The Call of the Others

Chapter 4

Again, the group was blessed with Cassandra’s presence.

“Have you thought about what I said?” she asked, sitting down at the table.

“I thought we got rid of you!” Martin said. Shamelessly, in fact.

“Alas, no. And what a shame. I was hoping to get rid of you.”

“That makes no sense,” Cary said, trying to piece together what was probably an insult.

“I don’t care. Did you think about what I said?!” Cassandra demanded, exasperated.

“Yeah,” Joe answered. “And I’m afraid that you didn’t tell us what exactly we were supposed to do to ‘save’ these ‘creatures.’” He used air quotes excessively to demonstrate his point.

“Well, we have a field trip in a week to Cincinnati,” Cassandra explained.

“Oh, yes! Cincinnati! The alien center of the world,” Charles said sarcastically.

Cassandra shot him an annoyed look. “Anyway, I think we can find some evidence there.”

“Why?” Alice asked.                      

“I found out some stuff from the dungeon,” Cassandra said, staring remorsefully at her fries.

“You hacked into Mr. Woodward’s trailer?” Preston asked, startled. “Bad-ASS!”

“Don’t compliment her. It adds to her ego,” Charles said.

“At least I have an ego, fatso.”

“What did you find out?” Cary asked, changing the subject.

“There are secret government bases, like, all over the fricking country! And one of them was Cincinnati. Where did you think that train was going, moron?”

“So we get to Cincinnati, then what?” Joe said, hoping there would be some obvious flaw in her plan, hoping he wouldn’t have to get involved with this again.

Cassandra shrugged. “Find the aliens, I guess.”

“Well, where would they be?” Joe asked.

“One of the entrances is underneath one of the branches of the Cincinnati Children hospitals.”

“Okay, that’s really creepy.”

“Well, it’s the perfect resource to find vaccines and crap.”

“Okay,” Martin said. “So. . . ?”

“So are you in? Or out?” Cassandra asked.

All of them stared at her silently.

“You all suck.” And Cassandra left again.

“We should help her,” Joe said when Cassandra was out of earshot.

“Are you out of you fricking mind?! They’re gonna kill us!” Charles exclaimed.

“We are doing nothing of the sort!” Alice shouted defiantly.

Martin opened his mouth but closed, possibly attempting to hold back the vomit trying to escape.

“Well, what if there are other creatures? Shouldn’t we help them?”

“I know I said you were compassionate, but—”

Cassandra suddenly sat back down with them again. “She’s right, Joe. You are compassionate. And people try to take advantage of it.” She looked at Alice and Charles when she said this.

“We don’t take advantage of him! Look at you,” Alice said angrily, “trying to manipulate him into following you in this ridiculous scheme!”

Cassandra only raised her eyebrows.

“Well,” Preston said, “I’m in.”

“Me, too,” said Joe.

Cassandra gave them grateful smiles and left them again.

“Do you know what you just did?” Alice said, glaring at Joe. “You’re playing right into her hands.”

“I feel like I have to do this, Alice.”

“Well, you don’t. Cassandra,” Charles said, “is a freak. This is all crap. There aren’t any other stupid extra-terrestrials. This is so stupid.”

“And you, Preston,” Alice said. “I expected more from you. You’re a piece of crap when you’re lovesick. Really.”

“It’s the right thing to do,” Joe commented.

“I’m calling the suicide hotline,” Cary interrupted.