“Is she flying?” Dad mutters from the living room.
Then I hear him get up and come into the kitchen.
“You okay, Pumpkin?” He asks as I sit as innocently as possible.
I try and force the blush away.
“I’m fine, Dad. Just feeling hungry. What’s for dinner?” I say.
“Oh. I thought I would order in some pizza. How does that sound?”
“Sounds great. Something with olives?”
“Sure.” He turns to leave, then looks back. “You sure, you’re okay?”
I nod and smile, as the butterflies in my stomach start to settle. When I feel ready, I sigh and get up. I follow him into the living room. The news story is still going, they’re now showing a still image of me as I’m pushing against the train, it’s a side profile shot. I squint and look at the screen.
“Wow, that’s cool, huh?” I say.
“Cool? It’s bizarre. People don’t fly.”
“Turn up the volume, Dad.” I ask.
He presses the volume button.
“….a flying girl stopped this runaway train earlier today. And what is even more remarkable, she also gave the driver CPR, and revived him after he suffered cardiac arrest.” The female reporter is stating with enthusiasm.
It wasn’t me actually, it was Stuart. I kind of helped, a bit.
“Hmm, CPR?” Dad murmurs as he watches the screen. “So, she’s not an alien then?”
“What do you mean?” I ask nervously.
“Well, I just don’t think aliens would know CPR.”
“Good point.” Change the subject, quick Britney. “So, have you ordered yet?” I ask.
“Not yet.” Dad says and picks up the phone and starts dialing.
The next day, I sit down at my dresser and open my laptop. I run a search for Dr Stephenie Martin, the coroner who signed my death certificate. She works at the Washington Hospital Center, in northwest Washington. I get a main number for the hospital, then grab my cell phone and call Beth.
“Hi.” Beth’s husky voice answers.
“Hi, Beth. I need your help. How fast can you get over here?”
I hear the doorbell ring downstairs.
“Is that fast enough for you?” She giggles, then hangs up.
As I head to the stairs, Dad has already let her in.
“You have a visitor.” Dad calls out from below.
“Come on up, Beth.” I call out.
“What’s up?” Beth asks as she reaches the top of the stairs.
“Can you read minds over the telephone?” I ask, as lead her into my room.
“Hmm, I don’t know, actually. Shall I try?” Beth says and then plucks her cell phone from her shoulder bag.
She dials a number and waits.
“Hi, Paul. It’s Beth. What’s up?” Beth asks.
She makes a face before rolling her eyes at me.
“Sorry, got to go.” Then she hangs up on him in mid-sentence. “One track mind.” She mumbles as she sits down on my bed.
“Yep, I can do it.” Beth declares, mildly impressed with herself, while looking a bit creeped out at the same time.
“Great. Call this hospital. Ask for a Doctor Stephenie Martin.”
“Okay.” Beth starts dialing the number.
“Make up some story about...” But then Beth shushes me.
“Hello. I’d like to speak to Doctor Stephenie Martin, please. It’s quite urgent.” Beth asks politely.
“That’s right, I’m a patient.” Beth replies to a question I can’t hear. Beth closes her eyes and frowns. “Marcia Bateman. That’s right. Yes, I’ll hold.” Beth breathes a sigh of relief.
“So far, so good.” Beth says and winks. “Yes, hi, Doctor Martin. Marcia, uh huh. I just have a question. A friend of mine was one of the victims of the Washington attack a few months ago. Yes, it was dreadful.” Beth says and rolls her eyes.
“The thing is, I found out later that she hadn’t actually died in the attack. No, she is very much alive. But the thing is…and it’s quite embarrassing. You signed her death certificate, you see. I just wanted to know what evidence you saw that made you think she was dead, that’s all?”
We both wait anxiously for her response. I can see the concentration on her face. She opens her eyes and shrugs.
“Thank you. No, that was all. Goodbye.” Beth hangs up.
“She’s cool. She was supplied with evidence and a list of the dead by the police officer.”
“That narrows things down a bit.” I say and rub my hands together. “Tomorrow, then?” I suggest.
“Okay. Tomorrow, we’ll track down this Officer Paloma.” Beth agrees.
“You wanna see my outfit?” I ask and grin.
Fourteen
The following day, just after dinner, I kiss Dad on the cheek and tell him I’m going out with Beth for a while.
“Okay, have fun.” Dad calls out as I head for my room.
I hear rock music blaring from Jessica’s room, as I close my bedroom door and walk to my closet. I grab my new purple glittery costume and carefully climb into it. I zip it up at the front, then pull on the matching gloves and boots. I go to my dresser and check my reflection. Wow! I look so different.
The tight catsuit accentuates my figure. I barely recognize myself. I had no idea I was so curvy now. I run my purple-gloved hands down my sides, following the curve in at my waist, then out again over my hips. I’m most impressed with my legs. They look long and sexy in this outfit. I’ve been so used to seeing them as pathetic sticks, that I’m quite shocked at how toned they now look. The boots give me a little more height. Only a couple of inches, but at my height, every little bit helps. I roll my shoulders and do a few stretches and twist at the waist. It creaks a little, but it doesn’t feel restrictive. I remove the colored contacts and put them in their case and slide them into the drawer of my dresser. I grab a pink glittery eye mask and slip it on over my head. At least it should help keep the hair out of my face, plus it looks cute. My pale blue eyes glimmer back from the mirror. The overall effect is very striking.
I pick up my cell phone and dial Beth’s number.
“Hi.” She answers after a few rings.
“Are you ready?” I ask.
“Yep.”
“Good. Meet me in Lincoln Park, by Café Brauer. Five minutes.” I say.
“Will do.” Beth says and giggles before hanging up.
I grab my Chinese lucky cat backpack, slip my cell phone and purse inside, then shrug into it. Once over my shoulders, I fasten it in place. I switch off my bedroom light, walk to my window and open it. The sun is setting. It’ll be dark soon.
I poke my head out of the window and check the area. There’s no lights on in the window opposite mine, so I fly out, just as my bedroom door opens. I shoot up quickly. I hover above my window, holding my breath as my heart hammers in my throat.
“Britney?” I hear Jessica call out.
I hear her walk into my room, then I see the light come on. The light reflects off the window opposite. I notice my reflection. Uh, oh. I ascend quickly into the sky. Take a deep breath, then fly towards Lake Michigan.
I hope she doesn’t snoop around too much.
As darkness falls, the city puts on her glittery black dress. I see Lincoln Park up ahead. I swoop down towards the trees.
I see Beth standing near a tree in her bright white leather catsuit, with matching masquerade mask. I land next to her, wrap my arms around her waist, then take off again.
“Wow. Beth, you look great.” I say in her ear as we ascend into the evening sky.
“Thanks. So, Washington D.C. huh?” Beth says.
“Yep.” I say and level off as we reach a few thousand feet.
“Never thought we’d be going back there again so soon.” Beth says.
Washington D.C. Where it all started. And now it’s where my search begins.
I peer over her shoulder at the dark earth far below and accelerate. The wind rushes past us and I po
wer on. I accelerate some more until I hear the sonic boom far behind us. The wind becomes a roar as we hurtle through the dark sky towards our destination.
“Wow, this is loud. I should’ve brought my headphones.” I hear Beth shout above the roar of the wind.
It’s very dark below as we leave the city far behind us. We seem to be over fields and farming country now. I see some flashing lights off to our right, but some are directly ahead.
“Uh, oh.” I quickly climb higher.
A jet flies by beneath us as we pass overhead. I continue to climb.
We emerge through a cloud layer into a starry sky. I increase my grip on Beth as she hangs beneath me, then push myself to fly faster.
“How much farther is it?” Beth shouts below me after a few minutes.
“I don’t know, actually.” I admit.
I slow down, then stop.
“Do you have GPS on your cell phone?” I ask.
“I think so.” Beth replies.
She pulls her cell phone from the inside of her left boot.
“Wow. I can’t believe I still have a signal.”
“Where are we?” I ask.
“Just a second. It’s tracking.”
We wait a few more minutes, then Beth laughs.
“We’re near Nashville, Britney.”
“What? We came too far south.”
“You think?”
“Where’s east?”
“That way.” Beth says, pointing to our left.
“Hang on.” I say.
I make a turn to our left and then accelerate once more.
I peer over Beth’s shoulder at her cell phone. I check the map as it struggles to keep up with me. I slow down, then the map catches up. We’re now over Greensboro. We’re heading in the right direction at least. After a few more minutes, we reach the coast and I bank to the left. I follow the coastline north, until I can see on the small map that we’re close to Washington. I begin my descent. We emerge from the clouds to see a glittering metropolis far below us.
I drop like a rock, then level off a few hundred feet from the ground.
“Where’s the police station? It should be near the memorials.” I ask.
Beth studies the map for a few seconds and scrolls the map around.
“It’s on Indiana Avenue.” Beth says. “Let’s get closer.”
I fly onwards and look down while checking the small map on her cell. Indiana Avenue runs from east to west and has many impressive looking buildings on it.
“Which one is it?” I ask.
“That square one, with the concourse.”
I follow her arm and see a large square building surrounded by grass and trees. The front of the building is illuminated and there’s some squad cars parked out front. The sidewalk is filled with people. This is gonna be interesting.
“Ready?” I ask.
“Let’s go for it.”
I swoop down and land on the paved sidewalk and set Beth down. She slips her cell phone back into her left boot, then we walk boldly across the concourse and up the steps. I can already hear people behind us muttering. I feel eyes following us.
I open the door and let Beth walk in first, then follow. We walk casually up to the information desk. I hear a few wolf whistles and crude remarks from some guys who are walking towards the exit. I ignore them and smile up at the tall officer standing behind the desk.
“Hello. We’re looking for Officer Joseph Paloma. Is he here?” I ask.
“Who are you supposed to be?” He replies and chuckles.
“I’m me.” I reply.
“And I’m me too.” Beth replies and flashes a cheeky grin.
“Officer Paloma, huh?” He grunts and checks his computer screen, which is hidden behind the counter top. “He’s out on patrol.”
“Thank you.” Beth says.
I take her cue and begin to leave.
“Wait.” The officer asks.
I turn and gaze up at him.
“What do you want him for?” He asks.
“We have some questions for him.” I reply, then turn to leave again.
“Be careful.” He calls out as I close the door behind us.
“He doesn’t like him, does he?” I say as we walk down the steps.
“Nope. I read his mind. As soon as you mentioned his name, he began to get annoyed. He thinks he has dangerous friends.”
“Does he know who they are?”
“Not really. But he does suspect they’re linked to the mob.”
“Oh, great.” I moan and roll my eyes. “Where does he patrol?”
“A few blocks north. Follow me.” Beth says, then takes off as a white blur.
My feet pummel the ground as I race after her. She then stops abruptly on a corner. I almost run right into her, as I skid to a stop just in time. She points across the street to a squad car parked outside a Starbucks. I begin to walk over to the car. There’s just one man in the car. He’s sitting in the passenger seat. I cross the street, walk along the sidewalk and stop by the car and tap lightly on the window. He lowers his window and looks at me.
“Can I help you, miss?”
“Are you Officer Paloma?” I ask.
“No, I am.” A slick American-Italian voice says from behind me.
I turn and look at him. Average height for a guy, I guess, average build. Black uniform with a shield on his left chest pocket. Short black hair, beady blue eyes. He’s smiling as he looks at us.
“Isn’t it a little early for Halloween?” Officer Paloma asks. “Here, Joe.” He says and passes a white Styrofoam cup to his partner.
“I’d like to ask you some questions, officer.” I say as he turns his back to me.
“What can I help you with, Tinkerbell?” He replies and turns to me with a mocking smile.
“I have some questions about the terrorist attack that happened here a few months ago.” I say. “Your name was on the death certificates.” I add.
I see his sardonic smile vanish.
“I’ll be right back, Joe.” Officer Paloma says. He gestures with his hand away from the car.
I wait and gesture him ahead of me, as Beth walks to the corner ahead of us and waits. I walk behind him as he sips his coffee.
“What do you wanna know?” He asks.
“You knew those people weren’t dead, didn’t you? Why did you lie to the coroner?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He says and sips his coffee.
“Oh, yes you do. Who paid you?” Beth says as she steps in front of us, blocking his path.
His eyes narrow as he regards us again.
“Who are you?”
“Who’s Dino?” Beth asks.
“How’d you know that name?” Officer Paloma asks, taking a step back.
“I read your mind, stupid. And no, we’re not freaks. And no, you’re not being taped.” Beth says, then turns to me. “Although, that would be a good idea.”
I smile back knowingly, then look up at Office Paloma as his expression changes about a dozen times as he looks at us both.
Ah, now he’s beginning to take us seriously.
“You should turn around and walk away, before you get hurt.” Officer Paloma says.
“Okay, go ahead. Hurt us.” Beth says, as she squares up to him with her hands on her hips.
I can see it in his eyes, as he looks around furtively, that he is seriously considering it.
“I haven’t got time for games.” I snap.
I grab the coffee from him and pass it to Beth, before gripping him and launching up from the sidewalk.
“What the hell?” He gasps as he looks down at the buildings receding below us.
“You’d better start talking. I want answers. NOW!” I threaten.
I hold him by his belt with my left hand. “Who’s Dino, and why did you lie to the coroner?”
“What are you gonna do, arrest me?” He asks mockingly.
“Hmm, maybe we should try higher.” I say and loo
k up before climbing.
I accelerate as we pass the cloud base, then slow down when I hear him complaining. I look down at his now shivering body and smile, showing my teeth.
“Shall we go higher?” I ask.
“No. It’s freezing. Take me back.”
“Not until you tell me everything. Who paid you and where are they?”
“You’re not gonna like it.”
“I wasn’t really expecting myself to. Just tell me.”
“The guy who gave me the contract and paid me, Dino. He’s just a low level enforcer, no one special. His name’s Dino Costello.”
“Low level enforcer?”
“Yeah, that’s right. He’s with the mob. The Castellanata crime family to be precise. You ever heard of them? Of course not, you probably don’t even watch the news.”
“Why are the mob involved?”
“I don’t know, Dino never told me. He just told me what to do and paid me.”
“Come on, I’m freezing, Take me back.” He complains again.
Cosmic Girl Rising Up Page 12
