Heroes STRIKEs Back 3B Heroes/STRIKE Series'

1

**** Bong-in bounced up and down back stage as he warmed up with the band. His buddy, Jax slapped him on the shoulder. The second vocalist was not as yet proficient in English so Bong-in spoke in Korean.

"Ready for this tour to kick off in LA?!"

Jax nodded, "We've been ready for months. Listen to that crowd."

The rest of the band gathered around them, put their hands in the center of the circle and Lipeo grinned.

The members of Lipeo looked up as the announcer's voice filled the Auditorium. "And now, the moment you've all been waiting for. The members of the K-pop group... Lipeo! Bong-in, Jax, Gom, Yong, Pali, and Yeong-ung!"

Bong-in and his friends ran onto the stage as their names were called. The applause increased in volume as each name was announced until the building vibrated with excitement.

They were half way through their fourth number when Bong-in heard the first pop. At the second pop Jax's head jerked back and he dropped like a sack of bricks.

***

Rayne finished the last of her lesson plans. "There."

Looking up at the clock she sighed, "Dad's gonna have my head this time."

"Not if you let me drive."

Rayne spun her wheelchair around and beamed. "Rebecca!"

Her twin sister was leaning  against the door frame, arms crossed over her favorite plaid flannel shirt. Her cognac eyes twinkled with mirth.

Rayne couldn't help notice that Becca wore her favorite outfit again. She had also done something different this time.

Becca straightened away from the door and leaned forward slightly, "Mom asked me to drive you home."

Rayne grabbed her purse and nodded, "Great. It seems like forever since we've gotten to do some sisterly bonding."

She studied her sister for a long moment, "Did you get your hair cut?"

Her little sister nodded, the now bobbed hair bouncing with the movement. It had been down to her waist, but she couldn't take the headaches any longer. Now, the thick mass was bobbed above her shoulder.

"Like it? I felt it was time for a change, and cutting it shorter just felt right."

Rayne grinned, "I love it. I think it fits you better than the Rapunzel look."

Rebecca spun around and grined, "I know, right! Just wait 'til dad sees it. He'll throw a fit."

The sisters giggled.

***

Becca walked next to her sister's chair, but froze at a cracked door. Loud voices drifted through.

"I told you, I'm done! I won't help you anymore. The cops are beginning to ask too many questions!"

"You're done when I say so! You'll choose more kids, or your tongue will be turned into a necktie! Got it!"

The sisters looked at each other, faces white. Quietly, they made their way to the parking lot. Hands shaking, Rayne tried to unlock the truck door.

"Come on, open!" She pleaded.

Becca kept her eyes on the school, 'Oh, God! Someone's coming!' "Rayne, calm down. Your heart."

Rayne tried to take a deep breath, and finished unlocking the driver side door. She nearly screamed when the superintendent called her name.

"Miss Blanton, you forgot your lunch bag."

He stopped a few feet away, and held it out to Becca. "You must be Miss Blanton's sister? Here..."

Becca took the lunch bag and nodded her thanks. After he left, she helped her sister into the truck. Loaded the chair, and drove out of the lot.

"Rayne, should I hit the gas?"

Rayne shook her head, "No. If we do that, it would be out of character, and they will assume we heard something. As soon as we're out of sight of the school call Kyle!"

***

Sheriff Kyle Blanton sighed after hearing his cousins relate the threatening order they had overheard .

"Girls, for now, it's just your word. Since you have no proof, I can't do much."

Becca felt her temper begin to rise, "Kyle! We know what we heard, and you're gonna do nothing?"

She stomped her foot on the wood floor.

He crossed his arms and looked down at the little lady, "Look, Cous... If I go up there, it'll be your word against his. Not to mention, he'll know you heard them. Since you two were the only others there..."

Rayne grabbed her sister's wrist. If she didn't calm Becca down now, she'd blow a fuse, and her temper was nothing to mess with. Especially since she didn't always control it, she was a Blanton mixed with Kincaid after all.

"It's okay, sis."

Becca spun to face her sister, "Rayne, it's not okay! Kids have been disappearing for months, and this is a solid lead, and my own cousin refuses to do anything!"

Kyle threw his hands up in exasperation, "For crying out loud, Rebecca! I never said I wouldn't do anything!"

Becca turned to face the former Army Ranger again, "But, you said..."

"I said I can't just go up there and start asking questions without reason. I have to go by the book, and I don't want either of you to be put in danger."

He placed his hands on her slim shoulders and smiled, "Don't worry, honey. We'll take it from here."

Rayne grinned at her cousin, "Again you jumped the gun, sis."

Becca nodded, "Sorry, Kyle."

He chuckled, "Hey, what are big brothers for."

"Kyle, we're cousins." Becca pointed out, grinning.

He shrugged, "Maybe, but we grew up together. That makes the difference."

Becca smiled and looked out the window, 'I'll do my own investigation.'

Kyle watched his cousin carefully and sighed. He knew that smile well... 'The little trouble maker is up to something... again.'