Read Online 52 - How I Learned to Fly by R.L. Stine - (ebook by Undead) - Free Book Online Page B

She asked me to go skating with her that afternoon. I wanted to
go, but I couldn’t. Someone from the Wall Street Journal was coming to
interview me.
    I wanted to tell them to talk to TV Guide —get the answers from them.
But I knew Mom and Dad wouldn’t like that. They were working really hard to get
me all these interviews.
    “See you later!” I called to Mom and Dad the next morning. I was going to the park to shoot some hoops with Ray and Ethan.
    “Whoa! Wait up!” Dad charged in to the kitchen. “Where are you going?”
    “To play basketball with my friends. I won’t be home late,” I told him.
    “Sorry, Jack. But you can’t go.”
    “Why not?” I asked, confused. “I don’t have any interviews today.”
    “Because basketball isn’t the right kind of exercise for a flying superhero!”
Dad patted me on the back. “You have to do sit-ups, push-ups, run some laps—build up your strength and stamina to fly your best!”
    He pushed me toward the door. “You have to work out every day, Jack. Every
day. Now, let’s get started. I’ll work with you in the backyard.”
    I didn’t see Ray or Ethan or Mia that whole week. I had more interviews to
do. And exercises. And costume fittings. And I did a flying appearance at the
opening of a new restaurant in Santa Monica.
    Finally Saturday arrived. Mom and Dad said it was my day off. No interviews.
No exercises. No jobs. I could do whatever I wanted.
    I got up early to go Rollerblading with Mia. As I headed out the door, Mom
stopped me. “Jack, you can’t go out like that! ”
    “Like what?” I asked, staring down at my T-shirt and cutoff jeans.
    “Like that,” she said, pointing to my clothes. “You’re a superstar now. You
have to wear your flying costume when you go out. So your fans won’t be
disappointed.”
    “But, Mom!” I protested. “I can’t wear my cape to go skating. No way I’m
going to wear silver tights in the park!”
    I called Mia and told her I couldn’t go. I shuffled glumly into the living
room and turned on the TV.
    I knew that flying in front of the whole school was a big mistake.
    I knew it would ruin my life. I knew it!
    I hadn’t seen my friends in weeks. I’d probably never see them again!
    I’m going to spend my whole life flying around in a dumb costume, never
having any fun! I realized.
    I flipped aimlessly through the channels.
    I flipped and flipped, watching the programs flash by on the screen.
    And then I stopped—when I saw Wilson.
    Wilson on TV!
    Wilson—wearing a really cool superhero costume that sparkled with neon
glitter.
    My eyes grew wide as I watched him. He soared around a mountaintop, rescuing
people off its steep cliffs.
    “We will return to Wonder Wilson and His Amazing Rescues in just a moment!” the TV announcer said.
    Huh? Wonder Wilson and His Amazing Rescues?
    I shook my head.
    “I’m doing restaurant openings—and Wilson already has his own TV show!” I
wailed.
    Can’t I EVER beat Wilson? EVER?
    I heard a knock on the door. I was glad to leave the room before Wonder
Wilson came back on TV.
    I opened the door—and saw three serious-looking men in green uniforms
standing there. Army uniforms.
    “Jack Johnson?” one of them asked sternly.
    I nodded yes.
    “Good.” He reached out his hand. “You’ll have to come with us.”

 
 
26
     
     
    I stood in the middle of a drab green room.
    An army lab.
    With no windows.
    The room smelled like a doctor’s office. You know. That heavy alcohol smell.
    I glanced over at the door. A solid steel bolt sealed it shut.
    A chair with suction cups stuck all over the back and seat stood in one
corner of the room. Electrical wires streamed from each cup.
    I imagined that was what a prison electric chair looked like. No way I’d ever
sit on it!
    My heart began to pound as a group of army scientists in white lab coats
circled me. They stared at me, their eyes moving up and down my body. They wrote
on clipboards they held in their hands.