by Tina Chan
Troop, Chelsa and Finn followed her example with Dr. Hanson, Jaiden and Finn’s parents looking on with great interest. Finn, the last Natural to scan his finger, removed his thumb from the slate and two icons appeared on the screen.
One of the icons was a blue folder with the words Disappearance Case labeled on it; the second icon looked identical to the first except the words Individualism Case were written on it.
“Of course,” Finn’s mom murmured. “Those are the cases Shelly and Kyle were working on for the last five years. It only makes sense for them to want Kristi to complete them.”
Kristi tapped on the Disappearance Case icon and a document popped up. She shifted into a comfier position on the sofa and started to read:
Case: The Disappearance Case
Assigned Member (s): Kyle and Shelly
Note: Kristi, if you are reading this, then we (Maria and Don) must either be dead or as good as dead. You have been a wonderful daughter to us and we regret we couldn’t have spent more time together. Nevertheless, if you have gotten ahold of this electro-slate, then you must know about the Revealers. We hope you forgive us for keeping this part of our lives a secret from you and Jaiden. If you have unlocked this slate (which you obviously have if you’re reading this), then you must’ve found the other three Naturals. Best of luck in completing the cases we have left behind.
Situation: Where are the Accidents disappearing? Every year, thousands of Accidents, most under a month old, disappear from the records without a trace. Why is the government collecting them and where are they keeping them?
Information gathered:
• All Accidents—save the Naturals—are under two months when they disappear
• People who have questioned where the Accidents are died shortly afterwards
• Stevey is more than he seems
ѻ Stevey probably knows where the missing Accidents are; the only problem is getting him to talk
• Possible locations where the Accidents may be found:
ѻ San King, East Region
ѻ Waterfront, West Region
ѻ Klisbury, East Region
Kristi finished reading and no one spoke for a moment. The sound of Ghost’s tongue rasping as he washed his paws was amplified a hundredfold in the otherwise soundless room.
It was Kristi who spoke first. “But that still doesn’t explain why there are four Naturals. Any member of the Revealers could’ve completed this case.”
“Read the second file,” Troop suggested.
She exited the document and selected the Individualism Case. Then she started to read once more:
Case: The Individualism Case
Assigned Member(s): Kyle and Shelly
Situation: Many would argue that humanity has become perfected with science. Diseases and conditions such as cancer, stroke and heart attacks are unheard of. Everyone is more or less genetically perfect. Or are they? Has the human race forgotten what perfect is? The truth is, while it may be true that people nowadays have perfect vision, faster learning skills and better physiques than before, the overwhelming majority of the population has forgotten how to think for themselves; they have accepted “perfect” as who they are; no one has individual opinions anymore. This may cause serious problems in the future as the population has a standardized mindset, thus allowing everyone to be manipulated easily. However, what is most troubling is that the human race seems to have forgotten “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” “Perfection” is merely an opinion, not a state of being. The people have to be reminded that having genetically perfect DNA does not make the human race perfect if their minds and humanity are growing weaker.
Solution: We (Kyle and Shelly) have requested four babies with unaltered DNA to be brought up as normally as possible. The Revealers have agreed to provide protection to these four kids to ensure their survival (Tiffany Mendax is in charge of this). It is our goal for these four Naturals, as we have dubbed the four kids, to grow up as normally as possible and in time, show the world it is our differences that make the world a more interesting place. The Revealers have been relentlessly recruiting more followers and members since this project was launched. To date, there are roughly 125,000 Revealer members worldwide.
“125,000 members,” Kristi said. “That’s quite a lot of people.”
“Not really, if you consider there are over three billion people in the world,” Finn said.
“I’m sure the Revealer’s numbers have grown though,” Finn’s dad said.
Dr. Hanson nodded. “Last time I checked, which was about two weeks ago, our numbers were up to 500,000. Tiffany’s been a charm recruiting members.”
Then out-of-the-blue, realization dawned on Kristi. They were expected to fulfill these two tasks left by her parents. Four—five if counting Jaiden—teenagers were expected to fulfill two cases started several years ago.
Troop must’ve caught her thoughts because he said, “This is a lot to take in. Are we actually going to attempt to complete the two cases?”
“Of course we are,” Kristi said, her own words sounding uncertain even to her own ears. “Well, at least I will at any rate.”
“Count me in,” Troop said.
“And me,” Finn added.
“Chelsa?” Kristi prompted.
“Sure.”
Ghost purred his approval.
“Then I’m in as well,” Jaiden concluded.
Finn’s mom interrupted, “As sure as I am of the fact that the five of you are willing to finish the Disappearance and Individualism Case, I must say that is not going to happen.”
Finn’s dad nodded gravely. “You’re too young and inexperienced to be working cases as important as these two. It would be better if the assignments were turned over to other, more seasoned Revealer agents.”
“Mom, Dad,” said Finn, “shouldn’t that decision be up to Kristi to decide? After all, it was her parents who specifically gave her the two cases to complete.”
“Kristi has absolutely no knowledge in this sort of work,” his mom said. She turned to Kristi and said, “No offense.”
“None taken.”
But, she agreed with Finn; it was her right to choose whether she passed on the tasks Maria and Don had left her to better qualified people or not. I mean, I did just cross the entire country to unlock this electro-slate; I don’t want someone else to decide what to do with the contents on the slate.
“Derek and Mellany are viable candidates to work on the cases,” Finn’s mom said to the other adults in the room.
Her husband made an agreeable sound, adding, “Yes. Kelvin and Tom may be interested in this as well. What do you say, Dr. Hanson?”
“I agree with Finn,” said Dr. Hanson, startling everyone by siding with the kids. “It was clearly stated in their wills that Kristi is to receive this electro-slate containing information on the Disappearance and Individualism cases. Kyle and Shelly are smart people; they wouldn’t have done such actions without a good reason.”
Finn’s mom gave a curt nod. “I can see your reasoning, Dr. Hanson, but that does not mean I have to agree with it.”
Dr. Hanson acknowledged her opinion. Then he faced Kristi and said, “The law’s on your side if you decide to take on these two cases. Your parents unmistakably stated this electro-slate is to be for you to inherit. Because the files for the Disappearance and Individualism cases are on the slate, technically, they belong to you as well.”
“Kristi isn’t eighteen yet,” Finn’s mom interjected.
“That fact is irrelevant,” said Dr. Hanson. “I will do everything in my power to ensure you succeed if you choose to complete the two cases. I have many useful connections, so feel free to give me a call if you’re ever in a sticky situation.”
Neither of Finn’s parents looked happy, but they didn’t say anything either. I guess Dr. Hanson was right; the two cases legally belong to me, Kristi thought.
“I want to carry out the two cases,” she said.
�
�I beg you to think over your decision. You’re still young and will make impulsive choices,” said Finn’s dad. He perched at the edge of the couch, wringing his hands.
Kristi replied in a heartbeat, “I’m not changing my mind.”
“Fine,” said Finn’s mom. “I can’t tell you what to do. However, Finn isn’t coming with you, and I am legally entitled to prevent him from leaving this household.”
“Mom,” moaned Finn.
His mom glared at him. Luckily, Dr. Hansom came to their rescue once more.
“Jacqueline,” he said in his soft voice. “Do what you think is best for the greater good. I realize that you love your son, but sometimes love is also about letting go, not just holding on.”
Finn’s mom abruptly stood up. “Fine,” she said, not sounding fine at all. “Do what you will.” She left the room.
Finn’s dad looked at the doorway, as if wishing he could escape the room with his wife.
After what seemed like eons, he said, “Finn, your mother and I will deeply regret seeing you depart on this risky business if you choose to. But if that is what you want to do, I won’t do anything to stop you.”
“Thanks for understanding,” Finn said.
“No problem, son.”
Finn didn’t need to voice his answer out loud. They all knew he was coming with them.
“Finn, will you show the guests the spare bedrooms?” asked his dad in a somber tone.
Finn lightly hoisted himself up from the couch and grabbed his crutches, which were leaning against the wall. “This way.”
Thoughts whirled around Kristi’s brain like a blender set on high.
“Which case should we start on?” she asked.
“Probably the Disappearance Case,” Jaiden said. “It seems to be the most feasible case to complete.”
“Wake up.” Chelsa roughly shook Kristi awake.
Kristi directed her groggy eyes at the clock: 3:26am.
“What the heck?” she whispered.
“We have to go. Jaiden and Troop are already up. I have to go wake up Finn now. Hurry up and get dressed.”
She snagged Chelsa by the arm. “Why?”
“Look, I don’t have time to explain. We’re already six minutes late; waking Jaiden took longer than I expected.”
“I’m not heading outside at half past three in the morning without a good reason,” Kristi said. “Do you know how much trouble we will be in if we’re caught outside?”
“Alright, I’ll explain briefly,” said Chelsa impatiently. “I received an instafication notifying us there was someone who had something that could help aid us in completing one of the cases. The person’s meeting us at Jabber Boulevard at 3:20.”
“Doesn’t this seem a bit vague and skeptical? We haven’t even known about the cases for a day and we’re already being offered help in the middle of the night? Tell the person we’ll meet him or her during the day and at a place where we decide to meet.”
Chelsa let out a frustrated sigh. “Look, don’t you think we could use all the help we can get? The person said he wouldn’t be around tomorrow since he’s leaving Oppidum as soon as he hands us whatever he has to give.”
Jaiden entered the room with Troop.
“Ready to go?” he asked.
“Can you go wake Finn up while I try to convince Kristi to get out of bed?”
Jaiden left in search of Finn’s room.
“Should I find Ghost?” Troop asked.
“Nah,” said Chelsa, then she turned back to Kristi, probably ready to yank her out from beneath the blankets by force if needed.
Kristi had already pulled on a hoodie was lacing up her sneakers though. Might as well get this over with, she thought.
“Oh good, you’ve finally come about to your senses,” Chelsa muttered.
Her shoulders bunched up with tension and Kristi began to doubt herself for agreeing to meet this mysterious person in the middle of the night. As far as Kristi was concerned, meeting strangers at three in the morning usually didn’t end well.
Jaiden returned to the room with Finn within five minutes.
“Let’s get going,” he said. “Chelsa, you said you know how to get to Jabber Boulevard, right?”
“Yes.”
Chelsa tried to leave the room, but Ghost blocked the doorway.
“Ghost, can you please move?” she asked.
Ghost raised his hackles and hissed at Chelsa. Kristi had never seen Ghost act so aggressive to her before.
“Don’t make this any harder than it is,” Chelsa said to Ghost in a low voice, prodding him with her foot in attempt to get him out of the way.
Ghost spat disdainfully and stalked away in a huffy manner.
Finn unlocked the backdoor and the five of them stepped out into the crisp night. Kristi was extra glad of the thick sweatshirt she had pulled on when a stiff breeze blew through.
“How far away is Jabber Boulevard?” she whispered.
“About a ten minute walk.”
The roads were eerie and void of life. Oppidum had transformed from a lively metropolitan to an abandoned city within hours. Chelsa seemed to want to say something several times while walking, but kept changing her mind last minute. Kristi wondered if she was regretting rousing them up to meet a stranger in the middle of the night.
“Oh, I recognize where we are,” Finn said. His voice sounded freakishly loud in the unoccupied roads. “Jabber Boulevard is only two streets away.”
They turned right at the end of the avenue and the street sign for Jabber Boulevard came into view. Chelsa, who had been leading the group the whole time, paused in her steps without a warning and spun around. Kristi took a hasty step back to avoid colliding face first into her.
“Are there patrols?” Kristi asked.
“No. Let’s go back to Finn’s house.”
“You’re kidding,” Troop said. “You dragged us out at three-something in the morning only to turn back now without even seeing if we can receive some help with the case.”
“No, I’m not kidding. Let’s go.”
“At least give us a good reason why we should turn back now,” said Jaiden.
“I lied.” Chelsa’s eyes evaded Jaiden’s.
“I don’t understand,” said Jaiden.
“There is no one waiting for us at Jabber Boulevard. At least no one that you would want to meet. Unless you want to be caught by the United Region Homeland Security law enforcers.”
“Are you saying you led us straight into an ambush?” Kristi said, not believing what Chelsa was telling her.
“Yes—get behind those recycle bins!”
Chelsa shoved Kristi behind several bins sitting by the curb just as someone walked off of Jabber Boulevard. Then she walked away from the bins and towards the person.
“Chelsa, good to see you,” the person greeted her. The woman was dressed all in black, from her combat boots to her helmet.
“Greetings, Officer Zala,” Chelsa replied.
Officer Zala frowned. “You’re late by over fifteen minutes. And where are the others you promised you would bring? My people have been waiting for over an hour now.”
“I’m sorry. I thought I could convince the others to follow me with the fake instafication I sent myself. I was wrong though; they weren’t willing to break curfew.”
Zala ground her teeth, whether out of frustration or anger, Kristi couldn’t tell.
“I expected better of you,” Zala said. “I will call my men off duty then. Remember, the faster you bring the other freaks to us, the faster you’ll get what you want. I will be awaiting your next instafication and updates.”
“Is that all there is?” Chelsa asked.
Officer Zala gave a sharp nod and left. A few minutes later, three black vans pulled out of Jabber Boulevard and then roared off. Kristi quivered, thinking how close they had been with getting caught.
She looked at Troop, Jaiden and Finn, trying to gauge how they were handling this rapid turn of events. Troop a
nd Finn seemed shocked; Troop’s jaw was tightly clenched, trying to hold back his fury of Chelsa’s betrayal. Jaiden was deathly still.
Kristi was glad Chelsa had a sudden change of heart and decided not to turn them in to the government. On the other hand, she was shaking with anger; Chelsa had the nerves to fake a friendship with her.
Chelsa started coming back towards them. Kristi had a lot of acrimonious words in store for her.
“How could you?” she asked. “I trusted you.”
Chelsa refused to meet her eyes and looked down at the ground. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to. Nothing went as planned. I didn’t know this was the way things would turn out.”
“Sorry doesn’t change the fact that you almost killed us,” Jaiden snapped.
Ghost appeared out of the night and looked up at Chelsa.
“You’re right and I’m wrong, Ghost,” she said.
Chelsa reached down to scratch Ghost behind the ears. Ghost closed his eyes and rumbled.
Suddenly Kristi understood why Ghost and Chelsa had been in a fight; Ghost knew Chelsa was planning on betraying them. He had been trying to signal Chelsa not to turn them in.
“Let’s head back,” Finn said. “No point in staying out any longer than we need to.”
“Okay,” Kristi said, and then she faced Chelsa who still wasn’t meeting her eyes. “You have a lot of explaining to do once we get back to Finn’s house.”
“I promise I’ll explain everything.”
“You’re promises aren’t worth a lot to me right now,” Jaiden retorted. He sounded furious and wounded at the same time.
They speed-walked in an uncomfortable silence. The walk back to Finn’s home seemed both quicker and slower than before. Finn unlocked the door to the house and everyone slipped inside silently so as not to wake up the adults.
They headed into the living room and Kristi adjusted the lights to the dimmest setting. Jaiden, Troop and Kristi sat together on a couch while Finn remained standing by the doorway. Chelsa settled on the ottoman; the whole setup reminded Kristi of an interrogation being taken place.
