In the morning we all got ready for school. I helped to get Joey and Logan ready for daycare. I wore shorts, a tank top, and my purple jacket along with sneakers. I decided to straighten my hair today as a change of pace. I almost always left it curly. Carmen’s contacts were bothering her so she switched to glasses. She wore hoop earrings, a red skirt, white blouse, and black boots. Liz as usual wore bracelets that covered her arms, a ring on every finger of her left hand. She wore a black shirt with “Paramore” written across it, dark blue skinny jeans, and flip flops. Adam arrived in the kitchen wearing cargo pants, work boots, and a shirt with a picture of lucky charms on the front. Mornings at Carmen’s were always less hectic.
Adam took the boys to daycare while the three of us headed to school.
“The day has just started and my locker is already jammed,” sighed Liz.
I did a 180 to make sure no one was looking. I turned my fist into armor and yanked her locker open. She hugged me. “Thank you!” she said.
Now that my good deed of the day was done I headed to my locker.
Liz threw her book bag into her locker and grabbed her art history book for first period. She slammed her locker shut. Standing on the other side staring at her was Fu.
“Jesus Fu! You sure have a knack for sneaking up on me,” she scolded.
“Sorry,” he smiled sheepishly. “Here let me take your books for you I’ll walk you to class,” he told her.
She handed him her books and walked off to her class trying to look confident when really her nerves were playing football with her stomach. He was cute, sweet, he was perfect and he liked her!
“I’ll see you fourth period?” he asked sounding eager.
She tried to hide her blushing, she hated blushing.
“See you fourth period,” she answered. They said their goodbyes and he headed off to find his own class.
“Hello ladies,” said Johnny popping up next to my locker. I opened so it and slammed it in his face. He groaned holding his nose.
“Sorry,” I said stepping over him.
He was so obnoxious. He thinks he is a ladies’ man when really he’s just a skeeze. If he wasn’t the best bartender in town and didn’t work at the Teen Center I wouldn’t talk to him at all but the fact that I’m there so much gives him the idea that we’re friends. Johnny was tall, skinny, and black with brown eyes and a buzz cut. “Whoa hey hold up!” called Johnny as he got to his feet.
I sighed, not turning back to wait for him, unfortunately he caught up anyway. “Hey um look I was wondering if you wanted to go to the pep rally with me tonight?”
“No,” I told him, trying to push past him and move on.
“Look, I know being with me can be a bit intimidating but you shouldn’t let that stop you,” he said, blocking my path. I pushed him. “No Johnny.” That skeeze, he can’t even look me in the eyes all he does is stare at my breasts and he has the nerve to think I would ever like him. The thought of him made me want to gag.
I took my seat in the back next to Carmen.
“I saw you got ambushed by Johnny again. I’m sorry hun. I love how your locker nearly broke his nose though. That was classic,” said Carmen with a grin.
School flew by fast today. The next thing I knew it was 4:00pm and the bell was ringing for school to let out. Instead of meeting Fu at the restaurant, Liz rode home with him. Carmen and Adam had already left. I was about a block away from Joey’s daycare. One of the wheels of my skateboard was loose. I made a mental note to fix that as I skidded to a stop when the light flashed ‘no walking.’ The air was dry but there was a slight breeze that made it bearable .When the light flashed ‘walk’ I was about to skate across when I heard sirens and a loud screeching followed by the sound of crushed metal. An out of control car came tearing from around a corner followed by several police cars. I stepped back onto the curb and held people back to keep them away from the rampaging steal monster. In a man’s rush to get back to the safety of the side walk he pushed a little girl who had been standing beside me out of the way. She fell into the street crying. Before I even had time to think, I ran into the street. I wrapped my arms around her, shielding her. I didn’t feel it but I knew it had hit me. There was a loud crash followed by an eerie silence. I heard several gasps. When I looked up I was in the middle of the car. I had stopped it dead in the street. The engine looked to be split in two. There were smoke and shattered remnants of the vehicle everywhere. I stood slowly still in my armor. I was hoping no one had seen me without the armor. If there was anything I learned from comic books it was that I needed to keep my identity a secret. I inspected the little girl. She seemed to be fine, just in shock. A woman in the crowd shrieked, “My baby!
What have you done to my baby!” I took that as my cue to leave. By the time the police bothered to get out of their cars I was already two blocks away. Now that I was completely out of sight I let my armor vanish. My mind was still processing what had happened. I was a little late picking Joey up but he didn’t seem to mind.
“Emma you seem…” he paused, his little face crinkled in concentration as he decided what word to use. “Distracted,” he beamed; glad that he could find just the right word.
I laughed, “I just have a lot on my mind Joey,” I reassured him. For one I realized I had left my back pack and skateboard at the crime scene. I would go back for them once things had settled down. I was also still unsure about what having these powers meant; and what if I had more? Or what if I couldn’t control them? What if today I had just been lucky? I rubbed my temple. I was giving myself a headache. When we got back to the house I found Al, doing his homework like a good little boy while Zach and Damien watched TV. The only ones missing were Dad, Tarrasa, and Brody. Brody was probably with his friends.
I searched the cabinets for food and decided on hot dogs for dinner. It was easy and didn’t take long to make. “Boys, dinners ready,” I announced. They all clambered into the kitchen eager for food. Boys are so gross. My good mood disappeared as soon as Tarrasa arrived home. I cursed myself for already retrieving my book bag and skateboard before making dinner. Now I would have to find a different excuse for getting out of the house. Normally they wouldn’t care if I left but Tarrasa wanted ‘grown up girl bonding time.’ Just the thought of it made me want to gag. Tarrasa walked over to me smiling with those big lips that I hated so much. She had changed from her work clothes into something more comfortable.
“Hey sweetheart,” she purred. “How was school?” she moved to brush my hair out of my face but I shifted out of reach.
“Fine,” I responded. I grabbed a sponge and pretended interest in cleaning the counter. It was obvious that I was trying to ignore her. This caused her to frown but was quickly replaced by a smile. I chuckled to myself. Tarrasa was good at not showing any negative feelings towards me but it was nice to see her illusion slip, even if it were only for a moment.
“Did you learn anything exciting?” she asked.
“Nope,” I answered.
She shifted with impatience. This is actually kind of fun I thought to myself. Since she couldn’t get anything out of me she started telling me about her day. Ugh never mind, not fun, I corrected myself. Minutes felt like hours. I didn’t want to sit here and listen to her boring office humor. She was an accountant! I don’t care how hard she tries there is no way to make that job sound fun.
I held up my hand, “I’ve got to go to the bathroom,
Tarrasa, I’ll be right back.”
The bathroom was too small. I needed air. I was just itching to get out of this small apartment. I opened the window.
I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. It was big enough for me to climb out of I noticed. I was on the top floor. If I jumped I wouldn’t get hurt thanks to my armor but maybe I could just climb onto the roof instead. I popped the screen out and began to slowly ease myself out. I suppose great balance came with the whole super hero deal. I managed to jump from the window to a flag pole and then onto the roof without a sweat. I sat there hoping no one would find me. The night air was soothing. I couldn’t remember the last time I was this relaxed.
“Ouch!” I sat up rubbing my temple. Something had hit me. I looked around and saw nothing. I looked up and saw a floating stick. I reached out, stroking it gently. More confidently this time I clasped it and laid it in my lap. It was a golden staff.
It appeared to be the same length of my legs, from foot to hip.
It’s weird. I felt a connection to it somehow like it was an extension of myself. I sat there twisting and twirling it. Where had it come from? It hummed with energy. I soon realized that not only was I able to maneuver it with extreme ease and accuracy but I was indeed connected to it somehow. I could control it with my mind. Without touching it, I had it spin and zoom through the air. I laughed. This was fun.
I woke up the next morning on the roof. I had stayed out all night. My back was stiff from lying against the concrete. I quickly got ready for school. I was almost out the door when I had a crazy idea, but I had always been known to be a little crazy. I climbed back up to the roof and tossed my skateboard to the side. If I really could control this staff maybe with my new found balance I could treat this stick as if it were my skateboard. I took a deep breath, “Here goes nothing,” I jumped off the roof and closed my eyes, bracing myself for the feel of my skull hitting concrete but there I was floating in mid air, standing on my stick. I laughed like a crazy person, I probably was crazy. I couldn’t believe what was happening. I was flying to school. I was a bit wobbly at first but I soon got the hang of it. Even as I landed I couldn’t wipe the grin that encompassed my face. I couldn’t wait to tell the others.
I ran into Adam on my way to class. “Wow, did you hit the happy pills this morning or what?” he asked.
“I’ll tell you at lunch,” I beamed. I had never felt such complete freedom. Gravity, my ass.
“Emma!” scolded Carmen. “Stop daydreaming and pay attention.” I stuck my tongue out at her. Mr. Dick handed out worksheets and we were to work in pairs. When it came to school Carmen didn’t fool around. She loved school. So instead of spilling my guts about how awesome this morning was we sat there and worked on biology. It was a good thing Carmen was in my class. She helped to keep me focused.
When the lunch bell rang I dragged Carmen and Adam behind the building.
“What is it?” asked Carmen.
How should I say this? I looked to make sure we were alone. “This,” I smiled. I called the stick and held it in my hand.
Before me were two shocked faces. Carmen reached out for it. It shone beneath her fingers.
“Emma?” she questioned.
“I can control it!” I began to tell them all about last night and this morning trying not to leave anything out.
How can they be so calm about this? thought Adam.
“No, no, no,” he shouted, interrupting our conversation.
Startled, I looked at him. He leaned his head against the wall in agony. He looked so angry, but I could see the hidden sadness in him.
“Adam what’s your problem? Can’t you see we can help people? That we could really make a difference in this god forsaken world!” hissed Carmen, trying not to raise her voice.
“What’s wrong with me?” exclaimed Adam. “We are not the embodiments of a god’s gift to Earth! We are not saviors! We are not angels! These powers, us, we’re killers, nothing more. We were built to kill.” What was he hiding behind those dark eyes?
“Adam, you are just a self-centered heartless bastard!
You just don’t want the responsibility. Here we have a chance to do good and you want to pretend like nothing has happened!” yelled Carmen.
“I don’t want the responsibility! I don’t have time to save people!” he screamed back.
The sky grew dark behind the school and a strong spontaneous wind seemed to derive from Carmen. Her necklace glowed in a way that nearly blinded me. I stepped back, a bit frightened. Carmen stood before us…and yet it wasn’t Carmen.
She certainly looked the same and yet I could sense something oddly different about her. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
Adam placed himself between me and Carmen. So I wasn’t imagining things; he could sense it too. “Don’t fear me child for I am Lynashia,” said Carmen. “Komodo Dragon; you must release your fears of being a killer. I know your dreams frighten you, but you are mistaken, these gifts were placed in your care to help people. You are a chosen one. The reason you have those dreams is because the vessels before you created memories so strong that they have survived years of transport.
You see, you were created by a servant god, because of this you do not have the power to block out past memories. Your power does not lie in strength. It is your heart. The Komodo Dragon is about love. It is the Komodo Dragon’s heart that enables the Chosen ones to stay together for without it you would all perish.
You have the biggest heart of any Komodo Dragon I have ever met and because of that you will be very powerful, but only if you relinquish your fears and trust your heart. You were chosen and you must accept that.”
The sky cleared and Carmen collapsed to the ground. We ran to her.
“She’s okay,” said Adam. He sat her up, she had passed out. “I’m going to take her home.
“Wait she’s coming to,” I told him.
She tried to talk, it was faint but I still managed to make out what she said. “Not cool, Lyn not cool.”
Adam had taken Carmen home to rest. The remainder of the day was spent in a restless stupor. After school I waited for Liz in the parking lot. I told her I’d give her a ride, course she doesn’t know that this meant I was going to take her flying. I spotted Liz walking out with Fu. I had walked ahead of them so that they could have time alone together. Their date last night had been a smash. Liz now seemed to have a permanent smile glued to her face.
“Bye Fu!” she waved.
“Emma,” she smiled, starry eyed.
Once Fu was out of sight she jumped up and down with enthusiasm. She began to twirl around the parking lot emitting the feeling of bliss. Her arms were wide and she spun like a ballerina on crack. She then ended this display with a fainting motion but instead of landing on hard concrete she fell into the softness of a couch.
“Liz! What are you doing? What if you’re seen doing that,” I admonished.
“Oh who cares, no one is around,” she replied lazily, rolling onto her back.
She stood up, “There, it’s gone, so stop freaking.”
“Wow, you’ve really gotten a handle on this huh,” I said impressed.
She beamed arrogantly. I smiled to myself, “Let me show you what I can do.”
I was being a hypocrite but no one was around and she
had to experience this. I called the staff to me and told Liz to hold on. Before I knew it we were in the air and she was screaming her head off.
It was harder to balance with two people. My eyes
watered from the intensity of the wind. I held tight to Liz. At first she was afraid but now she was starting to relax. People had become ants and rooftops were merely specks. I loved this feeling, the feeling of freedom.
“Looks like you have a handle on this too,” Liz yelled over the roar of the wind. She held fast to me. I wondered how fast I was capable of going. I’d experiment later but not while Liz was here. It was hard enough holding onto her and maintaining speed as it was. I guessed we were traveling approximately 40mph. Adam had the day off so he had picked up the boys from daycare. We were to meet them at Carmen’s place. I still haven’t told Liz what happened to Carmen. I hope she is ok. Minutes later we saw it, the Jockolva mansion, my second home. I think my landing was a little too quick because as soon as we touched the ground Liz collapsed and puked. Gross.
I walked in to find Logan and Joey playing with blocks on the floor. “Hey boys where is Adam?” I asked them.
“He’s upstairs with Carmen,” said Joey, greeting me with a smile. I hugged them both.
“Keep an eye on Aunt Liz for me will you? She’s not feeling too great,” I explained to them.
As I was on my way upstairs Adam was coming down.
He carried an empty glass in his hand. “She’s asleep,” he told me. “She’s ok, just tired.” With that answer I followed him downstairs instead of going to check on Carmen, I didn’t want to wake her.
“She’s really mad at Lyn for taking over her body without permission.” Adam told me as we sat in the kitchen. I was about to ask how he knew this when he said, “Carmen talks in her sleep.”
“That has to be freaky; having someone take over your body like that,” I shuddered at the thought. I couldn’t imagine not being able to control my own body.
“Lyn said she’d get used to it,” he grimaced. “I am not looking forward to her visits.”
Adam continued talking but I heard nothing. My mind was far away from this place. I feel so lonely sometimes. I have friends that love me. That should be enough right? I knew that we should talk more about what was happening to the four of us but I’d rather go flying. I need the practice anyway. I couldn’t remember ever being as happy as I was when I was flying. I had ridden with my dad in his plane before. He had even let me pilot it myself once. But this feeling was a completely different experience. Even with my newfound power of balance it still took a lot of focus to remain on that stick, add the speed and the danger, the difficulty increases. It was dangerous, it was hard and I loved every minute of it. I headed out the door ready to take flight.
“Stop!” It was Carmen, she was awake and coming down the stairs. “I can’t stay long; her body is too weak to contain my power.” “Lyn,” I growled. “Get out of her body now or I’ll make you.”
“You can’t keep flying off. Despite your armor you are not invincible. If you fall you will most surely die.” She told me, ignoring my earlier threat. With that said she was gone, leaving Carmen to faint yet again.
When she had regained consciousness she looked up at me and started laughing. Had she finally lost it? I wondered.
“Lyn says that through all the centuries of her existence you are the biggest pain.”
“Same to her,” I grumbled.
Now that I knew Carmen was fine I headed back toward the door when she grabbed my arm. She looked at me, serious now. “Don’t go, Lyn knows what she is talking about,” said Carmen. I ignored her and left, slamming the door behind me.
“It’s like a drug,” Adam told Carmen, as he sat down beside her. “She has had a taste and now she is going back for more,” he explained.