The Program [Book Two of The Test]

Chapter Twenty-One

Step four was a bit hazy. I had a plan of finding the headquarters, taking down Reid's boss. But to do that I had to know who she was.

Again, Riley's words filled my head.

You know her, and hate her. God, do you hate her. And she knows you do.

That was the last thing she every muttered, and then she was gone. I've thought about what she said but never said it to John, he wouldn't believe my theory even if I did.

Because the fact is, there is only one woman in this world I hate.

And even I don't think my step-mom is capable of this.

The facts swarmed through my brain though. The possible way she did it taking effect.

One, she burns down Jack's house, leaving him thinking he was orphaned and making the perfect opportunity to snatch Reid up as Riley said.

Two, becomes best friends with his new parents before they are.

That's all I can come up with, and it seems useless. It couldn't be her, no. All the facts are both against it and not, or maybe i'm just paranoid. 

Yep, I decided. I'm just scared and paranoid.

But still my thoughts stayed. What if it was her? Has she ever done anything that would hint at it?

The answer was simple of course; no, she hadn't. Besides, wouldn't John's parents know, wouldn't Natalie know who the boss is. I mean, they work for this woman.

No, Mary wasn't the boss, couldn't be. I would have been told.

But either way, I placed another step in my head before positioning myself on the ground, trying to find a way to sleep before the hours ticked down to the moment it would all be over.

Step five: Find Reid's boss.

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My eyes snapped open after they had been closed for what felt like only a second. I heard the cracking of branches, and yelling.

I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Annie was screaming and kicking at multiple trees.

More branches fell.

"Um, what are you doing?" I asked, getting up and walking to her. She turned around, her face full of sweat and her hair matted and her purple streak barely visible.

"I'm trying, Lexi." She panted. "It's not working. I tried to disrupt this freaking tree, just to see if I could and I can't. It's not working."