The Nameless Hero Read Online Free PDF Page A

AT IT ,
MAYBE YOU ’ LL EVEN SAVE THE WORLD !
    “ ‘Save the world’?” I said, reading the last line out loud. That didn’t sound like the kind of thing my parents would be into, considering they’d devoted their careers to doing the exact opposite. But surprisingly, they didn’t seem to mind.
    “I’m sure it’s just a figure of speech,” Mom said breezily.
    “Probably their way of being politically correct,” Dad added. “It’s not like they could come out in favor of
ending
the world.”
    “But it sounds like it might be intended for … you know … superheroes,” I pointed out.
    “Let’s not focus on labeling everything,” Mom said. “Hero, villain—at your age, the most important thing is to figure out how to best use your Gyft. You still have plenty of time to realize what a great supervillain you’ll be.”
    “So you want me to go?”
    Mom and Dad exchanged a glance that let me know they’d already talked it over. After clearing his throat, Dad said, “Your mother and I feel that it would be a good opportunity. A chance to improve your powers and get to know other Gyfted kids.”
    “You’re fortunate to have such a powerful Gyft,” Mom went on. “But spontaneous combustion is also quite volatile.A summer program like this might be just what you need to gain better control over your power.”
    “Of course, it’s your choice, son,” Dad assured me. “It says in the brochure that the program doesn’t start for another week. We’ll leave the decision up to you.”
    I stared at the brochure, uncertainty drifting through my mind. Did I really want to spend my next two months at some kind of training camp for kids with superpowers?
    But it wasn’t just that. Everything about the Gyfted & Talented program just seemed … off. The unexplained notes appearing out of nowhere. The warning that had come moments before the substitute librarian had tried to rip my head off. And what about that line about saving the world? What if that wasn’t just a figure of speech?
    Whatever was going on, I had a hunch there was a lot the brochure wasn’t telling us.

5
    “Next up—Dragon’s Breath!” Milton pointed toward a roller coaster that looped and twisted around a huge green dragon. “And it even shoots real fire out of its mouth! We should hurry before the line gets any longer!”
    It was the third day of the summer break, and we were at AwesomeWorld, the new amusement park Milton wouldn’t stop talking about. He’d been dragging us around the park all morning, from one ride to another—each with a more intimidating name than the last. The Steamroller, Death-Trap, the Barfonator.
    “What’s the big rush?” Sophie called after him.
    Milton turned back to face us, huffing to catch his breath. “Gotta cram as much fun into the summer before leaving for Gyfted and Talented.”
    There was no telling whether Milton’s forged invitationslip would get him in, but he wasn’t going to let that stop him from trying. I wasn’t nearly so certain about the idea. The night before, I’d gone online to find out more, but that had turned up nothing. There wasn’t a single website that traced back to Gyfted & Talented.
    It was like it didn’t exist at all.
    The entire program was shrouded in mystery. All I had to go on were the materials that had popped up out of nowhere. The strange notes, the letter, the brochure. And those weren’t exactly crammed with informative details. I still had no idea where Gyfted & Talented was located, or how many kids were attending, or what we would do once we got there. There wasn’t even a sign-up form.
    Not that my parents seemed to mind. They’d built their careers around secrecy. The fact that it was impossible to find any information about Gyfted & Talented only made it seem more legitimate to them.
    “Do you mind if we take a break first?” Sophie asked. “I’m still woozy from the Barfonator.”
    “Fine.” Milton sighed. “I’m gonna check out