by Dee J. Stone
We stand, and when we’re at the door, Samson says. “One more thing.”
We turn around.
“I noticed some items missing from the Weaponry.” He looks at his son. “Kale?”
“Heh…we might have borrowed some stuff…”
Samson sighs and rubs his face. “The Weaponry is not something to be played around with. You have access to it, but I emphasized that you must use it responsibly. The weapons and gadgets are to be used for emergencies only. I don’t want to see you accessing it again. Is that understood?”
Kale hangs his head. “Yeah, Dad. I got it.”
Chapter Eighteen
It’s after three AM. I lie on my bed with my cube in my hand and stare at the ceiling, worrying about the plan. I have no doubt that Stealth will be able to save those people, but things tend to always go wrong. I don’t want to cause any pain or deaths.
I’m glad we told Samson and Cindy. I feel like a load has been lifted off my shoulders. Having them part of this calms me a bit, but I still worry that things will go wrong.
I run my hands down my face.
If I feel anxious, Stealth must feel ten times worse. It’s going to be an intense day for her. Can’t be easy.
I haven’t thought much about…us. I’ve been too preoccupied with the mission. Now that I’m alone, all I think about is her warm hand in mine, her blue eyes, her mouth inches from me, her soft fingers on my lips.
I get out of bed and take an elevator to her room. I raise my hand to knock on the door, but stop. It’s three in the morning. She’s probably sleeping.
I turn around to head for the elevator, but I hear the sound of a doorknob turning.
“Can’t sleep, either?”
I turn around and see Stealth standing there. Her eyes look tired. She widens the door.
I enter her room. I’m about to rake my fingers through my hair when I realize I’ve brought my cube with me.
Stealth takes it from my hand. She turns the blocks, her eyebrows furrowed in concentration. My head pulsates at the thought of teaching her. Of running my hands over hers. Of touching her silky skin.
“It was his, wasn’t it?” she says.
I sit on her bed. She joins me, sliding under the covers. She motions for me to do the same, and I do. “No. It’s mine,” I say. “Stretch loved playing with it, even though he didn’t know how.”
She slowly nods. “And this connects you to him.”
I close my eyes.
“Ray?” Stealth touches my arm, shifting closer to me, so close our legs entwine. She’s not wearing socks. Neither am I. Her toes are cold. “Are you okay?”
I open my eyes and nod to her. “I went to visit him today. Him and Glen. While you were with the Nightmares. Kale and I went to their graves.”
She rests her head on my chest. It warms me and I want to wrap my arms around her, but I don’t. “How was it?” she asks.
I stare at the bedspread.
Stealth wraps her arm around my shoulder. “I’m sorry. It must have been so hard for you.”
I press my face in her arm, squeezing my eyes shut. “Was okay.” My voice is so low I barely hear it.
Her fingertips touch my cheek. “You don’t have to be so strong, Ray.”
I pull away. “I do. I need to lead, to be in control. Nothing can go wrong. Nothing.”
Her fingers reach my mouth. “I wasn’t talking about the mission. You have this wall up. Let others get close to you. Lower your guard and let them in.”
I don’t say anything. Maybe she’s right. I do push people away, even though I don’t mean to.
“I’m like that, too,” she says, taking my hand. “But I’m trying. Living here is the greatest thing that’s happened to me. I finally found a place where I belong, where I feel understood and accepted.”
Like I felt when I first joined. But all that changed four months ago, when my best friend was murdered. I guess the wall came back up. It’s weakened ever since Kale and I grew closer, but it’s still there. Maybe it always will be.
As if reading my mind, Stealth squeezes my hand. “Tell me how he died,” she says. “I know it’s painful, but from what I learned in therapy, talking helps.”
“I’ve talked about it with Kale.”
She quiet for a bit. “You can talk to me, if you want. You can talk to me about anything.”
Maybe I can. We have a connection that I’ve never had with anyone.
“Let’s go over the plan once more,” I say.
She rubs her fingers over my knuckles. “Ray.”
I lean my head against the wall and shut my eyes. Talking about Stretch is painful, but deep down, I know I want to. Not to Kale because he’s hurting, too. Not to Dr. Evans or Samson or Cindy. But to Stealth. Maybe because I want to be completely open with her.
I inhale slowly and open my eyes. Taking another breath, I begin, “The ShadowBlades were conspiring to assassinate Samson. Kale, Stretch, and I wanted to go after them and kill them—my ridiculous idea. We got captured. Stretch tried to free us by slipping out of the cellar to get the key. He was so scared, but I pushed him. And because of that, Lightning caught him and…”
I don’t realize I’ve started to cry until Stealth wipes my cheek with her finger. “You can’t blame yourself.”
“How can I not? The plan was my idea. Kale was against sending Stretch to free us, but I pushed him.” I clench my teeth. “I’ll never forgive myself, but avenging his death and Glen’s death, and making the world a safe place again, will help me sleep at night.”
She nods. “I’ll try my hardest to help. I didn’t know Stretch and I barely knew Glen, and I don’t know the hell the ShadowBlades caused, but I know going after them is the right thing to do. Even if Samson and Cindy disagree. I also want the world to be safer.” She smiles a little. “That’s what heroes do.”
I look at her. “Thanks for your help.”
She shuffles closer to me and pulls my arm around her. “You know,” she whispers. “The Fourth of July attack isn’t the only reason I can’t sleep.”
I peer down at her. She raises her gaze to me. “I keep thinking about you.”
My stomach muscles tighten.
“I’m glad you shared this with me,” she says. “I feel closer to you.”
I tangle my fingers through her hair. “So do I.”
Her chest is rising and falling against mine. Her breath is hot on me. Her soft legs tickle mine. Her hair smells like fruit. It looks sexy spread down her shoulders and on my chest.
I take her chin, tilt it upward, and press my lips to hers. She shifts and wraps her arms around my neck, squeezing herself closer to me. I deepen the kiss, placing my hand on her cheek. It’s warm.
She pulls off and stares at me. I reach for her hair and grab a few locks. It’s as soft as I imagined. I wrap it around my finger. “We’d better try to get some sleep,” I say.
We lie down. Stealth snuggles closer to my chest and shuts her eyes. Soon, all I hear is her soft breathing.
I can’t sleep for two reasons. One, I’m nervous for the Fourth of July. Two, Stealth is on me.
I watch her. She’s so peaceful, so beautiful when she sleeps. No worry is evident on her face. Unlike when she’s awake, when I notice the doubt and fear in her eyes. My fingers stroke her cheek, the side of her head.
“You’ll do great,” I whisper. “I have complete faith in you.”
Chapter Nineteen
It’s July fourth. Kale, Lindsay, Stealth, and I spent the past few days meeting with Samson, Cindy, the Elites, and hired help. We reviewed the plan countless times. Non-Elites are not allowed, so Kale, Lindsay, and I will be watching the news on TV with our fellow League mates.
I hope we have no casualties. Hope no one dies. I can’t bear the thought of losing Stealth. Why did I send her to risk her life? It should be me out there, even though I know that’s impossible.
Stealth is set to meet with the Nightmares in half an hour. Dressed in her vi
llain uniform, she’s at my window, staring out. I walk to her and pat her arm. “Nervous?”
She nods. “So many things could go wrong.”
She’s right, they could. But we can’t think that way. I pull her to my chest and rest my forehead on hers. “The Elites will try their damned hardest to make sure nothing does.”
She looks up at me. Her eyes are uncertain. Using my thumbs, I slowly lift her mask up to her forehead. I run my hand across her cheek. “A few Elites will be nearby, watching over you in case,” I tell her. “I’m sorry I can’t be there.”
“It’s okay.”
I know Samson told her this, but I say it, anyway. “When the fighting ends and the Nightmares escape, run away, too. Rendezvous with them. You need to keep your loyalty to them.”
She nods. “But the most important thing is to save lives.”
“Yeah.”
I press my head to hers. “I hope there are no surprises.” The Blades are known to do that.
“Me, too.” She pushes some hair away from my forehead. “But I’m ready.”
“You’re going to kick ass,” I whisper. “Then you’ll be initiated into the Blades and we won’t have to worry about things like this anymore.” Sure there will always be villains around, but my hope is that they’ll think twice before messing with the Keepers.
There’s a knock on my door. I let Samson and Cindy in. They’re followed by Kale and Lindsay.
“Everything is prepared,” Samson says.
“Kale and I need to fortify the telepathic block on your mind, Stealth,” Cindy says. They walk over to her and place their hands on her head. A few seconds later, it’s all done.
“Good luck,” Lindsay says. “To everyone.”
“Kick ass, Stealth,” Kale says.
She laughs a little. “I’ll try.”
“Okay.” Samson takes a deep breath. “Are you ready?”
Stealth nods. I want to take her hand and give it a squeeze. Instead I say, “Good luck.”
She pulls down her mask and mists away.
Samson and Cindy leave the building and head for Manhattan with the rest of the Elites.
***
Everyone is gathered in the living room, their eyes wide and pasted on the large plasma TV. The news is on. Kale and Lindsay are beside me. Kale pats my shoulder. He knows how nervous I am about this. All of us are.
The Nightmares have landed. The park is in chaos. Trees, statues, benches are destroyed. Normies shout and flee. Parents are getting separated from their children, husbands from their wives. I can’t watch, but I need to. The Nightmares are laughing evilly and loudly. They’re throwing fire, bullets, and acid around. AeroKrow is trying to claw at the kids. The Keepers waste no time attacking.
It’s unbearable to watch. To hear the terror, the wicked laughter. But I need to. I’d drive myself crazy if I didn’t know what was going on.
Police and firefighters are around, helping to bring the people to safety. They’ve barricaded the area around the park, but a few people sneak inside to record the events on their phones.
The fighting doesn’t last long. Less than twenty minutes. The Acid kills a few people as an Elite tackles him to the ground. My throat constricts. We couldn’t save everyone like we hoped.
The remaining Nightmares escape. I don’t know if Stealth is among them. According to the news report, twenty people are missing so far.
Samson is making a press conference. “We are not certain what prompted this attack, or what the motive behind it is. I promise you The Keepers of Justice will do everything in its power to make sure these villains are caught and brought to justice, and that all who have been taken as hostages will be returned safely. My condolences to those who have lost loved ones. If there is anything the Keepers could do for you, please let us know.” The reporters bombard him with questions.
The park is in ruins. Shattered, burned. The people around the area are crying, some are on their hands and feet. One woman is bent over a body belonging to a man killed by The Acid. She’s wailing.
I can’t stand it and move away from the TV. Stare at the wall. I don’t know if today was a success. Don’t know how many people were saved and how many died. I don’t know if Stealth is alive. Maybe the Nightmares killed her.
I slink down to the floor and rest my chin on my knees. A few minutes later, Kale and Lindsay join me. We remain like this until Samson and Cindy return with news.
We head to Samson’s office. He updates us on the latest. The world thinks sixty people have been taken. Cindy mentions that a few Elites were watching over Stealth and saw that in addition to the sixty, she saved close to eighty people.
“Wow,” Lindsay says. “Go Stealth!”
Samson rubs his forehead. “She did well and we are very proud of her. I only hope she’s not in danger and returns to us soon.”
I go to the window and peer out. Dammit. Where is she? It was my idea to send her. Yes, she volunteered, but it was me who had this plan to begin with. I won’t rest well until I know she’s okay.
***
A hand is shaking my shoulder. A voice enters my ears, but I don’t hear it, only a faint hum. I feel like I’m underwater. My eyes won’t open, like they’re glued shut.
The hand grows vigorous. Frantic. Nails dig into my skin. I force my eyes open and my body to jump up. It’s dark. Nighttime. I can only make out a shadow standing over my bed.
I hold out my fists, about to strike, when I get a whiff of strawberry shampoo. A girl.
Stealth.
I lower my hands and turn on my bedside light. She’s dressed in her villain uniform. “You were yelling in your sleep,” she whispers. “You called my name.”
I was dreaming about her. She was sitting in a chair, bound. Her face was battered as blood poured down. Villains stood around her, laughing as each took a turn at beating her.
I pull her into my arms and press my cheek to hers. “I was so worried.” I slowly lift her mask. Touch my lips to hers. She’s stiff at first, but after a bit her lips soften and her body falls into mine. “Are you okay?” I ask.
She grabs the back of my head and pushes my mouth to hers.
After she breaks the kiss, she says, “They believed me. I told them I killed those people. They find it hilarious that everyone thinks they’ve kidnapped them.”
“And what about the Blades?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “They didn’t make contact.”
I move over and she scoots onto my bed. She weaves her fingers through mine. Hers are so tiny that mine practically swallow them up. I drag the blanket over us and hold her close. She rests her head on my chest.
“Samson and Cindy are worried about you, too,” I say, gazing out the window. Normally I keep the shade down, but since I wasn’t able to sleep the past few nights, I lifted it. Wanted to look at the stars, as I did when I lived on the streets. Always wondering. Hoping for a better life. “It’s late, but they’ll probably want to see you and make sure you’re okay and tell you how proud they are.” She doesn’t answer. When I look down, I find her eyes closed. Her uniform rubs against the bare skin of my chest as she breathes softly. Sleeping.
My body fills with something as I watch her. I don’t know what. She’s so tired after today, and she has the right to be. She was a hero. Eighty people are alive, thanks to her.
I brush a few strands of dark hair off her forehead. I lower my mouth to her temple.
She deserves a good rest. A peaceful one.
Chapter Twenty
It’s morning. I dozed off a bit here and there, but my brain was too active. Because of yesterday, because of Stealth. I peer to my left. The space on my bed is empty.
She fled sometime during the night. Or this morning.
I try not to let it bother me, but who am I kidding?
I roll onto my side to finally get some sleep, when I feel something hard beneath me. Stealth’s hands appear and push against my chest, shoving me to the other end of the bed.
“Ouch,” she says, stretching her arms. The rest of her body turns visible. “You’re heavy, you know.”
“I thought you left. It’s…cute how you turn invisible while you sleep.”
She looks at me and raises an eyebrow. “Cute?”
“Sexy?”
She cocks her head to the side. “I accept.” She scans my room, the bed, us, and frowns. “Did I fall asleep here?”
I nod. This is the second time we’ve slept together. I want to do it again.
“Oh,” she says. “Sorry.”
Her hands plow through her messy hair. I pull them out and slide my fingers between hers. “I’m not.”
She smiles shyly, which is strange for her. “What?” she says, her cheeks reddening.
“Nothing. Just…” I stroke her cheek with the back of my finger. “I’ve never seen you blush.”
She shifts over a bit, and my finger drops. “Did I do okay yesterday? What did Samson and Cindy say?”
“That you saved eighty people. Not the ones that were hired. Eighty real people. Three died, but there wasn’t anything we could have done about that. The Acid was a monster and killed them just as the League took him down.” I pause. “Samson and Cindy are proud of you. I was telling you that last night, but you fell asleep.”
She laughs a little. “Oh, wow.” She turns her head away like she’s embarrassed. I place my hands on their side of her face and tilt it toward me.
“Do you realize what a hero you are?”
“Not to the world,” she says.
“I know, but what matters is that they’re really alive. And soon the world will know.”
She lays her head on my shoulder. “But three people died.”
“I feel terrible, but we had no control over that.”
She nods solemnly. We’re quiet.
She sits up, her gaze on the spot in front of her. “Cindy wants me to go to her office. She and Samson need to discuss some things with me.”
“You should probably check your phone first. Might have a message from the Nightmares.”
