Untitled-Part 2 Bryce read Jessie's message with growing concern, by the time he was done with it, he was mortified. How could she have let it get this bad? No, It wasn't her fault. She probably didn't see farther then her parent's love. She loves them so much. I wonder if Surd tried a body switch again. I wouldn't put it past Surd, from what I've heard he could and would do it again. Is it possible he's broken out of Jessie's cage? Could he be holding them hostage in return for his cyber-freedom? Oh, I wish I knew, I hope Jessie's OK. He immediately sent a reply. To: Jess@Quest2000.com From: Bryce@Quest2000.com Jessie, its Bryce. I hope you're OK. We're working on it. Just hang in there. Don't worry, we've got in under control. Just keep talking. -Bryce If Bryce new the rest of the team, they'd be squabbling again soon over the best way to get Jessie out of there. He suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of protectiveness. I'll just have to wait for Travis or Mishelle to take over. There's not much I can do from here. He remembered the way no one had ever considered him a leader, always someone to follow orders. He remembered the countless times he'd had to say, "Travis, I can tell them my own name." It was his turn to act. He sat down at the computer and began typing away. To: TaiLee@Quest2000.com, Travis@Quest2000.com, Claudette@Quest2000.com, Mishelle@Quest2000.com, Hadji@Quest2000.com, JonnyQ@Quest2000.com From: Bryce@Quest2000.com Listen up. We've got a big problem. Jessie's parents are being influenced by someone or something. But that's not the first thing we have to deal with. You probably got a message from her, but we must get her out of there. I have a plan: Claudette: You and I will go to Springdale. They've probably tightened security a little bit since Jessie was out. She'll probably have to leave school mid-day and we'll be there with the Questor. Travis and Tai Lee: You two will be needed to keep track of Race and Estella till we can regroup. Don't let them out of your sight. Hadji and Tai Lee: You MUST convince Dr. Quest of what is going on. I don't care if you have to tie him to a post and torture him. He's got to believe you. Jonny and Mishelle: Your job is to find Surd, Rage, Zin, and any other psychos out to get us. Jonny, this comment is directed towards you, discretion IS the better part of valor. Please, killing yourself won't help Jessie. To both of you: Killing each other won't help either. Write me again the second you get this message and tell me if you accept your part to play. -Bryce Bryce looked back over the message and wondered if it was really him writing it. He had done it in almost a mental stupor, his mind functioning coldly and efficiently devoid of all emotion. He had read a book about this once, by Lloyd Alexander. It was called The Kestrel, the main character, Theo, had become a bloodthirsty Colonel in order to save his sweetheart, the Queen of the land under attack. It had stated, "Theo had become just crazy enough to believe he was completely sane." Bryce decided he was doing just this, slipping into a role that wasn't really his for someone he loved. Oh my God, do I LOVE her? Could I really be doing this for Jessie? No, no this was a role I was born to play. But was it Jessie who brought me out of my shell? Bryce was still pondering this 5 minutes later while he received, to his shock, affirmations from the team. Aside from a few protests from Jonny and Mishelle: "Why do I have to be with HER," and vice versa; the rest of the team was ready and willing. He hadn't really thought they would listen to him, he'd always been in the shadows, somewhat. Well, here goes nothing. Kestrel, wherever you are, you've got company. Bryce began organizing immediately for there rondevous point, his mind closed to all but Jessie's rescue. == -Kristen