Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports

108

There was silence for a few moments. It was all too much for me to take in-like getting the most amazing, fabulous, unbelievable Christmas presents ever, and yet having them cause you an incredible amount of rage and pain.

"What about our parents?" Angel asked. "Me and the Gasman. Nudge, Fang. Where are they?"

"I don't know," Jeb said, standing up. "Some of them were never identified by name-only number. And we've lost track of others. Their roles were over so quickly."

"What about that information we found," Nudge asked, "where we saw some names and addresses and stuff?"

Jeb shook his head. "I don't know what you found, but I'd guess you misinterpreted it, or maybe it was planted by the Director. I've been finding out about many things she's done that I didn't know about."

Oh, I'm so sure, I thought.

Looking over at Nudge and Angel, I saw their faces fall, the light of hope fading in their eyes. I put my arms around them, and Total wedged himself among our feet.

"I'm sorry, guys," I said, holding them close. "But parents are totally overrated. We're all the family we need. Right?"

"We've just...spent so much time trying to find out," Nudge said softly.

Angel nodded. "I want to know, for sure."

"Someday we'll know the whole truth," I said. "But for right now, I'm just glad I have you guys. You're my family."

They gave me sad smiles and nodded.

I looked over my shoulder at Jeb. "You can go now. Unless you have any more heartbreaking news you'd like to deliver."

He looked regretful, and I automatically tensed up.

"You're supposed to come see the rally," he said. "And then there's a final test."

He sounded weird and didn't meet my eyes. I'm sure all of you will join me in leaping to the conclusion that something bad was about to happen.

And you would be right.