by Andy Coltart
‘Don’t we know it!’ said Casey.
‘How are your eyes?’ asked Riley.
‘Amazingly I think they’re getting better,’ said Alex.
‘I guess that means the electrical energy from the lightning is fading in your brain then,’ said Riley.
‘Probably doing the same in mine,’ said Casey, sounding disappointed.
‘I guess so,’ said Alex. ‘Are you looking forward to going back to school?’ he asked them both.
‘I’m not sure,’ said Riley. ‘I’ve always hated school, but I have a friend there now so I’m hoping it’ll be different.’
‘It will,’ said Casey, ‘I’ll make sure of that.’ Riley smiled. ‘What about you, are you looking forward to college?’ said Riley.
‘Yeah I am. I can’t wait to see Will, but I’m not looking forward to a week’s worth of catching up!’ said Alex.
‘Yeah, me neither,’ said Riley.
‘We should meet up during the week,’ said Casey. ‘Definitely,’ said Riley, ‘we still need to sort loads of things out like a bulletproof vest for one!’
‘Leave that to me,’ said Alex. ‘My dad is a member of a gun club. I’ll go with him this week and borrow a vest.’
‘My mum will be suspicious if I take a bag of clothes to school on Friday so I’m going to spend the week putting things I’ll need in my locker. That way I can empty my school bag and reload on Friday before we get the train,’ said Riley.
‘That’s a good idea,’ said Casey. ‘I think I’ll do the same.’
‘I should be okay,’ said Alex. ‘My dad rarely notices what I take in and out of the house. Just make sure you have your ID with you.’
‘We will,’ said Riley, ‘and you make sure you have the tour and train tickets.’
‘And the bulletproof vest!’ added Casey.
‘I will, don’t worry,’ said Alex.
‘Oh no!’ said Riley.
‘What is it?’ asked the others.
‘I’ve just remembered we have sports first lesson,’ she said. Casey put her head in her hands.
‘You had me worried there!’ said Casey.
‘Me too,’ said Alex.
‘Well I really don’t want to do sports tomorrow,’ said Riley.
‘They may let you both off as it’s the first day back and that’s where your accident happened,’ said Alex.
‘Good point,’ said Riley, relaxing a little.
They sat and finished their coffees.
‘I think I’m gonna call my mom and find out what’s happening today,’ said Riley.
‘Okay,’ said Alex.
Casey called her mum too and a couple of hours later both girls were being picked up to go home.
‘I’ll call you later,’ said Alex as they left. Getting into the car Riley’s mum asked her, ‘Have you had a good time with your friends?’
‘Yeah, I have thanks, Mom,’ she replied. Riley had a hundred things running through her mind, none of which she could tell her mum about, not yet anyway. She was thinking about Casey, the gang, the assassination, her powers and so much more.
Arriving home felt good. Casey got out of the car and went inside with her mum.
‘What do you fancy doing this afternoon?’ asked her mum.
‘I don’t mind,’ said Casey.
‘Do you want to stay in or shall we go out?’ asked her mum.
‘How about you decide, Mom, I don’t know why but I feel like someone else making the decisions today,’ she said. Casey’s mind was also running over a lot of different things. Coming out to Riley, agreeing to go up against the gang, travel to DC and so much more.
‘Okay, how about we take a long walk across the park and have something to eat in that big restaurant on the corner?’ said her mum.
‘Can we afford it?’ asked Casey.
‘I think so,’ said her mum. ‘It’s not like we do it every day.’
‘Okay,’ said Casey. ‘I’d like that.’
Shortly after the girls left Mr Manning arrived back from the golf club.
‘Hi, son, you home alone?’ he said.
‘Yeah I am, the girls went about an hour ago,’ said Alex.
‘Right, well I’m all yours. Shall we do something just the two of us?’ said Mr Manning. Alex thought he’d take this opportunity to ask about the gun club.
‘Could we go to the range?’ he said.
‘You know I’m happy to take you but are your eyes up to it?’ asked his Dad.
‘I think so,’ replied Alex.
‘Perhaps we could do that on Wednesday evening. It’s closed today while they redecorate,’ said Mr Manning.
‘Yeah, Wednesday would be good,’ said Alex. ‘Something to look forward to.’
‘Great,’ said his father, ‘but what about today?’
‘How about lunch out in the countryside?’ said Alex.
‘It’s a deal,’ said his father.
As the car pulled onto the drive the twins came running out to meet it.
‘Yay, you’re back,’ said Beth, throwing her arms around Riley as she got out of the car.
‘Hi kids,’ said their mum. Their neighbour appeared at the door.
‘Thanks for looking after them while I fetched this one!’ said Mrs Bennett.
‘No trouble at all,’ replied the neighbour. Riley, her mum and the twins went inside. It felt good to be home, especially after the events of yesterday.
‘Let me just check on the dinner and then I’ll get the kettle on,’ said Riley’s mum.
‘I’ll just take my bag upstairs,’ said Riley.
‘Okay dear, see you in a minute,’ said her mum. As Riley arrived back downstairs the twins came marching into the kitchen with the Monopoly board.
‘Can we all play this, Mom,’ said Max. Mrs Bennett looked at Riley.
‘That’s fine with me,’ she said.
‘Go on then,’ said their mum. ‘Set it up on the island while I get some drinks.’
Casey and her mum walked through the park gates and onto the wide path which wound its way across the park. The path had a line of large trees either side, which provided shade from the sun. There were lots of people on the grass either side. Some were sitting in groups talking. Others were playing sports together. Everyone seemed to be enjoying their peaceful Sunday afternoon. Casey liked being in the park. The place seemed free and happy, not pressured like the world that surrounded it. She was happy to take as long as possible walking through the park if it meant avoiding that world for a little longer.
Alex and his father had been driving for about half an hour and were now on a road with forest on either side.
‘I’m pretty sure there’s a restaurant along here,’ said his father. ‘We can park there and take a walk before dinner.’
‘Sounds good,’ said Alex. He was just happy to be away from the city and the reminders of what lay ahead that week. For now, the trees and the fresh air were all he had, and wanted, to focus on.
‘Here we are,’ said Mr Manning as he pulled into the restaurant car park. The two of them got out and set off for a pleasant afternoon stroll in the forest.
‘I want to be the car,’ said Max.
‘You’re always the car,’ said Beth.
‘I don’t mind what I am,’ said Riley.
‘Mom, you can be the old boot,’ said Beth laughing.
‘Charming,’ replied their mum. Max took first roll of the dice and the game got under way. It didn’t take long before things heated up with properties being purchased and fines being imposed on those landing on them.
‘I hope we get through this without any tears,’ said Riley.
‘Don’t hold your breath,’ said her mum.
Later that day Riley, Casey and Alex were all enjoying meals with their families. Riley’s mum had cooked her usual amazing pot roast. Riley’s favourite meal of the week. Casey and Alex had both chosen a pot roast in the different restaurants with their parents. Casey’s dad had met her and his wife at the restaurant fo
r dinner. It was only later that evening when the three friends got on the computers and started to compare their afternoons that they discovered they’d all eaten the same meal.
‘What are the odds,’ said Riley.
‘I know, right,’ said Casey.
‘Well, it was a nice time spent with my dad,’ said Alex. ‘Not something we do often enough.’
‘I hope college goes well tomorrow,’ said Riley.
‘Thanks, and school for you both,’ said Alex.
‘Thanks,’ said Casey.
‘I guess we’d better get some sleep then,’ said Riley. ‘We’ve got a long and busy week ahead.’
‘Ain’t that the truth!’ said Casey.
‘Night everyone,’ said Alex.
‘Goodnight,’ came the reply from the others and then the offline symbols began to appear.
Chapter 22
Back to School
Riley was woken by the sound of the twins arguing over the toothpaste in the bathroom. She grabbed her pillow and put it over her head to block out the noise. It was too late though, she was awake and there was no getting back to sleep, not on a school day.
‘Time to get up, Riley,’ shouted her mum from downstairs. Riley pulled the pillow from her face making it fall to the floor. Throwing back the covers she got up out of bed.
‘Do you two have to argue over everything?’ said Riley as she entered the bathroom and took the toothpaste off the twins. They just looked at her and held out their brushes. Riley put some toothpaste on each one and let them get finished.
‘Right, out of here you two, I want to get ready,’ she said.
‘You’d better be up,’ shouted Casey’s mum. But Casey didn’t hear her as she was already in the shower with shampoo in her hair and her head under the water. Her mum came up the stairs to check on her and heard the water running.
‘Oh good,’ she said, ‘that makes a pleasant change.’ A little later Casey appeared downstairs dressed but with her hair still wrapped in a towel.
‘Did you call me before?’ she asked her mum.
‘Oh no, I was just checking you were up, that’s all,’ replied her mum.
Mr Manning was up early to help Alex do his paper round. His eyes had improved a little over the weekend but not enough to ride a bike.
‘I’ll drop you off at college on my way downtown if you like,’ said Mr Manning.
‘Thanks, that would be a great help,’ said Alex.
‘Are you meeting up with Will today?’ asked his father.
‘Yeah, he’s gonna meet me at the main entrance,’ said Alex.
‘That’s good. I’m sure he’ll want to catch up with you after this last week. He spent quite a bit of time in the hospital before you woke up you know,’ said his father.
‘Yeah it’ll be good to see him again,’ said Alex.
It wasn’t long before everyone was on their way. Mrs Bennett dropped the twins off early and then took Riley to school. When they arrived Casey was already there waiting for her.
‘Oh look, your friend’s waiting,’ said her mum. Riley didn’t say anything but was pleased to be experiencing being met by a friend at the start of the school day. This was a first for her and she liked it.
‘Hey, how are you?’ she said to Casey.
‘Good thanks,’ said Casey. ‘How about you?’
‘Not looking forward to the comments and questions,’ said Riley.
‘Well we will deal with them together,’ said Casey.
‘Thanks,’ said Riley.
As they walked in through the main entrance they could see the long stretch of corridor filled with kids and lockers. The mass of teenagers all moving in different directions made it almost impossible to navigate. Finally they both reached their lockers. Riley opened hers and placed a clean pair of knickers in.
‘Those for the weekend?’ asked Casey as she put a hoodie in her own locker.
‘Yeah they are,’ said Riley. ‘I thought I’d start small.’ Suddenly the bell rang out.
‘I’d better get to my class room,’ said Casey.
‘Okay, I’ll see you for sports in a bit,’ said Riley.
They both went off to their class rooms. Mr Willis was pleased to see Riley arriving back in his form room.
‘How are you?’ he asked as she sat down.
‘Good thanks,’ said Riley.
‘Bet she’s still crazy,’ said one of the boys.
‘That’s enough of that,’ said Mr Willis.
Once the register was done everyone headed off to their first lessons. Riley met up with Casey in the corridor. They arrived at the changing rooms to find the usual chaos in full swing. The sports teacher came out of her room.
‘Hello you two, how are you doing?’ she said.
‘We’re okay, miss,’ said Riley.
‘But could we sit out of the lesson this week?’ added Casey.
‘I think we can allow that this once,’ said the sports teacher. ‘It was only a week ago all this happened. You’ve done well to be back in school so soon.’
‘Thanks, miss,’ said Riley.
They waited on the bench whilst the girls around them got changed into their sports kit. Riley and Casey then followed the other girls out to the field to watch.
‘Now this feels weird being back here,’ said Casey.
‘At least the sun is shining today,’ said Riley.
‘It was last week, if you remember, until that freak storm hit,’ said Casey.
‘Oh gosh, yeah it was,’ said Riley. ‘I’d forgotten that. It started clouding over just as the lesson began.’
Will was waiting on the steps for Alex. He was pleased to see his friend arrive.
‘Glad you’ve made it all the way to the steps without being struck by lightning this time!’ said Will, smiling.
‘Very funny, bud,’ said Alex as they went into the college.
‘Fancy a coffee before the lecture?’ asked Will.
‘Yeah but let’s sit inside this week!’ said Alex. The two of them sat drinking coffee in the cafeteria. Alex talked about his eyes and getting to know the girls but decided to leave some details out. He wanted to tell Will everything but that could wait, at least until after the coming weekend.
The girls were in different classes after sports. Casey had a double Science lesson, which she hated. Riley on the other hand had double Art, which was her favourite subject. As she entered the art room she could hear the other kids whispering.
‘Hey Crazy Curls,’ said one of the kids, ‘you still full of electricity?’
Some of the kids laughed, but Riley was pleased to see not all of them did. It had been the first time she’d notice that some kids didn’t join in the taunts. The teacher walked in and asked for quiet.
‘Now,’ said the teacher, ‘I’m pairing you up for the next month for your main project.’ There was a collective moan from the class. They all hated it when a teacher selected who they’d work with as no one ever got to work with their friends.
Riley sat waiting for her name to be called. Who would she have to work with?
‘Riley and Christine,’ said the teacher. Riley’s heart sank, then she remembered what they’d done for Christine and wondered if this had made a difference. Christine moved over to join her.
‘Hi,’ said Riley.
‘Hi,’ said Christine. ‘How are you doing after your accident?’ Riley couldn’t believe she was being asked a civilised question by the leader of the means girls!
‘I’m fine,’ she replied, ‘thanks for asking. How are you?’
‘To be honest, things have been getting better for me this last week. Can’t share the details but...’ said Christine.
‘That’s okay,’ said Riley, smiling. They spent the next couple of hours working well together which Riley was both surprised and delighted with.
After their morning lecture on the existence of dinosaur DNA and what this could mean for the future, Will and Alex headed back to the canteen.
&nbs
p; ‘Is your head spinning after listening to all that?’ said Alex.
‘Yeah just a bit,’ said Will.
‘Oh, I’ve been meaning to ask if you’ve got any further with our fossil project,’ asked Alex.
‘Yeah I’ve got some done,’ said Will. ‘I’ll bring you up to speed in our next free later.’
‘Sounds good,’ said Alex. The two of them got some lunch and sat at a table with some of the students from the dinosaur lecture.
‘Hey you,’ said Casey, tapping Riley on the shoulder as they walked along the corridor to the canteen.
‘Hi, how was Science?’ said Riley.
‘Boring,’ replied Casey. ‘Anything interesting happen in Art?’
‘Actually, yeah it did,’ said Riley.
‘Do tell,’ said Casey smiling as they joined the lunch queue.
‘Well you remember the mean girl, Christine, who we helped?’ said Riley.
‘Yeah I remember her,’ said Casey.
‘Well, I got paired with her in art and she wasn’t nasty to me once. In fact, she asked me how I was and said things had gotten better for her just recently!’
‘That’s so cool,’ said Casey.
The rest of the day went well for Riley, Casey and Alex. It was good to be back in a routine, focussing on work and not the accident or what lay ahead at the end of the week. Riley’s mum came to collect her at the end of the day.
‘Oh, hello, Casey,’ she said as she pulled up.
‘I’ll see you later,’ said Casey, giving Riley a hug.
‘Casey,’ said Mrs Bennett, ‘how are you getting home, dear?’
‘By bus, when it decides to show up,’ said Casey.
‘Would you like a lift?’ asked Mrs Bennett.
‘Oh yeah, thanks,’ said Casey getting into the back of the car and sitting next to Riley.
Alex got a lift back home thanks to Will’s older brother. He was in the city for the week and had arranged to collect Will from college.
‘Thanks, Dave,’ said Alex as he got out of the car. ‘It’s really helped Dad out as he’s still stuck at work.’
‘No worries,’ said Dave.
‘I’ll see you tomorrow, bud,’ said Will as Alex started walking towards the front door.
‘See you then,’ he called back as the car started to pull away. Alex let himself in the house and went to the kitchen. He made some coffee and raided the fridge for a snack before going up to his room. He was keen to get on the computer and see how Riley and Casey were doing.
