“We need to work together, please?” Ethan pressed. The older man took a deep breath and walked closer to Ethan. “Fine. But if for one second the Commissioner disagrees with this plan, you’re on your own.” Ethan nodded, agreeing to his terms. He began walking back to the elevators but frowned when Preston wasn’t following him.
“Preston?”
“It’s been a long day kid. Sort out what you have with the leaders. I expect to see you first thing tomorrow morning.” Ethan’s brows furrowed in confusion. “What happens tomorrow morning?” Ethan asked.
“The real work begins.” Preston’s smirk was dangerous and Ethan knew he was in going to be in a world of hurt but at least they were working together.
When he returned to the lab, he found his friends arguing with the city leaders. Hunter was in a corner, not speaking to anyone. He seemed lost in his own thoughts and that had been happening more and more frequently. It was something Ethan would need to talk to him about later. The others were discussing various scenarios of how to bond Ethan’s DNA with a master strand that everyone could mutate. Until that happened, Ethan was not ready to entertain any other plans. And judging from the helpless expressions on the city leaders faces, he wasn’t sure a better plan existed. Godrik appeared hopeful that they could get it done, but then again, when has he ever told the truth?
“You should start training,” Edred said out of nowhere. Ethan stared at him quizzically. “Huh?” The older man laughed. “You have some pretty impressive abilities. Don’t you think you should learn to control them?” Ethan shrugged. He hadn’t really thought about that. His new skills did sometimes take over and it would be nice to be able to use them more efficiently. “Where would I do that?” he asked.
Edred grinned before answering. “Meet me here tomorrow after work,” he said before leaving the room, Connor trailing behind him.
CHAPTER 12
T he sports facility was impressive by most standards. Ethan and Hunter stood at the entrance, taking in the large open space filled with exercise equipment, a black fighting ring and blue workout mats.
The ceilings were at least twenty feet tall which was incredible since they were currently fifty feet underneath the city streets. There was so much about this town that still amazed Ethan, so much that he still didn’t know. What other structures were hidden within the walls of Daventry? What other secrets were waiting to be discovered?
He already learned of the hidden lab rooms within the North Building. That was where he met Preston that morning. He took Ethan through a series of high security areas before weaving through a labyrinth of offices, only to end up in a room he was certain did not appear on a schematic of the building. It was a surprisingly painless process of Preston taking a sample of his blood and then injecting the sample into a large machine. He watched as the blood travelled in and around various tubes before disappearing. He had no idea where it went but he was assured by Preston that nothing more was needed at the moment. He would be contacted in a few days for further instructions. If possible, Preston was even more cryptic than Godrik but at that point, he had given up on trying to figure people out.
Hunter tapped him on the shoulder, bringing him back to reality and then pointed to the other end of the space where Edred stood, watching them, smirking. The pair walked toward the older man and stopped short of a punching bag.
Connor was currently hitting the large apparatus with Edred coaching him. That explained the young man’s role in all of this. Apparently, Connor was showing off his hitting power as he pummeled the bag. Connor was the muscle. Hunter and Ethan watched as he decimated the now suffering piece of equipment, delivering blow after blow, causing the bag to sway violently on its hook.
“Stop,” Edred ordered.
Connor did as he was told, ending his session with one last vicious punch. He glared at Hunter as he panted from exertion and took his gloves off. “You want to try it?” Edred asked, pointing to Ethan.
Hesitantly, Ethan stepped up to the bag and stared at it for a few seconds. Edred handed him a pair of boxing gloves but Ethan refused them. It wasn’t like he would have to wear them when he was fighting the MalJari, so why bother?
Ethan was somewhat nervous. Truthfully, he had never punched someone before. He wasn’t a violent person but he knew he had to do this. The MalJari would surely be violent toward him and he had to make sure he could defend himself. He knew he was strong but strength can only help you for so long.
Right now, he needed to work on his agility and speed, not to mention hand to hand combat, something he never thought he would need to know. The side effects from the latest serum had worn off by now, causing Ethan to feel healthy. He still had no idea how to use the power that he gained from the injection but he was pretty sure it would eventually come in handy.
Like his strength, it would most likely present itself when he needed it. At least that’s what he hoped for. He stepped back with his right foot, rearing his right arm back and connected his first punch. It was pathetic. Like really pathetic.
The bag hung there, barely moving, mocking Ethan. He could hear Connor snort, attempting to hide his blatant laughter. Ethan regarded him coolly, though he couldn’t hide the embarrassment rapidly making its way across his face. “Pretend it’s Tyler,” Hunter whispered with wink.
Ethan smiled at him and turned back toward the bag. He glanced at Edred quickly, who nodded his head, indicating that he should try again. He closed his eyes and summoned his strength only this time, he did so skillfully. He could feel that something within his body was different.
The sensation of the power infiltrated his body but he didn’t feel the blood curdling anger that usually accompanied it. Instead, nothing but strength radiated from his limbs. When he opened his eyes, they were glowing icy blue orbs that made the other individuals working out stop and take notice. Soon there was a crowd of a dozen or so men watching his every move.
Instinctively, Connor moved away from Ethan. He remembered what had happened the last time Ethan’s eyes glowed like that and he wasn’t about to get slammed into wall like Tyler.
Once again Ethan punched the bag, however, this time the bag was hit so hard it flew off its hook and landed in the back corner of the gym, roughly thirty feet away.
Gasps were heard among the men along with whispering and gawking. Even Edred seemed somewhat impressed. “Not bad kid,” Edred commended with a small grin.
The scarred man stared at the others in the room and laughed. “Anyone want to get in the ring with him?” he asked, motioning to Ethan. Numerous no’s along with adamant head shaking followed the query. Edred brought his attention back to the brunet and sighed.
“Alright, looks like you’ll have to fight me,” he concluded.
Ethan’s eyes widened. Fight Edred, really? “Um… okay,” Ethan mumbled. Edred laughed. “Well, first let’s learn some combat techniques then we’ll try them out in the ring. Sound good?” Ethan nodded his head.
They began with simple grappling and take downs. At first Ethan was having trouble understanding the concept of wanting to hurt someone but as the afternoon went on, he became more and more comfortable with it.
All he had to do was listen to the men around him tell the stories of the MalJari. They spoke of how alluring and sophisticated the alien beings were, winning the hearts of America almost immediately. Up until that point, America’s history with aliens was one of green monsters and evil forces. But when the MalJari were introduced into pop culture with their ethereal appearance, white hair and almost angelic faces, the citizens couldn’t get enough of them.
It would be almost an entire year before they would realize the true intentions of the alien species. Almost an entire year until they learned what the MalJari really wanted.
The funny thing was, according to most of the intelligence from back then, the MalJari were in the business of conquering planets, building a work force and extracting everything they could from the environment including minerals
and natural chemicals.
Apparently, what they were doing on earth had been done before and would be done again to another unsuspecting people. It was their system of survival, though no one really knew why. Was there something wrong with their planet? Was this merely how they lived regardless of the state of their home land?
It was easy to fight when you were angry. Easy to get lost in the moment and inflict real pain when your emotions were driving you. Most people would tell him not to fight with emotion but in this battle, emotion was their greatest weapon.
They needed to use every ounce of sadness, hatred and sorrow they could manage. It was the only way to win against an opponent that was obviously stronger and tougher. So, Ethan listened to them. He memorized each heartbreaking story, cataloging it in his mind where he could keep it safe until the moment he would need it. Physical strength was one thing, but emotional power was quite another. On their walk back to Ethan’s apartment, Hunter caught the shift in Ethan’s demeanor and asked him about it. “You okay?”
Ethan shrugged. Was he okay? No, but he would need to get used to hearing stories of loss and heartache. The more he understood about the violence of the MalJari, the more he realized the importance of his role in what was currently happening. He needed to prepare himself for what was shaping up to be the fight of his life.
CHAPTER 13
E than and Hunter walked up to Edred, ready to start another day of training. He still hadn’t heard from either Godrik or Preston but figured they were busy working on a master serum. After all, they had his blood now.
“Have you tried using your newest ability?” Ethan glanced at Edred and shook his head. “Well, don’t you think you should start?” Ethan shrugged. The truth was his latest enhancement scared him and he wasn’t sure he was ready to use it. What if something went wrong and someone got hurt? He was terrified to take the chance. Edred began heading toward the main door of the gym, grabbing a jacket on his way out. Ethan and Hunter were quick to follow as was Connor. “Hey, where are you going?” Hunter asked.
“I need some fresh air. We all do,” Edred responded. Hunter shrugged at Ethan and followed the older man through the passageways underneath the streets. It was almost like another city beneath them, full of stairs and long corridors all hidden from the public.
“Seriously where are we going?” Ethan asked after about fifteen minutes of walking with no destination in sight. Edred and Connor clearly knew the route but maintained their silence as the other two boys continued to follow behind them.
A few minutes later they reached a large steel door labeled ‘Restricted Access’ across the front. The door was rusted and battered. Clearly something had happened many years before. A rebellion perhaps? Ethan wondered what stories that door could tell.
Both Edred and Connor held onto a large handle and began turning it slowly in a clockwise motion. The metal door let out a low strained moan, as if it hadn’t been opened in a very long time.
Suddenly, sunlight flooded the hallway, illuminating their bodies. The light was warm on Ethan’s skin, reaching all the way up to his chest. Pushing the door further open, Edred stepped outside into the breezy green expanse.
As Ethan stepped over the threshold, he was immediately captivated by the lush forest that was now surrounding him. Tall trees wrapped in velvet moss and the fresh smell of dew covered grass invaded his senses. He watched the way vines curled around the tree trunks, hugging the bark and branches. He listened to the rustling sound the leaves made as they crunched under his feet. Hunter was in the same predicament, inhaling the sweet air with a deep breath. Their eyes wondered around them, focusing on the many sights and sounds of the forest.
“You act like you’ve never seen a tree before,” Connor snickered. Ethan glared at him. “The trees inside the city are not like this. Not even close.” As he gazed beyond the never-ending barrage of shrubs and timber, he wondered what other fantastical sights awaited him. His eyes widened as he peered up, watching the trees meld into the bright blue-sky high above him. “Come on. There’s something I want to show you.”
They all followed Edred deeper into the forest without question. Ethan was much too enamored by his surroundings to argue. Not to mention that Hunter was with him. He always felt safe with Hunter by his side. They eventually reached a rocky stream that stretched a few meters across. Ethan watched the water dance from stone to stone before making its way down toward a bend out of sight.
“Just a little farther,” Edred promised, stepping on some of the larger rocks as he made his way to the other side. One by one they crossed the stream with ease and soon began their trek once more. Their path wound through trees, over broken logs and around large rocks and boulders. The terrain was rugged and unsteady, forcing the boys to pay attention to their every step.
Ethan listened to the noise his feet made every time he stepped on leaves or small twigs. Besides their footsteps, the forest was silent and still. After a few minutes, Edred stopped, causing the others to cease their approach as well. Ethan and Hunter stared in front of them at a large decrepit building. The windows were boarded up allowing no sunlight to venture inside. Vines and moss covered most of the front surface leaving little of the original concrete to show through.
They marched to the side of the abandoned building, making their way toward the back. Ethan immediately noticed rusted playground equipment littering the ground. It must have been a school. As he trudged around, he was somewhat shocked to see the pieces of equipment still standing. The once bright red paint was now peeling and covered in a thick layer of dirt.
Suddenly, he was startled by a creaking noise behind him. He turned and found Connor gently pushing a small merry-go-round, watching as it spun unsteadily. “What is this place?” Hunter asked.
Edred maintained his gaze upon the school. “A place long forgotten,” he answered solemnly. “What are we doing here?” Ethan inquired. This time Edred broke his stare and watched the boy.
“To use your enhancements properly, you need to practice controlling them,” Edred explained. He walked toward a group of swings and motioned for the boys to join him. They all stood silently, waiting for further instruction. “Push them,” he instructed.
Ethan was about to step forward when Edred stopped him. “Without touching them.” Ethan stared at him with confusion. He had no idea how to do that. He still didn’t know exactly how he shattered the glass wall in the labs. He remembered being angry and frustrated but he wasn’t feeling that way now. “I don’t know how,” he whispered dejectedly. “Yes, you do,” Edred countered. Ethan glared at him. “No, I don’t!”
“But you broke the glass at the lab,” Connor stated. Ethan turned to meet his eyes. “I was just angry.”
“Okay so get angry,” Connor said.
“I don’t want to get angry. I’m sick of being angry!”
“Really, because you sound angry to me,” the blond stated with a smirk. Ethan rolled his eyes. “What’s the point of having this power if you’re not even going to use it?” Connor asked.
“Why would I need to?” Ethan asked. Connor huffed. “Because they can and they will,” he replied simply. “How do you know? Have you ever seen them?” Hunter interrupted. Connor glanced over to Edred who answered instead.
“I’ve seen them. I know what they’re capable of and if you really cared about what happens to us, then you’ll learn how to use this power.” Hunter’s expression stilled at the comment.
“That’s not fair!” Ethan yelled. Edred closed in and hovered menacingly over him. “None of this is fair! Us being here, being used like this isn’t fair! If you want to change that, then this is your chance!” Ethan met eyes with Hunter who appeared concerned. Edred was right, he needed to do this. But how?
He held his right hand out toward the swings and took a deep breath. He kept his arm out for quite some time, unsure if anything would happen. After a few long moments, a faint tingling sensation began to wind its way from his toes, up his
legs. He could feel the energy slowly surge through his body, suddenly tightening in his chest. It was unlike anything else he had ever experienced.
The others watched as Ethan’s eyes began to glow. The raven-haired boy appeared to be in a trance, focused on the task before him. A low hissing sound caused them to turn their attention back toward the playground apparatus. They watched in awe as one of the swings began to move higher into the air. Then another and another. Soon all the swings were in the air. They stood straight, almost perpendicular to the ground.
Edred was about to congratulate Ethan when he noticed the metal frame begin to shake. The older man turned back to Ethan and realized his breathing had become erratic. It was obvious that the young boy was losing control. “Ethan,” Edred warned.
But Ethan was too focused to listen. He continued to manipulate the object in front of him, watching as the metal posts slowly detached from the ground. The swing set groaned from the pressure that was being imposed and with a jolt, the entire apparatus was lifted into the air and thrown back against a large tree. The three observers winced, watching the metal bend and fold on impact. Hunter wasn’t sure whether to be proud of Ethan or scared of his power. In that moment, however, he chose to be proud, knowing that his boyfriend was simply doing his best.
“That was good,” Hunter finally said. Ethan shook his head to clear the energy, bringing his blue eyes back to their normal hue. “We’ll keep working on it,” Edred stated.
Ethan nodded his head, appearing worn out. Clearly this ability would be the most draining of them all. “Come on. We should get back.” They followed Edred through the woods once more, snaking their path back into the city.
As Ethan took one final peek at the towering trees, he let out a solemn sigh to signal his reluctance. There was a calm that accompanied the forest and Ethan found himself enamored by it.
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