by Felice Arena
Contents
Prologue
1. The Beginning
2. Rebuild
3. Trial Run
4. Forbidden
5. Switch On
6. Masked Hero
7. Silverback
8. Go, Go, Go!
From the Author
When I was a kid I was invincible – or so I imagined. My brother and I would combine all the powers of our favourite comic and TV superheroes and have the most epic battles in our backyard. We would zap at each other with our awesome laser fingers, run faster than a cheetah riding a Ducati (now that’s fast!), and jump over buildings (more like the swing set) in a single bound.
With Andy Roid, I’ve been able to let my imagination play like never before. It’s been so much fun to create this series and I hope you enjoy it as much as I loved writing it!
Felice Arena is the bestselling author and creator of many popular and award-winning children's books including the Specky Magee series. For more information about Felice and his books visit his website at:
felicearena.com
For Antonio – Andy Roid’s first fan.
… WHEN YOU’RE HALF BOY, HALF MACHINE,
IT’S HARD NOT TO BE A HERO …
‘Hurry! Grab your bags! Now!’ ordered Andy’s dad.
‘What’s going on?’ Andy asked as he walked through the front door. His dad was racing around the house, packing boxes like a madman. ‘Why do I need to pack my bags? Where are we going?’
‘We’re moving!’ his dad announced, pulling things off shelves and stuffing them into a suitcase. The lounge room looked like a bomb had hit it.
‘Moving?’ Andy choked. ‘We’re moving? Now? But this is our home!’
‘Well, it was good while it lasted, but now it’s time to leave.’ His dad was now breathlessly darting from room to room. ‘Andy, we have no time to discuss this. That stunt you pulled today has gone viral on the net. We have to act fast!’
Andy couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He wished the events of the day had never happened, but most of all he wanted to turn back the clock by four months to a time when he was just a normal, ordinary kid.
A time before he became Andy Roid.
‘Oh, Andy, this is a surprise! Were your parents expecting you?’ asked Mr Blundle.
Mr Blundle worked part-time at Andy’s parents’ bakery shop and, with his white beard and bright red cheeks, Andy always thought he looked a bit like Santa Claus. Today, though, he didn’t look all that pleased to have a visitor.
Andy shrugged. ‘Soccer practice was cancelled because our coach has chicken pox so I thought I’d come here instead.’
‘Well, great …’ said Mr Blundle. ‘Look, Andy, this isn’t a good time to visit. Your folks are very busy right now and I wouldn’t want to disturb them.’
They’re always busy, Andy thought. It’s all about work lately. It’s like they sometimes forget that I even exist.
Andy looked past the counter. The kitchen was empty. The floor was swept and all the ovens were off. ‘Well, where are they?’ he asked. ‘Why’s the kitchen closed?’
Mr Blundle looked nervous. ‘Um, they’re in the basement. They’ve decided to work down there this week.’
‘Oh, okay,’ Andy said, wishing that his parents at least had cooler jobs. ‘I’ll just go down and see them.’
‘NO!’ snapped Mr Blundle. ‘I mean, that’s fine. You wait here and I’ll go get them.’
I wonder why he’s all jumpy, Andy thought. It was only when Mr Blundle shut the heavy metal door behind him that Andy realised he had never actually seen the basement – not in all the years his parents had owned the bakery. But he didn’t have time to think about it for long – he was distracted by the sound of the bell above the door.
A customer had walked in. It was Molly Robinson. Andy could feel his face going bright red. He gulped. Molly had always been in Andy’s year at school, and she’d always been just another girl … until recently. When Andy and Molly were teamed up to work on a Science project, he’d developed this massive out-of-the-blue crush on her. He hadn’t told anyone about how he felt, not even his best friends.
‘Hey, Andy!’ Molly smiled.
‘Hey!’ Andy cleared his throat nervously.
‘My mum wants some donuts,’ she said, looking back outside to her mother waiting in the car. ‘So … how’d you think you went with that Maths test today?’
‘Um, no good. I suck at Maths,’ Andy said, wondering if she’d notice that he’d broken out in a sweat.
‘Well, I can help you if you like. We made a pretty awesome team for Science,’ said Molly.
‘Yeah, we did – we were a … a super-dooper team,’ said Andy, immediately regretting that he’d opened his mouth. Super-dooper? How lame was that? ‘I mean, just super … not, um, dooper. Yeah, definitely not dooper …’ he stammered, willing himself to just shut up before he embarrassed himself even more.
‘Darling?’ said Andy’s mother, pushing open the basement door. ‘What a pleasant surprise that you wanted to stop by here. And look! You’ve bought your favourite person,’ she said with a wink.
‘Mum!’ Andy hissed. He looked over at Molly, hoping she hadn’t heard. Thankfully she was being served by Mr Blundle. Andy was so embarrassed that he almost missed the fact that his mum wasn’t wearing the baker’s smock she usually wore over her clothes. She was wearing a white coat he’d never seen before. When she caught him looking, she quickly took it off.
‘Sorry, Andy,’ she added. ‘We’re working on an exciting new muffin recipe, and it just can’t wait. It might be best if you go home, but help yourself to a brownie. Not that we don’t want you here … It’s only that you’ll be bored, and we’ll be home soon.’
Andy would have been annoyed by his mum’s brush-off, especially since he’d barely seen her that week, but he had something else on his mind. He shrugged. ‘It’s okay, Mum,’ he said as Molly waved and headed out of the store. ‘Gotta go.’ He grabbed his helmet and followed her.
Molly hopped in to her mother’s car and stuck her head out of the passenger-seat window. ‘Give me a call if you need some help,’ she said, smiling as the car pulled away.
‘Ah, yeah, I will, um, tonight. I mean, soon …’ Andy called.
This day just got a whole lot better! he thought as he rode off on his bike. Molly Robinson thinks we’re an awesome team, and she wants me to call her! Andy couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.
But after a few blocks he started to notice something strange. He was being followed. A long grey car with dark-tinted windows was driving slowly behind him.
When he picked up the pace, the car did too. When he stopped, it stopped. And when he started to pedal faster, the driver revved the engine. Andy turned and looked directly at the windscreen. The driver was wearing dark shades and he had a buzz cut. Andy had a flash of his teachers warning him and his friends about this kind of thing: ‘Never talk to a stranger. Never take anything from a stranger. And, most importantly, never get into a car with a stranger.’
Those warnings were now ringing in Andy’s ears as he pedalled into his street.
What kind of freak would follow a kid home? he thought. And if this guy is seriously out to get me, then do I really want him knowing where I live? No way!
So Andy changed direction and turned down a street that passed behind his house. He looked back again. The car was still following him. Andy’s stomach was now in knots. He took another sharp left into one of the steepest roads in his neighbourhood where he knew he could really pick up some speed.
Andy pedalled as hard as he could. He charged down the road, his legs spinning faster and fa
ster.
‘Yes!’ he said, glancing back over his shoulder. ‘I’ve lost him!’
But Andy had spoken too soon. As he turned back to the road in front, a man jumped out across his path. Andy swerved suddenly, and lost his balance. His bike jolted against the curb and he shot over the handlebars. For a moment it felt like he was flying – but not in a good way. This was going to end badly! Then the ground zoomed up and he hit it. Hard. He skidded across the nature strip, eating dust and stone.
Andy’s palms and knees were scraped and bloody, but nothing felt broken. When he sat up, the stranger from the car was standing directly over him.
‘Are you okay?’ the man said in a heavy accent Andy didn’t recognise. He helped Andy up, and collected the books and soccer boots that had spilled out of Andy’s school bag.
Andy nodded.
‘I don’t know why you were trying to get away from me,’ said the man. ‘Don’t be scared. I’m an old friend of your parents.’
Yeah, right, Andy thought. Strangers always say they know your parents. That’s how they trick you.
‘You’re Andy Reid, right?’
Andy didn’t know what to say. Did this guy really know his folks? How else would he know his name?
But then Andy noticed something sticking out of the man’s jacket pocket that said he definitely wasn’t a friend of his parents. Andy’s knees buckled. It was a gun.
‘Don’t be shy, kid. Richard and Rebecca Reid are your parents, right?’ the man asked.
‘No!’ Andy lied. ‘They’re not. I’m … um … I’m …’
Andy had to think of a fake name – quickly! He looked across the street and saw a 7-Eleven store.
‘Um … I’m seven!’ he blurted.
‘Seven?’
‘Uhh … I mean, Steven … yeah, I’m Steven … Steven …’ Andy glanced down at his bike wheels. ‘Spokes. I’m Steven Spokes.’
The stranger snorted.
‘Andy’s in my class so I get that a lot,’ Andy rambled. ‘We look alike. People always get us mixed up. Well, I better go. See ya!’
Andy reached down to stuff the last notebook into his bag. It had his name written on the front in bold black Texta.
The stranger lunged at Andy and grabbed him by the arm before he could run.
‘Right! No more games!’ he growled. He pulled the gun from his pocket and jabbed Andy in the side with it. ‘Do as I say and don’t make a sound,’ he said, ‘and you might not get hurt.’
Andy gulped again and nodded.
‘I can’t wait to tell Dr Baffi,’ the man said. ‘Once your parents know that I have you, they’ll have no choice but to work for us.’
‘Work for who?’ Andy said, confused, as the man dragged him to the car. ‘What are you talking about? Mum and Dad make a mean olive bread, but it’s not worth kidnapping me over!’
The man laughed, gripping Andy’s arm tighter. ‘Very funny!’ he snorted. He shoved the gun in his pocket so he could open the passenger-side door with his other hand. ‘Get in.’
Andy dug his feet into the ground. There was no way he was getting in that car. It was now or never. He had to do something – fast. He had to fight back!
‘ARRRRGHHHHHHHH!’ groaned the man as Andy kneed him in the gut – and then again just below his belt. The man doubled over and the gun dropped to the ground. ‘Why you little …’
‘Take that!’ Andy grunted, adding a swift kick to the shins. He ran back and grabbed his bike. The man was already stumbling to his feet and scrabbling around in the dirt for his gun.
This time Andy knew he was pedalling for his life. His mind was all over the place. He had to get back to his parents! He dodged and weaved through the traffic. Cars beeped angrily behind him. Andy risked a look – the man was back in his car and was speeding dangerously, overtaking them all. Andy crunched down on his pedals, gasping for air.
This dude doesn’t want to kidnap me anymore. He wants to run me over! he thought.
Andy knew he had to do something unbelievable if he was going to survive this nightmare.
That’s when he saw the traffic lights ahead of him changing from green to yellow. He clicked into the highest gear and rode faster than he had ever ridden in his life. He was going to run the light – surely there was no way the man could follow him then.
The traffic lights flashed to red and Andy shot across the intersection … But so did the car. It roared up behind him like a bloody-thirsty lion about to pounce on its prey. Andy gasped. He knew this was it. He was going to be hit!
There was suddenly the sound of horns blasting and the screeching of brakes. Andy looked up. Heading directly for him from the other direction was a massive Mack truck.
And suddenly everything went black.
Lying on an operating table, Andy slipped in and out of sleep. When he was awake the bright operating lights almost blinded him and the random sounds of electronic beeps, drilling and banging rang loudly in his ears. He tried to gasp for air. He tried to call out. But he couldn’t. Just before he blacked out again, he realised that he couldn’t feel his body.
At times he thought he saw his parents hovering above him, but that was impossible, he told himself. I must be dreaming, he thought. Or maybe it’s painkillers messing with my head.
Every time he opened his eyes, the lights were dimmer and the voices he heard in the room seemed calmer.
When he finally woke up properly, he realised he was in his own bed, surrounded by his own things – including his treasured collection of model motorbikes. He breathed a sign of relief.
Andy grinned when he saw his favourite bike, the Ducati 1199. Painted in a glossy fire-engine red, it shone brightly on his bedside table. Andy remembered how he and his dad had hunted for it for months. It had been a long time since they’d gone shopping together for model bikes.
Andy winced in pain as he tried to reach it. His shoulders felt heavy and stiff. ‘Almost got it,’ he said, stretching out his fingers. But as he picked it up, it broke into several pieces.
‘What? No!’ he said. ‘I hardly touched it!’
Before the accident that would have ruined his week, but Andy knew he was just lucky to be alive.
Andy sat up in his bed watching TV.
‘How are you doing?’ asked his mum, popping her head into his bedroom.
Andy shook his head. ‘It’s weird – I seem to break everything I touch. Just look at this remote. I can’t watch Channel Five because when I pressed the button I squashed it right through the control. It’s like I have to really force myself to be gentle. How bizarre is that?’
‘It’s a little strange,’ agreed his mum, ‘but cheaply made products break easily. Apart from that, are you feeling okay?’
Andy sighed. ‘You can probably guess how I’m feeling,’ he said. ‘I’ve been stuck in bed for weeks.’
‘Okay, grumpy pants,’ said his mum. ‘Then this might cheer you up. I just spoke to your teachers, and they’re looking forward to seeing you back at school the week after next.’
‘The week after next? Really?’ Andy said excitedly.
‘I thought that might put a smile on your face,’ she added. ‘And your father and I think today might be a good time for you to venture outside. Bring some movement back into your daily routine – but slowly, mind you.’
‘Seriously? That’s awesome!’ said Andy. ‘This isn’t a joke, is it? Because ever since the accident, you and dad have been acting really weird. You still haven’t told me who the dude in the car was, and why he was looking for you.’
Andy’s mother looked upset. ‘I have no idea who that man was,’ she snapped. ‘And besides, we’ll never know. He didn’t survive the accident. Can we just leave it and never discuss it again? Let’s just focus on your health and hope that your limbs are fully operational … I mean, are well enough to work … I mean, move. Look … get some clothes on and go outside!’
Andy stepped out into the backyard. It felt great to suck in some outdoor air.
He slowly made his way over to a soccer ball hidden in the grass by the back fence. For someone who’d been hit by a truck he felt good. Actually better than good. Every step he took was fluid and light. His entire body buzzed with boundless energy. Without any hesitation he flicked the ball up onto his right foot and tapped it onto the other. He grinned and juggled the ball from foot to foot, then onto his knee.
Whoa! thought Andy. Sweet! I was never this sharp before the accident. My reflexes are awesome!
After a couple of minutes, Andy sensed he was being watched. He turned and caught his parents quickly ducking behind the kitchen-window curtain.
Andy shook his head. They were being so protective. He continued to juggle the soccer ball – until he booted it on the fly towards the large oak tree that stood in the corner of the backyard.
The ball fired from his foot, ricocheted right off the trunk of the tree and shot back at Andy with such force that it knocked him right off his feet.
‘Andy! Andy! Are you okay?’ called his parents, running out in a panic.
‘Whoa!’ Andy grinned. ‘Did you see that? I didn’t think I’d kicked it that hard! That was epic!’
‘Maybe you should come back inside,’ Andy’s mum suggested, looking from side to side as if she was afraid that someone was watching.
‘No, I’m okay,’ Andy insisted. ‘Seriously, I’m fine. I really want to be outside, if that’s okay.’
‘Sure, it is … just, um, take it easy,’ his dad added, as he and Andy’s mum reluctantly walked back to the house, staring around the whole time.
Seriously, what’s up with those two? thought Andy.
When his parents were out of sight, Andy kicked the soccer ball again – but this time he gave it a gentle tap.
With a light swing of his foot, his shoe made contact with the ball, and incredibly, it rocketed up into the sky as if it had been booted by a World Cup champion.
‘HUH?’ Andy gasped again, as he watched the ball soar to the very top of the oak tree – only to come down and wedge itself in the branches.
