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Chapter or Story 
Chapter or Story
Blue Cove, Delaware
Wednesday February 24
-This is Sydney.
-Hello Sydney.
-Jarod! How are you? I haven't heard from you in weeks, I was starting to worry!
-Were you really Sydney?
-Yes Jarod, I have been worried about you. And you're not the only one, Miss Parker as well.
-Really? She's been worried about me?
-She won't admit it, but yes she is. In fact she'd probably kill me if she found out I told you. I've actually been worried about her recently.
-Why what's wrong? Since when?
-I don't know exactly, but she hasn't seemed herself since she came back from her friend's funeral in Chicago a week and a half ago.
-A friend's funeral? Is that what she told you?
-Yes, why Jarod?
-No reason. Anyways, that's not the reason I called.
-What is it Jarod?
-Are you sure you want me to help you?
-(Sydney's face and voice turned serious as he spoke) Yes Jarod I am serious. I have to do this for my family and myself.
-Okay then. Can you be ready to start on the twenty-seventh and finish on the fourth?
-Yes, we'll be ready then.
-All right then Sydney. I'll see you soon.
-Until then Jarod (Click)
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Thursday March 5
Miss Parker quietly walked into Sydney's office. She looked around the office remembering Sydney, the closest thing to a father she ever had. "God Syd, I'm going to miss you. Why did you have to die in that plane crash?" Miss Parker then started to break down into tears as she sat down at Sydney's desk. As she cried for the next ten minutes she fondly remembered him. Once she had stopped crying, she leaned back in the chair, "I'm all alone here now…" Just then she saw Angelo in the vents and felt terribly sad. "Oh Angelo you don't know what happened. Sydney's not coming back here."
Angelo looked at her sadly before a smile crept across his face. The smile bewildered Miss Parker but before she could go on to explain that Sydney was dead, Angelo climbed out from the vent and walked over beside Miss Parker behind the desk. He knelt down beside her and the desk and put his hand under the desk. When he pulled his hand out from underneath, his hand was rolled into a fist. He then threw himself at Miss Parker and hugged her. The hug actually concealed the fact that Angelo's fisted hand shoved a piece of paper into Miss Parker's hands. Angelo whispered into her ear, "Sydney not sad… safe." And just as quickly as he threw himself into her arms, he disengaged himself and scurried back into the vents leaving a confused and shocked Miss Parker behind him all alone in Sydney's old office.
Miss Parker reached her home after six that evening. As soon as she arrived home she opened the slip of paper that Angelo had given her. On it she read:
519 Oakdale St.
Augusta, Maine
414 555 0231
"Maine? What's up in Maine? Why was this address hidden? I guess I'll have to find out myself."
Miss Parker decided that she would drive up to Maine after the memorial service for Sydney tomorrow afternoon. She would tell her father that she needed to get away after loosing her friend and that she was going to go to Ben Miller's home for the weekend. She'd done it before to get away and so he wouldn't suspect anything.
Miss Parker drove through most of the night after the memorial service, despite the emptiness and loneliness she was feeling. Something was gnawing at her mind though about Sydney's death, it was what Angelo said that bothered her, that he was safe now. 'What does he mean by that? That now that Sydney's dead the Centre can't touch him.' She arrived in Augusta early Saturday evening. She sat outside the home wondering who would answer at the door. "Only one way to find out."
Miss Parker walked up the walkway and the porch steps and right up to the front door where she rang the doorbell. A few moments later the door opened, and the face Miss Parker saw shocked her into silence.
"Miss Parker? What are you doing here?" Broots asked her as he stuck his head out the door looking up and down the street for danger (a.k.a. the Centre).
"Broots?!?!" She continued to stare at him momentarily before reality set in once again. "Let me in you fool," she told him as she pushed her way in.
"Miss Parker, please, what are you doing here? You have to leave."
"Relax Broots no one knows I'm here, hell I can't believe I'm here. What are you doing up here?"
"What does it look like Miss Parker? I'm living my life. What are you doing here Miss Parker?" Broots was nervous as he spoke, looking out the window periodically waiting for the other Centre cars to show up.
"I see someone grew a spine!" Broots looked at her seriously as he wondered what she was doing there.
"Look Miss Parker you have to leave now. I can't do this."
"Broots relax will you? And I'm not leaving till I figure out what's going on and how Sydney knew you were here."
"Miss Parker will you please leave. I have a life here now that is free of the Centre. I am now able to raise Debbie without worrying about the Centre. We're happy now. Will you please leave?"
"Broots I'm really happy for you and all. But there's something I have to tell you now that I'm here. Sydney died on Thursday. He got sick last week, and he was flying to France with Michelle and Nicholas to try an experimental treatment when their plane crashed in the Atlantic off the coast of Prince Edward Island."
"What? Sydney's dead? Oh my God! I can't believe it." Broots slowly sat down as he absorbed what he was hearing.
"Broots how did Sydney know you were here?"
"I don't know. He must have found me, how though?"
Now it was Miss Parker's turn to sit down and process what she heard. "He knew where you were and he never told me?"
Broots whispered to himself as he stood up and headed for the kitchen, "I have to call Jarod." He walked into the room next door and pulled out a hidden cellular phone that he used only twice a week. He opened it up and called the first and only stored number that was there. The phone rang twice before it was answered.
-Yeah -Jarod, it's Broots.
-What's wrong Broots?
-Uh… two things. First Miss Parker just told me that Sydney is dead and two-
-Wait a minute did you just say that Miss Parker told you Sydney was dead? How did she get a hold of you?
-That's number two Jarod, she's here now. (In the other room Miss Parker heard Broots on the phone and thought she heard him say Jarod. She left the room looking for Broots and so headed for the kitchen)
-What?!?! Broots you have to get out of there now!
-I know, but I can't, Debbie's at that retreat now.
-Well go there on your way out and get her Broots!! If Miss Parker is already there then the Centre probably isn't far behind! You have to leave now! Look, get rid of her and then pack up. You've got…
"Broots who are you talking to?" Broots looked up at her as she spoke but still listened to what Jarod was saying. When Broots didn't acknowledge her question she repeated the question as she neared him. "Who are you talking to? Is that Jarod?" There was still no reply or acknowledgment from Broots. "Is that Jarod Broots? Let me talk to him."
-… Okay listen up Broots. Here's what we're going to do since she's not going to be easy to get rid of. Talk to her for now and calm her down. Let her stay the night if she wants to. I'll be in Augusta in six or so hours. I'll go pick up Debbie from the retreat, let them know that Jarod Sims will be there later tonight to pick her up. I'm her uncle who's going to pick her up and take her to the hospital because her uncle Sydney is there and not in good shape. Wait five or six hours before you call them. Once I have Debbie with me I'll come by your place and pick you up. Let her stay in Debbie's room, that way she'll think you won't leave without Debbie. When I'm right outside I'll call you.
-Okay.
-Don't worry Broots I'll come get you. Bye.
And with that being said Broots too closed the phone up.
"Broots was that Jarod? It was wasn't it? Why didn't you let me speak to him?"
"It doesn't matter Miss Parker. Why'd you come here? You've put Debbie's life in danger! How could you?"
"Broots I didn't know what I would find when I got here. I'm just as surprised as you are that I'm standing in your kitchen! Relax no one knows I'm here, except for Angelo who gave me the piece of paper with this address. I told my father that I was going to go visit Ben to grieve. No one at the Centre is going to come after me!"
"I'm sorry Miss Parker, it's just that I left that world behind over a year ago. I'm free of that place thanks to Jarod, and that means Debbie is safe."
Miss Parker listened to his words and became both happy for her friend and envious of his freedom. 'Well he did try and help me that one time… he won't try again now though…' she told herself sadly. "How is Debbie?"
"She's fine, at a school retreat now till tomorrow. She still talks about you, and even pulls out that one outfit every once in awhile," he smiled as he recalled the first time he saw her in that outfit standing next to Miss Parker.
"Really?" she too was smiling at that memory. "I'm glad to hear that she's okay…"
The conversation between the two over the next several hours was awkward and happy as they remembered Sydney. Finally at around ten Broots led Miss Parker to Debbie's room to sleep in, and then retired to his own bedroom. Once he was back in his own room he finished to pack up his own suitcase. Already packed was Debbie's bag that he had managed to pack throughout the evening without Miss Parker's knowledge. Once he finished packing the bags and had them waiting by the door he just sat on his bed waiting for the cellular phone in his hands to vibrate. At midnight the phone came to life in his hands.
-Jarod?
-Yeah. Okay I'm outside now. Where's Miss Parker now?
-She's in Debbie's room like you said. Is Debbie with you?
-Yeah she's fine, she's sleeping actually. Come get me at the door.
-Okay
Broots then walked out of his room stopping in front of Miss Parker's room making sure that no noise was coming from within. He headed to the door and let a waiting Jarod in. As they came down the hallway and passed Debbie's room heading toward Broots', the door to Debbie's room opened and a gun toting Miss Parker stepped out into the hallway. "Hold it Jarod!"
Both Jarod and Broots turned around. "Miss Parker what are you doing?"
"Don't mind her Broots. Just go get your bags and put them in the car." Broots looked at Miss Parker a final time before turning around and heading to his room. "Miss Parker," he calmly said.
"Jarod. It's time to go back."
"You never stop do you? And I'm not going back."
"Oh yes you are this time."
"No you are not taking me back this time and I'll tell you why." At that moment his hands snapped out to Miss Parker's extended gun hand where they twisted the gun free from her hands. "First of all, I have the gun now," he then released a shocked and angered Miss Parker.
"Ugh! Jarod I really hate you sometimes!" she told him as she fumed with anger.
Jarod ignored her remark and continued speaking, "Two, I am getting Broots and Debbie out of here so the Centre can't find them. And three, I can tell you about Sydney."
"What about Sydney?"
"Not quite yet Miss Parker, first I have to get them out of here." Broots then walked out of his room. He was surprised to see that Jarod was now the one holding the gun. He quietly walked past them and headed for the front door. Jarod and Miss Parker remained in the hallway. "Look if you want me to tell you about Sydney you can follow us. Once they're gone, we'll sit down and talk."
"You're kidding right? You and me will sit and talk?"
"If you want to know about Sydney, yeah. So you coming or not?" Jarod headed for the front door and stood in the entranceway waiting for an answer. Miss Parker who was wondering what Jarod knew about Sydney agreed. She then followed him to the door where he stopped her and held out his hand. "Your phone." She pulled out her cell phone and handed it over to him, they then proceeded out to their cars and drove off.
An hour later both Miss Parker and Jarod were left standing on the tarmac of a small airport watching the plane with Broots and Debbie on it take off. "Come on let's go."
"Where Jarod? You know I'm really sick of this me following you game." Only once she'd said it did Miss Parker realize the deeper meaning to her words.
"You could always stop. Come on, we'll take my car to a nearby hotel where I have a room."
Miss Parker silently nodded her head as she followed Jarod to his car and got in. The ride to the hotel was filled with a heavy awkward silence between the two and which neither broke. The silence continued as they entered the hotel room and sat down on separate beds facing each other.
Wednesday February 24
-This is Sydney.
-Hello Sydney.
-Jarod! How are you? I haven't heard from you in weeks, I was starting to worry!
-Were you really Sydney?
-Yes Jarod, I have been worried about you. And you're not the only one, Miss Parker as well.
-Really? She's been worried about me?
-She won't admit it, but yes she is. In fact she'd probably kill me if she found out I told you. I've actually been worried about her recently.
-Why what's wrong? Since when?
-I don't know exactly, but she hasn't seemed herself since she came back from her friend's funeral in Chicago a week and a half ago.
-A friend's funeral? Is that what she told you?
-Yes, why Jarod?
-No reason. Anyways, that's not the reason I called.
-What is it Jarod?
-Are you sure you want me to help you?
-(Sydney's face and voice turned serious as he spoke) Yes Jarod I am serious. I have to do this for my family and myself.
-Okay then. Can you be ready to start on the twenty-seventh and finish on the fourth?
-Yes, we'll be ready then.
-All right then Sydney. I'll see you soon.
-Until then Jarod (Click)
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Thursday March 5
Miss Parker quietly walked into Sydney's office. She looked around the office remembering Sydney, the closest thing to a father she ever had. "God Syd, I'm going to miss you. Why did you have to die in that plane crash?" Miss Parker then started to break down into tears as she sat down at Sydney's desk. As she cried for the next ten minutes she fondly remembered him. Once she had stopped crying, she leaned back in the chair, "I'm all alone here now…" Just then she saw Angelo in the vents and felt terribly sad. "Oh Angelo you don't know what happened. Sydney's not coming back here."
Angelo looked at her sadly before a smile crept across his face. The smile bewildered Miss Parker but before she could go on to explain that Sydney was dead, Angelo climbed out from the vent and walked over beside Miss Parker behind the desk. He knelt down beside her and the desk and put his hand under the desk. When he pulled his hand out from underneath, his hand was rolled into a fist. He then threw himself at Miss Parker and hugged her. The hug actually concealed the fact that Angelo's fisted hand shoved a piece of paper into Miss Parker's hands. Angelo whispered into her ear, "Sydney not sad… safe." And just as quickly as he threw himself into her arms, he disengaged himself and scurried back into the vents leaving a confused and shocked Miss Parker behind him all alone in Sydney's old office.
Miss Parker reached her home after six that evening. As soon as she arrived home she opened the slip of paper that Angelo had given her. On it she read:
519 Oakdale St.
Augusta, Maine
414 555 0231
"Maine? What's up in Maine? Why was this address hidden? I guess I'll have to find out myself."
Miss Parker decided that she would drive up to Maine after the memorial service for Sydney tomorrow afternoon. She would tell her father that she needed to get away after loosing her friend and that she was going to go to Ben Miller's home for the weekend. She'd done it before to get away and so he wouldn't suspect anything.
Miss Parker drove through most of the night after the memorial service, despite the emptiness and loneliness she was feeling. Something was gnawing at her mind though about Sydney's death, it was what Angelo said that bothered her, that he was safe now. 'What does he mean by that? That now that Sydney's dead the Centre can't touch him.' She arrived in Augusta early Saturday evening. She sat outside the home wondering who would answer at the door. "Only one way to find out."
Miss Parker walked up the walkway and the porch steps and right up to the front door where she rang the doorbell. A few moments later the door opened, and the face Miss Parker saw shocked her into silence.
"Miss Parker? What are you doing here?" Broots asked her as he stuck his head out the door looking up and down the street for danger (a.k.a. the Centre).
"Broots?!?!" She continued to stare at him momentarily before reality set in once again. "Let me in you fool," she told him as she pushed her way in.
"Miss Parker, please, what are you doing here? You have to leave."
"Relax Broots no one knows I'm here, hell I can't believe I'm here. What are you doing up here?"
"What does it look like Miss Parker? I'm living my life. What are you doing here Miss Parker?" Broots was nervous as he spoke, looking out the window periodically waiting for the other Centre cars to show up.
"I see someone grew a spine!" Broots looked at her seriously as he wondered what she was doing there.
"Look Miss Parker you have to leave now. I can't do this."
"Broots relax will you? And I'm not leaving till I figure out what's going on and how Sydney knew you were here."
"Miss Parker will you please leave. I have a life here now that is free of the Centre. I am now able to raise Debbie without worrying about the Centre. We're happy now. Will you please leave?"
"Broots I'm really happy for you and all. But there's something I have to tell you now that I'm here. Sydney died on Thursday. He got sick last week, and he was flying to France with Michelle and Nicholas to try an experimental treatment when their plane crashed in the Atlantic off the coast of Prince Edward Island."
"What? Sydney's dead? Oh my God! I can't believe it." Broots slowly sat down as he absorbed what he was hearing.
"Broots how did Sydney know you were here?"
"I don't know. He must have found me, how though?"
Now it was Miss Parker's turn to sit down and process what she heard. "He knew where you were and he never told me?"
Broots whispered to himself as he stood up and headed for the kitchen, "I have to call Jarod." He walked into the room next door and pulled out a hidden cellular phone that he used only twice a week. He opened it up and called the first and only stored number that was there. The phone rang twice before it was answered.
-Yeah -Jarod, it's Broots.
-What's wrong Broots?
-Uh… two things. First Miss Parker just told me that Sydney is dead and two-
-Wait a minute did you just say that Miss Parker told you Sydney was dead? How did she get a hold of you?
-That's number two Jarod, she's here now. (In the other room Miss Parker heard Broots on the phone and thought she heard him say Jarod. She left the room looking for Broots and so headed for the kitchen)
-What?!?! Broots you have to get out of there now!
-I know, but I can't, Debbie's at that retreat now.
-Well go there on your way out and get her Broots!! If Miss Parker is already there then the Centre probably isn't far behind! You have to leave now! Look, get rid of her and then pack up. You've got…
"Broots who are you talking to?" Broots looked up at her as she spoke but still listened to what Jarod was saying. When Broots didn't acknowledge her question she repeated the question as she neared him. "Who are you talking to? Is that Jarod?" There was still no reply or acknowledgment from Broots. "Is that Jarod Broots? Let me talk to him."
-… Okay listen up Broots. Here's what we're going to do since she's not going to be easy to get rid of. Talk to her for now and calm her down. Let her stay the night if she wants to. I'll be in Augusta in six or so hours. I'll go pick up Debbie from the retreat, let them know that Jarod Sims will be there later tonight to pick her up. I'm her uncle who's going to pick her up and take her to the hospital because her uncle Sydney is there and not in good shape. Wait five or six hours before you call them. Once I have Debbie with me I'll come by your place and pick you up. Let her stay in Debbie's room, that way she'll think you won't leave without Debbie. When I'm right outside I'll call you.
-Okay.
-Don't worry Broots I'll come get you. Bye.
And with that being said Broots too closed the phone up.
"Broots was that Jarod? It was wasn't it? Why didn't you let me speak to him?"
"It doesn't matter Miss Parker. Why'd you come here? You've put Debbie's life in danger! How could you?"
"Broots I didn't know what I would find when I got here. I'm just as surprised as you are that I'm standing in your kitchen! Relax no one knows I'm here, except for Angelo who gave me the piece of paper with this address. I told my father that I was going to go visit Ben to grieve. No one at the Centre is going to come after me!"
"I'm sorry Miss Parker, it's just that I left that world behind over a year ago. I'm free of that place thanks to Jarod, and that means Debbie is safe."
Miss Parker listened to his words and became both happy for her friend and envious of his freedom. 'Well he did try and help me that one time… he won't try again now though…' she told herself sadly. "How is Debbie?"
"She's fine, at a school retreat now till tomorrow. She still talks about you, and even pulls out that one outfit every once in awhile," he smiled as he recalled the first time he saw her in that outfit standing next to Miss Parker.
"Really?" she too was smiling at that memory. "I'm glad to hear that she's okay…"
The conversation between the two over the next several hours was awkward and happy as they remembered Sydney. Finally at around ten Broots led Miss Parker to Debbie's room to sleep in, and then retired to his own bedroom. Once he was back in his own room he finished to pack up his own suitcase. Already packed was Debbie's bag that he had managed to pack throughout the evening without Miss Parker's knowledge. Once he finished packing the bags and had them waiting by the door he just sat on his bed waiting for the cellular phone in his hands to vibrate. At midnight the phone came to life in his hands.
-Jarod?
-Yeah. Okay I'm outside now. Where's Miss Parker now?
-She's in Debbie's room like you said. Is Debbie with you?
-Yeah she's fine, she's sleeping actually. Come get me at the door.
-Okay
Broots then walked out of his room stopping in front of Miss Parker's room making sure that no noise was coming from within. He headed to the door and let a waiting Jarod in. As they came down the hallway and passed Debbie's room heading toward Broots', the door to Debbie's room opened and a gun toting Miss Parker stepped out into the hallway. "Hold it Jarod!"
Both Jarod and Broots turned around. "Miss Parker what are you doing?"
"Don't mind her Broots. Just go get your bags and put them in the car." Broots looked at Miss Parker a final time before turning around and heading to his room. "Miss Parker," he calmly said.
"Jarod. It's time to go back."
"You never stop do you? And I'm not going back."
"Oh yes you are this time."
"No you are not taking me back this time and I'll tell you why." At that moment his hands snapped out to Miss Parker's extended gun hand where they twisted the gun free from her hands. "First of all, I have the gun now," he then released a shocked and angered Miss Parker.
"Ugh! Jarod I really hate you sometimes!" she told him as she fumed with anger.
Jarod ignored her remark and continued speaking, "Two, I am getting Broots and Debbie out of here so the Centre can't find them. And three, I can tell you about Sydney."
"What about Sydney?"
"Not quite yet Miss Parker, first I have to get them out of here." Broots then walked out of his room. He was surprised to see that Jarod was now the one holding the gun. He quietly walked past them and headed for the front door. Jarod and Miss Parker remained in the hallway. "Look if you want me to tell you about Sydney you can follow us. Once they're gone, we'll sit down and talk."
"You're kidding right? You and me will sit and talk?"
"If you want to know about Sydney, yeah. So you coming or not?" Jarod headed for the front door and stood in the entranceway waiting for an answer. Miss Parker who was wondering what Jarod knew about Sydney agreed. She then followed him to the door where he stopped her and held out his hand. "Your phone." She pulled out her cell phone and handed it over to him, they then proceeded out to their cars and drove off.
An hour later both Miss Parker and Jarod were left standing on the tarmac of a small airport watching the plane with Broots and Debbie on it take off. "Come on let's go."
"Where Jarod? You know I'm really sick of this me following you game." Only once she'd said it did Miss Parker realize the deeper meaning to her words.
"You could always stop. Come on, we'll take my car to a nearby hotel where I have a room."
Miss Parker silently nodded her head as she followed Jarod to his car and got in. The ride to the hotel was filled with a heavy awkward silence between the two and which neither broke. The silence continued as they entered the hotel room and sat down on separate beds facing each other.
