Double Take

Double Take-Chapter 1

Chapter 1

One year later:

I got out of school early, and headed over to where my best friend and I always met. The afternoon was gorgeous, as the summer sun beating down on the campus students. Summer break was almost here, and the teens could feel it.

As I stood there, I shrugged off my backpack and pulled out a piece of gum, careful not to grab the wrong kind. I caught a glimpse of the stick that is always with me, no matter where I go. It was just an ordinary stick when I found it, or so I thought. Now it’s more than I could ever imagine. I’m no ordinary 16 year old, 5’-8” guy. Not because of my deep blue eyes or fiery fierce spiked red hair, but because I have superpowers. My superpowers are more on the subtle side, but hey, why should I complain? Running lightening fast and having super strength might seem common, but I personally enjoy them.  I’m not sure the exact time when I received my talents, but I think it was one day about 10 years ago, when I was 5.

I was outside during the summer, playing with my friends. The temperature was close to 110 degrees, but I was still out there running around. After being exposed to the suns for over 2 hours, I dehydrated and suddenly fainted. My parents rushed me to the hospital.    

When I arrived, I was amazingly fine, despite having a high fever just minutes ago. I do remember the nurse saying, “Wow, looks like your son has very developed muscles in his arms and legs.” Then, I just took it as a compliment, but now I know that my muscles were far more advanced.

At age nine, I discovered my super speed as I ran away from home. As I was running, my mind got sidetracked. I realized I had been running for an hour at a sprint, and wasn’t even fatigued. I kept on running, but this time I focused on my hamstrings, quads, and calf muscles. Even after another hour of running, I felt no change.

Finally, I stopped and found myself about 100 yards away from a radar display for speeding traffic. An idea formed in my head. I started running again, this time, as fast as I possible could. I reached it in a second. As I flew past it, I caught sight of the numbered screen. Instead of numbers, the screen was blown and smoking. Laughing to myself, I realized I had made it work too hard. That was just my speed.

A few years after my incredible radar speed breakthrough, I got uncontrollably angry at my older sister. I still don’t remember why I was so angry at her. Storming up to my room, I notice the wooden steps became dented with every defining stomp of my foot. Confusion replaced my rage. I reminisced back to the day I ran away. This could be another super power of mine! Soon I began testing my capability. Denting wood was just the start. I’m still discovering all I can do.

What superhero would be complete without some help from gadgets? My personal favorite is my gum bombs. Looks like a normal piece of gum, but folded over twice, it turns into a bomb equivalent to a quarter stick of dynamite. I invented this myself. It is very handy when you need a quick escape. As for the stick I mentioned earlier, it has powers to control the elements of weather. I can make is snow, rain, hail, bring down fire, or radiate intense heat around me. When I first unearthed it, it looked just like any ordinary stick. If I hadn’t inspected it further, I would have missed the tiny symbol carved in the bark near the end of the stick. That symbol is a cloud surrounded by fire.

In the cloud is a water droplet with a snowflake crystallized in the droplet. This image was invisible to me until I was 12. I was holding it while sitting on our couch and had just sighted the symbol and wanted to inspect it further, when suddenly my sister snatched it and threw it into our fire place. I ran to the fireplace, grabbed the prongs and retrieved it. I was astonished that the stick was not damaged.

That night a thunderstorm hit our local county. While it was raining, I noticed my stick shaking and becoming slick with water. I quickly realized this stick reacted to the energy of a storm, fire, and hail.     

The stick also allowed me to channel the energy to my benefit. The stick, also call Sidekick Stick, or SS for short, responds when the holder of the stick speaks certain Latin words. For instance, when I say “Colar”, intense heat suddenly forms around me. The stick is indestructible. No matter what it goes through, it survives.  Pretty extreme!!!

*        *        *

It wasn’t long until Ice Krystal, or as I call her, Ice, came through the school door. As always, she was the first one out. I waved her over and waited. Her hazel eyes looked just like always except I knew they eyes could turn fiery blue, scaring anyone who sees them. So far, that has only been me. Only I know about Ices’ power, which is to summon ice, and only she knows about my powers.

She just recently discovered her powers, so I have been training her since we met. Ice is probably my only friend. Not many people like being seen with a kid who has electrocuting red hair. Most people think I am a freak of nature, which if they really knew me, may be right. I don’t mind not having many friends. I’m more of a loner anyway. The more friends, the more chance somebody is going to find out about me, which is why Ice and I just hang out together. Hanging out really means I coach her to improve her control, ability and how to harness her powers.

          One particular day, as we walked back to my house, I decided to reveal a secret I’ve never told anyone. “Hey, Ice, I’ve got something to tell you. Something I’ve never told anyone. Promise to keep it a secret.” I looked her square in the eye.

          “Oh, don’t tell me you’ve met the tooth fairy! Wow, I am so happy for you. I’ve always wanted to meet her. Don’t worry, I won’t tell.” Ice had a playful look in her eyes.

          I hate it when she’s sarcastic. “Come on, be serious.” I paused. “I met another person with superpowers.” I waited for her reaction.

          “Wow. That’s…amazing. I thought we were the only ones out there with powers.”

          “I did, too, until I met him. I don’t even know his name or anything, just that he can become invisible. Maybe something more but I don’t know. About a year ago, he tried to hurt me, even kill me, but I escaped after I threw a bomb. But I didn’t stay around long enough to see it explode.” I was nervous about telling her all this, but maybe it would come in handy that she knew.

          “Hm…so you don’t know if he lived through the explosion, or died. But if he lived, you also don’t know if he has other abilities besides turning invisible. Right?” She raised her eyebrows.

          “Yeah,” I replied seriously.

          “Well, I don’t think you have anything to worry about if you haven’t heard from him in over a year.”

          “Maybe. But I have a strange feeling about him. He hasn’t left my mind since that day.”

          “Of course it hasn’t. Do you really think it ever will? No. So I think you should not worry about it.” At this point, she seemed to make sense and ease my mind.

          “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Ok, well, I’ll talk to you later. Bye!” I turned down the road and went down the street to my house.

          “Bye!” She yelled before heading off in her own direction.