Page 35 of Brax

“I didn’t say that!” she laughed.

“Hey, I’m starving. Can we order all this at the cafeteria?”

“Great idea,” she nodded.

Donning their raincoats and umbrellas, they trekked across the paths to find that the cafeteria was already bustling with activity. As with any other day, the smell of food tantalizing their senses was overwhelming.

Grits, pork sausage, chicken sausage, bacon, eggs, pancakes, waffles, muffins, granola, yogurt, fruit, and just about anything else you could possibly want was being served to them.

Two tables over, Trevon was seated with Juan, Kelly, David, and Hawke. One of the kitchen staff set a large platter of food in front of the ex-footballer and he actually blushed.

“What’s happening there?” smiled Saint. Stephanie turned to see what they were looking at.

“Oh, that’s Millie. Although her real name isMillicentwhich I think is beautiful. I’m not sure why she shortened it.” They all stared at her, waiting for the rest of the story.

“And?” prompted Saint.

“And, she likes Trevon. She cooks his favorite things every morning, brings them out to him, and he blushes. End of story. I think he’s so gun-shy he can’t speak, and she’s just plain shy. I don’t know her story, but I know that she lives in one of the newer cottages.”

“Something must have happened if she’s on the property and working. She’s a pretty lady,” said Mav. When all eyes turned toward the television, blasting the morning news story, they knew something was wrong.

“Hey, turn that up!”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

“Oh, my God,” whispered Gabi. “That’s horrible.”

The images on the screen were more than they could bear to watch. Ines Ruben was trying to make her way from her vehicle into a grocery store when several young people approached her, throwing eggs and trash at her.

“Look at the freak! Elephant woman on the loose. Hide your kids!”

“Stop it! I’m not a freak. Leave me alone!”

“Witnesses and employees from inside the store came out to help the unidentified woman, but she’d already locked herself in her vehicle and driven away. The police arrived and, after seeing the footage, did charge the teens with vandalism and bullying. It’s a terrible thing to see, Sandra, and that poor woman. I have no words.”

“Dear lord,” muttered Mama Irene. “We have to find that child.”

“Grandma, that child, as you call her, tried to kill Stephanie.”

“She didn’t try to kill me,” said Stephanie. “I firmly believe she just hoped to be able to take samples of what was given to me and input them back inside her own body.”

“Nevertheless, I can’t allow us to risk your life for hers. We’ll find her. We’ll try to help her, but that’s where my generosity ends,” said Luke.

“Where was that footage from?” asked Pax. “What city?”

“Vinton, Louisiana,” said Hiro. “She’s traveling back this way. After losing her job there, probably wasn’t much in Houston for her to stay. Hold on a minute.”

Hiro, AJ, and Tanner were huddled together over the tablet, muttering things about plates and tires, and directions.

“Any time now would be nice,” frowned Hex.

“We’re getting there. We think we’ve narrowed in on her license plate and the make and model of the car. I’m going to get a few drones in the air and thanks to the brilliance of Victoria, it will only look for that car,” said Hiro.

“Alright, let’s get the drone up and find her. She can’t have much time left,” said Cam. “Gabi? Doc? All of you. What are the chances that we can help this woman?”

“Less than one percent,” said Suzette. “There’s never been anyone brought back from something like this, and as much as I’d like to say we’re different, we’re the best, we have the pond, I don’t think any of that will make a difference for her.”

“Maybe not,” said Mama Irene, “but we could give her some peace.” They all turned to stare at her, and Luke shook his head, opening his mouth to speak.

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