Lightning Proof

by Rebecca Ann

  “I can do that.”

  “I’ll have the sign-ups to you in a few hours. I might even leave it up through dinner tonight, and you can start scheduling people tomorrow.” Rick’s large hand claimed my shoulder in a reassuring squeeze. “You can do this, Victoria.”

  He walked away before I could reply, and I fumbled for Shannon’s elbow again. “You want to get breakfast?”

  “Yes, but I was thinking we’d get it to go. The person in charge of this program needs to see where donations are going to take place.” I could hear the mischievous grin in her voice.

  “Oh no, Shannon. You’re not talking me into donating. I agreed to help with the program, but I’m not ready for—!”

  “Look, I’m the last one who should be saying this after what I went through in the hotel, but donating here isn’t going to be painful. You won’t be given anything to force out your powers. You let it come naturally. All you do is stick your hands in these plastic holes. I haven’t done it, but I helped my dad build the contraption.”

  I sighed, giving in. “You’re right. You’re not the one who should be talking me into this.” I sighed again. Maybe this was the push I needed to do it. “Fine! I’ll try it. One time.”

  “Okay. I’ll get us breakfast.” Shannon disappeared before I could reply, returning a second later with something in her hands. “I got us breakfast. Let’s go! Bethany is meeting us outside. She’s going to go with us. Here. Have a bagel.”

  I grabbed a bagel from the bag, continuing to eat it as we walked out of the cafeteria and outside.

  “Hey, guys!” The gravel crunched as Bethany came toward us. I couldn’t make out anything in front of me. “You ready?”

  “Yes.”

  Flashlights bounced throughout the street, and Shannon led me up a set of uneven steps with no railing to a door that creaked on old hinges as she pulled it open. A rusty smell clung to the air, making my nose itch. Carpet muted our footsteps, and in the silence, the door slamming shut sent a jolt of alarm down my spine. I tried to see through the flashlight beam Bethany held but couldn’t.

  “Whoa! What is this place?” Bethany asked from behind us.

  We went through a door in the back of the room that opened to the longest stretch of darkness I’d ever experienced.

  “Here.” Bethany scooted in front of me, and a second later, a bolt went upward. Suddenly, the room was lit with a grimy light. It spilled across the carpet, and I blinked. “Better?”

  I nodded and glanced around. We stood at the beginning of a long hallway with doors on either side. The heat traveled toward us, like a ghost. Shannon stopped at a door at the far end on the right side of the hall. Turning the knob, she opened it, and once again, the room was cloaked in darkness.

  Another bolt traveled to the ceiling, producing a second grimy light. As I walked through the door, I stopped, eyes wide. What in the world? A large structure that looked like some sort of playground equipment stood against the opposite wall. Clear tubes had been mounted on a platform, and holes stuck out at the front, large enough for a small child to crawl through.

  “This is called the Lighter Tube,” Shannon said, stepping up to it like it was something she’d done every day of her life. “You stick your hands in the giant holes and release your power. My dad built it. I didn’t think we’d ever have to use it.” Sadness coated her words. “But I didn’t think we’d live down here either.”

  I stared, and it took a moment for my brain to form words. “That’s it?” I walked up to it. Slowly. Like it would reach out and eat me if I moved any faster. “You don’t have to turn anything on?”

  “Nope. The electricity will flow through the tubes and collect in the big glass box in the back. Don’t worry about how much electricity you expel. It’ll be emptied after each person donates.”

  “Wow!” Bethany ran her hand over the tube. “You wanna go first? Do we need anyone in here to supervise or something?”

  “I don’t think so,” Shannon said. “Why don’t you show us the best way to do this, Bethany?”

  “I’ve never used this thing, but I can show you the best way to release your light.”

  I stared at my hands as the little bit of tingling I’d had this morning intensified. I couldn’t believe I was doing this. Before I could change my mind, I put my hands into the holes. My stomach twisted. “I don’t know if I can—”

  “Don’t think about anything. Just release it. Think of shooting someone you hate, like the president,” Bethany suggested in a much too casual tone.

  I took another breath and shut my eyes. Think about someone I hate. That wasn’t hard. I did hate the president, and a big part of me hated my mother for abandoning me. A spark released, then another and another. They came out small at first, barely anything. As I continued, the sparks got bigger and bigger.

  “Keep your shoulders relaxed. It’ll help with an easier release.”

  I did as she instructed, and the sparks traveled down the tubes like a speeding car down a racetrack, around and around. My body vibrated as the energy released. More than I’d ever thought possible. My heart quickened but not out of fear. Out of the shock that I was actually doing this. Actually, letting my powers go for the first time since I was three.

  A gasp left me as my body started to tremble, and I pulled my fingers out of the hole, staring at them. They didn’t tingle with the need to release. A weird sort of numbness spread through both hands. Sudden tears ran down my face. Tears of relief and happiness. I hadn’t hurt anyone. My light was in a glass box ready to be put to use.

  “Victoria?” Bethany’s voice, though quiet, made me spin around. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you. Are you okay?”

  I nodded, too choked up to speak. “I-I don’t—” I grabbed hold of the top of the tube to stay upright, my legs trembling. The room started to sway. “I-I need to sit down.”

  Shannon’s arm came around my shoulders. “Come on.” She led me to a chair and placed my hand on the back of it. I sat down. “You did it for about five minutes. Your body is probably tired. It’s not used to releasing that much energy at once.”

  I put a hand to my forehead, the room still spinning. “Yeah.” I squeezed my eyes shut. “Does it always happen like this? I feel like the world is going around in circles.” I’d read about this in the research I’d done, but experiencing it was a whole different matter. If this was how it was releasing my powers on my own, I shuddered to think what forcing them out would do.

  “Yeah. Especially at the rate you were doing it. The more you practice controlling it, the less pent-up energy you’ll have.”

  I dropped my hand into my lap. Bethany spoke with such confidence and assurance. “You sound like you’ve had experience.”

  Bethany dragged a chair across the room and positioned it next to where I sat. “Well, I have been at the LI school since kindergarten,” she said, her tone light. “You feel up to going back to your apartment? We’ll walk back after Shannon is done.”

  “Yes.” I started to stand, but a wave of dizziness forced me back down. “Ugh. I don’t think so.” I put both hands on my forehead.

  “Come on. I’ll help you stand.”

  I stood, and when Bethany’s arm came around my shoulders, I leaned against her. “Shannon, I wouldn’t donate quite yet. Not with how long you’ve been without your powers. I just tried it, and I feel like crap right now.” My words came out loaded with exhaustion, and I exhaled.

  “Thanks for the heads-up. Now let’s get back to the apartment. You look ready to fall over.”

  I nodded. “I am. I can’t really put into words how I’m feeling. I’m happy I did it, but I was still terrified the entire time.”

  Shannon started at a slow pace down the hall. “And that’s why we’re gonna practice.” Silence settled between us until Shannon said, “I’m really proud of you. That wasn’t an easy thing to do.”

  I curled my lips into a smile. “Thanks.”

  We walked through the front room
and out the door, down the steps, and onto the gravel. Our shoes crunched almost in time with each other. Slow but steady. My stomach churned as the hot air pressed in around me, sticking to my skin like glue. At least the room had been somewhat cooler. “I really can’t believe I just did that. I need to go check on the sign-ups. I have to start scheduling people.”

  “After you sleep,” Shannon said sternly.

  My lips turned up into a grateful smile. “I will. I promise.”

  As we neared the apartment, the street crawled with people. Some laughed. Children ran around screaming. Violin music came from somewhere. It started off slow but grew faster, until several people were dancing, spinning each other around. I smiled through the fatigue clouding my brain. Even in the gloomy, dirty hideout, people managed to find fun through music.

  “Come on.” Shannon tugged on my arm. “Let’s go.”

  “I’m gonna stay here,” Bethany said, “but let me know when you want to practice.” She disappeared into the sea of people, calling out for someone.

  I said nothing as Shannon and I went back to the apartment. The moment we stepped inside, a figure appeared in front of us.

  “Victoria, it’s Rick.”

  I let go of Shannon’s arm. “Hi! Are people still signing up?” I made my way over to the couch, tripping over the coffee table. “I just donated, and I’m exhausted, but I promise I’ll be ready to start scheduling people in a few hours.”

  “You don’t need to worry about that right now. I came here to talk about something else. Lindsey was arrested a few hours ago. She’s on her way to Ada.”

  Numbness attacked my insides. I quelled a cry and pressed my lips together as I dug my nails into the couch. I wasn’t going to fall apart. As the fear intensified, my lungs seared with the need for air. My heart thudded in my chest. A strangled cry left my lips without warning. Rick’s arm came around me, and I leaned into his embrace. “She’s okay, right?”

  Please let her be okay. Please. Tears cascaded down my face and into my mouth.

  “I haven’t heard from her since it happened. She said not to contact her, that she was being Monitored, but I’ve gone into her thoughts a little, and she’s okay from what I can tell. She’s strong.”

  I pulled back, wiping at my eyes, and as my breathing returned to normal, my thoughts went to my mother and the video I’d watched. “I don’t know if you’re aware, but I have recently gotten in contact with my mother, and she told me that Ada is now safe and that Princess Madalina is starting up a program for LIs.” I shifted on the couch, and Rick’s breaths quickened. With anticipation or fear, I wasn’t sure. “As much as I’m glad to help with the donation program, it’s not a permanent solution.”

  “I know, but for now, it’s all we can do. Ada isn’t a safe option, and I don’t know if it ever will be. Your father told us about this program, but he’s not saying whether he’s for it or against it.”

  I nodded. “That’s understandable. He works for Princess Madalina.” I tried not to let the memory of that disastrous dinner enter my mind. “What about Lindsey? We have to get her out of Ada somehow.”

  Rick sighed, and the couch moved as he shifted. “It’s complicated. Her arrest changes things.”

  “How?”

  “Queen Carmella has what are called Monitors, which means they Monitor any thoughts or memories. If they see Lindsey’s memories from the last few days, it’s only a matter of time before we’re discovered. I don’t want you to worry. We’re taking every precaution we can. Now I need to check on a few things.” He rose to his feet. “I’m glad we talked.”

  I couldn’t move as he went to the door. Sarah’s, Lily’s, and Diane’s voices floated from the hall. They came in a second later, and the door closed.

  “Mommy, can I donate?” Sarah asked. Her small, sweet voice was exactly what I needed to start calming down. “I want to help keep the lights on.”

  “Oh, sweetie, I know you do, but your powers are blocked too.”

  “Why?” Sarah asked, but it wasn’t a whine. More of a curious, quiet question.

  “Because—” Shannon let the word drop with a sigh, and I could tell she didn’t know how to continue. “I’ll explain it to you when you’re a little older, honey.”

  “Ugh.” Lily groaned. “Adults always say that! We’re not babies!”

  “Lily,” Diane chided. “Why don’t you go read something to Sarah on your net-screen. Just don’t go onlin—”

  “The internet is blocked,” Lily mumbled. “Come on, Sarah, let’s go read something. It’s not like we have anything else to do.” She took Sarah’s hand, and they walked into their room. A second later, the door closed with a soft click.

  “I hope a few Lighters donate soon,” Diane said. “There’s not much we can do sitting in the dark.”

  “Well, I just donated, and I’ll be scheduling people in a few hours.” My mouth went dry.

  “You know about Lindsey, right?”

  “Yes, and honestly, I’m mad at her. I can’t believe she got herself arrested. Part of me wants to go to Ada and strangle her, but I’m also proud of her.”

  “I know what you mean. I’m worried about her though.” Now that the words were out there, the fear ripped me apart, breaking past my lips in the form of a sob. “I can’t lose her,” I choked out, the words heavy and breathless.

  Diane’s footsteps came toward me, and the couch dipped as she sat down. “I know,” she whispered, and there was a lot of fear and worry in those two words. I started to shake in her arms. “Lindsey’s strong. She’ll be okay.”

  I pulled back from the hug. “I really hope you’re right.” I got to my feet. “I’m going to go sleep.” I made my way to my room, and when my knees hit the edge of the bed, I sat down. Something crunched underneath me. I stood up so fast I hit my head on the edge of the top bunk. The memory cards. My mother! I searched for them until my fingers closed over the bag. This was how I could help Lindsey. Doing what I do best.

  Research Ada and its program. And I’d start with these memory cards.

  Chapter Twelve

  LINDSEY

  I rolled over on my back, but it offered no relief for my aching limbs. My skin itched every time I brushed against the rough sheets. At least Mark had turned off that horrible white light. He hadn’t said two words to me since they put me in here and avoided my gaze when he brought my food a couple hours ago. The slam of the door still rang in my ears. Not that I didn’t deserve it. I’d ruined the plan. I’d put the resistance in danger.

  With a sigh, I sat up and swung my legs over the edge of the bed. Sleep wasn’t happening. Not unless my brain stopped spinning with questions and what-ifs. I rose to my feet. Maybe walking around would help. As my feet touched the ice-cold tile floor, I shivered. Cold air crawled up my bare arms from the ceiling vents, but I wasn’t in a place to complain. I’d screwed up. I deserved to be here. In a room the size of a closet with nothing to stare at but white walls.

  I leaned against the metal door, eyes closed. God, what a mess! If only I hadn’t found out about the Lighters being forced to relinquish their powers. I wouldn’t have completely lost it and mind-controlled that tech and my boss. I’d ruined my chance at getting more people to the hideout. Exposed my secret. I grunted and slammed my fist against the door. This wasn’t how being a Watcher was supposed to go.

  The tapping of boots echoed from down the hall. I moved away from the door and sat back down on the cot. Why couldn’t people leave me alone?

  “Wow, remind me not to get on your bad side,” Gary said as he came into the room. He shut the door behind him with a bang.

  I jumped and folded my arms. “What do you want? Mark just brought me food.”

  “You have a visitor who insists on seeing you.” Gary opened the door and stepped aside, allowing a woman dressed in black pants and a black shirt to take his place, a red badge glistening on her right shoulder.

  “Who are you?” I demanded when she didn’t speak right aw
ay.

  The woman took a tentative step forward, her black boots echoing in the silence. “My name’s Melody. I’m a member of the Royal Watchers on Ada.” Melody pushed a strand of her chin-length dark hair behind her ears, exposing her pale round face. Brown eyes, angular nose, and thick pink lips, though it didn’t look like she wore any makeup.

  I blinked. Royal Watcher? “Okay,” I said, drawing out the word. “Why? What does a Royal Watcher on Ada want with me? I’m not a Watcher anymore. I did something—”

  “Stupid? Barbaric? Yeah, I’d say so. But between you and me, it was really noble. Trying to get people out of that horrible place was very brave.” A sigh and then, “But you’re Half-Controller, which means you committed a crime. You are here on Earth illegally and will be treated as such.”

  I rolled my eyes, the word “duh” forming on my lips.

  “Unless—”

  “Unless what?” I asked, fighting to keep calm. If this was some sort of way out of here, I couldn’t bite this person’s head off.

  “Unless you do something for me,” a new voice said, this one higher than Melody’s. Her shoes clicked across the floor. “Thank you, Melody. I’ve got it from here.”

  It took a minute to register who stood before me, and when I did, my eyes widened. Princess Madalina in all her glory, with long, straight black hair falling down her shoulders, her dark green dress a stark contrast to the white walls and bed. Gold hoops dangled from her ears, catching the light. Why was she standing in my cell? Better yet, why did she look ready for a night on the town?

  “My name is Madalina. I’m the princess of Ada.”

  “Yeah. I know who you are,” I hissed. “What are you doing here?”

  Madalina stepped further into the room, a small smile lifting the corners of her thin lips. “What you did to those Watchers has been all over the news. It even reached Ada. As soon as I learned of it, I knew you were the person to help me.”

  I narrowed my eyes. There was no way the princess of Ada was standing here asking me for help. “With what?”