by Nguyen,Peter
Tears fall down my eyes as if Ava has been someone I have known all my life, my mom. The way she is sacrificing so much for me.
“Mommy?”
“Honey it’s okay. Go with Hazer. You’ll be okay, I promise,” says Ava.
I nod and quickly grab Stephanie’s hand and run. I try not to look back as it’s too painful. As we run down the tunnel, I can hear Ava’s shotgun going off from a distance. Each shot silence a screech. After awhile, the shooting stops and the screeches takes over.
“I see the ledge!” Faye shouts.
She lifts Austin up the ledge as I then hand her Stephanie. I can see tears just rolling down their cheek as they know their mother is gone forever. I know exactly how they are feeling. The same feeling when my mom told me everything is going to be okay, it was the last time I ever saw her.
Faye climbs up the ledge and then reaches out to me. I grab her hand and as she pulls me up ledge, but something grabs onto my leg. I turn around and it’s the dark creatures. It screeches into my ears. I strongly thrash my leg, kicking its face, hoping it’ll release me but no use. Adrenaline starts to pour into my veins as its sharp nails penetrate my skin. “AHH!” I scream in pain as the burning sensation intensifies. Faye quickly grabs nearby medal bar and slams it down on the creature’s head. It finally let’s go and I quickly move away from the ledge.
“We have to move!” I shout.
“Hurry, Hazer!”
I rush up the stairs with Faye but we are suddenly stopped by the sunlight. I notice the sky is orange and the sun is about to go down. I carefully reach out of the shadows and it’s not as hot as it was earlier. “We should be good. The heat wave is over.”
We run across the broken road trying to find a way out of this place.
“This way!” says Faye pointing towards a coffee shop with a cracked glass opening. Faye quickly breaks the door knob and we run in. I quickly close the door.
“Get down!” says Faye. We hide the kids under the booth table and crouch next to them.
“How are we going to leave now?” Faye asks.
“I don’t know.”
The sunlight shines on Faye’s face as she slowly peeks over the table edge.
“Do see it?” I whisper.
Faye shakes her head but suddenly her facial expression quickly changes. She ducks down, telling the kids to stay calm. She looks over me with concern.
“It’s coming towards us.”
I know we’ll eventually have to fight it, but I can’t put these two kids in danger. “Take the kids to the kitchen and lock the door. I’ll try to distract it.”
“No!? It’ll kill you. If anyone I’m more of a fair fight,” Faye argues.
There isn’t time for argument and Faye’s right. I’ve already lost a lot of blood when Seth shot my leg.
“I’ll come help you once they are safe,” I say. I then tell the kids to crawl towards the kitchen, letting them know I’ll be right behind them.
“Hazer!”
“Yea?”
Faye stares at me for a long second with concern in her eyes. It’s as if I’m staring at a new Faye, and the one who saved with in the forest is gone, leaving nothing but pure integrity. One that looks at me with hope, she is willing risk her life for me.
Her wavy chocolate brown hair falls down to her chest. I place my hands on her cheek and pull her close until our soft lips meet. I had only seen a kiss once in my life and that was between Mr. and Mrs. Rivera.
I don’t know how to feel right now but I don’t want to leave Faye’s side. She lets go of me and we both look into each other’s eyes. I can tell she’s in fear so I quickly respond, “You can do this.” She nods, taking out a sharp glass blade.
“Go now!” she says.
I quickly crawl to the kitchen where Stephanie and Austin are waiting. “Go to the back and don’t make any noise.” I begin to look through the white drawls, trying to find a butcher knife. The window suddenly breaks and the creature jumps in.
“There you are. Just the girl I was looking for,” says the jet black demon. “Stay back!” Faye stands her ground holding out the sharp glass. As the creature steps forward, black wolves start to appear out the shadows from each corner, surrounding the monster. “Your mind tricks are useless little girl!” The tall dark creature lunges at Faye, picking her up by the throat and the wolves slowly denigrate in thin air.
“Let her go!” I quickly run from behind and stab the monster in its back. It roars in pain and suddenly swings its long arms, knocking me back. Faye runs to me and helps me up. The creature screams in pain as it tries to reach for the knife I left in its shoulder.
“We have to lead it away from the kids,” I said.
“Follow me,” Faye pulls me outside the shop and we run to another building across the street.
The creature runs towards us from behind, swinging its claws at us. Faye screams as the creature’s razor claw nearly touches her. We quickly turn and my heart nearly stops as there is a brick wall at end of the alley. Blood starts running out of her nose and her violet eyes fade back to black. This can’t be the end I have to keep living not for me but for my mom.
The creature roars at us as it walks closer. It raises its claws and swings at Faye. I unhesitatingly and unconditionally get in front of her, taking the painful strike.
BANG! BANG!
The jet black screams and falls lifelessly to the ground. My body is shaking and I can barely get a grip of myself. “Hazer? HAZER!” Faye screams and I fall to ground. Everything starts to become blurry. I start slip away but not before seeing him, Rylan. I close my eyes knowing he came back.
XIII
My arms are hook on both Faye and Rylan’s shoulders. We quickly walk deeper towards the heart of the forest. The sky is completely dark and absence of the moon. Not even a star insight. We’ve been walking for what seems like hours. I can hear the dry leaves cracking as Austin and Stephanie follow from behind. I’m surprise they aren’t too freak out with all the blood I’m losing. Maybe they’re use to it.
“How you feeling?” Rylan ask.
“A little light headed,” I say.
“He’s losing too much blood Rylan,” I hear Faye says. Her voice, it’s soft and concern. It must be serious.
“We’re almost there. I saw it when the Havore chased me. I managed to lead it into the safe house’s trap. The beast took the bait so we should be able to enter safely.”
“Hang on Hazer,” Faye cries.
“You were amazing back there kid,” I weakly say.
“You can thank me later save your energy.”
As we keep walking, I notice the dead creature lying before us. The Havore is completely covered in brown fur, a mix between a size of a bear and the head of a lion. Its front paws inhabit sharp like talon, curving inward.
Rylan holds out his palm and a burst of energy opens the door. They gently set me down on the couch in front of the fire place. Faye runs in to another and I hear water running, I’m assuming that’s the kitchen. Rylan grips my sleeves and rips the fabric, exposing the wound.
Faye comes back with a cup of water and a first aid kit.
“You’re going to be okay,” Faye says. Her words are comforting; she grips my hands tight as Rylan injects morphine into my arm.
I watch vigilantly as my brother works his way down the cut, stitching the wound with such mastery.
~
Dear Rylan
If you’re reading this, this means you’re alive. You might hate me, you might hate your mother and you might even hate yourself. I don’t deserve forgiveness nor do I ask it. I’m writing you this letter to let you know I’m truly sorry, leaving you to a life you wouldn’t have wanted and I’ll regret day by day letting you go. If I could take your place, I would do it in a heartbeat. I love you son and I want you to know that. The first moment I looked into your eyes, I knew you are going to make differences in this miserable world we live in. You’re a special boy and never doubt yourself. Bec
oming the savior of Capa isn’t going to be easy. People will judge your every move, and every decision you make. I’m sorry I couldn’t be in your life my son but be brave for you and only you.
Love Dad
I slowly put down the letter, realizing I just read my father’s words for the first time. The note was intended for Rylan before they shot him. Rylan told me this letter was in his hands before he died.
Reading over the words carefully, I start to wonder how our dad use talk, was it deep, raspy? Even the way he handled things came to mind.
I shine my flash light to Rylan who is already asleep in a green sleeping bag. I guess he didn’t want to see my reaction after reading it or my apologies.
Faye surprisingly found the sleeping bag for all five of us. Even though the safe house is one of the biggest house I ever laid my eyes on, we all choose to sleep in the same room knowing we can keep an eye on each other till dawn. I overheard Rylan that there might be more Havores nearby. A beastly experiment that was released 8 years ago and ever since then, they were breeding for survival.
Faye has her arms around Austin and Stephanie by the corner. Things will probably get complicated since yesterday but I don’t regret any of it. She was brave and that is all I could of ask from her. She did right by me and I returned the favor.
The pain in my arm becomes more noticeable as time pass, but I can barley even move a muscle. My body feels like it was hit by a truck and I lived. The scratch from the creature really made me go in shock but luckily it Rylan stopped the bleeding.
I look up at the window, the sky is still dark but I know it’ll be morning soon. Rylan told me we’ll stay here until I’m ready to go. I really don’t want to slow anyone down especially Rylan of all people.
I turn off my flash light off and close my eyes.
The next morning, I hear laughter as I smell the eggs frying in the air. I open my eyes and I see Austin handing me a plate of fluffy scramble egg and burnt sausages. I look around the room and everyone is already up and is probably downstairs eating.
“Thanks, Austin” I said placing the plate on the wooden floor. He quickly gets up and runs out of the room. I guess I did over sleep. I feel like a mess right now and I don’t want to get up, but I know I have to.
The pain is still there but it’s bearable. I slowly sit up, picking up my plate and begin to walk down stairs. Luckily the kitchen is to the right as I come down. I walk in and Stephanie and Austin are sitting on the kitchen counter eating their breakfast. Faye is at the stove, struggling to turn off the fire on the stove.
“Here,” I said as I reach and turn the stove off.
“Hazer you’re up?! How are you feeling?”
“Could be worse. You made breakfast?”
“Rylan taught me,” Faye says, handing me a plate.
“You’rea fast learner,” I say.
Faye looks at the plate and smiles. “Actually, Stephanie was the one who made us the eggs. I kind of messed up on the sausages.”
“It’s okay. Better than nothing right?” I said as I taste the sausage and I nearly gagged. It tastes like bitter old meat that was left outside for a week. I quickly try to hide my disgust but Faye can see right thought me as she quickly says, “Sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I chuckle.
I notice Faye more nervous than usual. Her eyes wandering around the room and her hands are ceaselessly fidgety.
“Hey about yesterday,” she says.
“Don’t worry about,” I say, hoping to calm her nerves.
I walk over to the counter, looking both of them in the eye. “You guys doing okay?” I ask.
Stephanie nods while Austin starts play with his food, peeling the burnt skin off the sausage. “Look, after I’m feeling better. Do you guys want to join us to the Western territory?”
“Wait why are going to go the Devah?”
“Rylan didn’t tell you?”
Faye looks at me with confusion and I realized I never got the chance to tell her. “The reason me and Rylan are out here is because we’re rescuing his friend, Kala. She’s just like you, powerful. So are you up for it?”
“If you’re going,” Faye walks up to me where our eyes meet and my heart begins to pound like a drum.
I don’t know if I can do this. It’s like she’s staring right into my eyes but she’s looking at another person that I’m not. I’m the person who gave her amnesia.. I take a deep breath and place my hands over hers. “Faye I need to tell you something.”
“What is it?”
Just when I’m about to say the words, I hear loud wood chopping outside. “What is that?” I ask. “Oh that’s your brother, outside gathering wood for the fireplace.”
“I’ll tell you later. I need to go talk to my brother.” “Do you need help?” Faye reaches for my shoulder but I quickly respond “No, I’m good thank you.”
I know I’m avoiding the truth and eventually she has to know. The guilt is bound to come up to the surface. I walk out of the kitchen and open front double wooden doors. The cold air engulfs me with chills that remind me of home. The leafless tree stands tall as Rylan, who is in a gray trench coat with a blue scarf, swings his axe again and again until the tree falls, hitting the grass. I can see the lake from here as I walk closer to him. If we ever decided to stay here, fishing would be our last resort if we ran out of food. Luckily Mr. Rivera taught me everything I need to know about fishing. Rylan looks up at me, but then continues working on the wood.
“You’re up? After all that snoring I would assume you’d be out for another day.”
“I never got the chance to say thanks from last night.”
“I’m a Savior it’s what I’m supposed to do.”
“No, I’m serious if you weren’t there I wouldn’t be standing here right. Thank you.”
Rylan looks up at me, surprise that I’m still out here.
“Hey, why didn’t you tell Faye about us rescuing Kala?”
“Because they’re not going.”
Rylan begins to chop the block of wood shorter. I walk closer to him and say, “Well we can’t just leave them here defenselessly.”
“Sure they can. Faye is a Mirage. If she can’t fight intruders she can at least cloak herself and the kids.”
“She just became a Redeemed; I hardly believe she can do that without bleeding to death.”
Rylan throws the axe on the floor and quickly turns around. “Look do you really want to bring those two innocent kids to their death?”
“What?!”
“How did you think this was going to go? You think I’m going to use my powers to shield everyone, barging every Western solider out of our way until I bleed to death, right? They are not going,” Rylan’s voice hardens.
“Alright. I’ll make sure to tell them,” I said hoping it’ll calm Rylan down. He picks up the axe and begins chopping again.
“You know, you never ask me what I thought about the letter.”
“It doesn’t matter because those were just empty words.”
“Empty words? Why would you say that? Our dad practically said how much you were everything to him,” I reply.
“I use to think that too. I would read that letter every night as if he was there with me, comforting me through darkest parts of my life but as time went on, I realize he was just giving me false hope.”
“He died trying to deliver that letter to you.”
“YOU DON’T THINK I KNOW THAT?” Rylan shouts. “I didn’t want any of this.”
“Rylan calm down,” I raise my hands, hoping he doesn’t do anything reckless. “I didn’t ask for any of this and now the blood of our father is on my hands.” Rylan turns and walks towards the lake. I quickly follow him. He folds his arms and nostalgically stares at forest scenery.
“Look I’ll help you fine Kala, but you have to promise me one thing.”
“What can I possibly promise you?”
“Help me destroy Capa’s greatest invention, the serum.” Rylan turns a
nd scolds at me as if I’m insane in which I agree. “You’re delusional you know that?”
“Too many innocence already died to that injection. We have to make them stop.”
“I’m not doing something that will get me killed.”
“Yet we’re here in his warzone, trying to save the girl of your dreams.”
“You’re only saying this because you’re afraid that one day they’ll force you to take.”
“Okay maybe you’re right, I’m afraid of taking it but what if you have kids when you’re older. Are you willing to let them go through that, letting them suffer imaginable pain and for what?”
Rylan takes a deep breath and says, “Look I already save you three times. You owe me regardless, but taking down the injection will require help. Help that I cannot provide.”
“What sort of help?”
“The injection is part of Capa’s law, so getting rid of it will mean getting rid of rules that the people were raised with. The serum is supposed to keep people in line. If there are no more Saviors than hell will break loose in Capa and our territory will become part of the Cyto Field, nothing but a wasteland.”
“Well what do you suggest?”
“I don’t suggest anything. Rules are rules you’re not suppose to question it.”
It’s hard to believe my own brother is okay letting hundreds of children die to an injection that he already survived from. “How can you side with them? All they have done to you was manipulated and tortured you.”
“Well I wouldn’t have been part of the military if our parents would’ve just picked…” Rylan cuts off before letting out another word.
“C’mon say it because I’m the reason right? My existent is the reason why you’re like this. Just say it!” I tell him repeatedly. “You don’t know what you are talking about. Just go,” says Rylan.
I can’t do this. Fighting with my brother is the last thing I would want to do right now. We are already lost 8 years of our lives together and arguing back and forth will get us nowhere. I decide to be the one to stop talking walk back inside to the safe house where there is warmth and people doesn’t look like they’re about to punch me in the face.