Shadowsnow

Chapter 9: Building A Team

Teleporter kicked me and I went flying backward into the air. I caught myself and looked down at the bridge. She was gone. Well, that's one problem out of the way. I guess. She isn't wrong, though. Having a team would make things easier... I saw several barges floating toward the bridge and dozens of police cars gathering on both ends. I'd better work fast before these people start to think I'm with Teleporter. I immediately set to work reconnecting the suspension with my ice abilities, stabilizing the bridge until everyone could get off.

"Hey! Hey, you! You flying person!"

I hovered in the air and saw Captain Michaels, Carter's dad, looking up at me.  Oh, crap.  If he recognizes me, he'll arrest me and Carter will find out.  I have to get out of here.  I started flying in the direction of my house.

"Hey!  Stop!"

I ignored him as I snuck back into my house.  My dad was waiting for me, with Carter and Ronnie, in the living room.  I froze as I stared at all three of them.  My dad had his arms crossed, Carter had a smirk on his face and Ronnie had one eyebrow raised.

"Um...hi?"

"Allison Price, what happened to not using your abilities?" My dad asked, sternly.

"Umm..."  I walked into the living room and sat in the open chair.

"And when were you planning on telling us you have superpowers?" I looked at Carter sheepishly.

"Carter's right, Allie. You should've told us. We're your best friends. You know we'll keep your secret."

"There were people in danger, Dad. And...it isn't about you not telling anyone, Ronnie. I...was trying to keep you safe."

"Ha! With that outfit, you had to know someone was gonna recognize you, Allie." I looked at Carter.

"What?"

"Those leggings? I hemmed them for you when they were too long. And that shirt? I cut the sleeves down a little because it was your dad's shirt that he gave you. The sleeves were too long, too. Did you really think I wasn't gonna recognize those clothes?"

"Umm...I kind of...hoped you...wouldn't?" I replied, shrugging my shoulders as I smiled sheepishly.  Carter teasingly rolled his eyes.

"You need a better suit, Allie.  Something that doesn't look like a bunch of workout clothes thrown together."

"Hey!"

"Just saying, Allie, you need something cool and movable."

"No.  She doesn't."  I turned to look at my dad, furrowing my eyebrows.

"What?  Why?"

"It's too dangerous, Al."  I narrowed my eyes at my dad as Carter and Ronnie turned to face him, too.

"Dad, I'm seventeen. I'm almost an adult. I'm old enough to do this. And you raised me to be someone who protects other people like you do. You raised me to be a good person."

"It's not about you not being old enough to be a hero, Allie, or being a good person. It's about you being in danger."  I sighed, exasperated.

"From what, Dad?  You still haven't told me who might wanna use my powers for their purposes."  My dad narrowed his eyes at me.

"It doesn't matter, Allie.  The point is that you will be in danger if you show your powers to the world."  I stood up, shooting a look at my dad.

"Better to be in danger helping people than cowering in the corner," I answered darkly.  I sat back down and turned to Carter and Ronnie.  "I need you both on my team.  Please tell me you'll help me."  Carter grinned and Ronnie smiled, nodding.

"Of course we will, Allie.  You're our best friend."  Ronnie reached out a hand and gently touched my arm reassuringly.

"Our super-powered best friend.  And hell, yes!  I wanna help you live out your superhero fantasy."  I laughed as my dad stood up and started for the door.

"Thanks, guys.  You have no idea how much I appreciate this."  Ronnie grinned.

"Well...you are allowing us to put our skills to good use, after all.  How could we not help you?" Ronnie teased.  I glanced at my dad as he stopped at the doorway.

"I'm not going to stay for this...team meeting.  I won't be a part of watching you kill yourself, Allison Price.  I can't be held responsible for what happens to you if you don't listen to me.  If you're really going to do this, though, I just ask one thing.  Do not drag your best friends into this."  Before I could answer, my dad walked up to his bedroom.  I slumped down in my seat as his words sank in.

"Allie, don't listen to him. Listen to your thoughts." I glanced at Ronnie and nodded.

"You're right. I need to do this. No one else is gonna step up. It has to be me." I looked at both of my best friends and nodded. "Okay. Carter, you're on suit duty." Carter grinned even more.

"Say no more. I've already got a few ideas in mind. And I can borrow some fabric from my mom's clothing store. She said she gets enough business that a little bit of fabric going toward my skills won't hurt." I nodded again and turned to Ronnie.

"Ronnie, you're on tech duty."

"Got it. My mom's got some spare parts from her auto shop that I can use."

"So...now that we've got tech and suit duty...who's gonna be on medic duty?" Carter asked.

"Um...I don't know.  But...for right now, nobody.  I heal pretty quickly, so it shouldn't be a problem right now.  Let's cross that bridge when we come to it."

After Carter and Ronnie had left, I went up to my room and looked at myself in the mirror.  I definitely look like a mess and my "suit" is almost in shreds.  Carter was right.  I really do need a better suit.  I looked at the places where I'd had scrapes or bruises, like my hands.  My skin was smooth and clear as if I had never fallen in the first place.  This is definitely gonna be an adjustment.