SWNOVELS Chapter 7: A Light In The Darkness
His eyes adjusted to the dimly lit chamber, and a wave of disbelief washed over him. To his right, a solitary cot beckoned, its simplicity contrasting with the complexity of his emotions. To his left, a small, utilitarian toilet stood in stark contrast to the world he once knew. Eary's voice quivered with apprehension as he voiced his grim suspicion, "Is this a cell?"
Silence greeted his query, sending panic coursing through his veins. Desperation clawed at him, as he shouted for Mote. "Mote?! Mote?! MOTE?!" Eary's voice echoed in the confined space, but there was no response. His heart raced as he paced, rubbing his hands together for warmth, his wrist adorned once again with the ominous power-blocking bracelet. "I guess my powers are out too," he thought bitterly.
The name "Luke" pierced his thoughts, a harsh reminder of a missed opportunity. Tears welled in Eary's eyes as he lamented, "I was so close. He was right there." Regret and sorrow mingled as he thought of the people he was leaving behind.
"Mom," he sobbed, "you were always there for me..." His voice quivered as he continued, "...and dad. I know we didn't really connect, and I'm sorry." A sudden commotion from outside his cell interrupted his emotional soliloquy—the unmistakable sound of gunfire.
Eary's weeping intensified as he whispered through his tears, "Josh." He paused as if his words could bridge the distance that separated them. "I wish we were closer. I hope you and Eph are happy..." The relentless gunfire drew nearer, and Eary's breath hitched. "And Ephraim," he choked out, "I wish you a long and happy life. That's all I really wanted for you, I guess. Be good to my brother."
As the gunfire outside his cell ceased, Eary's eyes widened in horror, his fate hanging in the balance.
Eary's heart raced as the cell door creaked open, prompting him to dart beneath the cot with lightning speed. He watched in tense silence as a pair of feet entered the room and closed the door behind them. After a suspenseful minute, a cascade of luxurious ebony braids spilled down the side of the bed. A young woman with warm, inviting brown eyes peered down at Eary.
"Hello!" she called out cheerfully, her voice a stark contrast to the grim surroundings.
Eary cautiously emerged from his hiding spot, his eyes locked on this unexpected visitor. "Hey," she beckoned to him, her tone sweet and curious. "Are you a prisoner here?" she inquired, her brown eyes filled with genuine curiosity.
Eary hesitated, his trust deeply eroded by recent events. "Yes," he finally admitted, his voice trembling.
The young woman's audacity shone as she leaned closer, her braided hair swaying with her movements. "Did you get grabbed by some spooky dude that can make you do... things?" she asked with unabashed bluntness.
Eary nodded, his vulnerability exposed. He pulled himself upright, studying the captivating stranger before him. She was tall, strikingly beautiful, with well-defined features, full lips, and flawless midnight complexion. Clad in a lavender tank top and form-fitting jeans, she exuded an aura of confidence.
Eary's voice trembled as he continued, "Thank you," tears welling up in his eyes. He lunged forward for an embrace, but his gesture was met with a vehement push.
"Oh my god! Get off of me!" she exclaimed, her face contorted in disgust. "What the heck, dude? Back off!" she scolded, clearly taken aback.
Eary recoiled, his voice quivering. "I'm... I'm... I'm sorry," he sobbed, struggling to hold back his emotions. "I'm just scared."
The girl's demeanor shifted, her arms crossed as she adopted a more understanding tone. "Well, that may be true, but you don't go around grabbing onto girls you don't know! What's wrong with you?" She scolded him, her gaze stern.
"I'm sorry. I'm Eary," he whimpered, attempting to regain his composure, his heart still racing.
Rolling her eyes, the girl offered an apology, her hand resting on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, okay. Listen, it looks like we're in some kind of holding facility. I've managed to get out of my cell, and I'm looking for help getting out of this place. Are you interested, Eary?"
"I... I would like that very much," he stuttered, his overwhelmed heart still causing his body to tremble.
"Okay, so what can you do?" She asked eagerly, her hands clenching with anticipation.
Eary gathered his courage and replied, "I can make force fields."
Her curiosity piqued, she probed further. "Is that all?"
"No," he paused dramatically, "I can heal and make strange fire shoot out of my hands!" He declared proudly, puffing out his chest.
"Marvelous! So you're not useless. That's a plus. I'm Alice, by the way," she introduced herself casually as she walked toward the cell entrance.
"Um, Alice," Eary began hesitantly, seeking answers, "How did you get your power blocker off?"
Alice turned her attention to the device on Eary's wrist. "Oh, that? I just ripped it off with my mind. Along with my cell door and some guards' heads," she replied nonchalantly, glancing over at the horrified Eary. "Why? What does it do?"
Eary stammered in disbelief, "It, uh... it stops you from using your powers, I think."
"Ah, crap," Alice responded casually, examining the bracelet. "You need me to get yours off too?"
"Yes, please," Eary replied with gratitude, and with a swift motion, the power blocker shattered into a swirl of purple lights.
Alice peered cautiously around the corner, her eyes scanning the dimly lit corridor for any signs of danger. She retreated slowly and whispered back to Eary, her voice barely audible, "They know I'm on the loose, so we're being hunted." She motioned for him to join her with a subtle wave of her hand.
Eary crouched beside her, his curiosity piqued. "What are we looking at?" he inquired, his view dominated by a seemingly endless row of closed doors.
"Look up at the mirror," Alice instructed in a hushed tone. Eary followed her gaze and spotted a reflective mirror tucked into the corner where the hallway was divided. He squinted and, with a growing sense of dread, observed four armed figures stationed down the next corridor. "Guards," he whispered.
Alice's next words left Eary stunned, his eyes widening in disbelief as her audacious plan unfolded. "I need you to go down that hall," she pointed to where the corridor bent, "then create your force field and jump up and down, making a ruckus. After that, run down the hall and put up another force field. Once they follow you, put up another one, trapping them. I'll handle the rest. Got it?"
"But why can't we do it together?" Eary protested, his voice trembling with fear.
"Because that's not part of the plan, okay?" Alice retorted, nudging him out into the hallway. "And how do I know you won't just abandon me here?" Eary's voice quivered, his eyes pleading for reassurance.
"You don't, really," Alice replied, her giggle betraying a sense of unpredictability. "But seriously, I'm better off with you than alone, right? You'd probably die alone, too, right? So we might as well work together, RIGHT?" She whispered, ushering Eary down the corridor.
With trepidation, Eary turned down the hallway, his senses on high alert. He took a deep breath and sprinted forward as instructed, reaching his designated spot where he hastily summoned a swirling amber force field. "Hey, hey, HEY!" he shouted, jumping up and down as the guards closed in. One of them barked orders to pursue, as Eary's heart raced with panic.
Following Alice's plan, he dashed down the corridor, catching a glimpse of her smile as he passed. Rounding the corner, he erected his second force field as instructed. In his mind, he heard Alice's voice, "Take down the first force field." Eary complied, though he was uncertain where exactly her voice came from.
The guards charged forward but were met with bewilderment as they found Eary alone behind a shimmering shield of light. Before they could react, another barrier blocked their path, and a deadly elegance loomed behind it. Alice raised her hand, giving Eary a thumbs-up, her confidence unshaken. Eary couldn't help but smile in amazement.
Alice gestured her hand forward, purple mist enveloped the amber force fields, and in an instant, all four guards were crushed between the two walls of amber light. Their bodies contorted and twisted, like macabre artwork, caught in a surreal dance of agony. Eary's mouth hung open in sheer horror at the gruesome sight. The shock, causing him to momentarily lose focus, making the guards collapse to the ground, writhing grotesquely.
"See? Worked like a charm! And I didn't leave you! Now come on!" Alice ordered, her voice resolute as she turned and sprinted down the corridor. Eary, still in shock and trying hard not to gaze upon the gruesome spectacle he'd unwittingly created, stumbled after her, his heart pounding with a mixture of awe and terror.
Eary managed to catch up to Alice despite his slippery shoes. They continued down the seemingly endless corridor, bathed in dim, eerie lighting. Eary's heart still raced, but the presence of his enigmatic companion provided a surprising sense of comfort, making fear loosen its grip.
Breaking the silence, Alice spoke casually, her gaze flickering down to the anxious young man. "Alright, well, tell me about yourself," she requested.
Eary hesitated, his voice a timid whisper. "I mean no disrespect," he began cautiously, "but are you sure we should be making unnecessary noise?"
Alice waved off his concern with a dismissive grin. "Nah, it's fine. I can read minds. Remember that bit in your head earlier? That was me. I can sense when people are around me. Actually, that's how I found you. So I can assure you, we are not in anyone's earshot," she soothed Eary, her words easing his anxiety.
"Well, I guess I'll tell you a little about me then," Eary conceded, maintaining their steady pace. "I'm Eary Olson. I'm 16 years old. And today has been the worst day of my life."
Alice chuckled at his honesty. "Yeah, no kidding, huh?" Eary managed a smile. "No, actually, if we survive this, my day was worse before."
Alice turned her head toward the teenager, intrigued. "Ooo, gossip. Do tell."
Eary opened up, sharing his personal turmoil. "Well, today I found out that the boy I've been in love with my whole life is dating my twin brother."
Alice gasped dramatically, "Whoa! Ouch!"
Eary continued with a hint of resignation. "We were best friends until about two years ago when he started hanging out with only my brother. I had just realized I liked him too."
Alice couldn't help but chuckle, injecting a dose of humor into the grim situation. "Sounds like your brother did as well."
Eary pouted at the bitter irony. "Yeah, and I found out he was never really my friend either."
Curious, Alice probed further, "How did you find that out?"
Eary's face reddened with embarrassment. "I went through his phone and..."
Alice interrupted him with a raised eyebrow. "What?! You went through his phone?" She stopped in her tracks, staring puzzled at the boy.
"Well, yeah," Eary admitted sheepishly. "I knew something was off with the whole thing."
Alice resumed walking, leaving Eary to hurriedly catch up. "Nah, ah, that doesn't give you the right."
Eary felt the weight of her words and the embarrassment wash over him. "Well, what should I have done?" he asked, his shorter legs struggling to keep pace.
Alice's response was measured but empathetic. "Maybe don't go after a guy who only has interest in your brother, no matter your history."
Eary's shoulders slumped with self-doubt. "Maybe Ephraim was right to leave me in the dust."
"Well, what about you?" Eary inquired, curiosity burning in his eyes.
Alice tilted her head playfully. "What about me?"
"I mean, tell me about you. I shared a bit about myself," Eary persisted, walking briskly to keep up with her.
"Alright," Alice began, her tone shifting to a hint of vulnerability. "I'm Alice Pickering. My mother is Moira Pickering, the famous reporter."
Eary's eyes widened in astonishment. "I know her! She does all those exposés and special interest pieces from around the world."
A faint smile touched Alice's lips. "Yep, that's the one. So if you're wondering why I'm not easily shaken, that's why."
Eary's curiosity got the better of him. "But how would those experiences prepare you for something like this?" he prodded further.
Alice scoffed, her demeanor revealing glimpses of her hidden strength. "Trust me, they would."
Their conversation was cut short as they emerged from the seemingly endless corridor into a cavernous room filled with metal grating and crisscrossing catwalks. Their attention was immediately drawn to a chaotic scene unfolding on the second level. A young woman, roughly Eary's age, fought desperately for her life against an encroaching group of armed guards.
Eary's urgency burst forth. "Hey, there's a girl up there, and she needs our help!" he shouted to Alice, his heart pounding with concern.
Alice calmly assessed the situation. The girl was trapped, her fiery powers were her only defense. "She's in trouble," Alice stated matter-of-factly, scanning their surroundings.
Eary watched in distress as he erected two amber walls on either side of the trapped girl. Desperation welled up inside him as he felt his own helplessness. The girl's eyes met his, a silent plea for assistance passing between them.
Then came a series of metallic thuds, one after another, Eary's eyes widened in astonishment. Steel pipes, surrounded by a purple mist, shot through the air, impaling each of the girl's attackers. Alice's powers were on full display.
"That'll do it," Alice remarked callously, her confidence unshaken.
Eary waved frantically up at the girl, hoping to get her attention. "HEY! OVER HERE!" he shouted, hoping to provide some much-needed assistance in her dire situation.
The slim girl they had just saved caught up with her rescuers, still panting for breath. Gratitude filled her voice as she managed to gasp out, "Thank you... thank you."
She was petite, almost as short as Eary, with a wild tangle of jet-black hair held in place by a messy clip. Strands of vibrant pink intermingled with her dark locks, and colorful barrettes adorned her head—one a cheerful sunflower, the other a smiling magenta moon. Her black hoodie revealed a vibrant blue dragon emblazoned on her T-shirt. She wore blue jeans and Mary Jane boots to complete her unique ensemble.
Alice regarded the girl with a cautious yet compassionate expression. "Are you okay?" she asked.
The young lady collected herself and nodded, still catching her breath. "Yes, thank you. They chased me down. I got as many of them as I could."
Alice offered comfort. "It's okay now."
The conversation took a more formal turn as Alice suggested, "Hey, listen. It'll be better if we work together to survive this." The girl nodded in agreement.
Alice introduced herself first, placing her hand on her chest. "I'm Alice Pickering. I have Telekinesis and Telepathy." She then gestured toward Eary. "This is Eary Olson. He can create force fields, heal, and..." she glanced at Eary with a playful grin, "...produce white flames that burn certain things."
Eary added enthusiastically, "Somethings!"
The girl giggled timidly. "Nice to meet you both. I'm Mei Wong. I can create fire from my hands, and my fire burns everything." Her teasing tone added a touch of humor to the grim circumstances.
As the trio ascended the platform, the atmosphere grew tense. Alice had earlier instructed them to keep quiet, and all three remained vigilant. They ventured down another long corridor, but their respite was short-lived as a battalion of guards suddenly appeared, guns blazing.
In the chaos, Eary instinctively summoned a force field to shield them. While hiding behind the protective wall, Alice clutched her side in pain, her shirt stained with blood. Panic crept into her voice as she exclaimed, "Shit, shit!"
"Don't worry about it! I got this!" Eary reassured her over the relentless gunfire. He placed his glowing hand on her wounded side, a soothing blue light emanating from his touch. "There! You can let go now! Remember, I'm a healer, too."
Alice smiled gratefully and got back on her feet. She then turned her attention to Mei, who was huddled in fear, holding her ears. Alice looked away from the girl and focused on the guards down the corridor. With a determined expression, she extended her right hand, summoning a dense purple mist that enveloped the guards, tightening around their necks as she lifted them off the ground.
"Easier targets if anyone wants to help," Alice stated urgently.
Eary, fueled by newfound determination, stood up. White flames erupted from his hands as he prepared to fight back. He unleashed an immense beam of white flames that filled the hallway, engulfing the guards in brilliant light. However, the flames dissipated, leaving the guards unharmed.
Frustration overcame Eary, and he erupted in a fit of anger. "What the fuck? Why?! Why did it work on Johnathan and not them?! Why?!"
Mei inquired, "Who's Johnathan?"
"He's the guy who kidnapped me, twice!" Eary explained, his voice filled with frustration and helplessness. "I got him with my white fire on our last encounter. He was going after my brother."
Alice's response was blunt. "Your brother is dead."
Eary's world shattered at the revelation. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he cried out, "LUKE!" as he broke down.
A comforting hand touched Eary's back, and Alice's voice offered a sincere apology. "I'm sorry. I don’t know for sure. But this place…"
"I-I-I just found him. H-h-he has powers too. I'm not alone," Eary stammered, his emotions in turmoil.
"If he has powers, he's probably here, right?" Alice suggested hopefully. Mei added her support, rubbing the top of Eary's head, her words carrying a comforting tone. "And I bet he's tough, just like you, little guy!"
Alice couldn't help but chuckle under her breath as she turned to continue down the corridor. Eary's annoyance flared, realizing that Mei thought of him as a child due to his short stature. He protested, "I'm 16 years old! I'm just short!"
Mei giggled at her mistake. "I'm sorry..."
Alice refocused their attention. "Come on! We've got to keep moving!" She ordered, and the trio ventured further into the unknown, with Eary close behind, determined to prove himself.