by David Barco
Flying through the air, Harrison sees the wolf's eye focus on the green energy ball. Suddenly, the wolf spins and lands behind Harrison, staring in amazement at the energy ball in Harrison's bandaged hand.
The other wolves' faces show the same distinct look as the other one. Harrison spots them creeping slowly towards him.
"It can't be," the wolf with glasses says.
"It’s like the big boss said. I was starting to think maybe it wasn't true," the normal wolf says.
The one-eyed wolf gazes at Harrison without blinking, moving closer to him. Closing his hand, Harrison feels the energy ball evaporate. The one-eyed wolf stops, looking at Harrison's empty hand.
"It has begun," the one-eyed wolf says.
Chapter 23
Old Memories
Sinking their heads, the wolves bow in reverence around Harrison. Glaring over to his friends, Harrison notices the awkward looks on their faces. Shrugging his shoulders in confusion, Harrison refocuses on the wolves.
"I apologize. If I knew you were the one that the Elder spoke about, then I would not have attacked you," the one-eyed wolf says. "My name is Tundra. The one in glasses is named Rocco, and over there, that is Toby."
Harrison squats down to their level. Scratching the side of his face, he gazes at Tundra with confusion.
"What do you mean by, it has begun?” Harrison replies.
Lifting his head up slowly, Tundra beams at him. Harrison sees a difference in the way his eyes look now. They offer a sincere glow of sweetness rather than the rage of anger that was evident earlier.
"To understand, you must know the whole context. You see, we were assigned by the First Elder to protect the gems in the cave. He dispersed this area and the animals that resided in this area with one of his gems. That is why ole' Peter the cardinal was able to blast you with an energy attack and why I was also able to," Tundra says.
"Okay, that makes sense. And you said he gave you guys the title, the Wolfpack?' Harrison asks.
"Yes. Before he passed away, he said we would be his mighty Wolfpack that would make sure no one would get the gems. It was important that no one got one of them in their hands and was able to activate the compass and find the Ark. He sacrificed himself to make sure the Ark was protected. But during his last days he developed a special power similar to that of the Supreme Elder," Tundra says.
The other wolves walk quietly over to them. Harrison glares up at them noticing the tranquility across their faces.
"What special power are you talking about?"
Tundra finally lifts his head up completely staring directly into Harrison's eyes.
"The gift of prophecy," Tundra replies. "He told us directly before he died that there would be a day that a young boy would show up seeking a gem for the compass. He told us to allow him to take one. He said that this boy was destined to bring harmony between the nations once and for all."
Bowing his head in respect, Tundra closes his eyes tightly. "You are that boy.”
Taking a huge swallow, Harrison's chest tightens. Out of the corner of his right eye, he spots the amazement on his friends' faces.
"How do you know that I am the one he was talking about?"
"Because he said we would be given a sign that would help us distinguish who the boy was. He said that the boy would have the same type of dark green color to his energy that he had. I have only seen two people with that dark green energy. The First Elder and now you," Tundra lifts his head up.
Standing up, Harrison paces around in a small circle, rubbing his face with his hands.
"Okay. Whatever you say. But I want to know something. If you said you smelled my dad's scent, then he was here. He had to be here to get a gem. What happened, if you weren't allowed to have anyone get a gem other than me?" Harrison says.
"Those two that came that day asked us for one at first. I felt uncomfortable about it and told them that we couldn't allow anyone to receive one. They said they were summoned to get one by Elder Dirk for a special top-secret mission. I told them that the Elder had to come himself. They said he couldn't come and that they were leaving with one. We underestimated your father. I have never experienced that type of power since the First Elder. We attacked and they knocked us out. As they were leaving with one, I made a last-ditch effort by using my Energy Fang Bite. I bit your dad on his left forearm. He quickly knocked me out and went on." Tundra sits. "Something strange did happen though. I woke up with one of his memories replaying in my mind. The energy must have transferred a memory from his mind to mine somehow."
Harrison's eyes glow with excitement.
"What was the memory?" Harrison stoops back down to Tundra's level.
"It is hard to remember. I know I still have it. All I remember is that it was a memory with him and his son, which I assume was you.”
Tears start to pile in Harrison's eyes. Extending his left arm out, he places it on Tundra's head. "Please tell me what the memory was.”
"I can show you if you want. The only thing is I would have to bite you too in your left forearm. I can transfer it and you will be able to see it," Tundra says.
"Do it. I want to see it.”
JT walks over and grabs Harrison's shoulder. "Dude are you sure you really want to do this? What if it isn't even your dad that he bit? I mean it sounds kind of crazy to just let a wolf bite you."
Wiping tears that are running down his face, Harrison closes his eyes tightly.
"Shut up. It may sound crazy to you but if it is really a chance that it is a memory of me and my dad, I want to see it. You have memories of you and your dad, so you don't know what it is like," Harrison responds back angrily. "Go ahead and do it Tundra. I want to see it for myself."
Harrison feels JT's hand come off his shoulder. Opening his eyes, the tears make Tundra seem like he is hidden in a giant wave. Tundra opens his mouth and his teeth shine with green energy. Harrison turns his arm over.
Tundra bites down hard on Harrison’s left forearm. The heat from the energy runs through his arm and up to his head. Suddenly, a green energy cloud appears making Tundra and everything else go away. Instantly the green energy cloud explodes and Harrison gasps at what he sees.
◆◆◆
Ironing a nice white collared shirt with thin blue stripes running down it, Douglas steps on a tiny car toy that is laying on the floor.
"Ouch," Douglas screams.
Hearing tiny footsteps racing down the hallway, Douglas gazes towards the door with a huge smile.
"Daddy...Daddy," a tiny two-year-old Harrison says with a concerned look on his face.
Picking up the toy car, he hands it to Harrison.
"Daddy, boo-boo?" Harrison points with concern at Douglas' foot.
"Yeah. But not a bad one. You just can't leave your toys around, okay?" Douglas says.
"Oh. Okay, my daddy," Harrison responds, grabbing the car toy from him.
Plopping on the floor in the room, Harrison plays with his car toys as Douglas continues to iron his shirt.
"Are you going to miss daddy when he is gone on his next mission?" Douglas says.
Crashing the cars into each other, Harrison makes a loud crash sound. Flopping on his back, Harrison holds the cars up pretending to make them fly.
Steam shoots out of the iron as Douglas stands it up on the iron board. Squatting down, he tickles Harrison, making him roll side to side and laugh hysterically.
"I said, are you going to miss daddy? Are you?" Douglas continually tickles Harrison's belly.
Harrison appears to be laughing without any sound coming out. Taking his hands away, Harrison sprouts up and hugs him tightly around his neck.
"So, are you going to miss daddy?" Douglas rubs his back as Harrison tightens his grip.
"Yes, my daddy," Harrison says sweetly.
Suddenly, darkness overtakes the room as the lights go out. Harrison breaks away from his bear hug, gazing towards the lights.
"Uh oh," Harrison surveys the darkness.
&n
bsp; "Power must have gone out. But I know what we can do so we can see," Douglas pokes Harrison in the belly.
Grabbing his belly where his dad poked him, he takes his hands away and claps energetically.
"Power Light, daddy. Power Light," Harrison screams.
"Okay, watch closely.”
Clapping continually, the smile on his little face makes Douglas grin.
"Okay, my daddy.”
Lifting his palm towards the ceiling, a yellow energy ball pops into his hand, emitting a bright light around the room. His face beams with joy as the yellow light overtakes his face.
His mouth drops down as he marvels at the room glowing with a shiny radiance. Harrison's clapping intensifies and his smile goes from ear to ear.
"Daddy. Daddy," Harrison chants.
Suddenly, the power comes back on. They both glare around the room, staring at the lights. Douglas closes his hand, making the yellow energy ball disappear.
"Well, I guess we don't need this right now.”
Harrison clings to Douglas' right leg.
"Daddy sure is going to miss you while I am gone," Douglas rubs the top of Harrison's head.
◆◆◆
All of a sudden, Harrison blinks a couple of times and perceives Tundra in front of him. Tears race quickly down his cheeks as he falls on his face. JT, Jaylen, and Joseph rush to him. Harrison's legs feel weak as they pull him up. Glaring at his left arm, he spots the bite marks along his left forearm.
"It probably took a lot out of him. Just make sure you hold on to him for a while," Tundra says.
"I need that gem. Can you please give me one?" Harrison sobs.
"Sure," Tundra says. "Rocco. Toby. Go in the cave and bring back one of the gems in there."
"You got it, boss," Rocco goes into the dark cave.
Harrison stares towards the cave, patiently waiting for them to come back out.
"Now. When you are ready to activate the compass, you just place the gem on the back of it and it will make it work again," Tundra says.
Harrison feels his face tighten from the tears drying on his cheeks. He sees Rocco and Toby exiting the cave. Toby has the tiny green gem in between his teeth. He walks over to Harrison, dropping it at his feet. Tommy bends down and picks it up.
"Thank you. For everything," Harrison says.
"Yeah. Especially for not eating us," JT says.
Tundra steps closer to Harrison and the others. Rocco and Toby stand behind him forming a triangle.
"It was our pleasure to finally meet the one that the First Elder spoke about," Tundra says. "I am excited to see what you are destined for and I hope you find your father."
"Thank you," Harrison smiles as they turn to walk away.
JT and Jaylen hold Harrison up, walking slowly away from Tundra, Rocco, and Toby.
"Hold up," Tundra takes small strides to them. "The First Elder gave us the title of the Wolfpack. I think it is fitting to give you all the same title. It's just an old memory to us. But it's now who all of you are. You all are now the Wolfpack. We give you our title."
Harrison and the others stare at one another, grinning.
"We appreciate it," Harrison replies. "I will bring the compass back when we are done with it. So, till next time."
"Till next time," Tundra says.
Harrison and the others cross back over the river. Harrison looks back toward the cave and sees them still staring after them.
"Well. I am so glad we didn’t end up getting eaten by wolves. That would have been tragic," Jaylen says.
"Yeah. I am not going to lie to you guys. I almost peed a little when he mentioned they wanted to eat us," JT says. "I kind of hated Harrison a little at that moment."
Laughter erupts from all of them. A tear runs down Harrison's face from laughing so hard. Walking past the dead bodies, the laughter stops abruptly. Silence comes from all of them as each of them gaze at all of the lifeless corpses.
"Come on guys. Let's get back. It's been a rough day. We could use some rest," Tommy says.
"I agree. I am ready for this moment to just be an old memory that we look back upon," Joseph says.
Taking his eyes off of the dead bodies, Harrison steps away from JT and Jaylen and begins to walk with the others back into the woods.
Chapter 24
The Cheerful Compass
Arriving at Harrison and Tommy's training spot, Harrison hears the horns from the Academy sounding. All of them gaze toward the direction of the Academy. Harrison's heart sinks at the sound.
"Oh man. They are signaling the horns for the return of the Elder and Red Hawks," Harrison runs his hands through his hair. "They weren't supposed to be back this early. We have to get back before the Red Hawks."
JT yanks him by his shoulder. "Harrison. Don't you want to activate the compass and see what it does?"
The beating of his heart makes JT sound muffled. The throbbing in his chest makes him feel anxious.
"No. Not now, they will be looking for me. It's too risky," Harrison throws JT's hand off his shoulder. "Just hold on to the green gem Tommy. It will be safer with you."
Hurrying to the fence, Harrison and the others peek through it to see if it is clear to jump over. Jaylen hits Harrison in the arm, motioning him to look to his right. Gazing over, Harrison spots Samuel and his two chubby friends. Samuel continually scratches the white bandage wrapped around his head.
"Crap. If they see us jump the fence, then they will know we were gone and will probably tell on us," Joseph stares at the ground in disappointment.
Silence fills the air as they gaze at Samuel scratching his head and the other boys slapping each other. Grabbing the fence, Tommy begins to climb up.
"What are you doing? Are you stupid?" Jaylen grabs Tommy.
Pulling away from Jaylen's grip, Tommy glares down at him. "Just trust me. Samuel and his friends won't say anything to me. I will distract them and then you guys can jump over."
Jaylen lets go of him. Tommy walks towards them. Samuel and his friends straighten up as they spot Tommy. Instantly, they walk off at the sight of him. Samuel strolls away staring at the ground the whole time.
"Is everybody afraid of this guy?" JT says.
Giggling as they climb, Joseph looks over at JT. "He did just take out two giants by himself. I think that makes him a pretty scary dude in my book."
Harrison and the others crouch and walk quietly behind the dorms. Harrison glances around the corner, noticing the Elder walking with Sebastian Darby, his uncle Adam and the Red Hawks marching behind him.
Where are they coming from?
Harrison and his friends enter the building. Rushing into the dorms, they dash to their rooms.
"We have to get cleaned up before anyone sees us," JT pulls his shirt off. "I will jump in the shower first, then you can get in. You two need to go to your room and do the same thing."
"Okay. Just hurry up. I don't want anybody to come to the room and see me filthy and nasty like this," Harrison says as Jaylen and Joseph leave.
"I will. Don't worry. Plus no one ever comes to our room," JT slams the door behind him.
Harrison grabs the compass out of his backpack. Suddenly, a loud banging sounds from the door. Harrison stops breathing, holding the air in his lungs.
You got to be kidding me.
Throwing the compass back into the bag, he tosses it behind his messy bed. Taking a deep breath, he opens the door. Standing there, ready to knock again is Tommy. Harrison sighs in relief. Closing the door behind him, Harrison takes deep breaths.
"Thank goodness it's you," Harrison says. "Did you already change your clothes?"
Tommy is wearing clean black gym shorts and a plain white t-shirt.
"Yeah, I didn't have time to get in the shower, so I had to just throw on some clean clothes and wash up," Tommy says.
Reaching into his pocket, Tommy pulls out the tiny green gem, spinning it with his fingers. "Should we try to activate it now?"
Searching for his
backpack behind his bed, Harrison flings it to him.
"Yeah. Let's try it," Harrison pulls the compass back out.
Unexpectedly, a loud knocking noise erupts in the room. Harrison and Tommy stare at one another. Harrison throws the compass back in as Tommy places the green gem with it. The knocking grows louder on the door as Harrison struggles with zipping his backpack up.
Finally zipping it closed, Harrison takes his stained shirt off, wiping his face with it. Walking to the door, Harrison opens it, feeling the cold air hit his bare skin. Mr. Drake stands there gazing at him, with a blank stare.
"I saw Tommy walk this way. Is he in here?" Mr. Drake says placing his hand on the door, opening it wider.
Tommy rushes towards the door, standing in front of his dad. "Hey, dad. Sorry I had to come and ask Harrison something."
"Well come on. I need your help with something. I have been searching all around campus for you."
"Yes, sir. I am coming," Tommy says. "Thanks for your help, Harrison."
Nodding, Harrison smiles at Tommy as he walks behind his dad. Closing the door, Harrison sees JT drying his damp hair with a thick brown towel.
"You can get in the shower now," JT says, steadily rubbing his head with his towel.
Harrison grabs the shirt he took off and flings it at JT. Sticking to JT's face, he tosses the shirt off with a confused look.
"What the heck?" JT says.
"You said no one ever comes to our room," Harrison says sounding stressed. "You would say that and then Mr. Drake shows up knocking on the door."
Flopping on his bed, Harrison stares at the ceiling, replaying the last couple of hours. Jaylen and Joseph bust through the door with the smell of fresh soap following them. JT throws his towel on his bed.
"Let's go ahead and activate this thing and see what happens," JT says.