From Embers

T H R E E

School got dismissed soon after the incident. Every student in the school heard about what I did. They all looked at me strange. What was I? Where did any of this come from? I looked down at my hands and closed them into fists. No one could know about what happened today. No matter what people say, I had to act completely normal. What would I tell people? 

I had to go to Mr. Hawkin's office, the principal, to discuss what happened and all so they could file a report. 

"Sit down, Maximus." He stated firmly.

I took my seat on the other side of his desk in a nice dark leather chair.

"So what exactly happened?" He asked.

"I was using the bathroom, and that's when you came over the intercom and told the school to go on lockdown. I tried to make it back to my class before they locked me out but I was too late, so I went back into the bathroom to hide because there was no-where else to go. That's when I heard the girl running past the bathroom. I heard the shooter gun her down and I had to stop him from killing her. I left the bathroom and tackled him. He heard me and tried to shoot but missed. I got the gun away from him and that's when we started fighting. He obviously didn't know how to fight and I dodged most of his blows. After dodging a few of his punches I knocked him out, then called 911 and that was the end of it." I recollected.

"Do you even know how to fight?" He retorted.

"I didn't know I could until today." I answered.

"Do you know how difficult it is for someone who hasn't ever fought before to knock out someone in a couple of hits?"

"I guess I just got lucky." I stated.

"Well, regardless of what happened, you saved a lot of people today. That girl you saved is alive because you acted. We're going to award you with a medal of bravery at the school's next meeting." 

"I'm honored, but I was just doing the right thing. Anyone would have done that." I responded.

"Not everyone, it takes a lot to put yourself into that situation willingly." He stated.

"I guess you're right." 

"You can be dismissed now, and take a few days off of school to process. I'll excuse those days for you. We're all very proud of what you did today. You should be proud of yourself as well, you did something most people are too afraid to do, and for that, I am thankful."

"Thank you, sir. I'll be on my way now."

I stood, threw my bag over my shoulder and left the room. It was time to go home. The hallways were eerily silent and there was not a sound other than my footsteps. Everyone had left. I finally got into the student parking lot and headed towards my car.

I got into my car and started it up. The parking lot was mostly clear now, everyone had gotten out of dodge. I set my head against the steering wheel and closed my eyes. So much happened today, and this isn't how I saw it going. I lifted my head and put my car in reverse, backing out of my parking spot. It was sunny, and there wasn't any traffic to be seen. A beautiful day if you ask me. The drive was silent, no music, nothing at all. 

I pulled into my driveway and my mother was home, she must've heard the news and come home to wait on me. This would be interesting. I parked my car and got out, getting my things from my passenger seat. As soon as I unlocked the front door my mother was standing there waiting for me. She threw her arms around me and squeezed as hard as she could. After a few moments, she let go and did the stereotypical concerned mom thing. She put her hands on both sides of my face and then my shoulders and started talking frantically.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt? Do you need to go to the hospital? Why didn't you call? I heard everything from the school. What happened?" she said quickly.

"Mom, I'm okay. I just kinda took out a school shooter with my bare hands. He didn't hurt me. I was saving this girl after she had been shot. He went to finish her off and I tackled him and knocked him out." I answered.

"Son, I'm so proud of you, but why would you risk your life like that! You could've been killed!" She started crying.

I should be dead, I thought. Somehow I saved myself.

"I had to do something! I couldn't just let that guy kill the girl. She's in the hospital now, he shot her in the leg." I stated.

"Please just don't do anything like that again. I was worried sick when the school called and told me everything. I tried calling you but your phone is off so I feared the worst. As soon as the school called I came home from work and waited here for you."

"Mom, I'm fine. I saved a lot of people today. I didn't even know what I was doing until it was over. The school is apparently going to award me with some bravery award for today. Now, I just want to go to my room and process what happened today. Can I do that?" I asked.

"Yes, son. I'm sorry for freaking out like this. You scared the life out of me when I got that call. Next time something like this happens, please call. My heart can't take it."

"I will mom. I promise. I love you." 

"I love you, son." 

I gave her anther hug and walked upstairs to my room. I threw my bag beside my bag and sat down at my desk. Grabbing a pen and paper, I started to write.

"Abilities?"

I jotted down a few that I used today.

Strength, speed, agility, and no pain. Then I jotted down a big question mark in the middle of the paper. Then below it I wrote: 

What else can I do? Are there more abilities? Where are they from? 

Then below it in large letters I wrote:

Can I control them?

I laid down the pen and sat back in my desk chair. I rubbed my face and ran my fingers through my hair. I needed to talk to that girl. She's the only person that saw what happened today. I need to make sure she doesn't go talking to people about the strange things I did. I looked over at the picture of my dad and I from when I was younger. I began talking to the picture.

"What is happening to me, Dad?" I chuckled.