I Am Legend

By Diane Pelkey

In this sequel to Forest for the Trees, we find Dame Puissant, the good witch, acting as First Seat on the Rebirth Council, along with Morgen le Fay of the Nine Sisters of Avalon. Five of her siblings are asked to join her in preparation for the arrival of their exceptional charge, Legend.

This courageous teen is the youngest human ever selected to receive the gift of rebirth. Born of a reclusive mother, she finds herself orphaned at the age of ten. Her adoptive father, Drake, is a counselor at New Hope, a prestigious private school in Boston, Massachusetts.

When four disgruntled students decide to take control of the academy at gunpoint and begin a killing spree, fourteen-year-old Legend finds a means of escape for the fifteen small children in her after-school care program. One of the shooters discovers her in the act, with three tots remaining. She is able to deter him long enough to see the final trio escape, but when the mastermind of the coup finds her, there is no escape.

Legend awakens in a strange but beautiful place. A world of wonder. Her maiden voyage onto a wondrous path of life, death, mythical creatures. A gift that is offered at a cost.

From that day on, from that day filled with terror, all present and future lives will continue to make demands that are a constant test of her resolve and courage.

Legend will prove herself worthy. She will testify with firm conviction--I Am Legend!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9781098090777

Book preview

Legend

Over the next two months, Drake and Faith were only able to see each other once, sometimes twice a week. It was she who broke the ice with Legend, insisting that the teen and her dad come over one Sunday for a nice dinner.

The two women hit it off well, and his daughter thought that Faith was just the right match for a man of his ilk. Because Legend intended to pursue a law degree, Faith offered to answer any questions ranging from schools of higher learning to operating a one-person office.

The second time that they got together, Drake invited his love to Boston for an outside barbeque. It was a beautiful day filled with fun and great food. As evening neared, they sat in the living room with the intention of watching a movie and munching on snacks.

Legend insisted on giving Faith a nice gift, purchased with her own money. She opted for a box of Russell Stover Chocolates, the chewy assortment, of course. This was received with accolades, asking how did Legend know which were her favorites?

When the movie began, he and Faith sat on the couch, Legend on the floor with her back against it. His daughter decided to remove the elastics from her hair, which cascaded in thick waves. This caught Faith’s attention, and she reached over to compliment Legend on its outstanding beauty. Soon, they both sat on the floor, movie forgotten, as his companion began to fuss, creating several different styles.

Legend went to her room and returned with more elastics hairpins and a couple of nice combs that her dad had purchased on one occasion, or another. She also held a pair of hand-mirrors, setting them on the floor.

Soon, the two were consuming the chocolates while chatting about the different dos. Some made them laugh, Legend rolling on the floor, holding her sides. There were one or two that gave Drake pause. They were so beautiful and mature that he wondered if Legend had stolen the Tse boy’s heart yet. If she hadn’t, he thought, she soon would.

At the end of the evening, Faith embraced Legend, thanking her for such a fun evening. The teen gave the adults some private time to bid each other farewell.

Thanks, Drake. I had a lot of fun tonight. I know that you guys like to have more private time, especially since Faith’s so busy, and you don’t get to see each other all of the time. Legend understood that people in love needed some alone time.

You’re welcome, honey. Both Faith and I think that it’s important to include you because there will probably come a time when we’re a family. I was hoping that you’d like her, that you two would get along.

I don’t expect you to spend the rest of your life alone. Before you know it, I’ll be in college, living on campus. Then, after graduation, it’s the police academy. Eventually, I’ll have my own law practice. Who knows? If Faith is still working, maybe we can share an office. She winked.

Got it all figured out, do you? He wrapped an arm around his daughter’s shoulder as they walked to their respective bedrooms.

Would you expect anything less from me? she jibed.

No, I guess that I wouldn’t. But don’t forget to have some fun being a teenager in the interim. Life goes by so fast, honey. Make sure you take some time for yourself.

I’ll try. It’ll be a lot more fun when I get my driver’s license. She took every opportunity of late to drop a subtle hint.

"Point taken. Let’s see how you do in algebra this period. Get an A, and I promise to take you for a few lessons after school. Deal?"

Deal, but only if you help me with it. Everyone says that once I get it, it’s going to be easy-peasy. I’m still waiting for that to happen.

I promise to help you as much as I can. Good night and sweet dreams.

Night, Drake.

Legend was sitting at the kitchen table, papers and books hanging over the edge, some had already taken a nosedive falling to the floor. She was whispering, discussing an algebra problem with no one in particular.

Hey, sweet cheeks! You still at it? You were sitting there when I left this morning. He walked over, placed one hand on the table, one on her shoulder.

Hey, yah! A-L-G-E-B-R-A sucks! She stretched. I need another break. Been at it off and on. How did your date go?

It was awesome! The picnic was great, but I wish that you’d come along with me. You know, Faith asks for you all of the time. And it’s official, I’m crazy in love with her. Drake rarely kept secrets from her. She preferred it that way; it was an important cornerstone in the foundation of their relationship.

I kinda figured that out a while ago, Drake. And I don’t have to go with you all of the time. Jeez! I wouldn’t invite you on a date with me and Tse-Tse! If I got to go on a date with him, that is. He’s getting his license soon, but we can’t be in the car alone for a while. Permit license rules, not ours. It sucks!

I’ve offered to drive you to a movie or the mall. Just say when.

We’re not little kids, Drake. You know, maybe we’d like to go on a picnic all by ourselves or something else that doesn’t require parental involvement.

"I know that it’s tough being at that in-between age. We all went through it and survived! Now tell me about those school projects that you have going on."

She grabbed a Coke out of the fridge, then sat back down in front of the computer. Holding the soda aloft. It’s my first one today, Drake. I’ve been good. Drank so much vitamin water that my eyes are floating, and I’m seeing letters drift by. Besides, it’s not the projects that are pissing me off.

Then tell me what is? Something at school? He was concerned. Legend didn’t usually get involved in social politics, preferring to spend most of her time with Tse.

It’s that idiot Rick James and his band of hellions. They pulled Lewis Brigham’s pants down while he was getting his gym clothes out of his locker. Mine is on the opposite side. I saw it all. Poor Lewis was so upset that the vice principal sent him to see the nurse, who eventually called his parents to take him home. Then that stupid principal dragged Rick and his followers to his office right after it happened. And then, Mini Minirva, Mellicent Moore, and her crowd, not to be outdone, did the same thing to Elly Band. Elly is the sweetest, most innocent girl in that school. All she wants is to be left alone. But, no! That girl didn’t deserve to be embarrassed like that! It’ll probably take weeks for her to get over it. She fumed. "All of their parents came to get them. Those creeps! They were only given one-week detention! What was the principal thinking? I would have kicked their sorry asses out of school until next year!"

Legend only swore when she was angry about some injustice directed at someone who could barely defend themselves.

Legend, you know that those boy’s and girl’s parents make sizeable contributions to New Hope. He held a hand up, cutting her response short. I know that it’s not right to tiptoe around these kids because the school wants to keep an influx of donations coming. As I’ve explained before, it happens all of the time, and not just in schools. There are mean and nasty people attending high school, college, and in the working world. You’ll find them everywhere. I don’t have the answers, nor do I like it. Pick your battles wisely, Legend. It’s better to succeed at righting a few wrongs than failing at many.

A lot of those guys that Faith is helping out were probably losers in high school too. Sure, there are a few that will be worth her effort, but not many. I know that when I’m a lawyer, I’ll probably have to take my share of those cases too, the court-appointed ones. But these kids at New Hope, the troublemakers, won’t change when they get older. And because they have rich parents, they’ll probably get off easy. That’s just not right, not right at all.

Well said, honey. He felt that this was a good time when there was an open dialogue between them, to ask if those troublemakers at New Hope were about to get their just desserts. Now, I can’t imagine this thing happening with you simply letting it go. What is about to happen to James bo and friends? Minnie Mouse and the Musketeers?

Legend almost spit out the mouthful of Coke that she just guzzled. Um. What do you mean? If you think that their parents are going to punish them, think again! She attempted to deflect her stepfather’s question, pointing to the computer screen. Look at this one question. What do you think A is? Two-hundred, maybe?

Oh no, young lady. You are not going to change the subject that easily. And, by the way, no. We’ll do the math after you answer my question.

Okay. Okay. She stared at the computer screen.

Tomorrow’s the big sendoff for Spirit Week. Those guys twirl and toss school flags around when the band marches. They’ll be performing in the gym. Minnie and the girls play varsity basketball. There’s an at-home game after school. While the student body is looking on, sitting on the gym benches, their ah…their…oh, all right! Their pants just might fall off simultaneously. She stood. There, are you happy now? Those asses, those donkey’s asses, asses are going to get a taste of their own medicine!

And, pray tell, how would one accomplish such a fortuitous event? I hope that you are not planning on sabotaging their uniforms, young lady. That would be considered vandalism, damaging school property. Their outfits are owned by New Hope, not the students. Although the asses diatribe touched his funny bone, he believed that it was important for his daughter to understand the consequences of her actions.

By magic, of course. She was serious. Somehow, someway, Legend had found that when she was extremely irritated or angry, she was able to use her mind to do things. It worked sometimes, but not all of the time. She didn’t understand it and didn’t care to discuss it with Drake. First of all, it was something that was unpredictable, and secondly, as great as their relationship was, she didn’t think that he’d believe her.

Oh, of course. Drake edged his way toward the table and leaned over her shoulder. You know, there’s a lot to be said about turning the other cheek.

Unfortunately, he knew that there would be no way that he could change her mind. When she was set on righting a wrong, he just couldn’t reach her. But Legend didn’t have magical powers, or did she? He set aside that thought as unrealistic. There was no such thing as witches.

I’m not feeling that generous, Drake. She pounded the table. This stuff just has to stop. Maybe if others see them get a taste of their own medicine, they’ll think twice before picking on someone who’s different or shy.

Will I get anywhere if we discuss this further?

No, sir.

Okay, but just don’t go damaging anything. That, I won’t tolerate.

I would never do that, Drake. I promise you.

Okay, then. Let’s take a look at that algebra problem. Ah, the answer is 222.

What?

The A in your Algebra homework. A equals 222.

"See, that’s why I love you, Drake. You understand me, and you’re a math whizz!"

New Hope

The events, as foretold by his daughter Legend, did in fact happen. Uniforms were ultimately blamed for this unfortunate incident, although nothing appeared to be faulty. The school administrators threatened to take action against the manufacturer, only because some of the student’s parents put up a fuss. Ultimately, no one followed through for lack of any concrete evidence. The yearbook committee was forbidden to enter any comments or mention any names, effectively erasing it from the annals of New Home, 2020.

Drake discussed the occasion one more time with his daughter, who claimed that it was magic. It never went any further than that.

Six days after the Spirit Week sendoff, Legend was working her after-school job, entertaining a group of rambunctious second graders. New Hope offered the program for students whose parents worked until five o’clock. It was her responsibility to feed them a snack and then keep them occupied for the remainder of the time. She loved the little tykes, and they returned her affection.

The fifteen boys and girls were playing a lively game of following the leader in the high school’s small basement gymnasium. Soon, they would head upstairs and out to the playground, where they would await Mom or Dad. Legend found it easier to keep track of them when inside, taking her responsibilities very seriously. Nothing was going to happen to any one of her little ones, not on her watch.

The game was progressing well until little Beth wandered off.

Bethany Grace! You come right back here, please! Oh no! No, you don’t! I’ve asked you guys not to pull on that piece of plywood! You’ll get splinters!

The first-grader, often a handful, managed to pry the sheet of wood off the wall. It led to a crawlspace intended as an escape route long ago when the government was passing around propaganda that the United States was certainly due to be annihilated by atomic weapons. Legend had heard that students were made to hide under their desks if they were in classrooms when an air raid siren sounded. She shook her head in amazement. Adults actually believed that doing so would help in some way. It did nothing more than frighten children, who wanted to be by their parent’s side if they were going to get annihilated.

Honey, I have to give you credit! You’ve been working at that thing for weeks! Wait until I speak to Mr. Rush! That fix-it guy’s going to get his as…backside chewed. Now, come back. It’s your turn to lead the group.

As Legend led Beth away from the passage, she heard several distant pops. Suddenly, on the floor above, teachers, students, and other staff personnel could be heard screaming and running. As the pounding of feet increased, there were more loud bangs.

Oh, Baby Jesus! Oh, my Lord! Legend knew gunfire when she heard it. Thinking quickly, she shushed the tykes and began guiding them through that tunnel. It didn’t look so stupid after all. "Come, come. Shush, now. Let’s play Silent Sam, and then when we get to the playground, we’re going to swing and teeter-totter and all the good shit like that. Shh…shh,