by M. J. Sewall
Cody went to his locker, and popped in his mouth guard. He checked his face in the small mirror attached to the locker door. But it wasn’t his face.
The old man was back. He seemed startled at first too, but recovered and started saying strange words, gibberish. Cody shook his head, feeling the old man trying to get inside his head. He grabbed his helmet and smashed the small mirror. The shards fell to the floor and each one contained an eye of the old man.
The whispering continued in his head until he stomped on the shards with his cleats. The old man receded from his mind, the broken mirror just ordinary glass again.
The coach yelled, “Cody, you ok? What happened?”
“Oh, Coach, hey… no, I’m good. Broke my mirror. I’m starting a new pre-game ritual.”
The coach scowled, “You’re cleaning that up after the game. Alright, on the field. Head in the game, Cody.”
Cody’s mind felt unclean, like it was streaked with ancient dust. He slapped his own face to snap out of it. Focus. Game time.
***
The football stadium was an open field, with bleachers rising fifty feet high on either side of the field; one side for the home team, the other side for the visiting team. The stadium had been built in the early 1960s, and the wood planking and metal cross-beam supports were due for an overhaul. California had been working slowly to make old structures earthquake resistant, but funds were tight and progress was slow. The tall, powerful lights illuminated the field and bleachers, leaving the back side in shadow.
The teens stood behind the opposing team’s old bleachers, under the shadow of the metal cross beam support structure. The heavy planks shook as the crowds above cheered.
Katie finished her text, then slipped her phone into her back pocket. She crossed her arms. “So, this is it? The white girl, the Mexican girl, the geek, and what are you?”
Zacke smiled. “The token black guy, I guess. Or token mixed-race kid. Take your pick.”
That broke the tension. The four of them stood in a rough circle behind the bleachers. The game was under way, so it was tough to hear through the shouting and the pounding of feet on the bleachers. Except for a few random kids milling around the far end of the bleachers, they were alone behind the crowd.
“I really don’t want to be here. One of my cousins will see us,” said Ariana, “How am I going to explain?”
Lucas spoke up, “I think this is a little more important than teenage politics, or whatever. We can all do stuff; like supernatural stuff.”
Katie looked skeptical, or maybe just bored. Zacke noticed she kept looking around.
Lucas said uncertainly, “Well, can’t you?”
“Maybe,” Katie said, “I guess. What can you do?”
“I’m good at fighting,” Lucas blurted.
Ariana looked confused, glancing at the skinny boy with glasses, covered in a grey hooded sweatshirt.
“Yeah, yeah,” said Lucas. “I know I look scrawny, but I’ve been training for a while, and I can work myself into this crazy… well, I’m sure exactly how to explain it.”
“You can fight?” Katie said, realizing too late that it sounded like a sneer.
Lucas looked at Katie. “You don’t even know me Miss Judgey Judgerton. I can also see people’s thoughts sometimes.”
“You too?” Ariana asked.
“So can I,” said Zacke, “You said ‘see’ their thought. For me, it’s like hearing them. How about you, Arian…”
“Ariana,” Ariana corrected the pronunciation, “Yes. kind of, I always thought it was more of a feeling, than images, like I was inside the person. But yeah, and it’s been happening a lot lately.”
Katie was looking around again. Zacke said, “Katie, right? I’m Zacke and I can see thoughts sometimes. a Few times I’ve lifted some heavy stuff…” He paused, left off the craziest thing he could do. No reason to tell them about that. “How about you? What can you do?”
Katie said, “Why don’t you go next?” pointing to Ariana.
Ariana scanned around, to make sure no one she knew was watching. She answered, “I can… I can stop things. Things from falling, or I can freeze them in mid-air. The ‘feeling’ thoughts thing, well, it’s not a good thing when you have gross teenage brothers.”
Katie smiled and the boys chuckled uncomfortably.
Lucas added, “You also make jerks throw up at will.”
“Yeah, and that too,” explained Ariana, “That never happened before.”
Zacke looked to Katie again. “So what can you do?”
Katie had her hands folded on her chest, “Who says I can do anything? When you came to me in fourth period, you sounded a little crazy. So, what if you had a dream about me, about all of us?”
Zacke said, “A little late to play this off. I saw the look on your face when I talked to you. You looked like someone finally understood you. And you’re here. So, what can you do?”
Instead of answering, she uncrossed her arms, put her palms out flat.
“Holy crap!” said Ariana, covering her mouth.
“What?” Lucas said.
“You don’t see that?” Ariana shouted. To Katie she said, “Can I touch it?”
“Touch what?” asked Zacke.
Ariana moved closer, “The color surrounding her? You can’t see it?”
“Wow,” Katie said, “Even I can’t see them. I imagine colors, but…”
Lucas asked, “What are we supposed to be seeing?”
“It’s like a shield,” said Katie.
Ariana added, “It’s one solid color. Why is it green?”
Zacke reached out his hand near Ariana, “Oh wow, it is solid. That is so cool.” Zacke, Lucas, and Ariana were all putting their hand along the shield. To an outside observer, it would have looked like their hands were floating a few inches from Katie’s body.
“So, it’s protective? Like a force field?” asked Lucas.
“Yes, but it’s hard to control. Wow. I’ve never held one this long. So, green is like a base line, then different colors are more powerful. They are kinda like layers. Different colors, different strengths. I can’t believe one of you can see the colors.”
“It’s…” Zacke said, realizing it looked like he was following the contours of her body. He dropped his hand. “That’s really cool. Anything else?”
“Whoa,” Lucas and Ariana said at the same time, as their hands were pushed away.
“I can push with my shields too. But they were kind of weak until recently. I can’t read minds, but sometimes I get glimpses of what’s going to happen,” said Katie.
“Wait. That’s weird,” said Zacke. “I just realized I can’t hear any of your thoughts right now.”
“Hey, me neither,” Lucas added.
“You’re right,” Ariana said. She concentrated, looking back and forth to the other teens, “Nothing. I can’t feel any of your thoughts. What does that mean?”
Zacke said, “I have no idea. I hoped comparing notes would give us some answers. I wonder why Ariana can see your shields when we can’t. I wonder why this is happening to us. I wonder how none of us has officially met each other before today. There are too many strange coincidences.”
“I can answer all of your questions,” said Derek, startling them. “What you can do is pretty awesome, Katie.”
Katie smiled, her face flushed.
“Who are you?” asked Lucas.
“I’m Katie’s friend,” said Derek, walking a few steps closer.
“Everyone,” Zacke whispered, “that’s one of the guys from the restaurant.”
Lucas said, “I thought you said there were two.”
“There are, my friends,” said the man behind them, with a German accent.
***
Cody was waiting for the ref to make a call. The score was 27-7. They were crushing it tonight. He knew the Pirates coach was advising his linemen to go after him, hard. He couldn’t hear him across the field, and didn’t need his special talent; it was w
ritten all over the coach’s red face. Cody had scored four touchdowns and three interceptions. He was on fire.
Cody decided he’d better cool it. His instincts were stronger than ever, and it felt a bit like cheating. It came so easy; he was afraid that someone would guess he knew what was going to happen a few seconds before it did. Cody thought about letting the Pirates score another touchdown.
Then he noticed the glow. He had just headed onto the field, about to huddle up when he saw the green glow from behind the other team’s bleachers. The visiting Pirates were unhappy he even glanced their way. Boos rose from their stands as he entered the field, but he couldn’t stop staring at the green glow.
It was coming from behind the bleachers. At first he thought it was a weird light effect from the crowd. But it felt familiar, somehow. He sensed something was about to happen. He got to the huddle, focused back on the game. He got through it, did the cheer with his troops. His friend, and linebacker Joey sensed something was wrong, but the huddle broke and they took their positions.
***
Behind the visiting team bleachers, Ehrhardt said, “There’s no reason to be afraid.”
“Although, with his sinister German accent, I’d understand why you might be alarmed. I’m Derek. That’s my brother Ehrhardt. Hi Katie.”
Katie said, “Hey.”
“You know these guys?” asked Zacke.
“Yeah. I met them last night,” said Katie, “They’re okay. They know what’s going on. They can help us.”
Ehrhardt said, “And you must be Zacke, Lucas, and Ariana. Am I pronouncing that right?”
“Um. Yeah,” Ariana said.
Lucas asked sharply, “How do you know our names?”
“Don’t be mad,” said Katie, “After you told me about your dream, I didn’t want to scare you off. These guys told me a lot about what’s going on.”
“Like what?” Lucas asked. He had taken a fighting stance. Ehrhardt noticed.
Katie explained, “Like why this is happening. It’s called a breakout. It’s where a group of warriors is gathering in the same place.”
“Warriors?” asked Ariana. “What does that mean?”
Derek took over, “You are all warriors. A few of you are warriors born with certain powers, in this life. You are new births. Some of you are ancient warriors reborn into your present bodies. That is called a re-birth. We can help you unlock these...”
“Step away from them!” John had arrived.
“This just got more interesting,” said Derek, “Who might you be, big black bald man in a hoodie?”
John ignored him, for now, “Everyone, you need to get away from these men. They are not here to help you.”
Derek looked around, “Wait, you’re alone? They only sent one of you? To a breakout? The Amartus is losing badly.”
John turned his attention to the brothers, “We’ll never lose to you, Sazzo, or is it Caron? I haven’t met you in these bodies.”
“What is going on?” asked Ariana.
Katie spoke up, “Don’t listen to him. Derek told me they would send people to confuse us.”
John unsheathed the short sword strapped to his back, “Step away from them.”
Ehrhardt shook his head, “No wonder your side is losing. You’re still using swords.” He pulled out a handgun with a silencer from the holster under his own suit coat, “This is the sword of today.”
Ehrhardt shot three rounds at John. John moved with unbelievable speed. John leaped and twisted his body in midair, two shots missing him. He swung down the blade on the third bullet and deflected it into the ground.
Ehrhardt kept his gun aimed.
Derek whistled, “Well, that’s a neat trick. Who are you, fancy black guy?”
“Figure it out yourself,” replied John, stepping closer with his sword ready.
“Get behind us.” said Derek, stepping in front of the teens. Ehrhardt moved too. As he did, he brushed against Lucas’ arm.
An image flared in Lucas’ mind: A bright hot memory of falling. The face that stared down at him was not Ehrhardt’s, but he knew they were the same man. The man was firing a gun at the falling Lucas, three bullets ripping into him as he fell. Something shifted inside Lucas, and he felt stronger, sure of what to do. The flash disappeared.
Lucas stepped out of the group. “Caron. I see you in there. I’ve been waiting a long time for this.” It was Lucas’s voice, but different. Lucas was clearly surprised to hear his voice change as Ehrhardt looked around slowly.
A foot caught Ehrhardt’s nose. Lucas had delivered a perfect round house kick. Blood gushed from Ehrhardt’s nose and he went down. He finally managed to get back up on one knee. He gripped the gun awkwardly as he held his nose.
The three other teens stepped back, giving Lucas room. Derek went to help Ehrhardt, but froze. The younger brother stood like a statue.
Ehrhardt saw his brother freeze, “What is this?”
Ariana realized her hands were up, “Sorry.”
Still frozen, Derek was helpless. Ehrhardt fired one more shot at John from the ground. Holding his bleeding nose, he fired wildly, hitting nothing.
“Get behind me, now.” John ordered. Zacke and Ariana went behind John. Katie stood, frozen by indecision. Lucas didn’t seem afraid of anything.
“Who’s inside you, little man?” asked Ehrhardt, staring at Lucas.
“You know who I am,” Lucas’ voice was deeper than before.
Ehrhardt instantly did know, a cold shiver shot up his neck, “No. It can’t be… I gave you a true death.”
“Did you?” said the warrior, through Lucas.
Rage flared in Ehrhardt. He looked wildly from his statue brother, to the crisscrossing metal support structure of the bleachers. “Forgive me brother.” Ehrhardt said.
He quickly shouldered his gun and dug his hands in the earth, speaking a mixture of languages. “Toke lurrikara tresti. Toke lurrikara tresti. Toke lurrikara tresti.”
The ground began to shake. Lucas started to move at Ehrhardt, but they all fell to the ground with the violent shaking.
The screams from the crowds were immediate. The bleachers were made of interlocking metal pipes; a structured pattern of support bars built in the 1960s. They could hold up to 1200 people on either side of the field. But these stadium seats were free-standing, made of metal and wood nearly fifty years old. An earthquake of this size was too much for them. The metal began to groan and move.
They all writhed on the ground, unable to stand. Then the popping started. Pop. Pop. Pop. Bolts began to shear; metal supports began to clang against each other as they popped free.
A flash came to Katie. Megan. Face down. Blood. Katie screamed, “Megan. No!” she stumbled from the scene.
It was hard to stand, but Zacke and Ariana finally did, and moved away from the bleachers. Derek unfroze. He stepped awkwardly, now that the ground beneath him was shaking. For him, a few seconds had disappeared from his perception. Now he was unfrozen inside an earthquake. He looked around, confused.
John tried to get to Ehrhardt, but the shaking made it impossible to move in a straight line. The people were pouring out of the stands as they continued to shake. Both freestanding bleachers on either side of the field began to buckle.
The metal pipes that held up the bleachers gave way. Bolts popped and shot like bullets under the bleachers, ricocheting off each other. The crowds’ screams mixed with a deep rumble from the earth. The bleachers began to fall.
Ariana looked up and was frozen by fear. For a second she thought they would all be crushed behind the structure, but the chain reaction began and the bleachers started to crumble away from them, falling toward the field.
One person was moving against the crowds, running through the masses. Ehrhardt stood, and the shaking stopped. He raised his gun at John. The German was stopped when the blue and white uniform slammed into him, knocking him off his feet. The two bodies went flying together into the tall grass by the chain link fence.
It was too late for the bleachers. Both structures came down in a cascade of collapsing pipes and long wooden seats. It was hard to tell what was louder; the screams from the crowds, or the violent sound of wrenching metal.
They had all managed to get far enough away that they were not in danger from the collapse. John turned his attention back to Ehrhardt. He had flung the football player off, sending him tumbling into the deeper grass at the fence line. The German shot wildly, his arm shaking.
He got lucky on the last shot. John felt a burning in his back as the bullet ripped through him. He fell.
Ehrhardt stood a few dozen feet away, his gun now clicking empty. He shouldered it. Derek and Ehrhardt fled the field. Ariana and Lucas ran to John. Zacke ran to Cody in the tall grass.
Sirens were screaming in the night, fast approaching. Cody took off his helmet, and all four of the teens went to John.
“Help!” said Ariana, “We have to get him to the hospital.”
John yelled, “No hospitals! I need to get to the station. Do any of you drive?”
They all shook their heads no.
“I have my learner’s permit,” Zacke offered.
John winced from the pain, “Good. You drive. The rest of you stay here and get your stories straight. You were behind the bleachers when you felt the earthquake. Say nothing of me, swords, or guns. And no man with a German accent. Do you understand?”
Zacke said, “We don’t even know you.”
“My name’s John. Nice to meet you. I’m here to help.”
“You’re shot!” said Lucas.
John nodded, “Yes, Lucas. I need your help now. Lucas, Zacke. Please get me to safety. My friends will know what to do when we get there.”
No one asked any more questions. In that moment, John inspired unquestioning trust. Lucas took John under his arm, helping him to stand. Zacke got on his other side to help.
John looked at Ariana and Cody, “You two, go back toward the field. Try to help those in need. I will be in contact soon.”
Ariana was in tears. Cody was too stunned to do anything but obey.