Axiom Theory: Book Four of the Shadow Series by J.M. Pierce Page B

chuckled to himself as he thought of what he’d hear on the radio later tonight.
    With the craft still hovering overhead, he stood, looked up, gave a quick salute, and rushed with otherworldly speed into the cover of the forest.

CHAPTER 13
     
    Since Destin’s powers had come to be, Ashley’s days had been spent teaching the boy how to do the simple things. She found it best to keep Casper out of the picture, as his constant spewing of condescending remarks kept Destin from even trying half of the time.
    Quite by accident, she had discovered the perfect spot for their training sessions. Destin had seen an advertisement for Jenkinson’s Boardwalk on the television and wouldn’t stop nagging her about going. “You don’t even know what that is,” she’d told him over and over again. But it didn’t matter. He saw other kids laughing and having fun and told her that he would try harder if she would take him there.
    Upon striking the deal with who she now called her apprentice, they visited the park. To her surprise, it was an amazing place. Not for the rides or the scenery, but for the opportunity. There were so many people walking around that using her powers to pick pockets or to steal tickets was as easy as taking candy from a baby.
    She’d woken up that morning with a lack of energy and enthusiasm that not even the most potent cup of coffee could kick start. As usual, since their first visit to the boardwalk, Destin was up bright and early (what she considered bright and early anyway), ready and waiting for her to get out of bed. Apparently, she’d been there too long.
    “Ashley?”
    She heard Destin’s voice whispering through a crack in her bedroom door.
    “What?” she answered, her voice snapping like a whip. She continued to linger in and out of sleep until she heard his voice again.
    “It’s getting late,” he said. “Shouldn’t we get going?”
    Smashing her face into the pillow, she asked, “What time is it?”
    “It’s ten o’clock,” he replied.
    She rolled to her back and pulled the covers over her head. “Come on, Dest, it’s more fun when we go at night. There are more people there.”
    “I know, but today the y’re having an anniversary thing or something. I saw a commercial on T.V.”
    Grumbling beneath her covers, she replied. “In a little bit.”
    Suddenly, the blankets were ripped from off of her. She shot up in bed, thinking that Destin had quietly crept in. To her surprise, the boy was still standing in the doorway, right arm extended towards her with weak pulses of light fading beneath his flesh.
    She glared at him for a moment, ready to yell at him, when suddenly he grinned mischievously. Unable to keep her face from matching his, she rolled her legs off the bed.
    “I guess the practice is paying off, huh kid?”
    Destin’s grin turned into a full toothed smile. “Does this mean you’re not mad at me?” he asked.
    “I’m always mad at you,” she replied, trying to curb her smile as she stood and walked to the closet. “Now get out of here so I can get dressed.”
    “Does this mean we’re going then?” he asked timidly.
    Without answering, she reached out with her left hand and allowed her power to shove him backwards and close the door. Before she could even get the t-shirt off the hanger, she heard Destin’s muffled voice from behind the door.
    “Is that a yes then?”
    With an uncharacteristic giggle, she answered trying her best to sound irritated. “Yes! Now go away!”
    As she slipped off her pajamas, she found herself smiling. It wasn’t that she’d never smiled before, just not for the reason she was then. Whether she liked it or not, she felt herself beginning to care for Destin in a motherly way.
    After a moment of pondering, she shook her head as if trying to shake the feelings out. “Shit,” she said under her breath. “This wasn’t in the plan.”
     
    ****
     
    Destin’s sight had returned and the involuntary gasp for air caused his body