DR. SILVERBERG and Liberty are already sitting in their car, idling out in front of their house. Dr. Silverberg is so tall his head hits the car ceiling. I hop in back and mutter my good mornings, and through the front windshield, we watch Joon and Dylan walking down the street toward us.
Which means Dylan probably slept over at Joon’s. I wince. Seems like forever since I used to do that.
“You’ll have to squeeze in—sorry about the leg room back there,” says Dr. Silverberg. “It’s Joon, is it? And Dylan? Glad to meet you! Glad we could carpool!”
That makes one of us.
Dylan takes the hump, blocking Joon completely from my sight. Not that I want to see him.
“Isn’t this an exciting day?” Dr. Silverberg goes on, in total hyperenthusiasm mode, as he pulls out onto the road. “Comic book trivia! I used to love comics when I was your age!”
“It’s gonna be awesome! A whole day to hang out downtown!” Dylan says, nodding and leaning forward.
Liberty turns to look at him. “Oh! Is this just about hanging out downtown?” she says with an evil grin. “I thought it was about competing to win those VIP badges to Comic Fest. I know I’m feeling pretty lucky Stanley’s on my team!” Then she winks at me.
I can feel blood rush suddenly into my face.
But Dylan isn’t offended or anything. He laughs, then claps once, loudly. His elbows and knees are everywhere—he’s taking up more than half the backseat. “Are you throwing down a challenge? Seriously? It’s ON! You two, prepare to be totally destroyed.” Then he and Joon slap five, laughing.
Breathe, I tell myself. Breathe, breathe. Aqua. Ochre.
I pretend to be fascinated by the scenery of dry brown hills, buildings, glimpses of ocean, and traffic. The highway ticks by under the car wheels. Joon and Dylan talk about soccer and football and a party someone is throwing in a few weeks. Liberty and her uncle pretty much ride in silence. And all too soon, outside the window, the city skyline looms.
I imagine John Lockdown flying between those shiny buildings, surveying the harbor, keeping watch on this Quest. Keeping watch over me.
If only.