Cape High Series by R.J. Ross

You're probably wondering why we're trying to be so quiet. Well there's a reason. A really BIG reason. He's standing over there--no--to your right--no, THROUGH the fence. Yes, on the other side of the big, nasty looking security fence that is literally shaking because of electric jolts. Yes, him. He's pretty scary looking, right? He's got to be six five, and he's got the face of a serial murderer. It's all sharp and needing shaved... moreYou're probably wondering why we're trying to be so quiet. Well there's a reason. A really BIG reason. He's standing over there--no--to your right--no, THROUGH the fence. Yes, on the other side of the big, nasty looking security fence that is literally shaking because of electric jolts. Yes, him. He's pretty scary looking, right? He's got to be six five, and he's got the face of a serial murderer. It's all sharp and needing shaved. And that whole skin tight prison body suit thing--it's really not fashionable at all, I admit. What? Why's he got a streak of white in his hair? Well, see, that's why we're here.He's a super villain.So why is an innocent little freshman like me and her annoying twin brother sneaking peeks at him through a prison fence? Well...He's our father. At least, that's what we think. less

"I'm a tank," I admit, shrugging my shoulders. "No super cool powers like gravity or anything, just good old fashioned power. Or at least I will be," I add. "Dad says I'm still pretty breakable.""Maybe for him," Max drawls. "You're probably the one they'll send after me when we're older, aren't you?""Really hard to crush a tank," I agree. Then I look at him, knowing that we both realize I'm the most vulnerable I'm going to be right now. He probably could beat me, and I think we both realize it... more"I'm a tank," I admit, shrugging my shoulders. "No super cool powers like gravity or anything, just good old fashioned power. Or at least I will be," I add. "Dad says I'm still pretty breakable.""Maybe for him," Max drawls. "You're probably the one they'll send after me when we're older, aren't you?""Really hard to crush a tank," I agree. Then I look at him, knowing that we both realize I'm the most vulnerable I'm going to be right now. He probably could beat me, and I think we both realize it."I wonder if they've thought of that already," Max says. "I'm surprised we don't have adults panicking over me knowing you.""Are you going to kill me?" I ask. less

"You're awake?" I find myself looking at the most dangerous looking mother--er, man--I've ever seen. I know that face. I know that voice even better. It's Technico, Zoe's dad. "Good. We need that bed. Get up, you should be able to, now." "Water," I rasp out. A woman in a black nurse's outfit moves forward, slipping a straw into my mouth. I take a drink, almost choke, and drink some more. It feels good being able to swallow easily. When she pulls away the straw I start to sit up... more"You're awake?" I find myself looking at the most dangerous looking mother--er, man--I've ever seen. I know that face. I know that voice even better. It's Technico, Zoe's dad. "Good. We need that bed. Get up, you should be able to, now." "Water," I rasp out. A woman in a black nurse's outfit moves forward, slipping a straw into my mouth. I take a drink, almost choke, and drink some more. It feels good being able to swallow easily. When she pulls away the straw I start to sit up. She looks panicked. "You shouldn't be--" "He's fine," Technico says. "He's in better shape than most. Aubrey's got skills I never thought I'd see in someone her age." I feel a little light headed, really, but I'm sitting up. I hold my hand up, staring at the thin metal lines that swirl over my flesh. "I thought I was fine," I say. less

"Yes, Dad, I slammed his fist in a locker for no reason," I drawl. "For crying out loud, I'm not stupid! I haven't done anything that might inconvenience you and Mom while you're ripping up the family. God forbid I actually step out of line--" "Ace, I swear--" Dad starts out, taking a step forward. Banshee's hand lands lightly on his shoulder. It looks like a gentle touch, but I see Dad strain against it for a second and realize he's not moving. "Ace, tell me the truth... more"Yes, Dad, I slammed his fist in a locker for no reason," I drawl. "For crying out loud, I'm not stupid! I haven't done anything that might inconvenience you and Mom while you're ripping up the family. God forbid I actually step out of line--" "Ace, I swear--" Dad starts out, taking a step forward. Banshee's hand lands lightly on his shoulder. It looks like a gentle touch, but I see Dad strain against it for a second and realize he's not moving. "Ace, tell me the truth. Your mother's going to show up sooner or later, I'm sure, and she's going to blame this on me, regardless," he grits out. "He broke his own hand," I mutter, crossing my arms over my chest, "punching me in the face." Dad stares at me blankly before turning on Matt. "You PUNCHED my son in the face?" he demands. "It--it's starting to change color," Matt almost whimpers, looking at the hand in question. "How can I play football with a broken hand?" less

"I have brought a super child," Tatiana announces. "I do not know where she comes from, but she is one of us. Until we can return her to her parents, I will be taking care of her." 　　　 "Wait, wait, wait," Blackjack says, getting up from where he was lounging on a couch. "You can't just bring in some random super! Kid or not, we need to know what she's after, right?" Yes, he's Blackjack, he looks exactly as he does in my time... more"I have brought a super child," Tatiana announces. "I do not know where she comes from, but she is one of us. Until we can return her to her parents, I will be taking care of her." 　　　 "Wait, wait, wait," Blackjack says, getting up from where he was lounging on a couch. "You can't just bring in some random super! Kid or not, we need to know what she's after, right?" Yes, he's Blackjack, he looks exactly as he does in my time. Heroes don't age like normal people, they just stay the same for who knows how long. Well, outwardly, at least. "Are you out to destroy all of civilization, kitten?" Tatia asks me in a bland tone. "Um, no?" I offer. "Good enough for me!" she says cheerfully. less

“We’re here.” The words jerk me awake--okay, I’m lying. It’s not so much the words as the ice cold marbles that are rolling down my shirt. Either way, I’m awake. I jump to my feet, doing a stupid dance to get the marbles out of my shirt. Max merely records me with his phone and I realize belatedly that Panther’s holding the marble bag. 　　　 “That was cold,” I complain as the last marble drops to the floor and rolls away. “Your father told me how hard it was to wake you up,” he says simply... more“We’re here.” The words jerk me awake--okay, I’m lying. It’s not so much the words as the ice cold marbles that are rolling down my shirt. Either way, I’m awake. I jump to my feet, doing a stupid dance to get the marbles out of my shirt. Max merely records me with his phone and I realize belatedly that Panther’s holding the marble bag. 　　　 “That was cold,” I complain as the last marble drops to the floor and rolls away. “Your father told me how hard it was to wake you up,” he says simply. “We don’t have time to coddle you this trip, so get used to it. Everyone up, we’re here.” 　　　 “It’s the middle of the night,” Jack says, looking out the window, “and we’re surrounded by trees. Shouldn’t we just pull down the bunks?” 　　　 “Who said you could use the bunks?” Pan asks. “You’re going to provide your own sleeping places. Now out,” he says, pointing to the door. To my surprise, he pulls Cubby out of his chair and hands him over to me. “Him, too,” he says. 　　　 “But--that’s--” 　　 “I hand him to the one that’s most capable in this setting, it’s not child abuse. It’s incentive--if my boy catches a cold, I’m going to be extremely irritated.” “Sir yes sir,” I offer stupidly. less

“Max, is there a reason you’re breaking into your dad’s information?” I hear Nico yell from the floor above us. “Yes!” 　　 “Okay.” 　 I stare blankly at him--I would stare at Nico, but he’s a floor above, so Max gets all of my stares right now. “You two are insane,” I say, when he doesn’t seem to notice. 　　 “Oh, I do this all the time at home,” Max says shamelessly. “So this is what I have--first off, whoever sent the email has to be one of the ones that know about the hidden HTV website... more“Max, is there a reason you’re breaking into your dad’s information?” I hear Nico yell from the floor above us. “Yes!” 　　 “Okay.” 　 I stare blankly at him--I would stare at Nico, but he’s a floor above, so Max gets all of my stares right now. “You two are insane,” I say, when he doesn’t seem to notice. 　　 “Oh, I do this all the time at home,” Max says shamelessly. “So this is what I have--first off, whoever sent the email has to be one of the ones that know about the hidden HTV website. I checked the IP against all the hero and villain IP’s in the area, it isn't one of them. She--or he, possibly--is going through a private network, which means it’s probably from her home. There’s a small chance it’s from someone with powers.” 　　 “Why do you think that?” I ask. 　　 “Because of the letter,” he says. “You still haven’t read it?” 　　 I skim the letter, my eyes tripping over and stalling on one line, “I need to meet her, I have to meet her. I feel so alone.” “If she wants to meet me so badly, why didn’t she give us a name?” I ask as I finish the letter. less