Beyond the Rift ✔ (Completed)

Chapter 2: Birthday blues

3 days later

"Whoa! Hold on a minute here, what do you mean 'you can't make it'?" Jake pants. He is trying to keep up with my pace. He is still in his blue-strip shorts and sweaty t-shirt. His brown hair is ruffled; the loose strands fell on his forehead. His face is flushed from his morning practice. His breath comes in quick successions. Ultimately, he pauses and bents over; his hands on his knees, he looks up at me, furrowing his brows.

Was I that fast? We were strolling on the empty soccer field. It is Wednesday and that meant study-leave. I wanted to meet up with Jake before he wanders off for another match. He teaches soccer to 12-year-olds at the Wilson Training academy nearby. I still don't know how he gains his physical strength. Energy drinks? Meat? I do not know.

"How do you gain that much speed? You weren't even striding." he says.

"Jake, were you paying any attention to what I just said?" I slump onto one of the stands. Jake follows suit.

"I heard you." He nods. "You don't want to celebrate at the club. Can I know the reason?"

"I told you. Somethings not right about me. I'm easily put out. I can't be around people. The weird shit is happening again."

"You mean the night at the gas station? The short circuit?" Jake raised his brows.

"It wasn't a short circuit!" I raise my voice, "Nor was it a power outage! I'm telling you; there was-."

He cuts me off, "Oh yeah! There was literal electricity flowing through you, and you electrocuted the entire POS."

"Yes!"

"And there wasn't a scratch on your body, like you were immune to the current."

"Exactly!"

"And the drunk dude was not some random thief but was actually going to pay for the beer?"

"Pretty much." I bob my head.

"Alexis." He pauses. "How long have we been friends?" he looks at me with concern in his eyes.

"You still don't think I'm telling the truth." I was expecting this. "What about the nightmares? They are back! You think I'm lying about that too?"

"I ... just think you're in shock. That's all. It's not something you can't control. You have to ignore such stuff and move on. Come on! Cheer up! You'll be eighteen by tomorrow night. Eighteen is a big deal. Why do you think we are partying at the club?"

He is right. It is a big deal. I'll finally be able to get a proper paid job. Moreover, get a proper driving license other than the learner's junk. Mom is going to show up tomorrow too. Like she does every month.

Mom always cared for me more than she cared for anyone. I remember when I was in sixth grade. We were at a public pool and I, being the jerk, I am, wander off alone to find my pool noodle that went missing in the crowd. I don't recover the entire incident but I remember the horror in her eyes, I recollect the feeling of being someplace where I was not supposed to be. She clutched me towards her and sobbed. I was just as scared as she was. She never really spoke about it again.

Even when dad went missing, she didn't lose herself or ignored me, instead she always told me to be brave, that there will be peace when I'm done. She continued on nurturing her plants, taking up gardening classes. She kept herself occupied and happy.

It's funny how you grow close to someone yet they hesitate to share their thoughts with you. 

I don't remember much of dad. All I knew was that he worked as an exterminator; due to the requirements of his job he was never really home. Dad wasn't self-employed like most exterminators but rather worked for a cooperation.