Defenders: Storm Warning

By Kyle Matthew Aarons

In a world were religion and prejudice has turned to look at the world as if it has two races, the Normals and the genetically powerful Augments, skin color is nowhere near as important as what "race" of human you are. For a young group of Augments in Montana, being in the Defender Program means they are known as Augments by all. However, being a Defender also requires them to be part of a network designed to teach control over their abilities and help defend their homes and the USA as a whole.
Will those who hate Augments corrupt the kids or will the young Defenders step up when no one else can to battle their own kind and save Normals who have tormented them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
• Release date: Aug 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781489726865

Kyle Matthew Aarons

Kyle Matthew Aarons is a member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers (RMFW) and Independent Published Authors Liaison (IPAL). He has been writing for over 20 years and is published works for free on several websites. He became a member of IPAL with his first commercial book: A.I.M. Chronicles- Ripples of Aggression. Kyle resides in Colorado. Other than writing, he lives in a place ideal for several hobbies including panning for gold, hiking, fishing and spending time with his Siberian Huskies.

Book preview

Copyright © 2020 Kyle Matthew Aarons.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means,

graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by

any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author

except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

LifeRich Publishing is a registered trademark of The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc.

LifeRich Publishing

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.liferichpublishing.com

1 [phone]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in

this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views

expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the

views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are

models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-4897-2684-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4897-2685-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4897-2686-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020914499

LifeRich Publishing rev. date: 08/11/2020

CONTENTS

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

DEDICATION

To all those who:

Stand against the mob, to right wrongs and stand firm in the face of bullying and intimidation.

Those who come to the aid of the less popular and outcasts because the norm is not within.

Anyone who willingly stands against threat and peril to prevent another from slipping into the Abyss.

Finally, everyone who continued to give encouragement to make me a better writer, because, alas, some of my early works required Herculean help.

"There are two races of men in this world, but only these two — the

race of the decent man and the race of the indecent man."

- Viktor Frankl

It takes darkness to give light meaning.

- Kyle Matthew Aarons

PROLOGUE

The voice came over the radio. The winter storm advisory for the area has been canceled. A winter storm warning is now in effect for all upper Montana starting at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow. Rex jumped out of his uncle’s Jeep, slung his school backpack over his shoulder, and turned to nod his thanks for the ride. He shook his head. His efforts to thank his uncle were wasted since the Jeep was already tearing off down the road, forcing a couple of the arriving middle school students to jump out of the way.

Rex smiled in satisfaction as he realized one of those who had to move was one of the nastiest and meanest kids in the entire school. Turning back toward his middle school, he braced for the jibes he was sure would come. He was quickly proven correct.

Before he even made it to the stone sign telling the world the building he was walking toward was Flathead Middle School, Flathead, Montana, the first cruel remarks pierced the cold morning air. Oh, look! It’s beast boy! Two girls giggled at the comment.

Rex rolled his eyes, secretly wishing he could take all three girls and toss them into a mud bog somewhere. But he had heard worse and knew he would again before entering the building. As usual, he was correct.

Run! It’s vampire boy!

I wonder if wild Rex got rid of the rabies.

Shouldn’t he be in a zoo cage?

Half a dozen other remarks, always said loudly enough for him to hear but never to his face, bombarded him.

Finally, he pushed open the doors of the building, almost smacking a couple of twelve-year-olds. Both jumped out of the way as the doors blasted open with dangerous velocity. Only the fact that the doors were reinforced to withstand him and a couple of others who had unusual strength prevented them from shattering. Their eyes went wide, and they backed off. Still the smaller of the two had yet another sharp remark and sent it in Rex’s direction. Watch it, wild child!

Rex’s eyes narrowed as the corner of his mouth twisted upward so he could expose just a bit of his teeth. At the same time, he allowed his fangs to appear, not to their full length to where they protruded down past his chin but just enough to be seen below his lower lip. He then sent a very light snarl at the two boys.

A tingle behind his eardrums stopped him. A moment later, a thought, yet also a voice, entered deep inside his head. "Dude, chill out. You can’t afford another mark against you, especially after last month."

Rex retracted his fangs and thought back, knowing his friend would pick up on it. "Don’t worry, Josh; it’s just the Randle twins again."

"Again? Damn, those two are a pain in the ass, came a fast reply. I’ll handle those two brats. Now get to math class and don’t piss off Mr. Evens again. You have to get a C or better to join us on the winter camping trip with Arctic Trooper and Jade Witch over the holiday break."

"I’ll ace the test and keep my fangs to myself, no matter how much of a jerk the guy is to me. Don’t sweat it."

"Good. Only four days left till break, so just keep it calm, Rex. I don’t want to be out there without you and your abilities."

Rex grunted as he replied in thought back to Josh, "What, you don’t want the black bear visiting your tent again?"

"No! It took like nine weeks of allowances to replace all my camping stuff that thing destroyed, and Arctic Trooper refused to help with government funds!"

"He told you not to keep food in your tent, dude."

"Yeah, well, I am used to you preventing crap like that, so don’t screw up. Besides, I really don’t want to bunk with Tanner again."

"You may this time. They upgraded the incoming snow to a winter storm warning. He would keep the tent nice and toasty."

"Yeah, and then I will wake up with thawed ground and in mud because he had another nightmare and melted the ground. Besides, I hate having to sleep with fireproof blankets and wrapping everything in fire-retarding junk. Let Sparky deal with Hothead."

"Hey, now, Colt is fine."

"I’ll never understand why you like him so much, but that’s between you and him. Hold on a sec."

The sound of a sigh entered Rex’s mind. "There we go. Just follow the twins and enjoy the look. Catch you in French class."

"Yup. Hey, tell Valda I’d love to have her stop by my uncle’s place after school. The handle on his wood ax broke last night, and he doesn’t have the money to get a new one at the moment. If we don’t get it fixed, I’ll have to cut wood with my claws again, and that always gives me splinters. It’s supposed to get really cold with the storm rolling in, and we don’t have enough wood cut."

"No problem. My mom is picking me up after school. I’ll have her take both of us down to the cabin. Valda can fix the ax. I’ll cut some wood, and Valda can make logs split while you serve the last day of detention."

"Thanks, Josh."

"No prob."

Rex shook his head as his friend’s thoughts exited his mind. As much as he liked Josh, the kid’s mental telepathy was hard to deal with because it left a bit of a tingling in the back of his head for a couple of minutes after Josh backed out.

Curiosity took over as he hung back and followed the two evil twin boys. The Randles owned a lot of land, and their father had run for mayor a couple of times but hadn’t been elected—fortunately, in Rex’s opinion. The whole family thought way too highly of themselves since they had money and lots of it, but everyone in the county knew it was old money, made by the twins’ great-grandparents. Unfortunately, all brain power seemed to have tapered off greatly with successive generations, because the rest of the Randle line was nothing more than bullies and arrogant jerks.

Rex stood back as the two boys went to their lockers and dialed in their combinations, only to find they wouldn’t open. Again, they tried and failed. By the third attempt, both were pulling in rage-driven frustration at the levers and hitting their lockers, doing far more damage to their well-manicured hands and fingernails than to the steel doors.

Skye appeared at the far end of the bank of lockers. She grinned at Rex and walked past the twins. Her voice was loud and strong. What now? You two trying to break into lockers? Or did you just forget your locker numbers and are trying to get into the wrong ones?

One of the twins turned and glared. Shut up, rockhead!

Skye snickered. I’m not the one who can’t remember what locker belongs to me.

These are our lockers! the second twin roared.

Oh! So halfway through the school year, and you can’t remember your combos? And you call me a rockhead.

Yeah, stone skin, we do!

Skye’s eyes gleamed as her grin got bigger. Stone has uses. Which is far more than anyone can say about you two. Have fun with your lockers, losers.

Rex gritted his teeth as both boys clenched their fists and shook with fury. He wanted them to try something, but he knew they wouldn’t. There was no chance either could do anything to Skye. Even if someone wanted to, no one in the area was stupid enough to try.

Skye walked by Rex and gave him a playful push. Her voice stayed loud, so every nearby kid heard her. And they have the gall to call themselves Normals. There is absolutely nothing normal about the genetically rejected crud making up those two. Her voice lowered to a whisper. You okay?

Better now, Rex responded.

Skye gave him another shove. It’s just words. None of these morons can actually hurt you, so chill. The last thing we want is for you to be banned from squadron activities over Christmas.

Rex took a few calming breaths. Thanks, Skye.

Nothing you haven’t done for me or one of the others. It’s what we’re here for. Forget them. Think Christmas!

Rex nodded and glanced back over his shoulder. The twins were still in front of their lockers. They both switched between glaring at him and looking hopelessly at their combination dials. Rex snorted and managed a smile. He bet Josh had used his amazing mental abilities to randomly change the combinations on both kids’ lockers, meaning the only way the two would be able to gain entry would be by going to the office. The secretary would then have to send Mr. Lutz, the very mean janitor, to unlock the lockers and change the combinations.

Since school cameras would show the two boys had not tormented Josh, and there were no cameras pointed at the lockers, the twins would be blamed for forgetting their combinations. Even better, both would certainly be late to class, so the two of them would end up in the detention room with Rex for a full hour after all the other kids went home for the day. After a few more seconds of thought, he shrugged. It was shaping up to be a good day at Flathead Middle School.

46863.png

CHAPTER

1

Rex rolled over as his uncle lightly shook him awake. He blinked his eyes a couple of times, noting it was very dark outside. He rubbed his hand through his thick brown hair and sniffed the cold air in the cabin. It’s too early to get up, and it’s still snowing.

His uncle snickered. Yeah, you’re right on both accounts. The weather came in hard and early. It has been coming down basically all night.

Great, Rex groaned. So now you have to go in early, and I have to walk to school.

His uncle yanked the pillow from under Rex’s head and tossed it back down in the boy’s face. No, you lazy lump. School is canceled, according to the radio. Looks like all Flathead and Jefferson County schools decided to give up and let you all out of your last couple of days of school before winter break. It’s already been called for tomorrow too—probably because it’s supposed to snow until well after dark tomorrow.

Rex grabbed the pillow and pulled it back under his head. Awesome. Don’t have to put up with the Randle twins for three full weeks. He paused and glanced up. So why do I have to get up?

You don’t, but I wanted to give you the good news and enjoy how cranky you’d get when I woke you up at oh-dark-thirty like us real working folks do. Besides, I just got called in to go to our upper camp, so I will be gone for at least four days, which means good overtime and maybe a decent Christmas present or two for you for the first time in a couple of years.

Rex sat up. Don’t waste it on me. Get yourself something.

His uncle sat on the bed and gave the boy a hug. Hey, you are not and never will be a waste; stop putting yourself down. You know how much I hate that.

Yeah, well, you wouldn’t have to spend anything on me if I had saved Mom and Dad.

His uncle thumped him hard on his forehead. Rex, you were ten and just starting to get your gifts. You couldn’t control what few abilities you had, even when given time with a government trainer and you were concentrating, let alone when the accident happened. Now I am going to tell you this one more time, and I want you to let it sink in and stay. Your parents’ deaths were not your fault. It was an auto accident … an accident. Now say it!

Rex’s head dropped as he whispered, An accident.

No. Say it without the guilt!

Rex took a deep breath, looked into his uncle’s eyes, and forced his voice to be strong. It was an accident.

His uncle wrapped him in a huge hug and kissed the top of his thick mop of hair. Better, buddy. Much better. Now, if you would just start to believe it, your life would be a bit better.

My life would be better if I were normal!

Maybe now, maybe even five years from now, but eventually your gifts, your abilities, will make a huge difference. You will be glad that God blessed you with them. All those morons you go to school with only tease you because they wish they had half of what you do. Now forget about them. You have a trip to plan and gear to get ready. I stuck a fifty in your pack for the trip. I hope it’s enough.

Rex jumped up and pulled his camping gear out from under the bed, found the fifty-dollar bill, and shoved it back in his uncle’s hand. No way. I earned enough money for the trip by getting rid of Old Lady Jackson’s skunk problems and Mr. Hummel’s raccoon infestation.

His uncle hardened. Rexie, I don’t give a damn how much money you earned. I am basically abandoning you again for the fifth time in the last six months. Now take this. He shoved the bill back into Rex’s hand. I already feel horrible about how you have had to live. At least let me do what I can for you. Besides, the new ax handle you got me saved me a pretty penny because I thought I’d have to buy a brand-new ax for around here.

Rex finally crunched the bill up in his hand and nodded. Thanks, Uncle Kevin.

You’re welcome. And feel free to use the cabin as a staging area for the trip. Your buddies can all sack here for the next couple of days if you want.

Rex’s attitude changed as his face lit up into a huge smile. Awesome, thanks!

His uncle nodded and smiled. You’re most welcome. So all you have to do is tend the fire. I just stuck a log in the fireplace, so it should warm up in here fairly soon. He moved to the door. Okay, you’re on own again, kiddo.

I’ll be fine.

I know … Oh, I know you will, but just a reminder. If Tanner does come over, make sure you put down the extra antifire junk on the floor. I really don’t want the government to have to replace a section again. Their workmanship sucks.

Rex flopped back on his back with a moan. Come on, Uncle Kevin. That was almost a year ago. It will never happen again!

Yeah, well, next time it does, you will be the one ripping out the floor and replacing it with me.

No way, Rex responded. If it should happen again, which it won’t, I’ll have Valda take care of it.

She’d have to do better work with it than she did the front door when Skye slammed it a month or so ago, or you will get a crash course in floor replacement. That door still looks like it was hung by a three-year-old.

I’ll have her touch it up sometime over the break. She was in a hurry. The ax handle is her work too, you know.

The man picked up the ax and looked it over. No, to be honest, I didn’t. You keep telling me, but … okay then. Valda really does have talent when she focuses, doesn’t she?

Yeah, she’s great. Rex grinned as he tried to hide a bit of a blush.

So when are you going to invite her over so I can actually meet this dream girl of yours?

Uncle Kevin!

The boy grabbed his pillow to throw it, only to see the front door was already closing. Fighting back his embarrassment, he finally let out a long breath of air, rolled back over, and started digging through his BEARS pack. After a few moments, he found his two-way and dialed in the general frequency. Hey, anyone else unlucky enough to be awake?

A response came back almost instantaneously from the youngest kid in BEARS 97, Yeah, Mom just woke me to give me the great news. Do you think we’ll still have the camping trip?

Rex snickered. Garret, Arctic Trooper is immune to cold! What do you think?

The boy’s mom’s voice came over. Give me that, Garret! You can’t seriously go camping in this weather, can you?

Rex rolled his eyes as he forced himself to keep a nice tone in his voice. Yes, ma’am. No matter the weather, no matter what other circumstances are going on, we go out for training when scheduled. The only time we don’t go is if we are being punished for misuse of powers or one of the government doctors cuts us for medical reasons.

There was a bit of a pause before Garret’s dad came over the radio. What if we don’t want him to go?

Before the man stopped transmitting, Rex heard Come on, Dad!

Rex nodded in satisfaction that the newest squadron member was not trying to wuss out. He figured he would try to help. It’s entirely up to you, Mr. and Mrs. Krammer, but if he doesn’t go on all scheduled trips and training sessions, the government will not always pay for accidental damages he causes. I have seen a couple of other magic-gifted kids do some serious damage, and they were only classified as Class 1s. Garret is a solid Class 2 now, and according to Jade Witch, he was underclassified. He’s probably a Class 3.

He let the two parents dwell on that for a few seconds before he added, Besides, Jade Witch is not going to be happy if she is out there without the only boy in our squadron with full magical abilities. She is not one I would want on my bad side just to protect Garret from a little snow.

A little snow? the father responded with a bit of a nervous voice. I’m not sure we’ll be able to get him into town if the snow keeps up like this for the next day and a half, let alone to the rally point at the lake.

Rex’s upper lip twisted up in a satisfied smirk, knowing by his tone that Mr. Krammer was now far more worried about the squadron’s adult executive officer than his son facing a snowstorm. Not a problem, sir. I am pretty close to where we are going to meet up, and my uncle said everyone can bunk here for the next two nights. If worse comes to worst, I’ll carry both Garret’s gear and mine to the pickup point, and he can walk in the trail I make. I have the strength and endurance to plow through an ice age if need be. At least that’s what Arctic Trooper told me last year.

Well, that isn’t a bad idea, I guess …

Mr. Krammer’s voice cut off as Mrs. Krammer took over the radio again. Is it really safe at your place? What if someone tries to hurt him, or Garret makes a mistake with his … his … um … powers or something?

"Ma’am, I am sure Josh will be here, as will Colt and I, maybe even Tanner and Logan. Part of the reason for our joining the