The Strike Trilogy Read Online Free Page A

pistol that was made out of shining, red chrome. Pointing the barrel of the pistol in front of him, he pulled its trigger, and waited.
    Within seconds, the faint hum of electricity was heard, and then a red-and-white, swirling portal of energy burst into existence, forming directly in front of Orion. It had a mirror-like surface, floated above the ground, and was nearly as tall as a man, snapping and flashing like a livewire.
    Orion stepped toward the portal, but then stopped—a CRACK! sounded from his back. The old man reached to his spine, straightening his body in pain.
    “My chiropractor is gonna love this one,” he groaned.
    With gritted teeth, the old man limped into the portal and disappeared. When he was gone, it closed behind him with a SNAP!

CHAPTER FOUR
    A s Tobin arrived home from the soccer match, he found his mother’s boyfriend, Bill, washing dishes at the sink.
    “Hey, Bill. What’re you doing here so early?”
    “Oh, hey, Tobin. I left work at two to surprise your mom.” Bill was an exceptionally kind man in his early fifties who owned a construction business and looked like he just stepped off of a paper towel package. “How was school?”
    “Not bad.” The boy headed to a cupboard above the fridge and grabbed a bag of potato chips. “Same as always, I guess.”
    “Well, that’s good.”
    Tobin’s mother walked downstairs and gave her son a kiss on his cheek.
    “Hey, honey. Did you get that test back from Mr. Hastings today? I’m dying to see how you did.”
    “No, not yet,” Tobin replied. “I guess he’s gonna give them back Monday or something.”
    “Oh.” Tobin’s mother helped Bill with the dishes. “Don’t eat too many of those chips, honey; I packed you some of Grandma’s noodle soup for you to take to work. And don’t forget we might not be here when you get home.”
    “Yeah, I know.” Tobin walked toward the stairs, but then turned around. “Actually, it might not matter, anyway, ‘cuz I’m probably gonna go to a friend’s house after work, and then spend the night at Chad’s. If that’s okay with you.”
    Tobin’s mother thought it over. “I guess so. Is that really where you’re going? And how many other people are going to be at this friend’s house?”
    “Oh, I don’t know, just the usuals: Jennifer, Chad, whoever. Plus a couple hundred other people maybe, who knows.”
    “What?”
    “I’m kidding, I’m kidding.”
    Tobin’s mother looked to Bill. He smiled and shrugged.
    “All right,” she sighed. “But be careful. I’ll see you in the morning.”
    Tobin walked to his mom and wrapped her in a hug. “Thanks, Mom. Anyone ever tell you you’re the greatest?”
    “Yeah, that’s great, Tobin, but I’m serious about that: be careful. Now go get dressed for work before you’re late, remember what they said last time.”
    With a grin, Tobin headed up the stairs, excited and eager for the night to begin. In the kitchen, he heard the phone ring and his mother answer it.
    “Hello? Oh, hi, Mr. Hastings.”
    Tobin stopped, halfway up the stairs, his eyes wide.
    “Yes, he just got home a couple of minutes ago. No, he didn’t tell me what he got on his Algebra test.”
    Tobin grimaced. He didn’t have to turn around to know that his mom was glaring at him. It felt like an eternity before she spoke again.
    “You’re kidding me,” she sighed. “And this all happened today?”
    Another sigh. Two sighs in less than a minute. Not good.
    “All right, well, thank you for letting me know, Mr. Hastings. No, I’m just sorry to waste your time like this. I will. Bye.”
    She hung up the phone. Tobin walked downstairs and looked to her, but she didn’t turn around. She simply stood at the sink, washing dishes.
    “If you still think you’re going out tonight,” she said, “you’re crazy.”
    Tobin stepped toward her. “What? Why?”
    “You know why, Tobin. Don’t play stupid.”
    “I’m not, Mom! Seriously! I didn’t even do anything, it was