Hope Defined: Hope Defined, #1

By Shannon Humphrey

One outcast. One ancient war. One supernatural destiny. 

 

Thousands of years ago, at the beginning of time, a great war was fought among the leaders in space. As a result, Earth was kicked out of advanced kingdoms and forgotten. So began the Great Separation. The punishment of humankind. Forever. Or is it?  

 

Fast forward to now, on Earth, where Hope Casey is a fifteen year-old astrophysicist hiding in the library. Her life turns weird when dreams of another world haunt her. These dreams grow her gift of electromagnetism. Yet Hope's gift infuriates her rivals for the biggest award in school, Sky Honors. So her enemies scheme against her in "Operation Solve Hopeless Case". Hope's archenemy, Caitlin, stops at nothing to destroy Hope. Caitlin's schemes land Hope in hot water, trapping her in a bullying nightmare that ensnares Hope's life. 

 

But one superhuman Scion, on the other side of space, feels Hope's torment. One Scion will challenge the curses against humans. One human can break them. A human whose been through the fire. 

 

Harry Potter meets Mean Girls in this science fiction coming of age saga. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shannon Humphrey
• Release date: Aug 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393712312

Book preview

1

A Tale of Two Worlds

Hope

S hhh!

The command gripped the entire class. Heads turned as honors students inspected the lesser person who’d crept in forty-five minutes late. They rolled their eyes in disappointment. It was only Hope.

Removing her backpack and sitting in a squeaky seat, the desk scraped against the floor. The kid giving a presentation at the front of the class continued talking as if he’d found a cure for cancer. Digging through her backpack, Hope grimaced. She’d forgotten her Spanish book at home. Great. She let out a huff.

Shh.

When she looked up again, she stared into the eyes of school’s notorious ice queen. Caitlin Crawford had turned around once again to enforce order. The same Caitlin who blew Hope off and never spoke to Hope unless she needed something. Like blood. Or CPR.

Caught off guard, Hope glared back at her classmate, wondering how to give Caitlin a piece of her mind without the teacher noticing. But the pretty girl had already flipped her long, cascading black curls over her shoulder and turned back to whisper with her best friend, Thalia.

Hope Casey finally made it to her first-period class, after the School District remembered to send a bus to her neighborhood. Just then, a folded note flew over her shoulder and landed on her desk. Opening it, her eyes read, Your fly is open.

Subtly staring around her, searching for who had noticed. Every face stared ahead. When Hope turned to the presentation at the front, giggles broke out behind her. Another beautiful day in Introduction to Physics, alongside the ninth grade’s highest grade point averages. Her classmates turned back to the student giving a presentation at the front of class, Stephen Easton, one of the best students in school. Also one of Caitlin’s buddies. He stood behind a podium and talked as confidently as if he had discovered a cure for cancer.

Caitlin wasn’t paying attention, making sure to keep her manicured silver fingernails over her cherry lip gloss smeared mouth so no one could see it moving.

Hope sat silently, unimpressed. The information Stephen was presenting on missile systems was nothing new. She had already read some of it in Fun Science magazine. But Hope clapped politely along with everybody else when he finished.

Who has questions for Stephen? the teacher, Ms. Sexton, asked.

Caitlin jump-started the discussion as if she’d listened the entire time. Stephen was her next best friend after Thalia. How did you come up with this wonderful idea? she asked.

Because I’m a concerned citizen, he said with the thick southern accent that most of them shared. More giggling from Caitlin and Thalia. "A more reliable missile theater would make disobedient countries think twice before making nukes. As the most powerful country in the world, we must keep countries like Iran and North Korea in their place."

His comments were quickly approved with clapping and hooting from the other students, a mix of upper middle-class small business owners’ and farmers’ kids, and Air Force and Army brats.

"Dude! Disobedient countries? Who must obey us? Do you know how elitist you sound?" Gracie Kennedy finally looked up from her doodling. Her black, painted fingertips waved her pencil near her thick, reddish-brown curls. In this class of mostly southern middle-class kids, Gracie was a loner who didn’t care about being popular or hanging out with a clique. Hope liked Gracie. Most of the others did not.

Elitist? Naw, just smart. It’s our right to protect ourselves from attack by stupid Muslim terrorists! Stephen shot back.

Hope was interested in this topic, and she agreed with Gracie. If the United States got rid of its nukes, I bet other countries would, too. Rogue nations only threaten us because they hate how arrogant this country is. How much money has this country already spent bullying other countries? she asked.

Just as Hope started to say more, Caitlin whirled and scowled. The pretty girl’s eyes dropped, scanning Hope’s outfit from the bottom up - from Hope’s bargain-store shoes, moving up to her off-brand jeans, passing her cheap sparkle T-shirt, and finally settling at Hope’s eyes again. Once her job of making Hope question her own existence was done, Caitlin rolled her eyes and turned back to the front of the class, leaving Hope to stare at her back.

"What are you looking at?" Thalia muttered to Hope.

"Whatchu lookin’ over here for?" Hope snapped, trying to use her best bad-ass black girl voice.

"Because you’re looking over here," Thalia shot back.

The class debate raged on.

During homeroom that immediately followed first period, Hope struggled with her unfinished math as Stephen rose from his seat. He plunked himself in the empty seat behind Hope so he could gab with Thalia and Caitlin, both sitting in the next aisle over.

My mom is already talking about MIT. And I’m like, ‘Mom, okay already!’ he whispered. Everything is ‘have you checked on the dates for MIT? You can’t do that if you’re going to MIT. You want to take this seminar so you can gear up for MIT?’ He laughed and both girls broke into wide smiles.

My sister said it was so much fun when she did it. She had her final project ready in like, November, even though they don’t announce until January. Have you guys started working on yours yet? Thalia asked.

MIT? Projects? Hope’s ears tuned in.

God I haven’t even started thinking about MIT, Caitlin sighed. Her fingers toyed with the diamond heart pendant on her necklace.

You’d better. Your dad’s so going to kick your ass if you don’t make the cut, Thalia replied.

The cut for what? Hope wondered. What was going on at MIT? Clearly it was a big enough deal that their parents all knew about it. But everybody’s parents knew more than Hope’s.

She’s lying, Stephen responded, looking over at Caitlin. She’s working on her project for MIT. Her dad’s even helping her.

Oh, God Caitlin, Thalia scoffed, smirking at Caitlin. "You’re such a liar!"

Hope pretended to do homework, but kept listening.

Okay, my dad’s come up with the most awesome idea that we’ve started putting together, Caitlin revealed excitedly.

I knew it! What? Thalia asked. Caitlin’s eyes shot to Hope, and she paused first before sharing.

Hey, Hope, Caitlin called, her tone turning sugary sweet. Do you mind switching chairs with Stephen for a minute? Her face changed to angelic, as if she and Hope had been good buddies all their lives.

Hope thought. What did she say? If she moved, Caitlin would think she could push Hope around whenever Hope’s presence seemed inconvenient. On the other hand, if Hope was nice, maybe Caitlin would tell her about this big MIT project.

Yeah. Go ahead, Hope answered, feeling foolish as she gathered her things.

Caitlin flashed a pasty smile. "You’re awesome," she said sarcastically.

Stephen and Hope switched desks.

Thanks, he muttered without looking at Hope. The three bent their heads together to chuckle and gush. She should have known better.

Next, there was always second period— Spanish class, a whole other world from first period. Hope sat next to Ryan Pendleton today, who agreed to share his book. She managed to follow along with verb conjugations, for all of ten minutes. But they struggled to hear the teacher over the noise of the black section. If first period was the Ivy League class, second period could qualify for Atlanta. Giggling, passing notes, and popping gum, they enjoyed the morning social hour. The teacher shushed them, they quieted for a few moments, and then resumed the shenanigans again.

Many of them rode Hope’s school-bus from her neighborhood— a tale of two cliques. Angel Sherman and her clique were rough around the edges. While Gwendolyn Oakley and her clique were the dance team popular squad. Knowing them since she moved to their town of Opal Lake three years before, Hope knew better than to ask that they be quiet.

Could you guys keep it down?

Hope froze. So did the other students seated around them.

Ryan Pendleton had dared to challenge them.

Gwen’s eyes cut to the teacher, Ms. Gomez, to make sure she wasn’t looking. With impressive speed and without being noticed, Gwen pulled the purple grape-flavored bubblegum she was chewing out of her mouth and flung the wad right at his face. The blob smacked his cheek and fell on his shirt before he had time to dodge.

Gwen whispered sternly. Boy! Shut yo’ ole brace-face, Coke-bottle-glasses-wearin’ ass up! Her fellow divas burst into hushed, callous laughter.

Ivy Goode, a member of Angel’s clique, joined the torment. Girl, you so wrong. Why you talk to that boy like that? You need to be quiet. Can’t you see he tryin’ ta learn somethin’?

He can learn how ta kiss my butt! Gwen shot back. Ivy and the others burst into more hushed giggles. "Let him turn around here one mo’ time talkin’ ‘bout some, ‘could you guys keep it down?’ What the hell this look like? A funeral?"

The others cracked up, laying their heads on their desks, laughing so hard they couldn’t breathe, eyes watering. Ryan’s face turned just a shade lighter than beet red. Hope and the others looked on with sympathy as he sat stiffly, hands glued to his desk, batting his eyes to fight back tears.

With a low mutter, Gwen challenged Ryan, Yeah, whatchu got to say now, punk? she said, before turning back in her seat, and smiling at her friends.

Hope winced.

Ivy caught Hope staring. You gon’ do something? Ivy asked. A tall, lanky girl, Ivy had a voice that grated on Hope’s ears like rocks.

Fear arrested Hope’s brain. What could she say? Dumbfounded, she looked away.

That’s what I thought…li’l nappy-headed ass nerd, Ivy spat.

Hope clenched her pencil and studied the black marks on the floor, wishing she could be anywhere other than here. She supposed it was too much to wish they were all discussing a science project at MIT, instead of the latest lace-front wigs. Going from first period to second was like navigating two different planets, and she may as well have been an alien on both.

For the past three years, this had been Hope’s life, since she’d left her grandmother’s house in Littleton and moved in with her mother’s family in Opal Lake. Not long after Hope arrived, Angel Sherman had been quick to give Hope a reality check. Hope talked too white. Her lips were too big. Her nose was fat as an apple. She needed to do something with her hair. She was so nerdy and dense that she needed a book to find her way home. As far as Angel was concerned, she was doing Hope a favor by pointing out a few things Hope needed to correct if she wanted to survive in Opal Lake.

More than anything, she missed splashing through puddles on her bike, in her bare feet, until the sun dipped behind the tall oak trees. Now, Hope wasn’t allowed to go anywhere that her mother couldn’t see her. She couldn’t go out at all if Mama or her stepfather wasn’t home, and that was most evenings since they both worked two jobs.

She managed to endure the rest of the day, hiding out in the library with a book, and designing a new invention during Civics class.

Hope finally found sanctuary when she flipped the switch of her stepfather’s shed. The dim light bulb barely lit the wooden structure, but moonlight cast a slight haze over the rack holding Hope’s two telescopes. Next to the telescopes sat an old electrical mini generator she had found. Tacked along the wall, were posters of Hope’s favorite historic figures that kept Hope inspired, especially astronaut Mae Jemison.

On the broken bookcase leaning against the wall, were rocks, metals, and magnets of all sizes and shapes. Hanging from the ceiling was a large, flat magnet. Beneath it, a large globe lay on the floor, painted bright yellow and orange like the sun. Surrounding it were eight other globes of different colors and sizes, arranged to model the solar system.

For the first time that day, Hope relaxed.

She pushed a button. The lights inside the colored globes flickered on, and each one represented a different planet. She then pushed the lever forward. Crackling noises were music to her ears, as the globes powered on and rumbled. Perfect! Hope smiled the creation she’d constructed with magnets and powered with electricity.

Right now, Hope didn’t feel out of place, like an old woman stuck in a kid’s body, or an alien who had taken a wrong turn somewhere and landed on this planet. Mama would be working at her second job tonight, so Hope could work in peace.

Mama, can you drop me off at the bus stop tomorrow? Hope asked later that evening, when her mother came home from work.

Now why would you ask me that when you know I gotta be at work early? Her mother’s impatience was clear in her voice.

I have a science project, and I can’t carry it all the way.

Her mother released the dreaded why-are-you-making-my-life-even-harder sigh.

Back in her room, Hope’s eyes were heavy and she fell asleep. Hope opened her eyes again in the middle of the night. She no longer lie in bed. Her feet floated in the middle of blackness. Ahead of her shined a light so white and brilliant it forced her eyes shut. Slowly peeling them open, she put her hands up and squinted. A silhouette walked in the light. Pearly and glimmering, it approached, dimming slightly so Hope saw a figure in the middle of clean whiteness. A female. White flowy stardust in the shape of a gown billowed wide and long behind the female.

Hope saw what looked like two miniature fires burning in the middle of what might have been the female’s face. Hope wasn’t sure, until her head moved from left to right, the fires scanning Hope’s face like lasers. Hope floated in darkness, stunned and silent as she struggled to see the bright form ahead. The female looked invincible, even terrible, quite possibly capable of destroying Hope without thought. Yet Hope felt more at peace than she ever had. The world had stopped completely. In fact, it seemed the world no longer existed. Hope so that her insides felt warm.

The female’s face approached, and grew clearer. She appeared to be made of dust, as if Hope could only blow and she would scatter. The woman’s skin was…brown. Why…this was a black woman! Hope thought. Perfect, smooth and tawny, her skin glowed from inside her. And the billowing black cloud atop her head was…hair! Thick and cottony, a small black bush, it shot up two feet from her head. Kinky and wide, it was beautiful. She was beautiful. No black person like that existed anywhere. A space-age goddess. Every curve of her body, drape of her garment, appeared to serve some mighty, otherworldly purpose.

Hope observed clearly now that the orange fires in the woman’s head were eyes, flaming and gazing directly into Hope’s. As they did so, Hope felt an energy entering her head, making it feel vast. It spread through the rest of her body, filling her until she couldn’t handle the greatness of this energy. The woman’s presence enveloped Hope from her scalp to her toes. The immense energy overtook her skin and bones, making her so light and airy that she no longer had a body.

Hope waited, wanting the woman to speak. The female continued gazing at Hope. This star-girl’s fiery face expressed uncertainty. She said nothing. Hope tried to speak but her mouth clamped shut. So she squinted to view the woman more clearly. She was young, small, similar in build to Hope, but maybe lither and stronger. This was not a woman! The female was just a girl, and yet she seemed so indestructible. The girl’s burning fires gazed at Hope—through Hope—and were so compelling Hope could not turn away. The fires of her eyes were galaxies spinning and flaming inside the girl’s face.

If this creature had not been so stunning, Hope would have sworn she looked almost, if not exactly…like Hope.

2

To Become a Master

Dinah

T yros, formation! The king is nigh! Quickly. Present yourselves before King Aleph! Young cloud-humans scattered.

The king is nigh!

The king!

King Aleph!

Formation!

The royal trumpets! Hoist the weaponry!

Wait! Help me adjust my garb!

Tyros! At attention! the young Tyro signaled once again, as he had been appointed to do by their chief instructor, Ariel.

Little xia clouds of particle matter bumped into one another in the race to present themselves as perfect, nothing less. No forgetting. No faltering or mistakes. Any presentation other than perfect required a very convincing explanation.

Dinah and her fellow young Scions, known as Tyros, all formed three lines by their age—globules as the youngest, Evolving Tyros as the middle age learning group, and Culminant Tyros who had almost reached full maturity. All of them together formed an A for the first name of the leading Scion.

"All hail! The Great Ultimate of the ages! Gird yourselves, now, Tyroooos! Preeeeesent!" the young male’s signal commanded. The vibrations across floating asteroids created a beat of thrrrump, thrump, thrump.

The Great Ultimate Aleph entered, walking instead of flying. To his right strode Commander Azariah, the kingdom’s highest-ranked military official, and Dinah’s father. In his soldier’s regalia he proceeded with a rigid expression. His eyes immediately found hers, and his normally warm expression demanded right then that she be in top form.

Musical vibrations like trumpets filled the atmosphere, and the Tyros began to move on command.

Dinah flew through the air with her advanced comrades, all of them in unison, her movements sharp and exact. She transformed from her human-like transique to her xia cloud.

Dinah’s closest comrade, Yakiel, displayed nuclear power while her other best friend, Nachash, displayed water power. Dinah demonstrated energy conversion, using her nehari to change atmospheric elements into potent energy forms. They saw King Aleph clap, the ancient Great Ultimate beaming proudly.

Sister Ariel vibrated. Tyros, we have a special treat for you. Your class will be taught today by none other than Aleph himself! The Tyros in other groups looked on in amazement and admiration.

Yehhhhh! They jostled to align their clouds, so they wouldn’t miss a single signal of his teaching.

Tyros, the Great Ancient began. His smooth, strong vibrations flowed from his nehari like rippling celestial seas. Evolving Tyros, it is time for you to become masters. To be a master one must be purposed, have a vision that exceeds oneself. You must be well studied so you are able to enforce your vision. That often requires you to be stronger, smarter, more prepared than most around you. Who here is a master? he inquired.

I am! shouted all the Tyros in Dinah’s class.

We shall see, he vibrated with a smile.

King Aleph separated into millions of tiny, glittering pieces. They floated across the Excel Learning Hall and spread out over the Tyros’ heads. His particles became still. The Tyros’ particles began to feel unbalanced. Without any of them trying, their transiques all separated as well. Then the Tyros started vibrating while Aleph’s cloud remained still. He hovered before them, distributing his powerful signals that caused each Tyro to gyrate out of control. Dinah’s electricity-like particles raged back and forth.

The ceiling of the