Shadowsnow

Chapter 17: The Choice

A few days later, we were all in the Team Shadowsnow HQ, keeping an eye on the tracking program Ronnie had installed in the console. Suddenly, there was a loud beeping coming from the console. Before anyone could say anything, the beeping disappeared and my phone buzzed.  I pulled it out and checked the text.  My heart jumped into my throat when I read it.

"Allie, where are you?  You're late to our date at the Portside Tavern."

"Oh, God.  I need to go.  I completely forgot about my date with Xander tonight.  I'll see you guys tomorrow."  I glanced at Hannah and Ronnie, smiling.  "Good luck on your date, guys."  As I headed for the door, I looked at Carter.  "I can't wait to see your surprise."

"Hey, Allie?"  I skidded to a stop at the door and turned toward Carter.

"Yeah?"

He tapped the side of his face lightly.  My eyes widened as I remembered I was still wearing my suit.  I tapped the side of my mask and it turned back into a pair of sunglasses.  I zipped into a side room and changed back into my regular clothes.  When I came back out, Hannah and Ronnie were already gone.  I rushed out the door and headed back to my house to change. I grabbed my purse and dropped my suit and mask into a side pocket where they wouldn't be seen. Then I rushed over to the Portside Tavern. Xander was waiting for me at our table. I speed-walked over to him, an apologetic smile on my face.

"I am so sorry, Xander. I completely lost track of the time."  Xander smiled back and hugged me.

"No worries, Allie.  You're here now."  We both sat down as our waitress took our drink orders.  After we'd gotten our drinks, I noticed the table shaking a little bit.  Instantly, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

"Xander, we need to get out of here now."  Xander flashed me a confused look.

"What?  Why?  We just got here."  As the table started to shake even more, I realized we didn't have time to get away.

"Xander, get down now!" I yelled as I pulled him to the floor.  Right at that moment, the windows seemed to explode.  With a single thought, an ice shield covered both of us, protecting us from the shattering glass.

"I am Neural Frenzy!  Where is Allie Price??"

I turned my head and saw a woman wearing an all-black suit with pale blue stripes that wrapped around her.  She looked around as people cowered under their tables.  As soon as Neural Frenzy spotted me, she sneered.

"There you are."  She opened her mouth and screamed at me.  I covered Xander's ears, trying to spare him from the sonic scream.

"Ah!!!" I yelled.  When Neural Frenzy stopped screaming, I dropped to the floor beside Xander.  My shield was completely shattered around us.

"Allie...your ears..."  I looked up at Xander as Neural Frenzy stalked toward us.  I pressed a hand to my ear and pulled it away, seeing red on my palm.

"That's the least of what will happen if you get in our way again, Allie Price."  Before I could say anything else, she was gone.  I must've blacked out for a little bit because when I came to, I was next to Xander on a gurney.  He flashed me a relieved smile.

"Hey."

I nodded at him as I looked around.  There were dozens of firefighters, police officers and emergency medical technicians milling around the Portside Tavern, helping everyone they saw who needed medical attention.  Who was that?  Why did she know who I am?  I glanced at Xander.  Did I reveal my identity to him?  Does he know who I am?  And if he does know, what do I do then?  I can't put him in danger.  Not from this mystery boss person or anyone else.  As soon as I was cleared to go, Xander pulled me aside.

"Allie, we gotta talk about what happened in there."  I raised an eyebrow.

"What is there to talk about?  We were attacked by a powered person, just like Shadowsnow.  Like Teleporter.  Like Phlegethon." Xander gave me a skeptical look.

"It felt more personal, Allie. Someone was after you."

I bit my lip and looked down at the ground. If I can't keep my other friends out of this, at least I can keep him away from all of this. Maybe there'll be some way for me to...be with him again. But not now. Not while someone is after me. I looked up at Xander and narrowed my eyes.

"It was just an attack. Don't read too much into it." My heart hurt at the flash of pain that crossed Xander's face, but I knew I needed to keep him as far away from Shadowsnow as possible.

"What is going on, Allie? You were never like this before Shadowsnow appeared."

"I was never like this before my mother was murdered in a school shooting either. But here we are," I said darkly. Xander took a step back, shocked.

"Allie...I don't like this side of you."

I know, Xander. I don't like this side of me either. But I can't let you get hurt. I'd rather you hate me and stay away than you love me and stay close while there's danger. Those were the words I wanted to say to him. But I knew I couldn't. Not if I wanted him to be safe from whoever was the puppet master behind all of these powered people going after me.

"Well, if you're interested in a long-term relationship with me, then this is what you're gonna get." Xander's mouth dropped open and he stared at me.

"If...if that's true, Allie...then I don't think we should be together." I looked away from Xander, trying to hold back the tears threatening to fall.

"I agree. I'll see you around."

Before he could say anything, I turned and walked away. I headed back to my house, where my dad was still recovering, and trudged up to my room. The moment my door was closed, all the tears I'd been holding back slid down my cheeks.