Georgia gasps, and looks at Paul.
“We all have powers, Georgia. You’re not as alone as you think.” I whisper into her ear.
She smiles at me, and tears balance precariously at the edges of her eyes.
“I think you guys need to see something.” I say to the three new Supers.
After school, we wait for our new friends, then head to Mitchell’s dad’s junk yard. Mitchell quickly gets to work finding a new vehicle that we can use. The container we used for Mexico is too large for here. We need something more compact. Something that won’t draw fighter planes loaded with weapons to us.
It doesn’t take him long. I hear the sound of grinding metal, then a beat-up old red pickup is pushed around the corner of a pile of refrigerators.
“Classy.” Beth groans as she takes in the dilapidated pickup.
“Hey, at least it’s red.” Paul enthuses.
“Yeah, ‘cause color is so important.” Beth replies and rolls her eyes.
“What are you going to do with that?” Georgia asks as she points to the vehicle.
“Watch.” I say as I remove my Chinese lucky cat backpack.
“That backpack looks familiar.” Pamela says.
I flash a cheesy grin, then spin on the spot and change into my Cosmic Girl costume in a nanosecond. I stop once changed and slip my backpack back on.
“Whoa! You’re Cosmic Girl?” Ryan says a bit too loud for my liking.
“Surprise.” I say.
Then the others get changed into their costumes just as quickly.
Soon, only Georgia, Ryan and Pamela are standing in their normal clothes.
“I was right! Ha ha.” Georgia says, hopping up and down.
I turn to Ryan and Pamela. “You two okay with this?”
“Oh, yeah. Totally.” Ryan says and flashes Pamela a big grin.
Pamela looks at all of us slowly, before turning to me. She nods her head. I look at Georgia, who’s chewing her lip and looking down at her plain black shoes.
“Friends?” I offer and hover over to her.
“You really want to be my friend?” She asks timidly.
I nod my head.
I extend my hand to her. She looks at me and holds my gaze for a few seconds, before taking a deep breath and taking my hand. I see her eyes glaze over for a second, then she takes a deep breath.
“Friends. Please.” Georgia says softly.
“Good.” I say and pull her up into the air gently.
She kicks her legs and giggles as I glide over and set her down in the back of the pickup. Paul opens the cab door.
“All aboard.” Paul calls out.
Within minutes, everyone is on board, and I’m carrying the rusty red pickup north past the city limits. I accelerate when I get past the taller buildings. I hear the others above me talking. I smile when I hear Georgia talking to Beth.
It’s almost another fifteen minutes before I see the familiar green forest beneath me, then I’m flying over the shimmering lake towards the small islands. I see the humpback like hill on our island in the distance, and make a b-line for it. When I set the front of the pickup down and pass it through my hands above me, I hear the cab doors open. I set the back wheels down on to the brown dirt a few yards away from the shore.
The boys are helping the girls down from the back of the pickup, when Mitchell removes his motorcycle helmet.
“Welcome. This is where we train.” Mitchell says and motions with his black gloved-hand to the hand-made wooden buildings hidden by the trees, just up ahead.
“Cool.” Ryan says as he walks quickly over to our log cabin.
“You built all of this?” Georgia asks and steps ahead of me.
“Had to. People tend to frown on property destruction.” I say as I follow her.
“So, we can destroy this?” Ryan asks and flames flicker around his eyes as he grins at us.
“Try not to. The point of this place is to practice, so that when we’re in the city, we know how to control ourselves.” Mitchell says.
“Like this.” Paul says, then blurs as he accelerates.
He stops abruptly by the wall of the cabin near Ryan, then zooms away to another building in a zigzag fashion before stopping near the door of a building which looks like a bank. “See?”
“Easy.” Ryan says then surges toward Paul. In a heartbeat he curses as he trips over a rock and flies into the dirt, landing on his face.
“Not so easy, is it?” Stuart says as he sits down on the stump of a tree.
“He’ll get there.” Paul says, and saunters over to Ryan as Pamela disappears amidst a black flash, then reappears next to Ryan. She takes his hand and helps him to his feet.
“You need to watch your step, buddy.” Paul says and chuckles as Ryan frowns at him.
In the next two hours we take Ryan, Pamela and Georgia through some basic speed training. We all stand in a huge circle, around twenty meters in diameter, and get them to run and high-five the person opposite them before moving on to the next one.
We start them off slowly at first, then as they improve, we ask them to push themselves harder.
“Gentle on the hand contact next time, okay Georgia?” I say as she blurs away towards Stuart.
Dry dirt is being thrown up all over the place as they race around the area. My legs are starting to look like a couple of terracotta chimneys. I check my cell phone as Pamela high-fives me before vanishing again. It’s getting late.
“Guys, we need to wrap things up. I have an appointment to keep.” I say as I put my cell phone back in my backpack, before brushing the dirt from my costume. I must look my best for whoever it is that wants to meet me.
“That was fun.” Georgia says and grins down at me as we walk back to the red pickup.
“Feel better?” I ask.
She smiles, leaps up into the air and lands in the back of the pickup.
“Much better. Thank you.” Georgia says.
Pamela appears in a black flash right next to Georgia and sits down.
“Neat trick.” I say to Pamela as the others begin to arrive.
“Are you sure I can’t just.....a little?” Ryan asks Paul as they head over. Ryan’s hands are aflame and his eyes are blazing red, with small tongues of flames licking up towards his eyebrows.
“No. Control yourself, dude.” Paul says and shakes his head as he walks past me.
“But, all of that wood....” Ryan grumbles as he extinguishes his flames and sighs.
“All aboard.” Paul calls out as he open the cab door.
When we get to Mitchell’s dad’s junkyard, I set the vehicle down and say goodbye.
“You want me to come with you?” Mitchell asks as he catches up with me.
“He said I was to come alone.” I reminded him. I stop and look up at him as he towers over me in his costume. I reach up and place my hand on his chest. “I’ll be okay.” I say bravely.
But, yeah, I’m worried. They went to a lot of trouble to get my attention.
“I-Spy.” Mitchell calls out.
There’s an in-rush of wind, then Beth materializes next to us.
“Yeah?” Beth asks as he looks at us both.
“I want you to stay connected to Britney. Keep me posted on where she is, and anything interesting. Okay?” Mitchell asks in his deep muffled voice.
“No sweat, beefcake. I’ve got my girl’s back.” Beth says and smiles at me.
“Well. I guess, I’d better go.” I say and turn to leave. “See you later.” I say in farewell, then launch myself up into the deep blue sky.
I stop and hover at around a thousand feet up, and get my bearings. I see the great lake to my left, so head in that direction first. I see Lakeshore Drive far below now, so I bank to my right and follow it south until I get to Michigan Avenue.
I find the Drake Hotel easy enough. Can’t miss it, even from the air. I hover above and look down and check the streets far below.
I see someone in white appear from a side do
or. He places a trash bag into a green plastic dumpster, then disappears back inside. I plummet to the ground and land near the steps.
Okay, this must be the service entrance, I guess.
I slip my Chinese lucky cat backpack off and check my cell phone. 7:56pm. I put my cell back and put my backpack on again, then adjust my pink glittery eye mask.
I lean back and rest against the dull grey-bricked wall, and wait. I occasionally lean forward and check both entrances to this side alley every now and then.
A few more minutes pass by, before I begin to hear some footsteps. Lots of footsteps. Heavy boots by the sound of them.
“Typical.” I mutter as two squads of armed men pour in from both entrances to this alley.
Eight
They don’t look like police officers. I don’t see any insignias or badges, or uniforms. They’re all wearing black suits, black shirts, black ties and black shades. They look comfortable with the assault rifles they’re pointing at me, like they’ve done this before.
“Howdy, boys.” I say casually as I continue to lean against the wall.
One of the men edges a few steps closer and cocks his weapon.
“You are to come with us.” He barks at me.
“Okay.” I say and take a step towards him.
“Put this on.” He demands and launches something dark at me.
I look down and see a huge black poncho, but with no hole for the neck, just two small holes for eyes.
“You’re kidding, right?” I say and raise an eyebrow.
“Put it on.” The man barks at me again, and raises his assault rifle, pointing it at my face.
“There’s no need to be rude, you know.” I say as I reach down and pick up the garment.
I slip it on over my head, and adjust it so I can see through the small holes.
“Now what?” I ask.
“Follow me.” He barks as he strides back towards the street.
The garment is a bit long, and I begin to step on the fabric, so I rise up from the ground and float along behind him.
When we get to the street, a huge crowd has already gathered. Some are taking photos.
“Back away. There’s nothing to see here.” The leader barks at them and even shoves a couple of people back, as he steps on to the sidewalk.
“Hey, don’t be rude!” I call out to him as he opens the side door to a large black van, that’s parked outside the hotel.
“Get in.” He orders me and stands guard outside the van, watching the crowd.
“Relax, Rambo. I think we’re okay.” I say as I float into the van. I back up against one side and sit down on one of the seats.
I hear a young guy complain, then I hear something metal smash to the ground. “Hey, my camera!” I hear a guy yell.
The armed men file into the van, then the door closes and we start moving.
“You’re a real class act, aren’t you?” I say as the lead guy turns his thick neck and glares at me through his black sunglasses.
“Freak.” He grumbles before turning his attention back to the driver.
Are you still there Beth? I think aloud.
‘I’m here. I’m following the vans.’ Beth’s husky voice says inside my head.
Good.
After several minutes of silence from the armed men, I begin to hum a tune. The van is rocking slightly. Feels like they’re speeding. Hmm, they’re in a hurry to get rid of me.
Beth, where are we? I think aloud.
‘You’re on the Eisenhower expressway. They’re taking you west. We’ve already passed the Malcolm X College. They must be doing over a hundred. Someone’s sure in a hurry.’ Beth replies.
Is anyone thinking of anything interesting? I ask inside my head.
‘Not really. They’re thinking about you mostly. That, and doing a good job.’
Me? What are they thinking?
‘I’d rather not say. It’s not complimentary.’
Right. Well, they’re not exactly on my Christmas card list either.
Thirty minutes pass before the van screeches to a stop, and the side door is slid open.
“Out!” The lead guy orders me and points with his black gloved hand.
“You know, saying please once in a while wouldn’t kill you.” I grumble as I float outside and land on the ground
He slides the door back in place with a slam.
I pull the poncho off and throw it to one side.
I turn and look up at the derelict building in front of me. It looks like it used to be a hangar, but its seen better days. Some panels from the roof are missing and there is graffiti on the sides.
I turn and look back at the black van. A man climbs from the passenger side of the van. He looks a little different from the others. He still wears a suit, but his is charcoal grey. I see his short clipped hair, and recognize his steely grey eyes.
“Hello, Bill.” I say and fold my arms across my chest.
“My boys didn’t scare you, I hope.” He says with a smirk.
“I don’t scare that easily.” I reply and nod up at the derelict hangar behind me. “You wanna explain?” I ask.
“Not everything is as it seems.” Bill says and swaggers over carrying a briefcase hand-cuffed to his left wrist.
He gestures with his right hand, which is covered in a pale grey leather glove. “Ladies first.” He says, then stops. “You are a lady, right?” He asks.
“Please.” I say and walk ahead of him. The hangar is already open, so I head in. It looks just as bad inside. Leaves and old newspapers are scattered along the barren hangars floor. A few homeless guys are lying down on some newspaper by one wall.
“Hey, guys.” Bill greets them with a wave. They nod their heads in acknowledgement.
Bill reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small key fob. He presses a button on one side of the key.
I hear something beep nearby, then there’s a click. Part of the floor pops up slightly. Bill reaches down and grabs one side of the floor and flips it open to reveal a large metal door with a keypad and keyhole. He kneels down and inserts his key, then presses some buttons quickly on the keypad. The keypad flashes green, and Bill steps back. The door beeps, then emits a hiss as it slowly swings open by hydraulics.
I see steps disappearing down into the ground. Lights begin to flutter to life down the stairwell.
“After you.” Bill says and swings his keys around his forefinger.
This feels oddly familiar, as I walk slowly down the stone steps and head deep underground.
I hear the large metal door close heavily behind us, then a loud series of clicks as it locks into place. Bill whistles a tune behind me as he follows me down the steps.
Even after ten minutes we’re still walking down the same stone steps.
“How deep are we going?” I ask as I see the steps fade into the distance below me.
“Deep enough.” Bill replies casually. “You’re not claustrophobic, are you?” He asks.
“No. Just impatient.” I grumble.
I finally see the last step up ahead after another twenty minutes. I emerge into a plain hallway painted a pale mint green. Deep emerald green carpet underfoot. The hallway is long and narrow and ends at a corner.
I float along the hallway until I get to the corner. I see another hallway, only this one’s shorter and ends at a set of dark green double doors shaped into a large circle.
“After you.” I suggest and wait for Bill to walk past me.
He reaches the round green double-door and knocks loudly four times. Then he opens one of the doors and waits for me. I fly over and hover next to him as he waits holding the door open. Inside is like one of those fancy business conference rooms they have in hotels. Only this one is huge.
A large flat screen television fills an entire wall. In the middle of the room is an oval desk, where several men are seated. One of them gets up and walks from the head of the table toward me.
“Thank you for coming, Cosmic Girl.” The man s
ays politely and gestures to one of the chairs. “Please, come in.”
I look at Bill quickly, then fly inside. I land gently in front of the older guy.
“I assume you know who I am?” The old guy asks.
I nod my head. He had been on the news only a few days ago. Round face, grey hair receding around the ears, small wire-framed glasses, a thin grey moustache. He’s a little portly, but he stands with dignity. He’s not in his usual military uniform. He’s dressed casually in a pale blue sweater and beige slacks.
“How can I help you, Mr. Secretary of Defense?” I ask calmly.
Nine
“You and I share a common enemy.” Donald Winters, the Secretary of Defense says as he gestures to the oval table.
I hover after him as he walks calmly back to the table.
“Who?” I ask as I arrive at the table behind him.
“This man.” He says and presses a button.
Cosmic Girl: Looking For Trouble: superhero series for young adults - Book Two Page 6
