Legends of the Soul: State of Emergency

By Stacy Q. Peake

The home country of Amar is up against its greatest threat. Enemy Iri soldiers have invaded and among them are the enhanced descendants of Amar's runaway civil war criminals from decades ago. How will Amar's already flimsy government handle the incursion?

Will a young Taurean be able to protect his family?

And what fate lies before y

• Language: English
• Publisher: Authors crew
• Release date: Jul 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088221716

Book preview

Chapter 1:

A Course for Home

When I repeatedly heard the call coming from the outside, I knew I had to book it as fast as I could to the destination. I arrived and automatically pinpointed the enhanced boy as the aggressor. I tried taking him down easy but he struggled, so I ended up having to wrestle him to the ground.

Young Dewayne sits in the office of Lukesville Elementary School, brought in by the school’s security officer. The job itself is a pretty good gig for middle-aged E.I.s who couldn’t unlock their hidden powers. From 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, the entire school is under their guardianship. When a tenth of the student populace is super children, a super adult is a good countermeasure.

The security personnel seated the E-child in the hallway across from a thick mahogany semi-closed door. Emblazoned on the glass are the words: PRINCIPAL LANDRUM´S OFFICE. On Dewayne’s right in the front part of the office is the school clerk. She’s busy arranging, ordering, typing, printing, faxing, e-mailing, and answering telephone calls all at the same time. Inside the principal’s office, the security officer has just finished detailing the incident for the second time. Hearing every word of the conversation made Dewayne pensive and nervous.

Behind her hardwood walnut desk, Principal Landrum is trying to keep her composure. The adult E.I. is standing in the middle of the floor in front of her, back to the door, and at attention. He continued to speak, We need to get rid of that boy. He’s a danger, not just to other students but to every person in the school: faculty, janitorial staff, lunch ladies. Take it from me. I’ve seen and been a part of things like this. He’s a menace and we need to turn him over to the E.T.D., so they can lock him up.

Principal Landrum politely interrupted, Your work is appreciated but we can’t be superfluous. There’s a protocol for handling situations such as these. I notify the E.T.D. via phone and listen for instructions, which I have already done. They informed me that after the legal guardians have been contacted–by them, someone will come to pick the child up and take him home.

Having his warning ignored incensed the man of security. "HOME?...HOME? That untrained beast should be calling a prison cage home. And that’s what I’m going to say to whoever comes to get him. His father could walk in here and I’ll look him square in the eyes and say it."

The principal thought to herself, Why is it that the last few security officers we’ve had here have been so irascible? Is it just frustration begot from crushed dreams, unfulfilled purpose, and being told they have meager potential? I don’t know.

Feeling anxious and concerned about his freedom, Dewayne is about to break. He pondered who could be coming for him, surely not his mother. The idea of his missing father is even more far-fetched.

Just then, the door of the front office was opened. Dewayne’s heart plunged to the floor. His eyes snapped to the sound of two feet stepping across the tile floor but he couldn’t see who was coming in. Seated too far down the hall, his view was impeded by a wall.

The clerk popped her head over her large desk. Right away, her long and dull visage was remade into a bright white smile.

The young E.I. didn’t overthink it. A smile like that wouldn’t be for a stranger.

Strutting up to the front desk and into Dewayne’s vision was a prominent male administrator who was feeling a bit hunky. He approached with a smile that matched the clerk’s. The man came with the purpose of handing off some documents, but not before greetings were exchanged and conservation commenced. Their words were low to keep others from being privy. Papers in hand, the clerk motioned to another room. Quickly, the male made his way around the desk. He was so close up on the clerk, he might as well have been in her back pocket. Together, the two slowly moved to a back room.

There’s no cause to be irate,'' Principal Landrum asserted. We’ve never had trouble with this student in the past, so let’s not jump to conclusions. Instead, try to comprehend the situation fully. But first, we do as we have been instructed. No bigger fuss is necessary."

The security guard was already well past the point of irate. Did you see the victims? They were mauled! Our poor nurses and the EMTs couldn’t do a thing for them. It was straight to the paramedics. If the way that ambulance rushed off isn’t concerning, shoot, I don’t know what to say. I pray that they’re being taken to an enhanced healer.

Look, there’s nothing else that we can do right now.

I think you get a say-so.

Principal Landrum is on the verge of dismissing the man from her office. Just..let it go. Give it up. OK.

I’m serious. I remember this same scenario happened at a school in another village. My memory is a little fuzzy on the rules but I think before he’s apprehended by the E.T.D., first they contact the superintendent. In some cases, this is definitely one, the superintendent brings in the principal. You might have to speak on behalf of school safety. You’re talking to the head of school security right now. I was honorably placed in charge of danger prevention. And my empirical knowledge tells me that boy is one of the untamable ones. This was his first taste of blood, only a taste. He’s itching to see what else he’s capable of. If he comes back, he will be even more ruthless.

The principal placed a hand over her face, dropping her stern professional expression for a look of exasperation. Heaven knows what the superintendent is going to say., She sighed

I know too and it won’t be good. Might as well pull out the expulsion papers now.

Mrs. Landrum’s hand migrated from her face to the white phone resting on her desk. Security nodded in approval, thinking he'd persuaded her.

I’m calling the superintendent myself. If he’s to be notified on the matter, I would rather it come from me. You are excused.

I figure I should speak also since it’s a safety issue.

I commend you for your service but your services aren’t complete. We have a school full of children in need of careful monitoring. Thank you. You may leave. The boss pointed to the door.

"I guess you’re right,'' said security. He turned to egress from the principal’s office.

Principal Landrum picked up the telephone receiver and dialed a few numbers before she heard…What in the...He’s gone! While slamming down the receiver, the head of the school couldn’t stop herself from asking the obvious. Who’s gone?

The big boy that I brought in! I sat him down right here in this chair!, security answered.

Oh my gosh. Why didn’t you bring him in here with us, to begin with, is a better question.

Uhhh, don’t worry. I’ll find him. You make that call and I’ll be back before you’re finished. Security made a heroic dash down the hall.

Principal Landrum rose from her desk and chased out her office door after him saying, You’re avoiding the question and manhunting is not in your job description.

The clerk and male administrator emerged out of the back room curious as to why they were hearing shouting.

Have either of you seen that boy that was right there? Security asked them.

No. No, no, no, no, no. I have more than enough to do around this office. I can’t do my job and yours too. Snipped the clerk.

Without missing a beat the male administrator added, "You mean that E.I. who went berserk on the playground? Don’t say you lost him. Shouldn’t he have been in the principal's office anyway?

"That’s exactly what I said, Principal Landrum voiced coming up behind security.

Surrounded by reproach and feeling the pressure, the security officer panicked. Look! Everybody calm down! I’m on it! After cutting through the staff and maneuvering around the big desk, security headed for the front office door.

Stop! All I want is for you to do your job. That’s all!, Principal Landrum demanded.

The super security officer replied back with his own commands. Use those computers to look up his address in the system. He’s likely headed home. I’ll get there before he does and I’ll bring him back for the E.T.D. Just tell me where he lives.

The boiling hot principal ignored the nostrum. No longer could she suppress her aggravation. "NO! Do not go looking for anybody. Get out and finish your given assignments. NOTHING ELSE!" Her vociferous tone ran off the security officer.

But he’s correct. Young Dewayne made a clean furtive getaway and is on his way home. Home is the only place he feels protected and can receive mitigation. A mere child, traumatized and frightened, running home to Mama.

Chapter 2:

Mother May Doesn’t Play

Knock-knock-knock.

Mother May has a hunch as to who’s banging on her front door but is nebulous as to why. Undeligent to the rickety hinges, she opened the door with authority. Standing side by side on her stone porch are two imposing men; both sporting blue suits and ties of the same ilk. Much to May’s dismay, she’s looking up at a couple of government agents--enhanced ones at that. Despite their statuses and intimidating presence, the soldiers are the ones in over their heads. The mother standing on the threshold is just as strong-willed as they are.

Without hesitation, May dove right in and ignited the conversation. What do you want? Cause I just got off the phone with y’all. So whatever you gotta tell me now, they should’ve told me then. What you come here for, disturbing me at my house?

Both men eyed each other in discomfort, buckling themselves up for the roller coaster of obstruction. The soldier to the right of Mother May looked at her and spoke, Mam, I’ll cut it short. My partner and I have orders to take your son in.

Ain’t nobody ordered nothing and my son still better be up there at that school.

Now, the second soldier is eyeing Mother May, raising one side of his top lip creating a small gnarl.

The verbal soldier continued, "You do understand that your son broke the law. It’s our job to uphold the law, meaning we have a commission