Falling by J Bennett

Author:J Bennett [Bennett, J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: J Bennett
Published: 2012-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 27

Gabe and Tarren hole up in what Gabe refers to as “The Fox Cave” and what I refer to as the weird-smelling room in the basement where an old projector and a big map of the country sit on two rickety card tables pushed together.

I am not invited to this conference, so, with dignity, I lay flat against the sticky linoleum in the kitchen and listen through the floor as Gabe presents the evidence, and the brothers develop a plan to track and kill the angel.

This part takes fifteen minutes. The next half hour is spent arguing about me.

“We have to watch her at all times,” Tarren insists.

“Why are we going over this again? I get it,” Gabe retorts.

“Gabe, she could lose control at any moment. You have to realize that. Anything could set her off. We need to take her to Lo.”

Gabe’s voice jumps an octave. “She’s not a lab animal; she’s our sister. Plus, I hate that little fucker.”

“We need to know the extent of the change, what exactly we’re dealing with.”

Their words echo in my mind, growing loud and mean: lab animal, dealing with, anything, anything, anything could set her off.

“…develop a cure,” Tarren is saying. “Come on, we’re wasting time.”

“Tarren,” Gabe says, and in the silence that follows, I can only imagine that the brothers are exchanging one of those powerful looks that they keep in reserve for taut moments like this. When Gabe speaks again, his voice is so low I almost miss his words.

“She’s trying real hard,” he says.

“I know,” Tarren replies. He pauses. “But that doesn’t change the risk she presents.”

I roll over on my back and stare at the cracks racing across the ceiling. There is a wild banshee scream building inside me, fueled by Tarren and so many other things, but mostly Tarren. I wrestle it down, try to let the wretched notes seep out of my body. The basement stairs groan as the brothers climb up.

* * *

Our first mission. I’m not sure what to expect. Dramatic theme music? An extensive scene where the boys change into high-tech fighting costumes? Tarren narrowing his eyes and growling “let’s go” and stomping the gas so hard that the tires squeal?

Instead, Tarren backs us out of the driveway with his usual restraint, stops at each stop sign and turns on his blinker even when no one is around. Gabe munches on a PowerBar, reclines his seat back and puts his feet up on the dashboard.

“Off,” Tarren says.

“What?” Gabe whines but his feet slide off.

A little while later, he looks out the window. “Farewell to Farewell,” he calls as we turn onto the highway and the little town recedes quickly behind us.

“Money,” I say before any silence can get a foothold.

“You need some?” Gabe asks.

“How do you make money?”

“That’s all me.” Gabe looks at his brother, grins. Tarren remains silent, but his energy ticks with hints of orange.

“I’m assuming some sort of fraud here,” I say.

“What?” Gabe turns in his seat to look at me with feigned offense.

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