by Dee J. Stone
“Hey,” I whisper to the guy.
“Hmm?” His eyes are still shut. Good.
“You’re still sleeping. This is your…your conscience talking. I want to ask you a few questions about that day in the bank.”
“The bank?” he mumbles.
I’m about to say something, but Maddie says, “Nick, wait.” My gaze shoots to the door. No one’s there. “Never mind. Coast is clear.”
I turn back to the guy. “Who told you to rob the bank? And why did you do it?”
He groans. Shoot, he might be in pain. I hope he doesn’t “wake up” and demand meds.
“Who?” I say. “Who ordered you to do all of that?”
He groans again. “Don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know? Did you and your buddies decide to do it on your own or did someone hire you?”
“Hire. Us.”
“Why?”
He groans for another time. “Don’t know. We got a message to rob the bank and lure the…the hero.”
My stomach does this weird flip. So they were after me. I want to grab the guy by the throat and demand to know who sent him.
“Why the hero?” I ask.
“Don’t know. All the message said was to lure him and throw the net. That was…all.”
I sink to the floor. Those people purposely hired these gunmen to capture me. But why? So they’d “control me” again?
Now that I’m no longer Blue, am I safe? Is my family?
“How can I find these people?” I ask.
He groans again, shaking his head.
I don’t care if he’s in pain or that someone might come in. I grab his arm. “Tell me!”
“I don’t know...anything.”
I squeeze his arm and he lets out a deep gasp. “Did you see their faces?”
“No. Everything was through texts and emails. All are untraceable. They cannot be located. All evidence was destroyed.”
“How can I find them?” I repeat.
“They can’t be found.”
I dig more, demand more, but this guy is as useless as a log.
“A nurse is coming,” Maddie says. “We need to get out of here.”
I rush over to her, pull her in my arms, and fly out the window. Just as I manage to shut it, the door to the gunman’s room opens and sure enough, a nurse walks in. The gunman starts talking about the conversation he had with his conscience, but the nurse must think the meds are messing with him because all she does is nod and say everything is fine.
“Did you hear all of that?” I ask Maddie as we zoom toward home. The hospital is a good distance away from our houses.
“Yeah. What do you make of it?”
I sigh. “Not sure. But one thing I know is that the people from that organization want me. Or wanted me. Do you think putting an end to Blue makes a difference?”
She’s quiet before, “I wouldn’t think so. Doesn’t matter if you’re Blue or not. You still have powers.”
Deep down, I know that was a possibility, I just didn’t want to deal with it. I wanted to shove it away like it doesn’t exist. But it does and maybe always will.
“Maddie, promise me you’ll look out for my family.”
“Of course. I watch their tracking devices like a hawk.” She rubs my arm. “Nothing is going to happen to them.”
“Thanks.” I breathe out of my nose. “How do we find these people?”
“I don’t know. Following my mom has been a bust, but I’m not going to give up. Sooner or later, she’ll lead us to them.”
“Assuming she’s part of them.”
“Yeah.”
Quiet.
“You know,” I say after a few minutes of silence. “My mom was right all along. If I wouldn’t have been Blue, then Nicole wouldn’t have exposed me and my family’s life wouldn’t be at risk. That organization would have never known about me. Remember, they probably thought we were failed experiments.”
“I know. That’s why I hate her and wish we could make her pay.”
“No,” I say. “We already talked about this. No one is going to make her pay. It’s not like she knew what would happen when she exposed me. Besides, I lied to her and she was hurt.”
Maddie snorts. “I can’t believe you’re defending her.”
“I can’t believe how much anger you’ve got inside you.” My eyes widen. I so did not mean to say that. “I’m sorry. It just…it hurts me when you’re so angry. I wish I could make you happy.”
She doesn’t say anything. I turn us visible so I can see her reaction. Her face is filled with sadness and guilt. “Maddie—”
“It’s not like I want to be mad all the time. It’s the fire.”
“Which we need to control.”
She looks away. “I told you I want to keep it inside and I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”
I know she doesn’t, but she can’t go on like this. She’s such a sweet and kind person inside. What if her powers consume her?
I lower us to the roof of a building and we just sit there quietly. Maddie looks around and I look at her. I can see how much all of this hurts her, how she wishes she didn’t have to deal with this. Both of us have to deal with what we have. It’s part of us, no matter what.
“I’ll give you time and space,” I say. “But sooner or later you’ll see that you’ll need to deal with it.”
She doesn’t say anything.
“I’m not an expert here,” I continue. “I just know what you’re going through.”
Her eyes meet mine. “No, you don’t understand. You don’t have this crazy dangerous power. Yours are…good. Fun.”
“You think telekinesis is fun? I could tear a guy limb from limb.”
“But you never would. You have better control of your powers. Your powers can be controlled. This can’t be.”
“You don’t know that.”
She gives me a look. “I’ve had three years on you. Believe me, I’ve tried everything and I learned that keeping it in is the best thing to do. It’s worked so far.”
“But it’s not working anymore,” I say.
She rolls her eyes. “Because you make me…emotional.”
“So this is my fault?”
“I was thinking about what you said the other day, about my feelings for you. And you’re right. For years I had to keep my feelings for you inside, so it didn’t affect my powers. Now that we’re together, I’m forced to express myself—”
“Forced? So being with me is a chore?”
“No, you know I don’t mean it like that. What I mean is because of my power, I need to keep a distance. I can’t be as emotional as you want or need me to be.” Her unsure eyes meet mine.
I nod. “That’s okay.”
I reach for her hand and she gives it to me. “Let’s not argue about this, Nick. I want to keep my power at bay and I need you to be patient with me. It doesn’t mean I don’t want to be with you or anything. I love you. Just don’t freak out when I’m not all lovey dovey with you. Okay?”
“Okay, but can I kiss you?”
She laughs. “Yeah.” She leans forward and our lips connect. She’s stiff and distant, and it takes everything inside me not to intensify the kiss. Maddie loves me, that’s all that matters. Even if she doesn’t show it and masks her emotions, I’m just glad we have each other.
She smiles when we draw back and holds up her hand. “Look, no fire. Thanks for being so understanding, Nick. Any other guy wouldn’t put up with me.”
I lift a brow. “What other guys are we talking about? Should I be worried?”
She pushes some hair out of my eyes, “Of course you should be worried. Didn’t you see all those guys fawning over me at school?” She winks.
I laugh and pull her close. “I like when you joke around with me. After everything that happened with your family and your powers, it’s nice to see you smile.”
The smile drops. Of course the second I compliment her, she tosses it aside. I’ve go
t to remember that she’s trying to control her powers. I have to accept this.
“What are we going to do about that secret organization?” she asks. “I researched the heck out of the internet, but couldn’t find anything.”
I run my hand through my hair, letting it fall into my eyes. “I think the only thing we can do is watch your mom and wait for them to…” I can’t finish.
“Strike again?”
I lift my hands helplessly. “Don’t detectives find serial killers when they kill again?”
She lays her head on my chest. “I don’t like this.”
“Me, either, but I think it’s the only choice we have.”
Chapter Sixteen
The world’s in chaos when I wake up the next morning. My whole family, except for Kaylee who was sent to play in her room, is crowded around the TV in the living room.
“What’s going on?” I ask as I step inside.
Mom, Dad, and Matt motion for me to be quiet. Dad increases the volume.
“If you’re just joining us, a major storm has hit Upstate New York.” She goes on to say the damage the storm has already caused.
“Many are wondering where the Blue Masked Hero is. At any sign of danger, he’s always there to help. Where is he?”
I look at Mom, but she avoids my eyes. I don’t want to think about all the people who are in danger. How can I stand here and do nothing about it?
“Nick.” Her hand is on my arm. “I know you want to go, but the situation is being handled. It’s only a storm and many have already evacuated. It’s going to be okay.”
I pull my arm away. Maybe, maybe not. Do I obey my mom or be a hero? What’s a guy to do in such a situation?
“I get that you worry about me,” I tell her. “But I’ll be fine.”
She gives me the Mom Look. “Nicholas McGuire you are not going out there.”
“All those people—”
“Are being taken care of.” She nods at the TV, where the reporter is talking about the casualties. So far there have been no deaths, but a few have been injured. Nothing major. Yet. Still, I can’t watch this. I go to the kitchen and stuff my face with some toast. Tastes like dirt because I have no appetite.
I can hear the TV all the way from here, but I try to keep my thoughts occupied with something else. It doesn’t work. I reassure myself that the people are okay. They don’t need me. No one needs me. Blue doesn’t exist anymore.
A text from Maddie. It’s hard, huh?
Seriously, it’s like she can read my mind.
You have no idea.
Actually, I do. I also want to save everyone.
As I’m scarfing down some more food, Matt leans against the wall. “She’s just looking out for you, you know.”
I down some orange juice. “Whatever.”
“The world can’t rely on you all the time. Makes us weak.”
“I guess.” He’ll never understand what losing Blue means to me. He’s never done anything for anyone or helped anyone or made someone’s day. Heck, he’s never seen the gratitude and appreciation in their eyes. “Going to school.”
“Maybe I can drive you and we can hang out. Maybe…talk.”
Talk with Matt? “I’m picking up Maddie.”
He shoves his hands into his pockets. “And you will, just by car.”
I squint at him. “What’s this about? Did Mom send you to watch over me so I won’t run off?”
He shakes his head. As I scrutinize him, I realize something about Bro. It almost seems like he wants to…protect me. Why?
After a few minutes, Matt, Maddie, and I are in Matt’s car. It’s quiet. Maddie looks at me and I look at her. Then I look at Matt. “What’s going on?” I ask. “You’re being weird.”
He gives me an I-don’t-know-what-you’re-talking-about look. I roll my eyes at Maddie. She twists her nose.
“Even Maddie thinks you’re being weird. What’s going on, Matt?”
He sighs. “It’s just that you’ve been…well with you not being the hero anymore, I figure kids at school are going to give you a hard time.”
I see. “And you want to protect me.”
He shrugs. “You can’t use your powers in school, and all the kids are intimidated by me. So why not protect my little bro?”
“Because I don’t need your protection. I can take care of myself, Matt. I appreciate it and all, but I’ll be fine. Kids and the world need to get used to the fact that Blue isn’t around anymore.”
“Okay.”
Quiet.
“Is that what you wanted to talk about?”
“Pretty much.”
The rest of the drive is silent. I guess my being in the car with Maddie is kind of awkward. I’ve never had a girlfriend before, so I don’t exactly know how to behave around Bro. He likes her, but I’m used to Matt poking fun at me. This whole Matt being nice thing will take some getting used to.
We get to school, thank Matt, and enter the building while Bro parks the car. At once, all eyes pin on me, some with anger. No, most with anger. Is this about the storm?
A girl gets in my face as Maddie and I try to make our way to our lockers. “Why are you such a jerk? My cousins almost died because of you.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask.
Her hands go to her hips. “My cousins got caught in the storm and couldn’t get out in time. The youngest got really hurt. All because you’re too selfish to do what you’re supposed to do. Why bother being a hero if you won’t help anyone?”
I try to push past her, but she blocks me everywhere I turn. There’s no point in explaining because she and all the others glaring at me will never understand. Besides, I can’t tell them I can’t be a hero because my mommy doesn’t let. That’ll be the lamest thing ever. Also, I don’t owe anyone explanations.
As I try to get through, everyone calls me names, like jerk and worse things. A few shove their phones in my face, showing me the damage the hurricane caused. As if I haven’t seen it myself. As if it doesn’t stab me in the gut.
“Let him through,” a voice says from behind me. Matt. He’s making his way toward me and the crowd.
No one moves. The girl flares her nostrils at him.
“I said let him through,” Matt says. He’s got to have some magical powers because the crowd steps aside. Bro motions for me to walk.
As I pass, the girl mutters, “Sorry excuse for a hero.”
Matt says to her, “Have you considered there’s a reason he didn’t help those people?” He faces the crowd. “Get to class. There’s nothing to see here.”
This is the second time Matt has stood up for me. It’s nice, in an older brother kind of way. But I don’t really like people defending me. It makes me feel weak and helpless. I should be able to handle the crowd.
“See you later,” Matt says to me.
“Yeah. Thanks.”
“No problem.” He claps me on the shoulder. “I’ve always got your back.”
Maddie and I take our seats in history and I can’t help noticing that everyone is staring and whispering about me. Man, being a former hero is not easy. How am I going to get through this when they all expect me to be someone I can no longer be?
“Just ignore them,” Maddie says from behind her book.
“I can’t when they’re right. I know we always talk about this, but no one understands what I’m going through. I wish my mom wouldn’t be so…”
“Caring?”
I frown. “That wasn’t what I was going for. She means well, but she has no idea what she’s doing to me.” I knock my head on my desk.
“She’s saving your life.”
“I’m invincible.”
“But not immortal.”
I guess she’s got a point there. If she hadn’t rescued me from the net, I could have died. Or maybe that secret organization would have killed me if I didn’t do what they said.
Mrs. Landon enters the classroom and as soon as she sees me, she gives me this look. Like
I don’t deserve to exist. This isn’t about the bank thing. This is about my not being Blue anymore.
I sink down in my seat.
***
The next few days are pretty much the same. The world is in trouble and there’s no Blue to help. I’ve thought about begging my mom to change her mind, but every time I see that smile, that sparkle in her eye, I know I can’t. My quitting being a hero has made her happier. She’s actually sleeping at night.
It’s during biology that Maddie’s watch beeps.
“Why do you still have that thing?” I whisper.
She shrugs, then checks her watch. Her eyes widen. “An entire apartment building has caught fire and many residents are trapped. It’s spreading to nearby houses.”
I swallow and look away.
“This isn’t like the hurricane,” she continues. “People are trapped and a few have been reported dead. We can’t just sit here and do nothing.” She clutches my hand. “Nick, go invisible and save them. Your mom won’t know.”
“Of course she will. The whole world will. Besides, I can’t save that many people.”
She eyes me slowly. “This isn’t like you.”
I rub my forehead. “What do I do? Go against my mom’s wishes to save lives?”
“Uh, yeah. Duh. There are people dying. Of course you have to save them.”
She’s right. I’ve got to. Mom will understand. And if she doesn’t, she eventually will. I’m about to get up, but Maddie says, “Wait.”
“What?”
“I’ll go.”
“Huh?”
She bends close. “We don’t know if you can contain such a big inferno. I’m fire. I can do it. That way, you don’t have to go against your mom’s wishes. I can finally do something good with this monster inside me.”
“Are you crazy? You’d be exposing yourself to the world. Your mom will know it’s you and she’ll—”
“No. She’ll think I’m a guy. Remember, you thought I was a guy when I saved you because my uniform makes me look like a guy. All I have to do is—”
“Nick, Maddie, am I disturbing you?” Mr. Vasquez asks.
