Johnny Norberg. The Ultimate Superhero. Episode 2. Escape.: Johnny Norberg, #2

By Kendall Graham Fox

                                                                This is episode 2 in the continuing saga of Johnny Norberg. The Ultimate Superhero.

   Johnny Norberg was born with the unique ability to make things happen simply by thinking about them. When he was five months old three men in black suits abducted him and it wasn't until eleven years later that his mother foumd out what happened to him. He had been held against his will at Area 51 because thay wanted to make him the ultimate superspy, but Johnny had other plans.. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kendall Graham Fox
• Release date: May 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201267711

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Johnny Norberg was five months old when he was abducted by three men in black suits and was never seen or heard from again. His father was stationed in Iraq during the Gulf War and he also disappeared on that same day... at least that’s what the Army told his wife. Linda Norberg was sure the US government had abducted her baby because of his unusual ability to make things happen simply by thinking of them. She never gave up trying to find Johnny and his father and after eleven years the truth was finally revealed.

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Note to the reader:

This is the second episode in the continuing saga of Johnny Norberg. I recommend that you read Johnny Norberg. The Ultimate Superhero. The Legend Begins, before you read this novel.

Thank you.

K .G. Fox

OTHER NOVELS BY KENDALL GRAHAM FOX

Johnny Norberg. The Ultimate Superhero. The Legend Begins. Rated R

The Legend of Charlie Condor.  Rated PG13

For the love of Boo. The sequel to; The Legend of Charlie Condor. Rated PG13

The Second Coming. The Final Conflict Begins.   Rated R

Exotas. The sequel to; The Second Coming. The Final Conflict Begins.  Rated R

Betrayal. A not so... Love Story  Rated R

A Prelude to Violence.   Rated R

Sound Shadows.  Rated PG13

Raven’s Flight.  Rated PG13

The Queen B... Rated R

All ratings are by the author

ACKNOLEDGMENTS

I thank Maria Gaona, Steve Wilson, Susie Hardy and Jenise Stout Fryatt for their editorial skills and for making this a better story.

Cover art by Ken Greene

Copyright registration number TXu1-690-664

© Rocky Mountain Publications LLC

This novel is rated R by the author

CHAPTER 1

September 11, 2001

Linda Norberg was sleeping peacefully when her cell phone rang and woke her up. She looked to see who was calling, but the number was blocked. When she saw it was 4:26 a.m. she didn’t answer it.

Who would call at this time of morning? she muttered.

The caller didn’t leave a message, so she thought it was probably a wrong number. She was almost asleep when her phone rang again. It had to be the same person because this number was also blocked. She let it go to voicemail, but once again the caller didn’t leave a message.

She couldn’t go back to sleep, so she got out of bed and went into the kitchen and made a pot of coffee. She kept thinking about the phone call, but she didn’t have a clue why someone had called her at this time of morning. She picked up her coffee cup, then went over to the window and looked out. It was still dark, but she could see the silhouette of the dilapidated house where she was born and raised.

*******

She had moved to Los Angeles, California thirteen years ago and never thought she would return to her roots. The bizarre set of cir-cumstances that prompted her to move to her parent’s pig farm in rural Iowa had left her little choice. Her husband had joined the Army before her baby was born and he was sent to Iraq to fight in the Gulf War. Not long after he shipped out things took a turn for the worse. She had to quit her job in her third trimester because of constant nausea and had spent most of her time in bed.

The allotment check she received each month from the Army paid for their basic needs, but there wasn’t any money left at the end of the month. When the landlord raised the rent she had no choice except to move into a tiny one bedroom apartment in a less-than-desirable neighborhood. She hadn’t lived in Los Angeles long enough to know that Watts, California wasn’t the best place for a twenty-five year old white woman with blonde hair and blue eyes to

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live. There were prostitutes and drug dealers on almost every corner, and the only time she left her apartment was when she needed to go to the grocery store. She didn’t know how to drive, so most of the time she walked or took the bus. To complicate matters, August was the hottest time of the year and Southern California was ex-periencing one of the worst heat waves in recorded history. Her apartment didn’t have air conditioning and the heat was almost unbearable. Her baby’s incessant crying was about to drive her crazy and the neighbor pounding on the wall didn’t help things. She pointed a small fan toward his crib, then soaked a bath towel in cold water, rung it out and placed it over his crib. It seemed to help, but she had to repeat the process every twenty minutes.

She turned on the TV and started watching the news. The weather-man said it was 106 degrees and cooler weather wasn’t in the fore-cast. She went into the kitchen to get a drink of water and noticed the room was cooler. She looked at the thermometer on the wall and saw it was 92 degrees. She opened the window to see if there was a breeze, but she quickly closed it when a gush of stale, hot air over-whelmed her. As she was leaving the kitchen she realized the room had cooled down to 82 degrees. She didn’t know why this was hap-pening, but she was grateful.

She went into the bedroom and checked on Johnny because it was time for his bottle. He was sleeping peacefully, but he woke up when she removed the towel. She picked him up, then carried him into the kitchen and put him in his highchair. He smiled when she put his bottle in a pan of water and placed it on the stove.

Her cell phone rang and startled her. When she saw it was her mother she answered it. A couple of minutes, later Linda turned off the burner, then reached for the baby bottle. She was surprised to see it wasn’t in the pan. She looked on the floor to see if it had fallen out, but it wasn’t there. She gasped when she saw Johnny was drinking it.

She said to her mother, Something came up and I need to go.

After she hung up she retraced her steps to see if she had given it to him. There was no other explanation, so she didn’t let it bother her. She picked up Johnny, then went into the living room and watched the news.

Twenty minutes later, Johnny started getting fussy because he was

Johnny Norberg  3

hungry. After she carried him into the kitchen and put him in his highchair he settled down. She took a jar of baby food from the refrigerator and started feeding him, but when she looked at the clock on the stove she realized it wasn’t time for him to eat. She put the lid on the jar and was going to put it in the refrigerator, but the door wouldn’t open. She put the jar on the counter and used both hands to open the door, but it opened easily. When she turned around to pick up the jar it was gone. She almost had a heart attack when she saw Johnny was eating it.

She put her hands over her mouth and said in a shrill voice, Oh, my gosh, how’s that possible?

Johnny smiled and clapped his hands.

She thought to herself, there’s no way he could have reached it because his highchair was six feet from the counter.

She sat down at the kitchen table and tried to figure out what was going on and that’s when she noticed it was 12:52 p.m. His regular scheduled feeding time wasn’t until 2:00 p.m. Nothing made any sense. She was sure Johnny had made the baby bottle and the jar of food come to him because no one else was in the room, and she was also sure if the wrong people found out what he was capable of doing it would create a problem. She needed to go somewhere safe and her parent’s farm in rural Iowa was the only place that came to her mind.

The rental agreement on her apartment was on a month-to-month basis, but before she could move she needed to give a month’s notice. She left Johnny in his highchair and went to the manager’s office, and when she came back he was on the floor. He was five months old, so there was no way he could have gotten down without hurting himself.

She let out a heavy sigh. She was worried that she was suffering from heat prostration because it was the only thing that explained why these strange things were happening.

She carried him into the living room, then sat down on the couch and watched TV. When she heard a noise coming from the kitchen she picked up Johnny, then rushed outside and called the police on her cell phone. She waited anxiously for them to arrive. When they got there the officers searched her apartment to see if someone was in there. They didn’t find anyone, so they left. She checked the

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apartment again because she was sure someone had been there.

She was worried about staying in her apartment without having a way to protect her baby and herself. She hated guns, but buying one was the only thing that made sense.

She remembered the apartment manager telling her to stay away from the man in the unit next to hers because he had been convicted of selling illegal firearms. She didn’t like the idea of dealing with an ex-con, but she didn’t have a choice.

She picked up Johnny and carried him to the neighbor’s apart-ment. She knocked on his door and when he opened it she took a step back. His bulging muscles and short black hair reminded her of the professional wrestler Dwayne, The Rock Johnson.

He asked in a gravelly voice, What’s up, lady?

She decided to leave because his massive physique intimidated her.

As she was walking away he said in almost a growl, I saw the cops go into your apartment. What did they want?

She stopped and turned around. Someone was in my kitchen, so I called the police.

Did they find anyone?

He was gone before the got there.

Did you see him?

No.

Then how do you know it was a man?

It doesn’t matter who it was because it scared me. I came here to see if you know anyone who can sell me a gun.

The pawn shop down the street has lots of guns.

I can’t wait for a background check and I can’t stay in my apart-ment without having something to protect my baby.

I’m sorry, but I can’t help you.

Linda started crying.

Okay, lady, stop it. Maybe I can help you.

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and waited to see what he had to say.

Come in and close the door.

She shook her head. How do I know I can trust you?

I’m the only game in town, so take it or leave it.

I’ll come in, but I won’t close the door.

He slammed the door shut.

Johnny Norberg        5

She was out of options. She knocked on his door and after a few moments he opened it.

When she went into his apartment he asked, What kind of gun do you want?

I don’t know, I’ve never fired a gun.

How much do you want to spend?

She took off her wedding rings and handed them to him. I don’t have any money, but I’ll leave my rings until I can pay you.

He shook his head. No one will do business with you.

I can’t stay in my apartment without having something to protect my baby and me. I’ll have to hock my rings at the pawn shop.

He hesitated before saying, I know I told you to buy a gun from the pawn shop, but I’ve changed my mind. Maybe I can help you.

My husband’s tour of duty in Iraq is almost over and he’ll get travel expenses and vacation pay, so he’ll have the money to pay you when he gets here.

My grandfather was in the Korean War and almost died on the battlefield, but some white man saved his life. I’ll help you because Grandpa would have wanted me to. The only thing I ask is that you don’t tell anyone where you got the gun from.

Why would I tell anyone? If I buy a firearm from you I’ll be a criminal.

I can’t sell you a gun, but I know someone who can.

He made a phone call and when he hung up he said, Go to the intersection of Wilmington and East 104th Avenue and wait there for someone to contact you.

I don’t have a car. Can you take me there?

Do I look like your chauffeur? Take a cab.

"I told you I don’t have any money.

Call one of your friends and have her drive you there.

I don’t have any friends around here.

Why not?

I’m not prejudiced, but you people scare me.

I’m sorry, but I can’t be seen in public with you.

She thought it over and said, It’s a long walk. Tell your friend I’ll be there as soon as I can.

He took a twenty dollar bill from his wallet and handed it to her. "I’ll help you, but don’t ask me to do it again. Take a cab and when

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you get there walk north, then turn east and go down the alley. Don’t talk to anyone unless he calls you Robin."

My name isn’t Robin it’s Linda.

All white chicks are called Robin.

Are all black chicks called Crow?

He glared at her. Don’t push your luck, lady.

She took the money, then went outside and called a cab on her cell phone. Her rendezvous point was farther than she had expected.

She paid the cab driver, then got out and started walking down the alley. She kept looking over her shoulder to make sure no one was following her. When she saw three teenage boys following her she quickened her pace, but so did they. She couldn’t outrun them be-cause she was carrying Johnny. She started looking for someone to help her and when she saw a man carrying a trash can she rushed over and asked, Will you please help me? Those boys are following me and I’m scared.

His gold tooth glistened in the bright afternoon sunlight. Hey, whitey, what’s a hot looking chick like you doing in my hood?

She took off running, but he caught up to her and grabbed her arm.

She pulled lose and yelled, Leave me alone, or I’ll call the cops.

Stay cool, baby. Two of those homies is my sons, so don’t worry your skinny little ass about them. You is safe with me ‘cause white meat ain’t juicy enough for us black folks.

She slapped his face. The boys saw what happened and came running. She was about to scream for help, but the man put his hand over her mouth and said, Cool it, baby doll, I is just having fun with you.

I’ll make sure the police report makes a note of that.

Ohhh, I is scared, he said and started laughing.

One of the teenagers walked over to Linda and said, I know who you is. Your name is Robin and you is Billy McDonald’s next door neighbor.

She couldn’t believe he was her contact. Are you kidding? You’re just a kid.

I is old enough to pop you or anyone who dis’ me.

Linda took off her wedding rings and handed them to him. Billy said you might be able to help me get a gun.

He looked at them and said, "Maybe so, but you is gonna have to

Johnny Norberg      7

do better than that."

That’s all I have.

I ain’t running no charity.

My husband’s tour of duty in Iraq is almost over and when he gets here he can pay you.

Why didn’t you say so? My great-granddaddy was in Korea and some whitey saved his black ass.

Are you going to help me?

Yeah, but you don’t needs to pay me nothin’. I’ll call it even for your people saving my people.

He looked around to see if anyone was watching. When he opened his jacket Linda took a step back and gasped. He was sporting a Beretta 92X Centurion and a Glock S&W .380.

He asked, Does you wants to wound this pigeon, or does you wants to blow his feathers off?

If he tries to hurt my baby I’ll kill him.

You is my kind of lady.

He handed her the Glock. This is hot, so don’t flash it.

He followed her to the street corner and stayed with her until the cab got there.

*******

Linda’s trip down memory lane was interrupted when her mother came into the kitchen.

Mrs. Clarkson asked, Why are you up so early?

Someone called my cell phone a while ago, but I didn’t know who it was because the number was blocked. He called again, but he didn’t leave a voice message. I don’t have a clue why he called.

When your phone rang it woke up your daddy and me. His back is hurting, so he’s going to stay in bed.

He hasn’t been the same since he rolled his truck. You would think that after eleven years his back would have healed by now.

The doctor said he’s lucky he can walk. He started working on the farm when he was four years old and after slopping hogs for fifty-two years it made him tough.

I hate to see him in so much pain all the time.

"I’m thankful that Billy McDonald payed his hospital bill, or we would have lost the farm. I never did figure out why he gave you all

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that money, but I’m glad he did."

He wasn’t obligated to give me half the money he got from selling the old cars that Daddy and Uncle Harry sold him, but that’s who he is. I told him he didn’t owe me anything, but he said he owed me be-cause I’m the one who showed him those cars. I miss him, but I understand why he only comes here when I find cars for him to re-store. Ever since his daughter was born he seldom calls me.

His son turned out better than I expected.

Malcom did a good job of helping you and Daddy with the chores, but he wasn’t cut out to be a pig farmer. After he graduated from high school he went to trade school and learned how to fix old cars. Billy said he took over as manager of the shop a few months ago, and now Billy has time to help his wife with her business.

I still miss your baby. It’s too bad the police never found him after those men abducted him. Why do you think the government never fessed up to kidnapping him?

There isn’t any doubt that the men who took him were CIA agents and there also isn’t any doubt they had something to do with my husband’s disappearance. Jerry was scheduled to come home from the war in Iraq in 1990, but he disappeared the same day that Johnny did. I’ve tried for eleven years to get the Army to tell me where he is, but they said it’s classified information... it was also classified information when my husband’s father disappeared thirteen years ago. He was driving to Roswell, New Mexico to attend a top secret government meeting, but he never made it there. There’s no way that all of these disappearances were just a coincidence.

Why do you think the government kidnapped your baby and his father?

Linda knew she couldn’t say anything about their superhuman abilities, but she needed to tell her something. When Jerry was ten years old he was helping his father with an electrical experiment in his workshop when a Tesla coil blew up. There’s no logical explan-ation why he lived, so maybe the CIA found out about it and wanted to know why Jerry had survived.

His uncle said it was a miracle he didn’t end up looking like some kind of monster from a horror movie because of all the skin grafts he had to undergo. It’s strange, but I don’t remember Jerry having any scars.

Johnny Norberg  9

Her mother was getting to close too the truth, so Linda changed the subject.

How do you like your new car?

I love it, but I don’t understand why Billy traded me straight across for that rusty old Ford.

He restored it and sold it for a lot of money. There has always been a high demand for 1932 Ford five window coupes. It was a fair trade and both of you benefited from it.

Linda’s cell phone rang and made her flinch. When she saw it was Billy she knew something was wrong because it was 5:13 a.m.

She answered it and asked, Is everything okay?

I’m sorry I called so early, but this couldn’t wait. I got a call from someone a few minutes ago, but he wouldn’t say who it was. Other than the DEA, there are only a couple of people who have my cell phone number. When I saw the number was blocked I answered it because I thought I might be Agent Jones. The caller mentioned your name, but he wouldn’t say why he was calling me.

Someone called me at 4:26 a.m., but he didn’t leave a message. That phone number was also blocked, so it must have been the same person.

I asked for his phone number, but he wouldn’t give it to me.

I doubt if it’s a coincidence that he called both of us and wouldn’t tell us who it was.

What was the name of the kid your mother hired after Malcom left the farm?

His name is Patrick Jamison. Why are you asking about him?

Did you give him my cell phone number?

I didn’t give your number to anyone. Jerry’s uncle asked for it yesterday, but I didn’t give it to him.

Did he say why he wants to call me?

His son moved to New York City when he was eighteen years old, and hasn’t come home since then. He wants to stay in your cabin for a few days.

If I remember correctly his name is Delbert and he went to New York City to pursue a career in acting.

He still lives in New York City, but he gave up the idea of be-coming an actor. He’s a successful stockbroker and has an office on the 93rd floor at the World Trade Center North Tower.

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You told me that Delbert and your husband used to hunt ducks on the lake in front of my cabin when they were kids. Tell him he stay at the cabin for as long as he wants.

We stayed in touch with him until Jerry and I moved to L.A., but Delbert stopped calling us after he became a big shot. I’m glad he wants to come for a visit because his father said he misses him.

I won’t need to use the cabin until you find more cars for me to restore. I’m getting low on inventory, so hopefully you’ll find some in the near future.

I’ve been working on the farm seven days a week for the past two months because Daddy’s back has been hurting really bad.

Do you have enough money to take care of things?

I still get an allotment check from the Army every month because Jerry is listed as missing in action. It isn’t much, but at least it pays the bills.

I’m sure they know where he is?

That’s a touchy subject and I don’t want to talk about it.

You texted me yesterday that your grandfather died. How is your grandmother holding up?

Granny moved into the shanty behind the barn when Gramps got sick. I built them a one bedroom suite on the back of our new house, but she never did like it. I wish she had some friends to talk to, but she doesn’t like anyone.

My family and I visit Wayne Branson and his kids on a regular basis, but they’re the only people we hang out with. I haven’t seen any of my old friends from L.A. since the DEA put me in the wit-ness protection program. Malcom works long hours at the shop, and he has a new girlfriend, so I don’t spend much time with him.

I’m sorry you had to testify against your father, but I’m glad you moved to Nebraska to be near your friends.

After Wayne retired from the police department he started buying and selling vintage farm tractors. He still talks about the time when your son caused him to have a horrific headache after he got in your face. He said it felt like a bolt of lightning went through his head.

I remember it like it was yesterday. Just before we left his house you tickled Johnny’s ribs and it made him mad.

That was the first time he spoke to me.

"He was only five months old, but he could already communicate

Johnny Norberg  11

with you telepathically."

I’ve loved Johnny like he was my own son.

Sometimes I think he loved you more than he loved me.

I felt an eerie connection to him that I can’t explain. He saved my life when I fell asleep while flying my father’s airplane. If he hadn’t come into my thoughts I would have run out of gas and we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

Who would have guessed he could send you a telepathic message when you were five hundred miles away?

That’s nothing compared to what he did the next day. He sent a message to your husband when he was in Iraq and that was seven thousand miles away. The CIA must have found a way to block Johnny thoughts because he stopped sending messages right after they abducted him.

Linda let out a heavy sigh.

He knew she was getting upset, so he changed the subject. Wayne found a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB in a barn last week and told me about it. I bought it for a good price and I plan on restoring it. After it’s done I’m going to call Richard Watson and see if he’s interested in buying it. If he does, then I’ll give you enough money to hire a man to help you and your parents on the farm.

Thanks for the offer, but I don’t need help. I stay busy because that way I don’t have time to think about Johnny and Jerry.

After Shiloh and I got divorced I stayed alone because I didn’t want to get hurt again.

Jerry and Johnny have been gone for eleven years.

It seems like only yesterday that Johnny was a baby."

He’ll be twelve years old in a few months, but it doesn’t seem possible.

I know what you mean. Malcom turned twenty-eight last Nov-ember.

There’s another call coming in. Can I call you back?

You don’t need to call back.

She hung up and looked to see who was calling. The number was blocked, but she answered it. This is Linda Norberg.

There was a long silence before someone said, Hi, Mom, it’s Johnny.

CHAPTER 2

Linda dropped the phone.

After a few moments Johnny said, I’m sure this must be quite a surprise.

She picked up the phone and tried to speak, but nothing came out.

He waited patiently for her to regain her composure.

Her voice broke when she asked, Where are you?

I don’t have time to explain because they keep a close watch on me. I’ll call you back as soon as it’s safe to tell you what’s going on.

Who’s watching you?

Make sure you answer your phone the next time it rings because all the phone numbers here are blocked. Someone is coming, so I need to go.

Before she could say anything he hung up.

Linda wasn’t sure if someone was playing a bad joke on her. She thought about it and when she came to the conclusion it might have been Johnny she started crying.

Her mother came into the room and asked, "What’s wrong, honey, why are you crying?

Her knees buckled and she fell to the floor like a wet noodle. Her mother tried to help her up, but Linda’s body was like a rag doll.

Mrs. Clarkson said, I’m going to call 911.

No, please don’t call them, Linda said in a shaky voice.

She got up off the floor, and then sat down at the kitchen table. Her mother sat down beside her and put her arms around her.

Linda said, I don’t know how to tell you, but that was Johnny on the phone.

Are you talking about Sheriff Crawford’s son?

No, Mom, I’m talking about my son.

Mrs. Clarkson sat there with a blank expression on her face.

Linda said, I need to stay close to the phone because he’s going to call back as soon as he can.

Mrs. Clarkson didn’t seem to understand the importance of what was going on. I’ll take care of the chores. Let me know if you need anything.

Johnny Norberg  13

What am I going to do?

I wish I could tell you.

Linda’s mind went into rewind and tried to remember what hap-pened so many years ago. Three men in black suits broke down the door and abducted her five month old baby. She knew they had to have been CIA agents or top secret government men because who else would have done something like that?

Her cell phone rang and startled her. When she saw it was Billy she went outside and answered it.

She said, I’m glad you called because I have something important to tell you.

Are you sitting down?

Did you get a call from Johnny?

Yes, but not on the phone. It’s my guess he called you.

He called a couple of minutes ago, but someone was coming, so he hung up. He’s going to call back later.

What did he say?

He didn’t have time to talk. I’m sure he was the one who called earlier because the phone he called on had a blocked number.

I was driving my truck on the interstate a couple of minutes ago, but something told me to pull over to the shoulder and park. I pulled over and looked around, but I didn’t see anything. A few moments later, a Cessna 180 crashed onto the highway and burst into a ball of flames. If I hadn’t pulled over I would have been killed. I know it was Johnny who sent me that message.

It has been eleven years since either of us have heard from him. After all this time why do you think he send you a message saying you’re in danger?

Whoever abducted him must have found a way to block his thoughts, or he would have contacted us before now.

Do you have any idea where he’s been all these years?

"There’s only one place that makes sense. You said your father-in-law used to work at Area 51, but he disappeared and was never heard from again. Just before those men abducted Johnny someone from Area 51 called Judge Bradley and