Toka-Ace #1: The Re-Emergence

Today was the day that I would trade my freedom for Andrew’s. I didn’t know whether Tovlin would kill me. But facing what one perceives to be certain death takes one part bravery and one part numbness.

Bravery, because I knew that I was making a sacrifice for someone dear to me.

Numbness, because I knew that I was going to miss out on a lot.

The really good thing about my powers was that I could get into any place without being noticed. The Herrons didn’t even know I was in the house as I grabbed the suits that they had bought for me and Andrew for the funeral. Just as quickly, I was out of the house and on my way to the cemetery.

As the sun rose, I tried not to think of this as the end of my life but the first day of the rest of Andrew’s life.

The funeral was going to be held outdoors. The weather permitted it. The clouds moved slowly through the sky. The breeze was gentle.

There were rows of chairs and a podium. The casket was situated over the plot. In the photo she mom smiling her warm smile. A bouquet of flowers rested on top of the casket. There was a large picture of her standing on an easel.

Seeing the casket was especially difficult. I felt a lump in my throat and it felt as though there was a stone in my stomach. I felt a cold feeling go down my spine and settle at the pit of my stomach and then fester in me. I had been numb before, but it hit me now. This was it. I landed and reverted back to my normal self after making sure that no one would see me.

I couldn’t fight it. Tears had already welled up in my eyes and were now rolling down my face. I sobbed silently. “I’m so sorry that it came to this.”

I was aware of someone else coming. I could hear their footsteps getting closer. I wiped the tears from my eyes. I didn’t bother to turn to see who it was. In her picture Mom’s smile was so warm. Even in a photograph, her love radiated from her. I did not want to look at the casket. I didn’t even want to think about the charred remains that were in there.

“It’s a real shame,” said the person behind me.

I turned.

The man was taller than me with erect posture. He had short spiky black hair and a clean-shaven sharp featured face. He wore a white button down shirt, neat black dress pants and a short brown jacket. His shoes were black and polished. He clasped his hands together. “So Troy, it’s been a while. A long, long while.”

Instantly, I was a put off. “Who are you?” I asked. “I don’t mean to be rude, but if I know you, I don’t remember you.”

He glanced at the casket and then turned his focus to me as though the sight of my mother’s coffin didn’t bother him at all.

“It’s about time we met face to face,” he said.

“Aug-Ig, I presume.”

“That’s right.” he confirmed.

I don’t know what came over me in that moment. But in a flash, I balled my fist and swung. The blow caught an unprepared Aug-Ig on the side of his face and knocked him on his butt.

For a moment he looked up at me his eyes wide with surprise, he gritted his teeth and for a moment looked furiously at me. Then he recovered, his face went back to showing no expression. He climbed to his feet.

I was on a hair trigger and vibrating with rage. “That was for mom.” I said.

“I’m sorry that it came to this,” he stated. “Our diplomacy with your mother failed. I thought you would be the reasonable one what with you handing yourself over in exchange for your foster brother.”

That stopped me. “Where is Andrew?”

“En route,” Aug-Ig said simply.

“Why isn’t he in here?” I snarled.

“Andrew will arrive shortly before the services begin,” Aug-Ig explained. “You will be allowed to grieve for your mother as per our deal, Andrew will be left alone and you will come with us.”

I began to feel a lot more annoyed. Aug-Ig spoke in the tone of a chess player who had just beaten his opponent by checkmating him. He was so wholly confident.

It wasn’t difficult to imagine why. He still held all the cards here.

“Just relax, Troy,” Aug-Ig said smugly. “Oh and my operatives have come too. You’re being watched at all times. Don’t try anything stupid and jeopardize the safety of the funeral-goers.” He turned and folded his hands behind his back and then he walked away.

I sat in the chairs. I was in the back row. Hopefully no one would notice me. Little by little people began to arrive until the rows were nearly filled and chatter filled the air. I held Andrew’s funeral clothes in my lap. I got up and walked towards the casket.

Family friends that I hadn’t seen in years showed up. People stood in small clusters and talked and caught up. I managed to avoid getting caught up in a conversation, though I saw a few people who looked like they wanted to say something.

Andrew came towards the casket. His hair was unkempt and he looked around cautiously.

“Andrew,” I raised my hand and motioned him over towards me.

“Troy, thank God.” He gave me a hug.

“Are you hurt?” I asked.

“No, I’m fine,” Andrew said. “What’s going on? Why did Tovlin bring me to Mom’s funeral?”

“I’ll tell you later.” I handed him the change of clothes. “Now hurry and change into these.”

I pushed Andrew along but he resisted. “Troy, what’s going on?” he asked, perplexed.

“I’ll tell you later,” I insisted. “Now get changed.” Andrew gave me a long questioning look before going to find a place to change.

Suddenly my arm was grabbed roughly. My adrenaline was pumping. I spun around with my fist balled.

“Easy! It’s me!” Mr. Herron said. Mrs. Herron was right by his side with an extremely worried look on her face.

“You startled me,” I said flatly.

“Troy, where have you been? We’ve been worried sick about you and Andrew!” Dominic demanded.

I should have foreseen this but didn’t. I was stuck not knowing what to say. “We’re safe,” I said quietly.

“Safe?” he echoed. “Is Andrew here?”

“Andrew’s here,” I said. “He’s safe.”

“I glad that the two of you are okay,” Dominic said. “Where did you go? Why did you run away?”

I wasn’t sure I should even answer. Any answer I gave would just make Dominic feel worse when I suddenly vanished. It was a little like being away for a while. I had suspended my investment in my familiar surroundings but I suddenly had to connect with it again.

“I guess we just freaked out,” I said lamely. “I couldn’t take….you know, Mom dying.”

“We could have talked about it, Troy,” Carla said gently.

“At the moment it all seemed like a little much,” I offered.

It was eating me from the inside seeing them anguish over Andrew and me.

“Hey can we talk about this later, please?” I asked.

“I don’t know if…” Dominic started.

“I just want to say my goodbyes to Mom before the service starts,” I added quickly.

I could tell Dominic wanted to say no.

Carla put her hand on his shoulder. “Troy, Mr. Herron and I fear that you and Andrew aren’t thinking rationally right now. If we leave you alone or lose track of you,” she paused to consider her next words. “We’re afraid that you might do harm to yourselves.”

I was somewhat offended but I didn’t let it show. She thought that Andrew and I were suicidal!

Well maybe I was, that was basically what I had agreed to after all. But for a good reason.

“We’re here together now,” I said. “Thank you for your support.” I went back to my seat. I started to walk to the back row.

“Troy,” Dominic called. I turned and faced him.

“Sit with us.” He gestured to the front row.

His insistence made me angry. I wanted to tell him off. But it would be unfair; he knew nothing and by sacrificing myself, he would be kept safe too.

I stood and stared at him. He stared at me.

I sighed. I had no fight left. This was it for me anyway. I might as well spend it with someone who cared about me. I followed Dominic and Carla to the front row.

I sat gazing down at the grass.

Friends of my mother’s came up to me and give me their condolences.

Eventually Andrew sat next to me. Which meant I had more explaining to do.

“What is going on here Troy?” he hissed into my ear. Mr. Herron turned his head to look at Andrew and me.

I bit my lip and swallowed hard.

Mr. Herron looked back slowly.

“Later.” I whispered. The pastor came to podium. “Everyone, everyone, we’re going to begin now. Please be seated.”

Everyone sat in their seats and fell silent.

The pastor began his service. When he finished, people were invited to go up and share touching and funny stories about my mother.

Then came my turn.

I was nervous as every eye was on me. Aug-Ig was in the audience; he was sitting two rows back and behind me. I swallowed hard and took a few deep breaths. Everyone in the seats was patiently waiting for me to speak.

My knees were wobbly and my hands were shaking. “Mom,” I started. My voice was shaky. I took another deep breath as a wave of sadness welled up in my gut. I hadn’t prepared a speech. Nothing that I could have written down felt good enough. “She had the biggest heart of anyone that I could imagine. She meant the world to me and my brother Andrew. She took two orphans and made us brothers. That’s the kind of person she was.” I paused and wiped my eyes. “Even though she wasn’t my biological mother, she gave my brother and I everything that we needed and always did right by us. As I reflect on her and what she meant to the community, I realize that I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to call Mother.”

The audience looked at me as if they were expecting more. I was never a good public speaker.

“Thank you,” I said feeling shabby and awkward.

I walked away from the podium and sat down in my seat. I was still trembling. Dominic placed a steadying hand on my shoulder and gave me an encouraging smile.

The pastor thanked me and then Andrew went up to give his speech.

I looked back at Aug-Ig. His holographically projected face showed the same grief as everyone else.

I was offended. He was the one who killed her, how dare he pretend to care. He revolted me but I was helpless to do anything about it. Then that made me angry all over again.

I wanted to do something. I wanted to take him out right here.

I could take him down in front of everyone.

No one else mattered. My focus narrowed. I felt stone cold hatred, hatred like nothing I ever felt. Red seemed to wash over my vision and I reached into a well of anger that didn’t end.

Without realizing it I had risen. I could feel the internal warmth that would burst into flame and trigger my transformation.

People were looking at me and whispering. Their words cut through and I realized how close I had come to starting a brawl. People began to rise around me.

I looked back at Aug-Ig. He was looking back at me. He looked ready to meet my challenge.