Judge

Chapter 8

I look it over. The suit has sleek lines and is made of similar material to a wetsuit. Body armor is concentrated around the chest and back, with additional plating on the legs. The helmet is attached, gray and foreboding, with darkened desert goggles hiding the eyes of the wearer and a black scarf-like covering for the nose and mouth. Black Nikes help to complete the outfit, along with gloves that have steel plates covering the knuckles, back of the hand, and fingers. It looks easy to move in, with the armor providing protection. Maddie does have extraordinary strength. The armor shouldn't slow her down, and it provides a modicum of defense. It's extremely clever. It appears like she's been working for a while on this. I'm speechless. A suit like this can only mean...

"Ari, I want to help people. I think that we should do what's right, not just do what's right, not just what the government tells us we should. I don't want the evil monster that killed my mother to rule my life. I'm going to go out and use my gifts to help preserve other people's lives. Do what she would do. But I can't do that if he recognizes me." The function of the scarf becomes clear.

"So you made a mask..." I murmur, thoroughly intrigued. "But why would you keep this from me? It's not like I would have stopped you."

"Actually, I wasn't so sure. I don't have any defensive powers. I thought you'd stop me to keep me safe. I didn't want to risk it. Also, it was kind of an obsessive project. My mom... I wanted to do what she would have done. But meeting that guy shocked me. I tried to forget him. My dad is on a business trip for a week, so..."

"You had the party." I make up my mind then and there. "I...wow. I was really worried about you. I still am. So if you're going to do this, then-"

"You'll come with me?" She asks with a coy smile. She reaches back into the black garment bag and pulls out another, much larger outfit.

It's made of the same wetsuit-like material on the outside, but the similarities end there. The inside of the jumpsuit is lined with fleece (probably to protect from the cold at high altitude) and has a hood. There are circles around the wrists, made to fit the material-ridden braided bracelets I made. The rest of the suit is made to minimize air resistance, with slim snow gloves and black boots to top it all off. The suit is bereft of armor plating. A flight helmet is attached, completely closing off the head, and hiding the face in a mask of dark glass. I would look a bit like the aliens from Battleship with it on. As I look inside the helmet, I find an earpiece and microphone.

"This is crazy! How did you make all this?" I wonder aloud.

"Not gonna lie, it was hard. But when you have time and super speed, anything is possible. I also know your sizes - remember when we went shopping for homecoming - and I wanted to persuade you to do this with me. I figured it was just a matter of time." She smiles, clearly proud of her work. "So...Do you like it?"

"You weren't mad at me?" I'm still incredulous.

"Of course not!" My whole body relaxes. It's like a hot spike has been taken out of my head. I can think again.

"Honestly, Ari, I felt bad about it, but I had issues of my own to work out." I'm so relieved that I barely hear her speak. I give her a hug. After so long it feels good to be true to myself for a moment.

"Let's do it." I reply.

I end up leaving Maddie's house at about twelve.

I come home with no incidents. I take a shower, shedding my robe, and go to sleep for about two hours. I wake up to Peter poking a stick in my face. As he laughs and runs away, I notice Paul standing in the doorway. He has my phone.

"Ooh, Maddie texted you!" He chirps and smirks. Then both of them run away down the stairs. I dress maniacally fast and race to catch up. After several minutes of frantic searching around the house, I find them hiding under a table in the basement.

It takes a short episode of wrestling to get back my phone. I hasten to read the text.

"Come over and talk about patrolling tomorrow."

"OK will do. How are you feeling?"

"Fine. See Christine at the party?"

"Ugh. Yeah. She pushed me against a wall and actually kissed me. I hate her. I freaked out."

"Well, that's not what she said. She said that you two made out."

"Hate her! Why does she have to make everything so" I pause for a moment. "blown up!"

"Relax. People know her. If you tell them that it's wrong, then they'll believe you."

"I hope." I end up spending the next half-hour on my phone trying to refute the gossip. Telling all my friends, telling them to tell their friends, I'm pretty sure the word gets out. I've got to confront her about this at some point.

I have an idea. Just to relax. I tell my mom I'm going out, then walk down to the stream behind my house. I touch an old trunk and turn to the oak wood of the forest. Then I fly. I drift and let myself follow the stream, hovering horizontally. Just above the surface. I feel like Peter Pan, gliding as I let my thoughts dissipate. it's just so relaxing to come down to the old stream and watch the little minnows in the water. My thoughts turn to Maddie. She'd love this too. But hard as it may be, I let myself enjoy this alone.

Until I spot a man's figure watching me from the shadows.