Free The Twin Powers by Robert Lipsyte Page B

Lessi. Hoped she was okay.
    When the knock came, I said, “Who’s there?”
    A jolly voice said, “Room service.”
    â€œSorry, I’m busy.”
    The voice laughed and rattled the doorknob. “The old chair-under-the-doorknob trick. Pretty good, but these warm cookies are getting cold.”
    I could smell them. These guys could break down the door if they wanted to—no point in being unfriendly until I had to. Might as well open the door. A few cookies weren’t going to crack me.
    â€œHey, man, sorry about all this.” The man in the dark suit was carrying a tray with cookies and soda. “I’m Agent Quinn. We were concerned about your safety back there, had to move quickly to get you out.” He put the tray on the chest of drawers. “Help yourself.”
    He sat down in one of the chairs. He had a tough face but he was smiling.
    I could feel my heart beating, but I stayed cool. I took a cookie. “Our safety?”
    â€œAfter they kidnapped Ronnie, we figured they’d come after you.”
    â€œWho kidnapped Ronnie?” It didn’t make sense. Ronnie had taken off because he couldn’t stand the real Tom and what Eddie had turned into. He couldn’t stand being cooped up in the wagon with me and Alessa. Strange little guy.
    â€œWish we knew. Maybe you can help us. Who’s Tom been talking to?”
    â€œWe don’t see him that much. He has interviews all day.”
    â€œWhat about before you started the tour? Anything strange?”
    Got to see where this is going,
I thought.
Tell him stuff he probably knows.
“The fight in the cafeteria? The kid they called Hercules?”
    Agent Quinn nodded. “Heard about it. Don’t kids fight all the time? What was so special about that fight?”
    Uh-oh.
Did I trip myself up? Is this guy trying to get me to talk about aliens?
    â€œTom had a rep,” I said. “You ever see the YouTube clip where he greased a bully in his last middle school?”
    Agent Quinn looked interested. “How’d we miss that? Good intel, Todd. So what’s your theory?”
    â€œWhen this Hercules came to school, he heard about Tom. He was like a gunfighter who shows up in a new town and right away has to prove himself.”
    â€œI love Westerns,” said Agent Quinn. “You see
Cowboys & Aliens
?”
    Now, that was smooth. This guy was no lunkhead. But neither was I.
    â€œYeah. I don’t believe in aliens, so it kind of spoiled a good Western.”
    â€œWhat if I told you there really are aliens and we need your help to track them down before they attack Earth?”
    â€œReally?” I hoped I didn’t overdo my fake expression of amazement.
    â€œYou’re sharp, Todd, the kind of kid who grows up to be an agent.”
    I figured he was just buttering me up, but he wasn’t off base. I’d thought about going into law enforcement.
    â€œI was like you when I was your age, Todd, but of course, I wasn’t in the trouble you’re in.”
    â€œTrouble for what?”
    â€œLying to a federal agent, to the government. We want to give you the same chance we gave Alessa to come clean and avoid charges and prison time.”
    â€œCome clean about what?” I tried to keep my voice steady.
    â€œAbout the aliens that Tom is in contact with.” Agent Quinn stood up. “Enjoy your snack, Todd. Try to remember anything to help your situation.”
    â€œMy situation?”
    â€œNobody knows where you are, Todd. We could keep you here forever.”
    He locked the door behind him.

Twenty-four
    EDDIE
    WASHINGTON, D.C.
    2012
    Â 
    T HE first time I thought about busting loose, I was watching myself on TV being Tom and I was saying, “Whatever happened to responsibility, loyalty, obedience, reverence? Staying strong as a country, protecting ourselves?” I had been reading that off the Teleprompter.
    I believe in all that—I am a