“Ok, then, Lukas, you stay here by the door, help the hostages, and if anyone gets hurt, then you zap ’em. Right, ok? On the count of three.”

All that ran through my mind was that I hate violence, this was stupid, we were going to die, damn Barbe is bossy, this is stupid…I should be out there helping.

At that thought, the nagging in the back of my head became clear. Barbe assigned two to herself and to Felix. They just weren’t going to get to the one in time, he was already starting to turn with his gun.

It came as a bit of a shock to me when I felt myself slam into him with a perfect flying tackle. “Hah…..that’s why I played linebacker too, bitch!”

My excitement quickly turned to terror as the big guy started trying to throw me off of him. One thing that quickly became apparent was that I didn’t know as much martial arts as I thought I did.

I panicked. I wasn’t sure if I was strong enough to win.

I hope the rest of the class was doing better.

I was about to give up and yell for help, when something smashed me across the back, and for an instant I recognized the pieces of an old wood chair shower over the both of us, but mainly I felt a massive amount of adrenaline flow through me.

Then scorching pain, my eyes were on fire, so I opened them wide as I screamed. I think I screamed.

Electricity slammed into the man, and he jerked spasmodically, and then the energy flowed back into me through my hands, and I passed out.

I woke pretty quickly, I think. So it seemed, with Felix pulling me to my feet. I guess the hostages were already out, everything was a bit foggy, rushed as everyone was saying to hurry.

As we rushed away, I think I heard Barbe scream Paragon Rangers, least it seemed like she screamed right next to my ear. I don’t really remember how we got back to the academy’s SUV, although I remember staggering along with Allison and Barbe.

 

---

 

As our new musical arts teacher drove us back to the Academy, the SUV thrummed with energy. The whole team seemed stoked, I felt like I was on fire. Burning up. That had been crazy, insane……and fun. I felt almost like I did four weeks ago when I threw the final touchdown pass for the Homecoming win. Almost.

“What? I didn’t hear what you said Zimbahbaleht?”

“Are you going to call that girl?”

“What girl?”

“The college girl from the concert.”

“Oh, I don’t…maybe I guess. You think I should?”

“Of course, she was into you. San Diego for a couple weeks, already hooking up with a college girl man, helped stopped a bank robbery…..your on a roll.”

“Well, I’d tap that, so if you don’t want to, give me her number,” said Felix.

“Well, maybe, I mean….sure, why not. Damn, its super hot in here, isn’t it?”

“Don’t worry about it, we are here. Just get out.”

“Gotcha, ok.”

As I climb out of the SUV, my legs feel like rubber. I feel dizzy, hot as we climb into the elevator to go up to the Academy floor. “Hey, does anybody know if we are supposed to keep this Academy stuff secret? I mean instead of just tramping around the Paragon Center?”

At least I think I said that out loud, nobody answers, so maybe I just thought it. This elevator is taking forever.

Finally, the damn thing dings, and I push my way out. I feel like I am panting for air.

Mick’s standing in the wide hallway. I don’t hear what he asks. I do hear Barbe say we stopped a bank robbery, excitement in her voice, and maybe a little bit of dread. I turn to Allison, standing next to me, and whisper, “I don’t feel very good.”

She turns and looks at me, “Holy shit! . . .Mick!” I hear her yell.

That was the last thing I heard, at least I think it was, before I fell into her, shuddering.