4. The Paper Lie

Six Months Earlier: The Amazon

"Get your hands off me!" Ethan was furious. He stumbled through the underbrush, choking on the acrid smoke. The woman in the grey suit and the two soldiers were leading him away from the chopper they had blown up. A third soldier pushed him from behind. His ears were ringing, the bell sounded like it was under water.

Suddenly Ethan stopped dead. The soldier slammed into his back.

"I'm not moving another inch until you tell me what is going on." Ethan demanded.

The woman never hesitated, the two soldiers kept pace beside her. Even the soldier behind him ignored his ultimatum, stepping around Ethan and continuing on into the rainforest away from the river and the now scorched helicopter.

Ethan did not move. He was sure that they had no idea how stubborn he could be. Probably the only trait he had inherited from his father was his iron-willed determination.

Kate had never heard so much crying.The noise echoed around inside the metal walls of the helicopter. It was like she was surrounded by a wailing crowd. She leaned forward to speak to the pilot, but of course they couldn't hear each other.

"Turn around! Go back!" Rufus demanded.

Kate rolled her eyes. "Stop it! Shut up for one minute, will you?" Kate was barely ten years older than them, but she felt like slapping somebody. She tapped the pilot on the shoulder, then used hand signals to tell him to circle around the scorched helicopter on the river bank.

The pilot pushed the cyclic stick and tilted the chopper into a banked turn. They hovered over the shell of the smaller helicopter, the blades clearing the smoke.

"Look out the windows!" Kate pressed her lips against Rufus' ear and yelled.

Finally, Rufus pulled himself together enough to lean sideways and look out the window. "I don't know what...wait a minute." Confused, Rufus turned to Kate.

"Okay." She shouted at the others. "If you could all be quiet for one minute, I think I can explain what happened."

"Come on kid." The soldiers and the lady in grey had circled back to where Ethan sat serenely in a mound of ferns. His expression was set.

"You can't stay here forever."

Ethan simply lifted one eyebrow.

Present Day: Montreal

Ethan juggled his books as he crossed the campus. On the surface his life was calm, ordered, but inside he was a mess of energy. His instincts were firing like the ions let loose in salt water.

He had only agreed to leave the Amazon with the woman and the soldiers when they had promised he would be taken directly to his mother, who was waiting in a secure place. It was ten, long hours before he felt himself wrapped in her warm, familiar hug.

A deal was struck between the American and Canadian governments. They allowed him to keep his first name, but his last name had to be changed. They moved him to Quebec. His birthday was altered and his high school credits faked under his new name so he could attend university.

Now, nothing was the same. It felt like the old Ethan had disappeared off the face of the earth. They said it was for his own protection. The attack in the Amazon was directed at him solely. His kidnapping had been the ultimate goal. His mother had agreed with his father on all these precautions.

He felt lost, disoriented, as if he were floating between his past life and this present one. Everything about him was a lie. It was important that he be cautious with every word he spoke, every gesture he made. He missed his mother and grandparents, but mostly he missed Anne.

"Ethan, wait up."

Ethan turned with his first genuine smile of the day. Big Tiny was his only real friend now.

Big Tiny, real name Mario, attended university on a full scholarship while playing linebacker for the school football team, the Redbirds. Ethan had met Big Tiny when he had signed up as a Teacher's Assistant and had been asked to tutor the football player. The odd couple became instant friends.

"What's up little man?" Big Tiny lumbered up beside Ethan, his size 15 shoes punishing the ground with each step.

"Not much, big man. just heading home to do some studying. You want to join me?"

They both smiled. Big Tiny guffawed. "My brain is full, man. All that math you crammed in it is gonna make it explode!"

"Not possible, but I will relent. No more work today. Where are you headed?"

Big Tiny's joy was something to behold. It split his face in half, his eyes crinkled almost closed and Ethan swore he felt warmer just seeing that smile.

"Marrisa offered to cook dinner for me."

"Nice." Ethan hoped that twinge he felt wasn't jealousy. He truly loved Big Tiny and wanted him to adjust to school, but he couldn't help feel that his friend was moving onward while he was stuck in a quagmire of lies.

"She's making a whole meat pie just for me!" Again his face beamed.

"Well, say hi from me." Ethan started to walk away. A big hand circled his arm halting him.

"Ethan, she invited you, too."

"Thank her for me, but I have papers to catch up on. You go. Enjoy!" Ethan patted Big Tiny on the hand. He hoped his friend didn't see through his smile. Living life as a liar and a fraud was tricky.

Ethan unlocked the door to his apartment. Living alone had been necessary to his parent's plan. He set his books down, making certain they were lined up perfectly with the edge of the table. He turned to shut and deadbolt the door and froze. The hair on the back of his neck stood up. His heart raced. Without turning, he knew someone was in his apartment.