The Nameless Hero by Lee Bacon

images of happy kids sitting around a holographic campfire. “I guess I kind of expected something more like—”
    “Summer camp?”
    “Well … yeah.”
    “The highly confidential nature of this program requires a certain amount of misleading advertising. The truth is, Gyfted and Talented goes far beyond any ordinary summer camp.”
    Gavin must’ve noticed the hesitation that was still gripping me.
    “No need for concern.” His face formed into an assuring smile. “If you aren’t happy here, you’re welcome to leave anytime. I only ask that you stick around long enough to find out what we’re all about.”
    I felt a little of my reluctance fall away. “All right.”
    “Excellent!” Gavin clapped his hairy hands together and ushered me to join the rest of the group. “Now—before we proceed, I believe this would be the best time to dismiss our uninvited guest.” Gavin’s gaze shifted toward Milton. “I’m terribly sorry, my boy, but this meeting is only for those who’ve been chosen.”
    “But—but I had an invitation,” Milton stammered.
    “Your forgery may have convinced Brandy, but it’s not going to work on me. This is an elite group. And unfortunately, Milton, I’m afraid you weren’t selected to be a part of it.”
    Milton’s face dropped. His bottom lip quivered. I’d seen him get skipped over when teams were being picked. I’d seen kids tease him and call him names. But I’d never seen him look this devastated before.
    “You were able to make it this far,” Gavin said. “Whichshows that you’re quite clever. But I’m afraid that isn’t enough to be a part of this group. Now, if you wouldn’t mind waiting in the corridor until we can escort you back to ground level—”
    “If he can’t join, then I’m not joining either!”
    I heard my own voice echoing across the room before I realized that I was the one who’d spoken. Gavin swung around to stare at me. His genial grin dropped away, revealing a sharp glare. For a short, bald man, he could be really intimidating when he wanted.
    The look lasted only a second before his features returned to what they’d been before. As he opened his arms, his eyebrows rose over a glowing smile, making him look like an amused uncle.
    “It’s admirable to see such loyalty for your friend! But I assure you, Milton wouldn’t fit in this group. He doesn’t possess the same … abilities as the rest of you.”
    My eyes darted over to where Milton was standing. “If Milton leaves, I’m out of here.”
    Gavin continued smiling, but I couldn’t miss the vein throbbing on his forehead. “You know, there are plenty of other Gyfted children out there. Perhaps I should contact one of them instead—”
    “I’m not joining either!” Sophie interrupted.
    Gavin blinked at her as if she’d just spoken in another language. “What?”
    “The only way I’m staying is if they stay.” Sophie pointed at Milton and me.
    The strain of keeping his smile going seemed to be turningGavin’s face a shade of purple. “But the boy doesn’t have a Gyft! And if he doesn’t have a Gyft, that means he’s—” Gavin stopped speaking suddenly. His hand clenched into a fist, like he’d just grabbed an idea out of the air beside him. “If he doesn’t have a Gyft, he’s
just like everyone else
.”
    Rubbing his stubbly chin with his hairy hand, Gavin paced back and forth in front of us. His feet clicked against the hard white floor.
    “I can’t believe I didn’t think of it sooner.” He spoke quietly, mumbling the words as if talking more to himself than us. “This may be precisely what this group needs. Someone ordinary children can relate to. Someone who’s just … average. Yes, it’s perfect!”
    Gavin spun around and faced Milton.
    “Welcome to Gyfted and Talented, my boy!”
    The look of relief on Milton’s face was instantaneous. He still didn’t know
what
Gyfted & Talented was, but at least he knew he got to be a part of it.
    The