by Imogen Rose
Kellan’s eyes opened wide in shock.
“Yes, it wasn’t an easy decision, I’m sure, but he seems to have settled into the role like he was made for it.”
“What did your mom say?” he spluttered.
“She doesn’t know yet; she’s still in a coma.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah. Anyhow, Dad got a team together that included Trina. Come across her before?”
“No.”
“Well, she’s a piece of work, but she seems good at her job. They tracked you down and got a rescue troop together. I, of course, insisted on coming. David came as well.”
He gasped. “You were at the motel?”
“Yeah. Not that I was of much use. But I saw what happened.”
“Did you have to wear the uniform?”
“Yeah! How do you know about those?”
“Shrimp,” he said softly. “Didn’t that bring back any memories?”
“Well, I don’t know.” I recalled my flash of Kellan in that uniform, but I didn’t share it. “I did feel something. It’s really weird that you ask. What should I be remembering?”
“What did you feel?”
“I don’t know exactly. I felt like the uniform belonged to me, which is really silly. When I put it on, I felt kind of excited. Mostly it was a feeling that I had worn it before, but that can’t be. Can it?”
“Maybe more will come back to you in time. What did you actually see? I take it your dad didn’t let you be involved in the rescue itself?”
I rolled my eyes. “No, and I didn’t see much. David kept me hidden around a corner from the bedroom you were in. I could see flashes through a crack in the curtain, but not enough to tell what was going on. I did see who they–the Sigma-Ws–brought out with them.”
“Who?”
“Well, the first woman was big and very mad. I couldn’t tell much aside from that; it was pretty dark, and the light from the motel room was shining on them from the back as they walked out. From what you say, that was probably Madison. The next was an enormous man. Then a smaller woman, medium height, just walked out calmly.”
“Probably Dan and Sophie,” Kellan muttered.
“Then Simla and Raj came out. I could tell it was them by their shapes. Then finally, there was this man I didn’t recognize, but who felt familiar. There was something about his shape that made me think that I knew him, but I couldn’t make out anything much about him.”
“Was he really tall and well-built?”
“No, not at all. He was medium-sized, looked slightly chubby.”
“Hmm. Can’t think of anyone who fits that description.”
“Well, once they left, Dad told David and me to come inside the room. That’s when I saw you. All beat and tied up.” My voice shook as the image came flooding back.
“It’s okay, Shrimp. I’m fine, even my hotness will be restored soon.”
“It’s not funny, Kell. I thought I had lost you.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” He brushed my lips again, taking me by surprise.
A sharp knock on the door caused me to carefully wriggle out of Kellan’s arms and make a pretense of sitting up on the bed.
Nurse Grumpy walked into the room with a severe look on her face. “What are you doing?”
“Nothing. We were just talking.”
She glared at me as she held Kellan’s hand up so I could get off the bed. “Visiting hours are over,” she said sternly.
“Okay, I’ll go.” I turned to Kellan. “Kell, feel better. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I bent and kissed his forehead before leaving.
Gramadea was full of questions as we left the hospital. I tried to answer as best I could. By the time we got back to Alfred’s, having picked up Ella and Alexa on the way, I was shattered, not just physically but also emotionally. I lay down on the bed with images of David and Kellan flashing through my mind driving me bonkers. So I put a stop to them by focusing on my brother.
Group two had left with Dad while we were at the hospital. They were expected back by morning. Would they bring Harry with them? I could feel my eyes getting heavy, and I settled into sleep.
I was woken up by heavy footsteps marching into my room. I sat up in bed, ready to scream, when my head coiled back as someone smashed their very smelly body into my face.
“Shrimp! Sheesh, you had me worried to death!”
“Harry!” I put my arms around him and hugged him tight. “Put on the light so I can see you.”
He reached across me and pulled the cord to the bedside lamp. He looked good, much better than he smelled. “So, what happened?” he asked.
I crossed my arms resolutely. “Tell you in a minute. I want to know what happened to you first.”
He laughed. “It’s like that, is it?”
“Yeah!”
“Not much, to tell you the truth. I’ll give you the longer version in the morning. When you disappeared from the casino, I was transported to Potomal’s beach mansion in the Seychelles. I was ready to beat the living daylights out of whoever I came across, but when I arrived, Luna, one of Potomal’s daughters, was there. She’s cool, hardly someone I could take my frustrations out on. She basically told me that she’d been asked to look after me while I was a guest at her house. I told her I wasn’t a willing guest and that I wanted to go back home. She said she understood, but she had her orders to keep me there. I considered making a run for it, but the beach house was isolated with nothing but sand and water around. And I was fairly sure that although Luna was the only person I saw, there were others around who would help if I tried to escape. And I was right, as I found out when Dad arrived with the troops.”
“What happened?” I hoped Dad was okay.
“The Sigma-W stormed the place in the middle of the night. Dad pulled me off the bed and transported me back here. Imagine my surprise. Dad’s the leader! That’s just amazing and awesome at the same time. Amazome, as Ella would say. I’m guessing she’s asleep. I’m dying to see her.”
“Yes, and Cleopatra’s in her room, so I’m guessing it wouldn’t be a good idea to storm into it.” I smiled.
“Cleopatra?”
I laughed. “Yup, a guard dog, sweet as can be once you’ve done your boggly-woggly with her; until then, I’d stay away.”
“Boggly-woggly?”
I giggled. “I’ll show you in the morning.”
“Okay, now tell me what happened to you,” Harry said firmly, making himself comfortable on the bed.
I told the same story I had told Kellan, leaving out the embarrassing parts—like me making a run for it and that kiss… the one with David… and then the ones with Kellan at the hospital.
“Dad did tell me that Kellan was in the hospital,” he said when I finished. “I’m glad to hear that he’s feeling a bit better. I hope he can transport back with us tomorrow. I can’t wait to see Mom.”
“Me, too. I wish she would wake up.”
“Me, too,” he agreed solemnly. Then he got up and kissed me good night. I eased myself back to sleep.
When I got up the next morning and left my room, it was right into a busy basement. I had never seen it so full of people. I had a quick peek into Ella’s room–empty–before I headed to the kitchen. That was where everyone was assembled. I was late, as usual. The whole family was there, apart from Mom. It didn’t seem right.
“We’re heading back home after breakfast,” Dad said brightly, as I sat down next to Ella.
“Awesome! Any news about Mom?”
“Yes!” Ella said excitedly, her mouth full of strawberries. “The doctor told Dad she’s doing better!”
“How much better?” I looked over at Dad, throwing him a look; I didn’t want him to say anything that would dash Ella’s hopes.
“I’m not sure, but apparently Alfred’s doctors made a big difference.” Dad looked genuinely pleased.
“Can we go visit her before we go home?”
“That’s the plan, for you, me, Harry, and Ella,” Da
d confirmed.
“And Tallulah,” Ella quickly added.
I turned to David. “What about you?”
“I’m going home to see Dad.”
“When will you come back to Mountain View? I mean to our Mountain View?”
“I’ll come for a visit in a couple of days.”
I nodded. “What about Kellan? Is he well enough to travel?”
“Yes. He’s got the all-clear. We’re going to admit him into the hospital at home overnight, though, just to be on the safe side. Larry’s been discharged, but he’s at the hospital waiting for Kellan.”
“What about Cleopatra?” Ella glanced over at the huge dog who was munching down on bacon with Tallulah by her side.
“Honey, we can’t take her. She belongs to Alfred. This is her home.”
“I know, but I think Tallulah will be sad.” Ella looked woeful.
“You’ll have to make sure to smother her with love and attention,” Gramadea said.
“I will. Do you think Cleo can visit sometime, like for a playdate?”
“Maybe, I’ll see what I can do.”
“Right, is everyone ready?” Dad looked around the table. We all nodded. “Dad, Mom, what are you going to do?”
“We’re heading back to HQ to wait for you. You have some business to take care of,” Granddad said. “Then Mom and I are off to Japan for a while.”
“Sounds great! Okay, kids. Come with me.”
After we said our goodbyes, we walked to the conference room where three Sigma-Ws–one each for me, Harry, and Ella–waited for us. Dad obviously didn’t need help anymore. Dad picked up Tallulah. The three Sigma-Ws positioned themselves and put their hands on our shoulders. And then we were off.
I decided that I would go over and see Kellan right after I had seen Mom. I wondered what Dad’s unfinished business was. It probably had something to do with Raj. He had all those people in custody. What was he going to do with them? I might never find out. I guessed Dad would have a lot of Sigma-W business to deal with in the future, and it would take him away from us. I hoped it wouldn’t be too much. I liked my life in Mountain View too much to offer to move to the Sigma-W HQ, wherever that was.
I landed on the hard, uncarpeted floor of Mom’s hospital bedroom, and opened my eyes. Everyone else was by her bedside, already blocking my view of her. I rushed over to get a look. As I peered over Dad’s shoulder, I got the shock of my life.
“Arizona!”
Mom was sitting up in bed looking like her usual self. Ella was cuddled up under the blanket with her, with Tallulah lying in her lap.
“Mom! You’re awake! When?”
“I’m not really sure, a couple of hours ago. I feel quite muddled. The doctors explained that I was in an accident and was in a coma.”
“So did you just wake up, or did the doctors help you?”
“I gather that I had a lot of help,” she said gratefully, looking around at the nurse.
“Mom, can you come home with us?” Ella whispered.
“I think so, and there’s no need to whisper! I’m feeling just fine.” She gave Ella a hug.
“Now, you tell me what’s been happening here?” Mom asked, her eyes twinkling.
Well, if Mom was expecting a summary of theater performances and Jonas Brothers’ updates, she was mistaken. We all held our breath as Ella opened her mouth.
She didn’t stop for fifteen minutes. We watched all the different emotions wash over Mom’s face as she looked from Rupert to Harry and me, trying to absorb everything. No one spoke as Mom furrowed her brow at Dad.
“I’m not sure I understand….”
“It’s okay, Ollie. A lot has happened, but everything will be fine, I promise.” He squeezed her hand.
“But you’re the leader? How will that affect us?”
“As little as I can possibly make it. I want you to be a part of my Sigma-W life, though, as much as you can.”
She nodded. “I guess. This is so hard to take in. Ella said Larry was hurt?”
“Yes, but he’s fine now, and Kellan will be as well. Look, here comes Larry now.” Dad looked past me toward the door. I turned around to see a beaming Dr. Fox walk in.
“Larry! How are you?” Mom sat up straight so she could see him.
“Good! I’m so relieved to see you up. How are you feeling?”
“A bit overwhelmed. Ella told me about Kellan. How is he?”
“Recovering nicely. He’s next door, and he’s asking for your elder daughter.”
“Mom?”
“Yes. Go, Arizona.” She smiled.
I walked into Kellan’s room feeling slightly hesitant. I had left him rather abruptly after having kissed him when his nurse had come in. I was conflicted about the kiss. I guessed he’d just needed the comfort of the closeness. Yet it had made me dizzy and longing for more. He was probably back to normal again and had probably felt nothing but sore from the kiss. I decided to pretend like it had never happened. We were buddies, after all.
I opened the door to his room and looked toward the hospital bed in trepidation, hoping that the transport hadn’t made Kellan any worse. My heart skipped a beat. Two beats. I gazed into Kellan’s eyes as he held me spellbound. He was perched on the corner of the bed wearing his jeans and black biker jacket. His nose was still covered in a bandage, and his face was covered in small band-aids, but he still took my breath away. My whole body tingled when his mouth broke into a smile, sending my stomach twisting.
“Kell, you look… good,” I said, my throat all raspy.
“And you look beautiful,” he said softly, walking toward me.
EPILOGUE
I was seriously pissed off. I lifted my stick, glared at the puck, and then slammed it as hard as I could into the goal. Then, I skated behind the goal and back up to the end of the line. It was our last practice session before the big tournament. David should be here. He was supposed to be the captain.
“Good going, A!” Phil turned around and thumped me on the shoulder. “Ready for the game tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“What’s up with David? Is he going to be playing, or are you captaining?”
I shrugged. I didn’t have a flipping clue. David had just taken off, in the middle of a make-out session! One minute we were kissing, and the next his phone rang, and that was it. He’d turned around and fled like his boxers were on fire. Then he hadn’t even bothered to call me for ages and when he did it had been a short call. It was a totally dumpable offense.
Something was going on, though. He’d sent Morena over to my house to hang out with me for a while. She said that Kevin was in danger again, that Dan and Sophie were back. She’d told me that David was over at her place, so I’d caved and called him. That was when it got worse.
A girl had picked up the phone, my age by the sound of her hello. That was all she said before I had spoken and asked for Morena-deciding not to ask for David just in case something was going on. She clammed up as soon as she heard my voice. I could tell she was still there because I could hear her breathing. What was up with that? Why was she scared to talk to me? Was David cheating on me? I found that hard to even imagine, but the question had to be asked. I wasn’t about to become one of those stupid girls who lived in a delusional world, thinking their boyfriends could do no wrong. I had asked him when the girl finally passed him the phone. He’d blown me off with a vague explanation, which I hadn’t even listened to; I was so creeped out by the whole situation. I hadn’t let him have it, though. I just couldn’t bring myself to fight with him, not over the phone anyway.
I was back in the front of the line again. It was my turn to jam the puck into the goal, which I did just before Coach blew his whistle.
I started skating toward the bleachers, but came to a dead stop when I saw David standing by Coach. He was back. I turned away from them, skated to the other exit, and rushed to the changing room.
David was leaning against the wall outside when I came out. I ignored the ur
ge to wrap my arms around him, opting instead to glare daggers at him as I walked right past him.
“Hey, Arizona! Hold up.” He came up behind me and put his hand on my shoulder. I shook it off, turning around and staring at him. His smile turned into a deep frown as he held my gaze. “I’m sorry–very sorry. I thought I explained it, though. You seemed to be all right about it when we spoke.”
I kept glaring.
“Hon, talk to me. What can I do to make it up to you?”
“Nothing!” I spat at him. I was so tired of people walking out on me. Dad did it all the time. Now David? I wasn’t going to put up with it. Better not to have a boyfriend than to have one I couldn’t rely on. I turned around and started stomping off.
He slid my hockey bag off my shoulder, putting it on his. Then he followed me to the parking lot. Phil was waiting to give me a ride home.
“Hey, David! Where have you been? Playing tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I sure am. Can you give me a lift as well?”
“Sure, hop in!”
Thankfully, Phil prattled on about our three-day tournament in Boston the entire drive. We were traveling the next morning, and the whole team was pumped. We made it to my house in no time, and David got out with me. I walked inside to Gertrude throwing herself at me. Then she made her way to David and covered him in doggie drool. He sat down on the sofa with Gertrude in his lap. He showed no signs of leaving.
“Where’s your dad?”
“Guess?” In Atlantic City, as usual, but I didn’t have to tell him that. I rolled my eyes and sat in the armchair opposite him.
“Hon, I’m really sorry.” He blinked, raised his eyebrows, and made puppy eyes at me.
I tried not to let that wear down my scowl. I intensified my grumpy look. He exaggerated the puppy-eye thing even further, so much so that he looked ridiculous. I couldn’t stop my lips from twitching.
He stood up with Gertrude still in his arms and strode over to sit on the arm of my chair. He put Gertrude in my lap. Then he bent down and kissed my head.
I didn’t want to be angry with him. I wanted him to be perfect. I wanted him to have a really good explanation. I looked up and whispered, “Explain.” Then I sat back in the armchair and listened. I listened to David tell me that his dad had been abducted by Dan and Sophie, that they had tied him up and been violent with him. By the end of his story, I had a lump in my throat. “Is he okay now?”
