We're the Last

by G Sasaki

  In a move that lasted a fraction of a second, Jeremy folded his right wing in toward his body and extended his left wing. With that one wing extended, he flapped as hard as he could. The Giant swiped at Jeremy with incredible strength but before he knew it, Jeremy was gone. Jeremy felt The Giant’s monstrous hand whoosh by as his feet rose above and danced over The Giant’s head. Jeremy flipped cleanly over and appeared behind him, giving The Giant no time to react.

  This was it. Jeremy’s hands gripped the sides of The Giant’s enormous head, like holding a barrel. Jeremy kicked his feet into The Giant’s back and, using every fiber of muscle and even flapping his wings, he spun The Giant’s head. The attack landed so viciously, The Giant’s head spun completely around, shattering the bones of his neck and ripping the muscles clean. Without support, The Giant’s lifeless head flopped to his shoulders.

  The Giant’s wings stopped flapping and his limp body instantly fell toward the ocean. With him, Hailey tumbled through the air, flipping ungracefully. She flailed her arms and kicked her feet as The Giant’s body dove next to her. Jeremy threw back his wings to fly down and catch her, but didn’t need to.

  Alex, flying at full speed, met up with Hailey, swooped her in his arms, and dodged The Giant’s falling body. Now with Alex, Hailey wrapped her arms around his neck as the two flew over the rippling water. Hailey gazed into Alex’s eyes and smiled. “Nice catch.”

  Alex’s lipless mouth produced a slender grin as they flew over the choppy waters.

  Jeremy soared behind Alex as they headed toward the shore where hundreds of bats stood watching. The Giant’s body crashed into the ocean and water splashed high into the sky. Jeremy smirked at the wind that blew in his face.

  He did it.

  55

  “Bring me to the beach.”

  Alex looked worriedly at Hailey. Hundreds of bats stood there waiting. Now that The Giant was dead, the chance of using Nicole’s method of changing everyone back died with him. How would they respond to that? His heart pattered nervously for their safety. Although Jeremy had somehow taken down The Giant, there was no way they could take on the army at the beach. Nonetheless, Alex zeroed in on the shore.

  When they arrived, he placed Hailey on the sand. It felt good to be on her feet again. The crisp grains of sand felt welcoming under her toes. Alex stepped next to her and behind them, the heroic Jeremy landed. The three looked at the bats that stared back at them.

  In the minds of the Washington High bats, the Unstables, and whatever outcasts might have stumbled in, Hailey was a frightening force. There would be no battling, no fighting, no tearing of skin from her body. The savagery they had shown before was gone, replaced with bewilderment. They would wait and listen for the girl they knew as the Chosen One to speak.

  Naked, Hailey felt like one of them. She hadn’t changed physically, but she had endured the emotional trial of the last two weeks. Just like they had. The bats in front of her were crazy, disillusioned, and many had been deceived. Unlike Hailey, none of them knew how they ended up this way. She stepped forward. She analyzed the human eyes dwelling on her. Some of the bats were her height, probably her age. She might have even known some of them at one point. She didn’t know what they wanted to hear her say. Quite honestly, she didn’t care. They had all betrayed her. She understood why; they just wanted to everything to go back to the way it was. But it was clear that might not ever happen.

  In this new world, with her bare skin, she was an imposter. Hailey spoke loudly and practically shouted, “The world doesn’t need to be saved. Until things change, this is how it will be. Maybe someday, we’ll turn back. And things can be like they were. Or maybe… this is how we’ll be forever.” Hailey looked at Alex and imagined the way he used to be. She hoped she could bring that back and would do whatever she could to make it happen. She continued, “This isn’t the end of the world. It’s the beginning. Take this new chance we’ve been given.” Hailey examined the sea of hundreds of bats silently taking in her every word. She knew some of them would never lose the lunacy ravaging their minds. “Your desire to be human again may never go away. But if you continue to act on it, if you continue to kill, we will strike you down. If you question that, look behind you.” The body of The Giant floated on the water and tossed with the waves. “It’s time for you to leave. All of you.”

  The masses of bats silently looked at each other. There was no doubt among them now: she was the Chosen One. They would not test her words. One bat flew into the sky. Then another. And another. Soon, every bat on the beach spread its wings and took to the sky. They scattered and flew away in different directions until the beach in front of them became empty.

  Hailey, Alex, and Jeremy looked to the sky. The bats had received her message. Hopefully some would move on with their lives. Undoubtedly, some never would. In this new world, they could only hope for a gradual revert to sanity. For everyone on the beach that day, they would never forget what she and her friends did. The hope that died two weeks ago had been resurrected. And like word of the Chosen One, it would spread.

  56

  The dark sky sprinkled with stars and the pale white light of the moon reflected off the rippling ocean. Crickets chirped a song and a cool breeze tingled their skin as they stood on top of the archway of stone. Hailey, Alex, Grace, Mike, and Jeremy. The thick twine tied around Hailey’s neck held the pouch that rested on her chest. The moonlight offered them just enough light to allow them to say goodbye.

  Jeremy had grown to love his friends. Hailey’s mission of finding Alex was over. And he had helped. But now that he was out of the hospital and free from the fears that kept him grounded, it was time for him to do what he always wanted.

  Hailey leapt forward and hugged him. “I’m going to miss you, Jeremy.” Jeremy looked into her green eyes and offered a reassuring smile. She stepped away and Grace immediately filled the void, wrapping her arms around him. “I’ll never forget you.” Jeremy smiled.

  When Grace detached from him, Mike casually held out his hand, offering a shake. Instead, Jeremy sprung ahead and hugged him. Jeremy said to Mike’s understanding ears, “Thank you for making me fly.” Mike chuckled and responded, “It wasn’t me… that was all you.” Jeremy pulled back from Mike, nodded at him, and turned to Alex. “Hailey risked everything to find you. Take good care of her.” Alex moved in and wrapped his arms around him. Alex’s shrills said, “Thank you for everything, Jeremy.”

  Jeremy stood back and his strained eyes looked at the four of them. Each couple had one human and one bat. He would see them all again, he was sure of that. Maybe then they would all look human again. For their sakes, he hoped so.

  Jeremy held up his hand and gave a single wave. With it, he nodded and bid them farewell. He turned to leave when Hailey’s voice stopped him. “Jeremy! If you start to change back, make sure you’re somewhere safe.” Jeremy smiled. She was worried he might be over the middle of the ocean while he started to change back. He’d make sure to get to land if that happened. Typical of Hailey… always looking out for her friends. Jeremy didn’t respond. She wouldn’t understand him. Instead, he placed a hand on her shoulder, gazed into her eyes, and nodded.

  Without delay, Jeremy took a few wide strides toward the ocean and dove off the rock. His body missiled toward the water below, and when he was inches from it, he spread his wings and glided over the surface. He stuck a finger into the water and created a trail as he flew. His wings pulled back and he lifted even with the horizon. There were so many places he had only seen from the TV at the hospital. Now he had a chance to see any of them. But first, he would make his way to the most mysterious place of all: Umboi Island. For all he’d heard about the Heart of Man, he couldn’t help but think there was something more to it. That shadow figure in the heart… what was that? He would find the Heart of Man, he would talk to it, and he would get his answers. For Jeremy, the adventure was just beginning. He smiled as he took off and flew toward his unknown future.

  As the
y watched Jeremy disappear into the black of night, Grace’s hand rested comfortably in Mike’s. She wondered: in another world, perhaps her hand would still be in his. She liked to think she would have eventually given in to his goofy attempts to ask her out. Maybe they would have gone to prom together. Now the future between them was a question at best. When he was done changing and she stayed the same, things would be difficult. Grace looked at Hailey and Alex, who, after all they had been through, embraced.

  Grace’s fear was Hailey’s reality. Hailey had looked for Alex knowing they would be different. For all that time, she ignored that fact. Now, she would have to face it head on. But first, she just wanted to be with him. She pressed against Alex’s furry body and tried to hold back the tears that battled her eyes. Her tears represented an even mixture of sorrow and overwhelming joy. Hailey pushed her face against his chest and mumbled, “I was worried I’d never see you again.”

  Alex looked at Mike, wanting him to translate what he was about to say. Mike understood and nodded for him to speak. Alex said, “Every day, all I could think about was you. I looked everywhere. I went to your house. I’m sorry I look like this now.”

  As Mike said Alex’s words, Hailey buried her eyes into his shoulder. “Don’t be sorry for that. I’m sorry I can’t look like you. I don’t know what will happen from here. But everything I did, I did so I could see you. And I’m glad I get to. Because I want you to remember that no matter what… I love you.”

  Alex gazed into Hailey’s eyes. Her lips bounced as she tried to smile. That she went through so much to find him meant so much. Despite the world standing between them, she had fought with all her heart. Alex said through Mike, “I love you too Hailey. Regardless of what happens next.”

  They had traveled to the nearest home on Andrene Avenue for some well-deserved sleep. At first, it was a bit awkward to figure out who would sleep where. But ultimately, they decided it would be safest to stick together. Hailey and Grace slept on the queen-sized bed and Alex and Mike took the floor next to them.

  Hailey doubted any of them would sleep at all. It would certainly be hard for her. The blankets of the bed hugged her and kept her warm. But her eyes stayed wide open. She rested on her back and stared at the ceiling. She could hear the soft, relaxed breathing of her friends. So many thoughts raced in her mind. She turned over and, through the darkness, made out the outline of Grace. She nudged her and whispered, “You awake?”

  Grace shifted and faced Hailey. “Yes.”

  Hailey couldn’t see her face but could imagine it. That was good enough for now. She knew the boys had superhuman hearing so she whispered as softly as she could. “What do we do now?”

  Grace stared ahead at the dark abyss leading to Hailey’s face. “I don’t know. There’s one thing we could do. But are we capable? Can we really do it?”

  Hailey’s mind reeled. She didn’t know the answer. If they did attempt it, wouldn’t that make them the same as The Giant? How could they find someone that deserved such treatment? Was there someone?

  Of all the people who had died and all the people Hailey had killed, only one more needed to go.

  Hailey rested her arm over Grace’s body, supremely relieved to even have her alive. The hours passed as Hailey calculated and considered every possibility.

  Grace’s eyes opened as she emerged from a deep sleep. She stretched her muscles, amazed at how much better she felt. Light crept through the curtains on the window and for the first time, she could see the detail in the room. She leaned over and glanced at the floor. Mike laid on his back, sound asleep with his mouth wide open. Grace laughed. Luckily, he hadn’t changed overnight. He still looked the same.

  She looked next to her on the bed, and naturally, Hailey was gone. Just like at the high school. Her first reaction was to panic. But she didn’t. She knew Hailey wouldn’t disappear again. Wherever she had gone was important and surely, she would be back. Then, Grace noticed a piece of paper peeking out from under the white sheet where Hailey should have been. Grace grabbed the paper and read the words resting on the page. Don’t worry! Just at the beach. Maybe I’ll clean myself off in the ocean. Come meet me if I’m still gone! Grace smirked. Hailey just couldn’t help herself.

  Grace crawled over the bed and peeked at a sound-asleep Alex. The two boys looked like sleepy puppies. “Wake up puppy-boys!”

  Mike uttered, “Puppy-boys?”

  The birds chirped. The sun lent its rays and a gentle breeze comforted them. Alex took a deep breath. For the first time since that night two weeks ago, he felt relaxed. He felt good. It was the beginning of a beautiful day. Grace, who found some suitable fresh clothes at the home they spent the night in, led the way as she, Alex, and Mike hiked toward the path to the beach. The could already hear the soft crash of the waves. It felt like nothing could go wrong now.

  They arrived at the parking lot where the Washington High bats first brought them when they came to Pirate’s Cove. So much had seemed hopeless then. Maybe things still were. But at least they were all together. Mike was the first to spot Hailey walking up the path toward them.

  At first, all they could see was her head bobbing as she took one step after another. The grass stood tall and concealed the rest of her. Her face ascended into view and the blood that had smeared all over it yesterday was gone. She looked fresh… and pretty. She wore clothes now too: a comfortable shirt and some pants. The necklace rested around her neck with the pouch safely secured. As she kept walking, they all noticed what she held in her hand: a big machete. The blade looked sharp and clean and reflected the sun’s light. Despite the calm on Hailey’s face, Alex, Grace, and Mike looked at each other, each gauging to see what the other thought.

  What was she doing with that blade?

  Hailey spotted them. A smile involuntarily crawled on her face. She saw Mike and Grace. They were a cute couple. And they deserved to stay that way. She looked at Alex: helplessly stuck as a bat. Hailey had done a lot of thinking about what they should do next. It took her all night, but she made a decision.

  Hailey said, “This all ends tonight.”

  Grace asked, “What do you mean?”

  Hailey casually lifted the machete. They all knew what she meant.

  Grace asked, “Who’s going to do it? And where will we find someone?”

  Two weeks ago, she could never think of doing such a barbaric thing. But now? She could. Easily. Yesterday, when she stood face to face with The Giant, she knew. The person inside of her wasn’t the same. She wasn’t a nice girl anymore. On that night, two weeks ago, the old Hailey died with everyone else. And that was alright. It started when she killed her brother and was forced to shoot her dad. She had felt something inside her change. Every horrible experience since then had battered her heart and made her numb, until now, she could barely feel at all. When she slaughtered all those people at the grade school, that’s when she should have known. Because in some ways, she enjoyed that. Now, she had no fear. Her heart held no empathy. She just didn’t care. The person residing inside was dark. Ruthless. Not the frightened girl who stood by and watched Alex’s fingers break backwards during lunch. Now, when she thought of jabbing this blade into someone’s chest to dig through their insides, she felt unfazed. Whoever was picked to have their heart cut out was irrelevant. It didn’t matter if that person lived a good life and deserved nothing but the best. That person needed to die. Hailey wasn’t a bad person. Just different. Just someone who had adapted.

  More than anything, she was just someone who loved her friends. And cared about nothing else. She looked at Grace, at Mike, and at Alex. This was as happy an ending she could imagine after all she’d been through. Just one more act of insane brutality. After tonight, Mike and Grace would get to stay together. And she and Alex would never be apart again. The world? Maybe it would rebuild. Maybe something new would come of it. Saving the world? She didn’t care. The sun smirked at Hailey’s face, massaging her skin and illuminating her green eyes. All that matters…
is that the four of us will be together.

  Hailey calmly answered Grace. “I’m going to do it. Where are we going to find someone? The same spot we found Victor. It’ll be one of those men who killed our dog… who tried to kill us. We’re going back to the grocery store.”

  A sense of dread permeated through the air. Despite that, Hailey stood tall.

  And for the first time since that night, she smiled wide.

  ?

  The young boy’s human eyes widened as if he’d seen a ghost. In a flash, he turned his furry naked body and disappeared into the endless brush. The green of infinite leaves parted as he vanished from sight.

  “Hey! Wait!” Jeremy’s feet pumped into action and he followed through the newly-cleared path.

  As Jeremy navigated the tightly-woven maze of the forest, his eyes desperately locked onto his target. This little boy embraced his new animal physique and ran ahead on all fours, easily dodging the trees and branches that prodded at Jeremy. The boy’s small wings flapped back, providing him a boost that allowed him to inevitably inch away.

  Until, that is, he bursted out of the forest into a wide-open space. As Jeremy plowed into the sun-soaked sight, he knew he’d made it.

  Opai Village. Umboi Island.

  The village closely resembled what he’d imagined in his mind. Huts of varying sizes sat in front of him and a lake just ahead blew a breeze that eased through his lungs. But it wasn’t right. The gentle wind practically howled in a desperate attempt to cover up the oddly glaring silence. Other than the swaying trees and bending blades of grass, all remained totally still.

  The boy’s dog-like running came to a stop just yards in front of Jeremy. The boy slowly stood to his feet and tucked his wings behind his shoulders. His head turned to meet his eyes with Jeremy’s.