Chapter

I closed my eyes as the cold wind wrapped around my body. I was now only a inch from the edge of the cliff that was covered in white snow. I opened my eyes again just to face the darker again. I looked down the cliff and saw how high the cliff actually was. For a very long time this was the thing I was most afraid of. To loose control. Suicide. I thought. When you thought about it it, it sounded crazy. But for me, it was sort of relief. In the past three years I had gotten bullied, I had gotten blamed for my fathers death and I've been left all alone without a family. It was pretty sad, especially for a teenager. But then again, was it worth it? To commit suicide because of my crappy life here and now? I looked down on my hands that started to get a pale blue color. I hadn't thought much about what I was wearing when I was heading to the cliff. I had a white shirt and blue jeans. My plan was simple. To climb the top of the cliff, say goodbye to my old life and then just jump. But what was stopping me? I thought. I looked down at my pale blue hands that were now shaking. I nearly couldn't feel my fingers. It was winter and that meant really cold weather and temperature. I took a last glance at the lake that was floating just underneath the cliff. I couldn't do it. I wouldn't do it. Even if i nearly didn't have anything, I still had something. I had one true friend, that would be pretty pissed if she knew what I was doing right here and now. I took a step back. I couldn't do it, not to her. I loved her too much and I needed to be strong for her- not weak. I took a deep breath. Life gets better they say, well. I really hope so. I turned around and started to walk home. The forest was amazing, especially at night. The darkness was mysterious, maybe that's why i liked it. But as I walked home i saw something glittering on the ground. what? I thought. In curiosity I started to walk toward the object that shone in a silver shade. I crouched as i picket up the item. In the moonlight I could only see that it was small and round, but even if it was dark i could still see that it was silver. What was it? I thought to myself. I put down the object in my pocket as i rose from the ground. It started to get really cold and by now i was surprised that I could still move my fingers. I walked quietly home, well aware of what i nearly had done in the middle of the night. Just a couple of minutes later a stood outside my home. It was a small brown wooden house. Every time I came home, I could only think about the moment when I came back from school and no one was home. I had searched in all rooms but nearly everything was gone. All wardrobes in my moms room was empty and the only thing left in her room was a piece of paper on the bed. I'm Sorry Max, I just can't take it anymore. Every time I look at you I see him. Same brown eyes and same blond hair. It's killing me, to know that he died that young. But most of all, if you hadn't called him to pick you up... he would still be alive. How much it hurts, I won't get over it as long as you are still around. That's why I'm leaving. Bye Max. Take care of yourself. Her last words, spoken or written, hadn't been I love you. Most moms would at least write down I love you. But, how many moms do actually leave their child to the faith? No family , no foster care, no anything. As I walked past the door a tear fell down my cheek. I closed the door and walked to my bedroom. I grabbed my phone and called Angeline. After a couple of signals I heard a familiar voice. "Hello?" she said in a drawling voice.

"It's me." I didn't have to say more. "What is it Max? Why did you have to call me in the middle of the night?" "Angeline. I nearly did it tonight." I said. I didn't want to say the "S" word. The word would only make me look weak. "You did what?" she asked, a bit puzzled. I didn't blame her. It was midnight, no one thinks clearly at this time. The Irony. I commented myself. I took a deep breath as Angeline waited for my explanation. "Tonight... I really couldn't take it anymore. I just didn't want to live anymore. So I nearly jumped from the cliff." I said. I started sobbing in the middle of the sentence. Crap. I didn't want to cry, especially not with Angeline listening. "Max. I understand that you are hurt. I mean your mom who is a total bitch left you all alone to the faith. But you can't go around and keep thinking of killing yourself! You have me Max, me. You are not alone. And don't dare to leave me alone with all this idiots! Next time you say or think about that again I promise you, I'm gonna beat some sense into you. You understand?" She sounded a bit angry, as I expected her to be. "Yeah." I said. I wasn't sobbing anymore but was on the verge to start again. "Do you want to come over? My parents aren't home tonight." she asked me, a less pissed. "I'm fine." I automatically said. Angeline stayed silence for a second before she answered. "We both know you aren't." was all she said. I took a deep breath as i stared out the window. "Yeah, fine then." I said. "See you soon." She said before she ended the call. ***

I woke up to the sound of the radio. I looked out the window and saw the sunbeams slip in. I sighted. I wasn't directly a fan of mornings, but i had to admit. The sun was beautiful, especially in the morning. "Morning sleepy head." Said Angeline, standing in the doorway. I smiled. "Yeah, morning to you to." I answered. She walked towards me and sat down beside me in the bed. "Well, it's finally Saturday. And that means movie night!" Angeline said enthusiastic. I sighted.

"I don't know..." i said. Angeline was my best friend, but still, she could be random as hell. I got out of the bed. "Where are you going?" she asked. "The bathroom." I answered. I went to the bathroom and locked the door. Angeline would be crawling all around me today, so the bathroom would be the only privacy for the day. I was still wearing my jeans from yesterday, but i had left my shirt beside the bed. What ever, i thought. But then i remembered, the silver item I found yesterday. I dived my hand in my pocket as I searched for it. Then I felt the small thing in my hands. Now in light, I could finally see what it was. I saw in a disbelief that it was some sort of jewelry. But not any jewelry. It was that kind you had on a necklace or even a bracelet. The jewelry was silver with Small pieces of green jade shattered all around the jewelry. As I studied the jewelry i noticed something strange. The jewelry had some sort of opening. I raised my eyebrows as i opened it. I was shocked. What I saw wasn't anything I expected it to be. In the jewelry I found a picture. In the picture two identical boys sat on the beach. The kids looked to be around one year old. The boys had the same blond hair as me and the same brown eyes. Was that me? That question echoed in my head until I heard a knock on the door. "You have been there a while now, Max. You aren't cutting yourself are you?" she asked. I sighted. "No." I opened the door. "Show me your arms." she ordered. "I don't have a shirt." I answered. "Oh right," she said, then laughing. "Breakfast's ready." she then said. "Okay." I said, smiling. I walked toward the kitchen but with the same thoughts circulating in my mind. Was that me in that picture?

Chapter 2
It was dark outside the window, even if it was only five o'clock. I was eating ice cream as I watched TV with Angeline. We watched the news, as we always did at this time a day. A reporter was talking about some sort of young rich guy who had traveled the world. "Ha ha, that's a really arrogant guy." Angeline commented. I looked surprise at Angeline. "Why's that?" I asked her. She just reflected my expression. "He is rich." was all she said. I smiled as I shook my head. "When will you ever stop having prejudices about people?" I asked. "Never." she answered. The reporter was still talking about the rich guy and Angeline yawned. "God this is boring, I'm gonna make some popcorn, you want some?" she asked me. "Nah, I'm fine." I answered. Angeline went to the kitchen and I sat down in the couch by myself. In the end of the show the reporter was interviewing the rich guy, and when I saw his face my jaw literly dropped. The guy was quite tall, around 5'7, he had brown eyes and really good looking blond hair. The guy looked exactly like me. I gasped. I couldn't believe it. Did I have a twin? How, if so? I just had to meet him. No matter what. "So, how's it to live in California?" the female reporter asked. "Well. It's hot there, but it isn't bad at all." The guy then smiled. Incredible, we had identical voices. "So. Jamie. Speaking of which, how do you feel about returning home from your traveling all around the world?" the reporter asked. "Yeah, It's great actually. After all this travelling you get pretty tired you know." he then laught. Suddenly I heard footsteps coming closer. Instinctively I changed the news to an another channel. "What are you watching?" Angeline asked me. "Nothing particular." Why was I lying? Why was I hiding the fact that I might have a twin brother? "I see..." she just answered as she sank into the couch. I turned away my gaze toward the window. What should I do? After a moment of thinking I decided that I had to meet him. But I lived in Arizona and Jamie, as he apparently was called, lived in California. I had to get there, somehow. But how? Well..I did have an emergency bag with money... but this was a sort of emergency, wasn't it? I would give anything in the world for a family. So why not just leave? Oh, wait. A voice said in my mind. California is pretty big you know. Where do he live? Crap. I would never be able to track him down. But then again.

"Oh my god I'm so stupid." I murmured for myself. Angeline looked confused at me. "What?" she said. "Nothing." I quickly said. If I told her, I would have to drag her across the country with me. I just couldn't do that to her. We had school, and bad grades was nothing she could afford. Not on my count at least. "Really?" she asked me in disbelieved. "Yeah, really. Now let it go." I said, a bit to harsh. Angeline broke the eyecontact and looked at the screen. Romeo and Juliet was playing on TV. A good begining with a terrible, sad end. "Yeah, I'm a bit tired. Can I sleep over?" I asked Angeline. "Sure." she said, still a bit hurt. "I'm sorry Angeline. But goodnight." I said. Angeline raised her eyebrows. "It's just five and thirty! Are you already heading to bed?" She asked me incredulity. "Well. Honestly I need to finish my homework. I never finished the math." I said. That was a lie. I was actually a couple of chapters ahead of everyone else. "You what?" she asked shocked. "Yeah, I know. Bye." I went to her room and closed the door. She had a laptop on her desk that I had used many times before to finish home works. I opened the laptop and typed in her password that was: ILOVEUNICORNS. Quite a funny and random password. I wouldn't have such a trouble finding Jamie if I used goggle. I typed the name Jamie. Thousands of results came up. But neither of them seemed to be Jamie. "Shit." I said to myself. This was going to be harder than I expected it to be. The reporter had said something about a young world traveler. So I simply typed the words; The worlds youngest world traveler. Thousands of links appeared. Some was just wikipedia and other was boat clubs. As I scrolled down the page I noticed the name Jaime Phills. I clicked at the link and come to some sort of a blog. The blog was a fan page for Jaime Phills but sadly I didn't find a picture on the site. I opened a tab and typed the name Jaime Phills. And then, a dozen of pictures of myself appeared on the screen. Or more correct, pictures of Jaime. I hummed. I now had a complete name. I scrolled down the page until I found a wikipedia link. I quickly read what they wrote about him until I found what I was looking for. The young world traveller Jaime Phills lives in California in the Sacramento area. I smiled but then, I felt like a complete stalker. The Sacramento city was quite big, it had 256 square km and a population over 450 000 people. It would be tough to just go there and find him. I had to be clever about this. What kind of social media did everyone have? And even celebrities? Facebook I thought. I had in all my 17 years avoided Facebook. Partly because everyone I knew had Facebook and partly because Facebook was a huge waste of time. I went to their page and I was welcomed by the text

Facebook. Join us today by just typing down your email! I shook my head as I became a part of the social media on the Internet. When they finally accepted me I logged into their site. I typed the name Jamie Phills into the search field and a half dozen of people showed up. But on the bottom of the site Jamie's face appeared. I had found him, or at least his account. I didn't have a profile picture I then realised. But, would he think that I was some sort of crazy fan? Well, i didn't have another choice then to just try. The laptop had a camera so I activated it and I took a picture of myself. Now, when I had proof, I sent a friend request to Jaime Phills. Then I noticed the "send a message to" button. I raised my eyebrows. It would probably take less time to just email him or just send him a message. When I finished the short message I went to the historic page and clicked: delete browsing data. I then closed the laptop and went back to Angeline. In the message I had wrote, Hey. I'm not sure how to say this but however, my name is Max Blake. I live in Arizona and I think we might be...brothers. You see, I saw you on tv and the reporter mentioned you being a world traveller. But I just couldn't tear myself from the thought of how look-alike we are. So I'm asking you to meet me. Something like that I wrote down. I just hoped I didn't sound like a over attached fan or something. But the only thing I could do for now was to wait...

Chapter 3

Three days later... I stared hopeless at the computer screen. It had been three whole days since I had sent that message. Why didn't he just answer? I figured he would be at least a bit curious. But, if you thought about it. It sounded just... crazy. I mean, who the hell would believe they had a twin after 17 years just by receiving a Facebook message? I shaked my head and stared at the ceiling. I exhaled as I stared at the screen again. And then, I finally received an answer. I quickly clicked at the message button and read the message. Hello there, Max. I'm sorry that I havn't accepted you as my friend, but as you see I already have over 2000 friends. So instead I just replied you. I have to admit, your photo shop skills are really great. I nearly believed you! But you can't imagine how many people are playing this kind of tricks on me! I'm pretty tired of it. But I hope replying to you would satisfy you! sincerely, Jaime Phills. I just stared at the message. Unbelievable. He really thought I was kidding. What should I do? I walked to the bathroom. I starred at myself in the mirror. What should I do next? I asked myself over and over again. I wandered with my gaze around the bathroom. A toilet, a small shower and a sink with different decorations covered the sink. Some was just random origami birds I had recently made. Other was just some jewelry my mom had left behind her. I hadn't dare to throw them away. One reason was because I deep in my heart still thought that my mom would return and get mad if I had thrown it away the other reason was that the jewelry

was all I had left of my mom. It was actually pretty sad. But I was kind of bothered about something my parents hadn't told me. They had mentioned that my grand parents had passed away. But they had never told me how. I looked at the golden bracelet that layed on the sink. It was beautiful. It was exactly one year ago my mom had left me. And it had been one and a half year ago since my dad had died in a car accident. After all this time I had penetrated all my memories of that day. i hadn't dared to open old wounds, too afraid that I would just get infected and sink into the darker again. But it was finally time to deal with it, and say goodbye. I looked at myself in the mirror as the memories started to return. I sighted. It was the middle of the night and I had spent half the night at Darren's house. Darren was the schools biggest jerk and had many times destroyed people. Both from the inside and the outside. Darren had forced me to go that party. Because if I wouldn't, I would just become his next target. Well. I had already been targeted by many bullies before. Some of them had even beaten me and taken my lunch money. But the bullies had been to big for me to defend myself. So it always ended with me getting a black eye or worse. So I had sunk to the lowest level- the one where every guy just bullied me whenever he wanted or not. I had sadly, after years off fighting just accepted it. And now I had to hang around the house. But what I didn't understand was why I had to go there. Mostly I had sat by myself in the couch and listened to the loud pop music. But when the midnight had fallen I just wanted to go home. Then Darren had appeared in front of me, with his right hand, Danny or Dan as everyone called him. "There you are, Max!" he said a bit slurring. I suspected that he had been drinking. Even if he was only sixteen. "Yeah. What do you want Darren? I've been here as you asked." I told him. "Yes. I want you to join us. Drinking." he said challenging. "And if I refuse?" I said a bit frustrated. The last thing I wanted was to come all drunk home. Darren just smiled but his green eyes watched me intensive. He then leaned forward so his mouth was only a inch from my ear. "I will make your life a living hell." he whispered into my ear. I just looked disgusted at him. "I'm already living it." I answered, a bit too cocky. He just laughed. "Alright, if that's so you wont mind if I go over to Becky and tell her how you feel? huh?" "What?" I asked puzzled, how did he know? "Yeah, I saw you checking her out. And you seem like that nice guy that slowly make your way to people." I didn't answer. "So. I will now tell her what a fake and broken person you are." he said and put on his evil smile. I sat quiet as he turned away and started to walk away. "Wait." I said. Darren then turned around and a triumph smile played on his lips. "What?" He asked me.

"Why would she believe you?" I asked him. He just kept on smiling. "Look around, Max. All this people are here because of me. People like me. I'm popular. And I've slept with nearly every girl in here. they are basically crawling all over me. So, why wouldn't a girl like Becky believe me?" Darren left me speechless for a minute. "Yeah, I thought so. Now get up and drink." he ordered me. He was right. Why wouldn't anyone believe him? because then he would just beat the shit out of you. I rose from the couch and went to the kitchen table were all sorts of alcohol was stacked. I reached for a bear and suddenly someone hit my hand. I pulled back my hand in pain. "No, Max. The vodka." Darren's evil voice echoed. I gave up and reached for a glass and filled the glass with vodka. As the vodka had reached a inch I put the vodka back. I regretfully put the glass to my mouth and drank. The vodka tasted awful. Like a fire. I disgusted put back the glass. "Again." Darren ordered. I couldn't believe it. I actually drank alcohol so Darren wouldn't tell a bunch of lies to a girl I barely knew. And of course, that I wouldn't become Darren's punch bag on the school breaks. "Fine." I answered. Darren who was the most evil idiot on this planet smirked. He made me repeat the process until I barely knew how many drinks I've had. Maybe it was six....or eight... My mind started to spin around in the most strangest thoughts I ever had. I suddenly found myself outside the house. I heard a dark voice laughing. "I see you had too much to drink boy, well. It's time to go home. By Max!" Darren said. I hated him. I hated him so damn much. He had made me drink for this? Why? I then realised. I was shirtless. Kind off. On my arm someone had written "I'm a nerd. I'm a idiot. I'm Darren's bitch." Why? I couldn't remember. What I was sure of was that I didn't have control over myself anymore. I had walked down the street without knowing it and now i found myself somewhere I've never been. I couldn't stand this. I would'nt be able to find my own home in this state. I pulled out my phone and called one of the few people that actually cared about me, my dad. "Roger here." he said in his serious voice. "Dad...It's...it's me" I slurred. God how hard it was to talk. "Are you drunk?" he asked me. I just hummed. "Where are you?" he asked me. I looked around the street and saw the streets name. I told him the street and he hummed as well. "Alright. Stay where you are. I will come and get you. We will discuss this later when you are sober." I afterwards fell onto the ground, not realizing that I had just sent him off to his death.

I couldn't tell the time but after a while a blue Volvo stopped in front of me. I didn't react as the driver came towards me. He had blond hair and brown eyes. After a second I realised It was my dad. "Oh god how much have you drank son?" He asked me as he helped me stand straight. "He... made me drink. Or he would." I didn't finish the sentence. I started to feel dizzy. My legs started to get weak. I was a second later in the car. "What? Who made you drink?" He asked me. "Dar...Darren." I said. I gathered myself to say something but the reality started to fall apart. "Dad..." I said. But then I had found myself in complete darker. I didn't knew what happened I had found myself in a hospital. When I sobered up a doctor came in the room with a straight serious face.

"Max Blake? I'm sorry to inform you about this. But as you figured you've been in a car accident. I listened with tense ears. What was she trying to say? "You will be fine Max, but as for your dad, I'm sorry to tell you this. But he passed away during the operation." "What? What operation?" I asked the doctor. "Your dad came to pick you up from a party,then your car drove into another. Your dads air bag didn't open. So he was nearly dying. We did our best, but he didn't survive. I'm deeply sorry for your loss." With those words she walked away and then my whole world broke into pieces.

Chapter 4

I sat on the bathroom floor with my head in my knees and my arms holding my legs. My arms tightly hold on off what was left off me. If I hadn't gone to that party one and a half year ago, my father would still be alive. In the beginning, my mom had been heartbroken. When she still lived here, she came home and locked herself in her room. She never said hi or goodnight to me. She had in the beginning totally ignored me. But after a couple of months she had started to get better. And when she finally started to associate with me I started to think that she had forgiven me. But the next week she was vanished. That's the story of how I had lost my parents. Because I was a total moron. If I just hadn't got drunk everything would be fine. But sadly, you can't turn back time. My grip of my legs tightened. All I ever wanted was to get a real family. And that people wouldn't think that I was a completely freak. There was some secrecy in this family I hadn't ever asked. Like why I didn't have more family than my parents, or the biggest secret of them all- that I had a twin. Jaime and I looked identical. It was no way that we couldn't be related. I was certain that he was my twin. I just had to prove him that. But how? The question spun in my mind. I could try to contact him on Facebook again, but it was a great chance that he would bail on me again. So I had to come up with a plan B... Then, I started to think. There was no way that he would believe me if I kept going on about being his twin on Facebook. I had to do something in the real life. But what? And suddenly, I had a plan. It was crazy, It was risky, but at least It was something. I rose from the floor and went to my bedroom. I leaned under my bed where my bag was laying. I had for a long time now stashed extra money to the bag. I counted the money and I had whole 2000 dollars in my hands. It was sick how much money I had. But the money would be enough for a trip to California. But first I needed to turn on my computer and find my phone. I started my computer and typed my password. "Imagine_Dragons". One of my favorite bands. I opened chrome and a new tab. I typed what I was searching for and found It. Jaime Phills manager. This was risky. If the manager was talking with Jaime right here and now my plan would be ruined. If his manager would ask Jaime who she was speaking with he would said that a guy pretends to be him. Jaime would definitely block me on every social media then. This was going to be hard. In most movies the lost twins finds each other and lives happily after, but this was reality. And I couldn't make a misstake. I was going to meet Jaime. No matter how far I needed to go. Even if I already thought I've taken a big step. It was around eight am. I hoped his manager wouldn't be around Jaime. I typed the managers number and a couple of signals later I heard a woman's voice. "Yes?" "Hey." I said. Shit. I had forgotten what her name was. "Jaime? What is it?" I quickly searched for her name on the screen. Madison Whitlock. Got it. "Yeah, Madison." I was now going to take a really big step and only luck or god could help me right here and now.

"You know that interview you told me about?" I asked her. I was biting my lips as i always did when I was stressed. "What do you mean?" she asked me suspicious. "Don't you remember?" I asked. She was quiet on the other end. This was it. It now depended on what she would respond. "Jaime. The only interview they offered was a interview for charity. And we both know you don't do charity." she said. "Like the last interview for the news. You only did it for money." Oh my god, maybe Angeline was right after all. "Yeah, I know. But I've made up my mind." I said instead. She hummed. "Alright then. Met me tomorrow five o'clock at my office." she said. "Um. Where's it?" I said. If I knew the office maybe I could finally meet him. "Do you have brain damage or something? You are acting really strange." she said. "Nah. I'm fine. Just tell me." I said trying to sound like Jaime. However he sounded. She told me some street and numbers as I wrote it down on my computer. "Thanks Maddie." I said. But, oh no. "Maddie? I'm Madison. I'm seriously considering taking you to a doctor." she said. Jeez, what kind of people were they? "Haha, really funny. See you tomorrow." I said and then hung up. Well. I had to be the luckiest person in the world considering this. I actually got some kind of job blindly. Only problem now was how I would get there. I opened a new tab and searched for a bus. Seven and a half hour. It took nearly eight hours to get to California. The ticket costed around 50 bucks which I could easily afford. If I took the bus that went at six in the morning I would be at Sacramento around two am. I bought a ticket and turned off the computer. Unfortunately I had to leave Angeline. If I called her, I would have to explain everything. But if I left a message on a piece of paper? I would be a coward. But would she forgive me? I had held this secret for days now. There was no way she would forgive me if I told her now... I had to come up with something. That she would believe and that she would forgive me for. I then searched for one of my minor hobby and found something that could be my alibi. A chess tournament was taking place in LA tomorrow. I quickly came up with a lie that even Angeline would bought. But, I would tell her, as soon as I found my long lost brother. I hoped It just wouldn't take more than a couple of days. I jumped in bed and layed down for a while. I then grabbed my phone and called Angeline. "What's up?" she said.

"Well. I have great news." I said. I hated this so much, to lie to the only person I could trust. "What news?" she asked. "You know that big tournament in LA where all people around the world play chess?" I said. Just keep going, I told myself. "What? No. What about It?" she seemed distracted about the thought of chess. "Yeah, there is that tournament in LA that I've been officially invited to!" I said with false joy. "Really? And?" she asked, still a bit confused. "And i'm going over there tomorrow! So I need you to cover for me." "Wait. Back up. What? Are you going there tomorrow?" she asked me surprised. "Yeah. Isn't It awesome?" I asked. I had to praise myself of what I liar I was. "Um. Congratulations then. When are you going?" she said. "Tomorrow 6 o'clock." I answered "Wow. That's early. Better you get some sleep then. Good night!" Then she hung up. She bought it. She had actually bought it. I didn't like this. At all. I never liked to lie. But even if I didn't like it I was surprisingly good at it. For a moment I just stared at the white ceiling silent. I was going to prove that I existed, by showing up at a TV show. If Jaime luckily watched it. But, how would he react. What would he think off me? He had to contact me after the show. Because if he didn't, he probably didn't want me in his life. Maybe he already had everything he wanted unlike me. Stop it. I told myself. I needed to stay focused but most of all smart. I couldn't afford to be pessimist about this. But how am I supposed to act like a person I don't even know? I asked myself. Crap. I rose from my bed and walked toward the computer. I turned it on and typed down my password. I afterwards opened chrome and searched for youtube. On the youtube's Search field I typed down Jaime's name and then random picked some of his interviews. After I've seen about eight interviews I gazed at the clock. Nearly ten. The last thing I needed to do was to pack. So I just throw some random clothes and shoes in my brown bag. I could then go to bed. I jumped into the bed and covered myself with a blanked. See you soon brother, I thought before my eyes closed and complete darker surrounded me. ***

My alarm clock rang loudly as I slowly opened my eyes. It was still quiet dark outside. I jumped of the bed and put some random clothes on. I looked at my mirror that was standing in the corner of my room. I had a blue shirt with classic blue jeans. I studied my hair that was

short shining blond. Jaime had nearly as short hair as I, only a little longer. They wouldn't detect anything I convinced myself. I then went to the kitchen and made quickly a sandwich. As I ate my sandwich I went to the bathroom and picked up some old hair gel. If I wanted to act as Jaime I needed to look like him. Not just the face and body but the stile too. I stiled my hair as I remembered Jaime did. Jaime styled his hair messy- as if he didn't even cared about his hair. But even I had to admit that it looked pretty hot- I looked hot. I smirked. Now I could go. I looked at the clock. An half hour left. It took about twenty minutes to go to the bus station so I had to hurry. I put on my brown backpack as I walked out the door. Twenty minutes later I found myself on the bus station. It was only a couple of minutes left so I sat down on a bench. I pulled out my phone and texted Angeline goodbye. Of course Angeline would never answer at this time a day. The school didn't start til nine and Angeline slept til eight. I watched as other people arrived for the bus. Some were young people, a bit older than me, and other were just old people. I patiently waited until the bus would come. I watched bored the road that was awfully quiet. Strange, I noticed. Usually some people would get to work at this time. As the time passed by the bus finally arrived and I thankfully got on the bus. I took the nearest seat I could find which was only a couple of feets away. I looked bored out the window as I sighted. This would be a long ride. Whole eight hours. I put out some headphones as I connected them to my phone. Some music would at least make some difference. Suddenly someone sat down beside me. I studied that person from head to toe. Caramel hair, brown eyes and high cheekbones. The girl that sat beside me looked really cute, especially with that red shirt with dark brown shorts. "Hi!" she said. She studied me as well and smiled. "Hello." I replied. "It's just... Oh my god!" she bursted out. "Are you Jaime Phills?" she asked me with big admiring eyes. Well, I was supposed to pretend being Jaime so why not? "Yeah, in fact that's me." I said. When I saw her jaw drop I just smirked. Wow, this was something new. "It's just... It's just that I'm your biggest fan! I've from the beginning admired and supported you!" she stuttered. "Uh..." I just said. What was I supposed to answer? "I wouldn't be able to do what I do for living if it wouldn't be for fans like you." I said. Maybe it was risky, maybe not. But now when I had started the game I needed to finish it. So I kept on a smile and talked with her for a while. "Um. I see you are already heading to Sacramento so I just wondered if you could, you know. Visit me." The girl who's name was Alex said. I stayed silent for a while, not sure of what I should answer.

"I.. I'm sorry but I have some business to attend to." I answered. The girl just looked suspicious for a second but looked sad thereafter. "Oh. I understand." She said. I could hear her disappointment in her voice. "Maybe some other time?" I said. That made Alex at least look happier. "Yeah... " she just answered. The rest of the road trip we spent in awkward silence.

A couple of hours later we finally arrived at Sacramento. It seemed like a quiet nice city. I smiled. This was going to be... hard, but exciting and hopefully fun. I stepped out the bus with my back pack over my shoulders. Sacramento seemed like a normal city, but it also seemed something special about it. "So. I guess it's goodbye then." I turned around to see Alex standing only a inch behind me. I smiled. "Yeah I suppose..." I answered. She looked into my eyes which seemed a bit concerned. "Where you heading then?" She asked me. "The office actually." I said if it didn't seem like a big deal. "Your office? I'm actually heading toward that direction. I could give you a ride. If you don't have your limo waiting for you." she said and smirked. She looked so cute it made me smile. "Oh. That's really nice! But i've.." I cut off myself. Alex was really nice, what would I lose if I got a ride from her? I mean, she probably knew were the office was unlike me. "I actually got a new phone and I forgot to type in my drivers number...so." I started. Alex just stared amusing at me. She then burst out in laugh. "Eh, what? You forgot your limo drivers number? What kind of excuse is that? You just had to say yes to get a ride to your office." she said still chukling. "Well. Than I say yes." I said smiled. She started to walk thoward the parking lot but I didn't move. "Alex. Wait." Alex light brown eyes turned thoward me. "Yes?" She asked me. "Here is the thing. I have to be at the office at six, but it's now around two am. So, would you mind killing some time with me?" I asked her. She tilted her head if she tried to solve some math equation. "What?" I asked her.

"it's just... first on the bus you are all 'sorry I have business to attend to' but now when you walked out the bus you are all chatty again and want to hang out with me." she then smiled at me. "But when Jaime Phills asks you to hang out, you can't say no to that offer." She then turned around with her purple back pack over her shoulder and walked toward the parking lot. I didn't move at first but when I saw she wouldn't stop I just ran toward her. When I was by her side I slowed down. "Really? You ran?" she laughed. The only person I could actually make laugh was Angeline. I had my whole life been some sort of lonelier. And it was actually some sort of miracle that I ended up having Angeline as my best friend. "Yeah. I did." I answered her question. Alex stopped at the parking lot and pulled out her car key. I heard a click as a red Audi blinked. I've never been interested in cars actually, but even I had to admit that this car was pretty sweet. "Nice car." I told Alex. Alex just raised her eyebrows. "What? This piece of junk? Please." she said as she opened the car door and started the car. I quickly joined her and threw my back pack at the car's back seat. Angeline pulled out the parking lot and hit the road. She started the car radio and lowered the music volume of the song Lady gaga LoveGame. "So, what do you want to do?" Alex asked me. I took a deep breath. Yeah, I just wanted to meet my long lost twin brother that was kind of famous and lived somewhere near the office I headed toward. Instead I just answered. "Yeah. Um. I don't know." She eyed me a bit suspicious. "What do you mean 'don't know' you have for gods sake lived here in almost ten years!" she bursted out. "Um." Was all I said. I hadn't made much back round check of the city I was going to visit, positive that I would just take a cab toward the office. But suddenly it hit me. Alex was a fan of Jaime after all, so it couldn't hurt to ask. "Alex. Could you instead of the office just drive me home?" I asked her completely changing the subject. "Eh, Jaime. Your house is well hidden here in Sacramento. What I mean is that such things as 'where you live' won't be found on google." She said, i could hear a bit disappointment in her voice. "Damn." I murmured. So I had to pull out the interview act after all... "If you tell the address I can drive you." She said.

"Nah it's fine." I just said. This conversation was becoming dangerous. God knows what she would do if she found out who I actually was. She just glared at me in the corner of her eye. "Are you okay Jaime? It's just that you act... a bit strange. I'm not a stalker, just a fan but. I can see that you have some kind of um. mood swings." Mood swings? I slowly breathed out. I needed to stick to the plan. Do not tell anyone. I repeated in my mind. Or the plan would fall apart. But if I told her or someone else, would it really be that bad? But, I didn't want Jaime to finding out about me that way. I wanted to contact him before hand- that's why I can't tell anyone. I looked at Alex face who's facial expression said that she wanted some sort of explanation. I took a deep breath. "It's just that I easily push away people." I confessed. That was a truth about me. In my whole life I had been bullied and that had led to my trust issues. Alex took her eyes of the road and looked at me with her beautiful light brown eyes. "Well. That's something I didn't knew about you. But, why would you do that?" she asked returning her gaze to the road. Would it hurt to tell her? I once asked myself. Well. We were somewhere in the middle of the city and buildings ranged up to the sky. If she kicked me out I would be in the middle of the city clueless. "Lets just say that I didn't had the world's best childhood." I said looking out the window to avoid eye contact. She just hummed. "Now it's two things." she said. We sat quietly in the car as a song by kesha was playing. We now hit a tunnel and we were traveling in almost darker. "Well, this tunnel isn't well lighted." I murmured. Alex smirked. "Don't worry, we are almost there." Alex said. Almost there? I had lost complete track of time so I looked at my fathers silver watch. It was nearly three. When my father had passed away I'd got my fathers watch. The watch had belonged to my grandfathers father, and now it was mine to keep. We got out from the tunnel and Alex took some road and soon she parked outside some building. The building actually didn't distinguish the other grey buildings so I just shrugged. "Where are we?" I asked her. She just smiled and to my surprise took my hand. She walked me into the building and into a elevator so quickly I barely saw the room I just passed. Alex kept smiling. Why? I questioned. The elevator opened and I was welcomed by a black text saying "Laser tag". Laser tag? I had never in my whole life stepped into such a place like this. Alex escaped the elevator still holding my hand as she walked toward the Checkout. It was a couple of people in front of us so Alex let go of my hand. "So. What do you think?" She asked me excited. I was speechless. If this was the sort of things Jaime did on his free time I would be screwed if I told her that I had never played laser tag. "Um. Wow." I just said.

"You seem awfully surprised! You have won dozen of laser tag tournaments, I expected you to at least smile!" I looked at her and smiled. What the hell should I do now? When it was our turn Alex gladly bought a two and a half hour round for us. "Alex! You didn't had to do that, at least let me pay you back!" I said. "Don't you worry, you can do it back in the car. But now, lets play!" She said and then again grabbed my arm and dragged me across the black hall into a room. Fortunately there was a tv that showed the rules of the game. I stepped closer and started watching the instructions as Alex started snatching my arm. "The hell are you doing! You know the rules! Shooting people and friendly fire." She said. I looked over her shoulder at the TV screen. "Fine." I said. we walked toward a small room with a lot of flashing vests. Some vests flashed green and other blue and red. "Alright, as we both know your favorite color is red so team red it shall be." Alex said as she walked toward the red flashing vests. It was amazing how much Alex knew about Jaime, even if she hadn't met him in real life. But I had to admit, it was a bit creepy. But it wasn't that bad. "Why are you still standing there? We are loosing time Jaime!" she said loudly as she picked down a black red blinking vest and throw it at my direction. I luckily caught the vest preventing it form hitting the ground and somehow put it on me. Alex was already wearing her vest as she looked with raised eyebrows at me. "Can you please help me?" I begged her. This plan about not raising any suspicious was already failing, but Alex just laughed. "Alright then." She quickly came over my side and strapped the vest. She then unlocked my weapon that was hanging below the vest. "This is the weapon. You pull here to shoot." She showed as she talked to me as I was some dumb kindergarten child. "Alright, alright." I said. "Lets attack!" she yelled as she ran into the opening. I followed her but she turned left and I was to slow to see where she had gone so I just kept going straight. The local we played in was pretty big and comprised of countless corridors and barriers. Suddenly as I was at the end of the corridor my vest yelled. "Take cover!" and turned off. "What the hell?" I murmured staring at my life less vest. that's it? I started to walk back as the vest turned on again. I took a few more steps just to be shoot again. Damn. I started to run and crawl in the corridors but what ever I did someone shoot me. And suddenly when my hope was gone a kid who looked like nine years old stood in front of me with his green west flashing. I tried a shoot and the laser hit it's blinking spot.

"Yes!" I yelled. And just like that someone had shoot me. Again. Damn. Just a minute afterwards a voice from the vest started to yelling, "Game over man! Game over!" I walked what I thought was the exit and saw Alex looking at a TV screen. "Jaime. What the hell! I completely kicked your ass! I shoot like two hundred people when you just shoot ... one." I smirked. "At least I did shoot someone." Alex rolled her eyes. "Alright. Lets play again." She said. "Maybe red isn't my color." I said. "What? Are you kidding? Red is your color. If you want I can change." She said a bit upset. "Nah. I will take blue." I said as I took off my red blinking vest. I hang it and then went for the blue one. "Let's start then!" I said. We waited for the signal and we went inside with a couple of persons behind us. This time I kept together with my group and we ran around shooting people. This time I did shoot three people. I then remembered that Alex was in the red team so I decided to find her. I ran down the corridors haunting for her. Suddenly as I was about to walk upstairs to the second floor someone grabbed my arm and dragged me into some sort of tunnel. "What the hell?" I burst as I saw Alex. "So how's it going?" she asked me. I raised my weapon toward Alex chest. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't shoot you here and now:" Alex looked at me with a mysterious smile on her face. She pulled away my weapon as she slowly same closer with her mouth. "Because..." She said as she brushed her lips onto mine. I took my hand around her waist and she took her arm around my neck. I literally burned as we kissed, damn she was a good kisser. But as we made out my vest yelled, "Ouch!" I pulled away and stared at Alex who's weapon was pointed at my chest. "Because... I shoot you first." She said and smirked.

Chapter 5

"Give me one reason why I shouldn't shoot you here and now:" Alex looked at me with a mysterious smile on her face. She pulled away my weapon as she slowly same closer with her mouth. "Because..." She said as she brushed her lips onto mine. I took my hand around her waist and she took her arm around my neck. I literally burned as we kissed, damn she was a good kisser. But as we made out my vest yelled, "Ouch!" I pulled away and stared at Alex who's weapon was pointed at my chest. "Because... I shoot you first." She said and smirked. I just stared choked at Alex who ran away down the tunnel. What the hell had just happend? She had kissed me. I raised my eyebrows. She had been the first girl I ever kissed and that kiss turned out to be pretty great. But then it hit me. Alex had kissed me, but she had thought she just kissed Jaime. My twin... This started to get a bit complicated even if I hadn't even started the first move. Now I was just a liar, who claimed to be someone else and took credit for it. I dropped my weapon and covered my face with my hands. My vest yelled, "Take cover!" Really? I thought. Really now? I uncovered my face and picked up my weapon. I looked at my watch that said it was nearly four. Just one and a half hour to go, I thought. I pulled myself together as I walked into the tunnel. I soon forgot my thoughts and just concentrated on the game. When the breaks took place I simply tried to avoid Alex but she just smiled at me every time I looked at her. Soon the gaming hours ended and I was all sweaty- and so was Alex. "Great game huh? And I completely kicked your ass Jaime." Alex said smirking. "Um. Yeah, you did." I said. "What's wrong?" Alex asked as we went out from the building. "What? Nothing is wrong." I said quickly. Alex studied me suspiciously but let it go after we got to the car. She unlocked the car and I quickly jumped into it. As Alex was going to turn on the car I reached for my brown bag in the back seat. I pulled out the 45 dollar the laser tag costed and handed them to Alex. "Well. Thank you." Alex said as she took the money. "So. Please tell me what's wrong with you Jaime." She asked as we hit the road again. "What? What do you mean?" I asked puzzled. "Um. Jaime Phills would never lose a laser tag match. Even to be nice to me he would like I said never lose a laser tag match." I stared speechless at Alex. What the hell should I tell her? I stared out the window thinking.

"Or. Maybe I just had a bad day." I tried. Alex just looked offended. "What day? The only thing you have done today was to meet me." I looked at her hands that were squeezing the steering wheel. I looked choked at Alex. "What? No. No, that's not what I meant!" I defended myself. "Really?" she asked me ripping her eyes off the road. "Yes. Really, now please look at the road and try not to kill me." I said. She held her gaze over me a bit longer than I wanted to before she turned to the road again. "Fine." She breathed out. After a long awkward silence Alex finally spoke. "Sorry. I didn't mean to over react, but it's just... I keep wondering. Is it the kiss that bother you? Was it weird?" I stared full of emotions at Alex. "No. I... I mean it's not that." I slurred. "Are you sure?" she asked me anxious. "Yeah. It's just that I have a lot on my mind right now... like that interview." I said. Alex tilted her head as she always did when she was puzzled. "Yeah. That's why I'm heading to the office." I said. "Oh." was all she said. Alex then stopped her car and turned off the car. "Um. Are you throwing me out?" I asked jokingly. Alex just stared at me as I was dumb. "What? No. there's your office." she said as she pointed at a tall building at my right. "Oh. Right." I said. I reached for my back pack and opened the door. "Could I, um. Get your number?" Alex asked me as I was about to close the door. "Oh. Sure." I said my phone number as she wrote it down in her phone. "Thank you. For everything" I said. Alex smiled. "Well. You are welcome. And hopefully we can meet again someday." I gave her a smile as I said, "Yeah. I hope we will." I closed the door and Alex drove away.

I headed to the tall grey building and opened their entry door. I walked toward their information counter as I received a couple of smiles from strangers. I smiled toward them to, so I wouldn't look unpleasant. As I reached the counter I was welcomed by the cashier saying, "Good evening Jaime. What can I help you with." I put on a fake smile as I started my acting. "Yeah. I would like to meet Madison Whitlock. I had a meeting booked with her yesterday." I said. The cashier started to typing something on his computer and looked a bit stressed. "Um. I'm sorry, Jaime. There is no such meeting programmed into our data. Sorry." He said. I stared in disbelief at the cashier. What? How in the world? Could Jaime had knewn. But then. An 'oh' slipped from my mouth. The manager had to contact Jaime today. Crap. But I if I insisted maybe I could still meet the manager. "Could you please check if Madison is still here?" I asked. The cashier nooded as he started typing on his computer. "Yeah, she's in her office." he said. "Okay. But um. Where is her office again?" I said smiling as I scratched the back of my head. The cashier looked surprised as he said, "She's in the room 302. But Jaime, you seem in awfully good mood today I have to admit." I looked at the cashier feeling the stress slowly spreading around my body. "Oh. Thanks." I said hiding my nervosity. I walked toward some random door and into an elevator. I wasn't alone in the elevator, two woman's and three men was standing around me in the elevator. I looked at a woman that seemed quiet nice. She had a brown pony tail and a black office dress. She was just some inches shorter then me. "Excuse me, where can I find the room 302?" I asked the woman. The woman looked at me as she had realised something. "Jaime? What do you mean 'Where can I find 302?'" I stared at this women. Who was she? "Um. Sorry for asking." I said and turned away my gaze. The elevator opened and the woman walked out. "Well, are you coming?" She asked me. I ran out the elevator toward the woman who seemed a bit frustrated. "What is this Jaime? What sort of game are you playing? First you tell me to book a interview and the next thing you do is to bail on it. And now you're acting as you don't know who I am!" She now looked pissed. And then I realised, this had to be Jaimes manager. "Oh, I'm so sorry Madison! It's just that I have a lot on my mind right now and I don't really think clearly." I said. Madison just raised her eyebrow.

"Jaime. You canceled the meeting when I already had got here- as you always do. And now you suddenly show up? Just a half hour later? And you are acting all nicely?" She shook her head. "You are unbelievable." she said and started to walk down the corridor. I followed her as we reached a door with the numbers 302. She opened the door and walked toward her desk. As I stepped my foot into the office I just couldn't stop myself from staring at the room. A brown oak desk was standing at the end of the room just by the big window that sent a beutiful sunlight into the room. Behind the desk was a black office chair and infront of the desk two black chairs was placed. The white floor was decorated by a small grey black stripped carpet and the walls was covered in black wallpapers, and just to make the room more faboulus there was a aquarium with countless fishes covering the whole black wall on my left. Fancy. Was all I could describe this office. Madison was sitting in her black chair staring suspicious at me. "What are you doing?" She asked. I woke up to the reality. "Oh. It's just. Have I ever told you that you have a... really nice office?" I asked Madison. She just looked at me as I had gone insaine. "No. You havn't mention it. Could you please take a seat and tell me what's going on in your mind?" She asked me. I walked to the chair and did as she ordered. "I would like to take that interview becuse I think it's a great oportunity." I said determined. "Really? That's exactly what I told you but just ignored it and went for the jobs that payed you." She said. "Yeah. I know, I know I did that. And that I half an hour ago didn't want this job. But I have made up my mind and I really want this job." I said. Madison hummed. "Alright then. I wont say anything becuse we both know how easy you can change your mind. And I know what an oportunity this is for you, so you should go for it." Madison said. "Alright. Um. Madison, is there any chance I can do the interview today?" I asked Madison. Madison opened her laptop and started typing on her laptop as she said, "Just give me a minute." I sat quiet as I stared amazed around the office. I looked at the fishes that were swimming in circles. Some of them were clownfishes and the rest of them were fishes I didn't know the name of. "Well. I guess your lucky Jaime. You can have the interview done by today. Great huh?" She said. "Yeah, great." I said smiling. My palms started to sweat as they always did when I was either nervous or stressed. "Um. Just a question. What kind of questions should I be prepared to answer?" I asked Madison. Madison raised her eyebrow studying me.

"Have you forgot? Your going to speak about your world traveling! You are going to the stage and answering all sorts of questions and you are going to be starring with other people just like you! Oh, and you will probably make more people watch the Charity show that will send the money they get from the show to the poor in Africa." Madison kept going on. I nodded. "Um. Is this some kind of live show or anything?" I asked her triyng to hide my nervosity as much as possibly. Madison saw my nervousity anyway but she smiled, "No, it's not." she said. I puffed out. I swallowed preparing myself for the next question. "Alright Madison. When is the interview?" I asked her. Madison smiled as she rose from her chair. "In a couple of hours. It will be just fine to fix your make up and getting you into the show." I stared at her laptop. "Make up?" I questioned "Of course you need make up Jaime. We don't want you to look all pale don't we?" "Um. No?" I said. Madison saw me hesitate so she grabbed my arm and made me stand up. "Come on Jaime. You can do this. Don't back out now." she said. I took a deep breath. "Yeah. Alright."

We walked out the office and down to the street as Madison kept on calling people. I stayed by the street thinking we would just take a cab. After a minute a black limo stopped in front of us and Madison walked toward the car. My eyes was wide open. I would actually sit in a limousine. It would look suspicious if I kept staring at the limousine so I quickly jumped inside it. My jaw dropped as I looked around the limo. The seat cushions had a nice white color and the 'walls' or the car sides was covered in a dark color. In the middle was a small bar where different types of sodas and alcohols was stapled. I closed my jaw looking away from Madison hoping I hadn't raised any further suspicions. "Alright. See you there." Madison said and ended her call. "It's all fixed now. awesome, huh?" Madison asked. I turned my gaze toward Madison. "Yeah. Great." I turned toward the window again and I heard Madison calling people again. The city we passed was beautiful at night. Hundreds of lights enlightened the buildings and I couldn't do anything but stare. After a couple of minutes I turned toward Madison who kept fumble with her phone. "Madison, where's this big interview now again?" I asked Madison as innocent as possible.

"i thought I told you. LA." I stared at Madison. "LA?" I exclaimed. This wasn't my plan. This wasn't my plan at all. "Don't you worry, it's just one and a half hour to get there." Madison said if it wasn't a big deal. "Um. Do you, um. Have my passport?" Madison stared at me offended. "Of course I do! What do you think of me?" she asked me. "Nothing." I said. I turned my face toward the window again. What have I done? I asked myself as we kept going toward the airport.

As we reached the airport Madison didn't check in as I remembered I had done with my parents. She just kept going straight down the big corridor so I just followed her. We reached a big door that covered the white wall. A cashier who was standing behind her desk smiled at us as Madison gave her two passports. The woman looked at the passports and gave them back to us as Madison walked throw the door that opened. I followed her and we were out in a big local with many- and then I say many jet planes. Madison kept going and I followed her. In the end we were standing in front of a blue jet plane. Wow. Was all I could think of. I was actually going to fly in a jet plane. I started to think that this wasn't bad after all. We went into the plane and I was fascinated by how elegant it looked. We took a seat and I again stared out the window as the plane started and lifted from the ground.

Suddenly something started to vibrate and I looked around shocked. But then I realised that I was still on the plane and that I had just fell asleep. The plane stopped and it was time for us to get out. As I stepped on the ground I was fully aware that I was in LA. That was so cool. I had in ages wanted to get out of Arizona and go somewhere else. And LA was perfect. We got out from the airport and went to another limousine, but this time the limo was white.

Finally after all this traveling we got to the studio. Or the stage as you wanted to call it. I followed Madison inside the studio and looked around how big this local actually was. I eyed the local that was full off people. Just a couple of feets away some teenage girls was standing and waiting for their turn in the checkout. But as a girl turned toward me she looked at me with wide open eyes. She quickly whispered something to the other girls and soon they rantoward my direction. I didn't understand what they wanted but I got a bad feeling about it. The girls started screaming and soon they were only an inch from me so they tackled me. I fell to the ground and one of the girls started to kiss me. What the hell is happening? I loudly questioned my mind. Soon the girls was off me thankfully to the guards. Madison gave me a pityingly look and then asked me to come fast. I walked fast hoping that I wouldn't get attacked again. Why was like every girl obsessed about Jaime? He wasn't some kind of rock star- what I knew. We passed a brown door and I was welcomed by the look of different

people. I looked at some people and saw that I even recognized some of them from the TV. Some guy with headphones and papers in his hands came running toward as. "You're late!" He said upset. "Yeah, yeah. Sorry. Now get Jaime stage fixed." The guy nodded and asked me to follow him. I did as he said and soon I was in front of a black chair and a mirror. The guy asked me to sit and said something to his microphone. Two womens showed up and I supposed that they were stylists because they started to fix my hair and started to put on some make up. After a couple of minutes they were done with me and I studied myself. I looked natural- as if I even didn't have any make up. My hair on the other hand looked much better than this morning. They had made it look exactly as Jaimes hair. The guy came over to my side saying, "Two minutes!" and then he disappeared. I looked around to find Madison standing in a doorway. I rose and quickly walked to her side. "Oh. It's time for you now! Jaime!" she said elated. "Alright." I took a deep breath. I could do this I told myself. "Oh. There is something I forgot to mention to you." Madison told me as I was supposed to walk toward the stage. I didn't knew how it looked like where I would be interviewed. Only that it would be on a stage. "What?" I asked Madison not trying to hide my stress. But I wouldn't going to die by just an interview would I? What could possibly go wrong? "Don't forget- the show is live!" She said. I just stared shocked at Madison. "What?" I asked her upset. "You can handle this! The show is live so don't emberece yourself!" her words echoed in my mind as she pushed me throw the door. As I passed the door and to the stage I got paralyzed by the big crowd that I was going to speak in front of. What the hell had I got myself into? I asked myself over a million times.

Chapter 6
I walked toward the fridge feeling a bit hungry. I was supposed to have that big live interview today but I just didn't felt that to be necessary. I wouldn't even get anything for going there, maybe just more teenage fans... and I just thought that I had enough teenage fans already. I opened the big black fridge and got a yogurt with raspberry taste. Being famous could sometimes be a pain in the ass. Like, I just couldn't go to the park without having a massive attention. But who was I kidding? I didn't have anything against attention. It was only the paparazzi who couldn't take good pictures of me that pissed me off. As I was about to walk out the kitchen my mom stopped me. My moms black hair was in a pony tail and her green eyes studied me disappointed. "Jaime. Why didn't you want to be a part of that interview?" she asked me. I just rolled my eyes. "Mom. I already told you. It's just a massive bullshit to attract attention to that channel." I said in a mixture of harsh and tired voice. "I have already been over this. I didn't want to." I said and walked out the kitchen. My mom could really piss me off sometimes. I picked up my phone and started texting with my buddies. I sat down in the dinner table and started to eat my yogurt. So instead of going to LA I stayed home. It was something at least... I thought to myself. Maybe I could play laser tag instead, I mean it was only nine. But crap, I totally forgot that they closed at seven. What the hell should I do instead? Maybe skipping the interview wasn't the greatest idea after all... Nah. It totally was. I rose from the chair leaving the yogurt on the table. Someone else would probably pick it up. I walked upstairs to my room. I passed the white wallpapers that covered the corridor walls and walked into my room. My room was decorated by blue wallpapers and the floor was covered by dark brown walnut. In front of me my blue California king size bed covered a bit of my room. My big HD TV was in front of the bed so I could watch TV whenever I wanted and on my right an big black wardrobe stood. And to my left my black oak desk with my laptop stood. I was proud to call it my room because it was really stylish. I went to my bed and started the TV. I bored jumped between the different channels and soon realised that the only thing left to watch was the interview I was supposed to have or The Simpson's. I went for The Simpson's but they played an episode I had already watched. Damn. I thought disappointed. I turned on the TV4 and watched bored as the camera recorded the interviewers face. She had brown hair and grey eyes. She looked pretty cute.

"So. I'm glad to present you to the annual charity show! Here we have many different stars and we will interview each of them! And as you already know- every watching number will increase the money we will send to Africa! So here we go!" I stared bored at the show. "To my left I have Lee Gonzales who's a famous pop star! And I have Thomas Lopez with Kath Lopez!" The interviewer kept going on and I was on verge to turn it off. "And on my right I have Allen Young, Evan Turner and our guest star Jaime Phills!" I stared at the interviewer. Jaime Phills? What the hell? Had they mixed something up? And then they showed a guy. All blond messy hair and brown eyes. He got a blue shirt and dark blue jeans.

He looked Exactly like me. What the freaking...? What? I asked myself over and over again. The guy who claimed to be me smiled and said 'hi'. He sounded exactly like me- so he couldn't had been some sort of fan who did a plastic surgery... but I had to admit. That was just crazy. No one would do that. Who the hell is he? I couldn't rip my eyes from the screen. "So Jaime?" the interviewer started. They said Jaime. So they had to think that it was me, but why wouldn't they think that? He looked exactly like me. Impossible. "I heard earlier today that you wouldn't show up! But look at you! Here you are! What changed your mind?" the interviewer asked the guy. "Um. You know. I thought that helping the poor is something we people should do- no matter what." the guy slurred. The guy looked as he didn't have much self confidence. Oh my god, that guy would destroy my image if he kept going on. But I couldn't do anything! The interview was in LA what's like an hour away with a plane. "Alright. Tell me about your trip to Caribbean!" The interview asked. Yes. I wondered to what the guy would say. He put on a nervous smile as he scratched his hand. "Yeah. Caribbean. I just have to say that it's one of the most beautiful islands I've ever seen! It has an population of over 39,000,000 even considering that the land area is around 92,541 square miles. Um. One of the biggest cities is...Santo Domingo. The predominant religon is Christany..." I raised my eyebrows. How could he know all that? I didn't even know which city was biggest. The interviewer looked amazed at the 'fake Jaime'. "Wow, I meant more like how it was to travel there but to know that you know that much about the country? Wow." The guy smiled but this time less nervous. "Caribbean is actually a consisting of islands, it's not a country." The 'fake Jaime' said as I wanted to call him. The reporter looked impressed at 'fake Jaime' and started to ask him more questions. Who was he? I asked myself trying to find an answer. And then it hit me, some random guy had sent me an message that said we were twins. Could it be him? I jumped off my bed and ran toward the laptop. I turned it on and logged in. I clicked on Chrome and opened a new tab and typed in Facebook. I quickly logged in and went to the message button. In the last couple of days I had received over 100 messages. How am I supposed to find him? I wanted to type in his name but I couldn't remember it. I remembered that it at least had an 'X' in it. Could it be Rex? Or Dexter? Nah, probably not. So I had to do the old fashion way. I studied the names and the quick messages. I could hear that they had come quiet far in their interview but that didn't bother me. I need to find him before we both would be seen together. Obviously when two people are look- alike it's no big deal. But when they are identical, things are screwed up. The only logical explanation I could find was that we had to be twin brothers. But that just left me with questions like: Why the hell would someone give birth to two children and then keep one and leave the other for adoption? But then. What if I was adopted? I shook my head. No I couldn't be adopted. I was 17 for gods sake. They would have to said something.

Meantime I was digging in my old message similar thoughts appeared in my mind- what if I had an twin brother? I did have a sister, but a brother? I needed to talk to my parents- see how they react. I could afterwards present that guy on the TV. When I find him... suddenly a name appeared in front of me. Max Blake. Hey. I'm not sure how to say this but however, my name is Max Blake. I live in Arizona and I think we might be...brothers. You see, I saw you on TV and the reporter mentioned you being a world traveller. But I just couldn't tear myself from the thought of how look-alike we are. So I'm asking you to meet me. "That's him." I thought loudly. I answered him with an, "Yes. Lets meet. We can meet today if you want." Hope I didn't sound too desperate. I turned off my computer and went toward my TV. It was the end of the show and I could see Max face turning a bit pale. They hadn't given him a massive make up. But it wasn't enough covering his face as it turned a bit red. Apparently he wasn't used to this kind of stuff. I was bothered that he needed to show up in a show to draw my attention. But what could he else have done? I turned off the TV exactly when the interviewer was about to say the amount of money they had received. I walked downstairs to my parents. I really needed to ask a question that was gnawing in my mind. Was I adopted? Because I really couldn't see a reason for my parents to give up a child. My mom and dad was sitting by the fireplace cuddling and my sister Teressa was sitting in the couch next to them texting on her phone. "Hey sis." I said as I came closer to the people I usually called my parents. My sister turned toward me, "Hello to you to." she said eying me. My mum and dad turned toward me and of some reason my stomach my stomach clenched. Strange, I was rarely nervous. "Mom. Dad. I have something I want to ask you." I said in a serious voice. My parent eyes widened. They knew that when I talked like this something was going on. "What is it son?" My dad asked. I saw Teressa glancing from her phone to me wondering the same thing. "Am I adopted?" I asked them deadly serious. Silence surrounded us four and my parents didn't say anything. My dad gazed me with horrified eyes- as if I had discovered some dark secret. After a minute my mom was the one who broke the silence. "I... I am so sorry Jaime." She stuttered "What?" I asked her anxious. My mom started sobbing. "Mom?" Teressa asked anxious.

"I really wanted to tell you over the years but soon it became harder and harder to tell you. You just seemed so happy. And I just couldn't... I couldn't do it. I couldn't tell you Jaime. Belive me. I wanted. But soon I just, I thought we could be a family without any drama." I gazed her with despite. Rager started to slowly crawl up my body. "Why didn't you tell me?!" I burst out. She started to cry and dad raised his voice. "Don't yell at your mother!" Dad practically shouted. "Shut up Harold! You had no right to keep this from me! I deserve to know!" I shouted back as I turned my back and stormed out. Hater spread inside me and soon I found myself in my room outraged. I threw myself at my bed. They had in my whole 17 years lied straight to my face. I threw my pillow to the ground expecting that it would make any difference. I'm adopted. And I probably have a twin brother I barely know.

Chapter 7
--Max pov-I've done it. I actually managed to survive the interview without raising any further suspicious. Jaime had to see the show. But what would he think off me? Would he think I was some kind of traitor for stealing his place? Or would he be raging? Or worst of all- would he deny me? This questions circulated in my mind all the way back to Sacramento. I sat in the jet plane looking out the window. It was such a beautiful view. I had only once been flying- and that was when dad was still alive. We had flown to Spain for a weekend. But of some reason my dad had been quiet absent on that trip. But I hadn't cared about that. I had for gods sake been in Spain. Me and mom had spent most off the time on the beach either bathing or tanning. I shook my head. I really missed those memories. I had been eight years old then. Life was so simple then. I smiled, maybe now when I soon will meet my brother things will change. I looked over to Jaime's manager Madison who looked like she was about to sleep. All the way to the airport she had been fixated on telling me how awesome that interview had gone. I had appreciated her praising but after she had kept going on about the same thing for about half an hour I had kind off cut her off by unkindly telling her to shut up. She had for the rest of the trip looked at me with wounded eyes. But I could live with that. I poked Madison on her arm and she looked quiet pissed at me. "What?" she asked. "Um. Could you when we land drive me to an hotel?" I couldn't risk going to Jaime's house... or could I? I didn't exactly want to make a scene coming into their home and finding Jaime sitting with his family. "Don't be ridiculous Jaime. I will drive you home, or rather accompanied you to your home." I nodded. If I kept struggling she would notice that something was wrong. So I was going to Jaime's house. I wouldn't be at an hotel meeting him in a park or something another day. I would meet him today. I scratched my hand- a typical sign of me being nervous. This was crazy. I was about to meet my brother. Or I rather- I was 99% sure he was my brother, because there is no way we wouldn't be related. The resemblance were to big.

Soon we landed and we got out from the airport to get a limo. Luckily me and Jaime looked identical so there was no problem with my passport. Because I would be really busted if they would notice that what I was holding in my hand as I passed the guards would be someone else's. Probably I would have stayed on the airport for a while. But that wasn't a problem for me. I sat in the big fancy limo looking out the window. The city was beautiful. That's at least what I thought. When I looked at Madison she just bored looked out the window as it wasn't a big deal. But of course, she was used to this city, would be quiet hard to admire something you have been aware of your entire life. I sighted and looked at my watch. Nearly ten minutes left.

The limo pulled over and stopped. Madison waited until the driver came to open the door so I figured I would do the same. Why couldn't she just open the door herself? I thought grimly. Madison got out the car and I just followed her. We were standing outside a big white house. Big opaque windows covered the house and a high fence were dragged all around the house preventing papparazzi's from sneaking into the garden. What I noticed were that the only way into the house were by the big iron gate. Madison walked towards the gate and dotted in a code. The gate opened and Madison was just about to walk toward the house until I stopped her. If she went to the house she would babble everything and it would be ruined. At least for now. "Madison. Remember when I hesitated to be a part of the interview?" I asked her. She responded with raising her eyebrow. "How could I?" "Yeah. Um. My parents didn't want me to go. So I kind of kept it as a secret." I said looking apologetic. "What? I made them talk to you about it but you as always just shut us out." "Um. You didn't mention LA." I tried. She eyed me suspiciously. "Alright. Stop finding lame excuses. You didn't want me following you. Then fine. Goodnight." She then walked away before I had a chance to say goodbye. I shrugged and walked toward the house. The house was just amazing. But the garden on the other hand was beautiful. Different types of flowers growed near the edges and trees covered up most of the fences. I was now standing outside the house with my hands shaking. I knocked on the door. There was no answer. I tried the door handle and the door opened. Well, this family clearly trusted the fence keeping out uninvited people. Funny, cues I was one of them. I walked inside the house. The walls were covered by a white color and the floor by white marmor. In the ceiling a big crystalline lamp hung a couple of feet above the floor. Did I mention that the room was two levels high? A couple of feet away from me big stairs went to the next floor. I could only describe this room as fabulous. I had figured that Jaime was rich. But this rich? It still shocked me. For a minute I forgot what I came here to do and I just studied the room. Suddenly someone called Jaime. I had been called Jaime for a day now so I reacted. A woman with her black hair in a pony tail and green eyes came toward me with red swolled eyes. "Yes?" I said. She just wrapped her arms around me sobbing. "I'm so sorry Jaime!" she sobbed. I gazed around the room hoping I wouldn't find any more surprises. Who was this woman? Could it be Jaime's sister? Or mother? She was quiet old so I chanced it would be his mother. I hugged her back. Could I ask her what had happend? "What for?" I asked her. Just as the words slipped my lips she pulled away from me smiling as she wiped away her tears. "Have you already forgotten?" she said and then laughed.

"Um." I was speechless. I had no idea what I should say. Before I had figured out what I should answer she started speaking. "Jaime. Me and your dad were really trying to have a baby- but the doctors soon said it was nearly impossible. We were devastated in the beginning but later we turned to adoption. And Jaime, please believe me. As soon as I saw you I knew you were the one. And when I picked you up in your arms..." tears started streaming down her face but she didn't seem to care about it. "Jaime. When I picked you up in my arms, you were so adorable and so sweet. I just couldn't let you go. So we adopted you, and that was the best decision I've ever made and I've never regretted it. Just look at you. You're a handsome, famous young man..." her voice broke. "But when the years passed by, it became harder and harder to tell the truth. You were just so happy. And I really wanted to tell you, but I was to afraid that if the truth came out you would turn against us..." she stopped speaking and avoided eye contact. I just couldn't watch and do nothing so I hugged her again and she hugged me back. This was the first time for a long time someone had talked me like that. I had to admit, I was a bit jealous of Jaime but I let it go as soon as I realised what she had just said. Jaime was adopted. The hug lasted shorter than I expected and Jaime's mom wiped her tears away studying me. When I saw her surprised eyes I got a bit tense. "Wait. Jaime, have you changed your clothing? Where... where have you been?" She asked me more surprised then sad. "Um. I got out. But I have to go now, mom. Goodnight." I said and started walking upstairs. I had no idea where Jaimes room was but I was about to find out. "Goodnight Jaime." I heard Jaime's mom say. She had said that she found Jaime in a adoption center. But I really needed to know if she had known about a twin. But I couldn't ask her that now. I needed to find Jaime first. When I got to the second floor I was again amazed over what a beautiful house this was. Different types of paintings covered the walls. Some were flowers and other were paintings of gardens. My problem now was that it was a dozen of doors at this floor. I had a chance of 1/12 to get into Jaime's room. And the odds weren't on my side. I went for the chance and tried the first door on my left. I could quickly work myself throw this floor before someone showed up. I walked through the first door and found myself in a office. I didn't studied the details and went for the other one which was a small kitchen. I went to the third door and in front of me a big glamorous bathroom were. White tile covered the bathroom floor and black tile covered the walls. A big jacuzzi was in the middle of the room and a shower was standing in the corner of the room. In the other corner a white toilet stood, and also in this room a big crystalic lamp hung from the ceiling. I had never in my entire life stepped into such a fancy bathroom- or even such a tidy and beautiful house. I walked out the bathroom and tried two more doors. But as I tried the sixth door I was in someones bedroom. The floor was light brown and a white carpet covered the middle of the floor, the walls were light blue and just in front of me a big white wardrobe covered the wall. The bed was white and the desk with an computer on were white. As I studied in amazement the room I realised someone was in the room. A girl with blonde hair and green eyes sat and typed on her computer. I was about to close her door as she stared at me. "Jaime?" she asked. I smiled. Crap.

"Hey..." The girl was quiet young and had a resembling appearance to her mother. She had to be Jaime's sister. Even if Jaime was adopted I was pretty sure that the bound between this two wouldn't change. "Hey? What happend to 'sis'? Have I been downgraded just because we aren't real siblings?" she asked me jokingly but I could see her pitiful eyes studying me. "No, no, sis. You will always be my sister. Even after this incident." I said and smiled. She curled her lip and kept studying me silently. "Do you want to talk?" she asked me quietly. "Nah. I'm fine. But thanks for the heads up. Goodnight." I said and closed the door. Normally I wouldn't be so...harsh. But it's like something is coming up every time I just want to meet my brother who's in this house. I stepped into the seventh door to find another bathroom similar to the other one, but smaller. I finally tried the eight door loosing hope. This time I found myself in a quiet dark room. The only thing that enlighted the room was a computer screen on my left side. I couldn't see the persons face but I hoped it was finally Jaime. I searched for a switch and the person that sat in front of his computer screen turned toward me. I closed the door, smiling that I had finally found the right door. The guy in front of me had green headphones over his blonde messy hair. He had a white shirt and light blue jeans. We were both silent for a while. As I had mentioned earlier we looked identical. I stared in amazement at him. I had a brother, an actual brother in flesh and blood. So here I was- in front of my twin. Come on, do something. I thought quietly in my mind as Jaime just kept staring at me. So, I decided to be the one to take the first step and walked toward him. He rose from his chair and he was now only a couple of feets away from me. "Hey Jaime. I'm Max." I said as I held out my hand. Jamie's brown eyes studied my hand for a second before he grabbed my hand and shook it. "Hey, Max." I dropped my hand uncertain of what I should do next. This time Jaime broke the silence. "So. I saw you on TV Max. You did quiet well. I'm just bothered that you needed to show up on TV claiming to be me to grab my attention." he said. I gazed him a bit awkward. "Yeah, sorry for that. It's just that..." I cut myself off. The only person that knew about my family stuff was Angeline, and she knew that if she would have told anyone about my family problems that I would have been put in foster care. But I had refused to, because if they would do it I would have to move away from Angeline. And Angeline was the nearest person to a family I've had after my fathers death and my mom leaving me. But now I had a brother, or discovered that I had a brother. So I wasn't alone anymore. "Are you okay? You seem a bit... upset." Jaime said uneasy.

"Oh. Um. I'm just thinking about, my family." I stuttered in the end. It was so hard for me when people asked me about my mom after my dads accident, because every time I mentioned their names my heart broke, over and over again. "So, uh. I'm not entierly sure what to do or say to a twin I just discovered I had..." Jaime started and it snapped me back to the reality. "Oh, right." I said and scrached the back of my head. "So, should we hug or something?" I asked him uncertain what to respond. Jaime raised his eyebrows and grinned. "Yeah right. You already want to skip to third base?" Jaime said and it left me speechless. "Erh... I don't know..." I said uneasy. Jaime just laughed. "Take it easy, it was just a joke." Jaime said and smirked. "Okay..." was all I said and I looked at the dark floor. An awkward silence occurred us and neither of us said anything for a while.

"Max, I really appreciate you coming. But we can't stay in the same place, not the both of us." Jaime started uneasy breaking the silence. I stared confused at Jaime. Wait... I just got here and he already wanted me gone? "Why?" I asked him. Jaime studied me for a second and then sighted. "Because I recently found out that I was adopted. They have kept it as a secret until a few hours ago so I don't trust them. I think they are hiding something from me." he said. I frowned. "Yeah, um. Your mom came to me explaining why she didn't tell you about the adoption. But why and what would they hide from you?" I asked Jaime and he just rolled his eyes. "Wait, Katherine came and told you about the adoption?" he asked me crossing his arms. "Yeah, she did. She told me how cute and sweet you were as a kid and how it became harder and harder by the years for her to tell you the truth." I started but Jaime interrupted me by saying, "Bullshit." I gazed Jaime puzzled. "Why is that?" He just sighted. "She had seventeen years to tell me that I'm adopted, and she didn't even gave me a hint. So it's kind of hard for me to forgive her." I looked at the floor.

"Oh." was all I said. "Max. What about your parents? Do they know you're here?" he asked me. I still looked at the floor. I needed to tell him, either I wanted to or not. "My father, died in a car accident one and a half year ago and over a year ago my mother left me." I said and looked at Jaime who stared at me with pitiful eyes. "With who are you staying then? A foster care?" he asked me. I shook my head. "No. I live alone so it wasn't a problem for me to get here." I said returning my gaze to the floor. "Wait? What the f*ck? You live alone?" he asked me as he couldn't believe what he heard. "Yeah. I do. But, my parents never told me about any kind of adoption." I started. Jaime turned his back at me and started typing something on his computer. "Max, even you have to admit that this is kind of weird. But what I don't understand. Why did your mom leave you?" Jaime turned away his gaze from the screen toward me. "Oh. It's a long story..." I started and Jaime again cut me off with the words, "I have time." I shrugged. "My dad came to pick me up from a douchebags party because I was...drunk. He then drove me home and I blacked out. The next thing I know is that I'm in a hospital. And I'm there after told that my dad passed away. When I came home my mom was devastated, that's a normal reaction. But weeks had passed and she started blaming me for my fathers death. In the end, after a half year she was gone." I stuttered feeling tears forming in my eyes. Talking about my mom was always tough, but talking about my dad made my heart sink. Jaime studied me concerned. "It's not your fault." Jaime said. I shook my head. "Well. That's not what my mom said." I said and shrugged. Jaime gazed his desk thinking about something. "What do we do now?" I asked Jaime. Jaime looked up from his desk. "Don't you want to know who our real parents are? Because what I heard I can't believe that a mother would leave their child to the faith." Funny, I thought. I used to say the same thing. "Under the couple of hours you were interviewed and going back I did some search on the Internet. I managed to find something, that would lead us to our real parents." he said enthusiastic.

"Back up. You just got to know that you were adopted, and you already want to find our 'real parents'?" I had hard believing that the person I had called my father in my entire life wouldn't be the person he claimed to be. "I just, can't stay here Max. I have some sort of plan and I need you on board." he said serious. I nodded. "Alright. I don't have much to loose." "I've found a trace, but it's in Arizona." he started. I raised my gaze from the floor and looked at Jaime. "Where in Arizona?" I asked him. "Phoenix." Jaime said. I raised my eyebrows. "I live in Phoenix, we could stay at my house and search for our parents." I said. Jaime just shook his head and rose from his chair. "I can't do that. Too many paparazzi, we could easily get caught together in a photo and my parents would know about us. No." Jaime said. I stared suspicious at Jaime. "What's your plan then?" I asked him. What kind of answer would I get? "I have a trace in Phoenix and I need to go there as fast as I can before it disappears. And yes, I understand that you want me to tell you what that is, but I don't have time." Jaime stepped closer to me and laid both his hands on my shoulders. "I need you to cover for me. Can you do it for me?" he asked me. I stared at him a bit puzzled. "You want to, um. Switch places?" I asked him raising my eye brows. "Yes. That's the only way I will be able to search for our mother without raising any suspicious at my so called 'parents'." he said eying me. "Our mother?" I asked him less puzzled. He smiled. "Yes. I've found something that will get us a step closer to our parents." he said and dropped his hands from my shoulders. "Aren't you over reacting a little?" I asked him. "Max. In a year and a half you have barely had a parent. Don't you want to find our real parents as soon as possible?" he asked me. I studied the dark walnut floor. "Yes. But..." "But?" Jaime asked.

"Don't you think there's a reason that we were adopted? Maybe our real parents doesn't want us at all." I started and Jaime eyed me sceptical. "Well, I didn't know you were such an pessimist. But I'm quite positive so..." Jaime stopped and gazed his computer screen. "Shit." Jaime said. "What?" "I'm gonna miss the bus if I don't get out of here." Jaime said as he walked away to his wardrobe and started packing things into a baggage. I sighted and stared at the ceiling. Jaime was apparantly going to Phoenix either I wanted to or not so I could just choose to accept it and help him. Sighting, I finally said. "Um. Maybe you could tell me a bit about your family before you run away?" He lifted his gaze toward me. "The bus leaves in a couple of minutes, I don't have time. I can call you from the bus." he said as he walked toward his desk and picked up a black phone. Jaime turned to me and placed the phone in my hand. "Well. You need my phone now when you are going to be me." he said. "For how long?" I asked him. He considered his answer a second before he answered. "Just a couple of days." he opened his drawer and picked up another phone. "I will call you on the bus, when i call you the display will enlight, second phone." "Alright." I reached into my pocket and grabbed my phone and my keys. "Here's my keys and my phone. Not that you will have to use my phone..." I started. In that second I remembered Angeline. Oh my god, Angeline would never forgive me. "Um. Jaime. Could I just borrow my phone and call Angeline?" I asked. He looked troubled at me. "Jeez, you didn't tell me you had a girlfriend..." Jaime started but this time I cut him off. "No, no. She's just a friend of mine." I quickly said. Jaime shrugged and turned toward the door, "Then it's not a problem." he said and walked away. "Wait!" but he didn't stop. And soon he disappeared through the door leaving me with the following words, "I will call you on the bus."

Chapter 8
--Max Pov-I woke up. I was in Jaime's bed in Jaime's house. I was going to pretend being Jaime, again. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I opened my eyes and as I stared at the white ceiling my memories slowly started coming back.

"Hello?" "Yeah, hi. You were supposed to call me." I said a bit angry. It was over midnight already, I had waited for over two hours. "Oh, right. Sorry, totally forgot. But I'm on the bus now. And the reason I forgot you is this one girl who's keep texting me! It's really annoying." "What girl?" I asked suspiciously. "Yeah, from your phone. She's called Alex. And she calls you Jaime all the time. So I just have to ask. Did you got a girl because of my name?" Jaime asked a bit amusing and a bit frustrated. "Um. Yes, but please tell me that you didn't write anything stupid to her." I nearly begged. "Well, that's too bad because I told her to back off." "You did what? You are supposed to act as Max, not Jaime!" "What, do you have feelings for this girl? And please. You are going to be me, you should be thankfull. And lets skip this girl crap and focus on what's..." "What? No, your going to tell her sorry!" I nearly shouted. Maybe I overreacted maybe not. I had totally forgot about Alex. I didn't want her gone, she was the second person that actually was nice to me. "And by the way, if you wont pretend to being me, Angeline is going to drag you to school. Been there done that." I said, more calmly. I heard Jaime breathing on the other end. "Fine, but let me quickly tell me about my so called family and let you know some details so they don't suspect anything, because I'm really tired." I breathed heavily, "Alright.." He then told me the basic- what I needed to know. Teressa was Jaime's 'sister', Harold was Jaime's 'father' and Katherine' was Jaime's 'mother'. I had asked Jaime about their age and he had just responded that I didn't need to know, only that Teressa was sixteen. He told me about the manager Madison I had recently met and said that she could be a real pain. There after he just told about himself and I asked if he had any

special movement. He had just told me that he scratched his head when he got stressed- pretty similar to me. He also mentioned that he's pretty stubborn and with that he meant that if he got into an argument he couldn't let go. And that he was quick witted and that he quickly made decisions- which made me laugh. I then afterwards told him about me and he just hummed. Thereafter he ended the call. I rose from the bed and just stared at the room. It was so fancy. I really couldn't imagine getting used to it. I walked out the door and down the stairs. I had forgotten to ask him what kind of 'trace' he had found, but it wasn't important for now. What was important now was to get into the roll of playing Jaime. I was now in the big white room I had gone to earlier. I walked toward some brown door hoping it was the kitchen. I was really starving. "Jaime?" someone called. I looked to my right and saw a woman cooking American breakfast. "Um. Morning." I said smiling. I had no idea who this was but she seemed nice. The woman was short and had blue eyes and short red hair. She had a blue mans shirt on. Why hadn't Jaime mentioned her? The woman looked awkward at me. I dropped my smile and got a bad feeling about this. Suddenly someone walked into the kitchen. A man with brown eyes and blond hair stepped into the room. "Jaime?" the man said upset. His brown eyes studied me terrified. I assumed that this person was Jaime's 'dad' Harold, but why did he seemed so surprised? Then I suddenly realised. The woman in the man's clothing and Harold standing a couple of feet away terrified. "What is this?" I asked him, even if it was a stupid question. "Jaime. It's not what it looks like." Harold began but I backed away. I didn't know what I should do so I left the room and heard Harold running toward me. "Jaime." he said and gripped my arm. "What?" I said, more uncomfortable then upset. Was Harold cheating on his wife? Why? Wasn't Katherine home? "You can't tell Katherine about this! Do you understand? Just tell me and I will do whatever you want me to do." Harold said tightening his hand around my arm. "Um. Please let me go." I said and tried to pull away. "Jaime. I know that's hard for you. You recently found out about the adoption, but please do not tell your mom." Harold stared at me and I felt kind of crept out. "Ok. I wont." I said. He nodded and let me go. "I trust you Jaime, but I just want you to know. It's not Katherine's fault. It's my fault that you had to find out about it years later. I told her that she couldn't tell you. So the only person you have to blame is me." he said. I looked at the black marble floor unsure what to respond. What would Jaime say?

"Alright." I said and walked away to Jaime's room. So, the first meeting with Jaime's adoptive father hadn't gone well. I had caught him cheating, or more got a confirmation that he cheated on his wife. I had now more understanding why Jaime could quickly leave after hours of thinking. As I could see this family looked happy on the outside- but on the inside they hid secrets. I had to call Jaime about this so I pulled out my phone and called him. But at the signals end I got to the voice mail. Strange, I noticed. But then I just felt stupid. He was going to pretend being me so he had to go to school on Thursday. Angeline had probably dragged Jaime to school- which didn't surprise me at all. So instead of calling I just texted Jaime, Harold is having a affair with a red haired woman. What should I do? After I hit send I walked toward the black desk at the rooms left and sat down on a chair in front of it. I looked at the computer and turned it on. The computer was password protected which made my lips slip a, "Shit." I looked at the computer screen. What should I do now? Jaime had to leave some note with the password for me- right? I looked at a paper that layed on the desk. I noticed that it looked like someone had written something on it because the paper was a bit indented. I took a pencil and started to paint over the paper. And when I was done I saw the following words, Good. You figured it out. Here you go: Jaime_is_the_best I shook my head. He could sometimes be a really arrogant guy. I typed in the password and the computer let me in. I wanted to know what he had found so I opened chrome and went to the browser history. But to my surprise he had deleted his recent history. But of course he wanted to keep it a secret of what he had found to his parents. But to me? He could just have asked me and I would have deleted it- after I had looked it up. I logged out out rested my head on my hands. I hadn't much to do. I didn't want to go to the kitchen because of what I had recently seen and heard. I rose from the chair and looked out the window. Jaime said that he had a private teacher that arrived at twelve, it was now eight and thirty. It would be a long day.

Chapter 9
--Jaime's Pov-I felt pain so I quickly opened my eyes to see a blond girl with blue eyes standing in front of me with a pillow in her hands. "Wake up!" she said and slammed me with the pillow again. "Alright! Alright!" I said and quickly rose from the bed so she wouldn't hit me again. She threw pleased the pillow on the bed and smiled. When I got a good look at her I realised that she was Angeline. "So how was the trip to LA?" she asked me excited. "Yeah. Um. It was great." I usually didn't say 'yeah' but I had noticed that Max did. "So what did you do?" she asked me. "You know. Bathing in the sea, tanning and picking up chicks." I said, I meant it as a joke but Angeline stared chocked at me. "What?" she asked with widen eyes. Oh my god, didn't these people get jokes? "I'm just kidding." I said to clarify her confusion. "Oh. Because you told me that you were going on a chess tournament in LA." I raised my eye brows. Chess tournament? Really? Was that the best he could come up with? "Yes. Yes. I did. And, what are you doing waking me up at..." I stared around the room to find a clock. "At seven? Well. The school starts soon..." Angeline interrupted. "What? Is it that early?" I asked in surprise. Angeline scowled as she tried to figure something out. "Have you totally forgot school?" she asked me. School? Why didn't Max mention school? But oh, wait. He did in fact do that. I just didn't thought I would have to get up at seven. "Oh. Right. When does it start again?" I asked her. Angeline scowled. "Did I hit you too hard with that pillow?" she asked me. I smirked. "Nah. I'm fine." I said.

"Well. You act strange. And by the way. Where is your fathers watch?" she asked me. What watch? I didn't have a watch. But of course Max did, and he hadn't lent it to me. But that wasn't important "Oh. It's probably somewhere." I said and shrugged. "Alright. I know how much that watch means to you, because you never leave without it." Angeline said. "Okay. I'm starving, lets make some breakfast?" I asked Angeline and she nodded. "Yes." she answered. The house I was going to stay in wasn't luxury or anything like that, but I had to admit that it was pretty... homely. The walls were covered by light brown wooden wallpapers and the floor by a darker shade of wood. The house had five small rooms and luckily I lived here alone so it wasn't a problem. "So. What are you cooking to us for breakfast?" Angeline asked me as we reached the kitchen. I coughed as I heard that. "What? Me, cooking? No." I answered. Angeline raised her eyebrows. "Why?" she asked leaning against the kitchen table. "Because. I can't cook." I simply said. Angeline rose and stood just some inches from me. "Who are you and what have you done to Max?" she asked me. I laughed and looked uneasy around the small kitchen. "I'm here aren't I? And besides. I don't like cooking." I said avoiding eye contact. "Hm." was all she said. She walked to the fridge and picked out milk. She then went to the brown cabinet and picked out some cereal. "Well. Boring breakfast it then shall be." she said with a undertone of disappointment. "Maybe some other time." I said. We took some bowle's and quickly fixed our food and went to the living room that had pretty boring furniture. This house really reminded me of a classic wooden house. We spent the rest of the time sitting in front of the tv watching news and eating cereal. "Oh. It's time to head toward school." Angeline said just as the news were about to talk about a kidnapper. "Alright." I said and put down the bowl. But then I realised that I only had underwear on me. Strange, I hadn't noticed that I barely had any clothes on me. "I will just change." I said and went to the bedroom.

"Okay, just hurry." Angeline said still watching the TV. Just a friend huh, Max? I thought. I see how she looks at me- or him. Max is clearly friend zoning Angeline. I smiled. I will fix that because Max seems to be blind. When I opened the wardrobe I looked a bit disgusted at his taste of clothing. I didn't get it. He looked pretty okay when I met him, but when I saw his wardrobe I nearly wanted to puke. Suddenly there was a knock on the door and Angeline came in. "Max. Are you searching for your dad's watch?" Angeline asked me. I turned around toward Angeline. "No..." And then it came up to me, I had to be at Max 'parents' bedroom. "Or in fact I was." I defended myself and quickly passed Angeline as I went to Max bedroom. I could swear that the rooms looked identical. I went to his wardrobe and started digging after something that would look good. But Max hadn't that good taste at clothes. I had finally manage to find a good locking outfit as Angeline knocked on the door. "Hurry up Max!" she said. "Yeah, yeah." I said. I did pack some of my own clothing but I needed to know how they looked in his school before I put on some designer clothes. I walked out of the room and seeing Angelines widening eyes made me smirk. "What, do you like what you see?" I asked her. She turned away her face so I wouldn't see her blush. "We need to go." she just said and went outside.

We reached the school and went inside it. In my last seven years I hadn't stepped my foot in a public school so I couldn't help but stare at the different people that walked beside us. There were all kind of people like, Jerks, emo's, cheerleaders and nerds. I walked beside Angeline and soon we reached her locker. But the problem were that I had no idea of where Max's was. "Your locker is beside me, Max." she said eying me. "Oh. Alright." I tried some random locker combination but of course it didn't work. Why couldn't he give me some note about that? But of course, he hadn't known about my 'switching' plan. "Angeline. My brain is really slow today. Could you please tell me my locker combination?" I said. "1164" she said and closed her locker. I opened the locker and put my stuff inside it and grabbed some random books. "What lesson do we have?" I asked her.

"Math." she said. "Shit." I said not realising that I had said it out loud. "What?" Angeline questioned. "Nothing at all, lets go." I said puting back the books and reaching for the math books. I closed the locker and followed Angeline to the math lecture.

The teacher were scribbling something unanderstable on the board. What I saw was a lot of X's and numbers and something that he called 'logarithm'. This was so boring so I nearly fell asleep. Math had always been my weak spot. The teacher suddenly started asking a question to someone named Max. Poor guy, I thought. But then it hit me. He meant me. And I couldn't a shit about this stuff. I put on a tense smile. "Uh, what's the question?" I questioned. The teacher looked frustrated to have to repeat the question. I just stared uncomprehending at the teacher who said random numbers. "Is it three?" I tried. The teacher looked at me with a expression that clearly said: are you f*cking kidding me? I avoided the eye contact and looked at Angeline who sat next to me. She looked concerned and drummed with her pink finger nails at the desk. "It's 63." Angeline said loudly so the teacher wouldn't question me again. The teacher let his intense gaze away from me and toward Angeline. "Very good Angeline." he said and started teaching again. "Thanks Angeline, you totally saved my ass." I said. Angeline looked at me and smirked. "You're welcome."

The lecture that felt to go on like forever finally ended and Angeline and I went to our lockers. Something positive about my mind was that I had photographic memory so I unlocked the locker and took out Max schedule Math Biology English -Break- 12.10-14.00 History 14.00-16.00 9.00-10.00 10.05-11.05 11.10-12.10

Great! I thought sarcastically. The day didn't end until four. I would have to survive the day without raising any suspicions. I had better things to do than to waste time on school. Like finding my real mom. I had found something in the couple of hours I had started the search. A woman, Natasha Johns. She may know who my real birth mother is. Suddenly my phone

vibrated. I got a missed call from Max and a message. I opened the message an read it quickly. Harold is having a affair with a red haired woman. What should I do? What? Did Harold hook up with Stacy again? Why? Is he completely out of his mind? The family that had raised me could look as the perfect family on the outside. But on the inside, the family was filled with dirty secrets that could easily tear the family apart if they were relived. So I didn't have a problem leaving the family behind me. "Hey Max. We're going to be late for biology!" Angeline said. "Wait a second, this is more important." I said as I texted Max back. "But," Angeline started and I raised my hand telling her to be quiet. You don't do anything. Do as he said, because you now have a hand and you can dangle it over his head. I hit send. "Max!" Angeline yelled and started snatching my arm impatiently. "Alright, fine! Lets go!" I said and we headed toward the Biology.

Chapter 10
--Max pov-I played Far cry 3 out of boredom. Jaime had a really big collection of games, so I choosed some random game and ended up playing Far cry 3. I didn't know why people liked this kind of stuff- the only thing you did was to kill people. But I played the game because it distracted me from what I had recently witnessed. I had texted Jaime and the only answer I've got was that I could black mail Harold whenever I wanted. My teacher were supposed to arrive at any time soon so I supposed that someone would call me. Just as I was supposed to destroy a village someone stood by my right side and I paused the game. "Really? Haven't you already finished the game like four times?" Teressa asked me. "Uh, what? Oh. Yeah." I said and put on a smile. "Your teacher's here. Good luck." she said and patted me on my shoulder. "Alright. Where?" I asked her. "Seriously? She's in the office, as always." she said and walked away. "Thank you!" I said as she was about to disappear throw the door. "What? Did I just hear you say 'thank you'?" Teressa asked surprised. I rose from the chair and passed by Teressa who was standing in the door way. "Problem?" I asked her. "Nope." she said. I remembered from the last time where the door were so I opened the door to the left down the hallway. I walked into the office. The office were just as fancy as the other rooms. White floor and black wallpapers. A desk were in the middle of the room and a bord in the right corner. A woman in her mid fifties sat in a chair in front of the desk. "Jaime! Ready to start the lecture?" she asked me and rose from her chair. "Yes." I said and walked toward the teacher. "So, we will learn about the French revolution today. Could you tell the year it started?" "The french revolution started 1789 and ended 1799." I said quickly without thinking. The teacher looked at me surprised. "Wow, last time you didn't even knew what started the revolution." The teacher said. I smiled. "Well. I know better now." And she got the lesson going until it's end.

When she left I was kind of surprised that Jaime was in such a low level. I walked out the office and down to the kitchen. I hadn't eaten all day and I was kind of starving at this point. Even after the incident this morning I still needed to eat. I reached the kitchen and luckily it was empty. I opened the black fridge and took a blueberry youghurt. As I ate the youghurt I started thinking, why did Jaime go to Phoenix? If he wanted to find our mom, what would he start with? Something normal is to ask the adoptive parents if they knew anything, not just ignore them. A first clue would definitely be to look at a birth certificate- which I apparently didn't have. Jaime had to check the birth certificate didn't he? I pulled out my phone. It was three o'clock and I assumed that he was home by now. I dialed him and as I thought I've gone to voice mail I heard a voice on the other end. "Yes Max? I'm in the school's bathroom so it better be good. It's disgusting in here." Jaime said. "Yeah. I just needed to check one thing. Before you got to Phoenix you did check our birth certificate, didn't you?" I asked as I gnawed on my thumb nail. "Do you think I'm a idiot?" Jaime asked me deeply offended. "No, I don't it's just that.." "Please. Save your excuses. Yes, I did check my birth certificate- even yours." Jaime said in a mixture of calm and annoyance. "And...?" I asked him. Jaime was quiet on the other end so I thought he do hang up. "Hello? Are you there?" I asked him. "Yes. I looked it up online. But it's really strange because... There is no names on it." Jaime said. "What do you mean no names? And how did you even looked it up?" I asked him puzzled. "So many questions. Alright. I hacked into a hospital system and looked up mine and yours birth certificate. Guess what. There's no names of our parents. Like no recording at all, which is really weird. But what I got was that a woman, Natasha Jones handled the adoption." "So, you are saying that Natasha Jones might know what happend to two babies seventeen years ago?" I asked him skeptical. "Well. There's no recording of our parents in any hospital in the nearest states, so I figured that she might know something. Because this was clearly a black adoption. And I found out that Natasha are around somewhere near Phoniex for a couple of days." I stared at the blueberry youghurt in front of me. "You went to an other state not knowing where the person you look for is?" I asked him, oh the ironi.

"Well. Yes, I did. Do you have a problem with that? Because the only thing I need to do is to log into my laptop and...shit." "What?" I asked him. "I totally forgot my laptop! Dammit!" Jaime said frustrated. "You can just borrow mine." I said simply. "Fine. What's your password?" I waited for a second before I answered. "Come on, I gave mine you give me yours." Jaime said impatiently. "Imagine Dragons." I said. I heard Jaime laughing at the other end. "Okay. I need to go back to your class because people are knocking on the door." Jaime said and hung up. I stared at my phone. How could such person as Jaime be responsible and find our birth mother? I took the youghurt and throw it in the trash can. I hoped Jaime knew what he was doing.

--Jaime's Pov-Finally the useless school hours were over, I could finally go home and focus on finding my birth mother. "Hey Jaime, what are you going to do now?" A familiar voice said. "I'm heading home, thanks for asking." I told Angeline as I started walking to the wooden house. "Do you want me to come with you?" Angeline asked. I shook my head. "Nah, I'm fine. I'm going to study." I said and walked faster. "All day? Right after coming home from school you're going to study?" she asked me sceptical. I stopped and turned against Angeline. "Yes. Goodbye." I said more impatiently. "Fine then. Bye." Angeline said and left me. Did I just cold blooded told a pretty girl to go away from me? I shook my head and hurried toward the house. I had more important things to think off.

I logged into Max's computer and started hacking the different hotels security system.

After I searched for Natasha Jones in maybe an hour I finally found her. She were in a two star hotel 4 miles away from where I was. I could easily get to the hotel within half an hour. I closed the laptop and grabbed the house keys. I had no time to waste so I quickly put on my shoes and went out. I ran to the nearest bus station and hoped they took cash. After arguing with the bus driver he finally let me into the bus and I patiently waited to finally get of this bus.

I walked into the small hotel. The green wallpapers were worn and the floor squeaked. Why did people even come here? I asked myself. I reached the information desk and a fat old man sat in front of a TV not paying any attention to the customers. "Excuse me." I said a bit to loud. The man turned against me and his brown eyes studied me suspiciously. "What can I help you with my young man?" he asked me polite. "I... am looking for Natasha Jones, she's a friend of mine. Do you know if she's in here?" I asked him. The man started laughing as I would have said some kind of joke. "What? Do you think this's a five star hotel? Go and knock yourself. She's lives in room 203, please don't disturb me anymore." The man said and turned against the TV again. With clenched teeth I reached the third floor of the building. Why did people even want to step inside of such a place? I stood only an inch from a green door that the numbers said 203. I took a deep breath as I knocked on the door. I really hoped that she would be in there so she could answer my one million questions. I really hoped she would be able to answer because this was all I've got after hours of search. And then someone opened the door. She had short black hair and grey eyes. The women were dressed in a green bathrobe. "Can I help you?" she said in a British accent. First clue, she was British. "Um. I wondered if you had a minute. My name is Jaime Phills and I have a twin brother who's name is Max. We were adopted separately seventeen years ago and you were the one that handled the adoptions. So if it isn't to much, I would like to ask you a few questions, please." I said and smiled. The woman stared suspiciously at me, as she couldn't believe what she saw. "What? I haven't worked at an adoption center for years! And I certainly can't remember something that happend seventeen years ago!" Natasha yelled at me and slammed the door. I stared mute at the closed door. Something happend seventeen years ago, but what? And what ever happend made even Natasha freak out. She clearly hid something, and I'm going to find out what.

Chapter 11
--Max's Pov-Three days. In three days I had kept up with the acting. I didn't say it was a hell to be Jaime, but it wasn't easy. In the last three days I had hid in Jaime's room waiting for him to tell me what we should do next, but I hadn't heard from him. I rose from the bed and went down stairs to the kitchen. "Jaime!" Jaime's manager Madison said. She was dressed in a typical office suit and her hair were in a pony tail. "Morning." I said. Madison looked at me with a excited expression. "I have some good news for you!" she burst out. I looked at her puzzled and tried to get a hint from Jaime's adoptive parents that also looked exited. "You know the big famous company Mickleson?" Madison asked me. "Uh, the one that sells electronics?" I asked her puzzled. She shook her head. "Not only electronics! Micklesons are a worlds famous company! And guess what? They want you in their commercial!" Madison said and then hugged me. I hugged back still puzzled. "Um. Why would they want me in a electronic commercial?" I asked her. "Jaime! Micklesons sells like everything! And besides, a commercial like will definitely increase your popularity!" Madison said instead. I took a deep breath. "Can I think about it? When's the commercial by the way?" I asked her. "No. It's today, and you have to take it! I'm not saying it as your manager but also as your friend. Please!" Madison nearly begged. "I just need you to sign this!" Madison said and pulled out some papers and handled me a pen. Did I have to sign something? Crap. How the hell would I know how Jaime signed things? And would he even want me to do the commercial? I needed to make a decision right now because the people around me stared impatiently at me. "Fine." I said and wrote Jaime on the paper. Madison scowled. "That's not your usual writing." I looked uneasy around the room. How bizarre wouldn't it be if I got caught by my own writing? "It's better. Have you practised?" Madison said and I puffed out. "Yeah I did." I said more calmly. that

"Great! Lets go then!" Madison said and turned away. "Wait, now? Where?" I asked her. "To meet the manager's assistant! He's expecting you soon so we better hurry!" she said impatiently. I looked at Katherine and Harold that smiled at me. "Off you go son!" Harold said. I followed Madison out from the kitchen and to the street where a black limo were parked. I would never get used to this, I thought. We got into the limo and soon we hit the road, I watched as the buildings quickly rushed by.

The limo stopped and we were outside a big tall fancy building. We got out from the car and soon we were inside the building. The reception were quiet big and covered by white marmor and white panels. Madison walked toward the information desk so I followed her. "Hello, I'm Jaime Phills manager and we have been called here to meet Ryan Moore. Where can I find him?" Madison asked polite. The cashier said some random numbers and Madison thanked him. We went to the elevator and Madison pushed number 27. "level 27?" I asked. "Well, this building is pretty big you know, it's approximately two hundred rooms in this building." Madison said and curled her lip. "Oh." was all I said. The elevator opened and we walked out. We walked down the hallway and soon Madison stopped outside a brown door. The door tag said, Micklesons. I raised my eyebrows and Madison knocked on the door. Soon the door opened and we went inside. The office were nicely decorated with boat sculptures and the floor were covered of a brown carpet. The walls were covered by dark blue panels. I looked at the assistant. He had green eyes and black short nearly messy hair. He was also dressed in a black office suit. He reached his hand toward mine and I shook it. "I'm Ryan." he said and smiled. "Jaime." I said. After three days acting I didn't have a problem with remembering my pretended identity. "Sit, please." Ryan said. I did as he said but Madison kept standing. Ryan picked up a note book from his desk and started taking notes. "Is this some kind of interview?" I asked him hoping I didn't sound like a retard. Ryan raised his gaze toward me. "Well, you could say so." I nodded. What now? Am I supposed to say something? But luckily Ryan cut off my worried thoughts.

"So, I'm going to ask you a few questions and afterwards we will head to the studio, is that okay?" Ryan asked and I nodded. "Alright." was all I said. "How many commercials have you done before?" Ryan asked as he raised his pen toward his notebook. "Um..." I said and looked at Madison who raised admonishing her eyebrows. "I've forgotten, how many was it again?" I stuttered. "Three." Madison said and shook her head. "Okay, Jaime, tell me something about you." Ryan said. Tell something about Jaime? Alright, his an impulsive egoistic jerk, is that enough for you to write down? Instead I said. "I like playing laser tag." that was a fact I knew about Jaime, after Alex had taught me that. I really wanted to talk to her, but Jaime had her phone number in my phone. "Okay, something more please." Ryan said. "I..." what should I say? Maybe I could just be myself? No, not an option. "Well, lets say I'm smart, funny and that I love playing video games." I said. Ryan smirked as he wrote it down. "So you say you're funny? Tell me a joke." A joke? Seriously? "Um, I can't come up with one right now, sorry!" I said. "How's your family relationship?" Ryan suddenly asked. What? Could he even ask that question? "I'm sorry Ryan but that's a too personal question." Madison interrupted. Thank god, I thought. "Oh, so your family situation is thought to talk about?" Ryan tried. "Um. Right." I said. God knows what a relationship Jaime had with them. Ryan rose from his chair and smiled. "So, lets go to the studio then." Ryan walked out the door and we followed him slowly behind. I grabbed Madison's arm and she turned toward me. "Yes Jaime?" she asked. "I just need to know, is such questions as 'family relationship' usual in interviews?" I asked her without thinking twice of what I just said. Madison just shook her head.

"Oh Jaime, It's like you're a total different person." Ryan that walked in front of us suddenly stopped. Wait, was he eavesdropping? "Is something wrong?" I asked Ryan as he quickly shook his head. "No, it's just my shoelace." Ryan said short as he bent down and tied his shoe. What kind of excuse was that? I thought suspicious. Ryan rose from the ground and walked to the elevator with us in a tow.

We finally reached the studio that laid in LA. Ryan had pretty much all the way here tried to make random conversations but I had after a few sentence ignored him. Something was up with this guy, but I couldn't figure out what it was. "So, I'm pretty sure that you know the drill?" Ryan asked me as we walked inside the studio. "Um, I've actually forgot pretty much." I said with a excusing smile. Madison just rolled her eyes. "Jaime! It was a month ago you did your last commercial, please." Madison said. I bit my lip. "Um." was all I managed to say before Madison pushed me into some room with stylists. "Jaime! We have waited for you!" a guy and a woman said. The woman had blond hair and grey eyes and the guy red hair and brown eyes. "How nice." I said feeling nervosity spreading throw my body. "I'm Amanda and he's Jackson." she said and smiled. "Okay." I said smiling back. "Sit down and we're going to fix you up." Amanda ordered me. I did as she said and soon my hair were styled as Jaime's. "Now of you go." Jackson said. I walked to Madison who chewed a gum. "Madison, I still don't know what kind of commercial this is, I mean I'm already fixed up but what am I going to do in the commercial?" I asked her. She raised her eyebrows. "Oh, didn't I tell you? You're going to adversest razor blades." Madison said simply. Every time someone said razor blades it brought back dark memories. It happend when my mom were still home. I had once come home early from school all beaten up and walked into the bathroom to find blood all over the sink. I had walked into my moms room to find her laying at her bed looking with blank eyes at the ceiling with cutted arms. I hadn't done anything knowing she wouldn't let me. I gripped tightly a chair trying to calm down. "You okay?" Madison asked me concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I said trying to hide that fact that I wasn't. "Come on Jaime!" A guy with a name-tag saying 'Bob' said. I walked into a white bathroom that were cleaved in half. The Bob guy told me all my lines and I nodded. The bob guy walked away and Jackson came running to me with a shaving gel bottle in his hands. He smeared the shaving gel on my cheek. "But I don't even have a beard, or a stubble." I protested. "Yeah, that's the point." Jackson said grinning. "Okay." Was all I said. Jackson walked away and a big camera was placed behind me. I looked at the mirror and saw a microphone placed on my right. It would be nearly impossible not to look into the camera. "And action!" the producer yelled. "Um." Shit, I had forgot my line. "What was my line again?" I asked the Bob guy that came running toward me. "Hey, I'm Jaime Phills." I nodded feeling like a complete retard that I had forgotten such a easy line. "And what's my second one?" I asked Bob before he walked away. He then told me again what I should say and act and this time I nodded feeling more secure of my lines. "Take two!" The producer yelled. I raised the razor to my cheek and felt the razor blade stroke down my skin. It was an unpleasant feeling but I kept acting as it was nothing. "Stop. Do it again, happier." The producer said. Happier? I did the same impatiently hoping it would satisfy the producer. "Great. Now get the cameras rolling." The producer said. Really? How many times would I have to shave my hairless cheek? "Take three." The producer said.

It felt like hours do do the commercial even if I had just three lines. But finally I was done and I could go...to Jaime's home. I walked out the studio with Madison and we were again in the limo. As we finally reached the house my phone started vibrating, or rather 'Jaime's phone'. "Hello?" I said. "Hey, it's Jaime. And I have some news about our parents." Jaime said calmly but excited.

"What?" I asked him. "I spoke to Natasha Jones, and guess what? She have promised to meet us, tomorrow in LA to tell us about our parents." My jaw dropped. Our parents? Would I finally get to know who my real parents were? It did hurt to know that the people I had my entire life called my parents turned out to be a lie, but in some crazy twisted way I felt relieved. That the crazy mother actually wasn't a mother after all. "Okay." I said and hung up. I walked toward the car feeling joy spreading throw my body. I would finally be able to meet my real parents.

Chapter 12

--Jaime's Pov-It had been two days since I had visited Natasha Jones in her hotel room, but I had been denied to get the answers I needed. So I had made an necessary decision to finally get my answers- I had more or less stalked her. But not all the time, only when she went out. And now she sat a table in front of me drinking her coffee. I held the menu in front of my face in case Natasha would turn around. I really didn't know what to expect but I had noticed that she had in the few days tightly held on to her phone. I couldn't see her face but I could feel her nervosity, she didn't think she was stalked? I hoped not. She started drumming her red nails at the table as she stared at her phone. Apparently she was expecting a call. Natasha suddenly turned her head toward me and I quickly covered my face with the menu. I there after lowered the menu to see Natasha continuing drumming the table and staring out the window. A waitress came by my table and asked me what I wanted, I had quickly said Espresso and the waitress disappeared. And then I heard a phone ringing. I turned my gaze toward Natasha who held the phone tightly in her hand but not picking up. Her eyes stared terrified at the phone display but unfortunately I couldn't see the number. Natasha finally answered, "Hello?" she said quietly, as she was scared of the person that called her. She then rose from her chair and walked toward the bathroom. I waited until she had taken a couple of steps before I followed her. The bathroom door closed and I walked as near the door as possible careful to not touch the door. Who knows how many disgusting germs there are? I thought. "No..." Natasha whispered so quietly I nearly didn't hear. "No." she said louder and stronger. "You can't..." she begun but the person on the other end cut her off. "But if I did?" she asked. A silence occured her and after a minute I thought she had hung up. "You can't to that. I'm going to tell him." she suddenly said. Tell him? Tell who? The door opened and I took a step back. Natasha stared at me with widen eyes. Oh god I was so busted. "Jaime?" she asked me. To my surprise she didn't seem angry at all, just shocked. "Yeah, that's me." I said looking uneasy around the room. Natasha closed her eyes and breathed out. "Forget what I said earlier, I'm going to help you. I'm going to tell you about your parents, but could you bring your brother with you?" she asked me. I was shocked, was it me she had talked about? I just nodded at her request. "Alright, please meet me with your brother tomorrow ten o'clock at this caf." Natasha said.

"Okay." was all I said. I would finally get my answers. I pulled out my phone and called Max.

Yesterday I had been clueless about my parents and today I would finally get the answers I deserved. Max sat right next to me in the small caf with my hairstyle and I with his, which was really boring. He didn't do anything with his hair and too keep up with the acting I hadn't done it neither. But finally when the truth would come out I could return to my home and maybe with Max too. I had to admit. It was pretty lonely out there in his house. "What do we do if someone sees us?" Max suddenly asked. I looked at him with raised eyebrows. "Um. What I've seen is that you don't have that many friends so that isn't a problem." I said it without thinking and as I ended the sentence I realised what I had just said. Max turned his brown eyes toward the window. "But you're a celebrity. Wont the press be all over us if they find out you have a twin?" he asked still looking out the window. "Then we let the future Max and future Jaime to take care of the problem." I simply said. Max gazed me tired and shook his head. "Oh god. Are you always like this?" he asked me. I tilted my head to the left and right considering what he just said. "Well... yes." Max snorted and turned his gaze toward the window. I looked at Max watch and saw it was ten fifteen. Why was she late? I looked at the tv screen that showed the latest news. I bored looked at the screen. As I was about to talk to Max again the TV suddenly mentioned Natasha's name and I quickly turned my gaze toward the screen as I snached Max arm to make him look at the TV. "Natasha Jones, 27, have been found murdered in her hotel room in Phoniex . Then police are fully focused on the investigation of her murder but yet there are no suspects of who did it." the reporter said. I stared terrified at the screen. "What the hell?" I burst out. I looked at Max that seemed to be in shock. "Why?" Max asked and I just shook my head. "I don't, I don't. Why?" I stuttered. The screen showed a photo of Natasha and I just looked at the screen not believing what I had just seen. "Did she get murdered because of us?" max suddenly asked. "I don't know." I said honestly. She did get a phone call yesterday and she had been terrified to answer it, could it have been the murderer?

"If she got murdered because of us maybe we shouldn't keep searching for our real parents?" Max began but I just cut him off. "Are you kidding? We need to find out the truth! It's just unbelievable for me that someone would kill to keep a secret." I said clenching my teeth. "What's unusual in this case is that the police found a letter in her hand saying, stop searching or you will end up dead. If someone would know anything about this please call the following number,,," the reporter continued. "What?" Max asked terrified. I stared at the screen. This wasn't a coincidence. Someone really had killed to keep her mouth shut. But who? "We need to get into that hotel room." I said and rose from my chair. "Wait, what?" Max asked puzzled. "I followed her yesterday and she had a phone with her, she got a call and she was terrifyed to answer it. I think that the person who called her might be the murder, so we need to get into the hotel room and get her phone." Max stared at the table as he didn't knew what to do. "Don't you think that the police will take care of this case? They wont let us in because it's clearly a crime scene..." Max started but as he saw my expression he stopped. "Come, and take this glasses." I said and pulled out black ray bans from my pocket. "Um, why?" Max asked puzzled. "Because I don't want the press to find out about us obviously. I need more time and besides it's more likely someone will recognize you because of your hairstyle. Well, your taste in hair stile sucks so it's not a problem for me." I said simply and started to walk out from the caf. "You sure no one will recognize you then? Maybe you can put on another pair of sunglasses?" Max asked. "No, we will look suspicious if we both have sun glasses and besides where would you get another pair?" I asked him gently. "I have a pair in my pocket." he said as he picked up black sunglasses. It wasn't even brand glasses. "No, I'm not wearing that out of question and besides you live here no one will think of me as... well myself." "Fine but should we go separate?" Max asked as he put on my sunglasses. "No. Why? Come on. I need you when we get to the hotel room." "But Jaime wait, isn't this a bit too premature decision?" Max asked. I shook my head.

"Why wait when you can do it now?" I said as I opened the door out to the street. I walked down the street with Max behind me with my ray bans on. We reached the bus station and jumped on next bus to the two star hotel and as we sat down Max murmured, "crap." I looked puzzled at him. "What now?" "Behind you." Max hissed. I gave him one last glare as I turned behind me. A guy with green eyes and dark hair sat behind me and as he saw me he grinned. "What's up with that guy?" I asked Max who somehow tried to hide his face in his jacket. "What the hell are you doing?" I asked him but he just shook his head. I looked back at the guy that suddenly came closer to me still grinning. "Hey Max. What's up?" he asked me. I raised my eyebrow. If this guy knew Max I definitely needed to draw attention from him which was kind of hard because he sat right next to me. "What's up with that guy?" the dark haired guy asked. I bit my lip. "Yeah I don't know." I said shrugging. And suddenly the guys hand were placed on my shoulder. "What are you doing?" I asked him puzzled. His grip on my shoulder tightened, It nearly hurt. "I want my beloved dork to higher my grade in Biology, so get my home work done." he said with a harsh tone. I ripped my shoulder from his grip. "Uh, I'm hell no doing your home work, dick." I said trying to distance myself from his as much as possible. His eyes stared wide open with clearly shock at me. "Excuse me?" he said as he didn't believe what I just said. "You heard me, now leave me alone." I said turning my face forward. I heard him laugh as he again grabbed my shoulder. "Stop touching me! Are you gay or what?" I said looking intensively at him. Being gay wasn't anything I was against at, but I knew that those words would offend someone like him. His eyes stared terrified at me. As I would have discovered a secret. "Oh my. Why didn't I discover it earlier? All the signs..." I started as the guy suddenly slapped me. "Ah! What the hell?" I said loud.

"Tell anyone and I'm going to beat you up. Understand?" he said as his face turned red. Suddenly the bus stopped and we were outside the two star hotel. I rose from the chair with Max following as the guy shouted, "Don't tell or else..." but the bus door closed and I didn't hear the end of his sentence. "Wow." Max suddenly said. "What?" I asked him puzzled. "No one have ever stood up to him as you did." Max said. "No one? But by the way who was the guy anyway?" I asked Max that stared at the ground. "His name is Darren and his a bully." "That's it?" I asked him, why so shocked? "It's just that I had a flash back to a party that was like over a year and a half ago were Darren told me he had all girls wrapped around his finger." Max said a bit chuckling. I watched the building that crawled off police officers. "How are we going to sneak around all of them?" Max asked me changing the subject. "Um. I will come up with something." I said as I watched the scene. It was nearly ten officers walking around the building but the front door didn't seem to be blocked. "Lets just try the front door." I suggested as I walked toward it. I didn't knew what Max did but I walked into the building and Max soon came after me. "See? It wasn't that hard." I said as I went for the stairs. Luckily I still remembered where she lived and soon we stood outside the green door with the numbers 203. It didn't seem to be someone inside so I simply opened the door. I looked around the room not believing what I saw. The room were completely empty. No furniture's no body no anything. "What the hell is this?" I asked Max that looked as puzzled as me. "I don't know." Max said. The only thing left in the room were the brown wallpapers and the white floor. But suddenly I noticed something small laying on the ground. It was a piece of torn paper. I picked up the paper and looked at it. It consisted of countless numbers. 271435689 "I don't think we should be toying with evidence of a crime scene." Max suddenly said. "And what's that?" he asked curious. "Numbers. But they don't say anything to me. What about you?" I asked Max but he just shook his head. I stared at the piece of paper with random numbers on. What did those mean?

Chapter 13
--Max's Pov-"Where the hell is it?" I murmured for myself as I searched in my jeans pockets. I was again in Jaime's room and I had basically made a mess out of it. I had thrown all my clothes I had brought from Phoenix on the dark floor. I scratched frustrated my hair as I walked back and forth thinking of where I had put that jewelry. After the murder incident Jaime and I had pretty much spent the rest of the day in the caf and we had been talked about why someone had murdered Natasha. Jaime had been pretty serious in the beginning but later he had just babbled about our parents being a part of some evil corporation. I had just ignored him until I had remembered the jewelry I had found not long ago. So that's how we had again 'switched' places. I rubbed my fingers at my temples. Where could it be? And then I just wanted to punch myself for being such a idiot. I walked toward Jaime's wardrobe where I had hid my brown bag and I turned it upside down. The piece of jewelry fell out on the ground and I sighted relieved. I picked it up and looked at it. I had just ripped out my clothes from my bag with not thinking of the possibility of the jewelry falling out of my jeans pocket. I pulled out my phone and dialed Jaime. "What's up bro?" I heard an identical voice to mine say. "Yeah, I managed to find it." I said studying the small pieces of Jade. "Well, that's great. But no luck for me thought. I ran the numbers throw your computer and I didn't find anything according to our parents." "What did you find then?" I asked. He sighted. "Only some old building in New Mexico but it's nothing." Jaime said. "You sure the building doesn't mean anything?" I asked Jaime. "Hey, if you want to drag your ass across the country for nothing then off you go." Jaime said with a undertone of sarcasm. "I'm just asking." I defended myself. "Yeah right." Jaime said cheeky. "If you could examine the jewelry it would be great, Max." "Well, I already did that at home and I found a photo what I think is of us two when we were eight months." I opened the small piece of jewelry and saw two kids on some shore. "If you could send a photo it would be great." Jaime said impatiently. I sighted and took out the small photo. In the jewelry behind the photo two initials were engraved. J.F.

"Wait. There is more." I said as I took a photo of the initials. "What?" Jaime asked more and more impatiently. "There are initials engraved in the jewelry, J.F. Does it say anything to you?" I asked him as I hit the send button. There was a silence on the other end but it only lasted ten seconds. "No. But I kind of recognize it." Jaime started but I interrupted him. "We wont get any further if you 'recognize it'. You need to remember it." I said frustrated. "Hey, why are you so mad?" Jaime suddenly asked. "What?" "You can't be mad at me, you were the one that suggested to switch places." Jaime said and I covered my face with my other hand. "No. Or yeah, kind of. But the point is that this guy is coming over for dinner." I said breathing heavily out. "This guy? What guy?" Jaime asked. "Just an assistant for some company I made commercial for..." I started and I heard Jaime growl. "Commercial? You did a commercial without asking me?" Jaime practically yelled so I had to remove the phone from my ear. "Well. It was a ruff decision! And I had to make it immediately, so I couldn't have called you." I said but Jaime interrupted. "Wait what? Of course you could have called! Jeez!" Why did Jaime freak? Wasn't he used to this kind of stuff? "Why do you even care Jaime? Thought you were used to well. This." I said gesturing with my arm well aware he couldn't see it. "It's about image, and I can't just go off and do random commercials not knowing how it will affect me." Jaime said. "Isn't it that's why you have a manager?" I asked him. "Well, she isn't as good as you think." Jaime said and I rolled my eyes. "What kind of commercial?" Jaime said and I could practically hear his teeth clenching. "A razor commercial?" There were silence on the other end and I broke it.

"Jaime, please. Can't you just look at the pictures I sent you and get past this?" "No. In the future if you're acting as me, you are going to call me in those situations." "Fine. Just, lets focus on this." I said trying to change the subject. "Fine." I heard him growl. Another silence came and after a while he finally answered, "J.F?" "Yeah, I have no idea who that is, do you?" I asked him. "No. Not a clue." Jamie said and I sighted. "What do we do now? The person that actually had an answer to our questions got murdered so we only have one option left." I said shrugging. "What?" Jaime asked. "Your parents." I said. "Don't call them 'my parents'." I raised my eyebrows. "What do you prefer to call them? And by the way, they're the only one that will be able to tell us who our real parents are." I said trying to make him understand that's this's the only solution. "Oh god. Don't you get it? One, they have lied straight to my face in 17 years. Two, a person got killed by trying to tell us who our biological parents are and three, Katherine and Harold." I couldn't help myself from groan. "Are you worried that they might get killed?" I asked him. "No." Jaime answered immediately but then, "Or yes, or I don''t know but please don't ask them." Jaime said nearly begging. "Jaime, don't let your pride get in your way. If we are going to find out the truth we need to do this." I tried but he immediately broke me off with screaming 'No' in his childish way. "Alright. I'm going to ask them here and now and I'm hanging up on you so bye." I pushed the 'end call' button and threw the phone on the bed. Just as I took a step toward the door the phone started ringing again and I sighted as I walked out the room and downstairs to the kitchen. I could just turn off the phone but I had other things in my mind like how I was supposed to ask them. I reached the kitchen and there they sat. Harold and Katherine but they seemed to argument about something and as I reached them they turned toward me and Harold put on a fake smile eying me intensely. Katherine just scowled as she was surprised to see me.

"Yeah, hey." I started as I sat down in a chair next to Katherine. "What is it Jaime?" Harold asked me clearly bothered of my presence. "Do I disturb you guys because I can come back later." I said as I bit my lip. Katherine just shook her head. "No, not at all." she said smiling toward me as Harold's eyes bored into mine. Did I do something woring? But I quickly let it go focusing on the questions I needed to ask. "So. As you have seen, I haven't been that social with you after I found out that I was... adopted." I emphasized the last word as I slowly breathed out gathering courage to finally ask them what was on my mind. "...And I have thought about it. And I really need to know, who are my real parents?" I asked them gazing at them both. Katherine curled her lip as she stared with intensely eyes at Harold who just looked down at the table avoiding eye contact. I stared at them waiting for them to speak. "Alright..." Harold sighted. "Under the time being me and Katherine tried to get a baby, but soon the doctors said that it was impossible for the two of us to have a child together..." Harold spoke slowly carefully choosing his words. "...So we turned to an adoption center and we looked around for children. And there you were, eight months old. We quickly made up our decision and we wanted to adopted you." I gazed the table. Eight months old? As I guessed the kids on the photo were. "So we did." Katherine said ending Harold's sentence. "Okay, but who's my biological mother? Father?" I asked them trying to make them talk to the point. "They wanted to withheld the information anonymously, but in the end they gave us a name, 'Jennifer Flores'." Jennifer Flores? "Is Jennifer Flores my real mom?" I asked Katherine who's eyes looked to flicker as I said 'real mom'. "Yes." Katherine said and curled her lips. I had no idea who Jennifer Flores was, but apparently she was my and Jaime's mom. I looked at Harold that just stared at the table quietly. "Um, is there anyway I would be able to meet her?" I asked Katherine and suddenly Harold rapidly rose from his chair and hit the table with his fist. "No!" he yelled as he looked at me with a dark expression that made me sink terrified into the chair.

"Wh...why?" I tried to ask innocent but it came out as a scared whisper. "It's a reason why the mother stayed anonymously and that's because she's bad news. Do not try to find her." He yelled as he stormed out the kitchen door. Why did he get so furious? I turned my gaze to Katherine that seemed to be as scared as me. "Your father's right." was all she said before she also rose from her chair. "Wait." I said before she walked away. "What is it Jaime?" Katherine asked. "I'm just wondering, was there a second child? Did I have a twin?" I just needed to ask her that question. I just needed to know. Katherine scowled and looked at me as a question mark. "What? No. What would make you ask such a question?" I looked away toward the table. So I got adopted before Jaime... There were so many unanswered questions- but we were a step closer to finding out the truth, hopefully. "No reason." I said and shrugged. Katherine eyed me suspicious before she left. I wasn't an expert on lying people but I saw that Katherine had hid something, but what? I rubbed my temples as I started to think. What had just happend? And why were they so mad at me for bringing up the topic? How uneasy the conversation had been I had still gotten an name, Jennifer Flores. And Katherine had said that she didn't knew about the twins- but was it a lie? And now I had to call Jaime again. I walked upstairs and into Jaime's room to see Teressa standing with Jaime's phone in her hand, Her eyes stared wide open at me and I soon realised what was going on. "Shit." I said. This was the last thing I wanted or needed to deal with right now. Jaime had probably called and Teressa had picked up the phone and then I had suddenly come into the room. "What's going on?" Teressa asked gazing me confused.

Chapter 14
"Um." was all I manage to say before she cut me off with, "You just called like a second ago and now you're in the doorway?" Teressa asked confused. I walked toward her so only a few inches separated us. "Give me the phone, please Teressa." I said reaching for the phone. "Since when do you say 'please' and I just a second ago I heard your voice saying 'Max', who's Max Jaime?" I just grabbed the phone. "You heard wrong, and by the way 'Max's' my friend, please this is none of your buisness." I said mostly irritated. Did Jaime really had to call me right now? I tried to gently push Teressa out of the room but she just pushed my hands away. "I heard your voice in the phone Jaime, when you heard my voice you ended the call and suddenly you stand in the doorway." I looked at the floor thinking what I could possible say and I then I came up with the most obvious thing to say. "Oh my god Teressa! I just tried to find my phone! And when you picked up I was already in the doorway, so mystery solved." I said as I shook my head. "But..." she said and then turned mute. "No 'but's' now please go away." I said as I sighted. "But where's your phone then?" she asked instead of leaving. I showed her Jaime's phone and she just nodded. "Fine I'll go." she said as she walked out the room and slammed the door. I felt bad for treating her that way but I didn't know what I could have said to get her out of here in the quickest way. I dialed Jaime and soon he picked up. "Why did you have to call? It wasn't easy to fool Teressa you know?" I said more or less in a acusing voice. "Oh, jeez, sorry I didn't know you would leave my phone laying recklesse in the house." Jaime said with dripping sarcasm. "Haha, really funny." I responded him. Jaime could really be... frustrating. "...So, I suppose telling you not to talk to my parents is unnecessary now, right?" Jaime said. "Jaime, please. Just hear me out before you go all pisst off and sarcastic." I said and sighted. After a few seconds of silence Jaime finally spoke, "Fine."

"Alright. Your parents told me our birth mothers name." I said quickly so Jaime wouldn't change his mind. "What?" he asked surprised. "Yeah, well. They aren't that bad." I said. "Wait... they gave you a name? Harold would never do that. Katherine did that, didn't she?" Jaime asked. "Jaime, Jennifer Flores is our birth mother." I said so he would just let his bitternes about his parents go away, Sudden silence came so I looked at the phone to see if he hadn't hung up. "J.F..." Jaime said instead. "J.F? Do you mean the initials? Why?" I asked him. "Max, don't you get it? J.F is Jennifer Flores. So the piece of jewelry you found had to belong to her." I stared speechless at the dark blue wall. Why hadn't I thought about that? God I was such a idiot. "Oh." was all I said. "Max, where did you found the jewelry? You never told me that." Jaime continued. "Um, I..." I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I found it right after I tried to commit suicide. I finished in my mind. Jaime was my brother in flesh and blood, but I just couldn't tell him. At least not now. "I found it in the forest not far away from my house." I said instead. "Wait. You found the jewelry not far away from your own house? Why didn't you tell me that earlier!" Jaime said upset. "Why does it even matter? It's not like that piece of information's going to lead us anywhere." I defended myself. "Max. It means that our mom had to be watching you." Jaime said. "Wait what, watching? Have you gone completely out of your mind?" I asked him. "Max. There are maybe a thousands of explanations, but, it's more likely that our mom accidently dropped it when she well, followed you." I shook my head. "Why would she do that and what would make you say such a thing?" Jaime laughed and I just stared at the window with a dropped jaw. Why was he laughing? "Because, I'm optimistic and you seem to be a... pessimist." he said as it would be a joke but he just made my angry.

"Hey! I'm not a pessimist and I refuse to belive that my own mother would be spying on me." I said filling with anger. "Max! Our mother gave us up for adoption! We have no idea what she's capable of!" Jaime said. "No, we don't. And I'm done talking to you until you until you realise that you're wrong." I ended the call and threw the phone on the bed. My own birth mother spying on me? Was he completely nuts? "Jaime!" a soft voice called. I turned toward the sound and saw Katherine standing in the doorway with crossed arms. "What is it?" I said still gruffy still pisst over Jaime. "It's rude to let a guest wait." she said and walked away. A guest? Oh right, I had totally forgot that Ryan was coming over. I followed Katherine into the dinner room and saw Harold and Ryan talking about something. As I sat down beside Harold he eyed me intensly as he watched my every move I took. I looked at Ryan that had a pleasent smile playing on his lips. Katherine soon joined us and I just sat down unsure of what I was supposed to do. "Thanks for inviting me for dinner." Ryan said breaking the silent atmosphere. "Oh, the pleasure is on my side." Katherine said and smiled, showing her perfect white teeth. Ryan eyed Katherine a second as he had noticed something but he let it go and focused his gaze on me. "So, I wanted to personally thank you for suporting the Mickelsons company!" he said and held out his hand. I just stared puzzled at the hand. "No handshake? Okay..." Ryan said kind of nervous but quickly hid it behind a smirk. "Oh, sorry." I apologized. The kitchen door suddenly opened and four people dressed in black restaurant clothing came into the room carrying two plates in each hands. They put down the plates with the food and quickly left the room. Chicken, rice, beef and vegtebles and some sauce covered the white porcelain plate. The other plate had some sallad and a loaf on it. I looked with pitfully eyes at the chiken and the beef. "What's wrong Jaime?" Katherine suddenly asked. I just shook my head. In the last five years of my life I had been a vegteterian. I just couldn't imagine the thought of eating an innocent animal and just because I was acting as Jaime I still wasn't going to eat meat. "Um, it's just. Never mind." I said as I started to eat the sallad carefully avoiding the chicken. "This's delicious!" Ryan burst out as he ate the chicken. I didn't have a problem with other people eating meat, but when they talked about how good it tasted I just wanted to throw up. It was chickens he was talking about! They had all right to live, not to be slaughtered. "So, what brings you here." Harlod said trying to sound polite.

"Oh, right. So my boss watched the comercial and he thought you were amazing." Ryan said as he ate chicken. I watched him sucpisios. Amazing? "Alright... thanks." I said uncertain what to respond. "So, he would like to meet you in person and hire you for a new job." Ryan continued. A new job? "Um, I don't know what to say..." I started as I remembered what Jaime had said, but then I also remembered that I was pisst at Jaime. I put on a smirk. "Or, sure. Why not." I said. Ryan smiled pleasent and continued eating the food. "So, when am I going to do the comercial?" I asked Ryan. "Oh, right after you meet my boss, mr Mikleson. And that would be scheduled next week." he said. I nodded. We silently continued eating the food and from time to time Ryan started to smalltalk. "So, who's in for desert? And Harold, could you please help me?" Katherine asked as she rose from her chair. Harold just looked at her as he tried to solve a puzzle but he rose after a second of doubt. "Maybe I can help?" I asked Katherine that walked with quick steps toward the kitchen door. "Oh, don't be silly." she just said and waved off. I watched them both going through the kitchen door. What were they up to? I looked at Ryan that now eyed me as I was some sort of scientific object. I gazed him back with a raised eye brow. "Something on your mind?" I asked him and Ryan just responded with a snort. "I'm just wondering Max... how does it feel to be Jaime?" --Jaime's Pov-I threw my phone at the floor angrily. Why couldn't he just understand? If that piece of jewelry belonged to our birth mother and it laid in the middle of the woods it had to mean something. And the only explanation I had was that either the jewelry belonged to someone else or that my birth mother had to drop it meaning she had been spying on Max. I frowned. How in the world would I be able to convince Max about such a thing? He was too stubborn. I breathed out and picked up the phone from the ground. I walked out the bathroom and toward Max locker. As I reached the locker I saw Angeline leaning against her locker with red puffy eyes. When she saw me she turned her head the other way and walked away. Uncertain what to do I followed her instead of going to the chemistry lesson. Angeline ran into a bathroom and locked the door before I had a chance to get in. I knocked on the door but she didn't answer.

"Angeline!" I called and pressed my ear against the door. I heard sobbings and I again knocked on the door. "Angeline! Are you okay?" I asked her even if it was a stupid question. "Go away." Angeline said instead. "No. Please let me in." I said. There were silence and Angeline opened the door. Her glittering blue eyes were filled with tears and her blond hair was messy. I walked into the bathroom and looked into her eyes. "What happend?" I asked her but she avoided eye contact and sobbed. "You were right." she said in a tone as if it would satisfy me. "What?" I asked confused. Angeline covered her eyes and I pulled her into a hug puzzled what had happend. I stroke her shining blond hair waiting for her to tell me what was going on. "Um. You were right about Darren." Angeline stuttered. Who was Darren? Or was it the guy on the bus? "What about him?" I asked her still puzzled. "You did tell me before that I would regret what I was doing and so on..." Angeline continued. "What happend?" I asked her soft. Angeline took a deep breath and stroke away her tears. "We kissed... and he invited me yesterday to his house and I said yes... we did. Um. You know and today when I met him he just called me a slut and said things like I was just a one night stand and that I didn't mean anything to him. That it was all a game." Angeline sobbed. I hugged her tighter and filled with anger. Maybe I didn't knew Angeline well enough but she didn't deserve to be treated that way by a douchbag. I let her go and opened the door. "Where are you going?" Angeline stuttered. I just shook my head, "Ah, just giving a douchbag what he deserves." I said and shut the door before Angeline could say something. I walked down the hall searching for the guy I had seen on the bus. Right now the only thing I could think about was that douchbag that had hurt Angeline. Nothing else mattered. So I focused my earlier anger on the guy in front of me. Dark short hair, green eyes and designer clothes such as a green Holister shirt and dark jeans. I walked angry toward him and when he saw me he smirked and continued to talk to the small crowd around him. "Darren." I yelled with a voice filled with anger. "Max... what a unpleasant surprise." Darren said glaring at me once or twice. I walked toward him so we stood face to face. Darren was only a inch taller then me but that didn't matter. I

heard the people around me whisper but I didn't care about that either. I raised my hand and punched him in the eye. He stepped back clearly shocked over what I had just done. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" Darren yelled pressing his hand toward his hurted eye which I hoped would become a black eye. i just smirked and around me I heard people yelling 'Fight! Fight! Fight!' As I turned around I felt someone grip my arm and someone threw me at the floor. I gasped in pain and looked at Darrens blood shoot eyes. I rose from the ground and I heard people yelling at us to keep fighting. I punched Darrens nose and stepped back so he wouldn't get a lucky shoot, but I was too slow and Darrens fist hit my stomach and I jerked in pain. I felt pain again and I knelt down at the white floor that had small blood drops. "Enough! Stop it!" someone yelled but I didn't care and rose from the ground to see Darren pressing his hands against his eye. I may be in pain, but I could still fight. I thought with clenched teeth as I kicked Darren in his balls. He yelled and fell to the floor screaming. I walked toward him planning on kicking him again but someone held me back. I snatched my arm trying to break free but it was no use. "Let me go!" I shouted with clenched teeth. "No. Stop it! Max! Stop!" the person who was jerking me away from Darren said. I looked at the hands that were squeezing my arms preventing me from breaking free. Pink fingernails. I turned around to see Angelines worried gaze at me. I stopped fighting and she let go. We were now in some cleaning room because the room was filled with mops and brooms. "Max... What you did was..." Angeline started but then bit her lips. "What? Stupid? He's a douchebag. You don't deserve to be treated that way. I just did what he deserved" I said. Those words seemed to enlight Angeline because she then smiled. "Well. I knew you do be pissed, but I never thought you would attack someone for me." she said and took my hand. "Why wouldn't I?" I asked her and stepped closer. "I... don't know." she answered honestly and gazed our twined fingers. "What to say? I'm your dark knight that came to rescue you." I said and smirked. Angeline snorted. "Dark knight? Why not the white knight? And by the way, I'm the one that rescued you from getting all beat up." Angeline said shrugging. "Oh, I would totally beat him up if you hadn't dragged me away." I said. She shook her head. I leaned closer to Angeline so only a couple of inches separated us. Silence surrounded us and we looked at each other eyes. "Have I ever told you how beautiful your eyes are?" the words slipped my mouth without my acknowledgement. Her beautiful deep blue eyes glimmered and she pressed her lips

against mine. When she kissed me I felt... complete. My right hand was still twined in hers and my left hand stroke her blond hair. Suddenly Angeline jerked away and took a step back. "No." she murmured. I looked uncomprehending at her. "What's wrong?" I asked her stepping closer to her. She just shook her head and ran her fingers through her blond hair. "I can't." she said and opened the door. "Angeline." I tried but she avoided eye contact. "I love you Max. But as a brother. Nothing else." she said as she walked out of the room and shut the door leaving me speechless. What had just happend? I walked out of the room and toward my locker. I started to sort things in my locker because I had no desire to get to chemistry lesson. Suddenly something started vibrating and I dived my hand into my pocket after the slightly cracked phone. I opened the text and read it as I scowled. I need you to answer A.S.A.P. We have a problem.

--Max's Pov-"Excuse me?" I said as I nearly choked on a piece of salad. "Oh don't play dumb." Ryan said as he cut a chicken in half. "Uh, I'm Jaime and who the hell is Max?" I asked Ryan cocky trying to get the topic slide. Ryan just eyed me as he was talking to a stubborn little child. "Alright. You can either choose to deny it or just deal with it. But, neither of the following things are important." I gazed him in the corner of my eye. "You're the company's new face, right?" Ryan asked as he dried his mouth with a napkin. "Right..." I said after seconds of doubt. "If a scandal like 'Jaime Phills got a lost twin.' would spread around the world- how do you think people would react to the Micklesons company?" he asked as he rose from his chair. I also rose from the chair mostly confused. "I don't know." I answered. "The answer is bad. That's why I want you Max, to keep an eye on Jaime and keep him from exposing you two to the world." Ryan said and corrected his tie.

"Wait, wait. Why would I do that? And by the way. How. Do you know all of this?" I asked Ryan. I didn't even bother to try and lie to Ryan. He just Knew I wasn't Jaime. But how? Ryan looked around the room as he was considering something. "Lets just say this; If you keep your little game between your brother and yourself I will give you something in return." I gazed Ryan suspiciously. "What?" I asked as I crossed my arms. "I know where Dianna is." Ryan said. I starred at him as he had just said that he saw a ghost. "No." I said as I stepped back. It couldn't be. I hadn't seen her in over a year and a half. How would someone like Ryan know where she was. "If you keep your part of your deal- I'll keep mine." Ryan said and tilted his head. "But. How, what?" was all I could say. "I understand if you can't decide right now, so I will give you some space, but. I warn you about telling Jaime. He could take it- badly. Or as you may know, arrogant." I gazed him incapable of speaking. "Oh, when you finally decide, feel free to text me." he said and smiled. He then turned around and walked out of the room with the following words, 'Bye Max. Take care'. I walked to a chair and sank down. He knew where she was. Ryan knew where Dianna was. He knew where the person I've called 'mother' my whole life was. It made me feel... dizzy. The thought of knowing where she was overwhelmed me and made me nearly feel unconscious. "Jaime?" Katherine called and I turned my gaze toward Katherine's clenched expression. "Yes?" I answered after a second of doubt. "Where did Moore go?" she asked. "He went back to the office...why?" I asked her. Katherine looked at the floor and then raised her gaze at me. "No reason." Katherine said and turned her gaze toward the Small window. "Where's Harold?" I asked Katherine. "Out." Katherine said and then gazed me puzzled. "Is there something you would like to tell me?" Kathrine then said and I froze. What? She couldn't know. It was impossible for her to know that I was Jaime's twin. Instead I just answered

"No." while gently swinging on my chair. "Are you sure? Because you've been acting strange lately. For example you bedded your bed. And second you didn't touch your meat on your plate." Katherine said pointing at my plate. "I wasn't hungry." I said avoiding eye contact. "Is this about your father?" Katherine said in my surprise. "I don't quite understand. Is it a problem that I bedded my bed?" I asked her puzzled. I was lost, what was she after? She just sighted. "No. It's not. " she said slowly making her way toward me. "It's just since this adoption thing you've been acting as I said, strange. I understand that when you got to know about the adoption you were shocked. But it's been a couple of days and you haven't been... yourself. What I would like to say is that your behavior have... improved. Okay, I will say this simple. I like the new you." she said and squeezed my cheek. What? "Um, right. Thanks." I said fake smiling. Did Katherine like me more than Jaime? I had to admit that it was amusing. "But there's something else I would like to ask you." Kathrine said interrupting my thoughts. She sank into a chair beside me slowly and gentle. "Is Harold making you keep a secret?" Katherine said while analyzing my face in case I would be lying. "No..." I said looking into her eyes. This had been some sort of basis for me when I was younger. When I had been like ten Darren and some other bullies had attended the same class. They had bullied me, every day since I could remember. One day I had showed up at school with glasses on, it had resulted with Darren telling me how ugly I looked in them and what a nerd I was. I had every day after that walked home crying and before I reached my house I had wiped away my tears prepared to lie about what a good day I had. I had walked into my room and my mother had come into my room asking how my day had been, I had answered that it hadn't been special. Just normal. And normal for me was starving on the school breaks and being singled out as a ugly dork. It had drastically lowered my self-confidence. But why had I lied about being bullied at school? Because I had been threatened every single day that if I would tell, everything would get worse, and I hadn't dared. So after a couple of weeks I had before school smashed my glasses at the floor in my house. Dianna or my 'mother' had screamed at me and even slapped me- telling me she didn't afford a second pair. I had just nodded quietly waiting for my punishment. When I had attended school the next day Darren and his company had ignored me and avoided me which had made me happy, because it meant it was worth smashing my glasses. But sadly after a week of ignorance, they had found something new to hack on. "Jaime?" Katherine asked gently as she stroke her hand over my shoulder. "Oh sorry, I just spaced out." I said avoiding eye contact.

"You look a bit pale, is everything okay?" Katherine asked concerned. I smiled trying to make her concern disappear. "I'm fine." I said as I rose from the chair gripping tightly the backrest. "But Jaime, please don't lie to me. Is Harold having a affair?" Katherine asked as she also rose from the chair and crossed her arms. I looked at the floor helplessly. What do I do? Harold's having a affair and Katherine have discovered it, Ryan knows about Jaime and I being twins and he knows where Dianna is. My what I would call 'adoptive parent'. I couldn't believe that all this problems could occur by just a couple of days. I walked out of the room leaving Katherine's question unanswered. I ran to the nearest bathroom and closed the door. I breathed heavily- as I would just have ran a marathon. I walked to the sink and turned on the water. My mind was completely blank and I just looked at myself in the mirror. I closed my eyes. I felt anger, I felt grief and I felt anxiety at the same time. It felt like all the emotions overwhelmed me and I felt like endless falling down until something hit me and I felt pain spreading through my body. I opened my eyes to see what had hit me and it was the floor. I couldn't think, I could just feel. And the emotions were too much for me to handle and I felt tears streaming down my cheeks. I felt anguish overwhelm me and I felt completely helpless. In the last attempt of help I texted the one person I knew I could trust, one that would understand me. Please. Help me. I think I'm having some kind of panic Attack. I texted Angeline. I didn't know what to do, I didn't know where I was and I could barely breath. I just knew that Angeline was my only hope of returning to the reality. In that moment I felt like Small needles stabbing my heart. I gripped my chest and then the phone rang. I answered after seconds of struggling with my immobilized fingers. "Max?" Angelines soft voice said. "Help me, I don't know where I am. I just..." I stuttered unable to finish the sentence. "Max, calm down. I'm here for you." she said I breathed heavily trying to calm down which was somehow impossible. "I can't." I said groaning. "Max. just tell me where you are and I will get you. Are you at school?" she asked me. I tried to calm my thoughts and it resulted with nearly passing out. "No... i'm not home either" I said after seconds of doubt. I started too feel more stable every second that passed. "Max. When you calm down, you're going to tell me exactly how it's possible that you're in school by your locker and then in some mysterious way somewhere else having a panic attack." Angeline said pissed. I closed my eyes. What? I started to get more control over my

body and thoughts and after some minutes had passed I could finally breath normally. I rose from the floor and looked at my phone that was completely black. I started to think what had happend and then I soon realised what I had done. I didn't care what had happend to me, I just cared what I had done toward Angeline. I had told her about Jaime over the phone, not face to face. I looked at myself in the mirror. I just hoped I hadn't ruined my friendship with her. Because Angeline was all I had at home, if you didn't count my twin brother. I opened my phone and texted Jaime to text me ASAP. I needed to make everything right with Angeline, and I needed Jaime's help with that. Because right now, my biggest problem was Angeline, not Jaime's family drama and not even the fact that Ryan knew about me and Jaime. I turned off the water feeling a bit guilty of letting it go to waste.

Chapter 15
--Ryan's Pov-Who would guess that the great Garret Mickleson had sent me to place flowers at his brothers grave? Mr. Mickleson hadn't given me any specifics about his brothers death, but he had shared the fact that he died quite young. I made my way throught the grave yard dressed in a black suit with a grey tie. In my hands I held red roses which were Mr. Micklesons brothers favorite. When I finally arrived at the black marmour tomb stone I placed gently the red roses on the tomb covering the engraved names. The black tomb was quiet small and was engraved in a golden color which made it look fancy somehow. I dived my hand into my pocket and pulled out a yellow matchbox. I knelt as I enlighted a match and lightened three candles that I placed on the grave. Even if Mr. Mickleson had said that his brothers death was nothing to wonder about, I still couldn't let go of the thought how he had passed away. But I just shrugged off the thought and rose from the ground. Mr. Mickleson was a great man, but sometimes he didn't apriciate what he had. For example he could just yell at me or eventually the whole building's staff. Some people called him mad or even senile behind his back- but not me. I wouldn't describe myself as the chief's puppet, I would rather describe myself as... loyal. I took a last glance at the black marmour tomb stone as I turned on my heal toward the parkinglot. I turned on the car with my car keys and hit the road. Some pop music was playing on the radio so I turned up the music volume as I drummed my fingers at the steering weel. Two days ago I had confronted Max of being Jaime's imposter- it had turned out pretty well. What ever was happening the both of them weren't going to expose themselfs to the world. At least not yet. And that was enouth to keep the boss pleased. He had given me specific orders to keep the twins quiet and I had just followed the orders. But of course he had his reason to. It wasn't about destroying the Company's image, mr. Mickleson had said, it was about something bigger. Fortunally Max had bought that cheap story which I had been kind of surpried at. I had obviously tried to lirk out some information about why the Twins needed to stay out of the way, but it had been no use. "Alright, let me get this straight. You want the twins kept as a secret from the world, but yet you want Max doing comercials for you?" I asked him in a surprised but also in dismay. "That's...exactly what I want." Mr. Mickelaon said as he leaned against his Brown leather chair. "But..." I started and he cut me off with, "You're my assistant, not an reporter. And right now i want you to keep them in a leash. Or in a better phrase, contain them."

My hands tightened around the stearing weel. What ever I did or what ever errand I ran he couldn't be pleased. I couldn't be trusted enouth. Suddenly a green car drove in front of me so I had to stop immediately. I hit the stearing weel as I yelled to the driver what an diot he was and people started honking behind me. I re-started the car and continued my drive toward the derelict house. But I couldn't expect him to gain trust toward me. I thought bissare as I looked at the now empty road. He had after all saved my life, sort of. While I had been walking down the streets hopeless for a real future Garret had come along and offered me a job. At the time being it had been as the god had sent me a second chance, but now I started to reconsider if that truly was the case.

--Jaime's Pov-"Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked Max once again. He just glared at me irritated. "Just cheking." I said and Max knocked on the door. We stood just outside Angelines housethe both of us. It had passed two days since I beat up Darren, and it had passed two days for god knows what Max have been up to. Ever since that day Max has acted... strange. He would sometimes avoid eye contact while I spoke to him, or he would be somewhere else in his mind. The door opened and I gazed Angelines facial expression. Her red puffy eyes widened as she saw us. We didn't say anything for a while becasue Angeline studied us as we would be some kind of ghosts. "C...come in." Angeline stuttered breaking the long awkward silence. We stepped inside the house and I studied the small house. A grey color colored the walls and as I walked over to the furnitures the brown wooden floor cracked. Max followed after me and we sat down on the couch. Max and I did look identical because neither of us had my hairstile, but well, we hadn't the same clothes on the other hand. Max was dressed in a blue t-shirt and dark jeans while I had a white shirt with classical blue jeans. Angeline walked toward us with a pink blanket over her shoulders. "So..." Angeline started. "Which one of you is Max?" Angeline asked as she stood in front of us. "Me." Max said beside me. Angeline walked toward him and then slapped him. "Ow!" Max yelled. "That's for keeping your brother as a secret from me." Angeline said and I grinned. "What are you smiling at?" Angeline said in a harsh tone that made me shut up. "Nothing, or. I just enjoyed you slapping him." I said and smirked. Angeline just rolled her eyes. "You left me with a stranger claiming to be you." Angeline said hurt. Max just shook his head as he rose from the couch.

"Angeline. I didn't meant it to end up like this." Max begun but Angeline shoke her head frequently. "No. Stop." She said taking a step back. "I'm sorry Angeline. And I promise you that I will never lie to you again. Please, I'll explain everything to you, just let me talk." He said and started to walk toward Angeline. She stared at him for a moment gone in her thoughts but when Max stepped closer to her Angeline instinctly threw herself at Max and wrapped her arms around him. "Promise that you will never lie to me ever again." Angeline said in a whisper. I looked at them as Max started to whisper things in her ears, but not in a romantic way. Angeline didn't deserve this drama but also she didn't deserve being lied to. I watched them hug each other as I endless thought why I was here. This was clearly a topic for Max and Angeline to discussbut sadly I was involved in it. That's why Max dragged me here so I would be here. But I still didn't like the idea of sharing this secret with Angeline, well. Sure Max had forced me to do this but still I didn't like the idea. maybe it was becasue I was...jelous? Nah, that wasn't my area. "So, um. are you guys going to cling on each other the whole day or are we going to get over with this?" I interupted them. They looked at me and stepped back from each other. "So I figure you want to get some answers?" I asked Angeline that nodded. Max looked uncertain at me but then sat down beside me and Angeline sank down in a chair in front of us. "So, do you guys mind telling me what the hell is going on?" Angeline asked as she looked into my eyes. "Alright. Max found me, you should be talking to him." I tried, maybe she would let me go if I could make Max look as the guilty one. "Jaime...is it?" Angeline suddenly asked and I turned my gaze toward her. "Yes." I said. "Do you mind telling me who the hell you are?" Angeline cursed. I sighted. I guess I wouldn't come out alive after all. "Sure. I'm Max twin brother." I said simply with a shrugg. "Stop fooling around, please. Just tell me." Angeline said tired. "Fine. Lets see, I live in Sacramento with my adoptive parents and my sis...not my real sister, half sister or what you would like to call it. And I travel around the world for living. Well, not now but I'll later." I said. Angeline nodded along my short biografy. "Okay, I see. Max, tell me everything. From the whole begining." Angeline said and I sighted. I glanced over Max that were about to open his mouth. This would take a while.

*** "...And that's pretty it." Max stuttered at the end of the sentence. Angeline looked emotionless at Max. "Jaime? Could I've a word with Max?" Angeline said and I nodded. What ever was about to happend I sensed it wasn't any good so I just nodded and whispered 'good luck' in Max's ear. He had really pissed off a girl, and in my experience it didn't lead to any good. Max just fake laughed as he stared my eyeballs out. I quickly walked out of the room leaving Max to a real pissed of girl. I did against all odds come out from that minefield and hell I wasn't going back. Right now, Max and I were kind of stuck in finding our real parents. I couldn't find any records of them in the hospital services. And now Max couldn't focus on finding mom because of Angeline. As I walked out the door toward the freedom I scratched my head. But on the oher hand, we did have a lead... Jennifer Flores. Even if my adoptive parents had told Max that the woman was our birth mother I still couldn't shake of the thought of something wrong in that picture. It just felt like a complete lie... but it was better to check that out just in case. So I took the bus from the nearest bus station to Max home and threw my jacket at the floor as I stepped inside. This time I had Max bring my laptop so I took it out happy that I didn't have to use Max piece of junk. I logged into my laptop and started a research after Jennier Flores. As I was about to quit the research the phone rang. "Hey little brother, what's up?" I asked him. There was a silence on the other end and then a, "Little brother? We are practically twins." He said confused. I just laughed at him. "Well, obviously I have to be older because I'm more grown up than you are." I said cocky and then laughed at the end. "Uh. Okay..." Max said stll puzzled at what I had just said. "But what is it Max? Shoot." I said changing the subject. "Well. Where are you?" he said in a uneasy voice. I tilted my head. "Uh, did you expect me to be in the other room for like an hour? Hell no. I got out of there the fastest I could, and made some research..." "Research? Did you find anything? Did you found out something about Jennifer Flores?" Max asked hopefull. "Hm. In matter of fact I did, but not much." I said thinkng about how I should express myself. "What did you found then?" Max asked. I took a deep breath staring at the laptop. "I found out that Jennifer is in fact a person... but. She's been missing for seventeen years." I said and I could hear Max dissapointment on the other end.

"Seventeen years?" Max said in a whisper. "Yes. Just as we got up for adoption Jennifer fell of the grid and no on have ever seen her since then." I said. Max was silent and just as I thought he had hung up he asked, "Do you think we will ever be able to find her?" Max asked in a tone I didn't recognize. It was like a mixture of dissapointment but also of hope, as if he was asking for something he didn't believe could happen but did it anyway. "In matter of fact I do, if she isn't dead to say." I said and shrugged. Max hummed and the both of us didn't say anything for a while. "So." I said breaking the silence. "You called first so I supose you have or had something to say..." I asked him. "Um. No it was just that I wondered where you are." Max said. "You sure?" I asked him. "Yeah. Bye." Max said and hung up. I stared at the phone. He hung up on me? That bastard... A phone signal started ringing so I looked at the phone in my hand to see that it wasn't my phone that rang. "What the hell?" I said to my self as I walked toward the signal. Surprised I found the ringing phone under a towel so I picked up the small phone confused and looked at the display that was blocked. "Hello?" I said uneasy. It was strange becuase the phone didn't belong to neither me or Max. There was a heavy breathing on the end and the person hung up. "What?" I asked in disbelief. Who's phone was this? I examinated the phone. It was a Iphone so it definatly didn't belong to Max. Unfortunaly the phone was locked so there was no way I could found out who the owner was. But then I felt uncomfterble chills down my spine. Someone had been in this house. And that wasn't Max or me. It was someone else. Or could it've been Angelines phone? I pulled out my phone and dialed Max. The signals felt like forever and finally he answered. "Hey..." "Max..." "Leave a message and I will call you back." Voice mail? Strange, I noticed. Why wouldn't Max pick up? I dialed Max three times more but each time I went to voice mail. I picked up Max phone and dialed Angeline. "Max?" Angeline asked.

"No, guess again." I said. "Jaime. What do you want?" She said reserved. "Well, where's Max? I need to talk to him, like now. He isn't picking up." I said irritated. "What? Max just left. Isn't he picking up? That's strange... but, what's his phone number then so that I can call him?" Angeline asked worried. I told her and she responded that she would call me back. I turned to my laptop, bored of my mind I started browsing 9gag and finally Angeline called. "Either the number you gave me was wrong or something have happend to him." she said determinated. "Why would somethig have happend to him?" I asked her surprised. "Because, he always answer when I call, he can my number and I even called him three time. Jaime, I'm worried." she said. "Okay, lets just calm down. Where did he say he was going?" She felt silent. "Home. But it was like ten minutes ago, he should be home by now." she said. I rose from my chair and walked through the door out to the street to see that it was empty. "Alright I'm coming over to you." I said and hung up.

Chapter 16
--Max's pov-I walked down the street toward home full of guilt. I had lied to Angeline and now I was afraid that what we had before wouldn't come back. With my hands in my pockets I finally saw my house. As I was about to walk over to the other side of the street a white limo appered in front of me. With a shrugg I kept Walking but the white limo stopped beside me. What the...? I watched as one of the limo's dark windows rolled down. I stepped closer curious who it could be. A man in his mid thirties gazed me sceptical and I raised my eyebrows. He had black short hair, a mustage, gray Eyes and a black office suit. I hadn't seen this man in my entire Life. "Excuse me, do I know you?" I asked the guy who eyed me intensly.

"Well, I'm afraid not. My name's Fredrick. But you can call me Fred. Come on in and join me." he said and my Eyes widened. Was this guy nuts? I didn't knew the guy and he wanted me to take a ride with him? "No thanks, I Think I'll pass, but. Is there something particular you would like to tell me?" I asked him trying my best not to sound rude. "Well, in matter of fact I do. Please Max, join me. I won't bite." the man said and grinned. What? Did everyone know about me and Jaime? I bit my lip uncertain what to do. But after a few seconds of thinking I decided to play dumb. "I'm sorry. But I don't know what you're talking about, and besides, I don't take rides with strangers." I said determinated. "Really? Me? A stranger?" the guy then started to laugh. "Please. Didn't Ryan tell you about me? I'm Mr. Micklesson's left hand." Fred said and I just gazed him suspiciously. "Oh come on Max, stop playing that silly game and just jump in. There are things we need to discusse." Fred said slightly impatient. I gazed him for one more minute before I gave in and jumped into the limo and slammed the door. "So. Tell me Max. How are you?" Fred said as the limo drove of the sidewalk. "Um... good." I said feeling slightly uncomfterble. Fred nodded and smirked. "So... lets get back to buisness" Right as he said that, my phone rang. I pulled out my phone to see that it was Jaime. "Oh, is it Jaime Calling?" Fred asked and I nodded. "Isn't it rude to let a phone call interupt a... meeting." Fred said eying me. I stared down at the display. "I suppsose..." I said and clicked on the decline button. I didn't want to talk with Jaime with that guy listening so I just figured it would be better if I just ignored his call. "By the way..." Fred said scratching his mustage. "Could I take a look at your phone?" I gazed him mostly confused. "Why?" I asked sucpisious. He grinned. "Please." Fred said instead. I gazed him puzzled for one more minute Before I gave up and handed him the phone. He took the phone and studied it as it would be some delicate art piece. "Uh, it's just a Nokia.." I said and Fred seemed to wake up from his trance.

"Oh, sorry." he apoligized and handed back my phone. "I haven't seen those phones in years. Makes you wonder why they stopped Selling these..." A vibration interupted him and he pulled out his phone from his jacket pocket and studied the display. Then he started writing something on the phone. I turned my gaze toward the window and tried to figure out where the limo were going. "Sorry about that." Fred said and I just shrugged. "So, hopefully we wont have more distractions." Fred said. "Yeah..." I just said. Why did I even get into this limo? The man in front of me could turn out to be a sycopath or a murderer. "Max? You okay? You seem troubled." Fred said. I sighted. "I just don't know why I'm here, what you want and how you guys know about me and Jaime." I said trying not to sound hysterical. This started to get creepy. I wasn't used to this stuff- to go on some randome limo trip. Hell, I wasn't used to any of this. "Okay." Fred said in a simple tone. "I just want to make sure you two are staying out of the radar from the paparazzi's. That's all. And oh, obviously no one does things for free right? So let me return the favor afterwards..." "Lets just say this; If you keep your little game between your brother and yourself I will give you something in return." I just couldn't shake of that flashback. "Deal?" Fred asked and I studied his expression. His whole body was relaxed and he just grinned which I found odd for a guy like him. He seemed to be this serious guy but on the other hand just a relaxed regular guy. I frowned. What were these guys up to? First Ryan now Fred. This really started to creep me out. I needed to tell Jaime about this... well. the meeting with Ryan and Fred. "I don't know." I said looking out the window. We were now in the middle of the Sacramento city and we slowly started to aproach a really tall building. "Well, it's up to you if you think finding your mom's worth a shot." Fred said and shrugged. I stared at him for a while. How could these guys possible know where she was? Where Dianna was? Instead, I said, "Don't call her that. I know she isn't my real mom." Fred tilted his head and he studied me as I had said something hilarious. "And how would you possible know that?" He said with arched eyebrows. I turned my gaze away. He did have a point. But I wasn't going for that argument. It was more likely that jennifer Flores was my actuall birth mother than Dianna. All of sudden, Fred took out an envelope from his jacket pocket. It was a simple but even a serious looking envelope.

"So." Fred started. "In here, I got your actuall parents name and adress." I stared wide eyed at the envelope. He wasn't talking about Dianna. "Isn't it what you and Jaime have been chasing all along? Answers? Answers to who your parents who obanded you are?" Fred asked. I kept staring at the envelope. Who would have thougt that a simple piece of paper could with held such a valuble? That a single paper could be the soulution of all the problems? I wanted to reach the envelope, no, snatch the envelope out of his hand and just read it. It took all of my efforts not to raise my hand from my knees and take that envelope. What if it was all just a bluff or if it was a trap? But then, what if it was true? That he actually held the answers I needed in his hand just inches away from me? I swallowed and bit my lip. Fred wore the same expresion as before but a Little more impatient. "So?" he asked. What the hell was I supposed to answer in a situation like this? I thought painfully. And then the limo pulled over and we were parked outside that tall building. Just like that I had made my decision. It wasn't the brightest plan, but it was still something. Fred still held the envelope but it seemed that his grip of the envelope had loosened. So I quickly snatched the envelope from his hand and took a quick glance at his startled expression as I reached the door handle. "Not so quick." I heard Fred say as I pushed down the door handle and tried to open the door. Horrified I tried to push open the door with no luck. I started to desperate search for a knob, or anything that would unlock the door. "Childproofed. It do come handy in situations like this." Fred said in a voice mixed with superior and casuallity. Defeted, I turned toward him. In a last attempt, I quickly opened the envelope but strangly I didn't evoke any reations from Fred so I took out the paper to se that it was just a regular blank A4 paper. I felt as dissapointment reached me and started to tear my body apart. I really did think, for an instant, that I would finally get the answers I wanted, I needed. "I'm sorry Max, but. I don't trust you either. I figured you would do something like this, so I was prepared. Greg, you can keep driving." Fred said and eyed my with a grin. Did he plan all of this? Why? "Are you kidnapping me or something?" I asked him. He tilted his head again. And indeed the limo started driving again. "No... or, well, something like that. But don't worry. We are just going to pay Garret a visit." Fred said and I clenched my fist. "And he is...?" I asked as I slowly reached into my pocket to pull out my phone and call for help. "Garret Mickleson. From the famous Company Mickleson. You made a comercial for him, remember?" Fred asked polite. I couldn't belive this. In what sort of mess was I trapped in now?

"Yes. I do." I said calmly. I just wanted to get out of here. No, I needed to get out of here. "Well. Meanwhile we are heading there we can get back to the deal." Fred said. I swallowed. "So, obviously I don't have the envelope with your real birth parents names, because god knows what you would do. But, I have a half of the paper. And well, the other half with the names are saftly hidden. So, I want to make a deal." I studied him in dismay. Why on Earth would I trust him? "What deal?" I asked to my surprise. Don't get me wrong, I didn't plan to make a deal with the demon, but I was still curious. Triumphed, he pulled out his phone and sent a Quick message and then turned his gaze toward me. "So. I want you to hide your identity from the world. Well, I want you to dissapear." Fred said and shrugged. I scowled. Dissapear? What? Why? I felt chills down my spine. "And why would I do that?" I asked with a surprisingly steady voice. Fred just smirked. "Why do we do anything at all? Max. If you want to find out who your real parents are- aren't you willing to sacrafice Everything for it?" Fred asked. "Sacrafice Everything? Why would I hide from the World? To get to know my real mom and dad's names? I have limits, and this is a line I won't cross." I said determinated and crossed my arms. Fred raised his index finger in the air. "You would do it for a year." Fred said in a tone as it would convince me. Hiding in a year? Where? I laughed without joy. "For a year? Where would I even go? Why?" I kept going on. S toppit. I commanded myself. I kept playing into their hands. Their traps. If I wasn't carefull enouth, they would eventually Catch me. I was now determinated that I needed to call Jaime o I pulled out my phone from my pocket and hit the Power button. "Uh, what are you doing?" Fred asked and I gazed him innocent. "I'm just wondering what the time is, that's all." I said and returned my gaze to the phone. And as I saw the display I felt as I had been stabbed by thousands of needles. No singnal.My phone said. "No." I whispered. "Excuse me? I didn't get that." Fred said. "No." I said louder. I tried against all odds to call Jaime but my phone just displayed that I didn't have any signal. I tried to call 911 but that didn't seem to work either. "Problem?" Fred asked. I took a Deep breath trying to calm down. I looked out the window trying to get a clue where I was. But it seemed as we were in some dilapidated Alley.

"Yeah, hell. The phones doesn't seem to be working." Fred said apologetic. "Why are you doing this?" I asked him. "Doing what?" "Kidnapping me, telling me to get of the grid..." I counted and Fred scowled. "No one is kidnapping anyone. Not yet at least." Fred said. I leaned my head against the window. "Then what are we doing in a dilapidated Alley?" I asked tired. Fred raised his eyebrows. "Oh. Let me get this straight. You will have two choices. And don't think there will be a third one because there isn't." Fred said. Desperate, I thought of every possible thing to say so that I could get the hell out of here. "Are you threatening me? I promise you, that if you wont let me go, like now. I will press charges. Hell, I will even sue your Little company you all seem to be obsessed with." I dared to say in a cocky voice. Fred just snorted and then grinned. "I don't think you understand what's going on here. Do you?" he said. I bit my lip. I had no clue what to respond to that. What would Jaime have done in this situation? Or what would anyone do in this situation? I was locked in a car with some sycho without a phone signal in the middle of nowhere. And thinking of what other people would have done didn't seem to help either, I realised. Defeted, I finally answered. "What are the options?" Fred smirked. "Finally. You can either agree to the deal, which I would have done in your Place, or, you could meet the boss himself." he said and raised his eyebrows. "What good would it do to anyone if I dissapeared?" I asked. Fred looked pityingly at me. "Oh Max... you can stop worrying about other people and start worrying about yourself. I mean, we are right now talking about you leaving the two people you care about, who you love..." I eyed him frustrated. "Just stop. You're not using any valid arguments. I won't leave the country or what ever the hell you want from me. And besides, I'm a minor..." "Max." Fred interupted me. "Don't you get it? You just have to be away for a year, and you even get a bonus- to know who your parents are." I just shook my head. "No." I said. Fred sighted and then pulled out his phone.

"For the last time. Do you want to know who created you? Who your parents in flesh and blood are? Or do you prefer the hard way? So tell me Max. What's it gonna be?"

--Ryan's pov-"This's wrong." I said with crossed arms. Mr. Mickleson looked up at me in his usual 'moron gaze'. "I'm not paying you to tell me what to do." he just said and kept Writing on a bunch of papers. "But you know it is." I kept going on. Fredrick had brought Max on a 'Little car trip' as he had called it and it had ended as I said it would- with failure. "You idiot. When I say no then it means no." Mr. Mickleson said as he emphasized the Word 'no'. "I just don't understand. Why? Mr. Mickleson. There are a million different ways to do this. You are just choosing the wrong path." I said. Mr. Mickleson stopped Writing and put down his pen as he took of his glases. "For the last time, call me Garret. And second. If you don't get the hell out of here. I will fire you." He threatened. I gazed him one last time and then walked out of the office. The building we were in temporarily was kind of old and out worn. Not something you expected Mr. Mickleson to be in. And that was exactly the plan. But what ever I thought of, my thoughts returned to the same path. They were going to torture Max. Or, maybe not entierly torture but pretty similar. This wasn't something a teenager should be going through. It was wrong. But what could I do about it? The body guards were on it. For the Money. God this World was crazy. People did Everything for Money. It sickened me. "Let go of me!" Someone yelled and I ran toward that direction and stopped as I arrived to the scene. Max was being held by two body guards who dragged him across the floor and he did with his best efforts try to break free. But he just couldn't. I watched him pitully and in that instant second his gaze met mine. "Please help! Ryan!" He yelled. I turned away my gaze to look anywhere but him. I still wasn't sure why Mr. Mickleson wanted to do this. I mean, he was just a teenager. Even a kid in my Eyes. But Mr. Mickleson was convinced that this was unavoidable. I did ask him earlier what in the World he was doing but he hadn't shared his thoughts. The only person he seemed to trust was Fred, and he was a Cold hearted person. Maybe even psychotic. A perfect match I realised now bizarre. But it was too late to back out now. I thought grimly. If we would get caught now, I would serve time in prison as well. I walked down the hall and in the direction they had dragged Max. Unfortunaly, I seemed to be the only normal guy in this whole building. Or, the only person with conscience. This whole situation was messed up. But what

I still couldn't figure out was why Mr. Mickleson hadn't cared about Jaime. But well, he was a celebrity. It would just be harder to do this. What was I thinking? This is wrong for many reasons and if I keep over thinking it, it wouldn't do any good. Focus. I ordered myself. I could save Max, but if I wanted to do it I needed to be really carefull. As I reached the room where Max was I hesitated. If anyone discovered what I was about to do they would fire me. And this was the only job I've ever had. But that wasn't what concerned me right now. They could pull some strings later so it would look like I murdered that poor woman Natasha Jones. I exhaled heavily and decided to take my chances to save Max. He hadn't done anything after all. He's innocent. I pushed down the door handle and opened the door. As I walked in I watched horrified the scene. Max sat down tied in a chair and a body guard sat at the end of the room clicking on his laptop. Max gazed me as I was some kind of traitor. But, I couldn't blame him for how it looked like. Unfortunaly Max had duct tape over his mouth so he couldn't say anything, but he tried to shout something that sounded like Why? I made a gesture telling him to be silent as I reached for a empty vase on a Little table beside me. "Shut up." the body guard hissed and i quickly hid the vase behind my spine. "Wait, what the hell are you doing here?" The guard asked me and I swallowed uncertain what to respond. The man suddenly rose from his chair and walked toward me. He was 6'2 long, muscular, dressed in black clothes, had dark tattos on his arms and he was bald. "I said. What the hell are you doing here?" he said and crossed his arms. This had been a really stupid move. "Uh." I was speechless. The guy wouldn't do anything to me because he knew I worked here, but I still felt threatened. "I was just supposed to deliver this vase." I said apologetic as I showed him the light Brown vase. He arched his eyebrows as he saw the vase. "Okay." he said in dismay but seemed to accpted it. "Oh, and Mr. Mickleson would like to speak with you." I said. The guy grinned as he took the vase from my hands. "I'm under strict order to guard that person. And besides, he will be here in any minute. And oh, if I would be you, I would get out of here, because it could get really ugly..." he said and I nodded. He didn't have to say it twice, his voice clearly said that he wanted to get rid of me as soon as possible. "Okay, that was it. bye." As I said it, he turned around and walked back to his laptop. Shit. I cursed. I couldn't exactly take out such a big guy with a vase. I looked pitfully at Max who just eyed me intensly, begging me to help him. "Sorry." I whispered as I walked out of the room thinking of another way to get him out of here.

Chapter 17
---Max Pov--I looked terrifyed around as I saw Ryan leaving the room. Why did he leave me? I looked down at my body. They had tightly bound my torso and legs to the chair with small black ropes. I tried to raise from the chair but the ropes just carved into my skin. "Help!" I yelled but it came out as a randome shout. "Hell." I cursed, trying my best to turn my gaze back to the body guard that watched something on his laptop. I had watched Movies where people got tied to a chair, and even had duct tape over their mouths. I had always thought that they just overstated it in the Moviesbut now when I got to feel how it was. It sucked. I did my best trying to break loose, but the ropes just cut my arms as I moved them. It hurted like hell, but I prefered this pain in compare what these psycopaths were capable of. I really had no clue what the hell they wanted from me. I felt like a lost puppy in the middle of a battlefield. I tried to move my lips so the duct tape would fall off, but the tape didn't move. No matter how much I wanted to belive that I still got a chance to get the hell out of here- I just knew that this was it. It was over. The game Jaime and I started had ended- dramatically. Bitterness flown through me. Where was this going to end? If I just hadn't signed that bloody contract I wouldn't be here- or would I? In one last attempt I tried to break free by pulling out my arms, but it just ended with more wounds. Not untill now, I realised that I was actually bleeding from the small scars. I quickly looked away disgusted. Blood had always been my weak spot. I even remember when we took blood samples in ninth grade... "Ew." I said in an disgusted tone. Angeline gazed me with a smile and just shoke her head. "It's just a drop of blood. Man up." she said as she shoved my shoulder playfully. I looked at her finger that bleed small drops of blood. "Just a drop?" I asked ironically. She just gazed me still with a smile, as she always did when she thought I was out of my mind. "Yes. And why wont you do something about your phobia?" she asked as she placed her finger with drippling blood on the small scanner. "It's not a phobia." I defended myself, crossing my arms determinated. She raised her eyebrows. "Oh really? How does it come that you're looking anywhere but the blood?" she asked as her argument would crush any word that would come out of my mouth. I turned my gaze to the ceiling because it was the only spot in the whole room that didn't involve blood. "Fine." Angeline said and I returned my gaze to her.

"Prove it." she said and shrugged as it wasn't a big deal. I arched my eyebrow. "You want me to what?" I asked taken by surprise. She just handed me a needle and I took it speechless. I coughed. "And what do you want me to do with this?" I asked gesturing at the needle. She rolled her eyes and shock her head. "I double dare you to sting yourself with that needle." she said and pointed at the needle. I said no and then we argumented for about fifteen minutes until the teacher passed our desk asking us if everything was alright. After Angeline grinned evil I finally shoved off the teacher and defeted stung myself with the needle. "Ouch." I said and as I saw the blood penetrate from the small wound. I felt sick to my stomach. "I think I'm going to faint." I said looking deadly serious to Angeline. She sighted and ignored my comment as she put my finger on the scanner. "Oh." Angeline said gazing the scanner and frowned. I rasied my eyebrows. "Oh, what?" I asked her. She just shrugged and turned the scanner toward me. "Your blood type's B negative." she said. "That's bad?" I asked. Angeline took the scanner and studied it carefully. "Aren't both of your parents B positive?" The door suddenly opened and I snatched back to the reality. A quite tall man walked through the door. He was dressed in a white suit and his dark brown hair was slicked back. "Max Blake I presume?" the man asked. I didn't respond and refused to look him in the eye. Who ever he was I didn't want anything to do with him. The man stepped closer and pulled off the duct tape. I opened my mouth relieved that I could finally move my lips. "So, I must say, that I'm kind of dissapointed of you, Max." the man said and started to walk in circles around me, as some kind of vulture. I kept looking on the floor ignoring him. I heard him sight and then he stopped in front of me. "Smith, could you give us a second?" the man asked and the body guard rose from his chair and left the room slamming the door. The man continued to be silent for some minutes and finally I raised my gaze toward him. His grey eyes met my and I felt chills down my spine. He had quite a sharp facial appearance and stubble. He looked... famililar in some creepy way. But he was still at the moment a creepy stranger. The man kept staring at me, as he waited for me to say something, so I finally broke.

"Who... are you?" I stuttered. The man smirked and leaned toward me, but luckily he kept his distance. "I'm Garret." Garret? That name did in fact ring a bell. And suddenly I realized that he was the one Ryan and Fred had talked about, their 'boss'. I swallowed. "Alright..." was all I said. Fred had mentioned, no. More like threatened me- that the worst case scenario would be to meet him if I didn't accept Fred's deal. And of course I had said no. Suddenly Fred had sent some text and just some seconds later some body guards had thrown me out of the limo and dragged me into this old building. "So I bet you are a stubborn type, eh?" he asked. "Just please. Tell me what's going on. What could I possible have done?" I exclaimed. Garret's eyes bored into mine and he started laughing hysterically. "Are you serious?" he more or less shouted and his face turned into disbelief. "I..." he said and pointed at his chest with his finger. "...Have given everything. For this company." he started and his voice raised after each word. "And now here you are and dare to ask me such a question." he said in the same loud husky voice. I bit my lip uncertain what to respond. What was he talking about? "If it just hadn't been for..." his yelling stopped after a piercing sound started shouting outside the room. Garret quickly covered his ears and his facial expression turned dark as he turned on his heal and escaped the room cursing. If my arms also hadn't been tied to the chair I would have done the same- just minus the cursing. To my surprise Ryan showed up in the doorway and as he saw me he ran over to me and started untying me from the chair. "What are you doing?" I asked as quiet as I could in the piercing sound. "Helping you." he responded and the ropes fell to the floor. "Thanks." I said and covered my ears. "We need to get out of here. Now. Follow me." was all he said before he disappeared through the doorway.

--Ryan's Pov-It was a mess out in the hallway. People ran down the hallway covering their ears trying to escape the sound of the fire alarm. I would be in so much trouble for turning on the fire alarm... I quickly glanced back relieved to see Max following me. We ran down the hallway in the opposite direction where the rest were going. Hopefully, no one would notice or think

so much about Max missing right know in this chaos so I kept running toward the fire escape in front of me. I finally stopped breathless and glanced back at Max who didn't seem to have as bad stamina as I. "What now?" Max asked and I opened the door in front of me. "We climb." I said with a shrugg and walked through the door that led to a balcony in the Alley. I stepped carefull on the rusty metal balcony and looked down to see that the ladder was gone. "Shit." I said scratching my head frequently. "What?" Max said as he aproached beside me. As he looked down his face turned pale. "You aren't actually sugesting that we're going to.... jump?" he asked slowly as he gazed me wide eyed. I sighted. "We don't have much time. It's just a matter of time before they discover that you're gone. We need to get the hell out off here. Excuse me my language." I said and placed my hands on the railing as I studied the ground that was covered in dark asphalt. It was aproximently sixteen feets, maybe even more to the ground. If we weren't carefull enouth we might get injured by the the fall. And then the ear piercing sound stopped. "Oh no." Max said. "We need to jump. Now." I said as I threw my legs over the railing. "There must be another way!" Max exclaimed but I let go the railing and fell. I felt as the wind brushed against my skin as I fell to the ground landing on both of my feets and then on my hands. "Ouch." I said and tried to raise from the asphalt, but it really hurt. "Are you okay?" Max shouted and I showed him a thumb up. After a minute I finally pulled myself together and raised from the ground. I raised my gaze to the balcony. "Max. Jump." I said as I saw Max still standing there spaced out. And then he looked at me terrified. "I can't." he stuttered. "Max. I'm trying to help you. Don't you understand? Now jump. Don't Think about anything. Just. Jump." I said desperate trying my best to get off that balcony. How long wouldn't it take for them to figure out we used the so called 'fire escape'? Max lowered his gaze to he ground and studied the asphalt. I swallowed.

"Do it Max." I said and finally Max swinged his legs over the railing. Max bit his lips and looked determinated at the ground. "Fine." he said and started loosing his tight grip of the railing. The door behind him suddenly opened the body guard that had guarded him stopped behind him. "I found him!" he yelled and I watched as Max fighted his fear of hights. And in that instant the body guard tried to grip Max's arm, but Max let go and fell down swinging his arms. I reacted and ran to him as he hit the asphalt on the both of his feets. "Argh!" he screamed and gripped his left leg. "Are you okay?" I asked him and he shook his head. "No. I Think I sprained my foot" he said. I quickly eyed the balcony to see that the guard was gone. "Max. We need to run. Now." I said gripping his arm making him stand up. "Ow!" he yelled and bit his lip. "I'm sorry." I said still holding his arm. "But we need to get out of here. Now." I said and started draging him toward my car. It was bad. I did, for a split second Think that maybe I could save Max and return to the building in time, but now I doubted that it would be a good idea. The guard had seen me. So I guess that Garret knows that I let Max go... Max grip of my arm tightened as we reached to my car. "What?" "They are coming." I glanced back and saw the body guard running toward me. Oh god. I dived my hand into my pocket and quickly opened the car door as Max ran over to the other side and jumped into the car. Thought he had sprained his foot, adrenaline could make wounders. "Go, go, go!" Max yelled as the two Guardians aproached the car and I hit the gas button. Luckily the guards didn't follow us when the car started. But they did manage to open the door on the driver side, so I had a open car door on my left. Max breathed heavily and I eyed him to see that he squeezed his left foot tightly. "You okay? Should I drive to the hospital?" I asked him and he raised his gaze toward me. His face was filled with pain, but as he looked behind me his expression turned puzzled. "Your car door's open." he said. I didn't respond to that and closed the door keeping my eyes on the road. We were now on the highway toward the Sacramento city. "Max. Should we go to the hospital?" I repeted and Max sighted.

"No. They may be able to track us... if they aren't following us now to say." Max said with a simple shrugg. I looked at the rearview mirror to see nothing more that an empty highway. "Luckily they aren't following us." I puffed out. "Hm." was all Max said and then a silence occured us. We didn't say anything for a while. I did at least have something to do-to drive. "Tell me..." Max said breaking the ice. "Why did you save me? Not that I'm not thankfull but you know. I'm still wondering." I sighted still looking at the empty road. The only interesting about the view was the many trees that rushed by. "Honestly? I don't know. But anyway. What they were doing was wrong. Kiddnaping and all that. I just didn't want to be a part of that." I said. "So, freeing me was some sort of 'rage quiting'?" he asked and I tilted my head. "Not... exactly. It was more of an impulse really." I said slowly. "So... who are these people anyway?" he asked laying back i the car seat. "Uh." how did you explain it? My hands tightened around the steering Wheel as my mind rushed through all kinds of memories. "Lets just say... that Fredrick's a psychopath and that Garret's... well... Cold hearted." I said thinking carefuly how I could describe those people. And then a memory flashed through my mind. It had been a few years back when Fredrick and I had gone to the same collage. "Don't be such an pussy. Just cut that rat in a half." Fredrick said pointing a Sharp knife against me. I stepped back. "Why would I? We aren't in biology anymore." I said defending myself and the poor rat that was captured in a small Cage. "You don't get it do you? This rat have been gnawing a hole in that wall for too long. We need to get rid of it. Now. And besides. don't you just love science and all that shit? You can now look inside the rats body meanwhile it's still alive." he said urged, as it would convince me otherwise. "No. You're sick." I said and bent down to pick up the Cage. "Haha, what are you going to do with it anyway?" he asked and I opened the Cage and picked carefully out the rat. "I'm sure not going to torture the poor guy." I said and placed the rat in my palm. The rat was quite small and had a dark fur.

"I Think it's someone's pet, because he seems to be tame." Fredrick laughed empty and then raised his knife so that the tip rested on the rats neck. "That's not someone's pet. That's a disgusting animal that doesn't deserve to even exsist on the planet. Actually, no animal except humans... and cats. Deserve to live." Fredrick said carefully picking his words. And then he cut the rat in my hand in half. "No! You psycopath!" I yelled and dropped the rat onto the floor as bloood dripped from my palm. Fredrick just laughed and bent down inspecting what he had done. And then he started carving letters in the rats skin. F+J. "God you need help." I said and walked into the bathroom to clean my hand. "So?" someone asked. I looked to my right to see Max gazing me urged. "What?" I asked puzzled. "Why did you stop?" I scowled and looked at the road. Yes- I had stopped the car in the middle of the road. "Sorry. I must have spaced out." I said scratching my head as I started the car and kept going. "And where are we going?" Max asked. I gazed him in the corner of my eye. "I don't really know. Maybe to an hotel?" I suggested. Max sighted. "I need to call Jaime." "Then call." I said simple. "...I don't have a phone."

Chapter 18
--Jaime's Pov-"Okay. For the last time. Where the hell are you?" I said in a husky voice and threw my phone at the the brown couch in Max house. "Jaime, I'm worried too. But you need to calm down. We wont find him if you go all crazy like that." Angeline said as she brushed her blond hair with a pink comb. I shook my head, as I walked over to the couch and sunk down on the black pillows. "Angeline. His been missing for days. I said as I scratched my head frequently.

"I know that." she said as she put down the comb and eyed me intensly. "He's my best friend Jaime. And you're his brother. I miss him too. But. Getting pissed wont get him here." Angeline said studying me sympathetically. I sighted and clenched my fists. "I know. It's just... it's been a messed up week... or weeks. I don't know really." I looked at Angeline who gazed the wooden floor. "Do you Think he got kidnapped?" Angeline asked quietly. I had in fact thought about it. It seemed possible since Angeline had made it clear yesterday that Max would never leave like that. Not without saying goodbye. "I... don't really know. But it seems possible I guess." I said and leaned against the couch. Angeline took a deep breath and then sighted. "Do we tell the police? Since Max won't answer his cell or anything?" "I don't Think it's a good idea to be honest." I said and twined my my fingers. "And why's that?" Angeline asked cautious. "Max and I are Twins. We just happen to look identical. And if we call the police about my missing brother, What reactions do you think it will evoke? For starters, we don't have any hospital records of our parents, only that we were born. It doesn't exist a file that says we're brothers or even related..." "Jaime..." "No. Listen to me. Calling the police won't do any good! They will definatly not Believe me if I'll claim that I have an long lost Twin that have suddenly gone missing. Second. It could take weeks, no. months, until they start looking into it. And then there would be all the pain in the ass paparazi's and shit." I covered my face with my hands. "...And I don't feel like wasting precious time on the police that won't do any good." I looked up at Angeline that stared impatiently at me. "My dad's a cop." I bit my lips. Had just humiliated a cops daughter? "Come again?" Angeline rolled her eyes. "Your prejudices about cops... it's kind of offensive." she said crossing her arms. "And besides, he's the chief." An 'oh' slipped my lips and I as well crossed my arms. "But I'm still settled to my statement about cops." I said determinated. Or... scratch what I had said earlier. Did I just humiliate the chief's daughter? Well. It sounded quite badass... Angeline sighted once more.

"Why won't you just give it a chance? Max has been missing for a week! We don't know if he's even okay!" I rose from the couch and walked toward her so that out toes nearly met. "Angeline, I want to find him, I really do. I mean he's like the only cover I've for now. But as you said yourself earlier. Getting pissed won't get him here." She just shook her head. "Unbelievable." she muttered and stepped away from me toward the kitchen. "Where are you going?" I asked and she stopped and turned around. "Why won't you do as any normal person would do and tell the cops, like my father that happens to be the chief?" she asked upset and I gazed the ceiling, sighting. "Why do you think... that Max's gone?" I asked her instead and crossed my arms. She looked uncomprehending at me. "...what? How would I know?" she asked in clear surprise. I curled my lip and studied her puzzled expression. "Since you like, scolded at me yesterday about what an 'seventeen year old goody two shoes' he is, I kind of get the picture that he wouldn't run off like that." "He's not..." Angeline interrupted, as she tried to defeat Max's honour but I cut her off before she had a chance to continue. "The matter off fact he's. But that's not important right now. What do matter right now is that Max is gone, which I find highly suspicious since I've recently met him. So. I want you to think. What could have happened to him?" I questioned her. She glared me suspicious. "...What? Just now you were as upset as I that he's gone, and suddenly you're asking me where Max is, like I would have the answer. But sorry dude, I don't." she said gesturing with her left hand. "If we really think the situation through, there might be a chance that we could figure this out." Angeline responded by raising her eyebrows. "You see. The last normal conversation I had with him, was a while ago, and he said that some 'Ryan guy' was coming over. Obviously I couldn't care less what he was doing at the moment, but since he was associating with that guy in my name I was indeed a bit worried." I said as I walked closer to Angeline who eyed me sceptical. "So. What I understand, is that since this 'Ryan guy' appeared, Max has acted... strange. Haven't you noticed?" I asked her and she looked as she considered it. "Well, he's really good at hiding those stuff, but he won't fool me..." she said and sighted. "But yes, even if he seemed fine I could still... sense that something was wrong, but I couldn't put my finger on it though. Do you mean that, this Ryan guy had something to do with Max

disappearance?" Angeline asked slowly. I nodded and Angeline lowered her gaze and studied her fingernails. "Yes." I said. Not until now I had actually noticed how close we were standing. Just a few inches separated us and neither of us seemed to flinch from the other. "And still with that statement we won't go to the cops?" Angeline guessed and raised her gaze toward me. Her deep blue sparkling eyes studied me and I nodded in respond. Angeline sighted but didn't break the eye contact. "I miss him." she said and I scowled. "But each time I look at you, I nearly think that you're him, but then I remember that you're the douchy one..." "Wait... since when am I a douchebag?" I asked offended. She smiled. "Since the day I discovered that you're not Max Blake, but Jaime Phills." she shrugged "Okay, random... I mean... you aren't exactly a saint either." she raised a eyebrow. "That's so?" she asked. "Well. Since instead of telling Max about your feelings you seek comfort at the school's biggest douchebag, who's gay for the record..." Angeline's face turned red and I rolled my eyes. "Yes, he's and I'm not in the mood to explain. So..." "But..." "No. So please don't be a hypocrite, by telling people how they should and should not act since you aren't better." Ouch. I didn't mean it to come out as harsh, but to my surprise Angeline didn't wince. "...Fine." Angeline said to my surprise. "It's true that I... do feel something for Max..." Angeline stopped talking, she looked confused and lost in her mind as she tried to express herself. "But since he doesn't seem to feel the same way I try to get past it. And then you two switch places and you kiss me... which makes you the biggest douche of the two of us". She did have a point. "So it's now my fault that we're attracted to each other?" I said. Wait, why did I say that? I didn't mean to say that at all. I didn't want a girlfriend. I sure hell didn't want a relationship since my fans would probably kill me. And staying single did keep me on top since the most of them probably thought they might have a chance with me.

"Really?" Angeline finally asked waking me up from my thoughts that circulated like a hurricane. "You of all people are attracted to me?" she questioned unbelievable. Since I had screwed up this conversation I could as well stand up to what I've just said. "Yes." I said, shrugging as it wasn't a big deal. "Then kiss me." she said and placed her hand behind my neck. Well, she surprised me there. And then she pressed my head toward hers and our lips touched. I didn't hold back and I soon got into the kiss. It felt as electronic sparkles wherever she touched me. As her hand seeked into my blond hair I entangled my fingers into her long blond hair. It wasn't until she used tongue that I started to like her more than before. "Oh my god I'm scared for life." A voice identical to mine said and Angeline and I immediately broke off the kiss. On the other side of the room Max stood in the doorway and he wore an really uncomfortable facial expression.

--Max's Pov-(three day earlier) "So, any progress?" I asked Ryan as I placed two cups of coffee's on the table beside him. "It's... good. Thanks for the coffee by the way." Ryan said as he reached for the coffee with his right hand. We were temporarily in some motel room a bit outside the Sacramento city. Since we were kind of hiding we couldn't afford giving out our real names, so we had checked in with aliases like, Barney scherbatsky and Dean Smith. But I still didn't know why Ryan had gone with Barney scherbatsky though... "Hey, how's it with your foot?" Ryan asked as he took a sip from his coffee. I looked down at my foot that was bandaged like three times around. "It's fine. But I still think this's ridiculous. I mean I'm fine at this point, it doesn't hurt as much it did before..." "You don't mess with a doctors orders." Ryan interrupted and I sighted. "But, anyway. Have you find it yet?" I asked him, rounding the corner of the table so I stood beside him looking at the laptop screen. "Well, define 'it'" he said and turned his gaze toward me. "Well like, where Dianna is. Or where Jennifer is?" "...So instead of 'them' you use the term 'it'?" I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms sighting.

"Yeah, sue me right?" Ryan hummed and turned back his gaze at the screen. "What now?" I asked tired. "Nothing...it's just, you're being kinda' cocky lately." Ryan said and shrugged. I sighted once more and walked to the fridge to grab a blueberry yogurt. "It's a free country..." I said avoiding the subject. "...but... wait. What do you mean 'lately'? I've only known you for like a few days now." I said suspicious as I opened the fridge and took out a yogurt. Ryan swallowed as he scratched his head nervous. "Um. I think I forgot to tell you something..." Ryan said looking uneasy around the room. "What?" I asked slowly. Ryan took a deep breath and turned his chair toward me. "Um. Mr. Mickleson had us... install cameras around your houses." Ryan said cautious, choosing his words. My jaw litterly dropped. Did I hear him clearly? "Wait... what? I don't think I heard you clearly? Did you just say that there are cameras installed in my house?" Ryan chose to look anywhere but me as he spoke, "It didn't really come up." he said avoiding, looking at his hands. I gazed him unbelievable and then face palmed myself. "Oh god. He's been tracking, listening to us all along?" I asked him. Ryan nodded his head and tapped with his fingers at the table. "That's why we didn't contact them in first place, remember? Cause you and I are kinda' fugitives." Ryan said avoiding the subject. I tilted my head. "Not exactly. We could always go to the police..." "With what? To tell them what?" Ryan cut me off glaring a bit irritated at me. "Well. We could start with the kidnapping for example. You are a witness." I said. "Max. They've got lawyers. Good lawyers. And a trial could take weeks or even months to arrange. And I suggest that we instead of wasting that time, dig up some more dirt on them. In that way, if we find out what's really going on here, maybe they will bee sent to prison." "Prison? I think that's a little over stated." Ryan raised his eyebrows. "That's so?" "Well. They did in matter of fact kidnap me and tie me to a chair... I still got scars though. But that's not the point. I mean. Back there. He like, yelled at me for something. I hell don't know

what for. But still, is it a reason to throw someone into prison?" I said gesturing with my arms, shrugging. Ryan looked at the floor. "Well. They could and they could not. But max. Listen to me. There's something weird going on here can't you see it?" Ryan asked slowly. "Yes. I've kind of noticed. Garret said. No, you said that you were doing this because I appeared on your stupid commercial." I said crossing my arms. I barely knew this guy but yet I was still standing here, no, living here in a motel room with Ryan. "That's... I'm sorry. But I only did it cause I thought it wouldn't go this far. It wasn't until they said that they were about to kidnap you that I reached a line I wouldn't cross." "That's so?" I asked unbelievable. "Yes. And hey. You shouldn't be so cocky since I saved you from those people that are currently after you and me. I quit my job because of you." he said upset. "I thought you just said that you hated the job." I said snarky and Ryan clenched his fist. "God. Could you quit being a d-bag and get past this? quarrelling won't get us anywhere." Ryan said in a exhausted voice and sunk into the chair. I stared at him for one more minute and finally, surrendering I said, "Alright. Fine. Sorry, It's just... it's been a really weird week, weeks for me." "I understand. And I'm sorry too. I should have said something earlier about the cameras though. My mistake, sorry." Ryan apologized and I tilted my head, thinking. "You said you put cameras in the house. So they're probably listening or seeing what ever is going on in the houses right now. But... I have an bit awkward question, did they. Um. Did they or you put cameras so that you could see us... changing?" I stuttered in the end. It was an awkward question to ask, but I just needed to know. Ryan made an awkward face and twinned his fingers. "Well... I didn't personally put up the cameras. But luckily they aren't paedophiles. They didn't put up the cameras in the bedrooms though. Only in the living room and kitchen." I scratched the back of my hand and scowled. "Alright. Ryan. I need you to tell me all the blind spots in my and Jaime's house..."

(Now- [Three Days later]) I stopped just outside the door of my house thinking. Ryan had told me just a few days ago where all the cameras were placed, and what electronic source were driving the cameras. Since the electrical cabinet were just outside my house, I didn't really have a problem

tampering with the electricity of the house. I figured that Angeline and Jaime would notice if the electricity just disappeared, that's why I ran back to the house as quick as I possibly could.

I knocked on the door since I didn't had the key to my own home, but as I didn't receive an answer I felt anguish crawling inside me. I really hoped that at least Jaime would be home by now so that he could help me take down the ten cameras in the rooms. Since no one opened, I pushed down the handle and the door opened. I walked right in surprised that Jaime hadn't locked the door. "Oh my god. I'm scared for life." Was my reaction as I saw Jaime and Angeline making out in front of me, entangled, clinging to each other. The two of them immediately broke of the kiss and Angeline gazed me full of guilt. "M... Max?" Angeline said as she got away as far as she could from Jaime in my direction. "Yes... it's me." I said rather awkward then happy to see her. She did just make out with my brother. My twin brother. Angeline opened her mouth in a attempt to say something but she gave up and ran into my arms instead and hugged my tightly. "Where have you been?" she asked still holding me tightly in her grip. I sighted and pulled away. "I was with Ryan... but..." I turned my gaze toward Jaime who eyed me unbelievable. "What?" I asked him. Jaime smirked, which I found odd since he didn't look awkward at allno. He looked as he even enjoyed this. "Nothing, or well, just wanted to point out that you look like shit." Was his response for my absence in a whole week. "...Really? That's your response? I just saw you make out with Angeline... she's like a sister to me. Dude, It was like seeing myself making out with a sister." Jaime raised his eyebrows. "Really? A sister? That's your response?" Jaime backfired. "Guys! I'm right here!" Angeline interrupted us as she eyed us warily. "Stay out of it." Jaime and I said in tandem. "Max. Where the hell have you been? I've been calling you like a thousand times and instead you've been hanging around with some random dude all along?" Jaime burst out as he couldn't believe what was happening. I sighted heavily rolling my eyes. "No. It wasn't like that. I will explain everything if you will stop yelling at me and take a breath." Jaime held the same staring gaze over me and after a couple of uncomfortable seconds he gestured with his arms.

"Fine." "Okay. So, Fredrick kidnapped me. Kind of." I said thoughtfully. "Who?" Jaime and Angeline asked at once. I stared at the floor and told them what had happened the last week. Like/ getting tied to a chair, saved by Ryan, the road trip where Ryan revealed what he knew about Garret. Or well, nearly everything. And then I told them how I chose to stay with Ryan since Garret was hunting us. "So... you're basically saying that you were hiding from psychopaths, but were too busy to make one, just one phone call to tell us that you're okay?" Angeline asked in an neutral voice. I nodded and scratched my hand. "I couldn't. Cause... well. How do I put it... There are..." I stuttered looking at the wooden floor, with thoughts spinning in my mind how I should tell them. "There are what?" Jaime asked impatiently with crossed arms. I hadn't really given it much thought, but Jaime had under the time I talked just stood there, leaned against the wall. I sighted lightly and decided to just get over with it. "There's one reason why I'm here. Cause... there are cameras installed in the house. Or well, houses. You see, there are cameras all around this house... Even in yours." I said slowly. "What?" Jaime said uncomprehending. And as he realised that I wasn't screwing around he covered his mouth with his palm. "Holy shit." he said gazing me unbelievable. He raised his hand and scratched his head. "Shit." he kept cursing. I gave him a minute to let the words sunk in and swept my gaze over the room. "Are they watching us right now?" Angeline asked and I turned my gaze toward her puzzled expression. She was clearly as shocked as Jaime was. "No, I cut the power, but we don't have much longer before they will start to freak out." I said shrugging. "And 'they' are Garret and Fredrick I assume?" Angeline asked and I nodded to the statement. "Alright." Jaime said after a while, he did at least look less freaked out. "Lets get over with this shit and get rid of it." --Jaime's Pov-"I can't say that I'm, like... 'comfy' with this plan..." Max said nervous. "Oh right, so you just wanted me to go in there all alone to disarm the cameras. That's so thoughtful of you." I said in hinted sarcasm, rolling my eyes.

"No, I didn't mean it like that..." Max sighted heavily. "What ever. Just, don't screw this up." I said eying him suspiciously. "Oh my god. No. I won't." Max said through gritted teeth and then he took off. I watched him as he slowly approached the house, as if he was afraid that they would catch him at any moment. "For the love of god..." I said impatient as he knocked on the door. I covered my face with my palm as he didn't find the doorbell on his right side. I sighted and pulled out my phone. The doorbell Einstein. I texted him and a few seconds later he received the text and then looked a bit puzzled. But at least he reacted and seeked for the bell, he kept staring at it, but he didn't touch it. What are you doing? Just press the doorbell. I texted him impatiently. He turned his gaze toward me, puzzled. What? That lion head thing? I stared at the phone and rolled my eyes. Yes. Do you now see why I didn't want to put you on charge? I hit send and received an mistrustful glance. I gestured with my arms, signalling to him to finally just ring the bell. And he did. After a couple of seconds later, Teressa, my step sister, opened the door. She stared at Max for a couple of seconds and then hugged him. I couldn't exactly see Max's face, but I was pretty sure that he was a bit shocked. Well. I was too, in fact, since Teressa wasn't the hugging type. She was more like the irritating little sister you just had to put up with. Manage to live with. But of course I loved her, as a brother. I've always have and always will. I smirked. Just some weeks ago, we had been a normal family. I had been in the living room laying on the sofa watching some TV when Teressa, disturbing as she is, came into the room and changed the channel to some random teenage show. She had just laughed at me for watching a documentary about sailing, I had just backfired with my opinions about her show about some random wolfes. 'It's 'Teen wolf'' she had corrected me and I had just responded with 'yeah, what ever'. I did in fact miss that time. Well, I mean, my family hadn't been perfect. No ones is. But we'd managed to live. Rap it up. Max texted me and I stared puzzled at the phone, waking up into the reality. We were in my house, or well. Max was, I was in the garden outside the house. Got it. I texted back and rose from the bushes I had been hiding in. This last weeks had been hard to process. I mean. Just three weeks ago I had lived my normal life. And then, two weeks ago, my world had turned upside down when I found out that I had an twin. I should be feeling either thrilled, anxious, happy, mad, sad, shocked, astonished, betrayed or even confused. But I was still... me. I didn't exactly know what to feel towards my brother. I mean, he is my blood, but he was still a stranger to me. Maybe we could bound in the next couple of months... But then I remembered what was really going on. The past was hunting us. Even if I didn't know what had happened years ago, I knew something was. But to find out the truth,

we needed to get Garret to talk. It was still a really tough mission. But not necessarily an impossible one. Hurry up already. Max texted impatiently and I stared at the text for a few seconds more. Alright. I put the phone in my pocket and headed to the back of the house where the backdoor to the kitchen was. I opened carefully the door and walked in. "Jaime?" Max asked in front of me. I stared at him unbelievable. "What are you doing in here?" I hissed. "I... they made me." "They?" I asked raising my eyebrow. "Your mom and sister..." I gestured with my hand. "Alright alright. Spare the details. How did you possible think that this would work out now?" I asked him. I did in fact have a plan B. But I wanted to mess around with him a little bit. "I... don't know." Max said dejected. "We have the same clothes on us, don't we?" I asked him pointing at my clothes. I had an blue shirt and light blue jeans on. "Well. Yes." Max said. "It's simple. Go out there, drive them away from the dining room, since I assume they are there because we wouldn't otherwise have this conversation." Max scowled. "Have you been watching too much Sherlock?" he asked and my eyes closed to half. "No..." I said. "Anyway. Get rid off them so that I can take down the cameras saftly. Okay?" I said as I gestured at him to go away. "Um... half an hour, right?" Max asked uncertain. I rolled my eyes and pulled out my phone to look at the time. "Right." I confirmed and he nodded as he dissapered through the door. We had half an hour to take down the cameras, cause that's how long we managed to cut the power to the cameras (Since they had backup battery). Even if I hadn't been home for a while now, I still didn't feel comfterble with the cameras in the house. But, I still wondered how it was possible that I hadn't noticed them earlier. But well, they were after all hidden cameras. I took a chair closest

to me as I dragged it to the middle of the room where a lamp hung from the ceiling. I climbed upon the chair as I studied the lamp where the camera was. A couple of days earlier we had taken care of the cameras at max's house, there had been surprisingly eight of them and five bugs. I gazed the lamp as I started to finger around the light bulb and I felt a small object between my fingers. "Got it." I said. "Got what?" a dark husky voice asked. I turned around to see Harold eying me scowling with crossed arms. "Uh." I said as I jumped off the chair and quickly slipped the bug into my pocket. "Nothing. Or well. The light bulb was out so I fixed it." Harold's jaw slid open as his eyes widened. "You 'fixed' it?" He asked in a voice as if I had just claimed that I saved the world. Or well, that was a little overstated... "Yes." I just said and shrugged, acting as it wasn't a big deal. I wasn't surprised that Harold was shocked about this. Cause I mean, I would never even think about the idea of fixing a broken bulb since it was a waste of time. And besides you could easily call a mechanic or what ever to fix it. "Okay." Harold said and kept gazing me surprised. "Yes. You can go now." I said impatiently as he kept standing at me in the same spot. "Oh okay." He said as if he realized that he was an embarrassing parent. Then he turned around and dissapered through the door. "Right... and where's the camera now..." --Max's Pov-"Well I liked it." I said in played interest. I leaned against the dark brown couch as I recieved a mistrustful glance from Katherine but an happy glare from Teressa. "Yes! I knew you would like it!" she said smiling from ear to ear. I looked back at the TV screen where the show 'teen wolf' was playing. We were in their living room watching some random show about teenagers that turned into wolfs. Something I had noticed was that girls easily get attached to TV shows. What I didn't get, was why. I mean, it was just a TV show. But I didn't say anything, because I didn't want to be mean. "Since when do you 'like' these kind of stuff? I thought you were more into laser tag than cheesy TV shows." Jennifer asked, resting her chin against her palm.

"Well. People change." was all I said. I pulled out my phone impatiently, seeing that we had less than twenty minutes on us, I raised from the couch and decided to look for Jaime and ask him how he was holding up since he didn't answer his phone. "Where are you going?" Teressa asked. "Oh, just the bathroom." I said excusing and hurried over to the kitchen. Luckily there was a wall, like in the middle off the room, that cut the view leading to the bathroom and kitchen, so they wouldn't see where I would be heading. I opened the door to the kitchen to see Jaime standing in the middle of the room on a chair, fingering on a lamp. "Hey, what are you doing?" I asked and it looked like Jaime got some electronic shock since he flinched. "Um. Oh... wait. What are you doing in here? I thought I told you to stay away!" he said pissed. "Uh... I thought I might help you since there are more than just one camera in the house..." I started but I got cut off by Jaime, as usual. "What? No way." Jaime said in dripping sarcasm as he jumped down from the chair. "I've taken care of the most cameras..." "Which means...?" I asked him impatiently. "I've taken down like four cameras... of ten." Jaime said and I crossed my arms. "Oh. What a progress." I tried to say sarcastically but failed more or less. "Yeah, I know. But... hold on. If you're here then... who's with them keeping them away?" he asked with raised eyebrows. I preferred to look anywhere than him when I answered. "I told them that I went to the bathroom." "What? This long? I've a reputation to keep up with." I just scowled puzzled at that. What the...? And then he shoved me aside as he made his way to the door. "I'll keep em' away. So it's now up to you take down the camera. And by the way. I tried to find the camera you said would be on the lamp. But I failed to find it. Have fun." He said and left the room. I shoved my hands into my pockets and studied the chair in the middle of the room. I sighted and made my way to the chair, climbing upon it and then I reached my hands to the light bulb and screwed away the bulb and then I threw the bulb at the floor, watching the light bulb smash into small pieces. And then on the floor I saw the small camera. So I climbed down the chair and picked up the camera, quickly shoving it into my pocket., afraid to jump of it as Jaime had done. Little over a week ago, I had jumped from a balcony from a really high height. And in the process I had sprained my foot. But luckily, I had healed fast

under the week. My foot still hurt a bit though, but as long as I managed to hide it I could still help Jaime take down the cameras. "Jaime? What are you doing?" A dark voice asked and I flinched, looking at the person who stood just behind me. Harolds eyes bored into mine and I was speechless for a second. "Um... The light bulb was broken." I gained a mistrustful glance from Harold as I said that. "Then why did you throw it at the floor?" he asked as a big question mark. "Uh." I looked around the room trying to get any sort of help for the situation. "I just, put it there for the moment." I said avoiding. I nearly wanted to face palm myself. Was that the best thing I could come up with? "Excuse me? You just 'put it there' at the moment?" He asked scowling. I swallowed. "Yes." I said. "But, just a minute ago you said that you fixed it. Why did you break it?" I didn't know what to do or say, but in the end I decided to play snarky, since I had to assume that Jaime would do that. So I rolled my eyes. "Oh. Okay fine. The bulb slipped. My bad." I said making my way out of the kitchen, but Harold gripped my arm. I hated when he did that. "Aren't you going to clean up the mess?" I eyed him for one second. "I'm a star. Not a house keeper." was all I said and snatched away my arm and walked out of that door, slamming it. Well. I had to brace myself for keeping up with the acting, but still. I may have exaggerated a little. I walked out of the kitchen and sneaked up to the second floor to disarm the rest of the cameras. *** --Jaime's Pov-"So what are you guys doing?" I asked them as I walked through the door. As I saw the screen where Teresas favorite Tv show played I sighted heavily. "Really? Teen wolf?" I asked her unbelivable. "What?" Teressa asked in surprise. "That show sucks and you know it." I said with raised eyebrows. "No it doesn't! And besides, like a minute ago you said it was great." Teressa said and I couldn't help but sight. Really Max? Really? I thought unbelievable.

"Well. I didn't think any of that..." I started, but a dark voice interrupted our conversation. "Jaime. Could you come over here?" I turned my gaze toward Harold who's eyes watched me, he seemed pissed off and his whole body was tense. "What?" I asked and he just crossed his arms and while he radiated madness. "What?" I asked higher and his gaze just bored into mine. God what had Max done now? I raised from the couch and received a pitiful gaze from Teressa and a puzzled look from Katherine. I walked toward Harold and as I stopped in front of him he just gripped my arm tightly and led me out of the room, furious. "The hell are you doing?" I asked and Harold let go of me as we were out of sight from Teressa and Katherine. "Oh, are you asking me?" he asked stiffy. I just scowled. "Uh, yeah I guess. "You know. Enough. I try to talk to you but you just won't listen, and besides, where the hell have you been the last couple of days? You just disappear and you don't return our phone calls, for all we know you could've been kidnapped or even killed!" He practically yelled. "What do you mean? Stabbed to death in an alley? As in some kind of cheesy movie? Please." I said snarky, but as I saw Harold's expression turning more and more furious I stopped talking. "Yes. that's exactly what could have happened! Jamie, I understand that the past weeks haven't been easy, I really do." "Do you?" I interrupted him, raising my eyebrows, clenching my fist. "I bet that you've no idea what I've been through." I said calmly, but in the same time mad. "Well. Maybe not. But that's not an excuse of your absence the last couple of weeks..." he stopped talking as he had realized something terrifying. His expression turned obnoxious and he took a deep breath. "Jaime. Are you taking drugs?" he asked out of the blue. I coughed as I heard that. "What? No. No I'm not. Hell dad, why would you even ask such a question?" I asked upset. Drugs? Really? Was that the best solution he could come up with? "Jaime? Are you? Don't lie to us. We just want your best. And if that's so I promise we won't get mad. Please tell us." I turned around to see Katherine eying me upset, but a bit sad. "For the last time. NO." I said rolling my eyes as I saw their vulture gaze over me.

"What's happening? Are you taking drugs?" Teressa's voice echoed in the hall. Please. Kill. Me. Now. I thought loudly. "No. I'm not. And I don't even know why you all are asking me that. Have you ever seen me hung over, red eyed or just too tired to walk?" I asked them gesturing with my arms. The three of them fell silent, and then, "Teressa. Go to your room." Harold said and I rolled my eyes. God. Could this get even more awkward? I bit my lip and turned my gaze toward the ceiling. "No..." Harold continued as Teressa disappeared into her room after sighting heavily. "...but you've been absent lately which worries us." Harold said and I swinged my arms into the air. "Fine. I'll call the next time go somewhere." I said and tried to get out of here by walking past Harold, but he stopped me immediately. "Let go of me." I said. "Oh, and stop being so cocky, or we will cancel your boat turne." Harold threatened and I jerked away my arm. "Yeah. I would like to see you try." with those words I left the hall and ran down the stairs, doing my best to get away from them. And then I remembered that Max was probably still in the house. I pulled out my hand as I walked into the kitchen which seemed to be the safest place, and right as I was about to open my phone I felt as something really sharp penetrated my foot. "F*ck!" I yelled and jumped away, squeezing my foot with my hand. I sat down unto the floor and watched terrified as a piece of glass was sticking out of my foot. "Hell." I cursed and tried to calm down as I felt the blood rapidly pumping through my veins. "Jaime?" an identical voice to mine said and I turned my head toward Max who stood in the doorway with an puzzled expression, but as he saw me on the floor squeezing my foot his eyes widened. "Did you step on the glass?" he asked worried. "Nah." I said sarcastically and gazed the ceiling. "You need to pull out the glass." I said and Max eyes widened even more as he crouched beside me and stared at my foot. "I can't." I rolled my eyes. "Why not?"

"Because..." was all Max said. "What? Do you have a phobia or something?" I stared at him unbelievable and then I shrugged frustrated. "Fine. I'll do it myself. Just, guard the door. We don't want to get caught." I said and pulled out the glass. "Argh." I said and threw the bloody piece of glass unto the floor. "You done?" Max asked and I nodded. "Now fetch me some bandage or what ever." I said and Max hurried over to the cabinet. "Hurry up or I'm gonna' bleed to death." I said and Max finally rushed to my side and took care of my foot. "Can you stand?" Max asked and I tried to raise from the floor by Max help. "Yes." I said and then I heard footsteps just outside the kitchen door. "Let's get the hell out of here." I said as we ran outside.

Chapter 19
--Ryan's Pov--

"Son of a bitch..." was my reaction as I watched the TV screen. A reporter was standing outside of Natasha Jones apartment talking about the current suspect of the murderer. My hand gripped tightly the TV remote and I sighted heavily. "So. The police are currently doing their best to arrest the possible murderer. And we recommend all people in the Sacramento area to watch out for the following man who's extremely dangerous." As she talked, a picture of an man appeared. He was in his mid twenties, he had green jade eyes and dark messy hair. Under the photo the name Ryan Moore stood. "Man... it's not even a good picture." I said sighting even more. "Hey, what is it?" I heard Max's voice behind me. "Well. They've got me. I'm screwed." I said and turned toward Max. "Who got you?" he asked and I raised my eyebrows. "Who do you think? I'm dead. The cops are everywhere..." I said upset. "Well... you didn't kill that girl, did you?" he asked and I sighted. "No. I didn't. You know that." I said and Max raised innocent his arms into the air. "I was just asking, cause if you didn't kill her, then who did?" Max asked and I turned my head toward Max who sunk tired down into the couch. "Well, I wasn't entirely 100 percent sure before. But now, I'm certain that Fredrick, or Garret did it." I said and eyed Max who's eyebrows turned into a bow. "Yeah.... them..." he empathized. "How did it go with Jaime by the way?" I changed the subject as he seemed to get off the track. "...okay I guess. why?" "Don't know. Last time I heard from you were a couple of days ago." I said. "Been busy. But hey, what else have I mentioned?" he asked and I scowled. "Uh. What do you mean?" I asked crossing my arms. "Um, you know, about Jaime." I raised my eyebrows giving him an questionable look. "What?" I asked again and he held his gaze over me I sighted.

"How would I know? That he's a D-bag, that he isn't any different from the other celebrities'?" Max seemed offended as I spoke those last words which surprised me a lot. He had said worse things in his darkest days. "What? You asked me to." I said and he bit his lip. "Yeah I guess so." he said and then his tense facial expression smoothened. "Why would you even bother with such an question, besides, where's your brother by the way?" I asked as I twinned my fingers, leaning against the sofa with my fingers resting on my knee's. "Eh. No reason." he said avoiding the subject. "So, are we going to watch some sport?" Max asked out of the blue. "Since when do you watch 'sports'" I asked caught of guard. Mostly Max wasn't that interested in TV. If he watched the TV it was mostly to see the news, nothing else. "Fine." he said, waving his hands in the air. "You got me." he said and turned on the TV with the remote. "What." what was he talking about? "I'm not Max." he simply said shrugging as he changed the channel, trying to find something to watch. "Then what... oh." I said. I wanted to face palm my self. I should have noticed that Max hadn't acted as himself. A smile appeared on Jaime's face as he managed to find a sports channel where they were playing soccer. Jaime leaned against the brown sofa, hands behind his head as he watched the TV. "Okay, then where is Max?" I asked and then Jaime turned his head toward me slowly, as he wasn't willing to let the sight of the TV slip away. "I don't know." he said briefly. "Could you be more specific?" I asked and Jaime rolled his eyes. "Fine, he dumped me here saying that he needed to take a walk to clear his head." I nodded, that sounded like Max. "But you don't know where he's gone?" I asked and received a gesture with his arm clearly saying no. "Okay. New topic. Mind telling me what you guys been up to lately?" I asked and then Jaime shoot an 'are you kidding me' look.

"Your mother." Jaime said and I flinched. I had to admit, Jaime and Max did look identical, but Max was nothing like Jaime- a self absorbed douche. They had the same cheekbones, mouth, nose, eyes, ears, voice, hair- just everything. When I looked at Jaime it was like seeing Max. Maybe it sounded creepy, but when I once was on the 'dark side' I had been made to watch the surveillance. Something that did indeed bug me about that was that the surveillance had been set up long before I had even started working there. It made me think back in time when I had practically been living on the streets- before all of this started, before the day I had set my foot inside that building that changed my life. It hadn't been easy, not really, to try your best to survive on the cold streets of Sacramento. I did have friends to stay with, but on the darkest days I had to sink into the level where I stood out on the streets and begged people of money. Those days hadn't been my proudest. But I did what I had to, to survive. While out in the cold I had kept rethinking "if it" hadn't have happened. But I guess that was their plan from the beginning to recruit me to their evil organization. And then my memories were drawn back to collage. It had been the last year for me, the last semester until I finally got to create a life of my own, a job, a house and maybe even a dog. Just in the middle of semester I had scored perfectly on the tests I had. It was no doubt that I would get straight A's in my classes by the end of the year. Even then I didn't really had a goal of my own. I didn't really know what I wanted from life, but one thing I knew was that I wanted to have a free choice when the time would come, that I could choose what ever I wanted from life when I was done with collage. But then as the semester started to reach its end, the principal had called me into the office. Not sure of what he wanted I had gone there prepared of anything he could've possible wanted to say. As I had reached his office, closed the door gentle and sat down in the chair in front of him the principal had straightened his spine, fixed his glasses and then placed his twinned fingers on the desk. Not sure what to come my hands had become sweaty but I had just brushed it off on my light blue jeans. I still clearly remembered every word he had said. "So. your test results are just stunning. Straight A's in your classes. How do you do that?" Innocent, I had smiled shyly. "Well. I study a lot, sir." I said, but the principal's face was rigid, and he gave me an cold stare. "Mr. Moore, I certainly do not tolerate lies, and definitely not cheaters." he had continued, in a cold voice. "What?" I had stuttered, not sure if I had heard right. "Answers to all the tests you've had have been discovered in your room, under your bed." my eyes had widened and my body had become tense. "We got an anonymous tip about you keeping test answers in your room." I had raised rapidly from the chair, nearly knocking the chair over as I had placed my hands on the desk staring into his cold grey eyes. "It's not true! Sir, I've never cheated in my life! It has to be a mistake!" I shouted but the principal remained calm. "We do not tolerate cheaters in our school so I don't see another choice then to expel you." I had turned so mad that I wanted to knock over that chair behind me.

"You were once a bright student. It's too bad that you wasted your one and only ticket to a bright future." It's too bad that you wasted your one and only ticket to a bright future. Those words still echoed in my mind. I had been mad for so long at everything and everyone after that I had turned off the reality. But now I finally knew who had done this to me. I knew for certain that Fredrick had placed those papers under my bed. What I didn't know though, was why. Had it all been a part of their crazy twisted plan- or was it just Fredrick who was a psychopath that did it for pleasure? What ever I thought or rethought didn't get me anywhere, I was just stuck in the same loop. I took a deep breath and glanced at Jaime who watched the TV intensely. The remote rested under his jaw and his brown eyes were reflecting the screen's light. I was kind of relieved that Jaime was too caught up in the TV to ask me anything. But even if he wouldn't, I wasn't sure that he would even care. And once again I was amazed by how identical they looked. If it hadn't been for their differences in their characters, I would never be able to tell who's who. A ring tone suddenly interrupted my thoughts and Jaime grunted, irritated of being interrupted of watching the game. As I understood that Jaime wouldn't move I reached for the phone that belonged to Jaime and looked to see that he got a message from someone called 'Phone 2'. "You got an text from "phone 2" I said and Jaime snorted. "Check it." he said it as some kind of command so I shrugged. I didn't liked being bossed around, but after working for Mr. Mickleson after all this time I had got used to it. I asked Jaime for the code and Jaime said some numbers and then I unlocked it, clicking on the message button. Hey, I'll be gone for a while. I don't know when I'll come back, but hopefully it will be soon. Don't try to reach me because I won't answer. -Max. I scowled as I finished the sentence. What did he mean by that? "What is it?" Jaime asked and I turned my sight toward Jaime. Judging by my puzzled look he probably noticed that something was off, so I just handed him the phone. Jaime sighted and stared at the phone. "What the hell is he up to?"

---Max's Pov--I exhaled some air and watched as the grey vapour spun into the air. It was nearly midnight already. And here I was, walking on the cold streets into the greater darker. My world had recently turned upside down since that day I discovered my identical twin brother. To think that all this started because of an interview I saw on TV... it was chaotic. I moved my fingers I had shoved into my pockets because of the coldness that constantly nibbled my fingers. Not long ago I had turned seventeen, if you counted my birthday record. Jaime's and mine were a bit different. My birthday for example, would be in approximate half an year. Jaime's on the

other hand indicated that his birthday was in just a few weeks. Two months to be precisely. I stared down at the black asphalt and sighted. The birth record Jaime had managed to found didn't say anything about our parents, but it said loud and clearly: Jaime, 1996, January 1th, 22:21. Max: 1996, July 22th 11:12. I curled my lip and gazed the darker that seemed to be one of the things that made sense anymore. It had been an inside job. Someone had mixed with the system. But the question was why. The only thing I was certain of anymore was that every time I looked around I saw enemies. "Jaime?" a soft voice said. I scowled as the person repeated the name. I recognized the voice but unfortunately I couldn't bring myself to remember who it was. So I turned around to see a girl. She was dressed in a long brown coat, she had what it looked in the darker black jeans, she had caramel curled hair, high cheekbones and brown eyes that glimmered in the darker. "Do you remember me?" she asked, tilting her head as she smiled lightly. I swallowed. Not until now I realized that I wasn't Jaime, that I was just Max- the freak from Phoenix. The games Jaime and I had kept on playing had started to affect me. One day when I spent a day covering for Jaime I actually caught myself for thinking that I wasn't actually him. So I shrugged, but regretted it immediately when I saw her face lit up in disappointment. "Oh. Then I guess that I will have to remind you." she took a step closer, and reached out with her arms, but immediately took them down as she saw my puzzled look. "I'm Alex. We met in a bus in Phoenix. We played laser tag. Remember?" It took me a minute to remember, but then I could clearly picture Alex. I felt like a douche for forgetting her so easily. She was one of the kindest people I knew in this world and I just forgot about her. I just wanted to face-palm myself for being such an idiot. "Oh, I do now." I said with a smirk and my mood turned happy instead. Just to see her made my heart beat speed up and my chins blushing, I remembered clearly the kiss- and it had been so... wonderful. I scowled. Maybe 'wonderful' wasn't the name I should be looking for. Maybe passionate was a better choice of words. "Either way." she interrupted my spinning thoughts. "I'm here to help." she said while throwing a glance over my shoulder. "Help with what?" I asked. "I know where your mom is." she said and the world seemed to stop, together with my heart. "What?" I finally stuttered, rapidly blinking. "It's a long story. But look, I don't have time to explain everything here. Get into the car and I will explain everything." she said but I stood still, frozen. "What do you mean? What's going on?" I asked and she clicked on her car key and a beep echoed in the darker.

"Please Jaime. Your mother's name is Jennifer Flores. You can meet her now, but you need to trust me." "Trust you? I don't even know what you are talking about!" I said and her eyes narrowed as she was thinking of a problem that was hard to solve. "Jaime. It's now or never. And besides, it's me Jaime. You know I wouldn't do anything to hurt you." she said and I took a deep breath. "What, crazy fan 99? I don't know." I was surprise of the coldness in my voice. I wasn't exactly sure how I could turn from excited to stone cold in just a few seconds, but apparently it was possible. "Please. Jaime, I'm talking about your mother. You can finally meet her! But it's dangerous for me- us, to be talking about this here, on these streets. Someone could be eavesdropping." she said fast, but tried her best to remain calm. I eyed her for a few more seconds, then I stared at the ground. Didn't she know that Jaime had a mother? But then again she thought I was Jaime- I couldn't blame her though. "I already have a mother." I said snorting. Since she thought I was Jaime I could keep up with the acting. "Yes, but Jaime, Katherine isn't your real mom." she said. I kept quiet for some seconds, thinking of what to respond. "Really? How can I trust you? How would you feel if someone you barely knew caught hold of your arm and told you those things." "You don't. But I'm pretty sure that you know it too. That you're adopted." I swallowed but didn't meet her eyes. How could she possibly know these kind of things? "If I go with you, will you tell me everything. Starting with how the hell you know this kind of stuff?" she scowled but seemed to relax as she got the cue. "Yes." she said as the wind ruffled her hair. Seeing her admonishing I finally nodded, and a pleasant smile appeared on her lips. Satisfied she grabbed my hand which I raised my eyebrows at as she led me to her car.

Chapter 20

--Max's Pov-Dear Max and Jaime. If you're reading this it means that I haven't been around your childhood really. The reason why I'm not there is because someone's betrayed me; and that's why they took me away. Right now I'm looking at Max's who's sucking his thumb with his eyes closed. He's so adorable. And Jaime... wide awake hugging his brown teddy bear. I'm sorry, for sliding so easy of the topic... it's just so hard to write this. And I don't know how. If this would fall into the wrong hands who knows what would've happen. But hopefully you two are not reading this and everything have gone as planned. But if it you would, I'll give you a clue. 2 is for T, 7 is for U, 1 is for S, 4 is for C, 3 is for N, 5 is for O, 6 is for 3, 8 is for 8 and 9 is for B.

Love, J.F Scowling I went over the letter once, twice and a seventh time. What numbers? What letters? Was this my real mom? Had she gotten kidnapped? Was she even alive?

I carefully placed down the letter beside me in the passenger seat and eyed Alex who gazed me curious. "And?" she asked as I scratched the back of my hand thinking of what to say. "How did you get this." I said, pointing at the letter with my right index finger. "Jaime... I..." she looked tired, but most of all guilty. She looked like she had accidentally burned down the city with a lighter but told everyone that someone else had done it. "A few months back, I was broke. I wasn't going to collage, I had no job, no collage degree and I was completely screwed." Alex begun silently. "I had gotten kicked out on the streets by my parents. I had made a few shady stuff in the past, but it wasn't until then my parents found out, and then my father threw out all my stuff unto the street- yelling that if he ever saw me again he would call the police." Alex in dead pain. "So, here I was, out on the cold streets all alone... but lets face it, it had been my fault from the whole beginning." she stopped talking and stroke her fingers under her eyes as she was checking if some tears had fallen. I listened silently but didn't interrupt her when she said the part about making "Shady stuff."

"That's when Garret comes into the picture." my heart skipped a beat when I heard his name. "Garret? What does he have to do with any of this?" I stuttered. "Everything." Alex said in a whisper. After a couple of seconds doubt she moved closer, but remained silent. "Care to elaborate?" I asked her when she didn't say anything. "Jaime, I was working for Garret." Alex said. My pulse slowed down and my heart stopped. It was like the time had stopped having meaning and that the world had frozen. "What?" I managed to ask though my shock. "Jaime, I'm sorry..." she started, but I couldn't even pay attention to what she was saying. It was confirmed. Garret had known all along. He had known about me and Jaime long before I had even met Jaime. I felt uncomfortable chills down my spine as I stared at my trembling hands. "So after all this time? Since the first time you saw me, it was all an act?" I asked quietly. "Yes." she said and stroke my shoulder. "But not anymore." she continued and I remained silent. What the hell was going on? Cameras and bugs in my and Jaime's homes, Garret sending Alex to spy on me? I ran my fingers quickly through my hair trying to grasp reality. What ever was happening wasn't about some stupid commercial, company or what ever. It was about something far more complicated and dangerous. I flinched away from Alex touch and threw myself at the car door and opened it. "Jaime!" she yelled but I ignored her screaming my name over and over as I ran down the asphalt road into the darker and coldness. This wasn't real. This couldn't be real. I already knew that cameras had been installed in our houses for a while- but I could never guess that they had been there before I even got to know Jaime. What game was Garret playing? And part of the game was Jaime and I really playing? What could he possibly want from us? He had kidnapped me once, but before he had told me what the hell he wanted from me Ryan had pulled off the fire alarm. As I heard heals hitting the asphalt behind me I turned right toward the woods. I ran over the wet dark grey grass trying my bets not to fall as I escaped into the safety of trees. When I was younger I used to go to the woods in order to escape the reality. But now I needed to escape Alex, who was currently hunting me. I didn't trust her. I couldn't trust her. After she said the words about working for Garret I had lost my interest of ever wanting her help. Ryan had been working for Garret though, but that was a whole other story. "Jaime!" the name echoed in the darker as I kept running blindly between the trees. It couldn't have been more than eight minutes but I already started to feel exhausted, but I could hear Alex coming closer by each step. I dared to take a look back, were I saw nothing more then darker and trees. Why could I hear her but not see her? Panic raised within me and I stopped,

running my fingers through my hair, glancing back and forth. The sound I had heard had stopped, which was now replaced with the trees movements. I spun around but couldn't see anyone, so I let my self take a breath. An uneasy feeling made me doubt myself. What if I had lost Alex as I had ran into the forest but my mind had played a trick on me making me believe that I had still been haunted? I shook the thought off. No, I couldn't be insane. This have happened a lot of times to other people. This was exactly what heightened adrenaline did. I told myself, avoiding the bigger problem. I had no idea where I was. The only thing I knew was that I had been running for more then eight minutes. But then I remembered that I had a phone so I lowered my hand to take it out from my pocket. As I felt the jeans material against my fingers instead of the phone the panic raised again. "No." I whispered as I couldn't find my phone in my pockets. I had lost my phone. The one thing that could get me out of here. When I had been running- I had runned in circles trying my best to get rid of her. But now I was lost in a big old forest with no phone. Suddenly, a white tissue appeared in font of me, and then someone pressed the tissue against my mouth while pinching my nose, making me breath through the tissue that stunk of chlorophyll. I tried to shook off the tissue but the person's hand followed my movements. Then the world seemed to flicker and the person dropped their hand with the cloth. Incapable of feeling, moving or standing, I fell to the ground, feeling my head hitting hard against a rock. The pain rushed through my head and then the world faded.

---Jaime's Pov--Ryan's eyes gazed me hopeless as I swallowed, understanding that Ryan didn't think we had a chance of finding Max anytime soon. "I just don't understand why." I said as I kicked a rock that laid on the asphalt. "I'm not even sure why he would do something like this. Just disappear." I continued. "Me neither." Ryan commented. "Really? Is that what you're contributing with?" I asked him a bit pissed at his brief comment. "Hey I'm sorry, but nagging at each other won't bring Max back." Ryan said. Starring at the ground, I nodded. "Yes, I know. But I'm... worried." I said. Ryan's eyes narrowed as I said 'worried'. "Max's been missing for five days. I honestly don't think that it's a coincidence that he decided to 'cut himself off the world'. I said thoughtfully. But then an uneasy thought slipped through my mind.

"Do you think that Max's been... captured by Garret?" I asked Ryan who stared at the asphalt scowling with his arms behind his back. "Honestly- I have no idea. But I know that something's up since he wouldn't just disappear like that." Ryan said. We were walking around in the nearest park Max could've gone to when he had dropped me off the night he had disappeared. "Do you think that someone took his phone and sent a 'fake' message?" Ryan said which the question made me want to kick another rock. "I don't know." Those were the words I hated to say, well- in public at least. At home I didn't mind waving off my parent's with that sentence. 'Knowledge is power', that's what people say. So saying 'I don't know' makes you theoretically stupid. "Jaime, we've been over this park over and over again. It's time to go back." Ryan said and I finally nodded after a few seconds of doubt. My life was a total mess right now. Max was gone and my parents outraged. After Max and I had escaped my home, I hadn't talked to them for three days. They were mad, disappointed but most of all- afraid. Well, I couldn't blame them. They have this famous kid that keeps disappearing into thin air, but when he comes back he acts weird, differently- out of character. It hurted me though, that they thought the problem was drugs. But oh if they knew what was really going on. What would they really do? I was seventeen, nearly eighteen. Finding my parents wouldn't matter as much to them anymore when I turn eighteen. "Either he's going to call us or we will find him." Ryan said as we reached the car. I nodded and opened the car door . "What ever he's doing, he probably have a reason to." Ryan continued. "I know, but I just wish that he wouldn't have left me with all this shit to take care of." I said and in the corner of my eye Ryan nodded. "He will probably get in touch with us soon." Ryan said. "Yeah... probably." I said, not so convinced.

Chapter 21
---Max's Pov---

"She's over there." Alex said, pointing at a building just outside of the car. I stared at the building not believing what I was seeing. "Is this a trick?" I asked Alex who stroke away a strand of hair behind her ear. "No." she said and I turned my gaze toward the building again. "After all these years she couldn't be with us because..." my voice was deep and I felt that I was about to cry so I stroke my face with my palm trying my best to not cry. "Yes." Alex said. "If you hurry, maybe you can go and meet her." Alex said and I frowned. "But, how did you manage to find her?" I asked Alex who smiled vaguely. "It's a long story." she said and I nodded. I honestly didn't want to waste anymore time so I grabbed the handle of the car door and stepped out of the car. I couldn't believe it, but I was finally about to see my mom. My real mom. Not the mother who I grew up with- the mother who I thought hated me. So I walked over the asphalt and when I reached the building, I pushed open the door and walked in. One day earlier "What's going on? Where am I?" I said as I woke up. I was in some kind of car, with black leather seats and dark windows. A cold hand grabbed my arm and i tried to shook it off, which I managed to do. "Jaime?" A soft voice asked and I emmidetly rose from the seat. "Alex.... what?" the memories of the chasing of the woods returned and I flinched from her touch. "The hell did you do to me?" I said trying to understand what was going on. "Jaime, I know how this looks- but please understand, I only want your best." she said which made me jump closer to the car door. "By kidnapping me?" then I remembered the cloth or what ever it was someone had put over my mouth. "By... drugging me? Is that why I feel so weak?" I said accusing as Alex's eyes wandered on the car's ceiling. "I did what I had to." she said in a husky voice. "Oh god." I said as I covered my face with my palm. "What is it you want from me?" I asked and Alex bit her lip.

"Justice." she said after a while. "Justice of what?" "Of... everything. Look, I can explain everything- but I need you to trust me, and not to run off like that again." Alex said and I swallowed. I wasn't sure of what I should respond, so I clenched my hand into a fist and and placed the fist on my knee. "How could I possibly trust you? You're working for Garret. He's the bad guy. You have to realise that." I said. "I know... when Ryan left- I gained my courage and left just a few days later. What he was doing is just wrong." Alex said as her brown eyes met mine. "So when I left, I did my best trying to find a way to help you." I frowned as she said that. If she had been working for Garret, shouldn't she've know about me and Jaime? The twins? Because that was what their whole crazy "Organization" was up to, wasn't it? The only thing I didn't understand was why. "Jaime. I've managed to find your mother." I remained still and speechless. The last time she said that I had ran out of the car into the forest. It ended with her drugging me. But not untill now the thought hit me. "Alex, how long was I out? How long did you drug me?" Frowning of my sudden change of subject she shrugged. "Just a few hours." she said. "Jaime. I am so sorry for what I did to you. I just didn't see any other alternative. Please fogive me." she then said. I stared at the bottom of the car and then I met her gaze. "Forgive you for drugging me or spying on me?" I couldn't help it. I was still pissed at Alex, besides, I was light headed after the drug and it was hard to think sometimes. "Both." she said. I don't really know how long we had the staring contest, but in the end I broke the eye contact. "I can't." Alex's eyes studied me with eyes glimmering of guilt and then she nodded. "But I can let you help me." I said after a while. I couldn't really believe that Alex would change like that just for me, so I remained sceptical. People never change. The words echoed in my mind. My father's words. He had said it just a few weeks before he had passed away. I still visited his grave once a week. Every Sunday to be precisely. I used to tell him what I had done the last week, even if I knew that he couldn't respond I had kept on talking to him. I

felt bad for not being able to visit my father for over two weeks. My hand automatically seeked for the silver watch on my right arm, paranoid if it was still there and I hadn't lost it while running in the woods. "With what?" Alex's voice penetrated through my mind and I woke up into the reality as my hand touched my watch. "By letting me borrow your phone." I said and Alex sighted. "I'm sorry Jaime. But I can't risk carrying around a phone that could easily be tracked." Alex said briefly, with the previous guilty eyes. I bit my lower lip trying to think. "Then take me to her." I said. *** All along she hadn't been gone. My birth mother had been placed in a psychiatric clinic. What she had wrote in the letter seemed to clear up things. Like, 'they will take me' or something like that she had written. I couldn't really remember right now- which I now blamed the drugs Alex had stuffed me with. But if it wasn't drugs it was the chlorophyll she had said... light headed, I told myself. When I reached the canteen I placed my hands on the disk and a frowning appeared on the older lady that sat behind the disk. "How can I help you?" she asked a bit confused, since it probably seemed a bit off for a seventeen year old to step inside a psychiatric clinic. "Um. I'm looking... I'm looking for a patient named Jennifer Flores..." I stuttered. I was really nervous right now since I didn't have a clue of how to do this. "Oh. Name please." she said and then started clicking on her computer. I wasn't sure what to respond. I could tell her my real name, but since I'm a minor maybe she would want to call the parents. But since I didn't have any it was a problem. Second- Alex was in the car. While she had given me a ride here we had sort of bounded over the time- but I was still sceptical about her. "Name?" she asked again. Alex was in the car for now, but not for long. She could get over here and ask about my name. And since Alex didn't know my real name- who I really was. I would like to keep it that way. So I smiled toward the older lady. "My name's Jaime Phills." I wasn't quite sure if Jaime would approve me borrowing his name, but since the Alex situation I honestly couldn't see another way. A frown appeared on the old lady's face and she clicked on a few buttons on her keyboard while her eyes narrowed. She looked around the room as she expected company. But it was just me and her in the white painted room. The room was small and had a corridor that led somewhere deeper into the building. "What relation do you have to her?" she then asked.

"Well..." I needed to come up with a answer fast since I didn't want to look like I was doubting or something like that. "Well... she's my... friend." I said slowly. "If you want to meet her you'll have to fill in this documents. I'm sorry but you'll have to read and sign it." she said while handing me a bunt of papers. I went quickly through the pages to notice it consisted of like twenty pages. I swallowed since it would take a while to sign it all. "It's the policy." she said as she saw my disappointed face. I sighted and since I didn't have any other choice I took a pen and sat down in a white chair. What I noticed about this room was that it didn't have any sharp objects. This psychiatric clinic do not responds for injuries the patients may cause you during the visiting hours. I sighed again but couldn't really focus on what I was reading. I was just a step away from meeting my birth mother. And here I was, reading while signing and writing on a bunch of papers. I didn't want to do this anymore, I thought after I was done with the five pages. But I got terrified as I saw that I had 15 pages left. A cell phone suddenly started ringing and the older lady suddenly rose from her chair, picking up the phone and was about to disappear through a door behind her as a thought hit me. "You know? I will come back later. Goodbye." I said and started to walk away toward the exit door. The old lady disappeared through the door without a word and when she closed the door, I walked quickly by the disk careful not to make a sound. I disappeared into the corridor and stopped as I saw the doors. The white corridor had many doors. The doors had a small window inside of them, so that you could peek inside the room's, which I found very useful at the time being. So I walked down the corridor, and studied the papers that hung on the wall right next to the door. On the top of the page the patience name stood, and under the symptom's were. So I went through the names quickly, nervous of finally getting to see my mom. My mother. I flinched after five minutes of searching. Jennifer Flores. I swallowed. This was it. I was finally about to meet my mother. I didn't read her problem's on the papers since I just couldn't wait anymore. I was finally about to get the answers I wanted. So I pushed down the handle and opened the door. And there she was. She had blonde long shiny hair and green jade eyes. She wore grey sweatpants and a white shirt. She sat down while what it looked like played chess. "Miss... Flores?" I said. I looked at the woman in front of me. My mother. The nervosity disappeared and was replaced with joy. Jennifer... no. My mom, looked up. She was so beautiful. I got to notice. (Not in any pervy way). "Yes?" she said. I swallowed but remained on the same spot. I opened my mouth trying to think of a way to say this, but I couldn't. So I decided to just say everything.

"My name's Max Blake and you're my birth mother." I said perfectly still. A frown appeared on my mom's face but instead of looking at me her gaze returned to the chess and she moved a piece. "Come and play with me, Max." she said without eye contact. Not until now I was able to rip my eyes off her. So I looked around the room. This room had a grey floor but white walls. There was a bedded bed that stood on the left side of the room. On the right side a bookcase stood stuffed with books. Since Jennifer was still waiting I sat down in the chair and looked over the dark pieces that were mine. "You're my mom." I said once her gaze turned toward me. She rested her hands under the chin and her elbows against the table. Her green eye's studied me mysterious but then she looked down at the pieces. "I'm not anyone's mother. Now. It's your turn." I felt my heart ache as she said those words. "Yes you are. Seventeen years ago you gave birth to two boys. And finally after all this time I've finally found you." "It's your turn." she said, as she completely ignored what I just said. Not sure of what to do I looked over the pieces and moved the horse. She frowned while looking at the spread out pieces. "Please, mom. Jennifer?" I said. I hadn't spent all this time looking for this person just to be ignored. "I've already told you. I'm not anyone's mother." she said still. "Yes you are." She sighed impatient and turned her gaze toward me once again. "My son's died sixteen years ago." I scowled. "What? No." I said. "I'm your son." I insisted. "No you are not. In fact, I don't even know if you're here. If you're even real." I took a deep breath trying to calm down. I tried to think of a way to convince her, but it was so hard. "Your turn." she said. "Jennifer. How did your son's die?" I asked. I didn't want to push her or anything. But I just wanted her to see me. See that I wasn't dead. Jennifer sighed, as she really didn't want to talk about it. "Sixteen year's ago my son caught a virus. He got a high fever and to my terrifyment he infected the other child. Without a clue of what to do I drove them to the hospital. Later that

night they declared them... dead." she spoke in a say that made my body shiver. Because she said it so... distant. But then I realised what she had said. "No, It's not true. That's note true. I'm right here mom. It's me, Max." she shook her head and suddenly rose from her chair. "I would want to believe you. I do. But I'm a Schizophrenic. You know what that is? That I can see things." I felt guilty for just throwing out the word mother earlier. "I've been it for a while. Sometimes I see them. My children. As little infants. That's why I can't be sure of what I see is true." she said. I felt my heart sunk. But I still didn't want to give up the hope so I stepped closer to her and touched her arm. "Do you feel it? I'm real Jennifer. I'm not a part of your imagination." all of sudden she flinched back and took a deep breath. "No." she whispered. "You're not real." "Yes I am!" I couldn't be calm anymore. "Help!" she then yelled stepping away from me. "Help me!" she screamed and stood against the wall as far away from me as I could. "Help!" she kept yelling. But I stood frozed with no Idea of what I was supposed to do. "We are not dead!" I said louder so that she would calm down. But then a red small lamp started blinking beside the door. "Jaime and I aren't dead! Your children aren't dead! Just look at me!" I said loud. Then I heard a loud pounding and an old lady came into the room followed by two men that looked like two workers. "Take him." she said toward the workers but I just couldn't move. I was too shocked. I turned my gaze toward Jennifer that looked like she saw a ghost. Wide eyed leaning against the wall. Then the two men grabbed each of my arm. It wasn't until then that I woke up from my shock and I started struggle against them. "No! let go of me!" sure, I had maybe got into Jennifer Flores room without permission, but they couldn't do this to me. "Take him away from here and lock him in 23." the old lady said. "No! What are you doing? What have I done?" I asked, beside the obvious. "You're not Jaime Phills." was all she said before she made a gesture with her hand for the 'guards' to drag me somewhere. But I struggled trying my best to break free. I didn't want to

end up in a psychiatric clinic. I only came here to meet my mom. Then the one guard eyed the old lady and the lady nodded, pulling out a syringe. Instead of trying to calm down panic raised inside me. I hated syringe's. "Please no. I'll stop." my voice cracked. Trying to talk while in panic while struggling to break free from two guard's was hard. But right now I was terrified. What were they doing? Why were they taking me somewhere? Then the stabbed me with the needle on the top of my arm. Just below the shoulder. The pain paralyzed me. "Stop." I begged. "I'll stop." I said as I all of sudden started to feel weak. "Why are you doing this to me?" I asked. It was hard to talk but I managed it. I wasn't struggling anymore because it was too exhausting. The guards dragged me down the corridor and there was nothing I could do. "You've been charged of impersonating a certain celebrity but also you've been charged of drug addict..." I think that she said even more, but I couldn't hear what she said anymore. I couldn't walk and collapsed, if it wouldn't be for the guard's I would probably have hit the floor.

Chapter 22
--Jaime's Pov--

I chewed on my thumbnail as I pushed my laptop shut, uncapable of getting rid of the thought that kept nagging me. "Nothing?" Ryan asked. After staring accusing at the laptop for a couple of minutes I let out a sigh. "Nothing." I said empty. The brother that had once found me was gone. Like a needle in a haystack. "But the thing I don't understand is why. He could've called, sent a text, skyped, hell, he could even have sent a letter. Old fashioned." Ryan swallowed while staring at the grey carpet. "I'm not sure if we should be accusing him after all..." Ryan started but I shook my head, throwing my hands in the air. "You know? Stoppit. Just stop. There are basic facts I've Always followed no matter what, and you know what those are?" I guess that his silence was my cue. "Don't trust anyone. And certainly not strangers." his Eyes flickered as if he got hurt by my Words. That was one of my skills I had- to hurt people by simple Words. "I... certainly couldn't agree more." Ryan said after a while- with a neutral voice. "Glad we cleared that up." I said as I picked up the laptop. "Where're you going?" Ryan asked and I let out a sigh while walking toward my bag. "Nowhere." I said briefly while sliding the laptop into the green bag. "Jaime... instead of looking for him... shouldn't we... call the police? Cause Max isn't just gone anymore. He's missing." "Call the police? So that they can throw you into jail for a murder I'm not sure you committed or not? Well, how much it hurts my pride to say this- you're a too much of a value for me to go wasted." Ryan blinked a few times as he wasn't sure if he could hear me correctly. "You say what?" Ryan stammered. "Hey, I ain't repeating that." I said and closed the bag. "Besides. I don't think the police will do much good." Ryan's gaze wandered over me concerned. "Still. What if something happened?" I abruptly raised from the floor and clenched my hands into fists. "Don't you think that that thought have crossed my mind? Besides, he sent a message.

"...a message practically anyone could've been sent by anyone holding his phone." I got irritated. Why did he have to be such an pain in the ass? Why couldn't he just let it go? If Max was indeed in trouble, there was no way I could find out where he was. Because believe me, I've tried to find him, which ended in failure. "I know." I answered Ryan after a while. "I know. It's been two weeks. And there is nothing I can do. I'm sorry, but truth speaking. You're a murderer for the sociality. I am a celebrity. I got fans. Hell, I got people that I don't even know or people that I haven't met that loves me. I just... can't run around like this any longer. I am sorry Ryan. But I'm not sure that I'll ever be able to trust you. Sure, maybe Max doesn't have a grudge against you. We look alike, a lot actually- but I'm not Max. So stop pretending." Ryan swallowed and looked at the floor, frowning. "Do you know what pisses me off? When I tried to do one good deed, to help you, help Max. And I end up as a fugitive. 'The murderer' as everyone around here thinks I am. And hell. I don't have any other reason to stay here than for you two. I helped Max escape because I honestly thought that what Garret did was wrong. So stop giving me crap about not helping you, being a 'stranger' because right now I am honestly just a friend. I'm not an enemy Jaime. I'm not your enemy. You just have to remember who really is." what he said took me aback. Because I honestly didn't expect him saying that in such cold words. I couched and said, "Right." Do you know what's worth fighting for When it's not worth dying for Does it take your breath away And you feel yourself suffocating Does the pain weigh out the pride And you look for a place to hide Did someone break your heart inside You're in ruins One, 21 guns Lay down your arms, give up the fight One, 21 guns Throw up your arms into the sky, you and I "Are you going to answer that?" I could barerly answer Ryan that gazed me with a raised brow as the song kept going on. "That's not my phone." I said as the realization hit me. I froze. The phone didn't belong to either of us.

When you're at the end of the road And you lost all sense of control And your thoughts have taken their toll When your mind breaks the spirit of your soul Your faith walks on broken glass And the hangover doesn't pass Nothing's ever built to last You're in ruins The phone's signals never seemed to stop. I rasied my eyes toward Ryan's who seemed to think the same thing as me. Garret. What if he knew all along where Ryan had been? Or what if he knew where we had been all along? Maybe taking down the cameras weren't the smartest idea after all.... I thought bitter. Then the ringing stopped. Relieved I walked over to the phone that had been ringing for a minute. I was standing in front of a wardrobe and I opened it and took out the phone. It was just an apple phone. Since the phone wasn't password potected I ulocked it and cheked who had called, but the number was anonymous. Which could only mean one thing: that Garret knew where we were. Right here, right now- we were in the middle of a psychopath's game. Instead of thinking I threw the phone on the floor and stomped on it, so that the screen cracked. "Why did you do that?" Ryan asked and I shrugged. "Garret knows where you are. His probably knew where you are all along. His been tracking us. Man, I thought that we had the advantage. But I guess I was wrong." the only thing I couldn't answer was why. Why call now? After all this time? There needed to be a reason. My body turned stiff in a split second where the thought hit me: that Max was in danger and that the psychopath had caught him. Ryan had been right all along. Angeline had been right all along. I shouldn't have let this go this far. I couldn't believe the theory about Max just leaving for just a couple of days anymore. I needed to find him before something might happen to him. "Jaime, are you ok?" I nodded and kicked the phone over the floor. "I just hope that Max is." --Max's Pov--

"What did I do?" I asked the old lady that stood in front of me. She sighed while crossing her arms. "Identity thefts, death threats, abuse of drugs..." "But none of that is true!" I exclaimed while trying to move my arms that were stuck in a straitjacket. "Yes it is. And your real name isn't Jaime. It's Max. What I can read from your files is that your mother and father's left you two years back." "My father's dead." I interrupted her. "No. He's not. "Yes he is!" I yelled. I got mad. Mad at her, mad at the men behind her and mad at the whole world. I hated when people who didn't know about him talked about him. "Max. I'm well aware that your childhood haven't been easy. With a depressed mother and an alcoholic for a dad..." "Shut up!" I yelled. "None of that's true!" The old lady sighed and rolled her eyes. "And beside, I've never used drugs! You have no right to hold me!" "Indeed we do, actually." "That makes no sense!" "It doesn't have to." "But I've never taken drugs in my whole life!" the old woman got suddenly mad, and her face turned tense. "Don't you lie. We've found trace of drugs in your system. Illegal drugs for the matter." "What? I'm clean! I swear to god!" "Well, the test reports says different." I bit my lower lip looking at the floor trying to think of a way to solve the problem. "I'm sorry." I said afterwards. "But please. Just call my brother. This was just a game. Just a prank. I swear I haven't done anything."

"We can't" Again she cut me off coldly. Since they've held me captive in here for a little more then a week I did tell her everything. Everything about Jaime. I even told her about Garret. But instead of helping me she told the workers to put me in a straitjacket. I wanted to laugh, I wanted to cry, but most of all, I wanted out of here. I just wanted my life back. If I had ever complained about it earlier I would definitely stop from here and now. "I think we're done for today." she said and started to walk toward the door. "No, please wait!" I said naive. "I promise you, no, I swear to you that everything I've said earlier was the truth. I'm innocent!" I kept going on. But she didn't stop untill she opened the door and the men walked out, as she was about to close the door on the otherside, she slipped her head in the doorway, "You don't know how many times I've heard those words. And you have no idea of how many times those words turned out to be a lie." before I could say anything else, she closed the door leaving me completely alone in a white room. My hopes of ever getting out of here crumbled and I sunk down onto the floor so that I lied on my back facing the grey ceiling. My hair fell over my eyes, hiding the tears that were about to fall. --Jaime's Pov--Later that day, someone called my phone. "Jaime?" I frowned as I answered. Numbers I didn't recognize lit up the screen while I clicked on the 'answer' button. "Thank god." a girl said on the other end. "Um. Hello?" "Okay. Jaime. We got a problem." my body froze. I hoped to god that this wasn't a hook up gone wrong. "Eh, I don't know how to explain this..." if this was someone I had hooked up with a while back I was screwed. The press would go insaine, my 'parent's' would freak... but then I honestly couldn't remember where I would give out my number to someone I've slept with... "Jaime. It's about Max." my paranoid thoughts took an end and I couldn't help but let out a "What?" "My name's Alex." "Oh..." I said, I had no idea who she was, but I pretended that I did anyways. "Listen. Max's in trouble. We need to talk." I frowned as I stood up from the chair I had been sitting in.

"When where? And besides, if you don't mind me asking, who are you?" I put the jokes aside and turned serious. If Max was in danger there was no more time to waste in conspiracy's. "I'm Alex, a friend of Max." I nodded and swallowed. "Do you know where he is? Have you seen him?" I asked and bit my lower lip. "His in Tucson. In a psychiatric clinic." I nearly dropped the phone of shock. What? Why? "He... he is?" I stammered. I couldn't believe it. After all this time he had been locked in a cell? "Yes. But you need to hurry. I think they are going to put him in the court." "The court? What for?" "Identity thefts, drug abuse etc." "What?" was my reaction again. Max wasn't an addict. Or at least I would never guess that he was. But then I took a step back. "Wait. Did you say identity theft? Beside the drug part?" "Yes. But please Jaime. You got to hurry." "No. Wait. What kind of crime did he commit by that?" it was hard to believe what I was hearing. What if Max wasn't the person I thought he was? What if he really was just an narc, that happen to look like me and decided to steal my life? What if there was no Garret? What if it was just... Max? That Max was the one that put up those cameras? But then again Ryan had said otherwise. But what if they both were in it? And Ryan did kill the girl, with Max's help? What if the both of them were just psycopath's that were ut for money- and Max had offered Ryan a cut. I shook my head as I suffocated the thoughts. Max wasn't a psychopath. And I'm quite sure that no one could come up with such stories. Things were just so fucked up right now. "It's a long story. You can meet me there." Alex said. "Um, could you. Um. Be more specific?" "Tucson 89B" "Okay." I said and then she hung up. "Hey, Ryan!" I shouted as I made my way to the kitchen. *** "Are you sure about this?" Ryan asked once he parked the car outside the clinic.

"Positive." I bit my thumb nail as I studied the clinic. "I can't believe that his been there after all this time." he said. "Yeah, well, you better do." I responded briefly. What I still couldn't solve was why and how he had got there. Why would he choose to go there? There had to be a reason to why he would pick this particular city. But what? And why not call? Why not tell us where he had gone? I covered my face with my palm and then I stroke my palm down my face. "Okay. I guess that we bail him out?" I tried but Ryan shook his head and I kept gazing the clinic. "If his going to court there isn't really much we could do. If he was convicted of drug abuse and identity theft we can't do anything until the court takes place." when he said the words drug abuse my body froze and I stopped breathing for a second. I gazed him from the corner of my eye and couldn't actually believe it. I swallowed and tried to act normally- but it was hard. When I told Ryan about Max being in the clinic, I told him about the identity theft part, but not the drug part. I had feared this for a time now. That Ryan wasn't the person we thought he was. So after all this time, he hadn't been on our side. He had all along worked for Garret. I opened the car door and jumped out so that I could think without his presence for a second. If Ryan was working for Garret, pretending to go A-wall in order to join us, what motive could he possibly have? And then I remembered that he was wanted for murder. I think that either Max or Ryan mentioned that Garret could pull a few strings so that it looked like Ryan had made it. But then. Why would Garret make the job harder for Ryan than it already was? I sighed. Maybe Ryan could fool Max, but to fool me wasn't that easy. "So how do we do this?" Ryan asked once he stepped outside of the car. "I'll take care of it." I said firmly and started to walk over to the clinic. "Then what am I supposed to do?" Ryan asked and I tried to keep my voice steady. "If you find the backdoor, Max and I could escape through it." "Wait. So we're breaking him out." I eyed him sceptical. "Obviously." the sarcasm seemed to hurt him since he flinched. The part about escaping through the backdoor was just smething I had made up. Since there was no way Ryan could've known about the drug part he had to be in touch with Garret. And that made my skin shiver. "See you in ten minutes." I said and walked into the clinic. A young lady stood behind the desk and watched me as some kind of volture. She quickly clicked on her computer and after a few seconds she seemed relieved but at the same time confused. "How can I help you?" she asked while she put on a fake smile.

"Oh I think you know exactly." I said cocky, but then I remembered that I was in a psychiatric clinic and that this probably wasn't the best place to get all sassy. "Part me?" she asked and I put on a smile. "Sorry. I'm just nervous. I'm here to see a patient." "Hm." she said as a frown appeared on her face. "His name's Max Blake." "Oh?" "Yea, could I please see him? It's important." she looked into my pleading eyes and then she sighed. "I'm not really autorized to let in any visitors. But I guess that I could make an exception." she said and picked out a bunch of papers. "Just fill these and you can meet him." she said and I nodded. She showed me where to sign and I smiled thankfully while I went through the papers. When I was done I gave her the papers which she went through quickly and then she ran her red painted nails through her ginger hair. "Follow me." she said and walked into an corridor. What freaked me out wasn't that I was probably surrounded by psychopath's. It was just the small corridor and the overly white floor and walls. Like the designer's were obssessed with the color. Beside the doors hung papers were where the patient's name's stood and so on. And finally the woman stopped and looked at the door. "Max Blake." she said as she was thinking outloud. She slid a card on the left side of the door and then then the door opened. "Okay, so if the patient would be bothering you, you can simply press this button and help will come." she said as she handed me a small black thing. "Okay. Thank you." I said and smirked. I guess that most of the guest visiting wanted some kind of privacy. The door opened and I walked inside. Someone layed on the floor, with a white straitjacket on, grey pants and blond hair that had fallen over the person's eyes. "Max?" I asked and when he heard my voice he suddenly rose from the floor. "Jaime?" he said and smiled. "It's good to see you. You have no idea." "Yeah yeah I know." I said and helped him up.

"They put you in a straitjacket? Really?" "Well, yes. Apparantly they did." I wanted to make fun of him more, but then I remembered what was at stake and I took of his straitjacket. "We need to get out of here." I said and Max shrugged. "Yeah but how?" I couldn't help but notice that something was a little bit off with Max. He was acting... differently. "Hey Max, did they give you something?" Max swinged his head from the right to the left. "I'm not sure anymore. Since I told them about you and my family they started stuffing me with pills and injections." What he just said didn't make much sense so I would guess that the Max I knew was gone. Or well, at least temporarily. So if I told him about Ryan now I wasn't sure how he would react so I just grabed his shoulder. "You just need to follow me , okay?" I asked and Max nodded. I had to admit though, it was kinda' weird to see an identical copy of yourself in a psychiatric clinic dressed in a straitjacket. I guess that there was no way in escaping that window so I grabbed Max's arm and walked out to the corridor. "Alright." I said as I eyed right and left. "Lets go left." I said and ran with a slower Max behind me. As we ran and ran down the endless I finally saw something that looked like a window and opened it. It was surprisingly how easy it was to break out, I thought as I dragged Max through the window outside. I should probably write a complain about that later. "Follow me." I told max once more as we ran through the woods to the parking lot. I would love to discuss all my conspiracy's with Max if it wouldn't be for the fact that the clinic was probably aware of our little 'escape' and of course that Max was currently stuffed with drugs. Poor kid. "I'm tired." Max said after a while, but then I saw the parking lot and our car. "It's just a few feet's left. You'll survive." I said and as I said we reached the car. What Ryan hadn't noticed, was that I had taken the keys. So I opened the door and helped Max into the passager seat and tighten his seat belt. I walked around the car and jumped into the driver's seat and put on the seat belt. "Barf in the car and I swear to god I will cut you." I said and Max frowned, as he didn't understood what I said. I started the car and turned out onto the main road. Instead of one problem I got a lot of problems now. This stunt would probably hurt my career a lot, but most of all, I had no idea who to trust anymore. Sure, the Alex girl had called, wanting to meet me, but I didn't trust her

either. When Ryan had filled me in with the info about Alex being an employee of Garret I had decided to simply break Max out of the clinic and put him in a safe place. But what I hated was that Ryan was a traitor. Sure, I hadn't been on good terms with him earlier, always suspecting him of something, but I had shared info with him. I had told him about Jennifer Flores. My hands gripped tightly the steering wheel but then I tried to relax. Things were starting to look better, even if everything was a mess right now. I swung right into an abandoned road and kept going forward. Tree's were surrounding me and then I realized that the lights weren't on so I simply turned them back on. What I wasn't exactly sure of was what Ryan would do right now. Maybe, no. He probably knew by now that we had left him behind. The only question now was what he would do. Would he call Garret or would he take an car and follow me? Out of no where a car appeared behind me and I was gripped by panic. I had no experience in getting panic attacks, but I sure hell wouldn't get one now. If there was such a thing as karma then all I could say was that karma was a bitch. I swallowed and watched tense as the car came closer and closer. If the person driving the car was Ryan who knows what would happen. The car behind me suddenly drove beside me and as I saw a glimpse of the driver my heart sunk and I puffed out. The one driving the car was just an older man, with gray hair and grey mustage. Thank you god. I thought and my hands stopped trembling. The car then dissapeared into the darkness and I was again alone in the car riding down the road with Max in the passenger seat. The only people I knew I could trust nowdays was Max, the twin brother that was currently high on drugs and my friends. I could also mention my sister, but I honestly didn't want her mixed up in all of this. In all of this crap. Lights that suddenly appeared in front of me blinded me and I needed to close my eyes in order to avoid getting blind. "What the hell." I cursed and a motorcycle drove past. The one driving the motorcycle had a black helmet so there was no way I could see it's face. I shrugged and decided to pretend that it wasn't anything. Then the road was enlightened on the sides of the car, so I looked in the mirror that reflected the light. I tried the other mirror on my left and then to my shock I saw five people that drove motorcycle's. "What the..." more motorcycle's suddenly appeared and they came closer and closer. This time real panic rose inside me. This didn't feel good. And then a car appeared in front of me. The panic took over and I was sure that the car would drive into mine if I didn't do anything quickly. Just a few seconds and there would e a car crash, so I turned abruptly left. The time stopped having meaning. Terrified, shocked, frozen- all the emotions went through me in seconds. My whole life flashed through my mind as I saw the trees getting closer. I'm sorry. I wanted to say, yell, scream to Max. In the last seconds of my life I could only think of Angeline that would propbably kill me for hurting Max. But then I would already be dead. The car slammed against the trees and flung over on its back. The power flung me forward making me hit the airbag that felt like a rock. I felt the smell of melted iron and smoke before my body collapsed and and my arms hung over my head as I lost my consciousness to the darkness.

--Jaime's Pov-"Jaime!" my mom yelled and I sighed as I made my way down to the kitchen. "There you are." she said and smiled while she turned a pancake upside down in her pan. I eyed my brother Max that was sitting by the table eating pancakes with a fork in his right hand while reading his math book in the other. "Dude? Really?" I asked him unbelievable. He shrugged and put down the book. "I don't see why no'" he said in a fake British accent. "The hell dude, just speak American you bastard." I said and then Teressa came into the kitchen playing on her phone. "Well, here comes miss Social." I said while sitting beside my nerd brother. "Oh, coming from you that spent over eight hours playing computer games." I rolled my eyes and my mom laughed. "Oh. Stop fighting on a Friday." she said and we all murmured, "Yeah... yes." Then someone rang the bell and a door opened. After a few seconds Alex came into the room grinning as she stopped in front of Max, placing her hands on his shoulders while she hugged him from behind and planted a kiss on the top of his head. "Hey there, you geek." she said and then he turned his face toward her, smiling. "Hey! I bet that you're more geeky than me." he said and then closed his eyes while he kissed her. "Uh, not that I'm not happy for you guys, but there are others in this room..." I started but the both of them totally ignored me. As usual. "Oh god, don't get to third base in the kitchen surrounded by other males. It could get pretty nasty." I could barely finish the sentence before Alex eyed me with a bitch face. "Says the virgin." Alex said which made me take a step back, but then I crossed my arms. "Hey, I have a girlfriend actually." "Oh yeah. What's her name again? Annie?" "Angeline, actually." Alex nodded and then sat down in Max's lap. "Then why haven't we met her?"

"Yes Jaime, why haven't we?" mom interrupted our conversation and I put on a smug smile. "Because I feel that she's the one and that introducing you to her should be perfect." mom clasped her hands and smiled while Max turned toward me shaking his head. "Yeah I don't buy that." he simply said while Alex nodded in agreement. "Fine. I will bring her today. Mom, could you fix a dinner?" mom looked offended while I said those words. "I'm not your housekeeper, I'm your mother." she said annoyed. "Same thing." I said but a sharp vulture look made me murmur, "Nothing." "Could you bring her home at three?" mom asked and I sighed. "Yeah, sure." I said and then I continued on by eating the food.

When we reached the lockers in our school with Max beside I grabbed his arm and he gave me a questionable look. "What?" he asked and I let go of him. "I need you to cover for me." I said and Max frowned. "For what?" "Please." was all I said and he nodded. "Sure, when?" "History. We got a big exam today and I will need you to take it for me." he frowned, crossing his arms. "Why?" I swallowed but sighed. "Because..." his eyes looked at me telling me to keep going but it was hard for me. "It's just..." I wasn't even sure of why or how it had happened, but I was indeed terrified of the result. "I've been having problem's with reading lately." I said but to my surprise Max burst out laughing.

"What? Really? You think I'm that stupid? Please." Max said and leaned against the lockers. "Please." I said. After a long stare, Max gave in and sighed. "Fine, don't need to tell me. But next time you will have to cover for me." Max said. I nodded and then Max smiled. "Well. What time then?" "Twelve to two thirty." I said and Max nodded. "Well well, just on my lunch break." he said and rose from the lockers. "You owe me." Max said and punched my left arm- which his touch to my surprise didn't feel anything.

Since my school ended after the exam, I started walking home. Sure, having a twin brother did have it perks, but they could also be a pain sometimes. Just like... just like... I tried to focus and come up with an example. But I couldn't. I didn't know why or how, but it just wasn't possible. I kicked a rock as I walked home quietly. *** "Is she coming soon?" mom asked, while lighting the red candles on the table. The whole thing looked magnificent, beautiful. The table was covered by countless of food dishes, like spaghetti, pancakes, muffins, cheesecake... it just filled the whole table. But even though the food, there were still place for plates, wineglasses, glasses... "Jaime?" I nodded as I heard her say my name. "Angeline." I said smiling as I pulled her into a hug, and then into a kiss. "I love you." Angeline said after we broke of the kiss. All I could do was to smile as we sat down by the table. Soon the rest of the family joined. Like my dad, mother, Teressa, Max and Alex. I put some chicken on my plate and glared Max who took a big portion of chicken. "What? I'm hungry." was all he said and then started to eat. I put the chicken into my mouthbut to my terrifyment I couldn't taste it. I tried another bite but I couldn't taste it. So I smiled while nodding to my mother- as everything was okay. Why can't I feel the taste of the food? I thought, but I decided to ignore it.

After the dinner Angeline left and I was once again in my room. What now? I thought as I walked around my room. Some posters hung on my walls, with texts that I couldn't understand. I frowned and stared down at my hands. What if I wasn't awake? What if I was... what if I was... dreaming? What if this all wasn't real? I closed my hands into fists and looked

at the light switch on the wall. I walked toward it and then I stopped in front of it. The reason why I out of sudden thought this all was a dream was because I couldn't think clearly- which never happened, second of all- the day was slipping through my fingers too quickly. I pushed down the switch, but absolutely nothing happened. The room remained enlightened. I took a deep breath. Light switches didn't work in dreams. People couldn't read in dreams. People couldn't think in dreams. But what if I wasn't dreaming? What if I was in some kind... coma? But then I couldn't remember why I would be in coma so I put that thought aside. So I tried to wake up. Wake up. I commanded myself but to my horror I couldn't. Panic raised inside me as I looked in front of me to see that the scene remained the same. I was still in a dream. Because this had to be a dream, didn't it? I couldn't feel, I couldn't eat... I placed my hands over my head and screamed loudly, "WAKE UP!" but nothing happened. The room remained the same and the posters unreadable. "Come on..." I said walking around in a circle. Since no one had appeared in the room my thoughts got confirmed. I had to be dreaming or something in that direction. Just to be sure I wasn't awake and turning insane I walked toward my desk and picked up a silver knife. I placed it in my both hands and held it against my stomach. If I was right and this was all a dream I couldn't die now could I? But if I was insane and couldn't tell the difference between reality and insanity... I just needed to be sure so I raised the knife into the air, and then stabbed myself with the knife. Darker. That's what happened. Complete darker surrounded me, and the knife in my hands was gone. My stomach remained unchanged and I felt empty. Where am I? A light surrounded me and a scene got painted up with lights and colors, I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath and then I opened my eyes. I was surrounded by carousels and candy booths. The tree's branches blew silently in pace with the wind and leaf after leaf loosened from its branch, I saw parent's together with their children walking down the path, some holding hands, others sitting on their father's shoulders... the scene was so... strange but at the same time familiar. I actually remembered this place. When you dream, your brain creates a dream using old memories of yours. When it came down to faces in dreams, your face couldn't come up with new ones, you needed to have seen a face in order to dream about them. Well, it looks like you can indeed learn useful stuff from school... I shoved my hands into my pockets and walked down the path to stop after a minute. Because of what I saw. A little boy, maybe six, was sitting by a table together with his parents. The boy had a bit of round chins, brown oak eyes and a blonde messy hair. He wore a blue-red spider-man shirt and brown shorts that ended by his knees. When I saw him, I realized it was me. And beside the... present me, Katherine sat, dressed in a yellow dress, with her dark hair in curls. She was smiling from ear to ear while she played with toys together with me. By the right side Harold sat with crossed arms smiling when he glared at them as he played cards with Teressa. Teressa was so small and so cute. She seriously looked like a little blonde chipmunk, wearing a blue dress with what looked like white flowers. When I saw them, I couldn't help but feel guilt in my guts, for treating them that way. They just seemed so happy. I was happy.

But then a few memories of the reality slipped, and my guilt vanished. I looked to my right to see a smaller boy, similar to 'my past self' age by a game booth not far away from me, something about him drew me to him, so I walked toward him and stopped a few yards away. The boy turned his face toward me and he looked identical to me. I looked at what he wore, a grey shirt- of no special pattern together with dark jeans. He stood by the booth together with an older man, maybe thirty ish something throwing balls at bottles that stood in a pyramid sort of way. The guy seemed to be the child's father, ruffled his son's hair with his palm as the boy kept missing the bottle pyramid. When the boy threw another ball, I noticed that the boy was wearing a silver watch identical to Max's. There was no doubt that the little boy was Max. I looked at the ground and then raised my gaze toward Max. So the first time we met... or saw each other was in an amusement park. Lights faded and the world turned dark- again.

This time I was sitting in a car, in the backseat actually. In the front seat my parents sat, Katherine was driving and Harold's grim expression reflected from the front mirror. "Why can't we tell him?" Katherine said upset but silently, as she thought I couldn't hear her. I looked at my right to see the past me, maybe four years old, leaning against the car's window. My eyes were closed, but I doubted that 'I' was asleep since I liked eavesdropping as a kid. "Not why, because of who." Katherine fell silent for a while. "But why can't we..." "Katherine. You knew, you knew what you were getting into when we... adopted him." "Harold. I'm just tired of lying all the time. It makes me sick." the past me opened his eyes and looked as Katherine stopped the car, and turned her face toward the past me. "We are home." she said with a smile, then her smile faded as she eyed Harold with narrowed eyes. "We are not done talking about this."

No light, no darker, the scene disappeared and was replaced by another, where I was standing in the middle of a room. The past me stood in front of me, with his ear against the door, standing on his toes. This time I seemed to be about five years old.

Katherine: "How can we keep up with this?" I heard as a angry whispering. I walked closer to the door, so that I stood beside the little boy and I pressed my palm against the door. I couldn't feel the door, but I couldn't go through it, like a ghost could.

Katherine: "Jaime needs to..." Harold: "No. He doesn't have to know anything..." Katherine: "But when he grows up..." Harold: "...it's not a problem as long as you keep your mouth shut..." Katherine: "No! You don't understand how it's like to look into his eyes and lie..." Harold: "You don't think I know? Do you have any idea of how it's like for me? Katherine. He did all this for a reason." Katherine: "Yes, because he's a psychopath!" a silence occurred and my eyes narrowed as I heard footsteps, the past me backed away from the door, probably terrified that he would get caught. I took a step away from the door and the footsteps stopped. I think that I missed a dialoge cause I could only hear murmurs, the past me walked toward the door again and I could once again hear the conversation. Harold: "That's why we're moving." "No no, of course. When you make a deal with the devil you just got to keep play by its rules." Kathrine said in a tone of sarcasm. And that was the last thing I dreamt before I got swallowed by the darker again.

--Max's Pov-The scene had taken an unpredictable turn, motorcycles had been following the car and I had felt nothing else than alarmed when suddenly a car had appeared in front of the car, blocking the path of the road. When I had seen the car- I had gotten into shock. And I couldn't feel anything else than terrifyment when Jaime had turned the wheel.

Those last seconds flashed through my mind and the car fell down into the trench and then turned around onto it's back. The power made me flung forward, but the seat belt stopped me from falling through the window. I slammed back into the seat and an exploding ringing in my ears made me scream. The car stopped and was turned upside down, with its roof against the ground. I pressed my hands against my ears and looked at Jaime on my left side who hung unconscious from the seat, with his arms slacked on each side of his body. I looked at his face to see blood running uncontrolled from a cut in his forehead "Jaime!" I screamed. I grabbed his arm with trembling fingers and shook him lightly. The ringing kept getting louder and louder and I could barely hear a thing. "JAIME!" I screamed but his body remained silent, still.

"JAIME!" no answer. My breathing stopped and the only thing I could do was to deny. "You're not dead. You can't be. Please wake up." I whispered. It sadly reminded me of my fathers funeral. I had gone to his grave after everyone had left to get to be alone with him. His grave had been black with golden initials saying Roger Blake. There was no way that I would go to one more funeral where I saw someone close to me laying barried in the ground dead. I just couldn't get through with the pain. Not again. I just couldn't.

The ringing stopped and got replaced with voices shouting. But what they screamed I had no clue. "Jaime." my pleadings weren't more than whispers. "Please wake up." I said and I felt tears streaming down my chins. This was my fault. It was always my fault. I killed my dad. My mother left because of me. And now Jaime was... I couldn't even think it. I leaned with my trembling fingers toward Jaime's throat, and searched for his artery. "Please." I kept whispering. It was hard to focus since I was hanging upside down, seeing his cut in the head dripping blood down his face. Everything was a blur. Tears fell uncontrolled down my face and when I finally touched his neck, I felt its warmth, and he's beating artery. He was alive. Jaime wasn't dead. At least not yet. My eyes closed, and when I opened them again I could feel the smell of smoke. I watched how a fire was starting to burn in front of me, on the car's front hatch, a fire was spreading rapidly, and my eyes were met by a red-yellow sight. "ALL CLEAR." a deep voice yelled, and then the car door abruptly opened on my left side. Things happened too quickly, someone unlocked my seatbelt and I fell down, then someone dragged me out. "No! Please help Jaime!" I yelled as I someone dragged me out of the car. When I was out of the reach of the car someone held me tight in their arms and I looked up into those dark brown eyes. "D...dad?" yes. There was no doubt. The person holding me in his arms was my dad. "Hey son." he said and smiled vaguely. I was in shock. I couldn't move, and all I could think of to say was my father's name. For two years I thought my father was gone. That he had passed way in a car accident. A car accident that had been caused by me. I started crying again, and tears just streamed down my cheeks.

"You are alive." I whispered and sobbed at the same time. There wasn't a way of explaining the happiness I felt at the moment. But my heart that had felt heavy this whole time felt lighter. "Is the other one okay?" my dad shouted to someone. "Yes." someone responded and my dad nodded. "Everything is going to be okay. I'm here with you." he said, smiling. I've missed his smile, which made me cry even more. The emptiness I had felt after my father's death was something I could never describe in words. God, I had even tried to commit suicide once, because I had thought that he was gone. "I've missed you." I tried to say, but it came out as a whisper, but he nodded and then hugged me. "And so have I." he whispered into my ear and my hands grabbed the material of his shirt. Then he let me go and I leaned against the ground again.

But then the bubble burst. And the world seemed to take an end as my father's face lit up in pain. His eyes studied mine in guilt and sorrow. "I am so sorry." he said and picked something out of his pocket. "God I wish that I didn't have to do this." his voice broke, and his eyes stared empty at the needle he was holding in his palm. Tears started forming in his eyes, but he blinked them back. "Max, I love you son." he said, voice broken. To my terrifyment I saw him lowering the needle toward my arm. "What are you doing? Why?" I said. There were probably thousands of questions I should be asking right now- but for now I couldn't think of any possible question. "I'm sorry." he said once again, injecting me with some fluid. "Please dad, stop." I said as he pulled out the needle from my arm. "I'm so sorry." Those were his very last words before my body loosened and my head fell against the ground.

Chapter 23
--Ryan's Pov-There they were. The two brother's, who had no clue of what was to come. When they had been taken in, I couldn't tell the difference between those two. Max's watch was gone, and that was the final clue. I gazed the two brother's painfully. The both of them were tied in two chair's, with their spine's against each other. They had rope's that was tightly bound around each other and their arms and legs were tied to the chair. If the torture weren't enough, the both of them had black bags over their heads, preventing them from seeing anything. I was leaning against a wall, with nothing more than guilt as I saw them. Across the room, Mr. Micklesson stood, accompanied by Fredrick. The two of them weren't anything else than psychopath's, but yet, here I was. The charges and the hunt after me had been depleted, the police were now after someone else. But yet again, they were hunting the wrong man. I knew that Mr. Micklesson hadn't killed the girl, but now I knew who. The both of them had discussed it earlier as a joke actually.

Garret: "So you finished the job properly?" Fredrick: "Am I supposed to be offended?" Garret: "No but..." Fredrick: "I squeezed the life out of her. And I have to admit though, it felt good." I remembered how Garret had smiled vaguely. Fredrick: "But yet I'm not the only one with blood on my hands..."

The thing was that Garret had said it in a calm yet friendly voice. Fredrick on the other hand had been all jokingly about it. But something that couldn't get off my mind was the last part. The last thing Fredrick had said. But yet I'm not the only one with blood on my hands... Did it mean that Garret had killed too? But who? I was afraid. Afraid of what might come. Afraid of what the both psychopath's were going to do. I was made to stand here. They made me too. If I hadn't worked for them, I would be in jail. But that wasn't the only reason of why I was standing where I was right now.

They had threatened to kill my sister. The one person in the whole universe that meant the world to me. And to imagine her gone... just wasn't possible. No one knew about my sister. I had tried to keep her safe, keep her hidden, but they had found out about her. Her name was Michelle and she was twenty-two. She was just a collage student following her dreams in Harvard. And they wanted to take her life. I took a deep breath. I had kept telling myself that what I did was for a good cause, but really- it wasn't. I had still been a part of the kidnapping. I raised my gaze toward the door as I heard the sound of heals slamming against the floor. Alex walked over the floor in a glamorous way and when she saw me, she smiled. "Ryan." she said and stopped in front of me, placing her hands on he hips. "Alex." I answered briefly. "Can you believe that we actually caught them? The both of them?" Alex asked in an excited voice that made me sick. "No." I said quietly. "Come on, cheer up! Cause we will most likely get an promotion." she smiled. "Sure." the only thing that made me stand where I was was my sister. I had to protect her. No matter the cause. She was my little sister and I needed to protect her. "Well, you're chit chatty..." Alex said while stroking away a hair strand from her eyes. "Not now Alex." I sighed, shooting a glance at the tied up brothers. Truth speaking I had no idea what they had been through. All I knew was that they had been missing in the outside world for two weeks. For two weeks they had been drugged, stashed in the 'clinic room' as Fredrick had called it. I just hated to see them like this, lifeless, drugged. In the beginning the nurses told us that Jaime had been put in coma because of the accident... but thanks to god Jaime woke up a few days later. Unfortunately before I got a chance to speak with him the nurses put him down again. What I hated the most about this new place was that no one seemed to care about anything else than money. Money was just paper, a piece of metal, a few numbers on a computer screen, but god the world was crazy. All people cared about were these lifeless 'objects'. I hated it. I hated the world. The things people would do for money. People had killed for money. After working for Mr. Micklesson I had lost my faith in humanity. "Hello?" someone said and one of the brothers head tilted. "Is someone there?!" Jaime or Max said, which was kind of hard to figure out. The person to the left started to move their body, but realized that he was stuck.

"Help!" he yelled and I ran toward him as no one seemed to move. In the corner of my eye I saw what looked like an approving smile from Alex, I stopped a few inches in front of him and then I took off his bag without questioning. He slowly opened his eyes and then blinked a few times. His eyes were a bit hazy and he looked confused around the room as he didn't understand what was going on. After a couple of seconds he focused his gaze on me, with his eyes looking into mine uncomprehending. "Ryan?" he asked and I nodded. The guilt rushed through me and I blinked a few times. "I'm sorry." I whispered and then I felt a cold hand on my left shoulder. "I think that I'm going to take over."

--Jaime's Pov-I don't think that I've ever felt this kind of hungover in my entire life. My body felt slaked and my head heavy- but I did manage to hold my gaze as I looked at Garret who wore a playful smile. "Jaime." he said gallant. I probably should ask how he knew it was me- but I stayed quiet as I started to realize that I was tied to a chair. I was tied to a freaking chair. What the f*ck. "So. Here we are." Garret said. "Where is Max?" I found it hard to talk, my tongue felt heavy, but I managed it. "Behind you." I did my best trying to turn my head even if I was tied in a chair. And I caught a glimpse of a person behind me with a black bag over his head. I turned toward Garret and couldn't feel anything else than disgust. "What the hell are you doing?" I said. I had no idea what was going on. The only thing I knew was that Garret was a twisted sick psychopath. Garret grinned and then raised his gaze toward someone behind me. "Could I get a second?" Garret said. "No." someone answered. A frown appeared on Garret's face. "Alright then." Garret said. "What do you want from us?" I said on my guard.

"I want this." Garret said, holding a bunch of papers in his hands. "This? What ever you want you already got you son of a bitch." "That's not a tone you should use toward your father." the previous voice said coldly and I froze. There was no way that psychopath was our father. I reassured myself. A man stopped beside Garret, dressed in a black smoking with a red tie. I could guess that it was the other psychopath, Fredrick. "How stupid do you think I am?" I asked them pissed to receive a shrug from who I presumed was Fredrick. "Ah, always worth a try. Too bad I didn't get to re-live that star wars scene, you know, that one with 'Luke, I am your father.' 'Nooooooooooooo'..." Fredrick laughed as he imitated the scene, reaching in the air for something invisible. "I f*cking loved that scene. The terryfiment Luke felt... it gave me the chills you know." Garret eyed Fredrick as some kind of vulture which in his return he smiled. "Oh come on, some humor can't hurt, ey?" "That wasn't funny. You're bloody sick." I said. Fredrick lightly tilted his head and smiled. "You bet I am." he said, then he eyed Garret in the corner of his eye. "Did we really have to kidnap them? Wouldn't it just have been easier for us to just kill them?" he continued. "What, what is it that you want from me? Us?" I said. Fredrick grimaced and Garret looked empty at a white wall. "A little revenge, little more money and, well. More money." "How?" "Oh cut the act. We know that you know." Fredrick said. "And what would that be?" I said.

"That you really should be dead." What he said took me aback. What did he mean? "Isn't it strange? To know that other people think that you're dead?" I shook my head. "What you say doesn't make sense..." Fredrick smiled and then he looked at me with a serious expression.

"Oh. So you don't know after all?" I opened my mouth but closed it again. "There isn't any birth record of the two of you because for the outer world the children that were borned died." I scowled and looked at the floor trying to gain courage to say something. "So moron. You should be dead." I bit my lower lip and then narrowed my eyes. "Yeah? How?" Fredrick rolled his eyes and sighed. He acted as he was talking to a kinder garden that didn't want to believe that 1+1 equals 2. "Can I tell him or do you want to do the honor?" Fredrick asked Garret who shrugged. "Could we skip to the torture instead?" Fredrick then changed his mind. "What? No." I said. "What is it that you two psychopaths want?" Fredrick rolled his Eyes. "Fine. We want you to sign these." Fredrick said while taking the papers from Garrets hands. "What? That's... that's it?" I said. Garret then placed his hand on Fredrick's shoulder and he gently pushed him back. "This whole thing have spun out of control..." Garret said which Fredrick raised his eyebrows at. "We could as Fredrick said kill you... but I'm trying to be sentimental." I wanted to laugh at what he said but I kept quiet. Garret then sighed. "We will need you to go to court and stand for this." he said pointing at the papers in Fredrick's hands. "What are those even?" "Rights. Rights for the Micklesson's industry." I scowled trying to understand. "But why?" Garret sighed even more and then stared at the ceiling. After a couple of seconds he lowered his gaze and met my gaze. "You two are the rightful owners of the Micklesson's industry's". I blinked a few times uncomprehending. "What." I said. "Fine." Garret said and grabbed a chair behind him and placed it in front of him. "Lets make a deal." garret said and my eyes narrowed.

"You two will sign these papers and you will go to court while signing over your rights of the company and I will as return tell you the truth." I tilted my head left. "Tell me now." I said and Garret smiled. "I like you Jaime. And you know what? Lets seal the deal. I tell you what ever you two kids were looking for and then we go to court and you sign over your rights. Sounds like a plan? And oh, as a bonus I will let your Blondie go." Who? Then again I really hoped he didn't mean Angeline. But who was I kidding? Angeline was in danger and I needed to save her. "Fine. Just please wake up my brother." Garret smiled and I heard some yell ish thing indicating that Max was probably conscious but probably had some tape on his mouth preventing him to speak. Garret sighed and sat down at the chair in front of him. "Eighteen years ago the both of you were born." "Eighteen?" I interrupted. Of what I remembered I was seventeen. "We changed a few detail ish." Fredrick said crossing his arms. Wait. I was eighteen? What. "Either way. The industry. Or as it was before, the company- belonged to me, Kevin Micklesson and Rose Micklesson." Garret gripped the chair's back and sighed. "We were all in it together. But then Kevin and Rose decided that I didn't deserve the placement I had. And you know what? The job I had was exhausting. And then they come and tell me that I'm not good enough... and they, you know what? They were going to fire me. I was about to loose everything because of them. So I did what I had to. To keep my life. To make it even better." my puzzled gaze must have interrupted him and Garret swallowed. "Right. You don't know... Kevin and Rose were your parents." my heart stopped. Of more than only one reason. I've never in my life experienced this kind of shock, but to say it was terrifying. And then I caught what he said. Kevin and Rose were your parents. "The thing was that I wasn't authorized to fire them. They were the one who could fire me. So a few weeks passed and I got into touch with Fredrick. Yeah, then when we planned things out and I got to know that Kevin, my brother, had two twins with his wife. You two. He had kept you two away from me, and to be honest I understand now. But either way." he took a deep breath. "The four of you were meant to be at home." he laughed empty. "So Fredrick and I went over to your father's house. We soaked it with oil, fuel, whatever, and we closed the doors, we blocked the windows... And I set the house on fire. I watched as the flames seeked up into the sky and the screams... I remember the screams like it was today..." Something that I would call a howl echoed behind me and I just wanted to scream. Garret Micklesson. My relative. My blood. My uncle, killed my parents in a fire. I wanted to throw

up, I wanted to smash those psychopath's... I wanted to... I wanted to... I was so mad and... I felt the tears streaming down my chins. "Oh, don't cry." Fredrick said grinning. "You weren't even in that fire. You two were at Jennifer Flores house safe and sound." Fredrick said in a pitiful voice. "GO TO HELL." I yelled at the both of them which the two of them responded with cold laughs. "You wanted the truth so here it is. I killed your parents and Fredrick and I became the new partners of the company. So... a few weeks later we got to know that the two of you were still out there... so we found the two of you... arranged a thing or two and then the two of you were placed in... some 'adoption' ish thing. To say. The 'parents' or what ever you call it were some kind of um. Actors." "Actors?!" I burst out. Fredrick hit my face with his fist so hard that I lost my conscious for a second or two. The pain was paralyzing and I just wanted to scream... "So lets see. Everything was fine. Max was about to commit suicide once or twice, which would make things easier. You see. I thought about getting rid of you multiple times but... well... it would look suspicious if the children of the killed parents all of sudden died. So I let you live. Under surveillance." Just fuck my life. I wanted to scream but my jaw felt broken after Fredrick had punched me. "Everything was fine until the two of you started snooping around... either way. The risk of you finding out about all of this..." Garret said gesturing around the room. "...Was too big. The thing is though. That in the wills of Rose and Kevin's death, would be that the industry would no matter of occasion, be passed on to the both of you. That's why I needed to get rid of the two of you. Because without you, as the closest relative, I got to replace Kevin and Rose."

I couldn't believe it. The psychopath's had killed my parents. For what? For a company? For an industry? "Fuck you." I screamed at the both of them. I wanted to get out of this fucking chair and just beat the shit out of them. But I couldn't. Because I was stuck.

Then the sound of a click quickly changed the scene. Garret smiled empty and looked at something or someone behind me.

"I would put that down if I were you." Garret said in a warning tone, but the person what I thought was holding a gun stayed silent. (Since this bloody chair I couldn't see anything, no matter how hard I tried to turn my head toward the sound). "You're making a big mistake." Fredrick said and then someone stepped closer. "I could shoot you right here and right now and no one would know." the voice. I didn't recognize the voice but the only thing I knew was that the voice belonged to a dude, which I right now really loved. His footsteps stopped just behind me and I heard the sound of tearing down tape. The guy was probably helping Max out and after a couple of seconds I realized that I was free. So I raised from the stupid chair and I looked around to finally get a glimpse of the scene. The room we were currently in was pretty big. On my right side big windows covered the walls but I couldn't see through them. The floor and the walls were white and by the windows Ryan stood accompanied by Alex. The both of them stood still holding a glass of champagne while watching the guy with the gun. The guy was just a yard away from me and he was holding a black gun in his right hand. He was pointing the gun against Garret. The guy with the gun was dressed in black clothes. Black pants, grey shirt and a black leather jacket. His eyes were brown and his hair blond. "Run." the dude said, and I didn't think twice before I gripped Max's arm as he just stood there, incapable of moving. "Come on." We ran toward a door and then into a narrow and a long corridor. We just ran and ran until we reached something that looked like an exit door. Max stopped and looked doubting if the door would lead us out to the safety of America, but instead of saying anything I just nodded.

So we ran out of that door, hand in hand to escape the madness that hunted us. I opened the door and we stepped onto a balcony. We ran toward the railing and I looked around to see that we weren't in a city. This balcony was really high, and I looked around to see that I was in a rainforest. I was in a bloody rainforest. "What do we do?" Max said with panic in his trembling voice. "I don't know." I answered as I looked down onto the ground to see that it was too far to jump. The door suddenly broke open and we looked around to see that we were surrounded of people with guns. They shouted at us to raise our arms into the air and get down on our knees. My hopes collapsed as I realized that we had no other choice then to surrender. We had lost.