14
You Will Be Waiting
“Is this how you say hello to everybody or am I just special?” Bronson said. He recognized Axle as the boy who’d taught him parkour his first month in Colta City. Those techniques, coupled with his flash forwards, allowed him to scale any building in the city.
“Wow, dude. I thought you was somebody else,” Axle said as he attempted to clean off Bronson’s shoes with his sleeve. “My bad. Been a second. How’s the back?”
“The back?” Bronson said.
“Yeah, dude. Last time we seen each other you said your back was all messed up.”
“Oh, yeah. No, it’s fine. All healed up,” Bronson said. “Interesting picture you’re working on. Big Dogboy fan?”
“I… uh… got a little problem. Been trying to get his attention. I heard he hangs out down here so I’ve been putting these all over the place.”
“Yeah. I’ve seen these around,” Bronson said. “What’s your problem? I’m no Dogboy but I’ll help if I can.”
“I’m looking for some friends, but don’t sweat it.” Axle picked up the red messenger bag he’d tossed on the ground. “Look, I’m gonna check the other spots I marked on this block and see if he’s written back. Thanks anyway… What’s your name again?”
“Bronson Black,” Bronson said, “and the offer is open if you want some help. I work at the magic shop down the street. Always happy to help… If you can’t find that dumb kid superhero from the news, that is.”
They exited the alley together, shook hands, then went their separate ways. Bronson walked for a minute then doubled back to collect his costume from the rooftop he’d left it on before climbing down to talk to Axle.
Well, at least I know who’s been drawing those Dogboy pictures everywhere, he thought. After I talk to Mr. Horum Dogboy should pay him a visit. He sounds like he needs a friend more than he needs a superhero.
When Bronson got back to the shop, the light on the ancient answering machine behind the front counter was flashing. He hit the PLAY button. The tape heads whirred to life, rewinding the cassette back to the start.
“I’m calling for the young boy who works for Predsha,” said Osbert’s voice over the machine. A shiver ran down Bronson’s spine. “He’ll be staying with us for awhile, so I’m sending my assistant Jonathan to collect some things. He said to tell you Jonathan is welcome to anything in the store, and if you could pack up all the clowning supplies you have on hand we would be grateful. If you’d like, Jonathan can even bring you back here to Curleyworld. We’re having our grand opening tomorrow. We’d love to meet Predsha’s boy— he speaks highly of you. Why, he even said you might be the only person who’d miss him. Anyway, Jonathan should arrive shortly.”
Bronson went to rewind the message when an orange flash hit— another flash forward. Hot John smashing through the front door. He’s beating on Bronson then throws him into the black carriage.
A knock on the door. Hot John’s outline in the window. Bronson grabbed his costume then scampered to the back.
“Open up, little boy,” Hot John said. “Your boss sent me. Open up… or else.”
Bronson threw open the trap door to his room, tossed his costume in, then tore down the ladder. He slammed the hatch behind him as the glass in the door shattered.
He sat down on his bed, listening to the loud footsteps and falling merchandise above him. As the stomping got closer to the trap door, he realized he hadn’t fastened the rusted bolt. He crept over to the ladder, reaching out for the long metal strip.
“A door? Wonder what they got down there,” Hot John said from above. As Bronson twisted the bolt in to lock the door it jerked up a few millimeters. Hot John huffed. The footsteps moved away.
Bronson went back to his bed, flinching with each smash, crash, and creak above his head. The door above slammed shut. The bell clanged on the ground. Bronson packed some clothes into his backpack then climbed up the ladder to survey the damage.
“What the heck are you doing here?” she said. “I told you to use the radio.”
“They got Jenn now too,” Axle said, handing Cindy a red messenger bag. “This is hers. I found it laying in the gutter over on Market Street. Her aunt ain’t seen her either.”
“Not Jennifer,” Cindy said, putting her hand on Axle’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’ll find them. Dogboy has—”
“You gonna call him in now, or do I gotta get snatched first?”
“He knows where the Guild is keeping them,” she said, “but we have to wait. He has a friend in there now checking things out.”
“How long have you had a lead on these guys?” Axle said. “Seems like pretty important info to keep to yourself.”
“Calm down,” Cindy said, holding the messenger bag out to Axle. “We just need to figure out what’s going on in there so we can make it out. We’re gonna find ‘em.”
“Where are they?” Axle said. He snatched the bag from Cindy’s hands. “Nuncio’s been with me forever, man. Since we was little kids. I ain’t gonna leave him flapping in the wind. You and your pet superhero take your time. Now spill. Where they at?”
“That old amusement park. Curleyworld. You should really wait for—”
“I ain’t waiting for nothing,” Axle said, tearing down the stairs to the sidewalk. “After I save them, first thing I’m doing is telling them you wanted to leave them there. Let’s see who they want running this thing then.”
“Dogboy and I have a plan. You’ve got to trust us,” Cindy said.
“Screw off, McNeil. You and Dogboy play it safe. I’ll save them myself if I have to tear through forty thieves to do it.”
Axle took off before she could respond. He headed towards the Broad Street subway station, hoping to catch the F100 train to the end of the line. From there, it was a ten-minute walk to Curleyworld.
The sounds of skittering and sloshing behind him. Before he could turn around a thick, dripping wet wool blanket slapped against his back. Two thieves twisted it around him then secured it with a rope.
“You chumps don’t know who you’re messing with,” Axle said. On instinct, his hands sparked, sending a charge through the water in the blanket. It didn’t feel great.
Hot John appeared, leaning down until his face was a few inches away from Axle’s. “I remember you, guy. Why do you think I had my buddies here getcha all wet first? Now if ya’ try to shock us, you’ll shock yourself instead. Pretty smart, huh?”
“Too smart for you, chrome dome,” Axle said then spit in Hot John’s face. Hot John laughed. He swiped Axle’s hat then used it to wipe off the fresh saliva.
“Yeah, Osbert came up with it,” Hot John said. “He’s real smart. You want to meet him?”
“Hell no,” Axle said.
“Too bad. He’s got big plans for you freaks. Hope you had fun zapping people because he’s gonna make sure you never do it again. He said maybe he’ll even give me your powers. That’ll be fun for both of us.”
Hot John turned to the two thieves. “Get this brat in the carriage,” he said.
“Right away, Hot John. We’re always–” said the tall one.
“—honored to help,” said the short one.
“You’re a big, dumb, bald, smelly liar,” Axle said, straining against the blanket as the thieves lifted him. “Ain’t no way you guys could take our powers.”
“Osbert says it’ll hurt ya’ real bad,” Hot John said. “Not as bad as what I’m gonna do though.”
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