Chapter 21: Daddy's Home


"I almost have it…THERE!" Zac said as he broke free of the binds. Divia and Alanis unwrapped the clothing from around their bodies. "Grab all the clothes! Mom can't find out!" Zac cried and began collecting the scattered garments.

All of the members of the trio looked up as thunder filled their ears. "Shit… let's go! Come on guys! We gotta get home!" Zac shouted as the rain began pouring down like a waterfall. All of them ran out into the streets and began to run toward Zac's house. Water splashed around their heels.

"I'm getting wet!" Alanis said as the rain began to flow onto her head through the shelter she had made with clothes. "Be quiet! If I get wet, I shrink!" Divia said with a laugh. "Let's take a short-cut through the Johnson's yard!" Zac shouted over the downpour. Divia and Alanis followed him over a white fence and into a yard. All of the sudden a bright light came on that blinded everyone in the yard, and woke up the Johnson's.

"I TOLD YOU KIDS THAT THIS YARD IS OFF LIMITS!! GET OUT OF MY YARD BEFORE I SHOOT YOUR HEAD OFF!" came a gruff shout from the porch. Everyone bolted and managed to all get out of the yard in seconds. "So much for that idea..." Alanis said as she stepped toward the door. She touched the knob and it opened. "That's strange…" Divia said and opened it the rest of the way, "I thought I closed it all the way" Divia shook her head. "Maybe Chief Crazy Squirrel forgot to close it" Zac suggested. "True…" Divia said as she entered. She threw off her extra-clothes that were soaking. "Hey!" Zac cried as they slapped him in the face. Divia laughed. "I'm going to get a drink of pop," Alanis said as she made her way toward the kitchen.

"I am SOAKED" Divia said as she examined herself. "Yeah, probably because you were caught--" Zac was cut off by a scream. "ALANIS!" he cried and ran toward the kitchen. There stood a rather large figure standing over a limp body. "YOU KILLED HER! YOU BASTARD!" Zac yelled. He ran to her side. "Oh God, she's bleeding. She's BLEEDING! SHE'S BLEEDING!" he shrieked and held her in his arms. There was a creak and the other door to the kitchen opened. In walked a sleepy-eyed Isaac. "Isaac! Watch out!" Zac yelled but the attacker already had Isaac in a hold and a knife to his neck. "Move her to the living room" the man said and nodded his head toward Alanis. Zac lifted her legs and Divia cradled her head and shoulders.

Zac gently guided Alanis's limp body to the couch. Divia laid her head down softly. As soon as Alanis's body was safe, Zac turned and his eyes flashed at the man. "Who are you? Why did you do that to her?" he demanded. The man just pulled the knife closer to Isaac's throat.


"Alanis's father" he finally answered after silence. There was a bright flash and Zac could see his face. "You're the…" he gasped. "Yes! I'm the policeman that grabbed your precious Alanis. You see, she's mine, I'm taking her to the government. They can perform tests on her brain. Yes, don't look so surprised. I found her diary. I know about your little messages that you send back and forth. Now, if you cooperate and do what I say, I won't slit his throat. And maybe I'll tell you where your brother is before he dies" Alanis father said with evil dripping off every word. Isaac's eyes held fear so did Zac's. There was silence again. Then thunder crashed outside. The nervous man looked up. Isaac saw his chance and took it. He bit the man's hand and thrust his arm away. The knife fell to the ground. Both Isaac and the man reached for it at the same time. The man got it and tried to stab Isaac but failed when Isaac caught his hand. Isaac grimaced as the blade turned in and began to slice his hand but he didn't ease up. Neither did Alanis's father. The man was getting the upper hand when he heard a gun cock beside his ear. Both of the men looked up from their fight. There stood a wet and nearly naked Taylor in war paint and a bad hairdo. The gun was in his hand and his finger poised on the trigger. Lightning flashed and everyone in the room could see his rage. He never faltered. "No one messes with my brothers but me, got it you dip-shit mother fucker? Now, get up" he growled. The whole room stood still with shock. "I said, GET UP!" Taylor shouted. At this moment two sleepy parents walked in with a yawning Mackie at their side. Diana saw it all first and shoved Mackie out of the room. "Mom, call 911" Zac said, "Alanis has been hurt"

The ambulance wailed down the street. Many neighbors crowded around to see what was going on. When the police arrived with the handcuffs, the reporters followed. "Zac Hanson! May I ask you a question?" a woman reporter said as she pushed through everyone. Zac stood dumbfounded at what he should say. A policeman got in front of Zac. "You can ask the boy's lawyer. Thanks to that guy," he nodded toward Alanis's father, "he's now a witness to a crime. You may take your cameras and leave, Madame. I am asking you politely" he said and waved her away.

Zac collapsed on the sidewalk. He sat there with a frozen look on his face. Taylor sat down beside him. "She's all right Zac. She's just unconscious. Ike had to have his hand stitched up. He's all right. She's going to be fine" Taylor said and put his arm around him. "I know" Zac said. There was silence for a moment then Zac burst into tears. "It's okay bud, it's okay" Taylor said and hugged his little brother tight. He just hoped he had been right about it being okay.