Chapter 38: Surprise at the end of the long, creepy tunnel It was cold, maybe colder to me than the others because I was soaking wet. I was more anxious with every step that we took. What tricks would Maxie have up his sleeve this time? Whatever he tried though, I would be prepared. Hopefully. But I wasn't. Because Maxie wasn't at the end of the long, creepy tunnel. Taylor, Josh and Wally were. It infuriated me to see Josh, after all he had done to trick me- and he had almost caused me to lose Nathan!- and set me up. But it made me even more mad to see Taylor. And there, in front of us all, was the sleeping form of Groudon. It was kind of scary to see, but it didn't take away the hurt I felt. It was Taylor who held up the blue orb. I felt tricked. And very stupid. So he had lied to me and Nathan about not wanting to join Team Magma. So what was new? Taylor never changed. "I'm surprised at you, Taylor." My voice sounded extremely loud in the silent cavern. Taylor dropped his hand to his side and looked around until his eyes rested on me. "Jenn, I... I mean, it's not what it seems." He was at a loss for words. I thought you really had changed," I said sadly. I had liked this new Taylor, the one who had saved me, who whispered to me at my hospital bedside, who had risked being embarrassed in front of all our old classmates to give me a birthday present. But I guess that like Josh, he was all fake. "I did, Jenn. I swear to you that I did." He looked so sad and Josh and Wally looked unrelentful, but I would not be fooled again. "Then why are you holding that orb, Taylor?" I had put my trust in him again. And he let me down. "Jenn, no matter how much I want to leave, I can't. I have to do my duty on the team, otherwise something might happen to my mom. Or even to you." His eyes were pleading, and so was his voice. "But why is it you holding the orb? And not Josh or Wally?" "I'm under instructions not to explain." "Yeah, that's very believable, Mr. Flora," I said sarcastically. "Do you really want to know?" he asked me and he sounded so hurt. "If it's not a pathetic little excuse, then yes, I do." "Fine. Maxie-" "The boss wouldn't be very pleased with you if he knew that you were telling her, Administrator Taylor," Josh smirked, stressing out his official title. "I don't care," he said. "You will care. And if anyone is going to tell my former companion, let me do it. My boss happened to know that you would appear." My mouth dropped. "Well, it is quite predictable. You appear wherever there's a crisis. So he sent us all to get you and recruit you as an admin for our fine team." Hearing him talk burned me on the inside. "I'm not going to do it," I said definantly. "Taylor, do you want to do your part and get it over with?" Wally asked exasperatedly. "No, not particularly," Taylor said casually "Well, that doesn't matter anyways. You need to get it done," Josh said in a taunting voice. "I told you. No. I don't want to do it and I'm not going to do it." He was shocking me and I suddenly felt so proud of him. "Do I have to threaten your ex-girlfriend myself?" Josh asked frustratedly. Taylor gave him a stony glare. "Fine. If you don't come voluntarily, we'll MAKE you come." "Leave me out of this," Taylor said quietly. "I've caused her enough pain to last a lifetime." "God, Taylor, when did you become such a wimp?" Wally thought it would taunt him but Taylor was determined. "Take this," Taylor said to me as he held out the blue orb to me. "Return it. I'll have nothing to do with this. My eyes were watering as I reached out to take it. He really had changed. He really had. "You're pathetic," Wally said in a disgusted voice as he snatched the orb from Taylor's hand. The orb started glowing and the whole room was flooded with it's light. And then Groudon flew up and took off. It was the beginning of the end.