Chapter 21: Whirl

Chapter 21
Whirls

The three of us stared up at the sky blotted by black wings. Plumed feathers slowly rained down. The crows were dead. Those black wings belonged to something else, something else whose incessant shrieking cut to the bone. People gathered around to see what was in the sky. All eyes were on that black mass. My fingers clenched on my phone.

Then they struck. They dived down. A murder of Rocs, so many that they blotted the sky, shot toward the park. Screams and panic. People turned to run.

Grace reached for her lipstick. We were so focused on what we would do that we failed to see what others did.

Christopher ran from us.

“Come back!” I yelled.

He didn’t listen.

“Brat!” I chased after him.

He ran toward the murder of Rocs as people ran from them, ran against us. People pushed and shoved to get away. No one seemed to care that a little boy was pushing past them toward the center. No one cared that I shouted out for them to stop him.

Blood in the air. Red and black talons. The people screamed as the Rocs dug at them. I would call them innocents, but they didn’t stop Christopher.

But no Rocs attacked Christopher. Even the Rocs that attacked other people fled if Christopher was close. The little boy kept running.

And then he fell. Someone bumped into him and knocked him down. The person didn’t even look back. I punched that person as they ran by.

“Out of my way!” I didn’t recognize my voice. It was dark. Guttural. It was furious. It was full of emotion. It felt unnatural. It was unnatural.

The people forded. I arrived at Christopher. He was okay. No one trampled on him.

“Are you okay?”

“Yah. Just had the wind knocked out of me,” he smiled.

“C’mon, we have to get out of here!”

“You get out of here then!” he stared at me.

“You can’t fight these things!”

“Trust me, okay?” He got up and began to run again.

I bit down on my lip.

I ran after him.

“What are you doing?” he said as he turned toward me.

“I’m not letting you go alone.”

“You don’t even know me.”

“‘Just ‘cause I don’t know you doesn’t mean I’ll turn my back on you. The world’s hard enough as it is, so we gotta watch out for each other.’”

“Doesn’t sound like you,” the little boy raised a brow at me.

“No. It’s something someone else told me.”

He smiled.

We pushed through the people and then there was blackness. A wave of wings and dread. I grabbed Christopher and turned to shield him. But they forded around us.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“I said I could take care of myself,” Christopher smiled.

I stared at him, and I understood. “You’re too trusting,” I scolded. “Don’t go around telling people you have an Aspect!”

“I didn’t,” he smiled. “You know because you know.”

He seemed to have all the answers.

“Anyways, you’re a good person, Hank.”

“Why do you say that?”

“You wouldn’t be here with me otherwise.”

I furled my brow.

“I told you. I’m good at reading people. And that strange gust of wind brought my kite to you two.”

I looked at his kite’s spool.

“Well, here we go!” he shouted.

He sent his kite upwards, and a vortex of wind spun into the sky. A great blast of wind swept across the field – cool and crisp. The Rocs were caught in it and spun out of control. And then, it was over. The Rocs crashed into trees and the ground, bubbling into pitch.

Grace then ran toward us.

She grabbed the both of us, and we ran from the park. We ran to my apartment, and we shut the door behind us.

Text and Images © Jonathan Lee

Chapter 20: A Gale

Chapter 20
A Gale

I awoke to sunlight cascading through the patio door. I could see the sky covered by light grey clouds with those spots of sunlight beaming through. It was a day after a storm.

I found a blanket placed over me – one of the two from my bedroom. I heard clanging come from my kitchen. I sat upright when a bowl of cereal appeared in front of my face.

“Hungry?”

I opened my mouth to speak.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. You have to eat, or you won’t have any energy.”

I closed my mouth.

“Still. Didn’t realize you liked kid’s cereals for breakfast.”

I took a spoonful of Cocoa Puffs.

“And afterwards, you can have some of your vitamin gummi bears.”

I bit down into the metal spoon - hard.

After breakfast, I did my exercise routine and showered. When I came out of the bathroom, I found Grace using my computer.

“What’re you looking up?”

“News. That was a sudden storm last night. You must have been cold, huh?”

I scratched my head. I still wasn’t good at this, but I tried my best. “Thanks for the blanket.”

“I woke up to use the bathroom. I found you huddled on the couch, so I brought out the blanket for you.”

“Thanks.”

“No problem. Strange weather though.”

“Well actually-“

I explained what happened last night.

“I wonder what their past is?”

“We all have our secrets.”

“Well, should we get ready for class?”

“You’re going today? I thought you never went?”

“It’s time for a change. Anyways, we have to stay together. Jack is still out there.”

I had forgotten in my sleep.

“Thanks for reminding me.”

“No problem!” she beamed.

“Huh.” I snorted.

We packed lunch and left for class. Class passed how it usually passed. I took notes and answered questions. The only difference was that I knew the person snoring next to me.

Class ended. We walked out of the lecture hall.

“Let’s go to the park.”

I began to walk toward the campus park when she stopped me.

“No, no, no! The park near your apartment. Zephyr Park.”

I sighed, and we took the bus back toward my apartment.

On the ride there, I asked her. “Did you find any information at the library yesterday?”

“A little bit of information. I found an article by my parents about Greek mythology.”

“What was it about?”

“I saved myself a copy, but I haven’t gotten to reading it yet.”

“Ah.”

“Hey, what’s your favorite color?”

“Grey.”

“Grey’s a hue. It’s not a color.”

“What about you then?”

“Purple.”

“I would’ve thought black.”

“Well, you would’ve thought wrong.”

“You’re just a ray of sunshine aren’t you?”

“It’s what I do,” she smiled.

We arrived at Zephyr Park, the largest park in the city. It was about two square miles, had a small lake in it, littered with random fountains, and was famous for the wind tunnels caused by its massive arbor. But our first sight was of a little boy running a kite.

“Did you ever play with kites?” Grace asked.

“A long time ago.”

She laughed.

“What?” I asked.

“I never imagined you with toys. I thought you would’ve done arithmetic for fun.”

I bit down on my lip. She smiled. A crisp breeze blew toward us.

The little boy suddenly ran toward us.

“Look out!”

The kite dove at us. I grabbed Grace and held onto her. The kite swooped back toward the sky.

“I’m sorry about that!” the little boy shouted. “That’s never happened before.”

“Your kite seems to have a mind of its own,” Grace smiled.

“Yah, there was a sudden gust. I’m Christopher Gail Collins.” The little boy smiled as he stuck out his arm.

“I’m Grace.” She lifted a hand toward the boy.

“Hank.”

I didn’t shake his hand.

“You’re funny, Hank.”

“What? Where are your parents?”

“They’re at work.”

“You’re what – eight?”

“Nine actually.”

“You need a babysitter.”

“I can take care of myself.”

Something familiar about the boy.

“What’re you two doing here? A date?”

“How do you know so much for a nine year old?” Grace asked. She didn’t deny that we were on a date.

He shrugged.

“Well, we’re going to eat lunch. Do you want to join us?” Grace asked.

“I think you’re boyfriend is getting frustrated.”

“He tends to.”

“We’re not dating!” I shouted.

“That’s hurtful,” Grace falsely despaired.

“C’mon!” I gasped. “It’s not that… Argh!”

“See. You’re funny,” laughed the boy.

I glared at the boy.

“I’m good at reading people’s airs. You’re actually a nice guy, but you try to make yourself seem mean. And that’s why you’re funny.”

I sighed.

“I’ll join you guys for lunch!”

We sat down under a tree and began to eat. I ate half of my ham and cheese sandwich. Grace ate a PB and J, a chocolate bar, an apple, and a ham and cheese sandwich. In that order. Christopher ate the other half of my sandwich.

“I’m still kind of hungry,” Grace smiled. “Do you have anything left in your bag?”

I took out a bag of chips.

We shared them as we looked toward the sky. It was comfortable silence. Even with Christopher.

“The wind’s changing,” Christopher stated.

Suddenly, my phone began to ring.

I looked at it. It was blank.

Before I could even answer it, crows cried with such fearful timber and took to the skies. The crows cried once more, sharp and unfinished, and black feathers rained down. The call ended, and cries of glottal pitch filled the sky instead.

Text and Images © Jonathan Lee

Chapter 19: Stormy Night

Chapter 19
Stormy Night

I opened the door. Light from the hallway filtered into my dark apartment. My feet were unsteady. I tripped over the doorway and fell in. But a black billowy pillow caught me.

“Watch out,” Grace smiled.

Her voice was comforting.

She helped me up.

“Thanks.”

“C’mon.”

She turned on the light as she supported me inside. She dropped me onto the couch, and I lay there, sick to my stomach from the afternoon’s events.

“What do you want to eat?” she asked as she walked into the kitchen.

She rummaged through my cabinets and drawers. A clattering of metal against glass and wood. She had no qualms about entering other people’s spaces.

“I’m not hungry.”

“You have to eat,” her voice rose over the clatter.

I didn’t reply. There was more noise from my kitchen. And then a shadow loomed over me.

“Here.” She handed me a plate with a PB and J on it – a true PB and J.

I looked at the sandwich.

“It’ll make you feel better.”

I placed it onto the table.

She grabbed it and then sat on my chest.

“What’re you –ufmhhhnnn” The sandwich was shoved into my mouth.

“Bite down!”

I bit into the sandwich.

“Chew!”

I chewed the sandwich.

“Swallow!”

I swallowed the sandwich.

She got off me.

“How was it?”

“Violating.”

She laughed. “Well, you’re home safe now. Rest up, okay?”

She began to leave. I grabbed her hand.

“Don’t go.”

She stared at me, then at my hand, then at me again.

“Fine. But you’re taking the couch then.”

I let go of her hand and she walked toward the room.

“And no peaking!”

She slammed the door shut.

Who did what to whom earlier?

I awoke to the sound of thunder. I hadn’t even realized I fell asleep. I got up and moved toward my back patio. Rain pattered against the sliding glass door. I don’t remember the weather forecasting rain.

I closed my eyes and placed my phone against my ear. With the rain, I could find Jack.

All at once, the echoes of the rain silhouetted buildings, people, and city objects from all sides. I could see everything out at night, but it’s tremendously difficult to focus. I moved through the soundwaves at streetlevel to the skyline, but I could not find him. No. I found something else instead.

On the roof of a skyscraper, a man in a half-trench walked toward a woman holding an umbrella. I could hear their conversation pitched in black.

“One of your agents attacked Hank today,” the man stated. He placed his hand to his mouth and took a puff of his cigarette. He blew out, but I could see no smoke.

“I had nothing to do with that,” the woman stated. “I am merely director of this sector, but the Council is still above me. And beyond that, there are those who would go behind my back.”

“Hmm.”

“Eason, you know me. I would never do such a thing.”

“I knew you long ago.”

“So what have you come here for then? You barged through my building and beat down many of my agents to reach me.”

“You could have let me through.”

“Did you come here to dance?”

The man did not answer.

“You know smoke and water don’t mix.”

“I’m stubborn.”

“Yes, you are.” A nostalgic tone caressed Eason, but he remained stoic. “Then, let’s dance.”

The rain came down harder, but the man charged through it toward the woman. It pelted against his coat and his hair. She closed her umbrella, and the rain became like needles. It pinned down toward him.

I heard the man’s cigarette crackle. The needles dissolved above him in the blackness of sound. I don’t know what happened to them.

“Oh?” the woman sounded surprised as she watched him continue toward her. “How much better you dance.”

“I’ve learned a few new moves.”

“I’d love to hear see them.”

“Hmm.”

He caught a hold of her arm.

“You caught me. What now?”

The rain slowed.

“Watch out for those who want you to fall.”

“You don’t need to tell me.”

And the rain stopped. There was silence. The vision faded.

I sat there in the dark of the room. There was a storm, but now, it was quiet.

Chapter 18: Bloody Afternoon

Chapter 18
Bloody Afternoon

Grace walked out of the Honky Tonk before I did. She was smiling and patting her stomach, which was oddly still flat. I walked behind her, placing my credit card, which felt lighter, into my wallet. The waitress waved us happily out. At least, two people were happy.

“Well, I’m off to the library to do some research.”

“I’m heading back to class.”

“Well, I’ll call you later okay?”

“Alright.”

“Bye!” she yelled in a cheery voice as she walked toward the research library.

I walked toward my class. My phone began to ring.

Eason calling…

“Hello?” I answered.

“Hank. Jack is definitely alive.”

“What happened?”

“We found a woman gutted, ripped, and drained of blood.”

“I don’t understand.”

“It’s Jack’s MO. Be careful.”

The call ended.

I was unnerved. I could imagine what Jack could do with that blade, and that was the worst thing – imagination.

I walked toward class, and I felt a shadow follow behind me. I could hear a heavier set of footsteps. I closed my eyes and put my phone against my ear. The sound of people’s feet and their voices echoed off everything - showed me everything, but there was no Jack. I moved my phone away. All I had was a terrible fear gnawing at my stomach. If we couldn’t take him, how could I do it alone?

I walked into my lecture hall and took a seat. I’m a person who sits in a position and doesn’t move. Today, I fidgeted. I shifted my legs. I tried resting my head on my hand, but it wasn’t restful. I couldn’t pay attention. My notes trailed off the line. The door suddenly swung open. I immediately turned toward the door to see who it was. Just another straggler late for class. I heard metal clinking to my right. Just someone tapping their mechanical pencil tip against the table. My heart was racing. Jack was alive. He wanted me dead.

The bell rang, class ended, and I bolted from the room.

I heard that heavy set of footsteps once more.

Calling Grace…

Ring.

Ring.

Answer!

Ring.

Ring.

Footsteps.

Ring.

Ring.

C’mon!

“Sorry!”

“Grace!”

“I’m not here right now! Leave a message after the beep, and I’ll call you when I can! Beep!”

I quickened my pace. The footsteps quickened. I sprinted and so did the footsteps. I turned a corner and arrived at the back of the library. No one was around. This is where books from other colleges were transferred over. It was rarely in use. I held onto my phone. I held my breath. My phone was fully charged. I was at five bars of reception. All that noise and all that sound. I closed my eyes and listened. The footsteps drew closer. Closer.

Now!

I swung my phone.

I felt the air leave my mouth. Pain. I looked down to see the hilt of a sword in my gut. I looked up to see the agent of the Children from yesterday.

“You’re coming with me, Hank. Even if Ms. Anna lets you leave, the others won’t allow it.”

He must have seen the shock in my eyes.

“I’m just an ordinary man trained to fight. Not everyone has powers to fight against Affects and Aspects.”

With a wave of his arm, he threw me against a dumpster.

As I lay there, I began to hear my blood beating in my head. It was a powerful rhythm. I looked up, and I knew it wasn’t my heart.

That wicked smile. Muted footsteps.

Jack.

From another side, Jack slowly walked toward us.

I tried to crawl up, but my body would not move. The agent had knocked the breath out of me. I laid there and watched Jack walk toward us. His boots made no noise as they glided across the ground.

“I thought I killed you yesterday,” the agent stated.

“You’re too weak to kill me,” Jack replied as he walked closer.

“What do you want?”

“Just some fun.”

The agent drew his sword and charged toward Jack. He passed me. He was fast.

Those teeth gleamed.

The agent fell to the floor. His head rolled past Jack. His blade split in half.

Jack was faster.

He picked up the agent’s corpse: head and all, and continued toward me. He drew closer. Closer. Closer. He stopped beside me.

“Trash. Worthless trash.”

He threw the body into the dumpster. He then looked at me and smiled.

“Not today. I’ve had my fill.”

He winked and walked away.

I ran into the library and into the bathroom. I threw up into the toilet.

My phone rang.

Grace calling…