Double Vision Read Online Free Page A

don’t care about any lawsuit.” Mom didn’t sound convincing at all.
    Dad put his hand over hers. “Where?”
    â€œIt’s top secret, sir,” Agent Fullerton said, pretending to be sorry for not being able to tell them where I was going. “It’s a secluded but safe facility—that’s all I can say. It’s been our experience that it’s better if parents don’t know.”
    Dad nodded. “Of course.”
    â€œI’m glad to hear we’ll have Lincoln here join our boot camp.” Agent Fullerton clapped his hands like it was in the bag.
    â€œNo,” Mom said again. She pulled her hand away from Dad’s. “Linc’s not going.”

5
SATURDAY, NOON.
    AGENT FULLERTON LOOKED LOST. WHICH was when I figured it was time for Lincoln here (that would be me) to speak. This was my chance to change things for my family and make up for all the trouble I’d caused. I owed Mom and Dad that. Plus, I’d made a deal with Fullerton, so now I had to step up. “I want to go, Mom.”
    Mom looked at me, horrified. “Really? It’s boot camp, Linc.”
    â€œI know.” I looked at the principal, Dad, and back at Mom again. It was time to tell them what they wanted to hear. “I’ve got to change, Mom. I know I make bad decisions and that I always cause trouble even when I don’t mean to. Maybe this camp is just what I need.”
    Mom just stared at me, her mouth gaping a little.
    â€œIt’s just like being grounded, but I’ll be somewhere else. So you and Dad don’t have to worry about me. And it might make this lawsuit go away.” I gave Agent Fullerton a stare, and he gave me a tiny nod, confirming our deal.
    Mom closed her mouth, then slumped in her seat a little. “Boot camp?” she mumbled.
    â€œIt’s okay, Mom.” I gave her my most convincing smile, like I was oh so happy to go.
    She still took what seemed like forever before finally agreeing. “Okay. If this is what Linc wants, I’ll go along with it.” Mom sat up and looked at Agent Fullerton in that way she always does when I’m supposed to clean my room or something like that. “But he calls me. Every day.”
    â€œI don’t think—”
    â€œOr he’s not going.”
    Agent Fullerton nodded. “I think we can arrange that.”
    The adults were practically high-fiving one another over this whole boot camp plan, and I went back to being “Lincoln here.” Mom gave Agent Fullerton her speech about nutrition and the growing child, and Dad somehow ended up talking about tire tread with Principal Thornton. They were relieved.
    Meanwhile, I was sweating bullets. Thinking of this exchange, these bad dudes, and where they made Benjamin Green disappear to. It was a good thing my parents had no idea what they were really signing me up for.
    We left the principal’s office. Agent Fullerton followed us home in his dark sedan. I was supposed to gather some essentials and leave with him for boot camp right away.
    I was stuffing an extra sweater in my backpack when Dad knocked on my bedroom door. Even though it was open. “Hey, Linc.”
    â€œHey, Dad.”
    â€œAll set and ready to go?” He pointed at my backpack.
    I nodded. This was weird. I’d been away on overnight trips before, once with school, but never longer than a night or two. “You think I can bring my skateboard?”
    â€œWhy not?” Dad said, sounding a little distracted. He looked me in the eye. “You sure you’re ready, Linc?”
    â€œYeah.” Not really, but this wasn’t the time to be wimping out. “It’ll be good for me.”
    Dad smiled. “I hope so, buddy.” He took his keys and moved them around the ring. “Here.” He unhooked the small metal compass and put it in my palm.
    â€œBut isn’t this yours, from Grandpa?”
    â€œAnd now it’s yours.