A Spectator

A Spectator

As a baby, we watch our parents, we learn their language.

As children, we watch our older siblings or friends we learn their habits.

As teenagers, we watch our teachers or role models, we learn their way of doing things.

As young adults, we finally start to do things for ourselves.

As adults, we start to teach our children our language.

As elderly/adults, we watch our children take care of their children.

As elderly people, we watch as we fade away, our children taking care of us.

All our lives, we are one thing.

A Spectator.

Finally Home

Finally Home

The luck of me checking my phone right then, 12:00. I see the text, the one I’d requested from my mom.

“Anika dad is home!!”

Yes! It’s been a week since I’d seen him but it felt like so much longer, especially after he had come home for three days and then was called back before we could get used to his presence. My grandfather had not been doing well and so my dad had gone to India, a week before Expo.

One week.

On the winter collective we went to India to see my grandfather for possibly the last time.

Two weeks.

We came back and waited another week before he came home.

Three days.

And then the call came. I was making breakfast before leaving for school with my nanny when my dad calls.

“I have to go to India. Dadu’s health has decreased significantly so I will be heading out this afternoon.”

That’s when we began a two day game of waiting. Every time I thought of my dad I hoped with all my heart he would make it to India before it happened. Hoping, waiting, preparing.

Wednesday night. I’m downstairs with my mom and my brother.  

“Dadu passed away around 12:00 today.”

12:00 am India time, so about 12:30 our time. I was at lunch, smiling, oblivious to the tragedy.

One week.

I hadn’t talked to anyone besides my friends, Tari or my family. Not my dad, not my grandma. No one. The most I had talked to my dad was a couple of emails between us, but no actual communication. Actually, I don’t know. This last week has been a blur, I don’t really know who I talked to, everything was in a haze.

In the middle of the Boy’s dressing room cutting yarn for a jellyfish umbrella. I got the text and immediately texted back. I had the satisfaction of having him back. The emptiness in the house filled but also replaced by a new one. But there he was when I got back. Finally Home.

The Story Part 4

The Story Part 4

Sebastian’s Perspective

A strong breeze flew through Sara’s hair as we crouched by the small hole in the wall leading into the Pentagon. She looked straight into my eyes and nodded her head towards the inside where who knows what was waiting for us.

“Ladies first.” I winked as I gestured for her to go in.

She sneered at me before creeping in, me close behind as the tiny dragon slipped in after us. Sara stops soon after we enter to point at a large snarling beast standing at the base of a chest. A small grunt from Nightshade asked the question I had hesitated to ask.

“We have to distract it somehow, what if we made it go to sleep?” Sara suggested.

“Sara, I’m kind of thinking that Rover here doesn’t need to rest.” I replied. “One of us has to be bait while the other two grab the weapons.”

“Who’s the bait?”

“You?” I smirked as Sara glared at me, her eyes shredding through my skin and making me laugh. “Oh, I’m sorry, Nightshade?” I threw another option her way and got the same response. “Sara, both of us will be able to carry more than one of us and her.”

“Bash,”

“Sara… Come on. She can fly, we can’t.”

“Fine.” She picked up Nightshade and kissed her on the head. “Are you up for this?”

Nightshade nods, looking a little worried and I picked her from Sara, “Hey, you can do this, if he comes one way, you go the other. And don’t get eaten.” I winked at her and she smiled back.

Sara let the dragon go and she slips over and confronts the electropup. I watched her for a minute, the small shadow teasing the aggravated robot, slowly pulling the pup away from it’s treasure.

“Bash, let’s go.” Sara whispered and as we glide through the shadows, I notice something I’d never seen before. A small glow above her dark hair.  

Bonding

Bonding

Even though it’s strange, the way we bond if over video games.

Sitting there, on the giant couch, side by side.

Commenting on characters voices, costumes and moves.  

Laughing at the bad effects.

Eating popcorn while watching storymode, weaving in and out between him playing and the scenes in between.

Playing Mortal Kombat XL.

Downstairs.

Together.

Me and my Brother.

Fear

Fear

I put the regulator in my mouth and give everyone the “ok” sign,

My hand goes above my head as I start to deflate my BCD.

My head sinks under the water and I’m immediately struck with terror.

I don’t like being under here, I feel like if I do anything wrong, I will die.

I start having doubts but then tell myself to calm down.

I can’t make it back up in time,

My Oxygen tank runs out,

My ears pop (like actually pop),

My lungs burst,

And I’m dead.

The Show

The Show

I’m backstage. In the green room with the rest of my crew. I’m talking to Garrett, one of my fellow singers and definitely one of the best. But I’m mostly scared for starting. I start the show. Me. By myself. Yeah, the “Welcome to Paradise” people are up there with me but I’m the only one making any sound for the first minute or so. Garrett’s offering to hum the tune behind me but I decline. That was sweet of him, but this was something I have to do for myself. Me. By myself. We climb onto the stage and I stand right in the center. Me. By myself. Garrett is right behind me and I’m considering taking up his offer. But I can’t, I have to start, people are waiting. I see three of my friends in the back smiling and laughing and I take a deep breath, and start the show. Me. By myself.

The Story (That Doesn't Have A Name) Part 3

The Story Part 3

Nightshade’s perspective

“Sara I’m telling you, it is not going to work.” Sebastian was getting really worked up.

“And you know because you’ve tried?” Sara shot back.

“Yes, I have. Do you not get what will happen to you?! Look, I lost my sister because she decided to break in there. I don’t want you to die either.” His green eyes were struck with pain.

“Sebastian… I’m sorry for your loss but I have to. I can’t let Nightshade die and she will if I don’t do this. Bash, I’m going. With or without you.” Sara sighed as she held me close to her.

I looked up at Sara, her golden brown eyes glinted with determination as she stared down Sebastian. Sebastian shook his head, his hair that was previously gelled up, was now falling over his eyes as he looked at her and shook his head.

“Sara, please.”

“No, I’m going! I swore to keep Nightshade safe and that’s what I’m going to do. If you’re really that worried, you can come with me.” Sara’s voice had turned from sympathetic to annoyed.

“Fine.”

I grinned as I recognized the tone of defeat in his voice. I liked Sebastian. He was really smart, he knew DC, or rather what was left of it much better than we did, and he was a sweetheart. I think Sara was glad he was coming, actually it was pretty obvious after the beautiful smile that lit up the face I know and love.

“Ok so, we need to get into the Pentagon as fast as possible. It’s the only place that still has weapons after they transferred them. We enter here,” Sara was pointing to the small opening in the fence that continued through the side of the building. “The good thing is that the security was wiped out in the invasion.” Sara continued. “We will have to grab everything we can once we’re in because some of the electropups are still active and are very capable of attacking us. Once we have gotten all we can, we get out. Clear?”

“I don’t like you doing this.” Sebastian was glaring at Sara.

“I’m not.” She replies.

“We are.”