Ryder's Angel

Chapter Two: Dreamland: Danny

Chapter Two: Dreamland: Danny

For a moment, I could only lay there and catch my breath. We did it. We destroyed the place, I could feel it. We all made it out alive.

I opened my eyes and got to my feet. In front of me was one of our temporary homes, just a big rectangle of boardwalk, an unknown safe place for anyone. We landed at the edge where water below crashed gently against the poles that held the place together. Down the runway was the massive rectangle, just plain wood. Around it on three sides were overhangs made of dried palm tree leaves. Under those were short hallways, which led to a few rooms, just big enough for a few beds.

Angeline and I did a head count – to our relief, all sixteen of us were here, including both of us. I saw the panic on her face as she ran into the main area, what we call the common. She looked around madly as the rest of us gathered in the middle as well. They huddled together while I stood off to the side, watching Angeline call.

None of us celebrated. We knew that we killed people today, and what was to celebrate for that? We were fierce warriors, but terribly untrained and very young. The youngest here was Kayla, at age nine. We were misfits and orphans. But I was the only trained one.

When I was three years old, I was abandoned at a special orphanage. they trained young mutants there to fight for their lives and give them homes. I spent my entire life there, but you qualify as done when you turn fifteen. They kicked me out to fend for myself.

I roamed the world with two of my best friends, hiding from humans. But over the year, the other boys got weaker. We were caught in a fight for our lives, and both of my friends were killed. I kept running. I traveled through Maine, and at the border I met Angeline and her little group of four people: one boy, three girls.

But we kept running. We ended up here, somewhere in Rhode Island. But this was only temporary, for we were tracked everywhere we went.

And who tracks us? Our own kind.

In this world, mutants were thought of as reckless and a danger to human life. Humans hate mutants with a burning passion, and most have personal experiences with them. Most are feral, and make fun of the humans’ fear. They toy with them, making their lives hell as they go around misusing their supernatural powers.

After the years, humans have created organizations to wipe out mutants. Most are more humane than they sound, but the punishment is crueler still. They are highly advanced compared to us, and have turned their fear onto us. They use brainwashing. They go after the most dominant, wild ones, bend them to their will, and send them after the others.

Constantly we fear for our lives, hoping they don’t find us. We’re all weak, tired, and underfed. Angeline feels the need to protect all of them – the orphaned, hope-deprived children. I keep telling her I have responsibly for them too, but she never believes me.

And now, we wait in the dark, hoping dully that the humans don’t find us. The big full moon hung above us, it was our only light. And it cast shadows everywhere – frightening, unmoving shadows.

One shadow moved. Angeline saw it too, and she shouted with worry, “Kendall, is that you? Come on, don’t scare me.”

At one of the entrances of just a doorway, a short human shape appeared. A wave of relief washed over everyone as Angeline’s brother wheeled himself out on his shabby, old, squeaky, and stolen wheelchair. She threw herself beside him after quickly hugging him. Kendall listened intently to the action he missed out on.

I sighed, and went to sit in one of the windowless openings, watching and making sure everyone was unhurt.

“I’ll take first watch,” called Jason as he went to sit at the edge of the dock.

I did an onceover, just to be sure. There was the big white moon, the black, murky water – endless in every way – the land far off: it was just a black, rocky blob of rough land, with its rocky beaches and jagged, black waves. There weren’t any stars in the sky, or any planes to signal that the humans have tracked us down.

This was only our second time staying here, but it felt like home. Home. No one here had a permanent home, or family. We all longed for one, but it was as rare as gold.

I jumped out of my dark thoughts as Kayla sat beside me. She saw me staring at Angeline. “You like her,” she said casually.

I almost fell off the palm tree leaf-railing. I stared at her. “What makes you say that?”

She giggled once, but it was dull, tired, and humorless. “I can see it in your eyes.”

I forgot my surprise and felt sadness. She sounded much older than she should. This fighting aged us. “Yeah, I guess I do.” My words, though plain, were full of truth. I was almost surprised at them. I did love Angeline. I had feelings for her since I first laid eyes on her, even if I didn’t truly acknowledge it at first. “I do…”

Kayla nodded and cocked her head. “Kendall seems pretty happy we’re back. Just think, he’s been alone for three days all by himself. She loves him really much,” she noted. Kayla yawned.

I looked at her tired face with the bags under her eyes. She needed sleep. “Why don’t you do curl up and sleep, kiddo?” I told her. “Come on, I think we all need it.”

I helped her off the rail and watched her stumble to find a room. Others followed suit. Angeline was still whispering to Kendall, and Jason was staring intently out into the black waters.

I walked over to him, putting a hand on his shoulder, which was bloody and scorched. “You got things here, Jason?” I asked. He nodded. “Don’t fall asleep,” I warned. “Goodnight.” I walked back to Angeline.

We both bid him goodnight as he wheeled himself into a room. I turned to Angeline, catching her just in time as she swayed and lost her balance. With her in my arms, she yawned, put her arms around my neck, and nuzzled her head on my chest. “Hmm,” she murmured.

“Come on,” I whispered, carrying her to the room with a queen bed, “let’s get some sleep.”

I set her down on one side, making sure she was comfortable, and curled up next to her. I fell asleep instantly.

It seemed only minutes before I was woken up by rustling. Angeline was up, whispering to someone. I awoke more fully to see Kayla beside the bed with drooping eyes. She climbed in the bed in between Ang and me. When she was fast asleep seconds later, I gave Angeline a questioning look.

“Nightmares,” she whispered as she sunk under the covers, putting an arm protectively over Kayla. I sighed and then delved into dreamland.