Blue Monday

Chapter 12 - Blue Monday

***ALEX***

"What business do you have in mind?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at Ross.

"Nothing as bad as you must think," Ross says, steepling his fingers like Sherlock Holmes. "It's only the most important mission in the history of this universe."

Gabe and I exchange glances, then roll our eyes. "See, usually it's a good guy who says that in the movies," Gabe says.

"Who says I'm not a good guy?" Ross asks, raising one eyebrow.

"I says," Mom pipes up. She's got the biggest, meanest glare out of the three of us Snows. And for good reason - Ross used to be her boyfriend, and I think they were even engaged. But then Mom got pregnant with us, and the rest is history. Rather than help raise twin boys - especially mixed-race twin boys - Ross decided to up and leave on us. Not that Mom's really minded - she's done more than well enough for herself as a single mom and high-school history teacher - but now I can see her old resentments bubbling up from under the surface.

Of course, that could just be her being pissed off that her ex just sent a bunch of armed men to kidnap us. I mean, he's not been too involved in our lives, other than his occasional attempts to form a sort of father-son bond with me and Gabe. But this...this has got to be an all-time low for him.

"Before we go any further," Ross says, leaning forward in his seat, "I wanna emphasize that you boys aren't meant to be prisoners. You might be wearing prison-type clothes right now, but that's just out of necessity. Unfortunately, the tranquilizers we use...a common side effect is loss of bowel control, so we were forced to give you these after you...erm..."

He doesn't need to finish his sentence. Gabe and I are both blushing heavily, embarrassed by what Ross has just told us. But then I burst out laughing. "What's so funny?" Ross asks.

"Hah, you really got us good on that one," I say once I'm able to draw breath again. "Love the psychological torture trick there."

"It's not a trick," Ross says. "You really did soil yourselves, boys."

"Prove it," Gabe says.

"Can't do that." Ross leans back, and it looks like he's trying not to smile. "We already burned your clothes."

"Aww, really?" I groan. "Shit, and those were my favorite pants too."

"I assure you, as soon as we send your mom home, we'll have her bring us some changes of clothes for you," Ross says. "I told you, you're not prisoners. You shouldn't have to dress like that."

I snort at Ross, as does Gabe. "You know what else we shouldn't have to do?" I point out. "Be here for whatever sick scheme you've got in mind for us."

Ross shifts in his seat, now looking uneasy as his calm demeanor is shaken for the first time. "Um, well, I'm afraid you actually don't have a choice there, boys. Otherwise...well, they might be displeased. And if they are displeased, then they might see fit to kill you."

"Who's they?" Gabe asks pointedly.

Ross clears his throat. "Ahem. Um, well, I'm afraid that'll have to wait until your mother's out of the room. Because if I know her, you'd object for sure, Darla. You will have to leave us, but you can say goodbye to your boys first. I'll give you as much time as you need." He stands up and leaves the room, but just as he's out the door, he turns around and says, "I'll wait for you to come out, Darla, then I'll return here and talk to Alex and Gabe again. Is that all right with you?"

"No, it's not all right!" Mom cries. "I'm not leaving here without them."

"Again, if you don't, they'll most likely die." Ross frowns for a moment. "It's a terrible choice, I know, but it's one you'll have to make anyway." He leaves the room for good this time, the door closing behind him with almost no noise at all.