UNORDINARY

Unordinary

“No one is ever the same, good or bad”

Fiction

By: Timothy Joshua D. Andaya

CHAPTER 1

Open then close

This is where it all ends.

Everything moves in slow motion, like time freezes itself on our account.

I don’t know what to feel.

All this time of trying to find peace and redemption, it all comes down to this.

I should have been braver. We should have been braver and stronger for everyone else. Now is the last stand we make. Tonight, the fate of everyone else will be decided. Every moment, every movement counts.

“You go to left building and fog it all up.” “I’ll distract them, you go ahead.”

“OK, meet me at the helipad.”

Focus. I need to focus. Deep breath, take a look around. Many have died. Innocent people have died on our account. Let their death not be in vain.

I’m sure you do not understand the severity of what’s happening. So let me take you a couple of history refreshments and a couple of weeks where it all started again.

My name is Michael Young. I can control almost everything with my mind. I’m an Unordinary Life form or know as UL. I’m 19 years old and I live in Santa Monica, California with my best friend Haley Kempner. Hayley has the ability to control and create weather phenomena and a like. Both of our dads were the best of friends. We came from a family line of pureblooded ULs for centuries. The Science of Research Institute has been hunting us down to study people like us, well, that’s what they want people to believe. See the SRI was corrupted by Hugo Beninfield, a UL gone badly. He has the ability to manipulate anyone’s will. He’s very well versed with how the mind works which gives him the power to play with your thoughts. He can push them into suicide and destruction, plus, he can fly. My father and Hayley’s dad wanted to co-exist harmoniously with everyone else, but Hugo wanted more, he wanted to control everything. To do that, he has to collect power from other ULs for him to grow stronger. My power and Hayley’s are very rare and are an identical match in genetics. With our genes and powers combined, Hugo would reach the maximum level of power, making him invincible. My dad and hers did everything they could to protect us. Hugo led a full scale search on us, battles on every city we go through. We do everything we can to hide our existence among humans. But time was not on our side. Hugo found us in a matter of days. They cornered us, Hugo and his team; Crane, Cleo, Hunter, Brent and Vance, known as the Rebel 5. Our parents had no choice but to self destruct so we could escape forever, leaving them behind. They’d rather destroy themselves than let Hugo have our powers and use it for his own will. It was the worst moment of my life. Seeing your father die so you could live should be a burden no child ever has to carry. This happen 6 years ago. Since then, we’ve been hiding from city to city, country over country.

Over the past years there had been news about some people found dead in forests and other secluded places with no injuries or health problems. We know its Hugo. The last news was 2 years ago in Italy. We heard no news of them since then. Until yesterday, there had been news of a girl names Alicia Crichton kidnapped and then after 2 days, her body was found at Prescott National Forest in Arizona. Arizona is too near. We had to take extra cautions.

Hayley and I study at UCLA. We study micro biology together. But that’s just for support to what we’re really focusing. It’s been too long that this power that we have had been nothing but burden and tickets to destruction and danger for us. We were determined to find a way of separating our power and bodies without getting killed.

“Do you think we can finish this in time?” Hayley hesitantly asked.

“Honestly, I don’t know. But there’s no choice. We can’t stop. Not now.”

As I look at her, scratching off her nails again. She always does that when she’s nervous. I just got to do something.

“Uh – ho-how’s Kim?” I asked. And I felt the pressure subside her body.

“She’s doing well, better than the year ago. She looks forward to seeing you again. “Maybe, maybe we could hang around at Moe’s tomorrow night?”

I didn’t say anything.

I don’t know what to say to be honest.

Annalisa Kim. It’s been like a year and I’m still not over her. Kim’s a UL. Well, she denies her power of speed. She wanted to be as normal as she can be. And it scares me that if ever Hugo finds us, he’ll use Kim as a weak spot in me and in Hayles as well.

“Maybe, well, I don’t know. Did you call here already, Hayles?”

“Yes. So tomorrow night then?” she was really looking forward for my answer

“Yes.”

Then I started to feel the chills, like winter breeze in my skin. But the doors, the windows are closed.

Gulp.

Hayley looked at me and we already had a bad feeling of something, another UL had died. But I didn’t want to worry. I got a lot on my shoulders nowadays.

I need some air, a cigarette, lighter, smoke. It’s been quite a while since I was able to experience a period of peace and comfort. The feeling of “Hakuna Matata” envies me all the time.

It’s been a while since I’ve used my powers. The last time I tried to control it; I almost destroyed the Golden Gate Bridge. I don’t know why but I dared to challenge myself again. I raised my hand towards a Bottle of Beer. I was trying to take the beer out of the bottle. The beer started to drip from the bottle

But the bottle begins to shake like the earth is quaking. I thought I was the only one feeling it so I continued it. I feel vibration and sweat dripping all over my face. It’s almost done.

“Mike, Michael. Stop it Michael! Stop it!” Hayley shouted

This is bad. I wasn’t even aware that I was already shaking almost half of Santa Monica.

So I went inside immediately.

Hayley quickly started to gather dark clouds to form a rain. Maybe that’ll distract the people of the sudden earth shake I caused.

I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t even look straight at Hayley. “You need to take some rest Mike. Recharge yourself. “

I didn’t even say a word. My eyes started to close up automatically. I suddenly fell asleep.

The streets looks deserted, deserted on a Sunday night where this place is usually alive. I was on my way to Moe’s Bar to meet up with Hayley and Kim. I see very few people walking the streets. It was starting to freak me out.

I was feeling a little bit paranoid. My guard is high up.

I shut my observation by plugging in my earphones and listen to The Velvet Underground in my iPod.

But then while I was walking along the street, several people who I came across started to look at me like they want to kill me.

I feel goose bumps all over my body. I started to worry about Hayles and Kim. I was supposed to meet them in 30 minutes.

Every other person I look into stares at me. Their eyes darken; you could see it in the rage within them. I don’t know what’s going on or what’s coming at me, but I better be damn well prepared about it.

Suddenly one started to walk beside me and bumped my right shoulders. Another one walks across me and bumped my left shoulder. One at a time now with physical contact and everyone still stares at me.

I started to pick up the pace. I began to run.

Then one started to hold me in my arms, one on my feet. I tried to use my powers but they were useless and I don’t even know why.

I got the chance to run but before I could go farther, almost everyone on that street started to get involved and tried to get their hands on me. It was surreal. I don’t even know what to do anymore. I tried to fight them off, but they were too many. Not to mention the women and kids involved.

Then the place started to get darker and darker, the lights seem to blink as if there’s an unwavering blackout, causing flame on the side walk. I see rodents lurking everywhere and raven flying all over. The earth seems to quake again just like last night. I saw everyone fast like every glimpse of an eye appears a different person from the past. I saw Brent sitting on the sidewalk, Hunter standing on top of a building, Crane leaning on a burning lamppost, Vance controlling electric equipments floating around him, sitting on top of a van, Cleo shape shifting into my dad then into my mom, then into herself.

Then everything started to move in slow motion. As the people scramble all around me and with the rest of the Rebel 5 watching over me from a distance, I saw Hugo. Walking side by side by the blue mail post a few distances in front of me, he was being blocked by the people crazily trying to hold me down. I felt helpless, like I’m dying now at this very moment. I got a little scratch on my right arm for trying to get away from all of these crazy people.

Then all of a sudden, everything stops and Hugo attacks me with darkness in his eyes, his aura feels like he’s a descendant from hell risen up to create trouble and all was lost in my eyes and then–

”Michael, Michael! Mike, come on over here.” Hayley shouted.

What happen? What did just happen? Where are all the crazy people? Where’s Hugo and the Rebel 5?

It was just a hallucination. But everything felt so real! I can still feel the tight grip of those people holding my arms, my legs and my neck. I was disoriented at that moment. I looked at directions where I say Vance and Crane, I don’t see them anymore. I look around and I see people, common people. I keep feeling my body if anything was damaged. It seems as if I’m still hung up in that situation or hallucination if it really is one.

“Mike, Mike!” Hayley shouted in front of me. But I don’t seem to respond to her. So she grabbed me in the arm.

For a second I almost hit her in the face. But then a hand stopped mine. It was Kim. And I suddenly feel like I’m sobered up.

“Mike, what are you doing?” “Yeah, what’s going on? What’s wrong mike?”

I couldn’t answer back.

Up in my head I was like “I, I don’t, I don’t know. One moment I was fighting for my life, then fire and crazy people and earth shake and everything went dark.” Hayley hugged me. I was clearly hallucinating, and Kim just stood there, so puzzled. I’m puzzled myself. But I have to pull myself together.

So I tried my best to calm myself.

I convinced myself that it was all in my head.

“I’m ok guys. I’m just a little out of my head tonight. It’s just, the research and the paperwork at the University and –” “you study there, Michael?” Kim intruded.

“Yes. I, ah-I study there.” I couldn’t look directly at her face. She continued to talk about issues on UCLA but all I think is about what happen to me earlier.

I tried to look at the blue mail box in front of me but I see nothing.

“You know it’s getting kind of late so we better head off to Moe’s, I’m starving.” I intruded “me too, let’s go!” Hayley added. But I can see in Hayley’s eyes, she’s worried. I bet she’ll force me to talk when we get home.

The place never changed, dark, foggy and filled with drunken men and teenagers. You could still see those fancy hookers waiting on the reverend and the police officials to come and pick them up.

The burger patty seems well cooked, fries are deep fried and the Mudshake is spectacular. But I was not myself tonight.

Kim and Hayley were talking like sisters while eating spaghetti and salad. I love the way Hayley acts with people she doesn’t trust. She liked Kim, yes, that’s pretty obvious, but she doesn’t trust her at all probably because of what happen a year ago when Kim bailed on us when we we’re supposed to meet together, all the three of us at Denver and move out. Some authorities there accidentally have discovered our powers and tried to hunt us down. She never showed up until last week. But now, they look like sisters.

“Eat your food silly.” Hayley reminded.

I like the way my meal was cooked, but I was really not in the mood. I mean who would be? After that so called “hallucination” I don’t think I’ll sleep tonight.

“Have you heard of Nate?” Kim suddenly turned serious. Hayley’s smile turned upside down. “What about it?” I asked.

“Nate died, Mike. He died yesterday. He was found floating on some forest river at Tahoe. They found no scratches, no injuries, no internal bleeding whatsoever. The autopsy was clean”, a sip of beer, “I know you guys feel it to, right? Do you still feel it? Do you?”

Hayley and I looked at each other. Hayley looked a little bit longer. I didn’t say a word, so she held my hand. Then, she reached to Kim’s hand as well.

“Of course we feel it honey.”

“Huh” that was all Kim omitted.

It was like a thorn was taken away from her throat. Her frown went upside.

Stun silence in a crowded bar, and then it hit me.

“Wait, did you just say, Tahoe?” “Yep.” She politely replied.

All of a sudden a certain temper raged inside of me. Fear and dismay was grouching in.

“Hello! Tahoe? That’s here, in California.”

“Oh my god.” “Oh no”

“What are we going to do?”

“Well there’s so much we can do. We, we, we can move out. We, we can keep it a low profile.”

“It’s too risky.”

“But I haven’t sensed their aura yet. That means they’re still far away right?”

“Well not for long.” I quoted.

I stood up and went outside. I didn’t even touch my food.

Kim followed me immediately. Hayley took out her red velvet purse, took out 20 and a 10 dollar bill and threw it in the table. “Thank you, keep the tip!” then she ran to the entrance door and followed us.

“Then where would you go? You gonna run away again? Just like every year of your entire life?!”

“Hey, I’m not the one who bails on her friends and leave’s without saying goodbye.”

“Well at least I’m not the one who uses his childhood tragedy as an excuse to stand your ground.”

“Well. You kno – oh forget it!”

She just stood there, and I walked away from her, as fast as I can.

Hayley felt say. But she could do anything about it.

She hugged her tight, pats her in the back, and walked away as well. Maybe she was following me.

“What is your problem Michael?!” Hayley shouted while she was walking.

I had no intentions of answering back.

But then boom! Kim shows up in front of me.

“What the hell are you doing? Using your powers in public? Yeah, some anti-UL you are.” I sarcastically said.

“Would you just listen!?” she shouted.

She was shaking.

“I know what I did was wrong. I-I’m sorry, ok?! I’m sorry for not showing up. But you know what; I’m not the only one who’s at fault in this. Why didn’t you come and find me? Did you even bother to ask or to look for answers why I didn’t came? Liam died Mike. He freaking died. Look I’m sorry for what happen but that was a year ago. Can’t you just let it all go?”

Tears started to drop from her eyes.

I didn’t know what to say. All I did was that I hugged her tight.

And I whispered, “I’m sorry too. I’m very, very sorry Kim.”

Then Hayley hugged us as well.

It was again, surreal.

Moments like this don’t happen all the time.

So we all went home. We find a cab for Kim to take her home.

“Keep in touch ok? And try to be safe!” I reminded

“I will. You take care of Hayley ok…”

“I’ll take care of this idiot.” Hayley joked.

Hayley drove fast.

I was wearing seatbelt which I have wearing and yet I’m still shaking when she takes turns on the street.

“What the – are you really trying to get us both killed Hayles?”

“What happen there a while ago on the streets?”

I didn’t answer back.

“What happen Mike? Come on, don’t be such a kid!”

“It, it was nothing, really Hayles. Please let’s not make a big deal out of this.”

“This is a big deal Michael. Oh you idiot.”

“Screw you Hayles.”

The tension between us was overwhelming.

All I can think about right now is my bedroom. Oh how I want to sleep right now.

Her hands are shaking. I can see it while she drives the wheels.

“All I’m trying to do is to let you feel that we’re in this together. We’re the only ones left in both our families. We need each other.” She calmly stated.

”I know Hayles, I know.” Deep breathes “I’m sorry”

We’re finally home. After 1 and a half hour of road trip, I could rest.

Hayley didn’t spoke a word when she got off the car.

She dropped the keys off on the side table beside the front door. She went to our small kitchen, poured a glass of water with ice and marched herself off upstairs her room, walking with heavy steps, trying to make me feel sorry and upset for not telling her what really happen to me. She locked her door.

I didn’t have the energy to mind her.

I took off my sweater; I wanted to take a bath.

But something weird showed up. I had this scratch or this scar on my right arm. And then it hit me, the scratch I got from the hallucination I had earlier.

My eyes widen. My heart is skipping up a beat. My pulse is racing fast, and I can’t breathe.

So I immediately called Hayley, “Hayley!!!”

Hayley rushed on my door.

At first she thought I was just playing with her. But she saw my terrified face and my sweat.

Now that I think all of it was true, I think it’s fit that I tell her all about my hallucination.

So I sat her on my computer chair and I closed the door.