Connected: Book 1 Connected Series

by Kat Stiles

  “You need to rest now, sir,” Judy said nervously.

  Tommy made his way over to us and took my hand in his. “She’s right. We should leave.”

  Fully alert, Mr. Godfrey struggled to pull himself upright in his bed. “Will someone please tell me what’s going on here?”

  “Geez, some gratitude would be nice,” I muttered to Roz and Tommy. They nodded in agreement.

  “We’re sorry to have disturbed you. We’ll be leaving now,” Judy said to him. We followed her out of the room.

  After we got into Judy’s car, Tommy asked her, “So what’s the story with Adam?”

  She fumbled to put the keys in the ignition, avoiding Tommy’s eyes. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, what did he do to that guy, and why did he do it?” he asked, as if that should be obvious.

  She didn’t answer right away, but started the car and began the drive back. It was night when we left, but somehow it had grown darker, and the trees aligning the road cast eerie shadows on the street. “It was an accident,” she finally said. “I told you that already.”

  “That’s all you’re going to say?” Roz asked.

  Judy remained silent, her eyes focused on the road ahead.

  “We know he’s got some kind of ability,” Roz began. “What was he doing there?”

  Judy took a deep sigh, but still did not speak.

  “Will you at least tell us why?” Tommy asked. “I mean, why do any of us have these…abilities.”

  “I don’t know. All I have are theories,” she said.

  “So there are others out there? Like us?” Roz asked.

  “The powers seem to be an extension of natural abilities,” Judy said, her voice less stiff. “Say a person is good at finding things. After his power activates, the talent is amplified. And so he becomes a successful detective. Does that make sense?”

  “You’re saying anyone who’s very good at something has a power?” I asked.

  “Not all, but probably most,” she replied. “Like I said, I’m not really sure.”

  “Wow.” I wondered if anyone I knew had a power but didn’t realize it. The one person who leapt to mind was Lauren, but I didn’t think super bitchiness qualified as an actual power.

  “The three of you are different, not only because your abilities are so special, but in the level of power you possess. There are few who have that kind of power.”

  Except for Adam. Whatever his ability was, it was strong enough to hurt people.

  “But how do you stop someone with powers?” Roz asked.

  “I believe certain abilities can neutralize others. It depends on the ability.”

  “Yeah, and what if you don’t know what his power is?” Tommy said. “How are you supposed to stop him then?”

  “It was an accident. It won’t happen again,” Judy said, picking up on Tommy’s not-so-subtle reference to Adam.

  The rest of the ride back was awkwardly quiet. It was clear from Judy’s reaction she still had feelings for Adam. But how far would she go to protect him?

  Chapter Nine

  When Roz didn’t show at the bus stop the following morning, I texted her. It wasn’t until third period that she texted back that she was sick and coming in late. I asked what was wrong, but didn’t get a reply.

  At lunch she wore this blank expression, staring mindlessly at a discarded fork farther down the table. It wasn’t even covered in ketchup or anything interesting, simply an unused piece of plastic ware sitting there.

  “Roz, are you all right?” I asked.

  She didn’t answer. Instead, she took out her sandwich and unwrapped it, but didn’t take a bite. She just stared at it.

  “Roz?”

  She acknowledged me with the smallest of smiles, and then went back to staring at the sandwich.

  I waved my hand in front of her. “You’re really starting to freak me out here…”

  Finally she spoke. “I had a new vision last night.”

  “A new vision?” Tommy repeated, as he sat down and joined us.

  It was wishful thinking, but I had to ask, “Was it the same man we helped?” In the back of my mind, I hoped it was an echo of her earlier vision.

  She played with her sandwich, tracing the perimeter of bread with her finger. “No. But I think the same kind of thing happened. Someone else was there, controlling it, inflicting the pain.”

  Judy said the first attack was an accident. How could it be happening again? “Did you recognize anyone in your vision?”

  “No, I didn’t. But the man had two different colored eyes.” She propped an elbow on the table and leaned her head against her hand, partially burying her face. “It doesn’t matter who he is. I can’t let someone else get hurt. I can’t live with that.”

  “We’ll figure this out, Roz. I mean, we know it’s gotta be Adam, right?” I asked.

  “Probably. It was the same kind of attack, but I couldn’t see him at all.”

  In an instant, I felt her fear and frustration. I took her hand in mine and squeezed. “Please don’t worry anymore. Everything will be all right.”

  She half-smiled and stowed her uneaten sandwich away in her lunch bag. “It’s… Well, you know I thought this was over.”

  “Yeah, me, too,” I said.

  “I think I’m going to go lie down for a while,” Roz said. “Judy’s office.”

  “Are you going to talk to her about it?” I asked. “Do you want me to come with you?”

  “No other room has beds here,” she said, with a sarcastic laugh. “I’m okay, Em. Thanks.” She hugged me and left.

  “You think she is going to be okay?” I asked Tommy.

  “Yeah, she needs some time to get used to her power. I know it took me a while.”

  I hadn’t considered how uncomfortable it must be to have a vision. Roz described them as feeling heavy. I could only imagine what she was going through.

  Tommy looked at me curiously. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Anything.”

  He touched my t-shirt. “What’s with the oversized shirts? Do you not realize this is too large for you?”

  Anything except that. My face flushed in embarrassment. “No, it’s…” I hesitated, not knowing how to explain it without sounding like a total loser. “It’s a long story.”

  “We’ve got the whole lunch hour.”

  “You know, I had a feeling you might not let it drop.”

  “How well you know me,” he said and smiled. “So?”

  “It’s too embarrassing. Please don’t ask.”

  “Do you have a mutant limb or something?”

  “No.”

  “A hunchback?”

  I laughed.

  “Oh, I know. You’re like the prostitute in that movie. What was it?” He scratched his head. “I can’t remember the name of it, but she had three br—”

  “No such luck,” I responded dryly. “Only two.”

  “Too bad. That would’ve been cool.”

  I sighed. “I got tired of hearing them talk about me.”

  “Who?”

  I glanced down. “Boys would look at my chest, smile, and then look up and realize it was me. One of them even said, ‘What a waste,’ which pretty much summed up that look. I learned to wear clothes that make me less noticeable.”

  “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Why would they…” he trailed. “I mean, even if you like nothing else about a girl…” He shook his head. “That’s completely wrong, on so many levels. And you shouldn’t punish me for them being assholes.”

  I glanced at him sideways. “Punish you?”

  “Uh, yeah. I wouldn’t mind seeing some of your curves.” He cracked a smile. “You’re perfect the way you are, remember? Doesn’t matter what they think.”

  I wondered what it would be like, to actually believe that. To be that confident and comfortable with myself. No matter what anyone else thought.

  “Now it’s my turn,” I said. “Will you tell m
e what happened in Manchez?”

  “Haven’t you heard all the rumors?” Tommy said, raking his hands through his long brown layers. “What more is there to say?”

  “How about the truth?”

  “It’s really not such a big deal. I got busted for breaking in to the principal’s office. Well, that and they accused me of trying to burn down the school,” he added nonchalantly. “I can’t believe they got so worked up over a small office fire…”

  “Tommy, are you serious? What happened?”

  “My brother was in trouble, and I had to get the evidence some jerks turned in to the principal. He would’ve gotten expelled.”

  “You got held back?”

  “Yeah, I was lucky I didn’t get expelled. But it’s cool. It’s what activated my powers. And now I’m in the same class with you.” He reached across the table for my hands.

  The heat fired up in an instant, and a tingling sensation spread through my body in a wave.

  “Did you turn it on just for me?” he whispered. His thumbs traced small circles on my palms.

  I blushed, but admitted, “You always have that effect on me.”

  He grinned. “That’s so neat.”

  “Can you hang out tonight?”

  “I’m supposed to work, but I’ll see if Demetri can cover.”

  I raised an eyebrow at him.

  “My brother.”

  “The brother you don’t want me to meet?”

  He chuckled. “No, you can meet him now. If you’ve put up with me this long, it’s probably a safe bet you’re interested in me and not him.”

  “Very safe bet,” I agreed. “Demetri is a kinda unusual name.”

  “Yeah. His name’s an interesting story.”

  I waited for a few seconds, but he didn’t elaborate. “Well?”

  “I guess I can give you the short version. Russians invaded Manchez in the late eighties and stormed the gas station, impregnating my mother…”

  I tried to keep a straight face, but failed miserably.

  “What? You didn’t know about all those random attacks? The cold war was very much alive in the eighties.”

  The seriousness of his voice only made it funnier. “I would’ve believed you, but your story has one fatal flaw. Why would she name her son after her attacker?”

  “I didn’t say her attacker was named Demetri. You assumed that.”

  “So who was Demetri then?”

  “Demetri was the kind, gentle Russian who saved her from ruin. Introduced her to my father and the rest is history.”

  “Oh, I see.” I couldn’t help but grin at his absurd imagination.

  “What? It explains why he’s a behemoth. No one in my family is huge like he is.”

  “Hmmm. You may be on to something. I think I need to come up with a backstory for Lauren.”

  “You don’t have one yet? Surprised you haven’t run a DNA test on her.”

  “The thought had crossed my mind. But I think I would be too disappointed if it turns out she really is my sister.”

  He nodded in agreement. “Scary thought.”

  His smile faded when he focused on something behind me. Following the direction of his stare, I saw Scott at a table on the far side of the cafeteria. His menacing glare unsettled me, and coupled with the knowing smile on his face… I knew Tommy was listening, but of course I couldn’t hear anything. Scott’s gaze turned to me and I shuddered. I got the feeling the “conversation” Tommy had with him was only the beginning.

  * * * *

  At the end of the day, I gathered my homework books at my locker.

  “We’re on for tonight,” Tommy said from behind me. I felt the words more than heard them, a delicious sensation of heat at my ear.

  “My dad’s working on my car. Can you get a ride to my house?” he said.

  “Yeah, no problem,” I said, though I winced inside. I couldn’t be sure how my mother’s day went, and it was painful to ask her for anything when she was in a mood.

  “What time will I see you then?” he asked.

  “Six.”

  “I’ll be waiting.” He leaned in close to my hair and took a deep breath. “See you then.”

  On the bus ride home, Roz was in better spirits. I was so looking forward to my date with Tommy. Even the ever-present sense of dread to see my mother and sister was strangely absent, and sitting down to dinner with them didn’t seem so horrible. At least it didn’t at first.

  Lauren frowned. “What are you so happy about?”

  “Nothing.”

  Her expression somehow became more disapproving, but it didn’t affect my happiness one bit.

  Another awkward silence followed, before I remembered I’d need permission and a ride for my date with Tommy. “Can I go to Tommy’s house tonight?”

  “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea, Em,” Lauren said.

  “I didn’t ask you,” I snapped back.

  “He’s not good enough for you.” She stated it more like a fact than an opinion.

  I slammed my fork down. “You don’t even know him.”

  My mother rolled her eyes. “Girls, let’s not fight at the dinner table.”

  “She won’t stay out of my life,” I said.

  “Your sister cares about you,” my mother said.

  I noticed her hair extended past her shoulders. It’s going to be a long dinner, I thought.

  “You don’t know what she did the other night. She totally embarrassed me,” I said.

  “Is that true, Lauren?”

  “No. I only asked him some basic questions,” she said casually.

  “Basic questions? She asked him what his intentions were,” I said.

  My mother laughed. “And how did he answer that?”

  I couldn’t believe she actually laughed. I glared at her.

  “I’m sorry, Em, I mean it would’ve been funny to see his reaction. She wasn’t serious, right?”

  Lauren smiled. “Of course not.”

  “You were, too!” I yelled at her, before I turned back to my mother. “Then she sat in the room, watching us.”

  “For like a minute,” Lauren corrected.

  My mother managed to muster a disapproving glance at Lauren, which was more than I expected after the outburst of laughter. “Was that necessary?” she asked her.

  “I didn’t know what they were doing in there,” she said.

  “We were watching a movie. Not like it’s any of your business anyway.”

  “I’m your older sister. I’m supposed to watch over you,” Lauren stated, as if that should be obvious. As if that were her only purpose in life.

  I pleaded with my mother, “Please tell her to leave me alone.”

  “Dear God, like I don’t have enough problems…” my mother muttered. “Lauren, you don’t have to be quite so protective. And, Em, you should realize she’s only looking out for you.”

  It was such a lame, sit-on-the-fence reaction. She practically took Lauren’s side, yet again. I sighed. “Can I go?”

  “That’s fine. Be back by ten. Do you need a ride?” she asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “Oh, I’ll take you,” Lauren said. “I’ve got some shopping to do anyway.”

  “No, that’s okay,” I said. “I don’t want someone spying on me all night.”

  “Emily! Your sister’s trying to be nice.”

  Is she serious? Nice? Like Lauren was capable of nice.

  “I swear, I’ll drop you off and leave.”

  I snickered at the innocent look she tried to sport. She never could pull it off.

  “Can you not drive me?” I asked my mother.

  “Lauren’s going out anyway. Can’t she take you?”

  The tired tone of her voice, coupled with the length of her hair left me no choice. Guilted into accepting a ride from the psycho.

  “Fine.”

  * * * *

  Lauren had no trouble finding the place, the only gas station in the entire tiny town of Manche
z. She parked her Taurus, which had seen better days, in a spot in front of the store and got out with me. The place was deserted. Tommy greeted us at the door and held it open for us.

  He wore a jumpsuit over his clothes, and something about it set me off. I didn’t know if it was the dirt, or maybe the smell—a gritty, mechanical scent, like the aroma of his hands, but more powerful. My face flushed in excitement.

  “Nice to see you again, Lauren,” he said.

  I suppressed the urge to laugh at how polite he sounded. Damn, he’s a good liar.

  “Hello, Tommy. Be good to her,” she responded, her voice bristling.

  He met her cold gaze. “Of course.”

  My skin flushed once more, this time in anger. “See you at a quarter to ten then?” I said to her.

  Lauren broke off her stare down. “Yeah, quarter to. Should I come back here?”

  “Yeah. See you later,” I said. On the way back to her car, she kept looking back at us. Like I would do anything with you watching me, I thought.

  “I swear she’s trying to kill me with embarrassment,” I muttered.

  “Shall I take you on the grand tour?”

  “Yes.” I smiled eagerly.

  He took my hand and proceeded to walk me around. First he showed me the store area: a tiny convenience mart no bigger than a large living room, stocked with only basic necessities. Then we moved on to the repair shop interior, which was larger than the store itself, equipped with two lifts and an awful lot of tools on wall-to-wall workbenches. My gaze was drawn to a large German shepherd in the corner.

  “This is Yoki,” Tommy said, in between doggie licks. The dog’s front paws rested against his chest, and she was almost eye to eye with Tommy.

  “Yoki?” It sounded like something out of a video game.

  “It’s a Hopi word for rain,” he explained. “We found her on the side of the road on a very rainy night.” He petted her head affectionately and gave her a good scratch behind the ears.

  “Is that true?” I asked. “It almost sounds believable.”

  “Yes, it’s true,” he said, acting offended. “I am one-quarter Hopi.”

  Looking at his skin, I could see a hint of the darker complexion of Native Americans. It also explained his effortless tan—if I spent as much time outdoors as he did, I’d look like a lobster.