Connections

The Plan Is Set

"Skylar was there?" Vince starts. "And you didn't think to tell us?"

"What would have happened if I told you?" I ask.

"He'd be..."

"Dead," I interrupt him. "You would've killed him without even blinking."

"Well, if he was there, he's probably working with his uncle," Chace assumes.

"He might not be though," I defend.

"Well," Vince reaches for his gun. There is a click, and he aims it forward. "Let's go found out what he's up too."

Kyle places his arm across the hallway, blocking Vince's way to the exit. "Put the gun down. There is always a better way. You don't need to go the extreme."

"I'm with Vince. Interrogating with intimidation will work," Chace agrees.

"No. We don't need to confront him. He will just deny it anyway," Jack says.

They all begin to argue. Jack and Kyle versus Vince and Chace. I stay quiet to assess the situation. They are all right in a way. I don't want Skylar to be hurt just so we can find out if he is working with his uncle or not. And Jack is right that he will deny it. He will make up some reason for being there and get out of it.

"Everyone stop!" I yell.

After glaring at each other they turn and face me. Vince slams his gun on the counter next to him and crosses his arms over his chest. Immediately I decide to tell them my plan, because being the leader, they need to know I have one.

"Alright. Here is what's going to happen. Vince as much as it pains me to admit, you are right. We need to find out what Skylar knows. But also, Jack you are right. There is no way he is going to tell us what is going on voluntarily," I begin.

"So, what do you suggest we do?" Chace asks.

"The truth pill. Plus, a bit of kidnapping. We are going to need to get him here, without him knowing where he is. We don't want him to be able to come back here. So, here is the plan. Vince, you and Chace will get him. You each need to take one of the syringes filled with the chemical Jack created. He needs to be knocked out with that. So, try to not be seen and use it on him. You both have one chance. And Vince. Do not hurt him," I explain.

"Okay." They both nod.

"Jack, you prepare two pills. We will mix one in the water. If he will not drink it, which I'm betting he won't, we will have a spare. Kyle, you will interrogate him first. See if we can get any information before the pill is given," I finish explaining.

"Okay but what if he won't drink the water?" Kyle asks.

"Yeah, how will we get him to take the second pill?" Jack asks.

"Don't worry about that. I know how to get him to take it. So, after school tomorrow? I'm saying around five," I plan.

-----------

The next day could not come soon enough. Finding out what Skylar knows is going to help so much. Also finding out Stephen's plan will be great. We really need to know what we are up against. I just hope whatever it is, we can take care of easily.

I hope he hasn't worked any harder on his creatures he brought last time. They were an easy fight. If he improves them though, we might have some tougher action ahead of us.

"Meghan!"

"Huh?" I ask.

"Are you listening?" Camille asks.

"Yeah totally."

"What are we talking about?" Chloe Anne asks.

"Um, about," They both give me a look. "Okay fine. Sorry."

"You're out of it today. Are you okay?" Camille asks.

"I'm fine. I just have something on my mind," I admit.

"Well pull yourself together. We have a tough practice tonight," Chloe Anne warns me.

"Okay. I'll be all good by then," I reassure them.

But if I'm being honest, I might be even more stressed. I’m not stressed, just excited. I want to know what's going on.

I need to know.

I jump as soon as the bell rings signaling it's time for class to start. I'm going to try and get some information from Skylar before tonight.

"Gosh are you really that excited to go to Chemistry?" Chloe Anne teases.

"Just excited to get there and get it over with," I lie.

I walk out of the bathroom with Camille and Chloe Anne close behind me. As we walk, I see someone coming straight towards me. When they get a bit closer, I see it is Vince. He gives me one look and I turn my head. With one more step our bodies collide. Quickly I jump.

"You need to watch where you're walking Princess," Vince threatens.

"Whatever," I whisper as I feel my pocket. I feel something in there just as Camille and Chloe Anne pull me away.

"Are you okay?" Chloe Anne asks.

"I feel like I just ran into a brick wall," I joke.

"Gosh, Vince is so scary," Camille says.

"I'm surprised he didn't make a bigger scene," Chloe Anne says.

"Yeah. Me too," I agree.

I finally make it to my locker and reach for my Chemistry book. Reaching to my pocket again, I pull out a note. Covering it slightly with my locker door, I open it.

'No sign of Skylar today. Should we continue with the plan tonight?'

Of course he wouldn't be here. The plan should still work tonight. Vince and Chace are going to go to his house anyway.

'Plans still on.'

After writing my response, I close my locker door and head to the bulletin board. I take down the letter 'O' and place my note under it for Vince to find.

The second bell rings and I hurry to my class. I enter just as the bells stops. Quietly, I take my seat.

"You're cutting it close to being late Miss Briar. You and Skylar are a good pair after all. Should I expect him to be late as well?" Mr. Blake asks.

"I made it just as the bell stopped. And I don't think Skylar is coming," I say.

"An apology is what I was looking for."

"Well let me know when you find it."

Mr. Blake gives me a stern look as the class begins to laugh. Usually, I'm better at holding back my comments but not right now. I just hate that he tried to compare me to Skylar. He and I are nothing alike.

At least I can do my Chemistry experiment without Skylar making some stupid comment.

"Alright. The experiment for today will be..."

I feel my phone vibrate. Quietly I pull it out of my bag and place it in front of my book so it cannot be seen by Mr. Blake.

S - Sorry I won't be in class to discover our chemical attraction.

M - How'd you get this number?

S - I have my ways. Enjoy Chemistry.

I roll my eyes and put away my phone. As the experiment begins, Mr. Blake dims the lights slightly. I place my goggles on and reach for the different chemicals I will be needing. After gathering everything I start.

I begin by mixing 15mL of ethyl acetate with 3mg of 9,10-bis dye. I then mix these with 1g of sodium acetate. Once the liquid turns a yellow color, I add 80mg of TCPO. I look up and notice Mr. Blake watching. I decide that since he was watching to go ahead and add 3mL of hydrogen peroxide to initiate the reaction. In the dimly lit room, my results are perfect. The liquid begins to glow a greenish, blue color.

Mr. Blake steps in front of my lab table. He crosses his arms over his chest and looks at my glowing product.

"Is something wrong?" I ask.

"Well, you achieved the desired result," he says.

"I know."

"You weren't even listening to my lecture or instructions. How'd you do this?"

"I have my ways. I enjoy Chemistry."

Before he can respond there is a shriek at the front of the class. We both look forward as a girl holds up her glowing tube. She is smiling proudly as Mr. Blake walks to her table. I roll my eyes and begin to clean my lab station.

She is only acting excited and annoying to get Mr. Blake's attention. Her partner is Adam, also known as the smartest person in this school. I guarantee that he did the experiment himself and is letting her show it off. That's so irritating to me.

I pack up my stuff and wait for the bell to ring. I can feel someone watching me and I look around. My eyes finally meet with Mr. Blake's. He is giving me a look I cannot quite read. Once the bell rings I put my bag on my shoulder and walk past him.

"See you tomorrow, Miss Briar," he says.

I furrow my eyebrows and walk out of the room. It's weird that he did that. I just hope he isn't suspecting me. I know we have technically never met while I was in disguise with the guys, but you never know. The police officers may not be doing everything right but hiring him was right. He is the best detective they have.

I wonder why he is undercover here.

-----

I sit next to Camille listening as Chloe Anne goes over the new routine. As she explains it, I feel a bit nervous. This new routine looks tricky and might take a long time to get everything down. I need to be out of here by 4:30, but I'm not sure now.

"Okay. Everyone understand?" She looks around the group. "Okay, let's begin!"

Quickly I jump up and pull Chloe Anne to the side. As everyone makes their way to their positions, I look at Chloe Anne.

"Hey, I completely forgot that I have to leave early," I say.

"Why? How early?" She asks a bit unhappily.

"Around 4:30. I have to babysit my brother. My mom has an extra shift today," I lie.

"Okay. That's fine," She mumbles. She turns and claps her hands once. "Okay, let's do this!"

I follow her back to the rest of the squad and take my place. Once the routine begins, my mind is completely cleared of my plans tonight. I really get lost in the music.

Just as I thought, the routine is not easy. We have to keep stopping and starting again. Chloe Anne is beginning to get frustrated.

As we line up once again, Chloe Anne looks at the clock. She sighs and turns around. "Let's take a break. Meghan, I know you have to leave, but please make sure to practice."

"I will," I say as I head to the bleachers. After grabbing my stuff and saying bye to the girls, I head outside. The guys are already there, so I need to hurry.

I start my car and back out of the parking lot. I cannot wait to see Skylar. He is going to be telling us so much. The easy part is going to be giving him the pill. I know a perfect way to give it to him. That is if he won't drink the water.

Vince and Chace should already be on their way to get Skylar. I really hope that will go well and be easy. I'm sure if they are seen though, Skylar is not going to go with them. Vince is clearly not a fan of Skylar, so I hope he listens to me and doesn't hurt him. I mean if they have to force him to come, then that might not go over well.

I finally reach my house and take my stuff inside. I change quickly into something more comfortable and then head to the house to meet the guys. I enter and see Jack. He is mixing the pill powder in a cup of water. Kyle is pacing as he listens to something. Once he notices me, he stops.

"Vince and Chace are there. They are just waiting for him, and then everything will hopefully go as planned," Kyle informs me.

"Good," I say.

------

Vince's POV

"Why is he taking so long?" I mutter.

"He will be here soon.," Chace says looking at his phone and watching Skylar's car move.

"I just can't wait to shoot him."

Chace looks up and raises his eyebrow.

"With the syringe," I clarify.

"Yeah, I'm sure that's what you meant. Meghan said to not hurt him," Chace reminds me.

"You know that's something I don't understand. Why is she always protecting and defending him?"

"They have some weird connection, I think. I'm not really sure."

"I think she's in—"

"Shh," Chace interrupts me.

We hunker down in our seats as Skylar's car comes into view. Once he parks, I open my door slowly. Chace follows my lead. With Skylar's back to us, we head forward. He doesn't notice us behind him, so Chace reaches for the syringe. He carefully takes the cap off and moves slightly closer to Skylar.

"What are you guys doing?" Skylar asks suddenly turning to face us. Before Chace can inject him, he pulls a gun out and aims it at him. He motions for him to drop the syringe. Once it's on the ground, Skylar smashes it.

I narrow my eyes as he takes his foot off the now broken syringe. Before I can get any closer to him, Chace stops me.

"You know the orders," He whispers harshly.

Skylar chuckles slightly before saying, "Aw. How sweet. Meghan doesn't want you to hurt me. Fine." He places his gun down on his car and steps back.

I clench my jaw as I realize what he is doing. He is not going to come with us voluntarily. And with only my syringe left, we are going to have to take him by force. Meghan is not going to like this, but it's the only option right now.

"I don't care what Meghan said. You are coming with us," I demand.