by M. J. Sewall
“Really? I was sure you’d be too mad to drop me off.” Zacke opened the door and got in.
“Close, but your dreamy green eyes are kinda worth it. Yeah, I just used dreamy in a sentence. Deal with it.” She took off as soon as Zacke buckled up. “God, I sound like such a girl. Okay, kid, so you get exactly one chance to tell me why you’re avoiding me. Be honest, is it because I’m white?”
“No!” yelled Zacke, “Who cares about that crap? My dad’s white.”
Victoria said, “Okay. Good. What is it, then? I’m not trying to be pushy, but I like you and I hate that whole coy flirting thing. If you don’t like me, just be straight.”
Zacke sighed. “I do like you. A lot. I will say your bluntness kind of freaks me out sometimes…”
“Ha!” Victoria blurted, “Awesome.”
“… this has nothing to do with you. No, wait,” said Zacke, “Actually, it does. Because I like you so much, you should stay away from me.”
“That makes zero sense,” said Victoria, making the last turn headed out of town, up the hill toward the Police & Fire Academy.
Zacke fidgeted with his uniform’s tie. “I know it doesn’t make sense. If I told you what was happening, you wouldn’t believe me. It’s not safe to know me right now. Okay, I know that sounds like some movie line that’s supposed to make you more into me, but I mean it. I’m just messed up right now; my father drinks because I made my mom leave, which he doesn’t even know about. I have no control over what’s happening to me, and I’m scared a lot of the time.”
Victoria looked over. “Not to be a jerk, but you just described everyone I know. At least, if they could be honest with themselves. Except the thing about your mom. What could you do that would make a mother leave her kid?”
“She saw me do something. It scared her. She freaked out.”
“Like psycho stuff?” said Victoria. “Did you kill someone?” Victoria’s seemed intrigued, not worried.
“No, nothing like that. It wasn’t even bad, just weird…” Zacke paused, “Look, I like you. I don’t want to scare anyone else away. If you knew what was really going on…”
“Okay. I’m in.” said Victoria.
“No. No...” Zacke shook his head. “…What does that even mean? You don’t know what’s going on.”
They had arrived. She pulled up to the curb. Victoria leaned over and kissed Zacke, then pulled back. “I know people Zacke. You’re a good one, you just need a little training from a girl-of-the-world like me. I have feelings about good people. Call it my super power. Whatever’s going on, I’m in. Crazy shit, I can definitely handle.”
Zacke smiled, despite the looming danger. He did not tell her that was his first real kiss. “You’re going to regret this. But I’ll tell you what, if I get through this night, I am so going to date the crap out of you.”
Victoria smiled back, “I’m holding you to that, kid.”
Zacke got out of the car. As she drove off, she said, “And that was a pretty good kiss for your first time.”
Zacke smiled. She knew it was my first kiss.
Victoria drove away and Zacke went into the presentation. Half an hour had passed when he realized he’d not heard a word, still thinking about Victoria. “Sorry, what does that switch do?” Zacke asked the boy next to him.
Fire Instructor Steve repeated, “Folks, we are only doing this presentation today, so listen up. These switches control the automatic jets for each room of the fire tower. As I’ve already explained, the seven-story fire tower has individual rooms that mirror real fire situations. Some look like hotel balconies to practice fighting hotel blazes, some look like family living rooms. Others have balconies where we can rappel up and down. These switches can flood each room with fire jets, from pipes mounted to the concrete walls. The fires can either die down on their own, or we can bring up the hoses and use them for practice scenarios. The new camera system can monitor all of it.”
Another cadet spoke up, “But we’re gonna be cops, why are we even learning the fire side?” It was Billy, who had just moved back and joined up. He stood with another kid Zacke didn’t know.
Steve answered, “As I’ve already stated… seriously folks, you need to listen up, we are cross training in many areas over the next few months. Emergency services work hand in hand. No, you will not be training for fire, but this is a multi-million-dollar tower built for many uses. For instance, police academy members will be training logistics, and crowd control in this tower, not to mention advanced students will be doing hostage scenarios. There are lots of opportunities for both Police and Fire to work together.”
Zacke raised his hand, “Sir? Will the interns who have guard duty at night be responsible for guarding this control room, as well as the police side of the campus?”
“Yes, Explorer…” the instructor looked at his name tag. “…Good question, Zacke. The newly assigned teams will be doing guard duty for the entire campus. It will only be for a few hours until regular staff arrive to guard overnight. Your battalion instructor will have all the assignments. There will be sheets for both fire and police sides.”
The demonstration went on for the next hour and Zacke tried to concentrate. But with Victoria filling his head, not to mention the looming battle to come, it was no use. He just hoped no one else noticed him zoning out.
After the presentation, they were allowed to split off and look around the campus, or go check their guard assignments for the coming weeks. Zacke looked over the fire tower controls more carefully, as did Billy and his friend.
Billy said, “You’re Zacke, right?”
“Yeah.” Zacke extended his hand. He assumed Billy would shake, since they’d never formally met. But he just stood there, looking Zacke up and down. Zacke put his hand down.
This close to Billy, Zacke confirmed his original impression; Billy was a total jerk. Zacke got the first flash of someone else’s thoughts in a while.
…wonder if they really are gay for each other?
Zacke spoke before Billy could, “Sorry dude, I’m straight. You can stop checking me out.”
Billy’s face reddened. His friend started laughing, “Hey!” Billy shouted, then realized there were others still hanging around, “Screw you. I know you’re gay for that Lucas kid. I saw you guys together.”
“Lucas? Yeah, he’s a friend,” said Zacke. “Billy. There’s this thing called projection, when you accuse someone else of something that you yourself gravitate toward. It’s cool to come out of the closet, man.” This made the friend laugh again, and Billy turn redder.
Billy got in full tough guy mode. He pushed his finger into Zacke’s chest, “Watch it kid, or you’re gonna get it just like Lucas.”
Is Lucas hurt? Zacke would not let this jerk off the hook, especially if he’d hurt his friend. Zacke held up his hands. “Whoa, dude. ‘gonna get it?’ That sounded kinda gay. It’s cool. I’m all for equal rights, nothing to be ashamed of. We welcome openly gay cadets here.” Zacke’s face was serious, fully of compassion.
Zacke imagined Billy had cartoon steam coming out of his ears. His friend couldn’t stop laughing. A few other people noticed, and Billy noticed them noticing.
Billy took a step closer, “That’s it. I’ll give you two black eyes, right here. I don’t care who…”
Zacke shook his head. “Dude, it’s okay if you’re gay, but black eye? We do not tolerate racism in the academy.”
Billy’s red face changed to one of panic. “Wha… what? No, I didn’t mean. I mean, I didn’t….”
Zacke said softly, “I’m just gonna walk away now. I won’t report you… this time.” Billy’s friend had walked away in hysterics.
I better text Lucas to see if he’s okay. Zacke began to walk away, but the memory of Lucas came back of him, planting the sword into the giant squid.
He turned back to Billy, “Oh, and trust me. You do not want to mess with Lucas.”
CHAPTER THIRTY - DANGEROUS NIGHT
It was still bright o
utside, but the day was making the transition toward the dangerous night. Derek and Ehrhardt arrived at the side street before six o’clock.
Ehrhardt insisted, “They won’t show. And if they do show, they won’t turn, no matter what we threaten.”
“Then you will get to destroy them all one by one, then we wait for the next breakout.” Derek went to the trunk and got the book.
“Why do you need that?”
“Brother, I have been holding back,” announced Derek, “I’ve been planning a surprise for you. I’ll reveal it tonight for your birthday.”
“It’s not my birthday,” said Ehrhardt.
“Not this body’s birthday,” Derek said, “your first birthday.”
“We used the Julian calendar back then. You have to adjust for…”
“My god brother, you ruin everything.” Derek closed the trunk and kept the book wrapped in the heavy cloth. “But I am not going to let you spoil my mood. It is going to be a very good night.”
“If you say so, brother. I’m still jetlagged from the long flight back.”
“I feel refreshed.” said Derek. “They will pay for destroying both our portal back, and the rental house. We will not be getting that deposit back. But, we’ve got the books, we have a plan to punish these cockroaches. Plus, I have that surprise for you.”
Ehrhardt frowned. “We’ve parked two blocks away so they won’t see the car. Do you think Cody will really give himself to you?”
“Probably not. But if it’s a trick, we’ll have been here, waiting, in place and ‘ready to pounce’, as they say.”
“I’ve never heard that expression,” said Ehrhardt.
“You speak as many languages as I do. It means Bereit zu streiken.”
“Ready to strike,” said Ehrhardt, “Why didn’t you just say that?”
“Because I was born American this time. Gotten heimel! You’re exhausting.”
Ehrhardt said, “I will wait at a distance, to make sure they are all there.”
“I will go see if Cody is a liar,” confirmed Derek. “If he’s not, I will bring him to the others.”
“What about the consuming? I thought…”
“Part of the surprise! Either way, he will die, then we kill the others together with your scary earthquake power. Then we finally get to have our lives back. This trip has been exhausting.”
“Yes, but they will come back eventually, in the future within other bodies,” Ehrhardt said. “We have no relic to give them true deaths.”
“We can’t have everything,” said Derek. “This is nearly the end for the Amartus. We will win.”
“Then I get my surprise?” asked Ehrhardt.
“Then, Herr Impatient, then you get a big surprise.”
Derek reached the auditorium where the dance was to be held. Several people were running around, getting the auditorium ready. He avoided the dance organizers and went to the custodian’s office. Understaffed, they had only one custodian to clean up the entire place. The middle-aged man was very surprised when Derek locked the door and strangled him.
He put the body in a corner, and undressed him for his uniform. The room was barely more than a large closet, with shelves and cleaning supplies along one wall. Derek quickly dressed in the uniform, putting his own clothes in the backpack with the book. Derek would wait for Cody.
There was a knock at the door, “Hi. Oh, where’s Dan?” said a blond woman in her twenties.
He answered smoothly, “Poor guy started throwing up. I’m the sub. What can I do ya for?”
“I just wanted to remind Dan, um, you,” she said, “that cleanup should start around ten or ten thirty, okay?”
“Okey dokey,” said Derek, “I’ll be here if any kids puke from the spiked punch bowl.”
“My god, we know they’ll try!” she said, walking away. Derek looked at her backside as she left, but lost interest and went over his plan again.
His brother would be very surprised by what Derek had planned. He walked the hallway in uniform, and checked out the dance room where he was to meet Cody. Perfect. He smiled at his own cleverness, and went back to unwrap the spell book. He had a few things to do before Cody arrived.
***
John circled the grounds, and did not spot the brothers. But they would be there; if not already, then soon enough. He’d finally heard from Lucas, and confirmed with all the others, so the plan was set. It ended tonight, one way or another.
He picked up the kids one by one, but Cody left a note that he’d meet them there. David didn’t like that at all, but he didn’t want to make the others more nervous than they already were.
John told them, “Remember, you are all more powerful when you are together. That’s what they ultimately fear.”
“You make us sound like the Power Rangers,” said Katie.
John replied, “I’m not sure I get that reference. Is that from a movie?”
“Never mind,” said Katie. “You keep saying that, ‘stronger together,’ but we still can’t hear each other’s thoughts. And I can only do big stuff when I’m in danger.”
“Everything will change soon.” Hopefully soon, John thought.
Lucas said, “John and I will be just across the street, watching, ready to come and finish this.”
David said, “Be ready for anything.”
***
Cody walked into the hallway, avoiding the arriving chaperones. Being in sports, he knew his way around most of the buildings on campus. He saw Derek standing in front of the dance room, surprised he was in a janitor uniform.
“6:28. Cutting it close, sir.” said Derek
Cody noticed Derek had a backpack. That’s not part of the uniform, he thought.
“Pardon the attire. Easiest way to get the keys.” Derek opened the door to the dance room and turned the lights on.
It was a multi-purpose room. The rectangle space would rotate activities daily: some days, mats would be laid out and it was a wresting room, some days it was used for rehearsals for student actors, when it was cleared out it was used for dance. Lit with banks of fluorescent lights above, floor to ceiling mirrors lined one wall. In front of the mirrors were ballet bars. The nickname ‘dance room’ had stuck.
The door closed behind them. Derek said, “So, what are we really doing…”
Cody slashed the long kitchen knife upward at Derek, who jumped back a moment too slow. It cut one of the shoulder straps to his backpack all the way through.
“Damn, boy. Well I guess that answered my question,” said Derek, avoiding a quick slice from Cody. He swung his blade closer.
Derek didn’t seem worried, even though he was backing away. Cody jabbed and Derek stepped to one side, using Cody’s momentum, he shoved him toward the mirror. His wrist hit a ballet bar. The knife flew from Cody’s hand and skidded across the polished wood floor.
Derek knew Cody would go for the knife, so he tripped him and Cody went down with hands splayed. He stepped on Cody’s hand.
“Argghh.” Cody yelled.
Derek laughed. “This was your big plan?”
Cody’s hand felt like it was glued to the floor. Derek stepped harder.
Cody yelled, “I’ll kill you! For my father!”
“You’ve got daddy issues, Cody. I get it,” said Derek. “No one knew he was your dad, but him. He lied to all of us.”
Cody’s anger flared and the fluorescent bulbs above all burst at once. Cody kept his face toward the floor. Derek hunched over and covered himself the best he could. His foot slipped off Cody’s hand.
“My god, you’ve got a weird power. Aahhhrg!” Derek grabbed for his pocket, pulling out his cell phone. It was smoking in his hand. He dropped the worthless phone and rubbed his leg. “That hurt!”
Cody stood, rubbed his hand. He went for the knife on the floor, but Derek ran over the shattered glass to Cody and grabbed him by back of the shirt. “Time to go.”
He tried to get free, but Derek rammed him into another dance bar. Derek hel
d up his hand and started speaking in a different set of languages. “Speculo Kinyit La Porte. Speculo Kinyit La Porte. Speculo Kinyit La Porte.”
Cody thought he was casting a spell on him, but realized too late where they were going. He tried to grab a ballet bar, but Derek pushed Cody over the bar and through the mirror.
They both arrived in Elder Zamma’s room. Derek stood up and brushed himself off, dropping the backpack on the floor. Cody tried to rush for the mirror, but Derek stood in the way and push him back down on the floor. “Sit down, Cody.”
Elder Zamma stared at the boy. “Ah, Cody. Is he the first for the consuming?”
Derek bowed deeper than usual, “That was the plan. He said he was going to join us, but he lied. Pulled a knife on me. Which was adorable, and strangely ironic, if he knew what was going to happen next.”
Zamma came closer, “You’re using too many words again. And the others?”
“In just under twenty minutes, they will all be dead,” explained Derek. “A true death, even if I have to use Pentoss’ sword on all of them.”
“I see. Consuming one will be something, I suppose” said the elder.
“Also, I brought you a present.” Derek said as he lifted his backpack onto the table. Cody tried to run for the mirror again, but Derek caught him in the stomach with his fist. Cody doubled over and Derek pushed him onto a chair in a dusty corner, “Sit down, Destroyer of Cell Phones.”
Derek unzipped his bag, and drew out the book wrapped in rich, red cloth.
“Finally,” Zamma took the book, unwrapped it and set it on his podium. He opened the metal binding and flung open the pages. “You have no idea how important this book is. You’ve done well, Sazzo. You will be rewarded.”
“Thank you, elder.” Derek turned to Cody, “You know Cody, this is a very powerful man. His mastery is vast. The elders are few now, but they rule with a fist of steel. Wait, what’s stronger than steel? Umm, adamantium? No that’s not a real metal... Anyway, you get my point.”
