Fearless (discontiuned)

Chapter eleven

Henry's pov
Grover's Flat
Pleasantville, Oregon

I spend my day, hacking into the system. Christian will be leaving tomorrow with his bandmates. I regret blackmailing Mom. If Dad was here, he would give me a lecture of a lifetime. That's something I don't want.

The stress is still building in me: work, school, and discreetly helping Cody out. I haven't texted Cody in weeks, and neither has he. He's busy with his agent life and saving the world.

I have already finished my homework. Now, I am on my computer practicing my hacking skills. I have been considering becoming an agent for some time now, but I am too young to work in the field.

"Henry? We need to talk," Tyler's voice said outside the door. "Now," the sternness builds in his voice.

I let out a sigh and proceeded to open the door. Tyler enters the room and shuts the door behind him. "Please take a seat," he instructs me. "We need to have a serious conversation."

I did what he asked.

Tyler crosses his arms before looking at me. "Why did you blackmail mom? Are you crazy?"

How did he know about that?

I attempt to feign ignorance and ask, "What is the subject of your conversation? I did not engage in any blackmailing of our mother."

"Oh stop with your act. You blackmailed Mom. It's not right for you to do that. I'm not stupid. So, tell me why you did that," Tyler said.

It's impossible to escape from this situation. "I acted because I witnessed something."

"Saw what?" Tyler asked, still glaring at me.

I let out a sigh and looked at Tyler. "Before I tell you what I saw, I need you to promise me that you won't overreact. Can you promise me that, please?"

He urged, "Say it. I promise."

"I saw Mom making out with Gilbert..." I said under my breath. Tyler gasped, and his eyes widened in shock.

Tyler was in shock and stuttered, "What? How? When?"

I avoid Tyler's reaction by looking away as I say "Months."

"He sat down on the bed and exclaimed, "Wow!" Then, he asked, "Did you make a deal with Mom to keep it a secret from everyone?"

"Apparently, yeah. I didn't blackmail Mom. I asked her if I didn't tell anyone about her and Gilbert's relationship, and she would let Christian go," I defended myself.

"Does anyone know?" Tyler asked.

"I already know. You are the first person I told you. So no one knows. But she will tell the rest when the time is right," I said.

Acknowledging with a nod, Tyler rises from his seat. "I shall prepare the evening meal," he declares before exiting my room. As he departs, I shift my weight on the bed.

With a loud groan, I arose from my bed and opened the door to find Mom, Owen, Christan, and Tyler gathered around the table eating in silence.

After briefly glaring at me, my mom looks away. I take a seat next to Owen and start loading up my plate with food. The atmosphere feels uncomfortable, and everyone is focused on eating. I decided to stay quiet and wait for someone to initiate a conversation.

"Mom!" Christian exclaimed out of nowhere. "I was thinking, since we're going to a music festival, it would be amazing if you guys could come with us. It would be cool if we go together as a family like Owen said,"

"I'll make my decision if you could tell me where Cody is," Mom said, firmly. 

Owen's eyes widened. Tyler coughed. Christian looks frightened.

While playing with his food, Owen begins speaking. "We need to tell mom,"

He then gave us all a stern look. I agree with Owen that Mom deserves to know.

"Well?" Mom's brow raises.

I clear my throat. "Mom, Cody is in Washington. He has a mission to deal with," I begin.

"What?!" Mom screamed. "When?!"

"During the argument, we secretly took him out at night because we anticipated your anger and knew you wouldn't allow it. That's why we kept it from you," I explained to Mom. I had more to say, but I had to hold back.

I took the plate and went to my room to finish my food. I closed the door and put the plate on the desk. As I was about to eat, my phone beeped.

I check my phone. It's a text from Cody.

Cody: Hey, are you there? We need to talk

Henry: yeah sure. What is it?

Cody: I think I found the secret weapon.

Henry: that's great. I knew you could find it

Cody: Listen, can you find out about Jackson and Clay online? I need to know more about them.

Henry: Sure, I will search for them.

Cody: have you found out anything about The Blackthorn Society?

Henry: still progressing in my research. But there is another thing.

Cody: what do you mean?

Henry: I may have told Mom that you went to Washington. Please don't get mad at me.

Cody: I'm not mad. I mean she would find out eventually. Did she get mad?

Henry: yeah. I'm gonna talk to you tomorrow.

Cody: bye

I close my eyes for a moment. Until my computer starts to go bonkers. I grab my computer and turn it on. An unknown number appears on the screen.

I declined the call. A few moments later, it starts to ring again. I groan and accept the call. 

"Who is this?" I asked, firmly. 

"If you intervene with our plans, I'll kill you and your family," A deep man's voice said. It sounded almost like a threat.

"Is this a threat?" My voice is on the verge of cracking. 

"It is. Tell Cody Grover that the Blackthorn Society is coming for him. He will see what's coming to him," a menacing laughter raises. "Send the regard to him," before hanging up. 

I quickly shut the computer. I cower in fear. How is that possible? I have to warn Cody about this. I cannot text him. The only option for me is to go to Washington and warn him. 

With a heavy heart, I pack my stuff. I pack Dad's laptop. He gave me the laptop on my birthday. As I walked to the living room, Owen's voice called me.

"Henry, where are you going?" Owen asked. "are you running away?" 

I bend down. "I'm going to find Cody. Be a good boy while I'm gone, okay?" 

Owen nodded and hugged me. "I'll miss you, big brother," 

I hug him back. "I'll miss you too," I kiss him on his forehead. I open the door and leave. I slowly get on the bike. I slowly made my way to the airport. 

As soon as I board the plane, I sit in the window seat. The plane begins to fly in the air. I quickly buckle myself. I look out the window. 

Cody will be mad if he sees me. That's for sure. For now, I have to be extra careful. I open Dad's laptop. But to my shock, he has files restored in the laptop. I never use the laptop. I click the files and start to go through them. 

As I went through one file after another, there was nothing relating to The Blackthorn Society and their motives. 

Frustratingly, I shut the laptop and put the laptop back in my bag. I leaned against the chair as my eyes fluttered shut.