Project Powers

Chapter Twelve

"Help!" A voice cried, and my eyes shot open. My limbs were stiff and I groggily sat up, rubbing my eyes. What the heck woke me up?

"Help me!" The same voice cried and I looked around wildly. Military officers were dragging Aaron and Avery out, Chip still passed out. Oh hell no!

I leapt forward, running full speed at the one holding Avery. His eyes widened in surprise as I tackled him, pummeling his face with my hands.

"Get outta here Avery!" I yelled, jumping to my feet. The two carrying Aaron were gone, leaving three still standing, guns pointed at me. I had to rescue Aaron. Without thinking, I charged the middle guy, crying out as bullets sprayed at me. I punched his shoulder, causing him to stumble back before kicking him in the balls. He fell to his knees as I kicked his head as hard as possible. He crumpled at my feet. I turned to the other two with a murderous expression. They had looks of shock as my wounds healed themselves, their faces turned to surprise as I took the middle soldiers gun and pulled the trigger, spewing bullets at the two. They both dropped like stones and an uneasy feeling of murder sunk into my gut.

"Woah..." Chip said, yawning. "That was amazing."

"It's not over yet, they have Aaron." I explained as I took off for the door. "Watch Avery for me."

I ducked through the hole, squinting in the sunlight. It seemed to be early morning, the city still asleep. Anger bubbled inside me as I watched the two soldiers run towards a helicopter, Aaron knocked out.

I charged towards them, anger raging with every heart beat as I ran. They threw open the helicopter doors and jumped in, slamming it shut just as I slammed against it. The blades started spinning as wind picked up, and I slammed my hands against the glass, staring into their cold eyes. They won't take him, not like they did to Sam. My fury spiked as I pounded harder and harder, the glass beginning to crack. The helicopter began raising off the ground, me with it. My feet rested against a foothold, my hand clinging to a bar above my head.

"LET HIM GO!" I yelled, hitting the window. We began raising higher, my only concern on Aaron. One of the soldiers aimed a AK-47 at me, shooting straight through the window. Pain engulfed my chest as the bullet got lodged inside me, causing me to fall backwards, plunging towards the ground along with my blood. I watched as the helicopter got smaller and smaller, before hitting the ground.

It was the worst pain I'd ever felt, feeling my spine snap and my heart stop. I closed my eyes, breathing hard as tears began slipping out. Breath in. Breath out. I took deep breaths, a shrill buzzing filling my ears. Calming myself down, I began feeling numb as my power went to work, healing the wounds in seconds flat. The bones in my spine began rearranging, connecting together. My heart started again, and slowly my hearing returned.

"Jace! Jace!" Avery cried, and I opened my eyes, grunting. Avery knelt next to me, concern written all over her face, "Jace?!"

I tried talking, but instead began coughing, flecks of blood coming with it. Relaxing a bit more I sat up, "I'm... Okay..." My voice was raspy, but Avery's face lit up, squeezing me tightly. I winced, but wrapped my arm around my only sister, glad to be comforted by my only family.

"Shit... Jace!" Chip called from the store, his eyes wide. "You... You fell from a helicopter!"

"Y-yep!" I said, and got to my feet with help from Avery. "The powers drained me, b-but I'm alive so that's a plus."

Avery laughed happily as she helped me walk up to Chip. His eyes were full of relief, sadness and regret as he also helped me in, and I sat down against a wall, breathing deeply.

"Your like invisible!" Avery cried, slugging me lightly.

However a regretful expression replaced my happy one, "They... They took him. They took Aaron."

The store went quiet as Chip squeezed his eyes shut, "Dammit." I was shocked, Chip hates swearing, clearly he was upset.

"First Sam... Now Aaron... I let everyone down." I muttered angrily.

"No!" Chip said, looking at me, his eyes reflecting the sunlight that slipped through cracks. "Don't ever say that. You are the bravest here. You saved me and Miles, you took care of your sister, you survived two helicopter crashes. Your flipping amazing... Unlike me... I don't even have a power..."

"Oi, if anyone here can wallow in self pity, it's me. Your not allowed to." I joked, smiling as I looked at him. "You'll develop your power soon enough, and your also an amazing helicopter pilot."

Chip smiled back, "Thanks Jace."

"I'm baaack!" A familiar voice called from the door. We all turned to see Miles standing there, a proud expression on his face. He wore jeans and a white colored shirt, along with dark blue sneakers. He held tons of grocery bags, along with a large backpack on his back. Miles came over and dumped it in the center of the room, "So what'd I miss?"

We all shared looks, deciding who would break the bad news. Miles looked around with a frown, "Where's Aaron?"

I took a breath, "He was taken by the military, most likely being taken back to the Lab... I'm so sorry."

Miles looked shocked, closing his eyes as his fists clenched tightly. He took a few shuddered breaths before turning on his heel and running back out. We all stared after him.

"I'm going after him." I said, getting up. Chip shook his head, "No, I think you should give him time to himself. Let's just get dressed in normal clothing and eat."

I then realized how hungry I was, a feeling that seemed to tear apart my stomach. I caved in, walking over to the bags. The first bag held sweatpants, a hoodie and a baseball cap. I picked it up and headed to a corner where I pulled on the sweats, then pulling off my hospital gown, tossing the bloody garment to the ground.

"I need a shirt!" I called to Chip, staring at my chest. Scars from where the bullets entered were spread out on my chest. Chip threw a black shirt over and I tried it on, finding it a little big. Shrugging, I pulled on my hoodie and put on my baseball cap. I turned to see Avery wearing jean shorts and a huge blue shirt. Chip had skinny jeans, a stripped red shirt and a white fedora.

"What's there to eat?" I asked, bending over a bag. I pulled out a box of crackers and a package of cheese. I lay out the crackers, carefully placing cheese on top of them.

We sat in a circle, quietly eating as we replayed the morning in our heads. I knew one thing; we had to rescue Aaron and possibly Taylor, then get to Chip's house safely. I have to make sure no one else dies because of me. I have to be stronger. I have to be a hero.

NOTES

Aaron is kidnapped, AGAIN! Can the group save him before it's too late? Where'd Miles go? Find out next chapter!
Stay cool and outta school,
Bailey Dawson :3