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Chapter 22

   The vice president, James Bennett, was like a white rose in a bush full of red roses. He was a short man with a smaller build. His dark blue suit went well with his orangish-brown skin, though it made his blonde hair look out of place.

   All Zane could think was, Why is the vice president standing in my living room?

   "Hello, Zane", the vice president greeted, giving him a small nod. "It's nice to finally meet you."

   Wish I could say the same, Zane thought to himself, forcing himself to smile.

   The vice president took a few steps forward and stuck out his hand. "Your parents have told me quite a bit about you."

   Zane shook the hand and shuddered. Just touching this guy is giving me the creeps! He seems so stiff. And cold.

   "Well", the vice president sighed, taking a seat on the recliner, "now that the whole family's here, I can give you the news."

   News?

   "What news?", Mom asked, sitting down on the couch. Zane and Dad did the same, staying close to Mom and Lindsay.

   "President Ben-Judah is very grateful for your part in the construction for the statue", the vice president began. "He spent the entire week trying to find a way to thank you."

   "Oh", Mom said, shifting nervously. "That's very nice of him."

   "He wants you and your family to come to Washington as soon as you can for a well earned vacation", the vice president continued. "He's prepared a room for you in the White House and has prepaid for your tickets for a first-class flight."

   The Kealer family said nothing. They all looked at each other, as if the person next to them would know what to say. This has to be a set up, Zane realized. They want us to take the mark. Is this how Mrs. Olsen and Calvin's family got their marks? Did the president invite them to the White House?

   "We appreciate what he's done", Dad said after a moment, "but we I'm afraid we already made plans this week."

   We did?

   "Yes", Mom chimed in. "We had already planned on seeing my parents before going to the World Peace Picnic. They're only a few hours away from Washington."

   The vice president just stared at them for a moment, his expression neither angry nor understanding. What is he thinking?, Zane wondered. Can he tell that we don't trust him? "Let me put it like this", the vice president said finally. "President Ben-Judah is a very busy man. He put everything in his schedule on hold just so he could plan and spend his own pocket money for your pleasure. He's expecting us to be back tomorrow with you and your... wonderful family." At the word family, he looked at Zane. Zane could have sworn he caught a look of disgust flicker through the vice president's eyes. He knows, Zane realized. He knows about me.

   Guess we now know who's been monitoring us.

   "The plane leaves in less than two hours", the vice president said, standing up. "Quickly pack your things so we can get going."

   Zane could tell Mom was about to protest, but Dad give her a small nudge. Zane understood what it meant. They were going to Washington, whether they were willing to or not. It didn't matter if they had a valid reason not to go.

   There was no way out of it.

   "We'll be ready in about twenty minutes", Dad said, standing up. Mom stood up and marched right upstairs to Lindsay's room. One of the cops quickly followed her up. Yeah, that's not weird. "Go pack up, Zane", Dad said. "Be quick."

   Zane didn't hesitate to run up the stairs to his room. He could hear a cop following him as he walked through the hallway and into his room. He shut the door anyways.

   The first thing he packed was the Holy Bible. He put a pile of shirts over it, just in case he wasn't supposed to bring it. Who knows if I'm actually allowed to have it, he told himself. He threw in some more clothes, a sweater, and his phone charger. As he packed in his toothbrush, a sudden thought crossed his mind. What if ReallyFulcrum could help us? If they knew that I was worried, then maybe they can get us out of this.

   Grabbing his phone, Zane began typing as fast as he could.

Zaneiack: Need help. Going to Washington. HELP!

   Zane quickly pushed send, then stuffed the phone into his pocket He knew the government would be able to see it, but so would ReallyFulcrum. It was the only shot he had to save himself and his family.