Operation Runaway

By Matthew K. Manning and Mary Meinking

Despite the fact that she's a founding member of Drone Academy, Zora Michaels is viewed as a flighty girly-girl by the other kids at her high school. Masking her genius-level intellect with the latest clothing trends and her popular group of friends, Zora's real passion lies behind her keyboard. But when the younger brother of one of the school's least popular students goes missing, Zora begins to search for the runaway using her tough-as-nails drone. Things get complicated when a nearby forest fire endangers the boy's life. Zora must coordinate with local firefighters to locate and rescue the runaway, all while keeping her identity a secret from her increasingly nosy peers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: May 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781515887249

Matthew K. Manning

The author of the Amazon best-selling hardcover Batman: A Visual History, Matthew K. Manning has contributed to many comic books, including Beware the Batman, Spider-Man Unlimited, Pirates of the Caribbean: Six Sea Shanties, Justice League Adventures, Looney Tunes, and Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? When not writing comics themselves, Manning often authors books about comics, as well as a series of young reader books starring Superman, Batman, and the Flash for Capstone. He currently resides in Asheville, North Carolina with his wife Dorothy and their two daughters, Lillian and Gwendolyn. Visit him online at www.matthewkmanning.com.

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CHAPTER 1

BEHIND THE PINK DOOR

So you heard why Jessica can’t go, right? Gabby said from behind the wheel of her tiny red Toyota as she rolled through a stop sign on Second Avenue.

Zora Michaels glanced over at her friend, studying Gabby’s long, dark hair and pretty features. Up until that point, Zora hadn’t really been listening. She’d been distracted, looking out the window, watching the familiar front yards pass by. But hearing Jessica’s name snapped her back to reality.

No, Zora said. Why?

She said she’s — and I’m quoting here — ‘got to spend the day studying for the PSAT.’ Can you believe that? How is that more fun than cheerleading tryouts?

Well, getting ready for college is pretty impor—

I know, right? Gabby interrupted. I mean, we have the rest of our lives to be all studious and serious. Live it up while you can, you know?

Zora didn’t respond. Cheerleading was far from her favorite topic — not that she could tell her friend that. Gabby would never understand. Instead, Zora went back to looking out the window.

Gabby turned her car onto Pine Street. Zora was almost home.

You at least have a good excuse, Gabby said.

Yep, said Zora. Can’t miss my dentist appointment. Plus I told Mom last week I’d go shopping with her.

Ugh, you’re so lucky. My mom’s idea of shopping is raiding my sister’s closet. Everything in there is like five years out of style.

Gabby pulled up in front of Zora’s house and flipped down the visor above her head as soon as the car was in park. She pushed her bangs out of her eyes and checked her lipstick in the mirror. It seemed to meet her approval, but just barely.

Well, have fun at tryouts. Zora smiled, trying to look genuine, and pushed her door open. She straightened up and brushed her curly black hair off her shoulder, then flung her bag over her shoulder.

It’d be more fun if you were there, said Gabby, thumping the visor back in place.

Wouldn’t everything? Zora replied. She smiled again before turning to walk away.

You wish! Gabby called. She pulled away from the curb with an accidental lurch, as if having trouble with the clutch. Interestingly enough, her car was an automatic.

Zora shook her head as she pushed her key into the front door’s lock. Another day, another invite to something she didn’t care about. She had better things to do than stand by the sidelines at games she had no interest in, shouting encouragement for athletic feats she wasn’t impressed by.

The situation did present an interesting challenge, though. Now Zora had to come up with a week’s worth of excuses to miss out on cheerleading tryouts. That was the only way to get out of the coming season.

The door creaked open, and Zora stepped inside and out of her black boots. As she walked up the stairs, she felt the plush white carpet on her toes, even through the material of her knee-high socks. At the top of the stairs she saw the familiar kitten poster plastered on her pink bedroom door. The little cat was still hanging from its branch. So determined. An inspiration, really.

Inside, a familiar world of pink waited for her. Pink walls. Pink bed sheets. Even a pink beanbag chair.