Maya Stark

Chapter 87: We're going to keep fighting

Sam, Sarah, and I worked on the boat for a little while. There was eventually only one last thing to do, and Sam sat the bucket of blue paint on the dock. Sarah walks out of the cabin thing. She looked like she was in deep thought.

'There's only one last thing to do,' Sam said, sitting on the ledge to paint over the name of the boat. 'Looks good.'

'Stop. Don't,' said Sarah. 'We can't sell it.'

She steps onto the dock and sits next to Sam. I follow and sit on the other side of him.

'I know. I know the speech. It's not smart, but...' Sam laughs as Sarah sighs. 'I just can't.'

'Sarah,' Sam said, 'I'm so happy to hear you say that. We have to preserve this. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that I can't win every fight.' He turns to face her. 'That's cool. I'm okay with that. But this... this is our history. We can't lose this fight. All our struggles as a people, I think about it and I used to say, "I'mma show them. I'mma go out and change the world."' I smile. 'Yeah, silly, I know, but when I'd look in your eyes, I could tell you always thinking that I was runnin' away.' He gives me a pointed look. 'And running away never helps.'

'I didn't run away,' I said. 'I drove away.'

Sam scoffs and I smile.

'Sam, listen to me,' Sarah said. 'At no point in my life did I ever think you were runnin' away. From anything. Not even when I was lightin' yo ass up at the bank.' Sarah chuckles and pushes his shoulder. 'Who knew you were so sensitive.'

'Oh, yeah,' I said. 'He never took being made fun of well.'

Sarah laughs and looks at Sam. 'There's a fight out there, and then, there's our fight here, and, bro, you have taken them both on. So, you really gonna let Isaiah Bradley get in your head? You gonna let him decide what you do next?'

'Isaiah has been to hell and back,' Sam said with a sigh. 'If I were in his shoes, I'd feel the exact same way. But what would be the point of all the pain and sacrifice if I weren't willing to stand up and keep fightin'?'

'Really?' I asked.

He turned to look at me. 'Yeah. If you of all people can stand up and keep fighting for something you don't even know you believe in, then I can do it for something I do believe in. And I'm going to help you in the process.'

'How so?' I ask.

He smirks. 'I remember a fourteen-year-old girl who could barely control the powers she had, that is until she got some good teachers. I'm going to help you practice. And maybe in turn, it'll help you come to terms with things.'

'I haven't trained in ages,' I mumble.

'That's why you need it,' he said. 'We'll start first thing tomorrow. Practice with the shield, practice with your powers, and getting in shape. Oh, and you're calling that kid back.'

'Sure, birdie, I'd like to see—'

'Kid, stop runnin', okay? You don't need to confess your undying love for him, just talk. Like normal human beings. Also, I have a favor to ask. Something to put your name to good use.'