselves or the scientists."
I took a seat on the edge of the couch. "Are you just going or are we taking them."
"We'll all go." He glanced at me. "Maybe we can find old articles about our kidnapping."
I nodded.
"Are you sure you don't want the couch?"
"Yeah, I'm sure."
He frowned. "The floor is cold though."
I shrugged.
He looked unsure of himself. "Well, there's room for both of us, c'mon."
Fang scooted over. I settled myself next to him, and I tried to leave him some room. He pulled the blanket over us, and I found myself resting against him.
"s'okay, Max," he murmured. "Relax."
I closed my eyes, head rested against his chest. His arm came around me, and I wondered if he could feel me smiling against him.
Fang and I sat at the computers, Iggy and Gazzy at the tables behind us with some old newspapers. My father's old work website was up, now updated with a picture of him. He had aged a lot over the past three years. I scrolled down and there was a statement on the bottom.
On December 17, 2010, Jeb Batchelder was struck by a car while walking home from work. Despite the kidnapping of his two children three years ago, Jeb worked very hard on his research, determined to find cures for many different diseases. His work and research will be continued by long time friend and colleague, Roland ter Borcht.
That was long before I had escaped with Fang. At least I knew he wasn't hassling my mom anymore.
Her website was next. I typed in the URL, but the website was gone. Letting out a sigh, I tuped her name into Google. I found a new website.
Dr. Valencia Martinez is one of Arizona's leading veterinarians. She is a mother and a community figure.
There was a picture of her too, and unlike Jeb, she only looked a little older than before, maybe a little tired. It hurt to know that she had left Jersey though, or maybe it was just a way for her to forget Jeb and Ari and me.
"What's wrong?" Fang's voice cut through my thoughts.
"N—Nothing." I took down my mom's contact information. "My father is dead and my mom moved to Arizona."
"I'm sorry…"
"Don't be. I didn't expect much of anything."
He was staring at his screen. "The only thing I can find about my mom are the articles about my kidnapping. My father too, but he never cared much about taking care of me."
"I should see if I can find anything about Iggy." I knew it wasn't something he wanted to discuss any further.
He nodded. "I'll see if there's any information about the scientists. The laptop we nabbed has a logo on it that says Itex."
James Griffith. Iggy knew his real name, but Gazzy didn't. I typed in Iggy's name.
"Anything?" Fang questioned.
I scrolled through the first few pages of results. "No, there's nothing."
After another half hour of searching, we hadn't found anything. Finally, Gazzy came up to us, looking tired.
"Hey, uhm, Fang, I'm sorta hungry," he said quietly.
Fang's brow unfurrowed. "We'll get something to eat, c'mon."
Fang folded up his papers and stuck it in his coat pocket. I took Iggy by the hand and we exited the library, crossing the street.
We settled on pizza, cramming at a table meant for two with four chairs. Fang ordered two pies to go, muttering that cold pizza was better than cold cereal for three meals. Gazzy offered to hold the pies and we made our way to the apartment.
Fang had gone out to get some air, leaving me with Iggy and Gazzy.
"So what's up with Fang?" Gazzy questioned.
I shrugged.
Iggy shook his head. "I wish he talked to us."
I knew they were a little upset that Fang trusted me more. It wasn't on purpose though. He didn't want to upset them either. After all, he still thought Gazzy was angry at him for leaving the others behind. Besides, dealing with people wasn't one of Fang's strengths.
"So your mom is in Arizona?" Iggy changed the subject after I didn't respond.
"Yeah,' I managed to say. "She's probably better off without me.
"I don't even remember my parents," Gazzy frowned. "I mean, do they even miss me or Angel?"
"I'm sure they do." Iggy ruffled his hair.
Gazzy sighed. "Max, what's it like, having a family?"
I thought back to my parents arguing, how Ari and I were deathly afraid of my father. It hadn't been much of a family, especially with both my parents at work, struggling to keep things together for Ari and me. Part of me had hoped my disappearance would bring them back together, but I guess things had only fallen apart.
"Max?"
"It's not all that it's cracked up to be." I took in a deep breath. "I guess I used to wish they would go away. My parents were on the verge of divorce. And my brother Ari is still somewhere with you sister and your other friend."
Gazzy slouched against the table. "Right, Fang told me something about that. That time he followed me to the roof after I got upset. I'm sorry, Max."
"It's alright. You know, maybe it was all supposed to happen this way so I could help you."
Iggy nodded. "Yeah, maybe."