The Power Store: The End

By Valerie Erickson

Have you ever wished you had super powers? Have you ever wanted to be able to do things that others couldn't do? To feel special and set apart? To be...a hero? I'm the Manager. I want to welcome you to my store where we have more powers than you have ever dreamed. Get your power today!"

That's what the advertisement said. It wa

• Language: English
• Publisher: AnewPress
• Release date: Jan 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9781970109320

Valerie Erickson

Valerie Erickson loves reading, sewing, playing games and spending time with her husband and one-year old daughter. She gets her inspiration and motivation for her writing from her junior high students.

Book preview

Prologue

Xander did not like this part of his job. Even though he was in the Owner’s inner circle, he hated being the one to deliver bad news. As he walked through the White House, pictures of former presidents seemed to laugh at him and taunt him. He was preparing himself for the worst as he entered the Oval Office. The Owner was sitting at the President’s desk looking at a tracking screen.

Xander nervously approached the Owner. Pardon me, Mr. President. We have a situation. They found the people in debt and removed their Powers. They set them all free!

Without even moving the Owner replied, I know.

Xander was taken aback by the Owner’s calm demeanor. We need to stop them, sir. They are powerful and . . . and able to stop you.

The Owner smiled slightly. No one will be able to stop me, Xander. Are you losing faith in our great cause? The Owner turned to face him. He seemed mildly amused.

Xander bowed his head low and responded, Of course not, sir. I am merely suggesting that we take every precaution.

"You forget, my faithful servant. He is with them." The Owner smiled.

CHAPTER 1

A NEW HOPE

Idid NOT sleep well. I kept dreaming that the Owner and his minions found and captured us. I opened my eyes and looked at the clock. It was 3:42 am. I put my shoes on and walked out to the back porch. It was a cold night and there was an ominous chill in the air. I wish I had a blanket as I sat on the cold cushioned bench and thought about the past few days.

We had accomplished a lot in our fight against the Owner. We had set free all those in debt. We finally found Nick! Finley, with X-Ray Vision, had offered to help us. We had also removed the Powers for many of the Owner’s followers. However, with all of our accomplishments, we suffered a lot of frustrating setbacks.

Tracy and Miguel had been kidnapped. I promised their mom that I would keep them safe and I had failed.

Not only that, Tracy was so important because of her Power to Negate. Thankfully, William still used his Power of Negate for us.

My best friend, Cody, was still gone. We’ve been inseparable since we met in Kindergarten and this is the longest time we haven’t seen each other.

We were unsure if Evan had Disappeared before he was taken, but we hadn’t heard anything from him. Kelly was awesome in her own way even without a Power. She always had something positive and encouraging to say to the group. Now, Lisa had been kidnapped. Somehow, the Owner had been able to prevent them from using their Powers and was able to capture them. Somehow he could always stay one step ahead of us and it was frustrating. We never have the advantage!

Everyone still looked to me to be their leader, but I had no idea what to do next. With everything we did, there was a risk that more people would be taken.

Jay, I heard someone whisper. I turned around. Nobody was standing behind me.

Was I hearing things now?

Hey, Jay, I heard another whisper as if someone were sitting right next to me.

I looked over to my left and saw there was an impression in the cushion. The voice sounded vaguely familiar.

Evan? I asked hesitantly. If there were an invisible person sitting next to me, it would be Evan.

Yeah, it’s me, he replied.

Oh man! I thought I was losing it! Where have you been? I reached out to give him a hug. It was weird hugging nothing.

"Quiet, calm down! They might be watching us," Evan cautioned.

Sorry, man. So, what happened at the training center? Did you Disappear?

No, I didn’t. They knew we were coming and were ready for us.

Could you tell who they were?

There were ten people in total and I saw most of them with red watches. I assumed they worked for the Owner. They tied us all up and carried us to a van. They put us in the back with six of them. We started driving. Anytime I Disappeared, they would tazer me! I thought I would mess with them so I started making their stuff Disappear. They kept tazering me until I couldn’t take it anymore. Then they blindfolded me.

Did you figure out why they wanted you?

I think it has to do with how I got my Power. You remember how I said I didn’t get it from a store?

You went swimming in a pool in a cave. I asked.

I heard Evan stand up. How did you know that? he demanded.

That’s how the Owner got his Power.

No way! I always wondered how he got his Powers.

It gets better, Evan. This house where we’re staying? It belongs to the Owner’s mother.

Whoa! Really?

Yep, the Owner’s brother is here too. They’ve been really helpful. They told us about the Source. We’re trying to figure out how to destroy it.

Evan sat back down, silent as he soaked in all of this new information.

Maybe that’s why they wanted me. I know about the Source. Jay, I can take you there.

Won’t it be heavily guarded?

We’ll need William. Any other people with useful Powers you’ve acquired?

I quickly told him how we rescued Nick and Finley from debt.

Strength and X-Ray Vision could be really helpful. Do you trust Finley? Evan asked cautiously.

I honestly hadn’t thought much about it. I was just happy to have more numbers on our side. "He hasn’t given us a reason