Rain

I silently paced the floor a lot that evening. Only my dad and Jared seemed to notice. Finally, Jared pulled me aside, "we need to talk. get your father and meet me in my room." I hesitated but nodded.

When we got to his room, Jared closed the door and my dad blurted, "what's going on here?"

I explained the situation to them, and they both sat there staring blankly at me saying nothing.
"Look, I know what you're thinking. But it's too dangerous. I know she's my mom," I nearly choked on my emotions, "but we need Jared. For all we know, she's already dead. We can't give in to Alex's threats, we can't let him win."

My dad got teary eyed and put his arm around me, "honey, you're growing up too fast. I don't know what else to say."

"I do." Jared said plainly. "I have to go. There's no other choice."

"Yes there is!" I screamed, "We need you! As much as I love my mom, she is not as important to this cause. Stop trying to change my mind, it's hard enough as it is." I nearly slapped him.

"You're willing to risk your own mother's life for me?" I couldn't tell if he was shocked or annoyed. "And you're going to stand by and let it happen?" he fumed at my dad.

"I don't know." my dad was completely overwhelmed, "I couldn't live with myself if I let Rain go rescue her, I couldn't stand losing them both."

"What about Sterling?" I inquired.

"Someone call me?" The boy was suddenly standing in the doorway.

"no, this doesn't concern you." Jared glared and nearly shut the door on his head.

"You can shape shift, right?" I asked him.

"To a degree, what did you have in mind?"

"Could you make yourself look like me?"

He made a weird face as if wrestling the idea in his mind. "No, they would notice, I could only make a robot that looks like you."

"Well, what do you suggest we do then, space boy?" my dad grumbled at the grim situation.

"Nothing. I say we do nothing. Like Rain said, it's frivolous thinking to believe Sun is still alive. I'm sorry, sir, but we have to protect the others."

"I am sick of you and your attitude!" Jared jumped up again and pushed Sterling out the door slamming it in his face. "So that's it? We just sit here and do nothing while your innocent mother dies?"

I couldn't take anymore, I just sat on his bed and sobbed uncontrollably.

"What else can we do?" my father said hopelessly as he put his arm around me again.