He looked away and Gary scowled, so yes. Didn't need to read minds to see that one.
"I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do?" Before they could answer a contraction stole my voice. I doubled over in pain and hands gripped my arms to keep me from falling.
Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.
An eternity passed and finally I could stand again.
Greg smiled at me. "I think you have enough to handle right now. Don’t worry about me. I'll be fine."
I couldn't help but worry. They had been instrumental in helping Luke and Lucy lead the rebellion to destroy what used to be my home. Greg could manipulate any surveillance system, and Gary could control metal—coveted para-powers to be sure, but not enough to keep them safe from narrow-minded bullies.
They each hugged me and I continued my walk of fame down the halls.
A few others whispered heartfelt comforts as we passed. Robyn saw us and came over to hug me. "You're going to do great!" Her green eyes shone with sincerity. "I'll be there to help as soon as I get something to eat. I'm dying for some chicken nuggets."
For breakfast? Well, not for me to judge.
She'd been a rock the last few months, helping in so many ways.
It seemed this walk to the clinic would be my coming out party, in a manner of speaking. By the time we arrived, everyone in school knew the baby was coming.
Brad walked down the hall quickly, and stopped to hug me. "I just heard. Got here as quickly as I could. You okay?"
I didn't know how to answer that. Brad had been Drake's best friend their whole lives, and had helped us both when we escaped the Rent-A-Kid's evil baby-making clinic. He'd been indispensible as a friend, and a huge support to our cause with his blog, which grew in popularity daily. Still, I wanted his best friend, not him. He knew it too, but did his best to be there for me and the baby during this whole ordeal. "Yeah, I'm okay. And I'm so glad you're here. Just... you know, cover your eyes if bits are exposed." I cringed at the thought of people, even Susie, seeing so... much of me.
He chuckled and put his arm around me. "I'll make sure no one looks."
We walked to the clinic together, and I tried to smile as more well-wishers passed by, but their thoughts swirled through my mind. They were worried about me and the baby, and more than a few wondered if the baby would even be normal.
No one knew what to expect when Ana arrived. She was a mystery to everyone, but to me... I didn't even know. She was just mine. Mine to love and protect and raise. Mine.
But she should have been ours. Oh, Drake.
I set aside all thoughts of him as Susie led me to the bed I'd be using for the labor. After a full exam, she smiled. "You're eight centimeters dilated, Sam. She's coming soon."
That meant... well, yeah, that meant things down there were preparing for a baby to push through. Oh boy!
Where the hell are Luke and Lucy? I need them!
Chapter 68 – Lucy
The sun beat down on Lucy's face, hot and bright. Something stung her cheek and she slapped herself without meaning to. That woke her up. In a panic, she opened her eyes and looked around.
Where am I?
Memories trickled into her... the dark water rushing to meet them. Fear, panic.
Luke's power held out just long enough. Their drop through the sky had slowed, allowing them to hit the water with less force.
Both conscious now, they released each other. Luke worked to unhook Lucy from her parachute before the mass of sinking nylon pulled her down to the bottom of the ocean.
Lucy looked up, searching for Beleth, the man named after a fallen angel, the man who could change his body into anything, and even add wings. But the night did not yield its secrets to her.
Only the light of the full moon prevented them from drowning in darkness.
"Luke, we have to swim. There must be a shore somewhere close. Robert told Beleth we were near the base, so we have to be near land."
Luke grunted, probably too tired to speak.
She listened carefully and thought she detected the sound of lapping waves. That must mean a shore. With one arm over the other, she pushed her tired, cold body to swim, grateful that they'd at least been wearing their gear when all this happened.
Luke swam by her side.
Lucy's backpack weighed her down, making each stroke harder, but she refused to let it go. The sphere in her pack pulsed softly, sending her a warm, glowing energy that kept her from freezing in the icy water.
Luke lagged behind, drained by the use of his power and the torture he'd endured.
She reached out for him. "Come on, you can do it. I think I hear the shore."
"What's it saying to you?"
"Haha, you're so freaking funny. You should save your strength for swimming."
Rain beat down on them and the water surged and fought itself, fed by the energy of the storm.