Rise of Theo

Chapter 6 : Audax

FOOTSTEPS.

I heard footsteps and it seemed like they were moving fast. 
My eyes were closed, I found it very hard to open them. 
The eyelids felt really heavy compared to my tiny body.

TINY BODY? 
Oh, No!
I was back in my surreal dream world and this time, it felt more bizarre than before. 
I used up all my atomic baby-energy and opened my eyes. 
Darkness. Darkness and the Color Green. 
I was in a forest, with what seemed like pinecone and eucalyptus trees. 

I was being carried by someone. I looked up and saw a man's face. 
It wasn't Michael or anyone I thought knew. 
He was running as fast as he could. 
Every few steps, he kept muttering, "Must....get...to the...base......as fast as possible..."
He looked really out of breath but he kept going on.
His face seemed so rugged and his hands felt very warm and comforting. 
I really started to wonder who he was. 

He looked down at me, still keeping the fast pace. 
"It's okay. Those men aren't after you anymore.", he said and flashed a clear fake smile. 
"Gaaah", I muttered which felt like a sign of relief. 
"We have to get you to the base as fast as possible.", he repeated. 

I extended my small baby neck and tried to see behind his shoulders. 
A lot of flashlights and voices screaming, "FASTER!" came into view. 
I started the waterworks. Tears gushed out my eyes faster than this man could run.
He silenced me. "Not now. It's not the time for this.", he whispered.
I stopped crying. 

We ran for a few more minutes. He took a ten second break while hiding behind a tree each minute. 
He ran out of the forest and into a clearing. 
A wooden house made of thick logs was right at the center. 
Faint noises were heard from inside. It sounded like...laughter. 
I thought I could recognize some of the voices that were spoken from inside, but I let that thought slide.

The man who carried me brought me down near the Log House. 
He placed me on the outer window pane. 
"Now, listen to me.", He said. "You're going to be fine, alright?" 
"Ga-gah"
"Uh. Yeah. Ga-gah to you too.", He said and smiled. "And don't you forget your Old Uncle Clyde."
I reached out my hands and played with his nose. 
"Oww. You're a fiesty little thing aren't you?"
I giggled. 

"HE'S HERE!", screamed a voice from inside the forest. 
"I have to go, now.", he said and he started tearing up. 
He put a small note under the blanket I was covered in. 
"Don't worry.", he said. "I'll come back for you; One day or another. And that's a promise I can make."
He kissed my forehead and ran screaming, "I'M OVER HERE!", and started run to the side where we came from. 
I started crying again at the sight of his warm hands leaving me. 

The crying brought someone close to the window.
I saw a silhouette of a woman from inside the house. It seemed very familiar. 
She opened the window and saw me placed on the pane. 
She picked me up and cradled me.
"There, there. What are you doing here, little stranger?", she said and smiled. 
I saw the warmest smile that day. 
Immediately, I stopped crying. 
A gust of wind blew the note from my blanket and it landed on the floor.
She picked it up and started reading it. 
"Theodore, is it?", she winked. "That's a perfect name for you." 
Another man came up to her and saw me. 
"Oh, what's this?", He came up to me and said. 
She gave him the note. 
He read it and dropped it down. 
"Alright then, Theodore", He said and flashed a big smile. "Welcome to the Archero Family."

***

When I woke up, I saw a cute, fuzzy face.
"We've got to stop meeting like this.", said Espin and sighed. 
"Wha...what happened?", I managed to voice out. 
I was still lying down on the same loser bench my team sat in. I sat upright. 
The Gym seemed empty. 
"It looks like you fainted.", said Mr.Monroe and checked my temperature with his hands.
"You fainted while you were changing your clothes in the Boys Locker Room.", she said and pointed to a tall, buff looking dude. "Gary carried you here."
I looked where she was pointing. 
Right there, stood a boy who was about almost a foot taller than me.
He gestured a Hi.
I waved Hey back. 

"Now, Theo...", said Mr.Monroe. "I need you to come to my office. There's something I need to show you." 
"What?", asked Espin. "He just woke up. Let him have a few minutes -"
"Espin.", I said. "It's okay. I'm feeling better now." 
"Are you sure?", she asked. I could feel the worry in her voice.
"Yeah. I'll be back in a few minutes.", I assured her.
I stood up and started stretching my arms. 
I felt...stronger...and a bit taller too. 

Mr.Monroe gestured me to follow him. 
I waved a goodbye to Espin and headed out the Gym.
"Mr.M, what happened out there? During the game?", I asked. 
"Not here, Theodore.", He whispered. "Let's talk about this in my office."

We walked across the hallway and we passed Principal Boron's Office. 
Mr.Monroe checked the blinds on her office and sighed in relief. 
"She's not here.", He said to himself. "Thank god."
"Principal Boron? I think she's on her daily rounds.", I said looking confused.
"Theodore, you should remember never to trust her.", He told me.
"Yeah. I know. She's been really annoyed at me recently.", I sighed.
"It's not just that, Theodore.", He said and looked around. "Come. We have to move quickly. Before she comes back."

Mr.Monroe walked in front of me. The way he walked seemed funny to me. 
Moving both his tiny feet so quickly. 
We reached his office. 
He searched his pocket and took out a few keys. He used one to unlock the door.

We walked inside into what seemed like a tiny little room with a desk, a chair, a window with curtains and a bookshelf behind the chair.
He gestured for me to wait where I was standing. 
From the size of his room, I don't think I could move even if I wanted to.
He went near the windows and pulled a thick string that closed the blinds of the curtain. 
"Check.", He said.
He moved to his table and went underneath his desk. 
I bowed down to see what he was doing. 
He pressed a little red button that made no sound.
"Sound-Proofing...Check!", He muttered to himself. 

I had no idea what he was doing. A part of me thought he was insane. 
But he seemed jittered and excited.
He went to the shelf and picked up a book titled, 'The Count of Monte Cristo'
Suddenly, the shelf slided to the right and it opened to HUGE room with brightly lit green wallpaper with pictures of strange people with crazy hats. 
Many computers and gadgets seemed to be inside the room. Lights flashed on and off every second. 

To be honest, I was impressed.
Mr.Monroe lead me inside and sat on a really comfortable looking rotational chair that was twice his size.
"Welcome to Audax.", he said. "Have a seat, Theo."