The Freaks of Origin

By David Fox Orr

The Freaks of Origin is a story involving magic, powers, and alternate, interconnected worlds. Yet despite all that, the main focus consists of growing up under desperate circumstances and how this affects each character. There are several unique characters, and they all have a breath of life and realism into them that’s easy to identify with and grow attached to. However, the most prominent protagonist of our story is on a teenage boy named Fox who, while dealing with his crazy life, is trying to fight against all odds to not become what he considers to be “the bad guy.” Will he and his unlikely group of friends who refer to themselves as the freaks literally make it out of high school alive? Will he be able to maintain the most important relationships in his life without becoming what he hates the most? Is a group of misfits cut out to save the small yet corrupt town of Origin? You’ll have to read through this tale of life, love, and loss to find out!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Sep 17, 2018
• ISBN: 9781546246558

David Fox Orr

David Fox Orr is a man who grew up with a huge appreciation for art and storytelling. He wrote many stories in his adolescence and even saw to it to bring one out onto market by self-publishing. Through life he became a critic, while not only seeing flaws in many modern works but envisioning a more enticing way to do them himself. From political tales to sci-fi adventures, he’s grown up with many stories still fresh in his mind and ready to share with the world

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

THE MAN IN THE MIRROR

Fox sat up in his cot, groggy and already not looking forward to sneaking out yet again. The Bomb had gone off only five days ago, and as one might expect, made living here even more of a burden than usual. Even more so for an orphan like himself, though if he had any say in it, no one would be privy to that fact. Fox wasn’t the kind to take handouts, and he was just about eighteen.

The day of the explosion, the army and National Guard showed up much sooner than anyone had expected for their small town. They set up this shelter and started pulling in resources swiftly. Fox spent every day sneaking in and out at the beginning and end of each day, trying not to draw attention to himself or his situation. Some of the other kids who no longer had families were being sent off to the orphanage in the neighboring city, and in Fox’s mind, he was far too old for that. But he knew any adult would just view him as a kid, whether he was seven or seventeen. There was some talk about the schools finally opening back up, and Fox thought this was much too soon. But lots of people were anxious to get back into their daily routine, and nobody really wanted to spend much time thinking about the tragedy that had just happened. That was, of course, the job of the government, and more specifically, the Origin City Police.

Fox was embarrassed to admit that the first night, he just sat with his gaze fixed on the floor. It was too incomprehensible, a bomb going off and destroying nearly all of the poor part of town. After being knocked down he made his way down the streets and to his home, which he then saw was exactly as he feared, knocked over like all the rest around it. He sat there with that image burnt into his head, the realization that his parents were dead, and the sound of all the people around him crying, making him feel as if his head would pop. How does something like this happen? Sometimes you hear about things like this in the news, but it’s never truly real until it happens to you. If the bomb had gone off a few minutes later he would have been much closer too. Then he would be just another tragedy of that day.

Would there be anyone to cry over me? I should have been there too, if not for my trip to the library. He looked around at all the people crying, some were even injured, Fox was lucky the blast only disoriented him, especially considering the damage the elementary took across the street. He could have been far worse off.

But here I sit, too fucked up to even cry for my lost family like everyone else around me, he thought while continuing to stare down the floor. He felt somehow like he wasn’t quite there, yet still just a fly on the wall. Watching everything indifferent to the situation in some way.

I must be some kind of horrible monster. My own flesh and blood gone, but not one tear. His fist clenched, he hated this feeling. Was he truly the only person here who felt as such? The only one here, in this room full of the lost and injured, who was so emotionally detached.

Suddenly a thought occurred to him. Cole! Cole lived close by to him! His house would have definitely been hit, but perhaps he made it to the library before?! He got up out of the cot and began to look frantically through the crowds of people. He couldn’t see his friend, and the more he searched the angrier and more helpless he felt. A soldier stopped him as he made his way around, grabbing onto his shoulder.

Do you know where your parents are? Are you looking for them? he asked trying to sound concerned. Fox wondered how many times he had asked similar kids those questions this week. Fox assured the man he knew where his parents were, and he was looking for his friend now, which wasn’t a lie. The soldier didn’t reply, and Fox knew why, the tense moment doing nothing to ease his worries. After giving the tents a few more once-overs, his hope started to slowly dwindle. Both Cole and his parents were gone, someone set off a bomb large enough to destroy that many lives, and as far as Fox was aware, no one had a clue right now who they were. In that moment Fox made up his mind. He would be the one to investigate this case!

He might not have his friend to help him as usual, but he owed it to everyone lost. There had to be a reason he survived right? Besides, if he waited for the commissioner and his goons to solve a crime, it would never get done! Fox sighed as he thought over his predicament. What would Cole do?

Shortly after, it was dark enough for Fox to casually make his way out of the building without drawing any attention to himself. Luckily they weren’t really organized enough to keep watch just outside the tents either. Most of the soldiers and helpers were busy setting up cots on the ground for people to sleep on, or just making sure everyone had gotten their rations for the night. He wasted no time making his way as close as he could to the center of the blast. As expected, the area was closed off and soldiers and volunteers were scouring the area. Fox tried to step into the marked off area and was immediately stopped by one of the men in uniform.

Whoa, you can’t be coming into here! he said, throwing his hands up like he was playing a game of football.

I’m here to help with the cleanup. Fox said quickly to ignore him as he tried to move past. The man put his hand on Fox’s chest and pulled him back.

How old are you? He asked. Fox was a bit annoyed by this question. He was only seventeen, but sure, if he wasn’t just a week older it would somehow make all the difference right?

I’m eighteen! What does it matter? he said grumpily, wanting to just get past this guy.

Let me see your ID, he demanded with his hand out. Fox sighed, he never had an ID, and there was no car for him to drive so it seemed pointless to have one. Until right now that is.

I don’t have any. Fox admitted in defeat, knowing what would surely come next. The man shrugged.

Sorry, kid. Rules are rules, he said genuinely before turning around.

Kid?! Even at eighteen he would be labeled as a kid!

Wait! Fox said, catching the soldier as he started off. He stopped and turned back to look at Fox over his shoulder.

Do they have any clue yet who set off the bomb? he asked desperately. The man seemed to advert his gaze from Fox, which was all the answer he needed.

The man replied, There will be a meeting at the shelter tomorrow morning for the press. The government will be releasing their findings there, he said before continuing off again.

The next morning Fox made sure to keep an eye on the stand, waiting until eventually he saw movement. Commissioner Heartly took the stage, which pissed Fox off immeasurably. Why was the most incompetent man making a speech about this?!

Due to our investigation of the explosion last night, we have confirmed that it was, in fact, caused by a bomb and not a gas leak, he started. Fox shook his head agitated. If it was a gas leak it wouldn’t have been that huge, get to the real details! he thought angrily.

The bomb was set off somewhere in between houses on Fourteenth Street. It is not currently known who set off this bomb, but we suspect it was gang related, and the Origin County police will be launching a full investigation into the matter. We will do everything in our power to bring the terrorists to justice, the commissioner said loudly.

Unlikely. Fox mumbled aloud, causing one person in the crowd to glare at him. He felt a bit embarrassed, but he knew better than anyone how worthless their police force was.

We are also working with the community to get everything in town up and running again. The important thing is to show the terrorists we’re not afraid. We hope that you will cooperate with the members of the National Guard and the Red Cross in this matter. He said prompting people in the crowds to start to speak up, some of them even yelling out questions. The commissioner was clearly thrown off by the disorganization, a fact that brought a smile across Fox’s face. The whole speech made him rather uneasy though. Terrorist? Gang members? Did the police even do any kind of investigation yet?

I am sorry but we will not be taking any questions today. We will however be working diligently on this case until it is solved, and as one might expect, we need to get back to it immediately, the commissioner exclaimed, before quickly escaping the stage where the mayor was waiting downstairs. The mayor whispered something to him, looking none too pleased, before they both disappeared behind the curtain behind them.

The meeting didn’t help at all, only confirmed Fox’s suspicions. That it was, in fact, a bomb, and if anything was a clear example that the cops were going to be no help. They were quick to point a finger at the gangs around town though. There was a huge gang problem in Origin. Two rival gangs would often be selling drugs, and they were often caught fighting it out in the middle of the streets, near where Fox lived. However in comparison to this event, their squabbles were quaint, rarely ever even escalating to the point of guns being drawn. To think that one of them got ahold of a bomb and blew up a sixth of the town was absurd! Neither of the gangs had that kind of pull, and as far as he knew, neither of them even hated each other enough to commit murder on such a grand scale. Not to mention the fact that most of them from both sides lived in the homes that were destroyed. Though maybe the gangs were the best place to look to for answers on this case; they could at least have information on who could build a bomb.

For the next few days, Fox spent most of his time searching for those he had known were members to the local gangs. However, most of them were caught up in the explosion. In fact, it seemed impossible to find anyone with ties to the gangs around town. Of course, they were all in hiding, what with the commissioner throwing accusations around town about them from the start. Perhaps they were all hiding out at Club Midnight? It was the hot spot for local hoodlums, and the only place that they wouldn’t fight each other at. It was a bit of an unspoken agreement between them, or at least Fox thought it was unspoken. Club Midnight was the largest building in all of Origin, actually having been a scrapped plan for a mall. The owner of the warehouse had started construction on it before croaking, and his son sold the rights to it to the Taylor family, which turned it into a large scale house of sin. However, walking into a place like that and asking the patrons about the bomb would be suicidal.

As Fox asked the people at the shelter if they knew where any of the gangsters were, they would have sour expressions on their face and either refuse to answer, or just say they didn’t know anything about the gangs because they keep away from them. Fox couldn’t tell if they were being honest or just didn’t want to incriminate themselves. It seemed a lot of the people believed the gangs were indeed responsible for the attack on the town. Heartly, once again, had the town all believing his slander. Everyone’s so quick to jump to conclusions. They always look to someone for the blame, even if there truly isn’t anyone at fault. The only reason the gangs were so rampant around town is because they were paying the commissioner to keep his officers off of them. This is one of the main reasons Michael, Cole’s father, had become a private investigator after Heartly’s promotion. He would often find members of the gangs back on the streets the next day after having put them in a cell the night before. It was a daily fight to try implementing any kind of justice in this town under Heartly’s watch.

Fox grabbed his breakfast from the chow line and went back to his cot. After he ate, he would continue his investigation. After all, he might be the only good cop left in the town, in more ways than one. Michael’s body was discovered near his home, and even though Cole’s never was, Fox didn’t have much hope left. He hadn’t seen him at the shelter, and as far as Fox knew, there wasn’t anyone for his friend to stay with. Though there was a slight possibility, after all they didn’t find his aunt’s body yet, and she had been living with them for several months. Perhaps they left town after the incident? Would Cole really allow for that?

He finished mulling over the possibility of his best friend’s death, eating the slightly stale food as fast as he could. Today was the same as most days: eggs, pancakes, and sausage. Fox imagined they must have gotten food ordered from the same place as hotels, considering it tasted exactly the same, but for all Fox knew, hotels ordered their food from the National Guard’s reserves. The female volunteers were making their rounds, grabbing up all the sheets from the cots to clean them as they did every morning. Fox got up from his and dropped off his breakfast tray on the table for dirty dishes. He walked over to the line for the large box of clothes donated to the shelter at the start. Luckily most people were still eating, so Fox had good pickings. After grabbing a pair of standard jeans and a plain black shirt with only one hole in it, a jacket was revealed at the bottom that caught Fox’s attention. It was a beaten up old leather jacket! Fox quickly grabbed it, believing it to be a sign of good luck. Seriously, what were the chances that someone donated such a good-looking jacket? Or that Fox would be the first to find it?

Perhaps we’ll actually get somewhere today, he thought to himself before walking into the dressing rooms.

Fox was making his rounds around the shelter, asking people who he hadn’t seen before if they knew where any of the local gangsters were. Most gave the same nasty look that everyone else had. Two actually suggested asking the cops. Fox was unsure if they were legitimately being helpful, or they simply wanted him to bring Heartly’s attention onto himself. This did cause Fox to stop his questioning for the day though. If he aroused too much suspicion, he would draw unwanted attention from the police, and for some reason, ever since his dad was falsely accused of drug trafficking, Heartly seemed to have it out for Fox. It was legitimately confusing. Fox had a reason to hate Heartly, but what was his reason for hating him so much?

Fox was headed for the exit whenever he saw a familiar face. He didn’t know her name but he was pretty sure she was friends with Isabel, who is Cole’s aunt. He had seen them hanging out a few times before, so perhaps she would have some kind of lead to his other haunting question. He stopped in front of her, waiting for her to finish talking to the unusual man standing in front of her as she sat on her cot. The man seemed quite strange to Fox; he was dressed far too nice, and Fox had certainly never seen him at the shelter before.

Excuse me but have you seen Isabel since the….. he paused, unsure how to label the tragedy. Especially not to another person, without maybe sounding paranoid. Or even worse, like a kid.

She gave a light hearted smile and answered, knowing he was at a loss for words, No. I haven’t seen her since the bomb went off, she replied. The man looked over at Fox and caught Fox’s attention. Seriously, this guy looked way too nice, in his most likely custom-made Italian suit, to be just another victim here. Are you asking about Isabel Perez? he asked casually.

Yes actually. Do you know anything? Fox suggested, realizing this man might have some connection to his friend’s aunt.

Well, I got ahold of her on her cell phone earlier. So she’s definitely alive and well. She said she’ll be returning to work tomorrow, where we’re opening back up. You wouldn’t happen to be twenty-one yet would you? he asked, with a sleazy smile. It then occurred to Fox exactly who he was talking to. This man was the owner of Club Midnight! It was almost like meeting a celebrity. Everyone knew of Davis Taylor, but he rarely was seen outside of the club. It was huge, with three different sections that opened at different times. One was a dance floor with a bar; another side was a sort of pub that even contained several slot machines. The last section, and the side Isabel worked on, was a strip club. There was also a smaller building that was attached to the club that contained rooms for one-night hotel rooms. Prostitution was legal in the town, so some of the girls in the strip club doubled over as working ladies. The man was most likely asking Fox for the sake of working a bar, or at least that’s what Fox was hoping.

No, sorry I still have two days till I’m eighteen. Where is Isabel staying? he asked quickly, pushing off Davis’ question. The man gave a little bit of a chuckle. Maybe it was too childish of him to dismiss the pseudo offering of a job at the club, after all, he would need a source of income in the near future, and he had heard tales of Club Midnight hiring underage workers before.

I honestly hadn’t asked. I was more interested in opening back up my business. If you’re interested, I’ll have some bus boy openings in the dance club, Davis admitted rather authentically. Fox was a bit surprised. This man owns the business which has become common ground for all the town’s most dangerous people. Yet, somehow, appeared this friendly? He was either genuinely a good guy, or he was a lot better at hiding his true side than Fox would have though. Either way, Fox needed to get away from this guy, and fast. He didn’t plant the bomb, so there was no need to further a conversation. Most of his business was probably in the poorer part of town, clearly he would have too much to lose, and would never snitch on his clientele.

Fox did a kind of bow before responding. Thank you very much for the offer and the information. I will consider the job. He then straightened up and headed toward the exit, feeling as if Davis’ eyes were still on him.

Just come on by to apply, he shouted to Fox as he left.

Fox was looking around for any more soldiers, not wanting a repeat of last night. It seemed that for the most part, most of them had already left town. He should have no trouble searching around inside. He ducked under the caution tape and began to make a beeline for where his house used to be. The sun was just beginning to set, and Fox had spent most of his day asking people outside if they had seen Isabel. Nothing turned up though, and surprisingly, the hotels were not helpful. He could understand them not wanting to release information on customers, but considering the circumstances, they could be a little more helpful. It was infuriating, not truly knowing if his friend was alive or not. There was a board at the shelter of the bodies they found as they were identified, every morning after getting dressed Fox would check it, dreading the experience as he read the names down the list. There were no new names up today, and by the looks of it, they were just about done with searching too. Most of the debris from the houses had already been piled up at the corner of each street, or already moved out on trucks. Fox knew there were plans to start rebuilding houses soon. The town would become even busier in the upcoming days. Perhaps he could work with one of the construction companies? Davis had gotten Fox thinking more about his financial situation now, with talks of working at his mall of sin. However, Fox quickly dismissed the thought of any kind of job.

I can’t do anything till I’ve solved this case. That’s the most important job right now, he thought to himself, pushing forward. Before he knew it, he was in sight of where his house used to be. He stood there, looking at the empty space, feeling rather out of place once again. Suddenly, he snapped back into his mind as he noticed a man standing on what used to be the street behind his house staring at him.

Shit! He though immediately, in a bit of a panic. I guess there’s no use trying to hide. Not like there’s exactly much to hide around here anyways. He noticed the man was wearing a trench coat and something about him seemed oddly familiar. Fox started walking towards the man, but peculiarly, he wasn’t also headed towards Fox. Maybe he was someone searching around too. That would be the perfect situation for him right now. As Fox got closer to the man, he began to tense up more and more, something about his face was so conventional, yet strange that he couldn’t stop staring. As he got even closer, Fox had to stop in surprise when he figured out why this man seemed so off to him. The man looked exactly like him! A little older, perhaps, but even still, the similarity was uncanny! Fox stood there looking into the man’s eyes as he stared back blankly, and somewhat weakly. He was beginning to feel like he had left his body once again and had to close his eyes as he began to feel dizzy.

Hey! a man nearby shouted, taking Fox from his state of shock. He turned around to face the man who had just shouted, and this time it was a soldier. He began running towards Fox. Fox was a bit confused, but as he came closer Fox became nervous.

What the hell are you doing here kid?! he shouted rather angrily. These soldiers were awfully rude, Fox thought. Although he did understand that they were just doing their job, and he wasn’t exactly making it easier for them.

I’m not a kid, and my home is right over…. Fox turned to point at his house or rather where it had been, but then he saw that the man with his face was no longer there, causing him to pause. Maybe he was never there?

Well, we can’t have civilians walking around out here. That’s why there’s a barricade, he said, looking at Fox sternly. Fox was glad the man was acting slightly calmer, yet he was still feeling befuddled by the disappearance of the man. If he had ever truly been there, that is.

Sorry. I wanted to see if anything was left. Anything I could gather… to remember my family by, Fox said, trying to gather his senses. This was partly true, even though for Fox, his main reason for coming out here was to investigate the bomb. He had considered many times going to his house and seeing if anything was left to keep.

The soldier sighed before responding again, this time slightly less authoritative. Well, there won’t be anything left of this house. It’s practically ground zero for the blast.

This awoke so many more questions in Fox, What?! It was inside my house? he asked quickly in surprise, all the events making him feel as if he was being tossed about again by another explosion.

Not inside it, just between it, and the house on the right, the man answered honestly.

This still left many questions in Fox’s mind. Was someone trying to kill his family? Were they somehow the target of a bomb? Who would want to kill his family? Perhaps it was a bit too presumptuous to consider his family the target. Seriously, what kind of hatred could his unimportant family have on someone to inspire them to blow up a whole neighborhood?

Do they know who set off the bomb, or why? Fox asked, looking the soldier dead in the eye.

The soldier looked him back and without blinking answered. The commissioner believes it’s gang related, but we have no evidence of anything even being planned. If there’s any more information the police come across, you can bet they’ll hold a conference, he responded, much to Fox’s displeasure. He was hoping the man had more useful information.

Now you need to leave, kid. We still have a lot of cleanup work to do. He wasn’t lying, and the fact that he mentioned clean up means that they’re done digging out bodies. Which means that most likely, Cole is still alive. It was nice to finally have a new glimmer of hope. Fox looked back on the remains of his house, trying to find the man with his face again. Who could he have possibly been? Did Fox really see him? Fox wasn’t so sure.

Hey! called the soldier again, annoying Fox further. You need to get out of here! the soldier said more forcibly. Fox’s attention quickly went back to the man standing nearby. He figured it would be best to leave now, since he was caught now anyways, and it was unlikely he would gain any more valuable information. Especially with the last bit of light finally fading.

Fox sat down onto the empty cot he planned to call his for the night. Looking around, he realized there were significantly less people here now than were there the first night. He realized many people were getting back to their daily lives, but what did that mean to someone like him? Could he just go to school like a regular kid while he was living on the streets? They should be taking down the tents in the near future. It was mentioned several times that the town planned on getting society rolling again. No matter what that meant to the people like him, if he wasn’t the only one now. Several people who didn’t have homes anymore were told that there was a special work program for them to enter into in Carson City. Most of the people left were just waiting to be picked up, or to be forced into some situation or another. Others still had jobs and would staying the rest of their nights in the hotel until proper houses were built.

He began thinking over what he had discovered on his own so far; it sounded like the next logical step Cole would perform at the end of their days investigating. A bomb went off that was placed somewhere between his and the neighbors’ house. The explosion took out several houses in the ghetto side of town, killing several people, including his own parents, and at least Cole’s dad. Cole’s aunt was still alive, and Cole’s body was never found, so chances are, he’s with her somewhere. The only other person in town he was concerned for was Emily, but she lives in the middle class part of town, behind the high school, which wasn’t affected by the blast, so most likely she was perfectly fine. There was no reason she would be over on that side of town, as she avoided it, being as afraid of confrontation as she was. Fox really couldn’t see her going there, though right now, anything felt possible, especially anything terrible.

Fox tried to think if there was anything else he might be missing, but couldn’t come up with anything, his brain was stumped. His stomach started to growl, reminding him that he missed out on dinner due to his busy evening. Perhaps it was for the best though, as missing meals would probably become a regular for him in the future now. He frowned and looked around the enclosure, realizing that most people were already trying to sleep. It was pretty dark outside, so it was unusual for people to be asleep, yet it still felt so unnatural to sleep in here, like they were made to be cattle.

He was definitely feeling fatigued himself, in fact, the only reason he wasn’t passed out right now was due to the pain in his stomach. Oh well. Nothing he could do about it now but sleep through the night, then he could get his hotel breakfast in the morning. Fox laid his head down on the hard pillow, looking at the other people sleeping not far off. Some of them had cried themselves to sleep, as they had since coming here. Fox didn’t want to cry though. How could he cry for himself, or his situation, when he couldn’t even shed a tear for his family? He continued to let his mind wonder about, thinking about where Cole might be sleeping right now. What about Emily? She probably didn’t know if either of them were alive right now.

She was a kind hearted person, so most likely, it would be eating at her right now. Fox sighed as he thought about her. Perhaps I should go to her house and let her know I’m okay? But will I even have time? I’ve got pretty much nothing on this case by myself. Pretty pathetic, really. I’ll just wake up tomorrow to find that Cole has the entire thing solved by himself at this rate, Fox thought as he closed his eyes. Cole was quite the detective in the making. Fox almost figured he’d run into his friend trying to solve the crime at the same time. Or, was the fact that he hadn’t a clear indication that his friend was gone? Fox’s eyes squeezed tight as he tried to shake away the negative thoughts. However, it was hard to deny the possibility, especially right now when he felt so alone. Just some kid sleeping on the floor of a tent, set up for victims of a bomb. He was homeless and hungry, something that would soon become a new norm for him. He might never grow up to be the scientist he aspired to be; he might even end up dead in a ditch somewhere, but what did that matter? Because he would just be one more name on the board.

Fox woke up to the scent of pancakes and excitedly ran out of his room and down the stairs to find the table made and plates full of pancakes on them. He smiled at the sight, before noticing his two friends Emily and Cole had come over for breakfast. Fox walked up to the table and pulled the chair out watching Cole and Emily both digging in with no regrets. He sat down at the table and smiled as he noticed a Nutella covered pancake sitting on his plate, and a warm dispenser of syrup right next to it. His mouth watered as his stomach growled.

I didn’t know you guys were coming over? Fox said, feeling a bit confused. The scene was a bit odd. The table was actually made, both of his friends were here so early, and already happily eating. Not to mention there was a weird light coming from outside, and his parents were nowhere to be found. He looked over at the sink in his confusion, and noticed that there were no dishes in the sink.

What are you talking about? We’ve always been here? Emily replied, rather happily and casually. Fox had never actually had her over before now. He had thought about it in the past, but she was just so shy. Fox almost expected she might faint, if he asked.

What? Fox asked, still confused. Something was wrong, even if he couldn’t quite place his finger on it.

We’ve always been here Fox. And we always will be! Emily said cheerfully, before Cole stopped scarfing down his pancakes and looked at Fox rather seriously.

Well, not always. Cole added very somberly. Fox looked at his friend worried about what he might say.

Why not? He cared about his friends greatly and wanted them to always be around. He needed them to take his mind off of how much he hated nearly everything around him.

Oh, that’s right, Emily said, now sharing the same expression as Cole, while they both stared at him.

What’s wrong guys? Fox asked, dreading the answer.

Well, we’re seniors Fox. At the end of the year, we’ll be going our separate ways, right? I mean, I’d like to think that we’d stay together, but realistically, I’ll probably have to become a beat cop somewhere else, his friend admitted.

Fox felt a bit sad. He hadn’t thought much about it, but his friend was right. After they graduated, they would be real adults, and there was a chance they’d actually never see each other again.

And I’ll be going to a big college in Eurasia, Emily said sadly. Fox’s gaze fell down to his pancake which was somehow almost gone.

I don’t want you guys to leave, Fox admitted sadly, before suddenly a sound like water rushing down the side of the house started up. It quickly caught Fox’s attention as he looked up at the wall nearest him that ran along the side of the house.

Yeah, well that’s life! Cole exclaimed, before shoving a spoonful of pancake into his mouth from his plate, which somehow seemed fuller than before. Emily began eating hers as well, but Fox couldn’t bring himself to eat any. He kept looking at the wall, where he was hearing that rushing water, suddenly feeling very anxious. What was going on out there? What was going on in here? Something was very wrong! This shouldn’t be happening. No, this couldn’t be happening! Fox didn’t have a home left anymore. Fox looked back at his plate and noticed it was gone.

Aren’t you gonna eat some pancakes? Cole asked him. Fox shook his head, trying to shake past the mental fuzz that was keeping him from seeing what was going on here. Do you know where my parents are? Fox asked, still confused as to why he didn’t see them around. The pancakes were made, there were no dishes, and the table was set, not to mention the house was unusually immaculate. His mother never was on the ball so early in the morning, and his father was usually pretty slow to start his mornings as well.

They’re outside, Cole responded. Fox looked at him, confusion clear across his face.

What are they both doing out there? Fox asked, the rushing water suddenly growing much louder, as if his house was just being blasted by it now.

Cole gave him another very serious look, as if to tell him what he was about to say. I thought you knew? he exclaimed before looking at Emily. Fox looked at Emily as well and she shook her head at him. Suddenly the heavy rain sound stopped, and Fox couldn’t help but feel a bit of panic. What was going on?! He stood up slowly and casually walked over to the front door, giving it a good hard stare. He slowly grabbed a hold of the handle, and looked back at his friends, who were both staring at him.

Good-bye, Fox, Cole said casually.

Fox nodded and responded. Good-bye, he said, before turning the knob and walking through the door.

Fox had to quickly pull up his hand as he flinched at the bright light, which he saw off in the distance. It was as if the sun had suddenly crashed into the world and was now illuminating it from off in the distance. He slowly began to feel another wave of panic wash over him; it was as if the sound of water he had heard earlier was crashing over him. He couldn’t figure out what was going on. Why were all these strange things happening?

Dad? Mom? Fox called out, before turning his head to see a leg hanging out from beside the house. He didn’t know why, but he knew it to be his father’s, and he quickly sprinted around to the side of the house. On the ground, beside the house, were both his mother and father, just lying there peacefully as if they were asleep.

Mom?! Dad?! Fox called out again, gaining a suddenly very tense feeling, as if something was creeping in after him. He rushed over to his father, who was closest, and leaning down nudged him, hopeful that he would simply wake up from his nap on the lawn. However, his father didn’t budge. Mom! Fox shouted, before moving over to her and shaking her more violently. She didn’t move either. What was going on? What was this? Who, or what, did this to his parents?

Fox leaned down looking from one parent to the other, horror taking over him. They were both dead, weren’t they? What else could it be? Fox felt like crying, but for some reason nothing would come out. Fox then suddenly noticed something he had never seen before was placed up against the side of his house. He sat there looking at it for a while. It was a large cylindrical drum, sitting there with a rather shiny silvery sheen to it. There was also another box out in front of it with a timer that was slowly working down. Fox continued to stare at it in horror, and didn’t know how he was so aware of it, but he was sure that this strange object was a bomb.

What was a bomb doing beside his house?! He needed to do something! Fox watched from outside of his body now as it crawled back over to his dad’s body and shook him. Dad! Dad, get up! I need your help! He shouted at him, shaking him more and more violently before turning to Cole, who was now leaning against the corner of his house watching Fox. The sun, which Fox now recognized as being the light of an explosion, still bright in the background.

Cole! he shouted loudly and in a panic. Help me! he called out. But his friend just stood there, looking down at him and shaking his head. Fox continued to watch the scene from outside of his body.

Why won’t you do something?! It’s up to you! Hurry! Fox thought as he watched his body turn back to the bomb right before suddenly exploding. It created another bright light, and pushed Fox’s astral body away, like a piece of paper in the wind. Fox suddenly heard that rushing water sound again, and remembered why it made him feel so uneasy. This was exactly what it felt like when the bomb went off that day! The sound kept getting louder and louder, until Fox squeezed his eyes shut.

Fox shot awake up in his cot, in a panic suddenly. He slowly began to notice things around him, like that few people were looking at him, and also there was an odd rushing sound that seemed to be getting closer to him by the second. He turned nervously to look behind him and realized the sound was coming from a cart a woman was rolling around, using to collect the cots on the floor. Fox felt his heart stop, and then slowly start to return to normal as he became more aware of his surroundings. The people who he freaked out earlier seemed to go back to whatever it was they were up to before, and the woman with the cart stopped in front of Fox with a big smile on her face.

Time to wake up, sleepy head, she said in a rather nurturing tone. However, Fox just took it as someone looking down on him, just as usual. He sighed and wiped the sweat from his head, before pulling himself up and gathering his sleeping materials for the bin. He tossed his cot into the pile, and as she rolled away, remembered how hungry he was. For some reason, he couldn’t shake the feeling like he had just had a nightmare. Like something horrible was chasing him, which was why his heart was still beating pretty fast. He shook off the idea, however, knowing he would never truly remember what the dream had been. Besides, they were still serving breakfast, and he was starving.

Right now he could seriously go for some pancakes!

CHAPTER 2

LEARN TO FLY

Fox made his way over to what was left of the poor part of town, which was surprisingly a lot. Until now Fox hadn’t really thought about it but his little town had a lot of people who weren’t living very comfortably. You would have thought they would have moved to the city with housing somehow being cheaper, but perhaps leaving your past was harder than Fox thought. He was relieved to be getting the fresh air though, needing to walk off his current state, his dream still weighing down on him like a demon on his back that refused to let go. Fox did his best to shake off the thought trying to focus on the path in front of him. This is no time to look back now.

Fox now started to think about the events of last night, and suddenly he flashed back to his doppelganger standing there across from him, the man threw him off so much he ended up getting caught by the soldier too. As calm as Fox pretended to be it was a bit nerve wrecking. The service man could have had him sent away to an orphanage pretty easily, or at least he could have tried. Fox would have fought to stay, and continue on with his case. Fox was sure he was about to come to some sort of breakthrough and he was also still hopeful that he might run into either Isabel or Cole. The thought of Cole made him feel even more uneasy. Why did everything have to be so crazy?

But Fox knew he couldn’t let his head be bogged down with such anxieties. He had to figure this thing out. He did his best to think about something happy, thinking about him and his two friends sitting together at the school table in the morning. Not really talking but just enjoying a book or playing a handheld game, enjoying the fact that they were just together. However thinking about the three of them reminded him of Emily. He hadn’t been friends with her all that long, yet still she had become an important friend. She was quiet, awkward, intelligent, and indifferent to most other students in their school. Fox started talking to her sometime two years ago because they were reading the same book, and they hit it off from there. Mostly reading the same books and chatting about them at first. However later it adapted into a few video games that they shared a common interest in. The fact that she was a loner probably made her the easiest for Fox to talk to. Everyone else was busy forming clicks at a young age, while the two of them were indifferent to things such as the idea of popularity.

"I really should head over to her place and let her know I’m alive. I’ve been worried about Cole all this time but there’s a good chance she’s worried about both of us." Fox thought once again, now debating which of task was more important. However Fox saw something broke his train of thought, catching his attention. Three kids were running into an alley who looked like they were clearly up to no good. Fox wondered if they might be part of one of the gangs, they wore dirty, and baggy clothes, and were looking around rather jittery. The gang members could be a good source of information!

As he ran into the alley he came into a scene that made him instantly stop, regretting his hasty decision. He was nearly surrounded by several people, most were barely older than Fox, but all of them looked like cliché gang members. Fox stood tall as a few walked up close to him. He started instantly weighing in his options, trying to keep his wits about him, despite his dismay.

What do you want kid?! You looking for trouble? One of the ones asked further in the back, this unseen person though sounded older than those encircling him.

Yeah. Cause you found it man. Said another guy getting up closer to Fox’s face. Fox turned his head slightly and cringed, why did people feel that this was intimidating?

Yeah apparently I came across the only kid in town who doesn’t know how to use a shower. Fox responded, before the kid pushed Fox, causing him to tense up trying to stay in place and ready himself for a fight. The man who Fox figured had first called out to him made his way through the crowd, a rather determined look plastered across his face.

Yo! This is the kid who’s been asking about us. Said one of the kids beside the man who Fox was now beginning to suspect was the leader. Fox reached into his jacket pocket, trying to appear unfazed by his situation. Inside of his hand gripped tightly on a piece of candy Fox hadn’t noticed before.

So you’ve been looking for us huh? Well now you’ve found us. What you plan to do? The man asked, a smirked rather confidently. Of course he was confident, this man could probably stomp Fox down alone, but right now he had an army.

I have a question I was hoping you could entertain. He answered hoping to get straight to the point before things went south. The mob was already in position around Fox who had just pulled the candy out of his jacket pocket. He began rolling it around in three fingers, as the man laughed harshly.

You looking to join kid? He asked with a smile on his face. Perhaps he liked Fox’s spunk, or maybe the thought of Fox joining them was truly that comical.

Nah, nothing so ridiculous. Fox said shaking his head, and causing the man to stop smiling. I was just wondering if you might know who set off the bomb. He finished before the man got as close as the kid had earlier, looking at Fox as if he was trying to see something he couldn’t have from the distance he was before.

The fuck you say?! You looking to collect on a snitch mother fucker?! He shouted uncomfortably close to Fox’s ear causing him to flinch a bit. Fox really disliked anyone being this close to him, especially some gang banger. Fox took a step back, but the crowd was already much to close for Fox to put much distance between them. He was feeling extremely nervous, but couldn’t let it show.

I’m sorry if you don’t handle rejection well but I didn’t come here to snitch or make out. Fox said sarcastically before the man pushed him, triggering someone behind him to push back which nearly toppled Fox over. The man walked away slightly turning his back to Fox and this gave him an even more uneasy feeling.

"Look, I know you guys aren’t smart enough to make a bomb nor well connected enough to purchase one. But if you have any information I can find the real culprit clearing you guys at the same time. Fox plead, trying to reason with them as he sensed the scene was spinning out of control. The gangster shook his head.

Oh so you’re our hero are you? The man joked before looking over to the kids on his right. This kid’s fucking asking for it. He said before turning around. Fox knew what was coming. The man pulled his arm back, obviously readying to punch him. Fox flicked forth the piece of candy he had readied nailing him square in between the eyes perfectly. The man flinched causing Fox to jump at the opportunity. He lifted his foot up, and with all his weight kicked forth right into the man’s chest pushing him backwards. The Gangster fell down and his men jumped at the chance to lay into Fox.

Fox dodged as one kid swung at him but in doing so he took another bunch to the back, he let out a gasp of pain and realized the grown man was coming at him again. This wasn’t going well at all, Fox hadn’t even taken out the biggest one yet, and his chances of escaping were pretty much none with all these people around him. He readied himself to kick the man again, but this time the man grabbed his foot just as another kid punched him straight in his side near the blow he took to the back. The air left his lungs, and Fox couldn’t remain standing from his two strikes. He tried to grab onto another member as he went down but after catching onto him another fist came crashing into his face. Fox went down to the ground getting kicked by all the surrounding thugs. He couldn’t tell who was even getting him anymore but it was beginning to feel like he was about to die. One of the men kicked him in his head shoving the back of his head into the dirt. Fox’s nose seemed to explode with blood, and he could taste is as the beating continued. Fox did his best just to try and turn himself over not wishing to drown in his own blood.

Fox was conscious, yet not at the same time. The situation seeming more and more drastic by the second. The beating stopped for a short time before Fox could hear what he assumed was the sound of a hammer pulling back on a gun. Fox’s eyes squeezed shut and everything seemed to stop.

This must be the end. He found out nothing. He was going to die some stupid kid in an alleyway.

Fox slowly started coming back to, surprised by the scene unfolding before him now. A blurred moved around striking at and forcing back the thugs who had just been laying into him. What was going on? Was someone helping him out? Cole?! Fox concentrated on the scene before him causing his vision to fade back in noticing the gun very close to him in the dirt and an unknown man standing in front of Fox, many of the gangsters trying to surround him now. It also looked like a few of the members were limping away.

What the hell do you want old man?! We only have business with the kid! The man said angrily as blood oozed out from his swollen lip. He was also holding onto his wrist with the opposite hand, causing Fox to think the man must have struck him with the stick he was holding and swinging at them.

I think you and this boy are done. The man spoke in an odd accent, at least Fox thought it was an accent perhaps he was hallucinating from his head wounds. It was a little hard to keep his eyes open, but Fox knew that he needed to stay conscious. NO! We are far from done! The wounded gangster shouted angrily.

Suddenly the stick was brought down to the man’s left side as he gripped it with both hands readying himself to strike again. Fox noticed it was curved and mimicked the shape of a katana. A Japanese sword. Fox had seen kendo sticks before, but not something like this. The scene was a bit surreal. A strange man just suddenly appeared from seemingly nowhere into the alley and not only saved his life, but was now taking down a bunch of gangsters with a stick!

You should leave before I have to break that other hand. The older man warned, still facing away from Fox. The gangster spit blood out and sneered before motioning to the others that they were done. Fox now was sure the man was speaking with an accent. It sounded Asian.

You’re gonna regret this old man. I better not see you around here again! The man spouted off before turning his back and walking the opposite way down the alley. The rest of his crew followed slowly behind him, some of them looking down at Fox on the ground. One however was standing nearby, his eye fixed on the gun, however every few seconds he would look back at the older man, possibly trying to decide if he could make it to it without getting hit. Fox’s savior shook his head before the kid scoffed and followed after the rest causing the man to loosen his group on the wooden sword. Fox tried to laugh at the situation but ended up coughing up some more blood instead as he fought to breathe.

The man knelt down to look Fox over. Fox knew he was in pretty bad shape His nose, and at least one rib were definitely broke. And he felt like there was plenty more internal damage, as he continued to lay there rather pathetically. You need medical attention. The man stated. Fox could see the man much more clearly now, and his features plus the wooden imitation katana had Fox thinking his savior must be Japanese.

Well unless you have a first aid kit you should go ahead and leave me here. Fox said gritting his teeth and attempting to lift himself up. It was painful to even speak, and his arm slipped in pain grabbing at his torso which stung.

You want to die in the alley? The man questioning causing Fox to notice his accent was actually a lot thicker than he realized before.

"Not especially, but I’d rather die in this alley then get taken away from this town. Fox replied trying to lift himself up once more. Blood continued to drip from his face, showing Fox how serious his situation was. Seeing that much of his own blood in the dirt scared him, and he slipped back onto the ground, breathing out and kicking up some dirt in his defeat.

Who would take you from this town? The man asked as he tried to help Fox up. Fox coughed up some more blood, but being upright now with the support of the man was helping him to breathe easier.

Because this town considers me a child and I have no parents. He answered honestly hoping to appeal to the man. Fox knew that if the man tried to take him to the emergency room he wouldn’t have the strength to fight him. He was not in a position to really argue with someone, especially not a man who took out a mob that had just destroyed himself. The man stopped what he was doing and looked Fox in the eye. Fox was barely standing but he did his best to look at the man as serious as he could. Despite what his face might look like right now. Why is staying here so important to you?

Because it’s my home! This is where my life is right now, and if I leave here not knowing what all those people died for then I’ve let them all down. Fox said sincerely, as he now realized why so many people remained in this town even if they did live a life of poverty. The man sighed and gave Fox a shoulder to lean on.

The police will solve the crime. You should not worry. The man replied ignoring Fox’s pleas. Fox did his best to stop the man from dragging him along, pulling himself away and nearly toppling over again. No, no, no, listen! The police here are super corrupt. In all honesty they are pretty high up on the list of likely suspects. They are blaming the gangs with no evidence or even a hint of reason. Fox shouted in panic. He could tell the man didn’t believe him but at least he seemed willing to hear him out.

What makes you think the police might be involved? Fox grabbed onto the fence nearby, using it to help him stay upright. Ok. Maybe not all of them, but Heartly is super corrupt. He framed my father to gain his position as commissioner and then the bomb was set off right next to my house. It’s not definitive, but so far he’s the only one I’ve got with motive to take out my family. The man sighed and shook his head before letting out a slight. It went off near your home. He said to no one in particular. He walked up closer to Fox.

What happened with those people from earlier? He asked.

I was asking them about the bomb. Seeing if they knew who might have set it off or even anyone who might be able to make one. Fox admitted.

That didn’t seem to work out to well for you. The man mocked, irking Fox ever so slightly. Fox couldn’t lie he was making a very valid point, however Fox was feeling a bit woozy. Yeah, I’m going to have to change my approach for sure. Fox said before spitting out the blood in his mouth. That and becoming stronger. Or at least learn how to take a punch better. He said looking at the blood on his hand. There was a slight pause before the man offered Fox his hand. Fox looked at him, and wiped the blood off of his hand before reluctantly taking his hand.

What is your name? The man asked as he pulled Fox’s arm back over his shoulder and grabbing his side with his left hand after transferring the wooden sword to his free hand. Fox. And I’m not going to the hospital. He said rather defiantly.

I know Fox. The man said, to Fox’s pleasant surprise. You can start calling me Sensei.

Fox looked at the messed up kid staring back rather tragically in the mirror. Needless to say he was a wreck. Today had been a crazy and eventful day, and it was definitely showing on his face. He found out there’s a possibility his best friend is alive just yesterday, he was beaten half to death, and then this stranger had now agreed to train him how to fight. Fox didn’t know for what reason he had decided to teach him, and honestly Fox thought