Blue Masked Hero

  Blue Masked Hero

  By

  Dee J. Stone

  Copyright © 2016 Dee J. Stone.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form without written permission from the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to real life, movies, television, games, or books is entirely coincidental and was not intended by the author.

  Titles by Dee J. Stone:

  Young Adult Superhero Series:

  No Ordinary Hero (Keepers of Justice, Book 1)

  Hero’s Revenge (Keepers of Justice, Book 2)

  Hero Reborn (Keepers of Justice, Book 3)

  No Ordinary Villain (Keepers of Justice, Book 4)

  Villain’s Choice (Keepers of Justice, Book 5)

  Blue Masked Hero (Blue Masked Hero, Book 1)

  Young Adult Romance:

  Cruiser (Cruiser & Lex, Book 1)

  Second Chance (Cruiser & Lex, Book 2)

  Forever (Cruiser & Lex, Book 3)

  Cruiser & Lex: The Complete Series Box Set

  Chasing Sam

  Young Adult Paranormal:

  Emily’s Curse

  Paranormal Romance:

  Merman’s Kiss (Merman’s Kiss, Book 1)

  Merman’s Touch (Merman’s Kiss, Book 2)

  Merman’s Bond (Merman’s Kiss, Book 3)

  Merman’s Love (Merman’s Kiss, Book 4)

  Damarian (A Merman’s Kiss Novel)

  Falling for the Genie (Genie’s Love, Book 1)

  Loving the Genie (Genie’s Love, Book 2)

  Keeping the Genie (Genie’s Love, Book 3)

  Email the author at deej.stone@yahoo.com.

  For more information and updates on new releases, check out Dee J. Stone here: https://deejstone.wordpress.com. Or follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

  Blue Masked Hero

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Excerpt from No Ordinary Hero

  Excerpt from Emily’s Curse

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  My name is Nick McGuire and this is the story of how I became a superhero.

  It’s Wednesday and I’m in the kitchen, trying not to let it bother me. It’s just a birthday, not a big deal. A guy only turns fifteen once, but it’s okay that no one in my family remembers. Not Mom, who’s fussing over my six-year-old sister. She’s got some sort of dance recital today and Mom’s helping her rehearse. Not Dad or my older brother Matt—nope, they’re too busy talking about football. Or baseball. Maybe soccer. Dunno. I’m not really paying attention. Because they forgot my birthday. Yeah, I’m totally not making a big deal about this.

  “Nick.”

  So Mom remembers I exist after all.

  “Hurry or you’re going to be late for your bus. I’m not going to drive you if you miss it.”

  I play around with my cereal. Not even birthday pancakes or toast or whatever. Man, being the middle child really does suck.

  “Nick, did you hear me?”

  “Heard you, Mom.”

  She resumes practicing with Kaylee. I seriously can’t believe they forgot my birthday. It’s so cliché. I know Mom’s preoccupied with Kaylee’s first dance recital and Matt’s got some big football game this Saturday. But so what? I’m their kid, too. I feel too old to care, but I do. A lot.

  “Nick!” Mom yells. Right, of course she remembers what time my bus comes, but she doesn’t remember the day I entered this world.

  I’m on my feet, wanting to say something but choosing not to. I’ll let them remember on their own and feel guilty about it. Heck, maybe they’ll even get me double presents. Yeah, sure.

  Glancing at the time, I realize Mom’s right. I have two minutes to get to the stop. I grab my backpack and zoom out the door. I’ve got to run three blocks and don’t think I’ll make it.

  “Please,” I huff. “Let the bus be a little late today.”

  I’m only a few feet away when I see it pulling away from the curb. “Wait!” I call. “I’m here. I’m here!”

  Too late. It’s gone, leaving behind a huge puff of smoke that nearly chokes me to death. What am I supposed to do now?

  I guess my only choice is to walk to school. It’ll take me about twenty minutes, but I can’t go back home. Mom specifically told me not to miss my bus and if I did, she wouldn’t drive me. And Mom never goes back on her word. Also, I don’t need her yelling at me some more. It’s not my fault I was too distracted by the fact that my parents forgot my birthday. Technically, it’s their fault I’m late.

  The trek to school isn’t that bad, except I’m going to be late. Real late. This is turning out to be an awesome first day as a fifteen year old.

  To make matters worse, it starts raining. Stupid me has no umbrella, just a light jacket with no hood. And the cars splash water on me. Seriously? If this is a preview to how being fifteen is, then no thanks, I’ll remain fourteen.

  By the time I get to school, I’m cold and wet. Classes have already started. My first class is history with Mrs. Landon. She sometimes gets so into the lesson that she’s got no clue what’s happening around her. I’m pretty sure I can sneak in without her noticing.

  I rush to the door and peek in through the small window. Her back is turned. Perfect. I slowly and quietly open the door and head to my seat. Things are going well, except for my sneakers that squeak.

  Mrs. Landon whirls around. “Mr. McGuire. You’re late.” Her glasses sit on the tip of her nose and I can’t stand the way she peers at me. Like I’m small and unimportant. After my morning, I guess it’s true. I’m nothing. Just a mediocre guy with a mediocre life.

  “Detention,” the teacher says.

  “But—but today’s my birthday,” I blurt.

  “Well, happy birthday. I’ll see you in detention.”

  The entire class bursts into laughter. Even Nicole Watts laughs at me, her eyes scanning my wet clothes and hair. My shoulders slump. Super birthday so far.

  “Mr. McGuire,” the teacher says, annoyed. “Please take your seat.”

  I plop down at my desk and open my book to the right chapter. I wish I could close my eyes and start the day over. I wouldn’t be able to force my parents to remember my birthday, but what I could do is make sure I get to school on time so the most popular girl in ninth grade wouldn’t think I’m a complete loser.

  “Psst,” my best friend Maddie, who sits next to me, hisses. “Why did you miss the bus?”

  I pretend to be taking notes, like I’m not bummed. “They forgot my birthday.”

  Her blue eyes widen. “What?”

  “Miss Randall. Would you like to join Mr. McGuire in detention?”

  Maddie sinks in her chair. “No,
Mrs. Landon.”

  The teacher resumes the lesson, and I try to pay attention, but I can’t. Ever since school started two months ago, I’ve been trying to get Nicole to notice me. Sure most of the guys have, but I think she and I can hit it off well. Okay, I hope we can hit it off well. That may be wishful thinking, but I’m not going to give up.

  At lunch, Maddie drops her tray on the table and sits across from me. I’ve got nothing on my tray, except for some pudding. I’m not in the mood to eat. Nothing would be able to get down my throat. It’s like there’s a stone inside, blocking me from even breathing.

  I’m still wet and cold.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to go to the nurse?” Maddie asks. “You know she can get you dry clothes.”

  I shrug.

  She takes a bite of her chicken, at least I think it’s chicken. “Tell me what happened. Your parents forgot your birthday?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Wow.”

  I want to shrug, but I can’t move. This is so stupid. Why do I care so much? “It’s been getting worse. Dad and Matt spend so much time together. You know how important it is for my bro to get a football scholarship. Or is it basketball? Whatever. So they’re busy with that. Then Mom’s obsessed with the Princess—”

  “Don’t call your little sister that.”

  “Why not? Matt’s the Golden Child, Kaylee is the Princess. And I’m the Invisible Man.”

  Maddie pats my hand, giving me a sympathetic smile. Then her eyes move to my pudding. “Are you going to eat that?”

  The girl could eat a horse and still look like a stick. I push my tray to her.

  As she stuffs her face, her eyes widen. “Oh my God. Your birthday. I totally forgot to wish you happy birthday.”

  “It’s okay.”

  “It’s not.”

  I wave my hand. “It’s not like I expect anything from you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’ve been my best friend since forever and I know you care. So you don’t have to remember my birthday or get me anything, because we’re buds.” I pause. “Did you get me anything?”

  She smiles. “Days ago. I’ve had it stashed in my locker. Want me to get it?”

  “Hell yeah.”

  She dashes out of the cafeteria. I reach for her tray for some chicken, but her tray slides a few inches away from my hand. Hmm. Must be static or something. Weird.

  I reach again for the chicken and dump it in my mouth. It tastes like rubber. Scanning around the cafeteria, I find Nicole sitting with her friends. She’s so pretty, with shiny golden hair and bright hazel eyes. She’s so perfect I wonder why she doesn’t have a boyfriend. How I wish I could be that guy. Imagine the two of us walking down the hallway with my arm slung over her shoulder and her face only inches away from mine. Everyone’s eyes would be on us, the guys’ filled with jealousy, and the girls with longing. Yeah, like that’s ever going to happen. But a guy could be hopeful. I mean, Nick and Nicole, can it be any more perfect?

  I spot my brother with his friends and girlfriend. He’s so smooth with girls. Like, he gets a new girlfriend almost every month. Why don’t I have the same genes? Not that I want to be a player, but it’d be nice to have the confidence to talk to a girl instead of hiding in the shadows.

  “Dreaming about Nicole again?”

  I tear my gaze away as Maddie sits down. “No.”

  She rolls her eyes, then pushes a brown bag to me. “Happy birthday, Nick.”

  I dig into the bag and pull out Death at Night, the FPS game that was just released. “Dude! This is awesome. Do you have any idea how much this costs?”

  “Yeah, sixty bucks.”

  I tear off the plastic wrapping and read the back.

  “I saved up for it,” Maddie continues.

  “Thanks. You’re awesome.”

  I talk about the game’s features, but then notice that Maddie’s quiet. I look over at her. She twirls some of her black hair around her finger. “What?” I ask.

  She shrugs. “I was just wondering—”

  The bell rings. Everyone gets to their feet, including Maddie and me. I slide the game into my bag. “Wondering what?” I ask her as we walk to the cafeteria doors.

  “Never mind. Want to play tonight? I can come over.”

  Maddie lives right next door. We used to walk to the bus stop together, but she’s an early bird and would get there too early. I usually reach the stop just in time. That drives her insane. So we leave at our own times.

  “I don’t know,” I say. “Kaylee’s got her dance recital and you know how my family likes to go out to celebrate after these things.”

  She bumps my shoulder. “Maybe they’ll go out to celebrate your birthday.”

  “Maybe.”

  She stops in her tracks. “Wait, don’t you have detention after school?”

  “Oh, yeah.” Looks like I might miss Kaylee’s dance recital. I’m not too bummed about that, though my sister’s kinda cute when she dances.

  Maddie continues talking about something else, but I’m not paying attention because a familiar smell enters my nose. Nicole’s perfume. She’s, like, right beside me. Without her friends. I don’t know why that gives me more confidence than usual.

  “Hey, Nicole,” I say without thinking.

  Her gaze moves to me, then lowers to my shoe. A piece of toilet paper is stuck there. Her entire face fills with disgust and humor. Her friends come out of nowhere and all three of them laugh like I’m the most ridiculous thing they’ve ever seen.

  Maddie gives me another one of her famous sympathetic smiles.

  I want to bang my head against the wall. Why doesn’t someone kill me now?

  ***

  The house is noisy when I get home. Kaylee’s screeching in the kitchen. Mom’s working on dinner. Dad and Matt are probably watching sports on TV.

  “Hi!” I yell over my sister’s pair of lungs. Where does she get all that power from?

  Mom’s too busy at the stove to notice me. I think she’s on the verge of burning dinner, thanks to my little sister.

  I go over to where she’s throwing herself around on the floor. “Kaylee, are you okay?”

  She slams her fists on the floor. Okay, clearly not. I bend to scoop her up, but she pulls at my hair. It’s brown and sort of long, reaching just past my shoulders. Dad hates that I have long hair. He and my bro both have buzz cuts.

  Kaylee’s hitting me all over as she tries to get me to lower her. “What’s wrong with her?” I ask Mom.

  Mom drops a hot pot in the sink. It’s all black, definitely charred. She bends over the sink, heaving. “Well, there goes dinner.”

  I lose the battle and my sister throws herself on the floor again, yelling so loud her face is redder than a tomato.

  “Mom, need some help? What happened?”

  She rubs her forehead. My whole family has light brown hair and green eyes. I’m the only one with dark hair and brown eyes. I look nothing like them, which sucks because they’re all good-looking and I’m a toad.

  “I promised your sister we’d go out for ice cream after the performance if she behaved and listened to her dance instructor. She refused, ruined the dance, and has been suspended from dance for a week. When I wouldn’t take her for ice cream, she threw a fit.” She motions to the floor.

  “Maybe Dad can help?”

  “Your father is weak when it comes to his little girl. That’s why I sent him to watch TV. So he wouldn’t crack. I’m weak, too, but Kaylee needs to be punished.”

  “Anything I can do?”

  “Thanks, but no.”

  I know my parents will crack. They always do. After wishing my mom good luck, I head up to my room. She didn’t ask me why I was late or why I missed my sister’s dance recital.

  And they still forgot my birthday.

  Chapter Two

  There’s a bang on my door. “Nick, you’re going to be late!”

  My eyes can’t open. It’s like they’re glue
d shut. I hardly got any sleep last night because Kaylee was yelling all night. She ended up getting her ice cream, but this happened and that and she threw another tantrum. It never ends.

  She’s the reason I’m probably going to miss the bus again. I can’t move at all. My body just refuses to wake up. Maybe I’ll skip school today.

  Another knock at the door. “Nick, did you hear me?”

  My eyes stay shut. Just a few more minutes.

  The door opens with a bang. “Nick?” Mom asks. Her footsteps come closer to me and she throws my blanket off.

  “Unbelievable,” she says. Sounds like she’s talking to herself. “He’s up.”

  I hear her leave the room and knock on another door. The bathroom, I think. “Nick, I’m proud of you for waking up on your own.” She then goes down the stairs.

  Waking up on my own? What’s she talking about?

  Opening my eyes, I sit up and look down. What in the—my body’s gone. I lift my hands, but don’t see anything. It’s like I’m…

  I rush to the mirror, but again don’t see anything. It’s like I’m not even there. Am I going insane? I’m totally losing my mind.

  After blinking a few times, I finally see myself. Dark brown, messy hair standing up on all ends, tired, puffy eyes. Yep, here I am in all my glory.

  Whatever happened before must have been a dream. I’m too tired and groggy to think about it.

  I get dressed and head downstairs for breakfast. Dad already left for work. He’s a salesman for this sporting goods company. Matt is at the table, wolfing down a stack of waffles. The guy is huge and eats like a gorilla. Kaylee is also at the table with a bummed look on her face. I ruffle her hair, trying to get her to giggle. She doesn’t react.

  “Nick.” Mom places some waffles in front of me. “What made you wake up on your own?” She has this excited look on her face, like she’s hopeful I’m starting to be more responsible. I have no clue what she’s saying.

  Then it hits me that she must have not seen me this morning. Did I not dream it? I must have. Maybe Mom’s losing it, too. Or maybe she just didn’t see me because I’m a small guy and my bed is huge.

  “I dunno,” I say as I stuff my face. “Maybe turning fifteen had something to do with it.”