Free Nova Project #1 by Emma Trevayne Page B

just going to get you home safe,” says the other, finished with his business at the keypad. “I’ll stay here, watch this until someone comes to fix it,” he tells his partner. “Get in the car, Mr. Anderson.”
    â€œI—okay.” It might not be a good idea, but it’s a better one than staying.
    â€œHow did you know where I was? I haven’t posted anything. No geoloc tags,” he says as the car moves silently through near-empty streets. The driver shrugs.
    â€œJust following orders.”
    Huh. His glasses do have a tracker on them, but it’s illegal for anyone to follow without permission from the governmentor the users themselves, granted by the act of posting an update. Miguel hasn’t posted anything public in hours. So the Gamerunners have permission, or they’re not playing by the rules.
    Neither would surprise him.
    â€œAnd you’re taking me home? Why? I figured I’d be going to, I don’t know, a Cube or something.” As much as he’d thought about it at all. So many things are careening around his brain it’s hard to grasp any one of them.
    â€œJust following orders,” the man repeats. So he doesn’t know, or won’t say.
    Again, neither would surprise Miguel. He falls silent, letting reality sink in through the windows.
    He’s in the competition. He must have done well on his test, impressed them. They think he’s good enough to win.
    His smile fades a little at the sight of his parents when he steps inside the house. Nick runs from behind them to high-five Miguel, hard enough to sting. Anna stands by the window, her face an unreadable mask.
    â€œI know what you’re going to say,” says Miguel, shaking out his hand to get the feeling back. “Mom, Dad, please let me do it. I made it in! This is a great thing!”
    â€œNo.” His mother shakes her head. “It’s too dangerous. I want to talk to the doctor who gave you your medical and ask what the hell they were thinking.”
    Yeah. So does Miguel, but he tries not to let that show on his face.
    â€œMaybe you’re getting better,” says Nick. “Maybe they’ve been wrong all this time.” His hopeful expression is ironically heartbreaking.
    No, that’s not it. Dr. Spencer told Miguel to say good-bye to his loved ones. Probably imagining a scene much like this, everyone gathered in a living room. He could tell them right now.
    Sure.
    â€œMom, Dad. Please.”
    His parents exchange a glance.
    â€œIf it gets too dangerous, I’ll stop. You know I know my limits. I’m still here, aren’t I?”
    Tears well in his mother’s camera eyes. Oops. His father puts his hand on her shoulder and leans in to whisper something in her ear. Miguel holds his breath and looks at Anna, who looks away. What is her problem? Was she only okay with his entering when she thought he wouldn’t get picked?
    He turns to Nick instead. It’s not Anna’s choice.
    â€œOkay.” His mother wipes her eyes, moves to hug him. “We’re not going to stop you. You’re almost an adult. You’ve always kind of been one, even when you were little, so serious about everything. So serious about Chimera. And we do understand why. You have to promise to stop if it starts being too much.”
    â€œI promise,” Miguel whispers, hardly believing what he’s hearing.
    â€œWe’re worried, son, but . . .” His father trails off, rubbing his face with his hands. “Your life is yours to do what you want with.”
    Miguel’s stomach turns over again, foot dangling over the ledge. He’d nearly thrown it away.
    â€œThis is awesome, ” says Nick. “Don’t worry, you two. He’ll be okay. He’ll be amazing.”
    â€œSo that’s it?” Miguel asks, smile growing back to face-stretching proportions. “Time to celebrate?”
    Anna turns from the window.