by Bryan Cohen
Winny opened the door that faced the parking lot. "He's got the right idea." She looked toward Rico and then Erica. "You're a hero now, aren't you?"
Ted knew that Erica had kept her identity secret from everybody but the main gang. He supposed it was impossible to keep secrets from your friends forever.
"I can explain–"
Winny stopped Erica's sentence with a sharp hug. Ted watched Erica sink into it.
"No need." Winny kissed her friend on the cheek. "Text me and Beth about it later."
Erica nodded. Rico scooted around his date and led her out of the limo. When the door closed behind him, it was just Ted and Erica left inside.
"I feel like I'm still in everybody's mind." Ted forced a smile. "It's like watching the TV, laptop and phone at the same time. Times a million."
"I'm sorry, Ted."
"No, it's actually really cool. Exhausting but cool."
Erica put her hand on Ted's lapel. "No, I'm sorry I didn't trust you." She let out a deep sigh. "There's more to tell, and once we're finished with him, I'll tell you everything."
The look on Erica's face told Ted he should feel safe with her. Part of him wanted to curl up next to her and sleep away the next week.
"Good. Thanks." Ted yawned.
Erica raised her eyebrows. "I hope you can still fight." She gestured through another hole in the window. "Not everybody took the bait."
Ted looked toward the venue and saw about 20 students remaining. The reflection from a row of hanging lights glistened against the dresses and suits of the kids who stood between Ted and Redican.
"I like our odds better than Dhiraj's." Ted regretted the joke as soon as he said it. "But let's not talk odds. Let's just get inside."
Erica touched his shoulder. "Dhiraj'll be fine. The sooner we end this, the better his chances."
Ted took her hand and opened the door. It only took a few seconds for the guards to realize it was time to take action. When a kid in a grey suit rushed the two of them, Ted used his powers to push him back into three of the other guards. A girl in a pink, poofy dress rushed Erica. Before Ted could use his powers, he watched his protector expertly duck to the ground and sweep the legs out from under the attacker. When another guard rushed at Ted, he attempted to float him up into the air, but Ted's powers failed him. The classmate swung his fist and connected with Ted's face. The sharp sting made his eyes go dark for a moment. As Ted bent to the ground in pain, he felt Erica roll her back onto his. He looked up to see her easily handle the boy with a roundhouse kick.
Erica helped Ted to his feet.
"I tried to use.... I couldn't."
She nodded before using a quick backhand to take out another attacker. "You're drained." She looked behind her. "Your hands and feet still work?"
Ted realized that the months of training weren't just about him developing his powers. He needed to be prepared in case his abilities weren't available. Ted got into a fighting stance. "They do."
One of the attackers attempted to punch Erica in the back. When she ducked, Ted leapt over her, planting both of his feet in the assailant's chest. The boy toppled to the ground and Ted turned back toward his trainer.
"Not bad, eh?"
Erica shook her head. "Let's save the gloating for after we win, OK?"
Ted didn't speak again for the rest of the fight. There were about a dozen guards still left standing. Ted took them down as gently as he could; after all, it wasn't their fault they were serving Redican. Erica did the same, and before long, the pair had entered the building. At Erica's direction, they lugged several tables over to the door to barricade themselves inside. They didn't need the 20 guards they'd just faced to come back to haunt them.
For a moment, Ted found himself growing sentimental of the prom that could have been. The table settings and centerpieces were dotted with green and purple flowers. There was equipment set up for a live band to perform a variety of classics and top hits. The checkerboard wooden dance floor would have been big enough to accommodate the entire class. He wondered if the dance he dreamed of might still be possible if they could stop Redican.
"Same plan?" Ted hoped they wouldn't have to split up. With his powers on the fritz, Erica was truly his protector.
"Let's stick together." She grabbed and squeezed his palm quickly before motioning him to follow her.
He wondered if she was the one reading his mind as they started to search the building. Ted attempted to use his powers to see if he could detect Redican or anybody nearby. He felt a familiar blip of recognition that somebody he knew was inside, but it didn't last.
"This is so annoying." Ted kicked at the leg of a soft, comfortable-looking couch. "When you... were like me, did you ever burn out?"
Erica hopped up on the stage and started rifling through the curtains. Without even turning back, she answered. "I didn't live long enough for that to happen."
Ted didn't know quite how to respond to that. He let the conversation drop until Erica motioned in his direction.
"I hear something."
Before Ted could ascend the stage, several pairs of hands grabbed Erica through the curtain. She tried to fight them off, but they wrapped her in the thick velvet to fend off her blows.
She screamed in anger. "Ted!"
Ted reached for her with his powers, but once again nothing happened. By the time he jumped on the stage, Erica had been pulled out of view.
He rushed backstage and ran down a long, dark corridor. Ted could no longer see or hear Erica or the footsteps of the people who'd grabbed her. When he reached the end of the hall, he saw theater lights and sandbags, but no Erica. That's when Ted remembered his comm link and flipped it on.
"Ted!" Erica's voice sounded muffled.
"Erica." Ted ran back in the opposite direction. "Tell me where you are."
"Catwalk." Erica's breath was heavy, as if she were still trying to struggle her way free. "He's here."
"I'm coming." Ted ran back toward the stage and looked for a way to climb up to the catwalk.
He looked up at the hanging stage lights and traced them back down to a black ladder. As he gripped the bottom rung, he heard Erica's voice again.
"They've got Natalie, too."
With that, the comm link went dead and any sounds of the struggle were replaced by a low hum. Ted got up the ladder quicker than he ever thought possible. He was surprised to see how much space there was among the lights above the stage. The catwalk stretched at least 10 feet off the stage and 10 feet behind it. Ted glanced down for a moment. While his recently acquired ability to fly had helped to stave off any fear of heights, his malfunctioning powers made his position 25 feet above the ground very dangerous.
"Theatre techies have a death wish."
He saw several people in the distance and ran toward them. As he got closer, the recognition began to set in.
"No." He shook his head. "I'm dreaming again, I have to be."
Ted didn't see Erica. Natalie wasn't there, either. Even Redican was nowhere to be found. Instead, Ted saw Nigel cracking his knuckles and staring straight at him. By his side was Jason Torello, who looked as big and strong as ever. Even in the dark of the catwalk, Nigel's smile seemed to glisten.
"Did you miss us, old friend?"
Chapter 48
As the glass door clicked shut behind Jennifer and Dhiraj, the fastest member of the brainwashed mob slammed face first into the barrier like a daredevil bird. Jennifer shrieked at the sound and the sight of him, the man's body slumping to the ground as his compatriots gathered around him. She watched for a reaction from Dhiraj, who was still cloaked in Ted's appearance.
He let out a soft chuckle. "We really should put some stickers up to keep them from doing that."
Jennifer saw three members of the crowd outside attempt to pull the handle of the glass door at once. It strained at its hinges before locking right back into place.
Jennifer put her hands through her hair and remembered that she was a temporary blon
de. "Is that gonna hold?"
Dhiraj smiled. "Of course. Lawyers need more security than most." He took her hand. "We'll be safe as long as we need to be."
Jennifer noticed several of the mob members clear a path in the front. A group of seven of the strongest had ripped a wooden bench out of the ground. Jennifer could barely hear the group screaming through the glass, but she was pretty sure she heard the word "charge." Using the bench as a battering ram, the crowd cracked the mighty door. Jennifer saw Dhiraj's face turn even whiter.
"I'll never look at that bench the same way again." He pulled her away from the commotion. "We better hide."
They rushed away as the gang took another run at the door and left an even larger crack. As Dhiraj pulled Jennifer to a hallway full of elevators, she barely had a moment to note the green, marble walls and massively high ceilings. When Dhiraj pushed the elevator button, the heavy, metal doors opened with a ding and they sped inside. As the door closed, Jennifer heard large chunks of glass crashing down on the lobby floor.
"Your dad is gonna be pissed." Jennifer looked at their reflection in the mirror. "You think I'd be used to seeing hallucinations by now." She noticed Dhiraj glancing down at her exposed legs. "Quit checking out my friend's assets."
Dhiraj blushed and hit the button for the 16th floor. "Is there a way for me to blame this on Ted?"
The elevator lurched up and Jennifer had to grab a hold of Dhiraj to steady herself.
She sighed. "You know, I never really wanted to be her. I guess I just didn't want her to be all the way gone."
Dhiraj took her hand. "The way you keep memories, you'll never let her go." He pressed it to his lips. "And that's OK. That's just who you are. Erica's hands are so dainty."
Jennifer laughed so hard a tear streamed down her face. "They really are. She's got skinny ankles too." She shook one of her legs as if it might come off if she did it long enough.
The doors opened and Jennifer planted both feet back on the ground. If it weren't for the lights in the massive fish tank that lined one of the walls, the hall would've been too dark to see a thing. Because of the aquatic illumination, Jen could see a strip of rooms that looked straight out of an upscale furniture catalogue. She wondered if there'd be enough places to hide, given the clear glass walls that made up some of the offices.
"It's nice."
Dhiraj nodded. "I'd hope so. Wouldn't want my dad to spend 80 hours a week somewhere crappy." He pushed all the buttons on the elevator and led Jennifer into the hallway. "That ought keep them busy for a second."
As he tried to tug her forward, Jennifer pulled Dhiraj back toward her. "Close your eyes."
She waited to close hers until he followed her instructions. "I don't know how much longer we'll last, but before anything happens, I want to kiss you. I just want you to know that I'm going to be thinking of you when I do it."
With her eyes closed, Jennifer could hear Dhiraj's mouth move into a smile.
"Same here."
They moved closer in the darkness and their lips connected. Jennifer's body grew warm as she felt his mouth collide with hers. She pulled Dhiraj in tighter and wished they had just a few more minutes. The fear of the mob and the pain she'd been carrying around seemed to wash away like a dry patch of sand being carried out to sea by the tide.
When Jennifer opened her eyes, she didn't see Ted's face any longer. It was Dhiraj staring back at her once again.
"You're back to normal." For a moment, Jennifer wondered if it was her feelings for Dhiraj that changed him.
"You are, too."
Jennifer looked down to see that her dress, hands and legs were once again familiar. While her identity crisis was over, she wondered if the change meant another one had begun.
"If we're changed back, does that mean Ted is in trouble?" Jennifer heard the sound of a door opening.
Dhiraj took Jennifer by the shoulder and crouched down. "If he is, he'll have to handle it on his own. Come on."
They crossed the hall and opened a door adjacent to the fish tank, then scurried in and locked the door behind them. Dhiraj knelt down and put his back against the wall; Jennifer mirrored his position. They lowered their voices to a whisper.
"Should we tell them we're not who they're looking for?" Jennifer took Dhiraj's hand. She noticed it was starting to shake.
"I don't think we should take any chances." Dhiraj turned toward her. "Besides, isn't this romantic?"
Jennifer cupped her mouth to stop the laugh from escaping. "Almost as romantic as a joint funeral."
Jennifer felt Dhiraj squeeze her hand tighter as they huddled against the wall together. The sound of a half-dozen footsteps echoed through the hallway. Jennifer couldn't help but wonder how much longer their time together would last.
Chapter 49
Natalie's abdomen itched against the fabric of her dress, but she wasn't in enough control of her own body to scratch it. She attempted to glare at Mr. Redican, but her efforts to contort her face only resulted in a twitch. Redican had frozen the emotion on her face as a pleasant but vacant smile after she gave him one too many evil eyes. The only thing Natalie did have control over was the words that came out of her mouth, though she had a feeling she should limit those to make sure she didn't lose that ability as well.
"I think you should talk out your plan." Natalie felt weird letting the words tumble out with her face stuck in happy mode. "That way, you can make sure you're gonna get it exactly right."
Redican barely registered her voice. The man held a massive and ancient-looking book in his hands. The tome seemed to glow like it contained some sort of electricity. He was looking down into the ballroom and waiting for something to happen.
He's waiting for Ted. He's nervous.
"I'm not nervous, Ms. Dormer." Redican smiled, as if he was taunting her for his ability to read thoughts. "I'd call it excited."
Is that why you pissed yourself?
Redican looked down at his pants. Natalie let a small chuckle out of her immovable face. Redican's scowl made her realize that he was not in the mood for a joke.
"Don't you realize I could've left you in that fantasy world with Ted for the rest of your life?"
Redican got so close to Natalie, she could smell his breath. It wasn't pleasant.
He continued. "You could've been perfectly happy in your mind while your body was here in a coma. Your parents would spend every day weeping over your broken life."
Redican paced away from Natalie and back. He had a sort of limp as he walked, as if one wrong move might cause him to topple over. Natalie knew he was trying to scare her, but there was no way fear was going to help her out of this. The best way for her to win was to keep a level head.
"At least I'm not in some fantasy land that makes it okay to go around messing with people's minds." Redican was about to shout something back, but Natalie cut him off. "You think it's justified to destroy everybody's lives because some army attacked your homeland on another world in another time. You don't get to play God just because someone played God with you."
Natalie figured she'd gone overboard. She watched Redican tighten his grip on a metal bar of the catwalk as his back heaved up and down with heavy breaths. Within moments, she knew she'd have her right to speak taken away from her. Natalie watched Redican as he took in a long, slow breath. He surprised her when he turned around sporting a sad frown.
"You're right."
Natalie wasn't sure he heard him right. "You agree with me?"
Redican waved his hands and Natalie had complete control over her body again. She took the opportunity to scratch her abdomen at length.
"Controlling hundreds of people." Redican took a few steps toward Natalie with each sentence. "Ruining people's lives. It makes me almost as bad as the dark souls who killed my family."
Natalie took a glance down to the stage. She wondered if she took a jump while he was monologuing if she'd survive the fall.
Natalie turned back toward her captor and gave him p
art of a smile. "Does that mean you'll let me go?"
Redican pursed his lips and looked at Natalie with apologetic eyes. "If only that would accomplish anything."
Natalie could sense the conversation turning and made a gut decision to try to jump onto one of the tables below. She stepped up onto the top of the railing and prepared to leap.
As quickly as Redican had given Natalie back the control, he took it away once again. She knelt and grabbed the railing, lowering herself back down slowly. Natalie walked back to her previous spot and her eyes focused on the substitute teacher.
"The dark souls took over my world and because it wasn't as high a priority as Earth, the light souls didn't lift a finger. Nearly everybody I knew was either killed or possessed by an evil spirit. Playing nice did nothing but eradicate us, Ms. Dormer."
Natalie tried to say something back, but Redican had now taken everything from her. She had a feeling he wouldn't hear much of what she said regardless.
"We were too giving. We needed to take. If the light souls won't label us as deserving as humanity, they sure as hell better respect what we're willing to do to survive."
Natalie heard the noise of a struggle on the other side of the catwalk and tried to turn her head. It was no use, and she had to rely on her sense of hearing alone. She heard several people restraining a girl from attacking them. It didn't take her long to recognize Erica's voice.
They've got me. They've got her. If they get Ted then we're all screwed.
Natalie thought she saw Redican smirk in her direction after her pessimistic thought. Completely out of her view, she heard Erica say Natalie's name before the struggling stopped. The scuffle was over and the guards took their hands off her without consequence. Natalie realized that Redican had taken over Erica's mind as well. The sub controlled Erica's legs and made her walk over next to Natalie.
Natalie wished that her first thought upon seeing Erica wasn't related to her being Ted's prom date. After all, she had a feeling that prom had been more or less cancelled. Once Natalie had shed the thought, she did her best to communicate with Erica through her eyes. She attempted to convey her desire to toss Redican to his death. Erica's eyes seemed to agree. They looked toward Redican, who was commanding his lackeys to remain in the shadows just in case.
