The Fugitive Grandma Lives

Chapter 4 - The Seer

Johnny couldn't sleep that night. He tossed and turned in the dark. The sound of his grandmother's coughing still rang in his ears. A few years back, he was afraid he'd lose her forever. That was the reason they hatched the scheme to rob the pharmacy chain in the first place. She needed a medicine called Helixin and they stole enough to last for years. The monthly injections should've been enough to keep her sickness from returning. But it seemed like the Helixin was no longer enough.

Johnny knew his grandma as a hero and a fighter. He knew in his heart it must be this new, mild-mannered life as Lucy Chase that was killing her. How could a lion be expected to live as a lamb? How could Clark Kent spend every day to eternity without ever stepping into a phone booth to become Superman? Wouldn't that be a fate worse than Kryptonite? His grandma was all about staying true. Everyone knows that lies are bad for your health. They can make you sicker than any disease. She must've told him that a million times before she started claiming they had to lie about everything from now on.

Under his bed sheets that night, the screen of his iPad glowed. He was typing obsessively, burrowing deeper under the sheets into his happy space, the last place on earth where he could truly be himself.

He was logging in to Comic Club, an online site where he could chat with other fans of his beloved Captain Justice. His user name was "Captain's Disciple" so no one else visiting the site knew his real name or age. This online avatar was closer to his real self than Billy Chase would ever be.

Someone approached in the chat room. A hooded avatar named The Seer.

I AM A DISCIPLE TOO.

THE CAPTAIN SHOWED US THE WAY. Johnny replied. He was quoting a famous line from the series.

WE JUST NEED THE COURAGE TO FOLLOW HIM. The Seer continued, proving he knew phrase.

YOU KNOW YOUR STUFF.

I KNOW YOUR STUFF TOO. I KNOW WHO YOU REALLY ARE.

Johnny swallowed hard. The Seer's words pierced through his online disguise. Who was this guy? Some creep trying to meet a kid on the web?

YOU DON'T KNOW ME. HOW COULD YOU?

Johnny protested but couldn't resist the intuition that the Seer really did know him.

BUT I DO.

Johnny trembled.

DON'T BE AFRAID. WE'RE THE SAME IN SO MANY WAYS. This faceless stranger was already inside his mind, listening to his thoughts. WE HAVE A SPECIAL MISSION THAT NORMAL PEOPLE CAN'T SEE.

I AM NORMAL. Johnny lied. He was getting nervous now.

NO YOU ARE NOT. YOU ARE THE LEAST NORMAL BOY IMAGINABLE. FOR ONE THING, YOU ARE A FUGITIVE.

Johnny wanted to disconnect from his device and throw it across the room. But somehow he was frozen. The Seer had sucked him in like a magic magnet and he was powerless to resist.

DON'T WORRY. YOUR SECRET IS SAFE WITH ME. I KNOW YOU WERE TRYING TO SAVE YOUR GRANDMA'S LIFE.

The words hit him like a jolt of lightning, sending chills and rattling bones. Johnny fingers twittered on the screen as he considered typing but the Seer would see right through his lies.

THE WOLF WAS AT THE DOOR FOR YOUR GRANDMA. YOU AND GRANDA STELLA BEAT THE WOLF AND GOT AWAY. BUT NOW THE WOLF IS COMING FOR YOUR GRANDMOTHER AGAIN.

Johnny was in tears now. The Seer had read the deepest fears in the boy's heart.

WHAT DO YOU WANT? I KNOW MY GRANDMA'S GOING TO DIE SOMEDAY. WHAT DO YOU THINK I AM, SOME STUPID KID?

I THINK YOU ARE A VERY SMART KID. I THINK YOU'RE A HERO, JOHNNY. HEROES TRY TO CHANGE THE THINGS THAT NO ONE ELSE CAN CHANGE. I AM A HERO TOO, JOHNNY. TOGETHER WE CAN BEAT THE WOLF.

HOW CAN YOU DO THAT?

I AM GOING TO MAKE IT SO YOUR GRANDMA CAN LIVE FOREVER.