by M. J. Sewall
He went to his parents and hugged them again. They hugged back in surprise.
“Haven’t gotten an unsolicited hug like that for a while,” said his mom.
Lucas replied, “Well, you deserve it. You’re the best parents I’ve ever had.”
They all smiled as his parents left his room.
He decided to train for one hour before bed. This time he thought of Cody’s face when he hit the bag.
Traitor.
***
Cody let himself in the back door of their small house, head swimming with all that had happened. The lights were off except for the single lamp in the front room; which meant Mom wasn’t home from work. No need to explain where he’d been. How could he explain? Oh, nowhere really; just saw a giant squid attack my new ex-friends and oh yeah, saw Dad who we thought was probably dead.
He unloaded his pockets. His wallet was not there. Did I leave it at the brother’s place? Cody didn’t remember taking it out of his pocket all night. He thought of everything the old man had said, the promises he’d made if he joined them. Can I do this? He was still figuring out the next step when he heard his mom’s car in the driveway.
Cody scrambled to make sure there were no signs of the weird night he’d had. He popped a stick of gum in his mouth to hide the scent of beer.
A few minutes later, he heard, “Hi baby. You still up?”
It was after midnight. He replied, “Yeah, no school all week. Remember?”
She hugged Cody, “Thank God you were okay. When I heard about the stadium, then couldn’t get you on the cell, I freaked out. I’ve only got one of you, you know. Haven’t seen you much. Sorry, both jobs are crazy right now.”
“Yeah, we’re both busy,” Cody said, thinking of recent events.
She detected his strange mood, and knew one thing would fix it. “You hungry?”
“Actually, yeah. Starving. I think I forgot to eat,” said Cody.
“You?” Mom was shocked. “I got the second job just to support your athlete’s stomach.”
“Been a weird night.” Cody looked in the fridge. “What can I make you? You worked all day.”
His mom said, “Don’t be silly. I’m the mom. I’ve got a tri-tip in the crock pot.”
“Oh my god,” he’d been so distracted, he hadn’t noticed the smell. Cody hugged his mom tight, “Tri-tip? I love you so much.”
His mom took the hug, a rare thing these days, and laughed, “I’ll just get into my PJs.”
Cody went to the kitchen and warmed up some Pinquito beans and put some bread in the oven. He got the tri tip out of the crock and put it on the cutting board, covering it with aluminum foil until it was ready to slice.
His mom came back into the kitchen, “Oh, that does smell good.”
“What do you want to drink?”
“Jack Daniels,” Mom said, “but I’ll settle for a diet coke.”
Cody asked, “You sure? I think you have some wine left.”
“Naaa. Soda sounds good. It’ll keep me awake for my homework.”
“You’re amazing,” said Cody, “two jobs, and online college. I feel lazy.”
“School is your job. Just focus on that. I’ve got the rest.”
The meat had rested, the juices collected back into the middle of the roast. Cody cut it, got the bread out of the oven, “You shouldn’t have to do this alone. It’s not fair.”
“Life isn’t fair, baby,” confirmed his mom.
“Do you ever think about… him?”
“Your father? Of course I do. We were married for five years.”
“You’re still married,” said Cody, realizing the gravity of what that might mean in the coming days.
“Technically. But after all these years, I know he’s not coming back.”
“Plus, you wouldn’t let him, right?”
His mom gave Cody a strange glance. “Why the new interest in your dad? You haven’t wanted to talk about him in years. What’s up?”
Cody shrugged, “I’ve just been thinking about him. What happened, I mean exactly?”
“I’ve shown you the note, about leaving ‘being for our own good,’ all of that stuff. But really, he just left. I don’t like to speak bad about your dad, but what he did was cowardly.”
“What would you do if you saw him again?”
His mom considered that. “Hmmm. If he was in the street, I might accidentally speed up. ‘Oh, I didn’t see him, officer. My long-lost husband, you say? What a strange coincidence.’”
Cody laughed.
“Sorry. I know he’s your dad. It’s up to you if you want to discover who he is. But, we’ll probably never see him again. He’s been gone twelve years. You were four when he left. No birthday cards, no phone calls, no nothing. For me, he’s not worth finding.”
“Sorry to bring it up.”
“It’s okay. You’re old enough to ask questions. I just don’t have a lot of answers,” his mom said. “This tri tip is awesome by the way. I’m probably going to dream of cows.”
“That would be awkward,” laughed Cody.
“I’ve had worse nightmares. You sure you’re okay, baby?”
“I just… I never want to hurt you like Dad did.”
“You could never do that. Come here and give your mom a hug,” She covered his forehead and cheeks in kisses while he squirmed. She finally let up. “I love you.”
“You too, Mom.”
“It’s okay to think about your dad. It’s up to you how to think about him. You’ll have some choices to make about what kind of relationship you have, if you ever find him.”
Cody thought of his father less than a mile away, chained in a small bedroom. “Yeah, I guess I will.”
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR - THE PLAN
The next day came, and as soon as everyone woke up, texts began flying back and forth.
Katie: is it okay to text?
Zacke: I think so. Does anyone have John’s #? Does he have a phone?
Lucas: He does. I have it. Sending…
Ariana: Hey. Has everyone recovered from last night?
K: Umm, no. Still freaked out.
Z: I think we all are.
L: I feel the same.
John: Is everyone alright?
K: John? You text?
J: It’s the 21st century. Of course I text.
A: Is it ok? Will anyone see these but us?
L: I doubt it. Governments are not as efficient as many believe. The Rageto use older ways to find their prey than monitoring texts.
A: I guess magic is easier than hacking cell phones.
J: We shouldn’t use cell phones anyway. We should meet.
Z: I told you, I’m done.
A: Me too.
J: Please give me one more chance. I’d like us all to meet in a safe place.
Z: Maybe. But where? They crashed my job. They seem to show up wherever we go. And they have David, who can find us.
J: We finally have an advantage. Last night’s stunt will put Sazzo out for at least a full day. One brother won’t hunt without the other. We have today to make our plans.
K: Do we have a plan?
J: I do – but I’ll need your help. Where can we meet that is safe?
L: I thought you were the leader – aren’t you the Splinter to our Ninja Turtles?
J: Not sure I understand that reference.
L: I know a place. I’ll call John with the location, and he can pick you all up.
A: No sea monsters?
J: No. They’ll stay in today. The German wouldn’t face Lucas’s warrior without his brother.
A: Do you think Cody will come?
J: I don’t know. Cody has no cell phone. I plan to try to persuade him privately today. I’ll bring him along if I can.
L: No. I don’t want the traitor there.
J: Everyone can be redeemed.
L: No. Cody is not invited.
Z: Sorry John. I agree. If I’m gonna come, I want to know everything – and NO Cody.
They all agreed. John relented about bringing Cody. Lucas suggested his converted room, since John said their houses were safe. Within the hour John, Lucas, Zacke, Ariana and Katie were all present.
“Are you sure we’re safe here? Wait, is this a gym?” asked Ariana.
“No, it’s my bedroom. Yeah, we’re safe. My parents are shopping out of town. Should be gone for hours,” said Lucas.
“We’ll be safe from the brothers here.” said John, “You’ve lived here all your life, so you’ve been quietly releasing your strength throughout your home. They can’t attack us here.”
“I hope so,” said Lucas, “They’re powerful. I didn’t expect that squid stunt last night.”
“Some stunt,” said Katie. “If he can do that, how are we going to win?”
Ariana added, “What does winning even look like?”
Zacke joined in, “She’s right. Even if we destroy them, which means actually killing other people, they will still come back in some other body. Right?”
Ariana said, “I told you I’m done. I only came because you said you’d tell us everything, John.”
John said, “You’re right, I did. It’s time to be completely honest. We are in a bad situation; much worse than I first told you. I am the last of my kind, the sole keeper of the Amartus. At least, until I found you. Their side has been very effective at either killing us when we are re-birthed, or giving us a true death. Now I have you.”
“Then it’s hopeless,” said Katie.
“No. I think something new is happening. I think the River is trying to restore balance. I think all of you are a sign that we will win.”
“But, you only have one relic, and I don’t want to kill anyone,” said Zacke.
John said, “Even if we destroy them without the relic, that gives us at least fifteen years before they come back, re-birthed into another body.”
“How does that work? It’s still confusing,” asked Ariana.
John said, “When someone with a warrior within them dies, their ancient is cast back into the River. It may take a few days, or even months before they are re-birthed into a new person. Sometimes years. When that new body is 15 or 16, they will come into their talents. That gives us time to rebuild the Amartus.”
“It’s kind of creepy,” said Katie, “It’s like we have other people inside us.”
“I know it seems that way. But it’s just the essence and memories of your ancient. You are who you are now, the person your parents raised you to be. You are you, and the ancient is raised with you. You become one only at the point where you accept the essence of your warrior. A choice you will all have to make soon. Lucas, I think, has already made it.”
“I have,” said Lucas. “But I don’t feel any different. I still don’t have the memories, and the talents come and go. It feels like... like a short in the wiring.”
“It will come,” John assured, “Once you’ve opened yourself up to accepting all that you are, the memories and talents will flood in, and never leave. It may be any numbers of things in your mind, or some past trauma blocking a full activation.”
“If I’m a new birth, how will it work for me?” asked Zacke.
“From what I’ve seen, I think you and Cody are the new births. Your main talent hasn’t manifested itself. I’ve seen incredible strength before, but I think you are something new. The new births have no core ancient to rely on, so it comes slower. But sometimes, it also manifests deeper; like building a new foundation. This is your first life as a warrior, I expect your talents to be unique and impressive.”
Zacke was skeptical. “Really? Feels more like a curse. It freaks me out. I don’t know how else to say it.”
John smiled. “It feels that way for all of us, especially the first life. I’ve seen new births that are stronger than re-births. You’d think that with more lives and experiences, the talents would grow. But when new births show themselves, they begin very powerfully. That’s why we must know which is which. The Rageto will target the new births, once they are sure. That’s why they chose Cody. Plus, he was also emotionally compromised.”
“What do we do about him?” asked Ariana, “If he’s turned, can we ever get him back?”
Katie said, “I think so. I mean, I came back when I realized I was being stupid.”
“I believe so,” John sighed. “But we have two bigger problems. They know that your home bases can’t be attacked. David can find us. They may try to pick us off one by one. Not usually the brother’s style. More likely, they will try to draw us to one place.”
“Well that just sounds awesome.” Katie didn’t hide her sarcasm. “How?”
“Caron, or Ehrhardt as he calls himself, is usually bolder.” John furrowed his brow. “But this time, it’s Sazzo, or Derek, that seems reckless. It may be something in his up-bringing this time around. They attacked you at a very public place, and were willing to hurt thousands to get to you. I don’t think they’ll hesitate to do the same thing again.”
“What about the game this Friday? Will Cody show?” wondered Zacke.
“They cancelled the game because of the stadium.” said Lucas.
John said, “Good. We don’t have to worry about all those people being in danger.”
“Wait,” Ariana stood up. “Oh my god, what about the homecoming dance? It wasn’t cancelled. They’re combining both school’s dances this year. There will be over five hundred kids in the auditorium.”
John was distracted by something out of the corner of his eye. He looked at the three full length mirrors. He noticed there were also three on the opposite walls. “Why all the mirrors, Lucas?”
“Sensei says it’s good for precision.” Lucas jumped to his feet. “Why? What’s wrong?”
John stared at the mirrors, scanning back and forth carefully.
They all looked, but all that stared back were their reflections. Then, a subtle darkness shaded the glass. To Ariana it looked like a faint shadow passed behind their images in the mirror. She turned around to look behind her, but only saw the opposite mirrors facing her.
Lucas said. “I saw it too. What does it mean?”
“Oh my God, is this like the mirror on the beach?” Katie’s stomach turned when she remembered the old man, the eye, the blood.
“Does anyone have something of Cody’s?” asked John, scanning the mirrors.
Katie said, “Uh, yeah. He dropped his wallet. I thought you could take it to him.”
“What’s going on?” asked Zacke, looking from mirror to mirror.
“Mirror viewing. It’s a rare talent. Only two people I know can do it. Objects can be triggers for certain talents. Give me the wallet.”
Katie handed it over, and John flung the wallet at the mirror closest to him. The mirror flashed green when it hit, and a ghostly image of a man showed for a second, until the wallet tumbled to the floor.
“Zamma. I know it’s you!” John pulled his sword. “I can smell you from here.”
A deep, unpleasant laugh sounded around the room. The mirrors vibrated, “How foolish, Pentoss. You should know by now that nowhere is safe from me.”
John responded, “Leave us, spider. You’ll get a true death soon enough. My blade longs to meet you again.”
Zamma chuckled again, and Ariana’s hair stood up on the back of her neck.
“Children,” sounded the mirrors. “I ask you all to come to me. This foolish man is doomed. Come join us. It’s your only chance.”
The mirrors continued vibrating, a dull hum sounding through the room.
Lucas said, “Sorry, whoever you are, but we’re on team John. Get out of my room.”
John swung his sword at one of the mirrors, breaking it.
Zamma’s voice rang out, “That’s not nice. Simple choice, children. Join or die.”
“Neither, creepy voice guy.” Zacke spoke to the mirror, “You know what, I don’t like bullies. You just helped me make up my mind. Team John all the way. Now get out.”
&nb
sp; “Pity.” the voice said.
The vibration gave way to shaking. The mirrors undulated on the wall.
John yelled, “Everyone duck!” The mirrors began to shake violently.
Lucas and John put their backs to the mirrors, forming a shield on either side of the others. All five remaining mirrors exploded toward the center of the room. They all closed their eyes. John and Lucas braced for the impact of shards imbedding into their backs. Their faces were all covered, expecting the worst.
When the shattering noises ceased, they slowly opened their eyes. Lucas and John felt nothing. They all looked around at the destruction to see the glass shards stopped in a perfect circle around them. A dome shield had been temporarily erected around the group. Katie put her hands down.
“That was awesome! Katie, how many colors was that?” asked Ariana, reaching out to touch the vanishing shield.
Katie breathed hard. “I just threw the whole rainbow of shields up.”
“You’re getting stronger, Katie,” said John. “More memories and talents should come to you soon. Is everyone okay?”
“Who… what the hell was that?” Zacke asked, standing and checking for cuts.
“Hell? You’re not far off. That is an evil elder; the functional father of the brothers. Zamma is his name, and he has been talking to Cody.”
“Cody talked to that?” asked Katie.
Ariana looked suspicious. “How do you know that?”
John answered, “Because I met with Cody before I picked you up.”
Ariana said, “Wait! Because of my stupid mouth, he knows the perfect place to hurt a lot of innocent people.”
“Homecoming.” Katie confirmed.
John looked around at the destruction, and knew there would be much more to come if Zamma got directly involved. “I learned some surprising things when I met with Cody. I need to ask you all to do something. You’re not going to like it.”
PART
3
“The past is shadow. It stands behind you.”
