by Aaron Slade
“Took you long enough,” I told him.
Dad still hadn’t moved from his spot on stage. When Casper finally floated back to the ground, Dad approached both of us, but he wasn’t alone. Zana strutted next to him with a demented smirk on her face.
“So you’re the flyer?” Zana asked. “Tell me... why does my ability not work on you?”
Casper didn’t answer, and I was glad. The less they knew about his ability, the better.
“So what happens now?” Dad asked. “Do you not think the Military has the resources to hunt these people down one by one? Our orders are to contain and eradicate all knowledge of the flyer’s existence.”
Casper and I looked at each other, concern spread across our faces. We thought our plan had worked up until this point.
“All you’ve done is complicate our job,” Zana said. “The man we work for is the most powerful man in the land, and it’s going to take more than a bunch of kids to stand in his way.”
“Give up, Zana!” a voice called.
I turned around as three strangers approached us. Three teenagers, two guys and a girl, stared at Zana and Dad like they knew them, removing theirs hoods as they approached. I recognized the one boy and girl that stopped me before I took the podium. They dressed in matching blue and yellow uniforms. The seal on their shoulders wasn’t the silver Military seal, but a gold emblem I’d never seen before. One of the men led with the other two walking behind him. He had blond hair and walked with an air that differentiated him from the other boy and girl.
Zana snarled in their direction.
“Matthew,” Zana acknowledged. “I haven’t seen you since the incident outside Seattle. Thought you were dead.”
“We found ways to survive,” Matthew said proudly.
I’d gathered that they knew each other if they were on a first name basis, but I was unsure if these new people posed a threat to me or my friends. It appeared that they were enemies with Zana, but did that make them our friend?
“You’ve already lost, Zana,” Matthew announced. “You and your lackey, Ford, should leave now.”
“You’ve come for him, haven’t you?” Zana asked, pointing at Casper in the air. “My Master will make sure he dies before he ever gets a chance to join you.”
Who was Zana’s master and what would these strangers want with Casper? Casper gazed down at me with the same confused look on Randy’s face. We were caught in the middle of something we didn’t understand. Casper shrugged at me.
“This war is almost over, Zana,” Matthew stated. “You’ve been losing for quite some time. If only you could see the future I see.”
“You have no idea what we’re capable of,” Zana muttered through her teeth. In an instant, Zana’s eyes closed like a dizzy spell struck her, and she collapsed to the ground.
“Thank you, Donnie,” Matthew said.
A young man stepped forward. “I’ve been itching to put her out since I saw her.” This must have been Donnie. He looked as if he was twenty, with dark hair and a shadow of a beard. He was taller, and his ability made me nervous.
The blond boy, Matthew, gave a handsome smile, ignoring Zana unconscious on the ground, and then turned to Dad. I began to understand that not only did they know each other, but they’d been fighting for some time.
“Don’t worry,” Matthew informed my father, “I won’t kill you in front of your daughter. A word of advice, Frost. Run and fight another day. Fight and this war ends for you right now.” He gestured to his two companions. “Clearly, you’re outmatched.”
I worried Dad would be stubborn enough to sign his death warrant. Nobody moved for several seconds. Dad stared at everyone with intense malice. I didn’t want to see him die, I just wanted him to leave.
Dad looked me sharply in the eye, and I understood his intent. He wouldn’t give up on me. He tossed Zana’s unconscious body over his shoulder, and walked away. With his back turned, he called over his shoulder, “Less people will be hurt, Evee, if you come with me right now.”
I shook my head, staying silent when words failed me, and watched as Dad and Zana disappeared down the dark alley next to the courthouse.
“Cricket,” Matthew ordered.
The girl, Cricket, leapt to Matthew’s side. Matthew whispered orders in her ear, and she sprung to work. She had chocolate skin and a smile that had yet to disappear. Her bright, red hair spiked in the front, complimenting her peppy personality that was clear in the way she moved.
The leader, Matthew, walked to where Randy, Casper, and I stood, waiting to be enlightened. Matthew ignored Randy and me, but turned to Casper.
“You’re Casper Vance?” Matthew asked. He had a look of fascination on his face when he talked to Casper.
“You– you know me?” It was clear Casper had never seen this person before.
“I’ve known you for a while,” Matthew answered. A triumphant grin spread across his face. “Where is Adam? I shall want to meet him too.”
Who was this guy, and why had he come to Fallon? I thought that I should be more grateful, but I was just confused by all the questions racing through my head. He appeared to be helping us, and I felt compelled to trust them. Adam appeared by Casper’s side as if he’d been watching from a safe distance.
“How do you know me?” Adam asked. “Who are you?” Adam and Casper shared the same jumbled facial features, looking a lot like real brothers.
Matthew beamed at both of them. “My team and I are part of a rebellion that’s been fighting the Military’s rule for… well, a long time. We were sent here by a very powerful seer– Shannon said that you would need our help. I believe you already know of Shannon.”
Casper’s stunned eyes caught mine, and I looked down at the image of the rectangular locket around my phantom body’s neck.
REMAIN
Casper:
Outside Seth’s house, I watched the thick thunderclouds move towards Fallon through the open desert. The deep crash of thunder and lightning echoed through the city. It felt like it might rain, but the thunderheads would only tease the ground with a small amount of moisture. I walked back inside the house, hoping that the citizens of Fallon would get out of the city soon. I took off the sling, but my wrist still hurt. I needed a healer to fix it before I rescued my parents.
Mrs. Grindle invited Matthew, Cricket, and Donnie into her home. She was the first to trust Matthew and his team because of her ability, which was good enough for me. I stood next to Evee behind the couch, joining everyone to listen to Matthew.
“We need to leave Fallon with everyone else,” Randy said. “The Military could destroy the town at any second. My parents will be waiting for me.”
“No,” Matthew said, facing Randy. His severe tone made Randy pause. “I’ve seen the future, and we’ll all need your help. We need everyone to cooperate. Now that the people are evacuating the town, the Military will have no need to destroy it.”
Donnie and Cricket stood on each side of Matthew, and each one of them kept their gazes locked on me. How did they know who I was? The cramped living room had been spacious and welcoming two days ago, but now it housed several extra people. Matthew and his team looked out of sorts in their matching, hooded clothing and even appeared nervous, but then I understood why they were nervous. They needed us to trust them.
“So who are you?” Adam asked. He sounded frustrated as if he was tired of waiting for answers.
Matthew and his team stepped into the light of the dim living room. “My name is Matthew Sheldon,” he said. “I’m a seer. This is my team, Donnie Ramirez and Cricket Patterson.” Donnie and Cricket both nodded as Matthew introduced them.
“Why are you here?” Evee asked.
“We’re on orders,” Cricket replied. She wasn’t near as nervous as Matthew and Donnie. She acted as if we were already acquainted. There was something welcoming about her.
“From the psychic lady?” I asked.
“Yes,” Matthew said before Donnie or Cricket could answer
. “Shannon sent us here to help you rescue your parents… I’m not allowed to tell you anything more than that until we’ve rescued them.”
Randy stood behind me with Seth and Sara. “Why?” he asked. “How can we trust you, if you’re not honest with us?”
“The time is not right for you to know certain things, but I assure you, we’re all fighting for the same cause,” Matthew answered calmly. His expression became as confused as ours, turning his attention to Evee. “How do you know Shannon?”
I thought it was complicated to explain, but Evee walked toward Matthew, halting by my side.
“Before I moved here from San Diego, she told me I would meet someone special in Fallon, and she gave me this.” Evee acknowledged the locket around her neck.
“I’ve seen this before,” Matthew said.
Donnie stepped up from behind him, recognizing the locket as well. “It belonged to Shannon.”
Evee didn’t move. I eyed the silver locket, about to touch it before I remembered that my hands would only phase straight through it. Why would Shannon give Evee the locket?
“My uncle also knew Shannon,” I added. “She’s the one that made him come to Fallon.” My aura flickered as my mind returned to Uncle Jesse and my parents in the prison. I focused on rescuing them, and a new confidence flew through me with Matthew, Donnie, and Cricket on our side, giving my aura new life.
“Shannon told me about your uncle,” Matthew said. “We are supposed to free your parents and your uncle, and also another…” Matthew trailed off as if he didn’t know for sure who else. “It’s a powerful extra-human, and he’s related to one of you.” He pointed to Seth, Randy, and Sara.
“My dad!” Seth exclaimed, jumping high so that he could be seen in the crowded room. “He’s in the prison too.”
“That must be it then,” Matthew said. “Those are the people we rescue.”
I thought it peculiar how Matthew talked about the future as if it had already happened. Precogs were known for their pretentious personalities, but I took comfort in his confidence.
“What about the rest of the people in the prison?”Evee asked. “Are their other innocent people there? We have to save them too.”
Matthew’s face turned cold as Donnie and Cricket made eye contact. Cricket’s serious face erased her infectious cheer.
“No one in that Facility is guilty of a crime,” Matthew said. “The Great Basin Prison Facility is one of three prisons where the Military keeps their collectables. Real criminals are transported elsewhere.”
“Collectables?” I questioned.
“People that our enemy finds particularly useful,” Matthew explained. “The Military runs the prison. The desert is the perfect, isolated location for the facility.” He turned to Evee. “Unfortunately we won’t be freeing everyone else.”
“So we’re just going to leave those people there?” Evee asked. Her face distorted, showing disgust for Matthew’s coldness.
“My orders are specific,” Matthew said. “Only Casper’s family and one other– Shannon said not to worry about the others.”
“We can’t leave innocent people in that prison.”
Matthew stepped toward Evee. “Shannon and I’ve studied this future, and we fail if we try to save more than our lot. We have to trust Shannon’s guidance. She’s been fighting longer than any of us and she’s made countless sacrifices for our cause.”
Evee’s cyan aura nearly disappeared, thinning into near nothingness. What cause did Matthew mean? Who were they fighting? I remembered that Zana had said she worked for the most powerful being in the land, but whom?
“Who are you fighting?” I asked.
Matthew looked at Donnie and Cricket. “You aren’t ready to know that yet.”
Adam slammed a fist down on the table. “That’s not acceptable!”
Matthew took Adam’s burst of frustration personally, turning away from the conversation. Randy stood behind Adam as if backing him up. His mammoth size was more than intimidating. Donnie took a defensive stance at Matthew’s side.
“Stop!” I demanded. The hostility in the room intensified. Whatever these people weren’t telling us, they were still helping us. I needed everyone to trust each other if we were going to get my family back.
Adam and Randy relaxed, waiting for me to talk.
“It doesn’t matter what they’re keeping from us,” I said. “They’re here to help us rescue people who are important to us. That’s all I need to know.”
Everyone in the room relaxed. Matthew bowed his head in humble gratitude. I looked at Adam, who still looked skeptical but nodded as if saying I hope you know what you’re doing.
“So what do we do now?” I asked. I looked at Matthew waiting for an answer.
He opened his mouth to speak, but stopped when a noise came from outside. Everyone in the room turned to the window. Donnie and Cricket opened the curtains. A long line of cars drove by the house. They honked their horns encouraging people to drive faster.
“They’re leaving Fallon,” Evee said. She breathed freely.
Everyone in the room turned back to Matthew.
“Right now,” Matthew said, “we have to make sure every man, woman, and child is able to leave this town. We won’t have any interference from the Military, and we’ll we need Adam’s ability for sure.” He gave Adam a friendly nod.
“It will take us a day to make sure everyone leaves,” Matthew said. “In the meantime, we should be working on a plan.”
Sara, who had been sitting silently on the couch the whole time, hopped to her feet, beaming at Matthew. “I can help you there.”
After a day, Fallon emptied, becoming as lifeless as Vegas. We were the only people that remained in the city, staying with the Grindles and working diligently on a plan to rescue our families from the prison facility. Adam spent the last twenty-four hours helping people get out of the city. He teleported whole families wherever they requested to go.
I almost didn’t recognize Sara anymore. The shy and quiet girl I’d known, now acted with vigor and spirit. She, like the rest of us, had been forced to grow up by this situation. Her parents left town, and she promised she’d meet them in Reno. Randy said he’d drive her.
Sara worked diligently with Matthew, discussing information so that she could come up with a master plan. Matthew knew many details of the prison from his visions. Sara used this information to come up with a strategy.
It took time, but Matthew, Cricket, and Donnie assimilated into our group well. It helped that they were so close to us in age, except for Matthew who was in his mid-twenties. He looked younger, but was wise beyond his years. He claimed that knowing the future made him appear more intelligent.
Cricket and Donnie both had abilities that would be useful for us as well– class ones. Donnie could make any person within range fall into a deep sleep– deep enough that a person might never wake up if that’s what Donnie wanted. Cricket had an EHT that allowed her to manipulate electricity. It matched her electric personality. She clicked immediately with everyone.
When I woke up the following morning, I heard voices coming from the kitchen above. Adam and Evee were still asleep. Seeing Evee’s phantom body lying on a cot made me curious as to the location of her real body. The secret was safer just between her and Adam, but it had been days since I touched her. A few times, Adam had disappeared to take Evee’s physical body food and supplies, and I wished I could’ve gone with him.
The worse part of Evee’s phantom body was that it didn’t smell like her, but more terrible than that, it didn’t smell at all– it was scentless. It teased me, making me long to smell her sweet fragrance of ocean air. Her melodious voice was the only part of her I kept.
I entered the kitchen finding Sara and Matthew hovering over some charts and blueprints at the table.
“What’s the proposal?” I asked.
Matthew slept less than anyone, and it showed in his droopy eyes and pale skin. “We’re still hammering out a lo
t of the details,” he said, “but Sara is making this much easier on me. Her intelligence is unparalleled.”
Sara blushed, pulling her hair behind her ears and pretending not to be flattered.
As I moved closer to the table I noticed that all the maps and blueprints were hand drawn. Matthew must have dictated the details to Sara, who was even putting together a three-dimensional model of the prison made of paper and cardboard. I felt bad that I hadn’t helped, but something like this was nothing for Sara.
“Everyone is going to have a job to do,” Sara said. “Our success will depend on everyone doing their part precisely.”
“What’s my job?” I asked.
“Your job is to find your parents and uncle, and give them one of these,” she said. She held up five syringes filled with something red. “It’s Nurse Rebecca’s blood. I helped her move out yesterday, and she gave me these. It should counteract the Knight drug in your parents and uncle. We have an extra, which I thought we would use on your wrist.”
“Thanks,” I said. I was relieved that my wrist would be healed. As Sara injected the contents of the syringe into my wrist, I continued to question her about the plan. “How will I know where my parents are?” I shuttered as I felt an unnatural pop in my wrist, followed by the sweet release from the pain.
“Everyone needs to study these diagrams,” Matthew said.
“Yes,” Sara agreed. “But Evee’s job is to examine the inside of the prison today and find your family and Seth’s dad.”
“Why today?” I asked. “Aren’t we moving rather quickly?” I remembered how our plan to rescue Evee turned out to be more complicated than Adam and I predicted.
The two of them looked at each other with worried expressions. “It has to be today, Casper,” Sara said. “We’re going to execute our plan tomorrow.”
“Why so soon?” It wasn’t smart for us to move this quickly. We needed to take our time, at least another day.
Sara turned to Matthew for him to explain. “I’m proofing Sara’s plan with my ability. Every time we add to the plan I can see whether it will succeed or not. If we don’t do it tomorrow… we may never have the chance again. The future’s hard to read. Sometimes it’s constant and other times it’s always changing. We may never know the circumstances that make tomorrow special, but I can see it’s our strongest chance for success.”