Lucas Ryan Versus - Madison Daniel Page 0,17
touchscreen computer tablet. After a couple well-timed swipes he pulled up a page on the internet.
“I was watching the way she carried herself,” Roland began.
“I think every boy in school was watching the way she carried herself, Ro. She’s like a supermodel wrapped in a business suit,” Morgan interrupted.
“You’re right, Mo, but that’s not what I was talking about. She seemed to be brimming with confidence. Her posture alone screamed big brass military.”
“Military?” I asked, confused.
“Yes!” Roland roared. Some kids within shouting distance of us turned their disapproving attention toward us. Morgan cringed but Roland just used their judgement as fuel to his creative fire. He leaned in closer to me and slid the tablet in front of my face.
“But not just any government branch of soldiers, I’m talking about Black Ops…” he trailed off. Flashing along the screen of his tablet was three bold words…
BEWARE THE PHANTOMS
“Who the heck are the Phantoms?” I asked, regretting it as I did.
“The Phantoms are the elite of the Black Ops. The Black Ops of the Black Ops. No government will even entertain the idea that they exist. They’re complete and total shadows…they’re ghosts.” A weird smirk pulled along his lips. I let out a long breath and shrunk a little. Roland suddenly withdrew his tablet but before he did I stole a peek at an unusual reflection in its glass.
It was another spider-snake. It was just over my shoulder and looked as if it was lunging right for me. I whipped around to find nothing there. I grabbed at my shirt and hair, making sure it wasn’t anywhere on me. Nothing…again.
Morgan smacked her brother in the arm. “Oh, jeez! You’re not talking about those Phantom Ops again, are you? Ugh! You play too many video games.”
“That is true, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. You’re always naysaying my theories, Mo!” Roland pouted.
“That’s because they’re stupid!” she snapped.
“They are not!”
As their tempers flared I looked around us, scouting the grass in a feverish search. I knew I saw something. I wasn’t going crazy. The Saint twins continued their debate.
“What proof do you have that Ms. Strickland belongs to the elite of elite armed forces?” Morgan folded her arms across her chest, completely annoyed.
“First, there’s no records of a Scarlet Strickland anywhere, and I mean anywhere. No credit reports, no driver’s license, no address, no phone number. Second, her posture and strut are straight up military. I’m talking old school militia stuff, like Hitler and his cronies. Third, her style. No normal civilian dresses that way!”
Morgan interjected, “Oh, that’s right, no ordinary woman would wear an expensive power suit and designer shoes.”
“Shut up! I know what I’m talking about.”
“You do know how to do one thing perfectly…annoy me,” she nudged.
“Mo, just trust me.”
“Well, Bro, I think you’ve finally lost your mind.” Morgan let a polite laugh out and turned to me. “What do you think, Luc?”
Still in a fog of delusion I tried to focus again. “Huh? What?”
“Did you hear any of Roland’s stupid conclusions?” Morgan asked, worried.
“Yes, I mean, no.”
“Lucas?” Morgan leaned into me. “What’s wrong?”
“Did either one of you see…something?” my voice asked desperately.
“Like what?” she asked, softly.
“Umm…like a snake thingy…”
She jumped up almost knocking over her brother. “Snake! Where?”
“Luc, the only snakelike thing around here is embedded in your wrist,” Roland said, calmly. I glanced at my wrist and then, back to the green terrain below our feet.
“I guess…” I mumbled, scratching my head. This was crazy. What was gong on? I saw that creature as clear as day but now it was nowhere to be found. Maybe I was slowly losing my mind. Everyday I would fall deeper and deeper into loonyville. The price to pay for having this growing power inside of me. I inhaled a long deep breath and tried to focus on Taylor throwing a football in the distance. He chucked the ball to a group of teammates and they all fought to scoop it up into their arms. He noticed I was looking his way and gave me a polite nod. I smiled back but it was only a half smile.
Fully ignoring me now, Roland continued his insane thoughts. “You know, if I’m right about Ms. Strickland, we’ll have to be extra careful around here.”
“Careful of what?” I barely asked.
“Careful not to track too much attention our way, especially your way, Luc.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because, if she is what I think she is, she is here for one thing and one thing only. You, my friend.” Roland