Gifted

Chapter 7: Shadows of the Day

It was a sunny morning, birds were chirping outside, and the clouds were moving aside to let in the sun's blazing rays shine down and touch Landen's glass window. The sun's rays reflected off the glass just in time as Landen opened his eyes and he felt the warm light touch his skin. He stretched out his arms and turned his head toward his window, looking outside to find a sense of peace in the outside world.

Soon after he got out of bed, Landen got dressed and ready for school. Almost in a dash, he got into his car and drove off to pick up Dez. He soon arrived at Dez's house, seeing him come out with the usual smirk on his face before opening the passenger side door of Landen's car.

"Hey man, you look terrible. What happened to you last night?" Dez asked.

"Yeah, it was a bad night last night. A really bad night. A nightmare. I told both my parents about what happened yesterday with Kenzie and Abbie at their school. Dad was mad at first, but eventually he calmed down and understood. You know my mom, just as chill as ever, but she was worried too," answered Landen before setting off driving.

"Sounds like your mom. Figures because she always was the nicer one between her and your dad. Do you think word made rounds within the school yet?"

"Nah, not yet. At least I really hope not. We totally need another rumor floating about in our school, right?" Landen asked sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

"Hey, just saying, if the rumors start, just know I wasn't the one starting them saying you got your ass handed to you by a non Gifted."

Landen looked at Dez with an unimpressed expression before rolling his eyes again and returning his focus back to driving.

"I just hope that I don't have to leave our school over this, or worse, lose my chance with the Gifted military."

"Don't sweat it, man. You did what you had to. Your sister was in trouble, and you were the hero who rescued her. We live in such a messed up society that it's hard seeing us ever going back to how we use to be."

"Yeah, I guess so," Landen replied.

"Hey, remember what Mr. Riley taught us a few weeks ago about the past rebellions and uprisings of Gifted from the past?"

"Yeah, I do. Especially the one in 2060. Gifted from different parts of the country, as well as the original Order of the Gifted, came together to fight against cops and soldiers for several years. Big massacre. Many Gifted died. Hasn't been the same since," said Landen. "What's your point, Dez?"

"My point is that if we as Gifted band together and are all on the same page, maybe, just maybe, we could fight against this. I bet we could even get changes to happen."

Landen sighed. "I prefer peaceful negotiations rather than violence that'd end up getting me killed, man," he said. "In fact, that's probably the dumbest thing you've said so far today, Dez. Did you not hear what I just said about the Gifted who tried rebelling? That'd never happen. We'd be killed like the Gifted in the past before us. Guaranteed."

"I don't mean through violence and killing people. That'd be suicide and wouldn't help our cause. Landen, you're really strong. I'd even go so far to say you're strong enough to be the leader we need. Why does it seem like such a stretch?" Dez asked. "Maybe I am crazy, but I think you can succeed where those Gifted failed. You may even join the Battle Dome, and granted you survive, you'd gain a voice or some kind of platform. Just think about it."

As Landen drove, he thought about what Dez said. A part of him loved the idea of having a strong voice to rally other Gifted to his side and work together to create change for Gifted kind all over the country. Even eventually expanding their beliefs and movement beyond the United States.