Battlefield by J. F. Jenkins Read Free Book Online Page B

greatly developed, there are still a few aspects of it you have not quite uncovered yet. It will make perfect sense in the future. For now, just accept it for what it is. The others you will be up against will be wearing the same sorts of masks, perhaps different in style but the same in function. Try your hardest to expose the other warriors,” Alan said.
    â€œI’m still not sure if I want to do this, but I’m willing to try since it seems like it’s the right thing to do, I think,” Orlando said. He glanced over at the others.
    JD grinned. “I always wanted to be Batman.”
    â€œRight now, that’s appropriate. So we save the world one day at a time?” Orlando said. He still wasn’t sure he understood it all, but he was trusting Alan to keep them informed. Hopefully, the more he knew, the more he’d start believing in the cause.
    Cadence nodded at him with a smile. “This is crazy. I don’t know why I’m even agreeing to do it, but saying no feels wrong.”
    â€œWe have a lot of cleaning and planning to do.”
    â€œNope, I’m not doing any cleaning or anything until we have costumes,” JD said.
    â€œIf you think I’m going to prance around in spandex and tights, then I’m going to have to punch you. I think costumes can wait. Do you have priorities?” Orlando said.
    JD rolled his eyes. “ Pfft , you don’t have to wear spandex or tights, but it’s super hero law to have a costume so no one recognizes you.”
    â€œBut that’s what—” Orlando exchanged a glance with Cadence. She shook her head at him. “Right. Don’t bother arguing. Fine, we’ll get costumes, but we’re picking out our own and we’re not coordinating because I know you’re going to do something ridiculous.” He’d go along with JD’s stupid ideas for the time being. Humoring the guy would at least get him to shut up.
    He motioned for the rest of them to follow him out of the room. “I have stuff in the attic to browse through if you want.”
    â€œYou are seriously no fun. What kind of stuff do you have anyway?” JD mumbled with an eye roll.
    Orlando replied with an innocent shrug and a coy smile. “My dress-up hobby. Actually, my parents have a lot of clothes. They don’t believe in throwing things out, so they packrat everything into the attic, claiming it has sentimental value or something.” He paused and looked JD’s cut frame over. “You’re about Dad’s size. I’m sure you’ll find something.”
    The four of them trekked through the dark, narrow hall leading back to the main house.
    â€œJust keep it casual until we get up there. Lyssa could be anywhere. She’s pretty cool most of the time, but when she hears something interesting, she sticks with it,” Orlando warned. He paused at a closet door in his dark and practically empty basement. “Do you want to go up the normal way or the fun way?”
    â€œIs it another secret?” JD asked with wide, glittering eyes. Orlando opened the door to show him a ladder. “So cool.”
    â€œHave at it. It goes all the way up to the top, but there are exits on each floor, too. So don’t get lost, all right? Just go all the way up and try not to kill yourself on it either.” He stressed the point.
    â€œIf you wish, I can follow behind him, and I will use my abilities to protect him,” Alan offered with about as bright of a smile as JD. They were a lot more excited by this than they should have been.
    â€œSure.” He shook his head as he watched the two disappear up the ladder.
    â€œCome on.” He motioned for Cadence to continue following him up the stairs. Silently they moved through the house; she was too busy staring at everything to muster up much conversation. Orlando preferred it this way. He walked with his head down and his hands in his front jeans pockets,