The Unseen

Chapter 14

Cody cried on a bench in the small park by the school. The realization sank in.

Shae was gone.

His friend, his aid, his metaphorical parent, all wrapped into one boy. He handled every crisis with a calm, calculating head. He answered every question deliberately, truthfully, respectfully. When he rebuked Cody, he didn't go on and on about it, but showed him another course of action. Shae had led Cody through hell and back, expecting nothing in return.

And Cody had taken it for granted. He had let it slip through his fingers like grains of sand. Now, in the real world, without guidance, what was he to do?

As he cried, Dylan sat beside him, watching. She wanted to say something, but had no idea how to.

"Um... you alright?" she asked.

"I don't know," he sniffled, his face buried in his hands.

"It's about Shae, isn't it?" she followed. Cody nodded wearily. Dylan put an arm around his shoulder.

"You must've really, admired him," she continued, "I guess I can relate." Cody looked up.

"Really?" She nodded.

"Before Mr. Nolman found me, I had a... rough home life, I guess. Dad was always coming home drunk and, um, he started hitting Mom and I after my powers began to manifest. Then one day..." she choked back a sob, "Then one day he pulled out a gun. Mom took the bullet and... it was really hard. I lost the one consistent thing in my life, my guide, my shelter. Without her, I didn't know what to do." Dylan choked back a sob, and continued. "Then Charlie found me. And Ema and Sarah guided me. People are going to walk in and out of your life, Cody. But there will always be people like Shae. You have me, Sarah, Ema. We're here for you. I'm here for you." Dylan hugged Cody tightly, so tight that he couldn't return the favor. Even in his sorrow, Cody understood that Dylan's story was ver sensitive. He got the sense he was one of the few people she had shared this with.

"Does anyone else know?"

"Just you and me, Cody," she sniffled, "Just you and me."