Redemption

by Dexx Peay

  The streets were quite packed with students for a Sunday night. I was two blocks from the dorm. All of a sudden I felt bugs flying into my face. The pavement started getting farther and farther away and the top of the buildings became visible. I thought I might’ve been in some drunken hallucination, when I turned my head and realized Dylan had me in the air. I was slightly disoriented from the alcohol that I didn’t realize he was finally flying.

  I cocked my elbow back into his face.

  I was over the bullshit.

  He dropped me and gravity took over. I let myself fall until I landed on a building that towered the ones around it. He rushed down, landed in front of me. He ran his hand across his mouth catching the blood along his fingers.

  “You know, you actually look like somebody wearing my clothes,” Dylan taunted.

  He removed his black blazer and started to roll up the sleeves on his purple striped button down.

  I rolled mine up as well.

  “It’s not too late to run home Dylan.”

  He laughed. “We never run, but I am taking you home finally.”

  I laughed too.

  “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  “Sure?” he whispered.

  “Sure,” I whispered back.

  He waved his hand and a pipe from behind him flew quicker than I could process at me. I waved my hand before it reached my face and it flew off the building. I hope it didn’t hit anybody below us. He extended his hands in front of him and I did the same. We both shot beams of fire and ice at each other. My shoes scraped the ground as his ice beam battled with my fire.

  He wouldn’t give and neither would I. Our powers started to collect in the center and created a ball of swirling fire and ice that exploded—knocking us both over. I rubbed my head and dead ahead, he was doing the same. I stood to my feet and he was my reflection. My right hand lit up and his left hand frosted. I tossed a fireball at him and he tossed ice. It exploded upon impact. We both covered our eyes to keep out any ice particles that could have flown.

  I threw four fireballs one right after another alternating waving both hands. They all flew away. We were too evenly matched.

  “Join us now brother, it is so much better on this side.”

  “And what side is that?”

  He looked up into the sky and closed his eyes with a smile on his face.

  “The side where none of this matters. No Xarponian, no Qihar, and no rules, just living the life our people were meant to live.” His head dropped and his eyes opened. “Kings and queens.”

  He rocketed off the building and into the sky. He flew so fast, there was no way I would have found the time to catch him.

  The next day Gunner called me hung over. He apologized for not leaving when I did since we came together. I quickly eased his sentiments. It was for his own protection that he didn’t leave with me. He invited me to another party for the upcoming weekend, but I kindly declined. Clearly I wasn’t the party guy, and I didn’t need anymore run-ins with Dylan. It wasn’t safe anymore.

  I waited for Hudson outside his class. Told him I had to talk to him about last night. We walked ahead so we wouldn’t be around people who could eavesdrop. I wondered if people would even believe us if they heard the things we talked about?

  He needed to slow his pace down. I couldn’t keep up with his long strides.

  “So what is it?” Hudson asked.

  “I fought Dylan last night.”

  He came to an abrupt stop and extended his arm to his side. He’s so freakin tall, my throat caught his arm and I choked.

  “Ouch, way to go Hudson,” I complained.

  “You fought Dylan last night?”

  “Yeah and even worst, he learned how to fly.”

  “Great, there is no way our plan is going to work. They’re too strong.”

  “You just worry about Crystal. All you need to do is get her wet enough so her powers will work against her. We can do this Hudson.”

  “I guess we really don’t have a choice, I’m bringing Hachi home.”

  He walked to his next class and I stood there thinking about the other side. The side Dylan mentioned.

  Kings and queens played over and over in my head.

  Homework over the last few weeks was more than I could handle. I didn’t get to spend much time with Monica or my bed for that matter. My nights were spent falling asleep in books at the library. Hudson didn’t like spending all his time in the library, but I wasn’t going to leave him without protection. I hadn’t cross paths with Dylan again, but we still had to take precautions.

  I’d been back and forth at home over the last two weekends to help manage the restaurant. Business is doing much better and Mitchell has been amazing taking on the additional responsibility. Dad stepped back a little to let Mitchell do his thing. He attends weekly meetings to get help for his drinking. Elias has stepped up around the house and is really trying to do better in class. He calls me sometimes for help on his homework. I just walk out the library and walk him through his algebraic equations or the importance of the Civil War. Julius blows up my phone every half-hour, ready to get the ball rolling on our plan.

  The weekend of our plan came upon us. It was the weekend we promised Julius we’d be ready. That Friday was the day of my last midterm. We set the date for Saturday, which left us with a little more than 24-hours before we tried to save our loved ones. The plan was to injure them bad enough so we could cut the chips out of them, like we were able to do for Quen.

  It was sunny out. Monica, myself, Hudson and Sam sat around the table outside the coffee shop. Sam’s connect finally found the time to get started on the chip’s location and said he would have it to us in a few days, but Julius didn’t want to wait. The time was approaching.

  “I still don’t think you guys need to go just yet. Just hold off until David gets the exact location,” Sam cautioned.

  “Julius thinks we will have the element of surprise this way and we will be on our turf,” I said.

  “I just hope I live after all this,” said Hudson.

  “Maybe Sam is right,” Monica chimed in.

  “We’ll be fine guys I promise,” I said.

  “Yeah, plus we got Quen meeting us tomorrow,” Hudson followed up.

  Hudson really took a liking to Quen and vice versa. They must have formed a bond the day Quen woke up and Hudson was there to greet him after being freed from the mind control.

  “Speaking of Quen, I need to call him.”

  I pulled my phone out, dialed him up, then placed the phone on speaker in the center of the table. It rang a few times.

  He answered—laughing with crying baby in the background.

  “Hey Marcus wassup man? Sorry I got little man over here who’s trying to avoid bath time,” Quen said.

  “Quen what’s going on?” Hudson leaned out of his chair into the center of the table.

  “Hudson hey, DREW GET BACK OVER AND PUT ON SOME PANTS!” he yelled. The table laughed. “Don’t have kids guys.”

  “Tomorrow it’s all going down, can we still count on your help Quen?” I asked.

  “I’ll be there Marcus. Count me in to take down whoever did this to me.”

  “I’ll text you the address where to meet us tomorrow.”

  “Cool. I’ll look out for it.”

  I ended the call.

  “Well, you guys can sit around, and be fancy drinking your lattes and macchiatos all you want.” Hudson said facetiously looking at me.

  Such a douche.

  “But I need some real food so I’m going to head back inside for a sandwich.”

  Hudson got up from the table begin to head back inside.

  “Yeah I think I am too,” Monica said. “You want anything babe?”

  “No I’m good,” I replied.

  They both got up and went inside.

  I pulled my sleeve up to show my arm to Sam.

  “It’s growing,” I said.

  “Getting stronger,” Sam
confirmed. He moved to Monica’s seat and took my arm. “You see how these two spiral with a branch?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Hudson and Hachi’s older brother has an arm full of them. That simply means that your tattoo grew while in battle. I’m no expert or anything but that’s what I’ve gathered from being around the Chessher family for so long.”

  I rolled my sleeve back down. “And how long is that?”

  “My whole life really, our mothers are best friends.”

  “Ahh… food,” Hudson drooled.

  Hudson walked out with a basket filled with chips and a sandwich on top. Monica had a miniature pizza. She tore one of the four slices off and handed it to me. It took two bites to demolish.

  “How about we find something to get into later on tonight since, Marcus and I might die," Hudson joked.

  He said it so flippant.

  I never realized he was such an ass.

  Poor Sam and Monica. They just sat there and stared.

  Had to laughed to ease the moment since I knew he was only joking.

  “I think I am all partied out,” I quickly lighten the mood. “How about we get a good night rest since Hudson and I have a flight early in the morning.”

  “Okay, but I’m sleeping in my own room tonight,” Hudson said.

  “Good,” said Monica sarcastically.

  I crawled back into bed when I got back to my room. Monica made a run to get me some food before she came to spend the night.

  “Finally no more Sam and Hudson. No offense, but those two aren’t best smelling at the end of the day.”

  “Sorry babe, hopefully things will be back to normal after tomorrow.”

  “I can only take so much of men walking around in boxer shorts and pour cereal down their throats. How do you eat after that? So gross babe.”

  I laughed. “Thanks for disinfecting the place.”

  “Oh trust me, it was my pleasure.”

  Monica was out in the common area getting her OCD on, while I sat in my room and ate. The games on my phone had my attention more than the chopsticks I had in my other hand. Trying to play games and eat with chopsticks was difficult, especially since I wasn’t that good at using them. I dropped general tso’s chicken and rice grains all in my lap. Monica would kill me if I spilled this stuff on the floor she just swept.

  “Marcus.” Monica walked into the room.

  I knew she saw me trying to multitask. Did my best to avoid eye contact, I was so deep in concentration.

  “Marcus.”

  “Hmpf,” I grunted.

  “Marcus… Marcus answer me.”

  “What?” I exhaled.

  “There is somebody at the door for you,” she said. “Gosh Marcus, cuál es tu problema?”

  “Who is it?” I mouthed.

  She shrugged and went back out to cleaning. I walked to the front door and opened it.

  “Oh gosh,” I gasped.

  “Hey there roommate.”

  It was Airez, standing in the door along with two other recognizable frat brothers.

  “Are you going to invite us in our just keep us out here in the cold?”

  I hated his sarcasm. I live in a building, nevertheless, I moved out the way and they walked in.

  “This is Noel and Ricardo,” Airez said. I shook their hands. “Yeah I think we met last semester, how are you guys?”

  “We’re okay,” Ricardo said.

  “My girlfriend Monica guys.” I pointed to her and she waved.

  A big grin took over Airez face. His hands started to move all around. They were just as confusing as trying to read a subway map.

  “But, wasn’t, and...then there was London, and..." he rambled grinning the whole time. He nudged me, “You dog you.”

  “Is there a reason why you guys are here?” I asked.

  Had to get this over with so I could relax.

  “Where's Dylan man and what’s his problem?” Noel demanded. “This is our first real semester and he's barely shown his face. No parties, no meetings, no nothing.”

  “I figure if anybody would know, it would be you,” Airez jumped in.

  “He has some family issues, real life family issues that he needs some space for,” I replied.

  I got tired of lying for him. Someone was going to catch on eventually.

  “A half of semester though?” Airez probed.

  “This isn’t the same Dylan we met last year,” Juan said.

  “Yeah and what’s up with his hair these days?” Airez added.

  “Listen guys, I know you are all worried about him these days and trust me, I am too, he's my best friend. Whatever issues he's going through, he needs to work them out himself and get whatever he has in his system out. If that means cutting off all his friends and hair, or bungee jumping on the weekends, then that's what he needs to do. I have accepted it and everyone else has to as well.”

  “Tell him if—” Airez urged.

  “I’m not telling him anything and I need you guys to leave, this conversation is over.” I walked to the door. “Thanks for stopping by.”

  Airez glared me as they walked out.

  “Marcus you didn’t have to be so rude,” Monica scolded.

  “I wasn’t rude.” Or was I? “I’m ready for bed so come on.”

  I got up early the next morning. There was no sun or roosters out yet. Hopefully Hudson didn’t get attacked. I was worried all night that something might've happen. I showered and ate. My bag was already packed right next to the door. I tried to be as quiet as a mouse, but Monica started to wake. I looked at her. She looked at me.

  “Were you going to say goodbye?” she yawned.

  “I didn’t want to wake you,” I whispered. “Just waiting on Hudson to meet me here.”

  “I don’t want you to go,” she cried. I walked over to the bed and cuddled with her.

  “I promise, I am coming back to you. There is nothing that can stop me, not even Dylan.”

  “I need you both to come home.”

  The door knocked. I got up to let Hudson in. He walked into the room.

  “Please be safe,” she said.

  We shared an embrace but I made it brief.

  “Remember, if you need anything, call Sam.”

  “We’ll see you soon Monica,” Hudson said.

  We left the room and walked down the dark streets with our travel bags slung across our chest until we got to my tall building. We climbed the fire escape. I changed into my burnt jeans and sweatshirt and took my shoes off.

  “You need to take this.” I handed him my bag. He exhaled and threw it across his back opposite of his.

  “You really need to get that in order,” he said.

  He took off and I followed.

  We got to the same rental that Julius had a few weeks ago. There wasn’t a car out so I went to the back door. I imagined the door unlocked and the bolt shifted.

  “What the hell!”

  Julius came bolting down the stairs with lighting racing around his hand. I didn’t know who it was at first and accidentally waved my hand, which sent him crashing into the dining room table.

  “Julius,” I screamed.

  Hudson and I ran over to help him up. He tussled his hands against ours as we tried.

  “I got it just leave me alone,” he snarled and dusted himself off.

  “You gonna pay for this. What are you guys doing here without calling somebody?”

  “We didn’t see a car so we figured nobody was here. I use my powers to open the door,” I said.

  “Yeah dingle-berry because I wasn’t going to risk the rental car getting blown up in battle. Where is this other guy?”

  “I gave him the address. He will be here when he gets here."

  “I’m going to bed, it’s still too early,” Hudson said.

  “Crazy Horse has the right idea. Get some rest and make sure your friend calls before he decides to break in.”

  I didn’t sleep. I waited—flipping through the channels of th
e fifty-five inch TV mounted to the wall. I found some cartoons and texted my little brother when Samurai Soldier came on. We use to watch it all the time growing up. He didn’t respond. I knew he was sleep. I drifted off and finally my phone rang.

  “Hello.” I grabbed the phone off the floor.

  “I’m outside,” Quen said.

  I hung up, walked to the front door and let him in. He walked in and dropped his bag on the floor, unzipped his fleece and threw it on his bag.

  “Next time I need a plane,” he said as we greeted each other with a man hug.

  “We’ll see what we can do next time,” I laughed.

  “No need,” he walked around the living room admiring the place. “We are taking these guys once and for all and I’m moving on with my life.”

  I watched as he continued to look around. He glanced over at the broken table.

  “What happened here?”

  “Accident. Want to get some rest?”

  “Yeahhh… I can go for some sleep right about now,” he said. “And who paid for this place?”

  “Wait ‘til you meet him. He is thrilled to meet you.”

  He grabbed his bag and I showed him to the last empty room. I walked back down and tried my best to sleep with the sun shining through the blinds.

  I woke up to Hudson whispering my name inches from my ear and tickling my feet like a creep. It started with a giggle even though I was mad and I started laughing uncontrollably. He stopped when his hands couldn’t keep up with how fast my feet were moving.

  “Damn, you get on my nerves Hudson,” I laughed.