Sunny Daze by R.J. Ross Read Free Book Online Page A

straight face.
    “He emptied their wallets.”
    “Who need a little spending cash,” Nico finishes.  “Can you tell me, why, exactly, they wound up that way?”
    “From what they say, he assaulted them and stole their cash!”
    “Have you asked the super teen what his side of the story is?” Nico asks.
    “He had the word ‘Sunshine’ written on his back,” Century drawls.  “He’s not just ‘the super teen.’”
    Max, Nico thinks dryly.  Sunny probably never even thought to look.  “And your point is?”
    “It’s really hard to NOT know who it was, Technico.  I’ve heard all about the kids in your school--Jimena is my niece, as far as we’re all concerned.  She checks in regularly.”
    “I’m going to have to have a chat with that girl,” Nico mutters.  “Look, it’s not what you think--I sent Panther off with my villains and Sunny to do a bit of specialized training.  More likely your norms tried to mug my kid--go ask him, if you want.  I’d like to hear that story, myself.  But they aren’t there to cause trouble.  They’re there for a super villain summer camp.”
    “All the way down here.”
    “Pan said it’d be best if they were away from everything they knew.  He thought it’d add to the challenge.”
    “And it has nothing to do with the Ginger Hanks issue,” Century drawls.
    “Would you send a super villain and four teenage boys to deal with that?” Nico asks.  “They’re just there for training--I thought Mastermental already went through the red tape for that.”
    He hears a few papers rattling and Century mutter a curse.  “That man,” he mutters.  “’Wilderness exploration for scouts and camp leader,’” he reads in a disgusted tone.  “How is that an adequate description for a super villain summer camp?  Now tell me who the other three boys are.”
    “Have they drawn attention to themselves?” Nico asks.
    “Not yet, but I doubt they’ve been here long.”  Nico hears him sigh and can practically imagine him rubbing his temple.  “I’ll go talk to them--but you’d better not be lying to me about this.  I don’t want any random acts of super villainy going on.”
    “Now I can’t promise they won’t be doing acts of villainy,” Nico says, “but it’s more likely they’ll be doing it against each other.  Panther is a big fan of competition.”
    “Fine,” Century says.  “You’d best be telling the truth, son.”
    “Have a good day Century,” Nico says, hanging up on him.  He dials up Pan.  Someone needs to warn him.
     

CHAPTER THREE
    “So I left them hanging,” I say over breakfast.  “So no more laughing over my getting mugged, got it?” I say, munching on my frosted honey bun.  What?  They might have had cereal in the convenience store, I just didn’t get past the junk food section, okay?  At least Panther took Cubby after looking at our breakfast--he’d only snorted at the thought of us eating it.
    “But still--it’s that baby face of yours,” Max says, grinning, “people think you’re an easy mark.”
    “Do you still have the acorn?” Ace asks curiously.  “And would it have killed you to get some coffee?”
    “I forgot,” I admit, downing my coke.  I would be asleep right now, but there’d been another little episode with freezing cold marbles.  Thus, we’re lounging around the fire-pit in our tree house as I tell them all about last night.  “But since Cubby’s with his dad, you’re welcome to go get it yourself.”
    “Sure, after breakfast,” Ace says, yawning hugely.  “So what’s going to happen during this camp, anyway?”
    “Super villain training, right?  Specialized classes on impressive entrances and exits--” Max starts out.
    “SUNNY!” Panther bellows from the ground.
    “You’re so busted, man, it’s not even funny,” Jack says with a grin that belies his words.
    “Um, yes?” I ask, going to the door and looking down.  “I have more honey buns if you want