Virals 02.5 - Shift: A Virals Adventure by Kathy Reichs

Author:Kathy Reichs [Reichs, Kathy]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 9781101630594
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Published: 2013-03-05T06:00:00+00:00

Running is not my thing.

Tory might exercise for fun, but not me. That’s what video games are for.

“Move it, Hi!” Ben hissed, then bolted after Shelton and Tory.

“Why?” I whisper-shouted. “We didn’t do anything! I’m comfortable giving up!” But the others were barreling for the hedge on the opposite side of Building One.

You’re flaring, you idiot! Haul ass!

“Not cool!” Fortunately, I can be quick when necessary.

Flaring, I could practically fly.

Head down, I booked past the front doors just as two figures emerged from inside. Kit. Hudson. Their heads turned as I zoomed by and out of sight.

My faster buddies were already hunkered behind the greenery.

“Keep going!” I didn’t slow, kept hauling full speed. “I think Hudson saw me!”

Shelton winced. “The last thing we need.”

Now in the lead, I sped past Shed Three, then zagged behind a row of dogwoods. The others piled in beside me.

“There’s no cover here,” Ben warned. “But the vehicle depot has a retaining wall. We can duck behind that.”

He and Tory sped forward in a blink. Wolf powers unleashed, they moved like smoke. Shelton followed on their heels. I watched the trail behind us. Somebody had to.

I heard sneakers on concrete. Knew they’d reached the hiding place.

“Moves like Jagger,” I whispered, then pounded after the others.

Behind me, my enhanced ears detected footfalls.

Frick!

Twenty yards. My objective lay dead ahead.

My shades flew as I vaulted the chest-high wall.

And landed on Ben.

“Ack.” He toppled backward with a thud. “Get off me, Double Stack!”

“Serves you right,” I panted. “Vengeance is mine.”

Ben’s knee connected with my gut.

“Ooof!” I rolled to my back, crawled for cover, and collapsed.

Ben crouched beside me, rubbing his face. “You almost broke my nose.”

“You punctured my lungs. And my spleen. And my ovaries.” Not true. But flaring, I could feel bruises forming in my midsection. “You’ll pay for these crimes, Blue.”

“Any time, chunk.” Ben slapped my back. Which hurt, too.

“Shh!” Shelton sat, back pressed to the wall, ear cocked toward Building One. Seconds ticked by. Finally, “No one’s coming.”

Then he rounded on Ben and Tory. “Why are we all runnin’ and hidin’ in the first place? Why not just snuff our flares? News flash: They already know we’re out here! And we haven’t done anything bad. Not yet, anyway.”

“I’m not ready to quit.” Tory pulled a twig from her hair. Her eyes were still hidden behind black Ray-Bans, but I recognized the stubborn set to her chin. “I want to finish our inspection, without interruption.”

Classic Tory.

“God, I respect you,” I deadpanned, flat on my back.

“Shut it, Hi. We’ll check this garage first, then the other buildings on this side of the courtyard, one by one, like before. Any objections?”

Hearing none, Tory popped to her feet.

I rolled to my side, fully intending to stand.

Didn’t happen. My lungs weren’t ready for duty just yet.

So I lay on the concrete, panting, plotting my revenge on Ben.

Vehicle Depot A resembles a small fire station. Three garage-like doors provide access to a single mechanic’s bay. To the right of the doors, a separate entrance leads to a few small offices, workrooms, and an employee break room.

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