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	     	    Everybody Wants To Rule the World

			     Chapter Three
		    	  Written By: LadySwan


	"I knew we shouldn't have left JT and Neil in the sub." 
Callie groaned to herself, as she and Jimmy walked down the rows 
of aisles of lockers just before Homeroom. "Now they're missing 
and it's all my fault."
	"Common, it's not and you know it. How were we supposed to 
know that the baldies were watching them? Us?"
	Callie just groaned. They stopped by her locker as she 
began pulling her books out of her locker. "Yesterday was the worst 
day of my life." After she and Jimmy had seen the wrecked sub, they 
quickly called the police. 15 minutes later, the police, the Mayor, 
and Callie's dad were all standing in the living room, trying to 
figure everything out. Callie and Jimmy were forced to tell them 
the truth, that JT and Neil had been hiding out in the sub because 
they were afraid that someone was after them, like when Glory had 
been kidnapped. When they were asked why someone would be after JT 
and Neil, they had just shrugged and told the police that they 
didn't know that much. The only thing they did was hide them since 
the day before.
	The police had seemed to buy their story for the moment, 
and concentrated on finding out the whereabouts of the two missing 
boys. Captain Walker had avoided talking to his daughter, and 
Callie had felt so bad. She hadn't felt like coming to school that 
day, but at breakfast, the only thing her dad had said to her was 
"Go to school," and Callie obeyed.
	"All I know is, my nightmare has just begun." Callie 
groaned. Jimmy put his arm around her shoulder to comfort her, but 
Callie did not feel the least bit comforted.

	   :  :  :  :  :  :  :  : 

	Meanwhile, JT and Neil were tied up and gagged at the back 
of a huge, dark truck. There were no windows, or any sign of light 
from the truck. They were being driven around for hours.
	From what JT could feel, they were just being driven around 
in circles. Though, he and Neil had slept the night long, they were 
sure the truck had stopped for awhile. But none of the men that 
had taken them had come and open the door. JT was beginning to get 
really hungry.
	JT glanced at his surroundings once more for what seemed 
like the umpteenth time. But he only saw an empty back of the 
truck. The door could only be opened with a key. And it's not like 
he could examine it, he was tied up. He couldn't even call for help 
because he was gagged. He was in serious trouble.

	   :  :  :  :  :  :  :  : 

	Sydney and Callie were seated next to each other in their 
second period English class on a bright, sunny Tuesday. Mrs. Dalton 
was handing out their essay homework that she had checked the 
night before.
	Sydney was already bored out of her skull and wanted to 
whisper some gossip with someone, but Callie was the only one girl 
seated near her, and Callie looked terribly distracted. She must 
still be worried about the robbery that took place at her sub 
yesterday, Sydney mused. What a stupid thing to rob, JT and Neil!
	Mrs. Dalton placed both Sydney and Callie's papers on 
their desks. Sydney glanced at hers. The essay wasn't graded, she 
had only written a big red check mark on most papers, but Sydney 
noticed a few words written at the top.
	'Please see me after class.' Sydney read to herself. She 
chewed the bottom of her lip. I hope I'm not in any trouble, she 
told herself. She glanced at Callie. She was surprised to see 
Callie frowning at her paper.
	Callie caught her looking and tilted her paper so that 
Sydney could see. The same message was written on Callie's paper 
as well! Sydney showed Callie her paper as well. They exchanged 
confused glances.
	The bell rang and Mrs. Dalton glanced at her watch. "Well, 
I guess that's it class. I'll see you tomorrow. Remember to read 
pages 5 to 15 of your textbook."
	As the class filled out of the room, Sydney and Callie 
stayed behind, slowly walking up to Mrs. Dalton's desk. "You wanted 
to see us?" Callie asked nervously.
	Mrs. Dalton put down her reading glasses and gazed up at 
the two girls. "Yes." She clasped her hands together on top of her 
desk. "I read your essays."
	"And...." Sydney prompted.
	"I must say. I was quite impressed with both of yours 
especially." she informed them, nodding slightly.
	Both Sydney and Callie exhaled sharply. So they weren't in 
trouble. In fact, it was just the opposite!
	"So what else did you want to see us for?" Sydney asked 
impatiently.
	Mrs. Dalton pursed her lips at the point of Sydney's 
impatience. Callie swallowed nervously. "Well, when I was reading 
the essays, I saw that both of you have a lot of writing potential 
in you." She turned to Sydney. "I've gone through your permanent 
record, dear. It seems you've always been good at writing, though 
lazy to actually study for the subject."
	Sydney shrugged as she glanced down at the floor.
	Mrs. Dalton turned to Callie. "And you my dear. You're new 
in Swans Crossing High, but you have a lot of potential in you 
and it shows."
	Callie smiled faintly. "Thank you." She hesitated. "But 
it doesn't end just here, does it?"
	Mrs. Dalton sighed. "No, dear, it doesn't. Last year, SCH 
had one of the best school newspapers. But all the best writers 
have all graduated. And since I am the moderator of the school 
newspaper, it's my job to find more talented writers."
	Sydney and Callie exchanged a confused look. "So what does 
this have to do with us?" Sydney asked, slowly beginning to realize 
what she wanted from them.
	"I would be very delighted if both of you volunteer to be 
part of the staff of the school newspaper."
	Sydney's jaw dropped. Her, write for the school newspaper? 
Mrs. Dalton had to be kidding! "No way! That would take up too 
much of my time!" Sydney protested.
	"I agree with Sydney, Mrs. Dalton. I have too much to do 
already." Callie told her teacher. She was already working a lot 
with the Tool N' Die, she had a lot of homework to deal with, and 
since she was new with it, she still needed time to get adjusted to 
it, and even now, with the disappearance of JT and Neil, she didn't 
know if she'd have enough time to rest!
	"Please, dears. I am already begging you. It will be an 
added grade to your English grades." She looked at the girls 
grimly. "And I'm sure both of you have heard that I don't exactly 
give out the highest grades."
	Both girls nodded in unison.
	Mrs. Dalton let out a sigh and buried her head in her 
hands. "I've had such a hassle trying to find the right people for 
the staff. But at this point, the only person that is sure to be 
part of the staff is the editor-in-chief, David Collins."
	Sydney raised an eyebrow. David Collins? THE David Collins?
As in the now senior guy she had been crushing on for, oh just 
about a couple of years now?! Sure he was a bit preppy, but he was 
a major hunk!
	Callie began to feel sorry for Mrs. Dalton, and decided 
that maybe it wouldn't be so bad. "Uh, Mrs. Dalton-"
	"We'll give it a try." Sydney interrupted. "We'll try it 
out for a couple of weeks, as long as the job doesn't take up too 
much of our time." she said generously.
	Callie side-glanced Sydney and grinned rolling her eyes. 
She had a sneaky feeling she knew why Sydney suddenly agreed.
	Mrs. Dalton looked up at the both of them and smiled. 
"Thank you girls." She glanced at her watch. "Oops! You're both 
late for your next period. Here, I'll give you both a hall pass."
	Mrs. Dalton issued the passes, and Sydney and Callie 
quickly left the room, right after Mrs. Dalton reminded them about 
the staff's first meeting.
	"Sydney, I've been meaning to ask you," Callie said, as 
they hurried down the hall, "you're deciding to join wouldn't have 
anything to do with, oh let's say, David Collins, would it?"
	Sydney mocked a look of innocence. "Whatever do you mean, 
Callie dear?"
	They began laughing as they quickly dove for their third 
period class, pretty late. For the first time that day, Callie 
was able to laugh.

	   :  :  :  :  :  :  :  : 

	Garrett nervously sat in one of the waiting chairs 
right outside the head master's office. The secretary soon 
motioned for him to go in.
	He took a seat in front of the head master's desk. The 
head master swiveled in his chair and faced Garrett. "I see you're 
back with us, Mr. Booth."
	Garrett nodded slightly. "Yes I am, sir."
	"We were surprised you left so suddenly, but then we 
received information from your father that he had some business 
matters and that he needed you home right away but that you'd be 
back."
	Garrett nodded again. What is his point? I know all of this 
already, he thought to himself impatiently.
	"If you are going to leave this school, you had least better 
give us more than a moment's notice that you are leaving. You cannot 
just leave the school and have home call back here a few days after. 
We are supposed to be taking care of you." the head master's voice 
practically boomed.
	Garrett looked down at his lap and nodded quietly. Geez, 
they were awfully tight around here. All he did was just leave, it's 
not like they never got the news that he had to go back right away.
	"You better watch it, Mr. Booth. If this were to ever happen 
again, or, you were to get into any trouble what so ever, you shall 
be expelled."
	Garrett didn't say or do anything. This scene reminded 
him when Coach Gromme was telling him almost the very same thing. 
Except then, Garrett was too mad to care at that time. It 
also reminded him about the time Coach Gromme had also benched 
him for the summer. It brought back painful memories, and not only 
being benched, but everything else that happened during that time.
	The head master nodded slightly, knowing that it was all 
finally beginning to sink in Garrett's mind. "That is all. You may 
go." he said, dismissing Garrett.
	Garrett headed back to his dorm, his head filled with 
memories or good old Swans Crossing, and wasn't thinking about 
what the head master had just told him. He entered his room, and 
was surprised to find out that Michel wasn't there.
	"Oh right, he's out for an early practice." he mumbled to 
no one in particular. Michel had been practicing day and night 
for an upcoming track race he was competing in. Garrett didn't 
mind. He had a lot of quiet time to think.
	He flopped down on his bed, and was surprised to see a pile
of letters lying on the desk in between his and Michel's bed. Hmm, 
Michel must have gotten out mail, he mused.
	Garrett picked up the letters and was surprised to see 
the first letter came from Sydney! He quickly went through the pile 
looking for a letter from Mila, but he only saw a letter from his 
sister, and a separate one from his parents.
	He knew what was in his parent's letter. It was their usual 
letter containing with support money. And Glory's probably held a 
note full of 'I miss you''s. He had a lot of those letters written 
to him before when he was in France, but right now he didn't feel 
like reading them now.
	He went through the pile again and got Sydney's letter. 
He was surprised that she was still thinking about him. And that 
she had written him a letter, before Mila had!
	He quickly opened Sydney's, and as he read the note, 
reading Sydney's sarcastic comments, her stories of a now boring 
town, and her friendly sayings, he felt cheered by the thought 
that Sydney was living up to her promise of being friends. Garrett 
smiled. Sydney could actually be a terrific and supportive friend 
when she felt like it. He quickly went to his desk and pulled out 
a paper and pen and quickly began writing a response to her.

	   :  :  :  :  :  :  :  : 

	At the end of the day, Saja and Sandy exited their last 
period class, English and Saja walked with Sandy to her locker. 
Other than their last period together for the day, English had 
also been the first period they had together that day. They hadn't 
gotten a chance to talk to each other all day long, since Sandy 
had gone to the Library at lunch time to finish an essay. And so 
now, they were making use of their time, and catching up on some 
major news.
	"I can't believe JT and Neil were kidnapped!" Sandy 
exclaimed, as she shoved her books inside her locker. "And what 
were they doing yesterday at Callie's sub instead of school?"
	"I have a pretty good idea why they were there." Saja 
muttered to himself, remembering seeing the bad guys. But Sandy 
heard him.
	"What? Why?"
	Saja looked up at her startled. He had forgotten she was 
standing there for a minute. He had forgotten where he was. Then 
it all came back to him. Answering Sandy's question, he said, 
"There have been some pretty strange things going on in Swans 
Crossing lately, and I think it has something to do with Jt and 
Neil's science project."
	Saja poured out the whole story, about what he had come to 
learn about the mysterious things happening to them.
	Sandy stared at him wide-eyed. "Wow," was all she could 
say afterwards. "JT and Neil were pretty risky with that science 
project." She winced. "And now look."
	Saja nodded grimly. "They're in big trouble."

	   :  :  :  :  :  :  :  : 

	Sydney closed her locker door, stuffed her books inside 
her bag and headed down the hall of Swans Crossing High. Finally, 
the day was done. It was only the second day of classes, but Sydney 
had felt it been forever. True, there were the good parts, like 
when Mrs. Dalton had asked her and Callie to be part of the 
school newspaper staff, the very same one that David Collins was 
heading. She couldn't believe her luck.
	All of her friends were too busy for her to walk with, 
Glory, Mila and Nancy had cheerleading practice, Sandy had already 
left with Saja, and Callie, she knew Callie was probably on her way 
out already. She knew how worried she was about JT and Neil. Then 
Sydney remembered.
	Mrs. Dalton had caught her waiting outside her locker just 
five minutes ago and informed her about the staff meeting for the 
newspaper the following day. She was in a rush and had to go to a 
meeting, so she asked Sydney to tell Callie for her.
	So now, Sydney was trying to find Callie, hoping she could 
get to her before, well, she missed her. She only hoped she got to 
Callie right away. She couldn't call her up on the phone tonight, 
she and her mother were going out for dinner, and tomorrow, it was 
a Wednesday, and Sydney wasn't sure if they had any classes together 
or if they'd see each other at all.
	As Sydney looked to her right, she smiled and waved to a 
friend on her's from the Junior batch. Sydney was temporarily 
distracted, and ran right into Callie, accidentally of course.
	Callie was walking right next to Jimmy, of course, and was 
startled when she and Sydney collided with each other. As Sydney 
looked at her, she noticed Callie had a dazed look on her face.
	"Callie, I am so glad I ran into you!" Sydney exclaimed, 
grabbing Callie's arms. "We have a staff meeting tomorrow after 
school at room 105, can you make it?"
	"Uh, yeah I think."
	"Callie, you have too! I need someone to be there with me 
when I...." Sydney trailed off, remembering that Jimmy was right 
next to Callie.
	Jimmy smirked. "When you what?"
	"Nothing." Sydney waved her hand dismissively. She turned 
back to Callie. "So, will you?"
	Callie smiled, though ever so faintly. "Yeah, sure Sydney."
	Sydney smiled. "Great." She said good bye to them both 
and headed out of school where Ralph was waiting for her in the 
parking lot.
	"What was that all about?" Jimmy asked Callie.
	Callie smiled at him. "Nothing important." And then her 
smile disappeared and she ended up sighing loudly.
	"Still thinking about JT and Neil's disappearance?" Jimmy 
asked sympathetically, as they walked out of the halls of Swans 
Crossing High.
	"I can't stop thinking about it. Everything keeps reminding 
me of yesterday. When I keep telling myself what's done is done, I 
can't turn back now, I end up thinking about what I can do now."
	They sat down on one of the picnic tables on the lawn in 
front of the school. "Well, what can we do now?" Jimmy asked her.
	Callie shrugged helplessly. "I don't know. Every option 
I've tried just leads to a dead end."
	"Such as?"
	"Well, first of all, clues, as to where the Baldies have 
taken them." When Jimmy shrugged and gave her a questioning please-
continue look, Callie rolled her eyes. "The police searched 
yesterday. There were no other pieces of evidence, and nothing that 
they left behind except for a couple of cotton balls, remember?"
	"Yeah," Jimmy said, nodding, agreeing with her. "But maybe 
we need a new place to look."
	"Where else should we be looking?" Callie asked him 
curiously, knowing Jimmy just might be on to something.
	"Well, we've already looked at the places where JT and Neil 
disappeared, and obviously there's nothing. Well, remember what 
we were doing right before we hid JT and Neil?"
	"Yeah, we were really noticing how weird Barek was acting."
	"Well, why don't we continue there." Jimmy told her.
	"You mean..." Callie drifted off, her eyes sparkling.
	"Stakeout." they said in unison.
	They grinned. "Tomorrow. After school." Jimmy decided.
	Callie was about to agree, when she slapped her hand to 
her forehead. "Wait! I almost forgot. I have a staff meeting 
tomorrow after school."
	"So skip it."
	"I can't. Sydney will kill me." Callie groaned.
	"Ok," Jimmy said slowly. "I guess we can go afterwards."
	"Thanks."
	"No problem." Jimmy placed his arm around Callie's shoulder 
and they headed towards the parking lot where they had parked their 
bikes.

	   :  :  :  :  :  :  :  : 

	Mila, Glory and Nancy were sitting around the huge field 
after school, surrounded by the other girls who had made it as 
cheerleaders. They were all waiting for Ms. Langer to come back. 
And so, the girls found a way to keep them preoccupied, talking.
	Mila wanted to talk to Glory, ask her how she was doing 
with JT and Neil's kidnapping. But she didn't even have to ask. 
Glory was staring out into space looking forlorn.
	Mila felt so sorry for Glory, she tried thinking about 
something to say to Glory that would make her feel better. "Hey." 
she said softly. "I'm sorry about JT." She placed a hand on Glory's 
shoulder.
	Glory looked up startled, as if she had forgotten where 
she was for a moment. She looked up at Mila. "Huh? Oh, well, 
there's nothing we can do now but wait I guess."
	"Have they found out yet anything? Where they could have 
taken him, anything?"
	Glory shook her head. "Nope."
	Mila looked at Glory sympathetically. "Well, all we can 
do is hope now."
	"Yeah." Glory agreed in a soft voice. "I hope they're all 
right. And that they come back safely."

	   :  :  :  :  :  :  :  : 

	Elsewhere, JT and Neil were still at the back of the dark 
truck, being driven around in a bumpy way. They were still gagged 
and tied up. And they were still nowhere to stopping, JT groaned 
to himself.
	Or so it seemed. At that very moment, the truck came to a 
screeching halt, and JT and Neil tumbled in the dark room, unable 
to stop themselves until they hit the metal wall.
	Fear filled JT, as his mind raced. Where they 'there?' 
Would they take JT and Neil roughly again? Or were there cops who 
had figured out that these were the bad guys and were there for 
the rescue?
	Whatever it was, they were still in very big trouble.


		        To be continued...

		         (c) 1999 LadySwan

If you have and comments, suggestion, questions, ideas, or any kind 
of criticism at all, please email me, LadySwan, at 
ladyswan_1@hotmail.com ! Thanks!!! :

Text file Source (historic): geocities.com/hollywood/hills/2262/fanfic

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