Last Hero Read online

  The knife never touched Bianca’s head. She blocked Ms. Lam’s arm and shoved her hands against Ms. Lam’s stomach. She watched Ms. Lam fly toward the wall the same way the oven had.

  Ms. Lam crashed into the wall then fell face down. She didn’t move anymore.

  Bianca stared at her palms again. “This is awesome!”

  CHAPTER 16

  MS. SPIN AND THE BROKEN DESK

  DANNY HAD never been inside the ISS room, but it looked like every other classroom in this school. There were twenty-five – thirty desks lined up in rows with enough space to walk between them horizontally. They all faced the dusty chalkboard behind the teacher’s desk. “Home away from home.”

  Danny couldn’t hide his shock when he saw Becky sitting at one of the front desks. His mouth fell open. “What are you doing here?” he whispered as he walked by. He took a seat next to her.

  Kevin took the seat on the other side of Becky. “Back off,” he said, leaning across the desk and staring at Danny.

  Ms. Spin stood in front of them and shook her head. “I have two rules in this room.” She held up her index finger. “Number One — don’t kill each other.” She raised her middle finger next to her index finger. “Number Two — keep your mouths closed.”

  Danny couldn’t take his eyes off her. He could see she had the body of a lion and wings like an eagle. He wished William was here to tell him what she was.

  Ms. Spin walked back to the class door. “There’s one more person to add to this party,” she said. “Don’t miss me too much.” And then she was gone.

  “Okay,” Becky said. “That was rude.”

  Danny turned in his seat to face Becky. “Why are you here? Are you okay?”

  She swiveled to meet him and hunched over. Their mouths almost touched. “I was walking in the halls, thinking about things.” She paused and took a deep breath. “I want things to be different.”

  Danny wanted to hear what she had to say but couldn’t stop staring at her neck. It had a red ring around it. “How did you get that?”

  Kevin stood in front of Danny’s desk. “Mind your own business or I’m gonna have to break Ms. Spin’s first rule.” He pounded his fist on the wooden desk and the front shelf broke in half.

  The class door opened and Ms. Spin walked in with William. “Sit down and shut up,” she screamed at Kevin. She motioned for William to take a seat. He sat in the back.

  Danny got up to sit next to William.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Ms Spin asked.

  Danny pointed to his seat. “My desk is broken.”

  Ms. Spin sat behind her desk and folded her hands. “Whatever.” She took a magazine off her desk and started reading it. “Deviants,” everyone could hear her say from behind the magazine.

  “Hey,” Danny whispered as he slid into a seat next to William. “I need to ask you something.”

  “You’re welcome,” William whispered back.

  “What?”

  “For getting you into the kitchen. Now I have a blemish on my school record. Goodbye Harvard.”

  Danny scrunched his lips. He didn’t mean to get William in trouble. “I’m sorry. But listen…remember how I told you Ms. Lam looks like a frog?”

  William nodded. He sighed like he knew trouble was coming.

  “What kind of creature has a body like a lion and wings like an eagle?”

  William put a hand under his chin. “What does its face look like?”

  Danny looked back up as Ms. Spin. She put her magazine down to see if anyone was talking or killing someone else. Satisfied she buried her face back in the magazine.

  “It looks like Ms. Spin,” Danny said.

  William leaned back and chuckled. “Of course. It makes too much sense.” He stopped laughing when Danny frowned at him. “You described the Sphinx from Greek mythology. But that’s impossible. She’s already dead.”

  Danny raised his eyebrows. “Not if she escaped from Tartarus like Ty did. Tell me about the Sphinx.”

  William leaned forward. “The Sphinx guarded a city’s entrance and asked a riddle to any traveler who tried to enter.” He cracked his neck. “Anyone who couldn’t answer the riddle, well—”

  “Excuse me, gentlemen,” Ms. Spin said, standing over them. “I believe you broke rule number two.” She held up her two fingers for emphasis. “Sit back and shut up!”

  Danny sat back and watched Ms. Spin walk back up front. She stopped at her desk and sat on the front of it, facing Becky.

  “I have a riddle for you, Miss Goody Two-shoes,” Ms. Spin said to Becky.

  Danny turned back to William and whispered, “What happens if she can’t answer?”

  William held up a hand for Danny to be silent.

  “If you can answer the riddle,” Ms. Spin continued, “I’ll let everyone in this room go back to class and continue living their miserable lives.”

  “William,” Danny whispered harshly. “What if she can’t answer it?”

  Danny felt a whoosh, and he saw Ms. Spin as the Sphinx again. “If she answers incorrectly, then I’m going to kill your friends and eat them!”

  Danny couldn’t breathe. He was glad no one else could see or hear her as the monster she was. “Let me answer it.”

  The Sphinx laughed. “The rules have changed, Alexandros Helen. Besides, you weren’t the one wandering the halls.” She laughed and put her face in front of his. “I can’t touch you. But I sure as hell can rip your friends apart.”

  Danny’s body tensed. The energy was building up inside him again. He was prepared to use his power if needed. The Sphinx couldn’t touch him, but he wouldn’t hesitate to hurt her to protect his friends.

  Becky shrugged and said, “Ask me the question.”

  Ms. Spin leaned forward from her position on the desk. “Today’s category is transportation. What can you always find in cars, boats, and planes but never find in trucks, ships, or helicopters?”

  Becky folded her hands and rested her chin on them. It’s what she always did when she didn’t know something and was thinking hard about it.

  “The next class bell rings in three minutes,” Ms. Spin said. “You must answer before then.” She smirked and picked her magazine back up.

  William rubbed his forehead. Danny looked at him and held his hands up.

  “I know the answer,” William whispered.

  Becky still had her hands under her chin.

  “Write it down in large letters,” Danny whispered, pointing at the notepad on William’s desk.

  “What? Why?”

  “Just do it.” Danny motioned for William to give him a piece of paper, too. He took the sheet and broke off small tabs. He sucked on the tabs and formed them into balls.

  “Really?” William said. “Spitballs? You know they’re too far away for that.”

  Danny waved him off. “Do you have the answer written down?”

  William nodded.

  Danny picked up one of the spitballs and threw it at the back off Becky’s head. It bounced off her thick hair. When she didn’t even move, he frowned.

  “Dang,” William said. “You’ve got a great arm. You should play baseball.”

  Ms. Spin lay her magazine down. “There’s one minute left. Do you have the answer, Miss Goody Two-shoes?”

  “Not yet,” Becky said.

  Ms. Spin looked back at Danny and winked. She picked her magazine back up. Danny could hear her laughing from behind it.

  There wasn’t much time left before his friends would be dead. Danny took the next spitball and tossed it at Kevin. It hit the back of his head. He swatted at it like he thought it was a fly.

  Danny had three spitballs left. He picked them all up and threw them at once at Kevin. One hit his left ear, one hit his neck, and the other bounced off his head.

  Kevin jumped out of his seat and glared at Danny.

  “Sit down,” Ms. Spin said.

  Kevin slid back in his seat but turned around. His nose flared.


  Ms. Spin buried her head behind the magazine and mumbled some nonsense.

  William held up the paper he had written on. He waved at Kevin and pointed at the paper.

  Kevin shrugged like he was confused.

  Danny pointed at the paper then at Becky. He went back and forth three times before Kevin seemed to finally understand.

  Kevin turned to Becky and shook her shoulder. He mouthed just one syllable when Becky looked at him.

  “Twenty seconds, little lady,” Ms. Spin said. “Tick tock, tick tock.”

  Becky lowered her arms for the first time. “I have the answer.”

  Danny looked at the clock and saw there were ten seconds left.

  “A,” Becky said. “You can find the letter ‘A’ is in cars, boats, and planes but not in trucks, ships, or helicopters.”

  The class bell rang.

  Ms. Spin put her magazine down and put her hands over her head. “Go on to class. Get out of here. All of you.”

  Danny stood and gave William a high five. Becky looked back at him and smiled. Danny walked up to her desk and looked over at Kevin. “Thank you. We couldn’t have done this without you.”

  “Go to hell.” Kevin stood and walked out of the room.

  “Your boyfriend’s hard to please,” Danny said to Becky, shaking his head.

  “We’re taking a break. I need to think about things.”

  Danny pointed to Becky’s neck. “Did he have something to do with this?”

  Becky headed for the door. “It doesn’t matter. I need a friend right now, Danny Neumann. I need you.”

  CHAPTER 17

  SNAKE LADY WEARS A SHORT DRESS

  DANNY WALKED into the hallway with Becky. She leaned against his side and rested her head on his shoulder.

  “I didn’t choose you because I don’t ever want to lose our friendship,” she said.

  He put an arm around her side. He didn’t agree with her, but maybe it was for the best. He had a new life now and couldn’t put hers in danger.

  She stopped and grabbed his hands. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  “Get a room,” William said when he passed them.

  “We have to get to class,” Becky said. “Meet me after school at the Fall Festival?”

  Danny nodded. His heart skipped a few beats.

  She squeezed his hands and walked to her next class.

  Danny stood there a moment and felt the energy surge through his body. Only this time he didn’t want to release it. He wanted to hold onto it forever.

  “Danny Neumann to Vice Principle Echid’s office,” the speakers in the hallway squeaked. “Danny Neumann to Vice Principle Echid’s office.”

  Danny looked at his watch. He was supposed to meet Mr. Silen for some kind of training and answers. It looked like it would have to wait.

  He went to the front office and took a seat by Ms. Echid’s door. He knew he was here because of the damage in the kitchen. He had no idea how to explain why the door bent in half.

  Ms. Echid’s door opened, and she motioned for him to come in. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen with her large blue eyes and long eyelashes. She was probably about thirty-five years old, but could pass for twenty. She always wore a short dress and perfume that made you want to get closer to her.

  Danny sat down across from her desk. “I can pay for the damages.”

  Ms. Echid closed the door. “That’s not why you’re here.” She twisted the blinds closed.

  Danny swallowed hard for some reason. He was alone in this room with a beautiful woman. He saw on the news just last week where a pretty young female teacher went to prison for fooling around with a student like him.

  She traced her hands over his back then sat down at her desk. “I heard you’re having an interesting day.”

  Danny had no intention of telling her anything. He didn’t expect anyone to believe what he’d experienced so far today. “The best thing about my day has been the meatloaf.”

  Ms. Echid laughed. “The meatloaf here is really good. Makes you wonder what the ingredients are.”

  Danny nodded. “Other than that, everything here is great.”

  The office phone rang, and Ms. Echid held up a finger. “Yes?” she said into the receiver. “Oh, god.” She leaned forward. “Paramedics are on the way? Good. Keep me apprised.” She set the receiver down and stared at Danny.

  “Is everything okay?”

  Ms. Echid shook her head. “You’ve been a naughty boy, Alexandros Helen.”

  Danny sat up straight. He had no idea how he had missed it. He was blinded by her beauty. Her lower body looked like a snake’s. “Who are you?”

  She stood and leaned across the desk. “I’m an angry mother whose children are in danger. And I will do anything to protect them.” She rounded the desk and put her hands on Danny’s shoulders. “And you need to know the truth.”

  Danny squirmed. He wasn’t comfortable with Snake Lady touching him. “What truth?”

  She let go of his shoulders and stood back. “I know you’ve spoken with Mr. Silen. I’m sure he’s filled your head with nonsense. I should have fired that drunkard years ago.”

  Danny didn’t want to listen to her, but it didn’t look like he had much of a choice. At least his friends were safe this time. He could fend for himself.

  “Did he tell you how your parents died?” Snake Lady asked.

  Danny didn’t answer. He wasn’t comfortable discussing his dead parents with a snake. His throat constricted as if he was suffocating.

  “He probably told you they were struck by some random flash of lightning.” Ms. Echid laughed. “It wasn’t random, Alexandros. Zeus controls the skies and thunderbolts.” She stared into his eyes. “Zeus killed your parents.”

  Danny couldn’t move. He didn’t believe what Snake Lady said, but it made sense for some reason.

  “If you don’t believe me, ask Mr. Silen yourself.” She shook her head and went back to her seat. Her lips drooped like she was sad for Danny. “Sometimes the truth hurts, Alexandros. I don’t know why he killed them. We’re just lucky that you were born.”

  Danny cleared his throat. “Is that why he’s in Tartarus?”

  “Yes.”

  Danny didn’t believe Snake Lady but all of this was confusing. He had to get out of here and talk to Mr. Silen.

  “You were never supposed to be born, Alexandros. You were a mistake.”

  DANNY STEPPED out of the office in a daze. Was he really a mistake who was never meant to be born? He had to speak with Mr. Silen.

  He stopped as paramedics raced past him in the hallway. Several teachers and students stood in the hall.

  “What’s happening?” Danny asked the one face he recognized. He couldn’t forget the spiked hair and makeup.

  Becky’s friend Marc put a hand over his chest. “Ms. Spin tried to kill herself. She slit her wrists. How horrible.”

  Danny nodded. Good.

  “I heard the news, Lover Boy.” Marc put his hand up for a high five. “Now’s your chance to get the girl.”

  Danny ignored the hand and continued to Mr. Silen’s room. Marc huffed behind him and slapped his own hand.

  “Danny, I’m glad you made it,” Mr. Silen said as he walked in. “We have a lot to talk about, and I’ll show you a few tricks. Have a seat.”

  Danny stood there and said, “Did Zeus kill my parents?”

  Mr. Silen sat at his desk and pulled his thermos to his mouth. “It’s not that simple.”

  “Yes it is. Did he kill my parents? Yes or no?”

  “Yes, but—”

  Danny held out a hand. “We don’t have anything else to talk about.” Danny ran out of the room and nearly knocked Becky over.

  “Danny, wait,” she said. “What’s going on?”

  “I’m late for class,” Danny lied. “See you tonight.” He turned and walked toward the gym.

  “BECKY, COME in here for a minute please,” Mr. Silen said.

>   She watched Danny disappear down the hall. “Always running away from something,” she whispered.

  “How are you today?” Mr. Silen asked when she stepped into the room. Becky always liked Mr. Silen. He had a great outlook on life and didn’t seem to care what anyone else thought. He was teacher of the year at this school five years in a row. All the kids liked him and they all got good grades. It wasn’t a matter of Mr. Silen just passing everyone. They all scored really high on the state tests thanks to him.

  “I’m great. And you?”

  “Can’t complain,” Mr. Silen said. “I wanted to talk to you about Danny.”

  Becky didn’t know what this was about, but Danny could be in trouble for something. He seemed different today after the news he got last night. She knew he was just hurting. She wanted to be with him right now.

  “He’s going through a rough time,” Becky said. “But I know Danny, and he’ll work through it.”

  “That’s what I’m counting on.” Mr. Silen leaned back in his desk chair. “He won’t listen to me. He needs someone to believe in him.”

  Becky huffed. “I believe in him.”

  Mr. Silen got up and closed the door. He took his hippie glasses off and said, “Good. There’s something we need to talk about.”

  CHAPTER 18

  ARE WE BOYS OR ARE WE MEN?

  DANNY SAT on a bench in the locker room and changed into his gym shorts. He didn’t feel the energy inside him anymore. It was like it flew away when he found out he was never meant to be born. Some god he was.

  “You been working out, dude?” The guy behind him was hovering over him.

  Danny shook his head. He never lifted weights.

  “You’re getting buff, dude. Keep it up.” The guy walked out.

  Danny opened his locker and looked in the mirror on the door. He didn’t recognize himself. His chest felt like boulders when he touched it. His abs were sculpted into a six pack. Wait, they looked like an eight pack. He flexed his arms and watched his biceps inflate like tires. “This is impossible.”