Parahuman (Parahuman Series) by S. L. Hess

Johnny’s words. Laney threw her own eyebrow up just to get a rise
out of him. Predictably, Devan’s brows arrowed down in response. He was so
easy.
         Laney
sterned up her expression as she turned back to Johnny. “Johnny, do you have
any idea the danger you were in when you took off like that. If Devan hadn’t
come along in time that mountain lion could have seriously hurt you.” More like
had him for lunch, but Laney didn’t want to give the kid nightmares. “You
should never take off in these woods alone. Beside all the dangers there is a
very high probability of getting lost…and never being found.” Laney stressed
ominously.
         “I
didn’t mean to go so far, I just wanted to do some exploring.” Johnny pouted, looking
at her with the most sorrowful puppy dog look on his face. Laney had babysat
enough kids through the years to know that look. Heck, she had perfected that
look herself on her own father so she wasn’t falling for it. 
        
“Well, your exploring has your parents in an uproar. I would hate to be you
when we get back.”
        
Johnny’s only comment was an ‘uhg’ sound. Laney straightened up on slightly
wobbly legs. That sprint had taken quite a bit out of her. She would kill for
water, but would have to wait till they went back for her backpack. Thankfully,
she had the two-way radio strapped to her belt buckle, so she could contact her
dad with the good news.
         “Dad,
you there?”
         After
a couple seconds her dad responded. “I’m here. Did you find him?” Even through
the radio Laney could hear her dad’s anxiety.
        
“Yeah, we found him. We’re headed back.” Laney wasn’t going to go into the
details of the animal attack over the radio. Lon could be hanging over his
shoulder and Laney didn’t want him freaking out until he was able to see Johnny
and know that his kid was alright. 
         Laney
hooked the radio back to her belt buckle. “Okay guys, let’s get the lead out.
There are people on pins and needles waiting for our return. Hopefully we can
find my backpack on the way because I’m dying of thirst after that brisk stroll
through the woods.”  
         Laney
threw another grin Devan’s way. He hadn’t moved since retrieving his glasses.
In fact, his posture seemed kind of tense and Laney suddenly wondered if he wore
those glasses because he was embarrassed about his eyes. She found them
amazing, but she could imagine the teasing he might have endured at the caprice
of others. Children, and adults, could be quite cruel toward the differences in
others.
         Laney
gave Johnny’s shoulder a nudge. “Let’s go kid, on to your punishment.” The
kid’s expression held no alarm at his looming chastisement.  
        
Retracing their steps, or following Devan since he had taken the lead, Laney was
able to retrieve her backpack from where she’d unloaded it. There were only two
water bottles so she gave one to Devan and shared the other with Johnny. Devan
drank his in seconds while Laney drank half of hers before giving the other
half to Johnny to finish off.
         Johnny
maintained a consistent monologue of Devan’s heroic actions the entire way
back, which was probably a good thing since Devan seemed disinclined to any
conversation. He was walking swiftly in the lead as if trying to outpace
Johnny’s chatter, but Johnny was doing a heck of a job keeping up with him,
even though each of Devan’s strides equaled five of Johnny’s. Laney had to
almost jog herself to keep up and her legs were still a little shaky from the
last jog. She could have handled it, but Johnny was looking a little red in the
face with both the running and the talking.
         “Hey,
Devan, can we slow it down it bit. I doubt Johnny’s in any great hurry to get
to his execution.” Laney commented with amusement.
        
Devan’s strides immediately shortened. “Sorry,” he mumbled.  
         Laney
and Johnny