EXISTENCE: Recovery

CHAPTER 14: Phantom Pain

It had been three days since Taylor had spoken with Tarek about the boy sleeping in his room. About how his arm didn't look like it was cut off in the most cleanest of ways. About how the boy's arm was coated with ice. And about how that could only mean the boy held powers of his own, much like Taylor.

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"Dad," Taylor began, as he caught him inside the house's study.

Tarek turned around. "What's up, Taylor?"

Taylor fidgeted. "That kid you brought back...what's his story?"

Tarek gave a bit of a smile. "You're asking now, when you've had all this time to ask before?"

Taylor looked off to the side. 

Tarek folded his arms. "You found something out, haven't you?"

"His arm...it was missing, and where it was gone was coated with ice."

Tarek sighed. "What made you peek? He could have been naked underneath the blanket and you could've seen a full show, you know." He stood up, and raised a hand, engulfing it in flames. "We're not the only ones with powers, you know. I figure you had picked up on that when I brought him back."

"I had an inkling, I guess, but I had to confirm for myself."

"Does Safa know anything?"

Taylor nodded. "She saw the arm, but she's still confused. But why would she care? She knows the two of us have powers too, right?"

"Yeah, but she doesn't know the extent of these powers." He paused. "And even I'm still learning."

Taylor looked confused. "You mentioned that you and he, you both had history together. You said that he's 'gone through a hell of sorts' and that when he wakes up, he's not gonna like what he's gonna hear."

Tarek looked on. "So what's your question?"

"My question is...what exactly happened? There was a time when you were just gone for nearly eight years. Does this kid have anything to do with all of that?"

Tarek smiled. "I don't think it's my place to tell you, Taylor. I'd wait for him to wake up."

Taylor sighed, and turned for the door. He stopped at the foot of the door, and slowly turned back to his father. "Does...he have a name?"

Tarek nodded. "Juan."

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Taylor pulled up a chair and sat next to the unconscious boy. His own thoughts were a mess. Why was he here to begin with? What exactly happened? How does he know Dad?

Without warning, the sleeping boy started screaming.

Taylor jumped back in shock, unsure of how to react. Almost immediately, Tarek came bolting into the room. He was followed by his aunt and Safa, who quickly wheeled her way into the room. Tarek shot Taylor a glance. 

"What happened? Did you do anything to him?"

"N-no! He just started screaming!"

Juan continued screaming, clutching at his chest repeatedly, as though something were inside of it. Taylor looked on, horribly confused, as his chest was visibily fine, bandaged and all.

Tarek took point. He grabbed the screaming boy and held him close. "Juan! Juan! It's me, it's Tarek, I'm here! I'm here! Everything's fine! I promise!"