by C. Louis S.
Leon apparated just outside Randall’s front door. He was still shaken from his encounter with Kaz.
He hesitated before he knocked. Randall isn’t going to let me in. He’d be crazy if he did. He thinks I’ll just hurt him again.
The familiar and comforting melody of his piano music played in his ears.
But I’ve got to try. I need to tell him that I’m sorry, that I’m a terrible friend, and that I’ve changed. I need him to forgive me.
Leon knocked.
Randall’s mother came to the door and nearly slammed it in Leon’s face when she saw it was him. Leon could see her frightful eyes staring at him through the small crack that she had left open.
“Please, Mrs. Crespo. I need to talk to Randall.”
“After what you did? Don’t you get an inch closer to my son.”
Leon bowed his head. “I know. I’m a terrible friend. I’m a monster, really,” he said slowly. “Please, Mrs. Crespo. I need to say sorry.”
“Please go, Leon.”
What do I do? How can I convince her that I’ve changed? I’ve got to talk to Randall.
“Here. Take this.” Leon held out his phone to her.
“I know you don’t need that. You’re too powerful.”
“It’s a symbol, a promise. I’m giving it to you so that you know I won’t hurt your son.”
“Again,” she snapped.
“Right, again. I won’t hurt him again,” Leon conceded.
Leon pictured in his mind the refrigerator that crushed Randall. He remembered the lifeless body lying on the ground. He remembered how frantically he had tried to save his friend.
“M’am I’m so sorry. Is he still hurt?”
“I’m better than I’ve ever been,” said Randall’s voice from behind the door. He didn’t sound better. He sounded raspy and weak.
Leon looked up and saw Randall’s hand grip the door above the handle. There was some whispering between him and his mother, but eventually, he pulled open the door and greeted Leon with a smile.
“Can I come in?”
Randall stepped aside and let Leon enter. Mrs. Crespo didn’t leave Randall’s side. Randall looked different. His breathing looked forced and almost painful, but he looked happy. He looked like there was something different in his eyes. And suddenly it made sense.
Micaela always felt different. He never knew what it was, but seeing Randall and Kali after their immersions made Leon understand. Randall was a different creature, reborn. It was Light, True Light. Their bodies were filled with it and it was something that could be felt by people around them. It was the warm light for all to follow that Flynn had taught Leon about.
“Randall, you sound terrible. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m getting there. I’ll heal. I deserve it for what I did to you, I guess.”
“Don’t say that. I shouldn’t have done that to you. I’m so sorry,” said Leon.
“You wanted power. You thought I betrayed you. You wanted to beat me. You did. You won. Have you done the same to Tommy and all those kids? I know you could now.”
“No. I’ve changed. You probably won’t believe me, but I’m trying to follow the song that I hear now. I want to follow the True Light.”
Mrs. Crespo scoffed. Randall just shook his head slowly.
“It’s true,” Leon persisted. “I don’t want power anymore. The only power I need is what you have for me. You can help me, Randall. You tried once before, but this time I won’t fight back.”
“Power that I have? Don’t you know that I got immersed? I don’t have powers anymore. I can’t help you.”
“You can’t or you won’t?”
“What do you mean, Leon?”
Leon looked at Mrs. Crespo and then at Randall. He slowly kneeled down and then looked up at them again, this time with tears in his eyes.
“I was a terrible friend to you, Randall, and I am so sorry. You say that you have no power to help me, but you are wrong. You can have compassion on me. You can forgive me so that I can be healed.”
There was a long silence. Leon stared up at Randall. Mrs. Crespo stared at Randall.
“Can you find it in your heart to forgive a loser like me?”
A smile finally broke on Randall’s face. He grabbed Leon by the arm, pulled him to his feet, and hugged him tightly. He pulled away with his hands on Leon’s scrawny shoulders.
“Of course I forgive you. You’re my best friend. Could you ever forgive me for going with Tommy instead of staying by your side?”
Leon smiled. “I already have, Randall. Mrs. Crespo, your son is as big hearted as The Avalon. And just as brave. He’s a good kid.”
She smiled and nodded and then gave Leon a big hug. Whoa, didn’t expect that.
“You are too, Leon. It just took you a while to realize who you are.”
I guess she’s right. I do know who I am now. And I don’t need superpowers to do what’s right.
“So will you come to my immersion?”
Randall chuckled. “You’re going to have to talk to Flynn about that first, don’t you think?”
“I guess I do. Randall …” Leon hesitated, “were the complications you had during your immersion because of what I did to you?”
Randall gave an introspective half smile. He paused to think before saying, “Nope. It turns out that when you’re as far into the Dark Void as I was, it is a very painful process to come back.”
Leon shivered. “Imagine how hard it’s going to be for me to come back.”
“I’ll be there with you, buddy.” Randall laid a hand on Leon’s shoulder and smiled broadly.
“I should have been there with you. I’m sorry.” Leon shook his head. He looked down at his phone and noticed the time. I wonder if Flynn is still at the castle. If I hurry, maybe I can catch him. “Sorry, Randall. I’ve got to go.”
Leon quickly opened the door and started floating into the air, forward and upward.
“You’ll have to give up flying,” Randall called out.
“It will be worth it,” Leon called back with a smile.
chapter 27
A Warm Light to
Follow