by S.A. Waters
The options weren’t easy. If I went with the red hair, I’d be tall. If I chose the black hair, I would have really cool eyes. Or, if I chose the blonde hair, well, I just think he is handsome.
“So,” Star said. “What’s it going to be? I either like the red haired one or the blonde. What do you guys think?”
“Blonde?” Dylan said.
“Black,” Eli commented. “For sure.” I looked at the options again and thought about it. I guess it didn’t matter if I was tall. I mean, five eleven wasn’t that bad. It’s taller than I was before. So I decided it was either going to be the black haired, green eyed, five eleven boy, or the blonde haired, blue eyed, five eleven boy. What did I like better? Cool eyes, or just plain good looking. After about five minutes, I had made my decision.
“Star,” I said. “Eli, Dylan. I choose the blonde. However, I want to keep my eyes as they are. How they change color. I would like to keep them.” Star, Eli, and Dylan looked at each other in slight shock and confusion. I heard a few whispers before Star turned back to me and spoke.
“Okay, Kyle, I mean Carter. You can keep your eyes. And I’m glad you chose the blonde. Let us get started. Eli, go get me some scissors please, and Dylan, you go get the hair dye.”
When Star received the scissors, she sat me down and started cutting my hair. “What are you doing!?” I exclaimed and jumped out of the chair.
“I’m cutting your hair, duh.” Star replied bluntly.
“Well you could’ve told me when you were going to start!”
“Whoops.” I rolled my eyes and Star continued to cut my hair. Ten minutes later, my long brown hair was now short and fuzzy. “Now for the dye.” Star said. She brought me over to the nearest bathroom and had me put my head in the sink. She put some stuff in my hair and rubbed it in. Then she left it there for about fifteen minutes and dried my hair with a towel. I now know never to underestimate the power of a talking tiger. “Alright, Carter. Take a look,” Star told me. I picked up my head and looked at the mirror. My hair looked great! It was just like the picture. Short, blonde, and it felt really good. I opened a cabinet under the sink and pulled out a comb. I combed my hair to the front, making a little spike. I smiled and gave Star a hug, having to kneel down as she wrapped her big paws around me.
“Thanks, Star.” I said to her.
“No problem. I’ll give you a pill to make you the desired height. You’ll be taller tomorrow. Now go out and show Eli and Dylan.” I walked out to the living room where Eli and Dylan were waiting for me while watching T.V. on the couch. “Guys,” I said somewhat loudly so they could hear me. They both turned around.
“Who are you and what have you done to Kyle Eilam Walton?” Eli asked jokingly.
“I am Carter-Adrian Nicholas Breese. And he is still here. He just looks different.” We all laughed.
“You did a great job, Star.” Eli said, this time talking to Star. I looked at Dylan. He nodded and smirked.
“Well boys,” Star said excitedly. “This calls for a celebration! To the table!” We all smiled and rushed over to the kitchen
As we sat down, four glasses of apple cider appeared before us. “To Carter-Adrian Nicholas Breese.” Eli announced, raising his glass.
“Our friend,” Star remarked.
“Our brother,” Dylan said with confidence.
“Our boy,” Eli added again.
“Our light.” Star said.
“The Light.” Dylan said with even more emphasis. “Cheers!” And we all clinked glasses.
“Now,” Star stated. “Let us feast!” Then all of sudden a whole array of every kind of food you could think of came out on the table. It was just like Thanksgiving but with ten times more food! There was turkey, ribs, noodles, hamburgers, hot dogs, mash potatoes, stuffing, ham, and a lot more! At that moment I had lost all self control and manners and just grabbed everything with my hands. Star looked at me and rolled her eyes, laughing. I didn’t want to go back to Earth. I mean, with everyone I love gone, why should I go back there? I have everything I ever could have wanted right here!
“So, Carter,” Star said to me. “What is your plan?”
“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.
“I mean when you leave tomorrow for Earth. What are you going to do?”
“First of all I would like to go to Colorado. Rockfrett, Colorado. That’s where Austin DeLuca and Timothy Swanson are. I want to find them and kill them. I know they are Pacts. And I bet you they could help us find Alpha Maximus.”
“It’s a good start. However, Alpha Maximus went into hiding thirty years ago for some reason that no one knows about. If DeLuca and Swanson know anything about Alpha, they won’t give it up so easily. And remember, we have sent down some Mystians that are part of the Code of Law Society that are supposed to protect you. There are three of them. Trust me, you’ll know exactly who they are. But, do not touch them, or anybody really for that matter. We are also sending Dylan down with you temporarily for assistance. I like your plan.”
“Thanks. I’m pretty nervous. I mean, it’s a lot of pressure when you think about it. Then again, you guys trained me well. I think I’ll be okay.”
“So do we,” Eli said this time. “On Earth right now, it is July 17. When you arrive on Earth, you have to find your own lodgings, and then you have to enroll yourself in the local high school as a senior. You may be on a mission, but you have to blend in so no one suspects anything. Your age will be seventeen, and you are going to learn to drive-”
“Before I died I was five weeks away from getting my license. I passed the driver’s test.”
“Good for you. So I think you’ll be all right, especially since you have Dylan. That’s all I have to say. Star? Dylan? Would you like to add anything?” Dylan shook his head.
“Nope,” Star said. “I’ve already said what I’ve needed to. You ready for dessert?” I looked at her anxiously as it appeared magically on the table in place of the other food. Apple pies, chocolate cake, candy, ice cream! It was heaven! Now I really don’t want to go back to Earth! Boy, I was going to have a massive stomach ache.
That night I got my stuff packed. I packed ten shirts, five shorts, five pants, two pairs of pajamas, underwear, a hat, two jackets, toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb, etc. I put it next to my bed and crawled in. Star knocked on the door.
“Can we come in?” She asked.
“Yeah.” I replied. My three guardians walked through the door and climbed onto the bed. Star sat across from me, Dylan sat next to me, and Eli on my bedpost.
“Are you ready?” Star asked again.
“Not really,” I said nervously.
“You will be fine, Carter. I promise.”
“Besides, Dylan will be with you,” Eli put in. I looked at the husky and he looked up at me, giving me a faint smile. I turned back to Star.
“Just remember everything we told you. When all else fails, follow your heart. We love you, Carter.” Star said again, her voice cracked a bit. I rubbed her back.
“She’s right, you know.” Eli added, heading for the door. “Good night, and good luck, Carter.” Star and Eli left my room, but Dylan stayed.
“So you’re staying with me?” I asked him. He looked up and nodded. Then I laid down, and fell asleep; nervous, but assured.
***
“We just got word from Kyle’s guardians,” Eon said at the table.
“And what did they say?” Kody asked.
“That they want to keep his identity a secret to us until he is touched.”
“Where is he?”
“Rockfrett, Colorado.” The other guardian replied. “Would you like dessert?” She left the table to go get her chocolate chip cookies in the oven.
“Of course. Why Rockfrett? I’ve never heard of it, and it’s so random. If anything I would expect him to go Avalon.”
“Why would you go to a place where people such as yourself would expect you to go?” Fang snapped. “Especiall
y with everybody trying to kill him!”
“Is that the reason why he’s going to Colorado?”
“No. He is-”
“Fang,” Eon interrupted. “Be nice. Kyle is going to Rockfrett to track down those two Pacts who killed you and your friends on the plane. He leaves tonight at midnight. Are you ready to go?”
“I am.”
“Good. After Juliet comes back with her cookies, go up and get your backpack ready. Drew and James will meet you in Rockfrett. Then you guys can buy a house together. You’ll also have to enroll yourself as well to the school there. You will be in twelfth grade, and your age is seventeen. Understood?”
“Yep. Seventeen years old, meet up with Drew and James, buy a house, senior in high school.”
“Great. Good luck, Kodiak.”
***
“James, we have some news.” James’s guardian said, knocking on James’s bedroom door.
“Sure,” James responded. “Come on in.” The guardians entered the room. “Are you ready to go back to Earth?” One asked.
“What do you mean? Is Kyle ready?” James replied.
“Yep.” Another said, taking over the conversation. “He is leaving tomorrow. That means this is your last night here for now. Your friends Kodiak and Drew will meet you there.”
“Where is there?”
“Good question. There, is Rockfrett, Colorado. When you get there, you will pose as a seventeen year old senior in high school. Which reminds me, you must get your driver’s license, and enroll yourself in the high school in the city.”
“That makes sense”
“Your stuff is packed,” The third said this time. “We will provide assistance in any way that we can. Kyle should also have his guardian, Dylan, with him. Are you ready, James?”
“Yes.”
One then closed the conversation by saying, “Then good night, James. And good luck.”
***
“So that means I am leaving tonight?” Drew said to his guardian.
“Tomorrow to be exact,” He replied. “But yes, you will be leaving. James and Kodiak will be waiting for you at Rockfrett, Colorado, the town in which you are staying at.” Drew then turned to Jasper, his ocelot.
“Why Rockfly or whatever you just said?”
“Rockfrett,” Jasper corrected. “And he wants vengeance on the two Pacts who killed you and your friends. Kyle had read an article online explaining the was the town where they lived. Finding the two Pacts will also increase our chances of defeating Alpha Maximus.”
“I see. I’m going to miss you guys.”
“Why wouldn’t you miss us?” Another joked. Drew smiled. “Do you have your things packed?”
“Yes.”
“Are you really ready for this?”
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Good enough. Good Luck, Drew. And remember, Kyle’s identity has been changed to someone not even we know. So don’t touch anybody.”
Chapter 9
I woke up on a patch of grass. And this time not by Eli, but by the sunlight itself. When I had realized that I had been sleeping on grass, I immediately got up and looked around. That’s when I had known. I was back on Earth. I don’t know how, but I was. I looked down. Dylan was still asleep, and my backpack was sitting next to him. And I was also wearing an orange shirt, blue basketball shorts, and flip flops. I don’t even want to know how I got into those clothes. I had pajamas on before I went to bed.
“Hey, Dylan! Get up!” I said brusquely as I lightly shook him. He slowly opened his eyes. “Come, on dude! We have to find food and shelter!” Dylan rolled up and shook.
“Carter,” He said. “We are on Earth, in a city. Not the Amazon! We don’t need to find food and shelter. We look for a house after we find a cheap place to eat. Got it?”
“Well, if you sound so certain then why don’t you save the Lybrian race huh?”
“I would, but quite frankly I’m not allowed to. Now follow me.” Dylan turned and walked away from me. I laughed and trailed behind him.
We followed the road to the city. It was a nice little town. It seemed like the type of place where everyone knew each other, where everybody is friendly, like the ones in movies. In the town “square” you could call it, Dylan came across a small little diner. It was a shade of dark green, and the sign was a simple chalkboard. The sign on the front read, “ANGI’S HOMESTYLE CAFE: SERVES BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND DINNER!” Dylan and I looked at each other. I read his mind. “I think I’m going to like this place!” I smiled and we walked over to the cafe.
Inside was just the same. Rusty old paint, wooden tables, checkered table clothes, just like a fifties diner, but without the roller skates and slicked back hair. A girl at the counter came out and asked, “Can I help you?”
“Yeah, um” I replied. “Can my dog and I sit somewhere to eat?”
“Alright there’s a table outside. Right this way.” The girl motioned for us to go with her. Dylan and I didn’t hesitate to obey. We were starving.
The girl looked about my age. She was tall, about five foot nine, long dark brown hair, light skin, and dark blue eyes. She was wearing bright red lipstick and a yellow collared shirt with a white skirt that went about to her knees.
Outside, the girl sat us down at a table made of metal as well were the chairs. They were shockingly very comfortable. “Thanks,” I said to her. She handed me a menu.
“You’re welcome. Haven’t seen you around here before. Are you new?”
“Yep. Just got here today, actually.”
“I see. Where are your parents?” I thought for a second. Parents. I couldn’t tell her the truth. Than I had an idea
“My parents died three years ago in a car accident. I was put in my uncle’s possession then. He was cruel, and I didn’t like him, so I ran away with my dog.”
“A run away. That sucks dude. How old are you?”
“Seventeen.”
“I see. Do you think your uncle is looking for you?”
“Nope. He was the one who told me to leave in the first place. When I called him a day after I left, he said that he’s glad I’m gone.” I am a damn good liar!
“Wow. So I guess there’s no reason to report you to the police. What’s your name?” I quickly read her mind to see if it was okay to give her my name. This kid seems cool. Poor guy though. I could hear her think. This girl seemed safe. I looked at Dylan. He nodded.
“My name is Carter-Adrian. Carter-Adrian Breese. You can call me Carter.”
“Nice to meet you, Carter.”
“I can guess your name is Angi?”
“No, shockingly. My mother’s name is Angela, nicknamed Angi. My name though, is Katy. Katy Sheppard. You can call me Katy.” I laughed. An hour in this town and I’ve already made a friend.
“Awesome. Oh, and this is Dylan. He’s friendly.” Katy reached down to pet him, and Dylan licked her hand.
“Awww. He’s so sweet! So do you want to order anything?”
“Oh yes! Right! I’ll take the chocolate chip pancakes and some orange juice please, and he will have the ham. Oh, and can I have a mirror as well?”
“Alright! Coming right up. Wait, a mirror?”
“Yeah, I got a haircut before I came here and want to see if it looks good.”
“It does, but there is a mirror in our bathroom in the back.” Katy walked away smiling. She seems pretty cool. When she was gone I looked down at Dylan.
“What the hell was that, man?” I whispered, chuckling a bit.
“What?” He smirked.
“You licked her!”
“What? She’s hot!” I rolled my eyes laughing. Wow.
I got up and headed to the back of the restaurant to go examine my new look. I ran my fingers through my new short blonde hair, and found that my eyes were still that weird blue green color. I could definitely feel that I was taller, and I was broader and built too-no longer scrawny. After five minute
s of admiring my hotness, I went back out to sit with Dylan.
About ten minutes later, Katy came out with my piping hot pancakes and Dylan’s two big slices of ham.
“There you go boys. One orange juice, three chocolate chip pancakes, and two slices of fresh ham for the little one.”
“Thanks, Katy,” I smiled. I took a bite of the pancakes. Katy looked at me as if she needed my approval. “These are delicious!” I exclaimed, my mouth still half full.
“Good,” Katy laughed. “Hey, where are you going to live?”
“What?”
“I mean, you and Dylan are here by yourself. You obviously need a place to stay. What are you going to do? You can’t just live on the streets. This town may be small, but it can be dangerous.”
“Yeah. To be honest, I have no idea. I think I’ll just hang around a playground or alley or something until we find somewhere to stay permanently. Oh, and that reminds me, what about the schools here? I plan on staying here for at least a year, so I might as well go to school.”
“You’re seventeen, right?”
“Yes.”
“I suggest you go to Oliver High School. That’s where I went. It’s a pretty good school. Enrollment ends August first. It gives you about two weeks or so. It’s July 18 now.”
“Thanks. Wait, how old are you?”
“Eighteen. I graduated last year.”
“Okay. That’s cool. By the way, I don’t have any money to pay for this.” Katy sighed and rolled her eyes, going silent for a second.
“I’ve got an idea. If you work here, I will give you food. You can start tomorrow at nine a.m. if you accept it.”
“That sounds awesome! Thanks, Katy! I’ll be here at nine tomorrow.”
“Come with me real quickly, Carter.” She led me to the cash register inside. She opened it and handed me twenty-five bucks.
“This should last you until tomorrow if you skip lunch. Don’t splurge all at once. I’m not even really supposed to be giving you this. See you tomorrow.” She smiled and walked us out the door. I thanked her for the meal and the money and walked out with Dylan. This is turning out better than my life before. If life keeps going on like this, then this is going to be a great experience.