Tina Chan - imperfect

“Not really, if you consider there are over three billion people in the world,” Finn said.

“I’m sure the Revealer’s numbers have grown though,” Finn’s dad said.

Dr. Hanson nodded. “Last time I checked, which was about two weeks ago, our numbers were up to 500,000. Tiffany’s been a charm recruiting members.”

Then out-of-the-blue, realization dawned on Kristi. They were expected to fulfill these two tasks left by her parents. Four—five if counting Jaiden—teenagers were expected to fulfill two cases started several years ago.

Troop must’ve caught her thoughts because he said, “This is a lot to take in. Are we actually going to attempt to complete the two cases?”

“Of course we are,” Kristi said, her own words sounding uncertain even to her own ears. “Well, at least I will at any rate.”

“Count me in,” Troop said.

“And me,” Finn added.

“Chelsa?” Kristi prompted.

“Sure.”

Ghost purred his approval.

“Then I’m in as well,” Jaiden concluded.

Finn’s mom interrupted, “As sure as I am of the fact that the five of you are willing to finish the Disappearance and Individualism Case, I must say that is not going to happen.”

Finn’s dad nodded gravely. “You’re too young and inexperienced to be working cases as important as these two. It would be better if the assignments were turned over to other, more seasoned Revealer agents.”

“Mom, Dad,” said Finn, “shouldn’t that decision be up to Kristi to decide? After all, it was her parents who specifically gave her the two cases to complete.”

“Kristi has absolutely no knowledge in this sort of work,” his mom said. She turned to Kristi and said, “No offense.”

“None taken.”

But, she agreed with Finn; it was her right to choose whether she passed on the tasks Maria and Don had left her to better qualified people or not. I mean, I did just cross the entire country to unlock this electro-slate; I don’t want someone else to decide what to do with the contents on the slate.

“Derek and Mellany are viable candidates to work on the cases,” Finn’s mom said to the other adults in the room.

Her husband made an agreeable sound, adding, “Yes. Kelvin and Tom may be interested in this as well. What do you say, Dr. Hanson?”

“I agree with Finn,” said Dr. Hanson, startling everyone by siding with the kids. “It was clearly stated in their wills that Kristi is to receive this electro-slate containing information on the Disappearance and Individualism cases. Kyle and Shelly are smart people; they wouldn’t have done such actions without a good reason.”

Finn’s mom gave a curt nod. “I can see your reasoning, Dr. Hanson, but that does not mean I have to agree with it.”

Dr. Hanson acknowledged her opinion. Then he faced Kristi and said, “The law’s on your side if you decide to take on these two cases. Your parents unmistakably stated this electro-slate is to be for you to inherit. Because the files for the Disappearance and Individualism cases are on the slate, technically, they belong to you as well.”

“Kristi isn’t eighteen yet,” Finn’s mom interjected.

“That fact is irrelevant,” said Dr. Hanson. “I will do everything in my power to ensure you succeed if you choose to complete the two cases. I have many useful connections, so feel free to give me a call if you’re ever in a sticky situation.”

Neither of Finn’s parents looked happy, but they didn’t say anything either. I guess Dr. Hanson was right; the two cases legally belong to me, Kristi thought.

“I want to carry out the two cases,” she said.

“I beg you to think over your decision. You’re still young and will make impulsive choices,” said Finn’s dad. He perched at the edge of the couch, wringing his hands.

Kristi replied in a heartbeat, “I’m not changing my mind.”

“Fine,” said Finn’s mom. “I can’t tell you what to do. However, Finn isn’t coming with you, and I am legally entitled to prevent him from leaving this household.”

“ Mom, ” moaned Finn.

His mom glared at him. Luckily, Dr. Hansom came to their rescue once more.

“Jacqueline,” he said in his soft voice. “Do what you think is best for the greater good. I realize that you love your son, but sometimes love is also about letting go, not just holding on.”

Finn’s mom abruptly stood up. “Fine,” she said, not sounding fine at all. “Do what you will.” She left the room.

Finn’s dad looked at the doorway, as if wishing he could escape the room with his wife.

After what seemed like eons, he said, “Finn, your mother and I will deeply regret seeing you depart on this risky business if you choose to. But if that is what you want to do, I won’t do anything to stop you.”

“Thanks for understanding,” Finn said.

“No problem, son.”

Finn didn’t need to voice his answer out loud. They all knew he was coming with them.

“Finn, will you show the guests the spare bedrooms?” asked his dad in a somber tone.

Finn lightly hoisted himself up from the couch and grabbed his crutches, which were leaning against the wall. “This way.”

Thoughts whirled around Kristi’s brain like a blender set on high.

“Which case should we start on?” she asked.

“Probably the Disappearance Case,” Jaiden said. “It seems to be the most feasible case to complete.”

“Wake up.” Chelsa roughly shook Kristi awake.

Kristi directed her groggy eyes at the clock: 3:26am.

“What the heck?” she whispered.

“We have to go. Jaiden and Troop are already up. I have to go wake up Finn now. Hurry up and get dressed.”

She snagged Chelsa by the arm. “Why?”

“Look, I don’t have time to explain. We’re already six minutes late; waking Jaiden took longer than I expected.”

“I’m not heading outside at half past three in the morning without a good reason,” Kristi said. “Do you know how much trouble we will be in if we’re caught outside?”

“Alright, I’ll explain briefly,” said Chelsa impatiently. “I received an instafication notifying us there was someone who had something that could help aid us in completing one of the cases. The person’s meeting us at Jabber Boulevard at 3:20.”

“Doesn’t this seem a bit vague and skeptical? We haven’t even known about the cases for a day and we’re already being offered help in the middle of the night? Tell the person we’ll meet him or her during the day and at a place where we decide to meet.”

Chelsa let out a frustrated sigh. “Look, don’t you think we could use all the help we can get? The person said he wouldn’t be around tomorrow since he’s leaving Oppidum as soon as he hands us whatever he has to give.”

Jaiden entered the room with Troop.

“Ready to go?” he asked.

“Can you go wake Finn up while I try to convince Kristi to get out of bed?”

Jaiden left in search of Finn’s room.

“Should I find Ghost?” Troop asked.

“Nah,” said Chelsa, then she turned back to Kristi, probably ready to yank her out from beneath the blankets by force if needed.

Kristi had already pulled on a hoodie was lacing up her sneakers though. Might as well get this over with , she thought.

“Oh good, you’ve finally come about to your senses,” Chelsa muttered.

Her shoulders bunched up with tension and Kristi began to doubt herself for agreeing to meet this mysterious person in the middle of the night. As far as Kristi was concerned, meeting strangers at three in the morning usually didn’t end well.

Jaiden returned to the room with Finn within five minutes.

“Let’s get going,” he said. “Chelsa, you said you know how to get to Jabber Boulevard, right?”