Shadowsnow

Chapter 14: Changing Sides

Even after Ronnie's tech equipment was set up, there was still no sign of my dad.

"It's like whoever has him is more technologically advanced than we are.  Like they somehow have an in to what we're doing.  How would they know???" I asked as I paced the length of the main room of our Team Shadowsnow headquarters.

"Allie, you've gotta breathe.  We'll find him," Hannah answered calmly.  She flashed a light smile at Ronnie as she crossed her arms.  "Ronnie's tech is the most cutting-edge stuff we could have."

"I wish I could breathe, but my dad's been missing for weeks and the rest of the police force can't find him either!"  Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a message.  I pulled out my phone to see a text from my dad, but it wasn't actually him.

"Meet me at the Mount Hope Bridge in a couple of hours if you want him to live.  Alone.  No cops, no private security, no Team Shadowsnow.  Just you, Shadowsnow."  I gritted my teeth and angrily stuffed my phone back into my pocket.

"Allie, what is it?" Carter asked, concerned.

"Whoever has my dad wants to meet.  At the Mount Hope Bridge.  In a couple of hours."  Hannah, Dr. Abbasi, Carter, and Ronnie flashed each other a look.

"Uh...Allie, what if it's a trap?"  I looked at Ronnie.

"I'm sure it is.  But...what if they really mean my dad will be there?  I can't just let him get hurt because I stayed home to avoid springing the trap.  He's my dad, Ronnie.  He's all I have left."

I took off out the huge window and flew toward the Mount Hope Bridge.  As soon as I got there, I saw Teleporter standing with the man who'd been on fire at the precinct.  My dad was standing nearby, with his hands cuffed together. At both ends of the bridge, there were walls of fire, keeping police officers from coming any closer. I flew down to the bridge and landed in front of Teleporter and the guy on fire. He snorted at me as he saw me.

"Looks like the water chick is here to save her daddy," he mocked.

"I didn't catch your name before. What is it? Flame-boy?" The guy growled and balled his hands into fists.

"No, it's Phlegethon. Like the—"

"River in the Underworld in Greek mythology. I know it. Too bad your name sounds like someone coughing." Phlegethon snarled and started to take a step toward me. Teleporter, who'd been silent until this point, put a hand out to stop him. She instantly pulled her hand back, wincing.

"Don't let her bait you," she said.

"Hmph. You have two choices, Shadowsnow. Save your daddy or save the people."

Phlegethon raised a hand and gestured to the rope hanging from the top of the bridge. I ran over and looked over the side. A car was swinging in the air with the front bumper facing toward the water. I turned to Teleporter, hoping she'd listen.

"Teleporter! Let them go! You don't have to do this! Whoever your sister is, I can keep her safe!" Phlegethon sneered at me.

"She's not gonna help you. She's on our side. Besides, I think it'll be more fun to make you choose who you love more.  The people...or your loved one. And if you don't choose, you'll lose them all."  My eyes widened as a ball of flames appeared in Phlegethon's palm.  Before I could move, the ball hit me in the chest, sending me flying backward.

"Oof!" I sat up just in time to see Phlegethon throw another ball of flames at the car, lighting it on fire. At the same time, a circle of flames appeared around my dad. "No!"

"Don't worry about me! Save the people in the car!" My dad yelled over the crackling flames.

I reached a hand out toward the car and my dad. Suddenly, I felt an awful burning sensation and dropped to my knees. There were flames surrounding me and drying out the air around me.

"Ah!"

I dropped to the ground as the burning feeling got worse.  I panted, trying to draw on any power that I could to extinguish the fire around me. I tilted my head toward Teleporter and Phlegethon.

"The game hasn't started yet, you little brat."  I turned toward Teleporter, a pleading look on my face.

"Y...you don...don't have to d...do this..." I groaned. "Pl...please..." Something changed in Teleporter's eyes as Phlegethon smirked, seeing me in pain. Suddenly, I blinked and Teleporter was gone.

"You coward! He's gonna kill your sister if you don't do this! Face this little girl with me!" Phlegethon yelled angrily.

Before Phlegethon could turn around, he went flying backward, slamming into one of the bridge's support beams, denting it. His concentration was taken off me and the flames engulfing me disappeared. I gasped and fell against the ground, shivering from the instant feeling of cold.

"Shadowsnow is right. Together, we can stop him and protect my sister." Teleporter offered me her hand and pulled me to my feet. "Go get your dad, I'll get the people in the car." I smiled tiredly and ran over to my dad as Teleporter ran over to the car. Before I made it, Phlegethon landed in front of me, snarling.

"You'll both regret crossing him! There'll be hell to pay! And not just from him!"

"Shut the hell up, Phlegethon."

My chest tightened as I glared at Phlegethon. I waved my hand, sending a huge wave of ice his way. Before he could move, he went flying across the bridge and slammed his head into the ground. I ran over to my dad and started extinguishing the flames. Once they were completely out, I dropped to my dad's side and snapped the handcuffs off his wrists.

"Are you okay?" My dad coughed and slumped over into my arms. "Dad!" I heard multiple sets of footsteps and turned my head to see paramedics rushing over. "Help! He needs help!" Someone knelt beside me and flashed me a smile. I recognized him as the paramedic from before. Greg Vega.

"Don't worry, we've got this, Shadowsnow. I think your partner needs someone to talk to."

I glanced at Teleporter standing awkwardly at the side of the bridge. She'd pulled the car back onto the bridge and helped the people get out. Once my dad was settled on the gurney, I headed over to her.

"So, we're a team now, huh?" She chuckled lightly and nodded.

"Yeah, I guess so. I'll point out, though, If we're gonna make it fair, I think I should tell you who I am. Just...don't tell my sister. Not yet. I don't want her to know how bad our dad is. Not yet. I want her to be able to keep her happy memories of him."

She pulled off her ski mask, revealing her face.  Then, I took a step back, eyes wide as I saw Teleporter's face.  It can't be her!