Chronicles of Stephen BoxSet

by Kenyon T Henry

  “Yes, we have. I’m ready. I’m not afraid anymore.”

  Patty plucked a wildflower and twirled it in her fingers. “What were you afraid of?”

  “I was afraid that I’d fail and we’d never get to have a life together. I was also afraid that I might not be the right one for you. But, more than that, I was afraid to let you see every part of me. I’m not afraid. I finally understand that I don’t have to be at the end of my journey to share my life with you. You’re as much a part of the journey as anyone else, and more.”

  “I don’t know,” she said with a grin, turning away.

  Stephen realized she was being coy. He saw inside her mind that she knew exactly what he meant. But he’d play along. She would make him, even if he didn’t want to. She had that power over him.

  He smiled. “Marry me, now!”

  Patty looked around. “I don’t see a preacher, or even a judge.” She pointed to the elephants. “Will the elephant perform the ceremony?”

  Stephen scooped her up in his arms, like lifting a feather. Her feet dangled off to the side. They laughed and Patty threw her arms around Stephen’s neck. Stephen replied, “We could be in front of a judge or preacher in no time. I’m pretty fast, you know.”

  “Are you as fast as Superman?”

  “Maybe,” he said. “We could find out.”

  “How about, instead, we get married this weekend? I’d like to have some friends and family there.” Patty stuck her bottom lip out, as though she were pouting.

  Stephen kissed her, letting the kiss linger a moment before releasing her to stand in front of him. He pulled a ring from his shirt pocket. It was a simpler and more elegant diamond ring than the one before, also in white gold—more fitting to Patty’s taste. “This belonged to Waltz’s mother. I know he’d be pleased for you to have it.”

  “Yes,” she said, as he placed the ring on her finger.

  “This weekend will be perfect. We’ll head back and let everyone know. And we can put a small list together.” Stephen kissed her again, paying little attention to giggling young girls that watched from a short distance. “How many people do you want there?”

  “I don’t care,” Patty replied. “The Mighty are our family. I say let as many come as want to come. I want Kaylin there. And I’m hoping I can get my sister, Jess, to come. I’d like her to meet you before we’re married. I think she’s supposed to be home this weekend. The timing seems perfect! Of course, Mom will come.”

  The two turned and walked down the path, hand in hand. Hearing Patty talk about her family reminded him that he didn’t have anyone back in St. Louis. Still, it seemed wrong for him not to invite anyone from his old life that didn’t know him as Mighty. For some reason, he felt like he needed that connection to a normal life to represent all the years he spent with Waltz as a kid. Someone who didn’t know anything about Mighty.

  The more he thought, the harder it was. His first thought was Johnathan. Then he remembered that Johnathan was Vincent’s brother and that the two were supposed to be meeting at that very moment. The others in the office were decent enough people. However, none of them really knew him, other than the occasional chitchat. Johnathan would still be invited though.

  Stephen spoke up. “I think I’ll invite Danny.”

  “Who?” Patty asked.

  Stephen surprised himself. He hadn’t thought of Danny in a while. Officer Nokes had known Waltz and shared Stephen’s hardest moments in his life, Waltz’s death and funeral. “Officer Danny Nokes. He was there when Waltz passed. Plus, he knew Waltz and came to the funeral.”

  “Oh, right. I remember him.” Patty smiled. “He stopped by a time or two to check in on you, right?”

  “Yeah, nice guy. I’d like for him to come, if he wants.”

  “Anything you want,” Patty said. “Do you think Pastor Buchanan would perform the wedding and let us get married in his church?”

  “I’ll ask.”

  Patty’s eyes lit up. “We’re really doing this!”

  Stephen nodded.

  “We’ve got to go,” Patty squealed. “There’s a lot to do.”

  She tugged at Stephen, who laughed and stood his ground a moment, playing with Patty. Suddenly, he picked her up again, kissed her on the lips—a hard, passionate kiss—and carried her away. As soon as they rounded a corner behind a small stand where no one paid attention, he whisked her away using his amulet, back to Enclave where both began making preparations for their big day.

  ****

  Stephen walked into the training room and sat down in the observation area next to Vincent, who had a habit of arriving at least thirty minutes early for training session, giving him extra time to meditate.

  “Mind if interrupt?” Stephen asked.

  Vincent shook his head. After a few seconds of silence, he turned toward Stephen. “How did you reconcile what happened with Bernie? I mean, one minute he is your uncle. Then you find that he is one of the bad guys.”

  Stephen understood what his friend felt. He’d been there himself, more than once. He wanted for one of his abilities to be able to take Vincent’s pain away. This pain, however, was one that needed to run its course, taking time to heal. Nothing he said could ever make sense of what happened with Elizabeth.

  “Vincent,” Stephen began. “I could tell you how I felt when I learned Uncle Bernie hid Bernard. Or I could tell you how I felt realizing I had been a fool. I should have known that Bernie’s behavior was a ruse. I can read minds. Instead, he used our relationship, knowing I’d feel comfortable enough to accept what he told me as long as there was a hint of truth for me to see. I wanted Uncle Bernie to be good.”

  Vincent stood and walked onto the floor. He held his hands out, motioning to the various weapons and training equipment on the walls. “But we are Mighty! We are the ones who are supposed to stand up to Fallen. Instead, some join them, while others are duped by them.”

  Stephen joined him on the floor. Tears gathered in Vincent’s eyes. Sensing the hurt, pain, and confusion, Stephen became filled with compassion. Lord, help him! He stopped directly in front of Vincent.

  “It’s not your fault. Despite it all, God has brought you through it, to be here. When I first met you, Waltz and Patty were your only friends. Heck, you didn’t really have Elizabeth, just a memory of her from your youth. Now, you have Shannon, who loves you. You have your dad back, and a brother. You have me and Alistair. And you are part of a larger family, the Mighty.”

  “And Mother?” Vincent asked.

  “Keep loving her,” Stephen replied, “and praying for her, as I do for Bernie. In the end, we do what we have to do to give people more time and to serve Almighty God.”

  “It will be hard.” Vincent’s head hung. He looked defeated.

  “Yes, it will. The most important things are. Going against the crowd, against what’s popular, is going to be tough. You saw all those people, the ones whose minds were controlled. They let themselves succumb to darkness, to be fooled like the masses. Many of whom we have seen walk these halls with us. Still, we have to be a light.”

  Vincent looked up, tears gone, but eyes still red. “Yes, a beacon, calling to all who are lost in the darkness, pointing the way home, even for Fallen.”

  Stephen reached up to Vincent’s shoulder and looked him in the eyes. “Especially Fallen.”

  The door open. Cassandra, Colvin, and Aidan walked onto the floor. Before they were done with greetings, Alistair and Bernard arrived also.

  Colvin slapped Stephen on the back. “Hey, Stephen. Are you enjoying your day off?”

  Stephen laughed. “Yeah, I am. Patty and I needed some time together. It’s funny, really.”

  “What?” Colvin squinted, as though looking for the answer.

  “The council told me to take the week off while they discussed the next step for my training. Instead, I took the time to consider the next stop for my life.”

  “What do ya’ mean?” Bernard joined in.

  Stephen stoo
d, as everyone drew near. “Well, Patty and I are getting married . . . this weekend.” Congratulations erupted from everyone. But, he hushed them so that he could continue. “Vincent, Patty asked me to speak with you.”

  Vincent cocked a single eyebrow. “Surely, you are not going to ask me to be the best man?”

  Stephen laughed. “No, heavens no! We’d like to ask if you would be okay with a double wedding.”

  Everyone looked at Vincent. Stephen didn’t read his mind or emotions, though it was tempting. Vincent’s reactions were seldom reflective of what he felt on the inside.

  After a moment, he said, “You cannot be serious.”

  Stephen laughed. “No, I’m not. But, being my best man doesn’t sound so bad now, does it? Patty’s asked Shannon to be the maid-of-honor,” Stephen continued. “She’s excited. What do you say?”

  Vincent attempted a smile. “I am honored. I accept.”

  “Alistair, Bernard . . .” Stephen smiled, offering his hand. “Will you be groomsmen?”

  Alistair grabbed hold with a single shake. “Seriously, I am honored.”

  “Me too,” Bernard followed.

  “Well, then,” Aidan said, “it sounds like there’s a Mighty wedding to plan.”

  Stephen couldn’t help but wonder, “A Mighty wedding? How’s a Mighty wedding different?”

  Casandra’s eyes sparkled as she replied, “You’ll see.”

  Chapter 26

  Stephen approached the council chambers, unsure of why he had been summoned. For him at least, standing before the council was never an entirely good experience. He walked in to see the council and the David locked in a heated debate. Sam appeared to be the only one who noticed his presence. Stephen moved to go back through the door.

  Sam spoke up above everyone. “Stephen, stay. We are finishing up here.”

  Pastor Buchanan turned and winked at Stephen. “Actually, young Stephen here may be able to offer some insight to this mostly aging generation. Come here, Stephen.”

  Stephen reached out for the feelings in the room. They were mixed—frustration, agitation, angst—each person present felt these with various others. One member sat angry. Another, hurt. A third felt sad. What had he stepped into?

  “Stephen,” Pastor Buchanan began. “Do I look sick to you? Better still, look inside me. Am I sick?”

  Stephen looked around the council. He now understood the reason for such a heated debate. They were forcing him to choose a successor. Politics. Some of the council members he had come to know well over the past year. Others, he hadn’t spoken with since but maybe once. He turned to the David, looking for any sign of severe illness.

  “No,” Stephen replied. “He is very tired. And he’s been considering choosing a replacement for some time now. But circumstances must be weighed before a hasty decision is made.”

  The one Stephen recognized as Charles spoke up. “Regardless, I believe it’s time.”

  The old man’s mind sat unguarded. Before he considered it, Stephen dipped into the man’s thoughts, emotions, and consciousness. “You’re Alistair’s father?” The man looked very little like Alistair in the face, though Stephen noticed they appeared to have the same build.

  Pastor Buchanan’s eyes stayed on the council. “You didn’t know?”

  Stephen shook his head. “And you’re pushing for Alistair to be the successor. Seriously?” Stephen asked, a little louder than he meant.

  “You have a problem with Alistair being the successor?” Sam asked.

  It took Stephen a moment to register the question, as his mind was still processing all the information he had seen in Charles’ mind. “Uh, no! Alistair will make a fine leader . . . someday. I was just surprised to learn that Charles Stewart is descended from the royal House of Stewart. He’s always felt cheated, being from an illegitimate line of royalty. So, this is like a consolation prize to him.”

  “Really?” Anastasia and the other council members looked to Charles, as though waiting for an answer.

  Stephen, however, answered. “I know I’m not a council member. But, if I may, why not name Alistair as successor pro tem? He’s a good man, and wise. He’s from a younger generation than most of the council, yet old enough and experienced enough to lead. This would be a good opportunity for him to grow as a leader. And Alistair would only be needed in that capacity if Pastor Buchanan passes before naming a permanent successor. Right?”

  Stephen saw that several of the members considered what he had said. He decided to take it one step further. “I would make one more recommendation, however.” The members and Pastor Buchanan watched him, waiting on his reply. He had their attention. “To keep from the appearance of nepotism, I would think Charles should give up his position on the council.”

  “You can’t be serious?” Charles laughed. “That’s preposterous.”

  “Actually”—Pastor Buchanan toyed with the rim of his glasses—“that sounds like a reasonable compromise. It would take all the arguments off the table, unless someone has a problem with it.”

  Pastor Buchanan looked around the room to each council member. “Are there any concerns?”

  No one said a word, except for Charles. “So, you want me to give up my seat? Is that it?”

  “No, Charles,” Sam said. “We are asking you if you are willing to give up your seat to allow the David to appoint Alistair as successor pro tem. Besides, you have pointed to Benjamin’s age as a reason for him to name a successor, among other reasons. And I believe you are a year older than him.”

  Charles looked around at the other members before glaring at Stephen and offering his reply. “I hereby offer my retirement from the Council of Mighty effective at which time Alistair is appointed successor pro tem.”

  “Council members,” Sam said, “be thinking of who you would like to nominate to fill the upcoming vacancy.”

  Pastor Buchanan turned to Stephen. “Now, the reason you were asked here is twofold: the wedding, and your gifts.”

  The wedding? His gifts? Out of all the different scenarios that crossed Stephen’s mind, wedding plans was not one of them.

  Anastasia started the discussion. “You may have heard that there is a ceremony that is special to us. It is entirely your choice, of course, but we often have members of your ability class line up on either side, very much like a sabre guard at a military wedding. As you walk by, each kneels to sprinkle water on your feet, symbolic of our continued service to you and your spouse. While this may seem strange to the uninitiated, it is not so unordinary that it would be a problem. The bonding, however, is of concern. There are parts of the ceremony that cannot be explained away to the uninitiated. We will need a list of everyone who will be invited. We can make it so that they do not register what they see, as we did with Patty and Waltz’s shroud that was presented to you.”

  Stephen pulled out his phone and sent a text. Anastasia’s phone vibrated on the table. “That should be the list,” Stephen informed her.

  “And,” she continued, “we need to know what gifts to get you.”

  Stephen didn’t hesitate. “We don’t want gifts. You all know that Waltz left me wealthy. Business is good and continues to grow.” He scratched at his stubble as he thought. “Actually, Patty is very sentimental. There’s nothing we need. But I know you each have had interactions with her of some type over the past year. A simple personalized letter, perhaps wisdom or words of advice—she’d enjoy that. I would too, frankly.”

  Anastasia nodded.

  “Is that all?” Stephen asked.

  “No,” Sam said. “We need to discuss recent events. We’ve talked to everyone else, saving you for last. We felt it best to give you time to process what happened. We’d like you to share with us the events that took place starting with the mission and ending with Edge.”

  Stephen thought about how to begin, what to include. He wanted to make sure he left out no details. It had been a lot to take in. An idea came to him. Closing his eyes, he saw the events unfold again
, one by one linking the council and the David in so they would see exactly what he saw, and hear exactly what he heard. It was similar to a virtual video game, only they controlled nothing and only saw what Stephen saw in the memory.

  Through the red mist, walking through the factory, Bernie’s appearance, searching for and finding Elizabeth . . . Stephen felt their reactions as they watched Elizabeth reveal herself and later kill Edge. Then, in the clinic, each council member was amazed to see what took place, to hear the voice of God as Stephen had heard.

  When Edge opened his eyes, everyone returned to the present. No one moved. No one spoke. A couple sniffles broke the silence.

  “Is that how you felt?” Council Member Raina asked.

  “No,” Stephen replied. “As part of my gift, I pick up on the emotions of others around me. Their emotions feed and intensify my own. I hid my emotions from you in the memory, concerned that they could overwhelm you, as none of you are used to it. Sometimes, they seem too much for me. Any emotions you felt were your own.”

  “How do we know you didn’t concoct part of the vision?” a snippy Charles asked.

  “You don’t,” Stephen replied in usual frankness. “Me telling you my story would be no different, having the same dilemma. However, I remember that councilman Xiang has the ability to tell if someone is telling the truth. Does that apply to visions?” Stephen looked at Xiang, waiting for an answer.

  “Yes.” The Asian man grinned. “I can see when something is being hidden or not. My gift is not as detailed as yours. But I can say with certainty that what we saw and heard is exactly what Stephen saw and heard. There was no untruth to his vision.”

  Stephen turned away from the council to face Pastor Buchanan. “Patty would like to have the wedding in your church, with you officiating.” Stephen noticed how the old man’s eyes lit up upon hearing the new.

  “I’m honored. Of course we can use the church.”

  Stephen hugged Pastor Buchanan and walked toward the door.

  “Stephen?”