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Not My Problem | Chapter Three | "We Don't Talk About Our Bionics"

  I couldn't believe my ears. Bionic teenagers, hidden in my Uncle's basement? It sounded like the start of a bad sci-fi movie, but I was huddled behind the cyber desk, eavesdropping on their conversation. Adam, Bree, and Chase – claiming to be bionic, whatever that meant. And to top it off, my Aunt's new husband, the man I was supposed to call family, had been harboring this secret. My mind raced with questions. Did Aunt and Leo know about this? How could they keep such a mind-boggling secret from me? Was my own family in on this covert operation? But rational thoughts crept in, reminding me it couldn't be real. There was no substantial evidence that these teens possessed any extraordinary abilities. I mean, bionic? Really?
  Fear tried to grip me, whispering the consequences of meddling in affairs far beyond my understanding. Yet, fear didn't stand a chance against my determination. Action was the only way out. I was Artemis, Strike's daughter and sidekick, after all. Prepared to take matters into my own hands, and by my hands, I meant my fists. Who needed a license to fight? Not me. Doing the right thing wouldn't cost me anything I hadn't already given up. The right thing, in this case, meant exposing these alleged bionic teenagers to the Super Society.
   Chase's voice sliced through my thoughts as he summoned "Eddy," the sassy household computer system. 
  The screen flickered to life, displaying the snarky four-lettered entity, perfectly reflecting the chaos surrounding me. This was my chance, the opportune moment to expose their secrets and end their clandestine games.
  Eddy's digital eyes narrowed mockingly. "Well, well, if it isn't the bionic wonders. What can I do for you today besides reminding you of your inadequacy?"
 Bree smirks, her retort quick and cutting. "At least I don't need a software update to have a personality. " 
  Chase, ever the mediator, attempted to bring the conversation back on track. "Hey, Eddy, just let us know when Blaire's in her room. We're on a snack mission. Adam's getting seriously hangry."
  Eddy, true to form, crushes their dessert dreams with a single sentence. "Sorry, can't do that. Little Miss Hiding-Behind-The-Desk is already here, ruining your escape plan,  greasy head and all." I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Greasy head? Seriously Eddy?
 Their heads turned in unison, confirming Eddy's words. I cringe at his words, feeling like I've been caught red-handed, even though I'm not the one with secrets here. My mind races, trying to process the situation. Bionic siblings, a snarky computer system, and me caught in the middle of it all. What a way to spend an afternoon.
  Slowly, I emerged from my hiding spot, meeting their astonished gazes with defiance burning in my eyes. "Well, congratulations, you caught me. Care to explain why you're hiding in my uncle's basement? And what's the deal with all this bionics nonsense?" My tone is sharp. 
  Adam, Bree, and Chase exchange glances, their expressions a mix of uncertainty and defiance. I can tell they're not used to being questioned, especially by someone my age. But I won't back down. I'm Artemis, after all, and I've faced more formidable challenges than bionic teenagers. "Let's hear it," I demand, crossing my arms over my chest. "I'm all ears."

Flashback - One Week Ago:

  The Lab was alive with the usual energy, everyone doing their business as usual. Donald Davenport and Tasha stood at the center, ready to drop a bombshell on the unsuspecting household.
 "I hope you're all sitting down," Donald said, his voice carrying a mix of seriousness and excitement. "Tasha's niece, Blaire, will stay with us from now on. She's family, and it's our responsibility to make her feel at home."
  "Another girl?" Bree, never one to shy away from speaking her mind, couldn't help but inject her enthusiasm into the room. "Finally, some estrogen in this sausage fest! Maybe now I won't be the only voice of reason here."
   A chorus of more questions erupted, but before anyone could voice them, Tasha raised her hand, quieting the inquiries. "Before you ask, no, you can't tell her about your bionics. Not until Donald and I think it's the right time. Things will change around here, too. No more messy habits," she pointed at Adam and Leo, who sheepishly raised their hands, "and no
more video games in your underwear,  Adam."
 Adam, who was halfway into a bag of chips, looked offended. "Aw, but that's the best way to play!"
  Tasha shot him sternly, and Adam, realizing he was fighting a losing battle, put his hands up in surrender.
  Mr. Davenport's eyes scanned the room, his gaze sharp and unwavering. "I know you have questions, but trust me on this. There are reasons for our decisions, reasons I can't explain right now. Just trust that I have everyone's best interests at heart. Don't talk about your bionics." The room fell into a thoughtful silence, the weight of Mr. Davenport's words hanging in the air. Despite their curiosity, the siblings knew better than to question their guardian's judgment. If he said trust him, then trust him they would, even if the reasons remained a mystery.

Flashback End - Present:  

   Blaire's impatience simmered beneath the surface, her eyes sharp with suspicion. "I'm waiting," she reiterated, her voice firm, unrelenting. She was determined to uncover the truth, her intuition telling her that something extraordinary was lurking beneath the surface of this seemingly ordinary house. The air in the room crackled with tension, an unspoken challenge lingering between them.
  Meanwhile, in the minds of the bionic siblings, a silent oath-bound their lips, preventing them from revealing the truth.  Chase, the usually composed one, found himself caught in a dilemma. His analytical mind searched for a solution, an escape from the truth they couldn't reveal. A strange sensation clawed at his throat, a mix of nervousness and amusement that bubbled uncontrollably. It started as a giggle, a nervous response to the mounting pressure, then escalated into loud laughter. Both contagious and unstoppable, his laugh echoed off the walls, infecting Adam and Bree.   A weirded-out, stoic expression contorts the face that resembles Tasha's. But amidst the laughter, 
   Chase managed to compose himself, his eyes meeting Blaire's with a newfound confidence. "Blaire, right?" he said, his voice steady. 
   A guarded response met him, "Who wants to know?"
  "I'm Chase, and these are my siblings, Bree and Adam. We're, well, sort of Donald Davenport's kids."
  Blaire's eyebrow arched, skepticism etched across her face. "I've never heard of any kids. Uncle Donald and Aunt Tasha never mentioned you."
   Bree stepped forward, explaining, "He doesn't talk about us much. We remind him too much of our mother, who walked out on him."
  Suspicion lingered in Blaire's eyes; the explanation didn't account for what she overheard. "Uh-huh, and the bionics?" 
  Chase, ever the quick thinker, spun a tale with practiced ease. "This is Mission Creek. We're rehearsing lines for a TV role about bionic teens living in a tech billionaire's basement. It's on, um, Disney Channel." 
   Blaire, though skeptical, seemed to consider this possibility. "Actors, huh?" she mused, raising an eyebrow.
  He nodded, his grin unwavering. "Yes, method, but sometimes we take our roles too seriously.
 "Let me guess, that also explains those glowing tubes behind you and the uniforms you had on earlier, right?"
  Chase seized the opportunity. "Ah, those were costumes and props," he explained, weaving a tale of extravagance. " And the glowing tubes, well, our dad developed this incredible invention. Behold! The FlashFashion Pod 2000. It's a futuristic way to get dressed, and they were part of the scene, you know, an ad. Mr.-I mean, our dad is an executive producer on the show." 
  As if they had rehearsed it a thousand times, the siblings launched into a commercial-like pitch, their voices seamlessly blending in harmony.
  "Imagine a world where getting dressed is not just a routine but an exhilarating experience," Chase began, his voice theatrical. "With Davenport Industries' cutting-edge technology, you can step into the future of fashion with a single stride."
   Bree chimed in, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "The FlashFashion Pod 2000 is not just a device; it's a revolution, a seamless fusion of innovation and elegance."
 Adam, surprising everyone with his quick thinking, continued the pitch. "Why waste precious minutes choosing outfits when you can transform your look instantaneously? Picture this: you step into the sleek, glowing pod, and within seconds, you emerge in a brand-new attire tailored to your taste."
 Bree added her flair, winking at Blaire. "Join today's fashion revolution and experience a world where style and convenience collide. The FlashFashion Pod 2000 is not just a wardrobe; it's your gateway to a future where you can express yourself effortlessly. Step in, blink, and let your style shine!"
  Blaire's initial response was a thoughtful hum, her suspicion momentarily overridden by the siblings' convincing performance. "You guys are something else; I'll give you that. But forget sitcoms; you three should do commercials. I heard that's where the real money is. Great for Uncle D, entering a woman-dominated industry and the EP position, too," she commented, her skepticism easing slightly. 
  The youngest of the three superhumans flashed a charming grin, "Well if you ever need some acting tips, we're here to help. We might not be experts, but we know how to make a statement at auditions."
  The room echoed with the fading sound of Blaire's chuckle as she retreated, her skepticism momentarily giving way to amusement. "I might take you up on that offer someday. I can't act worth a damn. For now, I'll let you continue your 'rehearsals.' But remember, I'm watching you," she warned, her fingers forming a mock salute from her eyes to them.
  With that ominous reminder, she turned on her heel, her sleek black hair swaying as she disappeared from their immediate view. Chase, Bree, and Adam exchanged a triumphant glance, their smiles reflecting the fleeting victory they had won over Blaire's suspicions, but the fragile peace didn't last long. 
 Just as they began to breathe easy, chaos ensued. Adam made an abrupt noise, his face contorting as if he were about to sneeze. In the blink of an eye, the harmless sneeze transformed into a catastrophe as his body's reflexes triggered his laser vision. Blaire's instincts took over, and she dropped to the ground with the agility of a seasoned spy. Her lithe form flattened against the floor, narrowly evading the deadly beams that could have struck her down. The lasers whizzed past her, hitting the wall and some nearby equipment, leaving scorch marks in their wake.
   Chase scolded him, his voice tinged with frustration. "Adam, you almost fried her head off!" Bree shot their older brother a reproachful look, her usually calm demeanor shaken by the turn of events. 
  The horror-stricken look in Blaire's eyes spoke volumes. Any hope they had of erasing her suspicions vanished in an instant. The damage was done, and the truth they had desperately tried to conceal was now evident. In the aftermath of Adam's glitch, the room fell into an uneasy silence. The tension in the air was palpable, their secret now exposed to the one person they had sworn to keep it from. Blaire's gaze shifted from one sibling to another, her eyes narrow.  Adam, his expression a mix of guilt and regret, tried to find words to salvage the situation. "I... I didn't mean to," he stammered, his eyes pleading for understanding.
   "It was an accident, Blaire. You weren't supposed to find out like this," Chase said, his tone earnest, his eyes pleading for understanding. His attempt at reconciliation hung in the air, his sincere words fading into the charged atmosphere. Blaire's initial shock melted into a turbulent whirlwind of emotions – confusion, anger, and an eventual grim acceptance of the situation. She rose from the floor, refusing the offered hands, her gaze sharp and unyielding. 
   "I can't bear watching a group of inexperienced nobodies, genetically enhanced or not, playing heroes," she hissed, her voice cutting through the tension like a sharp blade. "Liars? Well,  now they're an entire breed that makes my skin itch.  Deceive me, and you'd better pray to whatever higher power you serve that I don't unravel your falsehoods. Unfortunately for you, yours have made my job much easier." 
     Reasoning proved futile amidst the deafening silence; the battle lines were etched in charged silence, and the only audible sound was the ominous cracking of knuckles by the Thompson girl. Chase, his bionic intelligence working overtime, desperately attempted to reason with Blaire, noticing her clenched fists by her sides. "Blaire, please, violence won't solve anything. We can find a way to resolve this." But before his words could fully register, she had already lunged at him, her fist connecting with his jaw, sending him stumbling back, blood trickling from a split lip. The fight had begun, and there was no turning back.

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Word Count:  2184

Hey guys!  I know it's been a minute since I decided to revise every chapter and combine two. I promise to be on top of posting some of my books if you follow me.  Otherwise, be on the lookout.  Enjoy!