by G Sasaki
Mike spread the frames of his wings and held out his hands in an attempt to shield Hailey from the oversized bat. “You can’t have them.”
Hailey asked, “What did he say?”
“They want you or Grace. They’re going to save the world.”
Hailey’s eyes widened. He couldn’t mean…
Mike slowly, one step at a time, paced back from The Giant and shoved Hailey with him. He yelled, “Run away. Now!”
Hailey didn’t need time to think about his demand. She turned and sprinted toward the dirt path that she and Grace had originally come down. Hailey looked up toward the top of the cliff and bats still came down. Had the whole world descended upon them?!
Jeremy soared as the only furless bat in the sea of brown. He was also the only clothed bat with his tight red shorts. He dashed through the sky and tracked the bat who held Grace captive. High above the ocean, Jeremy yelled, “Put her down!”
The bat flapped its wings and flew in place, giving his full attention to Jeremy. The bat snarled, “We’re going to end this now.”
The bat dug his grip into Grace’s shoulders as her feet dangled in the air. She looked at Jeremy with a pleading desperation reflected in her eyes. Jeremy said, “You have one more chance.”
The bat taunted him. “What are you going to do about it?”
Jeremy rushed forward to attack him.
On the beach, Mike held his ground. He wouldn’t let The Giant go anywhere near Hailey. Mike blocking his path was like standing in the way of an elephant. He uttered to himself, “You’ve really done it this time, Mike.” The Giant took one huge step forward and shook the ground. Mike’s voice cracked as he declared, “You can’t have either of them.”
With his overpowering voice, The Giant calmly responded, “You’ll thank me when everyone is human again.” The Giant reared back his hand and swiped at Mike. His open hand smacked into him with the power of a speeding train. Everything in Mike’s vision went black as his limp body tumbled across the sand. The Giant kept his eyes on Hailey, who was now using the rope to climb the incline.
Jeremy plowed his fist into the bat who held Grace. Although his face cracked from the strike, the bat didn’t let go. He stared back, practically daring him to attack again. An unfamiliar emotion filled Jeremy’s body: rage. His hands shook uncontrollably and his mind lost control. He’d never felt anything like it. Jeremy screamed and folded his right wing in toward his body. With his left wing still extended, he flapped as hard as he could. With just one flapped wing, he flipped over the bat holding Grace. He soared over him and before the bat could react, Jeremy gripped his fingers on the bat’s head and spun it wildly, shattering his neck into pieces. It felt good and subsided the anger that consumed him. The dead bat’s limp arms dropped Grace toward the ocean. He watched as her body inched toward the water below. Jeremy swung his wings to launch toward her.
But surprisingly, another bat soared past and caught Grace in his arms, one Jeremy had yet to be introduced to: The Giant. Other bats flapping around him looked like fleas next to an eagle. The Giant cradled Grace and held her like a baby. In his arms, she looked like a doll. She struggled to leave the confines of his grip, but he was so strong, she couldn’t move. Jeremy continued his descent and glided around the scattered bats that idly flew in his way. After effortlessly taking out his previous opponent, he felt an air of invincibility. Jeremy just needed to get close and he would kill him. Jeremy used all his momentum to try to plow into The Giant.
But The Giant simply swatted at him like a fly and sent him spiraling away. Jeremy ricocheted through the air and his body twirled at insane speeds. Although his wings flapped to regain his balance, he couldn’t stop. He crushed into other bats, sending them soaring away. Jeremy couldn’t see anything; he flipped so fast. Finally, he tumbled onto the beach, pounded by the unforgiving sand. His body mercilessly tossed around until he slammed into a wall of rock. Jeremy lay on the sand and looked out helplessly at The Giant surrounded by tinier bats. Nearby on the sand, he saw Mike’s limp body. Hopefully he was alright. Jeremy’s body throbbed in pain. Exhaustion spread to his eyes; he needed just a little rest, he thought. He let his eyes fall shut.
At the top of the cliff, Hailey caught her breath and looked out with a clear view of the beach. The bats congregated in the sky around The Giant, who appeared to have someone in his arms. It was probably Grace. Since they wanted she or Grace to ‘save the world,’ it probably meant they were planning on cutting her heart open. But for them to know that, Nicole had to be with them. Hailey felt helpless. What do I do? Hailey peered at the edge of the cliffs where the bats had come from. They weren’t flying over anymore. But so many dashed above the water now. Were those really the Unstables? The Giant seemed to be their leader. Where did he come from? What if this was a new group? Then maybe Nicole was with them after all.
Gasping for air, Hailey pushed herself through the path and ragged on herself. We should’ve just stayed in the cave! If she hurried back to the house maybe she could find out what happened with Dave and the rest of the Washington High bats and they could help. When she reached the sign at the crossroad, she peered ahead at the arch overlooking the ocean. Underneath, two bats stood talking to each other. Hailey dashed aside and hid behind a bush.
The sun poked through the archway. Through the beams of light, she saw a female bat on the left. Next to her, on the right, stood a male. Something rested around his neck: a necklace of some kind. Could that be… Hailey squinted to get a better look. The male untied it from his neck and held it in front of him, handing it to his female counterpart. There appeared to be a tiny pouch dangling from the string. The female bat took it. Thoughts raced through Hailey’s mind, too much to comprehend. But she didn’t need to think it through; she already had it figured it out. Hailey pushed away any semblance of fear and stepped out of hiding. “Nicole!”
The female bat turned her head and stared at Hailey. Her face squeezed, riddled with surprise. Hailey stood and stared back, shouting, “You can’t use it! You can’t cut someone’s heart open. It isn’t in you. Your brother told me that! …Jeremy!”
Even though she no longer resembled the beautiful woman from the pictures, Hailey knew it was Nicole. She was pure bat now, just like everyone else. Through her fur, Hailey could vaguely see the numbers 3 2 9 9 tattooed on her forearm. From the journal, Hailey knew what those numbers meant and why they were put there. “Stop this. Your brother’s with us. He’s our friend.”
Nicole’s puzzled green eyes didn’t move from Hailey’s. Nicole paced forward, her mind racing with questions. The male stepped forward with her. The two lacked the ravenous attitude of the Unstables; they had a grip on their sanity. Hailey watched Nicole’s wide human eyes analyzing her. Hailey glanced at the male bat and looked back to Nicole. Wait. Hailey looked back at the male bat. Into his eyes. His brown eyes. His… familiar… brown eyes... The sight plowed into Hailey’s soul, nearly knocking her off her feet. Her eyes couldn’t help but swell with tears.
Her voice cracked. “Alex?”
The entire world froze. The breeze tickling her hair stopped. The sounds of the bats and the waves from the beach disappeared and silence engulfed her. Her legs numbed. How was she still standing? Hailey stared at him. He stood in front of her, naked like every other bat. It was hard to differentiate between the bats but she knew it was him. There was only one way to be sure.
Hailey took a deep breath. She lifted her arm and extended it out. Her hand floated in the air and her outstretched fingers trembled. Her palm faced this bat.
She waited.
The male bat lifted his hand. And extended his fingers.
A wave of goosebumps chilled across Hailey’s body. It almost felt like she wasn’t in her body anymore. She tried to smile, but the shock of actually finding him, finally seeing him again, overcame her. He looked so different. Just like she thought he would. Her face twitched and tears stressed out of her eyes. “It’s really you. I looked ever
ywhere for you.”
Hailey wanted to run at him and throw her arms around him. But fear kept her feet from moving. He was a bat after all, and she still unchanged. Though the space between them was only a couple feet, it felt like miles. Could this really work? Did he even still love her? Until this moment, she tried her best to ignore these questions. Now that he was here, staring back, they loomed over her like a funnel cloud. Her lips tried to move but no words came out.
Alex’s brown eyes looked exactly as Hailey remembered that night in the hospital. Hailey managed to simply utter, “I missed you.”
Alex took a slow step forward. Hailey could hardly contain her anxiety from making her crazy. She longed to touch him and hear his voice. Alex gazed into Hailey’s green eyes.
BAM
Alex’s body whipped backwards. When he fell, his head banged against rocky ground, instantly knocking him out and withering his body. Startled, Hailey screamed. Nicole turned, ran through the arch, and dove toward the ocean, disappearing from view.
Alex had been shot! “Alex!” No. This can’t be happening. After all I’ve done to find him. Now he’s going to die?!
Hailey turned around to see what happened. What she witnessed came as no surprise. For a split second, she saw Victor’s face and signature red hair. Just as quickly, the butt of Victor’s gun pounded against her head.
And everything went black.
43
One Month Ago
Nicole stood in the office of her childhood home on Andrene Avenue. Behind a desk, sitting in front of her, was the open door of a small safe. It was possible now that what she put inside was of monumental importance. But she couldn’t know. Either way, it would be protected.
An unexpected voice sent a jolt through Nicole’s nerves. “Were you going to leave without saying hello?”
Nicole gently closed the thick door of the safe and it clicked shut. Without turning around, Nicole uttered, “Hi Mom.”
Nicole tapped her fingers on the cool metal of the safe. She didn’t want to turn around but there would be no avoiding it, she supposed. Nicole turned and met eyes with her mom. Mom looked like an older version of Nicole: brown hair, green eyes, and strong cheekbones. Obviously, age had taken a toll on her, but looking at her was like peering into a mirror of the future. Mom stood at the edge of the desk and Nicole behind it. They stared uncomfortably with the thick air preventing either of them from moving. Mom’s fingers fidgeted; her anxiety obvious. What could really be said that wouldn’t be terribly awkward? Finally, Mom broke the silence. “Back from your latest adventure?”
Nicole nodded and said, “Yeah.”
Mom’s eyes looked up and down Nicole’s body, like she’d never seen her before. Like she wasn’t sure if it was really her. And almost like… she couldn’t believe Nicole still stood in one piece. Mom asked, “Everyone’s safe?”
“Everyone’s fine.” Although Nicole said it, she wasn’t sure if that was the truth. Since she arrived back with Courtney, she hadn’t heard from her. After the encounter in Endless Life, there was no telling how she was.
Mom’s unsure eyes bounced in different directions. She took a step forward, then inched back. It would be impossible to narrow the space between them. Mom delicately said, “I don’t know why you insist on sneaking around. You don’t have to be so secretive. We’re more than a house with a safe. We’re your family. You can talk to us.”
Nicole nodded and forced a smile.
Frustration choked at Mom. “Jeremy asks about you all the time. It would be nice if you could see him…” Mom’s voice cracked and she paused. “…At least to say goodbye.”
Nicole’s eyes froze on Mom’s. A wave of unexpected grief consumed Nicole and caused her lips to pull back. She swallowed heavily, lifted her hand, and covered her eyes that threatened to unleash tears. Nicole gasped for air at the thought of losing Jeremy.
Nicole’s hand clenched to a fist and crashed onto the desk. The sting of the wood felt nice compared to everything else. Her moist, puffed eyes exposed themselves to Mom. Nicole’s soft voice cried out. “Jeremy can’t go. I’m not even over Ava yet.”
When Nicole said that, Mom saw a glimpse of the girl she once knew. Mom yearned to step around the desk and hug her daughter. And tell her that everything would be okay. But she knew Nicole would have none of it.
Nicole wiped her eyes. Her brown leather journal sat on the desk in front of her. Nicole reached for it, and in that instant, Mom noticed the black color of her fingernails.
Nicole said, “I’m sorry. I have to go. I’ll come back soon.” Nicole swiped the journal and stepped past her mom. Nicole sniffled, retained her composure, and darted out of the room.
Under her breath, Mom mumbled, “I love you…”
The melodious sound of a piano danced through the air. With a backpack strapped to her shoulders, Nicole emerged into a circular room on the 2nd floor of the hospital, where a rail overlooked a drop-off to the floor below. Her hand glided along the cool metal of the rail and she peeked below, past the huge statue of Jesus, at the man playing piano. His fingers moved elegantly across the keys; rather impressive for someone playing in a hospital.
Nicole reached an older woman with gray hair sitting behind a desk. The woman’s blank stare made her look like a zombie. Several awkward seconds passed. Apparently Nicole was going to have to initiate the conversation. “I’m here to see my brother. Jeremy Rogers.”
Without flinching, the woman responded, “Oh Jeremy. What a sweet boy. You must be Nicole. Head down the hall behind me and go left. Go past the double metal doors and a nurse will you bring you to his room.” Upon finishing her statement, the woman snapped back into her blank smile.
“O..okay. Thanks.” Nicole walked past her and down the long beige hall.
Cool, air-conditioned air grazed at Jeremy as he snuggled under blankets in his upright bed. He hated being here but at least the TV nestled high above the wall kept him company. Watching it provided a getaway; a way he could pretend he was somewhere else. And today, a history show brought him to the ancient Mayan world. Artists’ paintings and renderings gave him a glimpse into what life there used to be like. Modern-day haunting images of the crumbling ancient ruins teased him; he could only wish to see them in person. If only he had more time.
The door to his room clicked open. “Please not now,” Jeremy shouted, “it’s almost over!”
As the door inched open and the figure emerged, his eyes took precious seconds to decode who it was. “Nicole!” His face glowed and he couldn’t help but smile.
Nicole didn’t need to fake her enthusiasm. She flashed her teeth and a grin dimpled her cheeks. “Hey J.”
As Jeremy stared, he failed to find adequate words. He’d imagined this moment for so long but never thought about what he’d do if it actually arrived. With the TV still blaring away, Jeremy pointed to it and, hoping to impress her, declared, “I’m watching the Mayans.”
The TV showed her the top of an ancient Mayan temple. A narrator’s deep voice began to explain the topic but Jeremy interrupted him. “The Mayans used to do this ritual where they would paint someone blue, cut out their heart while it was still beating, and offer it as a sacrifice to the gods…” Remembering who he was talking to, he added, “…but you knew that already, right?” Old drawings of the ritual flashed on the screen. The images splashed with blood and usually consisted of a group of people holding one person down. She’d seen these pictures plenty of times before. But now, after what Tolrik had told her, it seemed to hit her in a different way. She looked back at Jeremy and said, “Yes I knew. But I’m impressed that you do... and that you’re so interested.”
A great sense of pride swelled within him as he gazed admirably at Nicole, starstruck to actually see her. With the bed remote, Jeremy clicked off the TV.
Nicole asked, “So how are you doing?”
“I’m good.”
Nicole lowered her backpack to the floor and sat in the chair next to his b
ed. She looked at him up close. Jeremy’s head was bald and he had no eyebrows. Despite that, he looked good. The adorable quality he always had was still present, even at this age, which she was somewhat sure was sixteen.
Jeremy never felt particularly comfortable when people stared at him. He looked different from everyone else and could only imagine how people judged him. Nonetheless, he looked into her green eyes and said, “Thanks for coming. I was worried you wouldn’t.”
The hum of the air conditioner buzzed away. Nicole hadn’t noticed it until now, when she felt smallest. Though Jeremy was her brother, it was a long time since she’d seen him. She couldn’t help but feel undeserving of the admiration he felt for her. She leaned forward, and said, “Of course I’d come.”
Jeremy said, “I wish I could come with you on one of your adventures…”
Nicole forced a smile. She would love that. But the truth that hung over her was this was likely the last time she would ever see him. Her eyes grew stressed and she said, “Maybe one day you can be my partner.”
Jeremy’s enthusiasm nearly launched him out of the bed. “And we can solve ancient mysteries together!”
Nicole rubbed her forehead, covered her eyes, and chuckled. “Yeah…” When she pulled her hand away, a renegade tear drove down her cheek.
Jeremy tempered his energy, sat back, and asked, “Why are you crying?”
