Malnourished

Chapter 23 The Start of Something Dangerous

It had been six days since the Agent attacked, Devon's bruises had turned an awful yellow colour and she was able to speak without a lot of pain.  As far as the small group was able to tell there had been no other incidents with Agent's parking outside of their home.  The Facility had sent some security people to the house several times trying to grab Julie as well as Elise but they too came to the attention of the community "Security Squad".  The first time they came they had just missed the "gluing" by a matter of seconds.  The kids were extremely disappointed but a day later they came back.  They were not very lucky that time.  Elise said they won't come back because the Facility made the guards use their own private vehicles.  There is no way they are that loyal to have their car trashed. 

The news casters stopped by the house today to try and get a story about what the kids were doing but Greg would not let them in.  Shortly after, a couple of other news casters  showed up and Greg was about to send them away when Devon recognized one to them.  "Wait Greg, please ask that fellow with the yellow pants on to come in.  I know him and his crew and I think this is the perfect opportunity to set the record straight, don't you" she winked at him.  Greg knew exactly what that meant, there is going to be some action.  The newscaster was a nice guy who had been covering Elise for awhile.  They found his articles were articulate but truthful which was far more than the other casters.  They often made up facts to make their articles more exciting so they can get more people to read it.  This fellows name was Steve and he was an honest caster.

Steve walked through the front door with a large grin across his slightly handsome face.  He was one of those people who could meld into a crowd and you would never notice him but if he wanted to he could also be the one person that everyone noticed.  It was a great talent to have as a news person.  "Devon! Elise!  We had wondered where you two had disappeard.  At first we thought the Communicators had gotten you then we started to hear rumours about a bunch of rogue teenagers vandalizing cars and then we found out it was on your street.  We sort of put two and two together like all of the other casters so here we are." Steve was rambling on as he walked through the door.  He was middle aged approximately twenty-five, tall with sandy messy hair.  He always told Elise his hair had that wind swept look all the time which helped him with the women.  His clothes looked the same as his hair, wild and unkempt but he was right, the women just loved him.  Steve was never alone for very long.  "So what the heck is going on with you two ladies this time?" he smiled again.

The coffee pot had been filled several times along with a half dozen cups on the small coffee table.  Steve's videographer had been filiming Devon so he can show the marks on her face.  "Boy people are gonna eat this up!" he said excitedly "but I don't understand, why are the Communicators after you?.  Devon mumbled "if we tell you that then you will be like everyone else and disappear then who would we have to watch on the local news each night?" Elise laughed.  Steve didn't laugh, he sat in his chair and stared at the old woman.  He would do just about anything for the best story and he was hungry like most of the other casters but he hesitated at the thought that he might get into trouble with the Communicators.  His face had gone pale as he looked around the room to see if anyone else thought it was funny. The crazy people were smiling except his vid operator and him.  "The Communicators will come after me, seriously?  I mean what have you done that is making this so dangerous?" suddenly he didn't care, if the story was as big as he suspected then it would be worth it. He would be able to write his own ticket and be the biggest and best broad caster in the world!  "Are you alright Steve?  You don't have to do this you know, it is dangerous and will be a story that may change the world as we know it but the problem will be getting it out.  How do you know your boss will let you get it out?" Julie was being very wise with her questions, these were the things he needed to ask himself before he gets dragged in too deep. "Don't you worry the story will get out no matter what.  I have ways to get around the old codger." now Steve looked excited and ready to go.

The two open boxes sat on the kitchen table with the contents spread out.  The six people were huddled around the coffee table passing each piece of paper from one to the other so they could all get a chance to read and form their own opinion.  They had been at it for a couple of hours when they heard a faint knock on the door.  Greg jumped up and the dogs started to give who ever was out there a fair warning that if they got any closer then they would be ready for them. The door opened and Sharron stepped forward.  "Sharron!" cried Devon then stopped dead in her tracks.  Her best friends face was a mess, dried blood ran down her face and her injury was already turning a dark purple.  Her best friend stepped towards her and started to cry.  Devon threw her arms around her and held her tight.  "Sharron, honey let's go into the bedroom and talk" Devon took her down the hall and closed the door.

The two young friends sat on the edge of Devon's bed and told each other what was going on.  When they were done Sharron felt much better but Devon was so angry she could spit bulletsd.  "How dare they!" she cried "who do they think they are and why do they think they should be able to get away with this?"  "They did it because they know that I'm so stupid I would give away all and any information they are looking for.  I hurt you Dev and I don't know how to make it better.  Can you ever forgive this stupid friend of yours?"  Sharron had her hands in her lap with her head down in shame "Oh will you stop!" chided Devon "there is no way any of this is your fault, is that clear?  That jerk used you in the worse way possible and we need to make sure he is not going to get away with it,right? RIGHT?" she jabbed her friend nd waited.  Sharron sniffed then started to laugh when she looked into Devon's face.  "That's more like it now let's plan on making this jerk pay so what do you think if we let his wife know what he has been up to.  That would make a good start don't you think?"  They both got off the bed laughing and hugging each other then left the safety of the room.