She banged again on the cold metal of the box. Suddenly, it felt like a coffin.
“Sam!” she shouted. “Sam!”
There was no answer.
CHAPTER TWO
NEMO
OUTSIDE MOBILE, ALABAMA
WHEN NEMO SAW THE SHARKS, SHE DECIDED SHE’D been underwater long enough.
She’d been swimming for what felt like hours, but probably it had been only twenty or thirty minutes. After diving off the causeway and into Mobile Bay, she had just started swimming as fast as she could to get away from Sheriff Radley, trying to stay close to the bottom so she would remain invisible to anyone searching for her. The murkiness of the water helped in that regard. Unfortunately, it also made it almost impossible to see. Often, things weren’t visible until they were right in front of her.
Like the sharks. She’d sensed them swimming in the water with her, but she’d been more concerned about getting away from the sheriff, and had pushed all other worries out of her mind. Now that she was pretty sure she’d managed to avoid being followed, she had time to think about it.
She didn’t even know exactly where she was. The water tasted brackish, which made her suspect there was fresh water emptying into the ocean, so she was probably in the bay she recalled seeing on the map in the gas station. But that wasn’t much to go on. She didn’t know what direction she was heading in, only that the shore was somewhere to her left.
And now there were sharks. Three of them. They weren’t very big, maybe three or four feet long, but they were still sharks. They had pointed snouts and long, narrow fins. Years of watching Shark Week programs on television made her suspect that these were bull sharks. She remembered learning that they were often found where seawater and fresh water mixed, frequently attacked swimmers in shallow water, and that they fed at dusk. She was currently three for three on the potential-victim scorecard.
It was time to get out.
She made for shore, trying not to splash around too much and look like prey. The sharks followed her, then disappeared into the murky water. This didn’t make her feel any better. She swam faster. Her legs started to cramp.
She gave one more kick and found her head breaking the surface. Ahead of her was a beach. She swam towards it until she felt sand beneath her. Exhausted, she sank to her knees and started to crawl. When she was out of the water, she allowed herself to collapse on the sand. She rested a moment, then rolled onto her back. Two faces were staring down at her, a boy and a girl, both about Nemo’s age.
“Whoa. Are you okay?” the girl asked.
Before Nemo could answer, the boy said, “Where the hell did you come from?”
“Swimming,” Nemo said. Her legs were cramping again, and now she started to shiver.
The girl knelt beside her. “Here,” she said, helping Nemo sit up and wrapping a towel around her.
“Thanks,” said Nemo.
“We’ve been sitting here for over an hour,” the guy said. “We didn’t see you get into the water. And why are you wearing street clothes?”
“Leave her alone, Dwayne,” the girl said. “Can’t you see she’s freezing?”
“I just want to know where she came from, Jackie,” Dwayne shot back. “I mean what is she, a mermaid?”
“Does she look like she has a tail?” said Jackie. “Back off already.” She looked at Nemo. “You’re bleeding.” She pointed to Nemo’s leg. There was a rip in her jeans at the calf, and blood was seeping out.
“I must have cut it on something,” Nemo said. “I didn’t even feel it.”
“We need to get you out of these wet things and get that fixed up,” Jackie said. “Do you live near here? Are you staying at one of the hotels?”
Nemo started to lie and say that she was. But then she shook her head. “No.”
“Maybe she fell off a ship,” Dwayne suggested. “That would maybe explain the clothes.”
Nemo began shivering again. “So cold,” she muttered. “Just need to get warm.”
“Help me get her up,” Jackie said to Dwayne. “I’m taking her to my house.”
Dwayne started to argue, but Jackie shot him a look. He took one of Nemo’s arms while Jackie took the other. Together, they lifted her up. Nemo was able to stand, but she needed their assistance to walk. Luckily, Jackie’s car was only a short walk away. They helped her into the front passenger seat. Jackie gave her another towel to hold against her leg.
“I don’t live far from here,” Jackie said as she started the car. “As soon as we get there, you can hop into the shower. That will warm you up. And we’ll put a bandage on that leg. Hopefully, you won’t need stitches. It doesn’t look too bad.”
“Can you at least tell us your name?” Dwayne asked from the backseat.
“Nemo.”
“That explains it,” he said. “She must have gotten shot out of her submarine by accident.”
“Ignore Dwayne,” Jackie said to Nemo. “In case you can’t tell, he’s a smart-ass.”
“So . . . so . . . am . . . I,” Nemo said, her teeth banging together.
Dwayne laughed. Jackie turned up the heat in the car, and Nemo felt warm air flow over her hands. She closed her eyes and relaxed a little.
When they got to Jackie’s house, Jackie and Dwayne helped her inside and upstairs to Jackie’s room. Dwayne left them alone, and Jackie showed Nemo into the attached bathroom. “I’ll put something out for you to wear when you get out,” Jackie said. She opened the medicine cabinet. “I’ve got hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic ointment and some bandages. If you need more than that, I’ll have to run to the store. Will you be okay on your own?”
Nemo nodded. “And thanks,” she said.
“No problem,” said Jackie. “Take as long as you want. I’ll be downstairs.”
When she was alone, Nemo got out of her wet clothes. As she was taking her pants off, she realized that both her wallet and her phone were gone. Everything was gone. They must have fallen out during her jump into the water. She felt herself begin to panic. Then she reminded herself that she was safe, at least for the moment. She just had to take one thing at a time.
First she attended to the cut on her leg. Fortunately, it wasn’t bad. The bleeding had stopped, and it wasn’t deep. She cleaned it off with some hydrogen peroxide, gritting her teeth against the pain, and decided to wait until after her shower to do anything else.
Nemo turned on the water in the shower. The hot water felt wonderful on her cold skin, and within a few minutes she was in much better spirits. She used some of the orange-scented soap that was on the shelf, then washed her hair, removing the smell of the ocean. When she was done, she dried herself off. Then she rubbed some antibiotic ointment on her leg and covered it with a bandage.
She put on the clothes that Jackie had left her, grateful for the warmth. Then she went downstairs and found Jackie in the kitchen, pouring cocoa into two mugs. She handed one to Nemo.
“I sent Dwayne home,” she said. “I didn’t want him pestering you with a million questions.”
“What about the rest of your family?” Nemo asked.
“It’s just me and my parents, and they’re away visiting some friends. They won’t be back for a couple of days.”
Nemo sipped the cocoa. It was delicious, and it warmed her up from the inside out. Jackie sat down at the table in the kitchen, and Nemo joined her.
“Thanks for helping me,” she said.
“Hey, it’s not every day a girl walks out of the ocean,” Jackie said.
“More like flopped out,” said Nemo.
Jackie laughed. “Yeah, it wasn’t maybe the most graceful entrance. Or would it be exit?”
Nemo could tell the girl really wanted to ask her what was going on. But she didn’t. And that earned her big points with Nemo.
“Can I ask for another favor?” Nemo said. “Can I borrow your phone? I need to call someone.”
“Sure,” Jackie said without hesitation. “Here.” She placed her cell phone on the tabl
e, then stood up. “I’ll be back in a few.”
Alone again, Nemo dialed. She hoped she remembered the number correctly. Nine had given it to her, telling her to use it in an emergency. This definitely qualified.
The phone didn’t even ring once before she heard Nine’s voice. “Who is this?”
“It’s Nemo.”
“Why are you calling me from a phone belonging to someone called Jacqueline Portnoy?”
“That’s a long story,” Nemo said.
She filled him in on everything that had happened since they’d left the Academy, or as much of it as she knew. She told him about the plan to meet up with Ghost, and how instead Max had been taken. She told him about the Mogs, and about the house where they had been staying with Ghost. She told him about Seamus McKenna, and about how she thought he might actually be helping the Mogs. She told him about Six and Sam going missing, and about how she’d escaped from the sheriff.
“I was afraid something like this was happening,” Nine said. “And I think you’re right about Seamus. When he left the Academy, he took something very valuable.”
“The bomb?” Nemo asked.
“What bomb?”
Nemo told him about the explosive device Seamus had brought.
“That was no explosive device,” Nine said. “It was something much more dangerous. But that’s not our immediate worry. We need to figure out where Six and Sam are.”
“How?” Nemo asked.
“I’m going to go talk to Lexa,” Nine said. “You just sit tight. I’ll be there in the morning.”
“Here?” Nemo said.
“Yes,” said Nine. “It sounds like you’re safe for now. The best thing is for me to come there. I’ve already pulled the address. I should arrive around noon.”
“Um, okay, then,” Nemo said. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“We’re going to find them, Nemo,” Nine said. “And one more thing.”
“Yeah?”
“You did a good job.”
Nemo felt herself blush. “I didn’t do anything,” she said. “I didn’t even fight the Mogs, really. I ran away.”
“Which is exactly what you should have done,” Nine assured her. “You got away safe, and now we’re going to find our friends. That’s a good job in my book.”
Nemo felt a catch in her throat. “Thanks,” she said.
Nine hung up. Nemo set the phone down, then went looking for Jackie. She was on the deck outside, reclining on a lounge chair. A gas firepit was going, providing warmth in the cool night air.
“Everything okay?” Jackie asked as Nemo took a chair beside her.
“I think so,” Nemo said, stretching out her sore legs. “I mean, it will be.”
“Good,” Jackie said. She paused a moment. “Can I ask you something personal?”
Nemo instinctively hesitated. She was conditioned not to talk to people about herself. But the girl had been so kind, and seemed like a genuinely good person, so she said, “Sure.”
“Were you using black dust?”
“Black dust?” Nemo said. “I don’t even know what that is.”
“It’s got other names,” said Jackie. “Some people call it Instant Legacy.”
“Instant Legacy? No, what is it?” Nemo asked.
“A drug,” said Jackie. “Don’t take it the wrong way. I don’t mean you look like someone who’s into drugs or anything. Not that there’s a special look. But it might have explained the whole swimming thing.”
Nemo was starting to understand. “There’s a drug that gives people Legacies?” She had never heard of anything like that. If it was true, it was totally a game changer. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Well, sort of,” Jackie answered. “Supposedly, it makes you feel like you have them. At least, that’s what Cubby says.”
“Who’s Cubby?”
“Dwayne’s brother,” said Jackie. “He’s tried it a couple of times. Or says he has. You never know with Cubby. Anyway, it’s kind of a thing around here with some people. I just thought maybe you might have used it and thought you could breathe underwater or something.” She laughed. “Sorry. I know that’s crazy.”
Nemo laughed, too, but not comfortably. Jackie had helped her out big-time, but she wondered how much she could trust the girl. Or should trust her. It wasn’t like having a Legacy was a crime or anything. She’d just never talked about it with someone she didn’t know. Maybe, she thought, it was time she did.
“I actually can,” she said. “Breathe underwater, I mean.”
Jackie looked at her. “Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
“That’s awesome,” Jackie said. “What a cool superpower.”
“I don’t know if I’d call it a superpower. It’s not as flashy or impressive as some of the others I’ve seen,” Nemo said. “I mean, don’t get me wrong. . . . It definitely comes in handy from time to time.”
“So what were you trying to get away from? I’m assuming you weren’t just swimming for fun.”
“It’s a long story,” Nemo said. “The short version is, I’m here with some friends looking for another friend who’s missing, and we ran into some trouble. But it will be okay. Someone is coming to help me. Which reminds me. I have one more favor to ask.”
“You need a sidekick?” Jackie said. “Like, someone to be your Robin or whatever? Because I’m totally down with that.”
Nemo laughed. “Nothing that exciting,” she said. “I just need somewhere to stay tonight.”
“No problem,” said Jackie. “Like I said, my parents won’t be back for a while.”
“Thanks,” Nemo said. “It’s really cool of you to help me out with, well, everything.”
Jackie laughed. “It’s kind of a thing I do,” she said. “People. Animals. Anyone or anything that needs helping. Dwayne says I’m too nice.”
“I don’t think anyone can be too nice,” said Nemo. “And Dwayne doesn’t know everything.”
Jackie laughed. “You’re right about that,” she said.
“So, are you and him like a thing?” Nemo asked.
“Dwayne?” Jackie said. She snorted. “He wishes. No, we’re just friends. He’s actually really nice when he’s not being, you know, all Dwayne-y. How about you? Seeing anyone? Is that who’s coming tomorrow?”
Nemo shook her head. “Life is kind of crazy right now,” she said. “Well, kind of ever since I developed a Legacy.”
“I bet,” Jackie said. “Hey, do you go to that school? The one kids like you—I mean, people with Legacies—go to?”
“Sort of,” said Nemo. “I’m kind of on a little break right now, though.”
“A guy I know goes there,” Jackie said. “Trevor. His power has something to do with electricity. To be honest, he was kind of a jerk before he got a Legacy and so he’s probably even worse now. His sister walks around like she’s some kind of royalty because he got this thing. It’s ridiculous.” She reached over and put her hand on Nemo’s arm. “Sorry. I don’t want to sound like I’m dissing people with Legacies.”
“I was totally shocked when I developed mine,” Nemo said. “There doesn’t seem to be any reason for why some people get them and some don’t. At least, that’s what Nine says.”
“Nine?” said Jackie. “As in Number Nine, the alien? You know him?”
“Yeah,” Nemo said. “He runs the Academy.”
Jackie sighed. “He’s gorgeous,” she said. “I think if I ever met him in person I’d turn into a stuttering idiot.”
“Well, you’d better practice what you’ll say, because he’ll be here tomorrow.”
“What?” Jackie yelped, practically jumping out of her chair. “Nine? Here?”
“He’s the friend who’s coming,” Nemo said, gently prying Jackie’s hand away from her arm, which the girl was clutching so tightly that her nails were digging into Nemo’s skin.
“Sorry,” Jackie said. “But seriously, Nine is going to be in my house tomorrow? I don’t even kn
ow what I should wear.”
Nemo wanted to tell her she didn’t think Nine would care. But Jackie was so excited that Nemo let her ramble on for a few minutes. When she finally calmed down, Nemo said, “I think you need to tell him about this drug you mentioned. It could be important.”
“Way to put the pressure on,” Jackie said. “I’ll be lucky if I can remember my name.”
“You’ll be fine,” Nemo assured her. “He’s really nice.”
She let Jackie gush about Nine for a little while longer; then they went inside and made dinner. After washing up, they watched a little television before heading for bed. Jackie showed Nemo to the guest room, where she lay thinking about everything that happened and worrying about how they were going to sort it all out. But eventually exhaustion won, and she slept.
The next day, as promised, Nine arrived just before lunchtime, pulling up to the house in a nondescript rental car. When Nemo opened the door and brought Nine in, Jackie just stood there, staring at him.
“Nine, this is Jackie,” Nemo said, reminding her new friend of her own name.
“Right,” Jackie said. “This is Jackie. I mean, I’m me. I mean, hi.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Jackie,” Nine said, extending his hand. “I hear you’ve taken good care of Nemo.”
“I did?” Jackie said. “Great. Super. Glad I could help.”
“Why don’t we get something to drink?” Nemo suggested, herding Jackie towards the kitchen and giving her a task to distract her. Nine followed, and they all sat down around the table.
“Jackie told me something interesting last night,” Nemo said. “I think you should hear this.”
Jackie, still nervous, told Nine about the drug. “It’s supposed to contain some of the—stuff—that makes Legacies. At least, that’s what Cubby says.”
“Cubby?” said Nine.
“Dwayne’s brother,” Nemo explained. “Jackie’s friend.”
“Ah,” Nine said. “So, people are taking this stuff because they think it gives them Legacies?”
Jackie shook her head. “Not really gives them Legacies. More like it makes them feel like they would if they had them.”
The Legacy Chronicles: Raising Monsters Page 2
