The Maplethorn Initiative (Book 1, The Maplethorn Series)

Skinned Knees

Captain McGuire threatened to make Cam and Tober spend the next hour running laps around the yard, but the Saturday night lacrosse game between Long and Keel made that impossible. Instead, he marched them over to the weight room with the rest of the floor, promising a visit to Mr. Gates if they were late for PT again.

Cam kept a watchful eye on Tober, expecting to see him struggling with invisible dumbbells, but so far so good. The tingle between Cam's eyes was still there and still got stronger when something was directly in front of him—like now.

He was flat on his back about to do his first set of bench presses for the night. The tingle flared to life when he looked up at the bar but faded as he brought it down to his chest. Pushing upward with quivering arms, he focused his eyes on the bar, hoping his newfound ability would help his lifts.

"Maybe it does feel a little lighter?" Cam thought. He racked the weights with a loud clang and added ten pounds to each side. The sensation between his eyes returned as he slipped under the bar, and he was able to eke out three more reps.

"Good job!" Captain Carver shouted from across the room. "But my grandma can do twice that!"

•  •  •

Liam and Tober collapsed on their bunks as soon as they made it back to the dorm, while Cam grabbed his school-issued sweatshirt and zipped it over his PT uniform. He thought about throwing on the sweatpants too but decided the night was warm enough for shorts. "I'm going to go study," he said, slinging his backpack over one shoulder.

Tober sat up and stretched. "Wait a sec. I'll come with."

He was halfway to the dresser when Liam stopped him. "You're not going anywhere, Sunderland. You have latrine duty tonight."

The latrines were closed for half an hour every evening while a team of cadets polished every inch of tile, chrome, and porcelain. Everyone on the floor rotated through the list, and this week was Tober's turn.

"Liam," Tober said flatly. "That latrine is freakishly spotless. I don't think the other Reds poop or pee."

"Still has to be done."

"Ugh," Tober grunted. "Sometimes I wish I could just disappear."

Rolling his eyes, Cam headed for the door.

"Wait!" Tober called after him. "I can at least walk out with you." He turned to Liam. "If that's all right?"

Liam answered with a noncommittal grumble and flipped onto his stomach.

"Okay, where are you really going?" Tober whispered as the door closed behind him.

"I want to go practice my thing some more," Cam whispered back. "Plus, I need to write to Prita."

"Are you going to tell her what we can do?"

"Maybe?" Cam answered along with a shrug. "I don't know. I mean, I want to, but she'll think I'm demented."

"Should we tell Liam what's going on?" Tober asked.

"I don't know, Tobe." Cam stole a glance at the closed door as they walked away. "I hate to say it, but I don't completely trust him."

"Yeah." Tober narrowed his eyes and flattened his lips. "Like how he's all, 'You have latrine duty tonight!' Old Liam cared a lot less about toilets."

"Yeah, he did," Cam chuckled. "Don't forget your rubber gloves!"

•  •  •