Redemption

by Dexx Peay

  I didn’t have a plan yet. Didn’t really have time to think of one. I was too busy trying to fix my own family problems that I had to put this one on the back burner.

  “Can we honestly just get some rest tonight and figure this out in the morning?”

  The reluctantly agreed.

  I got some extra blankets and pillows from my and Dylan’s room for them to use. They made a pallet on the floor and got comfortable. I walked inside my room and turned the lamp on. I was no longer sleepy and decided to look through the books.

  I took my satchel out from the closet underneath some folded sweat pants. Got back to bed and pulled one out. It was one of the newer ones and had the same symbol on the cover, the family symbol. I opened it to the first page and started to flip through them just to let my fingers run with the pages. It alternated back and forth between English and Italian. I could tell it was Italian because at the bottom of the page it was signed “Ciao Ferrari.”

  Dad had this book.

  I flipped to the end and it was incomplete. This was the last book. I closed the book and ruffled through the satchel for the book that Dylan read from. I found it, opened it, and put a number “1” on the first page in red sharpie. I picked up Dad’s book and put a number “13” on the first page. There was another Dylan read from about when they landed on Earth. I didn’t know where it was in the lineup.

  I had to figure out the rest of the books. They told a story throughout the generations and I’m sure they all held valuable information about the past that can protect the future and hopefully save the present. I needed to find a way to decipher them all so that I could understand what’s been going on throughout the years and why I was possibly the only one left from my bloodline.

  I put the books back in the satchel and pulled out my personal journal from the desk. I needed to let the future generations know what was going on.

  We thought the Qihar were the only ones after us, we were wrong. The government has somehow found out about us and is hunting us down. They are using our own people against us as their own personal slaves and weapons. They even have my best friend Dylan. I’m not sure how they’re doing it or what their actual plans are, but right now they are winning. What possibly could I do to attack the government and still keep my name clean.

  At the end of the day I still have to have a life, which I am worried about. I’m afraid that I’m in the process of losing myself. I’m pulled in every direction and I’m not elastic. I can break and people fail to realize that. This is just another moment where I need my dad.

  -Marcus Ferrari

  I closed the journal and put it back in the desk. The books on the bed all floated into the satchel and the satchel floated back to the closet.

  Hudson and Sam were gone to class already when I woke up. I spent the first half of my day with a cell phone glued to my ear and my fingers breaking the speed limit of typing, sending emails back and forth with some of the employees from the Carrot Cake. Mitchell and Rachel got the coupons and flyers designed, and will have them printed and around town by the end of the week.

  Mitchell was excited about taking on the new responsibility of Assistant Manager. He talked my ear off about all his ideas and ways to increase business. I was excited for him. Rachel did an amazing job taking over and handling all the graphics. They made a great team together and I knew if we all kept our heads in it, we could make it.

  I hopped in the shower once I finally got done. I had a meeting with Monica over some muffins and juice. I folded the blankets and put them on the couch, washed the two bowls out that had milk drippings in them, when suddenly a knock on the door sent a panic attack through my body. I wasn’t sure why. Maybe because I wasn’t expecting anyone. I opened the door and Dylan was standing there in his tailored suit and sunglasses popping gum.

  He removed his shades and smirked.

  “Wassup brother?” he said.

  He walked past me. As much as I loved Dylan like a brother, he was really starting to disgust me. I had to figure out how to get my best friend back before it was too late for the both of us. Either I’d kill him or he’d kill me.

  I just shook my head and stared at him.

  “Don’t ‘brother’ me. Why’d you do that Hudson, he is suppose to be your friend?” I lashed out.

  “Hudson is inferior. He can’t even use his powers without his sister. At least she can defend herself in her time of need.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Hell, last time I checked this was still my room too Marcus. Plus, I need to get some food before I go to my next class.”

  I wasn’t sure if he was lying or if he was actually still going to class. I walked out. Monica was already at the café. She had my muffin and bottle of orange juice waiting for me. I kissed her on the cheek and took a seat at the table.

  “Sorry I’m late. Dylan decided to make a cameo on my way over.”

  “How is he?”

  “Peachy.”

  I took a bite from the muffin and my mouth dried out. I sipped the juice before I started to get hiccups.

  “He attacked Hudson last night. Left his face pretty ugly.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I’m going to think whenever I get the chance to sit around and actually think.”

  She took my hand and her mouth tightened. Her lips moved to one side and her eyes smirked at me.

  “What?” I said.

  “I got an A on my biology test,” she said.

  “I like what you just did right there.”

  I put the muffin down, leaned across the table and kissed her lips.

  “I didn’t do anything,” she blushed.

  “Dad is back home finally. I need to call and see how they’re doing today. I was thinking babe, maybe I can make enough money to put Katie in some kind of daycare or school. That way they can focus more on their jobs in the daytime, Katie can be learning and the whole family can be at the house at night.”

  “That stuff doesn’t come cheap Marcus. Do you really want all that added stress onto what you have going on right now?”

  “Yeah but, I dunno, I need to do something.”

  “Come to dinner with me tonight. My treat.”

  She got up and sat in my lap. This time my lips moved to the left side of my face as my mouth tightened. My eyes smiled at her. They couldn’t help it.

  “When did you get so sexy?” She flirted.

  “When I left Poughkeepsie I guess… but you… you’ve always been beautiful— a brave lioness leading her pride that’s exquisite as a chameleon adapting to nature.”

  She leaned over and we shared a kiss.

  “So where are you taking me to eat?”

  I gestured for her to pass my muffin. She stared, then passed it over but not before taking a bite out of it.

  “I hate you,” she said.

  “You can do no such thing.”

  “What do you want loser?”

  “Mexican.”

  “Ahora que hablamos el mismo idioma.”

  She didn’t speak Spanish often around me but when she did, it turned me on.

  “What?”

  She giggled. “I can go for some Mexican Marcus. How about Panchito’s? It’s right around the corner.”

  “Doesn’t matter, I just want some free food.”

  Dad called right when I made it back to my room that evening. He sounded ten times better than he did yesterday. Even called me by name.

  “Yeah I understand Dad and I want you to realize the situation you put us all in. You have to get some help,” I said.

  Walked into Dylan’s room just to peep inside. There was nobody there. I walked into the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of water and sat on the countertop.

  “I can’t thank you enough Marcus for everything. Leaving school to come take care of your family, helping with your brother and sister, finding me and getting me cleaned. It’s going to take time though.”

  “I know Dad and that’s
why I made those changes at the restaurant. Take the time you need to get yourself together. I’m not sure how much more Mom will be able to handle. If you leave again Dad, I’m scared I will lose both my parents.”

  “I promise I will never touch a bottle again,” he said.

  Seemed like promises were something people were making a lot of these days.

  “I don’t understand why you even picked it back up in the first place.”

  “I was stressed son. I had so much going on with work and family and needed a quick escape. I wasn’t expecting things to turn out how they did.”

  That actually pissed me off more. I didn’t want to hear about stress. If I told him everything I had going on, his problems would seem like a vacation. Hopefully during this time he can find a better way to cope than a bottle of vodka.

  “I’m going to hold you to that. I love you Dad.”

  “I love you too Marcus and thank you again.”

  I hung the phone up, walked over to the closet and scanned for an outfit to wear. Whatever Monica and Delilah saw in me, it wasn’t my sense of fashion. I needed Dylan here to help me find something nice to put on. Maybe after I save him, he’ll let me borrow one of his new suits. I picked out a pair black jeans and a NYU sweatshirt. Then headed out. First stop I made was to Hudson’s dorm to check on him. He and Sam were playing video games. Textbooks and notecards were laid across the floor.

  “I take it you guys are suppose to be studying?”

  “Yeah that worked out good,” Hudson said, flinching with every virtual hit he took.

  “Have you guys seen Dylan or Hachi any today?” I asked.

  “Nope,” Sam said.

  “Nah,” Hudson said.

  “He stopped by the room earlier today Hudson. I really think you need to watch yourself. I think next time he gets a hold of you, he isn’t going to take it so lightly.”

  He put the controller down and stood up.

  “So what do you suggest, that I go into protective custody and hang around you all day and night?” he snapped.

  I understood that he was angry about his powers but I had to keep him safe.

  “Hudson listen, Dylan said something about you being inferior and not being able to protect yourself. He made it seem like he wanted you dead so I’m just looking out for you that’s all. If you want to sleep in my room until we figure this whole thing out, here’s my key. If not then I will pick it up from you after I come back from dinner.”

  It was my last caution.

  I called Monica before I got to her dorm so she could be outside ready. She was there waiting when I came around the corner. I took her hand as soon as we got close enough to keep her warm on the walk.

  “You are so lucky you don’t have to feel this,” she said.

  “Oh I still feel it if it gets cold enough. The first time Dylan and I were attacked, an ice guy made me pass out because it was too cold. This right here is chump weather.”

  I started to like the snow myself, well, more of the look and how it made an even layer of happiness wherever it wanted. The white made everything else around just pop—the streetlights, the skyscrapers, even the stray cats.

  “How do you turn it on and off?” she asked.

  She held tighter and started to take bigger steps to keep up with mine.

  “It’s like a switch I guess, but sometimes it just comes on by itself. I imagine what I want in my head and it just happens.” I stopped walking, gave a quick glare and smiled.

  “That’s so crazy. I wish I could just change my eye color like that.”

  “You have beautiful eyes, they’re perfect the way they are.”

  We got to Panchito’s and were seated. It was almost empty.

  “So since this is on you today, I guess I can finally eat and stop holding back.”

  She perfected that side-eye.

  “Marcus I’m not playing with you, don’t you do it. You’ll be washing dishes all night.”

  The waitress came back out. I told Monica what I was going to order and she placed both our orders in Spanish.

  It was nice to just get away and have some good food with my girl, talk, and laugh. I thought I could finish everything but I needed a to-go plate. After we ate we started to talk. Monica was asking about Valentine’s Day, spring break, and summer plans. She wanted to plan a few trips and some other stuff. I wasn’t trying to be rude but I drifted off. My mind went elsewhere. I looked down and noticed that I wrote “Fire & Ice” on a napkin and traced over it multiple times.

  “You didn’t hear anything did you?” she said.

  I looked at the napkin.

  “Fire and Ice….” I whispered.

  “Marcus… Earth to Marcus.”

  I looked up.

  “Don’t say that,” I laughed. “I think I just had an idea.”

  I turned over the napkin. At the top I wrote ice-water-wind-fire-lighting and on the bottom I wrote the same thing minus ice. I drew a line connecting the ice on the top and the fire on the bottom.

  “We have to fight,” I said.

  “Marcus what are you talking about? Fight who?”

  I began drawing a line connecting the lightning and water, another connecting the wind and lighting and the last line connecting water and wind.

  “It’s uneven. There is still Imani.” I whispered.

  Monica grabbed both my hands. I looked her in the eyes.

  “Marcus, please! What are you talking about?”

  All I could think of was what happened last time she was in the middle of my mess. I didn’t want to scare her but she said she’s ready to embark on this journey with me.

  “We have to fight Dylan and the rest of them. If we can pick one to fight off and use their counter element, we may have a chance. We just need to get them weak enough to analyze them and see what is causing them to act like this.”

  “Marcus,” she exhaled.

  “We just need another ice element on our team. Where can I find another ice?” Monica snatched the napkin from me. “Marcus do you even hear yourself? Are you trying to commit suicide or are you just plain stupid?”

  “What are you talking about Monica?”

  “Every time you fight you risk your life and you aren’t going to be so lucky every time. This is Dylan you’re talking about, what if you kill him or what if he kills you?”

  Her eyes filled with concern and I didn’t want to scare her anymore.

  “You’re right.”

  I knew what I had to do, just didn’t need to inform her of my plans. I was going to make this happen.

  We decided to take an extended route home. The night had gotten colder, I could tell because she held my hand tighter than before. Neither of us said much. We just wanted to be around each other. Then I felt my phone vibrate.

  “Hold on,” I said.

  I stopped and pulled my phone out. I let go of her hand and she crossed her arms to keep warm while I checked my messages. There was a message from Hudson that read he was on his way to my room. I sure hope that tonight wasn’t the night that Dylan decided to stay in. I texted him back and put the phone back in my pocket.

  I took her hand and started walking but stopped after one step. The street was clear with nothing but the light of the streetlights and steady fall of the snow. There was a man standing in the middle of the sidewalk a few buildings down from us. I looked around to try and find another body but I couldn’t.

  “Oh no,” I whispered.

  Monica gripped my arm and looked up at me. I never took my eyes off the guy. He didn’t move and all I could think about was graduation night.

  He took one step towards us. We both took one back. He slowly raised his arm up and beautiful ice particles swirled at his palms, then a beam shot at us. I pushed Monica away from me and did the same shooting fire from mine. He lowered his hand. It was something about the way he was dressed that made me think.

  Black cargo pants.

  Combat boots.

  Tight fitted
sleeveless shirt...

  He was one of them.

  His ice stopped as well as my fire.

  My attention switched back to Monica.

  “I need you to get out of here. Go back to my room and call Hudson. Stay in the light and get around people if you can.”

  I took my phone out and tossed it to her. She didn’t say anything and immediately ran in the opposite direction. The guy started running towards me and I did the same. I jumped up into the air before we got face to face and took off into the sky, and he followed. I didn’t need a random person walking around the corner catching us in an epic battle or recognizing my face.

  The guy followed me out the City hurling ice balls at me. I dodged them but they distracted me from where I was trying to go…

  Somewhere open and away from people.

  I landed in the middle of the street of some suburban neighborhood. Porch lights from houses on both sides of the street along with the moon helped light the scene. The neighborhood reminded me of Trey’s—rich.

  I needed to get back into the sky but he shot an ice beam as soon as I landed. I dodged to the right and the beam continued to travel down the road. I started walking towards him hurling fireballs. My aim was off and one hit the yellow Camaro behind him. It exploded. I cringed as it went up in flames and said an apology in my head. He turned around, extended his hands, and the flame died.

  I was stumped.

  He turned back to face me and I couldn’t believe I missed. He was Xarponian—a strong one. His marking blended well with his skin. I took off into the air and he followed again. This time I landed at an empty lot with nothing but withering grass and dirt. He was right behind me and as soon I hit the ground, I shot a beam of fire at him as he tried to land. His body iced over for a second and provided some sort of protective shield. He pushed through the fire, landed, and struck me in the face.