Upbeats

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  "You could be Gemini’s twin," Brooke stated as she finished rubbing charcoal in Smithy’s hair.

  Smithy frowned. "You guys make it sound like it’s a good thing."

  "Yeah, well it isn’t," Robyn admitted. "But for now, it could mean the difference between life and death."

  "There’s just one thing missing," I said. "Your eye, Smithy. Gemini’s is metal, like the rest of his face, but yours is just grey and normal. How are we going to fix that?"

  Brooke thought about it over for a moment then snapped her fingers. "Of course: contact lenses! This girl at Arthur’s work is forever giving him assorted contact lenses. She works in the undercover department. I think she’s trying to say she likes him. He doesn’t know what to do with them so he gives them to me."

  "Do you have a metallic one?" Ned asked.

  Brooke rummaged through the drawers in her wardrobe, her bedside draw and desk. "I just might . . . aha! Here we go."

  She held up a tiny, clear plastic packet that contained minute metal discs: contact lenses.

  "Now, Smithy, this may feel a little . . . uncomfortable," Brooke warned. "So, um, don’t scream, whatever you do."

  Smithy seemed edgy at Brooke’s un-assuring assurance. "Have you ever actually done this before?" Smithy asked, uneasily.

  "Um," Brooke bit her lip. She plunged forward and placed the contact lens on Smithy’s left eye before he could even teleport.

  He winced but then blinked normally.

  "That was the first time I ever did that," Brooke whispered to me.

  "Right," Smithy said, looking in the mirror and admiring Brooke’s handy-work. "I thought it was."

  "You weren’t supposed to hear that," Brooke said, a little surprised.

  "I know," Smithy replied with a shrug. "But I did."

  "Are you sure super-hearing wasn’t in that mix?" Ned asked System.

  System looked up at him. "No, it wasn’t."

  "Just checking."

  "Well," I said, checking my watch. "We’re as well as getting a move on. We have to allow some time for error."

  Brooke fitted on her wig. You know how sometimes, when someone you’ve known a long time changes their hair colour, it takes you forever to get used to it? Well, not with Brooke. She looked good blonde.

  Everyone put on their masks. We were ready.

  We were heroes. The motliest crew of heroes you may ever come across but we could be worse.

  "Is everyone in?" I said. "Anyone who wants out now, speak now or forever hold your peace."

  Everyone exchanged looks.

  "I’m in," Brooke said, determinedly. "No way am I missing out on this."

  "I can’t exactly back out now," Smithy pointed out. "But, for what’s it’s worth, I’m all in."

  "I couldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t," Robyn said, quietly.

  "Hmm . . . stay home, watch TV, maybe do that homework I’ve been putting off for ages or go and save the world from an alien that can’t even smell?" Ned considered.

  "So," Brooke said, cleaning up the dressing table. "Which is it gonna be?"

  Ned rolled his eyes. "Nothing’s good on TV and that homework can wait another week or so. I’m in!"

  That was the Ned I knew. He would argue, he would disagree and he would refuse to ever put himself in a situation he describes as "Nuts."

  But if he can help, if he can make a difference, he will do it, as much as against his will it may be.

  I smiled. "Then, c’mon. Let’s go!"

  We climbed out Brooke’s window, one by one. She was the last out.

  I frowned. "You all brought your bikes?"

  Ned shook his head. "Duh! None of us can exactly fly, now can we?"

  "I’ll be back," I said and quickly ran across the street. Fortunately, I have a bad habit of leaving my skateboard leaning against the side of the house. I grabbed it and rolled up to the others.

  "Alright, take two," I said, taking the lead. We were headed Downtown for the final showdown.

  I shuddered. Everything was really going to my head, I was even rhyming.