The Dinner Treaty

Chapter Twelve - Good from Bad

I was a fool for underestimating my brothers. An injured - and embarrassed - fool. I've seen countless villains fall at the hands of my siblings, and the only reason I'm not among them is the earthquake that knocked over two city blocks like dominos! In fact, the only reason my brothers didn't figure out I'm PinK was because they never saw PinK escape. They were furious when they came home to check we were alright this afternoon, and they looked like the dead. Covered in pale dust and the occasional splash of blood, not to mention the bags under their eyes from lack of sleep, they looked awful. "We were up all night pulling people from the rubble," complained Mike, "And when we got back, we found our trap destroyed in the aftershock."

Mum was very confused. "Trap? what do you mean, Trap? Luke, what did you do?" Luke looked conflicted. "We set a trap. For PinK, that is. And it worked!" his face brightened for a moment. "We were about to unmask her when the darn earthquake started. We had to go, and when we got back the entire building had collapsed. We couldn't even find her body. Nobody could have survived that, not even PinK." He looked very solemn. "We'll find the body eventually of course," said Mike optimistically. Carter snorted, and Lukes' eyes flared in anger. "You don't really think she's dead, do you, Luke?" Carter demanded. "You saw the ruins Carter, the place was smashed! Of course she's dead." Carter, wisely, decided not to push his argument.

It took all of my self-control to not break out in laughter. Honestly, you can't even buy entertainment this good. My brothers are drifting apart, they believe PinK is dead - which, by the way, gives me free rein to plan a dramatic reveal of my living status - and last but not least, they still have no idea who their sister really is. A really crappy situation actually turned out great! 

Well, mostly great. My broken arm was ok, but that can't be said for the rest of me. I've got scratches everywhere and bruises galore. I'm hoping they'll fade overnight thanks to my magic healing blood but for now, only a thick smearing of concealer cream is keeping them out of sight. It's just Mum and I home now, with my brothers going out to do more damage control and Dad going out for some groceries. We're sitting on the couches in the lounge, and a rather uncomfortable silence has fallen over the house. "So," began Mum, breaking the silence. "when were you going to tell me about PinK's demise?"

I gulp, unsure whether to lie or stick with the truth. Mum obviously sees my predicament written on my face. "The truth, please." 

I sigh and begin a condensed description of this morning's events. "I was going to meet a gadget maker I contacted online through TaskMe. When I got there he was in the backroom so I went in.  The backroom was actually a concrete room with a steel door. Carter, Mike, and Luke were inside and they knocked me unconscious with a taser. I woke up tied to a chair with my mask still on. Just when they were about to unmask me the earthquake began and they had to leave. Then, the aftershock knocked down the tower behind which then knocked the building I was in town. I crawled out through the new gap in the wall." Mum was very silent but she waved me on to finish my story. "I flew home and another building must have fallen on top of the building I was trapped in, making them think I was dead."

Mum nodded, and I couldn't decipher her expression, which was a mix of worry, pride and something else I couldn't quite make out. "Be more careful next time. You should have known better than to use the same TaskMe account twice." 

I don't actually remember telling her about that, but I decide to not comment on it. I've gotten off easy, really. "I'll be smarter next time," I promise. Mum's half-smile is all the reply I need.