Shadow Boy

by R. J. Ross

  “Who broke you out of the Cape Cells?” I demand, knowing the answer but wanting to see if he’ll tell the truth.

  “Herold. He’s using me to continue what his Mom started. He thinks she’s dead.”

  “What?”

  “They left the planet, I think, and when he asked I could honestly say that I couldn’t sense her anymore,” he says almost cheerfully. “It’s his own fault that he hasn’t asked again. But I’m pretty sure he wants revenge for his mother’s ‘death.’ He keeps watching the video when he thinks people aren’t watching.”

  “Revenge against who?” I ask.

  “Technico, of course, I get the feeling he really hates the guy.”

  “Why are you telling us all this?” Carla demands.

  “Carla!” he says, grinning brightly. “You’re looking good, kid. I haven’t seen you since our last little chat, have I?”

  “The one through the glass wall?” she asks, her expression a mix of fear and anger.

  “Enough!” I say sharply, moving to stand between Carla and him. “Don’t talk to her.”

  “But Carla and I are friends, Rocco,” Dad says in a mild tone, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “We’ve been friends for about a year now, haven’t we, Carla?”

  “I said to not talk to her,” I snarl, my hands clenching in fists. “You have no right to talk to her!”

  “Really, I’m a bit disappointed in how it all turned out, though,” he goes on, as if I hadn’t said anything. “I was hoping that one of you would grow strong enough to break through the glass and kill Collector, yourself. I had high hopes for you, Carla. You were my… oh, fifth or sixth bet. It would have been higher, but you always were a cryba—”

  I slam my fist into his face, hitting him with everything I’ve got and sending him flying backwards. “You’re the one that made her cry,” I accuse him as he slams against a rock.

  “Oh, please,” Shadowman says after reaching up and jerking his jaw back into place. I can literally hear the bones healing. “She’s a super, kid. Supers ALWAYS have a traumatic childhood! They always have something dark and ugly in their past because they don’t belong in this world. Get used to it!”

  “YOU are the dark and ugly thing in her past, you—”

  “This isn’t between him and you,” Carla says, making us both turn to look at her. “This is between Shadowman and me and my siblings—butI’lltakecareofit,” she says. She’s speaking so fast that it sort of ruins the dramatic tension of that line—at least it does until she blurs past me and I see my father go flying again. I watch silently as she races past him, catching up before he even hits the ground and slamming a knee into his back before kicking him across the Shadowlands. I catch sight of Carla running past me, and stop, staring in shock even after she’s long gone. She’s crying.

  “Carla!” I say, chasing after her. “Enough! Stop!” I think she wants to be caught, I realize as I grab her. I don’t think I could, if she didn’t. “Stop!”

  “You got beat baaaaad,” I hear Skye say cheerfully. She’s crouched over my dad, who’s lying in the middle of the ground. She pokes him. “I almost feel sorry for you,” she adds, poking him again. “That musta hurt, huh?”

  “I… was going to offer… my assistance,” Dad says, his voice a little raspy, but rapidly getting smoother. “But now I don’t know if I should.”

  “It’s okay,” I say, holding Carla tightly. “Skye, there’s a collar in my bag, grab it and put it on him before he heals completely—”

  “I can give you info on Herold,” Shadowman says. “You know he’s more dangerous than I am.”

  “That’s a LIE!” Carla snarls, lunging for him. I tighten my hold on her, my mind racing.

  “How is he more dangerous?” I ask.

  “He’s a technopath, like Technico. This world RUNS on technology. What do you think he’ll do if he becomes president, kid? To the villains like us—even to the heroes,” he says, sitting up and pushing Skye’s hand away. “You don’t get it, kid. He isn’t just hiding his powers to become president.”

  “What IS he doing, then?” I ask.

  “He honestly hates supers,” he says. “He hates his own kind. When he becomes president he plans on rounding up every last one of us, taking our powers, and finishing us off.”

  “You’re lying,” Carla says, but it doesn’t have the same energy behind it. “Why would he work with you, if that’s what’s happening?”

  “Because I can find them,” Shadowman says. “And so can you and you,” he adds, looking at me and then Skye. “Neither of you are safe. NONE of us are safe, not for long,” he says with a crazed hint of amusement. “But I’ve had a nice long life. You three, on the other hand, are just kids.”

  “Why are you still working for him, then?” I demand. “Is it because he paid you?”

  “I’m still working for him because this isn’t your stupid game of heroes and villains,” Shadowman snaps. “Someone needs to know what he’s doing, and I just happened to fall into the job. I don’t give a rip about most of the capes out there—if they live or die, it’s all the same to me, but maybe, just MAYBE, I don’t want it to be done by some self-righteous jack—”

  I cover Carla’s ears, since she doesn’t need to hear such language.

  “That thinks he’s better than the rest of us—even though he IS one of us,” Shadowman finishes, showing his disgust for the man.

  “You kidnap our kind!” Carla snaps. “You’re just as bad as he is!”

  “Kidnapping is one thing—murder is a lot more final,” he says. “And I never once believed I was better than the rest of the capes. I know exactly what I am, in the big picture. It’s the same thing you’ll be, Rocco.”

  “He’ll never be like you,” Carla says.

  “Sure he will—he’ll just have a different sort of boss. Technico’s already sending you out looking for people like me, isn’t he?” he says to me. “You’re going to be his little dog—the one that goes out and fetches whenever your master says to.”

  “If he sends me after kidnappers and jerks like you, I’ll be perfectly fine with it,” I reply coldly.

  “You won’t be paid nearly as well,” Shadowman taunts.

  “I don’t care,” I say. But I’m not going to lie—I’m actually considering his offer. I shouldn’t. I know I shouldn’t. He’s not trustworthy, he’s a real jerk, too, and he did the things he did to Carla and the others—

  “You’re thinking about it, aren’t you,” Shadowman says. “I’m not surprised. You ARE my son, after all. I didn’t think you’d be stupid.”

  “Why should I trust you?” I ask. “I’ve got no reason to, and every reason NOT to.” I’m holding onto Carla as if she’s a lifeline, and I only just now notice. I should let her go—but I’m not going to. I think, when she’s not moving, I’m stronger than she is. When she runs, though, she’s got momentum behind her strength. I dare to glance down for just a second.

  She is… bright red and has this strange little smile that keeps creeping over her face, only to turn into a scowl. It goes back and forth a few times in just the second I look at her. I think she’s probably having some sort of mental breakdown? Maybe? I definitely shouldn’t agree to Shadowman’s idea—she’s already on the edge!

  ***

  I don’t like hurting people, but he needs hurt, but—oh wow, hug! OH EM GEE he’s hugging me—wait, I’m angry at Shadowman—but Rocco’s hugging me! Maybe I can forgive Shadowman just a little? No! He’s trying to manipulate Rocco! Not cool! But Rocco smells so good! I’m getting hugged! Ohmygosh did I remember to brush after breakfast? What if I have coffee breath? Will he find out I stole some of Blackjack’s coffee? I’ll get grounded again! But Blackjack uses all that creamer—think Rocco would notice if I hugged him back? Maybe I can just sneak my arms around him for a second—ooooh, that Shadowman’s such a jerk! I ought to--

  Carla, obviously, has been having this sort of “mental breakdown” all her life. Don’t worry,
though, she’ll survive.

  ***

  “Let’s call Nico!” Skye says, pulling out her phone and tapping on the screen before I can come up with a reply. “Hey, Nico! We found Shadowman!” she says cheerfully.

  “Did you try to kill him again?” I hear Nico asks.

  “Nope! Carla did,” she says, grinning evilly. “She had him flying around like a beach ball, too.”

  “I’m not surprised,” Nico says. “Have you collared him?”

  “He wants to play both sides,” Skye says. “Should we let him?”

  “I didn’t say it exactly like that,” Shadowman says, just standing there with his arms crossed. I see him glance to the side and realize even he’s a bit worried about the creatures that live down here. “We can’t stay here much longer.”

  “What do you propose, Shadowman?” Nico asks.

  “I’ll keep you informed on Herold for a small price.”

  “We could catch you now and you’ll never see a dime again for the rest of your life,” Nico says casually. “You’re no match for the group in front of you, and you know it. Either Skye or Carla can wipe you out, and with Rocco with them, you can’t hide.”

  “Granted,” Shadowman says, “but without me, you’ll never have the inside track on Herold.”

  “Do I need it?”

  “Don’t underestimate him, Technico. He’s got your powers and a lot more hatred in him. We all know you’ve watered down since you got out of the Cape Cells.”

  “I stripped you of your powers and broke your jaw,” Nico says.

  “You could have killed me. You’ve gone soft.”

  “Do you really think that’s going to make me want to work with you?”

  “I’m keeping the fact that Mother-May-I is alive from him,” Shadowman says. “If you don’t want me telling him, you’ll give me a chance. And quickly, please, we’re reaching the danger point down here.”

  We’re surrounded, I note as I dare to glance around. The creatures are all around us. I can actually see some of the bodies—they look like dinosaurs, with large, gaping teeth and snouts—

  “Rocco?” Carla asks, making me glance down. “What are those?”

  “Don’t worry about them,” I say, wondering if that’s why she’s hugging me so tightly. “I’ve not been attacked by them yet.”

  “You just haven’t been down here long enough,” Shadowman says.

  “Give Rocco your phone,” Nico says. “Rocco, you’re wearing your com bracelet, right?”

  I glance down at the shiny cuff-like bracelet on my wrist. “Yeah, always.”

  “Touch the screen of his phone to the com bracelet,” Nico instructs as Shadowman digs out his phone and hands it to me. I do as I’m told and hear a tiny beep from both. “Fine, we'll trust you for now, Shadowman, but the moment you mess up, you’re going straight to the Cape Cells, no board involved,” Nico says. “And don’t think I can’t do it—I’m the one that designed the place.”

  “You did?” Skye asks.

  “Well, me from the future did.”

  “Okay, fine, agreed,” Shadowman says, now staring at the shadows. “Now, time to go. I’ll call you from a random phone as soon as I have the time—Rocco can come down and meet me, we’ll exchange information down here. He can’t reach here. He had better not notice what you did to my phone.”

  “He won’t,” Nico says.

  “Then time to go,” Shadowman says, racing through the nearest shadow. The three of us just stare blankly at his exit point. The monsters move into the clearing, large, grinning mouths and glowing eyes aimed straight at us.

  “I think he’s right,” I say, letting go of Carla and reaching for her hand.

  “DINOSAURS!” Skye says excitedly, bouncing like a cheerleader. “I want one!” I grab her hand and drag them both towards the creature, kicking it in the jaw as hard as I can and sending it flying. I race forward—only to have five more jump on top of us. I feel Carla and Skye pull out of my hold.

  “Carla! Skye—”

  The dinosaur-like creatures go flying. I take a moment to gape at the two fighting, and then throw myself into the brawl. It’s not smart, but I need to get both of them together and to a shadow portal, which I can’t do until they feel it’s time to stop fighting. I slam a fist into a large, glowing eye and a knee into the bottom part of a jaw before twisting and roundhouse kicking another. I feel teeth clamp down on my shoulder and grunt, jerking to try and get it off. When it doesn’t go, I spin, using the beast to hit the others surrounding me.

  Before Cape High, I wouldn’t have ever known how to fight like this. Now, though, I’ve been tossed into the Apocalypse Field enough times that this feels like a Friday afternoon. Is that awesome or scary? I still haven’t decided yet, myself. I take it from my “dad’s” response, he hasn’t had Zombie Friday. Sucks for him—the robots have the outfits and everything. We even have the creepy music playing over the loudspeakers!

  I find a rock and slam the dino on my shoulder into it so hard that I feel his teeth shatter. He tears my backpack off as he goes, but I don’t feel like chasing him down for it. Now that I’m free of the extra weight I wade into the fight, elbowing and kicking my way to where Skye is—

  “Twenty!”

  “Forty-five!” Carla says as she blurs past us.

  “Cheater!” Skye accuses the blur.

  “LADIES!” I bellow. “It’s time to leave!”

  “Not yet!” Skye says, sticking her hand into the next dino’s chest.

  “SKYE! Don’t KILL it!” Carla says, pulling to a stop with an outraged look on her face. “They’re an endangered species!”

  “There are tons of them!” Skye protests. “And that one tried to bite me!”

  “But they’re really just misunderstood!” Carla protests. “They’re hungry! You can’t blame them for getting hungry, everyone gets hungry!”

  “Okay, okay, I’ll knock it out,” Skye says, sighing. I look behind her, seeing several questionable bodies lying there. I say nothing. The less of them there are, the easier it is for me to travel.

  “If I promise to bring them food later, can we leave?” I ask as one jumps me from behind. I slam the back of my fist up, catching it in the nose.

  “I want to come with you to MAKE SURE you aren’t lying,” Carla says, placing her hands on her hips for all of a second before slamming her elbow into another dino.

  “Fine! You can come—but we’re leaving now!” I say, grabbing her hand. She grabs Skye’s and I race for the nearest portal, leaving the dinos behind. I have no idea where we’re coming out at—I don’t care, anything would be better than down—

  I stop and look around, feeling several sets of eyes on us. My eyes catch on a sign being held by some of the people in the crowd. It says “NO SUPERS IN OUR SCHOOLS.” I see a few pictures of big name heroes with red circles and lines crossing over them.

  “Well, then,” I say, staring at the football field full of Anti-Super Society members (so says the massive banner right over my head.)

  CHAPTER THREE

  I take a deep breath and paste on my most pleasant smile. “Hello, everyone! I hope you’re all doing well today! We didn’t mean to interrupt, so we’ll just be going now—”

  “Supers.” It’s a murmur at first, but it rapidly becomes a roar. I blink as they pull out weapons, rushing forward to attack. Before we can run, though, someone speaks over a microphone.

  “Now, now, my friends, let’s let them explain themselves first,” a man says. I turn, looking at the man at the mic. I… I think I recognize him.

  “It’s Justin’s ex manager!” Skye says. “Tom something! He used to be on the television whenever there were Justin interviews and I always yelled at the TV because he was talking too much.”

  “Wait, Justin’s MANAGER is a part of A—er, the Anti-Super Society?” I demand. “Hey! Hey, he’s a FAKE!” I say, pointing at him. “Everyone! He’s a fake! He used to work for a super! He can’t be—”

&
nbsp; “I quit when I found out,” Tom says, cutting me off quickly. “I can only assume that you’re here to ‘crash the party’ aren’t you?”

  “Ah, actually we got lost,” I say, holding up both hands. “I’m just looking for the Royal’s game—” Crap, baseball season is over, isn’t it? “Which was months ago, wasn’t it? Man I’m confused. Ah, I bet this place cost a TON to rent, huh? I’m sort of amazed you managed to… fill it… so well…” I add, looking around at the enraged norms. “I think we should run,” I whisper to the two standing with me.

  “No way! This is the perfect opportunity to show off my super villainy abilities! No villain in the world has robbed an entire football field of haters trying to kill them! I'll be famous--or better, I'll be INFAMOUS!” Skye says, jumping into the air. “EVERYONE PUT YOUR HANDS UP!” she bellows at the top of her lungs. “THIS IS A STICK UP!”

  I groan, only to blink as Carla slaps a cheap black face mask into my hand. “A little late, but I always carry a spare!” she says, proudly. I slip it on—just in time to see a wave of angry norms rushing straight for us. I see one person get on another’s shoulders, reaching for Skye.

  “Hey! I didn’t mean it like THAT!” she yells, going higher.

  I grunt as a group of norms tackle me. “Carla! RUN!” I say as I’m pushed to the ground.

  “I’m not leaving you!” she shouts back, pulling the norms off of me. As soon as one is gone, though, the next tries to take her down. She shoves them away. I start shoving, as well, trying to get out from under them and to her side. We can’t hurt them—but they can try their very hardest to hurt US. I could slip through the shadows, I guess, but that’d just wind us up right back with the hungry dinos—

  “SKYE! WE NEED TO LEAVE!” I bellow at the top of my voice. “NO ROBBING, JUST LEAVING!”

  “Okay, fine,” she says, dropping down and grabbing Carla’s wrist. They literally walk through the crowd to get to me. “But let it be known, you people are really NO FUN!” she yells at them as they try to tackle us and wind up going through us.