Script

Chapter Twenty-Two: Training

            "He's already started advertising." Mark said the next morning as we sat at the table eating cereal for breakfast. "What? How?" I asked as he turned the laptop to face me. Amy and I leaned in to look at the screen. A webpage was pulled up labeled "Ace of Spades: School of Trades" underneath the title was an explanation,

Ace of Spades' soul purpose is to create a welcoming environment for orphans who will be raised in an educational atmosphere. This orphanage will pay you back for your duty to our country and will help your children reach their fullest potential. Click the info tab for more information.

"He makes it sound like a good thing," I said, pulling the laptop closer. Mark stood up and walked around the table to see what I was doing. He stopped behind me and laid his hand on my upper back. I cringed, but ignored it.

I continued to move from tab to tab, looking at all the information that Dr. Clery had already posted about the establishment. "He has a sales tab, click that." Mark pointed out, motioning to the farthest right link. I clicked. The tab was filled with hundreds of products ranging from Enhanced Vitamin E Pills, to creams that make parts of your skin waterproof, to procedures that claim to give you X-ray vision.

"He's testing these on children..." Amy gasped, piping up for the first time all morning. "That's... horrible!" she exclaimed, exasperated. "I can't imagine how many of these have gone horribly wrong..." Mark sighed, grabbing the laptop back.

"We've got to go as soon as possible Mark, we can't let him get any farther with these." I said, standing up, which resulted in me falling back down onto my butt. "Stupid ankle" I grunted, grabbing the crutches and bolting for the hallway. Mark stood up and followed me.

"Now where do you think you're going missy? I thought we agreed to wait awhile."

"Nope. Not waiting. If he gets his hands on this script, it will encourage him to hurt more kids." He grabbed my arm, yanking me to a stop.

"Alexis, if you jump into something you aren't ready for, you'll get hurt. Your uncle is more powerful than you think. You're lucky you got away this time, but you won't next time. Trust me. I would know." His eyes pled but I just let Clery get to it first. I stopped, turned to face him, and looked directly into his face as I said,

"Mark, a month ago I had no idea this was happening, but now I do. You can't make me unlearn something I have already learned. We are the only people who know what he's doing, which means we are the only people who have the power to stop him. I cannot let more kids get hurt." I looked him straight in the eyes and said, "Find me plane tickets. Now." He sighed and pushed passed me into the office.

"I'm only doing this because you have a boo-boo." he said, pushing the swivel chair in my direction and leaning over the keyboard.

"You know I'm right." I replied, flopping down into the chair. "You just don't want to admit it." He sat down and found plane tickets to Italy that take off in two weeks.

"First class or Coach?" he asked.

"Umm, what's the difference?" he gave me a funny look.

"I forgot that you lived in the middle of nowhere. First class has better seats."

"Okay, then first class." He ordered tickets and turned back around. I stood up from the chair. He stepped closer to me, grabbing my arm.

"We are not leaving here until you two learn some self-defense. Got it?"

"Fine" I said turning to leave the room.

"Lessons start at five. Meet me upstairs, outside the cave at noon." He called back as he left.