“Ignore him,” Johnny said. “And his brother. They’re a special kind of folk.”
“Damn right,” Dustin countered. “I’m sorry, but I don’t see anybody else in here who boasts as many Fortnite Victory Royales.”
“Yeah, me,” Sam retorted.
Dustin shook his head, glaring at Sam. It seemed the two brothers were in the midst of a soundless argument.
“This was freaking awesome,” Ryan stated at last. “You, your powers, that guy…it was even nice meeting you, Rose.”
She raised her eyebrow. “Thanks, but don’t get ahead of yourself.”
“Huh?”
“Nothing.”
“Ah, you’ve had some bad bae’s in the past, got it,” Ryan responded. “Don’t blame you, some guys just suck.”
Surprised by his answer, she did not come up with a response, but rather inspected his expression. Wow, he’s not wrong, she thought. Interesting.
Those red irises, though, Ryan thought. And the hair. “Well I got to get back,” he stated. “My mother usually freaks out. Yeah, stupid, I know. Over twenty and she stil loses it if I’m home too late.”
Dustin furrowed his brow in a comedic style. “What does Beth not freak out with?”
Johnny ignored their chatter. “You want to meet tomorrow?” Johnny asked everyone.
“Maybe we can figure this out as we go along.”
“Figure what out?”
“Well, if tomorrow you wake up with powers, that kind of figuring out.”
“All right, I’m game,” Rose agreed.
“Awesome. Jane?”
He noticed her gulp. Wow, she’s really that type.
“I guess…s-sure. I don’t have many acquaintances, so I might be a bit…weird.”
“Don’t worry. I want us to get to know each other, you know? It started off with Dustin, Sam, Ryan, and me—been like that for years now. It’s time to expand!”
On the far side of the table, Dustin narrowed his eyelids to a width of razorblades.
“What?” Johnny asked, confused by his expression.
“I’m just about the business of figuring out if what you just said is either meant in all seriousness or extremely cringy.”
“For real? I’m literal y trying to be serious here.”
“Exactly my point! Why so serious?”
In accordance with each chuckle from Ryan, the table rocked slightly.
“I ran right into that one, didn’t I?” Johnny replied, a smile breaking onto his face.
Dustin nodded, also smiling. “Yes—yes you did.”
Jane started cracking up, throwing her head back. “Sorry, that was just hilarious.”
Well, first team-building exercise is going very wel now, Johnny thought to himself.
TEN MINUTES LATER
“You have a means of transportation, Jane?” Johnny asked, walking down the path from the entrance.
“Yes,” she answered.
“All right, wel I guess I might see you tomorrow at Moon’s house?”
“Yeah, you wil ,” she replied as she walked backward to her car. “I had such a good time—with everything that happened.”
“Ditto!”
She giggled. “Don’t say that! I hate that word!” she replied back.
Johnny raised his arms to the air as if under arrest. “OK miss, now don’t hurt me! Not a thug!” She laughed again and slid into her car. She honked as he smiled and slid his hands in his pockets, watching the form of her cute Fiat disappear down the street.
“Wow.” Stil smiling, he turned around only to find Dustin and Sam with their heads bent towards him and their eyes pushed up incredulously.
“Whoa shit,” he jerked back. “You scared me…what?” he snapped.
They looked at each other and then back at Johnny. “Oh Lord, please help Johnny Sparks in his quest for love,” said Sam, making his hands look like a prayer.
“Amen!” Dustin finished.
He rolled his eyes. “You guys are such assholes.”
“No Johnny, we’re just, uh, morbids. There’s a difference.”
Johnny facepalmed himself. “Let’s get back to the apartment.”
“Aren’t you forgetting something?” replied Dustin.
“What?”
“Oh, I don’t know, maybe your only means of transportation before an hour ago?”
“Oh crap! My car!”
Sam gestured a thumbs up with his right hand. “It’s still back at the college.”
“And can you explain why nobody happened to drive my car back?”
“Uh, who do you think had the keys baby?” Dustin responded sarcastically.
“Is ‘baby’ real y necessary?”
“No, but what are you going to do about it?” he replied humorously.
Johnny chuckled. He knew Dustin was being sarcastic. Plus, who knows if Dustin might have gotten a speeding ticket if he drove Johnny’s car? He has a history of that.
Then he got an idea. Speed. I’ll just run there.
“Whoa! Slow down turbo,” Ryan said out of the blue. “The last thing we need is you running in the middle of the city to your car. Although I would love for you to do it again, I’m the parent here. Not happening.”
“How did you know I was thinking that?” Johnny replied.
“You were doing that thing when you think out loud,” Ryan responded, pressing his finger on his head in a pondering gesture. “And also, I’ve known you long enough to know what you’re thinking.”
“But look on the bright side! I can keep getting used to it! Like buying a new car!”
“One,” retorted Ryan, making a one symbol with his finger, “you have never bought a car. You just use your dad Timothy’s Honda.”
“Eh, whatever. Served its purpose, ‘Dad,’” replied Johnny, fingers curved into quotation marks.
“No! No, you are not going to do th—”
“Be back in ten!” Johnny replied, his voice cut off by the swish of his body as it accelerated. Ryan sang a string of expletives like a soloist. He watched as Johnny sped straight down the road and out of sight.
“I am never, ever, ever, ever going to get used to that,” Sam said.
“It is amazing,” Rose added. “I have truly never thought I’d see the day, you know?”
“Tel me about it,” Ryan replied, his eyes stil on the street. “Sammy, call him. Tell him to drive straight to your apartment. We’l talk there. Then, I’l get back to my house.”
“All right.”
Ryan turned around and looked at Rose. “As for you,” he said as he walked closer,
“you need to get back to your house.”
“T-Thanks, by the way, for the rides.”
“Y-Yeah, n-no problem,” Ryan stuttered, trying to phrase it correctly. For some stupid reason he had stuttered when she did. “My pleasure!”
“Yep, it’s not like he doesn’t want to do it,” interrupted Sam, phone to his ear.
“Dude, shut up!”
~~~
As Jane drove, light-headedness struck her like a hammer. By far, that was the most she had conversed with other human beings outside of the cliché ‘hel o’ to her fellow coworkers.
Nevertheless, some had liked her. But she was far too withdrawn from anyone to ever go that route. It’s why, though in her early twenties, no one had desired to date Jane.
But these people were so different. For the first time, she felt wanted. Johnny himself had promised to make sure they would al stay together—something quite spectacular.
She almost blushed. Almost.
Her eyes watered a bit, driving through the streets of the Bronx, about what had happened to her parents. Why? Why were they taken? Everything that has transpired since that moment of terror and sadness was influenced by it. Her life had skidded to a stop.
She slightly grinned as her mind continued the onslaught of differing emotions, this time of Dustin and Sam. They were such nerds. But so funny. Not only the way they spoke,
but their appearance—it commanded a chuckle. In her eyes, they were living memes.
In realization, she laughed again. Each laugh broke something inside. Something that had waited to be broken and was final y free. At long last, life might restart for Jane Cooper. And she just couldn’t stop laughing.
~~~
Johnny was seriously getting used to this. As he ran, though, he made sure he kept his speed low. His clothes would light on fire if he increased his speed.
“Woo-hoo!” he screamed in thril , running by every shop and building imaginable.
But his incredulity was short-lived. Johnny tripped on a smal crevasse in the road, automatically flipping him over. Landing on his back, it knocked the wind out of him. He groaned. “Well, Rome was not built in a day,” he griped, massaging his back. But in only a minute, the pain subsided. “Oh, wow. OK. That’s interesting.”
He took out his phone and texted Ryan.
So, I think I might have healing abilities too. At least, somewhat.
Are you kidding me?!
Johnny laughed, and as quickly as he fell, he was up again and running, blazing through the urban jungle of cars, civilians, and everything else that follows the term
‘city.’ Once again, his brain seemed on fire as it passed by buildings and pedestrians.
He arrived at the destination in less than a minute. “Ha, new record,” he laughed to himself. “By default.”
Little did he know. He was not the fastest man alive. Another already claimed that title.
CHAPTER 4
THE SHADOW
During the ride, it took al of Ryan’s might not to glance too often at Rose. He hoped she had a phone, because her hands rested on her lap the whole time. In order not to make the situation awkwardly quiet, he utilized some conversational skills to drum one up.
“So, what’s your dad like?” he started, glancing her way once.
“Amazing,” she answered. “Almost like I was blessed.”
“That’s great…what’s he like?” Ryan probed—for many different yet possibly important reasons down the road.
“You’d like him,” she responded. “He is a good man. He knows me better than I know myself.”
“He’s a winner, then?”
“Definitely.”
“How about your mom?” There was a pause, which prompted Ryan to glance—this time it wouldn’t be suspicious, though. “Rose?”
“She died when I was young. Henry, my Dad, never talks about it.”
“I’m sorry,” he replied. “What happened?”
“No more questions.”
“Fair enough.” Don’t end it on that note. “So, uh, what do you like to do? Have any hobbies?”
“You like talking?” she snapped.
Ryan tensed. Dang it, too soon, he internally cried. Way to go, Ryan.
“I’m kidding,” she said. “You know I was kidding, right?”
Inside, he was celebrating. “Uh, not real y. You’re awfully good at being serious. If I didn’t know you better, I would think you’re one of either Dusty or Sam.”
“Here, that’s the house,” she pointed.
Oh wow, that was quick. I needed more time! “Oh, OK. I see it. Nice place you got there.”
“It is. Thanks for the ride Ryan,” Rose said as she got out of his Toyota. “Not many guys are as nice as you.”
Score! “Y-Yeah, I’m always trying to be—you know—respectful. And al the stuff that goes with that.” He did not mention he never real y did this before.
She smiled. “It doesn’t go unappreciated,” she replied. “Oh, by the way, here is the address.”
“Address?”
“To Kevin’s house.”
“Oh! Right,” he replied as he mentally slapped himself. “That guy. I’m so stupid.”
“If you’re stupid, then I’m a delinquent,” she jested quickly.
It was such well-timed wit that Ryan laughed. “Heh, that was funny, Rose. You got a comical side to you, huh?”
“I’m glad you think so.” She turned toward the short path to her house. “See you tomorrow!” she hollered as she strode in.
He waved. Looking back at his steering wheel, he sang a made-up song to himself.
“See ‘ya, wanna be with ‘ya,” he sang quietly as he turned the wheel, sighing. “In your dreams Ryan. In your damn dreams.”
~~~
Walking into her house, she said hel o to her father but quickly went to her bedroom to change.
“So, how was your time?” her father, Henry, asked. “It’s not often you decide to go out with people.”
“Well, it was really good,” she replied as she bit her lip.
“Mhm, so that’s all it was? Just good?” he replied, looking at her with his arm on the bookshelf. “So, what is it, sweetie? Boys?”
“You’re right. I am a terrible liar.”
“Don’t take it so hard—it’s a compliment. These boys. Are they your friends now?”
Rose laughed uneasily and flustered. “No, we’re not there yet,” she responded. “And there’s a girl too.”
“Real y? How’d you come to meet her?”
Internally disputing whether to tell him, she waited a moment. Only because this was her father did she decide to elaborate. “Dad, can you fol ow me into the living room?
There’s something I need to explain to you.”
Henry nodded steadily. “Of course,” he whispered in his quiet, calming tone. He was always there for her. Even in the darkest moments of her past. When she had lost control once, he did not.
So, she explained it all. Johnny’s change into some kind of metahuman. Each of the guys, Jane, how they met each other, including Johnny’s depiction of the mysterious person with speed. Once she finished explaining, he spoke up.
“I have heard a lot of crazy stories, but that has to be the craziest ever told.”
“Do you believe me?” she asked.
“Of course, I believe you,” he replied, “but I have one question.”
“Uh huh?”
“Did you tel them?”
Her face changed. It was too big of a secret and if they found out, who knows what could happen? “No, I didn’t,” said she. “I’l need to think about that for a while. What do you think?”
“It’s your decision to make. Whatever makes you feel comfortable. You know, they don’t have to know.”
Rose nodded. “I guess that’s the best advice I can get right about now,” she sighed.
He smiled. “How about we turn that frown upside down with some late-night waffles, huh?”
“How do you always know what’s perfect for the time?”
Chuckling, he replied, “Let’s just say it’s my job to know.” With that, they went into the kitchen to enjoy a late-night snack.
~~~
“Dude, it was so awesome! I was running and everything was so fast and—”
“Johnny!” interrupted Dustin.
“Wh-What?”
“Slow down! Can’t you explain it in a slower fashion?” Sam added, finishing Dustin’s plead. “I want to gobble this info up.”
“Oh, sorry,” Johnny apologized. “Still getting used to this.”
“Talking about ‘this,’ any idea when we might get ours?”
“You mean your powers?” Johnny asked.
“Duh,” quipped Ryan.
Johnny frowned and looked to the other side of the room at Ryan, who gazed out the window. “Since when are you contributing to this conversation?”
Ryan did not respond.
“He’s dreaming about his girlfriend. Leave him alone,” Dustin said.
“Yeah, he’l be fine,” added Sam.
With that, Ryan looked over and took out his phone to text his mother. “Look, guys, I gotta go. My mom’s not gonna like it if I’m home much later.”
“All right dude, have a good one,” Johnny cal ed across the smal apartment.
“See you later Ryan,” added Dustin.
“If you wake up with some weird powers you never had before, feel free to cal me, K?” Sam advised, making a ‘call me’ sign with his hand.
“That’s given, bro,” replied Ryan as he closed the apartment door. Dustin and Sam soon fol owed as they went down the hall to their shared apartment.
~~~
“Good night Dad, I love you,” Rose said. After the delectable snack, she kissed him and went to her room to change and wash.
This might be the craziest day on record, she thought. But I can’t wait to see what’s next.
Rose turned off her lights and hopped into bed. As her thoughts drifted to the events of the night and the new people she had met, sleep overwhelmed her. Until that is, she heard it. The voice.
“Adia!”
In a mere instant, she snapped out of bed like a mouse trap. After waiting for some time, she decided it was nothing but her mind playing tricks. Without hesitation, she fell back onto the pillow.
“Adia!”
Now she recognized she had not imagined things. Slowly rising out of bed in dread, she turned her lamp on. She listened but heard nothing. “Who are you?” she whispered.
“A memory,” the voice deepened to a low growl, “of a time you have long forgotten.”
It had to have been in her head. But it could never be. It sounded far too real. That’s the moment when she saw something. She could not make it out, but it looked like a light-displaced figure, similar to a mirror. Her neck pulsed in fear.
“Come and see,” the anomaly whispered.
“See what?” she replied in a whisper.
The figure disappeared but had quickly reappeared as something else—something far more intimidating. Across the wal in her room was the shadow of a gigantic being.
Its red eyes bore into her.
“The laboratory,” it directed as a massive hand stretched out—out to take her. Then it disintegrated into nothing. Rose stared at the wal , nearly sweating in her sheets. In a mere moment, she was asleep. But not by her wil .
~~~
Jane had only seconds prior arrived at her apartment. Stil recovering from the drive of a lifetime, Jane plopped herself in bed and under the covers to keep warm. Tired from the events of the past few hours, her mind drifted away to a different yet splendid world—a world of dreams—before something ripped her from them.
“Jane!”
Similar to Rose’s reaction, she opened her eyes and turned the light on. She didn’t spot anything suspicious, but soon heard the voice again.
The Shadowverse Page 4
