by Dee J. Stone
She kisses me. “Yep, but I like the usual you, too. Okay, I’m going and I’ll be back soon.” She scans me from top to bottom. “My dad’s going to be impressed. Bye.” She flies out of my window.
When I come downstairs for a drink, Mom freezes from where she’s making dinner. “You look so grown up.”
“I’ve worn this before.”
She flicks some dust or whatever off the shirt. “I know, but it’s different now.”
Dad’s at the table with Matt. They’re both eating ice cream. Dad offers me some, but I wave my hand, telling him I’m too nervous to eat.
“What are you so nervous about?” Matt asks. “You’re the Blue Masked Hero. You shouldn’t be scared of anything.”
I plop down on the chair near him. “Because I’m Blue is the reason I’m so nervous.” I look from Bro to Dad. “Her father isn’t a fan.”
Mom joins us at the table and takes my hand. “He doesn’t know you. All he’s seen is a hero on TV. You’re a great kid, Nick.”
Yeah, I’m so great I can’t even find the person framing me. No one has been acting suspiciously at school. Though the person hasn’t done anything lately, it doesn’t mean he stopped. Wish he did, but it’s unlikely. Unless he’s bored.
“Nick?” Dad interrupts my thoughts.
I blink. “Huh?”
“I asked if everything is okay.”
I nod. “Yep. Everything is perfect. School’s fine. Training is fine. Maddie’s awesome. Kaylee’s getting help. All I need to do is get through tonight and I’ll be okay.”
There’s a knock on the front door, and Dad opens up. Maddie stands there, wearing a blue dress that makes her eyes pop out. Her hair that’s usually in a ponytail falls down her back like waves.
“You look amazing,” I say.
“Thanks.”
Mom kisses my cheek. “Show Maddie’s father what a remarkable person you are. Good luck, honey.”
Maddie and I walk out of the house, hand in hand. She smiles at me. “Ready?”
I swallow. “No, but I’ll have to be. Are we flying there? Where’s the restaurant anyway?”
“Manhattan.” She tugs on the hem of her dress. “I hate dressing up.” Another tug. “The flying will probably ruin my hair, but I don’t care. Let’s go before both of us lose our nerve.”
We rise in the air and make our way to the city. Maddie’s dad is already inside, waiting for us. Before we enter, I take a deep breath and let it out slowly.
Maddie scans the place. “This is fancy. Why’s he making such a big deal about this?” She says the last part to herself. I’m bent over, still trying to catch my breath. Maddie rests her hand on my back. “Whatever happens, we’ll be together forever. Okay, Nick? I thought this over on the fly here and I told myself that it doesn’t matter what my dad or anyone else says. I love you. I’m not some silly girl who thinks she’s in love.” She strokes my cheek. “I’ve loved you since we were little. If my dad can’t accept that, then I don’t want him in my life.”
I put my hand over hers that’s on my cheek. “You don’t really mean that.”
“I do. And anyway, no one said he won’t like you. We’re probably freaking out over nothing.” She smiles widely. “Let’s go in.”
We’re led to a table all the way in the back, a place where it’s more private. Good thing we dressed up because this place calls for it.
There’s a tall guy at the table, with dark hair and glasses, dressed in a fancy suit. When he sees us, he stands, kissing Maddie’s cheek and holding out his hand to me. “James Randall. It’s nice to meet you, Nick.
I return the handshake. “It’s nice to meet you, too, sir.”
We sit down, and a waiter brings us menus.
“Dad,” Maddie says. “What’s with the fancy restaurant? This isn’t like you.”
He tugs on his tie. “I know. I suppose I wanted to impress your boyfriend.”
Maddie’s jaw drops. “You did all this for Nick?”
“For the both of you.”
I wave my hand. “I’m not worth it.”
“You’re dating my daughter, who’s the most important person in my life. Of course you’re worth it.”
Maddie’s face gets a little red.
We order our food, then just sit there, staring at each other. He smiles. Maddie and I were wrong. Her dad doesn’t hate me after all. I was nervous for nothing.
He sits forward, his eyes on mine. “Now that we’ve been civil toward one another, let’s cut to the chase.”
Sweat starts to gather all over me.
“Maddie has told me all about you and what you’ve been through. And I understand it hasn’t been easy, but I’m warning you not to harm my daughter.”
“Dad,” Maddie hisses. “Stop.”
“It’s okay,” I say. “Your dad has the right to be concerned about you, like any dad would be. Mr. Randall, I give you my word that I would never, never harm Maddie.”
As soon as the words leave my mouth, Maddie is thrown all the way to other end of the restaurant, slamming into the wall. All the other diners gasp and yell. A few waiters drop whatever they’re carrying.
Mr. Randall leaps to his feet, grabbing me by the neck. “What have you done to her?”
“I—I didn’t!” My head springs to Maddie, who’s lying on the floor. A few people have gathered around her while others flee from the restaurant.
I try to make my way to Maddie, but there are too many people. As they scramble to safety, many crash to the floor, like they’re being hit with invisible bullets. Maddie’s dad is also trying to get to her. He’s knocked to the floor along with the others.
What the heck is going on? I stare at my hands. I’m not doing this. The guy framing me is back. He does have something against me.
I rush to Maddie, shaking her shoulder. “Maddie.”
She groans before her eyes flutter open. I help her sit up. “What happened?” Her eyes widen when she takes in the chaos.
The diners who were knocked down get up, only to be knocked down again. Maddie’s dad manages to crawl over to us, using his arms as a shield. He grabs Maddie’s hand. “We need to get away from this monster.” He glares at me.
She pulls her hand free. “He’s not the one doing this.”
“No one else is here.”
Maddie shakes her head. “Of course he is. He’s just invisible.”
She gets up, her eyes sweeping the area. She then pulls a tablecloth from a table and hurls it at something a few feet away from her. The tablecloth closes over what looks like a body. The guy framing me. She’s right. He is invisible.
Before he has a chance to throw the tablecloth off, I hold my hand up, freezing him in place. He tries to free himself, but I’ve got a firm hold.
The people still flee to safety, including the waiters. I press the guy into the wall, holding him tightly so he can’t escape. Once I’m sure he’s not going anywhere, I use my other hand to pull the tablecloth off.
He’s a guy, around my age, with blond hair cut short and brown eyes. In the center of his forehead is a scar, like someone cut him deeply with a knife. I’ve never seen him before. He’s not a student at SPC.
Maddie and I exchange a confused glance.
“Who are you?” I ask him.
He thrashes around, trying to break free from my hold. I press harder, while he pushes harder. I grit my teeth as I try to strengthen my hold. I’m losing it. Soon, I can’t hold it any longer and he shouts so loud, launching off the wall and causing me to fly a few feet back.
He zooms around the room, flicking people to the floor. Maddie flies after him, shooting fireballs, but he launches them back at her with his telekinesis. She gets his arm, which engulfs in flames. He flees out of the restaurant.
I’m about to bolt after him when Maddie gasps. She’s on the floor, bent over a body. My heart does this crazy leap. It’s her dad. He’s burned.
I drop to her side. “Let me heal him.”
Tears running down
her face, she shakes her head. “It’s too late. He’s dead.”
“I’m not gonna accept that.” I grab his hand and put all of my energy into healing him. It doesn’t work. I shut my eyes, focus, push harder. If I have to hurt myself in the process, then so be it. I’m not going to let Maddie’s dad die.
My hands feel numb and my vision gets spotty, but I carry on, not quitting until I do this. When I’ve got barely any energy left, Maddie gasps again.
“Nick,” she whispers. “It’s working.”
The last thing I see before blacking out is Maddie flinging her arms around her father.
Chapter Ten
Someone shakes my shoulder. “Nick, wake up.”
My eyes slowly open to a face staring into mine. Blue eyes, black hair spilling down her cheeks.
“Maddie.”
She helps me sit up, wrapping her arm around my shoulder. “You’re okay. I was so worried.”
I think back to what happened. “Your dad.”
She nods quickly. “You saved him.”
Relief washes over me. “What about everyone else? Are they okay?”
“There were some minor injuries, but other than that, everyone is fine. They’ve all been checked out by paramedics.”
A tall man stands over me. Maddie’s dad. He holds out a hand to me. “I owe you my life, Nick. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart.”
“You’re welcome.”
He gives me a hug. “I’m sorry I was so hard on you. You weren’t the one causing trouble out there. Maddie tried telling me so, but I didn’t believe her. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
He pulls Maddie toward me. “I’m glad you’re dating my daughter.” He kisses her cheek, then claps me on the back.
Maddie frowns at him. “I told you a million times that you don’t get to choose who I date.”
“I know, but I approve of the guy. I more than approve of him.”
She rolls her eyes with a small smile.
A crowd has gathered around us, including news reporters and their cameras. They don’t hesitate to talk about what happened.
“Did you know he could heal?” a woman a few feet away from us says.
Her husband or boyfriend shakes his head. “I don’t think anyone knew that. Is there anything Blue can’t do?”
“He’s like a miracle worker.”
Mics are shoved in my face. Each reporter wants to know how it feels to once again save the day.
I hold up my hands. “I was just trying to keep everyone safe.”
“Look how modest he is,” another woman says to her daughter, who giggles.
“He’s so sweet,” the daughter says.
Many people who were outside or passing by rush into the restaurant, wanting to see the show. Cops have also arrived to get statements from all the witnesses. I wish I could leave, but they’ll need to talk to all of us.
Maddie hugs me. “I was so scared you wouldn’t wake up after healing my dad.” She lightly slaps me in the chest. “Don’t do that to me again.”
I hold her close, resting my chin on her head. “There was no way I would let your dad die.”
She gazes into my eyes. “You’re awesome.”
“No, you are. The idea to throw the tablecloth on the guy was genius.”
She frowns. “Did you get a good look at him?”
“Yeah. He’s not a student at the school.”
She nods. “He’s also our age. Which means…”
My eyes widen. “He must be from the earlier batch of kids who were experimented on. With us.”
She nods again. “Looks like we’re not the only successes after all.”
“What does he want? Why frame me?”
She shrugs like she’s got no clue. “What we do know is that he has telekinesis and invisibility like you.”
I rub my chin. “I wonder if that means something. Did you see how he was able to break free from my telekinetic hold? That means that, like us, he’s stronger than the other powered kids. We need to find out who he is and what he wants.”
“Yeah. I burned him, but I’d bet he has healing powers like you.”
“Maybe.”
“Excuse me, excuse me. That’s my son in there.” Mom calls from the doorway, where it’s packed with people coming and going. The cops are trying to get everyone out, but the crowd is too big.
When Mom sees me, she waves her hand like she’s flagging down a plane. “Nick! Oh, Nick. Thank god you’re okay!” She shoves a few people out of her way before pulling me into her arms.
“I’m okay, Mom,” I say against her shoulder. “I’m having a hard time breathing.”
She loosens her hold, only a tiny bit. “I don’t like this. At all. I know I told you I’m okay with you being a hero, but this is too much.”
I draw back. “Mom. The only reason everyone survived is because of Maddie and me. If not for us, that guy would have wrecked the entire restaurant.”
She plays with my hair. “I know. I know. I just worry.” She reaches for Maddie and hugs her, too. “I’m so glad the two of you are safe.”
Maddie and I introduce Mom to her dad, and they go on and on about how proud they are of us.
The cops come over to talk to us. Mom lets them know she’d like to be present, since I’m a minor. They ask me pretty detailed questions and I answer them the best I can.
One cop, who’s scribbling on a notepad, says, “Tell us who the boy was. I understand he ran away?”
I nod. “Maddie hit him with fire and he flew off. I don’t know who he is, what he wants, or where he ran off to. Sorry. I’ve never seen him before in my life.”
They seem a bit worried, but try to cover it up. “He doesn’t go to your school?” the other cop asks.
I shake my head. “Like I said, I never saw him before.”
“There are over two hundred students there. How are you sure he doesn’t go there?”
“Because he’s my age.”
They lift a brow. I explain to them what Maddie and I discussed a few minutes ago. They don’t look so sure about that. “Look,” I say. “The oldest after us is thirteen. There are no other fifteen or fourteen year olds there. The experiment done on him had to have been a success. I just wish I knew why he’s so angry.”
The cops thank me for my time and go to question Maddie. Once they’re done, Maddie comes over to me. “They looked like they were grilling you.”
“Yeah. They don’t believe that I don’t know the guy.”
“Same with me.”
Mom looks from me to Maddie. She’s got nothing but worry in her eyes.
“It’ll be okay, Mom,” I tell her. “We’ll catch the guy.”
She nods unsurely.
Maddie’s dad comes over to us. “Sorry our dinner was ruined. I’d better get you back home, Maddie, before your mother forbids me from taking you out again.” He tugs at his tie.
“She’d never do that,” Maddie says. “And flying will take me only a few minutes. We still have time.”
“Yes, but she heard what happened on the news and is worried about you. Especially because you haven’t returned her calls.”
Maddie peers at her phone. “She called, like, ten times.” She slides her hand in mine. “I’d better go. See you tomorrow at school?”
“See you.”
Mom and I wave as she and her dad walk out of the restaurant. Then Mom turns to me. “It never ends, does it?” She rubs her temples. “Every time I think things can settle down, that my kids will be safe, something goes wrong.” She holds up her hands before I can say anything. “I know, I know. It’s what being Blue is all about.” She pulls me into her arms. “First Kaylee and now someone is out to get you—again?” Her body shudders against mine.
“Mom, it’ll be okay. We don’t know who the guy is or what he wants. He might not have anything against me. Maybe he’s looking for attention. Maybe he’s lost like all the other kids were. We can’t jump to conclu
sions.” I pat her arm. “And Kaylee is going to be okay.”
She takes in a deep breath, then lets it out slowly. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I just worry.”
I clasp her hand in mine. “I know. But try not to?”
She laughs lightly. “When you’ll be a dad—years from now—you’ll know what this feels like.”
“Maybe. Want to fly home?”
She’s never flown with me before. Seems weird to fly with my mom, but it’d be nice to share a part of myself with her.
Her face fills with worry and dread. “What if that boy comes after you?”
“Mom. Invisibility, remember? He won’t see us.”
She shifts from one foot to the other. “Oh, I don’t know…”
I nod, trying not to show my disappointment. “It’s cool. Did you take the car? Where’s it parked?”
She doesn’t say anything, just studies me like she’s thinking about something. “No, we’ll fly.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to.” She shuts her eyes. “I’m a bit afraid of heights, though. And I worry that boy will chase after us…”
I pat her arm. “Let’s just forget the whole thing.”
She shakes her head. “Maybe he’ll see us driving home. No, flying is the safest way.”
An idea hits me. “Or we can fly home in the car.”
She blinks at me.
“I’ve never tried it before,” I say. “But I’m pretty sure I can make the car invisible and fly.”
She thinks about it for a second. Then she laughs. “If Kaylee were here, she’d be excited to fly in the car.”
I laugh, too. “She’d say we were just like birds.”
We find Mom’s car parked in a lot near the restaurant and we get inside. Mom’s head whips from right to left, checking if anyone is watching us. Not that she’d be able to see the guy, since he can turn invisible. But I’m not going to tell her that. It’d just worry her some more.
“Okay,” I say. “First I’m going to make the car invisible.” I hold onto the ceiling and shut my eyes, focusing all my energy on cloaking the car. Making sure not to let go of the celling, I open my eyes. “Did it work?”
Mom must be sticking her head out. “Yes. Oh, my. This is amazing. I don’t see anything, not even us. There’s an empty space where we should be.” I’ve never seen her this excited in a while.