by Bryan Cohen
His eyes watered as he tried to stand. "Wait!"
Erica tripped him before he could get up and then wrapped her legs around his hips. She wrenched his neck and put him in a vice-like chokehold.
He fought to get the words out. "Not – the welcome – I expected."
Erica yelled right into his ear. "Natalie, now!"
From a hidden position in the alley, Natalie emerged with the ancient sword, a weapon that could open up another portal to the Realm of Souls if it went through Ted's body. She sprinted toward them at top speed.
Ted's powers strained to separate Erica's arms from his neck, but as he did, he could see the bright blue lights flashing from her hands. He'd seen her mess with minds before, but he was in no mood to have her test out her party trick on him.
Ted's throat burned as he spoke, so he reached out to Erica and Natalie's minds with the first thing he could think of that would prove his identity.
I saved Razellia.
Natalie slowed her pace and the light from Erica's hands dimmed.
He made me kill like he would, but I saved Razellia. He couldn't make me into him.
Natalie completely stopped and let the sword hang down.
Erica's hands returned to normal. "Ted?"
The sound of two jets approaching at top speed interrupted their moment. The second Ted saw them pierce the clouds, he knew exactly what they were here for.
He rolled away from Erica, who didn't put up any resistance, and got to his feet with some painful effort.
Natalie gripped the sword tightly and used it to block Ted's path. "How do we know this isn't another trick?"
Just then, the jets dropped their payload. The series of missiles seemed to fall in slow motion. The dozen or so projectiles would do just what the General wanted. They'd burn Treasure to the ground.
"Proof later."
Ted pressed off the ground and flew upward. Through the pain. Through the exhaustion. The world was hazy around him. He knew there wasn't much left, but he felt like he had to do something.
When he came into view of the payload, Ted pushed his arms out, freezing the weapons in place. His chest heaved as he could feel himself running on empty. In the distance, he heard another two jets approaching. It was just enough distraction to keep him from reading the pilots' minds as they detonated the missiles.
The wave of heat and pressure threw Ted backwards back toward Treasure. The explosion scalded his face and arms, but he somehow maintained consciousness through it all. The pain was unbearable, but he knew he'd have to do something about the four jets now circling his hometown.
"Time – to try – something drastic."
Ted pulled every bit of power he could from his body and mind. Even as he felt himself losing altitude, he knew this was Treasure's only chance. An aquamarine light surrounded his hands as the approaching planes dropped their missiles as well.
With every modicum of energy Ted had left, he screamed and released his power. A concave wall of light spread from his fingertips. The blue bubble reached out in every direction for miles in mere seconds. When it reached the city limits, the shield cascaded down, completing the protective coating that now covered Treasure like a snow globe.
Ted felt like a worn-out husk as he free-fell straight down. He watched the latest round of missiles land harmlessly on the bubble he'd just created. The explosion was barely audible on the inside, and it did nothing to break through the shield.
Ted tried to right himself and do so much as slow his descent. There was nothing left. Everything had gone into protecting Treasure.
"I – really have to – stop making a habit of this."
Ted watched the clouds rising upward as his body plummeted. The velocity tugged at his clothes and exacerbated his injuries.
He laughed. "Dhiraj always said – Treasure was like a little bubb–"
Ted's fall began to slow. As he passed the level of the tallest buildings in town, his descent speed went from NASCAR to walk in the park. He felt like a gentle hand had taken control of him, and it laid him down comfortably on the blacktop below. Ted didn't have enough energy to be confused.
As he turned his head to the right, he saw Erica standing on top of Natalie's busted car, her hand pressed firmly down on the pages of the book that just saved his life.
37
Dhiraj slowed his breathing. He figured the slower his breath was, the lower the chance the dark souls would find him. He'd taken so many turns so quickly to end up in the dim, secluded corner of a long-forgotten meeting room, he'd lost all sense of orientation. All he knew is that for the last 45 minutes, he'd tried and failed to forget the sound of the gun that ended the President's life.
"New title for the biography: Witness to an Assassination."
He wondered if Jennifer would've laughed. He wondered if Jennifer was alive.
There were small pockets in his memory from the last few days when Dhiraj was half-free of the General's control. He was so out of his mind even in those sporadic minutes, it was only now in the silence that he was able to piece them together. He tried and failed to call Jennifer a few dozen times. His effort to tell his dad the truth about his trip to Washington was likewise unsuccessful. There was only one thing he'd been able to truly accomplish.
The realization hit Dhiraj with a smile. "I switched out the books." He nodded to himself. "You Indian dreamboat, before the flight you switched out the books!"
Fear gripped Dhiraj once again and he lowered his voice. "Let's hope Natalie finds them."
Aside from his half-awake breaking and entering, more memories started bubbling to the surface. He reached deep into his pocket and pulled out one of the few pieces of tech he could've hid from the General: a flying camera the size of a mosquito.
As quietly as he could, Dhiraj synced the camera to his phone and started to control it. "Alright, little guy. Let's see if we can figure a way out of here."
Dhiraj kept the insect-cam close to the ceilings as it buzzed back in the direction he'd come. After a few wrong turns, the camera flew down the hallway with the torn open vault door. A quick peek inside revealed blood but little else. The President's body and the Secret Serviceman who pulled the trigger were gone.
"Let's hope that mind control doesn't last too much longer."
Dhiraj turned the tiny camera and flew it up the secret staircase. After barely fitting underneath the hidden door, the bug-cam arrived in more familiar territory. The door to the Summit was completely closed off. Dhiraj supposed at this point, keeping the press from seeing the splattered blood on the walls was a top priority. He chose not to take a look at it for himself, too.
"Mr. President?" The microphone picked up the voice behind the camera.
Dhiraj spun it around to see President Blake walking in the opposite direction. A staff member handed him a manila envelope. He continued to stroll as if he hadn't been shot in the head less than an hour ago.
"At least he can't run for re-election."
The bug-cam followed the President as he turned the corner and through a series of twisting hallways. When the dark soul inhabiting Blake's body ducked inside an unmarked door, so did the tiny camera.
The room was an infirmary of some kind. There were white curtains pulled shut around a patient who sounded audibly distressed. A patient who sounded familiar.
The President pulled back the curtain to reveal a bloody, battered General. A team of doctors attempted to tend to his wounds, but he wasn't particularly cooperative.
"I'm already feeling better. No more disinfectant needed!"
Dhiraj knew who'd dealt the dark soul such painful-looking blows, but he shuddered to think how "the other guy" looked.
The President tucked the manila envelope underneath his arm. "I'll keep an eye on him."
The doctors stepped away and stood at attention.
He waved his hand. "Leave us."
The physicians complied and shut the door behind him. Dhiraj turned up the microphone volume.
>
The General winced. "What's the status report on Treasure?"
Blake hesitated. "It's still standing."
Dhiraj leaned toward the phone like it was an addictive soap opera.
The General shifted uncomfortably. "He got there first. Damn. Send more planes."
Dhiraj breathed a sigh of relief.
"We can't, Sir. He's… protected it."
The powerless President handed the envelope over to his true leader.
"What in the hell?"
"We haven't been able to get through it. Has any living soul ever done something like this?"
The General sneered. "No. But I bet it's taking all his power to keep it running." With some difficulty, he sat up straight. "It's time for Plan B."
The President raised his eyebrows. "Are you sure? Tattooing the soldiers will break the treaty. We won't get our automatic troops anymore."
The General took another long look at the photo. "We need to act fast. We're on the border of breaking half a million laws anyway. Why not go for the flush?"
Dhiraj thought back to Nigel and the Torello twins. He pictured millions of them storming every city throughout the world. How could Ted or any of them survive against an army of deadly soldiers?
The President gave a curt nod. "I'll get started on it right away."
As the lame duck turned, the General cleared his throat. "Top down, Blake. Start with the generals and say it'll protect them against the dark souls. The trickle down effect in action."
Dhiraj docked the camera against the infirmary wall and put it to sleep. He lowered his phone.
Together, he and Jennifer took down an evil Senator. Now, without her help, he'd have to stop multiple Presidents, kings, and prime ministers before the armies of the world all served another master.
"There's only one way to handle this. And it'll probably get me killed." He took a deep breath. "Time to alert the media."
Dhiraj pulled up his contacts and typed in the name of the only person who could save the world. The phone dialed.
"Hey Rudy, Dhiraj Patel." He smiled. "I was at the Summit and I know everything that happened. How would you like an exclusive from someone inside the White House?"
38
Erica jogged around the circumference of Treasure for the third time as the sunset cast bright yellow and orange beams through the transparent dome. She saw troops stationed at three points around the barrier, but none of them appeared at all close to breaking through. Erica was slightly concerned when she saw one group attempting to tunnel underneath, but the shield seemed to go much deeper than any of them realized.
She aired out her sweaty t-shirt. "He's right. We're safe here."
Ted was back. The real Ted. She'd almost killed him before he had the chance to tell her, but he didn't seem to mind the assassination attempt. One of the National Guardsman was a medic, and after taking one look at the missiles exploding above the barrier, he and the rest of his team devoted their full service to Ted. Mr. and Mrs. Finley sat by his side as the medic tended to his multiple injuries.
She stretched her hamstrings on the bumper of Natalie's car. "So he's back. What does that mean?"
"Damned if I know."
Erica squinted and saw that Natalie was alone in the backseat. After quickly stretching the other leg, the protector knocked on the window.
"Excuse me, miss. Do you know how fast you were going?"
Natalie slowly turned toward the disturbance. "You mean when I busted through the barricade or when a guy who used to be dead went full reverse out of a coffee shop storefront?"
Erica smirked. "Mind if I hide out with you?"
Natalie opened the door a crack and scooted over.
Erica took her up on the invitation.
"Ted was asking about you."
Natalie looked away, staring into the bubble that'd saved them from annihilation. "I bet he was."
Erica pulled her knees up onto the seat. "Look, Nat. You did something wrong, but at least it wasn't as wrong as you thought."
Natalie's eyes remained fixed on the window. "We almost kissed getting out of Razellia's village. And he lay in bed with me after I was tortured." She turned toward Erica. "Don't they have a term for that? Emotional cheating or something?"
A hint of jealousy bubbled through Erica's veins, but she pushed it back down. This wasn't a time to let the teenage hormones have their way.
She put her hand on Natalie's shoulder. "We all made mistakes. I forgive you."
"I'd much rather you slapped me around a little bit. I think it'd give me closure."
Erica chuckled. Natalie was probably the only one in the bunch who could handle one of her punches. When they'd sparred the previous summer, Erica didn't have to hold much back during their training sessions.
"You saved my life. Twice, actually. I think I can cut you a bit of slap-free slack."
"Fine. I'll see if the Sheriff'll do it."
Erica had left Jennifer by the sheriff's side. He was the only dark soul left in town, the fortunate consequence of a Summit-viewing party just outside the city limits. They'd have a lot of explaining to do to wives learning they'd become widows or parents finding out about a dead/possessed child. If they didn't figure out a plan beyond the wall, then there'd be a lot more explaining to do on a global scale.
Erica squeezed her friend's arm. "Do you wanna talk about Travis?"
Natalie's eyes ducked down. "No. No, I don't."
Erica nodded and the two sat in silence. A loud knock at the window shocked them both out of the quiet.
Jennifer stood beside the car with a frenzied look on her face.
Erica opened the door. "What's wrong?"
"You two have to see this."
A small group comprised of guardsmen, parents, and the medic's patients gathered around a TV screen. Rudy Bolger sat at the YNN studio with a grin on his face Erica wanted to punch. But Bolger's irritating face and mannerisms didn't catch all her attention. It was the picture of Dhiraj on the screen behind him and the sound of his voice that drew her in.
"Turn it up." Ted's throat was still in rough shape from the chokehold. He and Natalie shared a look as the volume bar crept up.
"For those of you just tuning in, what else were you doing, seriously?" Bolger laughed at his own joke. "I have an exclusive interview with Dhiraj Patel, superhero manager, millionaire in training, and boy wonder who is currently hiding out in the White House. Did I get that right, Dhiraj?"
Dhiraj spoke in low tones. "Billionaire in training, Rudy."
Jennifer took Erica's hand and squeezed.
Rudy guffawed again. "Of course, of course. What can you tell us, Dhiraj? Got any insight about the President's curfew and the dim souls?"
Dhiraj cleared his throat. "I can tell you everything. First of all, the President is dead."
A lamp flew across the room and smashed on the wall. Half the room looked to Ted, Erica included. He didn't look particularly apologetic.
Dhiraj continued. "A lookalike Ted Finley who calls himself the General killed the President and the rest of the leaders at the Summit. They've all been replaced, and they're out to take over the world."
Rudy's smile stayed plastered on. "Those are big accusations, my friend. Do you have any proof?"
Erica grinned when she heard Dhiraj's voice turn upward. "I do, Rudy. I've already uploaded you the video and audio recording. I hope you'll play it for everybody back home."
Rudy's reaction was that of a beauty pageant contestant who just learned she'd won. "Just try and stop me, my subcontinental Asian honorary relation."
Erica already knew what the video would do. Most of the world would be panicked, but a select few would prepare for the worst. The strongest of the strong would find a way to survive as long as it took for Erica and the gang to find a plan to save them all.
Dhiraj's voice lowered once again. "Someone is coming. I don't have much time."
Erica watched a tear roll down Jennifer's face.
&
nbsp; Rudy gave a faux-concerned look. "It's been an honor, Dhiraj. Do you have anything else you want to tell the people at home?"
"I do, Rudy. None of this is over, everybody. Don't give up on yourselves or the planet. Keep it ours." The sound of footsteps echoed on the line. "And Jennifer, I'm sorry."
A shout filled the feed before the line went dead.
As Rudy tried to get Dhiraj back on the phone, Jennifer sunk to her knees. Erica pulled her in tight as her friend sobbed into her shoulder.
She looked back at Ted. Natalie had walked over to his side and put her arms around him. Erica felt a pinch in her heart as she cinched her grip around Jennifer.
39
Ted touched the wall with his now-healed hand. He could feel the energy radiating out of it. He'd created something like this during a hurricane the previous summer, but this was much stronger and much more draining. The last couple of weeks had seen 12 hours of sleep and an inability to use much more than the basic of his powerful functions.
"But it's keeping us alive." He breathed hard. "I guess that's something."
Dhiraj's kamikaze media stunt had been a major blow to the General's plan. He revoked the order for martial law later that night, and everything seemed to return to normal, aside from the giant bubble that continued to protect a small town in Pennsylvania. In press conferences, the President had pointed to the dome as an admission of terrorism in the nation's capital. Protestors mixed with soldiers on the outside of the blue energy shield.
Ted stood by the quietest part of the wall. It was bordered by forest on the other side, which kept both angry mobs and troops at bay. He soaked in the silence like a sponge.
"You know, you can't stay in that bubble forever."
Ted turned to see Erica standing with her hands on her hips. She was as beautiful as ever, her blonde hair fluttering in the wind that somehow circulated throughout town. Her smile was weighed down by whatever was on her mind. All their smiles were more complicated these days.
"But the bubble is so warm and cozy. And it never rains inside."