Code Name: Silence

By Kirstin van Dyke

Four normal lives...
Four extraordinary humans...
...are about to be changed— forever.

Imagine what it would be like to walk through walls. Kathy Allen doesn’t have to. She already can. She and her friends aren’t normal. They’re stronger, faster and have amazing abilities that no normal human could ever have...but they aren’t superheroes. Yet.

Right now, all Kathy’s powers are good for is getting her to school on time. She knows she could do much more, but the professionals are handling all the normal crimes. Until now.

A masked thief emerges that no one can stop. He leaves no clues. Security systems are no challenge for him, but Kathy thinks she and her friends are. The chance to prove themselves has arrived. And when you’re a superhero, what can possibly go wrong?

Everything.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kirstin van Dyke
• Release date: May 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476162089

Kirstin van Dyke

Young adult, sci-fi/fantasy author, Kirstin van Dyke was inspired at age 15 to begin writing "Code Name: Silence". She has always had a fascination with superheroes, superpowers, and has had a lifelong obsession with fantasy and the unknown. It took her three years and nearly ten rewrites before "Code Name: Silence" became the adventure that it is now.Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Kirstin showed an interest in art and writing at a very early age. She started to put together "picture books" when she was four years old, and wrote her first story when she was six. When she was in third grade, one of her illustrated books won third place in OPB's "Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest." Ever since, Kirstin dedicated herself to expanding her writing skills into a career. She taught herself art and writing with various textbooks and then took formal art training and writing classes for three years. She wrote "Code Name: Silence" during that time.While "Code Name: Silence" is Kirstin's first book to go to print, she has written another novel prior to it when she was 12, entitled "The Ghost Wolf." Other novels written after "Code Name: Silence" include the modern fantasy "Amethyst," and a project for November 2011's NaNoWriMo event entitled "My Dad Is a Secret Agent"."Team: Silence" - the sequel to Code Name: Silence" was published in April 2012 and is Kirstin's second book in print.Kirstin lives in Oregon with her family, where she continues to write novels, poems, and short stories. In her free time, she likes to paint, draw, and go trail riding on her horse Romeo. Never lacking for ideas and inspiration, Kirstin's dream is to keep creating stories, and put her imagination in writing for other people to enjoy.

Book preview

Code Name: Silence

Kirstin van Dyke

Fox & Pearl Press

FOX & PEARL PRESS

Published in the United States of America by Fox & Pearl Press, 2009

First electronic edition published by Fox & Pearl Press, 2010

Published by Kirstin van Dyke at Smashwords, 2012

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or places or people, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright Kirstin van Dyke, 2009

All rights reserved

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the author or publisher. Brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews are permitted.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Design by Kirstin van Dyke

Cover art copyright Kirstin van Dyke, 2009

ISBN 978-0-9843400-6-4 (print edition)

ISBN 978-0-9843400-4-0 (electronic edition)

www.CodeNameSilence.com

www.foxandpearlpress.com

To my parents, because without their love and support,

this book would not have been possible

Also to my brothers, my self-proclaimed over-worked advisors—one loyal, one critical—for all their help with the story

Thanks, guys

And to my sister, for being my cheerleader

Chapter 1

KATHY! WHERE ARE YOU? Has anyone seen Kathy?

Kathy Allen groaned. Leaning with her elbows on her bed, she threw the Spider-Man comic aside. She’d find it later. She jumped off the bed and made sure she had her watch. She winced. Shoot! I am late!

She grabbed her blue backpack as she ran out her bedroom door dressed in her usual—jeans and a t-shirt. She swung the backpack over her shoulder. It slapped hard against her as she ran downstairs. She jumped over the last two steps.

I’m ready, Mum! she said. Her Australian accent poked through her sentence as she kneeled to tie her tennis shoes.

"Finally! Kathy’s mom didn’t have an accent, and she didn’t need one to show her frustration. She put her hands on her hips. If you hurry maybe you can just make it today."

"I’m going! Later, Mum! Kathy ran out the door and across the lawn just as her dad’s red pick-up sounded its horn. I’m coming!" she called.

You’re late again, mate, her dad said in his thick Australian accent. He looked at Kathy as she put on her seatbelt. "I’d think a 16-year-old girl like you should at least be able to get to school on time."

I know! Kathy sighed as she tucked a strand of her long, red-brown hair behind her ear. She always wore it down. Just go, please?

It wasn’t her fault that she slept in; at least she didn’t like to think so. She could easily blame it on her three younger brothers. The truth was that late at night and the early morning after breakfast was the only free time she had to read her comics. Kathy spent the weekday afternoons doing homework, and on the weekends, she studied. She sighed again as she stared out the window. At least she could look forward to seeing her friends Robert and Aaron at school.

Thank God summer break is coming! Kathy thought, finally feeling some relief.

When they got to West Hill Private School, Kathy jumped out of the truck almost before her dad hit the brakes. She turned to wave a quick goodbye before she ran up the stairs to the door.

She jerked the door open and winced at the echo it made in the empty, white hallway. Quietly closing it behind her, Kathy checked to see if she was truly alone. Satisfied, she made sure her backpack was on her shoulders securely. Then she reached out to the wall with both hands. Taking a deep breath, and looking around one last time, she started pushing her fingers closer against the wall. She concentrated. The wall molded around her fingers. Then she was climbing the wall—fingers pushed through it.

Kathy climbed close to the ceiling and then crawled quietly, but quickly, on all fours. As her fingers left the indents she’d made, the wall closed up and turned solid again.

When she reached the top of the doorway to her classroom, she jumped down in front of it, landing lightly on her feet. Instead of opening the door, Kathy saved a fraction of a second by passing through it. Unlike the wall, the door didn’t mold around her; she went through it, like a ghost. The English teacher’s back was turned but Kathy knew she’d heard her footsteps.

Go sit down, Allen, the teacher said without turning around.

Kathy sat in the second row, hiding behind a tall student. She glanced at her watch as she slumped into her chair. At least her stunts in the hall, though exhausting, had granted her a little time. She spent the rest of the morning running between classrooms…until lunch.

Hey, Kath! Robert said as Kathy came into the cafeteria. The dark-haired boy with shining, brown eyes had been with her in every class, but now, they finally had a chance to talk.

G’day, Robby! Kathy teased, forgetting her accent.

"You know I don’t like being called that," Robert snapped.

Sorry. Kathy decided it would be best not to pursue the matter today. Robert seemed on edge. Usually he was more sarcastic.

Robert was orphaned at age five when his mother died in a car accident. Robby was what she used to call him. Kathy met Robert after he moved in with his current foster family. He’d been with them for almost four years now, a new record. His previous foster families had given up—sometimes even before two years rolled around—because of Robert’s rambunctious and often uncontrollable behavior. At least, that’s what Kathy had heard.

Only five minutes late today! Wow! Robert said, quickly changing the subject. Amazing! How’d you manage? Same-old, same-old?

Kathy nodded and smiled at Robert’s mock enthusiasm. Same-old, same-old, she said. Robert knew about her special abilities. Have you seen Aaron today? Kathy asked.

Robert was looking past her shoulder.

Robert? When he didn’t answer, Kathy turned around and followed his gaze. A girl she’d never seen before was walking across the cafeteria.

She looked like she was a year younger than Kathy was. Her medium-length, blonde hair had dark brown streaks running through it. She looks three inches shorter than me, Kathy thought. Then she saw that the girl was hunching, as if she was trying to hide. The girl quickly walked to an empty table in the corner. Her streaked hair fell forward as she sat down, hiding her bright green eyes.

Kathy turned back to Robert. She leaned her elbows on the table and rested her chin on her folded hands. You know her?

Hmm? Robert turned back to Kathy, his wind-blown hair falling toward his eyes. He pushed it back. Who? Her? No. In fact, I’ve only seen her a couple times before. She never waits around to talk to anyone.

Kathy looked back at the girl. I wonder who she is.

Hey, Aaron! Robert called as the tall, blond, 18-year-old approached the table.

Aaron wore black as often as Robert wore red—every day. He sat next to Robert with a tray of food and his bright blue eyes focused on Kathy’s turquoise eyes. How did it go? he asked in his deep voice.

Kathy knew Aaron wanted her to be honest. It was never any use trying to lie to him, anyway. I was late again, she said.

"But only by five minutes!" Robert finished with unconvincing emphasis.

When lunch was over, Kathy, Aaron, and Robert went together to Math.

Kathy knew how much Aaron enjoyed math. He planned to become an engineer or a professional mechanic. He knew the math teacher, Mr. Connors, personally.

Kathy sat in her usual spot, the front row between Aaron and Robert. While Mr. Connors wrote an equation on the blackboard, Kathy glanced quickly at Aaron. She saw his blue eyes literally light up for a second. A small smile came to his lips and he bent down to write in his notebook. Kathy knew he already had the answer.

Robert, on the other hand, scribbled furiously on his notepad but seemed to be getting nowhere.

Mr. Connors noticed and started toward Robert’s desk. He patted Aaron gently on the shoulder as he walked past him. Mr. Connors looked at Robert’s notes. You’re on the right track, Robert, he said in his warm tone, but you keep making the same mistake.

Kathy watched Robert look up at Mr. Connors’ deep, blue eyes. Then he looked down at his scribbles. Son of Krypton! he exclaimed. You’re right! Thanks!

You’re welcome. The tall, well-built teacher started helping another student when Robert raised his hand. Mr. Connors turned around.

Um, where’s the mistake? Robert asked.

Mr. Connors brushed a short strand of golden brown hair off his forehead. He tapped his pencil at a spot on Robert’s paper. I think it’s right here.

Robert slapped his forehead and got back to work.

Kathy smiled before she solved the equation herself.

When Math was over, she found herself in the hall with Robert.

One week before summer break, Kathy said, closing her locker door. She snapped her combination lock closed. As she put on her backpack, she asked, Any plans, Rob?

Nah, not yet. Robert slammed his own, squeaky locker. Hey, Kathy, he said, I think I set one of my books in your locker. Could you—? Before he finished, Kathy reached through her closed locker door and grabbed the book. She pulled it through the locker and handed it to Robert.

Here.

That’s so cool, the way you do that, Robert said. He stuffed the book in his bag. I bet you could run through the halls as fast you wanted without worrying about hitting anything.

Kathy smiled and shrugged. I’m not sure about that. I can’t pass through people, remember?

Hey! Allen!

Kathy wheeled around. And it’s too bad, too, she mumbled to herself. Rob, she whispered. Triple Threat, down the hall. Rob? Kathy turned to Robert. He was gone, but Kathy was pretty sure she knew where he was. She waited and put on her bravest face as the trio of wannabe, school bullies approached. You talkin’ to me? she asked in a cocky tone, letting her accent come through.

How much money ya got? the tallest boy said. He crossed his arms.

Kathy casually tucked her hair behind her ear. What would you want it for? To buy a new face? My mum knows a plastic surgeon.

So you think you’re funny, huh?

Another boy reached for the shoulder straps on Kathy’s backpack. Something knocked him backwards. What the heck was that? he asked, looking at Kathy. He didn’t have time to get an answer. Another invisible, rough shove pushed him into his friends, nearly knocking them down. They slammed into the lockers.

"Where is it?" One of them asked. He looked around wildly, fists bared.

"What is it?" the smallest boy asked.

Suddenly, all three received blows from invisible fists. Kathy stepped back. A mad scuffle followed as the boys swung wildly at the air. They only connected with themselves and the locker doors. They tripped each other up in the scramble to teach their invisible foe a lesson. They all fell in a heap against the lockers, moaning and exhausted.

Kathy applauded. Good goin’, Rob!

Robert became visible again. He levitated, hovering cross-legged over the half-unconscious boys. He blew air across his knuckles. Thanks. It’s a gift, he said with a smug grin. But it’s a shame to waste it on a gang of losers. He raised both black eyebrows.

Kathy started for the door. Come on, you comedian. Let’s get outta here before the principal comes to find out who made this mess.

Nobody saw me, Robert said. He floated backwards in front of Kathy. The principal wouldn’t believe it anyway. I mean, come on; an invisible guy who pummels bullies? Who’s gonna believe that?

Search me. Kathy shrugged. But just the same… She paused as Robert landed and opened the door. She blinked against the sun and adjusted her backpack. …Aaron’s right; you need to be careful about how and where you use your powers.

Hey, I know, I know. I’m really tryin’ to cut back, especially on the whole sneaking-up thing.

Really? Kathy stared at him.

Yeah! Robert’s brown eyes sparkled with mischief. Today I only scared my chemistry teacher and… He counted on his fingers. …four students!

Kathy rolled her eyes.

And actually, Robert continued when Kathy started to go down the stairs, I didn’t scare the students. My teacher did when he dropped that vial of explosive chemicals. I was kinda disappointed, though. There was more smoke than fire.

Yep, Kathy sighed. She looked sternly at Robert from the bottom of the stairs. Aaron’s right.

Robert swooped down the stairs like a hawk and landed lightly next to her. Hey, let’s go see him! Do you have a minute?

Kathy looked at her watch before she said, Okay, let’s go.

Aaron worked some weekdays, after-school, at the local garage, just down the street from the school.

Kathy and Robert walked down the sidewalk and turned the corner. As they went in, they found Aaron arguing with a customer.

I paid for the job yesterday! the skinny man insisted in a high, unpleasant voice. Kathy instantly thought of a weasel. I want my car!

"You need to pay first. Aaron’s eyes were glowing faintly. He stared the man in the eye. Cash only."

Kathy nudged Robert. Go find Aaron’s boss, please, she whispered. Robert nodded and jogged to the small office.

When he returned two minutes later, a short, middle-aged man with glasses was with him. After some searching through his files, he’d found that Aaron’s suspicions were correct.

The customer scowled as he shoved the money in Aaron’s hand. Aaron handed it to his boss before he gave the man his key. The man stormed to his car.

Aaron’s boss smiled. I can always count on you, my boy! he said. He patted Aaron on the shoulder. He tried to give the money back to him, but Aaron refused with a firm No. After Aaron’s boss left, Robert spoke up.

Hey, Aaron, I’m sure you could’ve known that guy was lying even if you didn’t have a built-in lie detector!

Keep it down, Aaron’s deep voice droned.

Kathy said, I’ll bet your boss sure is happy to have you around. Then she glanced at her watch. Shoot! I need to go! I’ll catch you guys later!

Later! Robert called.

Aaron just waved and went back to tuning an engine.

Sitting in the truck on the way home, Kathy thought about her powers and her friends’ powers. Sometimes they made her feel weird. Other times she felt as normal as someone without powers. She didn’t know how she got them or why she had them, but they always seemed to come in handy. Her parents had known about them since she discovered them, but she’d kept her abilities a secret from her four brothers.

Suddenly her thoughts turned to her mountain of homework and her unfinished Spider-Man comic. She sighed. There has to be more I could be doing.

Chapter 2

WHAT DO YOU WANT? a quivering voice asked from on a steel table.

Norman stalked from the shadows, showing himself. He saw the man, bound, lying on his back on the table. The man shivered at the sight of Norman. His eyes widened from on his bruised face.

Norman spoke. Where are the weapon technologies you stole from us?

The man started to answer but stopped himself.

Norman jumped, flipped into the darkness above, and then landed next to his prisoner’s left ear. His landing caused the sound of slammed metal to echo around the room. Now impatient, Norman shouted and repeated his question.

Again, the prisoner refused to answer.

Norman narrowed his deep blue eyes; the prisoner shuddered again. Norman stood slowly. If you will not answer, he hissed, then you are useless to me.

Norman saw his prisoner’s eyes widen with horror. A long, sharp knife flashed in Norman’s hand; then there were the heart-rending sounds of screams for mercy.

Norman showed none.

Norman jolted upright in bed. His breathing came short and fast. Sweat covered his muscular body. His golden brown hair clung to his forehead. Violent heartbeats racked through his body as the screams from his