deciding once they arrived that they were entitled to a few moments
of relaxation before they began what Helen had started
thinking of as her superhero lessons. They stopped in the kitchen
to get Helen another bottle of water and then went for a little fly.
?Jase and Hector will call when they?re home from practice.
We?ve still got about another hour or so,? Lucas said confidently
when they touched down in the dunes. They walked down to the
half-damp sand that was flat and firm and perfect for a stroll.
?We?re supposed to have our first track meet next weekend,?
Helen said suddenly, biting her lip with worry. ?I don?t know if
Coach?ll let me run after missing so many practices.?
?Yeah, about that,? Lucas said, sighing heavily and making her
stop and face him. ?You need to quit track.?
Helen stared at him for a moment. ?Quit track? Are you nuts?
How else am I going to get a scholarship??
?That doesn?t matter anymore,? Lucas said, shaking his head.
?Doesn?t matter? Lucas, this is my life you?re talking about.?
?Exactly. You?ve been attacked, how many times now? We still
don?t know who those women are. And I don?t think you realize
just how big a threat Creon is even with me standing right next to
you, let alone when you go running off by yourself across the island.
This is your life we?re talking about, not just an athletic scholarship,?
he said evenly, calmly. ?I want you to quit. For now,
anyway.?
?You have got to be kidding me,? she replied, completely
deadpan.
?I?m not. Quit track. Until we figure out how to deal with Creon,
it?s too dangerous.?
?What if I just walked up to you and told you to quit football??
she asked sarcastically.