The Forgotten Hero (Book 1)

Chapter 17

Hedge started to wake up, and I saw Leo, Piper and Jason rush over to him.

I stayed where I was, unable to move. I was disgusted with myself. I knew the manica was bad, but I was addicted to it. And now that I had used it again, all of those feelings of feeling strong and powerful were gone. Yes I had felt the power, but it was an immense burden.

I ripped the manica off of my arm, tossing it to the ground. It made a large clattering sound. I slowly fell to my knees, hot tears dripping down my face. I did that. I made the giant beg for his life. I was prepared to do that for hours, even days if I needed to. Even someone as awful as him didn't deserve that. And yet a small shred of me wanted to do it again.

My whole body was shaking, and I tried to stand. As much as I hated it, I felt weak without the manica. I was disgusted with myself, but I couldn't give it up.

I stood near the rest of the group, as Piper borrowed Leo's makeshift bullhorn to call the helicopter down to the ground.

Tristan McLean looked at me, a look of fear in his eyes. He stammered and Piper tried to calm him down. But when I looked into her eyes, she just averted her gaze.

They were scared of me. I didn't blame them. I was scared of that other version of me, too. I wiped a tear from my eye.

Jason looked over to me and furrowed his eyebrows. "Your nose is bleeding." He said.

I wiped away the blood with the back of my hand, not really caring. I deserved so much worse than a bloody nose. I deserved the death sentence.

We got into the helicopter, and started to fly to the Oakland airport. I sat, distanced from the rest of the group, once again, staring at the sleeve of armor in my lap. I wanted to shred it into a billion pieces. I wanted to melt it down. I wanted to strip it of it's magic. I wanted it to be anything but here.

Jason slid over to me, putting an arm around my shoulders. He seemed to be the only one that wasn't scared of me. Even the pilot had looked at me like she could sense the evil in me.

"Hey." He whispered.

"I want to destroy it right now. But I don't know how." I traced the etching on it.

"We'll figure something out when we land." He mumbled.

"That wasn't me." I looked at him. "It was like it took control over my body."

"I know it wasn't you." He reassured. "We know what you're really like."

"But they're scared of me." I whispered. "They're never gonna look at me the same way."

"They're your friends. They'll forget it soon enough." He gave me a light squeeze. I wasn't really convinced, but I didn't press the matter further.

"What now?" We had landed in the airport, thanks to Piper's persuasion skills.

"I'm sorry guys. I have to take my dad home." Piper looked extremely solemn.

"Oh." I murmured. "I mean, of course. He needs someone."

Tristan muttered. "Pipes, no. You have a quest."

Coach Hedge stepped forward, grumbling. "I'll take care of him."

"You?" Piper seemed apprehensive.

"I'm a protector. I'm not meant to be fighting." He turned to us. "But I am great at that too."

I nodded, rolling my eyes a smidge. "Yup."

Leo nodded. "Terrifying."

Piper seemed not to hear. "But, Dad." She whispered.

"Let's give them some time." Jason muttered, bringing me and Leo a few feet away.

Leo looked at me, well stared at me, for a couple of seconds before speaking. "Hey, are you okay?"

I nodded. "I'm fine." I wasn't really but I didn't need the support.

"Well, you just didn't look like yourself before. I wanted to make sure you were back to normal." He shrugged.

I gave him a hug. "Thanks." I murmured.

He hugged back. "You did the same for me when Festus," He trailed off.

Our moment was cut short when we saw Piper's dad collapsing into Hedge's arms.

"Got him." Hedge muttered. "Home address?"

Piper reached into her dad's pocket and grabbed his phone. "Everything should be on here. Just watch out for Jane."

The Coach's expression brightened when he smelled a potential fight.

By the time she had explained, the plane was landing on the runway.

"You take care of Piper." Coach ordered. "Or I'll make you do push ups. Got it, cupcakes?"

I smiled bittersweetly. I might not have liked the coach very much but he was really sweet when he wanted to be. "Will do."

Leo and Jason nodded in agreement. "You won't have us doing pushups."

"Thanks, Gleeson." Piper nodded. "Take care of him, please."

Hedge nodded. "They have veggie enchiladas and 100% linen napkins on this flight. I think I'll be fine."

Just as he was about to leave, I ran towards him. "Wait, coach," I handed him the manica. "Can you hold onto this for me?"

He looked confused but nodded. I realized he had never seen me actually use it. "Sure thing, kid."

"Thanks." I watched as he got on the plane, carrying both a semi conscious Tristan McLean and a sleeve or armor.

The plane shot down the runway and I just stared at it, not sure of how to feel. That small shred of me that wanted the manica was enraged, but otherwise, I didn't know how to react.

Once the plane was out of sight, Piper started to cry. With good understanding too. Leo quickly wrapped her in his arms, and Jason stood next to them, rubbing a gentle hand on her back.

I stood a couple feet away not sure what to do. After a few minutes, Piper was consoled back to a normal state. She turned to the helicopter pilot, who was standing there awkwardly. "Can you do us a favor?"