by Dexx Peay
. ~Shangaleese
“Bro,” Marcus said, hovering over me, “this is some intense stuff.”
He grabbed the book from my hands, and I could feel the waves of envy released from him. It had to be painful knowing I could read his family history and he couldn’t. It was still a mystery to me, but it wasn’t one I was going to question. I took the book back and ran my fingers against the raised symbol on the front that read Shangaleese. If the princess had never forced him into that pod, Marcus wouldn’t even exist today.
Shangaleese sacrificed everything he had and all he ever wanted was to help his people in the war. Instead, his family was killed and he was forced to start his life over on another planet. I didn’t know who this guy was, but he was brave. Reading this really had me thinking about my own family and what I would do if the same situation happened to me. It didn’t feel right knowing how I acted, so I knew I had to apologize.
“Don’t you want to know more, Marc?” I asked.
“Nah, that was enough. We should head back and get some sleep.”
By the end of the week I finally gained the courage face my parents and call home. I spoke with Dad first and let him know I was sorry for raising my voice and putting my hands on him. “Someone’s been in the weight room,” he responded.
Typical Dad.
I mean he had to know by now that I have powers just like him. He did have the markings like Hudson.
I ruled out Mom because I figured I would have caught her slipping by now. Then there was that chance I was something completely different and just born this way. When I spoke with Mom, she explained the living situation. Dad was moving out and getting his own place and Dalton was staying with her. She gave me the option as to where I would like to stay when home for breaks.
The following week when class got out, I approached Imani and semi-apologized for not knowing the whole truth.
“Look, I know now,” I said. She stopped and turned around before she could make it out the door. “The Qihar. I know who they are.” She walked back and grabbed my arm pulling me with her. We both took a seat in the empty classroom.
I raised the sleeve of her jacket and there it was. It looked like one of those tribal tattoos—abstract and ritualistic. She held her arm out to me like she wanted me to examine it. I gently rested her arm into my hand and studied it. The design started at the wrist on her right arm and stopped at the forearm.
“So I will get one of these?” I asked her.
“I'm not sure, Dylan. I'm not sure you are even one of us. I've never met anyone your age with these powers that didn’t have a marking.”
What if I was an experimental test subject injected with some kind of serum at birth? I wanted to know everything she knew so I asked. I asked about the stories she knew to see if it matched with the one Marcus and I had.
She began by saying all she knew was stuff told to her, how today less than a small percentage of the world’s population is both Qihar and Xarpore and how the mission of the Qihar is to annihilate the population of Xarponians, liked they originally planned before the Xarponians fled.
“So the markings … that’s how they spot—us?” I asked, sounding unsure if I was considered in the “us”.
“That and their natural sensors. But I guess you and Marcus are safe since you blend in with the humans.”
Blend in? If she only knew. “Answer this. Why did Qihar attack Xarpore anyways?”
“How did you know it was the Qihar that attacked first?” She smiled for the first time in a long time.
I smiled back. “I've been studying.”
“Well, allegedly the Qihar wanted to be the superior race and rule the galaxy, but since Xarpore also had abilities that mimicked their own, they had to take out everyone on the planet.”
“Genocide…”
“Exactly. It would have worked if it weren’t for a few kids no older than you and I rebuilding the population of the Xarponians.”
Everything she said matched up with what was written in Marcus’ book. I knew she was telling the truth. We both got hot sitting in the room with our jackets on, so we finished our conversation as we walked around campus.
“And Earth comes into play how?” I asked.
“You see, after spending about two-thousand Vandakhorian years on Vandakhor, Qihar invaded them. Once they had complete control over Xarpore, they wanted to finish what they started by taking out everyone on the planet since the Xarponians reproduced with the Vandakhorians. No one knew whether or not if the offspring of both races would have powers, but they did. Now, with another planet in the galaxy with powers the Qihar felt threatened.”
I was in shock over all the knowledge I gained over the year. Most people my age were learning networking and business skills. I, on the other hand, was learning that life on other planets in a distant galaxy really did exist. I almost wanted to change my major to astronomy and prove some professors wrong with all this newfound knowledge.
“They say history repeats itself,” she said, turning around and walking backward, facing me. “Once the attacks started, the Kings and Queens already had a plan in mind. They each had a section in their regions packed full of escape pods. They loaded as many as they could and set a course for a place they thought they would never be found.”
“Earth,” I said.
“Correct. But they were wrong, they were found … we were found. Fast forward to the present. Hundreds maybe even thousands made it to Earth. Once again, each started their lives, this time as Earthlings. Soon they noticed that the Qihar were also on Earth doing what they promised — killing anyone with the blood of Xarpore running through their veins.” Her voice took a more serious tone. “That’s us, Dylan. We’re the descendants of the people of Xarpore and that’s why we are being hunted.”
“So the people of Qihar, are they marked as well?”
“The people of Qihar have tribal markings just like us, but harder to see.”
“Why is that?”
“Their tribal marking starts at the bottom of the neck and goes down the spine. Since everyone wears a shirt, we can never look and tell.”
“I don’t get it.”
“What don’t you get?”
“If the markings of the Qihar start at the bottom of neck why did you attack Marcus when you saw him? You said you thought you saw a marking on his arm.”
“I thought I saw the marking of Qihar on his left arm,” she corrected. “Everyone with the blood of Xarpore is marked on the right arm, never the left. All of our markings start the same. You see how it starts off as a solid black ring approximately half an inch thick around the wrist?”
“OK. I get it now.” I examined her marking. It started the same way as Hudson’s.
“Once they appear, the tribal markings start to grow as your powers grow. They take you on a journey so no one marking is ever the same. The Qihar start with a black line and grow down.”
“Well it’s a good thing that he has the blood of Xarpore in him then.”
“Are you positive?”
“Hundred and ten percent.” I said, confident. He had the books to prove them.
We stopped and took a seat near Silver. It was the most we’ve talked since she tried to kill Marcus.
“So when did you know?” I asked.
“Know what?” she said, picking at the ends of her jacket as she stared down.
“About your heritage.” Whenever I asked a questioned that was deemed too personal, her shield came up. “I mean, you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
“No, it’s OK. I just, lied earlier.” She moved her attention to her fingers, rubbing them against her palm. “I was about seven and life was great as far as I can remember. I lived in Chicago. It was a better than normal life actually with everything we needed and wanted, and loving parents who did whatever they could for their children. I was the social kid, popular. Everyone wanted to befriend me and I the same. I was well aware my parents had powers. The
y would use them around the house and told us bedtime stories of our ancient family history. All was well until this one Saturday when Dad had to make a run to the store to get some ingredients Mom needed for dinner. She kept telling him to hurry because she was ready for the food to be done and I was hungry. I remember clearly like it happened yesterday, the back door being blasted off the hinges while I was in the kitchen.
“Mom reacted fast. She gave me one look and I knew. I ran and hid behind the couch and peeped out to see what was going on. This short and muscular guy wearing black jeans and a sleeveless shirt walked in right after the door flew off. He shot a bolt of lightning so powerful it went right through Mom’s shoulder. She flew across the kitchen, knocking over everything on the stove. Blood splattered everywhere and just that fast, the kitchen was unrecognizable. He walked in closer to her and Mom tried to fight back but she was too weak to use her powers. I remember the look he gave her — his smile haunts me even to this day. He struck her with one more bolt of lightning, ending her life.
“He went on to search the house. He started to make his way back to the bedrooms and I ran out to check on Mom, but she was no longer moving. No child wants to see their mother lying lifeless in a pool of blood. I didn’t have time to cry because I heard another door being blasted away. I walked into the back room and I never thought I would see this in my life.”
She started crying. I slid my fingers across her jeans and slipped my fingers into her hands.
“You don’t have to finish if you don’t want,” I assured her.
She nodded. “It’s OK. I’ve never told anyone my story. I walked into the room,” she said, trying to wipe and talk through the tears, “and saw the same guy take no mercy on my little sister. I couldn’t hold back anymore and I stood there crying. I guess he didn’t know I was there and my crying startled him. I felt my hands getting warmer and warmer by the seconds. Moments later, they were on fire. It was the first time I ever powered up. He extended his hand in my direction, and I saw the lightning sparking around his palm as he was about to attack. Right when the bolt started to form, Dad busted in and shot him down. The guy tried to escape but Dad … Dad wasn’t going to let that happen.”
“Imani, I-ugh, I had no idea.” I scooted over as she cried and pulled her closer to me, taking her hands down from her face and wrapping them around me. She buried her face so deep into my chest the sound of her crying was mute. I now understood why she thought her powers were a curse and brought nothing but destruction. She pressed away from my chest and wiped her eyes.
“Ever since then, my dad and I have been on the run trying to avoid being spotted. I trained heavily as a teen, but I hope and pray I never have to use my powers unless absolutely necessary.”
Her tough and isolated exterior faded away like leaves changing with the seasons. We talked for a little while longer, shifting the conversation to our favorite cookies before calling it a night. I walked her to her dorm and held her in silence. I let her know I was here for her and she walked inside.
The next day, I caught up with Marcus and shared some of the information I learned from Imani. It sucked the Qihar were still trying to become the superior race after thousands of years. They’ve destroyed two planets already and planned on another. It’s up to our generation to put a stop to it and end this war.
Over the next few weeks, Hudson, Hachi, Marcus and I took the training up a notch. The three of them went over flight fighting while I covered ground attacks. Even though I still couldn’t fly, I knew my ability to think on my feet as well as telekinesis was an asset to the team. We all knew the war here on Earth would pick up soon and we wanted to be ready.
Chapter 22
Typical College Student
Focus … focus … focus, I repeated to myself, staring at my history test, tapping my pencil constantly on the desk. I wanted to blame the teacher for not going over the material, but I had to take the fault. I’d been staying out all night training with the others. The teacher gave the ten-minute warning and that time flew by. Everyone had their test turned in and I was the last one still penciling when he called time.
There was no way I could bring any bad grades home to my parents. I had to find the balance between school, friends, training and figuring out who I really was. Marcus was doing well for himself. His grades were nothing less than perfect, his girlfriend was hot, and he was making money from tutoring people and making new friends.
I walked back to my room and opened the door to Airez and his brother talking. His eyes looked me up and down and I froze. “What?” I asked, checking myself for something out of place. They both got up and took their conversation into the common area.
You would think that after a semester, we could at least stand to be in the same room together. Guess we’ll just never get along. I waved my hands, opening the closet door. I threw my book bag in and plopped on the bed.
When I woke up, the night was just starting its shift. I had dinner plans with the clan off campus. I knocked on Chris and Gunner’s door and we met the others at the bus stop.
When dinner was over, Gunner, Chris, and I went back to the room. Gunner heard about a party that was going on and wanted to check it out. That was one thing I liked about Gunner, he was fearless and always down for a good time. Chris wanted to study, what I should have been doing, but I couldn’t leave Gunner high and dry. We got dressed and headed out.
The party was in Queens. It was crazy how many people greeted Gunner as we walked in. I hadn’t been to as many parties as Gunner, so I was limited to the amount of people I knew.
Girls were walking up hugging him and giggling as they walked off while guys shook his hand as they passed him.
“You’re too popular for me,” I said.
“I get out often,” he said.
I was nothing how I was in high school. I was so used to being the popular guy all my life and people wanting to be around me, but now it was like people had no clue I even exist around here.
“I think you may be right,” I said. When we finally made it past the crowd of people that wanted to greet Gunner, I felt something lay across my left shoulder. I turned and Airez was right in the middle of Gunner and me with his arms rested on the both of us.
“Well if it isn’t my lame-o roommate and my steroid infested suitemate. What brings you two out?” It was obvious why he was so friendly as you could smell the whiskey on his words.
“Daggonit, is there no escaping you?” Gunner pushed Airez’s arm off his shoulder.
“Boys, I'm just here to have a good time,” said Airez politely as he walked off. “See you two around.”
“That was awkward.” I shrugged as he left us there, confused. “Was it me or was he actually … well … pretty tolerable for once.”
“Yeah, I think he may have something itching up his sleeve,” Gunner said. “We may need to keep an eye on him.”
Gunner grabbed two cups of punch and handed me one.
“Come on, let’s go have some fun.” He gestured for me to follow him. He walked up behind a random girl, took his cowboy hat off, and put it on her head. She turned around, grabbing the hat.
“Gunner.” She hugged him.
“Howdy, Emily. This is my friend Dylan. Dylan, this is my friend Emily,” he said.
“Howdy, Dylan.” Her accent matched his.
“Emily’s also a Texan,” he joked.
She grabbed her friend, who if I had to guess was almost intoxicated, and pulled her over to me.
“Dance with Dylan,” she said to her friend.
She didn’t ask any questions. She threw her hands in the air and danced circles around me. Emily and Gunner chuckled as they looked over our way and began to dance. I wanted to have a good time so I danced along with the drunken girl.
I looked down at my watched as Gunner and I left the house, realizing that it was past three in the morning.
“What is it?” Gunner asked.
“I told myself I would start getting
more sleep so I can make it to class on time and study more.”
“You’ll be fine. Every college kid goes through this.”
I was completely drained, eyes burning and body heavy, when we finally made it back to the room. Airez walked in right when I got the lights off and crawled into bed.
“What’s up, punk?” He turned on the light and took off his liquor-covered clothes. I pulled the blanket over my body and tried to force myself to sleep.
I could hear him shuffling through his clothes when he said, “You need to lighten up. You’re so uptight and way too easy to piss off.”
I pulled the blanket back off and glared coldly.
“So that’s why you walk around like you’re better than me? Because you think I'm easy to get to?”
“To be honest, yeah. You need to grab your man-sack and stick up for yourself.”
Was I a pushover? I didn’t think I was, I mean, I could easily take him out. “You got it all wrong. Just never understood why you never liked us.”
“Well besides the fact that you and your little posse are lame, your friend tried to get at my girlfriend. But, a little birdie told me I should learn to be nice to people, so I thought I’d start with you, punk.”
I couldn’t tell if he was joking or if he was actually being serious. “So you’re telling me you want to be friends?” I felt my face twisting up as I said that.
He held back a laugh.
“Friend is pushing it. I’ll just start by stopping the rumors I started about my roommate who wets the bed.”
“WHAT!” I freaked.
“Night.” He turned the lights off.
Surprisingly, I woke up on time the rest of the week. Hachi called Sunday evening asking if I wanted to train and run drills after going the week without. I couldn’t resist.
She had me meet her at an old paper factory. Rusted paper-making machines, pipes, and chains, were the first thing I noticed followed by Hachi, standing in the center with matching gray sweatpants and jacket, her hair pulled back like always.