Heroes

Chapter 7

Silence echoed in the dark cave, louder than the screams that had just a few moments before shattered the night. Lucas looked down at the dead bodies around him, then collapsed and put his head in his hands. "Why do I not feel guilty about taking these lives?" He wailed. "Why am I such a monster?"

You are no monster. A strange, feminine voice resonated in his head. You are mine. My people sacrificed themselves for you when you were just a babe, burning to death to hide you.

"Who are you?" He exclaimed, standing up.

The spirit of your ancestors.

"So, you're a ghost?"

The voice chuckled. No.

Lucas shook his head in exasperation. "Great. I'm crazy."

You are not crazy, Lucas Vistalia. You are part of another world, the only remnant of our race. It was only right that we spoke with you.

"What do you mean?"

Let me show you.

A series of images flashed before Lucas's eyes. Kids his age dancing to music in the middle of the night. Women working in the government and normal world, respected and feared. Elections for new leaders conducted, won, and lost. All these struck an imprint in his mind. This was the world a hundred years before. This was a time when the world was happy.

But Lucas realized the world wasn't so happy. He saw murders, kidnappings, robberies. The corruption of government. He saw the meetings they held in the dead of night, meetings to destroy the population. Scientists calculated, tested and modified until finally they had their final product: a small pink vial of liquid that could not only make people forget things, but also change their memories.

Make them believe that they never thought for themselves, that the government is solely in charge. They commanded. Make them forget about thinking for themselves.

The scientists nodded and continued their work. Lucas recoiled in horror as he saw the potion released into the atmosphere, infecting everything capable of intelligent thought. People clutched their heads and screamed as their memories changed, some even killing themselves to escape the pain. The world let out a collective gasp as all received memories- but only fake ones. The assembled governments of the world laughed in their hiding places as they surveyed the destruction they had wrought. Men went around, gathering electronic devices.

Poison, they warned, it will corrupt you. The government needs them.

And so no one stood up to them, all just agreed and handed the objects over without question, certain it was for a good cause.

"Why am I different," he asked. "Why can I still remember?"

Because you are special, the voice said. Because you have a role to play. The memories aren't truly gone, just hidden, swept under the rug. You can bring them back. Your connection to the living world has allowed you to remember. Only a few have been allowed to do this.

"Who are they?" He asked. "Where can I find them?"

One is already around you. You must learn to identify who these fellow Heroes are. She is strong, but she cannot do this on her own and neither can you.

"Annabelle?" He asked.

The voice laughed. It's not for me to say. But the answer to your problem is nearer then you might think...

"What problem? What are you talking about?"

Good bye, Lucas.

The dream faded and Lucas found himself back in the mortal world.

Annabelle was chuckling from the corner of the room. "You talk in your sleep."

Lucas's stomach clenched. "What did I say?"

She blushed, then burst out laughing. "Annabelle?" She mimicked. Lucas felt his face grow hot.

"It's not like that."

She giggled, one eyebrow raised. "Oh?"

"Yes." Lucas raised his chin in a defiant posture. "I was speaking with my ancestors."

Annabelle just stared at him. He was afraid she would start laughing, but she asked, "what did they say?"

"You believe me?" Lucas was startled.

"Of course," she said. "I- I do the same thing sometimes." She fixed her gaze on an interesting crack in the floor.

"Um..." Lucas said awkwardly. "Who are you, really?"

Annabelle sighed and unclasped a necklace hidden under her shirt. Her skin became a deep blue, her hair green and blue. Lucas gasped.

"You... You look like my sister."

"Did you- did you actually see your sister die?"

"No, but-" Lucas's eyes widened. "You're saying that you're my sister?"

"Possibly. When I was six I was given up by my parents to a group of scientists. They were studying my changing ability so that they could make themselves more adaptable to the environment. Stupid really, but they tried nevertheless. Also, they wanted my brain power."

"Brain power?"

"In order to change, I have to use a lot of energy, part of the reason why I carry this necklace. A normal human would sleep nonstop for months after undergoing a transformation like that. But my brain is hyperactive. If I don't change, I can learn at super fast speeds. The necklace stores energy from the sun or myself. Whenever I can I insert energy into it and then tap its reserves rather than my own. Also, I can make people see what they want to see. For example, however you imagine me, that's how I'll appear while wearing it."

"That's super cool," Lucas said. "Better than my powers. All I have is the ability to control plants."

"That's an awesome power!" Annabelle assured him. "Think about it. You can't drown because some plants can breath underwater. You don't bleed cause you don't have pure veins. It's a xylem/phloem vein mix. You can go for days without sleep as long as there's sufficient sunlight by an improvised photosynthesis. You have an amazing ability."

Lucas shrugged. "I still think your's is better though."

She sighed. "You're impossible." But a grin streaked across her face.

"What do you remember of the past?" Lucas asked.

Her smile melted. "I remember everything clearly. The gas didn't work on me, I guess because I produce so much energy only a small percentage of me was affected. It was- gosh. Eight years ago now?"

Lucas nodded. "Sounds about right."

"You know, the guy who works at the camp, he has some information about kids like you and me. They're working on an extraction mission. What say you and I volunteer and see if we have some comrades?"

"They'll know it's me though. I won't be able to get past the first gate."

Annabelle winked. "Don't worry. I've got a plan. For now, though, write down what kind of weapon you like, supplies you want, stuff like that. Then change into traveling clothes. Leave the rest to me."