HEROES

GROWING UP IS GETTING OLD

My 32nd birthday has finally arrived and I was really anxious! Mom told me that Ludi would come to Portland for some months. That was awesome!

I called my boyfriend (still!) Iko, who was already preparing a surprise for me. I don't know what was that. But I knew he wanted to meet Ludi too.
- Mandy?
- Yes, Iko.
- Ludi is your half brother right?
- Yeah, I told you about that before.
- I was watching a movie... Cruel Intentions. The character played by Sarah Michelle Gellar was also half brother of Ryan Phillippe's and they fucked.
- What do you mean? Iko... Are you worried?
- Maybe... I am being paranoic.
- Yes, silly. Gotta go, mom is going to the mall to buy my gift. We'll meet Ludi there.
- Okay, have fun. I love you!
- I love you too.

We went the mall with mom and Ludi was waiting for us at the first store near the door of the parking lot. I barely recognized him.
- Ludi!!!  - I ran to his arms.
- Oh, hi Amanda!!! How are you doing girl?? Mom! It's so nice to see you two.
- I missed you so much! - My tears started to fall.
- Okay, okay, don't cry. I will be here for a long time now. My uncle bored me til death to work at his tong, but I work as a model and martial artist too.
- Modelling? You, who are so shy! - I said.
- Yeah, but things have changed now and guess what? I got a contract from Calvin Klein! I'll be their underwear model, I guess.
- OMG Ludi, I will have to see you barely naked at all magazines I read! - Mom said.
- And you Fer? Heard from mom that you are dating... - His voice got weak.
- Yes. His name is Iko. - I answered.
- He must be asian.
- Yes... He is from Indonesia.
- Why he is not here with you right now?
- He is working now and we'll meet at home tonight.
We went inside the mall and got inside a Hot Topic. I always used their tees when I was younger, with Ludi, listening to some emo music. But I got there for the funkos.
Mom bought me one from Loki and Ludi gave me Sylvie, from Loki's TV show. Yeah, that's cool, they will be part of my bedroom.
- Mom, I am vegan right now... Is there any options for vegans to eat around here?
- There is the salad store and Subway.
- Good idea.
- Mom, why can't we go to Panda express...?  - I asked.
- Yeah, good idea. Ludi, go get your meal and we'll grab ours. - Mom said and we did what she asked us for.
We ate our goodies and left the mall. Ludi took us home and we were so happy to see him after a long time.
But he was so different. He was clumsy and weirdo when young... And now he is confident, muscular, hot, his hair was beautiful, his eyes were shining... Oh my God. Ludi became a hottie. His look turns me on... Somehow.

I spent the whole day talking to Ludi. How was school, the bullies, how I became a government employee, and just a little about Iko. He said that he became vegan by choice, and he always help those non-profit organizations that take care of animals. And of course, told about too many training and exercises to have that body of his right now.

At night, Iko and some friends from our gym of martial arts showed up. They all were together, with me, mom and Ludi. They were being so nice to me! It was a long time ago that I didn't throw a birthday party.
- Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Amanda, happy birthday to you!
They sang out loud and in one tune. I started to laugh and cry at the same time. Mom was giving the slices of cake to them all, then I sat down between Iko and Ludi who were chatting.
- So, what kind of martial arts are you two doing? I've done a lot of karate and some other stuff. - Ludi said.
- I will try to learn Aikido. It's pretty good. - Iko said.
- Aikido? Why Iko? - I asked him.
- I was watching videos of it and trying to get some moves. They are pretty cool!
- I didn't even mastered Muay Thai, why would I try something else?
- Ludi, why are you laughing? - Iko said.
- Because she is right. - He answered.
- We will learn someday.

All of a sudden, the lights came off. What happened? It happened only in our place. The neighbours were with their lights on.

- BLAM! - Someone dropped a gas bomb at the door and it started to choke us all. Ludi, Iko and I tried to find mom, but we could not see a thing. We run away up the stairs and some men dressed as ninjas started to attack us.
- MOM??? MOM??? - I started to scream.
- Mandy, find mom. We'll get them! - Ludi said.
I climbed down the stairs and someone was on my front. I kneeled the man's chest, he fell down and cracked his neck during the fall... And the gas went away. I think it was poisonous. There were some thugs at the living room and I saw blood on the floor, with too many dead bodies. I fought with them.
- Try to dodge this, motherfucker! - I jumped and kicked the man who got shot by his own friend. So I grabbed his body and used as a shield to protect me from the bullets.
I really wanted to try some movements I learned yesterday, and that was the perfect time. I punched the man with his weapon (that was not loaded anymore). Grabbed the dead man's knife and cut his throat.
The other guy waiting for me was not easy, he dodged all the moves I made... But Iko was there to help me. He knocked the man down from behind, punching hard his head next to the knife I was holding. Yeah, that man was cutted and I even reached his brain.
Ludi killed the guys from upstairs and quickly ran into the living room. He found mom.
- Mom?? Oh no... NO! - He saw mom laying down the ground with blood in her hands.
- MOM!!!! Don't leave us please! - Ludi said to her, while he was trying to see the wound... But it was too late, she was shot on her heart.
- Ludi... Take care... Of Amanda... Please. - And then she stopped to move.
- MOM!! NOOOOO!!! - Ludi was desperate. He started to puke because he got so nervous. He got desperate... I could only cry and sob a lot. Iko was holding me, cuddling me and trying to calm me down. But I could not. My mom was fucking dead ON MY BIRTHDAY!!!
- I can't believe it, what happened here? - Iko was confused.
- Who did this to her will pay with blood! - I said. - Ludi, calm down.
- We need to get out of here. They found me.
- Who found you Ludi? - Iko said.
- Kang.
- Wait. What? Iko, we must go immediately. - I said.
- Grab your stuff and let's go now!
There was no time to cry anymore, but I did what Ludi asked me to. I grabbed my luggage and started to fill it with clothes and lingerie, got my favorite perfume and my soap. Iko's clothes that were in my place entered his backpack.
- Iko, that is enough. Let's go with Ludi.
- Alright. I need to warn my parents.
- NO! Don't do this. You will put them in danger.

We got our things on trunk, entered the car and Ludi started to run like insane through the street.
- We must go to Seattle right now.
- Why, Ludi? Who is Kang? - Iko was confused.
- Kang is the leader of a chinese tong who killed my family when I was a baby. I would be dead by now it wasn't mom.
- So she saved you. And now what? - Iko kept asking.
- Now, that is the reason why my uncle took me to Vancouver. He is the leader of the Lin tong and they are rivals of Kang. Actually every tong hates Kang.
- But you were just a baby, Ludi. - I said.
- My dad was a stupid gambler. He worked to pay money for those filthy men. The money that should be for my university? He spent it all on whisky and gambling. So, he was in debt with this Kang tong and they killed him and my mom. They didn't see me, for my luck... All I could remember was a green room. Mom's bedroom. - Ludi talked while his tears dropped from his face.
- Ludi, it means I am in danger too? - I asked.
- Sorry to say, but yeah. And Iko as well.
- But I haven't done anything!
- Sorry mate. You're my sis boyfriend. They don't leave anyone behind... Kang is a son of a bitch.
- And why did they kill mom? - I asked.
- They wanted me. I am the last of Lin's blood line... For now. - He answered.
- You don't have a girlfriend, seeing someone? - Iko said.
- Nope. My job didn't allow me to get near anyone, unless if it was to punch or kick it.
- Alright... Why we need to go to Seattle, Ludi? - I asked.
- Because I have a Uncle Lin's contact over there. His name is Max. He can fight like no one can.
- Max is that chinese dude from your instagram? - I asked.
- Exactly, Mandy.
- Okay. He can teach us how to kick Kang's ass? - Iko asked.
- Sure he can. - Ludi answered.
- I will do whatever it takes to defend her. - Iko said.
- I will give him a call when we cross the border from Oregon to Washington.

It was a rough time and a long road. We had to stop plenty of times to put fuel into the car. And eat or drink any bullshit.

When we finally arrived to the border of Oregon to Washington, Ludi called his mate Max. Iko was driving this time. He was just following the waze.
- Hallo?
- Max, it's Ludi here.
- Hey friend, what's up?
- Max, something really bad happened.
- Is it related to your mom?
- Unfortunately... She died in my arms. Those Kang bastards killed her and almost got my half sister.
- Oh man... I am super sorry. Count on me, we will settle this. Where are you now?
- At the border of Oregon to Washington.
- Seattle is far.
- I know, mate. But I didn't have a chance to grab a flight. I am with Amanda and her boyfriend Iko here.
- Your sister and her boyfriend? Damn. They know martial arts? How to shoot a gun?
- They know Muay Thai. About the guns... I don't think so.
- Well, we'll get them prepared. Confronting Kang and his gangsters will not be easy.
- Okay Max. Keep in touch, we'll arrive soon.
- Alright, see you in Seattle.
Ludi hung up the phone. We finally crossed the border and yeah, it was rough because it was filled with cars. But yeah. We arrived in Washington at last.
After almost five hours on the road, we arrived to Seattle. It was dawn.