Aces Wild: Cape High Book Six by R.J. Ross Read Free Book Online

deciding, okay?  I take a step back, looking from Dad to Mom, then back again.  I can't think of anything to say, though, so I turn and run as fast as I possibly can, leaving all of this in the dust behind me.
    I have a sick feeling in my gut that says it won't stay there for long.
     
    ***
     
    "Did you see that?" Blackjack asks quietly, looking up at the ceiling of the large building.  "Those were definitely storm clouds."
    "Don't change the subject, mister!" Vivian snaps, poking him.  "Go after our son!"
    "No," a female says, stepping out of the shadows.  Everyone turns to look at the black girl standing there.  "I will."
    "Adanna?" Blackjack asks blankly.
    "She's cleared for this part of the building," one of the black suits explains.  "She's a Cape High student."
    "Yeah, I know, but when did she get in here?  Shouldn't you be in school?" he asks her.
    "I'm on a mission from Nico," she says.  "And your son is getting away," she adds before racing out the door after Ace.
     
    ***
     
    I still hate running.  It isn't because of the usual reasons people hate running, sure after a while I bet I'll be a little winded, and sure I might feel a bit sore.  I don't know about other super kids, I bet the tanks can just keep going and going, but me, I'm just the basics.  But I still hate running.  It's so... not cool. I pull to a stop way before I'm winded, not wanting to get that way.  Besides, I don't recognize the area I'm in.  There's cows.  I turn, staring blankly at the field beside me.  Yeah, those are obviously cows.
    Now, see, you're probably laughing at me right now, but I've never gone on a run before.  I knew I COULD run, sure, but I've never been on one.  Like I said, nothing about it appeals to me, and until today I hadn't ever planned on announcing that I'm a cape.  I wanted... actually I don't know what I wanted.  Maybe I wanted for Dad to realize on his own that I'm just like him.  That I'm a super.  Instead I always got the faint feeling he was disappointed whenever he looked at me--like I didn't live up to his grand expectations and he'd have to start over again.  Maybe, I'd thought, that's why he was so fine with the whole divorce thing.  This marriage had failed to give him what he wanted, or something.
    It's not my fault.  Sure it's not.
    I walk over to the fence, leaning against it and watching the cows for a long moment, trying to get my thoughts together.  Am I lost?  Probably.  I figure I'm still in either Missouri or Kansas.  It's flat, starting to turn green, and has lots of cows but not many buildings.  Even if I'm not in one of those two, I'm still pretty sure I'm in the Bible Belt.
    The sun is starting to go down.  It makes the world seem a little warmer as pink light covers the field, but it's a lie.  There's a sharp wind tugging at my hair.
    "Hey, Ace."
    The words make me jerk and look around blankly.  "Ace, you've got Trent's earbud, it's in a pocket or something, right?" the rough voice finally fits a face.  Jack.  That's Jack--oh.  I reach into my pocket, pulling out the earbud and slipping it in.
    "I'm here," I say quietly.
    "Good.  Look, we've got an hour before I'm set up to face off with pink girl.  You know how to get back?"
    "Oh.  Um..."  I look around.  "I've got no idea," I admit.
    "Freakin' speeders," Jack mutters.
    "What, you can't run fast?" I ask, seeing a weakness.
    "I'm still getting used to balancing, honestly.  You can take advantage of that tonight.  But either way, turn around.  See a dust trail or anything that shows where you ran?" he asks.
    "Uh... no," I admit.  "But I see Adanna," I add as I see the black girl sitting on the fence, watching me.  She hops off of it and looks at me before starting to run.
    "Good, follow her back."
    "Hey, why would you need to get used to balancing, anyway?" I ask, starting after Adanna.  I wonder if she's who I think she is.  Panther's daughter?  If she is, I bet she can hear Jack over my