Many thanks to tiff.n .b36, Fogfire, AllAmericanSlurp, Glee Clue Rock 1251, paquiot899, dreams71, FantasizeDayDreams, AlienGhostWizard14, Jillie chan, xxWasabiWarriorAlertxx, Swiftie22, Lady Cougar-Trombone, and 88keys for your reviews last chapter.

(Special shout-out to the last six ladies and gents mentioned above. You guys had been with me and this story from the start. Much love to all of you!)

Thanks also to rockybluewigs and Angel. Your support had always been appreciated.

It's summer, you guys! Have fun - but not too much fun.

See you in a few months ;)

- Shaine (musicnotes093)

Sixteen.

Unbearable heat scorched an empty street housing the industrial remains of what once was an active factory. Pavement all around almost sizzled in pain as the temperature in the town reached desiccating heights. Weeds and wild flowers prostrated low to the ground, kissing the earth with their withered lips in hopes of getting something to drink. Inactivity also prevailed, which, despite the usual crime-plagued conditions of the neighborhood, was a rarity.

Despite the hostile environment, a sole figure beside the lopsided street sign endured. Patiently, it waited, head moving left then right for any signs of movement.

Not long after, a steady rumble of an engine echoed in the distance. The figure stepped out to the curb curiously. A sigh of relief escaped when a familiar plate number came to view.

The vehicle, a black Range Rover, promptly pulled up beside the figure.

He wasted no time and got in.

The driver, a blonde girl with blue eyes, smiled at the person now occupying the passenger's seat. "You came," she remarked.

Her passenger lobbed his backpack over to the backseat. Then, he shot her a look. "You don't sound very happy that I did."

The smile on the girl's face grew in amusement. She turned her eyes back on the road, and then pulled the gear shift into drive. The doors locked automatically. "Just the exact opposite," she said as she stepped on the gas. She waited until she passed by the railroad before speaking again. "How was your vacation in Reno?"

"Peachy," her passenger answered as he removed his gray jacket before putting his seat belt on. "People were spending so much money on gambling when I didn't even have a dime. At least there was a pool and a cool movie theater."

She frowned. "The money I loaned you. It wasn't enough?"

"Oh, it's enough. It's just too exact."

"Well, frugality is a useful quality."

The figure ensconced within the comfort of the chair. "I guess so," a mumble issued from him.

The girl glanced to her side. "Tired?" she asked.

"You know it."

The girl drove to the ramp leading to the Interstate. She waited until traffic let up, and then she pulled into the fast flow of the vehicles. "Understandable," she said a moment later. "I do apologize. I know what you woke up to a few days ago wasn't the most convenient of situations."

"Yeah, don't worry about it. Means to an end, right?"

"Correct," she nodded.

The soft chuckle ten minutes into the travel almost surprised her. "I have to give you credit," her passenger said. "The watch? The numbers? The shell? Genius."

Unlike before, the girl's features adopted no agreeable expressions. It remained blank. "They are, as you said, only means to an end. No credits necessary," she said.

"Well, okay. If you say so." He sat up eventually when a question came to mind. "Any movement from his side?"

She shook her head. "No. He has gone completely out of range as we had expected."

"I thought so," he said ponderously. "So, where are we going?"

"Oregon," she answered.

He nodded. He took a deep breath. "Alright. Oregon it is."

The girl didn't take her eyes off the road. "Are you sure you want to continue on with this?" she asked.

"Of course," he said. "If what you've told me is true, that he's planning something bigger—which, I don't doubt he is—then I'm going." He looked at her. "We do have a plan."

"Lay low, track him, come when he least expects it," she summarized. "Reckless, but almost foolproof."

Her companion crossed his arms satisfactorily.

The girl glanced at him. "What do you think, Leo Dooley?"

He smirked, his eyes brightened by the sight of the exponential road. "Let's get it."

END OF STORY ONE.