The Program [Book Two of The Test]

Epilogue [PART ONE]

So, she was still missing. "And her family?"

"Still worried sick," He answered quickly. "But they've got other problems on their hands."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, because freaking reporters and the law bugging them is so much more to deal with than them missing a child." Pausing and going over how much I just basically snapped, I rubbed at the back of my neck. "Sorry, man. It's just too much to deal with right now."

John placed a hand on my shoulder. "Hey." He playfully shook me around a bit. "We'll find her, okay? And Natalie's with her, she probably just needs some space."

"Yeah..." I said, trailing off. It wasn't like her, leaving for no reason. When Natalie got us all out of there, with help from Bridget and Dr. Rivers -someone i've come to know as Kent- who came charging through with weaponed guards, Natalie spoke with Lexi alone and then took off..

We haven't seen either since.

"I just...after what dad did..." I trailed off again, not wanting to think about it anymore. "Dad took a bullet for her and she ran off. She's not here."

John bit his lip. "I don't know what you want me to say, Jack. We both know Lexi pretty well by now, she wouldn't leave unless it was important. And Natalie wouldn't have gone with her if she didn't feel it was important."

I yawned as he said it, not because it bored me, but no sleep does that. "Yeah, okay. Listen, i'm too tired to talk about this anymore. I think i'm gonna try and get some sleep. You staying here tonight?"

He shook his head, getting up. "Nah. Katie's having some kind of meltdown again and Annie doesn't like seeing them. Mom's letting her stay over tonight. I gotta go pick her up."

"You two gone on a date yet?" He laughed.

Smiling and running a hand through his hair, he said, "We've had what could be considered dates; late night talks at her place, her coming over for dinner, movie marathons to take our minds off everything, kissing a bit-" I held up my hand to stop him. The mental image was freaky enough. "Anyway, Annie says that doesn't count. I've gotta take her out. Girls are strange."

"Hey! If you ever have your hand go through Annie's arm, then we can talk about strange. Until then, I think i'm winning in that area." I told him.

We talked for a little while longer after that, John walking out the door a few minutes later and bumping into my mom. "Oh, Diana. Hi. Here to see Reid...I mean, Ben?" John kept messing up like that.

"Yes. And my son of course." She smiled, and I couldn't help but do so as well. My mother smiling is one of the greatest things in the world, and is a sight I never thought I would see again.

"Well, i'll leave you to it."

Mom walked over to me and sat in the seat John had sat in beforehand. "Why don't you go home, huh? I'll stay here and watch him tonight. You look too tired, Jack. And i'm sure your, um...parents miss never seeing you."