My stomach drops, and my mouth suddenly goes completely dry. Desperate, I frantically search the area to find any sort of clue, something I could hold onto for hope. There in a shaded corner lay my duffel bag, looking dejected and empty. Completely defeated, just like me.
My knees buckle and I crumple to the ground. Without the suit, I couldn't be Ethereal. Even worse, the attacker knows my real identity. Now everything I care for is at risk. I have been ruined, destroyed, devastated. My life feels like it is imploding, slowly closing in only to crush me.
I hear a swoosh behind me and instantly my depression is replaced with alarm, all my senses on high alert. I am quick to rise to my feet and whirl around to face this possible threat.
When I register what I am seeing, I realize there is no threat at all. Standing before me is none other than Cobalt, approaching me cautiously in the dark alleyway. He seems to have noticed my defensive stance, because he raises his hands to show he is here peacefully. I sigh, wondering if I can still trust Cobalt. Even though we hardly knew each other, I was starting to actually believe we were allies.
Cobalt glances at the graffiti behind me, then returns his gaze to me. "You're Brooke," he says softly, understanding dawning on his face. I only give a hesitant nod in reply.
"Well, Brooke, have you... gotten involved in any gangs? Or any other sort of... shady people?" He seemed to struggle finding the right words. From what I could see of his eyes, he was avoiding all eye contact.
I simply shake my head. There is no possible way I could give the whole story to Cobalt without revealing who I truly am. The best I can do for the moment is try to avoid his questioning.
"Look... Cobalt, I think I need some time alone," I say, trying to sound confident. Cobalt nods, and turns to leave.
Before his back is completely to me, I hear him whisper, "Just be careful, okay?" I blinked, and he was gone.
----
The moonlight illuminates my path as I walk down my street, back home. With the cool night wind at my back and empty duffel in hand, I pry open my bedroom window and slip inside. As soon as my feet hit solid ground, I hear a small flick and suddenly the room is bathed in light.
Blinking against the bright light, I recognize a figure standing in my doorway, with her arms crossed, a scowl on her face, and a glare that could make flowers wilt. It's my mother.
"I cannot believe you," she says, advancing closer. "You just barely got out of the hospital, and what do you do? Wander around at night, alone?!"
"I'm sorry, I-"
She quickly interrupts me by snatching the duffel out of my hand. "What's in here? Drugs? I did not provide for you all your life just for you to go off and waste it on something stupid like this!"
"No, Mom. It's empty..." I said, trailing off as I notice she has pulled something out of the side pocket of the bag.
"Yeah right, it's empty. Any other lies you have to tell me?" I can see what she's holding, and from my angle, it looks like an odd sort of red mask. "What the heck is this, anyway? Are you part of a gang now?"
"No, I- I honestly have no idea how that got there-"
"Uh-huh. From now on, you are staying in this room. Except for school, of course. But no more going places with your friends, period!" She strides out of the room, still carrying the mask, my duffel, and all my hopes of ever becoming Ethereal again.
I flop down on my bed and pull the covers up all the way over my chin, in hopes of stopping it from trembling. In one single night, I had lost everything. Not only did I no longer have my mother's trust, but I was missing my other half, the part of me that was able to feel confident. The part of me that was able to make a change in the world.
I shiver underneath my covers and let out a groan. I can't believe I'm grounded.
--------
Hey it's another author's note from yours truly
Because of my internet difficulties, it's been harder to write and basically impossible to stick to an upload schedule (not that I really followed mine anyway). This means no more regular updates from me, but I will write/upload as much as I can. I swear to you, I will not give up on this story.
Thanks for sticking with me this far! I really appreciate it!
Until next time,
-B
YOU ARE READING
The Fabric of Reality
AdventureHigh-school junior Brooke Hagan leads a secret life. By day, she is an average student. However, as darkness falls, Brooke transforms into a confident, crime-fighting hero. Not only can she become invisible, she has the extraordinary ability to mani...
