The Return of the Titans Read Online Free Page A

well. Things you probably haven't even noticed. Like the
fact that you never get sick. Haven't you wondered about
that?”
    He stared at her. “Sure I do, Mom. Remember
when I had the flu that time? I thought I was going to die,
seriously.”
    She shook her head. “That was over two years
ago, sweetie. You haven't had so much as a sniffle since you turned
twelve. There are other things as well, but we don't have time to
list them.” She squeezed his hands. “What I'm saying is that you
are different. And you aren't the only one. There are others out
there, like you, who are also changing.”
    Justin was becoming more confused. “Okay, so
I'm different. So what? Everyone's different, Mom. Why should those
guys be after me just because of that?
    His mother sighed in frustration. “Sweetie,
I don't have time to tell you. Oh, I wish I'd been able to explain
earlier. To get you ready. But we thought we had time. And now,
there's no time left.”
    The boy opened his mouth to ask who this
'we' was that his mother kept referring to, when suddenly he heard
a low boom. The room shook slightly. “Huh. Sounds like someone had
an accident outside,” he said.
    His mother shook her head just as another,
louder boom echoed through the apartment. The room shook again,
more violently. At that moment, Wilson hurried into the living
room.
    “They're trying to get in,
Julia. I have to get him out of here.”
    She nodded and looked at Justin intently.
“You have to go with Wilson, hon. He will send you somewhere safe.
Somewhere that these men can't find you. You will have all your
questions answered there. And I will know you're all right.”
    He shook his head. “No way, Mom. If there is
someone breaking in here, I'm not leaving you alone. They might
hurt you.”
    “Justin, it's okay. They
don't want me. They want you. And they won't hurt me because I
don't know where Wilson is sending you.”
    “What? But then how do you
know it's safe?”
    She looked at the janitor. “Because I trust
Miles. And so should you.” The room shook a third time and Julia
pushed her son toward Wilson. Justin stood up and looked back at
her. “When things are safe, you can come back, sweetie. Hopefully
it won't be too long.” She stretched out her arms and Justin bent
down and hugged her. She felt so tiny and frail in his arms. He
didn't want to let go. But after a moment, she relaxed and pushed
him away gently. “Go now, sweetie. Be good. And be safe.”
    Wilson took his arm and led him toward the
hallway. Justin looked back at his mother.
    “Love you, sweetie,” she
said with a sad smile.
    “Love you, Mom,” he
answered, almost a whisper. Then Wilson pulled him from the
room.
    To Justin's surprise, they didn't turn
toward the main door but instead went down the hall to the
bathroom.
    “Um, Wilson? If we have to
leave, shouldn't we be going that way?” he asked, pointing toward
the front of the apartment.
    “No, Justin. We would run
into those men if we went that way. They are already in the
building.”
    “What?” Justin stared at
him, bewildered. “How can you know that?”
    The old man shook his head and they entered
the bathroom. The big cast iron tub was full of water. Justin had
always loved that tub. It was big enough and deep enough to relax
in no matter how far he could stretch out. Now he just looked at it
in puzzlement.
    “Okay Justin, I want you
to stand up on the edge of the tub. Grab the shower curtain so you
don't slip in.”
    The boy stared at Wilson for a moment, then
shrugged and stepped on to the tub.
    He balanced himself on the edge of the tub
and then watched as Wilson leaned his mop against the wall and
fished in his pocket for something.
    Wait a second, Justin thought. Didn't Wilson
leave that mop downstairs?
    The question faded from his mind as Wilson
pulled what looked like a round, shiny black stone out of his
pocket and handed it to the teen.
    Justin looked at the stone curiously. It was
oval and smooth with small