I Want Superpowers by Steven Bereznai

Author:Steven Bereznai [Bereznai, Steven]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780973292886
Publisher: Jambor
Published: 2016-11-25T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 20

I feel a foreign rush of euphoria and giddiness, as if a power washer has swept through me and cleared out all the junk from my mind. I dance—not the choreographed steps from the classes I failed, but random and wild movements, arms swinging and hips swaying to the paradoxically predictable yet ever-shifting beat.

Bradie reaches his good hand out to me, his scarred one safely behind his back. Our fingers entwine and I pull him toward me. He’s grinning like a goof. I had no idea it was possible to feel this way. So light. So free.

So what happens when tonight ends? the naysayer in me wonders.

I don’t care, is my honest answer.

“Look!” Bradie points.

A floating stage is slowly descending toward us. On it is a band and singers and dancers. The band starts to play wildly, on a slew of electronic instruments, and the dancers are among the best I’ve ever seen. The singer is tall and willowy, her voice like melting nougats and honey.

She sings a song we all know, of sacrifice and strength and solidarity, but with an added verse about the protectors standing tallest and shining brightest against the things that growl and shred in the night. Dozens of smaller floating podiums come down, each with a pole in the center, and athletic physiques costumed in copper undergarments and a protector’s helmet and nothing else are upon each dais, whirling and twirling around the poles in dizzying displays.

Loud cheers rise from all around. The dancers on the main stage are a frenzy of hips and dips, and I realize all the performers are protectors. All of them were once candidates for Manifestation. All of them went through years and years of study to learn these crafts—singing, ballet, gymnastics. None of them have special powers, and yet they are all amazing.

Does that mean I can be amazing too?

I squeeze Bradie’s hand and look to him for a kiss, but he doesn’t squeeze back. His gaze meets his brother’s, and Bradie points to himself, then at the main stage, hovering right before us, about 10 measures off the ground. Trenton laughs, and shakes his head. Bradie’s eyes widen into full moons and he nods vigorously. Trenton sighs and shrugs and hands his drink to Crystal. She rolls her eyes and steps back.

“Clear a hole!” she shouts, loud enough that the protectors nearby step back, their smirks full of curiosity. Bradie takes his hand from mine.

“Wish me luck!” he says as he pulls away.

“For what?” I ask.

“For this!”

He sprints toward his brother, who crouches down, hands cupped together. Bradie jumps his right foot into Trenton’s grip. Trenton’s legs and arms explode upwards and Bradie goes sailing up into the air. He’s like a missile, his body perfectly aligned, and, as if it’s the easiest thing in the world, he flips and lands right on the stage. He holds his arms out to the side and the crowd goes wild. I feel a surge of pride, and unbidden I

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