Return of the Goddess

Chapter 24

    They got ready in no time, but when they reached the car they didn’t know what to do. There were seven of them now with Blaze and Charlie. Lucy decided to drive with Genna sitting in the seat with her. Blaze sat in the passenger seat with Charlie. Alvina sat on Sage’s lap on the middle counsel. Chelsea was squished somewhere in between Genna and Sage.

     “We really need to get a new car.” Sage said squeezed against the back.

     “I don’t know. I like this car. It’s fast,” Lucy pushed down on the pedal and they speeded away from the hotel. She went down the strip for the last time then got on to the highway to the airport. Alvina kept on switching radio channels, never deciding on one.

     Sage hated sitting next to Blaze. She would never trust her as long as she lived, but she knew Charlie and Genna trusted her. It was Alvina, Lucy and her that didn’t trust Blaze. Chelsea was too nice of a person which also made her a push over because of her amiability.

     Sirens went off behind and Lucy didn’t know what to do, “I wasn’t speeding. I promise!”

     “No, they found the car that was stolen,” Sage told them, “Just pull  over. I’ll think of something.” Lucy stopped on the side of the rode and the cop pulled in behind her. He got out of his car with the woman who owned the Mercedes convertible. He walked up to the driver’s side and the lady stayed put with her arms crossed.

    “Step out of the vehicle please.” He opened the door for them. He made them line up on the side of the road. “What on Earth are you juveniles doing?” he hastily walked in front of them.

     “The woman came over to them, “Sherriff let’s bring them back to Tanka. We can question them there,” she directed Genna to get in her car. 

     “Yes Ms. Mayor.” The police officer led Blaze to the front of his car and Sage, Chelsea, Lucy, Charlie, and Alvina in the back.

     The Mercedes led the way back to town. Genna was uncomfortable sitting alone with the lady. After awhile she started to talk.

     “What’s your name?” she asked. Her voice was almost motherly sounding.

     “Genna, and you?” she wouldn’t look at the woman.

     “I am Mayor Henswer, but you can call me Gabby. Where are your parents?”

     “They live far away. Do you have kids?” Genna already knew the answer.

     “Yes, one, her name is Hana.” She smiled proudly.

     “That’s nice,” Genna could feel the warm kind spirit of Gabby Henswer.

     The rest of the way was complete silence, and Genna might have fallen asleep for a few minutes here and there. It was late when they reached Tanka. The sheriff pulled up and let them out. He brought them to a room that was completely white with a long marble table with ten chairs around it. He put seven chairs on one side then directed them to sit down. Once they all were seating we locked the doors. Mayor Henswer and the sheriff sat across from them in a disapproving state.

     “My name is Sheriff Valentra. This is Mayor Henswer. Her car got stolen a few days ago and today we found it with you seven in it. One, it was a stolen vehicle, and two, it was a two seater and yet somehow there were seven of you in it,” he tried to intimidate them, “Now first I want names.” He took out a pen and paper from his sheriff’s bag.

     Sage was too terrified to think something up, “Sage, Chelsea, Lucy, Blaze, Charlie, Alvina and Genna.”

     “Last names please.” He wrote in his book.

     “Sorry. Sage Parker, Chelsea Bullman, Lucy Casterfeld, Charlie Brooke, Blaze Samson and Alvina Strand.”

     He pointed his pen at Genna, “You are?”

     “Genna Laurenson.” She grinned.

     “I’ll be right back then. Gabby will you come help me,” they left the room through the door. Genna could hear them lock.

     “How could you give them our real names!” Lucy freaked.

    “I don’t know! I panicked!” Sage put her head in her hands.

      They fell silent as sheriff Valentra and Mayor Henswer reentered the room. The sheriff put a stack of files in front of him and flipped the first one open, “This is so interesting. I found missing child reports for Sage Parker, Blaze Samson and Chelsea Bullman. It also looks like Charlie Brooke is orphaned, and Lucy Casterfeld ran away from boarding school several years ago. However I did not find anything on Genna Laurenson and I have only one piece of paper on Alvina Strand. Says you were in juvy for arson and theft. I see I have a lively bunch.” He laughed. “Now, why did you steal the mayor’s car?” he spoke as if the town didn’t have enough crime and this was exciting for him.

     Alvina spoke up, “I’m Alvina, the one that was in juvy. I’m a kleptomaniac. Can’t help myself around fast cars.”

     “O.k.? Why are you seven together. It’s no coincidence, are you related?”

     “My sister’s are Chelsea and Sage through different mom’s and dad’s. We had just met before we stole the car. Charlie and Lucy came with me as friends, and the others were with them.” Genna said.

     “Why do we have no files on you?”

     “I’m from Greece. We don’t keep good records there,” she smiled.

     “Well, we have to figure out where to go from here. Alvina Strand will serve two extra years of juvy as well as the three you should have served before. Sage Parker will return to her father. Chelsea Bullman will go back to her mother. Charlie Brooke will go to the All Boys Military Academy until further notice. Genna Laurenson will go back to Greece and Lucy Casterfeld will return to Catholic school. Blaze will go back home as well.” He got up, “I’ll be right back.”

     Gabby Henswer waited until he left the room then leaned forward, “You have a minute to convince me to help you.”

     Lucy put her hands together and pleads, “Please don’t send me back to Catholic school. I’m polytheistic!”

     “Alvina? Aren’t you upset you have five years of imprisonment ahead of you?” the Mayor looked at Alvina, who was leaning casually back in her chair.

      “Nah, I’ll just break out again,” she shrugged.

     “I guess I was going to help you guys anyway. When I was tracking down my car I was expecting to see two grown men. Let’s go! My minivans around the back.” She got up and unlocked the door. They ran out of the police station ad around the corner was a black minivan. Gabby pressed a button and the doors slid open. Blaze, Alvina and Charlie crawled into the back. Sage, Chelsea, and Lucy went in the middle and Genna sat in the passenger seat up front. They drove a couple blocks until they were in front of a stone mansion with a beautiful garden stretching as far as they could see. The twelve foot tall gates opened and let them in.