CHAPTER 36––––––––
A wisp of smoke rose from Sam’s chest. Ping raised the shirt and determined the blast had not burned through to the boy’s skin. He sat down on the floor, lifted Sam’s head and patted him on the cheek.
“Sam, can you hear me? Sam!”
The boy moaned and rocked his head back and forth. Soon he opened his eyes and sat up with a start. “Whoa, what happened?”
“Hold on. Let’s make sure nothing’s broken. How do you feel?”
“Like I just got struck by lightning,” he said, looking down at the scorch mark on his chest, rubbing it with his hands. He rolled his shoulders. “I think I’m going to be sore, but I don’t think there’s anything broken.”
He made a move to stand up and fell back, dizzy.
“Just sit there for a few minutes and catch your breath. We’re not going anywhere,” Ping
