Powerless

The next day, Mollie apologizes to Daniel that he got hurt, surprising him. Daniel fills her and Rohan in on the Shroud. Unlike Michael, Simon barely remembers the other supers, and Mollie is convinced the Shroud took extra memories. After school, she and Daniel plan to visit the quarry on the other side of the mountain, even though one of the super rules says they can’t go there. When Daniel reminds Mollie of this, she shrugs it off, saying, “We need answers, Daniel, and we are running out of time” (145).

The quarry is mostly overgrown plants and untamed wilderness. Mollie and Daniel find a mysteriously fresh trail that leads to a cave that someone has intentionally barricaded. Suddenly, the Shroud appears, nearly grabbing Mollie. Daniel distracts it, giving Mollie an opening to grab Daniel and fly them away. The Shroud gives chase, asking Daniel what he is if not a super. Daniel argues he’s just a regular boy, to which the Shroud says, “Ah, now there you are wrong” (159).