The Return of the Titans Read Online Free

tight behind him as he headed
outside.
    Justin stood under the dull glow of the
hallway light and waited. He was tempted to sneak out to the outer
door and see what Wilson was doing but he couldn't quite bring
himself to do it. So he stood in the lobby, shifting from foot to
foot and waited.
    After what seemed like an hour but was only
a few minutes, Wilson came back in. He shut the door firmly and,
for some reason, left his mop leaning against the door, mop-head
up. Then he just stood there, looking at Justin.
    “Well, what happened,
Wilson?” Justin asked eagerly. “Were they still there? Did they say
anything? What's going on?”
    The old man held up his hand and Justin
quieted down. “Let's get you upstairs, Justin,” he said quietly.
“We should tell your mother about this.”
    Justin was confused. “But what
happened?”
    Wilson walked toward the stairs. “I'll tell
you and your Mom together, lad. Come on.”
    The boy followed Wilson up the stairs. He
was totally confused but he didn't say anything. He knew how
stubborn the old man could be, so he knew he'd have to wait until
Wilson decided to explain.
    When they reached his apartment, Justin
opened the door and Wilson followed him in. The sound of the TV was
echoing down the hallway as usual. The boy smiled slightly. The
sound of home. He looked at the old man. “Come on in, Wilson,” he
said and walked toward the living room. Wilson followed, saying
nothing.
    “Hey Mom,” Justin said as
he entered the room. She smiled at him and then looked puzzled as
she saw the janitor.
    “Good afternoon, Miles,”
she said and then looked at her son. “What's going on,
Just?”
    Justin turned to Wilson who walked past him
to the sofa. He stood over Justin's mother for a moment. The boy
couldn't see the man's face but his mother's expression turned from
puzzlement to alarm. Then the old man knelt beside the sofa,
reached out and took her hand. Justin just stared in surprise.
    “Mrs. McLeod,” he began
but she interrupted him.
    “Miles, we've known each
other for over a decade. Since when have you called me Mrs.
McLeod?” She smiled at him gently, although she still looked
afraid.
    Wilson sighed. “Julia,” he said and she
nodded. “Justin was followed home today, from the library.”
    She looked from Wilson to Justin and back
again. “And?” she said.
    “They were wearing brown
suits. There were three of them.” Julia's face turned white and
Wilson nodded. “The time has come.”
    “But I'm not ready,” she
whispered. “Justin's not ready. It's too soon!”
    “I know, Julia, I know,”
Wilson said sadly. “I don't know what's happened but...”
    “Wait a minute!” Justin
walked over and stood beside Wilson. “What time has come? What are
you talking about?”
    “Just a second, sweetie.
Please.” His mother reached out and took Justin's hand. Then she
looked at the old man. “Where are they now?”
    Wilson shrugged. “They saw me and left.
Quickly. But they will be back, in greater numbers. I've sealed the
building against them but...” He shrugged.
    “It won't hold,” Justin's
mother said with certainty.
    “No Julia, it won't hold.
I have to get him out of here. Now.”
    She nodded and sighed. “Give us a moment,
will you?”
    Wilson nodded. “Of course. I have to fill
the bathtub anyway.” He stood up more quickly than Justin thought
he could and left the room, heading for the bathroom.
    Justin watched him leave then looked at his
mother. “He's having a bath? Now?”
    Julia smiled. “No, Justin. Now listen to me.
We don't have much time. Here, help me to sit up please.”
    Justin took her hands and gently pulled her
to a sitting position. She patted the sofa beside her and he sat
down.
    “I know you have a
thousand questions, Just. We don't have the time to answer them
all. But what's happening has to do with the changes you've gone
through.”
    “You mean like not being
hurt easily?” he asked.
    “Yes that, but other
things as