First Time

Burning down the house

Chapter 14: Burning down the house

Saying he wanted to search for Terra's twin was one thing, actually finding her was another. A more complicated another. Gar didn't know where to start his search or even know how. He didn't know the name of the person he was looking for or what state she even lived in. What if she wasn't even in America? What if her life had taken an unfortunate turn like her sister? How was he supposed to find her when he didn't even know the basics? He couldn't figure out where to start in all this so he enlisted the help of his best friend. Gar didn't have to wait long and soon Vic was in his basement walking down the rickety wooden steps that squeaked under his weight.

"Alright, I'm here," Vic announced as his feet touched the ground. "What's the emergency?"

"Terra's twin," Gar answered, looking at his friend from where he sat.

Vic's expression was flat. "... I'm gone."

He turned around to leave but Gar jumped on his back. "Dude, please!"

"Dammit, Gar, let go! I don't wanna get involved-"

"But I said please-"

"And I said no," Vic countered as he successfully shook Gar off his back. He turned around to glare at him and noticed Gar was ready to jump him again so he pointed a finger warningly. "Don't even try it."

"But dude I need your help!" pleaded Gar, his hands clasped in front of him in a begging manner. "I don't know what to do."

"And what makes you think I do?"

"Helloooo! You're a compter nerd. Can't you just like, I don't know, do some secret service shit on your lap top and find her for me?"

Vic sat down on an old chair. "This isn't some TV show, Gar. It's not that simple. I don't know how to search for somebody."

Gar sat down opposite of him, looking dejected. He really thought Vic would be able to help, especially since he was so organized and collective. When they were kids Vic was the one who always knew where everything was at. He was always able to find something that was missing too, like that time Gar lost his favorite key chain. Gar smirked a little, thinking that if this was a TV show Vic would be like a P. I.

That's when an idea came to him and his eyes widened. He sat up enthusiastically. "That's it!"

Vic jumped back, startled, and raised a brow. "Huh?"

"I know what to do now," Gar said confidently, grinning. "I'll hire a P. I."

"Gar, that's stupid."

"Nuh-uh. It could work. I'll get the name of Terra's mom and the hospital she had the girls in from Brion, give it to the P. I., and he'll take it from there."

"And how do you expect to pay for this P. I.?" Vic asked, standing up with his eyes narrowed. "They ain't cheap. And I doubt the salary from your part time job is gonna cover it."

Gar swore. Vic had a point. There was no way his part time job at one of Jump City's play houses would cover the price for a private investigator. He supposed he could stop volunteering at the animal shelter, which he did a few times a month, and take that time to put to use on something that pays. He frowned as he thought of different ways to come up with enough money. He didn't have much now, because he wasn't a big saver, but he did know some people who were.

"Maybe I could ask someone for a small loan," he mused out loud as he paced around his seat, thinking of Roy, Kori, and Toni. Each of them had deep pockets, and eventually he would pay them back.

Vic took hold of Gar's shoulders and spun him around so they were facing each other. He gave him a little shake before releasing him. "Gar, do you hear yourself? This is insane! Why are you even doing this?"