Vanished

By Gemini-M

Chapter 9

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Author's Note: Once again thank you for the wonderful reviews to:
Rev2004, pretender fan, bloodymary2, Nans, leochick, LeMaestro, and phi4858. And
to my beta reader, Jaccione for all her help and support.

"The truth is rarely pure and never simple." Oscar Wilde
(1854-1900)

Jarod's lair10:45p.m.

The Exhausted Pretender stumbled into his lair panting and feeling
light-headed after his short run from his car to the inside of the deserted
building. The drive back to the abandoned warehouse, which he called a temporary
home, had taken him longer than he planned. Due to the continuing bad weather
and an accident on the road, he was forced to take a couple of unexpected
detours, delaying him an additional fifteen minutes. Once inside the warehouse,
Jarod quickly shut the big metal door and locked it. It never hurt to be
cautious and a touch of paranoia had helped him stay free and one step ahead of
the Centre for the past six years. Jarod leaned heavily on the metal door and
closed his eyes waiting for the annoying dizziness to pass, but he knew that
time was not on his side at the moment and he had to ignore this damn concussion
and move on. Jarod took a deep breath wobbled over to his cot and sat down
heavily. Slowly he reached over and grabbed his duffle bag from the floor to
start searching for his gun and some aspirin, but the mere movement made him
growl in pain. Miss Parker had done a nice job taping his ribs, but any sudden
movement was still rewarded with agonizing pain.

"Fine date I picked to have front seat to Lyle's demise." Jarod
said to himself angrily while trying to get his mind off the pain and focus on
the simulation he was trying to run in his head on the outcomes to his
confrontation with Alex once he arrive at Sydney's home. After a few minutes of
deep thought, Jarod exhaled loudly, stood gingerly from his cot and walked
towards the small table where his laptop rested. The Pretender typed in his
password and while he waited for his computer to come to life, he took four more
aspirins to help him deal with the pain. "If I survive this, I'm really going
to need a vacation." Jarod smiled sadly when that thought brought back
memories of his friend Zoe. It was as if he was seeing her in front of him in
that huge tub smiling and making fun of him for never having taken a vacation.
She was so beautiful and vibrant. It was the last time he saw her alive, right
before he found Emily and Ethan. Enraged and overcome with guilt, Jarod punched
the small table and shouted, "DAMN YOU ALEX." Jarod's cry echoed in the
big empty room as the pain sank deeper into his heart. "Another innocent life
sacrificed, simply because she crossed paths with me and the
Centre."

The soft voice announcing that he had an e-mail message, brought Jarod out
of his tortured thoughts and his attention was immediately focused on the small
screen. Jarod wiped the newly formed tears that clouded his vision and frowned
at the information before him. For some odd reason, Angelo was now sending him
all the files pertaining to the Pretender Project and the Red Files. "Angelo,
what are you doing?" Jarod question his friend's action, but knew that now
was not the time to look for answers. Hopefully when this nightmare was over, he
would find his friend and ask him the reason for his unexpected deed. Without
further delay, Jarod e-mailed Angelo with instructions on what to do with his
belongings in case he didn't come out of this ordeal alive, and to always
protect Miss Parker like they had promised to each other when they were young.
"Thank You Angelo." Jarod whispered to his friend and somehow he knew
that Angelo could feel his every thought and emotion. "If it wasn't for you,
my friend, I would have perished a long time ago at the hands of the Centre.
Hope that one day you'll find your freedom and happiness."

Ending his message, Jarod closed his laptop and placed it along with his
few belongings inside the duffle bag. On the way out of the old warehouse, which
he had called home on several occasions, Jarod stopped by a row of old rusty
lockers and placed his duffle bag inside the third locker from the end, locked
it with a combination lock and walked out of the building and into the darkness
that awaited him.

The rain had not stopped; in fact it had gotten worse. Jarod sighed with
frustration and hurried to the car. Just as he was climbing inside the little
sports car, a chilling sensation ran through his entire body, unleashing a fear
that made him shiver. He didn't like this feeling and it usually meant that
something bad had happened. He looked at his watch, it was 11:00pm and the drive
back to Blue Cove and Sydney's home would take him approximately forty-five
minutes, but in this weather he was going to need more time. Nonetheless, his
senses were telling him that first he had to find Parker and make sure that she
was okay. He had to reach her and hear her voice, even if it meant getting an
earful of her rage. Not wanting to waste more time, Jarod reached inside his
leather jacket, retrieved his cell phone and quickly hit the speed-dial two for
Miss Parker. The more times the phone rang, the more panicked he became.
"Answer the damn phone Parker." Jarod murmured anxiously. "Where are
you?"

Pressed for time, Jarod started the car and sped away while he held the
phone with one hand and continued to listen to the ringing of her phone.
"This is not good." Jarod said nervously as he disconnected Parker's
number and pressed another number programmed onto his speed dial. After the
third ring a shaky voice answered, "M...Miss Pa...Parker is that
you?"

"No, is me Mr. Broots...Where is Miss Parker?" Jarod said
seriously.

"Jarod?...where are you?...What...what happened to Sydney?" Broots
asked impulsively, his mouth trying to catch-up with the hundred of questions
that were running through his head. "Did you find Sydney?...Is he Okay?...Did
you...?"

"MR. BROOTS LISTEN!... I CAN'T REACH MISS PARKER...DO YOU KNOW WHERE
SHE IS?" Jarod demanded now getting annoyed by Broots' resurfacing symptoms
of ADD.

"I don't know Jarod. I've been trying to reach her myself, but she
doesn't answer her cell phone." Broots looked at his watch and continued.
"I talked to her about fifteen minutes ago, but now she won't answer her
phone."

Jarod remained quiet for a moment thinking what Broots could do, but he
didn't want to put Broots' life in danger as well by sending him out there to
look for Parker. This is just what Alex wanted, to have everyone in a panic and
making mistakes. He would just have to wait and hope that Sam kept his promise
and protected Miss Parker.

"Jarod are you still there?" Broots asked timidly bringing Jarod's
attention back.

"Yes Mr. Broots, I'm still here." Jarod voice sounded tired.
"Can you do me a favor?"

"Sure Jarod anything." Broots said eagerly. "Do you want me to
go to the Centre and look for Miss Parker?"

"No! Don't leave the house; just keep calling Miss Parker's number
until you get an answer." Jarod said firmly. "I'll call you back as soon
as I can."

"JAROD WAIT!" Broots shouted, but all he heard was the dial tone.
Staring at the small device in his hand, he asked himself quietly, "What
about Sydney?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The Centre

The burly sweeper continued to stare in shock from the top of the stairs.
His mind still could not completely register the tragic events unfolding right
before his eyes. Slowly, Sam grabbed the rail and pulled himself up, but he
remained frozen on the spot watching as the fire-fighters began to arrive and
started battling the flames that rapidly consumed Miss Parker's town car.

Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion and all the noise and voices
around him sounded like a constant humming. Through all the confusion, Sam's
fogged mind finally heard a voice calling him, but his eyes continued to stare
hypnotically at the fire. Then he felt someone grabbing his arm and guiding him
back into the building.

"Sir, are you alright?" Sam faintly heard the concerned voice.
"Are you hurt anywhere?"

When Sam looked to his side, he saw a fireman looking at him questionably.
Unable to find his voice at the moment, Sam simply shook his head negatively and
allowed the fireman to guide him back into the Centre's lobby, where the
paramedics had set up a temporary first aid station. Once inside, the fireman
directed Sam to a chair and said simply, "Wait right here until you are
checked by the paramedics."

"Hey Taylor, you better check this guy out. I think he was near the
explosion when it occurred." The fireman suggested as he waved at one of the
paramedics. "He seems a little dazed."

"Yes Captain, right away."

"Hi, my name is Taylor." The paramedic said amiably. "Can you
tell me your name?"

The confused sweeper stared at the paramedic for a moment then after some
hesitation, he finally said his name almost inaudibly, "Sam."

"Okay Sam, I'm going to check your vital signs." The paramedic said
very calmly as he started his examination. "Sam, are you hurt
anywhere?"

"No... I'm okay." Sam replied sluggishly.

"Were you near the explosion when it occurred?" Taylor asked
curiously.

"No." Sam replied dryly.

"Good, but we just want to make sure you don't have a concussion or any
broken bones." The paramedic replied as he continued the check-up. After a
few minutes, the paramedic finished his job, looked at the big man and said
candidly, "Sam, you are a very lucky guy. If you would have been closer to
that car, you would be in a million pieces right now."

Sam gave the paramedic a menacing look and without saying a word he stood
up suddenly, knocking the chair down. The angry man walked away rapidly across
the lobby and out the main entrance, leaving behind a very puzzled paramedic
calling after him, "SAM WAIT! I THINK THE POLICE WANT TO ASK YOU SOME
QUESTIONS."

Once outside, Sam darted his eyes around nervously, trying to find a way
out without being detected. By now the entire area was crawling with
fire-fighters and police officers that had arrived to investigate the incident
and the last thing he needed right now was to be detained for questioning. He
had to get back to Miss Parker's house and inform Broots about what had
happened. Immediately Sam saw his escape route. Inconspicuously, the skillful
sweeper slithered around a group of detectives and headed towards the other side
of the stairs that lead to the darkened parking lot and away from all the
commotion.

Swiftly he turned around the corner of the building and stayed as close to
the wall as possible to remain hidden in the darkness that surrounded the huge
building. In the distance, Sam noticed his little car and immediately quickened
his pace. He could feel his heart pounding painfully in his chest and the
throbbing pain in his head was almost unbearable, but his pain was not due to
injuries, but shame and sadness. His negligence had caused the life of a very
good friend. A person he had secretly admired for so many years and now she was
gone because of his carelessness. "What am I going to tell Jarod and Broots?"
Sam mumbled to himself in turmoil. "I promised Jarod that I would look
after her and now..." The knot in his throat choked his words and he could
no longer stop the tears. "I'm sorry Miss Parker, but I promise you that I
will get that bastard, if it's the last thing I do." Sam wiped the tears
away as he made a solemn promise to his fallen friend.

Lost in his agonizing thoughts and trying to focus on his escape, Sam was
completely unaware of the dark figure following him. When he was a few feet from
his car, Sam reached into his pocket and retrieved his keys. Just as he was
about to unlock the car door, a hand grabbed his arm firmly from behind.
Instinctively and with great speed, Sam reached for his weapon, pulled his arm
free from his attacker and twisting the man's arm pinned him face down against
the hood of the car. "IF YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO ELIMINATE ME AS WELL, YOU ARE
VERY WRONG." Sam growled at his attacker as he spun him around to look at his
face. "ANGELO!"

The strange little man with the wild red hair looked at the shocked
sweeper that still had him pressed against the car, and smile. "Sam
Okay?"

Sam immediately released Angelo and replied with sadness in his voice,
"Yes, I'm fine Angelo but Miss Parker..." He just could not find the
words to tell Angelo what had happen to his friend.

Most Centre employees like himself never had seen the connection between
his boss and the other subjects that had spent most of their lives locked away
in this dungeon called the Centre, but the events of the last few hours had
brought to light the special friendship that existed between Miss Parker, Jarod
and Angelo. Sam suddenly remembered the numerous occasions when Angelo had
sensed that his friends where in danger and how distraught he became. Miss
Parker's death was going to be a horrible blow for both of them and now he had
to tell them that he had failed to protect her. Sam closed his eyes as the
burden of his guilt became almost unbearable.

All of a sudden, Angelo grabbed Sam by the arm and started pulling him
away from the car, startling the big man and bringing him out of his reverie.
"Angelo what are you doing?"

"COME MUST HURRY." Angelo pleaded with urgency. "SAM
FOLLOW."

"ANGELO NO! We have to get out of here before the police see us."
Sam whispered trying to convince the empath to return to the car.

Ignoring Sam's plea, Angelo started running towards the back of the huge
building. When the little man reached the wall, he turned around and started
waving at Sam frantically just before he turned the corner of the building and
vanished.

Sam was totally baffled and he was starting to get really angry at
Angelo's little antics. "What the hell are you doing Angelo?" Sam growled
as he jumped in his car and drove with his lights off towards the direction
Angelo had disappeared. "You crazy little freak. If the police find me in
this little game of hide and seek, I'm going to ring your neck."

When Sam drove around the corner of the huge building, he stopped and
nervously looked around to make sure there were no cops searching the area. The
lighting in this parking lot was very low and the non-stop rain made it more
difficult to see where Angelo had run-off to. Squinting real hard Sam saw in the
distance Angelo waving at him again and then he disappeared behind some bushes.
A second later the little man re-appeared holding someone next to him. Sam
quickly drove up to the two figures and unlocked the passenger doors to let them
in.

At the same time that Angelo jumped into the back seat, the other person,
covered in a blanket, slipped into the car and sat next to him. Before Sam had a
chance to ask the identity of the mysterious passenger, he heard a very familiar
and sarcastic tone, "Well it took you long enough to find us."

"M...Miss P...Parker?" Sam stuttered as he stared in wide-eyed
shock. Instinctively and overcome with joy, Sam leaned forward as to give his
boss a hug, but when he noticed her surprised look, he immediately held himself
back. In the awkwardness of the moment, he proceeded to pull the blanket up to
cover her better and then lowering his eyes with some embarrassment he
continued, "Miss Parker, I...I thought that you were d...dead. I mean...I saw
your car blown to bits."

"Well that bastard came pretty close to succeeding this time."
Parker said bitterly. "Lets get out of here Sam, before the police finds
us and start asking questions."

"Yes Ma'am! And Miss Parker, I'm really glad to see that you're
okay."

"Thanks Sam." Parker replied as her lips formed a weak
smile.

Sam quickly put the car on drive and sped away, leaving behind the chaos.
For some strange reason he had a feeling that this would be the last time he
laid eyes on the Centre, and after all he had seen in that place, he was glad
that this date finally had come. Sam looked at Miss Parker and noticed that she
was lost in thought.

"Are you okay Miss Parker?" Sam asked concerned. "Do you want to
go to the hospital and get yourself checked?"

"No, I'm alright Sam; I only twisted my ankle and got some scratches."
Parker said as she lean back against the headrest and closed her eyes
tiredly. "Thanks to Angelo, I'm still in one piece."

Sam glanced at the rear-view mirror and smiled at the pair of mischievous
eyes that looked back at him. "Good Job Angelo." Sam said to the empath
with gratitude. The little man gave him a shy smile and then continued to gaze
with wonder at the world just outside his window.

Keeping his eyes straight ahead on the road Sam said suddenly, "Jarod
was right."

"Sam, what are you talking about?" Parker frowned.

"Jarod told me that you were in grave danger and that whoever killed
Mr. Raines and Lyle was going to come after you as well." Sam said in an
angry tone. "I should have remembered."

"So what? Jarod also gave me a warning." Parker replied somewhat
confused at Sam's behavior. "Why are you upset?"

"Because I promised Jarod that I would look after you and I...failed."
Sam said softly, avoiding her eyes.

"WHAT?...HE MADE YOU PROMISE?" Parker said shocked. "That little
self-righteous son of a bitch." Parker was furious now. "What does he
think, that you're my babysitter?"

"Oh No Miss Parker, Jarod was very concerned for you." Sam tried to
explain. "I saw it in his eyes."

"Well just remember, Jarod is a pretender. He's very good at lying."
Parker replied icily while trying to hide her shock after hearing Sam's
words. After a few minutes of silence, Parker sighed and said almost
inaudibly, "Sam, you have never failed me in all the years you have worked
for me. If fact, I know that I can trust you with my life, so stop beating
yourself on the head for something that was not your fault.

"Thank you Miss Parker." Sam said simply then looking at his boss
he asked, "Miss Parker how did you manage to escape that explosion?"

Parker glanced at the back seat and smiled. Angelo, her guardian angel,
lay curled-up in the corner and was snoring softly. As the events of the evening
began to play back vividly in her mind, like a movie, Parker explained to Sam
what had happen.

"After I left Lyle's office, I went to the car to get the origami
figure that psycho had left behind. As I was opening the car door, Angelo
appeared from nowhere and started pulling me away from the car and screaming,
"Danger must go." I felt a chilling sensation run through me and in a flash I
remembered Jarod's warning, "Miss Parker with Raines and Lyle gone...you might
be next on the list." When I looked inside the car, I saw a flashing light
underneath the dashboard. Angelo and I barely managed to run to the other side
of the fountain, when the car exploded in a huge fireball. The force of the
explosion thrust us forward about ten feet, but we managed to escape the worse
of the blast, thanks to Angelo."

"WOW! You both were very lucky." Sam exclaimed then looking at his
boss curiously he asked, "Where did you get that blanket?"

"I don't know." Parker looked puzzled. "After the explosion,
Angelo helped me to the back of the building and then he disappeared; after a
few minutes he re-appeared with this blanket." Parker wrapped the blanket
closer to herand murmured, "Leave it to Angelo to add another piece to this
puzzle."

Sam smiled at his boss and then said, "Miss Parker, I tried calling you
before the explosion. Why didn't you answer your cell phone?"

"I forgot my cell phone in Lyle's office after I spoke to Broots."
Parker answered simply. "Sam what time it is?"

"Is 11:45pm Miss Parker. We should be at your home around midnight."

"STEP ON IT SAM!" Parker demanded nervously. "We have to get
there before Jarod calls, and this time Wonder boy better tell me the TRUTH or
he's not going to see another sunrise."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sydney's home11:50p.m.

Jarod brought the little sports car to a sudden stop a few houses away
from Sydney's residence. He looked at his watch and sighed relieved. He had made
it to Sydney's home before the time assigned by Alex. He knew that he should
have parked further down the street, but he didn't have the extra time or energy
to walk a few blocks like he had done in the past. Jarod reached into his
leather jacket and retrieved his gun with a shaky hand. He hated the idea of
using a gun, but this time he had no choice. He checked the clip, removed the
safety and returned it to his pocket. After simming all the possible outcomes
earlier, Jarod was certain that before this nightmare ended, this sociopath
would try to kill all the people that were important to him, and at the end of
their confrontation, Alex was not going to let him walk away alive.

Jarod took a deep breath and prepared himself for the battle of his life.
By the time Jarod exited the car, he had altered his persona and was ready to
perform the scariest pretend of his life. Become a cold-blooded killer like
Alex. The pretender's face was devoid of all emotions and his black eyes
cautiously scanned the vicinity, like a predator searching for his prey. The
persistent rain began to trickle down his face as the tall man silently walked
down the deserted street. His warm and rapid breath visibly danced in the cold
air. When he finally reached the border of Sydney's property, Jarod stopped and
looked for Alex's vehicle, but there was none in sight. 'Could he have
arrived before Alex? Or was his rival already inside ready to spring his trap as
soon as he entered the house?' Jarod stood frozen as he fought with his
indecision.

Finally and with no more time to waste, Jarod made up his mind and marched
towards the house to enter the way Alex would least expect, through the front
door. As he slowly climbed up the steps leading to the porch, Jarod retrieved
his weapon and held it ready to fire at his side. When Jarod tested the door
knob he found it unlocked, which clearly meant that his rival was expecting him
already. Like a cat burglar, the pretender silently pushed the door open a few
inches and quickly slipped into the dark house. Pressed against the wall of the
entryway and hidden in the shadows, Jarod immediately scanned the surroundings
nervously as his eyes adjusted to the darkness inside the house.

The dark house was swallowed in total silence and all he could hear was
his own breathing. As he cautiously moved into the living room, he noticed in
the darkness a figure sitting in front of the fireplace. Quickly Jarod raised
his gun and aimed it at the seated man. "DON'T MOVE." The pretender
growled.

"Jarod?" Inquired, a soft accented voice.

"Sydney!" Jarod gasped and rushed to his side. When he approached
the old man, he immediately noticed that he was tied to the chair and his head
was covered with a black hood, like the one they had used on him through his
years of captivity. Jarod could feel the rage burning through his veins. He
placed his gun on the coffee table, knelt next to his mentor and started
removing his bindings.

"Are you alright Sydney?" Jarod's voice was filled with concern as
he quickly undid the knot on the hood and removed it with disgust.

Finally freed from that damn hood, Sydney took in a deep breath and then
he gasped when his eyes landed on his protégé and noticed his battered
appearance.

"JAROD YOU MUST LEAVE NOW!" Sydney's voice trembled with panic as
he turned his face trying to get Jarod's attention. "That psychopath...Alex
wants to kill you. Jarod, forget about me. Please leave."

"I'm not leaving without you." Jarod was adamant. He reached into
his back pocket and retrieved a small switchblade. As he began to cut the ropes
around Sydney's wrists, the lights in the room were switched on, momentarily
blinding the startled men. When their eyes adjusted to the assaulting
brightness, the first image they encountered was that of Alex standing at the
entrance of the room, aiming his gun with a wicked smile on his face.

"Doctor, doctor...How can you make such a diagnosis when you never
studied me?" Alex's mocking tone quickly changed to one of repugnance.
"Unlike Jarod here who was your SPECIAL PROJECT and THE CENTRE'S
MIRACLE CREATION."

Sydney gasped when he heard Alex's statement, but lowered his eyes to hide
his shock from Jarod's questioning glance.

Inconspicuously, Jarod hid his knife in Sydney's hands as he slowly rose
from his mentor's side and moved in front of the still bound man. For a moment,
the room fell into a deadly silence as Jarod wondered about the dark meaning
behind Alex's words.

"What are you talking about?" Jarod hissed.

"Well, well...This is quite a surprise. The genius still does not know
the TRUTH." Alex said with an evil smile. "And the good Doctor has kept
you in the dark all these years...Shame on you Doctor."

Sydney felt nauseated as he watched the confrontation between the two
pretenders with horror. Alex was determined to destroy Jarod and his worse fears
had come true. This madman had acquired the information to do just that.
"Alex, please don't do this." Sydney pleaded silently as he looked into
Alex's cold eyes.

"WHAT TRUTH?" Jarod asked through clenched teeth.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Miss Parker's Home12:00a.m.

Still limping slightly, Miss Parker exited Sam's car and hurriedly walked
across the damp lawn, followed closely by Sam and Angelo. As she climbed the
steps leading to her front porch, Parker looked towards her driveway and
frowned, but continued her short trek to the front door. She quickly unlocked
the door and stepped into the silent home, immediately searching for signs of
her techie.

"Broots where are you?" Parker shouted irritably, while Sam
immediately withdrew his gun on alert.

"I'm here Miss Parker." Broots' shaky voice came from the direction
of the hall. "I was in the restroom."

"OH MY GOD MISS PARKER! WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?" Broots exclaimed
with concern as he approached his boss and noticed her injuries and the state of
her expensive attire. "Are you Okay Miss Parker?"

"Someone tried to Bar B-Q my car with me in it." Parker said
sarcastically, but her demeanor immediately changed when she looked at the
little man sitting on the floor next to her fireplace. "But thanks to Angelo
I'm still in one piece...I'm fine Broots, Thanks."

"Jarod was right." Broots whispered with dread. "D...does that
means that Alex might come after me...too?"

"Speaking of Monkey Boy, has he called yet?" Parker asked with
annoyance, ignoring Broots' question.

"No...Not yet." Broots said anxiously looking at his watch for the
hundredth time that evening. "Miss Parker I have a real bad feeling about
this. Jarod said that if we didn't hear from him after midnight that we should
leave town. Do you think that something happen to Jarod or Sydney?"

"I don't know Broots." Parker said with fear in her voice.

Suddenly Parker realized what had caught her eye on the way in. Ignoring
her sore ankle, Miss Parker limped to the window and pulling the curtains aside
she screamed, "WHERE IS MY CAR?"

"Oh boy." Broots swallowed hard. "Oh your car?...Ah...J...Jarod
t...took it."

"WHAT?" Parker was enraged.

"Miss Parker... Ah...Jarod needed a car...Ah... to go meet with this
guy...Alex to try to get Sydney back." Broots explained timidly.

"If that Son of a bitch wrecks my car I'll..." Parker snarled, but
stopped herself when she noticed the look of surprise Broots and Sam exchanged.
"I have to go change my clothes." Parker replied suddenly and rushed out
of the room.

"Man, if Jarod survives this one, he better disappear for good this
time." Broots whispered in Sam's direction as he paced the room anxiously.

Sam looked at the techie and nodded in agreement. After a few minutes of
silence, Sam looked at Broots very seriously and asked, "Do you think Jarod
will be able to rescue Sydney?"

Broots stopped his pacing and froze as he dwelled on Sam's question. When
he turned to face Sam, the techie had a small smile on his face. "I'm not
sure of many things at the Centre, but after working for Miss Parker and Sydney
all these years on Jarod's pursuit, I have realized that there is a very special
relationship between Jarod and Sydney and I'm convinced that Jarod will do
anything to save him...or he'll die trying."

"Damn, I forgot to show this to Miss Parker." Sam's angry voice
suddenly broke the silence that had fallen on the room and with frustration he
retrieved the flyer from his coat pocket.

"What...what?" Broots asked intrigued and moved towards the big
man.

"I think Jarod has a bigger problem now." Sam said as he handed the
paper to the curious techie.

"OH MY GOD!...Who do you think did this?" Broots was
appalled.

"Who did what?" Miss Parker's voice came from the hall.

Broots looked at Sam nervously and handed the flyer to Miss Parker without
saying a word. When Parker started reading the flyer she was stunned. She felt
her stomach twisting into knots as her face was drained of all color. Slowly, in
a daze, she walked to the couch and sat down before her shaky knees would buckle
from underneath her. Suddenly, Parker found herself caught up in another
dilemma. Jarod was a real pain and sometimes she really wanted to take him back
to the Centre and lock him up for good, but finally she had realized that she
would never carry out the Centre's orders and hurt her friend again. This bounty
was a death sentence and she could not let this happen, especially now. And to
make matters worse, now she would have to go against the Triumvirate to stop
this atrocity before it was too late.

"Are you alright Miss Parker?" Parker faintly heard Broots' concern
voice.

"Miss Parker?" Broots called again.

"Wh...What?" Parker replied still somewhat stunned.

"Miss Parker...We have to warn...Jarod about this." Broots said
timidly.

"HOW?...Once again Boy Genius has vanished and left us in the
dark." Parker said angrily. "Do you happen to have his cell phone
number?"

"No...But...but when he calls back with news on Sydney." Broots
said hopefully. "He promised he would call."

Silently, Parker stood from the couch, walked pass Broots and went to the
window. She pulled the curtain aside and stared at the dreadful darkness
outside, wondering that somewhere out there a monster was lurking and waiting to
make his kill. Now, like Jarod, they too had become the hunted. "Please call
Jarod." Parker murmured to herself like a prayer.

Taking a deep breath, she buried her fears and pulled herself together.
When she turned around, her ice-queen mask was back in place and Parker was
ready to take charge of the situation. She walked towards Broots, grabbed him by
the arm and led him towards the kitchen door. "Broots, go search the Centre's
mainframe and find out who posted this bounty on Jarod... And I want
answers!"

"Yes Miss Parker, right away." Broots replied and scurried into the
kitchen.

"Sam, go do a sweep on the perimeter of the house. We don't want any
surprise visitors. I'll keep an eye on Angelo."

"Yes Ma' am." Sam said simply and immediately exited the house with
his gun ready.

Parker walked over to the fire place and stood in front of her mother's
picture. Wrapped in her nostalgia, she contemplated the old photo for a moment
before she reached and lifted it with care. Parker gently traced the outline of
her mother's face with her fingertips as she whispered a plea, "Mom, please
tell me they'll be alright." She wiped away a stray tear and returned the
frame back to its place on the mantel.

"Daughter scared." Angelo said with concern as he stood next to
Parker.

"Yes Angelo, I'm scared that I may never see Sydney...again."
Parker replied softly and looked at the empath with sadness in her eyes.

"And Jarod." Angelo finished as if reading her thoughts. Angelo
smiled, reached over and grasped her hand gently. "Daughter not worry...Jarod
help Sydney!"

"I hope so Angelo."

TBC