SWNOVELS Chapter Epilogue: Wielder of the Blue Light
Mitchell quickly stated, "I should call Brian. Their never going to believe this!" Mitched exclaimed in exuberance. "Yeah, Ephraim was pretty worried about you. We all were." Josh explained as he embraced his brother. Eary nodded, but that didn't stop the unease.
He was going to see Ephraim again. He was going to have to face that night again. He knew it was coming. 'Why did you leave that night, Eary?'. The idea of bearing his heart out, even now. After Decan. After Johnathan and all his adventures. This is what he feared the most.
Soon after the call, all four of the Bennetts swiftly entered the premises. Ephraim in tears walked up to Eary and picked him straight up off the couch. "I'm so happy you're safe." Ephraim gasped between sobs." Eary embraced the boy back. The feelings of rejection began to fade as Eary replied, "I'm OK, Ephraim. I'm completely unharmed. I'm just a bit shaken up by all of this." Ephraim looked into Eary's eyes."Really?" Ephraim held Eary closer as Eary giggled and replied,"Of course! You didn't think something like an abduction was going to stop me, did you?" Ephraim smiled and set Eary down. "I guess." He chuckled."I should have known. When you're involved, you never really can tell how things will end." Eary smiled back as the two settled down next to each other on the couch.
As Brian, Lisa, and Jake joined the group, Brian spoke up, "Ephraim has been doing everything he can to find you." Eary raised his eyebrows in anticipation as Brian continued."He and Josh have been making and putting up missing signs. Ephraim has been making some videos about your abduction." Brian paused as he continued."Even if they are a little out there." Eary raised an eyebrow and looked over to Ephraim."Out there?" Brian and Lisa giggled as Brian explained. Ephraim turned red. In quick fashion, he exclaimed, "I was just trying to think of a reason, you know. One that wasn't super bad." Eary looked at Ephraim in concern."Hey, it's ok. I'm fine, really." Ephraim nodded with tears in his eyes while Eary flashed a huge grin."So what DID you think happened?" Ephraim smiled shyly."Well, it's a little silly." He paused to collect his thoughts."I have always wondered if you knew more about my miracle. That's all." As Ephraim shyly sat back in his seat, Eary's face twisted in annoyance."You're telling me you've thought that the WHOLE time?!" Ephraim looked back at Eary in confusion. In fact, everyone was staring at Eary now. As Eary felt the eyes of his family upon him, the feeling of exposure crept to the surface. As Eary sat frozen, Luke chimed in. "Actually, that's something we need to talk to you all about." Eary returned his gaze to Ephraim, who was now staring at him in disbelief. In fact, as Eary scanned the room, it was clear that all eyes were on him.
Luke rose from his seat. Standing in front of both families, he explained, "So there are some people out there that have developed unusual abilities." As he finished his sentence, he zipped from one end of the room to another in a blur of orange glow.
The room stayed in suspended astonishment as Luke continued, "Eary WAS targeted for something like this. It's kind of important that we keep an eye on him now."
As Luke spoke, Eary could feel himself sinking deeper into the cushions of the couch. As he glanced around, he nervously stated, "I also have magical powers.". Clearing his throat, he sat back in uneasy anticipation.
Ephraim chocked out a few words. "My miracle?" Eary sighed as he shook his head. "Yeah, that was me." As both families stared in shock at Eary, and sparkle of blue light manifested upon Eary's shoulder. Eary continued, "And of course, you all are aware of Mote here." Josh whispered under his breath."It's real." Eary giggled."Yep! It's all real."
Delia inquired in a compassionate voice. "Honey, have you been hiding this all along?" Eary sighed and shook his head. "No, just since the miracle." Ephraim interrupted."You? I asked. You always said you had no idea." Eary replied."I was twelve and glowing. What was I going to say?" As Eary finished his statement, he lifted his hands, and in a flurry of blue, they erupted in miraculous light. Tears dropped from Ephraim's eyes. He reached forward, grabbing Eary's glowing hands. "Things will be different now. I'm sorry. I'm so, so, sorry." Eary smiled and shook his head."It's alright, Ephraim. We were just kids. Things change with us all the time." Ephraim nodded and continued."I know. But I want things to be different. I've missed you so much." As he finished, he burst into tears. Eary held his friend as he wept, trying to catch a glimpse of his brother's expression as he did. "Nothing, that's odd." Eary thought as he consoled Ephraim.
As the two separated, Eary could overhear Luke explaining the Nocopo to both sets of adults and Jake. Eary was pulled back by Ephraim. "What is Mote Eary?" Turning his head back, he watched as Josh and Eph were busy stuffing Mote full of the Christmas cookies from the tin on the end table.
"He's a Moteling. Their kind of celestial middle management." Both boys looked over to Mote, who was still bloated and inflated. With a chubby grin and a waive of his small appendage was all Mote needed to confirm that fact. Josh exclaimed under his breath. "He's an angel?" Eary giggled and explained."Oh no. He doesn't get the same pay grade or benefits. But he does have his own office with his name on the door." Josh and Ephraim stared in amazement as Mote deflated then returned to Eary's shoulder."Hey, kid." Mote whispered."Don't you think you might wanna tell Josh that Dec is alive?" Eary gasped."Oh right, thanks for reminding me, Mote. Josh, Decan came home with us too." The room once again stopped talking
Josh's expression shifted to one bewildered joy. "Are you serious?" He exclaimed, noticeably shaken by the reveal. Eary giggled. "Sure did. He's probably doing the same thing with his family, too." Josh's eyes searched around."Is he like you too?" Eary smiled."I think I'll let you have that talk with Decan." With that, Josh smiled and took out his phone.
Mitchell announced from the quiet crowd, "This is wonderful. You boys are home, decan is safe. Even Josh met a nice girl from all this." Eary raised his eyebrows, turning his head quickly to Ephraim. He was about to ask about Josh and him when Luke's arm quickly wrapped around Eary. Taking the hint, and with a big smile, he stated, "That's so great! Where did you all meet?" Josh grinned from ear to ear as he explained."Decan's girlfriend, Laura Schultz, started a support group for the kids affected by your disappearances." He continued as he quickly examined his phone. "She had a friend that joined, Sarah Brown." Eary a swell of annoyance and anger."Decan's girlfriend? He didn't mention one. And I thought we had become so close." Josh shook his head."They've been dating since 6th grade, Eary. But I suppose you and Decan don't really talk. Probably thought you knew." Eary nodded,"I see. As Eary's defeat seemed at hand, Luke leaned in and whispered, "That kid is crazy about you. Don't worry about it." Eary smiled, nodding back to his brother. It was all Eary could was was to hope he was right.
Luke patted his brother arm as he announced to the family, "Eary and I also got a reward." The room looked on in confusion. Luke's expression shifted. "Eary and I helped put a real bad dude away." Eary nodded."Yep, he won't ever be able to hurt anyone again from where we sent him." Eary reached up and scratched behind Mote's ear as Luke continued."And because of the we got a nice reward. Five million a piece." The room erupted into questions. Luke quelled the onslaught and finished explaining, "Mom and Dad will have access to Eary's while I got my own." He handed over a folder Victoria provided to him. "That's Eary's." After examining the contents, Mitchell and Delia's bewildered expressions shifted toward Eary. He smiled nervously. "That's right, just call me the miraculous millionEary." As the group elated with a laugh, Luke continued to explain the safe house, the portal doors, and Nato's continued presence in Eary's life the best he could.
Mitchell nodded. "Then Luke, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you escort your little brother to and from school?" Luke nodded."Yeah, I was planning on it. We also will have a few of us at that house." Eary smiled."Alice is coming." Luke chuckled."Yeah, her. But maybe Sakile and Denby too. If we can swing it, I'm trying to get everyone together. At least as much as I can." Eary nodded in agreement, ugh, but Denby's coming. He thought as he sat back in his seat.
Ephraim nudged his with his arm. "Hey, are you ok?" Eary smiled and replied,"I'm fine." Ephraim scoffed. He leaned in and whispered,"I know that look, Eary. What's wrong." Eary sighed."I'll tell you later." Ephraim whispered back. "Do you maybe want to speak privately?" Eary glanced over to Ephraim's longing eyes. "Yeah, we should probably talk."
Excusing themselves, the two boys made their way to Eary's long empty bedroom. As they entered, he Ephraim and couldn't help feel a swell of emotion urged to be released.
They stood awkwardly apart. Ephraim's unease was notable. As Eary began to speak, Ephraim interrupted, "I know you saw us that night." Eary's eyes filled with tears. The two stared at each other. As much as Eary knew he had grown, this moment stripped him of his powers and left him bare. "I should have told you." Eary shook his head."We weren't really friends anymore. It was none of my business." As he crossed his arms, protecting his heart, he turned from his childhood friend. He felt an embrace from behind. The two began to cry. Ephraim's embrace held his frame, as Eary grasped the boy's forearms tightly. The two collapsed onto the bed, Ephraim's grip never yielding.
As the two wept, Ephraim managed to choke out. "Yes, you are!" Eary sobbed,"But you were gone." As the two held each other, they slowly recollected themselves. Ephraim, wiping his eyes, stated, "You've always been Eary. I just got caught up in kid shit." Eary, fighting back his sobs uttered in an urgent whisper."I did everything I could to keep you, and you died anyway." Ephraim grabbed and held him close. He held him, caressing his hair. He held him as the crying stopped, and silence filled the room. His hands, still petting Eary's golden locks.
As the minutes moving past felt like an eternity, Ephraim spoke. "I wasn't sure how you would be coming home." He paused, "or even if you would." His voice cracked with the pain of the last few months as he spoke. "Shortly after you went missing, I told Josh we needed to end things." Eary looked up from the young man's tight embrace."Why?" Ephraim sighed."What if someone had done something terrible to you, and you came home. I needed to be here for you when that happened." Eary nodded and squeezed Ephraim tighter. "You didn't have to do that. Besides, I kind of have a boyfriend already." Ephraim looked down, and in a hurried response, he quickly uttered."You do?" Eary nodded."Yes. Believe it of not, but Decan has liked me his whole life." Ehraim paused, raising an eyebrow he replied, "Decan?" Eary smiled and continued."Yeah, but I JUST found out about his girlfriend. Are they serious?" Ephraim's expression shifted to that of confusion." They've been together forever, Eary. I would have thought they were getting married someday." Eary folded his arms and scoffed."Then why was he asking me out?" Ephraim shook his head and replied,"I have no idea, but Josh is gonna be pissed, " he chuckled. Eary rolled his eyes "Well he went after my best friend. I thought it was only fair."
After a pause, Eary broke the silence. "How long?" Ephraim glanced back to His friend, after a moment that felt like hours he answered."We've done things since we were 14." Eary nodded."That explains it then." Ephraim whispered."What do you mean?" Eary replied."That's when you stated to drift away." Ephraim nodded, "I'm sorry." Eary continued."Do you love him?" Ephraim shook his head."He was the friend I did these things with. Honestly, I don't think I would consider another relationship with him." Eary looked confused."Why's that?" Ephraim giggled."Your brother is super bossy. Eary, it's terrible. But it was only with me. He was always afraid I was going to leave him for you." Eary lamented."I guess you kinda did." Ephraim nodded."Yeah, but whatever happens, I just want to have you in my life." As the two sat on the bed, Eary knew his relationship with Ephraim would never be the same again. They had grown up. Ephraim was no longer the boy who had needed him. In his absence, he had become a fine young man. And one that Eary now needed.
The two returned to the gathering downstairs. The families talked, told stories, and made plans for the future. As the reunion wore on through the night, Eary finally retired to his small room. Mote took to his chest right away, and Eary, his bed.
That night, Eary had yet another nightmare. Again, he was running through some stone structure as a small child. There was the smell of fire in the air while a tall figure beckoned him to follow. As they made their way down long staircases. Screams and fighting could be heard in the distance. As he and the figure made their way to the base of a large tree, a deluge of black tendrils erupted from the ground and nearby structures. With a mighty blast, the tendrils were banished. The figure turned to him. Their was a voice that seemed familiar to him. Mote? The figure extended their hand, and a bright flash of light revealed their face. It was Ilia. A moment later, he was standing out front of the Bennet home. Mr. Bennet was headed to the families old car. As he spotted Eary, he awoke in a cold sweat.
Examining his surroundings, he felt a sense of peace. It was his room again. He was safe at home. He sighed a breath of relief. But as he lay trying to fall back asleep, new questions arose. 'Why was he having this dream?' 'Did Mote know more?' He dismissed the idea for now. He nestled into his bed and drifted back to sleep.