Chapter 11 Do Not Let Them See
It did not make sense. This Sarah person could be me if I did not do all I could to alter my appearance. Her last name is Griffen, was she related to my teacher? None of this made sense. I grabbed the book the picture fell out of and gave it a look over. The True History Of Supers. I have read lots of books about the accident that caused the mutants and heroes. It started off as a cure for cancer and how some of the side effects gave people their super powers. However, one person was not as lucky as the others. He was patient zero. He went rabid and began making mutants, from a simple bite or scratch. This book is different from the others. I was taught, I do not recognize the author's name at all. S.G Rabbit. I decided to grab it and take it with me. I was curious why I have never heard of this author or this version of what happened. Also, can not forget the picture of a woman 20 years ago that somehow looks just like me and the fact she has one of my teacher's last name. I hid the picture in the book so I would not lose it. I make my way back to the scary old woman. She eyes me up and down again as she scans my book. She huffs in what seems to be approval. I go to find my friends.
"No need, they will make their way back here to you shortly, just wait and watch." The Old woman pointed to some chairs by the door. The way she spoke, left you with no room to argue with her. So I did as I was told and sat down. After ten minutes I get up to try and find my friends again and the old woman eyes me. "No not yet, You have yet to notice the eyes that are on you. You must find them before they can find you. DO NOT LET THEM SEE YOU SEEING THEM" She pointed for me to sit again. I huffed in frustration. What was this crazy lady on? I looked around and saw nothing. No eyes on me.
Something driving by caught my attention, and I looked outside. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Just as I was about to turn back around, I noticed a black car with black out windows parked. Down the street a bit. In the middle of the phone shop and here. Something about it set me on edge. Then the old women’s words echoed in my head. “Do not let them see you seeing them” noted. I noticed that on the counter they have some random items. Would any of them be useful? Let’s see there’s chapstick, glue, thumbtacks, tape, bookmarks, hand sanitizer, gum and oh! Perfect a little compact mirror. I go up to the counter to grab the mirror and decide to grab some tape, glue, a couple of packs of thumb tacks, hand sanitizer and some bookmarks.
“Are you trying to buy one of everything on the counter?” Bartise teased behind me.
I laugh. “Not on purpose, I already bought my book and while I was sitting waiting for you. I noticed they had this stuff, I needed these items at home.” I smiled sweetly at him, he smiled back at me. Before our smile goes on for long someone else speaks.
“Oh good you guys are done too? I got a couple of books, what about you guys?” Cindy said behind us.
“I found one,” Bartise said, putting his on the counter, “and I’ll also grab these random items you need,” Bartise teased as he paid, “You did not need to do that.” I protested. “you can pay me back by giving me your number when you finally get a phone,” he gave me a wink and nudge as I grabbed the bag of random things he got me.
“You were going to get it anyway. But thanks,” I tell him.
We move out of the way for Cindy to pay for her pile of books. As soon as she is done, we walk out the door.
“Well that was an experience” Cindy said a little sarcastically, I laughed and said. “Yeah that’s one way to put it.”
”Well what now? “ Bartise asked.
“I could go for some food?” I replied as I began formulating what to do if that black car is what I think it was.
We walk back to Bartise’s truck. I purposely walk slower just enough that Cindy and Bartise walk a little ahead of me. We are discussing where to eat. Just before we get to his truck, I bounce in front of them, I make it look like I am talking to them, but I am really looking at the Black car. One female in the passenger seat, Young, but older than me. She has deep red hair braided into one ponytail that is draped over a shoulder. There is a man in the driver's seat. Older. With a black beard with a couple of white patches. That's all I can quickly glance at them without them suspecting anything. Yup, I am just a typical teenage girl out with her friends, bouncing around like a goofball. I turn around and head to the truck.
"Hold up." Bartise tells me before I touch the door handle. I go to look at him, but also quickly scan over to the black car. I can not tell if there is anyone else in the car, but I notice a small burn looking mark on the girl's face. Okay I have a couple good markers on them if I can find them out in public not watching us. They clearly are. Even with the split seconds, I glance over to them. I hope they have not made me.
"What is it?" I ask him innocently. I do not know if they have any sound equipment. I do not know if they can hear me. I have to keep my voice normal. Bartise and Cindy can not know we are being followed.
"Let me get the door for you." He says as he opens my door. Flustered
"Uh Thank you..." I say getting in to the middle seat again. Cindy giggles and climbs in next to me, she gives my knee a slight nudge, when I give her a look she gives me a look like she is going to tease me about this forever.
Bartise climbs in the driver seat, and causally puts his arm behind me,
"It is so cute when you get all flustered and red in the face. I very much enjoy it." He says with a smirk at me. My face grows hotter, and Cindy can barely contain her laughter.
I need to focus. I can not let Bartise and his shameless flirting and teasing get to me. We could be in danger. It is very possible. I want to keep my new friends safe, but I also do not want them to realize who I really am. At least not yet. I like just being me. I like not having my family shadow over me. I am my own person. Not just a Super family's kid. Especially a kid born to the top super heros. A kid with no actual powers. Just trained in stealth and lock picking. I was quick, I was basically a ghost when I needed to me. My parents used me to break into places undetected, to spy on places suspected of rebels, and bad guys. I was able to sneak in and relay very important information. Like how many, what possible powers some one could have. How many hostages and so on. It never felt right. Something always felt wrong. I do know why, maybe it was because the only time my parents interacted with me was when they needed something, or to punish me when I got a single detail wrong. My nanny was the only person who seemed to love me. It made me sad to think I would never see her again. I really hope she was okay.
"You Okay?" Cindy's voice brought me back to the present.
"Yeah. Sorry, Just lost in thought," I answered.
"Anything we can do to help?" Bartise asked in a way that made my stomach flip at the caring tone of his voice.
I laugh "No… Not really, It's something I do not like talking about." They both give me a look that makes me want to tell them everything. I imagine crying and Bartise scooping me up, soothing me, rubbing his strong hand along my back, I shake my head, tossing the image in my mind before it makes me do just that. Ugh I am so weak.
" You sure?" Cindy asks.
"Yeah." I weakly say while staring out the window. trying to keep the whirlwind of emotions away. I decided to give them a sliver of the truth. "I was just thinking about my parents and the one person who loved me."