Love of a Thousand Colors

Chapter 12

"Someone tried to claim the prize money, but it's not your sister nor Tootch. Their jeep was found several states away but the getaway vehicle is already empty." I was very much optimistic that they'll be able to trace my sister, but at the same time, I'm not surprised that they have evaded the police.

"With a child such as your sister, they'd be difficult to miss," Redhead said. He might be trying to cheer me up but that was a tactless thing to say. However, he's right. My sister's condition could be the key to letting us find her. I pray that Franny and her girlfriend would have some sense and be more skilled in handling Lucky's condition. With the money they have, I know they won't run out of supplies but those two knuckleheads might spend their money first on booze or... 

"I hope the police will check out the list of medical supplies my sister should have. That would probably give them a clue where they might be at. Butterfly children in the States are quite a few." I said, thinking of other ways how they could be found.

Both of them nodded, "and Lucky won't be with them quietly. She'll be asking and crying for you for sure," Redhead added, another tactless comment. "I hope she gets the attention of some people some way or another," He is definitely annoying, but unlike other people, he's just frank and his intentions are good.

Israel tapped Redhead's shoulder and thanked him for giving time to act as my bodyguard. Redhead beamed and dismissed it as something trivial. He offered to take turns in taking care of me, he's just one call away, he said. He waved goodbye and continued watching videos on his smartphone. He isn't so bad after all. I waved my hand back in return, but it's like a robotic hand as it moves so stiffly.

"You should go home and take a rest. You should ready yourself for the exams, too," I reminded him. He hasn't changed his clothes yet and he appears to be greatly sleep-deprived. His grandmother might be worried about him. Even if she's a little bit cold and impersonal the first time we met her, she welcomed us to her home eventually. I wouldn't want to give the old lady something to worry about.

Israel laughed a bit, "And let you escape and chase your sisters all by yourself?" He said. "Can't trick me into leaving you, missy," I chuckled, he read my thoughts perfectly. "Don't worry, my secretary will be here to hand me a change of clothes and other necessities."

A secretary? His secretary? What is he some kind of a CEO? 

"They are people assigned to us to help us with something... Nothing fancy," He continued, downplaying the fact that an assistant has been assigned to someone as young as him. After a few minutes, he said his secretary has arrived. A beautiful woman in her early 20's came into view. She's wearing a tight blouse and coat, hugging her hourglass figure perfectly and really short pencil skirt. Her black stockings reach above the knee and her high heels are painted red like they are freshly dipped in blood. 

She handed him a large bag and an envelope. Israel thanked her graciously and she left him a kiss on the cheek before she sauntered away from my room's door. I don't like to admit, but she looks like a Victoria Secret model! How can I compete against that? The woman's lipstick marked on his cheeks but he didn't wipe or removed it at all. By the looks of it, he doesn't shun away from affection or intimacy with older women. Israel went back to his seat as if nothing happened and put out the papers inside the envelope. His face beamed and he smirked quite wickedly. 

Israel gave his infamous bad boy smile, "I got good news for you."

"Really?" Was I said, my voice coming out a little bit hostile than intended. 

Israel c****d an eyebrow, "Are you alright?" He asked in genuine concern.

"I don't know, I'm just beaten up and I lost a tooth, I'm perfectly okay." I spat. I laid down and turned to my side with my back on him. My free hand grabbing the edge of my thin hospital blanket.

"I know this is very difficult for you, but I think this might cheer you up." He said in confidence. "We forwarded Lucky's list of medical supplies. There were customers who bought two or more combinations of the items but they turned out negative."

"So?" I said, why am I so irritated? The guy's helping me and been so sweet at this point. Behave, Trina!

Israel was a bit taken aback by my tone but decided to continue, "Strangely though, different customers bought supplies at a*****e and the clerk found something off," Israel dragged his seat to the other side of the bed and showed me pictures of customers in the queue, most of which are young people. they have dyed hairs, colorful clothes, and heavily accessorized attire. "They bought different items but you know what's strange? 90% of what they bought constituted Lucky's medical supplies."

I perked up. I took the paper from his hand and studied the people in the photo more closely. But they don't seem like the usual ones Franny and Tootch hang out with, but they can be a crowd where my sister and her GF can smoothly blend in. My hand shook in anticipation, "Tootch must've ordered them to buy items separately, but the numbskulls thought that they should only aim to get separate receipts for each item," 'How stupid,' I thought."Is this store in the state where they left the jeep?"

Israel shook his head, "No, in a different one, in the opposite direction where the jeep was found. I think it's a feint. There's also another interesting point, perhaps one of the reasons why it's difficult to track them."

Something finally clicked. These youngsters are probably buying something for my sisters. Being able to blend in, a child with skin problems being unrecognized, booze, and Tootch's favorite thing... My mouth opened but Israel beat me to it.

"There's an EDM festival in this state and the venue is near the store. Rave concerts are filled with people into heavy partying and, you know..." He trailed off with a shrug of his shoulders, "Goers attend in costumes sometimes and the place could get incredibly noisy. And on top of that, despite the issues and problems with these kinds of parties, it's now legal to let parents bring their kids along to this stuff. Kids crying could be something normal for them. Heck, people go there laughing and crying at the same time."

It perfectly makes sense, I cried out of happiness and hugged Israel. "Thank you, Thank you!"

He hugged me back, "Thank me once we already have your sister and we kicked Franny and Tootch's butts."

"But, wouldn't that concert be over now? Would they head to another state?" Time is of the essence. We now a clue of their whereabouts now, but the moment we get there, the party is finished and they might've left elsewhere.

Israel shook his finger, "This is not a typical party where it only lasts overnight. These concerts go on for days, even a week."

I let go of him and looked at the IV needle on the back of my hand, "That's great! Then let's pack and go after them!" I was about to remove it when Israel stopped me and flicked my forehead. 

"Who says you can go?" He said, "I'll be going. I'll have my family's personal guards and my secretary take care of you for the meantime." He stood up and placed the manila envelope inside the large duffel bag. He brings out a change of clothes and a small pouch, perhaps his set of toiletries. "I'll be leaving reviewers for you, so you can have something to do while you recuperate."

"Have you informed the police?" I asked, if only I have a cellphone or a notebook, I would've searched other details about this rave concert.

Israel rests his hand on the restroom's knob, "No. Tootch might have protectors or insiders among the ranks of the police. We have to be careful." He's right. That's also a possibility.

"But, where'd you get that information?" If it's not from the police, where? He took out a box from the bag and handed it to me. It's a cellphone!

Israel smirked and didn't respond. He entered the restroom and did his business. Grrrr...

Then the image of his secretary flashed into my mind, she's the one who handed the envelope. Don't tell me she did the investigation herself. Well, Israel appears to be from a very affluent and powerful family with millennia of history. They could have a network of connections of their own. 

I opened the phone and connected it to the Internet. I searched immediately for pictures of the concert. Wow, it sure looks fun! But I have to concentrate and look for my sister!

Another thing came to my mind, I searched something on Google and I think Israel has no choice but to take me with him. The doctor entered the room and was all smiling and warm. 'Perfect timing!' I said.

Israel came out of the restroom, looking fresh and comfy. He smiled the moment he saw me reading something on my phone. He dries his hair with a towel and placed his used clothes in a separate bag. "I have clothes here for you, too, A nurse will help you bathe and change. You can also request to be taken outside from time to time to get a breather."

I nodded, "Is there any way I can change your mind? I think it's important for me to come with you. I'm already worried sick and I'll just be more anxious if you leave me here," I begged, making my voice sound as sincere and pitiful as I could muster.

But he's one tough cookie to break, "You look so cute, but..." He made a tsk sound, "Sorry, no can do..." He sat on the chair beside me and said, "But, I'll change my mind if..."

"If? -- If what?" I asked. I am willing to do anything like eating fire or dancing like a chicken if needed.

"Being more honest with me," Israel said, he smiled, a sad one... All this time, he knew I am keeping something very important from him.

I averted my eyes, "What are you talking about?" I said, but I can barely look at him.

Then, he laughed... "It's nothing. I'm just messing with you." Israel said he'll be leaving soon, but not until his guards arrive. Then, men in black suits came in, two guards are outside the door and the other, inside. His secretary returned in a more comfortable and modest attire this time. But she kept on extruding overly feminine wiles and she's making me more annoyed than Redhead earlier. Israel left and his secretary hugged him and wished him well. 

They are with me in the hospital, but none of them paid me any attention. The doctor a while ago told me that I could get clearance from him if I want to travel, I just need to be extra careful and not to sit upright too long. I wanted to show Israel that I can surely go with him, without incurring more physical problems, but he is someone quite difficult to persuade. 

"I think Israel would be more protected if you guys come along with him," I muttered out of the blue. The secretary sighed and the guards didn't react. "We don't know what kind of trouble he'll be facing if he goes there alone..." I didn't finish. The secretary looks troubled but she didn't say anything, the guards looked among themselves. 

"He's with people. The family doesn't let him go places without security," The secretary said, in her all business-like tone.

"But the more, the merrier right? Let's not forget he hasn't rested enough and he barely slept at all," I said, "I think all of us would be more at ease if we do this together. You don't need to leave me behind, I can go with you. The doctor already said I'm free to go," It wasn't a lie, as long as I don't strain myself that much.

The secretary nodded a bit, "True," She called someone on her phone and she explained what she wanted to do. She said it was her preposition, her idea, not mine. Well, suit yourself, as long as I get to see my sister.

"We can go," The secretary said. The guards relaxed and waited for us to prepare.

I heard an alarm not so far away. The nurses and doctors rushed to a room somewhere. A man is screaming on top of his lungs, "Help! Help me! I'm losing my daughter."  Israel's men immediately went on guard but the secretary was nonchalant, she just sat on the chair, with her arms crossed without care. An adult guy came out of the room across the hallway, crying profusely, his hands on his knees. It's the girl's father!

He must've noticed me from my room window. He ran towards the door but the guards stopped him. "My daughter! She's not waking up. Help her! Please!" He cried out to me while the guys keep him outside. "Talk to her! Anything! If you're her friend, help me please!!!" The guards pushed him harder, he tripped on the floor.