• 3


    I woke up to the sound of an angry wrestler which I call my alarm clock. I slammed my hand on the wrestler’s head and began my morning routine: brush my teeth, wash my face, comb my hair, etcetera, etcetera. My dad took me to school this time; mom was too tired to take me. I hopped in his Bentley (as if one wasn’t enough), and he drove me to school. As soon as I walked in the bell rang, letting all the kids know it was time to go to first period, and first period meant Alice.

    “Hey Vincent!” Alice warmly greeted me.

    “Hey yourself,” I replied. She smiled her warm, Alice smile, and I couldn’t help but smile a bit. We made our way to the lab tables and the teacher began teaching. As I was writing notes I heard Alice enter my thoughts.

    So how’s it going? She asked me.

    It’s not like I can just go up to my parents and say: “Hey! I’m going on a trip to a different state with a girl I just met yesterday and I know I’m gonna miss a couple of days of school but this is something I have to do!” This is a process, a very delicate and difficult one, I replied.

    It’s true, it was. I’m not Richie Rich; I can’t just do anything I want at anytime. I have rules and regulations. Alice nodded.

    I understand. Not everyone has guardians that don’t care about you…let me know if anything changes.

    I nodded. I would try, because it did feel like something I had to do. Even though I just met this girl, it felt like we were family or something, like a deep connection was between us. It wasn’t love; it was something more intimate, like we were parts of a whole. It wasn’t complete either, there were still missing parts.

    Now you get it, Alice said, now you understand why we have to go see her. I did. To find out what was missing and what must be done to make it whole.

    I was determined now; determined to meet this psychic and to find out the mystery behind this connection. After school I called my parents and told them I was going to walk to school today. I ran home as fast as I could, which is actually pretty fast. I leapt over obstacles and tumbled over fences, ran up walls and a whole bunch of things.

    After forty minutes of all this I was finally at my front door. The door was already unlocked which let me know that my dad was at home. Tuesday’s were probably one of the only days my parents were both at home.

    “I’m home! Dad you really need to stop leaving the door unlocked, it’s pretty careless.” My mom was in the kitchen, which is located very close to the living room.

    “Honey, you look out of breath, what’s wrong?” my mother walked over to me with sadness in her eyes and aura. My dad walked in the kitchen and noticed me too.

    “Were you running from Mitchell Brown again?” he asked me.

    I laughed, “Dad, I haven’t seen Mitchell since third grade.” He shrugged.

    “But there is something I have to tell you. I’m calling a family meeting,” I smelled the stench of sweat on me, “That is, after I take a shower.”

    That seemed like the longest shower I’ve ever taken. I was so nervous, I didn’t know how I would convince them, I know if I were a parent, I wouldn’t let my son go on a trip with a girl he just met and he would miss days of school for this.

    I finally got out of the shower and went downstairs to face them. The whole family was there, even Brandon who must have stopped by while I was in the shower.

    “Okay Vincent, what do you want to say?” my mother asked me. I gulped.

    “Well, a friend of mine wants me to come to Oklahoma with her…” I could feel the parental hammer of rejection striking me down.

    “When is this trip?” my dad asked.

    “Well…” I stumbled for a bit, we didn’t really have a planned date.

    How about next week or something? I heard Alice, faintly, in my head.

    You never stop the surprises do you? I said back to Alice.

    “Next week?” I managed to say. There was a huge intake of breath by both my parents and Gregory. I knew what was coming next. Endless questions from my mother and my dad would be silently thinking about this.

    “Is this the girl you went to Burger King with? You just met her yesterday!” my mother exclaimed.

    “I know but, it’s important. I need to go to Oklahoma to find out about my powers and various other things.” My mom settled down a bit and I thought that this could actually work out. Maybe I could convince them to let me go. Then suddenly my mother’s aura flared again.

    “I know you’re in love with this girl but I can’t allow you to go with her to Oklahoma, especially not alone,” she said.

    “But I won’t be going alone. Brandon said he’ll go too.” Brandon nodded to confirm my statement.

    “Still, you’ll miss days of school, which we can’t allow,” my father stated.

    I knew there was no way I was going to win this fight. I gave up and went upstairs to my room and lay down in my bed. Alice’s voice rose in my head.

    So it didn’t go well? She asked, already knowing the answer to her own question.

    Nope. It doesn’t look like I’m going. Maybe we can go during the summer or something, I’m sure they’ll let me go then.

    Yeah maybe…she said. She didn’t seem to be happy about that at all.

    Well, I’ll see you at school tomorrow! I said to her, and I took a nice long nap.






    I didn’t even know I had slept the whole day until my alarm went off again. I drowsily got out of bet and went through my commute. Alice didn’t show up at my first period today. I heard her once again enter my thoughts.

    I got to school so late today that I was late and had to go to the tardy room. I chuckled a little bit. Here Alice seemed like the perfect girl almost. I started working on some Biology work the teacher assigned but I wasn’t really into it; my mind was on lunch, and Alice. I went through the rest of my schedule: second period P.E., third period Algebra, fourth period Spanish, fifth period History, and finally sixth period English, which meant lunch with Alice.

    I sat at the table I called my own. Will, Alice, Jasmine, and a whole bunch of other children claimed that table as theirs too. As usual, I was the first one there, which gave me some time to prepare for Alice’s ritualistic invasion of my mind. I quickly finished my meal before many of the students arrived.

    Are my invasions really that often? Alice’s voice crept into my head.

    Only a lot, I replied. I heard her laugh and sit next to me. The rest of the kids finally showed up and began their lunch table conversations.

    I was thinking, you maybe wanna walk home together? Maybe I could talk to your parents and tell them all about this Oklahoma plan, Alice entered my thoughts again.

    She honestly thought that would work. Once my parents made a decision, they stuck to it and there wasn’t much you could do about it. How would they have become so wealthy and successful if they changed their plans so easily? As my mom always told me, you have to be steadfast and keep your mind aimed at your goals if you really wanted them to come true.

    I see. It’s still worth a try at least, she said. She cut off our mental connection and I knew that she already knew what I would say. I guess we could give it a shot. There isn’t anything to lose and a two percent chance of gaining something so we might as well go for it. Seventh and eighth period went by smoothly; I was pretty good at computers and communications. After school I met up with Alice and we started walking home. It was an awkward trek; only couples really walk each other home.

    “Oh that’s not true at all Vincent,” Alice smiled. I shook my head. She flirts with me a lot even though we both know we’re only friends. We talked a lot on the way to my house, mainly about our abilities and this psychic Alice met. Her foster-parents strongly believe in the supernatural and they went to the psychic to see how their future with Alice would end up looking like. Since the psychic couldn’t see her future they viewed Alice as a “bad omen” or something of that nature. Ever since then they haven’t cared much for what happens to her.

    We made it to my house after a long trek and I felt to see who was in there. It felt like only my mom and Gregory were in there.

    Actually there is one other person underneath the house, said Alice in my head. I felt around even harder and sure enough my dad was in the underground gym. Clearly Alice was more developed than I was. I opened the door and announced to the house that I had a guest. My mother and Gregory rushed down the stairs and Gregory offered to take Alice’s books and backpack as all good butlers do.

    “My, who is this?” my mother looked promisingly at Alice and Alice smiled her usual smile, “Gregory, if you would, go tell my husband to come to the living room.” I told her that this was Alice and they warmly greeted each other. We made our way to the living room and waited for my dad and Gregory to show up. They were certainly taking their time; we’d been waiting for almost half an hour before they showed up. Alice and my dad greeted each other and he sat down in his chair.

    “What’s all this about Vincent?” my dad’s eyes slowly moved back and forth between me and Alice. My mom and he both thought the same thing: this must be the girl I planned on going on the trip with.

    Don’t worry, you’ve done enough, I’ll speak to them, said Alice.

    Alice stood up and walked to the center of the room where everyone could see her. She in took a breath and I felt her personality shift again.

    “Mr. and Mrs. Campbell. My name is Alice Walker and yes, I am the one who invited your son to come with me on a trip to Oklahoma City, to visit a psychic that I met many years back who might be able to explain the unique abilities Vincent has. I too have been gifted with supernatural powers and I believe it’s important that Vincent join me so that we may discover what are gifts are capable of and how we might use them to better ourselves as well as improve our environment, community, and perhaps our planet.”

    Okay, that was pretty good. Alice was a better speaker than I would have ever guessed. If I were a parent, I would let my son go just because of how good her speech was. However, I already knew that it would take nothing short of a miracle or some kind of great tragedy to get them to change their minds.

    “I’m sorry Miss Alice but we’ve already made our decision. Maybe during the summer you two can go on this trip,” my mother said, and it felt like she was genuinely sorry. Alice nodded and went to go get her bags.

    “Nice try, really, that was good. But I know that my parents can be really adamant. I guess I’ll see you tomorr--” I heard a faint scratching sound. My parents noticed my pause.

    “What is it Vincent?” my mother looked a little concerned.

    “Do you hear that? It’s like a scratching sound or something,” Alice said. So she heard it too?

    “No I can’t say I do,” my mother said. My father and Gregory didn’t hear it either. The scratching was get louder and then it violently transformed into a high pitched screech. It grew louder and louder until I couldn’t bear it anymore; it became painful. The pain grew more and more painful as the screech grew louder. I feel to my knees, clutching my ears. I barely heard my mom and dad through the screeching; their cries drowned out by my intense pain. I wasn’t the only one; Alice looked to be in equal pain. Then I heard this malevolent laughter in my head.

    Did you say great tragedy? What a wonderful prospect! I can’t allow you to go to Cassandra. Not now, not ever. Here’s the great tragedy! Maybe it’ll change your parent’s minds, but you won’t live long enough to find out! The voice began laughing manically. The pain began to increase dramatically. It grew so painful I could barely keep consciousness. Through squinted eyes I saw my parents gasp at something coming from the kitchen. I was hardly able to turn around and see what it was. It was like a person, made out of pure darkness, an animated shadow. Then I heard the voice return.

    Ha ha! Say hello to my loyal henchmen, they’re here to make sure you have a pleasant, permanent nap. Sweet dreams! The voice sounded so happy to be doing this. I could barely hold on to my consciousness. My dad and Gregory grabbed the rapiers on the fireplace, which I previously thought were only for decoration. I heard the voice again; it told me that those weapons wouldn’t stop the shadows, only make things worse. My mother got on the phone and began calling the police. Gregory and my dad were fighting off the shadows as well as they could, but for every one destroyed, two would take its place. Alice was on the floor, screaming as the pain increased. Then, she suddenly lost consciousness. There was something about it that made it seem out of place; it was peaceful, like someone simply going to sleep. I heard a gentle female voice enter my mind.

    Sleep, Vincent, you will not die this day. Sleep, you will be safe. I couldn’t stop myself from falling to sleep.

    I found myself in a white room with Alice. I took a long look around. It wasn’t a room, it went endlessly in all directions, like outer space only snow white.

    “Where are we?” I said, and found that the sounds didn’t come out. I tried to say something else but it was completely silent. It was like watching television after someone has hit the mute button.

    You cannot speak here, all communication is done telepathically. Hello, I am Cassandra; I have brought you to this realm so that you might live to see me in person. I will teach you to unlock you hidden potential, or at least to a certain degree. The rest must be discovered on your own. I felt a burst of energy explode through my body. All my senses were enhanced, my vigor renewed.

    I have done just enough for you to fend off this attack. I will now return you to your bodies, feel the energy and listen to its flow…you will know what to do.

    I woke up, all the pain suddenly disappeared. My mother was screaming piercingly. I stood to my feet.

    “Vincent, thank goodness you’re alright!” she wrapped her arms around me. I saw Alice stand in the corner of my eye.

    “Mom, let me go. I need to help dad and Gregory.” I was surprised at the ferocity in my voice. My mother let me go without objection, another surprise. I looked at Alice; she looked almost as if she were ready for war or worse. We gazed at our opponents. Dad and Gregory were getting tired and their movements started slowing down. They slowly backed up until they were back to where we were; the archway connection the living room to the hallway in front of the door.

    “They keep multiplying, it’s like we kill one and two more show up!” Gregory panted. I slowly walked forward, Alice following behind.

    “Son, what are you doing? Get back here!” my dad started walking towards me but my mom grabbed his arm and shook her head. The shadows were dancing around, giddy as can be. Their happiness disgusted me. I was furious; they meant to harm me and my family! I felt Alice’s fury next to me. The shadows were constantly moving, even if they weren’t walking, like a permanent twitch everywhere on their body. They were moving so rapidly it wouldn’t be noticed by the normal eye, but I saw it. Every movement, I saw it. Not only that, I predicted it, like precognition. My fury and anger were rising, my aura was going crazy and my energy was flowing through my body like a raging river.

    Attack, Cassandra whispered in my head.

    My hand moved forward quickly and flames flew from my hand towards the shadows. So this is what Cassandra has taught me? Pyrokinesis. Sweet. I rushed towards the now-not-so-happy group of shadows. The flames flew when I wanted them to; they shot when I wanted them to shoot. It was so natural, even though I just gained this ability. It was like I was born with it. I saw Alice walk over to our life-sized lion statue which sat next to the fireplace. She touched the statue and it suddenly came to life, completely under her command. It had the same aura as her so I gathered that she must have put her own life force into the statue, temporarily animating it.

    My flames burned down the shadows. Every kick, punch, chop, slide, roundhouse, or sweep was accompanied with fire. Alice’s lion tore shadows to shreds one by one. In approximately twenty minutes, we were down to the last five shadows. I guess only our abilities can stop the multiplication of shadow beings. I grabbed one shadow and flipped it over my shoulder, when Alice’s lion ripped it to pieces. I shot a fireball at one to my right and roundhouse kicked at the one to my left which sent a wave of fire towards it. With my parkour prowess I easily leapt over a shadow and burned his ally behind him. The lion statue finished off the remaining shadow.

    Alice retracted her aura which froze the lion in its position. My mom, dad, and Gregory were awestruck at what just occurred.

    “Master Vincent, where did you learn that?” Gregory was losing his mind. I shrugged. I thought I learned it from Cassandra but by the way I executed each maneuver, it was as if I always knew how to do it. I and Alice’s fury had subsided after the battle. The kitchen and living room were completely destroyed because of this battle. The cops never showed up, they probably thought this was just some kind of prank call or someone with a false alarm. My mom and my dad looked at each other for a long time, and then my dad looked at me.

    “Vincent…you can go to Oklahoma.”