Mind Over Easy (28 page)

"Hello, boys." Dhiraj assumptions were right. No matter what he said, Ted's voice would come out of his mouth. "If you want me, come and get me!"

With that, Dhiraj and Jennifer started to fly through the air. He felt the wind whipping against his cheeks as his partner in flight pulled herself even closer to him. There was a weightless freedom inside he'd never before experienced. He'd planned on showing Jen a good time, but even he couldn't have expected anything as exhilarating as this.

"This is incredible." Jennifer looked back toward the limo. "It looks like they're coming."

Sure enough, when Dhiraj turned back, he saw the mob pursuing them on foot. When he turned back, Dhiraj and Jennifer were headed straight for the windows of an office building.

"Holy crap!" Dhiraj shielded his eyes with his free arm. The two of them banked at the last second and zipped around the building.

Jennifer laughed loud enough for Dhiraj to hear it over the air blowing by them.

He caught her eye. "I think you've somehow gone crazier."

As the they began to descend, Jennifer pulled herself close to Dhiraj's ear. "You wouldn't want it any other way."

He smiled as their feet hit the ground.

It took Dhiraj a second to get his bearings. Once he did, he realized they were just a block away from his dad's office. In the distance, he could hear the sound of dress shoes hitting pavement, like the most formal marathon of all time.

"They're coming." Any trace of Jennifer's previous daredevil joy had gone out of her.

Dhiraj took her hand, wondering if their disguised appearance would change how fast they could run. "This way."

While Treasure was by no means a major city, this street nearly gave the town a skyline. Dhiraj typically walked into his father's office with dreams of owning the block. Now he just wanted to stay alive. When they got to the front door of the tallest building in Treasure, Dhiraj waved a keycard in front of a grey control pad. A light turned from red to green, causing a massive glass door to swing open.

"Do you think they can stop him in time?" Jennifer asked.

Dhiraj looked back, spying the fastest runner in the pack running straight for the building. "I know they will."

Dhiraj shut the door behind them, making a loud clicking sound. He took Jennifer's hand and prayed the door would hold. 

Chapter 47

Ted watched through one of the holes in the window as Dhiraj and Jennifer drew the onlookers away. Occupying the minds of a thousand people made him feel heavy, like wearing a coat of steel armor. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to do that and fly his friends safely, but aside from almost ramming them into a building, he was impressed with his mental multi-tasking. Ted felt them land on the ground and released his control of their movements.

"That was amazing, Ted!" Erica kissed him on the lips, though his senses seemed more deadened than usual.

He figured that had something to do with being tapped into the senses of so many minds at once.

"Thanks." Ted heard a noise in the front of the limo. With the path of kids cleared, the driver slammed the door behind him as he ran off in the opposite direction. "I guess we get to keep the limo."

Winny opened the door that faced the parking lot. "He's got the right idea." She looked toward Rico and then Erica. "You're a hero now, aren't you?"

Ted knew that Erica had kept her identity secret from everybody but the main gang. He supposed it was impossible to keep secrets from your friends forever.

"I can explain–"

Winny stopped Erica's sentence with a sharp hug. Ted watched Erica sink into it.

"No need." Winny kissed her friend on the cheek. "Text me and Beth about it later."

Erica nodded. Rico scooted around his date and led her out of the limo. When the door closed behind him, it was just Ted and Erica left inside.

"I feel like I'm still in everybody's mind." Ted forced a smile. "It's like watching the TV, laptop and phone at the same time. Times a million."

"I'm sorry, Ted."

"No, it's actually really cool. Exhausting but cool."

Erica put her hand on Ted's lapel. "No, I'm sorry I didn't trust you." She let out a deep sigh. "There's more to tell, and once we're finished with him, I'll tell you everything."

The look on Erica's face told Ted he should feel safe with her. Part of him wanted to curl up next to her and sleep away the next week.

"Good. Thanks." Ted yawned.

Erica raised her eyebrows. "I hope you can still fight." She gestured through another hole in the window. "Not everybody took the bait."

Ted looked toward the venue and saw about 20 students remaining. The reflection from a row of hanging lights glistened against the dresses and suits of the kids who stood between Ted and Redican.

"I like our odds better than Dhiraj's." Ted regretted the joke as soon as he said it. "But let's not talk odds. Let's just get inside."

Erica touched his shoulder. "Dhiraj'll be fine. The sooner we end this, the better his chances."

Ted took her hand and opened the door. It only took a few seconds for the guards to realize it was time to take action. When a kid in a grey suit rushed the two of them, Ted used his powers to push him back into three of the other guards. A girl in a pink, poofy dress rushed Erica. Before Ted could use his powers, he watched his protector expertly duck to the ground and sweep the legs out from under the attacker. When another guard rushed at Ted, he attempted to float him up into the air, but Ted's powers failed him. The classmate swung his fist and connected with Ted's face. The sharp sting made his eyes go dark for a moment. As Ted bent to the ground in pain, he felt Erica roll her back onto his. He looked up to see her easily handle the boy with a roundhouse kick.

Erica helped Ted to his feet.

"I tried to use.... I couldn't."

She nodded before using a quick backhand to take out another attacker. "You're drained." She looked behind her. "Your hands and feet still work?"

Ted realized that the months of training weren't just about him developing his powers. He needed to be prepared in case his abilities weren't available. Ted got into a fighting stance. "They do."

One of the attackers attempted to punch Erica in the back. When she ducked, Ted leapt over her, planting both of his feet in the assailant's chest. The boy toppled to the ground and Ted turned back toward his trainer.

"Not bad, eh?"

Erica shook her head. "Let's save the gloating for after we win, OK?"

Ted didn't speak again for the rest of the fight. There were about a dozen guards still left standing. Ted took them down as gently as he could; after all, it wasn't their fault they were serving Redican. Erica did the same, and before long, the pair had entered the building. At Erica's direction, they lugged several tables over to the door to barricade themselves inside. They didn't need the 20 guards they'd just faced to come back to haunt them. 

For a moment, Ted found himself growing sentimental of the prom that could have been. The table settings and centerpieces were dotted with green and purple flowers. There was equipment set up for a live band to perform a variety of classics and top hits. The checkerboard wooden dance floor would have been big enough to accommodate the entire class. He wondered if the dance he dreamed of might still be possible if they could stop Redican.

"Same plan?" Ted hoped they wouldn't have to split up. With his powers on the fritz, Erica was truly his protector.

"Let's stick together." She grabbed and squeezed his palm quickly before motioning him to follow her.

He wondered if she was the one reading his mind as they started to search the building. Ted attempted to use his powers to see if he could detect Redican or anybody nearby. He felt a familiar blip of recognition that somebody he knew was inside, but it didn't last.

"This is so annoying." Ted kicked at the leg of a soft, comfortable-looking couch. "When you... were like me, did you ever burn out?"

Erica hopped up on the stage and started rifling through the curtains. Without even turning back, she answered. "I didn't live long enough for that to happen."

Ted didn't know quite how to respond to that. He let the conversation drop until Erica motioned in his direction.

"I hear something."

Before Ted could ascend the stage, several pairs of hands grabbed Erica through the curtain. She tried to fight them off, but they wrapped her in the thick velvet to fend off her blows.

She screamed in anger. "Ted!"

Ted reached for her with his powers, but once again nothing happened. By the time he jumped on the stage, Erica had been pulled out of view.

He rushed backstage and ran down a long, dark corridor. Ted could no longer see or hear Erica or the footsteps of the people who'd grabbed her. When he reached the end of the hall, he saw theater lights and sandbags, but no Erica. That's when Ted remembered his comm link and flipped it on.

"Ted!" Erica's voice sounded muffled.

"Erica." Ted ran back in the opposite direction. "Tell me where you are."

"Catwalk." Erica's breath was heavy, as if she were still trying to struggle her way free. "He's here."

"I'm coming." Ted ran back toward the stage and looked for a way to climb up to the catwalk.

He looked up at the hanging stage lights and traced them back down to a black ladder. As he gripped the bottom rung, he heard Erica's voice again.

"They've got Natalie, too."

With that, the comm link went dead and any sounds of the struggle were replaced by a low hum. Ted got up the ladder quicker than he ever thought possible. He was surprised to see how much space there was among the lights above the stage. The catwalk stretched at least 10 feet off the stage and 10 feet behind it. Ted glanced down for a moment. While his recently acquired ability to fly had helped to stave off any fear of heights, his malfunctioning powers made his position 25 feet above the ground very dangerous.

"Theatre techies have a death wish."

He saw several people in the distance and ran toward them. As he got closer, the recognition began to set in.

"No." He shook his head. "I'm dreaming again, I have to be."

Ted didn't see Erica. Natalie wasn't there, either. Even Redican was nowhere to be found. Instead, Ted saw Nigel cracking his knuckles and staring straight at him. By his side was Jason Torello, who looked as big and strong as ever. Even in the dark of the catwalk, Nigel's smile seemed to glisten.

"Did you miss us, old friend?"

Chapter 48

As the glass door clicked shut behind Jennifer and Dhiraj, the fastest member of the brainwashed mob slammed face first into the barrier like a daredevil bird. Jennifer shrieked at the sound and the sight of him, the man's body slumping to the ground as his compatriots gathered around him. She watched for a reaction from Dhiraj, who was still cloaked in Ted's appearance.  

He let out a soft chuckle. "We really should put some stickers up to keep them from doing that."

Jennifer saw three members of the crowd outside attempt to pull the handle of the glass door at once. It strained at its hinges before locking right back into place.

Jennifer put her hands through her hair and remembered that she was a temporary blonde. "Is that gonna hold?"

Dhiraj smiled. "Of course. Lawyers need more security than most." He took her hand. "We'll be safe as long as we need to be."

Jennifer noticed several of the mob members clear a path in the front. A group of seven of the strongest had ripped a wooden bench out of the ground. Jennifer could barely hear the group screaming through the glass, but she was pretty sure she heard the word "charge." Using the bench as a battering ram, the crowd cracked the mighty door. Jennifer saw Dhiraj's face turn even whiter.

"I'll never look at that bench the same way again." He pulled her away from the commotion. "We better hide."

They rushed away as the gang took another run at the door and left an even larger crack. As Dhiraj pulled Jennifer to a hallway full of elevators, she barely had a moment to note the green, marble walls and massively high ceilings. When Dhiraj pushed the elevator button, the heavy, metal doors opened with a ding and they sped inside. As the door closed, Jennifer heard large chunks of glass crashing down on the lobby floor.

"Your dad is gonna be pissed." Jennifer looked at their reflection in the mirror. "You think I'd be used to seeing hallucinations by now." She noticed Dhiraj glancing down at her exposed legs. "Quit checking out my friend's assets."

Dhiraj blushed and hit the button for the 16th floor. "Is there a way for me to blame this on Ted?"

The elevator lurched up and Jennifer had to grab a hold of Dhiraj to steady herself.

She sighed. "You know, I never really wanted to be her. I guess I just didn't want her to be all the way gone."

Dhiraj took her hand. "The way you keep memories, you'll never let her go." He pressed it to his lips. "And that's OK. That's just who you are. Erica's hands are so dainty."

Jennifer laughed so hard a tear streamed down her face. "They really are. She's got skinny ankles too." She shook one of her legs as if it might come off if she did it long enough.

The doors opened and Jennifer planted both feet back on the ground. If it weren't for the lights in the massive fish tank that lined one of the walls, the hall would've been too dark to see a thing. Because of the aquatic illumination, Jen could see a strip of rooms that looked straight out of an upscale furniture catalogue. She wondered if there'd be enough places to hide, given the clear glass walls that made up some of the offices.

"It's nice."

Dhiraj nodded. "I'd hope so. Wouldn't want my dad to spend 80 hours a week somewhere crappy." He pushed all the buttons on the elevator and led Jennifer into the hallway. "That ought keep them busy for a second."

As he tried to tug her forward, Jennifer pulled Dhiraj back toward her. "Close your eyes."

She waited to close hers until he followed her instructions. "I don't know how much longer we'll last, but before anything happens, I want to kiss you. I just want you to know that I'm going to be thinking of you when I do it."