by R. J. Ross
My entire body lights up like a torch and she yelps, jumping away quickly. “Well... crap,” I say as my clothes turn to ash. My phone drops to the ground, humming strangely for a second before flickering on. It looks like Nico made it fireproof somehow. “I’m going to have to get some fireproof boxers,” I decide as she covers her eyes with her hands and starts to laugh her head off.
“Cover yourself!” she yells. “Even if I can’t see through the flames, that’s just WRONG!” The guys come running, stopping as they see me. I look down. She’s right. In flame form you can’t see anything. Thank God.
I look at the guys standing around me and it suddenly clicks. I know why they feel they can claim to be supers--and why Jimmi might actually think they are. She’s more like Morgan than she realizes. She can amplify natural abilities. Well... crap.
Actually, the real question is what I’m going to do when the amping up wears off. I didn’t bring a spare set of clothes with me...
***
“Flint Stokes,” Flint answers his personal cell, wondering who would be calling at ten o’clock--his secret identity doesn’t have people that call that late.
“Mr. Stokes, I’m Officer Jones--”
“Vinny,” Flint mutters, feeling a headache develop. Yeah, that would explain the ten o’clock. “I’ll be down in ten,” he says.
“Can you bring him some clothes?” the cop asks a bit blandly.
“He was naked?” Flint asks in shock.
“He’s borrowed a pair of gym shorts from one of our officers, but... other than that, he still is.” This time he catches the hint of amusement in the man’s voice.
“Was anyone with him?” Flint asks.
“From what we got out of him, a bunch of kids abandoned him--but there’s one sitting in the waiting room for him. It’s a short haired girl with a glow-stick hanging from her neck.”
“Jimmi,” Flint says. “Let me go change--I’m at work,” he says. “I’ll be there in ten.”
***
“So...” the big bearded guy sitting across from me says. “Streaking... as a hobby at least it’s cheap, huh?”
He’s wearing a biker leather vest and a KISS t-shirt. He looks older than Flint is--but then again, I can’t exactly tell you how old Flint really is. Either way, he’s staring at me funny and I have the strange urge to cross my arms over my chest. Instead I look him in the eye and lift a hand, catching one finger on fire.
“Holy--” he yelps, jerking back as fast as possible. I let the fire die.
“My pants caught on fire,” I tell him blandly. I hear two people walking down the hall that leads to the holding cells and wonder if Nico is one of them. Getting tossed into prison only days after being sent down here can’t look good. I stretch my legs out in front of me, wondering just how I feel about going home a failure.
I miss home... but if I go back a failure I could easily lose my position in the zoo kids, which, actually, isn’t that big of a deal. Except who knows, Carla might actually get my position, and then she’d be bossing me around constantly. I’ve got no choice, I think reluctantly as I get to my feet. I’m going to have to beg for a second chance. “Nico--”
But it isn’t Nico standing there with the cop, I realize as soon as I say it. It’s Flint. I find my hand going up to my earring (which seems to be fireproof) only to fall again, since Nico might not even know what happened. Better off for me if he doesn’t, right?
“Alright, kid, your uncle is here to bail you out,” the cop says, looking from me to the tall redhead standing next to him. There’s a slight frown on his face as he does so. “You two... don’t--”
“My dad’s Italian,” I say, rather than let him go down that trail. Who knows where he’d wind up at? “I take after him in coloring.”
“Officer--that kid--he’s a super--” the guy in the holding cell behind me says. The others that are milling around shrug.
“He’s got a lighter, you’re just too drunk to notice,” one calls over to the bearded man.
“No--he--really?” he asks.
“Yeah.”
The officer looks at me, knowing full well that I came in buck naked. The only clothing I wear now is a pair of shorts borrowed from one of the skinnier cops. There’s no way I had a lighter on me. He looks from me to Flint again, his expression changing. “We’re going to have to take that lighter,” he says casually. “Why don’t you two follow me, we’ll have a little talk about... fire hazards.”
Fire hazard... I like that, I think. Sounds more like a super villain than a hero, but I bet I could pull it off. Flint elbows me as I reach his side, hissing, “What in the hell were you doing?”
“I’ll explain later,” I whisper silently.
“Jimmi’s still in the waiting room,” he says in a normal tone. “Can you send someone to tell her to go home already?” he asks the cop. “She’s a little Hispanic girl in a hoodie.”
“The one with the glowing eyes?” the cop asks almost too casually. “Sir, we were wondering if this was that sort of business when we saw her. That’s why we’ve got a... visitor waiting to see you. The girl’s already in there, as well,” he adds, opening the door to an office and motioning us in.
I blink at the sight of Century lounging in a chair, his feet on the desk and an impatient expression on his face. “Boy, I didn’t tell you to get dragged in by the cops the first week,” he drawls.
“I have an explanation,” I say.
“It’s my fault,” Jimmi says, stepping forward.
“You’re the reason the boy was caught riding down the street buck naked?” Century asks, his expression going dangerous.
“I--”
“I burnt my clothes off by accident. Jimmi can boost natural ability,” I say before Jimmi can try to explain. “That’s what she’s been doing for the gang she hangs out with--sorry, Jimmi, but they’re norms,” I tell her bluntly.
“What? But I’ve seen them do things norms can’t do! They’re--”
“You’re the one giving them powers. From the way they’re constantly wearing those tubes you fill, and the way I shorted out after half an hour or so, it doesn’t last that long. They’re using you, Jimmi.”
She looks like I slapped her. “You were working with Century all along,” she says slowly. “You were lying to me--Papa went to Century and Century brought you in to get me away from my friends--”
“Jimmi--” Flint starts out.
“You took him in, Uncle Flint! He’s living with you--you knew all along that he was brought in because everyone wanted me away from my FRIENDS! They’re all I have, and you’re all intent on taking me away from them!”
“They aren’t all you have,” I snap. “They’re jerks that are using you! You want real friends? Talk to Century, get him to send you to my school. Nico’s probably already gotten the transfer papers set up!”
“You have no idea where I’m coming from!” she accuses me. “You have friends that come halfway across the--”
“I HAVE NOTHING!” I bellow, lighting on fire, much to the consternation of the cops. “I have absolutely NOTHING you spoiled little brat! My mother’s dead, my father’s in jail, I spent a YEAR as a prisoner of some sick freak that enjoyed watching me knock myself out trying to escape! YOU! You have a father that’s willing to do deals with the devil to keep your feelings from being hurt! You have the biggest names in the South Branch bending over backwards to keep you from getting caught doing stuff you shouldn’t be doing! You have no right to accuse me of ANYTHING!”
There go another pair of shorts, a little voice whispers in the back of my mind. I didn’t think I was still amped. She’s just staring at me in shock, but I ignore it, finally letting loose after months of holding it in. “Do you have any idea what I deal with on a daily basis?” I demand. “I’ve got kids back home that are mentally broken by what Collector did to them--I have to literally COAX them out of their rooms just to eat on the bad days! And you! You’re here boo-hooing over--over what? A jerk o
f a boyfriend? I have NO FREAKING CLUE what’s wrong with you, Jimmi--and you know what? I don’t care. I take back the offer of Cape High,” I snarl.
“You know what you two and her dad need to do?” I go on, turning on Century and Flint. “Spank her. Ground her. Put her in some sort of community service, Habitats for Humanity or something. I’m done here,” I say, reaching up and touching my earring. “Nico? You there?”
“Yeah, kiddo,” Nico says. The entire room goes still as they hear his voice.
“I’m coming home. Voltdrain’s daughter is a bust.”
“Sure,” he says. “Want me to pick you up?”
“I’ll drive--I’m not about to leave my bike here,” I say.
“Wait,” Jimmi says. There’s a tear trailing over her cheek, I notice unfeelingly, “please. I’m sorry.”
“You should be,” I say coldly, the flames dying down. Century tosses me his hat and I casually cover myself with it--well, you know, as casually as you can in this situation.
“All I wanted were friends, Vinny--and nobody wanted to be my friend because I’m different from them,” she says, her jaw coming up, her expression turning stubborn. “If--if you’re right, then I was stupid--I believed the first guy that came along and claimed he was one. Can you blame me? I’ve never met another cape kid before! They keep me in the dark--I’ve had my powers for two years now! I should be--”
“Learning from your father,” Century says coldly, “but instead you went off on him for being a nice guy, and started running around with all the wrong types. If your mother was alive today, girl, she would have tanned your hide.”
The door opens before I can turn the knob, and Alonso walks in, moving almost silently. “Excuse me,” he says quietly, “I think this is the time I speak up.”
Something about the man has my shoulders loosening. He turns, looking straight at me. “Señor Nico, Señor Vinny,” he says gently, “I ask for a second chance for my daughter.”
“Al--” Flint starts out.
“Flint,” Alonso says, turning to him, “I have been trying to be kind to my daughter--she is all I have left in this world. But I see now that sometimes kindness can seem like neglect. I will not have my precious Princesa be, as Señor Vinny has said, spoiled. I know that you do not agree with Cape High, Century, they took one of your most promising children, but I have to try something.
“I do not like your boyfriend, Jimena,” he says, turning to his daughter. “I have tried, but I cannot seem to grow fond of him. I do not think he is... an appropriate influence. That is why your bags are packed and ready to go to Missouri, to Cape High. If you are willing, that is, Señor Nico, Señor Vinny.”
I go still, staring at him for a moment before Nico speaks. “I trust Vinny,” we all hear him say from my earring. “His impression of the girl is most likely right on--”
“Wait,” I say quietly. I swear Voltdrain can drain more than just electrical energy, because suddenly I feel tired. “Mister Alonso,” I say, turning to him, “I was the one that was supposed to prove something. All I’ve proven is that I can get tossed into jail for streaking unless I can get a pair of fireproof pants. Your daughter’s spoiled, sure, but...” I reluctantly let out a sigh, “it can be hard being different. I’ll accept. But first, Nico? Can you send down Trent and Carla?”
“Carla?”
“Yeah,” I say with a reluctant shake of my head. “I need Carla. I would say send them by plane, but she’d hate that with a passion. If Trent’s willing, send them by foot. Make sure she stays with Trent the entire way down, even if he IS going slow, got it?”
“Will do. Tomorrow morning work?”
“Yeah, that’s fine.”
“Who’s Carla?” Jimmi asks.
“Carla is like... an annoying little sister that has an advanced case of ADHD,” I decide. “She’s also a thirteen-year-old speedster. If it’s not just irony, Speed should be a speedster with your help.”
“So?”
“She’s going to leave him buried in the dust six feet under,” I say simply. “I’m going to show everyone the difference between a cape kid and a juiced up one--on television.”
“I’ll make sure she brings a mask,” Nico says.
“Why are you doing this?” Jimmi asks.
“Because the people that dare to claim to be us should know what they’re going up against,” I say. “Also to show the norms in the area--and Jimena--that all the stuff they’ve been doing wasn’t done by capes. We’ve got a name to clear.”
“So... who’s Trent?” Flint asks.
“Kid Liberty--son of America’s Son,” I say with a hint of satisfaction. “Now, can I get some pants? I’ll try not to burn them this time.”
CHAPTER FIVE
“Did he really ask for me? Like by name?” Carla asks excitedly. Trent glances at the girl bouncing impatiently next to him. “Vinny NEVER asks me to help. He’s always telling me not to do things.”
“Yeah, he asked for you--he also said you have to stay with me the entire run, got it? So no running ahead, got it?” Trent says as he puts his mask on and then drops a hand on her shoulder to hold her still long enough to put hers on. He’d agreed to running halfway across the country without a thought--first because Max was right about building a relationship with the zoo kids, secondly because he wanted to see how quickly he could do it. Carla was the perfect way to test himself. “No taking this off, got it?” he adds, tapping on the mask lightly.
“I got it, I got it,” she says, making a face. “Wait, so it’s just you and me going? No adults? Does that make this a date?”
“My girlfriend says no,” he says with a little grin.
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell her,” she says cheerfully. “Which way? This?” She starts forward, only to have her shoulder turned so she’s facing a different direction. She doesn’t even look back at him before starting out--way too fast. Trent snorts and races after her, kicking up his speed.
Maybe he should have asked for a child leash, he thinks a bit belatedly.
***
We’re skipping school. I sit on the picnic table next to the smoothie place and touch my earring again, my phone in my hand. It’s the coolest thing ever--I’ve found that if I twist it twice and tap it I can bring up any computer in the area on my cellphone screen. This is definitely illegal, I decide. As a future hero I should complain. Instead I’m checking out all the music that Jimmi has on her cellphone. There is a TON of Shakira.
She jerks as I start playing a song, looking over at me in surprise. “You like Shakira?” she asks.
“Nope,” I say. It’s not that I’ve got anything against her, I’ve just never really listened to her before.
“Then why do you have her on your phone?” she asks.
“I don’t,” I say, tapping on my phone a few times, “well, I didn’t, that is. Looks like I can download.”
She stares at me blankly, but I ignore it until she peeks over at my screen. “That’s MY phone!” she says in outrage, grabbing it from me.
“No, it’s my phone hacking your phone,” I say, holding it out of reach. “And seriously, you take way too many selfies.”
“There’s personal stuff on there!” she snarls, tackling me. “Stop looking at my Facebook!”
“If it’s on Facebook then it’s the exact opposite of personal,” I say, stretching my arm as far as it can go to keep the phone from her. She climbs over me and grabs it with an angry glare.
“Just because you hate me doesn’t give you a right to do something like this,” she snaps.
“I don’t hate you,” I say. “Sure I think you’re an idiot, but I don’t hate you. You just... hit a sore spot yesterday,” I mutter.
“Vinny, you there?” Trent asks. I look around for a second before realizing it must be my earring.
“Yeah, I’m here.”
“Thank God for the GPS system Nico put on my phone,” Trent says. “We’ll be there in a minute or two.”
“Do y
ou need to know where?”
“Nah, your phone is on this.”
“Is Carla behaving?” I ask, earning a surprised look from Jimena.
“Well she did get distracted when we passed a toy store,” Trent admits. “Something about building bears--she dragged me in for a bit--”
“I made a Rainbow Dash plushie!” I hear Carla yell.
“Then I had to swear I’d take Emily and Ditto there when we got back,” Trent says. “Something about a pink pie, or whatever.”
“Pinkie Pie!” Carla says. “She’s the pink one with balloons for her cutie mark--”
“Yeah, her,” Trent says, cutting her off. “So now we’re running across country with a massive plush pony,” he finishes. I look up as the two step into sight. “I’m pretty sure this is getting some strange pictures on Hero TV.” He’s not in full uniform, but he’s got a mask and his symbol on his t-shirt, so it’s pretty obvious who he is. “Sup, Vinny? Don’t tell me you want a stuffed pony, too.”
I’m staring at Carla, who has a stuffed blue toy tucked under her arm and a huge grin on her face. “Vinny!” she says, racing forward and hugging me tightly. I can’t help the little grin that pulls on my lips as I hug her back. “I didn’t miss you at all,” she adds.
“Thanks for that,” I say dryly. I reach up and tap on her mask. “Keep this on the entire time you’re here, got it?” I say. “We’re not going to risk your identity.”
“You’re not wearing a mask,” she pouts.
“I’m not thirteen--but I’ve got one for the show. How’s everyone doing?” I ask them both as Carla hugs her toy and looks at Jimena curiously.
“They’re fine, although I heard Carla caught the kitchen on fire a few times.”
“Being second in command sucks,” Carla says, looking at me. “You didn’t tell me it came with all the cooking.”
“You should have figured that out yourself,” I say. “You didn’t ruin any of my pans, did you? If you did, I swear I’m going to put asparagus in every meal for the next month.”
