Inez and Digit were going over the details of the plan with Dr. Marbles. Matt headed outside and collapsed on the front step, staring at the setting sun sullenly.
He felt the door open behind him, and someone came over to sit next to him. He didn't move, hoping that they would just go after a little while.
"They're doing a pretty brave thing." Shari Spotter said next to him. "Aren't you proud?"
"I'm very proud." Matt muttered.
"You must also be terrified." Shari added. "I know I would be."
"No offense, Shari, but you really don't understand." Matt mumbled. "I just kind of want to be alone right now."
Shari nodded as though she was agreeing, but she didn't move. "Matt, explain it to me. I want to understand."
Matt leaned back on his hands. He sighed heavily. "It's just…I don't know. I mean, Hacker has always been such a huge threat. I was always the one who took take care of everything, you know? I'm the oldest. I always made sure that we were safe, and that we weren't going to be found, and that Hacker didn't have a clue that we were here. Now…"
"Now it feels like you're failing." Shari finished for him.
Matt nodded. He didn't feel like saying anything, now that his biggest fears had been spoken aloud.
They sat in silence for a few moments, before he shook his head. "What if they get hurt? What is Hacker finds them? What if the entire plan gets messed up? Shari, this is too dangerous!"
Shari put a comforting hand on his arm. "It's just as dangerous as living on a farm in plain sight."
"It's not the same thing." Matt insisted.
"Yes, it is." Shari promised. "It's exactly the same thing."
Meanwhile, Jackie was in her room, with the door shut. She was sitting on her bed, clutching the blanket tightly, trying not to let her tears fall.
She heard the door ease open, but she didn't look up.
"Hey, Jacks." Slider murmured, coming to sit next to her. "Are you okay?"
"No, I am not okay." Jackie burst out. "How can I let them do this? Inez and Digit are so young! They don't have the…the abilities to pull this off. It's too dangerous for them. What if something happens? What if Hacker finds them? What if they get hurt? What if we can't get to them? What if they get trapped? What if they can't get out again? What if –"
"What if it works and we save Cyberspace?" Slider interrupted.
Jackie fell silent.
"Jackie, I promise, what they're about to do is no more dangerous than what you and Matt have been doing for the last two years. I know you've been taking care of them for so long, but I think it's about time you let the two of them go free." Slider gently tugged the blanket out of her grasp.
"I don't know if I can." Jackie whispered.