Power: The Hero Chronicles (Volume 4)

By Tim Mettey

The entire Thusian world is thrown into chaos as the impending ChriÖ Trials draw near. The new Keeper has yet to discover any vital information that could help The 4 in their quest to defeat Xavier and the Seekers. As Nicholas enters Vanderbilt University, his personal life seems to spiral out of control. He continues to struggle with protecting the ones he loves, while accepting that he is the one responsible for putting them in the greatest danger imaginable. Will he be able to prove that The 7 has been formed once and for all? And who truly controls the ultimate power to defeat the Seekers?

Stay tuned for the release of “Elle and The Escape,” a spin-off from the popular “The Hero Chronicles” series by Tim Mettey in Fall 2016!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tim Mettey
• Release date: Dec 4, 2015
• ISBN: 9780996725101

Tim Mettey

Tim Mettey serves as CEO at Matthew 25: Ministries, an international humanitarian and disaster relief organization. Tim uses his many experiences and expertise in responding to disasters around the world to set the background for his The Hero Chronicles series.Tim struggles with and has overcome multiple learning disabilities with reading and writing to create this series. Tim advocates for literacy and education worldwide and hopes his journey can be an inspiration to others. He says, “Our disabilities do not define who we are, they make us stronger.”Tim is the father of nine beautiful children: Olivia, Cora, Noel, Aubriana, Ashlyn, Eden, Livia, Graham & Jensen.Visit timmettey.com for details about upcoming events and new releases!

Book preview

The sounds of spring surrounded me as I sat on the ornate stone bench; its cool, smooth surface was soothing no matter how long I sat there. This bench, this place, was somewhere I visited a lot. Even though my seat was made of stone, I still found it comfortable and familiar, like a broken-in couch or recliner. Surrounding me on all sides were several young trees, just starting to bloom. Birds at play were singing and bouncing from branch to branch around me enjoying the warmth of the sun. On the bench next to me was the black and white swirled stone that had summoned me to the Chriō Trials. I had left it here at my parents’ graves after one of my visits. Only here did I feel the strength to think about what might lie ahead for me and the others at the Trials.

My hometown of Mt. Vernon, the place I had fled from after the earthquake so many years ago with my Aunt Cora, had once again become our residence. But I didn’t feel at home here, not at all. The closest I got to feeling a sense of home was sitting here in front of my parents’ graves, in the Mt. Vernon Cemetery. Some might think it was morbid that I would feel so at ease and at peace here in a cemetery, but to me it was a place where I could escape everything, all of the thoughts and pressures of my new life. No talk of Seekers trying to kill me, no meetings about the Trials that I would soon have to endure and no thinking of my eventual death because of my great Final Sacrifice. Also, here I wasn’t the 4th Thusian, the One who had to lead the 3 other chosen Thusians against the 3 Seekers in a battle to the death. This had become my only safe place, my timeout, my refuge. Nobody ever bothered me here; they just let me be, and that’s how I liked it. This time away allowed me to clear my head and only think about things that I wanted to, with no interruption.

I looked back, and Cora was still sitting in her truck, waiting, like she always did. The first couple of times I came by myself, driving my dad’s old Bronco, but Cora insisted that she drive me here, no matter how long I wanted to stay. So this had become our routine most days.

My stomach began to rumble. The lunch Cora had packed was calling to me. But before I would eat anything I wanted to talk a little more with my parents. Talking to them as if they were here with me helped me to focus my thoughts.

Hi, Mom, Dad. The other families that have loved ones buried here planted trees kind of like the one by your headstones. It’s really starting to look beautiful—not a place of misery and death, but more a place of celebration. Some people have even put in decorative paths and flower beds, I said.

I paused as I searched for words to explain how I was feeling. I opened the bag sitting on the bench next to me and retrieved my gourmet sandwich since I was starting to feel a little sick. I took a bite and continued, I don’t know if I can do what is asked of me. Cora says that you both are with me always and will be with me every step of the way, but sometimes I feel so alone, helpless, you know? Like no one in the world understands me. I let out a grief-stricken sigh, taking another bite.

I miss you both. I wish you were here. I feel like my soul is lost, I’m being pulled in every direction. I’m still not too sure about going away to Vanderbilt for college either. What if the Seekers follow me there? The life of a Thusian is hard enough, but now being part of The 4 makes it seem like everything is too much for me to handle. And now I have to go prove myself at some stupid Trial and— I put my sandwich down and lifted my hands to my face. I could ramble on about this for hours, but it wouldn’t change a thing.

I slowed down my breathing, taking a couple of meditative breaths and then sat straight back up, pulling myself together.

Cora said that you always wanted me to go to Vanderbilt, Mom, I continued. I guess it’s not going to be all bad. At least Elle will be there, and a couple of my friends from Winsor and Mt. Vernon. Eric got a football scholarship and his girlfriend, Livi, got an academic one. Mark and Heather are going there too. You both know Mark and his family, of course.

I picked up the lunch sack and dug through it until I found a small water bottle at the bottom, unscrewed the top and took a drink.

The past couple of months have been nice, not having to worry about being attacked by the Seekers. Not having Xavier and his two crazies plotting to kill me has been a relief, but at the same time, it’s making me think more about the Trials. Why go through the Trials to prove that we formed The 7? It just doesn’t make sense, when we all already know we did. Bernard already confirmed it. Why do we have to go through with it?

I took another drink.

You both know, I never wanted to be famous for saving anyone, and I certainly never wanted to be a part of any of this. I just want to be normal. Is that too much to ask?

Cora honked the horn twice. I turned and waved to her, gathering my stuff. It was time to go.

I’ll be back again later. Love you guys.

As I walked to the truck, I noticed a thunderstorm forming on the horizon. The tops of the dark, ominous clouds seemed to be lifting higher and higher toward the heavens. Even with the sun out, I could see lightning flashing in the storm, illuminating the clouds in the most violent yet beautiful way.

Looks like a bad storm is moving in, I said, getting into the truck.

Yes, I see that, Cora said, putting the truck in drive, never looking at the approaching storm.

Every time I came here with her, I asked if she wanted to join me at my parents’ graves, but she always thoughtfully declined my offer. I wasn’t sure if she didn’t want to be upset around me so she could be my rock or if she just wanted to have some time alone. Whatever the reason, she was still here for me, as always.

So, have you talked to Elle lately? Cora asked. I miss her.

No, not recently. We agreed not to talk for a while, just in case someone was listening in on our conversations like before, I said, feeling the empty place in my heart ache, longing to hear her voice even for a brief moment. But for her safety, this is what we had decided to do, and this feeling would have to be a welcome one because it meant she wasn’t in harm’s way.

Do you know if she’s coming back to visit anytime soon? Cora asked, pulling out of the cemetery. She knew why Elle wasn’t around, so I wasn’t sure why she was asking.

No, Noel just got to Winsor a few weeks ago. Elle wants to get her moved in and settled before she visits us.

After the attack last year at Vanderbilt in Chase’s flat, Elle somehow felt personally responsible that Noel had gotten hurt so badly. Cora and I tried to explain that Noel was her Thusian bodyguard and that it was her job to protect Elle no matter what. But Elle didn’t care; she still felt responsible. I would have been angry about having a guard placed with me without my knowing, but not Elle. To her, Noel was a friend, and nothing else mattered. When Noel started to recover from the attack, Elle made up her mind that Noel would move in with her in Winsor.

**

After Cora and I got home, the storm moved in over our house. I was lying in bed, flipping the blank silver coin that Genevieve had given me over my knuckles, listening to the rain falling against the roof. It sent a comforting pitter-patter sound through the roof and into my room.

What time is Mark coming over tonight? Cora called up to me from somewhere downstairs. I’d like to see what else he has been able to figure out.

He should be here soon. You know— I had begun to yell over the noise of the storm but stopped because she appeared in my doorway.

You know, his dad isn’t too happy about how much time he’s spending here with all of us. He thinks we’re bad influences on him, which is funny because Mayor Siegel makes money off of dead people, I said with a little contempt and sarcasm in my voice.

I’ll make us some dinner while we wait for him to slip out of his house. She didn’t respond to what I said, but I knew she agreed.

Cora, I said calling her back into the room before she went downstairs.

Something had been bothering me for some time now, and I knew Cora would be able to talk me through it, if anyone could.

Am I supposed to be doing something more? I asked, sitting up and propping the pillow against my headboard and then leaning back on it.

She looked puzzled by the question.

I mean, should I, or we, be doing more things to, you know to help, the, ahh…world or something with our talents? You know, like fight crime or something like that? I said, rambling.

A beaming, radiant smile came to her face, like one I used to see from my mom when she was proud of me for something. She came over and sat down next to me on the bed, putting a hand on my knee and giving it a pat.

You’re so wonderful. I’m so proud of the man you are becoming. That wasn’t the answer I was looking for.

Seeing my look of frustration, she answered, We’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing. This isn’t like the movies or a comic book, where the bad guys are broadcasting what they’re going to do so we can come to the rescue. And no, a police scanner wouldn’t work either.

She laughed as if she had made a joke.

If we went looking for ways to help, it would be fruitless, a waste of time. We would probably go months before we were even able to help anyone. She took a deliberate deep breath. "The real heroes are the people who risk their lives every day, like the military, police…oh, you know all of this already; I’ll save the speech. So if one day you decide to do one of those jobs, then of course you would be able to use your talents more often, kind of the way Coach Moore did as a firefighter.

She paused and looked at me very seriously. Nicholas, don’t confuse the real world with the magic of movies. You’re doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing right now. The only thing you should focus on is going to school—

I interrupted, What about the Trials and Xavier and—

Cora continued, "Going to school and the Trials are the two things you should be focusing on now, you’re right. After that, we will worry about Xavier and Grey. Because we, and I do mean we, will be able to stop whatever evil they are up to when the time comes."

The phone rang and I quickly answered, hoping it was Elle. But it wasn’t.

Hey, Nicholas. Sorry, I can’t come over, Mark said. My dad won’t let me leave the house. He’s being a little more crazy than usual.

No problem, Mark, I said, disappointed that he wasn’t Elle. I’ll talk to you later.

Yeah, I hope I can come over soon.

I hung up the phone and told Cora that Mark wasn’t coming over because of his dad. That didn’t surprise her, because Mayor Siegel was, in her words, a two-faced, annoying politician.

**

Cora, do you mind if we stop by the Mt. Vernon Museum on our way home? I asked the next day as we were driving home from the cemetery. Cora and I had been exploring different parts of Mt. Vernon ever since we had decided to stay here.

Riley’s expecting us at home, she said. You know how he gets when we change what we’re going to do.

Riley had become overprotective of Cora almost to the point of ridiculousness. He was so upset that he wasn’t with us when we were attacked at Vanderbilt. Every time I brought it up, he changed the subject. I think he was more upset that Chase had been there instead of him. Even though there was no way Cora would ever fall in love with Chase, it still bothered Riley.

But, if we’re quick, then I don’t see any problem with stopping, she said with a mischievous smile.

She turned down the decorative red brick road that led back through an ornate and pristinely maintained lawn and garden, which surrounded the massive estate. The museum sat back from the road. We drove by a large bronze plaque that said it was dedicated to everyone who lost someone in the earthquake. This was the most frequently visited site in Mt. Vernon other than my old house, and it was about time that I found out what it was all about.

We drove around the football-field-sized parking lot for a while, looking for a place to park. We only succeeded after a school group came out and freed up several spots in the middle.

Are you sure you want to do this now? Cora asked, sounding suddenly uncertain.

We will just go in for a minute. It was your idea to get fully acquainted with Mt. Vernon, remember?

She nodded, but I could tell something was still wrong and that she didn’t really want to be here. A loud clap of thunder rumbled. Another spring storm was firing up because of the clashing warm and cold fronts. It was like the storm was warning me not to go in. But I wanted to see what was in store for me, no matter what. Especially if this was one of the ways that the Thusian Council was profiting from the public. Since I was a member of the Council, it was my duty to be well-informed.

We walked up a marble white staircase, which looked like it belonged outside the gates of heaven. I kind of expected Saint Peter to be waiting at the top to let us in.

Hello, and welcome to the Mt. Vernon Museum and Discovery Center, a middle-aged woman with white hair said from behind a Plexiglas window like at a movie theater.

Nicholas and I would like to just look around, Cora spoke up.

You can either get a day pass or a three hour pass. The rates are behind me, she said with a smile.

The day pass was $75 and the three-hour pass was $50. How could it be so much? It was just a museum. The art museum in St. Louis was free.

We just want to look around, Cora said, sounding as shocked as I was that it cost so much to get in.

If you are a resident you can get a season pass for $150. It will give you unlimited access to everything we have to offer here, including first chance to get tickets to any of our events. Are you both residents?

We certainly are, I responded forcefully, making her look at me.

The lady did a double take. Oh my, I didn’t mean to offend you both. Please come on in, she said, getting up off her stool and going out a side door and then opening the door next to us for us to enter.

It’s such an honor to have you here Mr. Taylor…ah...Keller… she stuttered. She then bowed to us as if we were royalty, as Cora and I walked past her into the front lobby.

The main lobby area was enormous. It had a large dome over it with several skylights, and there were several shops selling souvenirs with Mt. Vernon on them. There was also a line to one side for some sort of ride, and on the other side there was one for a movie. Both Cora and I wandered around, ending up in one of the many shops. I picked up a miniature cemetery Christmas ornament. It was creepy. Why would anyone want to put that on a tree? While I was trying to think of who might want this, I heard loud talking coming from a different part of the shop.

Are you kidding me? Cora was saying, in a very demanding voice. She was holding up a framed picture of me holding Mrs. Rush. You are profiting off of Nicholas and this tragedy? How dare you! I want to talk to the manager right now, she said, pointing her finger at the poor teen cashier who looked frightened.

The girl quickly went over to a door that was next to the customer service desk.

Cora, what’s the big deal? I expected to see this, didn’t you?

I did, but using your likeness without our permission is not right. Nobody asked us.

I tried to calm her down, but it didn’t work. She had her arms crossed and her face was bright red. She wanted answers, and the manager was the only one who could give them to her.

The door opened, and I recognized the man who came out as one of the Council members. I couldn’t remember his name offhand, but he was very familiar. He was tall and lanky, as if he had been pulled and stretched by a taffy machine. He had on a red sport coat and tan slacks. His pants were just a little too short, exposing his white socks.

Nicholas, Cora, it’s so good to see you, he said, extending his hand. I took it and we shook.

Why are you selling this stuff? It’s wrong, Cora said more calmly, maybe because she recognized him as a Council member and didn’t want to cause us any more issues with them on account of the upcoming Trials.

Nicholas knows why, he said, looking at me like he wanted me to answer the question for her.

What was he talking about? I shrugged my shoulders, having no clue why I would know. He motioned for us to follow him over to his office. He shut the door once we were all inside.

You are aware of what’s going on here, right? he asked me, looking very intent.

I looked at Cora, not sure what to say or how to answer. I knew that the Thusians made money from museums all around the world, but that was it. Sidney Reese from the Council had mentioned it cost a lot of money to run them, but that’s all I knew.

Excuse me, what’s your name? Cora asked before I could answer.

I apologize, miss. My name is Sal Warner, he said, straightening out his legs as if they were hurting from sitting.

Mr. Warner, I’m upset that you are using Nicholas to make money. I can stomach using terms like 10-10 Hero and other references, but having a framed picture of him from the newspaper seems like… well, it just seems wrong.

He looked at me as if he was expecting me to jump in again and give my thoughts, but I had no clue what he was thinking.

Nicholas, you know what’s going on here? he asked again, like this time I would say something.

I’m sorry but I don’t know what you are talking about, I answered, puzzled.

His face dropped, as if he couldn’t believe I didn’t know the answer. He stood up, opening the door to look out and closing it again as if he were expecting someone to show up.

In a hushed voice he said, You should know what’s going on here, Nicholas. If you don’t, then I can’t tell you.

He opened the door and said in a loud voice, It was so nice of you to drop by. Please feel free to walk around and let me know what you think of the place. We have spent much time and effort to make sure things are just right. And Nicholas, I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.

Cora and I walked out of the office, confused. Cora seemed less upset, probably because she was wondering what in the world he was talking about.

We wandered to the back of the room to a large corridor where a group of students was being escorted by a tour guide into the exhibit. On the walls were different pictures of people and places. Each had a little story accompanying it, explaining what had happened in the picture on the day of the earthquake. My brain was in such a haze from seeing all of this stuff. It made it hard for me to think about what Sal had said or, actually, what he hadn’t said.

Cora nudged me to snap me out of my trance. I looked straight ahead. In front of us was a small blue house that had collapsed. The whole room around it was painted black with only spotlights shining on the destroyed home.

Can anyone tell me what this house was? the tour guide asked, walking over to the front of it.

It’s a house destroyed in the earthquake, someone answered from the group.

Yes, that’s right, but can anyone tell me why we have this particular house on display and why it’s so important?

Is it the house that the 10-10 Hero lived in? a young child answered.

You are on the right track, but remember, Alexander Nicholas Taylor Keller’s house was not destroyed. You can still see it on our city tour. Anyone else? the tour guide asked.

No one said anything this time.

This is the house where Joseph Taylor, the 10-10 Hero’s father, died saving the Hall kids, all three of them.

Several people made sounds like that was going to be their next guess.

Joseph Taylor was a member of the Mt. Vernon Fire Department and was the first to respond to this house during the earthquake. The children’s mother was outside. She’d been injured by a falling branch. Joseph Taylor went in without any backup or help from anyone else. He rushed through and saved Madi and Stephen, ages three and four, and then went back in and rescued little Carsyn who was only a year old. He got him out the front door right when the first major aftershock shook the New Madrid fault line again. A piece of the framing struck him in the chest, piercing his heart as he carried little Carsyn. Even with this injury, he was still able to get the baby out to his brother, sister and mom. Most of the spotlights on the house dimmed, leaving just one fully illuminated.

Out of twenty firefighters in this city, all but four died during the earthquake, saving others. Heroes, every one of them.

She waited a second to let that soak in and said, Now if you will follow me.

The crowd moved out, allowing me to see everything fully. In front of me, the single spotlight was on a full cardboard cutout of my father in firefighting gear. I actually remembered when that photo was taken. It was right after Easter, and we had gathered at the fire station for the annual Easter lunch with the families. That year all of the firefighters had to get pictures taken for a directory that the town was putting together. My mom and I were sitting with a couple of other families when my dad came out, ready for the picture.

Cora laid her hand on my shoulder pulling me back to the present. Let’s go; there’s no reason to stay here. I’m sure Mark is already at the house with Riley and Genevieve.

I didn’t look at her; I continued to stare at my dad’s cutout. Next to him was another one, but this one was of the Hall children. Each one of them had freckles and was undeniably related. I stared at each one of their faces, trying to commit them to memory.

Dad was a hero, I said, walking past the building and following the tour. I knew I didn’t have to go on but I wanted to. I was curious. Maybe this place would shed some light on other questions I had about that day which had never been answered.

Next we entered an even larger room than the last one. It was triple the height and just as wide. In front of us was a tattered commercial building with nearly all of the glass windows shattered out of it. Parts of the building were twisted and bulging. How was it still standing? I thought. The group that we had been following was on a platform at least three stories tall overlooking the entire structure. Cora followed me up a series of ramps, and we settled in behind the crowd again to listen.

This is the building where Beth Taylor saved her co-worker, Lisa Miller, and friend, Ester Theasing.

I pushed up through the group without even thinking. The first image I saw was a picture of my mom on a plaque attached to the railing, which became blurry because of the tears that suddenly formed in my eyes. I wiped the tears away before anyone noticed.

Inside the structure were three cardboard cutouts. One was hanging out the window, being pulled up by the second one, while the third was already going down the stairs that could be seen through the broken building.

Beth Taylor freed Margaret Miller, who was pinned underneath a beam that had fallen on her. And here you can see Beth Taylor holding onto a dangling Ester Theasing, who fell out of a broken window. Once Ester was safe, Beth continued to search the building and eventually died later, when one of the aftershocks hit. And this entire museum, she held up her hands and said in a loud voice, everything here was paid in full by Ester and Henry J. Theasing. They wanted to show their gratitude to such an amazing family, and you all will be happy to know that half of all the proceeds go to a college fund that sends any child who was orphaned during the quake to school, free of charge. Everyone began to clap as they followed her down to leave.

I was in disbelief at what I was seeing and had just heard. I had only heard stories about how my parents had died, and yet all this time, the actual places were here in this museum for anyone to see. Everyone who had visited the museum knew more about my parents’ deaths than their own son did. And on top of everything, Ester was one of the people my mom had saved. Why hadn’t she mentioned that or any of this? My head began to pound.

The past and present swirled around in my mind along with flickers of anger and sadness. I grabbed ahold of the nearby railing to steady myself. Cora tried to move me, but I couldn’t release my hands. My grip was so tight that my knuckles were turning white and I felt like I could easily bend the railing if I wanted to. My mind began

Reviews for Power

[krista23 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

There was one constant throughout this book and that was the mystery behind why Nicholas had to be kept in the background. Always hidden behind the scenes, could not invite friends over and seemed to be talented at any activity he put his mind into accomplishing. When he steps outside his aunt's comfort zone and tries out for football, it puts him in the immediate spotlight at his new school. (also one of her worst fears)When it came down to really trying to get to know Nicholas, as I reader I became more conflicted as the story went on. By the time I finished the book there was a part of me that wished the secret wasn't left so far into the end of the book, instead brought forward into revelation earlier in the book. The shy, cowering character that Nicholas is in the majority of the book is not too attractive to me as a reader. I did like who he started to become in the end, and would have liked to see more of that.As the story starts getting more detailed in to the mystery, the fact that Nicholas has a destiny that is beyond his control is appealing. There is a whole world out there that he has yet to discover and for me, some questions that have been left open,to be continued in the sequel I'm sure. My favorite character was his aunt, Cora. Most likely because I am a female myself her perspective was more relatable for me. I was happy to see that she plays a major roll in the book and was a constant and developing character just as much as Nicholas is.I do feel that this story has appeal for both boys and girls. A little sports, a little romance and most of all, the supernatural.

[jen7waters · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Secrets, the first installment in The Hero Chronicles series by Tim Mettey tells the story of Nicholas Keller, a teenager who moves to a new city with the only family he has left, his aunt Cora, and against all the rules starts making friends (an enemy too), playing football, a sport he doesn’t understand completely but in which he’s good at, and he even gets himself a lovely girlfriend.This would have been normal for every other teenage boy but it certainly isn’t for Nicholas who has never been allowed to make connections with others or to call the slightest attention to himself before---why, you ask? Well, the title of this book is Secrets and Nicholas has a few of them, and as so, his aunt fears constantly for his safety and keeps coaching him on being “invisible”.I can honestly say that the mysteries around Nicholas kept me hooked on the story, I wanted to unravel them all, to find out why he must keep a low profile at all times, what happened in his past, and of course, what was the real story behind his parent’s deaths. Another big mystery has to do with his special abilities—he can run super fast, he’s very strong, and he boils inside when someone makes him angry, to the point that I thought he was going to be some kind of Hulk.Overall Nicholas was a good, decent, likable protagonist and I would befriend him in a minute if I could; aunt Cora reminded me of my own aunts, her sacrifice was touching; and Elle, the girlfriend, in one word: classy. Nicholas has great taste.There was one thing that bothered me though, the amount of dialogue that starts with “So”, but that’s just a minor detail.To sum up: an interesting, straightforward, easy to read first chapter of a teenage hero’s life.(I received a copy of Secrets in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the Kenwood Publishing Group for the opportunity.)