The Forbidden Trilogy(88)

However it happened, this baby belonged to us. But what about all the other girls who were used in this way and died because of it?

It would be hard to get people to believe, but we had to find a way to make them listen. If only Drake and I had more obvious powers, which we could showcase on film. But then, with editing and special effects, nearly anything could be faked.

Maybe we could show off Drake's strength? So much power, physically and mentally, in one person. Despite the heat, my body broke out in goosebumps, and I shivered.

Once my fingers and feet had pruned, I shut off the water and stepped out of the steamy shower. I wiped down the mirror and wrapped a towel around my body, my swollen belly exposed through the slit. I stared at myself in the mirror.

Were the eyes truly windows to the soul, as people said? What did mine say about me?

The light purple crescent moons under my bloodshot eyes said I needed more sleep, at least. I pulled my brush from my overnight bag and ran it through my long wet hair, then pulled out a blow dryer and did my best to make it look presentable.

The red blouse and black slacks for my film debut draped over the toilet. The buttons on the pants almost didn't snap; it would be time for new clothes soon.

Lost in thought, I didn't see Brad until I smacked into him and dropped my bag. "Oh, sorry!"

He picked it up before I could. "You okay?"

"Yeah. Feel better after a shower."

"You looked a million miles away, and sad. But... also beautiful. I mean, the red, it's a good color on you. It'll look good on film. So, um, what's up?"

"Just thinking about everything. Worried."

He put his hand on my arm, his body heat fighting the chill on my skin.

"The interview can wait, if you want." His mouth turned down in worry.

"No, it's okay. I'm—"

Pain stole my words from me.

I doubled over, clutching my belly even though it felt as if knives had impaled my head. Distant eyes bored into me. Someone else's consciousness moved into my mind, seeing into my life.

I screamed and squeezed my eyes shut, pushing back against the invader.

Hands on me. Voices around me.

Couldn't focus. Couldn't respond. Couldn't think.

Can only fight.





Chapter 36 – Lucy



"You have to be prepared for anything." Mr. Lancaster walked up and down the aisles and made eye contact with each person. "If you depend too much on your power, that power becomes a liability. The key to success is adaptability and improvisation. That is what we will be practicing today."

Lucy wondered if her teacher knew about the problems kids had been having with their powers. His lesson seemed awfully timely.

After Mr. Lancaster walked past her row, a paper airplane hit Lucy in the back of the head. She turned to see Darren smile impishly at her and float the airplane back to his own desk. He mouthed, "Sorry."

Before Lucy could respond, Mary leaned over and whispered, "I know about your little Freedom Fighters. You guys think you're so cool with your secret meetings, but you're all idiots if you think you can take on Rent-A-Kid. It's only a matter of time before you get caught."

Lucy had mixed feelings herself about their success, but hearing Mary's attack brought out her mama bear instincts. "You shallow, sex-obsessed twit, you know nothing about—"

"Lucy, care to share with the rest of the class?" Mr. Lancaster and everyone in fifth period stared at her.

"No, I'm sorry."

"Then please keep your mouth closed and your ears open while I'm talking. Someday, this just might save your life."

"Yes, sir."

Mary snickered beside her, and Lucy wanted to claw her eyes out. Instead, she kept her head forward and her ears, as Mr. Lancaster said, open.

"Here's the scenario." The teacher walked to the whiteboard and drew the layout of a building. "There are a group of innocent people in a building, and terrorists are holding them at gunpoint. Without using powers, how would you get in and save them? You can use any technology or weapons you can think of, just no powers."

Willy raised his hand, and the class groaned collectively.

"Yes, Willy."

He pushed his glasses up onto his nose and answered in his I-know-more-than-all-of-you-combined-and-isn't-this-just-so-obvious voice. "This is simple, Mr. Lancaster. I'd hack into the camera surveillance and reroute the feed so they didn't see me sneak in. Then I'd memorize their positions, throw a flash grenade to blind everyone, and proceed to shoot every terrorist from memory, starting with the one closest to the victims."

"Willy, you really need a girlfriend, my boy." Mr. Lancaster ruffled Willy's mop of red hair affectionately and continued pacing the room. "Anyone else?"