The Shadows- Fire's Hope

by E Kathryn

  Kneeling again, Mark forced himself to continue in the midst of fretting over Kip. “You have to face it sometime... but I believe in the Shadows. I can free them. They need me, and we need you.”

  Grimacing, Marissa tried to turn away without much success. “You’re dangerous,” she whispered. “The Shadows are dangerous, and I’ve already lost too much because of them...”

  Tensing, Mark gathered his courage and turned to her. “What’s that supposed to mean?” His tone didn’t help her to open to him, and she cowered into herself. All she could think was what she had been told. The Shadows were dangerous, uncontrollable, unpredictable, and that was why they were taken away. That was what she believed, what her husband believed.

  Somehow, she felt warm again, even as she told herself the Shadows had taken away her son, the warmth that was lost in her life finally returned. Startled, she saw the golden glow and realized he was holding his hand out toward her. His hand radiated heat, smoldering like an element until he caused his fingers to crackle into small flickering flames. He brandished them, in full control of their wavering movement and temperature.

  Uncannily close to the fire, Marissa leaned away uneasily. “Do you see?” he whispered, showing conflagration to her like it was a gift. “This is my Shadow.”

  Marissa felt her nose sting and her face tighten as the tears welled up inside her. “Fire... somehow that makes sense... I saw how you were different, and I feared that maybe it had been something I’d done that made you like this.”

  Extinguishing the flame, he saw a tear fall from his mother’s cheek. Mark frantically reached out to put an arm around her. “You had nothing to do with this. I promise, but we still need your help.”

  Marissa shook her head. “No, Mark…” she forced herself to speak. “I saw how you were different. I knew you were a Shadow, but I didn’t want you to turn out anything like—” she stopped short, abruptly, wiping her eyes dry. “I don’t know how I’ll ever explain it to you…”

  Mark’s crimson gaze remained firm. “You don’t have to… What’s important now is finding out what’s wrong with Kip, and helping the Shadows stay hidden until I can come up with a plan…” His eyes drifted to the Shadows.

  Hesitating, Marissa ground her teeth. “I…” she whispered then met his gaze again, without fear of Mark’s red eyes. “I think I might have kept an inhaler for you in emergencies, but it’s probably really old now…”

  Giving a smile, Mark stood. “Anything you think could help.”

  XIX

  NEW EXODUS

  Turning his attention to the Shadows, Mark sent them a brief urge in the Realm for Elise, Emilie, Sil, and Rita to follow him as he stepped back through the house to his room.

  Upon entering, Mark couldn’t help but tense, seeing his room was cleaned up to the point where his possessions were no longer where he kept them. Had his mom organized his room out of guilt and grief like this was a mourning shrine to the loss of her son?

  Thinking that was the case, Mark grimaced, trying to ignore the fact his mom had been fighting for the last few days to forget that he existed. The Shadows entered and without a word, Mark vanished into the Realm to be absolutely sure they couldn’t be eavesdropped upon. The Shadows entered the Realm soon after him.

  It’s not safe here, Mark declared as soon as all of them could hear.

  But… Emilie protested. You heard her, she won’t turn us in. She’s your mother!

  Mark sent a tone of denial in the Realm. I know my own mother better than you. She’s hiding something from me. I was wrong to think it was safe here, but we’ll stay here long enough for Kip to get the medicine, he insisted firmly, assuming some authority in this situation.

  Elise cringed, Mark could feel it in her presence but only Emilie had the guts to respond. What if she doesn’t though, and she can’t help Kip at all!

  Even for Mark it was a stretch. He knew as well as any that he hadn’t had an asthma attack since he was eight, and asthma wasn’t even what Kip was dealing with. We’ll wait… he decided. If Kip receives any medicine for his lungs, we’ll stay for the night, if not…

  Rita affirmed the suggestion, I’ll teleport us all to safety.

  Mark’s form of fire knelt in thought, in any case… it may be wise if we just—

  Mark! A voice in the Realm screamed to him.

  Mark tensed, recognizing the tones in the Realm. Ocie?

  The Shadows looked between each other, sending feelings of confusion and doubt. What about her? Elise wondered.

  I heard… Ocie? Mark insisted.

  Don’t panic! Ocie’s voice came again, your range in the Realm is much farther than theirs. You can hear me, they can’t.

  Mark looked around frantically, and before the Shadows, he appeared as if he was spinning in circles. Mark felt her presence, but not close to him, even though she was growing closer.

  Have faith in yourself, Mark. The Shadow will guide you. Ocie’s voice assured. You’ve finally discovered the leader in yourself, and I commend you.

  Mark scowled to the Shadows who watched in horror. You’re not Ocie! he insisted, Show yourself!

  Ocie’s voice laughed, appearing for the other Shadows. You’ll understand soon, Mark. I am Shadow Hope, and I’ve come here to point you in the right direction. Fate has almost come upon the Shadows like the rushing water, and with Trust, I am responsible for triggering this once: NOVA LIBERANTI!

  The Shadows stood back, shocked, overwhelmed, as this form of blue fluid light covered them all. the New Exodus! she declared, holding out her hand to Mark. You are the Exodus of the Shadows, wielder of my power, and Hope for all of us. You will not fail me, Mark, as fate would have arrived upon you!

  Mark’s eyes widened as flaming orbs, which he couldn’t control. Like everything else in his life, his path was being chosen for him, and he accepted it. Mark clenched his fist and left the Realm, he knew what needed to be done, he didn’t need to be told further but as the Shadows left the Realm he tensed again. Their faces, Elise, Emilie, Sil, and Rita, they were shocked, in fear of him.

  Inhaling to speak, Mark was cut off by none other than Sil. “Mark… you were just named by Shadow Hope! The Exodus, it’s you!” Sil’s face filled with fear and awe at the same time. Mark saw in his heart that Sil feared how he had treated Mark could have affected the Exodus.

  Elise gulped in disbelief. “You’re…” She could only stare at him. “Mark, you’re the third most powerful Shadow in the world!”

  Growing shocked himself, Mark stepped back and tripped, sitting on his bed. “Third…” he whispered. “Who else is there?”

  Crossing her arms, Emilie seemed to be the only one not scared of Mark. “Trust… obviously, Love, then Hope,” she revealed, meeting eyes with him. “I’ve had my suspicions for a while. I’ve known you were Shadow Hope, but I wasn’t sure until now.”

  Again, Mark met Emilie’s gaze. “Love?” he whispered, overwhelmed. Mark felt his hands shaking, “But that would mean… Kimberly!” scanning the Shadows’ perplexed faces, he insisted, “Kimberly is Shadow Love! She told me herself! But she’s working with Keller. What’s going on?”

  The present Shadows gawked, as confused as he was. “She’s a Shadow?”

  Mark nearly shrieked, “Of course, she is. Can you not feel it in the Realm!” he yelled at them. “Why is Kimberly helping Keller?”

  Rita crossed her arms. “Isn’t it obvious?” she muttered. “They’re lovers!”

  “That’s preposterous!” Elise burst. “Are you not able to see the age gap between them?”

  Rita’s spitfire nature took hold of her. “She and Keller raised that Recluse of a Shadow from birth. They’re practically his parents if they aren’t actually. They’re close and they love each other.”

  Mark clenched his fists, forming fire in them. “Who is the Recluse?” he burst, cursing and standing up to them. “I’m sick of fighting for the answers. Who was this guy and why does everyone think he’s me? But more im
portantly, why would the second most powerful Shadow help Keller imprison the Shadows?” The strength in his voice silenced the Shadows, so he could gain no answer.

  Frustrated, Mark collapsed again. “If I’m so powerful…” he whispered, “why wasn’t I like the rest of you?”

  Emilie stepped forward unsteadily but fell to her knees taking Mark’s shoulder. “Trust sent you, Mark. He protected you from Keller, to hide you long enough for your power to grow, and you are the Exodus!” she pleaded. “You are our deliverer!”

  Brushing off her hands, Mark stood. “If I’m so special, why not bring me up with the Shadows? Why separate me all my life?” Staggering back from her, Mark tore himself away from them, brokenhearted. Why, he thought, ages of worry consuming him. If I needed to be there for them, why wasn’t I taken to the ASH when I was born?

  Running from his own room, he hurried to find a place to be alone, to enter the Realm, and to get his thoughts together. The instant he stepped into the hall, Mark felt a draft, cold seeping across the beige carpet which he assumed Sil had caused, but he knew this was different. The front door was open.

  A lie concocted in his head, praying that his mother hadn’t answered it. But maybe she had, maybe she had called them, and maybe she wanted him gone. Before he could come around the corner, Rita teleported in front of him, throwing him to the floor.

  Exclaiming, Mark reeled up with flaming eyes alit as a uniformed officer grabbed Rita’s arms and shoved her down beside him. Mark’s heart dropped when he saw her face hit the floor, her terrified eyes filling with a bright glint of green. Just as she was preparing to teleport, the man shoved his hand down on her back and with his free hand he pressed the end of some kind of gun into her shoulder.

  Rita gave a small shriek when he pulled the trigger, but it took another second for Mark to realize she hadn’t been injured by it. He spied a small needle on the end of the gun that had penetrated her skin and injected her with something. Mark hadn’t any time to get up by the time another officer held him down as well, with a hand on his aching back. Mark barely yelped when he felt a similar needle stab into him, and then he was released.

  Springing to her feet, her eyes wild with anger, Rita tried to grab Mark and teleport away, but she laid her fingers on Mark’s shirt and froze.

  “Impossible!” she breathed, shocked. “I can’t—how! I can’t teleport!”

  A stir of panic in his limbs, Mark took hold of both her arms, assessing in his heart. He felt his Shadow, being sure that this power, whatever was stopping her from using her Shadow, was the same as the ASI. He didn’t dare light his hands on fire to reveal to the officers that he could still use his Shadow, but he conveyed quietly through the Realm that he still had his power. The ASI still couldn’t touch him.

  Rita’s eyes softened, watching as the six or so ASOs flooded into the back room of the house to neutralize all the Shadows back there. “Stop them…” she whimpered.

  Abruptly, the two of them were yanked apart, restrained firmly, and Mark felt his feet being dragged towards the door. Marissa stood against the wall, panting horrified as she found his gaze. She had let them in. Through the door, taking no notice of Marissa pinned to the wall, Kimberly rushed in scarcely taking a glance at the other Shadows around when her eyes locked solely on Kip.

  She slid on her knees in the carpet, falling beside him. “Kip! Can you hear me?” she called into his face frantically, touching his cheek, and feeling how hot his skin was. Gently, she reached under his neck to lift his head and he let out an extremely hoarse breath. Tensing, Kimberly ground her teeth with unease. “Ian!” she called.

  The man of short stature, Ian Keller, entered Mark’s house, building a rage in Mark so unquenchable that he forgot every instinct in him to hide. Mark ignited his hands and burned the two men dragging him and Rita outside.

  With all his might, he pushed through them, stumbling as he grabbed Keller’s coat to pull him away from Kip. “Leave him alone! Don’t touch him!”

  Keller tensed, seeing his crimson eyes shining only briefly before Mark grabbed his collar. “Mark, wait!” he insisted desperately. “You don’t understand the full consequences of what you’ve done!”

  Mark glanced briefly to Kip and Kimberly. “Why should I? You imprisoned him, all of them, all their lives! Why shouldn’t I just burn you to a crisp now?”

  “Mark!” Kimberly screamed, garnering his attention. “Kip is dying!”

  Mark hesitated, and Keller bat his hands away from his collar.

  Kimberly merely pled with him. “Kip can’t survive outside of the ASH. Without the ASI, Kip’s problems will come back and he’ll die! We need to get him home now!”

  Mark stepped back, shocked, in fear for his friend’s life. Kimberly, elevated Kip’s torso to help him breathe. “I’ve already lost too much. I can’t lose Kip too…” she whispered. “Kip is more dear to me than you can comprehend, Mark. Almost more than—” she stopped herself, unwilling to speak his name.

  Tears drifted over Kimberly’s cheeks. “You know why he’s dead, Mark… because he was just like Kip. Passing through the shield didn’t kill him. Being unprotected by the shield is what killed him! And Kip’s not the only one. There are many others!” Kimberly burst up at Mark. “Neither of us can be selfish when there’s too much at risk!”

  “Enough!” Keller screamed, swiping his hand through the air, and immediately taking Kip in his arms, caring for the boy as much as Kimberly. “I will not argue with you. I will simply do what needs to be done!”

  Mark’s rage built inside him, and his heart pounded faster, Keller left the house, and Mark ran after him finding that the Shadows were surrounded. “Keller!” Mark shrieked in fury.

  Keller ignored him long enough to get Kip in the van he had brought to take the Shadows back. “Mark, give it up!” he insisted. “You have to return if you want Kip to live!”

  Mark seethed at the threat and the Shadows clamored behind him angrily, unable to use or control their powers. Mark heard them. He heard them all. They were infuriated that Kip was being used as a lure to get them back, and it was working. Mark’s fists tightened as his anger grew more and more, no hate, his emotions were fueling his Shadow allowing the flames to flourish evermore.

  “I can’t convince you to get in the van, Mark,” Keller seethed, pausing at the open door of the fifteen-passenger van, “but you have to understand, none of you are safe out here.” He gestured into the vehicle, but it wasn’t to urge the Shadows to come willingly. It was to someone inside, prompting them to come out.

  Mark’s eyes widened, all the rage stirring inside him to the point where he feared he’d burst, but then, someone stepped out of the van at Keller’s behest. In a blue dress below her knees, her long brunette hair tied back loosely, Mark’s terror culminated when Ocie appeared. His eyes dashing between father and daughter, Mark’s voice cracked. “You’re… with him!”

  Ocie hurried out toward the Shadows, leaving them shocked and hardly able to protest with their assailants when they saw her. The ASOs surrounded them and let Ocie enter their midst. “Mark, please believe me. The ASH is not a prison; it’s a safe haven. Outside of the ASH, Shadows like Kip die, and the rest of us are ostracized. We always had to hide. Shadows can be themselves in the ASH. They don’t have to worry about hurting people or breaking things when they’re still learning their powers. It’s there to keep us safe!”

  Furious, Mark let the flames return to his palms, a well of anger inside him bubbling over. “What about the Exodus! This isn’t living. The Shadows aren’t free.”

  Nodding cautiously, like she was taming a beast, Ocie neared him warily. “It will come, and when it does, humans will come to trust us, then we’ll be free. Do you understand that?”

  Trust, that was the name of the Shadow who had come to Mark. Somehow, he knew she was right, but he couldn’t shake the feeling, looking into Sil’s Shadow, getting to know Emilie’s soul, they were trapped.

  Mark held himse
lf up, nonetheless by himself, and breathed in his insanity to the phrase. “I am the Exodus of the Shadows! Nova Liberanti, the one who will deliver the Shadows!” he declared. There was no denying it now. He had to trust the power he knew he had been given.

  Ocie jumped back, shocked at the sudden power in his voice. “Mark, listen to me! Not like this! It can’t happen like this!”

  Somewhere in his destiny, right now, Mark saw his future, somewhere high, lifted alone, without his closest friends to guide him, having made this one decision, and spoken this one phrase. Mark’s cherry eyes ignited with flames, licking about his hair and in his red strikes the same. “LET… MY PEOPLE… GO!”

  Exodus, he thought, it was appropriate. Only one phrase held its meaning. Maybe it was his place, the Moses he was meant to become, to lead his people into their promised land, conquering it as their own.

  Fire trailed from his fingers, licking up his sleeves and igniting through his heart as if his blood were gasoline. Letting his fire loose, Mark felt a warning in his heart, remembering how he had hurt Sil. The blaze spread all around him, pushing the Shadows back toward the house and forcing Keller back. Ocie however stood firm, even when the crimson tongues caught hold of her dress.

  “Mark, don’t—” the voices of Shadows clamoring behind him echoed somewhere in his mind, but he ignored them. Allowing his own conflagration to burst, Mark pushed them back, holding his ground, and determined to stay. Kip needed help, Mark acknowledged that, but none of the Shadows were suffering. Right now, they were free.

  Catching a glimmer of blue through the blaze, Mark watched Ocie shroud herself in water. Steam rose off her ward as Mark pressed his flames down over her, but she stepped through it, nearing him in spite of it. Her water enveloped every strand of fire and put it out, surviving through it even when he directed all his flames at her.

  “Mark!” Sil burst beside him, keeping low to the ground underneath the heat. He laid his hands on the pavement and ice shot out from his palms. Coating the grass and gravel and latching onto Ocie’s water like food. Her shield froze in seconds giving Mark the opening to swoop in and slam his fists onto the icy film.