Bookie Paige [COMPLETED] [UNEDITED]

Chapter 18

I let go of Shadow and stumbled back, dazed. Then I remembered. The both had the same, mostly straight nose. They had the same high cheekbones, their eyes were shaped like almonds, almost. Everything was the same except for the hair color and the fact that the Boss, David, whatever, had freckles dotting his face.

"Oh my god," I breathed.

The gang crowded around me, except Shadow. "What?" they asked eagerly.

"He's telling the truth. Their features are pretty much the same.

Everyone turned to Shadow, who was looking grim. "A son can't choose his father, you know." Shadow was smart. Not as smart as me, of course, but smart. He knew we would judge him because of his dad. We're very judge-ish.

Owl, defiant, crossed his arms over his chest. "Yeah, but you're still a traitor."

Shadow marched over to Owl and looked up at him. They had a six-inch height difference. "It isn't my fault!"

"Yes, it is," Owl countered. "You didn't have to go with them."

I nodded; Owl had a point. Then I made a decision. "Shadow, I don't want to get rid of you forever, but . . ." I paused. "As your punishment for this stupid . . . thing, we're gonna leave you in Florida for a week."

Everyone had been quiet during my speech until this last part.

"That's not long enough!"

"It should be harsher!"

"A month!"

"Forever!"

"Give him back to the BJ's!"

"Enough!" I roared. They all shut up immediately.

"I'm going to see what's gonna happen, and if anyone so much as touches each other while I'm watching, you're all going overboard!" They said nothing, only nodded. I closed my eyes and waited.

Shadow would stay in Florida. He would try to come with, and I would catch him. He would stay for two weeks in Florida, while we rested back in Wyoming.

"Shadow, two weeks. Here. You'll try to follow, but I'll catch you. The rest of us are going to . . ." I huddled the rest of them around me so Shadow didn't hear. "Wyoming," I whispered. They nodded.

"Shadow!" I clapped my hands. "We'll see you in two weeks. I'll have forgiven you mostly by then. I can't guarantee these guys'll forgive you, though."

I could see he was upset. But he bit his lip and nodded, tears welling. "See ya," he breathed.

Then we were lifted up, and away we flew.