CHAPTER TWO

Paul stared around at his surroundings in astonishment. "Welcome to the lab,"Michael told him simply. He nodded to the other person present. "Dave, Paul. Paul, Dave."

"Hi,"Dave greeted him.

Paul nodded weakly. "Hello." He turned to Michael and Michelle. "Is this really where you live?"

"Not exactly,"Michael replied. "There are dormitories here but we have normal homes like yours as well."

"What were you doing at that newsagent's?"asked Michelle suddenly.

"Robbing it." Paul looked ashamed. "I didn't want to but…Baz and his gang, they practically rule the school. If I don't do what they say, it'll be the worse for me."

"It can't go on,"Michael told him grimly. "You realise that, don't you?"

"Yeah."

"Well, you've got three people here you can count on to help. Just call us or come here if you need anything."

"I'd better be getting home,"Paul decided. "My mum'll be worried."

"Of course. You know what to do."

Paul stepped onto the jaunting pad and faded away.

The following morning, Paul was on his way to school when he found his way blocked by Baz and the others. "You ran out on us last night,"Baz commented.

Paul tried not to betray his fear. "Well – the robbery was done, I didn't think you needed me anymore."

"Well, you thought wrong. You see, we've got a job on this afternoon. And your talents could come in handy."

"This afternoon? What?"

"The post office."

Paul thought about this. "But, Baz, the post office is open this afternoon."

"Right. We're gonna rob it while it's open." Baz pulled his coat aside to reveal a gun hanging from his belt. "That a problem?"

Paul shook his head nervously. "No. No, not at all. Erm, I'll meet you back here at lunchtime, right?"

"Make sure you do."

Paul appeared in the lab but found it deserted. "Michael!"he shouted. "Michelle!"

Michael, Michelle and Dave appeared on the pad behind him. "What's up?"Michael asked.

Paul was momentarily dumbfounded. "Hang on, if you weren't here how did you hear me?"

"Telepathic, remember?"Michelle explained. "We could hear you calling in our minds."

"Has something happened?"Dave asked.

Paul nodded. "Baz. He's stepped up a gear. Talking about taking out a post office. Armed robbery."

"We're going to need to stop him." Michael thought for a moment. "I can get on to the police, have them waiting nearby. But I'm going to need to know from you exactly when the robbery's taking place."

"I don't know! All I know is it's this afternoon."

"Too imprecise. You'll have to tell me when you get there."

"If I slip away, Baz'll get suspicious."

"Then use telepathy."

Paul looked uncertain. "I'm not sure I can."

"You've already done it once,"Michelle reminded him.

"Just direct your thoughts at me,"Michael instructed.

Paul paused and concentrated. "Michael, it's happening now."

Michael responded telepathically. "Okay. We're on our way."

Paul grinned and spoke aloud. "We actually did it! Are you sure you'll get the police to listen?"

"They've picked up a few contacts over the years,"Dave confirmed.

"You'd better get back to them,"Michael advised. "But remember – you're not alone."

Paul smiled and jaunted.

Baz and his gang, Paul among them, burst through the doors of the post office. Baz waved the gun at the cashier. "Start emptying the till." He gestured to one of his friends, who produced a bag.

Paul hung back, desperately sending out telepathic messages. "Michael, now,"he sent. "Michael, where are you? It's happening now!"

The cashier had finished filling the bag. Baz gestured for his group to leave. "Come on, quick!"

They dashed outside…to find a group of police officers waiting, along with Michael and Michelle. The three gang members were quickly grabbed by policemen. Baz fired two shots into the air and then ran.

Michael caught Paul's eye and realised what he was going to do. "Paul, no!"he shouted but he was too late. Paul jaunted.

"Where's he gone?"asked Michelle.

"Wherever Baz is going,"Michael answered.

"Well, we need to find out where that is. Quick, back to the lab."

When Baz arrived at his lock-up, he found Paul already there. "I thought you were behind me,"he protested.

"I took a shortcut,"Paul explained.

Baz seemed to suddenly remember about Paul's new abilities. He nodded curtly. "They got the rest. How did they know we were coming?"

"I told them."

Baz blinked. "What?"

"I couldn't let you carry on, Baz. These powers I'm developing – seems they come with certain obligations."

Baz aimed the gun at him. "Really? Well, there are a few things I'm obliged to do."

Michael and Michelle sat at the focusing table in the lab while Dave hovered nearby. "What are you doing?"he asked.

"We're trying to locate Paul,"Michelle replied.

"Can you do that?"

"We can if you let us concentrate!"

Michael stood up. "He's in a lockup round the back of the Wentworth Estate. Dave, call the police, tell them to meet us there. Michelle." The pair of them ran for the jaunting pad.

Baz ushered Paul out onto the forecourt. "Don't want to get blood on my floor. Takes ages to clean."

Paul watched as Baz aimed the gun at him from a few feet away. Suddenly, he heard Michelle's voice in his head. "Eight metres to your left."

Paul glanced round briefly and saw Michelle standing out of sight of Baz, beckoning to him. He understood and, as Baz was about to fire, he jaunted, reappearing beside her. "Where's Michael?"he asked her telepathically.

"Watch,"she sent back.

Michael jaunted into the courtyard behind Baz. "Barry!"he called out.

Baz spun round, gun raised. "Who are you?"

"Don't you remember? We met outside the post office."

Baz's eyes widened in realisation. "You're with the police!"

He fired – and Michael jaunted, reappearing a few feet to the left. "In a manner of speaking."

Baz whirled round and fired again – and again Michael jaunted. This time he appeared behind Baz. "You know, you could hurt someone if you do that."

Baz spun round, firing before he completed the arc, but again Michael was too quick. He jaunted a few feet to the right. "Who are you?"Baz gasped.

"We're the Tomorrow People. That gun doesn't seem to be doing you any good. Perhaps mine would be better." He jaunted behind Baz. Before the crook even knew he was there, Michael drew his stun gun and fired, causing Baz to sprawl unconscious to the ground.

Michelle and Paul emerged from hiding. "You killed him?"Paul asked, astonished.

"We can't kill, Paul,"Michelle replied.

"Stun gun,"Michael explained. "He'll be out for quite a few minutes. Just long enough for the police to show up."

Michelle was floating in hyperspace, wearing her AE suit without the helmet once more. Michael jaunted beside her, also wearing an AE suit. He removed his helmet. "Thought I'd find you here."

"I needed some space to think. You were right about Paul. He's not a bad kid."

"Well, breakouts tend to attract a certain type."

"So now he joins us. Things aren't going to be the same, are they?"

"Bit crowded in the lab, you mean? Perhaps." He smiled at her. "But like you said, plenty of space out here."

End of Serial Four