Not Your Villain (Sidekick Squad #2)(73)

“Stolen car. Somewhere in the Rockies,” Abby says from the driver’s seat.

Emma and Brendan are asleep with the parts of a makeshift computer console scattered across their laps; Brendan is drooling on Emma’s shoulder.

Jess hands Bells a protein bar. “Here, eat up. How are you feeling?”

Bells takes stock of his body; he doesn’t feel any cuts or bruises, but he can barely move. It feels as if he’s been running for days, and all his muscles are screaming for attention. “Awful,” he admits.

“You saved our lives,” Abby says. “I mean, I knew you could shift anything you touched, like clothes, but… I didn’t know you could do that.”

“I didn’t either,” Bells says, yawning. “Did I look cool?”

“The coolest,” Jess says, smiling at him.

“Stolen car, huh,” he says, taking a bite of the protein bar. “And the food, too?”

Jess holds up a handwritten list. “I’ve written down who these things belong to. When this is all over we can pay everyone back.”

Bells pats Jess on the back.

“Jess is an optimist,” Abby says, chuckling from the front seat.

Jess rolls her eyes. “Shut up, you like it.”

“So why the Rockies?”

“We’re all wanted now,” Abby says. “We disabled this car’s connection to the Net, as well as any devices we’ve gotten, but when we passed Middleton there were some disturbing broadcasts being made.”

“The Collective can’t make you all out to be villains,” Bells says.

“Well, no. We were reported as missing, but they showed our faces. I mean, if anyone sees us, they’re supposed to report us to the Authorities immediately.” Jess sighs. “We’re headed toward safety, for now.”

“What about the Registry?” Bells asks. “We still going to steal it?”

Abby breaks into a smile. “Good news,” she says. “We figured out the message from Jess’ parents. It’s the location of a place I’ve never been, but I’ve heard a lot about from my mom. We’re gonna have so much help, you guys!”

Genevieve meets them at the trailhead and wraps each one of them in a hug. There’s a tearful exchange with Abby, and Bells lets them have their space.

They plod along in the snow, one foot at a time. There isn’t much to carry, just the scant supplies that were lifted in the few towns along the way.

“Hey,” Emma says, nudging Bells. “I wasn’t sure what the name of your stuff is called, and Jess said stealing from a pharmacy was definitely putting ourselves in danger we couldn’t afford. But I did find this when we were at the mall in Middleton.”

Inside the bag is a fresh change of clothes, a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, and a brand new binder.

“Aw, thanks, Em,” Bells says.

She grins. “I mean, you’re gonna be the only one of us who actually looks good, since you made it out wearing your jacket and all. The rest of us were in pajamas.”

Bells laughs. The four of them are wearing puffy neon jackets, while he’s in his leather-look jacket. “We look like a band. Bells and the Neons,” he jokes.

“Jess found the jackets,” Emma says, jerking her head at Jess, who is hiking ahead of them with a set, determined expression.

“Gah,” Brendan says, struggling to keep up. His pack is almost bigger than he is. “The outside world is the worst,” he grumbles.

The unofficial United Villain’s Guild headquarters is in another set of pre-Collective tunnels, deep inside the mountain.

Bells quickens his step and shivers a little. It’s cold down here, all damp earth and heavy air. Water trickles down the earthen sides of the tunnel, and, unlike the dry desert canyon corridors in Nevada, these paths are filled with the echo of water bubbling back and forth. The dark is illuminated by bioluminescent glow scattered across the walls. Ahead of them, Abby stares at the lights. “How come you never brought me here before? You and Dad used to come at least once a year.”

Genevieve wraps an arm around her daughter’s shoulders. “I didn’t want you part of this world, Abby. You know that we worked so hard for you to be a hero. You didn’t have to be one of us. We wanted something better for you, you know that.”

“Aren’t the UVG headquarters in Quebec, though?” Bells asks.

Genevieve waves her arms. “Headquarters… we had so many. So many places for the League to find, to report to the public that they were doing well, keeping us villains in check.”

Jess nods. “So everyone in the Guild knows, then.”

“Yeah. They keep it pretty hush-hush in the League itself, but well… we all know.”

Finally, they enter a grand, spacious cavern lit by sconces filled with the bio-lichen. Pockets of dappled sunlight reflect through a series of mirrors, and bright squashy armchairs and bits and pieces of tech are everywhere. The warm, rich smell of coffee and baked goods comes from another corridor. There’s a kitchen somewhere nearby offering the scent of fresh… cookies? Cheesecake?

Bells forgets all about the smells of food when he spots his parents, rushing forward to embrace them. He never wants to leave this hug.

“I’m surprised you stayed away this long,” Nick says, ruffling his hair. “I actually thought you kids would be right on our tails.”