by Dexx Peay
Once he finally stopped, he fell to his knees and started crying.
“What am I going to tell my parents?” he cried.
His cries were continuous and haunting. We were all banged. I empathized with Hudson. I didn’t know how I was going to explain to Dylan’s parents what happened to him but I had to prepare myself to break the news. I had no clue where they could have taken him or what they were doing to him, but I immediately felt empty.
I missed him.
The ride back to the hotel was the worst. It was so quiet, I don’t think anyone had thoughts going through their head. I couldn’t stop thinking about Dylan, I was concerned for the others but Dylan’s family was like my own. I knew Mr. Perry was going to kill me the moment I fixed my mouth to say anything about Dylan.
We got back to the hotel and everyone found a place to lay down. I couldn’t sleep and I wasn’t sure if anybody else slept as well.
When we woke, we headed to the airport and didn’t speak of what happened until we got back to Poughkeepsie.
“I promise we will find out who or what is behind this. We will get them back,” Mr. Elliot said as the cab drove away from his house.
“I’ll keep investigating,” Julius said. He shook Mr. Elliot’s hand. “Benny.”
He walked to me. I didn’t have the energy for anything and I didn’t want to talk to anybody.
“I’ll be in contact.” He walked off.
I walked into the house and grabbed the keys to Dylan’s car.
I kept playing different ways to break the news and the different outcomes that would’ve happened.
They all ended with me dead.
I didn’t have time to think about anything else since I was turning into Mr. Perry’s house. There were two cars parked, one on the street and one in the driveway. I knew he was home. I didn’t waste any time. I got out of Dylan’s car and walked to the front door. My head was hung low so I wouldn’t have to look him in the face when he answered. The door cracked open and I looked up.
“Dylan,” I gasped.
“Marcus,” Dylan gasped.
He stepped outside and wrapped his arms around my neck tightly. I couldn’t even swallow my own saliva. I pushed him off me until he let go, then pulled him outside and closed the front door.
“Dylan you’re okay?” I asked. I wasn’t too sure if he really was. “How did you get here?”
“I don’t have the slightest idea. All I can remember is going to the house and Imani was there and somebody else and… and everything after that is hazy. Then I woke up in my bed. What happened?”
“Geesh man I have to fill you in. We got into a fight with Imani, Crystal, and you’ll never believe who is back from the dead?”
“Who?”
“Jessica.”
“Jessica?”
“Yeah. Seems like we didn’t take care of her like we thought we did.” I followed behind him as he paced around.
“What does she want?” He stopped and looked at me.
“I’m not sure but after we all got our asses whooped and passed out, you and Hachi were gone when we woke.”
“So how did I get here then?”
“That’s what we need to find out. How are you feeling?”
“I feel great.”
“Good, because I came over to tell your dad that I lost you and was ready for him to kill me,” I laughed. “Well, here are your keys, I’m just going to walk back.”
“You sure? I can give you a ride home no problem.”
“No man I’m good.”
He went back into the house and I started to walk back. I put my hands in my pocket and started to walk so fast I was almost at a sprint. I kept looking back to make sure Dylan was in the house and not lingering around in the yard. When his house was no longer in my sight I pulled out my phone and started to go through my contacts. My nerves were shot, my hands shaking all over the place. Couldn’t concentrate on who I was really trying to call. I got myself together and finally called Hudson. The phone rang but he didn’t answer. Didn’t leave a voicemail, needed to speak one-on-one. Right as I put my phone in my back pocket, it started to vibrate.
It was Hudson.
“Hudson man you won’t believe this,” I said.
“Is Dylan back?” he responded.
I stopped walking.
“Hachi must back too?”
“Yep.”
“How is she? Is she acting weird or anything?”
“No she’s normal. She doesn’t remember any of the fight.”
“Hudson we have to be careful. Something doesn’t feel right. When the other two disappeared their personalities changed and they even attacked us. We need to find out what happened from the time we all blacked out to the time they got back.”
“Why do you feel like that?” Hudson asked.
“He called me Marcus. He’s the only person on this planet who doesn’t call me Marcus. We need to watch them.”
“Agreed. I will keep an eye on my sister.”
“And I’ll watch Dylan. Be careful Hudson and I’ll see you when we get back to school.”
Later that night, I called Dylan to see if he wanted to get out and go to a movie or get some food. He was busy hanging with his dad and his girlfriend. He said we could do something tomorrow. I called Trey and went to his house.
Trey’s dad and mom were at the kitchen table when Trey let me in. I was asked to take a seat. I sat down and Trey sat next to me.
“Dylan is back.”
“Where...wa...how?” Mr. Elliot stumbled.
“I… am not positive. He seems normal and unharmed but I’m not stupid. Something is up and we need to find out what’s going on around here.”
Mr. Elliot reached over and grabbed Mrs. Elliot’s hand. They clinched hands and shared a look. They whispered something to each other only they could understand.
“What?”
“Crystal...” Trey’s mom inquired hesitantly. “Did he mention anything about her?”
I looked at the three of them. They were all miserable. I had nothing to offer. No clues, leads, ideas, or hope.
“I’m sorry. He doesn’t even remember anything,” I said.
Mrs. Elliot took a napkin from the center of the table and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. Mr. Elliot’s eyes turned white.
“Dad...” Trey looked over and his head leaned back.
“Sorry Trey,” he said. His eyes shifted back.
“I take it Imani is not back then. What do I do?”
I couldn’t go at this alone. I didn’t even know what this was or who we were really fighting.
“I don’t think there is anything we can do at this point. If what is going on with Dylan is the same thing going on with Imani and Crystal, hopefully he will lead us to something.”
“I guess you’re right,” I said.
“Go home and get some rest Marcus, you look like you can use some.”
Mr. Elliot was empathetic, and right. I was exhausted...this whole thing was exhausting.
I didn’t see much of Dylan during the rest of the break. He made a lot of excuses about spending time with his family. Even told me on one occasion that I needed to spend time with my own instead of always trying to hang with him. I could feel the shift happening.
Trey and his family were spending a lot of time together before he had to go back. Mr. Elliot told him that being in Alabama was the safest place for him right now. It was why they were so willing to let him go that easily.
I’ve been bored out my mind. Business was moving extremely slow at the restaurant, so Mom worked overtime to compensate for the money Dad wasn’t bringing in. Elias was being Elias—annoying. I miss my old little brother who wasn’t too cool to hang with me. Monica spent the end of break visiting some family so I was stuck alone. I had absolutely no friends in Poughkeepsie aside from Trey and Dylan. The remainder of my Christmas vacation consisted of watching TV and flying around town some nights.
Today we we
re headed back to campus. I reflected back on what life was like a year from today. I remembered spending the New Year with my best friend on the roof creating fireworks. I remembered the talks we use to have in middle and high school — talks that I couldn’t have with anyone else. I remember the day we found out about each other’s powers — the day that changed our lives forever.
The past year was a test for us. Our friendship with each other, and relationships with other people were all tested. Dylan and I were failing. We didn’t have the same relationship we had before we discovered the secret.
I missed Dylan.
I missed all our memories, and was looking forward to a lifetime of new ones with my best friend….my brother. I was scared that I may not be able to handle this situation and save everyone. I felt like I was about to fight a ghost.
Impossible.
Even if we save them all…
I was still scared that I was losing my best friend.
Dylan pulled up and sent me a text message saying he was outside and ready to hit the road.
It started.
He was changing.
If it was one person who I knew, it was Dylan. The only time he told me to just “come outside”, was in the mornings during our high school days. He always came inside to speak to my family and to grab a snack. My heart began to sink. I just grabbed my things and told my family bye.
I walked to the driver side and his window was down. “Why didn’t you come inside?” I asked.
“We need to hurry that’s why. Get in.”
He was smiling and nodding to music that barely had any volume. He popped the trunk and I threw my things inside. I got inside and he blasted the music before pulling out the driveway. My hands covered my ears then I turned the volume down.
“Dylan man what is wrong with you?”
“It’s just music Marcus, lighten up.”
He turned the music up but this time to a comfortable volume. He put both hands on the steering wheel and the car shifted from park to reverse. He took his hands off the steering wheel and locked them behind his head.
“Now this is the real definition of cruise control,” he laughed.
He didn’t talk at all on the ride back to campus. All he did was bop to music and text. At least he drove his car the normal way all the way to the City. When we got to the room, he put his things up and left. Didn’t say anything or mention where he was going. I called Hudson and Sam.
They came through ASAP.
“Hudson, Sam, come on in.”
They came inside and we all took a seat in the common area. Hudson had already filled in Sam on what had taken place over the break. He didn’t know what to think of the situation. Hudson said that Hachi started to act different but he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was that was different. He said she left and didn’t say where she was going.
“I am not going to lie to you guys, I foresee this getting out of control.” Sam started to play with his fingers. “If your last battle with the three girls was as bad as Hudson described, you guys are in trouble. Whomever or whatever has the girls under some kind of control like this, now have Hachi and Dylan.”
I could feel Hudson’s fear.
“Not to mention I am powerless now,” he chimed in.
He was right.
Without Hachi at his side, he was vulnerable not only to our current situation but to every other Qihar on the planet.
“I’m gonna to have to protect you then Hudson,” I affirmed. “I’ll be your Hachi.”
“No offense, but I don’t need a babysitter Marcus. I can’t hide under a rock.”
I couldn’t blame him for not wanting to be around me all the time. The doorknob started to fidget. We all stopped and focused on the door.
In walked Dylan and Hachi.
“Didn’t know we were having a party tonight Marcus,” he said.
He was different...they were different. Both had on new, expensive clothes. Dylan had on a black tailored suit, with a red shirt and black tie, and Hachi was in a black pencil skirt and blouse highlighted with pink heels. I’ve never seen her dressed that way. Even their hair was different. Couldn’t believe Dylan let someone touch his hair. The sides and back were shaved down, with a mountain of perfect spiral curls on top. Almost like a Mohawk. They drooped down so much, he just shook his head repeatedly to keep them out his eyes. Hachi chopped the hair that ran down her back to her neckline. Like one of those long bob cuts. If it weren’t for their faces, I wouldn’t have recognized them.
“Next time invite some girls Marcus,” Dylan laughed. “We don’t want people getting the wrong idea about you.”
He and Hachi laughed and hugged each other. Both were holding bags with expensive designer names, names even I couldn’t pronounce nor cared too.
“What did you do to your hair Hachi?” Hudson stood and roared.
His shirt was so fitted that every time he breathed, I just knew it was going to burst.
Dylan started to walk towards his room when he patted Hudson on the shoulder.
“Calm down Beast.”
“Yeah Hudson, it is my hair,” Hachi said snidely.
We all stood there looking at the two of them not saying a word. Dylan walked past us and meet Hachi near the door. They grabbed each other’s hands. We all still stood there not saying a word—just breathing.
Suddenly Dylan turned around.
“You guy’s wanna fight?” He sneered.
His voice was dark.
Cold.
I didn’t recognize him anymore.
My shirt burned as my hands caught on fire and Dylan snickered. His eyes turned blue. I took one step forward and Sam put his hand over my chest.
“It’s not worth it Marcus,” Sam cautioned.
My hands died down.
“Taking orders from a human without any powers. How cute.” Dylan mocked.
Anger couldn’t even describe what I was feeling.
Instantly, he lifted his hand and Sam shot up in the air. He cried as his body became pinned to the ceiling. Hudson and I gasped and my hands lit back up. I took a step and Dylan interrupted me.
“One more step and I kill him.”
Hudson and I both looked up, then I looked at Dylan and he started to shape his hand into a fist. Sam started to scream and squirm on the ceiling. I stepped back and powered down. His fist fell to his side and Sam crashed on the floor.
Face first.
Dylan and Hachi walked out.
“Sam!”
Hudson and I quickly ran to his side. He placed both hands on his knees. We knelt down to help him up and took him to the couch.
“This is a disaster,” Hudson cried.
Sam’s eyes were filled with tears as he tried to hold back the pain.
Dylan never came home that night.
I didn’t get much sleep.
I was nervous and scared.
Wasn’t sure if he was going to come in and try and kill me in my sleep.
I was scared for Sam and Hudson also.
I felt powerless.
I didn’t leave the room much for the next few days. I tried to play out different scenarios in my head on how to save them. I couldn’t do it alone. I had to find a way to get him to lead me to whoever was behind all of this. I contemplated handing myself over with a tracking device on me, but I couldn’t leave Mr. Elliot and Julius to fight alone. I had to think smarter and right now I was drawing blanks.
Classes started. My first day was tough because it was the first time I had all my classes on one day. I only took Monday and Wednesday classes to help accommodate everything else I had going on. As much as I didn’t mind being in a classroom, being there from eight to five was not fun.
Delilah had been calling and texting nonstop since I got back. Didn’t have time to give her the attention she wanted. I knew she was mad at me, but I knew how to handle that. Dylan popped in and out only when he needed to get more clothes. I wasn’t sure where he was staying. I hope h
e at least had a bed.
Today was the first day of my study session. I was nervous because I’ve been blowing off Delilah. I waited in the café. It was empty. The coffee and vanilla smelled amazing together. I ordered. Never drank coffee like Dylan so I didn’t know what to order.
“What can I get for you?” the Barista asked.
“I’m not sure.”
“Virgin?”
I choked.
“No, no I’m not.”
I was embarrassed after I said that because I knew what she was talking about. My hands got hot.
“A macchiato.”
That’s all I knew since that’s what people called me in high school.
“What kind?”
She pointed above her and I glanced up at the most confusing menu I’d ever laid eyes.
“Remind me to just order orange juice next time.”
She laughed. “Try a caramel.”
“Sounds good, I guess.”
I waited a few minutes for it to be prepared. She handed it to me and I took a seat back at the table. All my students started to come in. I greeted them as they did. I said hi to Delilah and she walked past me and slammed her purse on the table. I exhaled and my body became exhausted.
I didn’t have the energy.
“You’re at the wrong table Delilah. That’s the physics and calculus table. You are here for economics.” I said.
She sucked her teeth and moved tables. Everyone pulled their books out and I went around to help each table. Delilah didn’t say anything and had an attitude the whole time, making the session very uncomfortable.