by M. A. Torres
“He’s not...” stated the Gray Hoodie.
“What... what do you mean?”
“I bring words from Raven himself. The Kevin we seek is much younger than previously thought. Raven heard it in the tone of his voice, and he saw it in the build of his body. The Kevin we seek is no older than thirteen years...”
“Thirteen years?” repeated Shade. He glanced at the others. “We’ve been stressing, preparing, and training... to battle a middle schooler?”
The Gray Hoodie handed Shade a manila folder. “Inside is information on the two Kevins attending Wakefield and William Bennett Middle Schools.”
Shade opened the folder and leafed through its contents.
“He is young, but he wields a powerful sword. This middle schooler is allied with the one who wields the magic war hammer. These two together wounded our beloved Raven and are preventing him and Vengara from joining our world.”
Shade nodded. “I did not mean to underestimate our foe...”
“I know, Shade. You and your group are rational and intelligent. That’s why you four were chosen as the champions of the rising gods. I do not doubt we will accomplish our goals and bring great change to this desperate world of ours.” The Gray Hoodie approached the teardrop intruder. “Dahlia... are you more comfortable with your given powers?”
“Yes, Leader, I am. I have garnered improved control of Raven’s earthen abilities. I can command the surrounding foliage, make it do my bidding. I have just begun using Whispawn’s wind and lightning abilities, but I have yet to test Parelore’s powers.”
The Gray Hoodie placed a hand on Dahlia’s shoulder. “I’m so proud of the mage you are becoming. Keep up your efforts; before long, you will gain enough command over the elements that you’ll become a savior to humanity.”
“Thank you. I will do it eagerly and passionately,” she said.
The Gray Hoodie stepped before the smiling mask. “Spade. The wielder of the famed curved blade of the Void.”
Spade gave him a quick nod. “I will continue to do my best to protect Dahlia and Shade. If we find the dark knight Kevin and his ally, you can count on me to strike the fatal blow.”
The Gray Hoodie touched his masked face. “I have no doubt of that.”
Then he approached the fourth masked individual—the one with the slit bisecting the left eye. “Squall...”
“Leader, I train daily with the scythe. No harm will come to any of my fellow Whiteface Knights. Those preventing the saviors of our world from coming forth will fall.”
The Gray Hoodie nodded with approval. “I have just one more request of you all.”
‘Yes, Leader!’
“We can have no more collateral deaths. If we are truly just in our motivations, then no more innocent blood must be shed. The Wakefield Police are deepening their efforts to find those who have disappeared. They are actively searching for the four masked individuals who crashed last night’s party. Stay within the shadows. Do not strike until your target is alone.”
“Yes, Leader,” said Shade. “We will be as discreet as possible from here on out.”
“Thank you, my valiant knights. Now, as you will see in the documents I provided, two young Kevins remain. Leave the Martinez kid for last. He is weak and unremarkable. I would begin with the other. I am positive he is the one.”
Shade bowed. “We will do as you instruct, Leader!”
The Gray Hoodie raised both hands before the Whiteface Knights. “The power of the Void will shroud you all—now and always,”
‘Now and always!’
“Now go, my Knights of Whiteface. The hour is almost upon us. We must eliminate Kevin and his allies before the Wakefield Carnival of Pines. That is the night Vengara and Raven will finally arrive!”
“It will be done well before then, Leader,” said Shade.
The four masked knights bowed to the Gray Hoodie and started towards the house’s front door.
As the others exited, Shade paused and turned back. “Leader, a last word, please.”
“Of course, Shade.”
Shade approached him. “I have become concerned with my abilities. I have noticed my body weakening, and I sicken after I use my gift. Will this ever go away?” he whispered.
“Shade, you were given the greatest gift of all—the power of life itself. Grimm’s gift is not to be used indiscriminately. When Emory vanished, only he was left with a semblance of that power. It was given to you to save your allies in case one was struck down. To heal and bestow life comes at a cost; a cost to you—the caster.”
“A cost?” asked Shade.
“A cost to your spirit, to your soul, to your health...”
“Why wasn’t I told of this before?”
“It shouldn’t be permanent. You recover—in time.”
Shade glanced towards the door. “Why doesn’t this happen with the others?”
“It does... but to a lesser degree. As I mentioned previously, your power is superior to your companions, thus the greater requirement of your self’s essence.”
“I will fight with everything I have then. I will rid this town of the powerful evil knight named Kevin.”
“I have no doubt, Shade. Until we meet again...”
“Till we meet again...” Shade turned and exited the house.
Chapter Twenty-One:
An Unlikely Ally?
“Hurry your bony behind, Martinez! My grandma can run faster than that, and she’s been dead for ten years!” screamed Coach Vicks.
That doesn’t make sense. How can your grandma run if she’s dead? Moron!
Kevin was sweating profusely. He completed his fifth lap around the gym and hoped Coach Vicks would turn his attention to the other unathletic kids—the ones he knew were barely on their third lap.
The cramping reared its ugly head on the left side of his thorax. He braced himself and mustered on. Just then, Matthew ran past him, and he realized he had just been lapped.
Thanks a lot, Matt Bratt!
Luckily, Coach Vicks had not noticed. However, he was now hollering at Jake, who was well behind Kevin.
“Pick up those knees, Stevens! Breathe in through your nose and out your mouth! You look like a dying donkey!”
Jake was lumbering along, trying to follow Coach Vicks’ instructions but failing miserably. His jog was heavy and laborious; his shirt was stained wet, the sweat dripped off the tip of his nose.
Luckily, Olivia was not present to witness their humiliation. The girls were outside with Coach Moore, who was supervising the pull-up and dips evaluation, a test Kevin was sure he’d do poorly in, too. He just hoped Coach Vicks would not be the one conducting it.
Kevin was giving his all, trying to prevent Coach Vicks from noticing him again. Improving his endurance would help him in his future battles, and that made the effort seem worthwhile.
Zander was struggling too; he jogged with a frown, the sweat thick on his forehead. He slowed and held his side. Kevin caught him moments after, and they jogged side by side.
“Good job... Kevin...” Zander said.
“My neighbor... is... onto... you,” said Kevin between breaths.
Zander looked at him, confused. Moments later, he realized what Kevin was referring to. “Oh, that... got good... money... for that... snowman.”
“You better...watch out. I told you... before. She’s a... witch!”
“Okay... Kevin,” he said in a dismissive tone.
Coach Vicks remained with the boys for the pull-up and dips test, to their dismay. The buff coach led them to the pull-up and dip bars. The boys created two lines. Unfortunately, Kevin took position behind Rodney and Jimmy, who were the first ones up.
Rodney was a pull-up machine. He completed thirteen before he could pull up no more. Jimmy did less, but still an impressive ten.
“You’re up, geek! Try not to launch yourself to the sky with those guns you’re packing!” mocked Jimmy.
Some around them chuckled.
Kevin t
ightened his fist.
“Psst, let this one go. Be smart with the fights you pick,” whispered Zander from behind.
Kevin released the tension in his fist.
When and how did Zander Jeffers become my voice of reason?
“Martinez! We don’t have all day!” hollered Coach Vicks. “Let’s see how much power is in those twigs you call arms!”
Kevin grabbed onto the horizontal bar. He pulled up with everything he had. His biceps swelled and trembled with effort. They felt as if they would pop. Kevin gritted his teeth and pulled his chin up over the bar.
“ONE!” Coach Vicks announced to everyone in earshot.
Kevin extended his elbows and prepared to pull up again. He kicked his legs for an extra boost, and his arms lifted him, but only half the height. He squirmed and kicked some more, but his elbows could not bend more than halfway—not enough to qualify for repetition two. Unable to pull any further, his hands finally gave, and he dropped back to the ground.
“Wow, Martinez! One whole pull-up. You did better than three of the girls!”
Laughter ensued. Matthew and Jake shook their heads. Kevin walked past, and both gave him an encouraging shoulder pat.
The dip evaluation was not much better. Kevin mustered only three reps—far less than the twenty Rodney and Zander completed.
Kevin’s head was hung in disappointment as Zander returned from his portion of the test. “Don’t sweat it, Kevin. You might just be a late bloomer,” he consoled. “Besides, I would trade all my dips and pull-ups for a brain like yours.”
“What?”
“You heard me. I wish I were as smart as you... when it came to school.”
“You’re smart, Zander.”
“My grades are proof of your lie.”
“Dude, you just need to study.”
“I do study. Well, I just recently started to study. We’ll see if it pays off when we get our report cards.”
Kevin patted his shoulder. “I’m sure it will be better than all the others. Even Mr. Bruily says you’re doing better than before.”
After the dip test, Coach Vicks dismissed the class with some words of inspiration. “Now make sure you boys don’t pork-up during the Christmas holidays! Make time to go out and play a sport instead of plastering your flabby behinds on those comfy chairs playing Forknight, or whatever it is you pansies play nowadays!”
‘IT’S FORTNITE!’ corrected some students.
“Whatever!”
“THAT WAS BRUTAL,” COMPLAINED Jake as they approached their lockers. He wiped the sweat off his forehead with a paper towel. Kevin could tell his arms would be dead sore come tomorrow.
Robbie took one look at their flustered faces and was taken aback. “What happened to you guys? Did you guys run a marathon or something?”
“Fitness testing in P.E.,” said Jake.
“Oh no.” He, too, was lacking the athletic gene. “What are they having us do?”
“Pull-ups, dips, laps,” informed Kevin.
“Oh, great. I can’t do pull-ups!”
“Me either. I did just one,” said Kevin.
“So, Robbie, anything show on last night’s footage?” asked Jake as he pulled a textbook from his locker.
“I haven’t looked at it yet. But I have the SD card in my pocket. I’ll get to it tonight.”
“So we’re still going to burn the field today, right?” asked Matthew.
Jake and Kevin looked at Robbie.
Robbie nodded. “We are. We would need to create a non-flammable barrier around the field, so the fire doesn’t spread. Then we can douse the field and fire it up!”
“Okay! You have all the stuff we’ll need?” asked Matthew.
“Yes, I do.”
“Of course you do, what was I thinking?”
“We’ll do it after school. But everyone must be ready to get out of there when it lights. We don’t want to get caught,” said Robbie.
Kevin and Jake nodded in agreement.
Just then, Sylvia Landry walked up, her books pressed against her chest. Her face was full of worry, and the anxiousness was evident in her fidgety manner.
“Robbie... can I speak with you?” she asked.
Robbie’s eyes widened at her disheveled appearance. “Sylvia, what’s wrong?”
Sylvia took his hand and pulled him away. The boys exchanged a quick, intrigued glance.
“Must be something serious,” assumed Matthew.
They spoke by the entrance to the restrooms. It was an intense conversation. Sylvia’s eyebrows twisted with worry and concern. Before long, they walked around the corner and out of view.
“I hope everything is okay with her,” mentioned Kevin.
Matthew placed his arm around Kevin’s shoulder. “C’mon, we’ll ask him about it later.”
Matthew and Kevin made their way to Ms. Chase’s math class, which was not too far from their present location.
“Hello, boys,” she greeted them as they entered.
“Hi, Ms. Chase,” they said simultaneously.
The boys took their seats beside each other. Kevin pulled out his math notebook and opened it to a blank sheet.
“Still in karate, Kevin?”
Kevin was surprised to see Ms. Chase standing before him.
“Huh? Karate? Oh yeah. I mean, yes, ma’am. I still am. In fact, I have a lesson tomorrow.”
Miss Chase smiled. “That’s good, Kevin. How long have you been taking lessons?”
Kevin thought for a bit. “Hm, I think it’s been a month or two.”
“Is Mr. Chew a good instructor?”
“Yes. He knows a lot. He also knows how to sword fight.”
Ms. Chase’s eyes widened with surprise. “Oh, wow. Does he offer sword fighting lessons?”
“Not to the public. But he has given me lessons before.”
“Oh.” Miss Chase nodded once again.
There was a silent pause as Ms. Chase seemed to contemplate in her head.
“Were you interested in joining his karate class?” asked Kevin, breaking the silence.
“Oh, no. I was just curious. I do yoga myself, but I used to take karate when I was young.”
“You did? With Mr. Chew?”
“Oh no, no. Back in my hometown, far away from here. I took karate lessons for a few years. Didn’t get to black belt, though. I doubt I remember anything now. However, I also used to fence in high school.”
“Fence?”
“Yes, it’s a form of sword fighting. Very fun.”
The tardy bell rang.
“Nice talking to you, Kevin.” Ms. Chase returned to her desk.
“Nice talking to you, too,” he responded.
Matthew leaned in towards Kevin. “Dude, if Ms. Chase joined karate, I would join too,” he whispered.
“I think everyone would,” agreed Kevin. “Speaking about joining karate, I’m going to ask Mr. Chew if you and Jake can join my sword fighting lessons!”
“You are? Why? Jake and I don’t use swords.”
“Think about it! I’m sure some techniques will transfer to your weapon. We can spar with each other. It’ll help us either way, by improving our reflexes and our melee skills!”
Matthew thought for a moment. “I guess that would be good. I’ve been twirling a broomstick around at home, poking my shadow. I don’t know any proper moves with it. I wish I had a spear fighting manual or something!”
Kevin gasped. “Matthew, there was a book at the library that taught all kinds of fighting techniques! It had a section on spear fighting!”
“There was?”
“I saw it the night we went with David and Jenny!”
“Oh. We need to go check it out as soon as possible!”
“Definitely.”
Ms. Chase stood before the class and cleared her throat. “Okay, students, we’re going to pair up into groups for today’s assignment,” she announced.
‘Yeeey!’ cheered the students
“However, your par
tner will be assigned at random.”
‘Noooo!’ complained the students.
“I like you guys so much I’m offering an opportunity to earn some extra credit.”
‘Yeah!’ the students cheered.
“Whichever group solves the following equation first will get an automatic hundred on their next exam.”
‘Oooooooh.’ The class seemed enticed by the challenge.
Ms. Chase randomized the groups and read them out.
“Kevin Martinez and Alexa Donnelly.”
Kevin and Alexa looked at each other. Alexa was a smart girl, so Kevin was pleased to have partnered with her. However, he wondered if she was still angry at him for the food fight incident. After all, it was his Sloppy Joe that had splattered her first.
Kevin took the desk beside her and scooted it close.
“Hi,” he said tentatively.
Alexa was wearing her cheerleading uniform. Her brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail and tied with a red and black bow—the colors of Wakefield Middle.
Alexa looked at him—her face none too pleased. “You’re smart. Let’s just win this and we’re done,” she said.
“Well, okay.”
They sat silently as the others paired up.
Kevin cleared his throat. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry about dirtying you up in the food fight. I didn’t know the slop would go off Jimmy’s face and land on you.”
Alexa frowned. “I was wearing a brand-new outfit. I had to throw it away.”
Kevin frowned himself. “Don’t you have a washing machine?”
“You can’t clean oil off certain fabrics, Kevin.”
“Oh.”
“Well, I said I was sorry.”
Alexa didn’t respond. They sat in silence for the rest of the time it took the class partner up.
Suddenly, Alexa turned to him, a frown still on her face. “What did you guys do to Olivia? She hangs out with you more than she does with us.”
“Huh?” Kevin was caught off-guard by her question. “We didn’t do anything.”
“Well, she’s not sitting with us at lunchtime, and she’s not hanging out with us on weekends. We used to be so close. We used to be best friends—her, me, Maria, and Noemi.”
