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   Jackie pulled up her hood. “He’d better be right. If he’s not, I’ll throttle him.”

   “If he’s not, just hope that your legs don’t fail,” Jack said as he wrapped his arms around the tree branch he was on.

   “I don’t want them to fail anyways,” Jackie replied, steadying herself on another branch nearby.

   Jack peered out into the darkness. “I see police car lights, and they’re right on time.”

   Jackie glanced at her own watch. “Weston has a good sense of time, that’s for sure.”

   “That’s why I put him on the job,” Jack answered.

  Jackie half-smiled. “You sure know how to find the inner talent in some people.”

  “One thing’s for sure, it’s a skill to be proud of,” Jack said. He glanced once more at the police cars. “Ready to scram?”

  “Yep,” Jackie said as she slipped silently down the tree.

  Jack soon followed, and the two went in different directions as they headed away from the police cars.

 

  Weston met them at the entrance to their hiding place. “Did they find her?”

  “Probably,” Jackie said. “Your tip was very direct, and she was right beside the road. They can’t miss her.”

  “And the other two?” Weston inquired.

  “Heath and Patrick tipped the police about them,” Jack said as he pushed his hood back and shook out his hair.

  “And here they are,” Weston announced as two wraithlike forms slipped from the trees.

  Patrick and Heath removed their hooded cloaks.

  “Oh boy, did they fall for it!” Heath laughed.

  Patrick grinned. “It was great. I’m gonna love this!”

  Jack rolled his eyes. “You younger ones are, but you’ll soon realize that this is serious business. Us older ones-take me for example, I’m 40-we know that just one misstep will mess everything up, so we can’t risk making a mistake. You younger kids are so inexperienced that you could easily make mistakes. The Supreme Aoran will not take bumbling and mistakes, and personally, I won’t either, but I’m not as severe when it comes to punishments.” He looked at them. “Take this seriously, guys, and you’ll be better off.”

  “Trust him,” Jackie put in. “When I was your age in this business, I slipped often and got caught, but I know better now. We have a purpose, and no one is going to stop us. If anyone tries to, they’ll be sorry they ever did. And we’re serious.”

   Patrick nodded. “I understand. My dad got caught so many times doing this stuff that he got really sick of it and became a law-abiding citizen. But not before I followed in his footsteps.”

   They all hurried inside.

    Lyona Comora, Alliona Mandon, and Lespia Devereaux were discussing the mission in the relaxing room when Jack and Jackie entered.

    “I’m amazed the police chief didn’t suspect anything,” Alliona was saying. “After all, he is THE police chief.”

    “Yes, but I’m an ace when it comes to lockpicking and codebreaking,” Clyde Weston said as he strolled into the room. “Not to mention I’m mean when it comes to destroying burglary systems.”

   “I have to give you that,” Alliona said. “I didn’t really learn much of that in training, though I tried to.”

   Jack raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

   In ones and twos, the rest of the group drifted into the room.

   When everyone was present and seated, Jack picked up a remote and pressed a button. The TV across te room flickered to life. He went to the news channel.

  They silently watched for a while.

  Soon the announcer’s face got a grave look. “And it has just come to our attention that the governor has been found on Route 23 this evening. Her body was located in a ditch by the side of the road.”

 

   “No way!” Kerry said in utter disbelief at the TV screen. “The governor is dead?”

   Macie peered into the living room from the kitchen. “What?”

   “The governor is dead!” Kerry could not contain her shock and horror. “The kidnappers murdered her! She’s dead!”

   “...no trace of anything found on her body,” the announcer was saying. “The police are utterly befuddled. Let’s go now and see what’s going on.”

   Kerry saw on TV the place where they had found the governor. It was swarming with police officers, TV people and reporters. Then she saw her father.

   “Officer Nicholas, is it really true that you could not find any clues as to how she was murdered?” a reporter asked.

   Officer Nicholas shook his head. “Unfortunately, yes, that’s true. She does not appear to have been strangled or stabbed or anything of the sort. We’re guessing right now that she was poisoned, and her body is undergoing a poison scan right now.”

   “Why do you think she was kidnapped and murdered?” another reporter asked.

   “We really don’t know,” the officer replied, a frown darkening his face. “We don’t know, but we aim to find out.”

  The announcer reappeared on the screen. “Come back after a brief pause to see if the governor was or was not poisoned.”

   “But why did they kill her?” Kerry’s mind was whirling. “What is going on?”

   Justin came down the stairs. “What’s going on?”

   “I’m surprised you didn’t hear,” Macie said dryly, emphasizing the last word. “The governor’s dead.”

   “Oh, and I presume that everyone’s taking it well?” Justin glanced casually at Kerry.

  Kerry cast him an annoyance laden look and charged.

  Justin turned and took the stairs two at a time, Kerry in close pursuit.

  They raced up to the third floor and Justin ran for his room, where he locked himself in.

  Kerry stopped at his door, panting. “I’m not forgetting this!” she said loudly between breaths. Then she turned and stalked away.

  She sat on the couch just in time for the next report.

  “After a poison scan, everyone is left more confused than ever. The governor was not poisoned. What’s your opinion on this, Officer Marks?”

   A police officer appeared on the screen. “These criminals are slick operators. Not only do they have a mysterious way to kill their victims, they have not left any clues behind that we have found. Everyone is thinking through the possibilities, but there’s only one thing to say for sure.” He paused. “We’re up against some very dangerous criminals.”

  “Couldn’t tell already,” Kerry muttered under her breath. “All criminals are dangerous, you smartypants!”

  She turned off the TV and went upstairs to her room to cool off.

  Kerry sat on the bed and opened her laptop. “Maybe chatting with some friends will cool me down,” she said aloud.

  “No, it won’t.”

  Kerry looked up.

  “It won’t cool you down,” the voice continued.

  Kerry looked around.

  “Trust me, when you get upset, you need to take it out on your story characters, not your friends.”

   Kerry looked around, but could not see any one in the room.

   “The consequences won’t matter, since your characters aren’t real.”

  Kerry finally pinpointed where the voice was coming from. She looked out the window.

  “Do you believe me yet?” The voice was louder now.

   Kerry’s eyes picked out the shape of a girl sitting in the yard. “Who are you?”

   The girl looked at her and smiled. “Your creator, Kerry Abigail Nicholas.”

   “Who are you?” Kerry asked again.

   “I just told you.”

  “What’s your name, smart-aleck?” Kerry asked impatiently.

  “You can call me Jackie the Twit, or J.T. for short,” the girl said, grinning.

  Kerry glared at her.

  “OK. My name is Jackie West,” the girl said. In a loud mutter, she grumbled, “Boy, how picky people get!”

  “Where are you from?” Kerry asked.

  “The past,” Jackie answered.

  “You’re crazy,” Kerry said.

  The girl looked at her with wide, innocent, unblinking eyes. “Who, me? I’m from the past, Kerr, and I’m your creator.”

   “If you really are from the past...” Kerry paused...”How am I going to know?”

  “You don’t need to,” Jackie said. “You just need to trust me.”

  “Something’s making me think you’re insane,” Kerry said.

  “I am insane,” Jackie said, “just not the insane you’re thinking about.”

  “You said you created me,” Kerry pointed out.

  “I did say that, twice,” Jackie agreed, “because it’s true.” She looked directly into Kerry’s eyes. “I am your author and creator.”

  “We need to talk,” Kerry said. “Climb up the trellis in front of the window so my siblings won’t be suspicious, and sit on the roof. My parents don’t like strangers in this house without permission.”

  Jackie slung a backpack, which Kerry hadn’t noticed, onto her back. “Okey dokey.”

  She moved silently to the trellis and climbed up it. Then she sat on the roof.

  Kerry could now make out the girl’s features better. She had dark blue eyes and a freckled face, with long, dark brown hair held up in a bandana. Glasses with blue-green ear parts and a black frame that surrounded the lenses on the tops and sides were perched on her nose. She was a few inches over five feet tall and was of a stocky build.

  “How old are you?” Kerry asked.

  “As of now, I am 13 years, 74 days, two hours, and nine minutes old,” Jackie answered.

  “You’re picky,” Kerry said.

  Jackie grinned. “You asked.”

  Kerry ignored her. “Where do you live?”

  “This city, but I was born in Pennsylvania 14 years, 74 days, two hours, and 10 minutes ago.” Jackie took off her glasses and started cleaning them.

  “But you said you were 13,” Kerry said.

  “I am 13, and I’m also from the past.” Jackie replaced her glasses and folded her arms.

  “You’re in the future and I’m in the present?” Kerry was confused.

  “Duh,” Jackie replied annoyedly. “Figure out the math, sweetheart. She muttered to herself, “Man, some characters I wish I could just smack over the head!”

  Kerry watched Jackie unzip a backpack pocket and withdraw a notebook.

  “And by the way,” Jackie said, “the age I first gave you I figured out is from this time. In the past, it’s actually late fall.” She opened the notebook, took a pen from the backpack, and scribbled something down. Then she flipped some pages and handed the notebook to Kerry.

  ‘Kerry sighed as she glanced at the boxes scattered across the room with her sisters...’ she read aloud. “What on earth-?”

  “Keep reading,” Jackie ordered.

  Kerry read on.

  When she came to the last part, Kerry stared at Jackie. “This last part, when...”

  “When you came upstairs,” Jackie finished. “I needed inspiration, so I came here to get some.”

  “How could this be real? It’s totally crazy!” Kerry exclaimed.

  “Okay, then, how did I follow you though all these things that happened, and write it all down, without you noticing?” Kerry queried.

  “You didn’t,” Kerry answered.

  “Exactly.” Jackie leaned against the wall.

  “I guess I have to believe you.” Kerry leaned on the windowsill.

  Jackie grinned again. “Yup.”

  “Does that mean I’m stuck with you permanently?” Kerry grimaced inwardly at the thought.

  “No, I have a life, too. “Jackie put her notebook in her backpack, grabbed the backpack ,and swung onto the trellis. She climbed down and disappeared into the darkness.

 

  “The other groups from all over the state will be gathering here soon.” Jack turned off the TV.

  “As in now?” came a new voice.

  Jack turned. “Yes, as in now.

  A female stepped into the room, followed by six men and another female.

  “Hello, Jack Warren,” she said.

  “Hello, Tori,” Jack answered, a smile spreading over his face. “And your mission was successful, I trust?”

  “Very,” Tori answered. “And yours?”

  “Excellently,” Jack replied. “All to well.”

  “That’s how we like it.” Tori stopped in front of him. “The Supreme Aoran will be pleased, Jack.” She looked at him, half-smiling, with that look in her eye.

  “I’m sure,” Jack said, trying to ignore her. He looked back toward the door just in time to see the third group entered. He did not like women being in charge, as Tori was with her group and as Carmen was with hers. The only thing he was pleased with was that he had command of everyone working in the state, giving them the orders of the Supreme Aoran.

  The Supreme Aoran. The most powerful one of them all. The best, leading over a thousand people. The best, or so most though.

  Jack didn’t think so.

  Being introvert at the best times was a quality that Jack was proud of. No one that he knew of even suspected his inner thoughts. But he bided his time and waited.

  Everyone found somewhere to sit and faced Jack.

  “The Supreme Aoran is pleased that our first missions were successful,” he began. “No we have to let everything calm down and let everyone relax before we strike again.”

  “The Aoran is wise,” Tori said, and all around the room, heads nodded in agreement.

  “It is difficult to find a palce where everyone can gather, so it will be some time before we all come together,” Jack continued. “The Supreme Aoran will let us know the details when all the details are together.” He paused. “It will be soon.”

  “Is it wise to meet so soon after our first missions?” Carmen inquired.

  Jack fixed her with a hard stare. “If you wish to discuss  this with the Supreme Aoran, it could be arranged.”

  Carmen fell silent.

  “The missions performed over the Supreme Aoran’s range were mostly successful,” Jack went on. “In Montana, Delaware, and Louisiana, there were members who got too confident and were captured. Before they got a full interrogation, however, they proved their loyalty and poisoned themselves so that the police would learn nothing. Let this be an example to you all. Never get too confident, not even when the mission is vover. If you are captured, the only thing that proves you to be loyal or traitorous is to give the police all the information you can, or to do away with yourself so that they are left even more puzzled than before. Remember what it took to get here!”

  Every person present knew what he was talking about. Most of the people there were criminals; a few, like Jack, were hardened in the ways of felons. That helped them get to higher ranks than that of ordinary members. Nearly everyone had had a partner who was captured and gave away all their plans. When they learned about the Supreme Aoran’s plans, however, most were quick to join. Everyone was put through tough training, but nearly everyone made it through. Those who did not were punished.

  “The Supreme Aoran is traiing more men and women, and the state leaders who please the Aoran the most will each get one or two people who pass the training,” Jack said.

  “I have a question,” said a young man from Carmen’s group.

  “What?” Jack asked.

  “Is the Supreme Aoran male or female?” wondered the man.

  Jack narrowed his eyes. “Don’t ask that question, young one. You will never know the answer.”

  The man sat back quietly.

   Jack turned the TV back on, this time tuning it to a private news channel that he had rigged.

   The Supreme Aoran appeared on the screen.
            “Well done,” the Aoran said in a neutral voice. “I am pleased that most of your missions have gone well. And I am pleased that those who were captured proved to be loyal instead of traitorous.”

            Everyone relaxed, but kept their eyes on the screen.

            The hood that shadowed the face of the Supreme Aoran moved slightly. “However, I have heard that some among you have questioned the state leaders. I am aware that things will be like this surrounding the first mission, but I am still displeased. The restless ones will be given mercy this once, but any more bad reports and they will be terminated.
            “The state leaders I am impressed with, for following my orders so well, even though a few missions may have failed. They tried their best and when the time comes, each will be rewarded for their performance.

            Then the hooded head disappeared as Jack turned the TV off. He turned to face everyone else.

            “Tell me if you have any doubts,” he said.

            There was silence, then the other female from Tori’s group -Jasiona Majai -spoke.

            “I wonder constantly if everything will succeed.”
            Several heads nodded around the room. Everyone had wondered that at some point.
            “If you don’t think we will succeed, we will not, because you’ll make it so,” Jack answered. “Know we will succeed, and we will.
            His face looked around the room and and settled on a woman who could not have been much older than twenty.

            “What is your name?” he asked.
            “Jamia Madrid, sir.”

            “Why do you still doubt?”

            Jamia’s eyes widened for a moment. “I don’t ...know, sir.”

            “Get rid of that doubt,” Jack ordered, “if you want to live a day longer.”
            Jamia nodded obediently.

            “You can all go to the galley,” Jack said. “There’s a late dinner waiting.”
            Everyone slowly streamed out of the room to the galley.

            Jack stood watching them, and Jackie, Tori, and Carmen waited by the door.
            “Jack, why do you look so worried?” Jackie asked.

            “I’m not worried,” Jack said. “I’m just thinking ...”

            Jackie beckoned for Carmen and Tori to leave. “What’s wrong?”

            Jack folded his arms thoughtfully. “Too many of the young ones doubt that the rest of this will work.”

            “What are you going to do about it?” Jackie inquired.

            “I don’t know, but I’ll chew on it.” Jack turned and went to his room.

            Jackie stared after him, then hurried to the galley.

 

            Jack sat on his recliner and flipped a switch on his wristwatch. A small screen attached to the recliner arm brightened and the Supreme Aoran, still hooded, appeared.

            “What is it, Jack Warren?”

            “Many young ones still doubt the success of this venture, Mighty One.”

            “Exactly 24 hours from now, take the doubters into the Black Room and let me talk to them,” the Supreme Aoran replied.

            Jack bowed his head in acknowledgement. “Yes, Might One.” He flicked the switch off and sat for some time, thinking. Then he got up and went to get something to eat.