The Light Brigade - Chapter 19
I guess this is what superheroes must feel like, always keeping their identities hidden.
This is the final installment of my new serialized middle grade novel - The Light Brigade. When new kid in town Will finds himself in the midst of a sea of brainwashed middle schoolers, he has to join the Light Brigade, an unlikely group of heroes, to save them. Can he trust the Man Upstairs who guides them with fortune cookie directions? Will he find his place in the Brigade? Will he be able to stop the shadowy New Moon Group from forcing his classmates to collect acorns for a cartoon squirrel until they all collapse? Subscribed? Get caught up here.
Previously on The Light Brigade: The group has completed their mission to save the school. Did they stop the mind control? Is Will’s friend Sydney OK?
The afternoon passed quickly. As Austin had predicted, students and teachers slowly started to come out of their stupor. After the long, tedious week, Will was even happy when old Mr. Henderson started his usual boring history lecture. Finally, things were getting back to normal.
Will was still worried about Sydney and the other kids who had collapsed. What if they were permanently hurt? As soon as the final bell rang, Will hurried out of class hoping to find Sydney before he headed over to the Queen Anne. Luckily, he spotted her near her locker.
“Hey,” he said, “how are you feeling?”
Sydney smiled back at him. “I’m doing a lot better, thanks for asking. In fact, I have been feeling really great ever since lunch.”
“Wow, that’s great!” said Will, immensely relieved. It seemed like they really had stopped the mind control.
“Yeah, I just need to not overwork myself again,” said Sydney, “Well, I’ll see you later.”
“Yeah, see you later,” said Will. He waved with a bit of a rueful smile. He was so happy that he had been able to help her – to help all the students. He just wished that she knew it. I guess this is what superheroes must feel like, always keeping their identities hidden. Well, Superman doesn’t complain about it, so neither should I, he thought as he headed out of school into the blustery fall afternoon.
Will hurried down the sidewalk, pulling up his jacket collar against the chill. He started to move to the side as a skateboard rolled up behind him. Glancing over his shoulder, though, he saw that it was Austin.
“Hey, how were things in your classes?” Austin asked, popping up his skateboard to walk with Will.
“Good. Everyone seems like they snapped out of it,” said Will.
Austin nodded. “Mine too.”
They walked together in silence for a little while, then suddenly Austin said, “You did a great job today.”
Will looked over at him with a quizzical look.
Austin shrugged, “I mean it man. I know I’m not always so nice or whatever, but I recognize skill when I see it. And you got it. And...I’m sorry that I’ve been kind of a jerk about it all. I guess I just felt like maybe I was being replaced, or something. We really needed you today, and I was glad you were there.”
“Thanks,” said Will, blushing, “I’m glad I was there, too. It’s all been so weird and so new. But also so cool. I’m glad Lily came and found me the other day.”
They walked on, nearing the Queen Anne. Austin set his skateboard down and pushed it slowly next to Will, making the front end pop up every so often.
“How do you even do that?” asked Will.
“What? The manny? Oh, that’s easy,” said Austin, “I can show you later.”
Will looked skeptical, but figured he’d done enough new stuff this week – what was one more? “Uh, sure. That’d be great.”
Will led the way into the Queen Anne, and they headed to the kitchen. He was surprised to find that, for once, he was the first one there. They both grabbed some granola bars out of the pantry and waited for everyone else to arrive.
Within 15 minutes, they were all there and Mr. Turner was bustling in to join them. “I’m seeing lots of smiling faces,” he beamed, “I take it the mission went well?”
They all nodded and started talking over each other to share the exciting stories of their friends’ recoveries. Then they all stopped at once, laughing.
“That’s a yes, then, I think,” said Mr. Turner with a twinkle in his eye. “I am so glad to hear it. Keep your eyes out for any problems going forward, but I think we might have been successful this time. All I have for you, then, is a message from the Man Upstairs: Be on the lookout for beetles.”
Gabriella groaned, “Bugs again. I hate it when its bugs.”
Mr. Turner laughed, “I’m sure we’ll be able to handle it, whatever it is.”
“You mean something is else going to happen,” said Will aghast.
Mr. Turner became far more sober, “Yes, Will, I am sorry to say that something is going to happen again and probably soon. We just have to pray that everyone will stay safe. And we have the Man Upstairs to help us. You all should probably go enjoy a well-deserved rest!”
Chatting happily, everyone started to head to various parts of the house to relax. “I’m headed to the half pipe, you coming?” Austin asked Will.
“Sure, just give me a second.” Will waited for Austin to leave, and then said, “Umm, Mr. Turner, can you get a message to the Man Upstairs?”
“Of course, my boy! What is it?”
“I just wanted to tell him thanks for...everything. For helping us. For picking me,” said Will.
Mr. Turner smiled, “I will certainly tell him, but I think he already knows.”
Will frowned. “Is the Man Upstairs watching us?”
Mr. Turner hesitated. “Something like that. Have a good weekend.”
Will headed out to the backyard, shaking his head. I guess things aren’t getting back to normal after all, he thought, but I’m not sure I would want this town any other way.
Congratulations on a good finish. I can't wait to see what you do next!