The Zodiac of PRA IV: The Return
Chapter 34
Aaron Kwok – Ted Kwong aka Libra
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Bobby Au Yeung - Charles Lam aka Chuck
Esther Kwan – Evelyn Fong
Dicky Cheung – Chris Wong
Ekin Cheng – Ethan Chan
Flora Chan - Julie Wu
The anesthetic medicine slowly wore off as she began to have feeling back in her face. Julie’s eyes opened and she realized she was sitting in a dark room, with only one candle that gave light to the room. She was leaning on something “You’re awake.”
His voice brought a chill down her spine as she moved away “Chris.” Julie whispered fearfully.
“You look just as beautiful as I remember.” His voice haunted her every worst nightmare.
“What do you want?” she moved herself off the couch and away from him. She didn’t see the figure behind the desk.
“That question is irrelevant.” The male voice spoke up, startling her. She turned to him but could not make out the silhouette “Chris, why did you bring her back alive? I thought I told you specifically to kill them?”
Chris stood up to Julie’s defense “I’m sorry Sir, but I couldn’t do it. I love her.” He said simply as if it was a reason for not doing his job.
“We had a plan, Chris.” The man reminded him.
“I know. I promise it won’t happen again. Julie will not rat us out, right?” he asked her with widened eyes. Even in the dark, she could picture the haunting face. Nodding, she muttered obediently.
Her heart racing as she waited for him to acknowledge her stomach. If he saw, he might change his mind knowing that it belonged to Michael “Even if she doesn’t, her husband will.” The man said “Leave it up to your men to screw this up for us!” he growled, “Michael is in a coma at the hospital. If he wakes up, our plans will be ruined.”
“He won’t wake, I promise that much.” Chris said with a snarling smile.
She tried hard not to show fear for he would sense her easily. Instead, she listen to the rhythmic beating sound of her child in her stomach to calm her “Mommy…I want my mommy…” a tiny feeble voice called from the corner of the room.
Instinctively Julie turned to the voice and walked towards it when the male in behind the desk stopped her “What do you think you’re doing?!”
Chris turned to his boss pleadingly “Sir—”
“She sounds like she has a fever.” Julie cut in “There must be a reason why you took her and whatever it is, I think you need her alive.”
He smiled proudly at Julie while the boss reluctantly allowed her to get near Bonnie “Take them in the cold room.”
The guards nodded as they took Julie and Bonnie into another room where they kept the temperature at least forty degrees Celsius. She saw the face of the little girl, she was delirious and burning with a fever. The cold room probably made her that way. Bringing the girl onto her lap, she used the only blanket they left for them and wrapped it around Bonnie’s body “Mommy…” she whispered over and over.
“Shh…it’s okay. No one will hurt you as long as I’m here.” Julie hushed.
Maybe it was motherly instinct that Bonnie felt as she cuddled into her warm arms and fell quick to sleep. Sighing, Julie looked around the dim room, there was no way out. She didn’t know whether to be thankful that Chris was obsessed with her or that she was able to stay alive to keep the little girl alive. She didn’t know who the girl was but she could only guess she was related to the team somehow.
*************
Erin’s head was rested on Michael’s bedside while Ted took the only couch in the room. He watched her sleep and every so often, her eyes would twitch, she might be dreaming he thought. And she was, she dreamt of Luke’s murder. They were chasing him into a dead end and slashed him until he was drained of blood. She watched helplessly as if frozen in the spot.
“Erin…Erin?” Ted shook her when she began muttering incoherent words.
“No…no!” she cried before snapping her eyes open. She looked around and realized where she was and it was only a dream “I’m sorry…was I too loud?”
Ted knelt down in front of her “No. What were you dreaming of?”
Erin didn’t know if she should tell him “Nothing.” She managed to say in the end “What time is it?”
“Ten.” He smiled “I think you should go home, I’ll stay here with Michael.”
“No. Matt said there should always be two of us here.” Erin covered a yawn.
“That’s it. I’m calling Matt to change a new person. You’re obviously tired.” Ted stood up and called into headquarters. They were sending over Becca “Go home and rest. She’ll be here in five minutes.”
Erin nodded slowly, she was exhausted with little rest in the past few days. When she left the hospital, she suddenly thought about her uncle. They had forgotten about Eve, who was also on the list. She called Chuck and found he was at the shooting range, teaching a course “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
“What’s your rush?” he asked “You miss your favorite uncle?” he teased with his signature chuckle.
"You are my only uncle." she laughed.
When she got there, her nerves calmed when she saw the class was filled with a younger crowd, no one looked dangerous or ready to attack. She found him hovering over a female student while showing her how to use the gun properly. Erin shook her head with a smile as she approached the two of them slowly and cleared her throat loudly.
Chuck turned abruptly “Erin. You want to take a shot?”
She smiled “No, it would feel strange if my Uncle touched me like that.” She nodded to the earlier scene which she disrupted. The woman turned and Erin quickly felt embarrassed “Eve?”
“Hi Erin. Chuck was just giving me a few pointers. He’s a great teacher you know.” She said with a grin that said she was proud.
“So I’ve heard.” Erin smiled “Excuse us for a minute.” She pulled Chuck away before he had a chance to decline “When did you start?”
“Teaching? A month or two.” He answered.
“No, I meant with Eve.” She whispered.
Chuck grinned, “Oh, I’m not really sure if we’re actually dating. But she’s showing up in my class at least three times a week.”
Erin nodded “I see. Has anything…strange happened lately?”
He shook his head “You mean about the list.” She nodded “No, peaceful as the sea. Why? Did something else happen?”
“It’s a long story. If you don’t interrupt me, I—”
He waved his hand nonchalantly “When have I ever interrupted you.”
“Just now.” She raised her brows at him “Anyways, it started about a couple of months ago, I ran into this guy that looked exactly like Brad—”
“No! Oh poor Ted…” he shook his head sadly.
“Uncle, please.” She begged. He smiled and zipped his lips together, promising not to say anything else “Anyways, I hired a detective.” Chuck dropped his jaw in shock “It turns out, he is Brad’s younger twin brother. They were born in Gaung Chow, China and on the day of their births, a man entered the hospital and stole Luke. Mia, Becca and I went up to China to locate the origins of the kidnap. We talked to the man, who was in jail for the crime. He admitted that Luke’s adoptive parents gave him a great deal of money in exchange for Luke. I came back to Hong Kong and decided to tell Luke the truth. He was attacked and I was there to save him. Needless to say, I had to explain about my identity and took him to see Brad’s grave.” He nodded silently while Erin raised her brows at him “Well?”
“Huh? I can talk now?” he asked suddenly.
Erin shook her head “I don’t know how Eve does it.” She tilted her to check on the girl when she saw a shiny circle moving around her face and up to her temple. She followed the light to a man not standing too far from Eve’s booth, a silver gun pointing at Eve. Had it not been for the sun, she wouldn’t be able to detect it “Eve, duck!!!” Erin cried.
Chuck turned in time to see the male firing the shot which missed Eve by a hair as she cowered into the floor after Erin’s warning “Crap, they found us.” Chuck muttered as he moved while the rest of the innocent bystanders ran in all directions to move from the gunfire.
Erin rolled over to where Eve was bent over, she yanked her by the hand “Come on!” pulling her around the booths while Chuck jumped away when the target turned to him. He was across the booth from the girls, Erin and Chuck met eyes as they moved towards the exit, they had to make it. The two nodded at the plan as Erin turned Eve “You need to get to that exit. I’ll distract the killer but you need to move fast, can you do that?”
Eve looked frightened but she nodded “I think I can.”
“You have to.” Erin pressed. She smiled “Don’t worry, my uncle will help you. Be careful.” She gave her a last warning as she turned the corner of the booth and cowered down quickly to the back of the killer. She crept on him slowly and pointed the fake gun to his head “Move and I’ll shoot.” She warned. The guy raised both hands in a surrender motion. She nodded for Chuck and Eve to move away, the two nodded as they raced towards the exit.
“You didn't have a gun earlier.” The guy noticed as he pointed his gun at Eve and shot before Erin could react and push him away.
“Chuck!!” Eve’s shriek was loud as she tried unsuccessfully to catch Chuck falling to the ground.
She threw her gun to the side and engaged in a fist fight with the male was out of bullets as he tried to pull the trigger on her. She fought him with a vengeance, kicking in the most painful parts only. When she pinned his arm to his back, she demanded “Who sent you?!!”
Just then a gunshot was fired and hit the guy in the heart as he fell to the ground. Erin looked around and found a black figure jump from a distant tree and ran off. She bent down and tested his pulse, he was dead “Erin!!” Eve cried as she supported Chuck’s head.
Remembering that her Uncle was shot, she rushed over to look at his wound, but there was no blood “Uncle Chuck!” she called but he didn’t answer. When she ushered for Eve to move aside, she supported his back and check him for any wounds, instead she felt his bulletproof vest. Letting out a groan, she pushed him roughly “That’s not funny!”
He began laughing hysterically while pointing at her “I fooled you!”
“No, I think you fooled her.” Erin pointed her head at Eve, who was in tears thinking that he was hurt.
“I’m sorry.” He said with sincerity.
Erin rolled her eyes “Sure, she gets an apology.” Getting up, she motioned for the two to come with her “When I got a hold of him, someone from a distance killed him. One shot, straight to the heart.” She rolled the guy over and pointed to the clean wound “Sniper."
Chuck nodded in agreement “Kill him before he can talk. Who ever is behind this operation is ready for us.”
“But why didn’t he kill me too while he was shooting? If he can kill him, he can kill me.” Erin analyzed.
Eve laughed nervously “This is a wild guess, but I think you two are not as simple as you appear to be.”
Erin smiled “She’s quick. Come on, let’s get out of here.”
“Where are we going?” Eve asked.
“Our place.” Chuck replied with a secretive grin.
“You guys aren’t into that incest stuff are you?” Eve asked disgustedly.
“Ew.” Erin grimaced, which only caused Chuck to laugh, “We’re going back to headquarters.”
“Are you two in a cult?” Eve whispered, “It’s okay, I won’t judge you. Just don’t take me in a spaceship or something.”
Chuck laughed louder “Isn’t she the best? I could laugh for hours.” He got in the car and started driving off.
Chapter 35
Aaron Kwok – Ted Kwong aka Libra
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Ruby Lin – Mia Lam aka Pisces
Nick Cheung – Darren Chiu aka Taurus
Louis Koo – Luke Yam
Julian Cheung - Doug Chung aka Virgo
Kenix Kwok – Rebecca Heung aka Cancer
Gallen Lo – Matt Tong aka M.T.
Joyce Tang – Reina Ng aka Gemini
Charlene Choi – Jenna Cheung aka Aries
Edison Chan - Ryan Tong aka Sagittarius
Nicholas Tse – Riley Kwok aka Leo
Myolie Wu – Leah Hong aka Aquarius
Raymond Lam – Mark Chiu aka Capricorn
Bobby Au Yeung - Charles Lam aka Chuck
Esther Kwan – Evelyn Fong
Andy Lau – General Joseph Cheung (head of security)
Joe was in a middle of the meeting when Erin and Chuck entered, Eve stood outside the conference room “Erin? I thought Ted said you were going home to rest.”
She nodded “I was, but I remembered Uncle Chuck and decided to check on him. We were attacked.”
“You were?” Mia asked worriedly “Are you guys okay?”
“No, we were shot and killed. You're talking to our ghosts." Chuck replied sarcastically.
“Don’t get smart with me mister!” Mia pointed.
Matt turned to them “Any idea who did it?”
“No, the guy was killed when I asked him who sent him. Sniper from a distant.” Erin explained shortly.
“Scary.” Mia muttered, “They seem to be working fast. Who’s next? Luke?” she snickered.
“Already happened.” Erin replied.
“Who’s Luke?” Darren asked.
“You know…” Mia said with rolled eyes.
Darren shook his head “For the hundredth time, Mia. I can't read your mind."
“Brad’s twin.” Doug said hastily “Don’t you pay attention?”
“Brad has a twin?!” Ryan asked in shock.
“Who’s Brad?” Leah scratched her head confusingly.
Joe cleared his throat “Ahem! Can we get back to business please?”
“Yes sir.” The group answered as they took a seat.
“Chuck, let’s keep Eve as safe as possible. Don’t leave her side for a minute and make sure she stays in headquarters, if she has to go out, be sure that you’re armed.”
“It’s like feeding candy to a kid.” Mia laughed.
Chuck narrowed his eyes dangerously at her “Metaphor.”
“Oh God, she’s delirious.” Doug whispered.
Joe smiled with a shake of the head “Let’s make sure that Michael is safe. They will try to kill him again, I guarantee it. A hospital isn’t that safe. Reina, I want you to take over for Ted this afternoon.”
“Yes, sir.” She replied, “Wait, Becca’s there.” Joe nodded “Should you send someone else? I don’t want the girl to pee in her pants or something.”
“Right, she’s afraid of Reina.” Mia explained casually.
Doug leaned in closer to Reina “Hey, how do you do it? I mean, what magic do you have? Give me a few pointers.”
“Loser.” Mia snickered.
“Whatever.” Doug rolled his eyes.
“Nice comeback.” Darren nodded unconvincingly.
“Focus people.” Joe reminded them “Stay on your toes. I want you guys to be on twenty four hours standby. Use your headsets when necessary. Matt and I will be here all night. I have a feeling that they are going to try something on Michael soon. He’s our only clue now. I think they wanted to kill him because he knows more than they want him to know.”
“How about Julie?” Reina asked.
Matt shook his head “Nothing we can do there. Just pray that she’s safe.”
“She is.” Erin reminded them “Chris has a deep obsession with her. He won’t let anything happen to her. He’d die before she does. At least we know Bonnie isn’t alone.” She smiled at Mia “I know she’s still alive.”
Darren patted his wife on the shoulder “Erin’s right.”
Chuck looked around and noticed a missing face “Where’s Jenna?” Joe turned away while Reina gave a cutting neck motion “What? What’s that suppose to mean?”
“She will be notified.” Joe replied, “When she learns how to act maturely, she will be admitted back into the team. For now, we’ll carry on without her. Now get ready and return to you daily lifestyle. In order to catch them, we have to be on our toes but don’t let them see that. Keep your pagers on, we can have an operation any time of day or night.”
“Yes sir!” the group stood up in unison.
They began marching out when Joe raised a hand at Riley “Come with me. I want to talk to you.”
He turned to Leah, who raised her brows curiously “Yes, Joe.” he followed obediently.
“You guys go ahead.” He nodded to the rest, who paused.
Mia nodded at Leah “Looks like your boyfriend is in trouble.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.” Leah lowered her flaming face.
“You could have fooled us.” Mia teased.
“I wonder what they’re talking about.” Mark wondered out loud.
Matt shook his head “It’s none of our business.”
“I hope its bad news.” Ryan snickered as he quickened his steps to the weapons room.
“Wow, what’s with him?” Mia asked, “Someone’s got a stick up their ass. What did you do to him?” she asked Matt.
Matt jogged to catch up to Ryan “Hey, what the hell was that all about?” he asked.
“What?” Ryan replied coolly.
“What do you have against Riley?” Matt pressed. Ryan sighed and turned to his brother with an exasperated look “Don’t give me that, I can tell when you’re bothered by someone, one of the many perks of being a big brother. Tell me.”
Ryan nodded as he began explaining. Matt listened his clues and reasons, it was good enough to approach Joe with the problem. He waited for Joe to finish with Riley and it took over an hour as the two were inside a locked office discussing something important. After Riley exited, he noticed Matt at the door. He looked shocked and a little surprise to see him “Hi…Matt. Uh…did you need to see Joe?” he pointed. Matt nodded, while observing his unsteady hands “He’s free now.”
“Thanks.” Matt nodded as he watched Riley leave. Entering the office, he closed the door behind him “Joe. I need to talk to you.”
“If it’s about Riley, I don’t want to hear it.” Joe replied without moving his eyes from the computer.
“I think we have good reasons to be suspicious.” Matt began “I don’t think you know about what Ryan and Jenna saw at the bar the other night last week—”
“I know, they saw Riley and Robert Kwok together right?” he cut in. His hands paused on the keyboard as he turned to Matt “Look, I know Ryan wants to find Shelly’s killer, but he’s going about this all wrong. He needs to look at the big picture not just what he can see.”
Matt wrinkled his brows “You mean…”
“I think you know.” Joe smiled “If he wants to pin anyone, he needs proof. Every killer will make a mistake before he is caught. Looks like you fell for the bias rule too. Just because he’s your brother doesn’t mean everything he says makes sense. Your job as a brother will automatically make sense of anything he says. Think about it Matt.”
Matt nodded slowly as he left the office. Ryan was outside waiting for him “So, how did it go? Can we take him in for questioning and blood test?”
“No, we need proof.” Matt replied shortly “Come on. We have work to do.” Ryan stared after his brother, brows wrinkled. He didn’t understand what had happened. Matt was very agreeing towards his theory but the minute he walked out of Joe’s office, he was like a different person. He knew it was not his place to argue with Joe, instead he joined the others.
**************
Erin returned home to rest when she found Luke at her doorstep “Hey.” He greeted with a wave.
“Hey.” She smiled “Are you stalking ME now?” she joked.
He laughed comfortably “No. Actually, I’m afraid of going home. After that one night, I’ve been kinda paranoid. But then, who can blame me right? Anyways, I was wonder…I know it’s too much to ask, but can I stay with you until you guys figure out who’s trying to destroy the P.R.A.?”
“I…”
“I won’t be a bother, I promise. You won’t even know that I’m there. I’ll be quiet and polite and I’ll even cook dinner for you.” He nodded like an eager puppy.
Erin smiled “Who could say no to that?” She almost felt obligated to watch after him, for Brad’s sake. He smiled happily while she continued to look at him “You’re in my way.” She pointed to the door.
“Oh, sorry. I thought you were just staring.” He laughed nervously while she unlocked the door. They entered the house with a sweet aroma of pumpkin pie.
Luke was about to walk to the kitchen when Erin stopped him with her arm “Wait. My roommate can’t cook.” She whispered.
“The killer?” he whispered fearfully while following her quietly down the hall.
She peeked through the door and found Jenna in an apron while pulling a pie out of the oven. Letting out a sigh, she showed herself “Jenna.”
The girl didn’t expect anyone to be home as she was startled and dropped the hot pie out of her hands as it splattered to the ground “My hard work…” she sobbed.
“I’m sorry.” Erin smiled “I thought you were an intruder.”
“We thought you were going to kill us with the sweet aroma of pumpkin pie.” Luke quipped when he realized the girl was not a bad person.
“He’s funny.” Jenna pointed and quickly spun her head at him again “Oh my God. He looks just like…like…”
“Brad.” He finished for her.
“He knows!” Jenna hissed at Erin.
“Nevermind that. What are you doing here? What’s wrong with your home?” Erin asked.
Jenna smiled weakly “Would you believe our oven is broken?” Erin shook her head “Well, would you believe that I cook better in a big house?” again she shook her head “Then, would you believe that…oh, who am I kidding! I got in a fight with Joe and left the house. He didn’t even run after me. I came here and Reina was kind enough to offer me a room.”
“It’s normal for a couple to argue, but you shouldn’t leave over a little fight.” Luke commented.
Jenna grimaced “You’re funny but not THAT funny.”
“Joe is her dad.” Erin explained with a sigh “I guess it’s okay that you stay here.” She looked at the dismantled pie “I’m sorry about that.”
“Oh, it’s okay. I can whip one up in no time!” She replied brightly “I’ll just clean it up.”
“Let me help.” Luke offered as he rushed to the kitchen drawers.
Jenna stepped over the pie as she nudged Erin “So, what’s your deal with him?” she pointed her thumb at Luke.
“He was attacked a few nights ago. He’s paranoid that it will happen again and wanted to stay here.” Erin explained.
“And you bought that?” Jenna pushed Erin towards the kitchen door so they were not within earshot of Luke “He obviously likes you.”
Erin rolled her eyes “You sound more like Mia everyday. He does not, he’s just trying to connect with the people that knows Brad. He’s got no family left.” Her eyes moved to Luke when she did a double take “Luke!”
Jenna turned to see him using a fork to eat the dropped pie from the ground “What? I’m scooping the parts that didn’t touch the ground. It’s clean.”
“I waxed the floor this morning, it’s clean.” Jenna nodded with a smile, glad someone was enjoying her cooking.
“Oh, why didn’t you say so?” he dropped the fork and used his hands to scoop up the pie.
Jenna began laughing while Erin winced disgustedly “I can’t watch.” She walked back to her bedroom to rest.
Chapter 36
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Louis Koo – Luke Yam
Joyce Tang – Reina Ng aka Gemini
Charlene Choi – Jenna Cheung aka Aries
That night, while Erin was resting Jenna took Luke for a little tour around the house. He walked down the steps of the den with a low whistle “It’s so big.”
“Yeah, almost as big as Mia and Darren’s home.” Jenna nodded.
“I had no idea she was loaded.” Luke commented.
“Oh, you didn’t know about the inheritance.” Jenna raised her brows “That’s funny, I thought she would tell you everything by now.”
He smiled at the peculiar girl “So, what’s your deal? Why are you mad at your dad?”
“This is going to be a long night. Come on, let’s go to my room, we’ll chat there.” She waved him to follow her as the two talked on about random things. But every so often, Luke would bring up Erin’s name. Jenna wasn’t stupid, she could see it all through his eyes when they dodged hers “You know she’s off limits.”
“What? I don’t know who you’re talking about.” Luke said haughtily “Anyways, she broke up with Ted.”
“Aha!!” Jenna declared while pointing at him with the nail brush “So you admit it! If you don’t know what I was talking about, how come you knew I was talking about Erin and Ted?”
Luke rolled his eyes “It’s a little obvious…well…why is she off limits?” he asked curiously and blew at his nails after Jenna finished painting his fingers clear.
“Because you are Brad’s brother. She only sees you as a little brother…or you could have been. I think it’s too complicated for her and she wouldn’t go for it. The poor girl had so much drama to begin with…could you imagine she would have to deal with her dead fiance’s twin brother crush on her? I sure can’t handle it.” Jenna shook her head.
He shrugged his shoulders “I guess you’re right. Am I done?”
“I wanna do your toes!” Jenna exclaimed with excitement.
He turned to the door “Okay. But I don’t want color.” She giggled with a nod and began working on his smallest toe “You’re strange.”
“I know.” Jenna replied casually “This helps me relax. But you’re pretty cool, you’re the first guy that will allow me to do this.”
“I feel special.” Luke said with extra sarcasm.
Reina followed the voices as she stood outside Jenna’s room “Well if only Mia could see this now.” Luke and Jenna looked up in surprise while Reina jumped back startled “Oh my God! For a minute there, I thought you were Brad coming back to take my life.” She laughed.
Luke turned to Jenna “Who is she?”
“This is Reina. She’s Erin’s roommate.” Jenna introduced “This is Luke.”
“Hi.” Reina crossed her arms while she nodded at his flared fingers “I had no idea you were queer. From the description Erin gave me, I could have sworn you were straight.”
Luke quickly stood up causing Jenna to streak his toe with the nail brush “Hey!”
“I’m not gay. I’m straight as can be. Really. I’ll vow it on my parents’ graves. Jenna was telling me that she had to paint her nails to relax her mood. I was just trying to help her.”
“And you bought that?” Jenna asked “Wow…you are naïve and gullible!” she laughed while Luke threw her a dirty look “What? You think I actually do this girly stuff for fun? I’m a chef, I can’t paint my nails, they’ll chip into the food.”
"But...but you said..." he pointed at his nails.
Jenna patted Luke on the shoulder “Get use to it.” She settled herself on the ground while Luke reluctantly followed “So, where’s Erin?”
“Asleep. Poor girl is tired.” Luke sighed.
Reina smiled slyly at Luke “So, you’re leaping in for the kill huh? Perfect timing too. Her dead fiancé has your face and her current boyfriend broke up with her from a rage of jealousy.”
“I beg your pardon?” Luke asked “I am not that kind of man.”
“You’ve got a dick haven’t you?” Reina pressed making Jenna laugh out loud.
“You gals are vicious.” He pouted.
Jenna controlled her laughter as she shook her head at Luke “Don’t mind her. She’s just got this whole history thing with Erin that’s all.”
“What history?” Luke asked curiously. He wanted to know more about Erin.
“Oh, the usual. Friends turned enemies. I tried to kill her, she tried to kill me…but the damn bitch just wouldn’t die!” Reina growled and suddenly laughed with her head thrown back “Those were the good times.”
Luke moved away from Reina and seated closer to Jenna “Are you as scared as I am right now?”
Jenna grinned “Don’t mind her. She’s just a big soft teddy bear inside. She puts on this tough girl act cause she was born that way. She’s completely harmless.”
Reina nodded in agreement “Yeah, that’s why I killed my sister and shot my brother during a shootout with the team.”
“Oh Lord, save me!” Luke moved completely behind Jenna, while he shivered “Get her out of here!” he begged making Jenna crack up even louder. Her laughter was contagious as Reina began laughing too.
Erin woke from the noise as she followed the sound into Jenna’s temporary room “Guys, what’s so funny?” she asked while covering a yawn.
Luke popped from his seat and rushed over to Erin “How could you let a murderer live with you?” he pointed at Reina with a shaky finger.
“Why did you have to tell him?” Erin groaned tiredly.
“It’s fun Erin.” Jenna waved her over “Join us. Tell him something about Reina.”
Erin shrugged as she joined in “She injected strange fluids into Mia’s head that caused her to go into a coma and eventually lose her memory.” Erin waved her hand nonchalantly.
Luke stumbled behind “Oh my God.”
Erin raised her brows at Jenna “See how fun this is?” the girl laughed until there were tears.
“Luke, are you okay? You’re looking kind of pale.” Erin got up and reached for his hand, it felt cold as ice “Guys, I think you better stop.” She said with her head turned to the girls “He’s scared.”
Jenna’s smile slowly faded “Hey, we were just kidding with you.”
Reina nodded “Yeah, that was just in the past. We’re all friends now. Unfortunately.” She couldn’t help but add it “Sorry.” She said hastily when Erin threw her a look.
“You’re cold.” Erin said as she felt his forehead. He was breaking out into a cold sweat.
His chest felt heavy as he slowly let his eyes close until he was in complete darkness. When he woke up, he was sitting in a hospital bed. Erin sat next to him with Jenna and Reina on the couch “He’s awake.” Jenna pointed out.
Luke turned to them strangely, he felt drugged “Where am I?”
“Heaven.” Reina replied curtly “What the hell do you think? You’re in a hospital. Hey, why didn’t you tell us you were allergic to acetate.”
“I am?” Luke asked while looking at Erin for confirmation, she nodded “What is that?”
“It’s an ingredient found in nail polish.” Jenna explained “That’s a first, I never knew a person could be allergic to that.”
“Me neither.” He smiled weakly “What did the doctors say?”
“That you were allergic to acetate.” Jenna repeated “Wow, maybe they should check your head too.”
Erin shook her head “Not now, Jenna.” She turned to Luke “Do you have any recollection when you a kid that your parents told you about this disorder?”
Luke thought hard but he eventually shook his head “Not that I know of. I know my dad use to work in this factory that made female materials that were shipped around the world. He never let me go to work with him and I don’t ever recall my mom painting her nails.”
“You think it had something to do with his childhood?” Reina asked Erin.
“No, I think it’s an acquired defect in the human body. You could make someone allergic to something when they are not exposed to that product.” She analyzed.
Luke frowned while Jenna pointed at him “You’re not the only one confused. She lost me a while ago.”
Erin’s slow smile appeared “Chris was never exposed to losing a battle. He was only caught the last time, what do you think will happen when he fails…”
“Killing Michael?” Reina asked. Erin nodded “You mean we have to let him win and then surround him in order to get him to go mad?”
“On the nose.” Erin pointed to her nose.
“Well, of course!” Jenna snorted with a laugh. She nudged Luke “I get it now.”
“I don’t.” Luke frowned "Tell me."
Jenna’s face dropped “No, I’m just kidding. I don’t get it either.”
“Use bait.” Erin tapped her temple while Reina nodded.
“I’ll call Matt.” She walked out of the room to tell him their plan.
Erin turned to Jenna who only shrugged in confusion “You’re usually more quick than this, Jenna? What’s on your mind? Thinking about Joe?”
She rolled her eyes “Please…I don’t need him. I didn’t need him when I was fifteen, I don’t need him now.”
“So you’re going to stay mad at him forever?” Erin asked in surprise.
“No…just until my grudge goes away.” Jenna replied with her chin in the air.
Erin sighed “Do you know how lucky you are to even have a parent that loves you?”
“You have Chucky.” Jenna pointed out.
“Yes, but I went on for twenty five years without knowing I had an Uncle. You have a father in front of you. Don’t let a misunderstanding get in the way.” Erin said with good reason “You know that Joe works hard to keep the team together as well as keep us safe. Whatever happened between you two, I’m sure can be fixed. He’s not an unreasonable man.”
“But he won’t believe me, his only daughter!” Jenna said heatedly.
Erin smiled “Well, you need to ask yourself why instead of dwelling on the words.”
“I don’t know why.” She said stubbornly.
Luke looked thoughtfully at the girl “Maybe he has a reason he can’t tell you?”
Hearing it from a third person, she knew she was being irrational “I guess.” She muttered “But I’m still mad. I’ll go back tomorrow.” She promised.
“Good. I hate to see you two in a quarrel.” Erin said sympathetically.
“Maybe it was the pumpkin pie.” Luke said dazily.
Jenna turned to him “What?”
Erin shook her head vigorously while Luke widened his eyes “Uh…no…I didn’t say anything. Did you hear something Erin?”
“Nope.” She helped.
“Okay.” Jenna let out a sigh of relief “I almost lost my temper there.” She laughed hysterically. Luke’s eye twitched while Erin stifled a laugh.
SIUBINGLIBRARY 2004
