The Casaday Girls, Book 1: Super Kids

By Michael Markey

Sisterhood can be a love-hate relationship, especially when you deal with the competitive spirit of pre-teens--kids who just happen to possess superpowers. So it goes with Alexa (age twelve) and ten-year-old Rachael Casaday, seemingly "normal" sisters with special gifts handed down from previous generations. In BOOK 1: SUPER KIDS, they will need these powers, not to mention the love and support of each other if they are to even survive this tale of wickedness and deception. The forces of evil are out there--a threat to their family, the community, and ultimately the lawmakers of our country. Leave it to the Casaday girls to derail this diabolical plan.

• Language: English
• Publisher: eBookIt.com
• Release date: Apr 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781456611170

Book preview

life.

CHAPTER 1

A VOICE AT THE LAKE

Come on, Lex--can’t you go any faster? Get it in gear, Rachael Casaday coaxed her struggling sister as she jogged well ahead.

Give me a break. I don’t have your superhuman speed, remember?

I’m only doing this for your benefit, you know. You’re the one who wants to run a little faster so you can play first string on the field hockey team next year.

Alexa huffed and puffed as she struggled to keep up with her whirlwind sister, the ‘flash with plenty of dash’. I can’t make that happen all in one night. Besides, it’s getting late, and awfully foggy--too foggy for either one of us to be out here this close to Halloween.

I know, so pick it up a bit. At least drivers can see me in these orange sweats, even in the dark and fog, said Rachael.

An SUV whizzed by. Both girls wisely scrambled over to the left side of the lane.

Dad was smart, getting these suits with the reflecting stuff on them. That last car was entirely too close. My turquoise sweats don’t show up very well, I guess, Alexa said.

Alexa and Rachael spent many afternoons or evenings running on the back streets of their development, Dunbar Lakes. It was a quiet neighborhood not far from the town of Voorhees, New Jersey. Twelve-year-old Alexa played lacrosse in the spring and field hockey this time of the year. Now ten, Rachael also played lacrosse, starting in March, and soccer in nearly every season, including the indoor program in winter months. The Casaday girls were just two sisters who loved normal activities, like playing sports.

But these two sisters possessed superpowers, unique skills and gifts all their own.

We could’ve been out here before dark, you know, Lex.

I had to get my homework done. Mom’s rule, not mine.

Yeah, whatever. As Rachael approached the lake area she looked back suspiciously at her sister. She could feel the pull on her neck and shoulders. Are you holding me back? Quit it.

That was one of Alexa’s superpowers. In giving off a simple stare, she could make things happen, things that don’t normally take place in the lives of most human beings. On her best days, she could control the minds and bodies of her adversaries.

Rachael also possessed super gifts of her own, such as the power of great strength and speed, and uncanny endurance. She stretched and contorted her body, to loosen up. Rachael then rolled her head side to side and flexed her fingers and arms as she jogged.

Don’t know about you, but it has been a long day. I spent all those hours just sitting around in class, cramped up in those nasty chairs. I feel like letting it go for a quick lap around the lake. Saying that, she exploded to a run. Want to join me? Rachael called back over her shoulder.

Come on. You know the answer to that. Alexa merely watched, trudging along. Rachael’s flamboyant demonstration of super speed was nothing new.

Seconds later, her circle complete, Rachael slid in behind Alexa and gave her a rousing Boo!

Alexa jumped. Hey--cut it out. Don’t scare me like that.

They both slowed to a walk.

Do you believe in vampires, Lex?

Of course I believe in them. You know the kind of books I’ve been reading lately. Any stories about the undead--if they’re not really long. I mean, I like to read that stuff, but...

Well, I don’t believe in them one bit. Because I’ve never seen one. Ever. So, they simply don’t exist.

What would you do if you DID see a vampire?

Simple. I’d stare right into his dark eyes and wear him down with my strength and speed, because I have the power to do it. Then I’d use my fighting skill to overcome him with my catlike moves. She demonstrated a few martial arts positions as Alexa watched, unimpressed. She’d seen this act so many times before.

That’s just great, until he bites you in the neck when you’re not looking. They’re lightning fast. Much quicker than you will ever be. Then what would you do?

Uh-- Rachael thought for a moment, and then answered, I’ll just figure all that out the first time I see one. Say. Maybe I’ll dress up as a vampire for Halloween.

Alexa was about to protest Rachael’s choice of costume as they continued on, past Stamford Lake. Suddenly she stopped. Rache. Do you sense something?

Like what?

I don’t know, but--

At that moment they heard the call.

Help--help me!

Did you hear that? What was it, a man’s cry?

I don’t know, Lex. It came from over there.

They stopped and stared toward the foggy lake, a scary place to be so close to Halloween.

An owl hooted and they both jumped.

Don’t like the sound of that, Alexa whispered.

Come on--it was only an owl. Stop being such a baby.

The call began again. It beckoned them away from the road, and through the playground equipment near the lake.

Help! Please help me.

There it is again. I wonder. Do the lochs in Scotland look like this when it’s almost dark?

Maybe they do. I don’t want to think about it, Rache. Now you’re talking about a place with other kinds of monsters. Alexa listened a moment, using her super acute hearing skill. Hello? She had to say it, hoping to get some kind of reply. Alexa only heard the soft lapping of water at the shore.

Look. Over there, said Rachael.

In the gloomy twilight two dark figures made a dash from the wooded lakefront, off into the night.

What the heck? she whispered to Rachael.

Come on. Let’s go get them.

Are you crazy? Even in the dark they looked awfully big.

Well, then we’ll follow the cry instead, said Rachael. She stepped forward.

Rache, we shouldn’t be doing this. We’re just kids, you know.

Kids with superpowers, remember? Someone wants our help. You heard it.

Again, the owl hooted.

Please. Make that dumb bird stop! Alexa shrieked.

They ventured ahead, following the gravelly path past the swings and slides, in search of the desperate call for help. Then they heard it again. That strained, disembodied voice.

I can see you. Please help me. I’m over here.

Did you bring your flashlight? Alexa asked Rachael.

Of course not. Did you?

Needs batteries. I’ll get some from Mom tomorrow.

Swell. We need the flashlight tonight, not tomorrow.

Enough moonlight broke through so they could follow the path to a stretch of sandy beach at the water’s edge.

Can we go around this stuff? I don’t want to get sand in my shoes.

Oh, Lex--

Do you see me now? The voice called. I’m over here.

The girls followed the voice (circling around the beach) to a thicket of pines. A man lay on the ground, drawing breath with great difficulty. Alexa stepped forward. Rachael hung back, reluctant to move at all, for on this rare occasion she was the timid one. Instead, she peered around Alexa to see the man, face up, stretched out on the ground. She saw a beam of light in the weeds beside him.

I dropped my flashlight over there. Will you get it for me?

Alexa snatched up the light and cast the beam toward its owner. Judging by his pale wrinkled face and long grey-white hair, she figured he was about seventy, maybe seventy-five years. He grimaced in pain. His dark overcoat was torn open at the neck. Shining the light closer, she saw two nasty puncture marks at his throat.

The cruel work of a vampire?

Now Rachael also ventured closer to the man. She crouched down near him to get a better look, too. You look awful. We’ll get you help.

Thank you. I would appreciate it. He stopped suddenly and looked up at Rachael. Oh dear. It’s you.

Huh?

You’re one of the Casaday girls. Then he glanced at Alexa. You, too. Both of you are here.

Yes, Rachael answered. Do you know us? She gave her sister a confused look. Wait. We’ll get somebody to--

No. Don’t worry about me, girls.

Why not? Rachael asked.

Because it’s you they want. It’s too late to save a decrepit fool like me.

It’s never too late. We can do it, Alexa said.

He closed his eyes and waved off her comment. First they took away my wife. She’s so very ill. Next the evil forces kept me from the portal. The gasping man sighed and rested his head back on the damp ground. Now, they will snatch away the two of you. That is their grand plan, children. They hold the key, you know.

Plan? Key? What portal? Rachael asked.

Behind the blue door. The portal to everlasting life. You must believe.

We saw two big people run away from here a minute ago. Is that who you mean when you talk about those forces? Alexa asked.

We could chase after them and-- said Rachael.

The desperate man clasped Alexa’s wrist, a gesture so feeble she barely felt it. His hand felt so dreadfully cold. Popsicle cold.

No, just run. Now. Save yourselves. He laid his head back on the damp grass again as he released her arm.

Alexa slid his scarf from around his neck, carefully folded it and made a pillow beneath his head.

Hold on. We’ll be back before you know it. Alexa pulled at her sister’s shoulder, to get Rachael on her feet, too--away from the injured man.

Please. Get away from the lake. It’s not safe for you here. The man’s voice became faint. In a whisper he said, Be careful, my friends.

As they sprinted away, Alexa said, What should we do, Rache?

Let’s run home and get Mom to call the police. Maybe an ambulance, too. They’ll know what to do.

Do you think we should let the guy here by himself? If one of us could stay and--

You heard what he said. Maybe he’s right. I know I’m not going to hang around out here in the dark, not after what I just saw. Are you?

Let’s get Mom.

CHAPTER 2

HELP ON THE WAY

Dashing back the several meandering lanes to their house on Lakeside Drive, the girls nearly broke down the door to the two-story home as they searched frantically for their mother, Victoria. Peanut, the family beagle, scrambled off the sofa in their family room, to greet them with a round of high-pitched yelps.

Mom? Mom! Where are you? Alexa called, once they were inside.

Up here, in your bedroom. What’s up?

Call the police, Mom. There’s a man down at the lake. He needs help, Rachael shouted as she climbed the stairs, two steps at a time.

Slow down, Rachael. Mrs. Casaday met her at the top of the stairs, folded towels in her arms. Now, what’s all this about a man at the lake?

He’s hurt, he needs our help. We better call for an ambulance too. Alexa puffed as she followed a few steps behind her sister.

He’s hurt? Did he fall, or something?

Fall? Huh-uh. Somebody-- Alexa paused for breath. We don’t know exactly what somebody did. They hurt him, though, like maybe they stabbed him in the neck. Both of us saw the teeny tiny puncture marks. Then we saw two humongous guys--or something--run into the trees. We need the police to find them, too.

Wait one minute, you two. What were you doing at the lake? Their mother paused and shook her head. "I thought your father and I warned you about going off the paved street without a parent. At this time of the night, how