Benny Washington, unable to relate to his distant father, and wracked with guilt over the recent death of his mother, seeks solace in best friend Peter Hall, comic books, and ballet-a passion he and Peter share. When Benny learns on the Internet tha...
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CHAPTER TWELVE
The Kids Take Action
Benny sits slumped over on the rear bumper of his dad's SUV, vaguely aware of what's going on around him. Devastated and guilt-ridden, he ignores the flashing red lights as paramedic vehicles remove the comatose victims.
He'd hoped to never again feel the empty, grinding anguish he'd experienced at losing his mother, but here it is all over again.
I can't lose Peter, too. I can't!
The police are scouring the city, but he's sure they won't find his best friend.
The creature wants him. That's a for-sure. And it knows Peter is his friend. So, what will it do next?
He watches Detective Wong approach Nicolas and Roger, who stand silently near the empty cage.
Nicolas speaks first. "Any word on Peter?"
"No." She sounds tired. "But I take that as a good sign."
Roger glowers at her. "Some monster takes my son and you think it's good?"
"Rog, calm down."
"Easy for you to say, Nick. You still have your boy."
"Mr. Hall," Detective Wong says in a calm voice, "my officers have searched everywhere within a three-block radius. They're continuing to fan out, but so far there's no sign of Peter's..., well, Peter. This creature has always taken whatever it takes out of the brain and leaves the comatose victims behind."
Benny lifts his head at the detective's words, but pretends not to be listening. He glances at Emma standing a few feet away. She's crying and Fremond has an arm awkwardly draped around her shoulders.
"So?" Roger sounds like he's about to go ballistic any second.
"I think it wants Peter as a bargaining chip."
"You act like that thing is human!"
"It's not human, Mr. Hall, but it is intelligent," she responds, her voice cool and without emotion. "And I think it wants to trade Peter."
Nicolas squints at her. "For Benny."
Benny gasps, but it makes sense. Why else would the creature keep Peter?
"Yes," Detective Wong replies.
Mr. Yang hobbles over to the adults, looking weary for the first time since Benny met him. "I heard what you said, Detective. And I agree."
Roger turns on him like an attack dog. "This is all your fault! You and your damned machine!"
Detective Wong keeps her cool, as always. "Mr. Hall, it's important we keep our heads on straight. Peter needs us." Without awaiting a response, she turns to Yang. "What now?"
