《The Keeper Chronicles: The Rise of Oracle》 Oracle: Scene 1 Issue 2: The Rise of Oracle 2052 A family is driving through seemingly endless Indiana cornfields. They are heading back to the airport to return to Italy. The father¡¯s family lives in Indiana, but he, his wife, and his son live in Italy. Their four-year-old son is sitting in the back seat, playing with his teddy bear. Alessandra, the mother, places a loving hand over her pregnant belly. Alessandra(in Italian): Do you think she¡¯ll be like Carlos? Francis(in Italian): Maybe, but Carlos is fine, isn¡¯t he? Alessandra nods, smiles, and looks back at Carlos as he sings a song that he just made up. Francis yawns: (in Italian) Let¡¯s turn on a movie. Visula, turn on Alessandra¡¯s favorite movie playlist. The car projects a screen from the middle of the dashboard. Car:(in Italian) Okay. Turning on Alessandra¡¯s movie playlist. A fantasy movie begins to play. The steering wheel turns and swivels by itself. Francis leans back in the driver¡¯s seat. Carlos(in Italian): Mama! There¡¯s a cloud! Alessandra smiles: (in Italian) What does it look like, love? Carlos:(in Italian) A soda can! Francis laughs:(in Italian) A week in the States and he¡¯s already thinking about soda cans! Suddenly, the movie stops and the projection disappears. Car: Warning! Nuclear missile silo breached! Missile launched! This is not a drill! Warning! Nuclear missile launched! This is not a drill! Warning!... Francis(in Italian): This has to be a test or something¡­ Alessandra:(in Italian) It says it¡¯s not a drill, though.*she looks out the car window* FRANCIS, THERE¡¯S A MISSILE SHOOTING INTO THE SKY!!! Francis tells the car to stop. He looks out the window. Francis:(in Italian) You¡¯re right! Francis desperately looks for a place to take shelter. Francis:(in Italian) There! *he points to a barn in the distance* He scoops up Carlos and the family runs toward the barn. They arrive and crouch into the corner farthest away from the entrance. Carlos begins to cry:(in Italian) Papa! Mama! Alessandra holds Carlos close to her:(in Italian) Shhh¡­We¡¯ll be okay, baby. She then begins to sing a song to Carlos. Francis taps his watch and it projects a screen which reads that the nuclear missile was launched in the United States and is on a projected path towards some obscure country in central Asia. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Francis sighs:(in Italian) It¡¯s not heading for us. Alessandra:(in Italian) But after it lands, there might be more heading into the States. Francis:(in Italian) Well, hopefully we¡¯ll have left the States by then. Just then, they hear a piercing explosion. Francis¡¯s watch projection turns from a nuclear missile warning to a falling debris warning. The watch reads: Nuclear missile has been disabled. Take shelter from falling debris. Alessandra:(in Italian) Falling debris?! A large shard of metal bursts through the barn¡¯s roof. They scream. The parents form a protective shield in front of Carlos as more pieces of metal fall from the sky and fall through the ceiling. Francis¡¯s watch changes again. The debris warning has expired. They sigh with relief. Then, Alessandra begins to grimace in pain. Francis:(in Italian) Alessandra, what¡¯s wrong? Alessandra:(in Italian) I¡­I think I¡¯m having contractions! Francis:(in Italian) No, no! You¡¯re only seven months along! Alessandra:(in Italian) I know! Out of nowhere, two mysterious men arrive at the barn. One just appears out of thin air, while the other runs into the barn at a much faster speed than is natural. Figure 2:(in English) Is everyone alright?! Francis:(in Italian) My wife is in labor! Figure 2 is confused:(in English) What language is he speaking? Figure 1: He¡¯s speaking Italian. I believe that he just said his wife is in labor. Figure 2: Then, we need to get her to a hospital! Figure 1: I can take the woman to the hospital. You can take the the man and the boy there. Figure 2: Got it! Wait¡­How can I tell them I¡¯m going to the hospital? Figure 1: I¡¯ll translate. (in perfect Italian to Alessandra) My partner will take your husband and son to the hospital. I will be taking you myself. Alessandra:(in Italian) Who are you people?! *she sucks in a breath* Nevermind! Just take me there! Figure 1 grabs Alessandra¡¯s hand and the two of them disappear. Francis:(in Italian) What the heck just happened?! Figure 2: Uuum¡­*he signals with his hand* Come to me and hang on! Francis seems to understand, and he and Carlos grab Figure 2¡¯s arm. Then, they speed to the nearest hospital at a rate they never thought possible. At the hospital, Francis and Carlos anxiously wait in the waiting room. Figure 2 has disappeared. After a few hours, Alessandra has given birth to a premature and weak, but otherwise healthy baby girl. The two of them enter Alessandra¡¯s hospital room. Alessandra is holding her new baby, who is curled against her in an incubation onesie with cords attached to a nearby machine. Carlos:(in Italian)Baby sister? Alessandra*with tears in her eyes*:(in Italian) Yes, this is your baby sister. Francis smiles and touches the baby¡¯s head:(in Italian) What will her name be? Alessandra:(in Italian) I was thinking Venessa, like your sister. A couple of nurses enter the room. Nurse 1:(in broken Italian) Are you feeling good? Alessandra nods:(in Italian) Yes. One of the nurses turns to look at Carlos, who is sitting in one of the chairs. Steam is rising up from the chair¡¯s metal armrest. Alessandra: Carlos! Carlos: Oopsie. Carlos lifts his hand from the armrest to reveal that he has melted part of the armrest with his bare hands. One of the nurses calls something over the intercom. Moments later, a few security officers rush in and grab Carlos and pull him out of the room. Carlos*screaming*: Mama! Papa! Alessandra:(in Italian) No! What are you doing?! We were told that we could keep him as long as we kept a close watch on his abilities! Security officer: I¡¯m sorry, ma¡¯am. It¡¯s the law. It might¡¯ve been different in Italy, but you¡¯re in the U.S. Francis:(in Italian) Give us back our son!!! Another security officer snatches Venessa from Alessandra¡¯s hands and pulls the machine with them. Alessandra is crying now:(in Italian) No, don¡¯t take my baby! We don¡¯t know if she¡¯s like Carlos yet! Security officer: If one of your children is powered, it¡¯s far too likely that their siblings will. Francis:(in Italian) No! You can¡¯t! Oracle: Scene 2 2066 Venessa wakes up with a start. She¡¯s in the same psych ward room that she has been in for the past three years, having the same recurring dream that she¡¯s had for the past three years. IV Machine: Heart rate far above resting level. Sedation protocol enforced. Venessa: No! She is sedated before she can protest any more. Her body goes limp. Her mind softens. Music begins to play. The one song that she gets to hear over and over again for the rest of the year. If at the end of the year Venessa didn¡¯t give up her powers, she would spend another year in the psych ward. The same white lights on the ceiling peer down at her. Her ¡°breakfast¡± is fed to her through the IV line. Two doctors come into the room. Doctor 1: How are you feeling, Venessa? Venessa: Sick. Doctor 1: Well, we¡¯re sorry about that, but we can¡¯t help you unless you give up your¡­peculiarities. Venessa: Why do I need to be in here anyway? It¡¯s not like I have any mental health problems unusual to kids my age. Doctor 1: Even common teenage angst is dangerous when you can break things with your mind. We simply can¡¯t have you in the public space with those abilities. Doctor 2: Since it seems that you¡¯ll be staying here for quite a while, we thought that a roommate would be beneficial. Perhaps she could bring back your reasoning. A frail old woman walks into the room. Unlike Venessa, the old woman actually looks mentally unstable. Venessa: Roommate? Doctor 1: Yes. Venessa, meet Emily. Emily, meet Venessa. Emily: Hi, Venessa. Venessa(unenthusiastically): Hi. Doctor 2: We¡¯ll let you both get acquainted. The doctors leave the room. Emily: Rumour has it you¡¯re one of those. Venessa: One of what exactly? Emily: The powered people. You know, I killed a powered man once. Venessa(sarcastically): That¡¯s lovely. Emily ignores Venessa¡¯s sarcasm: Oh, yes. Much more powerful than any powered person I¡¯ve ever seen. Brought himself back to life after all the blood was drained from him. There were a few people with him, a couple of women and four men. I think they were powered, too. Venessa sighs: What¡¯s your real name? Emily: Well, Emily of course. Venessa: I don¡¯t believe you. People like you in this place have zero grasp on reality. So, what is your real name? If you can remember it. Emily: My name is Emily Dante! It has been for many years! And I killed a powered man! Venessa: You¡¯ve already established this. Emily: Ugh! Do you know what it¡¯s like to have something like that weighing on you for so long?! He¡¯s gonna get revenge on me, I just know it!!! He¡¯ll kill me in my sleep! Venessa: I¡¯d prefer if we talked about something else than dead guys killing people in their sleep. Plus, why would he kill you now after all these years? Emily ignores her: You must leave this place! Run far away! Maybe you¡¯ll live for a few more years before Beyond gets you! Venessa: Wait, wait, wait! Hold up! Who¡¯s Beyond?! And why does he want to kill me? Emily: Shhh! The machines can hear us! Venessa realizes that Emily is right. There¡¯s a machine monitoring her heart rate, so she has to stay calm. Emily: I never said that Beyond wanted to kill you. I said that he wanted to kill me. Venessa: But you just¡­You know what, nevermind. Emily: But you might be on his watchlist as well. Venessa sighs in frustration: Alright, can we talk about something else now? You know, some other, less gory fantasy-land that you made up. Do you have any with¡­I don¡¯t know¡­pretty flowers and rainbows or something? Emily ignores Venessa once again: You need to leave! You need to leave now! Venessa(sarcastically): If you have any ideas on how I could leave, I¡¯d love to hear them. Emily walks over to Venessa: I¡¯m going to take the IV out of your arm and put in mine. I¡¯ll have to do it quickly, though. The machines are watching. Venessa: What?! No! Why would I trust you to do that?! Emily: Why would you trust anyone else here to do it? I was a nurse once. I know how these machines work. Venessa sighs: You¡¯ve got a point. Just don¡¯t¡­kill me. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Emily nods, carefully removes the needle from Venessa¡¯s arm, and places it in one of her veins. Emily: Whew! The machine didn¡¯t notice a thing! Now, here! She pulls a pair of scissors from her pocket. Venessa: How did you manage to get scissors in here?! Emily: I have my ways. Cut the ends off of your hair. The doctors have dyed them black in case you escape, so that they can identify you. Venessa cuts the ends of her hair until no black strands remain. Emily looks around the room and grabs the IV bag holder. Emily: Now break the bars on the window and the glass! Venessa: How? Emily sighs: Use your powers, girl! Venessa focuses intently on the metal bars and the glass. They explode into a million pieces¡ªboth women duck. Doctor from down the hall: Hey! What¡¯s going on here?! Emily: Go! Venessa: Don¡¯t you want to escape?! Emily: I¡¯m old and unstable anyway! Go! Venessa crawls out the window, avoiding the sharp pieces of glass. The ground is about five feet below her, so she jumps and lands roughly. Venessa then begins to sprint towards the barbed-wire fence, trying to keep going despite the sedative still running through her. An alarm is sounding. Two security guards are chasing Venessa. Security guard: Teller, get back here! Venessa makes one of the alarm sirens explode, sending shards flying everywhere. She¡¯s beginning to feel exhausted. One of the security guards is still chasing her. She reaches the fence. Venessa: How am I going to climb this? The security guard has almost caught up to her. Venessa, in a last minute decision, causes the barbed-wire fence to break apart. She slips through. Before the security guard can slip through the hole that she has made, Venessa makes that section of the barbed wire fence explode into a cloud of metal barbs. The guard is too severely injured to chase after her. She runs into the bustling Saint Louis, Missouri, and into one of the abandoned houses. She cries there for a bit, fearful of what might happen next and overwhelmed by what has happened. After letting her emotions out for about half an hour, Venessa realizes that she is still in her hospital gown. She uncovers and looks through the drawers of a dresser, and finds a dusty pair of sweatpants that the house¡¯s former owner must have left behind. After rejoicing in her rare find, Venessa peers at the tag on the back of the pants. Venessa:(to herself) That brand went out of business¡­maybe thirty years ago. Who leaves a pair of sweatpants anyway? She ponders this for a few minutes. Venessa:(to herself) They must¡¯ve been in a hurry to get out. She puts on the sweatpants. They¡¯re a bit large on her, but they¡¯ll work. She tucks her hospital gown into the pants so that it looks like a top. Venessa then climbs out the window and back into the streets. No one seems to notice her. Everyone has their A.R.(augmented reality) glasses on, as usual, probably doomscrolling on social media. Screens everywhere project advertisements and movie trailers. Venessa walks past an eighties-themed bar and sees a man pull a gun from his belt and aim it at a woman walking by. Venessa:(to the woman) Duck! The woman ducks, but before the man can shoot her, Venessa causes his gun to explode in his hand. The man yelps in pain. He then turns to Venessa. Man: You did this! Venessa: I don¡¯t know what you''re talking about. I was minding my own business when your faulty gun exploded. The man begins to chase Venessa into a dark alleyway. Venessa is cornered. Suddenly, a hand reaches from the shadows and pulls her away. She sees only blackness for a few moments before emerging in an eerie, dimly lit place. No sunlight comes into the room. A voice speaks from behind her and startles her. Refraction: Venessa Maria Teller¡­ Venessa: Who the heck are you?! Refraction: Age fourteen. Female. Multiple foster homes¡­ Venessa: WHAT¡¯S GOING ON?! Refraction: Fears becoming dangerous. Oh, and she has destructive telekinesis. I¡¯ll take care of that. Venessa feels a chill on the back of her neck. She tries to break something in her captor, but she is unable to. Her powers seem to have disappeared. Venessa: What did you do to me?! A woman¡¯s voice in Venessa¡¯s mind: QUIET! You ask too many questions! Venessa: Who said that?! Wyverna: DID YOU NOT HEAR WHAT I JUST SAID?! I like my humans silent! Venessa: Well, I¡¯ll just keep talking then! Wyverna: No you won¡¯t! Venessa feels another chill on the back of her neck. Her mouth is frozen in place. She then hears a machine. Machine: Maximum force exerted! Maximum force exerted! Venessa¡¯s mouth is released. Wyverna: Bring me the child! Venessa: I¡¯m not a child! I¡¯m fourteen! Wyverna: According to the Missouri state law, you¡¯re a minor. Compared to me, you¡¯re still in your infancy. Venessa: Oh, shut up! Who do you think you are?! Refraction grabs Venessa and brings her into a room. In this room, there is a tank filled with cloudy fluid attached to a machine monitoring things like ¡°vivacity¡± and ¡°recovery¡±, the second of which is at 96 percent. Inside the fluid, Venessa can barely make out a human-like form. Her lip begins to quiver. The form in the tank moves slightly. Wyverna: Perhaps I lied when I said that you asked too many questions. You simply don¡¯t ask the right ones. Oh, are you going to cry?! Am I so unsettling to you that you have lost control?! I figured so!*She laughs* Venessa gets a hold of herself: Why are you in a fish tank? Refraction holds back a snicker, but Wyverna catches him. Wyverna: Don¡¯t think that I cannot see you! Don¡¯t think that I do not know how to make you bleed! Refraction is silent. Wyverna: This is not a fish tank, this is my recovery chamber! Venessa: Why do you need a recovery chamber? Wyverna: Ugh! Do you want to know?! DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?! Venessa nods: Of course I need to know! Wyverna: I am a goddess. I had different ideas than the other gods. All I ever wanted to do was help the creatures below me be free and do as they pleased. But the others were evil! They wanted the creatures to be their slaves! I wanted humans, like you, Venessa, to be freed from the confines of what abilities were given to you. That¡¯s why I gave you powers. All I ever wanted was what was best for humanity. But the gods wanted me dead, so they injured me in battle! Now, I¡¯m here in this recovery chamber. Venessa: A¡­goddess? Wyverna: Yes. Venessa: And you want humans to be¡­ Wyverna: Free! Free to do as they wish! Venessa bursts out laughing. Everyone else is silent. Venessa: You expect me to believe that you want people to be free?! After one of your goons captured me and brought me into your¡­I don¡¯t know¡­Fluorescent Underworld? Yeah, that¡¯s a good name for it! Wyverna: Maybe if you saw what I really look like, then you would be convinced. Refraction forces Venessa against the edge of the tank. Suddenly, someone appears out of nowhere in the room with them. He fights off Refraction and grabs Venessa. Dortor: Back away from the girl! If you fail to comply, there will be harsh retaliation!!! Wyverna: We shall see if¡­ Dortor: Be silent or I shall seal your lips for you, infection of the Vast! Venessa is trying to decipher what they¡¯re saying. It sounds like Shakespearean Old English to her. Venessa blinks and when she opens her eyes, there is a new scene before her. Sunlight enters the room of what appears to be an immense, circular building. People are rushing everywhere. An unfamiliar woman in navy blue clothing comes up to her and Dortor. Oracle: Scene 3 Susanna: Hello, Dortor. Dortor: Agent Susanna, I have a young woman here who was on the brink of an almost irreparable traumatic incident. You may want to have Agent Ethan check to see if she is in the Records. Susanna: Will do. Should I attend to her medical needs? She only has a few minor injuries. Dortor: If they are only minor wounds, then feel free to do whatever you believe is necessary. Susanna: Thank you, Agent Dortor. Dortor: It is my duty and pleasure. Dortor then disappears again. Susanna: You¡¯ll need to come with me in a couple minutes, but can I see your left arm? Venessa: Sure¡­I guess? She holds out her arm. Susanna touches the small hole where the needle of the IV line was injected into Venessa¡¯s arm. She lifts her hand and the hole fills itself with new skin and no scarring. Venessa looks up at Susanna: You¡¯re powered? Like me? Susanna nods: Yup. I can tell this is a lot for you. Why don¡¯t we sit in the Resting Bay for a bit? Venessa: That sounds great! Susanna laughs and the two head into what looks like an enormous living room. Stars twirl on the ceiling and clouds float by. Children and teenagers of all ages sit on cushioned benches with adults right beside them. Susanna calls to one of the adults in red who is speaking with a ten-year-old boy who is trying to jokingly explain how the Earth is flat. Susanna: Agent Ethan, there¡¯s a job for you. Ethan: Alright, what do you need? Susanna: Well, Dortor wants you to check the Records room. Look for a ¡°Venessa Teller¡± in the ¡°Continued¡± section. Ethan nods:(to the ten-year-old) I¡¯ll be right back, okay? Nick: Okay. Venessa:(to Susanna) What is this place? Susanna: This is the headquarters of the Keepers of the Realm. It¡¯s where we make our plans. Venessa sighs. This is just another mystery that she can¡¯t seem to unravel. She stares at the ceiling. The Milky Way Galaxy looms above her in all of its glory. Yet, she can also see Earth¡¯s blue sky, puffy clouds floating languidly by. Venessa: Why do you have files about me? Susanna: You kept your gift. The destiny of those who choose to keep their gifts for the rest of their lives is to become a Keeper. Venessa: Gift? Susanna nods: The gift that the Commander gave you. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Venessa: The Commander? You¡¯re working for Beyond?! Susanna: Calm down, Venessa. You¡¯re safe here, I promise. Venessa¡¯s mind begins to spiral: Why does he want to kill me?! I haven¡¯t done anything! Well, except for blowing up vandalism, but most of that was an accident! Susanna: Whoa whoa whoa! Who told you that the Commander wanted to kill you?! Venessa: I¡­I think her last name was Dante. She was at¡­a psych ward with me. Susanna: Was her first name Emily? Venessa: I think so. Susanna sighs: So she¡¯s still living in fear, huh? Venessa nods: I guess so. Emily called him Beyond, though. Why do you guys call him the Commander? Susanna: ¡®The Commander¡¯ is the name that Dortor¡¯s kind calls him. Venessa: Dortor¡¯s an interdimensional. Susanna: What?! Ethan returns to the room: Good news! Here¡¯s Venessa¡¯s file.(he hands a transparent tablet about the size of a coaster to Susanna) It says she¡¯s only fourteen, so she¡¯ll have to stay with the Presleys for a while. I¡¯ll call up the Chief Rep., then we¡¯ll make a plan. Susanna: Will do. Ethan taps his wireless earbud three times and then begins conversing with someone. Venessa is utterly confused and dumbfounded. Venessa:(exhausted) Can someone please just tell me what¡¯s going on? Susanna smiles: You¡¯re going to stay with the Presleys until you¡¯re eighteen, or until you are ready to become a Keeper. They¡¯re a very nice family. I can tell you that it¡¯s never boring at their house. Venessa sighs. Another foster home. Susanna tries to break the awkward silence: Do you have any other questions? I can¡¯t promise to answer them all right now, but I might be able to later. Or you could ask someone else. I think Dortor would be your best bet, if you can understand his vocabulary.*She smiles* Venessa puts her face in her hands and then massages her temples: I guess. Why are you wearing blue and¡­that guy over there¡­Ethan? He was wearing red. Dortor was wearing silver. What¡¯s that about? Susanna: That¡¯s a good question. There are three sectors with a head of each one in the organization of the Keepers of the Realm: Flame, Sea, and Cyclone. Flame Sector Keepers wear red. Agent Ethan is head of the Flame Sector and the Civilian Coordinator. Cyclone Sector Keepers are all interdimensionals and they wear silver. Agent Dortor, the one who rescued you, is head of the Cyclone Sector. I¡¯m a Sea Sector Keeper, so I wear blue. Ethan ends his wireless call:(to Venessa) It¡¯s all set. You¡¯ll be picked up in about fifteen minutes. Venessa:(sarcastically) Oh, joy. Ethan(jokingly): You know what, I¡¯ve got a nickname for you, Venessa. It¡¯s one my dad used to call me. Alec. Smart Alec. Venessa ignores him. The three of them wait for fifteen minutes. Susanna checks her projector watch: Oh, you¡¯re ride¡¯s here! Ethan: You act like the Presleys are chauffeurs.*he laughs* Susanna:(to Ethan) I¡¯m sure they feel like it sometimes.(to Venessa) Let¡¯s head out. Venessa reluctantly follows Susanna out of the Keeper Headquarters. On the outside, it¡¯s inconspicuous. It looks like every other building in Saint Louis. A car is parked by the sidewalk. People walk past like there is nothing out of the ordinary. Susanna¡¯s navy blue outfit now looks like a regular monochrome business outfit. A woman in her thirties steps out of the car and approaches them. She isn¡¯t dressed like the Keepers, wearing a simple blouse, a silver necklace, and wide-leg jeans. Susanna: Venessa Teller, meet Annelise Presley. Annelise tries to approach Venessa, but she shrinks and moves away slightly. Susanna:*whispering to Annelise* She¡¯s been through a lot. She almost saw 09166Scaled when she was captured by the Hostilities. It¡¯s an absolute miracle that Dortor made it in time to save her from that trauma. Annelise nods: I understand. *she turns to Venessa* Let¡¯s get you home and out of those clothes. Venessa looks down at her thirty-year-old sweatpants and improvised hospital-gown top. She supposes that she can go to the Presley house if only for a change of clothes. Venessa gets in the car with Annelise. Annelise: Drive us home. Car: Okay. Driving Home: 1347 Felbaro Avenue, Saint Louis, Illinois. Oracle: Scene 4 The car pulls itself out of the parking space and onto the road. Venessa watches the scenery fly by. Annelise lets out a shuddered sigh. Annelise: Would you like to¡­ Venessa: No. Annelise purses her lips. She taps Venessa¡¯s file and a screen appears on its surface. She scrolls through it. Annelise: Destructive telekinesis and tainted spontaneous clairvoyance. Does that sound right? Venessa sighs: The first one, yes. The second one depends on what you mean by spontaneous clairvoyance. Annelise: Do you ever have psychic abilities that just appear out of nowhere? Like dreams that tell the future or reveal secrets about the past? Are they sometimes only incomplete pictures? Venessa: Why should I tell you anything? Annelise¡¯s breathing becomes ragged for a few seconds before she responds: I¡¯m only trying to help you, Venessa. Venessa: That¡¯s what they all say. I guess it wouldn¡¯t hurt anything to tell you, though. I mean, I¡¯m a goner anyways. Yeah, that all sounds right. They are silent for a few minutes. Venessa: You¡¯ve got powers. I have powers. Why is it any of your business what my powers are? I haven¡¯t asked about yours. Annelise touches her chest and inhales sharply. After another five minutes, they arrive at a fairly large house in the suburbs. Two teenage boys are trying to shoot hoops in the front yard. A man in his thirties walks outside and calls the two boys into the house to do their homework. As Annelise gets out of the car, the man walks over to her and gives her a hug and a kiss on her forehead. Cory: Hi, Annie. Annelise smiles: Hi, Cory. Venessa: From my angle, it seems like you¡¯ve only been apart for about fifteen minutes. Why are you acting like you¡¯re reuniting in some cheesy romcom movie? Annelise: This is our newest addition. Her name is Venessa. Venessa, this is Cory, my husband. Cory walks over to Venessa, but she returns to a guarded stance. Cory: Come inside. We¡¯ve got your room set up for you. The three of them head into the house. There are many children and teenagers relaxing or running around. Venessa is overwhelmed. Some of the children are using their powers openly, and she wants to tell them to stop. She¡¯s guided up the stairs into a bedroom with a bunk bed, a wooden dresser with a mirror and two desktops attached to the wall. Marvel and D.C. superhero posters hang everywhere. A peculiar girl who looks Venessa¡¯s age is lying on the top bunk, and working on homework. Annelise: Avonari, this is Venessa. She¡¯ll be sharing a room with you. Avonari hops down from the top bunk with an agility that Venessa has never seen before. Venessa can now see that she¡¯s green with spiral ears and no mouth. Before Venessa can turn around and walk away, Avonari greets her. Avonari: Oh my gosh! Hi! I¡¯m so excited to have a new roommate. You would not believe how much Jesse talks in his sleep. Venessa: How¡­okay, what are you? Avonari: I¡¯m an Anthran. Venessa: Anthran? Avonari: From the planet Anthra. Venessa: ¡®Kay. So you¡¯re an actual alien? Avonari: Well, I find the term ¡®alien¡¯ to be a bit weird. I like to think of myself as an immigrant. But yes. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Venessa: How are you talking without a mouth? Also, how do you eat? Avonari: Believe it or not, you¡¯re only the third person who¡¯s asked me that this week. For speaking, I use telepathy. Venessa: So you can read my mind? Avonari: I could if you were an Anthran, but only when you were trying to use your thoughts to communicate with me. I can¡¯t do that with humans, though. Oh! And I don¡¯t eat. I photosynthesize. Fun fact: I¡¯m actually twenty-five in Earth years, but because Anthrans age slower and live longer than humans, I¡¯m mentally and physically fourteen. Venessa: That¡¯s¡­nice. Avonari: What do you like to talk about? You haven¡¯t said hardly anything since you came here. Do you want to talk about something? Annelise laughs: Avonari, slow down. Some people have a quieter disposition. We call them introverts. Avonari rubs her chin: Introverts? Hmmm¡­I think I remember someone like that back in Anthra. So, Venessa, do you like Marvel? Or D.C.? Venessa: I haven¡¯t seen any of the movies, so I don¡¯t know. Avonari gasps: We¡¯ll have to watch the movies together! Venessa: All of them? Avonari: Yes, all of them! Venessa sighs: Can I at least change clothes first? Avonari: Oh, yeah! Sorry. You definitely want to change out of that. Venessa(to Annelise): These¡­are the only clothes I have. Is there anything I could borrow? Annelise: You won¡¯t need to. Check the left drawers of the dresser. Venessa obeys. In the drawers are clothes in all of the styles and colors that she likes. Venessa: No way! She picks out a black sweater and gray jeans with embroidered red roses. Venessa tries to hide her excitement as she heads away to change. She resents herself for being so thrilled. Venessa: Of course! They¡¯re trying to bribe me! Then I¡¯ll be shipped off somewhere else when they see my powers. She walks back into the room. Avonari: Okay, let¡¯s go watch the movies! Venessa: I¡­I think I need to rest for a bit. Avonari: Oh¡­alright. Well, when you want to hang out, let me know. Avonari leaves the room. Annelise: If there¡¯s something you need to talk about¡­ Venessa:(a bit aggressively) I think I¡¯m good. Annelise flinches: Okay. I¡¯ll be making dinner downstairs, if you need anything. Annelise leaves. Venessa:(to herself) I never should have left the psych ward. Who still cooks anyways? We have machines for that. Venessa waits until no one is near the room before opening the window, crawling onto the roof, and climbing onto the lawn. She then climbs over the fence and runs back into the streets, heading for the psychiatric facility in the heart of the city. Avonari returns to her room, but doesn¡¯t see Venessa. Avonari: Maybe she wanted to look around the place. Avonari searches every corner of the house, including the hidden ones, but can¡¯t find Venessa. She walks up to one of her foster siblings. Avonari: Have you seen Venessa? Jesse: You mean the new sister? Light blond? Tall? No, I haven¡¯t seen her. Jesse returns to his augmented reality video game battle. Avonari: Jesse, this is serious! Cory: Alright, Jesse. Screentime¡¯s over. Jesse: Aw, c¡¯mon! Can¡¯t I just finish my round? Cory: Your round is autosaved. It¡¯ll still be there tomorrow. Jesse hands over his augmented reality glasses. Avonari:(to Cory) I can¡¯t find Venessa! I¡¯ve looked everywhere! Cory frowns and becomes tense: Are you sure you looked everywhere? Avonari nods. Annelise rushes in, clutching her chest. Annelise: What¡¯s going on? Something¡¯s wrong! Avonari: Venessa¡¯s missing! Annelise pauses and catches her breath: Avonari, I set Venessa¡¯s Keeper-in-Training file on the kitchen island. Look for anything that might tell us where she is. Avonari runs into the kitchen. Jesse: Do you really need to go after her? She seems kinda rude and acts like she hates it here. Annelise: Do you remember what you were like when you first came here a couple of months ago? Jesse hesitates: Yeah, I do. Annelise nods: Besides, Venessa kept her powers. Since that¡¯s the case, it¡¯s not my decision or yours as to whether she becomes a Keeper or not. She made the choice of a Keeper and is unlikely to give up that choice. The plan is not mine to make. I follow the Commander¡¯s strategy, and he has made it so that whoever chooses to keep their gifts will eventually become a Keeper of the Realm. Jesse nods in understanding. Avonari sprints back to them. Avonari: Venessa spent most of her life in foster care. She¡¯s spent the last three years of her life in the psychiatric facility downtown for refusing to give up her powers. Maybe she¡¯s heading back to turn herself in! Annelise: I¡¯ll go look for her. Cory: Great! I¡¯ll drive around that area and see if I can spot her! Oracle: Final Scene Venessa is afraid. The streets near the facility seem even more dangerous than before. Venessa:(to herself) I¡¯ve just got to make it back to the hospital and everything will be fine. She feels chills in her bones. Everything, even inanimate objects, seems to be watching her. A hand could pop out of the shadows at any moment and take her back to the Fluorescent Underworld with its undead ruler in a fish tank. Venessa sits against the wall of a building by a trash can, and begins to cry. The shadows begin to creep closer and closer. Venessa tries to ward them off by blowing up a littered aluminum can with her mind, showing her strength. Yet, she feels that the shadows still see her weakness. She remembers her recurring nightmare about her birth and being stolen from her mother. She wishes that she knew where her mom was. Maybe her mom could help her understand. Help her get out of this situation. Venessa:(thinking) Well, life just sucks that way, doesn¡¯t it? She begins to sob heavily:(to the shadows) Just take me! COME AT ME! I¡¯VE GOT NOTHING ELSE TO LIVE FOR! Annelise: Venessa! Venessa turns around to see Annelise walking slowly over to her. She looks to be in agonizing pain. She crumples to the ground beside Venessa. Venessa: Whoa! You look really sick! What happened to you?! Color returns to Annelise¡¯s face and she becomes less tense: You wanted to know what my power was earlier. Well, one of my gifts is empathy. I can feel your emotions as my own pain or joy. Venessa: Like, physical pain? Annelise: Yes, like physical pain. Venessa: Well, gee¡­I¡¯m sorry. Annelise nods: Are you ready to come home? Venessa: I¡­I don¡¯t know. I mean¡­what if¡­ Annelise:(interrupting, with tears in her eyes) I love you, Venessa. Venessa is shocked: How can you love me? You only met me two hours ago. Annelise smiles: That¡¯s one of the blessings of the gift of empathy. I can read your experiences from your emotions. By doing that, I can connect to you on a very deep level. Venessa: But¡­it¡¯s not safe. I mean, there are these¡­things that can move through shadows. I thought I saw one¡­ Venessa looks around. The shadows have disappeared. The streets seem like normal city streets again. Venessa: It¡¯s gone. They¡¯re powerful, why did they just¡­*she sighs* Annelise: For powered children, the safest place that you can possibly be is under the eye of Beyond and the Keepers of the Realm. Venessa: Who the heck is this ¡®Beyond¡¯ guy you guys keep talking about? Annelise laughs: He¡¯s our leader. We have a hierarchy, but his position is above all of us. Even the highest Keeper is subject to his demands. Maybe that¡¯s why the members of the Cyclone Sector call him the Commander. Now, will you come back home? Venessa nods. The two of them stand up and start walking home. Venessa: I guess we¡¯ll have to get takeout someplace. I probably ruined your chance to make dinner. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Annelise smiles: Don¡¯t worry about dinner. It¡¯s taken care of. Just then, a car parks beside the sidewalk where they¡¯re standing. Cory rushes out of the car and towards Venessa. Cory: Are you okay? Venessa nods, but remains silent. The three of them enter the car and drive back toward the Presley household. Cory:(to Annelise) You alright? Annelise: I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m just glad we found Venessa. Venessa is pretending to be asleep in the backseat, but is listening in on their conversation. The two have paused for a few moments. Cory sighs: Venessa¡¯s our twenty-sixth foster child, right? Annelise nods: What¡¯s wrong? Cory: Nothing¡­nothing¡¯s wrong. They pause. Cory: You don¡¯t believe me, do you? Annelise: No, I don¡¯t. Cory laughs: I guess I can¡¯t hide my feelings anymore, can I? Well, this is the least amount of powered children we¡¯ve had in years. It¡¯s like¡­they¡¯re going extinct. Annelise: Maybe they¡¯re just giving up their powers at a higher rate than normal. Cory nods: That could be true. Still, it¡¯s very worrying. I mean, these kids are our future. What if¡­ Annelise: It¡¯s not like we¡¯re going anywhere, are we? Besides, there¡¯ll always be a child who choses to keep their powers. Never underestimate the power of there always being that one kid. But I understand how you¡¯re feeling. Cory: I don¡¯t doubt that. Annelise laughs and leans back in her seat. An air of warm feelings and comfort seems to flow into her and radiate to Venessa. Cory: Let me guess¡­relief? Is that what he¡¯s feeling? What you feel? Annelise: Yes. But it¡¯s more than that. Cory: As usual, huh? Annelise nods: Are you feeling okay, Venessa? Venessa is a bit surprised. She¡¯s usually an expert at fooling people into thinking that she¡¯s asleep. Venessa: Yeah, I¡¯m good. The car pulls into the Presley driveway. The lights are still on and Venessa sees someone setting food on the table. Venessa:(to herself) Weird. The three of them head into the house and Venessa is told to sit down with her foster siblings in the dining room. When she enters, nobody is in there setting food down. Venessa:(to herself) ¡®Kay. I¡¯ll just stop asking questions for a bit. She sits down beside Avonari. Venessa: Wait, why are you at the table? I thought you photosynthesized. Avonari: I just like the company. Venessa nods and begins to eat the meal. Venessa: This is really good! Avonari: I know, right? Annelise is such a good cook! Anyway, why¡¯d you leave? Venessa: Wait! Hold up! Annelise made this? Avonari nods: So why¡¯d you run away? Venessa sighs, mentally adding how Annelise cooked dinner and rescued her at the same time to her list of questions. Venessa: I¡­was scared. Avonari: What of? Venessa shrugs: I don¡¯t know. Avonari: I get that. Well, nothing¡¯s happened to me as long as I¡¯ve been here. Venessa: How long have you been here? Avonari: About two weeks. Venessa nods: So, do you have any powers? Avonari: Yeah, I have powers. Well, we call them gifts or the gift here. Since Anthrans naturally have one-directional telepathy, I wouldn¡¯t consider that a power. I guess my gifts are agility and enhanced engineering skills. Venessa: Cool. So, you can make actual, sci-fi movie superhero gadgets? Avonari: Yes. In fact, I tried to recreate Iron Man¡¯s suit once. That did not go over well. It¡­*she whispers* It kind of exploded and blew a chunk off of a building. Venessa: Oh. Avonari: That was before I became a Keeper-in-Training, though. Still, I¡¯m not gonna try that again. The two of them converse until Venessa finishes eating and the two of them head to bed. Avonari: Well, goodnight. Venessa: Goodnight. She turns off the light and falls asleep. Perhaps things might be working toward her good for a change. End of Issue 2