Red Masked Heroine

by Dee J. Stone

  “Are you the Red Masked Hero?”

  My stomach does these crazy somersaults. I so did not expect that one.

  Maddie slowly turns to her mom. “Why are you asking me that?”

  Melissa’s got this intense look on her face. I’ve never seen that before. She’s always been, well, boring, I guess. The kind of mom who I never really interacted with because she was never around, and when she was she let Maddie do her own thing.

  “Are you?” Maddie’s mom presses.

  Maddie shakes her head. “Of course not. He’s a guy. Why would you think I’m him?”

  Melissa doesn’t say anything. She reaches for Maddie and strokes her cheek. “Okay. That’s the truth, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  I wait for Maddie to ask her mom about the documents we found or about the organization or something, but she doesn’t. I want to bang on the window and tell her to. She and her mom were kind of having a moment and it seemed like she was trustworthy, not like she wanted to capture Maddie.

  She gives Maddie an awkward kiss before leaving the room. Once I peek into the kitchen and see her there, I go back to Maddie’s window and knock.

  “Finally.” She lets me in. “You just missed this weird convo with my mom.”

  Making myself visible, I climb in. “Kinda heard it. Why didn’t you ask her about the organization?”

  Her eyes get wide. “Are you serious? She’s onto me. She thinks I’m Red.”

  I nod. “Maybe she’s trying to protect you.”

  She shakes her head. “No way. This was proof she’s part of them. She obviously wants to kidnap Red. That’s why she was asking me if I’m him.”

  It’s possible, but I don’t think so. Or maybe I’m too soft. Maybe she and her mom weren’t having a moment. Maybe her mom is some evil person who tries to get what she wants. Maybe Maddie’s right to be vigilant.

  “Do you think I convinced her?” Maddie’s eyebrows furrow. “Wait. Why do you think she asked me that? What does she know?”

  I hold up my hands helplessly.

  Maddie waves her hand. “Forget all of this. I’m not going to let her ruin our date.” She smiles a small one, giving me her hand. “You’ve been waiting for this and I want it to be…romantic.”

  I almost laugh at how hard that was for her to say. “It doesn’t have to be romantic. It doesn’t have to be anything. I just want to have a good time with you. We always have good times, but lately it’s been…”

  “Stressful?”

  “Yeah.”

  Her smile widens. “Then let’s go have a good time.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  We rocket all the way to Ohio to check the building. Except, we can’t find the rubble. We circle the area, look from right to left. Check the address scribbled on her paper. The building doesn’t exist. The survivors aren’t in the forest, either.

  “It’s impossible,” Maddie says. “It was just here last night. How could it all be gone?”

  I scan around some more, but see nothing. “We were right. They got rid of everything. The cops would ask questions and the survivors would talk. They would have told them about being hired. For all we know, maybe they killed them.”

  Maddie’s eyes grow big. “That sucks, but it makes sense. These people are careful to cover their tracks.”

  “Super careful.”

  She frowns. “Which makes finding them and putting an end to them impossible.” She looks at her phone. “Mom is still home. She doesn’t go anywhere. If she’s part of them, why doesn’t she meet with them? I thought she’d for sure lead us to answers.”

  I don’t say anything because I don’t know what to say.

  Maddie and I circle around some more before deciding to give up. Staying here won’t bring us answers. These people are just too good at keeping hidden. I don’t know what our next move is, but what I do know is that Maddie and I have a date today and I want to do everything I can to make her happy. For us to have a good time.

  We go to the movie theater, and remain invisible because the last time I came here, I was pretty much assaulted by fans. Dad and I weren’t able to watch our movie. This time, I drop money on the ticket booth counter, pay for some candy, then Maddie and I enter the theater. We take seats in the back, ones we think will remain empty. You know, in case someone decides to sit on us.

  “Sorry our date has to be like this,” I say.

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  “After, we’re gonna go flying around New York City.”

  “Sounds like fun.”

  I hope it will be.

  People enter the theater and sit down. I try to listen in on their conversations to see if there are any updates on the news. So far, nothing. A few guys are talking about the Red Masked Hero, though. Good and bad stuff—like how he’ll never match up to Blue and how he destroys everything he touches. Also, how we’re lucky to have him, since Blue seems to have quit.

  I wonder if Maddie hears them. Probably, but she’s not reacting, so I hope she knows they’re morons.

  The movie finally begins. It’s a sci-fi with some romance. The kind of movie that would interest both guys and girls. Except it doesn’t. It…well, it stinks.

  Maddie shifts in her seat. She hasn’t even eaten from the candy we bought. If not for her moving, it’d almost be like the chair is empty next to me.

  “You okay?” I whisper.

  “Yeah. I’m just trying not to think. About everything. Sorry.”

  “It’s okay.” It bothers me that we just left those people in the forest like that. They might have been hired to hurt us, but I don’t like that the organization killed them. Just to cover their tracks. We don’t know for sure, but I think it’s highly likely.

  We continue watching the movie. Parts that are supposed to be funny come out lame and stupid. The entire theater laughs, only because you’re supposed to. I squeeze Maddie’s hand, but she doesn’t squeeze mine back. I guess this date isn’t going as well as I hoped, but at least we’re out together.

  Our watches beep. Shoot, that’s not good. Not here.

  Maddie and I quickly silence them and look at the breaking news. A car carrying a family of five has fallen off the highway and crashed into the water.

  “I have to go,” Maddie says. “Need to save them before it’s too late. Sorry about the date.”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  We fly out of the theater and hide behind the bushes. Once she lets go of my hand and is visible, she takes off her outer clothes, revealing her hero uniform underneath. She takes out her mask, which she keeps in her back pocket, and shoots in the air.

  I wish I could help. Not because I think she can’t do it, but because I miss helping people. The hole that has grown inside me ever since I quit hasn’t been filled. Not really.

  I don’t have my goggles with me so I can’t see what she’s doing. Stupid. I should have anticipated the slight chance that Maddie would have to rush off. She’s been doing that a lot lately. Sucks about our date, but of course saving people is more important.

  Since I don’t know what’s going on, I return to the theater. Sure enough, there’s a TV in the manager’s office, and many people are gathered around, watching. The manager doesn’t seem to mind.

  A reporter is talking about what happened. They think the dad either lost control of the car or had a heart attack. The car plummeted into the water and rescuers are trying to help, but the water is very cold—deadly cold—and the car is practically on the ocean floor.

  “Wait…” The reporter says as she turns around, staring at the sky. “Is that the Red Masked Hero?”

  The crowd surrounding the scene claps and cheers as Maddie lowers herself toward the ocean. When she sees exactly what’s going on, she rises again, engulfs herself in flames, then shoots down into the ocean. I see what she’s doing. Because the water is so cold, the fire from inside her should keep her warm and she’ll rescue the family. I just hope it’s not too late.
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  I, as well as the crowd at the theater and the crowd at the scene, wait nervously for her to make an appearance. I really wish I could go out there. But Maddie can do this, of course she can. Any sign of trouble, though, and I’m out here.

  I’m not sure how much time passes before the water moves and a head pops up. It’s Red, but I can’t see if she’s got anyone in her arms. The firemen, cops, and EMTs who are standing by, move toward her.

  She shoots in the air, carrying five unconscious bodies in her arms. A mom, Dad, two girls, and a baby. Now the EMTs, cops, and firemen, rush over and take them from her. They seem to be alive. Weak and frozen to the bone, but alive.

  A woman, who is possibly related to the family, grabs Maddie before she’s about to take off.

  “Thank you.” She clutches Maddie’s hand. “Thank you so much for saving them. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

  Maddie doesn’t say anything. She just nods. She’s about to fly away, but more people gather around her, each praising her for what she did. She waves her hand, telling them not to make a big deal about it, she was just trying to help, but the crowd won’t hear that. Soon, an even larger group has gathered, all complimenting Red on a good job.

  The family is rushed to the hospital, and the woman tells Red to come. She wants her sister and brother-in-law to learn what happened and to show their appreciation. Maddie says it’s not necessary. The woman is adamant, so Maddie goes.

  I stay in the theater, waiting for her. It’s dark out when she finally turns up. She motions for me to come outside. I meet here there. She puffs out her cheeks, leaning against the wall of the theater. I take her hand, making us invisible.

  “That was awesome, Mads,” I say. “You went into that freezing water to save them.”

  “The rescue team was close to finding them, but the car was really deep in the water, so it was hard. Who knew having all this fire inside me would come in handy?” She’s still breathing heavily. “When I was at the hospital, everyone—doctors nurses, staff, random people—all came over to me and thanked me. The family was close to death. One doctor said it’s a miracle they survived.”

  I smile. “That’s great. Amazing. Feels good, doesn’t it? To save people and make a difference in the world.”

  “It does. I’m sorry I took that away from you.”

  “That’s okay.” It’s not, but it needs to be. Mom would have nearly passed out if she knew I was risking my life. “Is the dad okay? The news said he might have had a heart attack.”

  “Yeah, he’s fine. No heart attack. He accidentally swerved to the left because one of the kids was making a fuss and he lost focus for a second.”

  I find her shoulder and give it a squeeze. “Want to go home and rest?”

  “But what about our date? The movie, the flying over New York?”

  “That’s okay. It’s more important for you to get some rest.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah. We can go out another time.”

  We glide to her house and fly into the attic window. Maddie drops down on her bed and I sit down next to her.

  “Want me to go?” I ask.

  Shaking her head, she holds out her hand and I put mine inside. I didn’t notice it before because she was invisible, but something’s troubling her. I can see it all over her face and in her eyes.

  “What’s wrong?”

  She shakes her head again. “Nothing.”

  “Maddie, c’mon.”

  She sighs. “When I was underwater trying to save them, something got in my way. That’s why it took me a little long to come to the surface. It felt like something was pulling me down.”

  I gape at her. “Like a sea monster?”

  She rolls her eyes. “You know they don’t exist.”

  I shrug sheepishly. “Then what was it?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe gravity? Maybe I was close to death myself?”

  It’s possible, but doesn’t feel like it. “Could it be someone was, like, out to get you or something?”

  She quickly shakes her head. “No way. I don’t think so.”

  “Maybe the organization.”

  She lifts a brow. “What? They had someone hiding in the water waiting for me?”

  I hold up my hands helplessly. “I don’t know. These people are crazy. And we know they want you. I wouldn’t be surprised if they caused that car to sink in the water, just to get you to them.”

  She gives me an incredulous look. “Now you’re talking crazy.” She shuts her eyes. “It was probably nothing. I must have imagined it.”

  “Yeah,” I say. “Maybe.”

  She opens one eye. “Any updates on the news?”

  I check my phone. Just like before, everyone is praising Red on what she did. When I tell that to Maddie, she says, “I hate all the attention.”

  “Same. It’s like we can’t do good without people turning it into this big thing. I get that they appreciate what we do, but I wish they’d understand that we just want to help. We don’t need the fame and glory.”

  She sits up, patting my hand. “I’m sorry your mom is so against it. You were such a good hero.” She pauses. “You would have gotten the car out of the ocean in seconds.”

  “Maybe, maybe not. You don’t know that. Besides, you warmed up the family as you brought them to safety. I would never be able to do that and chances are they would have frozen to death in my arms.”

  She’s quiet as she thinks about it. Then she gives me a wry smile. “Are we comparing who would have done a better job?”

  I shake my head like I can’t believe it. “We are. Man, we suck.”

  “Totally suck. Let’s never do it again.”

  I shrug. “Not that it matters, since Mom will never let me be Blue again. I guess I’m over it. Or I’m trying to be.”

  “She’ll come around. You’ll see.”

  “Being Blue isn’t the most important thing in the world,” I say. “There are so many terrible things out there. I shouldn’t complain. I have a family who loves and cares about me. I have an awesome girlfriend who is this amazing superhero.”

  She gives me a small, shy smile.

  “So I’ll be okay,” I continue. “I have everything I need.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Maddie, my family, and I are at Matt’s football game. The place is crowded with people and so noisy I can’t hear myself think. The game hasn’t started yet. Mom, on my left, is talking to me, but I can’t hear her. I think it’s something about being proud of my bro because he worked so hard. I’m proud of him, too.

  Maddie, on my right, rolls her eyes when Nicole gives us a fake, “Hi.” And a fake smile. Brandon gives me this look like he’s better than me. Whatever.

  “Have you been to her blog lately?” Maddie asks me.

  “Nope and I don’t plan to.”

  The game begins and Mom can’t stop cheering every time Matt does something awesome. I want to tell her it’s just football, but Mom always goes crazy at Matt’s games. She’s never missed one.

  Dad is taping the whole thing. He’s not assisting today, since he’s not feeling so well. Matt told him he didn’t have to come to the game, but Dad’s never missed a game, either.

  Kaylee’s sitting on my lap and bouncing and clapping enthusiastically. I’m telling you this kid is going to be the next football star in the family.

  The game goes on and on and I find my thoughts drifting to everything that happened. People have gone crazy wanting to get to know Red a little better. Maddie does a good job at keeping herself hidden, and no one has been able to follow her home.

  I’ve been worried about that presence in the ocean the other day, but I kind of let it leave my mind. There’s no point worrying about it when we have no clue what that something is.

  Besides, I want to support Bro in his thing.

  “There’s Matt again!” Kaylee says. “Go, Matt.”

  He gives her a thumbs up.

  I’m a lit
tle surprised that Dad hasn’t bugged me about football again, but I guess he finally understands that it’s just not me. He’ll have loads of fun coaching Kaylee, though. She’ll be awesome.

  “What’s that?” Maddie whispers to me, pointing in the distance.

  Following her gaze, I see red. Like a light. I shrug. “Probably kids messing around with firecrackers or something.”

  Maddie shakes her head. “It’s not firecrackers. It’s—”

  “Fire!” someone in the crowd shouts. It’s coming from one of the “Football is awesome! Support our school!” signs on the other end of the field. But it’s coming closer. No, it’s zooming closer, like someone doused the field with gasoline.

  Panic takes over as everyone scrambles to their feet.

  “Get everyone to safety,” Maddie tells me. “I’m going to stop the fire.” She’s in her uniform, in the air, then out of sight before I can blink.

  Holding Kaylee close, I direct my family and everyone around me to the exit. “Stay calm,” I tell them.

  Kaylee clutches onto me tightly, her eyes wide with fear. I hold her even closer. “It’s gonna be okay, Kaylee.”

  As we rush to the exit, people crash into each other and topple over one another. A few are left behind. I use my power to pull them forward and keep people from dropping to the ground. It’s not so easy with so many people, but I’m doing the best I can.

  Some bleachers in the distance have caught fire and they are about to spread to a few kids who haven’t gotten away in time. I lift my hand to push the flames back, but they’re too strong.

  Suddenly, the fire lessens. Looking up, I see Red in the sky. Once those flames are extinguished, she moves on to other parts of the field that have caught fire.

  “Nick,” Kaylee squeezes my shirt. “I’m scared.”

  By now most of the crowd has reached the exit, including my family. I hand my sister to Dad and tell him I’ll be right back. I have to get more people to safety.

  I’m back in the field. The place is getting eaten. Signs and pieces of debris are falling all over the place and onto people. I hold out my hand, stopping a huge chunk of debris from crushing two teachers. I fling the debris out of the way, and work on helping whoever’s in trouble.