TURBULANCE

Chapter 6. Tesseract

Despite searching for 35 minutes,

Josh was unable to find his mother.

A dark feeling of sadness and guilt crept over Josh. He was the reason his mother was dead. And he knew it. But he couldn't cry and feel bad. Hicks and Viper were still after him. Josh had no choice but to hide and wait them out, or attempt to sprint for the treeline. He didn't really like either option. Hiding required patience, which Josh didn't have much of. Josh knew that he was pretty fast. But the odds of outrunning two crazy magical killers? Extremely slim. The treeline was only about 125 metres away. Josh could make it in no time. He looked around desperately to make sure no one would be able to see him. Once he thought he was in the clear, he ran. He bounded forwards with great speed despite the impact of the recent crash. He didn't dare look back. He jumped over a piece of rubble and came within 50 metres. Don't stop. Josh kept repeating in his head. He came close. He could touch the trees when a voice behind him made him stop in his tracks.

"Josh." It was a male. He determined by the voice that it was neither Hicks nor Viper. But he was still cautious.

"Who..who are you?" Josh replied weakly, with fear as he turned around slowly. He saw the figure. Tall, and by the looks of it extremely strong, wearing a pitch black body cape.

"Josh, do not be afraid. I am not one of those monsters you have previously encountered. I am here to help you." The figure was calm. Too calm for Josh's liking.

"Why should I believe you? You're probably waiting to kill me then report back to your masters. I am not a fool." Josh had a hint of anger growing in his voice.

"I know something that can change your mind." The figure replied.

Josh thought for a moment before saying, "what is it?"

"I know where your mother is." Josh froze for a moment. He didn't know whether to believe him or not. He eventually went with his gut.

"Where is she?"

"Come with me and I will take you to her."

"It's just a trick. You're gonna just lead me right into the open arms of the enemy."

"Josh, you and I have the same enemy."

"But the enemy of my enemy isn't necessarily my friend." Josh said with a smart attitude.

"Josh, we are wasting valuable time. Do you want to see your mother or not?"

Josh had to trust this man. He didn't know the truth about him, but he most likely would have killed him as soon as he got the chance. Which he didn't.

"Okay, take me to her."

"Sure. But your going to have to grab my shoulder. We're going to teleport."

When Josh heard that he nearly fainted.

"What?" But before he could complain the figure teleported them. They disappeared into thin air from the crash site.

Upon arrival at the nearby base...

The pair arrived at a base. It was dimly lit, but still everything was visible.

"Please tell me how you did that?" Josh asked the figure whilst trying to regain his senses.

"Josh, there is a lot that the whole world doesn't know. There is magic around every one, everywhere. There are sorcerers, who are good. They can hurl fireballs, teleport, and many other things. Then there are the evil sweepers. They can kill with the point of a finger, and they use shadows a lot. Their main goal, is to bring back their evil leader: Red-Eye."

Josh stood and stared into space as he took in the information.

He tried to reply but all that came out was,

"Wow."

"And there is a huge secret about you."

Josh's mouth opened. He froze with excitement and fear.

"In 5 days, when the sun and the moon line up, you will become Taunter. The destroyer of all evil. It is written in the prophecy, that you, and only you will wage war with Red-Eye."

Josh had never learnt so much, and been so shocked in 2 minutes.

"Um. Oh wow. That is great but I don't know any skills. I don't have any magic."

"Yes you do. Here, take this." The figure instructed as it tossed a green tablet to Josh. "Consume that, and you will instantly become a Sorcerer."

Josh did as he was instructed. He didn't look any different. But he did feel different. He felt powerful.

"This is great, but it doesn't explain why Hicks and Viper are so intent on killing me." Josh exclaimed with curiosity.

"Because they are clearly sweepers, they want to kill you before you become Tauter. In order for Red-Eye to rule the world."

Josh nodded with understanding.

"Now that all this is cleared up, where is my mother?"

"Follow me." Josh followed the figure down the hallway that was filled with a magical sensation. He eventually led him into what appeared to be a living area. As soon as Josh saw the weak figure laying in the corner he ran.

"Mum!" He picked her up and stroked the brushy hair out of her face. She was unable to talk, but she shot him a weak smile. Josh turned his attention to the figure who was leaning against the wall.

"Thank you very much."

The figure replied with a solemn nod.

"Mum, are you okay?" Josh asked. She too replied with a nod. Josh had never felt more relieved in his life. He got up and gently rested his mum down.

"I'll let you rest." He told her. He turned to the figure,

"I didn't catch your name."

"I'm sorry?" The figure replied.

"Your name?"

"Oh, I am Tesseract." Tesseract was also an unusual name. But something about it made Josh love it.

"Cool. Nice name."

Instead of replying the figure took the hood off of his pitch black coat. Revealing his face. Josh took a step back with shock and fear.

"Tesseract, why are you wearing a mask? A metal mask?" Josh asked with confusion and fear.

"I actually don't know. Just always have I guess. Why do you ask?" Tesseract replied.

"Just curiosity."

"Curiosity can lead you to dangerous places." Tesseract replied with a quirky smile.