by Dee J. Stone
Kaylee lightly slaps my cheek. “I’m calling you.”
I blink. “Huh?”
“I asked if that means you’re not gonna do shows.”
Shows. Yeah, sure.
“Because that’s what I told my friends. Before Mom came to pick me up. I told them my big brother was gonna do shows and I was gonna get them tickets.”
So much for not taking advantage of me. I play with her light brown curls. “Mom bans it.”
“Why?”
She’s only six, too young to fully understand what happened. “Because she doesn’t want me to get hurt.”
“Are you gonna listen to her?”
I nod. “Of course I’m going to obey Mom. Always obey Mommy.”
She twists her nose. “But she’s not always doing what I want. Like today when she picked me up, she didn’t wanna get ice cream.”
I tap her nose. “That’s because she was worried about me. I did something wrong and could have gotten really hurt. In a way, Mom’s right.”
“So you are gonna listen to her?”
I puff out my cheeks. “Yeah. I need to.”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “But she’s wrong. You needa be Blue. Everyone is gonna be sad when you’re not saving them.”
“I know, but that’s just how it has to be.”
“Do you think she’ll let you be a superhero one day?”
I seriously hope so, because without being Blue, I have no clue who I am or what I’m supposed to do.
***
After Kaylee goes to bed, I watch the news on TV. Reporters have knocked on our door, pounding my parents for info. They reassured them that Blue is okay and is home. The police came, too, but my parents told them I was too tired to give them a statement. I’m going to have to give one eventually, and I have no idea what I’m going to tell them. Obviously I won’t mention Maddie saving me and I won’t tell them about the net that negates my powers. I guess I’ll just play the “I hit my head and don’t really remember” card. It’s not like the world knows I have this super healing power. At least I don’t think they do.
The reporter is saying that officials aren’t sure what happened in the bank, who caused the explosion, and why the Blue Masked Hero didn’t save the hostages in time.
Footage from security cameras inside the bank was destroyed. I’m relieved that the world won’t know my powers can be weakened and I’m also relieved that Maddie won’t be exposed. The organization already knows about me, but they don’t know about Maddie, or at least they don’t know who she is. And I want to keep it that way.
A few family members of the hostages talk to the reporters. Some blame me, others claim it wasn’t my fault.
Most people do blame me. I shut off the TV. I’m sure Nicole’s blog is booming with comments. I’m definitely not going to check that out.
Mom said I should get some rest, but I’m not at all tired. It’s past midnight and I’ve got school tomorrow. Was kinda hoping Mom would let me skip, but I’ve missed way too many days. She’s all about schoolwork, especially now. I bet she’s going to watch me like a hawk.
Texting Maddie always makes me feel better, but not right now. I shouldn’t be alone with my thoughts, but I can’t help it. All I see before me are the terrified faces of all those hostages. If they’re in the next world or wherever, do they blame me for not saving them?
Sounds come from my parents’ room. It’s right next to my room. They’re talking. I press my ear to their door to hear better.
“Honey.” That’s Dad. “Don’t cry. Nick’s home and he’s fine. All the kids are fine.”
Sniffing sounds from Mom. “I know we can’t stop him from doing this. I just…I’m so scared for him. I can’t sleep. Whenever I shut my eyes, I picture us burying him. Oh, Jim. I wouldn’t be able to bear it!”
My throat gets tight. I know my mom was worried and I saw her cry today, but hearing her pour her heart out to my dad changes something in me. Now, being the hero doesn’t seem as important, not if it breaks my mom like this.
She’s right. The world will go on without me. But I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something were to happen to my mom. She and Dad took me in when I was little and treated me like one of their own. I’m not going to go around putting myself in danger. Not when I mean so much to them.
Here, on the night of the bank shooting, I, Nick McGuire, the Blue Masked Hero, have made a decision. I will henceforth cease all heroics. Indefinitely.
Chapter Thirteen
The minute I get downstairs for breakfast, I nearly crash into two cops standing in the kitchen doorway. Kaylee must have already left for school with Dad. Matt’s probably gone off to school, too. It’s just me, Mom, and the cops.
The cops motion for me to sit down in the living room. Mom joins us, taking my hand and giving it an encouraging squeeze.
I wish they wouldn’t be here. I’ve got no clue what to tell them.
“Is my son under arrest?” Mom asks.
The taller cop waves his hand. “We just need to ask Nick a few questions about the events that took place yesterday.”
I swallow. Mom motions for me to give the cops whatever they need. Sorry, Mom, but I’m going to have to omit some details.
The other cop, the shorter one, sits forward. “Why don’t you tell us what happened? From the beginning.”
I clear my throat. “Okay. I was at school and my girlfriend Maddie…” I stop. They can’t know she hacked into 911.
The short cop lifts a brow. “Your girlfriend what?”
“We were talking about the algebra test. See, my teacher just returned it to us and I oddly did well.”
The cop nods for me to continue. His partner looks bored and a little hot. Yeah, Mom kind of likes to turn the heat up.
“The teacher was discussing the test with some students who had questions while the rest of us had a short break until class ended.” I clear my throat again. “Some kids were checking the news on their phones. I heard what was happening and ran to the bank.”
Mom shakes her head, like she doesn’t want to listen to this. I guess she’s got to, since I’m a minor. Or maybe she feels like she needs to hear this.
The cop jots it down. His partner still looks bored.
“Then what?” he asks.
“I saw the hostages and the gunmen. I knocked them to the ground and crushed their guns, but the third gunmen—I think he was the leader—hid behind a wall and I couldn’t see him. He…” I shut my eyes. “He shot someone. I knew I had to get in so I cracked the window and climbed inside and threw him to the floor and smashed his gun, too. But then this other gunman, a fourth one, came out of nowhere, threw a net at me, probably to see where I was, since I was invisible. He shot the rest of the hostages. I was knocked out, and the next second the place exploded. When I woke up, the place was destroyed. I flew back home.”
The cop finishes jotting that down. “And how did you survive the explosion?”
“Uh, I don’t really remember. I guess the debris shielded me.”
He nods slowly. “Uh huh. Any idea who the gunmen are?”
I shake my head.
The cop stands. “We’ll call you if we have further questions.” He turns to his partner, who seems to be happy to leave this place. “Let’s talk to the gunman again.”
“Wait.” I stop them at the door. “Gunman?”
He makes a face like that shouldn’t have slipped out. Or maybe he’s testing my reaction. Does he think I was part of this? “One gunman survived. He was terribly burned, but he’s alive.”
So Maddie didn’t kill him. Shoot, that’s not good. What if he told the cops a different story? They’ll definitely arrest me.
“We’ll be in touch,” he tells Mom and me before the two of them leave the house.
Mom looks at me and I look at her. She sighs, rubbing my shoulder. “I know you’re upset with me, but I’m only doing what I feel is best for you. You’re my son and I want to keep
you safe.”
All I can think about is her crying to Dad yesterday. “It’s fine.”
Surprise enters her eyes. “You’re taking this better than you took it yesterday. Why the change?”
I shrug. “Because you’re right, I guess. The world did okay before I dropped by. They’ll be fine without me.” Saying it was harder than I thought it’d be. I’ll have to look forward to other things in my life. Hanging out with Maddie, my family, and of course homework.
Mom pats my arm. “Time for you to get to school. I’ll write you a note for being late. We can’t have you in detention again.”
I force a laugh. Detention and I saw too much of each other earlier this year.
On my way out the door, I check my phone. There’s a text from Maddie. Saw the cops at your place. Went to school. Sorry.
She likes to get to school on time, so I don’t blame her for not waiting for me.
I text her back, telling her I’m on my way. She answers with, You know Landon will excuse you. She loves you.
Yeah, she kind of does, and that makes me feel awkward. Our relationship was always weird and distant and she always slapped detention on me. Now I’m like this awesome person who can do no wrong—in her eyes anyway. Although after what happened yesterday, I’m not sure about anything anymore.
When I’m a few feet away from my house, I’m bombarded with mics in my face. Reporters are all over me, asking me what happened, if I’m okay, what went wrong, etc. Shoot. I was so distracted texting Maddie that I forgot to go invisible.
I try to push through, but they’re too strong. “Can I please get to school? I’m late.”
One guy shoves a mic in my face. “Were you the one who caused the explosion and caused all those innocent lives to be lost?”
I glare at him. “No, I did not cause the explosion and I did not cause those people to die. There was a fourth gunman and he shot them.”
The reporters gasp, their mouths nearly reaching the ground. At once, they pummel me with more questions and details.
I go invisible and jet to school. The halls are dead silent, since classes have already begun. There are a few janitors around, and I swear I can hear kids making out in one of the supply closets.
“Nick McGuire,” Mrs. Landon says as soon as I walk into the classroom. “Late again.”
So much for her giving me special treatment. And the look in her eyes…it’s like she has lost all faith in me. I was right. Yesterday’s events have changed things.
“I’ve got a note.” I wave it around.
“There’s no need. You’re going to detention.”
“But the cops held me up. They were at my house asking me questions.”
She’s busy flipping through her notes, not even paying attention to me. Some kids glare at me, others look disappointed, some sad. Then there are a few who still smile at me.
“Take your seat, Mr. McGuire.”
I remain planted in my spot. “What is this? I mess up and now suddenly everyone wants to throw daggers at me?” Did they forget all the good I’ve done? How much I’ve helped people? I saved her niece’s life.
With her head, Maddie motions for me to sit down. I don’t listen to her, either. I’m waiting for a response from my teacher.
“Sit down or go to the principal. I won’t have you disturbing my class.”
I don’t move.
Anger and annoyance enter her eyes. “Sit down or the whole class will remain after school.”
Now everyone’s sending me death glares, Nicole the most. Brandon smacks his fists into one another. Seriously? I can take him with my eyes closed.
It wouldn’t be fair for everyone to be punished because of me. I drag myself to my seat and sit down.
Throughout the lesson, the kids don’t stop giving me those looks. I ignore them and focus on the lesson. It’s not easy having practically the whole class against me, but I’ve got Maddie and that’s really all I need.
***
“Good going, hero,” Brandon says to me during lunch. Maddie and I are sitting at a table in the corner. Neither she nor I want to have anything to do with anyone right now. We still can’t get over all those lives that were lost. We’ve hardly even talked about it today. Heck, we’ve hardly said more than a few things to one another.
I look at Brandon. “What?”
He casually rests his hand on the table. “I can’t imagine having all that blood on my hands.”
“Didn’t kill anyone,” I say.
“That’s not what I heard.”
I want to get in his face, punch him and set him straight. Maybe launch him into the wall, but I’m not allowed to use my powers here. Plus, I can’t let these people get to me. The last thing I want is the Blue Masked Hero being all over the news for hurting more people.
“Leave me alone,” I mumble, poking at my meatloaf.
“Someone’s got to do something about it,” Brandon says. “We can’t let you go freely.”
I shoot to my feet, my hands fisted. “Do you really want to mess with me right now?”
His eyes flick to my hands, then they roam around and an evil grin captures his face. I follow his gaze. VP Grady’s here. As soon as she sees me, she rushes over.
“Is there a problem here?”
Brandon’s evil grin widens. “McGuire was threatening me. All I did was ask him if he was okay and he went nuts.”
The VP crosses her arms over her chest. “It looked like you started up with him.” She turns to me, glancing at my fists. “Nick, what did we talk about?”
I lower myself to my seat. “Wasn’t going to use my powers on him. He’s not worth it.”
She nods slowly. “Remember that. If you use your powers, you are expelled.” She faces Brandon, then all the other kids. “And if I learn someone egged on his powers, you will be expelled, too.” She walks off.
Brandon narrows his eyes at me before returning to his buddies. Nicole’s at his table, and she whispers something in his ear. Then she shows him her phone, giggling more. I bet they’re looking at the blog.
Whatever.
I puff out my cheeks, stabbing my meatloaf some more.
“It’ll be okay,” Maddie tells me. “Right now the world is a mess and no one knows what to think or do, but they’ll come around. They’ll know none of this was your fault.”
I’m not so sure. “I don’t want to talk about this.”
She takes a bite of her meatloaf, makes a face, then shoves it away. “Maybe you need to go on TV. Make a public statement. No one is going to tell your story right. You need to.”
I shake my head. “I’m done being in the public’s eye. I’m done with all of this.”
She rolls her eyes. “You always say that.”
“I mean it this time.” I tell her about Mom banning me and how I heard her crying to Dad in their room. “I never realized just how much my being a hero hurts her. I don’t want to do that anymore. It’s like she said, the world will survive.”
“Yeah, it’ll survive, but did you forget how many lives were saved because of you? Those people on the train. The ones who were stuck under that collapsed building. All of them.”
I force my gaze away from her. “Maybe they were meant to die.”
“I cannot believe you just said that.”
I throw my hands up. “What, Maddie? What if I meddled and that only caused bad things to happen? What if I saved a life and that made the universe take another life, huh? Did you ever consider that?”
She doesn’t say anything. Then, “Watching people get hurt and not doing anything about it is wrong.”
“I know you’re pushing me to save lives to make up for all those you took years ago, but that’s not for me to do. I can’t clear your conscience, Maddie.”
Her mouth opens and closes. Opens and closes. Man, how could I have said that to her?
I reach for her hand. “Maddie…”
She pulls away.
“I’m sorry.”
&
nbsp; “No, you’re not. You meant every single word.” She walks off, her hands clutched firmly at her sides. They’re a little red.
I didn’t mean to hurt her. I have no idea how those words came out. It’s like they had a mind of their own.
I find her sitting in the hallway, her head resting on her locker. I sit down next to her. “Don’t run.”
“I’m not interested in talking to you right now.”
“Then just listen.”
I wait for some acknowledgment, but she ignores me.
“I was a jerk.”
She snorts.
“I should have never said that. You know I didn’t mean it. I was just upset.”
She shrugs.
“All this superhero stuff is causing more problems. It’s making my life—our life—complicated. I think it’s best we stop. Well, I stop.”
Her eyes pop open and she turns to me. “Being Blue is who you are.”
I nod. “I thought so at first, too, but then I realized there are people who care for me and don’t want me to get hurt. I can’t cause them pain. Playing hero was nice and gave me a purpose, but there’s more to life.”
She doesn’t say anything.
“You should have heard my mom last night. It tears her apart, Mads. I can’t do that to her. Please understand.”
“I understand and I’m sorry for blowing up on you. I…I don’t have a mom who cares about me that much.” She laughs sarcastically. “My mom is part of the organization that made us this way and is now hunting you.”
I gently pull her to my chest and rest my chin on her head. “Maybe they’ll quit hunting me once I stop being Blue.”
She looks up at me. “Do you think?”
I shrug. “They were after me in the bank. Maybe everyone will be safer if Blue just ceases to exist. Everyone will be okay and the world will go on. They don’t need me.”
She sighs, placing her head back on my chest. “I hope you’re right.”
“No PDA at school,” Mrs. Landon says as she passes us. “You’ll join Mr. McGuire in detention, Miss Randall.”
As she walks off, Maddie and I look at one another. I say, “I guess things need to return to normal.”
Maddie forces a small laugh. “I guess they do. We’ll go back to our usual, boring lives.”
