Page 70 of No Capes
Our moment is interrupted by a police car pulling up behind us.
“No,” says Arielle. “This is not happening.”
“Don’t worry,” says Fox, meeting my wide eyes in his rearview mirror. He pulls to the side of the road and Arielle rushes to climb into the backseat, next to me. We duck beneath the seats, and I hope the windows are tinted enough that the officer won’t be able to see through them. If she catches us, she’ll turn us over to Phil, and we’d be as good as dead.
“Is something wrong, Officer?” Fox asks when the police officer approaches. She’s breathes hard, as if the reason she’d pulled us over was life or death.
“No, son, your driving is fine,” she says. “I only wanted to ask if you are aware of the lockdown this city is under, effective about an hour ago.”
“Lockdown? No, Officer, I just got out of my friend’s Halloween party.”
“Figured,” says the police officer. “In that case, get home as soon as you can and stay there. No one is permitted to drive anywhere until Mayor Bridges authorizes it.”
“Did something happen?” Fox scratches his head, and I’m impressed at his acting. He almost makesmebelieve he doesn’t already have the answer to his question.
“City’s started underground testing,” replies the officer, “And the roads won’t be safe for the next few days. Are you in school?”
“Yes, sir.”
“If this lasts until Monday, ride your bike. Now, this time I’m going to let you off with a warning, but if I see you driving out here again, you’ll receive a fine of up to $5,000.”
Fox gives a low whistle. “Thank you,” he says, then adds, “Hey, is it safe for you to be out here?”
Point Fox,I think. Always playing his little games.
“I hope so. It would be ironic if Golden Ace had to come save an officer from an accident I’m supposed to stop, huh?”
Fox chuckles. “Yes,” he says. “Yes, it would.”
The police officer walks to her cruiser and drives away. After counting to fifty, Arielle climbs into the front seat.
No one says it. No one has to. The lockdown isn’t because of “underground” testing—it’s because Phil doesn’t want Arielle or me to leave the city. If we’re forced to ride our bikes around, people can identify us.
On the rest of the drive to Brynn’s, a lightheadedness spreads through my brain, making my limbs and heart slow and heavy. Exhaustion fills my bones. I always feel a little sick in cars, but tonight my carsickness is amplified, probably due to the exertion of escaping the police.
I fixate on the back of Fox’s seat. Magazines of models are stuffed into the front pocket, and I scoff, especially since they had to have come with the car. Truthfully, Fox could date those models if he’d wanted to. Fox Levine, Mr. I-can-do-everything.
I can too.I think.I have superpowers. The next time we swim together, Fox, prepare to eat my bubbles…
My stomach lurches for the umpteenth time that evening. Even when I used my powers to swim the fastest I ever had… Fox could still swim faster.
Twenty Five
At half past one in the morning, Fox pulls into his driveway. The house looks the same as it did during Brynn’s dinner party: a white country exterior and a backyard view of the cliffs. It’s nice that some things can stay constant in the chaos.
Fox drives into the attached garage, which automatically folds closed behind us, making us safe. He helps me up the stairs into the house and I stagger forward.
“Welcome to my kingdom.” He pushes the door with his sneaker, and it swings open to reveal an anxious Brynn Levine and a half-hyper, half-yawning Jamie waiting in their kitchen. Brynn still wears her formal gown from Hallowfest, a violet halter that looks uncomfortable. Jamie has sleepy hair and wears Golden Ace pajamas.
“I’m glad you all made it back.” Brynn brings her hand to her chest. “I feel like I can breathe again.”
That makes one of us.
Brynn pulls a chair from the kitchen table and brings it to where I lean against the wall. “Would you prefer ice or a hot pack?” she asks.
I glance at Arielle, who’s still technically my swim coach and the expert on muscle-related matters, for her input.
“Something to drink?” Arielle suggests. Arielle plops down at the table beside Jamie.
