Ex-Communication, Peter Clines [ebook reader online free txt] 📗

Todd, look, you’ve just got the wrong idea. All of you. It’s not that—

“Is there a problem?” a voice echoed through Four.

Zzzap sagged inside the rings of the electric chair. Oh, thank God.

Stealth walked out of the far corner of the room. The one with the deepest shadows, of course. She moved across the chamber with slow, even steps, and her boot heels clicked on the concrete floor. Her cloak caught the small currents from the electric chair and drifted behind her like trails of smoke.

Zzzap saw Todd’s temperature shoot up three degrees and his heart rate jump. He wasn’t sure if the boy was facing his childhood boogeyman or his first prepubescent fantasy. Todd probably didn’t know, either.

She stopped in front of the boy and crossed her arms. Even with her featureless mask, it was clear her gaze had fallen on him. “You are Todd Davidson,” she said. “Age ten and three months, son of Marcie, older brother of Claudia. Not doing well in English class.”

The boy’s heart rate revved again, just as he was getting it under control.

“You should not be here unescorted.”

There was a long pause before he squeaked, “My mom’s right outside.”

“Then why are you in here?”

The boy shivered. He hadn’t blinked since Stealth had crossed her arms. “I … I just wanted to ask a favor.”

“You are being unfair to Zzzap,” she said with a gesture at the wraith. “He wishes to help, but you are asking for something he cannot give you.”

“He helped the magician.”

“You refer to Maxwell Hale?”

Todd nodded twice.

Stealth’s head swung side to side within her hood. “You are mistaken. Zzzap did not help him. Maxwell made several preparations on his own which allowed him to survive. That is all.”

“But he was dead,” said the boy. “He was dead and he could talk to him.” He pointed an accusing finger at the gleaming figure.

“It might appear that way,” Stealth said, “but that is not what happened.”

“But everyone’s saying—”

“Everyone saying something does not make it true. You are old enough to know this.” The cloaked woman let the words echo in the room for a moment. “Zzzap did not and cannot bring anyone back from the dead.”

Todd sighed. His face slumped into the universal expression of a kid who’d been told something depressing that he’d suspected anyway. “Are you sure?”

“I am.”

Sorry.

The boy stared at Stealth’s boots. Zzzap could see him cooling off, and the hint of moisture at his eyes. “Okay.”

“The crowd outside is going to be leaving soon,” Stealth said. “It is not safe for people to block the entrance of an important building like this. You should return to your mother and explain this mistake to her.” She paused for a moment, then reached out to set one gloved hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Can I trust you to do this?”

Zzzap saw the boy’s temperature go up another two degrees. “Okay,” Todd said again. She lifted her hand away and he slogged across the room.

“And Todd,” she added.

He stopped at the door and looked back. “Yeah?”

“Return your sister’s doll.”

The boy’s heart rate jumped one last time. His eyes went wide, his nerve broke, and he ran out the door.

Well, Zzzap said, that sucked. Thanks for not being too mean to the kid.

“I am never deliberately cruel, Zzzap.” She tipped her head and her cloak slid off her shoulders to wrap around her. “I saw him enter on my monitors. His mother is an active member of the After Death movement, and has used her children to gain sympathy in the past. It was simple to deduce she had arranged for him to make such a request.” She gestured at the doorway. “I will arrange for a guard detail on this building so you are not disturbed again. By children or adults.”

I can deal with grown-ups. It’s kids that are rough. Zzzap pressed his imaginary hands against his imaginary head. I feel like I just kicked a bunch of puppies and kittens in front of him.

“It is better he realizes the truth before his false hope grows too powerful.”

But it’s going to keep happening. Even if they don’t get in, people are all going to be thinking this and expecting it. And it’s all my fault.

“Some of it is, yes,” said Stealth, “but not all of it. It is a natural psychological reaction for people to turn to religion in times of crisis. As this is a never-before-seen type of crisis, it is only natural it should produce a unique response.”

Outside a trio of guards had joined the crowd. Zzzap could see the radios sparkling on their waists and the dim magnetic pattern of their weapons. The guards waved people away from the building’s door and they grudgingly moved on. He saw Todd walk away alongside a thin woman.

You guys thought I was crazy, didn’t you?

“Yes.”

He waited for her to say more. Another few dozen megawatts of power washed off his form while he did. The electric chair popped and buzzed in the huge room.

Well, thanks for being honest.

“Of course.”

I’m not, you know. Crazy.

“That much is clear now. I apologize for questioning your mental state, as justified as those questions seemed at the time.”

I’d think with all the stuff we’ve seen and been through, you would’ve given me the benefit of the doubt.

“One would think,” she said, “with all we have been through, you would trust us with a matter of such obvious importance.”

A few more threads of energy crackled off his arms and legs to snap against the copper rings.

I’m sorry, said Zzzap. I wanted to help him, and I thought he’d be able to help us. And I didn’t think you guys would’ve believed me until I could prove it. Especially you.

“In that, you are correct,” she said.

Another few megawatts arced from his body to the electric chair.

So, said Zzzap, what do I call you now?

She looked at him. “I beg your pardon?”

Are you Stealth while you’re wearing the mask and Karen when it’s off? Y’know like Batman and Bruce Wayne? Or