“They were a little shook up,” Chloe said. “But they’re okay. They’re already back to work this morning.”
“Cool,” Clark told her. “Sounds good.”
“You’ve got to tell us what happened in the aftermath yesterday,” Donny told Clark.
“Well the crystal is back at Bio-Tech,” Clark informed them. “Charles told his dad where it was located. Charles’s dad knows the police commissioner so don’t worry, none of our name are being associated with the warehouse. As far as John and the dead mercenary that was in the warehouse, I’m told the ‘official’ word is that they were electrocuted. The crystal is still listed as off the books. No one outside of Bio-Tech knows about it. Besides us.”
“So John’s death certificate says he was electrocuted?” Donny asked.
“Death certificate?” Clark corrected him. “John’s not dead.”
“What!?” Donny and Chloe both said in utter shock.
“Well, almost not dead. His body is at the hospital. Holding onto the crystal left him comatose. He’s in a vegetative state.”
“I thought it killed everyone else who held onto it?” Chloe said.
“It did,” Clark said. “But I think it’s because John had already touched the crystal before. His body built up some kind of tolerance. But what does it matter? He’s never expected to gain consciousness.”
“So what are they going to do?” Donny asked.
“Well both of John’s parents are dead. He’s considered a ward of the state. Mr. Walsh told me that means the state will decide when to pull the plug on him. And they always do it after six months. The cost is just too high.”
“God,” Donny said. “I wish we could have saved him.”
The teacher entered the room and sat at his desk. He didn’t bother to give instructions as the bell rang. Everyone just went back to conversing and Clark spoke again to Donny and Chloe about John.
“I miss him,” Clark admitted. “But I’ve learned that not everyone can be saved. It’s why we chucked our costumes.”
“I think I’m going to miss it,” Chloe said. “I’m going to miss the thrill.”
“Yeah,” Donny agreed. “So this is what retirement feels like?” He laughed, “I’m retiring at age fifteen.”
“Is Sarah okay,” Chloe asked.
“Yeah,” Clark answered. “She’s doing alright.”
“How’s Charles?” Chloe continued.
“Charles is as good as he can be, I guess. He’s actually kind of in high spirits. His mom is with him at the hospital. Like the doctors said, the bullet missed all his major organs and didn’t touch his spine so we’re hoping he’ll be back to normal in a few months.”
“So he’ll be back for next semester?” Donny asked.
“Yeah,” Clark said. “We’re all hoping so. Charles is a fighter.”
Donny and Chloe smiled as they placed their arms over each other’s shoulders.
“I’m glad you two have one another,” Clark told them. “Especially in a time like this. And I’m glad Sarah’s there for me.”
“Yeah, dude,” Donny assured him. “It’s nice.”
“Are you going to miss it?” Clark asked him.
“The costumes? The crime fighting?” Donny said. “I’m actually kind of glad it’s over. I think it was all a little too fast paced for me. The guns, the violence, the kidnappings. Not really my style.”
Clark laughed. “I never should have suggested it.”
“But hey,” Chloe added. “It was a once in a lifetime sort of thing.”
“I even decided I’m not going to use my powers much,” Clark told them. “Maybe just on the field and that’s about it.”
“No more flying?” Donny asked.
“Not unless I miss the school bus,” Clark joked. “And I’m hoping to get a car soon anyway. So yeah, no more flying.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” Chloe told Donny. “Me and you should do the same.”
“Ugh,” Donny shrugged. “I kind of like moving things with my mind.”
“Okay,” Chloe laughed. “Just as long as it’s not trains.”
“I promise,” Donny smiled. “I won’t move any trains or planes or crash through any buildings. I promise I’ll be sworn to secrecy.”
“I just sort of thought,” Clark said. “Maybe one day it’ll wear off.”
“I hadn’t really thought of that,” Donny admitted. “Interesting idea.”
“Until then, I’ll just have to pretend to be normal,” Clark said as he gave a faint laugh.
“So do your parents know?” Chloe asked Clark.
“No,” Clark said. “My dad knows everything about the crystal but he doesn’t know what I’m capable of. I haven’t told them yet. I’m still not sure if I will. What about you?”
“No,” Chloe said of herself. “My parents thought we were kidnapped for money. Wu’s guys shot me up with lead but once it wore off my powers were back to normal and I was careful not to use them.”
“Sounds good,” Clark told her.
“My parents don’t have a clue,” Donny said. “Thankfully they weren’t involved.”
“I think Charles’s dad is the only one that knows,” Clark told them. “And Charles only told his dad that he and John gained powers. So the rest of us are safe.”
“What a week,” Donny sighed as he slouched back in his chair. “I’m glad things are back to normal. No more crazy superhero stuff. Never again.”
“And Dan and Andrew said they’d visit a bit more often,” Clark told them.
After computer class was over, Clark bared his way through two more classes without any close friends to speak with. He then had a lunch period where he was happy to see Sarah again. Sarah told him that she had a friend who could drive them to the hospital to see Charles once school was over. Clark agreed and when he and Sarah finished their meals, they walked together outside. Clark said nothing as he hugged Sarah for several minutes. Her body was warm, familiar, and soothing. But it wasn’t long before the bell rang and they parted.
Sarah again told Clark she’d see him after school when he ran off to the gymnasium. Just as he opened his gym locker, Coach Smith approached him.
“Hey Clark,” the coach said.
“Hi Coach.”
“I heard about what happened over the weekend. With Charles and John and all. Are you holding up alright?”
“Yeah,” Clark told him. “But if it’s alright with you, I’d like to sit today out.”
“Sure,” Coach Smith said. “Take as much time as you need.”
“And Coach,” Clark addressed him, “I’m sorry to have to tell you this but I think I need some time off from the football team.”
“I… I… You’re the best…” the coach stammered disappointingly.
“I know,” Clark told him. “But there’s another teammate out there who deserves it just as much, if not more, than me. And my two best friends are gone. I don’t know. I just don’t feel ready to play. Let’s just say that being on the team commands a certain about of exertion that I’m not sure I can handle right now.”
“Well… I understand,” the coach said, still disappointed. “But if you ever want back in, you’ll always have a spot on my team, O’Sullivan.”
“Thanks Coach. Maybe next semester.”
So instead of playing kickball, Clark sat on the bleachers in his normal clothes and watched as the other students either enjoyed themselves or tripped over the ball as it shot in their direction. He sighed and closed his eyes for several moments. The class was soon over and so was his last period. Once the final bell rang, Clark met up with Sarah and one of her senior friends drove them to the hospital. Once they arrived at St. John’s, Sarah told her friend they would take it from there. So the friend pulled off as Clark and Sarah entered the hospital.
Before going to the eleventh floor to see Charles, Clark first suggested they stop on the ninth floor. So they got onto the elevator, pushed the button labeled ‘9’ and
got off on the right floor.
“We’re looking for John Ahern,” Clark told the receptionist. She directed them to a room and they entered it. The small room was mostly empty. There were only sterile hospital items, no flowers or cards or anything. The heart monitor was off to the side and pulsated at a normal rate. And lying in the bed connected to the monitor was John. His body showed no signs of life as he lied there comatose.
“I miss you, John,” Sarah said to him as she stroked her hands down his long blonde hair. Her eyes welled up with tears.
“We miss the real you, John,” Clark sighed. “I’m so sorry you couldn’t overcome the problems that plagued you. If you never return to us, John─ then I hope you can return to your parents. I know how much you loved your mother. I know she’ll be glad to see you on the other side.”
Tears streamed down Sarah’s face as Clark hugged her. He too was close to crying when he looked on the table across from the bed and noticed John’s military beret.
“That’s the one his father gave to him shortly before he died,” Clark told Sarah. A single tear ran down Clark’s face as he whispered, “Why’d you have to do it, John?”
They wiped their tears away and left the room. Then they took the elevator and went to the eleventh floor. They spoke to the receptionist who had to issue them clearance. Then they passed a few security guards and were escorted into Charles’s hospital room. Both of Charles’s parents were sitting in the room.
“Hi Mr. and Mrs. Walsh,” Clark said.
“Hello, Clark, Sarah,” Mr. Walsh waved.
Mrs. Walsh simply smiled.
“Hey guys,” Charles said from his hospital bed. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“I promise we’re going to see you every day until you leave this place,” Clark told him.
“That’s why I love you guys,” Charles smiled.
“Charles will be able to leave in a few weeks,” Mr. Walsh told them. “He’ll require extensive physical therapy but he will be able to walk again one day.”
“Until then,” Charles smiled, “I’ll be like Professor X.”
“Do you ever stop smiling?” Sarah asked. “You’re really amazing Charles.”
“That’s what the rest of the cheerleading squad told me,” Charles quipped. It was enough to make both Charles and Sarah laugh.
“We’ll be there for you every step of the way,” Clark told him.
“Awesome─ So everyone is hanging up their suits?” Charles said ambiguously so his parents wouldn’t know exactly what he meant.
“Yeah,” Clark said. “We decided it’s time to move forward. Not backwards.”
For the next hour they talked with Charles about important things involving their powers, still speaking ambiguously, and things not so important. Clark and Sarah again assured Charles that they would always be there for him. Charles even got a text from Donny stating that he and Chloe would see him on the following day. After a while, Clark and Sarah left Charles alone with his parents and exited his hospital room. They said little to one another but smiled as they hopped onto the elevator. Then they exited the hospital and made their way outside.
They held hands and walked along the street for several minutes.
“It’s a long walk from my house,” Sarah said.
“Min too,” Clark nodded.
“You think─ one last time?” Sarah suggested with a huge smile.
“Yeah,” Clark returned her smile. “One last time.”
They ran off into the woods as the sun lowered. Several bushes and trees bristled about due to a sweeping motion and a sonic boom as Clark and Sarah ascended into the air and flew off at sunset.
THE END OF BOOK ONE
Acknowledgements
Thank you,
Mom and Dad (Anna & Andre): For believing in me.
J.K. Rowling & Stan Lee: For the childhood memories that shaped my imagination.
Stephen King: For teaching me, as a reader, that even the unimaginable is imaginable.
Neil Gaiman: For teaching me, as a reader, that dragons can be defeated.
Everyone who has read this book: For your patronage; it means more to me than you may ever know.
Ascension (The Ascension Series) Page 28
