Читать книгу Supernova - Caleb Purnell - Страница 7

Warren

I was positive that this creepy orange guy was calling me out for an execution. It’s likely that whatever he wants this morning, won’t be the best thing. I looked over at Leah and she looks about as terrified as I feel. But the worst thing was that Melanie and Jeremy left us so quickly when Zenox showed up, you’d think they were running a race. Melanie scurried away whistling, I mean literally, full blown whistling. It’s like, who walks away whistling leaving your friend with an intergalactic Orange Lantern?! Come on! Leah and I slowly got up and followed Zenox to his room of death.

“Warren and Leah, I’ve come this morning to tell you that you don’t have to worry about which motorcycle you will receive. It’ll be decided during random times, and how you respond to random situations.” Zenox explained.

So it’s a test. I hate tests. Looking at him, I asked “So, are you trying to tell us that if a knife comes flying toward our head at light speed- I’m just saying if- if we stop it, we’ll be worthy of the “captain” bike?”

“That’s sort of what I’m saying, but not exactly. I’m trying to say things like tests of bravery or tests of humility. Tests on personalities traits within yourself.”

“That…..makes…..perfect sense” said Leah, rolling her eyes and shaking her head.

Zenox grinned. “It’ll make sense soon. Perfect sense. All you have to do is step on the platform.”

Don’t do it, don’t do it! I stepped onto the platform. What am I thinking? Well, why not?

I can trust The Orange Lantern…

Who happens to have a crazy beard like an intergalactic mountain man…

Who is an alien who wants us to fight other aliens called Raggles?!?!

Yeah, I didn’t really think this through. As soon as Leah and I stepped on the platform, a blinding light shot up all around us. My eyes felt like they were burned, then pulled out and tossed into a bucket of cold soapy water. And then… it stopped. The next thing I know, it’s like I am floating in the air, in a really tangerine-colored room. Everything looks like a vision. You know, when the colors are a little off and things are slightly out of focus on the edges? I see my mom, looking at me with disgust in her eyes.

“How could you forget your homework AGAIN?!!” She demands.

“Umm… uhh…. there was a fight at lunch again!” I reply unconvincingly.

“And am I supposed to believe that that ruined your memory about your homework, Warren Locksworth Bandle III?!”

“Well, yeah! Wait a minute, where are we, Mom?”

“That’s not important right now. But what is important, is that I saw an F- on your report card! That’s right, an F MINUS. At first I thought it was just a smudge after the F, but no! They actually had to create a new grade just for your terrible performance.”

“But how??!!! Report cards don’t come out until next week!”

“Honey, honey, honey. You must pay attention to the details, like the online grade book we purchased on the first week of school.”

“But we never-” I stopped myself. Suddenly, I remembered what Zenox’s “warnings” were. ‘It’ll be decided during random times, and how you react to the situation.’ This must be one of the “tests” Zenox was talking about. Now this makes sense, my Mom said she “purchased” something. Mom is the cheapest person I’ve ever known.

"Mom, this isn’t real, is it?” I asked.

“What do you mean it’s not real? I AM YOUR MOTHER!!!”

“Yeah, nice try “mom”, but you can’t deny it, can you?”

“What?!! What are you talking about child? I can’t believe that you would-” Her voice was mumbled, and it slowly started to disappear into the distance. Gradually, my environment started to return to normal as well.

“Oh, so you’ve woken up from your little nap.” Zenox said. I felt like strangling him.

“What was that? How did you know what my mom even looks like?” I demanded. My experience with “Mom” had left me shaken, like I’m going to have to do this every day as a superhero? But then, a thought came to mind and I run up to Zenox.

“Where’s Leah? I’m warning you, if anything happens to her, I will personally-”

“She’s right behind you, now you can stop crowding me!” He said. I quickly looked around in all directions. I finally found her back on the platform, but a few things were different...

1. Her eyes were glowing. CREEPY!

2. Her voice was deep and echoed. CREEPY!!

3. She talked like a fortune teller in a trance. CREEPY!!!

4. SHE WAS FLOATING!! CREEPY!!!

What happened to my girlfriend… Wait, what? I rushed to her aid.

“I’m fine, Warren.” Leah’s voice boomed all over the room.

“No, you’re not. If you were, then you wouldn’t be floating, speaking with that creepy voice, and your eyes wouldn’t be glowing!” I yelled at her.

“Seriously? My eyes are glowing? Quick, somebody hand me a mirror! I want to-”

I cut her off saying, “Please. Stop talking, you’re freaking me out!”

“Hey, it’s not my fault I’m just so much better than you. I actually kind of like this.”

“Well excuse me, but I don’t” I shot back at her.

“I just think you’re jealous” Leah shot right back. Ouch. Got me there. Even with her super upgrade, her attitude was still the same. Or maybe it got upgraded too?

“Wha- I’m not. Come to think of it I’m pretty glad I’m not like that.” That might have been a tiny, little white lie.

“Warren, Leah, if you’re done with your little quarrel, then can I say something, please? Thank you. Now, while you were taking your tests, I received information from my fellow Seranas that the Raggles are trying to take over the star Sirius. So that will be your first mission. Tomorrow’s assignment is to save the clans on Sirius from the Raggles.” Zenox announced. It was quite obvious that Leah and I had different opinions for our quest.

Leah said: “Let’s do this thing!” (By this time Leah she was no longer creepy).

I said: “We’re all going to die!!!!!”

Zenox said, “Well I’m glad you’re thinking positive Leah. Warren, I think you’re being a bit too skeptical. You guys are going to be fine, don’t worry about it!” He started walking the other way, and looked like he was worn out. I wondered what he was doing when Leah and I took the simulation. I called to him.

“Wait a minute Zenox, who’s going to be the leader?”

He answered, “Oh right, I almost forgot. Leah gets the red bike, Warren gets the green bike. Now good night.”

I should have kept my mouth shut.