Inez's feet were aching. They'd been on the move for about three hours, checking out public places first for any sight of Dr. Marbles. If that failed, they were planning on going door-to-door.
Slider had told them that Dr. Marbles was going by the name Drew Marberry, as a local physician, which was easy enough to ask for at each house. Still, everyone was reluctant to be seen or interact with ordinary citizens. It went against everything they had been living for the last two years. Lay low, stay quiet, and don't bring in attention.
"Are you alright, Irene?" Matt asked gently. "Do you want me to carry you?"
"I'm fine." Inez answered. She hated being called Irene, but she knew it was necessary.
"We can stop and get something to eat." Slider offered. "It'll only take a few minutes. Besides, I'm getting kind of hungry anyway."
"Yeah, food sounds good." Matt nodded. He absently placed his hand on the back of Inez's shirt.
Inez had to hold back a laugh. When this whole nightmare had started, she'd had a lot of trouble learning how to walk on such short legs. She'd always refused when Matt and Jackie offered to carry her. Eventually, both Matt and Jackie had gotten into the habit of holding the back of her shirt, to catch her and pull her upright when she fell. Now, they only did that when they were subconsciously afraid that she would get separated from them.
Digit was a lot more fun. When they were allowed to go out and play, he loved to run alongside her. Sometimes, he would flap his wings and fly around, and lift Inez up a few inches off the ground. They usually ended up wrestling or racing each other, releasing all their pent up energy in good-natured fights.
Inez sighed lightly. She hated that Digit wasn't allowed to talk. It was like a piece of his personality had been ripped out of him. She wanted Digit back, not Donald.
"Come on, Reeny, what do you want to eat?" Slider asked, pulling her from her thoughts. He shot her a disarming smile, distracting her from the fact that he'd called her "Reeny."
"I'll take a sandwich." Inez decided.
"Peanut butter and jelly?" Matt confirmed, digging around for his wallet.
Inez nodded and turned around to look at the other customers. They were at an outdoor café, and it seemed to be a fairly slow hour. Only two other customers were in the area. One was an exhausted-looking elderly man, sitting at a table, and the other was a vivacious young woman, standing behind them in line. She smiled shyly at the woman, who waved back.
"Can I go find a table?" Inez tugged on Matt's hand.
"Go ahead." Matt replied.
Inez chose a clean table not too far from the counter. The food came out quickly, and it was silent as everyone inhaled their food.
The screech of tires suddenly reached their ears. A fancy car came careening into view, stopping in front of the café. Inez turned to see who the owner of the car was.
To her absolute shock and horror, Delete hopped out of the driver's seat and scurried to open the side door. A mean, green figure emerged out of the car.
Inez whimpered under her breath as Hacker – The Hacker – stormed down the aisle to the food counter.
The young woman barely had time to leap out of his way. Everyone busied themselves eating, although their eyes followed the daunting dictator. Matt grabbed Inez and slid her in between himself and Slider, as though they could shield her with their bodies.
"Stupid Ledge." Hacker growled to himself. "Saying it's a good idea to re-visit places where I've already gone. What a dumb idea!"
"But Boss." Delete began tentatively. "If it's such a dumb idea, why did you say yes to do it?"
Hacker sighed impatiently. "You wouldn't understand, duncebucket."
"Okay, Boss." Delete replied quietly.
"Get me my usual." Hacker snapped. "I'm going to head to Radopolis instead of Smallsville, like I originally planned. This is going to throw my entire schedule off!"
The café worker hurriedly threw together Hacker's order and handed it to Delete before cowering behind the counter. With no snelfus exchanged, The Hacker and Delete took off.
After the car darted away, everyone took a deep breath of relief. Slider turned in alarm to Matt and Inez.
"We have to get back and clean out the safe house!" He hissed. "He'll get inside and find everything!"
Just then, the squackpad beeped. Matt quickly took it out, and Jackie's face filled the screen.
"Guys!" She grinned. Her excitement seemed to pour out of the pad. "We found him! We've found Drew Marberry!"