The Distort Arc: Cape High Books 1-4 (Cape High Series Omnibus) (60 page)

I just... I don't know.  It sounded good, okay?  Hearing that someone thought I was worth something.  I might be mostly metal, but even I have a weak point, I guess.  It's definitely not the same line I got from the times I was tossed into church in the past.

I sit up and push the green button, shoving the subject to the back of my mind.  "Where the he
ll have you been?" Derrick demands as he answers the phone.

"I had stuff to do," I say, resenting him now.  Like I've got nothing better to do than call him back?

"You had stuff to do," he repeats.  "Whatever.  Where are you?  Are you still in Kansas City?"

"I'm..." What am I supposed to tell him?  "Look, Derrick, this isn't a place you can come," I say.  "Like, even for a friendly visit.  There's supers everywhere, they're practically crawling out of the cracks.  I don't think--"

"So you're scared?" he says.  "Dude that's pathetic."

"I'm not scared, but I'm not stupid, either.  I'm living with America's Son, for God's sake," I snap.  "It's not like the old foster families, I'm not going to slip out the back door."

"Why not?"

"Why not?  Because it's--"  I stop, wondering abruptly if Nico is listening to everything I say even as I say it.  He made the phone, who's to say he didn't bug it?  "Because I can't.  You're going to have to find a new guy to run your errands."

"I can't use a new guy, Jack!  I need you!"

"For what?"

"For--look, Tony's got me by the throat, okay?  Unless I pay him back I'll be floating face down in the Missouri, or something.  I need your help.  But if you don't care--"

I really want to say that I don't.  I really want to tell him to shove it and hang up on him.  It's so tempting that I see my thumb hovering over the red button without intentionally moving it.  "Listen, Derrick," I say finally.  "How much do you owe Tony?"

"Five."

"Five bucks?"

"Five thousand," he says.

"What in the hell were you thinking?" I demand.  "Are you insane?  What did you spend it on?"

"It's--that's none of your business!"

"Of course it's my business, you're trying to get me to help pay it back!  Forget it," I tell him.  "Whatever he does to you, you deserve--"

"It was for my mom, okay?  It was for my mom.  Stupid, I know, she's hardly ever around, and really sucks as a mom when she is, but--but she's got cancer."  I hear him mutter a curse before he goes on.  "I had to have the money, she doesn't have insurance.  But--if I don't pay them back I'm going to die.  Dee Aye Eee, get it?  I don't want to die, Jack, I really don't want to die.  I'm not like you, I can't bounce bullets off."

I go silent, staring at the wall with a dark expression.  What am I supposed to do about this?  It's not my fault that he's a moron and borrowing from the wrong people!  But... "Look," I say quietly.  "I'll... I'll try and come up with something--"

"I only have the rest of the week, Jack," he says quietly.  "Then I'm out of time."

"Yeah, I'll... I'll work faster," I say before hanging up on him and turning the phone off.  I let out a groan and fall back on my bed, wishing that I knew who had given him my number so I could take it out on them.  It wasn't Marge, I know that much.  Marge had made it quite clear that she didn't approve of Derrick.  But it was someone that knew Marge.  Probably someone that lived in the same house.

I would love to rip them a new one.

***

"I don't like this," Summer announces abruptly, making Nico look up at her.  "I don't like this at all.  In a way, Jack is my responsibility, Nico!  He's got elementalist powers--sure they're metal, but it's still based on my genetics.  If I hadn't been captured like I was, he would still be a normal teenage boy--"

"No, he'd be a different type of super," Nico says.  He had worked so hard to get this romantic dinner on the roof set up, even bribed the kids with pizza!  But all Summer can think of is Jack.  He mutters a curse before leaning forward.  "Jack chose to go to Star Born.  He was stupid, sure, but he made a choice.  They used what they had on hand, which just happened to be you."

"I know that," she says.  "But I still feel responsible.  I want to do something for him, Nico.  Please."

"I saved his life, with Aubrey's help.  What else do you think we could do for him?" Nico asks, giving up on talk about the future between them.  Summer, although older, is still the same.  She's constantly focusing on one thing and just sticking to that thing until it's solved to her liking.  "Look, I put him with Ken for a reason."

"Why?  Why didn't you bring him home to us?" she demands.  "That way I can oversee his growth--"

"You can oversee it all you want, he's just downstairs.  But honey, you don't know what Ken can do."

"Then tell me," she says.  "What can Ken do that we can't?"

"He can help him better than we can," Nico admits.  "It's the strangest thing, Sum, but I wouldn't have handed a kid like Jack over to just anyone, you know?  Ken and Jeanie, they got something that most heroes don't."

"Their tank abilities?"

"No.  They've got the ability to love kids they aren't even related to.  Really love them.  It took weeks before I loved our kids, and I'm related to them," he says honestly.  "I looked into Jack's head while he was on the table, Sum.  The kid's never been in a real family, never had a real dad, and Marge is as close as he ever got to a real mom.  She had like, four or five other teenagers to deal with at any time."

"I see," Summer says hesitantly.  "When did you start thinking things like this through?"

"When I started worrying about how well I'd do raising the twins.  But if you want, you can come with us tomorrow morning.  I'm going to take him out to the junkyard again."

"Can I?"

"Yeah, why not?"

***

Morning.  It's morning.  I didn't sleep much at all last night, I just kept picturing myself in Derrick's position, a mom in the hospital, a mafia like guy on my back... well, sure it wouldn't have happened to me, simply because I don't got a mom, but it's still hitting close to home.

What am I supposed to do?  Leave him to get himself killed?  He brought it on himself, after all, there's no reason for me to bail him out... other than all the crap we've been through together.  Do I owe him?  I don't even know, okay?  All I know is that I don't have many friends, and Derrick is one of them.

I groan and roll over, only to grumble as Jeanie knocks on my door.  "Time to wake up!  You've got school!"

Well, it's not like I was going to get back to sleep, anyway.  I yawn, getting out of bed and heading for the bathroom to grab a shower.  I don't know why, honestly.  Nico said that I'd be back in the junkyard this morning, now that the bathroom is fixed.  I'll seriously get dirty if I go there.  But I'll run into Aubrey before I go, and we're on rocky enough ground as it is right now without me coming out looking like a slob.

You know, when I had a thing for Zoe I never really cared about looking like a slob in front of her.  Weird.  Either way I take a shower, get dressed and head into the kitchen for breakfast like usual.  Only this time Jeanie is looking at me with a worried expression.

"What?" I ask.

"Are you okay?" she asks.  "I know that phone call last night seemed to throw you--"

"I'm fine," I mutter and start to eat.  If my mouth is full I can't explain things, right?  But they'd heard me on the phone, huh?  How much did they hear?  Did that mean they'd be keeping a closer eye on me?  Crap, I only have until the end of the week to deal with the problem, otherwise Derrick's dead meat--

I blink as I realize I just broke the fork.  For a moment I stare at it, wondering when I'd done that.  "Sorry," I say to Jeanie, putting it down.  She hands me another one, and I hesitate.

"Don't worry, you'll be able to fix them soon, right?" she says.

"Yeah, I guess," I say as I take it and finish eating.  "I'll work on it."  What do I do?  I mean, can't you picture the entire family taking me down the moment I try and do something?  I've only got the basics down about how to use my abilities--like keeping my balance when walking.  I would DIE.  Or wish I was dead.  I've seen what America's Son and Star Spangled can do.  Besides, what would I do to make that much money in a week?  Rob a bank?

Probably.  In fact that's pretty much the only option I can come up with, other than searching for buried treasure or something.  I don't remember any stories about buried treasure in this area... or anywhere at all, except buried under the sea.  So... I rob a bank and get tossed into prison--I mean it's not like I won't be recognized.  The biggest hope is that the flash from the cameras reflects off of my skin and blinds everyone or something--

"If there's something we can do to help," Jeanie says, placing a hand on my shoulder.  "Please, tell us."

What do I do?  I look at her.  I hesitate.

"Meet me at the junkyard downtown," I say as I head further into the piles of abandoned cars and machines.  Lady Rose and Nico are somewhere, but I gave them the slip a while back.  "You know the one.  The one where we spent a couple of months searching for parts."

"When?" Derrick asks.

"The sooner the better.  I've got to leave in an hour.  Don't come in, though, the security field is up.  Go to the east entrance, I'll meet you there."  I stop beside a decent looking car, reaching down and testing the handle.

"I'll--"

"Either you show or I'm out," I say as the door opens.  I dig through the things left in the car and find a half empty pack of cigarettes to slip into my pocket.  "You've got ten minutes."

"Jack--"

"Nine minutes and fifty five seconds now."

"I'm coming," he says quickly before hanging up.  I look under the steering wheel, pull the hood release, and get out to look under the hood.  This motor might be salvageable.  But really, I'm just trying to look inconspicuous, and not panic over the idea of being a criminal soon.  I tinker with a few parts, check my watch, and start for the east entrance. 

Once there I look around, seeing the nearest shield projector.  There's got to be a way to keep it from going off so I can get out, I think, crouching down next to the strange mesh of aluminum can and wires.  To make it look like the shield is still working, but to let me get out.  Aw, screw it, I think, I'll just destroy it.  Nico's going to notice me leaving--he's probably watching me right now.

I wait, absently tapping out a cigarette and putting it between my lips--only problem is I don't have a lighter.  I pat all my pockets out of habit, then look back at the junkyard, wondering if I've got time to go back and look for one in the car.  Before I can even stand, I hear the familiar sound of Derrick's motorcycle.  I touch the can, crushing it, and run, heading for the bike that's pulling to a stop right in front of me.  I jump on behind Derrick.  "Go," I say.  "Fast."  Looks like the smoke will have to wait, I think reluctantly, pocketing it.

"What--"

"Now!" I snap.  He hits the gas and takes off, heading forward.

"What's the big hurry?" he demands as we ride down the street.

"We've probably got two supers on our tail, that's the big deal," I say, glancing over my shoulder.  "How do you plan on paying Tony back, anyway?"

"I don't know!  But--can't you do something?  Like make money with your abilities or something?  Or rob a bank!" he demands.  "You've finally gotten cool, you should be able to do that much at least!"

I stare at the back of his head, so tempted to hit him that my hand comes up for a second.  "Fine, turn right," I say instead.

"I'm the one driving, I should have a say in what--"

I lean forward, reaching past him and breaking off the rearview mirror.  I use it to watch over my shoulder.  For some reason Derrick shuts up and turns right.  I see Nico in the mirror, flying overhead.  Summer's nowhere to be seen.  "Stop," I say as we reach the bank.

He pulls to a stop and I hop off.  I dig in my pocket, pulling out a ski-mask and slipping it on, then a pair of black gloves.  "You know," I tell him.  "You could have asked anyone other than Tony and we wouldn't be here right now."

"Wait--you're really going to--"

I head up the steps and into the bank.  "PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR!  THIS IS A STICK UP!" I bellow.

The entire bank turns and looks at me in confusion.  I don't even have a gun, after all.  "Oh, right," I say, holding out my hand.  "Sorry people, this is my first time."  The gun that the nearest security officer is fighting to get out of the holster flies across the room, landing in my hand.  "Now it's a stick up."

Slowly the norms raise their hands in the air.  I'm pretty sure one or all of the people at the counter have pushed the button alerting the cops.  I'm actually pretty nervous right now.  All those years of being a norm have ingrained certain fears in me, okay?  Like the fear of being arrested, not just detained.  I head for the nearest lady at the counter.  "Hi.  I need five thousand dollars."

"Who are you?" she asks.  "How did you do that thing with the gun?"

"Five thousand," I repeat. "Small bills are fine--look, I really don't want to break into the safe, okay?  So whatever you've got with you will be okay--"

I feel a gust of wind first.  I see the looks of relief on the ladies faces next, and find myself turning.  "Hello, brother," Trent says.  He's got a mask on, and an army style uniform, but it's obvious who he is if you know him.  "I think we need to talk."

The lady behind me does something crazy, pulling my ski mask off.  The gasps of shock are mixed with the sound of cameras snapping pictures.  "Sup, Kid?" I say, grinning at him.  "Can this wait until I'm done?"

"You're part of the Liberty family?" the woman behind me demands.  "Shouldn't you be a hero?"

I turn and look at her.  "Seriously, lady, if you looked like this do you think you'd waste time rescuing cats from trees?  And I didn't tell you to stop!  I need that money!"

I shouldn't have turned away.  I know it the second I'm grabbed by the shirt and thrown through the glass of the two doors that lead outside.  "Ow," I mutter as I slam into the front of the building across the street.

"What the--" Derrick yelps.  He looks back at the bank as Trent steps out.

"Look," Trent says, crossing the street.  "I think you really need to think--"

I get to my feet, racing forward and slamming my shoulder into his gut like a football player, sending both of us skidding back as Trent's feet dig into the concrete.  There's a helicopter hovering overhead, recording everything.  We're going to be on the news tonight for sure.

"I need that money, Kid," I say as he stops and throws me to the side. 

"Then get a job, you'd be a great waiter," Trent says.

"I need it now," I say, grabbing him by the uniform.  "Otherwise Tony's going to kill him."

A confused look crosses Trent's face and he glances over at Derrick.  "Find another way," he says.  "I can't let you rob a bank, it'd break Mom's heart."  He grabs me in return, then spins, picking me off of my feet and throwing me into the air, sending me flying.  The helicopter barely manages to move out of the way, and I twist, grabbing onto it.  I hang there for a moment, thinking.

"You know, you've got a point," I say, letting go and dropping down to the ground.  I leave holes in the concrete where I land.  "We're not done, you know," I say, straightening from my crouch.  "But for now, I've got something else to do."

I run over to Derrick, hopping onto the back of his bike.  "Go.  Now."

Derrick takes off.  "Where are we going now?" he asks over his shoulder.

"Tony's," I say. 

"But he'll kill you!"

"How?" I ask bluntly.  "Kid Liberty's got a way better chance of doing that then someone like Tony."

"Good point."

***

"And we're off," Jeanie says cheerfully.  "We'll be heading for the next location now.  I have to thank you for letting him do this, Nico, he really didn't know what to do," she says over her little earbud communicator.  She shifts her little hybrid car into gear and glances over at Aubrey.  "Buckle up, honey, we don't want the norms to notice."

"Okay!" Aubrey says, grabbing the seatbelt and tugging it across her chest.  "So he's going to take on the mafia now?" she asks.  "Isn't it too early for his debut?"

"Well, yes, but I get the feeling that Jack is always going to be in situations like this," Jeanie admits as she pulls to a stop at the stoplight.  She doesn't even look surprised as the back door opens and Trent, now in civvies, slides in.

"But he--" Aubrey starts out, watching the motorcycle that's already disappearing over the horizon.  "He's just a kid," she says a bit helplessly.

"So?  He would have wound up in this even if he'd still been a norm, y'know?" Trent asks.  "You got Nico on the line, right?" he asks his mom.

"I do!  He's already in position for the mobster bust!  It's so exciting," Jeanie admits.  "Make sure you don't hurt his hair, though, it's probably the most vulnerable part of him and I don't want it ruined!" she adds over her shoulder.

"Yeah, I gotta admit, it's going to be his selling point," Trent agrees. 

"Wait, isn't he going to beat the mafia?" Aubrey asks.

"Oh, no, we can't have something like that," Jeanie says.  "Nico came up with a great idea!  What he's going to do is--"

***

The wrought iron fence that surrounds the massive house looks intimidating.  This is the rich part of town, the part where the houses have their own zip codes or something, and you have no clue that a few miles away is a ghetto. 

"I don't think this is a good idea," Derrick says as he pulls to a stop next to the fence.

"Well it's not like we can pay him back," I mutter, getting off the bike.  "But listen, man," I say, moving so I'm standing in front of him.  "After this, I'm done, got it?  I have real super villain stuff to do--stuff like taking over the world.  I'm not your lackey."

"You're just going to dump me like that?" Derrick demands, kicking down the kickstand and getting off.  "Me?  The only real friend you got?  And don't tell me you're friends with the kids at your new school, man, nobody likes you after two days!"

"Thanks," I mutter.  "That's really encouraging."  And he's supposed to be my best friend, right?  Man, maybe I really suck at picking guys to hang out with...  "Doesn't matter if I got new friends," I go on, giving him a grin.  "I'm not out to find friends, anyway.  No, I'm going to get myself a dozen lackeys," I decide as I head for the metal fence.  I grab two poles and pull them apart, walking through the hole.  An alarm goes off, making me wince, and two huge rottweilers rush for me, barking angrily.

One of the dogs bites onto my arm, only to slide off with a yelp.  The other grabs the leg of my jeans.  I twitch as I hear the jeans rip and reach down, grabbing his collar.  "Get off," I growl, yanking him away from my pants and going on.  My leg is exposed thanks to that.  I would kick him, but... look... I've ALWAYS wanted a dog.  Like, since I was a kid.  I like dogs, okay?  Maybe after this place is crashed I can steal one of them and take it home.

What?  It'll calm down after losing teeth trying to bite me!

Well anyway, fence down, dogs down, now there's a few rough looking guys rushing out with guns and shouting at me.  I really should have got a bulletproof uniform or something, I think as a round of bullets hit my chest.  I liked this shirt,
and now it's turned into shreds.  There goes a completely decent outfit.  The shooters are still shooting, even though it's pretty obvious it's not doing anything except sparking against my skin and bouncing off.  (Although it does sting a bit, not going to lie.)

"Where's Tony?" I demand, grabbing the gun from one of them and crushing it into a ball before grabbing his shirt.  "Where is he?"

"In--inside," the man stammers.  "Who are you?"

"I'm his worst nightmare," I say.  Oh man, did I honestly say that?  I have GOT to work on my lines.  I toss him aside and head through the huge front doors, crashing them as I go.  "Hey TONY!" I bellow.

"WHAT?" Tony demands as he starts down the stairs.

"I've come to take over," I say, grinning evilly.

***

"Okay," Jeanie says.  "We're here.  Trent, honey, are you ready?"

"Almost," Trent says, checking his phone before sliding out of the back of the car.  "You shouldn't stick around, people might notice," he adds before disappearing.

"Why did he even bother riding with us?" Aubrey asks blankly.

"Oh, we don't want people to know that he knows where Jack is going, of course," Jeanie says.  "But he's right about getting away.  I think they plan on completely destroying the place."

"What?" Aubrey yelps.

"Well it's the easiest way!" Jeanie says as she drives down the street, heading for a nearby gas station.  "Your eyesight, how good is it?" she asks as she gets out and goes to pump the gas.

"It's good," Aubrey says.

"Can you see from here?"

"I can see the fence, but I can't see through it."

"Then we'll have to get higher," Jeanie says, looking around.  There's a small group of shops next to the gas station and she nods to it.  "Go over there and climb to the ceiling of one of those buildings.  You can, can't you?"

"Sure," Aubrey says, racing away.

"I'll be there in a minute, sweetie," Jeanie calls after her.  "Maybe," she adds, looking with irritation at the slow gas pump.

***

"You can't--" Tony gasps as I hold him in the air by his throat.  He wraps his hands around my wrist, but I can tell he's close to fainting.

"See, originally I was just going to rob a bank and pay you back for Derrick," I tell him conversationally, loosening my hold just slightly so he can get a little air.  "But then my brother got in the way, and he's a lot tougher than you are, so I had a great idea.  I'll just take care of the debt the old fashioned way."  I bring him closer, looking him straight in the eyes, "By taking care of the problem.  I mean, Derrick owes you, you threaten to kill him, I threaten to kill YOU and you forgive the debt!  Brilliant, right?"