Jenakis

By Isaiah Spikes

This story is about the irony in finding people as lost as you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781662411335

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Jenakis

Isaiah Spikes

Copyright © 2020 Isaiah Spikes

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2020

ISBN 978-1-6624-1134-2 (hc)

ISBN 978-1-6624-1133-5 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Introduction

Accepting his victory, Jenakis stumbled back to Colerain’s Cabins. How could this be life! he screamed in agony. Crying into his bloody gloves and rusted armor, he watched the night fall over Havoc’s kingdom. While staring into the sky, his past began to dwell on him. Jenakis started to regret not telling his mother that he loved her in their last meeting. He regretted not telling friends that he appreciated their companionship, but the negativity that he received couldn’t compare to it. It was a tedious and strenuous walk, but when Jenakis finally reached Colerain’s Cabins, he weakly slid the door open to his cell and sat on a wrinkled banner that acted as a bedsheet. He wondered how he ended up fighting for survival. Did I just murder a man for food? I have to get everyone out of here! he thought. See, before Jenakis was a fighter for King Havoc trapped inside a land known as Crisol, he was just a thirteen-year-old kid named Jerome.

Chapter 1

Jerome! yelled Kacey. You’re going to be late for school! If you learn more, you earn more! I’m hoping I only have to use my voice to wake you up. Kacey, Jerome’s mother, was the sweetest soul you could ever meet; she always had the best intentions for anyone she came across, especially ones she loved. Her love for people stemmed from farming and the care of animals. From age six, she would clean the cages or pens the animals lived in just to spend time with them. Her mother and father showed her more and more about farming the older she got. This gave her precious memories of them, a love no one could take away. Besides animals and her family, Kacey enjoyed the teachings of school. General studies were a relief to her, as she found out about new things and learned constantly. Unfortunately, she quit school in the eighth grade because of the passing of her father and the lack of help to maintain her family farm. Farming without her father was saddening. It became more of a job than a hobby to her, seeing how it was mandatory that she learned the skill. She promised her mom that she would go back to school once everything was caught up, but life threw too many curveballs, and it turned into a permanent career for her. The farm kept her mother from going impoverished and paid for her mother’s medicine. She was sick ever since Kacey was born, so her passing away twelve years after her husband just felt like an hourglass, draining sand to the other side. With no need to farm, this left Kacey quitting the upkeep of the farm and doing something else. She sold the property because it sat as a reminder of what she lost; however, she didn’t give up farming. She labored around town for money and places to stay a few nights. That time in her life made Kacey insist that Jerome get an education to extend his opportunities. The turning point in her life came from the only man who could understand her travesties, Jerome’s dad, Winston. Jerome! yelled Kacey, this time with much more anger.

Jerome appeared behind his mother I’ve been up for two and a half minutes, said Jerome, still wiping his eyelids. He took a seat at the table, and his weariness was visibly seen. Slouched in his seat, he could barely hear or see the morning light coming through the window.

Up all night on Xbox again? said Kacey.

No, Mom, I’m working on my science project. I’m within the final stage of reviving a daisy, proving daisies don’t need sunlight to live.

Kacey gave Jerome a look of confusion. I don’t know about the science behind it, but I can show you about life on the farm to help more. Jerome kindly declined the help. Even at the age of four, Jerome never saw himself as a farmer. He hated the hot days mixed with the smells of waste from cows, pigs, and the common crow. The dream Jerome possessed was to one day have his own hospital. His father worked as a brain surgeon in Mountain Town’s ER center. Every opportunity to view the hospital, he took with glee. Jerome always thought of the hospital as a boxing match where you’re always fighting. Even though some people lost that fight, they still tried, and at least they had hope of winning before their defeat. Among other things, the town of Arkansas had nothing of interest to him. He appreciated the scenery and the warm welcome that most people gave, but as an African American kid with no one of his resemblances, he felt that there was somewhere else he was meant to be. Jerome and Kacey were in the kitchen, then a knock hit the front door with excitement.

Kace, Rome, I’m home! Winston, Jerome’s father, called out his greeting for the family. Winston was the perfect match for Kacey. He was a tall man with a bulky physique and a mean-looking face that didn’t match his personality. Winston moved to Mountain Town as a kid and always disliked it, similar to Jerome. Winston’s father started a farm in Arkansas to give Winston a life away from the city, racism, and gang violence. The identity of hard work was all Winston’s father knew, so he didn’t support his dream of being a brain surgeon. Winston’s dad’s only intentions were protection and a satisfied life for Winston, and he was unsure if someone of a background he gave him could prosper in the medical field. Early disputes with his father made Winston’s youthful days the worst of his life. The only thing Winston enjoyed from his childhood was growing up next door to Kacey. Most days, he was so willing to impress her he would act as if he knew the ins and outs of farming to get her attention, basically by reciting things his dad told him. She saw through it but was admired by his flattery. That flattery allowed Winston to get closer to Kacey. He helped her through her times, and she encouraged him through his. The two began to fall in love at the earliest of age ten. The bond continued and became stronger just as their bodies did, but they had a break when Kacey’s father died. They’d been planning to elope at the age of fourteen, but after the death of her father, Kacey got cold feet and was unsure if she should leave. Winston refused to abandon Kacey and study abroad to be a brain surgeon. They argued for weeks about it, but Kacey told him she wouldn’t be able live knowing she held him back, then she broke up with him. Even his father told him to go chase his dream and apologized for doubting him after seeing his potential. After officially completing his studies abroad and receiving his license to become a brain surgeon, he rushed back to Arkansas to be with Kacey. Winston felt nothing could replace the love and memories that she touched him with. Though the idea of living in Arkansas made Winston sick to his stomach, he still stayed. Winston made Kacey fall in love with farming again, and it began to revert back to the joy of a hobby more than a job. Nothing in the world was more satisfying to him than seeing the pride Kacey showed at the local market selling eggs from the chickens or the cattle she nourished. The happy couple bought a property where Kacey could farm and they could live. They got married and had Jerome shortly after buying their property, putting the start on the rest of their life.

Hugs for my bud! And kisses for my misses! said Winston.

What was the holdup at the office, honey? Another donut day?

Sadly, no. I had an emergency request. They showed me what your brain looks like and was concerned about it.

Kacey playfully punched Winston’s arm.

Dad, I’m almost done reviving the daisy. I think I’m going to make a full recovery!

Way to go! Let’s go see if we have hiccups and, if so, how we can fix them. Are you coming, honey?

Kacey said no. More often than not, she felt out of place listening to them talk about science or anything medical. The school bus is on its way, so Jerome isn’t going either.

You’re zero fun, Kace. Don’t worry, son, as soon as you get home, we’re going to make sure that daisy is blooming again, then I’m schooling you in NBA 2K.

Only one of those things is going to happen, Dad.

Well, I guess your daisy’s not going to make it.

The two laughed and shared a hug goodbye. Jerome went outside and waited for his school bus. The sun was shining, and the neighbors were waving all their children off to school. When the bus arrived, he entered it with the biggest smile imaginable. Jerome’s plan for today was to get to school, finish the classes he needed, and maybe even play checkers with his friends Patrick and Dominic before he and his dad worked on the daisy. Patrick and Dominic were Jerome’s only two friends in Mountain Town, Arkansas. Patrick and Dominic stuck with Jerome because they also felt different from anyone else in the school. Being the only Latinos in a school full of Americans was stressful to them. Jerome gave them empathy; and at first, a close friendship wasn’t made, but it was still a solid one above all. Spending weekends over at one another’s house eventually made them more equal than any DNA could, and they did become the best of friends. In the midst of their fun and carefree moments, Jerome still believed he didn’t belong there and would not return calls or messages sometimes. Whatever was repelling him from Arkansas or farming was unknown, but it couldn’t be ignored. Today, none of those doubts existed, for he had an optimistic attitude that only God could bless someone with. It was 7:30 a.m. by the time Jerome was getting off the bus and heading to his first-bell class. After walking in the classroom and pulling his chair out to sit down, his name was broadcasted across the school’s intercom, which paused his movement. Mr. Luther, please come see me! Mr. Luther, please come see me!. Jerome left the classroom, but on the way to the office, he heard a scream of hysteria that sounded like his mother. Jerome ran down the hallway and turned the nearest corner in order to echo the scream. He found his mother crying, surrounded by police officers and paramedics. Jerome dashed to his mother’s side to see what happened. Mom, what’s wrong! asked Jerome. He didn’t get an answer, so he asked again, this time his lip trembling and his body anxious for her response. Mom, please, what’s wrong!

His mom wiped away her tears and brought herself up enough to tell him the news. Your…father…is dead. He’s dead!

As she broke the devastation to him, Jerome paused. The whole world stopped; only silence and disbelief came to him after receiving the horrific news. Kacey continuously broke out in screams of sorrow, but hugged Jerome, resting him on her shoulders to comfort him while still trying to remain herself. Jerome’s tears hit his shirt while flashes of what his father could possibly look like in his condition tumbled through his mind. The paramedics escorted Kacey to the morgue to confirm Winston’s body. Jerome insisted that he tag along, and Kacey knew it would be difficult for him but agreed to let him come as long as he sat in the lobby. While in the lobby of the morgue, Jerome found out his dad’s death was by a car crash. He was sidelined after abruptly braking to let children cross the street. Jerome heard his mother’s screaming in anger this time and hopped out of his chair to see why his mother was so upset.

How do you lose a human body! screamed Kacey.

Is everything okay, mom? asked Jerome.

They lost your father’s body. What type of irresponsible moron loses a body!

Please calm down, miss. I have my best people working on locating it, said the police chief.

Kacey couldn’t believe how the police managed to lose Winston’s body, and neither could Jerome. Seeing the police chief ignore Kacey’s pain and frightened cries made Jerome more disturbed. Mom, can we please leave?

Kacey looked at Jerome’s face and saw the tragedy that today gave him, so she decided to take him home. There was nothing she could do but wait for the police to find the body. Weeks went by, and Winston’s body still wasn’t recovered. After weeks and weeks of being in suspension, Kacey gave up all hope and had the funeral without it. Once the funeral ended, Kacey’s phone received a text message from the bank finalizing the sale of her home. Winston’s passing was the end of farming for her; too much pain was officially associated with it. With Winston being dead, nothing in Arkansas seemed lively, so a decision was made. With the settlement from Winston’s life insurance, she would move to the city. Mountain Town, Arkansas, and even Jerome sometimes showed too much of the connection she had with Winston. The choice was heartbreaking for Kacey; however, Jerome had excitement about the move. Leaving Arkansas was the only happiness he had had since his father’s death. Jerome knew nothing of the place that he was going; he only knew of his old family friend Mr. Howell and that the name of the city was Cincinnati. Before leaving, Jerome played checkers with Dominic and Patrick for one last time.

We’re going to miss you, amigo, said Dominic.

It’s fine, call my number whenever you can, especially on the drive there, he said as he hugged the two. With his bags packed and shoved into the trunk of the car, he and his mom drove off. After driving for twelve hours, he saw the highway exit sign that read Cincinnati. When arriving in Cincinnati, Jerome looked at the lit-up buildings, the crowded downtown area, and the numerous restaurants and businesses that were active on the same street. He pressed his nose against the window and glanced in amazement as he took in the area. Just five minutes in Cincinnati, he’d seen a football stadium and a baseball stadium all on the same strip. His mind wouldn’t believe it, but his heart did. This may be the place we’re meant to be, Mom!

We’ll have to make the best of it, at least for now. I’ll have a job in a week or two, and we’ll build up from there. Optimism was always a strength of Kacey, even at the toughest times she saw the positive outcome. After driving through downtown, she noticed the glamour faded the further she drove away from there. The two arrived at a run-down-looking building on Hopple Street.

Is this where we’re staying? asked Jerome.

I think this is it, dear, replied Kacey.

Their family friend Mr. Howell opened up the door to a building and waved them inside. Mr. Howell’s building had the most rugged bricking on the outside with a reddish-brown color. They took their bags from the trunk and crossed the street to enter his apartment building. Mr. Howell hugged Kacey and gave Jerome a high five when they entered. I hope your travels here went smoothly, said Mr. Howell.

They did until we hit Linn Street, replied Jerome. Kacey hit him on the arm. Mr. Howell led them from the hallway of his apartment building to the inside of his apartment. Mr. Howell’s profession was being an architect, so his job allowed him