To join, to be, to go on a team;
To push, to strive, to shine in your life;
To see, to do, to take action so true;
Is to live, to pursue, to live life oh, so full.
On this day you will change, just a little; you'll see.
You'll join a club and be yourself,
The team you choose which will it be?
This change, you see, makes the old you shelfed.
But push your opinions and strive for facts,
To achieve, shine in your life adue;
See your goal, do the deed, and take act!
Live your life, you'll see the dreams pursue you.
Author: Pinkcheecks
Computer Ghost
(As always, you decide if it’s true or completely false)
I remember always having a fascination with ghosts. The idea that something we couldn’t see yet, there was always perplexed me and there was a time when I was really into finding out more about these things that weren’t real in most people’s opinion.
It all started when I was in middle school. My next door neighbor, would tell us these hilarious stories about what he had seen the night before on MTV. He would describe the scenes and story plots perfectly. Personally I remember hanging on his every word, waiting patiently for the punchline. Aside: Years later I found those video clips and I have to be honest I liked his interpretation so much better.
Anyways, getting back on topic. At one point during our little group’s meeting with me, Pink Cheecks, Lava Lips, Crazy Dip and Bonehead; our neighbor Bonehead told us about this really scary website called Sfogs.com, and told us that if we were brave enough we should take a look at it and see what we thought of it. This came shortly after we had gotten our very first desktop computer.
We were really excited to have a new computer and now with this information we could look up so many things that he had told us about. So gathering together, in Crazy Dip’s room we took our first look at this website. Our first glance at this page revealed a warning about the content within being scary and that if you had heart issues or were pregnant you should stay away, etc… so after being the eldest and most responsible I read the warning and like a typical kid, hit the ok button and ventured further. The cite was divided into many different categories such as mythical creatures caught on camera and/or video, ghost caught on camera, fairies caught on video etc… many different kinds of creatures caught on different types of media.
After a few days of constantly checking this website for new images and stories, we were gathered around the computer when all of a sudden a breeze came out of the computer screen. Keep in mind the doors were closed and no fan was on. Sometimes I try to think about it logically that maybe it was the tower of the desktop but the angle is wrong. The angle of the air had been wrong and the breeze too strong.
After being freaked out, we look at each other lava lips, crazy dip and I; and then turned quickly to the fan that had slowly started to turn slowly. Each of us checking the window and doors, we shot up and backed away towards the door. Then the last straw that made us leave the room was the impression on the bed of someone sitting down.
After a few months we forgot the incident and went back on the site, at least I know I did. The curiosity overwhelmed me, I felt the need to get on the website again. That night I had a dream and in that dream I saw a figure. Even to this day I recall trying to call to the figure and it always looked like if it wanted to turn around but never did. All I could see was that it was a he.
After a while I started to see patterns of weird stuff that would happen in our house. But it was just random. It wasn’t until I had a dream of the being that things got even more strange. I know because when I had this particular dream, I was in my old elementary school and I was walking and talking to a guy. I didn’t get the same vibe as when it was the being, so I opened up to him and it felt like if we were there together, like as a couple. In this dream we were at back to school night and I wasn’t sure why we were there but we walked and talked and then all of a sudden I start calling out Merde, like talking to him and he responded. Merde this and Merde that. He held my hand and I smiled. I remember that I had feeling for that person.
I remember thinking that maybe it was like a vision, since once in a great while I would dream about my future. They had mostly… up to that point come true. I still get them and often feel that they are just visions that let me know I am in the right path for my life. So, normally I thought that this guy was who I was going to end up with in the future. Some dude that I would nickname Merde for a reason that I didn’t know yet. Typical romantic not-so-ugly girl wishing upon a dream that love would be possible and that this was the sign to seek.
I held that name in reverence, often thinking that it would be a name that I would hold dear. When I did that, with out realizing it, I had made some sort of connection with this unknown being. That’s right somehow I had managed to make a connection with a ghost; one that hauntingly protected me in a fear inducing way to others and honestly at the time even to myself. Maybe, it was his nickname or had some significance to it…him. After this dream, things started to happen to those around me.
I remember only a few incidences, but they are also the strongest ones, the ones I do remember. I remember once me and my sister Lava Lips had a huge falling out and of course even now in my eyes, it was her fault and I was the one that ended up being hurt physically because she had pulled my hair and had scratched me. I eventually let it go, like I usually do; but, then a few days after she was home alone and as she was walking through our kitchen she heard a noise. All of a sudden the dishes that were properly stacked fell with out being provoked. I remember her saying that she swore she didn’t do it, that all of a sudden they fell. I had my doubts, but as time went on and more definitive patterns occurred, I knew that the being had tried to take revenge on my sister on my behalf.
I remember on a different occasion, I had a heated argument with my brother Crazy Dip. It was the worst one we had ever had, where he went into a blind rage and actually put his hands around my throat. I remember feeling scared and then summoned the strength to break his grasp and locked myself inside my room. In that same week, he told us that he had nightmares for 3 days, and that he couldn’t sleep because of those nightmares. I remember asking him what they were about, but he stayed quiet and didn’t say. All he said was that he felt something near him when he slept and that he had seen this black figure in the corner of his room a couple of times. At first his lack of sleep made me happy since he had attacked me, but then hearing more details I began to worry for him. He is my brother, and we didn’t call him Crazy Dip for nothing, but he wasn’t this type of crazy.
I remember years later that a renter who lived in the back was complaining about a ghost. Him and his mother both; we had a fling and at one point he got rough with me while playfighting. So much so that he managed to get me on the floor and used his foot on my back to hold me down; at the time my crush on him superseded his utter disrespect. And sure enough shortly after that the revelations started. That he couldn’t sleep, that he felt a weight on his chest, that his mother felt hands around her neck, that they both lost sleep for weeks on end. Eventually, I moved away.
My fiancé and I got an apartment together; and I moved in so it wasn’t empty before we got married. Made it feel like a home, got used to it and then when we got married my husband joined me. However, I never told him about the first night there alone… I was so scared. But found my strength. Merde the ghost tried to follow me; but had no attachment to this new place. This new sanctuary for myself where he was not welcomed; and that night after hearing banging coming from all around. Both from empty and full apartments had knocks coming from them so late in the night. To hear those knocks from the roof on a single story building at 3am was the worst recognition of that night; and instead of subjugating myself to fear, I found my strength, resolve, and power.
That night was the last night that I ever felt my personal ghost nearby.
First, of All
First of all, that day unplanned
He came and knocked,
And we all laughed.
He played their game,
While finding his fame,
Me, did he entertain.
Rubbed my finger on his knee,
Squirmed and wiggle; oh, did he,
And so much joy did it give me.
Sandman's trusty trick troped well,
Helped them escape to the playgrounds swell;
And proceed to crack, as blood fell.
First he started, of all the things,
I pursued his gentle words
They were there too, a friend he brings
Types of kisses, forming cords.
He was the first of all others,
Now not the Only one.
The time interrupted did occur
Finished the game, one and done.
The memory still burns,
And is re-liven all day.
With the hope,
That it will occur once again.
First, of all; of oh, so many.
Fondly remembered, fully awoken.
The burn yearns even now,
Ten long years of my life, have been re-found.
The Dream Spell
As one sleeps ever so peacefully,
One comes across a wide pond
That pulses mystically;
somehow creating a fear bond.
In a flash, tides pull inwardly;
like a typhoon,
Pulling the water glowingly
It is all sucked in so soon.
Water spinning, air is twirling, circle steady,
The big leaves fall, yet ....!
As eight-legged beings go down dancing,
A rhythm is formed, uniform and steadily.
Moving now, a hexagon bounces,
the sight! The Seriousness!
The GO-moment as they do raise
Base down, ass up, and here it goes.
It goes blank,
it goes dark,
It then comes back to you,
A world portal-ed, lit with new hues.
Duet: Invisibility, Invincibility
Invincibility is a trait, a sign, a gift. Just like that of hazel eyes, peace, and family. That of which leaves you bit by bit, And leaves this feeling; sad merrily.
A tear for a friend is honorable. And beauty is always known deep within, A joke is understandable, To see the truth that isn't thin.
Invisibility, you who is felt by all and is no one, Can't be seen or touched or heard. Yet here and there, we can feel you Only those select few feared.
You, who has never left my side, Only I can see you two Loneliness made me a bride While Invincibility kept me on the side of true
I've felt, I must admit, so done In! For some, few years, means bullied, Lull-lied into some sense of ...of dissertation! You leave me now and I feel bare, gone lie.
Ill miss the "gifts" you bestowed upon me Unseen, barely heard, but totally fair. The art of blending, defeated the foe; There was some pain, mostly observed, go. I'm ready now, as so rumored the air; To ask now: leave me be.
Holder of Fire #27
School lets out and I head home towards the park on Mission. I get to the park and sure enough Michael has beaten me here. “Hello Magenta”, “Hello Michael” I say in return. He continues, “so, you wanted to talk?”
“Yes, I saw you earlier today running down the hallway; what was that about?” I pretend like I saw nothing. I fold my arms across my body and prepare for what he has to say. A little surprised he says, “Oh, mum… hmmmmm. Well. Ahhhh…” I cut him off, “Spill it already, goodness gracious!”
“Ah, sorry. It’s just I thought I saw you help me earlier and now I’m not sure… But, anyways, one of my traps was set off and I assumed it would be Bullfrog; so, when I got the notice, I ran quickly to see.” He pauses and I say, “Nice name by the way, kudos on being clever” I giggle.
He responds bewildered, “I didn’t name him that; those are the animals combined to create the demon soul that possesses that very huuuman body.” He looks down and continues, “The fact that he can only be seen as a monster;” he takes a heavy breath in pain and groans as his body is still aching from the battle, and begins to take a seat, “means that we are way more behind than I originally realized. They are getting stronger and we still…” he pauses and thinks and continues, “we only have just you.” He points to me as he says that, “We are going to have to begin your training”, he sighs and starts to sound frustrated and groans, “an…and your list of boundaries as of now is annulled.” He waves his hand flat to create a horizontal line, meaning severed or cut. Surprised all I could muster was the sound ofa surprised soft “Huh…” and he says the words I wish he didn’t have to say, “Today you should have transformed and helped me…”
“…Or should have been able to; every time we encounter them it is imperative that we show that we have the upper hand; else that fear grows in the community and they get stronger and are able to increase their army. We need to show them that we are also making moves, but instead our weakness feeds their arrogance and it makes them stronger. It’s not your fault that you didn’t know what to do this time, BUT I need you to know what to do next time, I need you to know what we are up against and why all this other stuff is nonsense in comparison.” He waves his forearms around and looks to the direction of the school.
“Ok” is all I could say as the guilt ridden memory of when I saw the man beat Bullfrog, like not even 6 weeks ago in actual time; and in this short amount of time Bullfrog… has gotten strong enough to hurt him. I tune back in and he seemingly continues as if he was in his own head… and mutters “I lost something I should not have even had on my person; now who knows how strng they will be.” He drops his head to his hand as the other rests on the table.
I ask, “What did he take from you?” He responds, “I can’t say yet, but it was bad. Really bad.” I can feel his intense remorsefulness, sadness, and guilt. I don’t know why he feels that way or how badly he dropped the ball; but he reassured me when I was feeling down about Saul, the least I could do is the same. “Hey…” I sit down across from him on the park table and reach out to his hand out of instinct. The words flow through me as if in harmony with the universe and I say, “Don’t worry Michael, I got your back; so long as you got mine.”
A glistening tear forms in his eye, and he takes a breath. Rejuvenated he stands up, throws his arms in the air and exclaims, “Your RIGHT! You are always right…. thank you” he ends softly; he takes a breath and rests his hands on the back of his head and he starts to glow.
I look around to see if anyone is nearby and an entire family with a dog and cat look at our direction. I panic and jump across the table to take him down and out of sight; he catches me and the family shocked at my display of affection leave speedily out of the park. Having crashed into him, I get on my knees and I am sitting on his stomach, arms holding myself up from the ground, face to face with Michael. I realize the situation I put ourselves in and turn beat red; I look towards the family and see that they are gone.
I quickly turn to Michael and blushingly embarrassingly and stutteringly I say squeal at Michael, “Why would you start to glow in the middle of the park in front of a family?!” as I get off of him but stay on the ground so he doesn’t see up my skirt and scoot away from him with every squealed word. He confusingly turns to me and says “Glow?”
“You saw me glow?”
“Well, it’s pretty hard to miss when it is so bright” I say. He smiles a sweet and gentle smile and says, “Well then, that right there settles everything.” I looked at him confused and before I can ask any questions he gets up and gestures for me to follow him.
We walk out of the park and towards the center of town, I recognize the area as it is near Safehouse #7. After a few neighborhoods, I finally ask “where are we going?” He says, “I need to show you something, but going back to what you said earlier. About me glowing… there are only a few people on this planet who can see that glow…” My heart sinks and I say “Uh-huh.”
He continues, “you see, there’s this lore; and scientists have actually started to scratch the surface to this truth as well, but the jest is this, I believe that this era isn’t the first-time humanity has… let’s say ‘existed’. Each time this species has been in danger they were able to rely on the saviors, a group of warriors that converged into this one dimension from other destroyed inner dimensions to protect the last remains of life from those different dimensions that were safeguarded and found on the arc. This place called earth is what the result of the last time the warriors sacrificed themselves after being attacked; this allowed the arc to create a unique place that is on the ‘other side of the arc’; a place where those souls could be made to be sent to earth causing different souls to come together here.”
“So, if this lore is true, then you are saying it’s like aliens are already here they are just more incognito than we even realized??” I interrupt.
“I guess that’s one way of looking at it, but they are all human souls just different dimensional humans so they differ, the souls here all have had different journeys and have been reborn countless of times, some are newer than others and some are ancient survivors of those calamities.” He pauses as we stop, seems like we have arrived, “And then there are the souls like yours, divinely protected, guided, and true; fighters of justice, fighters of truth, fighters of love and kindness, fighters of darkness into the light. This is my place of operations for now; the very few people who can see my glow or any remnant of my powers are those meant to guide us with downloads from the other side. Which for some reason have been corrupted, so I am not getting everything I should be. Once I meet with the person who is to provide me the next download, I will move my operations elsewhere.”
I look around at the sad and cold place he calls his base. I’ve seen and prepared a better base than this before is my immediate thought. “My main role in this team is to provide the information on how to proceed and progress so that we are ready for when they show up to fight. In this team we will have a leader, a planner, an organizer, a sergeant, and our sacred weapon; however, for now you must learn every role so that when we find your partners you can help and train them to reach your level of experience.”
I hear what he says and think to myself planner huh? Maybe I do belong on this team, if my life has taught me anything is that I know how to plan many different things from escapes to parties. Looking around I can see that he ate food from the school, no bed, no desk, barely a bathroom to access. I look to him and think how could you be ok with living like this?
I slowly ask him, “How can you live like this? Don’t you have a family or home?”
Michael turns to me, takes a seat crisscross applesauce and blushes as if embarrassed by the question. “I have a higher calling Magenta, and this body I love it. It has given me so many experiences this time around;” ‘this time around’ I think to myself. “But this is a soulless body, what we call a vessel.”
“What do you mean soulless and vessel??” I ask a little freaked out thinking to myself ‘like possession?’
“We can send soulless bodies through one side of the arc to the other. We tend to manage the souls, however whenever evil is involved the controls get corrupted like a virus, and its like its able to corrupt them. So, we send blank vessels so that when we need to interfere, the few and rare times wave had to, we can. This body named Michael, was born to lead a life with no one there to support him. No one there, so that when we needed him, we could come in and out.
So no, I have no home, no family, and up until I came into this body; this young man was trying to rent an apartment but no one would rent him one, so now I’m stuck having to use my powers constantly to fit in.”
I understood what he had said but it still broke me, to have someone purposefully live a meaningless and difficult life really forced me to question how I could help what ever this was, especially if they could be so heartless. I knew things didn’t have to be this way, I had everything necessary to help him, to help not make this harder on him.
“Hey michael I want to thank you for opening up to me I know its hard to say what needs to be said without being seen as crazy or demented. Hell I’d be one of those people if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. The truth slapped me in the face and seems like the more I resist the more it’s going to show my ineptitude and unpreparedness. I agree to fight with you. As of today November 3rd, I will fight, train, and be right there with you. But I still need to do some things on my end before this goes down.”
“Like what?” He asks. I say “it’s personal. But I will talk to you tomorrow” if we are going to fight we are going to win and get this done and over with. I think to myself while walking away. I turn around to say good bye but he is already asleep in a box bed slightly glowing as he healed. I close the door and walk out.
Pinkcheecks Favorite Album
What’s your all-time favorite album?
This song awoke music in me, or should I say English music to me. It was androgenous, it made me question, it captivated me, and I was 15 years old when it came out. So, of course I was in my teenage feelings of lust and wonder, fear and general curiosity. The song, and you wont beleive me when I say it, was Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake, member of N’Sync.
I was not a member of the N’Sync or Backstreet Boys teams back in the day, but their music surrounded me on Tv shows and commercials, radio, friends mp3s, and at home thru my sibling. But when I heard that song, it blew my mind away and made my heart race; hell maybe even pupils dilated.
A few days or weeks later, cant really remember now, I made sure to save up enough money for my birthday. I wanted a CD player and to get my first CD. My parents would buy me the $18.99 on sale pink with flowers cd player, while I paid for the (maybe on sale, but I remember the Cd was more expensive that the CD Player) $19.99 Sexy Back Album in 2006 on my birthday. I listened to that CD over and over again, it trully flowed so well together that the ending of one song went into the begining of another.
It was the first time hearing a concert in my ears. Prior to this my ears heard all types of English music that was head boppin, but for me who loved spanish dance-able music… a head bop just wasnt enough when the latter made my whole body move. This album made me want to dance the way the music videos showed it could be danced.
For the memories, for the love of dancing, for the courage to buy the CD at 16, as a gift for myself … all of these things are what makes this album my all-time favorite album for the rest of my life… lol or at least will hold a special place in my heart for the rest of my life. (Like if the house burnt down and I had time to get it… I would).
Holder of Fire #26
The bell rings and I try to catch up to Lyla, but after going through the door and nearly reaching her I remember that she had asked me to stay away from her. So, with that I turned around and walked away towards my next class. I make a note to remember to tell Michael. I continue to the last period of the day, once again the same announcement.
“I am already involved when I don’t want to be involved, but because I have to be, … if she doesn’t want this then I can understand that…” I thought as I was making my way through the crowd of students. I need to let Michael know of my suspicion though, maybe he can get closer to her to find out and see. Maybe we can help each other, and the sooner I find the actual holder of fire the sooner I can move on to finding him.
I go and try to find Michael before the late bell rings but he isn’t where he usually is. I think back and remember that I am not to be looking for him directly and I breathe a sigh of relief and head inside; I think to myself ‘I hope that was enough to show that I was only looking for him because he had been ‘stalking’ me and not because we are now working together’. The sense of someone watching me passes quickly, like that of a scout sent out to keep an eye. The same feeling, I had the moment before I was attacked. I quickly get into class and once again the announcement rings. Reminding student to walk in pairs.
I take my seat and all that was on my mind leaves my brain, the intense feeling of dread, the very moment I realized what class this is and WHO specifically was in this class. Windy. She dislikes me. Since day 1 and I still don’t know why. ‘Almost like I did something to her in a past life.’ I think to myself and smile at the silly thought.
Windy unfortunately sees me smile and speaks loudly enough to say, “Well apparently something you said about your sick grandma is SOOO funny that Magenta is smiling; (directed at me) how about you mind your own business you heartless…” one of her friends stops her and says, “its ok it’s not like she could have heard what we were talking about…” she turns around and I am left just stupefied. I literally was thinking to myself and she had a whole ass cow. A part of me gets upset, meanwhile another part of me begrudgingly understands her defense of her friend. I let it go with that understanding thought and focus on English class, the teacher says, “here we start the year with reading Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and I want each of you to play a role.” I can’t believe the teacher wants us to play the roles, I guess this is just High school level expectations. The class visibly groans, but she promises it will be fun, so we try because she is kind.
The bell rings and I am off to the last class for the day. Art, nice and calming art. As soon as we are let inside, I see Michael running fast down a hallway. Something in me, pushes me to run after him.
I leave art class yelling to the student nearest me “I really gotta pee, please let the teacher know I am going to the restroom.” I see him go behind a building where there are no classes being held there since it’s being demolished during the next break with no students. I think to myself, “Seems like a perfect place to go and hide.”
I sneak around the different garden barricades and make it to a point where I can see Michael holding a fireball and throwing it. I poke my head around more and there… There he is! Bullfrog.
The monster that cut my back, tried to eat me, and for a while there I honestly thought that I had made the whole thing up in my head; that is until Michael confirmed that he was one of the evil henchmen he had mentioned before. Here he was, or err…there he was over 6ft tall, reptile skin with a frog like face but a cow like nose with a ring on it, he had black and white spots like a milking cow but with horns and bumps. I turn away and crack a smile at the name that Michael gave him, I guess he does seem like a bull and frog. I turn back around and see that Michael is now on the floor and that Bullfrog is walking menacingly closer to him. He is holding his hand out as if to ask for something and then goes to swipe at him. A quick flashback to the moment when he had swiped at me and the bloody mess he made before Michael was able to heal me; yea he confessed that too. I turn away and think fast…
‘I need an emergency… the fire alarm… but there are no fire alarm pulleys here’, I a matter of a second I focus my hand on the necklace and asked it, “Please, help me. Michael is in trouble and I still don’t really know what I am doing!” Breathing hard and panicking on what to ask or even do. I continue to speak and say, “Please help me start a small fire to set off the fire alarm!”
Instinctively my hand raises and I feel a slight warmth and a small fire sprouts from my hand; I bring my hand down to see the cute little fire before it quickly starts to get really hot, and I let it go. Dropping it into the trash bin. A slight but quick flash of fire sprouts from the trash can making a lot of smoke and sets off the fire alarm. I think to myself ‘Well, I guess that did it.’
I go back out and turn around to see if Michael is ok. It looks as if other students help him up and everyone goes to their emergency spot. Before heading to my spot, I see him deflated, I can tell something bad must have happened when I turned away. And the thought hits me; “Should I have transformed to help him fight Bullfrog here at school?? I find my class and the teacher exclaims “oh thank goodness Magenta, glad to see you join us.” I say “Yea the alarm rang and I just came straight here from the bathroom.”
She accepts the answer and we wait for protocol to be followed. The question continues to ring thru my head, could I have done something? After some time, we get word that we are going back to class. I text Michael before we go inside.
“We need to talk, meet me at the park on Mission Ave after school” and I hit send.
I think ‘Let’s see how this will go’…before I say “I hope I didn’t mess up.” End of Day Announcements, “A reminder to students to please walk in pairs or get picked up by your parents or guardians as we remind you that the first official report of a student from our school has gone missing. If you have any information, please contact the police.”
The Little Voice
There’s always a little voice that tells you what to do,
some people call it good
others not quite so,
yet there it is
that little voice
in my head…
it encourages me to fail and
yet, gives me courage to try
its weird, how we think,
that voice that is deep inside.
It’s me, for me,
it’s you… for you
and depending on how you are
its seems like its just right for you.
So here I am
with this thought;
the one that says that I am
the controller of my whole world…
that you are in my world; to be a part of my world.
That what you do has nothing to do with you;
and everything to do with me…
that somehow if I summoned the ‘power’
I could do as I wish and see your whole being
your history, and that somehow by doing so,
it would benefit me.
Today there is a right in the world that most recognize,
my little voice says ‘he will win’
and then I see the [masses] and
I begin to question the power of my mind.
How can this be??
How can I feel so powerful and then so weak at times;
is it just me?
Maybe the little voice in my head isn’t what I think it is…
maybe… it’s just me holding my tongue to those who…
who may not know.
That little voice,
that small little voice, so strong…
So weak.
Yet, so potent.
Holder of Fire #25
I peak through the windows hoping to see Saul, I can’t normally get in to this area without being noticed by my past so in a disguise, and a direct route to here is much obliged. Not that I would thank Michael for bringing me here. No sign of Saul.
I exit through a hole in the bush in the back and hide behind a dumpster making sure no one is around. I enter the dumpster and sit down in the neatly decorated inside, 2 steps down and you enter the real property, the Levine Safe House Secret House Number 99. I let out a sigh of relief, and say ” ok necklace I promise I won’t take you off this time. I just… I was told to give it back so that’s what I tried to do. I’m sorry if that would have been bad for you. Or… err me. Now, De-elementasize.”
Magenta returns to her true self and ponders for the next 24hrs while returning to her main residence and preparing for school. She goes to school the next day and meets Michael during lunch.
“Alright Michael I have my ground rules ready for this so-called training.” She says as she sits at his lunch bench away from other students. She notices his lunch and his posture while sitting on the floor arms behind his head as he expected me. “Before you say anything I need to tell you some things first.” He says as he does a reverse pull up from the ground to the bench to sit next to me.
“Look you are in danger; I am not the only one looking for the holder of Fire. The enemy knows you are here, that encounter was not happenstance. A possible trap, and worse yet… I interfered, we sit near each other and now you want to converse with me. That change in behavior is suspicious for those who are keeping watch at anything not typical of human behavior; that choice may have intervened with everything I have been working the last 2 years for. That’s how long I’ve been looking for you, for this; to catch up and do this.”
Magenta’s mind trails momentarily to a flashback of her and Saul running and escaping. Her heart sinks, was this also what Saul meant when he said I was meant for so much more than the life I was living? She collects herself and comes back to Michael talking.
“Please listen to me… the entire story of what this all means will sounds crazy, and will be so much. I won’t be able to tell you everything because not all of my memories have successfully downloaded from the Arriba Zone.” He points up and to his head solemnly. “What you need to know now is what I know as of now. You have a team that is here to help you… ooooor you have to find them. And there are at most 3 enemies in the near vicinity. Major enemies or barely just scouts depending on where their headquarters are located.”
“Headquarters? Major enemies? The Arriba Zone? So,… then why me, is it because of my family? Am I just born this way or did something happen to me to make me this way? You said this necklace would only work for me is that true? If that is true then what happens next?”
“It’s hard to say, the downloads I’ve had, haven’t been the most… clear. Like the signal isn’t quite getting through. We originally thought that the power of the necklace was split amongst more than one person, but the way it reacted to you makes me believe that there can’t be any other person who could have a piece of the power.”
“Wait..WAIT… so that means that there is a chance that I may not be the person you’re looking for? Then I want to continue with my boundary list at this point. I want you to help me find Saul first and foremost, you seem to have powers that may help in the search for him. I have plenty of experience for the type of fight you are wanting to use me for and I am willing to help…” mainly because I can’t take this thing off, “and if I am not the person you are looking for you have to promise to take this thing off and leave me alone to live the rest of my life or as long as it lasts with Saul and uninvolved from what you are doing here, as I move on with my life.”
“I know that I am not wrong, so that’s is a deal. I will help you and we can discuss in detail what you would like me to do when it comes to your missing friend.” He responds and continues, “we can not meet each other at school until I make sure that you are part of my cover story. Otherwise, for now you and I will have to meet a little bit more privately” he reaches across the table to reach for my hand and I panic and cross my arms; and he flips it over and makes a fire in his hand. “Let’s move on to your training, you need to be able to make fire at will like this before we can go over the attacks that existed from ancient tradition. The trainings shouldn’t take very long, it honestly can’t take that long…” He trails off and then turns off the flame and he continues, “lets meet after school today and discuss things further, our cover story and everything moving forward. For now, I must continue to search for the next Holder.”
Surprised I respond, “you already found another one?” I think to myself that maybe this whole thing won’t be so bad if I am not the only one doing this; I say “How many members will this team have?” He says “Maybe, I maybe found another one, only you will be able to tell for sure. As the Holder of Fire you are the chosen and volunteered leader of this team. And, as far as I know.. there are only 5 members…” his voice trails off as his mind wonders to some far off thought, I whisper to him that I am going to go and walk away.
I turn around and look at him sitting there, I think to myself; could he really help me? I can’t be what or who he is looking for, but so long as he can help me look that is the only thing that matters to me. I go to 5th period and see the girls from the Garden, her name is Lyla and she still mad stares at me. We sit in the same seat but in opposite sides of the room, sometimes while passing papers we make eye contact and her face shows her annoyance. Since I’m way in the back I keep trying the flame trick that he mentioned and nothing works, she looks over and I feel a Zap in my hand and smoke start to ignite, in unison from across the room we say ‘Oh shit!’ and we look at each other suspiciously. I point to her and mouth “did you do that?” and she mouths the same thing then continues in a surprised face to our unison that ‘No I didn’t you did.’ The teacher continues to teach and we look forward and we get distracted with that moment for the rest of class. I think back to Michael saying “I maybe found another one…” and look to Lyla; could she be a Holder?
