Mind Games

Chapter 4

I checked my watch for the millionth time as I sat down on the front steps, watching the road for the car to pull up. Someone named Andy Whiston would be bringing them here, I assumed he was one of Des's close relatives since they shared the same surname. It was any minute now that they would be parking and hauling their stuff out.

The kids who were coming were Orion, Johnnay, Des, and her little sister, August. Mr. Kabadi thought it would be safer if the kids who raided Facility 01 stayed away for a little while. Because we may be hunted after.

I heard tires rubbing against the pavement and I looked up from the ground, seeing a deep blue truck rolling up to my driveway. Its engine shut off and kids face's that I knew very well began to pile out of the car. I counted all of the faces except one.

"Hey," I waved, trotting over to come help them take their things inside. Not so surprisingly, they didn't have many things. "Where's August?" I ask Des.

She looked at me with sad eyes and shook her head. "She went to stay with her dad, Mr. Watson in Colorado."

"Oh," I replied, not really knowing how to reply. "Sorry about that," I say after a moment of consideration.

"It's fine," she answers, forcing a fake smile. "If you don't mind, can you please hold this for me?" She holds out a small backpack that appears to be filled with what looked like Legos.

"Oh, sure," taking the bag, I led them inside and immediately everyone's jaw dropped.

"I had no idea you were this rich, Wynn." Johnnay said, completely forgetting about her suitcase by the door and walking around, scanning everything.

"Yeah, this is amazing." Orion added, looking around with the same awe as Johnnay. "Even most of the rooms in Facility 01 aren't even this big."

"This entire room is bigger than my house!" Des exclaimed. "Wow!"

"Um, yeah ...," my voice trailed off, feeling my face redden and I was about to add something else when I heard Pepsi barking like crazy at the back door.

"Oh my, gosh, is that your dog?" Johnnay asks, running over to me as I open the door and she rubs the dog's head. "What is his name?"

"Pepsi," I reply.

"That is too adorable." Des adds as she trots over as well and bends down to pet my corgi. "Why in the world would you name your calico corgi Pepsi?"

"I named him when I was nine." I whisper quietly. "Pepsi was the best name I could think of."

"Really?" Johnnay raises her eyes. "Before I was captured and brought to Facility 01 I had a german shepherd and her name was Lucy. Queen Lucy, to be precise."

"Like from The Chronicles of Narnia?" I ask.

"Yep," she nods. "Queen Lucy of Narnia."

Des nods slowly. "Okay. I never owned a dog but I owned a siamese cat named Angel. He was actually quite the trouble-maker, though."

"Orion, you okay?" I ask as I glance over to him, who was sitting on the couch, watching us in silence. "You haven't said anything in a while."

"I'm fine," he says. "I just don't like dogs."

"WHAT?!" I exclaim, running my fingers through my hair. "How could you NOT like dogs? That's like not liking to breathe!"

"Yeah," Johnnay added and stood to her feet. "That's crazy! Why do you not like dogs?"

"Even I like dogs and I've never owned one." Des sides with us.

"A dog attacked me when I was five years old. When I was on a walk with my parents. All I tried to do was pet it and it suddenly scratched me in the face."

"Is that where you got that scar from?" Johnnay asks, pointing to her face near her jawline.

"Yep," he nods. "I've hated dogs ever since."

"Well not all dogs are like that," I shrug. "I mean I can shapeshift into a dog."

Johnnay gasps. "What? You can? Show us, show us!"

Thump!

All three of us suddenly turned to Des, who had collapsed on the floor, unconscious.

"Oh, God, Des!" Johnnay exclaimed, bending down on her knees and examining her.

"Des!" I said as I copied her, shaking her shoulders. "Come on! Get up!"