He yawned deeply.
How was he going to forge more of a friendship with the girl? Maybe he should keep a steak on him next time to see if that’ll win over the coyote. Or, would that seem overly anxious? It’s not like Creed had ever tried to woo a girl before. Sleep, he thought. He needed sleep and then things will seem clearer in the morning.
As Creed was pulling out of the parking lot, Meg rolled over in her cot, repositioned her pillow and draped her leg over Maze.
5 Fifteen-Year-Old with a Driver’s Permit
“Cole, you coming?” Alik yelled up the stairs. “Your dad’s already in the car.”
“Yeah, I just…darn it. Hey, have you seen my magic thumb?” Cole yelled back, sounding out of breath and frustrated.
“Your what?”
“My thumb! I can’t find it anywhere and that’s one of their favorites,” Cole moaned.
“You can borrow mine. Come on. We’re gonna be late and you know how upset they get when we’re late. Remember last time,” Alik gave Cole a look as he met him at the bottom of the stairs, thumb-less.
“I know. They drew us pictures of frown-y faces. It was depressing as heck.”
The boys hurried out the front door, jumped down the steps and jogged to the car. Cole tapped on the driver’s side window.
“Dad, can I drive, please?” he yelled through the glass miming the request as if his dad didn’t already know what his son wanted.
Dr. Andrews rolled his eyes at his teenager. Ever since he got his driver’s permit three days ago, Cole had not let up about wanting “practice time” behind the wheel.
“Fine, but this time, please drive the speed limit. I don’t want to get pulled over for obstructing traffic because you’re going so blasted slow,” Dr. Andrews teased as he got out of the car and walked around to the passenger seat.
“Dad! What are you saying to me? You want me to speed? Do you know the statistics on speeding and fatalities? Safety first, old man,” Cole teased back.
“Good grief,” the doctor groaned.
Changing the subject to take his mind off of Cole’s one mile per hour attempt at reverse down the driveway, the doctor asked, “Alik, is it your turn for Mom Watch?”
“I relieve Evan at noon,” Alik responded cringing at the trash bin they were inches away from hitting.
“Hope everyone had a good night up at the hospital,” Cole mumbled.
“Less talking, more driving,” his dad said, only half teasing. “I’m sure everything’s fine up there. My staff has strict orders to contact me directly if there is any change in our patient.”
“Mom’s not recovering as fast as I thought she would,” Alik confided.
Dr. Andrews nodded softly, “She’s not a metahuman with rapid healing abilities like you, Alik. And she’s not as young as she used to be. Her body is doing the best it can to heal. She just needs time.”
“I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, sir. I’m just worried. We’re sitting ducks right now. Williams could…yellow light.”
“Williams could what?” Cole asked
“Yellow light! RED!” Alik yelled, pushing himself back in his seat.
“STOP!” Dr. Andrews yelled to Cole.
Four seconds of squealing tires later, they were stopped a little too far into the intersection and car horns were already honking.
“Sorry, ‘bout that,” Cole blushed.
“Son,” Dr. Andrews said calmly.
“Yes, sir?”
“Slowly back the car up.”
“Yes, sir.”
“So, you were saying, Alik?” Dr. Andrews asked, trying to act calm about the whole teenager-behind-the-wheel thing.
“Um…I was just saying how worried I am about Williams sending a henchman or five to come finish what he started. This time, he may send another metasoldier like the one that got to Meg. Even with us standing guard, if he sent meta assassins, chances are very good they’ll accomplish their task. They may even come after you two.”
“Is that why Mom Watch schedules one of you kids to stay at the house with Cole and me every night? Because you are worried we’re in danger, too?” Dr. Andrews asked.
Alik just shrugged, trying not to worry the doctor. The truth was that was exactly why the kids had arranged the schedule the way they did. They didn’t want the doctor or Cole to be defenseless if the house was attacked. It was hard not to feel responsible for everyone’s safety.
“After what happened, your worries are valid. I’m just not sure what to do about it,” the doctor said thoughtfully. “Let me call Greg to see if he has any new information or suggestions. Maybe he knows something that will make our options more clear.”
Alik stayed silent, as was his way, brooding over all that could take place.