Page 19 of No Capes
Oh my god, where’s my dad?
I sprint back upstairs to my room, pulling my phone from the nightstand. I’d received a text not even five minutes ago:Leaving library, bagels in pantry if I don’t see you before school – Dad.
It’s a funny feeling, being relieved yet so scared you could pee your pants. My dad should be here in about fifteen minutes. I can make it fifteen minutes. Probably.
Heart racing, I return to my bed and wrap the ends of my comforter around my chest, as if that will do anything protective. “Seriously, man,” I say. “Not cool.”
Dark Static leans against my dresser, where my hairbrush, framed photos of my childhood, and most personal objects are mere inches away. Like my nineteen Golden Ace figurines. He lifts one up and wipes at a smudge of dirt.
“This isquitethe shrine,” he says. “Had no idea you’re such a big fan.” His gaze sweeps over my room, pausing on my Official Golden Ace Fan Club Certificate. He returns the figurine to my dresser with a satisfied tap.
“You had no idea that I’m so devoted to your nemesis, you mean,” I say.
He shifts back to me, every micro-movement calm and unhurried. Golden Ace doesn’t seem to bother him at all. “You’re upset. That’s on me. Roberts, I am so very sorry to have interrupted your beauty sleep and inconvenienced you with this téte-à-téte. I would say it won’t happen again, but I don’t like to make promises I can’t keep.”
“I’d hate to see the promises you can.”
Please leave,I think for extra emphasis, just in case mind-reading is another one of his special abilities. I think the mind-reading Supers are the ones you have to look out for the most.
“Ah. You’re still upset about the news this morning. Don’t be. Dr. Milligan is part of a plan. Everything’s under control.”
“Is that a promise?”
Dark Static inhales slowly, as if he’s about to elaborate, but by the exhale he’s changed his mind. “Sorry to visit this late. I wanted to stop by earlier, but you weren’t here.”
Red dots light up his D.S. 6000 watch. He knows where I was. He’s tracking me. I squeeze the blanket between my fists. Why did I think, even for a second, that D.S. is capable of telling the truth?
“Were you aware the autopsy is missing?” I demand.
“Of course.”
“So, you knew I’d find zilch at the station and drag up all these horrible feelings again for nothing?”
The shadows from my lamp swirl around him, like they’re awaiting an order.
“Not for nothing,” he says, “Not exactly.”
This is more exhausting than a homework all-nighter. “Do you know where it is?”
“I was hoping you might find out.”
I gape back at him, but he seems to mean it. “And how would I do that?”
Dark Static crosses one ankle over the other and lazily folds his hands under the rim of my dresser. “You’ll figure something out.”
I ball up my pillow, ready to throw it. “Why are you here?”Since it clearly isn’t to help me.
“I saved your life.” He points to his gleaming black suit and has the audacity to smirk. “Now you do something for me. We’re square.”
“Pass,” I glare back. He’s being worse than Fox. At least Fox, when he’s obnoxious like this, will eventually leave me alone.
D.S. yawns, like he already knows he’ll get what he wants. “Care if I make myself at home then? I think I might stay for a while.”
I reach for my cell phone, threatening to call the police, Arielle, my dad… but D.S. simply points to his mask. “Let’s not forget, Roberts, I can shoot lasers from my eyes.”
My phone. That’s how he knows where I am.
“Stop stalking me.” I throw the device into the laundry bin by my closet. It hits the top sweatshirt dead in the center.
