The Twin Powers by Robert Lipsyte

might figure out that there are two of us.
    â€œOld friend? Groovy,” I said. I made myself smile at Erin. “Who?”
    â€œA surprise.”
    I could blow up the TV like I had done back on EarthTwo, bust out of the room and try to escape, but there were all those Browns out there and everyone knew who I was. I needed Hercules. But I was on my own.
    I got the microphone back up her nose. This time, I tried to push a thought into her mind.
Erin is sooo nice.
    She smiled at me. I thought I heard
So sweet and pathetically dumb.
    Think so? I’m sooo hungry.
    â€œYou look hungry. Want something while we’re waiting?”
    â€œLike you were reading my mind, Erin.”
    She picked up the phone and ordered a hamburger, fries, and soda. I was sick of that stuff, but I just nodded and smiled harder.
    When the knock and the call of “Room service!” came, Erin was texting and didn’t seem to notice. One of the Browns opened the door so a waiter could push his cart into the room.
    I imagined sticking a straw into the Brown’s ear and whispering,
Waiter’s got a gun.
    â€œGUN!” yelled the Brown, just like in the cop shows.
    He tackled the waiter. The cart rolled across the room into Erin.
    I opened the hotel room door wider and yelled, “GUN!”
    As the Browns in the hall rushed into the room, I jumped out, slammed the door, raced to the stairway, and plunged down the steps.
    In the lobby, I imagined a fog so thick that no one could see me. I walked through it, bumping into people, saying I was sorry, until I went through the hotel’s revolving doors.
    The fog didn’t follow me outside. I was on the sidewalk. People were waving at me. “Way to go, Tom . . . We love you, Tom . . .”
    â€œStop right there, Tom!” Browns were pouring out the revolving door behind me.
    More were coming at me from across the street. I was trapped.
    Then I heard a familiar voice.
    Hop on, Eddie.

Thirty
    ALESSA
    SOMEWHERE IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA
    2012
    Â 
    â€œT AKE your clothes off,” said Agent Mathison.
    â€œWhat?” I wasn’t sure what I had heard.
    â€œYou heard me.”
    I didn’t want to hear it. My mind turned off. My ears filled with static.
    â€œStrip!” The word cut through the static.
    No way,
I thought.
You can kill me.
    â€œI’ll do it myself, then.” Agent Mathison pushed up the sleeves of her black suit jacket.
    Don’t care what you do. Not going to happen.
I wrapped my arms around myself. I was wearing jeans and a black Tech Off! hoodie over a black Tech Off! T-shirt. I always try to wear black. I think it makes me look thinner.
    â€œYou want me to call Agent Quinn in here to help me take your clothes off?”
    I imagined the two agents ripping my clothes off. As hard as I struggled, I’d be no match for the two of them. Both bigger and stronger. Probably trained to do this. The thought of Agent Quinn seeing me naked sent an icicle down my back.
    Agent Mathison opened the door and waved Agent Quinn in. He’d been standing right outside, waiting.
    â€œWe need to make sure you aren’t packing anything, Alessa,” said Agent Quinn.
    Agent Mathison cackled. “Can’t imagine what she could hide under all that flab.”
    In a kindly voice, Agent Quinn said, “It’s routine, Alessa.”
    I took a deep breath. “If it’s so routine, how come you didn’t do it right off?”
    â€œWe thought you’d be cooperative,” said Agent Quinn. “We didn’t think we’d have to treat you like a suspect.”
    â€œSuspect of what?”
    â€œNo time for your questions,” said Agent Mathison. “Take. Off. Your. Clothes.”
    I didn’t move. Couldn’t move. I was frozen. I already felt naked. There was water in my eyes.
Don’t cry, Lessi. Hang in there.
    â€œI’m losing patience,” said Agent Mathison, tapping the toe of her