Twinepathy (Part 22): Genesis Fabel

Hullo, everyone! I hope you’re enjoying your MLK Day! If you’re a homeschooler who doesn’t have the day off… I’m so sorry. I’m one of the lucky ones who does have the day off… Enjoy this post, my friends! Check out part one here if you’re new.

Blaze takes us home a few minutes later, not the least bit suspicious as he waves to us before leaving. Since Mom’s at the café, no one’s at home except Denver, who’s in the bathroom showering. I’m guessing his first class starts in half an hour. The three of us go into our bedroom, closing the door behind us. Hopefully Denver won’t notice we’re home, but if he does, we can tell him the truth, sort of. At least, the truth about school being closed.

I go onto my computer – I may not be at Denver’s level of expertise, but I’m okay with computers – and head to the school’s website. Sure enough, the school was evacuated and closed due to “an emergency.” I find a news clip of the place swarming with police and other people. Brooklyn sighs. “Well, that’s a mess. Do you think they’ll have school tomorrow?”

I shrug. “I have no clue. I hope not.”

There’s a knock at the door, which makes me jump. Brooklyn goes over and opens it while Maddie hides, just in case Denver knows she’s supposed to be at daycare. “What are you guys doing here?” Denver asks. “Are you skipping school?”

I shake my head and point to the news clip on the computer screen. “No. The school’s closed.”

Denver watches the clip, then turns to us, looking almost panicked. “Are you guys all right? Do you know what happened?”

We give a blabbered, confused explanation, rambling until Denver realizes that he’s going to be late. He leaves, and we’re finally alone.

“Well, I’m hungry,” Brooklyn says. “Anyone want lunch?”

It’s past time, and I suddenly realize how hungry I am. “Sure. Can you get me something? I have something I need to work on.”

She shrugs. “Sure. Want to help me, Maddie?”

Maddie nods and follows Brooklyn downstairs to the kitchen. I sit down in front of the computer. I didn’t get a chance to see Genesis Fabel’s address on Jen’s computer, but with her age and a vague reference for her appearance, I can try to find that out without hacking into the CIA database. After all, it’s not like Genesis Fabel is a common name, right?

Not common, certainly. In fact, I don’t find anyone when I search. I lean my chin on my hand, frowning. She obviously exists. She’s in the CIA database. Could she have married since then, and have a different name? If so, this could become impossible. And if she’s changed her name on purpose, this’ll be even more impossible.

Then I do the obvious: I search “how to find a person.” And I had no clue there were so many sites that are dedicated to finding people. It takes me a while, but I finally find a site that has people’s addresses and property records. Bingo. One Genesis Fabel. I write down the address. The door to the room opens, and I instantly shut down the website, spinning and smiling at Brooklyn. She hands me a sandwich, giving the blank computer desktop a suspicious look. “There you go. What’re you working on?”

“Not much,” I say. “I was just thinking about looking up some stories with superheroes. I think it would be interesting to read some different theories and get different ideas about how powers like Maddie’s can be used.”

Brooklyn nods. “That’s a good idea! I’ll go get Maddie, and we can work on that.”

She leaves, and I quickly pull up the browser. I type in the address and study the results. It’s in a small-ish town about forty-five minutes away by car, called White Bluff. I close the browser and pull up another search for superhero books. I have no clue how I’ll get to Fabel’s house, but I’ll find a way. I have to. Alone.

Ohhh, Albany… What think you, friends?