Chapter 8
About an hour later I went outside to help Robert work on his motorcycle. As I walked out of our garage, I saw a strange black SUV driving down our street. I started to run toward it to see who was inside watching us. It suddenly sped off and turned the corner. I noticed it had government plates on it. As I walked back up the driveway Robert met me.
“Hey, who was that you were chasing after?” Robert asked.
“I don’t know, it was a strange SUV with government plates on it,” I said.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Come on let’s go inside the house. I need to make a few calls.” Robert stated.
We both went inside and Robert went around the house locking all the doors and windows.
Ryan came down from his room.
“Hey what’s going on J? Why is Robert locking all the doors and windows?” Ryan asked.
“I don’t know, Ry. Go up to your room and I’ll be up there in a minute.”
I watched as Robert went into his office with a panicked look of concern etched on his face.
“Ms. V, what’s going on?”
“I don’t know sweetie, but go upstairs I will try and find out,” she said.
Ms. V went into Robert’s office and closed the door. I listened outside the door as they talked.
“Hey Robert, what’s going on?” Ms. V asked.
“I’ve just been called back in V! You know I can’t tell you more so you and the boys are not put into any danger,” Robert said.
“Robert, I thought you were getting out once and for all. The boys and I really need you. Jason is at a sensitive time right now and needs your guidance. Ryan is very impressionable as well and looks up to you.”
“Well V you know when they call I gotta go. Jason saw the black SUV outside and you know he’s gonna have questions. They have been watching the boys for some time now especially Jason. His test scores at school are off the chart. The agency is ready to recruit him. While we were in Montana I let them know he was ready. Why do you think that ROTC recruiter approached him when he did? Jason has some of the most natural killer instinct I have ever seen. The chemical supplements we have been giving them both, are finally starting to show results. As a result of the chemical supplements, Jason’s instincts, stamina, athleticism, and neurological functions have been highly enhanced. You weren’t there. You didn’t see how he took that bear down with just a head shot. Jason is running five miles now each morning without even blinking. I gotta go out on another mission. Make sure Jason stays on track with his supplements. It’s also time to increase Ryan’s dosage as well. I know you were apprehensive about the boys being in this program but you have to know I would never do anything to knowingly put them in danger. I didn’t tell him but the agency has already made sure of his acceptance to the Naval Academy.”
As I listened outside the door I was in total shock as to what I was hearing them talk about. I felt a rush of anxiety and concern suddenly come over me.
“Okay Robert, but you know Jason is entering a critical unknown stage of this program and you need to be here in case he suffers any side effects. Besides, we don’t know how Ryan will respond to the new supplements since he is done with stage one now.”
“Don’t worry Virginia, the agency is always watching. They will make sure everything goes smoothly. His football coach, guidance counselor, English teacher, and ROTC recruiter all work for the agency and give regular reports on Jason. Call me on the satellite phone if there is an emergency. Right now, I gotta GO!”
I quickly ran upstairs before Robert saw me. I watched from my room as he hurried into his room and started to pack a large duffle bag. I walked to his doorway.
“Hey Robert, what’s going on?” I asked.
“Jason, unfortunately my leave is over and I’ve been called back to active duty. I don’t know how long I will be gone this time.”
“What about my training and everything? I’m taking my tests next week!”
“Don’t worry, you’re gonna do great! Look out for Ryan and tell him I said bye.”
I watched from the window as Robert jumped in his pickup truck and backed out of the driveway. I walked to Ryan’s room and knocked on the door. When he didn’t answer, I opened it and he was wearing his headphones and playing video games. I walked up and tapped him on the shoulder, startling him.
“Hey J, you scared the heck outta me,” Ryan said.
“Sorry Ryan, I gotta talk to you,” I said.
“What about?”
“Robert just left suddenly. He had to deploy on another mission,”
“Wow really? When is he coming back?” Ryan asked.
“I have no idea but don’t worry, I’m gonna take care of everything. Ms. V is going to look out for us for sure. If you ever see anything strange or feel like you are being followed, tell me right away.” I told him.
“Why Jason? What is going on? You’re scaring me.” Ryan said.
“Listen, this isn’t the first time Robert has gone away and he always comes back. Just have faith that I would never let anything happen to you or Ms. V,” I told him.
“Okay Jason, but things seem so strange around here recently.”
“I know Ryan, don’t worry though. I’m going to my room but I will come get you later after I talk to Ms. V.” I assured him.
“I’m supposed to go over to Sean’s house for his sleepover birthday party tonight.”
“Does Ms. V know about this?”
“Yes of course, she was supposed to drop me off.”
“Okay, I will go downstairs and remind her. I will be right back,” I said.
“Okay.”
I ran downstairs but Ms. V was nowhere to be found. Her car was not in the driveway either. It was strange for her to leave and not tell us. I looked on the kitchen table and there was a note from her that said: Be back soon. Ms. V!
I went back upstairs to get Ryan to take him to Sean’s birthday party. Sean only lived two blocks away so I could just walk him over.
“Hey Ry, I’m going to take you because Ms. V left to run an errand I guess,” I told him.
“Okay thanks, Jason because I don’t want to miss this party. Let me grab my bag,” Ryan said.
As Ryan grabbed his bag I wondered where Ms. V had gone. By the time we left it was almost dark and the street lights had come on. It had snowed the night before so fresh powder covered our neighborhood. We both put on our new coats and boots we had gotten for Christmas. As Ryan and I walked down the street, I noticed the same black SUV parked at the top of our block with its lights off. As we approached the corner, it started to move slowly toward us. So, I didn’t alarm Ryan, I quickened my stride. Within a few minutes we arrived at Sean’s house. Ryan rang the doorbell and Sean’s mom answered the door. I looked inside and saw other kids sitting down at the table eating pizza and birthday cake.
“Hey boys, you’re just in time for the food.”
“Sorry I’m a little late Ms. Martin, we had to walk over from our house,” Ryan said.
“Okay, come inside you both must be freezing,” she said.
“Ryan, go ahead and have fun. I’m going to run home,” I said.
“Are you sure Jason? I’m sure Aniah would love to see you.” Ms. Martin said.
“Sorry Ms. Martin, tell her I said hi and will see her in school later,” I said.
“Sure thing, Jason, have a good night,” she said.
“Hey Ry, call me when you want to come home in the morning and I will come get you,” I said.
“Okay, get out of here I’m not a baby,” Ry expressed.
“Okay, butthead see you tomorrow.”
As soon as Ms. Martin closed the door I must have blinked and I was back at home putting the key in the door. When I walked in the kitchen, Ms. V was sitting at the kitchen table with tears in her eyes.
“What’s wrong Ms. V,” I asked.
“Jason, I don’t know how to tell you this but Robert was in a car accident,” she stated.
“Oh My God, how? What happened,” I asked.
“The police are saying he lost control of his truck and his brakes failed. He’s in the Veteran’s hospital in critical condition. I didn’t want to upset Ryan before he left to go to Sean’s birthday party. This is going to devastate him!”
“I drove his truck back from Montana and it drove just fine.”
“I know. Since his truck belongs to the government they came and picked it up before the police were able to finish their investigation. I want to know how they found out so quickly about the accident?”
“I don’t know Ms. V but there is something I want to talk to you about.”
“Sure sweetie, what is it?”
“I have seen the same black SUV watching us on it two different separate occasions. Tonight, the same SUV followed me and Ryan to Ms. Martin’s house. I made sure Ryan didn’t know what was going on. Who are they and why are they watching us?”
“Jason, you have to trust me. All will be explained to you when the time is right. I can’t say anymore right now. I need to get down to the VA hospital to see about Robert. Just know that I love you and Ryan very much, and I am sorry for all that is going on.”
“Do you want me to go with you?” I asked.
“No, stay here in case something happens and Ryan needs to come home. If I don’t come home tonight, don’t be worried. I’m probably going to see if I can stay with Robert. I know I’m not going to want to leave his side.”
“Okay, I will stay here.”