Chapter 36

             Neeko watches Zoey puts away the various cat toys and accessories. Based on the wide eyes and sideways ears, Neeko is very concerned about what’s happening to her things.

            The Mizaki family only has today to pack before Reciprocity Inc. sends their movers on Tuesday. Needless to say, it’s all having to happen at a slightly less than panicked pace.

            “I’m sorry, Neeko,” Zoey says. “We’ve got to put these away for now. They’ll be back when we’re moved into the new house.”

            Despite Zoey saying that, Neeko still paws at the cat tree’s box in a last attempt to play with the scratch-friendly carpeting.

            Zoey moves to the things on her bookcase. She carefully packs her manga and manages to get them all in one box. Her video games, console and related things go in another box. There is also any number of random trinkets and collectibles Zoey has sitting on those shelves. The collectibles obviously go back in their boxes, but the trinkets don’t have anything, so Zoey carefully packs them inside a spare box. She’s especially careful with

            Zoey carefully packs her cosplay collection in her luggage, being extra careful with her Japanese school uniforms, her magical girl dresses, and her recreation of her favorite Supreme Fighting King character, Haruka. Zoey’s yet to wear the outfit around her parents because of the tiny T-shirt that goes on under the zip-up jumpsuit. Next come her various catgirl accessories. It seems silly to keep them, now that she can have real cat ears and a real tail. But she still packs them, for sentimental reasons. Last but not least, she puts her sequin mask and superhero costume pieces in.

            Moving on from her costumes, Zoey takes care of her normal wardrobe. She packs her spring and summer clothes first, then her autumn and winter. Of course, she makes sure to leave herself clothes for tomorrow, the day they move. Zoey makes sure to pack the pajamas she’ll wear tomorrow night in her smaller luggage so she can keep it with her.

            The last thing Zoey worries about packing is that black dress. After Rachel Borawski’s Christmas party, it feels cursed. Getting it from a disgusting sleaze like Tiger and then it being the dress she wore the night she broke up with Shaun, it sure looks that way. Zoey knows better than to blame a dress for something like that, but looking at the dress does bring up those memories. But the one memory of The Spektrum attached to it is what puts a pain in her heart when she thinks of throwing the dress away. For now, she leaves it hanging on the door.

            A little while later, Zoey’s friends visit for lunch to keep up a tradition of theirs. They all show off a little of what they got for Christmas, which means Zoey greets them wearing her new red sunglasses and choker like in the selfie she sent.

            “Looking good!” Marina says as they all enter Zoey’s living room.

            “Thank you, thank you,” Zoey smiles as she also models the thigh high socks her aunt bought her.

            “Oh, those are cute,” Chloe says as she looks at the thick pink-and-black stripes.

            “Almost as cute as these new boots Papa got me,” Karina says as she takes them off.

            “Oh~, so pretty,” Zoey says as she sees the sparkle in the clasps.

            “And she’s finally over five-one when she wears them,” Alicia teases.

            Karina pouts while her friends giggle.

            “I like the sweater,” Zoey says to Alicia.

            “It’s from Grandmother Zhang,” she explains as she shows off the purple turtleneck. “It’s really warm.”

            “Oh, I got these really nice pajamas that keep me super warm,” Marina says. “Obviously couldn’t bring those, though.”

            The friends all share a laugh as they move to the living room.

            “I’m really going to miss spending time with you guys,” Zoey sighs while they sit on the couches.

            “So are we,” Chloe says as she rests her head on Zoey’s shoulder.

            “It’s not like we can’t ever hang out after this,” Alicia says. “There are the weekends.”

            “Well, maybe,” Zoey says. “But the Spring Semester is going to be really tough, right? Alicia’s got college to get ready for, like Cousin Seth.”

            “You’ll still go to church, though, right?” Karina asks. “Our church, that is.”

            “Yeah,” Zoey says. “San Leandro’s not that far, so it’ll just mean getting up a little earlier to make it on time.”

            “And obviously there’s our phones and the internet, right?” Marina says as she holds hers up. “We can all still text or call during the week.”

            “Thank goodness for modern technology,” Zoey says, getting a chuckle out of the group.

            “But it still won’t really be the same,” Chloe says as she sits up. “Zoey won’t be there at school with us, having lunch like we always do.”

            “I know, and you guys won’t be there with me at my new school,” Zoey says. “But I’m trying to look on the positive side. I will make friends in San Leandro, and maybe we can all spend time together for Spring Break and Easter time.”

            “That’s a very good idea,” Chloe smiles along with Zoey.

            “Maybe you’ll learn something about The Spektrum, too,” Marina says.

            “Mari!” Karina says scoldingly.

            “What?” Marina says. “It’s true, though. His friends are at that school, right? I’m not saying you go asking around on the first day, but maybe you pick up on some stories or something.”

            “Yeah,” Zoey says, feeling encouraged. “That’s a positive thing, too.”

            “I just hope you don’t have to fight his enemies,” Chloe says, leaning on Zoey again.

            “I think Zoey’ll be fine,” Alicia says. “She can show Zorb and his guys some Catgirl girl power.”

            “Yeah!” Zoey adds as the group shares a laugh and some high-fives.

 

            The next day starts bright and early for the Mizaki Family. Zoey takes one last shower and eats one last meal in the house she’s grown up in. She does one last check of her room before packing away the bedding and pillows. And though Neeko really gives her a struggle, she gets her cat in the pet carrier and out of the house.

            “It’s okay, Neeko,” Zoey tries to assure the cat as she meowls and rowls and all those other heart-wrenching noises. “It’s just for a little bit, okay?”

            One good thing about Zoey’s cousins and their parents moving here already is that they’re helping with the move. The Reciprocity’s movers will only take care of furniture while the family uses her mom’s car, her dad’s car, and the Takagakis’ SUV for personal belongings. Zoey decides to ride with her mom, so she stores Neeko in the back seat.

            “Thanks, guys,” she says to her cousins as they put the luggage in the trunks.

            “Well you helped us move in, so we might as well return the favor,” Seth says.

            “Just don’t ask us to arrange your room,” Jeff says. “I’m not dealing with your vanity mirror and all of Neeko’s things.”

            Neeko’s noises can still be heard through the closed car door.

            “She is not going to be happy when you finally let her out,” Seth says.

            “I know,” Zoey sighs.

            Reciprocity Incorporate’s special moving crew finishes bringing everything from inside the house outside and into the trucks. The couches, the entertainment center, the things that go on the entertainment center, the mattresses and bedframes, the dining room set, the lamps and coffee table, all of it is cleanly, carefully and quickly packed into two trucks without incident. It’s very impressive, really.

            “Follow us to the address,” the very tall man with tattoos and mullet tells them.

            “Right, of course,” Mr. Mizaki says. “And thank you, Mr… Um, wait, I don’t think we ever got your name.”

            “Mountain,” the man says.

            “Mountain,” Mr. Mizaki repeats. “Is that your first name or last name?”

            “It’s just ‘Mountain’.”

            “Well, alright then. Lead on, Mountain.”

            Mountain nods and hops into the lead moving truck. The Mizakis and the Takagakis hurry to their vehicles, and the entire convoy takes off right then and there.

 

            About half an hour later, they arrive in San Leandro and drive down Maud Avenue. Zoey looks at all the houses that go by, wondering which one she’ll be living in. Of course, they’re two cars behind with the moving trucks leading the way, so anything Zoey gets to see is obviously not the house. Which is a shame, they passed by a house that looked almost exactly like what you’d picture when thinking of a doll house and Zoey thought it was really cute.

            The trucks continue down Maud Avenue, and finally stop in front of a beautiful home with a wrap-around driveway, two stories and obviously lots of space.

            “Wow…!” Zoey says in awe. “This move might not be so bad after all.”

            “Um, I don’t think that’s the home they got for us,” her mom says.

            “Why not?” Zoey says, looking forward.

            Her question is answered as the moving trucks make a U-turn and park in front of the house directly across from this literal dream home.

            The house the Reciprocity movers park in front of is also two stories with a huge staircase leading up to the front door. However, it’s rather… narrow.

            “Is there even room in there for all of us?” Zoey asks as her family and the Takagakis also U-turn.

            The Mizakis and Takagakis pull into the driveway, which has room for parking two wide. Zoey’s mom makes sure to pull in behind Zoey’s dad, allowing the Takagakis to pull up along side them and not be trapped.

            Mountain is first out of the trucks and he goes right up the stairs. This confirms that this smaller house is going to be the Mizaki home from now on. Mountain unlocks the door while Zoey and her parents go up the stairs.

            Mountain opens the door and lets the Mizaki family enter. The living room is a nice size, and the kitchen is only slightly walled off back and to the left. There is a back door, and Zoey can see a balcony through the door’s Plexiglas.

            “As you can see, there are stairs leading down,” Mountain points out as he points to the right. “The bedrooms and bathroom are beneath us. The balcony has stairs down to the backyard. You can go around the side to where the trash and recycling are kept.”

            “Thank you, Mr. Mountain,” Mr. Mizaki says.

            Mountain simply nods, exits, and starts his workers on moving in furniture.

            “Honey,” Mr. Mizaki says to Mrs. Mizaki. “You, Megan and Zoey should check downstairs before the beds come in. We boys will help with the living room and kitchen.”

            “Alright,” she says. “Once we figure out the bedrooms, Zoey, you can get Neeko situated.”

            “Right,” Zoey says.

            Zoey follows her mom and aunt downstairs, Zoey carefully carrying Neeko’s carrier. The first room is the bathroom, which is good placing. Anyone upstairs who has to go won’t have to go far.

            The bedrooms are next, with the master bedroom slightly before the secondary bedroom.

            “So I have to pass by your door to get upstairs, and again when I come back downstairs,” Zoey says.

            “You make that out to be a bad thing,” her mom says.

            “Isn’t it?” Zoey counters. “Would you want to always pass by your parents’ room?”

            “We had to,” both her mom and aunt say.

            “That’s just how our house was designed, and that’s how this house is designed,” Zoey’s mom says. “You’ll just have to get used to it.”

            Zoey grumbles as she puts Neeko’s carrier inside the room.

            “Just wait here, Neeko,” Zoey says. “It’ll be okay, I’ll be right back.”

            Neeko lets out another sad meow as Zoey heads back to the hall. Zoey follows her mom and aunt back upstairs. Her cousins and uncle work on positioning the entertainment center while the Reciprocity movers keep bringing things in.

            “Bring the beds this way,” Zoey’s mom says to the movers.

            “Boys,” Aunt Takagaki asks Seth and Jeff. “Where’s your uncle?”

            “He’s checking out the backyard,” Seth says. “There’s a balcony and stairway that lead down.”

            “Oh, we’ll have to check that out in a little bit, too,” Zoey’s mom says. “Zoey, let’s help the movers with the beds.”

            Zoey nods and heads back down.

            Zoey and her mom guide the movers to put the pieces of bed frame in the right rooms.

            “Careful,” Zoey says as she goes in ahead of the movers. “My cat’s in here.”

            Neeko makes more worried and concerned sounds but Zoey whispers that it’s okay. Zoey stays by Neeko’s carrier while the movers put the frame pieces down in the corner by the closet.

            “Yes, that’s good, thank you,” she says. “I’ll take care of putting it together. Oh, and make sure to bring the cat items here, too.”

            The movers exit and Zoey works on where everything is in the room. There is a window that looks out at the street, as well as the little walkway that leads to the side alley. At least she’ll have some natural light down here.

            The door is basically at the end of the hallway, which causes a sort of U-turn into the room. The closet is on the wall opposite of the window, meaning the closet inhabits the gap between this room and the bathroom. Therefore, having the pieces in the other corner is actually perfect. She simply sets it all up with the headboard just a little off the corner. Her nightstand fits next to the bed between it and the closet. She easily sets her lamp and clock on it, and sets the time, checking the clock on her smartphone to make sure she gets it right.

            Zoey unpacks her luggage into the closet, and makes sure to put the black dress way, way in the back. She still can’t believe she’s keeping it, but maybe if she buries it behind everything else, it’ll be like it’s not there.

            The movers return and set the various cat items down.

            “Thank you,” she says as they exit.

            Zoey starts unpacking those, but then realizes this room is smaller than her old room. Her old room had the vanity mirror in one corner and the cat tree in the other. But the way this room is arranged, there are doors in two corners! She can only put one in the last corner and the other has to be against the wall.

            Neeko lets out another sad meow from inside the pet carrier.

            “Oh okay…” Zoey says. “You get the corner.”

            She takes the cat tree out and puts it in the corner. Then her vanity goes against the wall, right in the center.

            “Zoey,” her mother says. “The movers have gone so you can let Neeko out now.”

            “Okay~!” Zoey replies.

            Zoey goes to the pet carrier and opens the little gate. But Neeko doesn’t budge.

            “It’s okay, Neeko,” Zoey says to the wary black-and-white. “Come on out.”

            Neeko slowly creeps out of the carrier while Zoey unpacks the rest of Neeko’s things.

            “Here’s your bench,” she says as she sets it under the window. “And we can put your bed back on it.”

            Neeko walks over and hops up onto the bench to look out through the window.

            “See?” Zoey says as she strokes Neeko from neck to back. “A new neighborhood to look at.”

            Neeko looks at the bushes outside, and the birds resting on the powerlines.

            “C’mon, Neeko,” Zoey says as she heads for the door. “Let’s check the rest of the house.”

            Neeko follows Zoey out into the hallway, then overtakes her as they go past the master bedroom.

            “Look, Neeko,” Zoey says, “stairs. These will be good for you. You’ve been getting a little chunky.”

            Neeko growls as she glances over her shoulder, and Zoey giggles.

            “It’s true, though,” Zoey teases as she follows Neeko up the stairs.

            Zoey and Neeko reach the top of the stairs and see the living room and dining area fully furnished.

            “Very nice,” Zoey says as she smiles. “This makes the house seem so much roomier.”

            “And space to have the litter box up here,” Jeff says as he points to the back right corner.

            “That’s perfect!” Zoey says. “Close enough to the kitchen for trash, and close enough to the back door so we can air it out.”

            Neeko easily finds her way to the kitchen, and Zoey sees the white-tipped tail slowly slip around a corner. Zoey follows the cat into the modest little kitchen, and finds her mom and aunt unpacking the dishes.

            “Not a lot of room for your bowls and things, Neeko,” Zoey says as she looks at the floor space. “We’ll have to set you up just outside the kitchen.”

            But as Zoey picks out one of the smaller dishes, Neeko hops up onto the counter.

            “No, Neeko,” Zoey scolds as she picks the cat up. “Over here.”

            Zoey sets Neeko down on the other side, where the kitchen counter curves. Zoey gets some canned cat food on the dish and sets it down for Neeko. Neeko sniffs the food, then starts lapping it up. Zoey gets the rest of Neeko’s food set up, with one plastic bowl for water and another plastic bowl for kibble.

            Zoey goes to the back door while Neeko eats food, and steps out onto the balcony. She sees the stairs going down to the right, and can see through the boards to the little concrete porch below.

            “A pretty nice view up here,” she says as she looks around at the rest of the neighborhood. “And the yard itself is still a pretty good size.”

            “We’ll need that if you choose to have your birthday party here,” Jeff says.

            “Yeah, I’m already doubting us being able to fit for New Year’s Eve,” Seth says. “If you’re going to add your friends to the mix, we’re gonna be pretty crowded.”

            “Well then you two will have to be stuck sitting on the floor,” Zoey smirks as she closes the back door.

            “Or they can use the dining room chairs,” Zoey’s mom says.

            “Right, what time were we thinking for New Year’s Eve on Saturday?” Aunt Takagaki asks.

            “Um, well we’ll be staying up, obviously,” Zoey’s mom says. “Let’s go ahead and plan for about 4, with dinner at 6 or so.”

            “Is it okay if I have my friends over sooner than that?” Zoey asks.

            “Of course,” her mom says. “Just let them know that they’ll be helping out if they do.”

            “Then they’ll probably only come by after 4,” Zoey giggles.

            “Alright, boys, let’s get home,” Aunt Takagaki says. “You, too, Honey.”

            “R-Right,” Uncle Takagaki says as he reluctantly stops helping Zoey’s dad with the entertainment center.

            “We’ll see you tomorrow night for youth group,” Zoey’s mom tells them. “It’ll be the church’s New Year’s Eve party since New Year’s Eve is Saturday.”

            “Oh yes, it’ll help us reintroduce you all to everyone,” Zoey tells them.

            “Who is there to be reintroduced to?” Jeff says. “We already know your friends.”

            “There are other people that go there,” Zoey chuckles. “There’s the Oshinos, Matt and Danielle. There’s Jeremy Yeats, who finally got his braces off from the last time you saw him. Little Abby Tuttle grew like five inches since last year, and then there’s… Who else is there?”

            “Well, the Michaels Family might be able to make it this time,” her mom says. “They live in San Leandro so they don’t always come to Wednesday youth service.”

            “Oh they do?” Zoey says. “I mean, live in San Leandro.”

            “Yes, and I’m pretty sure the oldest son is in high school,” her mom says. “You might see him around.”

            Jeff and Seth look at Zoey curiously.

            “What?” she says. “Would you guys stop?”

            “We didn’t say anything,” Jeff shrugs.

            “The lady doth protest too much,” Seth says.

            “Just get going,” she tells her cousins. “And remember to visit the dojo, for Grandpa.”

            “We will, we will,” Jeff says.

            “See you tomorrow,” Seth says as he and Jeff walk with their parents out of the house.

 

            The next morning, Seth and Jeff arrive at Grandfather Takagaki’s dojo in downtown Alameda. It was easy to find their way from the old neighborhood on foot, so they simply walk up and inside.

            “Hi,” a man in a blue gi says as he walks up. “May I help you?”

            “Yes, is Takagaki-sensei in?” Seth asks.

            “Um, yes, I believe he’s meditating privately. I can see if he’s finished-”

            “Don’t worry, we know the way,” Jeff says.

            Jeff and Seth walk past the man and to the back.

            Their grandfather’s private study is exactly how they remember it. The tatami mats on the floor require a slight step up, and then there’s the emergency futon if he had to stay late, or if grandmother got mad. Speaking of Grandmother Takagaki, the only new thing in the study is her picture, in a black frame, with flowers, a candle and an incense burner together on a small table. That’s where Grandfather sits, legs folded under him and hands on his knees as he prays with eyes closed.

            Seth and Jeff sit a few feet away, copying Grandfather’s stance. They also bow from that position before speaking.

            “<Good morning, Grandfather,>” they both say in Japanese.

            Grandfather Takagaki slowly opens his eyes with a small smile.

            “<It seems after all these years, you still remember,>” he replies.

            “<Of course,>” Seth says. “<You drilled us pretty hard on everything.>”

            “<We’ve been keeping up with our training, too, Grandpa,>” Jeff says.

            “<That’s good to hear,>” Grandfather Takagaki says. “<And what of your studies?>”

            “<We’re both doing well,>” Seth says.

            “<Very good,>” Grandfather says.

            The three of them are quiet a moment as Jeff is unsure what to say to Grandfather next. There’s been a lot he’s wanted to say after they moved away, and now that they’re back, he can’t sort through it all.

            “<Grandfather,>” Seth speaks up. “<It’s been good to see you again.>”

            “<It’s been good to see you all again, too,>” Grandfather says.

            “<We hope to see you again Saturday,>” Seth says. “<We’ll be holding a house-warming party for Uncle, Aunt and Zoey, on top of New Year’s Eve.>”

            “<I… will try to make it,>” Grandfather says. “<The dojo will be busy again after the New Year.>”

            “<Of course,>” Seth says again. “<Then perhaps tonight at church. It will be a New Year’s Eve party of sorts.>”

            “<Yes,>” Grandfather says. “<Perhaps that would be nice.>”

            “<Yes,>” Seth says. “<We hope to see you there.>”

            With that, Seth and Jeff bow again and take their leave. Jeff still feels awkward, but assures himself he can try again later.

 

            “Agh, I’m not good at this,” Simon grumbles.

            At the church New Year’s Eve party, the youth play video games on the television and console set up in the back corner of the auditorium, which is also a stage. It’s actually a lot like the gymnasium-auditorium mixed building at Simon’s high school. Or any public school, really.

            Simon lost on Supreme Fighting King again to Cousin Matt. Matt’s been on a streak of beating him, James and Josh, as well as a few other boys in the youth group.

            “Real glad I finally got to go to youth group,” Simon says with some sarcasm.

            “Maybe we should just switch games,” one of the others jokes; Simon recalls his name as Jeremy, but he could be wrong.

            “Zoey, there you are,” the girl with big blue ribbons says.

            Simon remembers the name Zoey from Christmas Eve. He looks over and sees the same girl that stormed out of the sanctuary, but obviously casually dressed now. In tow behind her are two guys in their age group, one taller than her with longer hair and one shorter than her with spiked hair.

            “Sorry,” Zoey apologizes. “Being in San Leandro now adds to our commute.”

            “And we had to pick up Gramps,” the spikey-haired one says.

            “Oh, Supreme Fighting King,” Zoey says as she trots over. “Can I play?”

            “Yeah, sure,” Simon says as he gets up. “I just lost anyway.”

            Simon is a little nervous as he hands the controller over. He also moves aside but has to be careful of the cord. It causes him and Zoey to be awkwardly close to each other for only a second, but even that second allows him to smell a mix of cherry, strawberry and raspberry.

            Zoey sits down and character selection begins. She chooses Haruka while Matt sticks with Ren.

            “Go, Zo!” her friends cheer already.

            READY! FIGHT!

     The characters slowly approach, and Matt opens with a double punch. It hits flush, but Zoey gets her character up quickly. She blocks as he goes from right back hand to left roundhouse.

            “Oh…!” Zoey’s friends react.

            “It’s not so bad yet,” Jeff says.

            Zoey gets up and guards again as Matt jabs to a low kick then adds another punch-punch-kick combo.

            K O!

            “No way…” her blonde friend pouts.

            Round 2! FIGHT!

     Zoey crouches, then catches Matt with a rising right elbow, then three right punches, back to left, then a right front kick, left low kick, and then a windmill of double kicks!

            “A 10-hit combo?!” Jeremy blurts out.

            Matt gets back up but Zoey’s on him with more of those windmill kicks.

            K O!

            “Go, Zo!” her friends cheer again.

            FINAL ROUND! FIGHT!

            Zoey crouches but Matt stays back, anticipating another 10-hit combo. She stands and backs off, Matt moves in, but she gets him with a sweep to the windmill! Then she keeps going while he’s down, with a double sweep- No, triple sweep! He gets up, but she starts on the 10-hit combo! He avoids the first few hits by side-stepping, but then she side-steps and heel kicks in the process. And again, she uses the sweeps!

            K O!

            “Way to go, Zo!” her friends cheer.

            “Aw man,” Josh says.

            “Whoa…” James says.

            “Awesome!” Danielle says.

            “Hey, whose side are you on?” Matt asks.

            “Hers, duh,” Danielle says.

            “Girls rule,” one of Zoey’s friends says with double thumbs up.

            “You’re really good,” Matt says to Zoey.

            “Thanks,” she smiles. “Who’s next?”

            Simon and his brothers all back off. They lost to Matt, there’s no way they’re winning against Zoey.

            “Maybe we should change games,” Simon says.

            “That’s no fun,” Zoey pouts.

            “You’re just too good, Cous,” spike-haired says.

            Something about the way he said “Cous” sounds familiar to Simon.

            “Are there any party games?” Zoey’s friend with the ribbons asks. “Something we can all play?”

            “I think we’d have to set up a different console,” the taller says.

            “Oh, with motion controls?” spike-haired says. “Ugh.”

            “I like that one, though,” Zoey’s other friend with the short haircut says. “It’s got the sports package.”

            “Oh yeah,” Zoey says. “We went so crazy playing all of those. I remember Jeff once tired himself out punching so hard trying to beat Seth and he still lost.”

            Everyone else laughs, but Simon connects the dots. “Cous” for “cousin” and Catgirl blurted out the names “Seth” and “Jeff” when she found out her cousins were also hit by the power surge. But what were Seth and Jeff doing in Alameda? They mentioned living in Santa Cruz. But that aside, this entire time, Catgirl was this close and he never even noticed. How could he not notice her when going to the same church for so long?

            “Hey, Si,” his brothers say to him.

            “Huh?” he says, snapping back to reality.

            “You want in?” Josh asks.

            “Oh, uh, no, I’ll wait,” he says.

            Simon takes a seat off to the side while his cousins take on Zoey’s cousins in motion-control tennis doubles. Simon does his best not to stare at Zoey or her cousins despite his shock and curiosity.

            While Zoey’s cousins switch things so that the television is hooked up to the other console, Simon sends a quick text to Cyndi.

            Do you have time to meet tomorrow? Just found out something big

          A few moments later, he receives her response.

            Cyndi: How big? We could talk now if you want

          Simon thinks about it. Everyone else seems pretty busy with the games. He texts her back.

            Sure, let me find somewhere to be alone

          “Um, I’ll be right back,” Simon says as he gets up from his seat.

            Simon hurries from the gymnasium-auditorium and up the stairs. Even though there are no lights, Simon still knows the rooms. First up are the classrooms for Sunday school, which are really just two levels of grade school for right now. The first room is the younger grade school, as taught by his aunt and uncle. The second room is for the older grades, and sometimes the middle schoolers. Simon barely attended the former, and his time in the latter felt so short.

            Simon sits right in between the two doors and brings up Cyndi’s number on his phone. He presses the little green phone and waits as the other line rings.

            “Hey there,” Cyndi says as she picks up. “So what’s this big thing you found out?”

            “Power Surge members go to my church,” he says rather quickly.

            Cyndi takes a moment to process what Simon said, then takes a long gasp.

            “No way!” she says. “Who?!”

            “Catgirl, Kid Lightning, and Fox.”

            “Fox? Was he part fox?”

            “No, we just call him that because of his hair,” Simon says. “His power is making his skin into steel.”

            “Oh. So, wow, they’ve been that close all along?”

            “She apparently has,” he says. “But I think her cousins are either visiting or they’ve actually moved here. And now I’m kinda worried, because of what we talked about with the shooter that killed The Spektrum.”

            “Oh, I see what you mean,” Cyndi says. “Three Power Surge kids- Teens? Surgers?”

            “Worry about how to address us later,” Simon says. “Three targets in one area, what if that’s what the shooter wanted?”

            “But how would they even know Kid Lightning and Fox would be in the area?” Cyndi asks. “And, they haven’t even shown themselves in Alameda, right? So maybe the shooter doesn’t even know they’re all in one place.”

            “True,” Simon says, his worry easing. “He’d be more likely to target someone he knows he can find. But that would still leave Catgirl as a logical target. And if her cousins do end up showing themselves, all the more reason for the shooter to go after them. It’d be too tempting.”

            “Well, then, try and warn them,” Cyndi says.

            “What? I can’t do that! How would that look? ‘Hey, guys, I’m The Spektrum, who you thought died but I didn’t! But the guy who shot me might be after you three next!’”

            “Well, when you say it sarcastically,” Cyndi defends, “yeah, it sounds a little stupid. But, I dunno, shouldn’t you try before it’s too late?”

            “Yeah, I know,” Simon says with a sigh. “I’ll… I’ll try to figure something out. Talk to you on New Year’s Eve?”

            “Yeah, sure,” Cyndi says excitedly. “Maybe we can even meet?”

            “Sure. When were you thinking?”

            “Well, I know it’ll be New Year’s Eve, but I’m not going to ask we stay up to midnight,” Cyndi says with a nervous giggle. “How about a little before 9?”

            “Yeah, that’ll be fine. See you Saturday.”

            “See you Saturday,” Cyndi repeats.

            The two hang up and Simon carefully finds his way back downstairs.