One of the Girls

By Paul M. Carhart

When 16-year-old Jana Swain discovers that she can move things with her mind, she knows her life has changed forever.

With coaching from Jeni, her popular twin sister, Jana reluctantly takes the guise of PsyChickTM, using her abilities to right wrongs. But she’s in over her head. Only by acting together can Jana and Jeni become the hero that neither could have been alone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paul M. Carhart
• Release date: Feb 11, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452397580

Paul M. Carhart

Paul M. Carhart is an award-winning Art Director in print, Internet and new media. He has produced interactive creative for Audi, Nissan/Infiniti, Toshiba and Focus on the Family and was the host of the UCCS web radio show, The Creative Underground. He often speaks on creativity, writing and design and his articles have appeared online and in local and national print publications. In addition to the Fairlight series of science fiction novels that include Chance for the Future, Hope for Tomorrow and Faith in the Past, Carhart is also the author of One of the Girls (the first in the PsyChickTM series of Young Adult superhero novels), A Stranger on Bay Street (the first in his new Worlds Collide series) and Zooming Thru Life, a nonfiction guide to the on-the-go lifestyle. He is currently halfway through the next Worlds Collide novel, A Stranger at the Gallows. And hopes to return to the Fairlight series after that. Stay up-to-date: www.paulcarhart.com.After a short time in Colorado, Paul and his wife Lori returned to Long Beach, California where they both grew up. The two of them were the driving force behind Launch Pad, a band that played the local Long Beach music scene as well as many charity functions.In Febuary 2014, four days before her birthday, Lori passed away, the results of a devastating stroke. Her death put Planetfall and subsequent books roughly a year behind schedule.Paul has continued their music in a new band, Third World Sun, made up of former Launch Pad members. They play frequently in the downtown Long Beach music scene and their first independently-produced CD will be available in December, 2015.Paul has one daughter, Melody, who is Third World Sun’s primary photographer.

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One of the Girls

Paul M. Carhart

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2010 Paul M. Carhart

Cover concept and illustrations by Kris Cartwright

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PsyChick™ is a trademark of Paul M. Carhart

www.paulcarhart.com

This book is available in print from paulcarhart.com

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One of the Girls

A Contemporary Superhero Fantasy

Paul M. Carhart

For my two favorite girls:

My wife, Lori and our daughter, Melody.

Chapter One

Incident At Sand Creek

Jana Swain kicked up a cloud of dust as she charged along the thin dirt trail that traced its way down the hill.

When she reached the waist high chain link fence, she vaulted over it.

Thanks to countless hours behind a drum kit, Jana had strong limbs. Still, she wondered how her legs would hold up to today’s abuse.

She continued to run anyway.

There she goes!

She glanced back at her assailants. They were still coming. It was the same crowd. Tim Bartholomew, Craig Pringle, Craig’s girlfriend Lisa Pitts and her brother Lanny; all of them lumbered down the hill.

The trail spilled out into a cul-de-sac. Jana could hear the clumsy rattling of the fence behind her as her pursuers scrambled over.

They weren’t going to give up.

But then, neither was Jana.

The yards in the neighborhood were empty. Most people weren’t yet home from work. She would find no help here.

So she kept up the pace.

She went left at the first intersection. Wasn’t anyone home? Wouldn’t anyone protect her?

The plodding footfalls behind her were still coming… and they were gaining.

She bounded up the steps of a nearby house and banged on the door. There was no answer.

That was a waste.

With a huff, she sprinted back into the street and took another left. Just ahead, the road crossed Sand Creek. If she couldn’t find anyone to help her, perhaps at least she could go someplace where it would be difficult for them to follow.

As she reached the creek, Jana leapt over the short fence and scurried down the bank, scraping her left knee against the gravel.

Sand Creek was aptly named. Indeed, Jana couldn’t remember a time when she had ever seen water in it.

She plodded through the deep sand that made up the wash.

Gotta put the sand between them and me, she thought.

Over here, one of the boys cried.

Jana turned to see Craig coming down the same side of the embankment that she had. However, Tim, Lisa and Lanny had charged across the bridge and started down the other side. Now, instead of putting the sand between her and the thugs who were chasing her, she was in the middle of the sand with them closing in on either side.

She was trapped.

She switched directions, heading underneath the bridge.

The gang reached her just as she came into the shade.

What do you want with me? she cried.

Tim Bartholomew was a sophomore, one year younger than she was, but bigger than most seniors. In middle school, he had been notorious for taking students’ belongings, especially their lunch money.

Jana glanced around, hoping she would find something beneath the bridge that could help her. The skull of an unfortunate coyote stared back at her.

She was underneath the bridge; there was no way a passerby could even see her to help.

I shoulda stayed out in the open.

Tim took a step closer. The others were close behind him.

We’ll start with whatever money you’ve got, Swain. Tim wiped his arm across his sweaty forehead. And then we’ll see what else ya got.

What if I don’t have any money? she asked. I mean, if you’re gonna steal lunch money, shouldn’t you do it before lunch?

Tim looked her over.

Jana shied away from make-up and preferred to keep her auburn hair tied back in a ponytail. She also liked to dress comfortably, choosing a pair of denim shorts for today’s excursion to schoo. Still, despite a few stray freckles, she knew she was pretty. After all, Jeni, her identical twin sister, was the most popular junior varsity cheerleader in the school. Guys literally stood in line to be seen near her. Tim Bartholomew and his lackeys, however, weren’t exactly the kind of line Jana had hoped to attract.

Okay. How about I give you whatever money I have and you leave me alone?

The idea of giving in sickened her. Still, it was all she could come up with. Being broke was better than being broken.

Tim stopped. See guys? A crooked grin traced its way across his pimply face. Now she’s all cooperative.

The rest of them chuckled. A menacing sound.

Jana thrust her hand into her shorts and fished out two bills and a handful of change. She held it out to them. Here.

Tim closed the distance between them and snatched the cash from her hand. It’s only a few dollars. He punctuated his observation with a snort.

While Tim’s attention was diverted, Jana grasped a handful of sand and tossed it up into his face.

Tim coughed and wiped at his eyes. Even though he couldn’t really see, he jabbed his open hand into her chest. The force of the blow dropped her to the ground like a rag doll.

She skidded to a stop a few feet away. The gravel stung against her bare legs. The ground was dusty and Jana sneezed before she could push herself up to a sitting position.

Her hazel eyes sought an escape route. In the distance, near where the trestle met the ground, she spied a few rocks. If she could just lay hold of one of them, perhaps she could fend them off.

But Tim wasn’t about to give her the upper hand. Dropping the money, he bounded toward her.

Jana scrambled, trying to gain her feet in the loose sand.

Tim was looming over her.

That was when a large rock slammed into his head.

Tim hit the ground hard, a cloud of dusty sand settling around him.

Jana scanned her surroundings in hopes of locating her savior, but there was no one to be found.

The other bullies seemed just as surprised as Jana was.

Hey, Lanny whimpered, his gaze never leaving Tim.

Forget this, Lisa muttered before making her escape. Craig was right behind her.

Tim stirred.

You better get him out of here, Jana advised, hoping to make the best of the situation.

Lanny tugged on Tim. Come on. Let’s go.

A smaller stone sailed over his head. The boy’s eyes went wide. Another rock bounced off his forehead.

Hey!

Then the coyote skull flew at the two of them.

Lanny panicked. This is crazy!

Two more rocks pelted them in quick succession.

I’m right behind you, Tim slurred.

Seconds later, Jana was sitting in the sand by herself.

Chapter Two

Investigation

The sound of drums reverberated through the basement. Indeed, they likely shook the entire house.

Jana knew she should be more disciplined but, as she often did to relieve stress, she threw her rudiments right out the window, preferring instead to pummel her drumheads as hard as she could with her sticks.

Of course such a display usually got her nothing less than the police at her door and a reprimand from her father.

Still, it was the only way she knew how to deal with her afternoon’s experiences.

She increased the tempo and shook her head to get the sweat out of her eyes. A shape passed through her periphery.

Jana stopped in mid-beat and skewered the intruder with her gaze.

The silence was deafening.

Jeni, her twin sister who was still clad in her blue and gold cheerleader uniform, bit her lip. What?

Jana sheathed her sticks into a pouch that hung from her floor tom. You should know better than to sneak around down here. I don’t interrupt when you’re building a squirming pyramid of giggling debutantes.

It’s called cheer practice, Jeni huffed. It’s essential if we’re going to win the championships.

Right. Practice. Jana stood and wiped her forehead with her sleeve. What do you think I was doing?

Jeni plopped down into one of the beanbag chairs. Pounding? You know what happens when you play so aggressively.

Jana rolled her eyes before sinking into another such chair. I know. And then Dad has to explain to the police why it’s better that I spend my time in the basement playing drums instead of building bombs.

Jeni shook her head. That’s not funny, Sissy.

Whatever. Jana hated that nickname. Mom would’ve been cool with it.

Jeni licked her lips. Mom’s not here.

I know.

So, what happened today? Jeni asked as she leaned forward. Those bullies were at it again, weren’t they?

I can handle them.

Jeni threw her hands up in the air. Are you kidding? There’s four of them and just one of you. Why don’t you let me help?

I don’t need your help. You’ll just sick a couple jocks on ‘em. And what’ll that do? Bring them back with a vengeance. That’s what. As soon as your guardian angel beefcakes go home, Barfo and his buddies will be on me like sharks at a barbecue. Jana’s brow furrowed. Hey, how did you find out they chased me anyway? Didn’t you have practice after school.

I did but it didn’t last long. Jeni giggled. Your tormentors did the hundred-yard dash right through the field. They looked scared. She shrugged. So I was worried. I thought maybe whatever had frightened them might have done something to you.

Jana was touched. Although she and Jeni were competitive and had very little in common anymore, they were still sisters.

Well, that’s an understatement.

So what happened?

This time Jana leaned forward. It was the strangest thing, she whispered.

Jeni craned her neck to get every word. Like what?

What if I told you the Martin Street Bridge over Sand Creek is haunted?

* * *

Jeni leapt up the basement stairs, beating Jana to the top by a nose. Together they charged through the den where Jimmy was sitting on the couch reading his comic books. They vaulted the couch and popped open the door that led to the garage.

Hey, Jimmy cried. Where are you guys going?

As usual, the twins ignored their little brother.

The sun was probably fifteen minutes from going down when Jana skidded to a halt and laid her bike down on its side at the edge of Sand Creek. Jeni, still in her cheerleading uniform and wearing