The Fall of Hope

Chapter 18

            Alex, Nick, Blake and Chase were walking down the hall, when Denzel saw the four fifteen year olds and called them over.

            “Hey Denny,” Alex said, with a grin as they walked over.

            “Hey guys,” Denzel said. “Hey Al.”

            Chase and Nick nodded to Denzel and Blake gave him a little wave, “Hi,” Blake said.

            Denzel gave Alex a small smile and motioned behind him, “I want you guys to meet Tyler,” he said as he pulled a dark haired boy out from behind him.

            Alex raised an eyebrow, “Hey,” she said. Tyler ignored her and, after a moment, Alex said, “Hey,” again.

            “Whatever,” Tyler mumbled.

            Denzel opened his mouth to say something, but Alex beat him to it, by slapping Tyler upside his head, “Excuse me, little boy,” Alex said. “I don't know how you treat people where you're from, but here we tend to treat them with respect.”

            Nick, Chase and Blake laughed and Denzel rolled his eyes as Tyler looked at Alex in shock, “Good for you,” he said.

            This time, Denzel was the one who hit him, “Listen, stupid,” he hissed into his ear. “I wouldn't mess with her, so learn some respect, say hello and suck it up.”

            Tyler's eyes widened and he looked over at Alex, “Hi, he said.

            Alex laughed and hit Denzel before saying, “I'm Alexandria. It's nice to meet you, Tyler.”

            Tyler nodded, “Nice to meet you too.”

            Nick, Chase and Blake cleared their throats and Alex sighed, “These idiots are Nick, Chase and Blake.”

            Tyler gave Alex a small smile, “Hi,” he said to the boys.

            Nick nodded as Chase and Blake said, “Hey.”

            Denzel shook his head at Nick as Caleb ran over, jumped onto Alex and latched onto her side, “Alex!” he yelled.

            Alex laughed, “Hey Cal,” she said, wrapping her arms around him.

            Caleb grinned up at his sister, “I'm almost finished,” he said.

            Alex looked down at Caleb, “Need help?” she asked.

            Caleb nodded, “You and Blake... and Nick,” he said. “Chase can come if he wants.”

            “Not like you have a choice,” Denzel mumbled.

            “Hey!” Chase said.

            Alex, Nick and Blake laughed as Denzel rolled his eyes and Caleb looked at Tyler.

            Tyler waved at Caleb, who hid his face in Alex's shirt, “Who's that?” Caleb mumbled as he tightened his grip around Alex's waist.

            Alex shrugged, “Just some new kid.”

            Caleb looked over at Tyler, “Hi, I'm Caleb, Alex's little brother, and a tech. I'm eight.”

            Tyler raised an eyebrow and smiled as he leaned down and said, “Nice to meet you, Caleb. I'm Tyler.”

            Caleb pulled his head away from Alex's shirt to look at Tyler, “I like to make C-4 and blow things up,” he said, smiling sweetly.

            Tyler leaned back a little, “Okay...” he said.

            Everyone but Tyler laughed, “I like making C-4,” Caleb said again. “Alex taught me how...”

            Tyler grinned, “Cool.”

            Caleb looked up at his sister and tugged on her sleeve, “Yes?” Alex asked, looking down at Caleb.

            He motioned for her to lean down and, when she did, he loudly whispered, “Can I show him the lab?” he asked.

            Alex shrugged and whispered back, “Ask Denny.”

            Caleb walked over to Denny, climbed up onto a chair and whispered, “Can I show him the lab?”

            Denzel chuckled, “Only the first lab,” he said. “If he goes any further, he might end up dead.”

            Alex, Nick, Chase and Blake laughed as Caleb smiled innocently at Tyler and said, “Come on,” before grabbing his hand and pulling him down to the lab.

* * *

            As soon as the car pulled up, Denzel, Jake, David and Jackie, who were all sitting outside, jumped up.

            “You're early,” Denzel said as Alex got out of the car.

            Alex marched over to Denzel, with her gun out, and tossed him against the wall, “Who's missing?” she growled

            Denzel's eyes widened as he looked around at the boys, who got out of the car with their arms crossed, “Caleb?” he whispered.

            “I told you he was too young,” Alex said in a deathly calm voice. “But you couldn't stand to be wrong, could you?”

            Everyone stood behind Alex and watched, “She's really mad,” Jackie said.

            “She's not even yelling,” David said.

            “It's because she already knows how this is going to go,” Nick said.

            Alex pressed her gun to Denzel's temple, “You will locate my brother and we will save him,” she hissed. “Is that clear?” she asked, digging her gun into Denzel's temple.

            Denzel nodded quickly.

            “Good, and if we don't find him I'll kill you myself, clear?” Alex said.

            “You wouldn't,” Denzel said.

            “Wouldn't I?” Alex asked. You never know... it wouldn't be obvious, of course. We might be in a fight and my finger might… just... slip,” Alex whispered the last part.

            Denzel swallowed hard and Alex released him. As soon as she let go, Denzel leaned against the wall and Alex roll her eyes as she walked away with Nick, Blake, Chase, David, Jackie and Jake following her.