by Aaron Slade
He still hadn’t explained to me why people who could fly were being exterminated. “Why?” I was going to make him answer me. This crazy genocide didn’t make any sense without a motive.
“I don’t know,” he said. “But the old seer-lady told me that one day I would meet someone who could fly, and that I had to make sure it was kept secret.”
We both went silent; I was the first to speak. “Did you know it would be me?”
For the first time since the conversation started, Uncle Jesse smiled and his face looked youthful again. “No. When I moved here, your mom was still pregnant with you. When they diagnosed you as human, I never imagined that it would be you.” He paused. “Last week, when you discovered your ability, I thought there was a chance. That’s why I didn’t want you to tell anyone.”
Everything seemed out of my control. I’d waited my whole life for an extra-human trait, hoping that the doctors made a mistake when I was young, and now that it had happened, I discovered that I’d be killed for it.
“What’s going to happen with Adam?” I asked. “Is this woman going to come back for him?”
He nodded. “Adam is useful I’m sure, but there might be other people out there that can do what Adam does. Adam’s possibly replaceable. There are tons of teleporters in the land.”
Adam looked up, but it was evident he didn’t have good news. “You’re wrong… Zana wants me because I can teleport other people. She said I’m the only registered teleporter that can do it.”
Uncle Jesse’s face turned stone cold. “I don’t know how to protect you, Adam. I don’t even know how to protect Casper. My advice for you, Adam, is after your graduate… run!” He hissed the words in a low whisper as if someone else was listening.
Adam quit breathing for a moment. “Fallon is the only place I know… I can’t leave.” His voice quivered and his eyebrows contorted in his panic.
“I showed you what Zana will do with you. And you’d be hunting people like Casper if you help her… willingly or forcefully.”
Adam buried his head in his hands. His whole body stiffened, revealing the individual muscles in his arms.
“So what now?” I asked.
“I’m not sure,” Uncle Jesse said. “The seer told me that soon after I met the flyer, I would be leaving Fallon.”
This devastated me more than learning I could die. “I don’t want you to leave, and I don’t want Adam to spend his whole life running. I think we’re safe here.” I didn’t know how much I believed it, but I wanted my family to stay together. I realized that he wasn’t really my uncle, but he was part of the only family I’d ever known. Whether he’d been pretending or not, we loved each other.
There was moisture in Uncle Jesse’s eye. “I’m flattered that you care for me so much, Casper. I’ve grown to appreciate my life here in Fallon, but I need you to understand, I have a life somewhere else. But for now, I’m staying here.”
I was happy to hear him say this. Everything was going to be okay. All I had to do was keep the fact that I could fly a secret.
“Don’t get too happy just yet, Casper,” he said. His tone sounded hopeless. “I said I don’t plan on leaving Fallon, but fate may have something in store that doesn’t leave me with much of a choice.”
In my frustration, one question still needed answering. “Who is this psychic lady? You think her predictions will come true?”
“Her name’s Shannon, and she’s been right about everything else,” he said. “I think something big is about to happen, and not even Fallon will be safe.”
TRUST
Casper:
I arrived to school in my car, noticing that my aura had been dim all morning. It was partially nerves from what Uncle Jesse had told me. Someone would kill me if they knew I could fly. But that still didn’t keep me from wondering how fast I would be able to fly to school compared to driving. I was now keeping two major secrets from my parents: my ability and the truth about Uncle Jesse. I would have to tell them soon.
Seventeen years of family history with Uncle Jesse shattered to pieces when he told me the truth about his identity. The information kept me up most of the night. The man had held me as a baby and been more like a brother at times than an uncle– a younger, immature brother anyway. I knew, in part because of my ability, that he cared about me, but I didn’t know how to digest this new information. The worst thing he did was ground me– he forbid me to use my ability to fly. I didn’t even know if I could do it again, but I wanted to try.
When it was time to go to school I was exhausted. I wanted to find Evee since she had never come over last night and avoided my phone call, and I wanted to find Adam. Adam was even more scared now. He couldn’t afford to trust Zana. He had to run. He had to hide, but he refused to leave before he knew I’d be safe. He decided he’d leave the night of graduation.
I found Adam sitting in front of the school, sleeping on a wooden bench, using his backpack as a pillow. He hadn’t slept at all, but I guessed that he felt safer surrounded by all the people at school. Graduation kept creeping nearer, and I’d barely spent any time with him. Evee consumed the majority of my time. It was my fault that Adam was battling his fears alone.
“Adam,” I said, shaking his shoulder. “Wake up!” He looked skinnier than usual.
He opened his eyes the exact moment the bell rang. “What’s up?” he asked.
I’d wanted to talk to him– just talk– but there was no time. “It’s time for class.”
“Thanks,” he said groggily. He disappeared, leaving me standing by the bench alone.
I arrived to first period history on time and took my seat behind Evee, who looked pretty as always. I touched her arms, tempted to kiss her again, but class wasn’t the time or place for that, especially when I thought it might make me lift off the ground.
“Morning,” Evee said. It was hard to tell which was brighter: her smile or her cyan aura.
“Morning,” I replied. I couldn’t get the kiss off my mind. I wanted to make out with her more. “Did you sleep well?” I tried to sound enthusiastic and get my mind off physical things. I didn’t want to spring any new information on her at school, either.
“I did,” she said. “So was your uncle able to help you?”
“Yeah.”
“So were you able to do it?” she asked. She leaned in closer to me so that she could whisper. “Did you fly?”
Mrs. White shut the door and then took her place at the front of the class. “Everyone take out your books and turn to chapter fourteen.”
I whispered so Mrs. White couldn’t hear. “No. I wasn’t able to do it again. But I have to talk to you. Soon!” I hoped my serious eyes conveyed the direness of the situation.
She nodded with a concerned expression.
Mrs. White sat behind her desk, but the piece of chalk immediately began writing notes on the board:
TheBlight Ended in 2118, due to strategy of The Military. Copy list of credited Military Officers and high-ranking Leaders.
Javier Carro
Jim Miller
Samuel Hale
Alexander Draken
Chang-sun Mao
Mrs. White started to teach just as I finished the last name on the list.
“It’s important to note, class, that all of these men were extra-human. Both humans and extra-humans joined the Military, but it was extra-humans that led the Military to victory. The war didn’t end until we took control of the fight. This is the first time in history that extra-humans gained power. In the old governments, people with abilities were prohibited to participate. But thanks to these men, extra-humans gained political and fighting power. Now, if you turn to page three-hundred-twelve”
Evee swung around to face me as Mrs. White talked with students on the other side of the classroom.
“I want to have you over for dinner tonight,” Evee said.
Both our auras went berserk, faltering and flickering like wild. Colonel Ford made me nervous, and all I could say
was, “I’ve never been to your house before.” Civilians weren’t allowed on the living quarters of the Military Base unless they were invited.
“It’s hardly a house, Casper,” Evee said. “I live on a Military Base in a generic house that’s identical to every house around it. It’s my turn to cook for you, but the only way I could have you over is if my dad is there. I’m not allowed to have boys over when he’s not home, apparently.”
“Oh,” I said. I still hoped she and I might find some alone time.
“Is that a yes?” she asked. “We can talk after dinner.”
My schedule was busy for sure, but I couldn’t tell Evee no. “Of course!” I could tell her what Uncle Jesse said after dinner.
“Casper! Evee!” Mrs. White called. She caught us not paying attention, and she didn’t sound the slightest bit forgiving.
Evee and I directed our attention to the front of the classroom.
“Would either of you like to explain to the class what the ten years following the Blight were like for this land?”
I looked at Evee, who was shrugging her soldiers. “I actually didn’t do the reading, Mrs. White,” I confessed. Flying was a huge distraction from schoolwork.
“I’m disappointed, Mr. Vance,” Mrs. White said. “I’ll see you and Mrs. Ford after class.” The entire class stared, surprised that I had done something wrong.
“Can anyone answer the question?” Mrs. White addressed the class.
Sara’s hand shot in the air. “The Military spent the few years after the Blight transporting lost and homeless people to nearby survival cities where they could take refuge. People were starving, and the Military provided for them and gave them shelter.”
“Good Sara,” Mrs. White replied. “Why was this a challenge for the Military?”
Sara was ready for this question as well, and I regretted not being able to answer. “Because at that time, they were still unsure how many survivors were lost in the territories. Not to mention the Wilderness– the southern territories that nature took back. The Military vacated the Wilderness because vegetation had overgrown and animals turned dangerous,” Sara explained. “They wanted to make sure that everyone living in these disaster areas was able to relocate to the safer areas they were rebuilding.”
I was in a funk for the rest of class. A teacher had never gotten on to me before. Only a faint trace of my aura was visible. When the bell rang, the class gathered their belongings and exited the room. Evee and I remained to talk to Mrs. White. She stood at the front of the classroom waiting on us, tapping her foot impatiently.
“I’m really sorry, Mrs. White,” I said. I knew I’d messed up.
“Me too,” Evee followed. “We didn’t mean any disrespect.”
Mrs. White looked like she was thinking about what she wanted to say. “The two of you are leaders in this class. You two and Sara carry the weight of everyone else.” She forced a smile. “I have three people in a class of twenty that answer questions. You guys left me one for three today. I don’t like it, but that’s the way it is.” She went silent and I realized that she wasn’t mad.
“It won’t happen again,” Evee said.
Mrs. White looked at both of us with a conflicted expression. “It’s really not my place to say, but I feel compelled to say it anyway. I’m very glad that you found each other. Casper, you’ve been my student for three years now, and I’ve never seen you this happy. I want all good things for you, and I think what you have with Evee is good, but promise me that neither of you will let your relationship stop you from your schoolwork. An education is the most important thing at this point in your lives.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Evee and I answered in unison.
“The history that I’m teaching you is important,” Mrs. White continued. “You need history to understand the land around you.”
I agreed with Mrs. White, but I was shocked that she considered me a leader. I didn’t believe that I was a leader. A person has to lead someone to actually be a leader, and the other students despised me.
Mrs. White wrote a letter to our next teacher explaining that our tardiness was excused. Evee and I walked slowly through the white halls of green lockers. I took her hand in mine, causing the auras around our hands to unite, making the brilliant, iridescent pearl.
When Evee and I walked into fourth period, I was surprised to see someone sitting in Adam’s usual seat. At first, I thought it was Adam, but it shocked me to see Randy’s larger frame. Evee looked at me as if she didn’t know what to say to him as she sat down.
“Randy,” I muttered. I moved cautiously, as if trying to back away from a leviathan predator. Randy’s friends focused on us from the other side of the room. Allen Young smirked as if waiting for Randy to torment me as usual.
“Hey,” Randy said. “I just wanted to let you know that your dad sent Adam home last period.” His tone was very casual, as if he wasn’t the person who had tortured me all these years.
“Was he sleeping in class?” I looked away from Randy’s eyes– he and I had never had a civilized conversation.
“Yeah,” Randy said. His tone was friendly– or, at least, friendlier than I’d ever heard it. I couldn’t help but wonder if he had some ulterior motive. Any moment now that room would erupt in flames.
Evee was silent. She had to bear the weight of Adam’s secret as well.
“Thanks for telling us,” I said. I expected him to move to where his friends were sitting on the far side of the classroom, but he stayed seated. A few moments of awkward silence passed, and I realized that Randy was trying to be friendly with us. Initiating a conversation wasn’t easy for him.
“So… you two have been dating over a month now,” he said. “That’s great!” He was smiling and a teal aura began to surround him, but he wasn’t oblivious to the awkward tension either. He winced once as if realizing how lame he sounded.
“Has it been a month already?” Evee exclaimed. I knew she had detected Randy’s intention and wanted to make him feel welcome. She was too nice. The girl didn’t have a wicked bone in her body. “I guess time flies when you’re having fun.” Her aura grew brighter and she eyed me as she laughed at her own wit.
I was a little shocked Evee and I had been together over a month. I was even more shocked that Randy had taken the time to notice. So much had changed in the last month. I was different, and even Randy appeared to be different. He was as stiff as a statue and just as silent as he waited for us to contribute to the conversation.
After several minutes of incredibly forced conversation, it became obvious that Randy intended on staying in Adam’s seat.
“So what was San Diego like?” Randy asked Evee. “I’ve never been out of the Nevada Territory, but I hear there are great cities in the California Territory.”
“Well, if you ever go, San Diego is a must,” she replied. “It’s supposed to be one of the safer cities. I only lived there for a year, but I liked it. It’s not as nice as Fallon, though. Parts of San Diego are still being rebuilt, and there are lots of old, condemned buildings there.”
“Have you ever wanted to go any place outside of Fallon, Casper?” Randy asked.
His polite and gracious attitude came with such ease, that I was surprised when he asked. “Ahhhh… I’ve never thought about traveling much,” I confessed. When I didn’t have an extra-
human trait, traveling had seemed nearly impossible. “The way Evee talks about some of the bigger cities, makes me want to go someday.”
The bell rang and the classroom ignited with noise as everyone rushed to lunch. Evee and I stood up with our backpacks and noticed Randy waiting on us. It looked as if he’d planned on eating lunch with us too.
“Do you want to eat with us today, Randy?” Evee invited.
I shot Evee a deliberate stare, hoping that she understood that it was a bad idea. I was more comfortable adjusting to nice Randy in small doses.
“That would be great,” Randy answered. He exited the classroom with us. �
��I wish I could teleport us to the cafeteria like Adam does for you guys sometimes.” There was familiar envy in his voice when he talked about teleporting. I knew it well.
“It’s really handy,” I confessed, thinking of Adam alone and scared wherever he was. “We would be last in the lunch line if Adam didn’t help us.”
“What’s it like?” Randy asked. “Teleporting looks like it would be a lot of fun.”
I laughed, realizing that I was one of the few people without the ability to have actually teleported.
“It’s like closing your eyes then opening them somewhere else,” I explained. “One second you’re in one place, and then you’re somewhere completely different. If you blink, you’ll miss it. Sometimes I get dizzy spells.”
“I guess Adam is different because he can teleport other people, huh?” Randy asked. “Can your dad do it?”
“No,” I answered. “Adam’s tried to show him how, but it’s not something that can be taught.”
We arrived in the cafeteria and took our places in the lunch line. People ahead of us in line looked back as if wondering why Randy and I would be having a casual conversation. Allen Young looked furious. I noticed Randy’s aura fade.
“Are you ok?” I asked.
Randy’s eyes panned the cafeteria. “Will your friends… care if I sit with you today?”
I almost laughed out loud. “Sara and Seth might be shocked, but don’t you care more about what your friends will think if they see you eating with me– the human?”
Randy paused at the word human. “Umm… I’m trying not to care what they think.” Trying being the key word by the nervous look on Randy’s face.
“It will be fine,” Evee said. “I’m going to go see Sara. I’m not hungry today.” She walked off but I grabbed her by the hand.
“You should probably eat,” I said. I thought she should eat, but I was more concerned about being left alone with Randy in the line. She understood when I gestured my eyes towards him.
“If I get hungry I’ll just have a few bites of your lunch,” she said with a teasing grin. Her gaze went from Randy and back to me. “I’ll be waiting at the table.”
