by Mel Todd
~What the… was that?~ Jamie asked even as Jessi fought her way awake on his other side. His mental voice tasted like ash and tears and Charley choked back a silent sob.
~I don’t know. But…~ he trailed off as knowledge and memories settled in. Suddenly he knew how to use a HUD, what the hand signals were, methods to escape capture, to track people through any terrain and how to use, tear apart, and repair the gun he had held as he so calmly killed other living creatures. ~Did you just…?~
~Yes~ came from two minds and Charley pulled them close. They curled up in his arms, one on either side, holding on to him as their protection in the storm of emotion that swamped them. Unsure if this new knowledge was neat or terrifying.
Or both.
Incoming
Sugared cereal, which has always been a favorite among children, has seen a reduction in overall sales. While it could be many factors, rumors from the boardrooms of Kellogg’s and General Mills are that both companies are scrambling to attract shifter children who seem to be going for more protein and complex carb based food. While Jimmy Dean is seeing sales spikes of their microwave friendly foods that are high in protein. Is this a new trend? And should parents everywhere watch what these children are eating and take their clues from them? ~TNN Trend watcher
It took them a while to fall back asleep, and part of Charley kept waiting for the next part of the dream. He sensed they hadn’t finished. It reminded him of a video game where they had reached a checkpoint but not finished the game. The problem was he didn’t know if he wanted to finish the game or not.
“Kids? It’s time to get up. I’m making breakfast. Lots of French toast.” Carina’s voice filtered through his restless sleep and he opened his eyes to see her outline in the doorway.
“Kay,” he said, his voice still thick with a restless night.
“Morning, Charley,” her voice had soft sympathy. “Get the other two up for me? You know how Jessi is in the morning.”
The teasing normality helped. Jessi hated mornings. If she had her preference she’d stay up all night. Jamie on the other hand already had stretched and started rolling out of bed at Carina’s voice. He headed to the bathroom already perky and ready to face the day.
Jessi whined and pulled the covers over her head and snuggled down deeper. It seemed so normal and it hurt because it wasn’t, nothing about this was normal.
“Jess, get up. Up. You know the adults will be over soon to talk to us. Maybe,” his voice caught, “maybe they’ve learned something?”
Her eyes shot open, and he could see reality slam back into her as tears welled in her eyes. She blinked rapidly and pushed her way out of the bed and covers. “Yeah.” She made to head for the bathroom but paused at his words.
“Jamie is in there now.”
“Oh.” She stood there for a moment wavering, then headed to her room, not looking back at him.
Charley wanted to be home with a fierceness that made his chest hurt. How could it be home already? But he knew McKenna’s was more of a home than anything else he’d ever had and he wanted it back.
By the time all three kids had brushed their teeth and found clothes, Carina had a tall pile of French toast waiting for them.
“Go on and take a seat at the table. I’ll bring it over, and I have sausage links in the oven.” Charley liked Carina. She never snapped like other baby sitters he’d had. She talked and played with them and their animal forms didn’t make her blink. Right now, she was the only adult he even had a little bit of faith in.
Sitting at the table she gave them each a glass of milk and juice, sausage links and French toast with lots of syrup and peanut butter. His favorite. They were silent as they ate, not the normal silence but something heavy and uncomfortable.
“So, Sergeant Holich will be over in a bit.” Carina’s voice broke the silence and Charley felt like his head had been yanked up by a string he looked at her so fast.
“Do they know anything, have they found them?” Though only his voice spoke, he could feel the twin’s backing of his words.
“No. I don’t know anything, I’m sorry.” Carina chewed on her lip then smiled at them, but he knew it wasn’t a real smile. “I know you’re worried, because I am too. But think about it. They took McKenna and JD. Do you really think those two will not do everything to get back here? And your mom?” She directed to Jessi and Jamie who had frozen mid-motion. “I know she’ll move the Earth to get back to you, so we just need to have faith they’ll get home.”
If they didn’t get killed.
The thought and image of the other lady cop, blood spreading across her back, flashed through his mind and he wasn’t hungry anymore. He put his fork down and pushed the food away.
Jessi and Jamie looked at him in horror and he flinched, realizing he’d shared that thought and image. He pushed it away, swallowing down the bitter liquid that rose in his throat.
“Okay.” He said and sat there. Playing held no interest and he didn't want to read. He just wanted McKenna back.
Carina smiled again, that same smile that hurt and made him feel a little bit better at the same time. “Come on. Help me with the dishes and I’ll rent a movie for you?” She seemed to understand none of them wanted to go outside.
Charley and the twins helped but his eyes kept getting drawn to McKenna’s phone laying on the counter. He hadn’t realized they’d brought it with them but now he couldn’t take his eyes off it. He knew it was hers, she had that special case with her credit cards and ID in it. She’d call it if she got free.
Carina held up her part of the bargain and as soon as the dishwasher started she rented a new Lego movie for them, one none of them had seen. They found their favorite seats, Charley and Jessi on the couch and Jamie sprawled out on the floor, a coloring book before him. Movies didn’t capture him as much as Jessi and Charley. He said his mind made better movies than what they watched but he never argued, just had something else to do.
They were about a quarter of the way in when the doorbell rang. The three of them flinched. McKenna and JD never came over without letting them know they were here via mind speak, so the doorbell startled them. Charley hit pause and they turned to look, bodies tight and waiting.
Sergeant Holich walked in, and they all sagged but they still got up and headed over to her.
“Hey kids.” She nodded at them, then paused awkwardly looking at Carina.
“You might as well tell them at the same time you tell me. They have excellent hearing and keeping information from them will just drive them up the wall.”
Charley could have hugged Carina right then and Jamie did. Carina wrapped her arm around him, while Jessi hung back, watching the Sergeant with narrowed eyes.
“If you’re sure?” Carina nodded so the cop continued. “We verified they were taken in a couple black vans. They were tracked to a small airport but the flight plan for the only planes that left that day were all fake. There were three that left about the same time yesterday. We are trying to track the planes but at this point we need to get the FBI involved to even get access to the information. Bottom line - we don’t know where they are. We don’t even know if they are in this country.”
Charley felt like someone had punched him in the stomach. He knew what it felt like. Gerry had hit him like that once, making him want to throw up and cry at the same time. He felt like that now.
“Crap. That isn’t good. What about Charley? He can stay here, it isn’t a big deal. I can get an emergency wavier for my summer classes but I might need a bit of help.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll -” the Sergeant broke off as McKenna’s phone rang and everyone froze looking at it.
Carina reached it first, hitting the speaker button. “Yes?”
“Ms. Largo? This is Roy Wallace, I wanted to come by for a wellness check on Charley. I am planning on being there in about an hour.”
The sick feeling that had grabbed Charley changed to icy fear, and he felt cold and shivery. A warm hand slip
ped into his and he looked down to see Jessi holding his hand.
~Don’t worry. You’re ours.~
The words helped but he watched the adults with wariness. McKenna had never lied to him and so far these adults hadn’t either, but the odds told him that everything was about to go horribly wrong.
“Mr. Wallace, this is Anne Holich. I work with McKenna. She is currently unavailable. Can you please come over to Toni Diaz’s house? Charley is here.” She provided the address in her calm, matter of fact voice, a voice that Charley didn’t trust.
“Is there an issue?” The man’s voice sharpened, and Charley fought to not grab the phone and hang up on him.
“I’d rather explain it in person.”
“Very well. I am not far from there. I should be there in ten minutes.” He hung up and the call disconnected.
“What are we going to tell him?” Carina asked her voice a bit higher than normal.
“The truth I guess. He’s trying to do his job, if we lie it could get a lot worse.”
Charley swallowed and felt Jessi squeeze his hand tightly.
“Why don’t you guys go finish watching the movie? You’ll be able to hear when he shows up.” Carina suggested. Jamie pulled away from her and headed back to his coloring book.
~What are we going to do?~ Jamie asked, pretending to be paying close attention to his book.
~You know he’ll take me away.~ Charley’s voice leaden and sad even in his mind.
~No, we won’t let him.~ Jessi growled her lips drawing back from her teeth. ~I won’t let him.~
~You won’t be able to stop him. Adults never listen.~ The heavy truth in his words made all of them go quiet. They watched the movie with no idea what the story was, just listening and waiting for the doorbell.
Crossroads
A new TV show called Solar Animals is hitting the air next week. A cartoon aimed at kids, it is the trials and complications of a boy named Jeffery who turns into a wolf and his sister Sarah who doesn’t. Insiders are telling us it should be a bit Scooby Doo, Rescue Rangers, and Lassie. My question is when are they going to do a reboot of Scooby Doo where Scooby is a shifter who got stuck in animal form and Shaggy shifts to play with him when the gang can’t see them. It would explain everything, especially the large amount of food they eat. ~TNN Entertainment
The ringing of the doorbell came as a relief. Charley didn’t know if he could have stood the stress anymore waiting for this. They were all up and clustered in the hall as Carina answered.
A man stood there, the one who’d talked to him. He hadn’t hated him but right now Charley couldn’t afford to trust.
“I’m Roy Wallace. Are you Anne Holich?”
Carina shook her head. “No, I’m Carina Watkins, nanny for the Diaz children. Please come in.” He walked in and Charley and the kids watched him, the TV completely forgotten.
He walked in, and Charley saw his eyes track over them in the living room even as the Sergeant waved him to the table. “I’m Anne Holich. Please take a seat and I’ll explain what is going on.”
His body tense and eyes tracking everywhere he sat down, folding his hands and looked at her. “Please, I’d like to know where Ms. Largo is.”
Anne cleared her throat. “Yesterday afternoon, as far as we can tell, McKenna, JD Davidson, Toni Diaz, and a Percival Alexander were taken by armed men. They did not manage to capture the children. At this time we still don’t know where they are.”
Roy sat back blinking. “You’re telling me armed men stormed her house, captured her and guests, but didn’t take the children? And you still don’t know who did it or have any information on getting them back?”
“At this time yes. But it hasn’t even been twenty-four hours at this point.” Her voice stayed calm and solid.
Carina flitted back and forth making Charley dizzy. She rarely stood still but even for her this was a bit more than normal.
“I knew as a police officer her life was slightly more risky than the norm. But this isn’t normal even for a police officer. Do you have any idea as to why?” Roy had his arms crossed, eyes focused on the Sergeant.
“No.” Anne sighed and leaned back. "She's been making lots of waves lately. Mostly by being who she is and damn good at her job." She shrugged. "So, it could be anything. The drug busts, her fame, heck her taking down the guys that kidnapped her the first time. And how sad is it I'm starting to count how many times she's been kidnapped?"
Roy snorted. "Very and it doesn't make me happy to have a child in her custody if this is happening. Dammit, technically she is still on probation."
Charley went very still, watching the adults like prey waiting for the predator to indicate which way to flee.
"It's not like she has been doing anything except her job." The Sergeant protested.
"I'm not saying she has. I'm saying her ward is now at risk due to unforeseen circumstances. And I can't have that." He turned and glanced at Charley. "Go get your stuff. I'll have to put you in one of our emergency locations."
"No," Carina protested. "He can stay with me. It isn't a big deal. The kids get along great."
"You aren't even their mother. As it is I should probably be doing something about that also." Roy pointed out and Charley thought his voice had a touch of something mean in it.
Carina though didn't back down, putting her hands on her hips and leaning towards him. "Don't even try it. I've got power of attorney and custody of the kids, per her will and emergency documents. You touch them and I'll press charges. "
Roy raised his hands. "Fine, so you're good with them but you aren't an authorized foster parent and I can't leave him. There isn't anything you can say. Charley go get your stuff while I make calls to find you a place."
Charley took one look at the Sergeant and Carina's face, who had a mutinous pout. The Sergeant just looked resigned.
~This is why I don't trust adults. They never do what they say. Nothing matters but the rules.~ His tone bitter as he headed to the room. He stopped two steps outside, his bag laying there. ~No. I'm not going with him, I'm not getting taken away from McKenna.~
Charley moved faster, grabbing his stuff, making sure he had everything stuffed into his bag.
~Jess, can you grab McKenna's phone? I'm going out the window. I'll get in touch when I can.~
~I'm going with you. You can't be on your own. Jamie, cause a distraction so I can get out with him.~
~You're not leaving me behind.~ Jamie protested. ~I've got McKenna's phone and I took the charger. They are still arguing. Carina is mad, but that man is still making calls.~
Charley wanted to protest that he couldn't look after two kids, but they weren't any younger than him, not really. Something was different about all of them but it didn't matter. He wasn't getting put in another home. He had a home.
~Fine. Give me your bags. You can get out the back gate, right?~
~Yes. I have to stand on a bucket, but I can get it.~ Jessi said.
~Then give me your bags, I'll drop everything out the window. Then you throw a fit, get everyone's attention as you go into the back. Slip out as soon as you can.~
Jamie as always offered the voice of reason. ~Where are we going?~
~I never told them where we hid, so let’s go back to the culvert. We ate plenty, and we can leave our stuff there. If we stay in animal form for a few days we should be fine.~ Even as he said it, he wasn't sure. But he'd gone hungry before. They could figure something out.
Jamie came into the bedroom, grabbed his little backpack and Jessi's and started to stuff clothes in them. ~She's going to distract them, and Carina will probably give her some jerky and granola bars to distract. I'll join her.~ Jamie looked up at him, those green eyes just as vivid as Jessi's but somehow more worried. ~Be careful. Don't leave us. She'll be pissed.~
~I’ll wait for you.~
She would but she wouldn't tell Charley that. That would not be acceptable.
They filled up the three bags, not that Charley had unpack
ed very much. They had some food, as shifting snack food had become a staple for their bags. He opened the window, dropping each bag. They had figured out long ago how to wear their bags in animal form but he figured they could get to the park from here before they needed to change to avoid the adults.
"But I don't want him to go! Charley needs to stay with us. We need him. Mom's gone so we need to keep Charley." Jessi's outraged shriek could be heard clearly as he dropped out the window and closed it behind him.
He crouched at the edge of the house, three bags with him. Time ticked by and he got more and more anxious, the need to run rising with every beat of his heart.
~Are you coming?~ He gave in and asked, his heart pounding and sweat beading at his hairline. They would have warned him if the adults figured it out, right?
~Yes. We're here.~ hands grabbing one of the bags accompanied the thought. He almost fell over as he tried to jump and spin around at the same time. Jessi had her bag, Dora the Explorer, and shoved a handful of granola and jerky in it.
Jamie did the same thing, though his was Magic School bus, and he had juice packs and some crackers and cheese.
~Ready?~
They both hoisted their backpacks into place and started out at a fast trot. All the running and playing as animals had put them in very good shape and the trot they set out at they could keep up for an hour or more. Almost by instinct they avoided anyplace cars could go. They didn’t talk until they had put a good two miles between them and the house.
~So where are we going?~ Jessi asked, but her tone implied she had ideas. ~To rescue mom and McKenna?~
Charley came to a stop so fast he almost fell over as he spun on Jessi.
“What in the world are you talking about? We can’t rescue them.”
Jessi had her stubborn look on her face and Charley got very worried.
“Jessi, you didn’t see them. They were all adults with scary dart guns and real guns on their belts. They took JD and McKenna without any trouble. They took two adults trained to stop bad guys. What do you think we are going to do?”