Disappointment. It's what fills my being as I drag myself out of bed. I'm disappointed that I dragged my cousin and friend into a search that might as well be hopeless. After all, what did we find? Not one thing.

Maybe Eva's note was a sham, a hoax. Anyone could have wrote it and left it here for someone to find. My spirits drop as I prepare myself for the day ahead.

No, we don't have school today. So, I don't have many plans. Glancing at my watch, I realize it's already one in the afternoon. Well, that's less time I have to kill.

I have a missed call from my mom, which is weird. After all, she never calls me when she's at work. There's also missed notifications from Jared, and even Eva. My blood runs cold as I decide to call my mother back first.

I gently sit on the edge of my bed, holding my watch in front of me. Soon, her holographic image greats me. Her eyes hold panic and sadness, and even her hair sticks up in odd places to fit the look.

"Cody! Why didn't you answer when I called?"

As in cue, I let out a yawn. "I was sleeping. Sorry. Are you okay? What's going on! Everyone's trying to get a hold of me." And I thought this would be a normal, boring day like the rest since Autumn vanished.

"It's-" She gulps, eyes trailing downward. "Your father."

I let out a gasp, nearly collapsing back into my bed. What could have happened dealing with him? He was supposed to have been gone, dead. Jared saw Autumn fry him with his own eyes. The jerk is supposed to be gone. It's supposed to be over.

"My- what?" That's all that comes out in a timid little squeak.

"He's alive, Cody. We don't know where, but we know he's alive."

"How? That's impossible!" Then, a lightbulb goes off in my head, and for the first time, I feel hope. If he's still out there, then Autumn could be too. He could be holding her hostage, and maybe he is. I have to find him. Everything seems to depend on it.

Mom seems to sense my thoughts, because she hurriedly shakes her head. "Don't. Please, don't do anything stupid. Not until we know more. The government can-"

A dry laugh escapes me. "Look where the government got us last time. They're not the ones who got rid of Chips, they're the ones who kept us hostage with them."

Her holographic mouth opens and closes, fire burning in her eyes. "Well, neither did you. And, Autumn's dead."

That hits me like a stab to the gut. "It's not my fault that you let your husband push you around for years, using your invention for his own benefit. Maybe Chips could have been something good, something amazing. But, they weren't, now were they?"

I see the sadness in her eyes as tears pool in them. I know I went too far, but so did she.

"Goodbye, son."

With that, the call ends, and I'm left staring at the other end of my enormous room. That's what my father used to call me. Son. Not Cody, just son. He called my brother that, too, until he had him killed.

I get another call, this time from Jared. I simply take off my watch and chuck it onto my bed, storming out of my room. This isn't fair. Why does he get to be here, alive, and I have no idea if Autumn is.

Life isn't fair, I guess. I brush my hair out of my eyes, which are beginning to water. However, I don't allow myself to cry. I have to be stronger than that. I just have to. Apparently, the adventures aren't over yet, and I need to get to the bottom of everything, and soon; unless I lose my sanity first.

Once I exit my house, I don't have anywhere to turn. So, I just walk. And walk. And walk. It's not like I expect anything interesting to happen, like my dad to pop out from behind a tree and scream "Here I am!" Or, it's not like staring at the people milling about, talking and laughing and smiling, will make me feel any better.

Suddenly, I glance up from my feet, and I realize that  they have taken me somewhere I didn't expect; to the last place Autumn resided in. Taking in a deep breath, I walk up to the door and knock. Glancing around, I realize the faux grass is better kept, as is this whole neighborhood. Teresa might even have neighbors now.

The girl in question creaks open the door. Once she realizes it's me, she swings it open, holstering her gun. "You can never be too cautious when you're me. You never know."

I nod. She's right. Even when things seem fine, we shouldn't let our guard down, I realize.

"So, Cody, whatcha need?"

"What if you were right, when you said it wasn't over? I realize how much I wanted it to be, and I'm sorry for storming out on you that day when you were just trying to warn me."

Her eyes widen. "Come inside. I think we need to talk."

"Yeah, I guess we do," I sigh, entering the house before Teresa shuts the door behind me. I notice how she still has her bolts and locks, which she fastens safely shut. I'm not sure if she's scared by all that's happened to her, or they really are a necessity.

I plop down onto her couch and she settles beside me. The tv is on low, and a cool breeze drifts through the house thanks to the air conditioning. She wasn't lying when she said she gained electricity.

"So, what made you wake up and smell the reality?"

I glance anywhere but at her. "My father's alive. I'm not sure you know that he's my father, but he's the guy that ran the government and had the Master Chip. And, well, I thought Autumn killed him, but I guess I was wrong."

"Well, that was one thing I didn't expect."

I look at her in shock. "Out of all things, why does this surprise you the most? Not to be rude, but you basically expect the unexpected."

She chuckles. "Nah, it's kind of a compliment. But, I don't know. I figured one of the former rebellions would have tried something rather than he be alive. I hate to say it, but I told you so. And, well, I really don't hate to say it because it brings me a sense of satisfaction."

I roll my eyes at that. "Well, Eva also found a note that said Autumn's alive. We looked around the city but we couldn't find anymore clues. And now this."

"Well, with your father alive, I wouldn't rule Autumn being alive out of the picture, actually. And I'd be so glad if she wasn't."

I smile slightly. "Yeah." Then, that smile returns to a frown. "But I have no idea how to prove my suspicions."

Teresa seems to ponder this for a second, her gaze shifting to the roof above us. Finally, she loudly exhales. "Well, like I mentioned last time we met, I think the rebellions are still out there somewhere. I was part of the rebellion when it was one big one called No More. Then, they branched into two, and I realized Leane, the AntiChip leader, was crazy. So, I joined The Others, not knowing everything would go to hell either way.

"Leane was power hungry. And, I'm willing to bet she's not done just because Chips are gone. In fact, I'm pretty sure that will help her out in whatever she's planning. I mean, she wanted to get rid of Chips, but for what? I know it wasn't a selfless and heroic motive."

This new information shocks me, and it takes a moment for me to form a verbal response. "So, condense it for me. What does all of that mean in terms of Autumn?"

"Maybe someone is keeping her alive."

I gasp, then shake my head. "Why?" Could it be my father like I previously guessed, or someone else entirely?

She shrugs. "People are weird. People have even weirder motives. But, I think you're onto something. Don't give up yet, and don't let your guard down. We'll figure this out eventually."

"Eventually?" I mutter, my heart aching. "I kind of want to figure this out as soon as possible."

"So do I, but you need to have patience."

Patience. It seems like my enemy, standing there laughing in my face. I run a hand through my hair, forcing myself to calm down. At least there's hope, but at what cost? I never really thought about where Autumn would be if she was alive. If she is, I hope she's safe, and I hope she's okay. I'll find her.
I have to.

"Okay," I finally respond to Teresa. "I'll try my best. What's the plan?"

"Learn?"

"Learn? Like go to school and-"

"Ehh, school's not going to save you now. Not in our situation, anyways. I mean we need to collect all the information we can in the next few days. Weeks if that's what it takes, but we shouldn't wait too long because our enemies won't either. Let the others know about this. I assume they'll want to help."

I nod. "Of course. We're a team. We were a team before, with Autumn, and we're still a team now." Glancing at her expression, I add, "Of course, you're also part of that team."

She smiles slightly. "Good to hear. Now, go!"

I bid her farewell and rush off in pursuit of Eva and Jared. Since I left my watch on my bed in my fit, which was very stupid of me, I can't call them. So, I hope they're at Jared's place. Or, well, at least the one who's supposed to live there, but they're inseparable anyhow.

Once I reach the mansion, which is not far from my own, I stop to pet Jared's cat. He purrs and I smile, giving him one last ear rub before typing in the code and opening the door. We're family anyways.

I find his room and wait outside the door for a second. I don't hear any noise, so I knock. A moment later, the door swings open to reveal my cousin with Eva sitting on the bed, eyes fixated on a movie on the tv in front of her.

My cousin goes to open his mouth, but I beat him to it. "I know. Mom told me. But, I have somethings to tell both of you. Looks like the Chip Busters are back."

At that, Eva tenses, turning to look at us. Her eyes catch mine and I can see fear mixed with curiosity in her chocolate ones. I step into my cousin's room and close the door as Jared turns off the movie.

We all sit in a circle on his rug, which is actually pretty comfortable. There, I relay the conversation I had with Teresa to the couple, who seem shocked but eager to get to the bottom of everything.

"Alright. The Chip Busters are back, and we're going to figure this all out! Right, guys?" Eva speaks, holding out her hand palm-down.

My cousin and I nod, placing our hands on top of hers. Uneasy smiles are shared, and then a silence.

Then, Jared turns the movie back on, and I take that as my cue to leave. I have ice cream to eat anyways.

--------

What is sleep? Lol, I couldn't sleep so I finished writing this. Enjoy and please point out any mistakes.

I won't be following an update schedule (clearly because it's Wednesday not Thursday) but updating based on motivation. I have more time anyways.

Predictions?

-Sarah