Matt regain consciousness when he continue to hear the constant banging on the door from downstairs. He knew the gang was there; he just didn't want to get up. The banging continued for a few more minutes until it grew quiet. He felt numb; the medications kicking in and making his body feel lighter. He felt his head was detached from his head, but at the same time more free.
He could hear the door being opened as the footsteps intruded his house. He could hear the clicks from Jackie's heels and the softer thumps from Slyder's and Inez's boots.
"Matt? Matt you here?" Slyder called. Matt turned over in the bathtub and tried going back to sleep. The three stood in the entrance to the living room a triangle.
"Maybe he went out for a walk." Jackie thought.
"No, not on a weekend like this. Something's wrong." Inez said. She looked upstairs. "I'm going to go check on him."
"Inez-" Slyder started.
"You two, just go on a walk for a while. I'll call you if everything's okay." Inez indicated that she had unfinished business with Matt. Jackie silently smirked.
"Sure." Jackie took Slyder's arm and led him out, "Let's go Sly'. Besides, I want to tease about how much you snore."
Slyder gave Inez a pleading look before they left; shutting the door. Inez stood at the bottom of the stairs scared out of her pants. She didn't know what she was going to see when she entered Matt's bedroom. This time, it was more willingly than unconsciously.
She took careful steps up to his room, her hand wavering over the knob. She drew back.
Whatever happens, you can deal with it.
Inez turned the knob and pushed the door open. She flinched at the sight of Matt's abnormally messy room. His belongings were tossed in corners and papers scattered as the bed remained outspread. She rushed in and check the night table; his medication was gone.
What if he overdosed? Oh Matt, please be alright...
She became alert when she saw the bathroom door open. She looked at the floor until she lifted her head and stared at a messy red nest sticking out from the tub. Inez easily rushed in and knelt beside the tub, checking an unconscious Matt clutching his meds.
"Matt! Matt! Wake up Matt!" She shook him. He groaned and moaned until his dull emerald eyes opened and squinted. He looked at Inez like she woke him on a Monday morning for no reason.
"Wha...what?" He tried to remember. He groaned, sitting up. He could taste the aftermath of his vomit and immediately wanted to hurl. He remembered what happened; and the dream that traumatized him. But he didn't think it would make him that week.
"You look terrible. Come on, you need to get out of those clothes and in a hot bath." She realized what she said. "You do that and I'll make you breakfast to boost your strength."
Matt shook his head, standing up wobbly and stepping out the tub. Inez insisted him by leading him back to the bed.
"I had another one of those dreams Inez." He groaned; rubbing his temple. "I was back at Cyberspace."
Inez stopped before she headed back downstairs, "It seems like there's something important you saw; I'll come back with breakfast and you can tell me about it."
Matt grimaced nodding. "Alright...thanks Inez."
She smiled, "You're welcome." As she closed the door and headed downstairs to the kitchen.
/
Inez came back with hot cereal, scrambled eggs and bacon with a cup of green tea. Matt thankfully took the tray and began eating. Inez sat in a chair. He completely forgot about what he was going to tell Inez, but maybe it was better not to worry them for now...
"Matt, I think there's something seriously wrong with your health." Inez told him. He sighed, pushing the tray for a moment.
"I just haven't been eating right, and I want to try to lay of the medications." Matt said. Inez shook her head.
"You're stressed out. You need a break for a while. Take a couple of days off until you feel a lot better." Inez insisted. "We'll handle things on our own."
Matt was upset. He was being held back because of what's been going on with him. He was less concerned of his health; unsure he'll ever fully recover from the daily migraines. He gritted his teeth; clenching his fork.
"I understand." He admitted defeat. Inez softly smiled at him, ruffling his red hair. She got up.
"Thank you. If we find anything we'll call you up." Inez assured. "Maybe you can investigate some things on your laptop like Slyder."
Matt sighed as he sipped his tea. "I trust you guys...just don't do anything I would do."
"Of course. Now go rest." Inez insisted as she silently closed the door. Matt sighed again, forced to stay in his castle and silently work behind the scenes. He tried to think of all the benefits to this; but Matt just couldn't. He was an action person, just doing things. He was certain this new form of lifestyle was going to drive him insane. He carefully sat his tray on the table and got on his swivel chair to work on his laptop.
He stared at the metallic folder named MAX.
/
Inez stood outside, meeting Slyder and Jackie outside Matt's house.
"So what's up with Matt today?" Jackie asked.
"He's not feeling so well. I decided that he should take a couple days off. That means we're going to have to cover some ground without him." Inez stated. "I mean, it should be easier to roam around Cyberspace without him being the main target."
"Let's not get too carried away; we're going to need him eventually but now the main focus is finding Digit." Slyder stepped in.
"Right." The girls said.
"How far are you willing to go?" A familiar voice said from above. Sitting on the chimney of Matt's house was Max. His hands folded and his blue eyes glaring down at them.
"What are you doing here?" Inez glared at him.
"As usual; doing nothing of your business." Max replied cheeky.
"I really don't like your attitude. And not to mention you have a nerve to look like Matt! Ew eww and double eww!" Jackie pointed out. Max scowled at the immaturity of the dark-skinned one.
"I don't care." Max stood up and jumped down, landing on his feet. "Just make sure you don't try stirring up a storm when you go back there. Or I will intervene."
"And if you do you better stay out of our way." Slyder stood nose-to-nose with him. Max eyes narrowed.
"So be it." Max turned. Then Max had an idea. These earthlings were so gullible, so why not lead them to the stupid bird? "I was just on my way to the Bin."
As Max continued to walk, he could tell the earthlings were going to consider their decision; try to make him coöperate and show him the way. Then Slyder stepped forward.
"Hold on." Slyder said steely.
Max stopped and looked at them. They all glanced at him with little appreciation or respect for him. They didn't quite trust him, and was unsure if he wasn't working for Hacker. But that didn't matter to Max. He was following Dr. Alvin's orders.
"We need a way to get to the Bin undetected; think you could help us out?" Inez said tight-lipped.
Max stared at the earthling with the glasses. He almost couldn't believe she of all people would be asking for his help; talking to him so casually. He silently smirked. Probably because I look like her boyfriend. So cheap of her.
"Maybe. Under one condition." Max agreed.
"Oh great..." Jackie rolled her eyes.
"Go ahead, what is it?" Slyder said.
Max put up his hand, "Five days. I will coöperate with you and help on...whatever you're trying to do to stop Hacker, but after that you cannot intervene anymore with our problems. Cyberspace is already dealing with many ones and they would hate if a bunch of more started popping up."
"Well, how about we help with those in exchange?" Inez insisted. "If we can't intervene with your plans on stopping Hacker, we'll deal with the civilians incognito. We were sworn a duty to preserve and protect Cyberspace when we put on these watches. ."
"Then I advise taking them off." Max glared with a snark remark. Jackie began to puff herself up.
"Honestly!" Jackie stepped in, "We!" She gave Max the stank-look, "Are not getting along at all. I'M the only one who has the attitude! Okay? ME. I'm the drama queen. You better check yourself!" Max only blinked, nonchalantly.
Slyder smiled with a chuckle. He knew Jackie was being over-dramatic as always. The comical relief, "Easy Jacks'"
"So." Inez looked at the android again, "We have a deal?"
Max grimaced, "Whatever."
Slyder put a hand out, followed by Jackie and Inez. Max raised a brow.
"This is our way of signing a truce. For now at least." Slyder said. "It's our way of saying we can trust you."
"Yeah, trust." Jackie said bitterly.
Max reached out and placed a hand ontop of the little earth girl's called Inez. Inez shivered at the cold hand that felt human. The team broke off as they looked at one another.
"Cybersquad; let's move out."