The Ables by Jeremy Scott Read Free Book Online Page B

mutation to know—the sequence is unreadable.”
    Henry piped up. “Then how do you know he has any powers at all?” It was a valid point but kind of a snotty way to make it.
    “Because the DNA of superhuman abilities is unmistakable, even when it is indefinable. Truth be known, we’re not really human, technically. There are enough differences in our DNA to make humans and custodians separate species altogether. Anyone of our lineage would have unmistakable genetic markers, even if their powers weren’t clear.” Mrs. Crouch’s voice was flat, almost dismissive, as though her knowledge of the facts trumped Henry’s. “Perhaps one day Mr. Brooks will show us what his powers are. Possibly we … and he … may never know. But that is no reason to prohibit him from seeking an education, and an education he shall have. At least on my watch. So welcome, Mr. Brooks.”
    The class gave their own half-hearted welcomes to Donnie, which mostly consisted of murmuring and a few grunts.
    James Gregory was a teleporter. He sat in the front position of the third and final row of desks, which were on my right. James was energetic, almost fidgety, and he was the little businessman of the class. In fact, halfway through his self-introduction, he pointed out that we should see him after school if we had any interest in purchasing rides via his teleportation skills. He claimed he could take you anywhere in Freepoint. He even had business cards, which he handed out as he spoke. James was also blind, like me; James had lost his sight in an accident at his father’s lab as a young boy. This made it tough, but not impossible, for him to visualize the various locations he wanted to move. He said he was a lot better at it than any adult ever gave him credit for.
    As Mom had explained it to me, a teleporter needed some familiarity with the location they were attempting to travel to—not dissimilar from the way that I needed some familiarity with an object before I could move it with my brain. For instance, if a teleporter had been to a particular location before, it would be a snap to zap there again. But even when teleporting to a place they’d never been, most could spend a few moments with a picture or even a detailed description of the location and still successfully transport there. Some could even use latitude and longitude coordinates alone—without a physical description—Mom was apparently like this. But without the ability to see places or memories of places, James’ powers were diminished, even if his entrepreneurial spirit was not. I reasoned that he would struggle to make the most of his power just as I would, which made me want to be his friend.
    Behind James, directly to my right, was Fred Wheeler. “Some people call me ‘Freak-Out Freddie,’” he said, not nearly as excitedly as a name like that might suggest. Fred had a power I hadn’t yet heard of: gigantism. He could grow to a size nearly three stories tall, also gaining the speed and strength you would expect of someone that large.
    The problem for Freak-Out Freddie was his chronic asthma. It was pretty severe, and even a good brisk walk could leave him gasping for air. So as soon as he turned on his power and grew in height and strength to the size of a giant, he was so out of breath he couldn’t move. Turning on his power made it useless.
    He was like a human puffer fish: his size was all bark and no bite. Just another unlucky soul in a town full of people who’d hit the genetic lottery. Freddie had a pleasant quality to his voice and seemed quite likable. He spoke in even, measured sentences—like someone who’d learned long ago to take his time with most things in life.
    Last but not least was Bentley Crittendon. Bentley had the name of a rich kid, which probably had something to do with the fact that his family was rich. Bentley was the son of one of the members of the board—Jurrious Crittendon—one of the oldest and longest-serving members of the