Rebirth

by Valerie Willis

  “Especially if you can pick up on the fact I’m not who I appear to be so easily.” Hotan sighed as he leaned over the bed of the truck, scrutinizing his trashed Suzuki. “But I don’t think Geliah gives a rat’s ass whether I am the Old Hotan or not.”

  “Geliah? That ass needs to grow up.” Lilly walked up beside him and peered over the side of the truck curious of why he looked so remorseful. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

  “Yea I know, the bike’s pretty rough.” Jake commented with the cigarette hanging lazily in his mouth. “She’s a dirty one, neh?”

  “Cassandra’s head is full of dirt, if you ask me. Especially for being so wrapped up into Geliah of all people. How about you two manly men carry it in the shop?” She walked into the garage disappearing from their view.

  “Damn it’s heavy.” Jake growled through his cigarette as they laid the bike on the ground just behind the truck.

  “Yea, full tank of gas, well, mud.” The two of them pushed the bike towards the shop with its flat tires dragging the whole way there, leaving a distinct trail of dirt. “It’s going to be a while before I get this thing back. You think you can give me a lift home when we get ready to leave?”

  “Sure, if you really think you need a ride.” They stopped inside the garage lined with its shelves, drawers and various tools and equipment. A heavy smell of oil, gasoline and mechanic related scents greeted their nostrils.

  “Considering I have dirt encasing the inside of my engine, yea, I need a ride Jake.” Hotan leaned against a table as he watched Jake take one last drag from the cigarette and flick it out the open garage door.

  “You don’t need to ride with anyone.” Lilly came out of the office enclosure near them, gloves off and her face clean. She tossed Jake a beer, opening her own against her arm like he had seen many guys at the bars do. “This should be an easy fix, but it’s going to drain the hell out of me, fair warning.”

  “There’s no way you can take this engine apart and fix it by the end of today.” Hotan looked skeptical of what she was implying as she guzzled down half of her beer.

  “Who said anything about taking it apart?” She gave a smirk, winking in his direction. “Now close the garage door. Let’s get this over and done with.”

  “You sure you want to do it that way, girlie?” Jake found a chair to sit on as he enjoyed the cold liquid pouring down his throat. “I know it’s still hard on you.”

  “Practice makes perfect.” She threw the empty bottle in a nearby trashcan, making a loud clanking sound as it hit others in its fall. “It’s getting better though.”

  “Are you-” Hotan looked at her as the garage fell into darkness. The chain-operated gate came screeching into its resting place and the room was lit from a few flickering florescent lights. “Are you going to do what I think you’re about to do?”

  “If you knew how to use your powers it would have been an easy fix.” Jake looked back at him smiling. “But she’s going to try and push the dirt out by crushing the metal into a solid chunk leaving the dirt to fall to the garage floor.”

  “Yea, it may take me a while to do it, but it can be done.” She cracked her knuckles and neck taking a steadying deep breath.

  “Wait,” Standing next to Jake, Hotan was unsure of where else he would be allowed to be during this delicate procedure. “But my bike’s not completely metal. I mean I know half the materials are plastic or rubber, so, how is this going to work?”

  “Well, see that’s the intriguing thing.” Jake leaned back taking a sip of his beer. “We’re a lot more complex than where we started at all those centuries ago. Lilly of Metals has evolved in a most peculiar way despite being in that Rip Van Winkle naps of yours. Her element has changed to match the times.”

  “Yup, not everyone adjusted or changed. It just depends on the element.” She was digging through a rather large toolbox full of various shelves. “It’s really interesting you know, took me by surprise.”

  “So, what you’re trying to say is that some of, us, have become stronger, despite the lack of use of our so called elements?” Hotan was trying to comprehend the new information he was given. “Adapted by default?”

  “Exactly,” She walked over to his grim-looking bike and started to wrench off the cover pieces, making the bike lose its smooth appearance piece-by-piece. “So my abilities have gotten stronger, more advanced.”

  “And how did your powers become stronger?” Sadly, Hotan watched as his motorcycle became a bare skeleton, showing nothing but the ragged insides that endured a hellish blow. “Because I really don’t see how metal could advance into something stronger.”

  “Well, let’s break the idea of our powers down.” She placed another cover piece gently on the table and walked back to the vehicle to continue the task at hand. “Keep in mind that overall, we are truly reflections of emotions or materials that make up a person and their life. I mean, there’s emotions like lust or love that everyone yearns for and gives, and you have fear that we all feel. Besides that, you also have the basis of life itself, mind or spirit. Further from that you have the environment that helps create that life. The earth we walk on, light that lets us see and fire to gives us warmth. It’s what helps mold humanity.”

  “In short, little Miss Can’t-be-wrong is saying that metal has expanded into everyday life and is related to machinery more often than the element. Due to that fact alone, she has expanded her ability. Once it was able to control the simple objects of metals and could make a knight’s armor and weapons. It now includes more complex items, such as guns, cars and any other machinery she can possibly imagine.” Jake proudly took a swallow of his beer as they continued to educate him on this new finding. “It was something we didn’t realize would be part of the package until recently. I’m convinced if she keeps at it, she may be able to do some high tech computer stuff.”

  “Machines aren’t one hundred percent metal. I am able to manipulate plastics, rubber, and any other materials depending on what it is I am building.” She clomped her tools back onto a shelf and squatted in front of the bike evaluating the damage that had been done.

  “Huh, that is interesting, but it makes sense now that you put it that way. I didn’t realize that society had such a big effect on us though. It’s ironic.”

  “Yea, it’s a pain in the ass if you ask me.” Jake sighed leaning forward again, resting his elbows on his legs. “There’s so much to adjust and learn, but we’re still human when it’s all said and done. We just feel the flow of everyday life a million times more than the average person, and unlike them, we have the ability of manipulating the element of our choice.”

  Huffing, Hotan crossed his arms, “Of your choice.”

  “You heard right.” Lilly smiled at him but it faded as she released a heavy sigh. “But in your case, you have no choice.”

  “Yea, and that just doesn’t add up either.” Jake looked up at him for a moment. “Anyway, let’s get this show on the road, doll.”

  “Like I said, it may take a while.” She took in a deep breath as she took a step closer to the project that lay before her.

  Hotan watched Lilly as she stood there for several minutes, almost as if nervous or reluctant about the idea of performing the ability. She had spoken so proudly of it just minutes before. Taking several deep breaths and holding her hands out towards the bike, her face solid with focus. She gave her full attention to the motorcycle in its naked shape. Hotan’s eyes widened as a bluish glow from the motorcycle broke his fixation on her. It seemed to grow from the very center of the bike and within moments the sound of metal and various objects bending and breaking. It was painful for him to think of what was happening to the bike he had worked so hard to earn. The squeaking and groaning started to creep out, louder and more frequent.

  I wish things could be normal again.

  Turning his focus back to Lilly, Hotan could see black marks crawling out across her face and arms as sweat ran down the side of her cheek. Soon the bluish glow was
starting to surround her as she continued her work. Now he could actually see parts and elements starting to implode into a mass that made up the heart of the bike. Dirt and mud was beginning to rain to the floor, as it found no place to hide or contain itself. Truly an amazing event to witness, he looked down at Jake who was leaning back in his seat. Chugging his beer, Jake’s grave expression told Hotan volumes.

  He’s worried about this. Obviously, this is still a hard task on everybody. Getting accustomed to their new, weaker selves has taken a huge toll on them. Maybe it is a good thing I am starting from scratch.

  The disintegration of his bike continued as if it were a piece of paper, slowly and torturously crumbling. It took several minutes before what used to be a working piece of machinery was merely a glowing blue ball of metal and various materials. Below the floating mass was an increasing pile of moist dirt. The mass began to bubble, stretch itself awkwardly. Lilly maintained her composure that she had begun with. More sweat had collected on her face and arms.

  He could see she was making a hollow metal case that imitated what the bike had looked like. It was an extremely slow process, but with so much detail it was to be expected. Each component surfaced with every detail clear and defined as if it were brand new. It was absolutely breathe taking as Hotan watched his bike reappear from the deteriorated mass with grace within that blue glow. Upon completion, as the tires filled themselves with air as they delicately touched the ground. The tread appeared like script across a page, like the tires had never touched asphalt. It gently landed back onto the garage floor and the glow started to fade.

  Lilly fell to the floor.

  Chapter Sixteen

  He and Jake scrambled to where she had fallen. She was cold and clammy as Jake picked her up. Hotan followed close behind him as he busted into the office laying her on the couch.

  “Get something warm, a towel, rag, anything you can find!” Jake rubbed her face softly saying her name trying to wake her up, tears filling his eyes. “Lilly, Lilly honey, snap out of it. You stubborn woman, you just had to push yourself too far once more. Please, Lilly, wake up!”

  “What the hell just happened?” Hotan rushed into the bathroom that was in view, grabbing up the hand towel and impatiently waited for the sink water to get hot. “Is she ok?”

  “It happens to all of us when we do more than what we’re used to, now hurry!” Jake pulled the blanket that lay across the top of the couch off and wrapped her in it, unable to get her to wake up. “We might be able to snap her back out if we can warm her up.”

  “Why did she even do it then?” Rushing back with the warm hand towel, Hotan caught sight of a tear sliding down Jake’s cheek. This is bad, real bad. “I had no idea it was this extreme.”

  “She’s stubborn.” Jake snatched it from him and began rubbing her face with it, slowly returning color to her face as he did so. “She hates being like this so she tends to rush it. She’s been pushing her body to regain the stamina needed to handle the element. Stupid Lilly, why did you have to do this to me today, Honey?”

  “Rush it? Hell, she’s trying to kill herself.” Hotan flopped into an old computer chair trying to understand the situation that had unfolded. “This happens to you all? This is insane.” How horrible.

  “Yea, at first, that is, until we get used to it again. Talib is the only one that doesn’t have this problem.” Jake gave a sigh as Lilly started to moan and shifted in her spot. “In fact you’ve fallen into a similar state in the cathedral. Temporary memory loss, chills, cold, so very cold, and even comas happen sometimes.”

  “Really?” He watched as Jake continued to dab her with the hand towel helping her snap out of her unconscious state. “I guess that explains how I woke up and how it relates to the church’s new makeover.”

  “Shit,” She mumbled grabbing her head. “That hurt. Ugh, I hate when I over do it.”

  “Well, good morning beautiful!” Jake exclaimed in great relief. Even in Hotan’s colorblind eyes, he could see color return to Jake’s face. “Was wondering how long you were going to sleep on the job.”

  “Sorry if I scared you guys.” She stiffly sat up rubbing her forehead. “Ugh, can you grab my Tylenol in the medicine cabinet?”

  “Sure,” Hotan retrieved them, “Here you go.”

  “Gave us quite the startle when you didn’t wake up at first!” Jake had taken Hotan’s seat as they watched her swallow the pills with no need for water.

  “Yea, I wasn’t quite expecting it.” Hotan crossed his arms still feeling uneasy from the intense moment. “Why did you do it if it takes that much energy from you? That’s pushing your luck, don’t you think?”

  “Heh, every time I push myself a few levels higher the next time I do something that big I don’t quite pass out. As they say kid, practice makes perfect.” She shoved the blanket off and stood up wobbling. “I like pushing my luck, if that’s what you want to call it.”

  “Yea, and she isn’t the only one half the time. Most of us made the big mistake of trying something big once we remembered who we were. Woke up in the ER on IV for shock, malnourishment, or whatever other reason the doctors thought fit the cause of the sudden fainting session.” Jake watched Lilly head to the kitchen opening her fridge as she leaned heavily on the door for support, still feeling weak. “It’s just really hard gauging what we are able to handle and not handle and how bad the outcome will be.”

  “I was thinking about that earlier.” Hotan couldn’t help but observe Jake’s depressed and frustrated look. “I can almost say I’m lucky to be starting from scratch.”

  “Anyone want a beer?” Lilly poked her head above the fridge door to see both of them raise a finger or two. “Alright, I can see that point, but, in the end you’re facing as much if not more emotional trauma than the rest of us.”

  “Yea, she’s got a point.” Jake took a beer from her as she returned to the couch. She smirked and winked as she handed Hotan a coke bottle. “I really think he’s got more to worry about than us.”

  “You’re telling me.” Hotan huffed enjoying the chilly liquid that flowed across his dry throat. “I have a lot on my plate. I have to figure out who and what I am, then it’s my fault because this mess surfaced up like it did. The only guy who can explain the whole reason why, doesn’t exist anymore. On top of all that, I have some other guy who wants me dead over the whole thing.”

  “Damn, your life sucks,” Lilly guzzled down her drink. “Must be hard being famous like that.”

  “Oh Lilly Pad go easy on the kid.” Jake looked up at him. “Don’t let her intimidate you. Her bark’s worse than her bite, trust me I know from experience.”

  “Feh,” Hotan grinned to himself admiring her spirit. “I’m used to it by now. I’ll finish putting the covers on the bike while you two catch up.”

  “About time you did something around here.” Lilly watched as he walked out of the office.

  Walking over to the open drawer, Hotan picked up the required tool. Next to the body panels, Lilly had laid the nuts and screws in plain sight. He picked up one panel and shoved the screws in his pocket. One piece at a time, he started to attach the outside jacket that gave the bike its smooth aggressive look. As he wrenched away he admired the shiny chrome look that made up a majority of the bikes metal components. As he went, he noted that some things weren’t entirely in the spot they were before and he could tell that some new parts were in place. He hastened his wrenching on the panels, eager to ask Lilly what she had done to his motorcycle before he dare try to ride it all the way home. Home was an hour drive, if not more, from where they were.

  After several minutes he finished, wiping the sweat from his forehead. Walking back into the office, they noticeably cut their conversation short. He had received more information than what he knew what to do with for the time being.

  “What exactly did you do to my bike?” Hotan gave Lilly a strong glare as she sat on the couch leaning on her knees, a fresh beer in hand. “You did more than I thought
. It’s not the same. Just looks the same.”

  “Wow, you actually noticed.” She smiled widely as her eyes lit up. “I modified the engine to maximize your output and changed the metal entirely to Titanium. There’s a lot more than that but I think you know where I am going on that note.”

  “Well the question is, am I going to kill myself trying to drive it home?” He leaned against the door frame as he waited for the answer. More speed isn’t always the best.

  “Nope, but you’ll notice it’ll shift a lot smoother and you’ll feel it’s got a lot more power behind it.” She leaned back onto the couch giving a quick glance over at Jake who remained silent as his back faced Hotan. “Be careful, she may feel lighter than the steel parts that were on there. Take the turns easy.”

  “Just be careful, Hotan.” Jake’s voice was deeper ant it gave him the tone of a father giving his son worldly advice. “And call your girl. Take a break from all of this.”

  “Yea I know.” He sighed, “I’ll be off then. Thanks for everything, Lilly.”

  “Anytime, kid.” She raised her bottle up at him. “Stop by anytime. I’ll do what I can for you.”

  Hotan walked out to Jake’s truck to grab his helmet from the passenger side. It was starting to get dark outside as he put it on, flipping up the tinted shield, leaving the clear down for the drive back home. He pulled the chain to open the loud garage door, hooking the chain in place to ensure it wouldn’t come crashing back down. Sitting on his renewed motorcycle, he couldn’t help but be nervous about driving it so far for the first time. Not knowing how it would work or feel, he started the engine to hear it roar softer and smoother than what he was accustomed to. Kicking up the kickstand, his legs welcomed the lighter weight of the bike, but managed to make himself anxious over the difference.

  Knowing that he would have to adjust shifting his weight, he’d have to be thoughtful on making his turns. Leaning a lot softer than before was going to be quite the change and challenge from the heavy beast he once road. He lightly pressed the gas and elegantly rolled out of the garage onto the isolated industrial road. As the bike shifted, he felt the effortlessness of the changing of the gears and the clean feeling of the ride.