Double Take

Double Take-Chapter 14

Chapter 14

          When I awoke, I was lying on our sofa. Back at my house, safe and sound. I glanced around. I was alone. My mind was groggy and confused. I swayed over to the kitchen table for a drink. There was a note lying on the table.

WE'LL BE HOME SOON. STAY PUT.

KENNI

          She's safe! She's safe! I felt so grateful and relieved. Now I could finally relax. I retreated back to the couch and sank deep into it's cushions. I laid my head back and fell back to sleep.

*        *        *

          The door swung open as the jingling keys shook me awake. I sat up with a sigh and rubbed my eyes open. Voices echoed through the kitchen. I recognized each one. A smile spread across my face, and I walked toward them.

          “Clyde!” My sister rushed towards me, throwing her arms around me. “Thank you Clyde, thank you. You saved me.” I held her and savored the moment.

          “I was just worried about you, Kenni.” I turned away, “So, where were you guys?”

          Ice appeared. “We went to the police station to I.D Cole Rush and gave our statements. They knew about the death of Byron. They knew it was in self defense. You'll be fine. Rush is being charged with kidnapping, and attempted murder. I bet there is more, but I tuned out after those two.”

          “I blacked out on the roof. What was that all about?”

          “You fainted from all the stress. I brought you back here and updated your mom and then we had to leave.”

          “What about Jean? Where is she?” I asked.

          My parents looked at each other. “Jean? Who is Jean?”

          “Oh, I bet she was somebody you imagined in your delirium. Right Clyde?” Ice stared me down.         

          “Huh? Oh yeah. I still must be tired.” I shot Ice a questioning look.

          “Well, your Dad and I are exhausted. We're going to lay down. Clyde, we are very, very proud of you. And we are so glad your safe. We love you honey.” Mom started to cry as she hugged me.

          “Oh Mom, don't cry. I'm all right. I'll be here when you wake up.”

          Dad looked me in the eye and said, “I’m very proud of you, son.” Then they walked up the stairs, and I heard the door close.

          “Okay, what happened to Jean?” I shot looks at both Kenni and Ice.

          “Lets go in the back yard. Come on.” Kenni stood up and followed Ice out the back door. I guess I don't have a choice.

          Standing up, I went out the back door following Ice and Kenni. We all sat down on the grass.

          “Now will you tell me?” I was getting impatient.

          “Jean, come on out.” I looked around me, and saw Jean emerge from behind from the lone tree.

          “Why don't my Mom and Dad know about you?”

          Jean jumped in. “Because if you want to actually start on your training, it needs to kept a secret. Remember? The whole drama class thing?”

          “How did you know about the drama class?” I felt violated.

          “I just do. Now, since I am partially responsible for Kenni's safety, I believe I deserve some credit.”

          “Right, of course. Thank you Jean for saving Kenni and I. I really can’t thank you enough, especially since I just met you yesterday.”

          “Well, you see, your first training day was today. However, since you decided not to show up and instead got captured and had your life threatened, I was sent to look for you.”

          Ice interrupted her. “That’s when we met. I came over asking where you were, and your mom said something about a Hickery Windmill Farm. I wanted to make sure you were safe, so I went to see what you were up to.”

          Jean continued, “I overheard their conversation, and confronted Krystal about it. Two are better than one, so we joined together and ended up finding you in quite a predicament.”

          I leaned back and closed my eyes. “Wow, I'm just glad this whole disaster is over.”

          Suddenly, I remembered something Byron had said. “Do any of you know what Byron meant by, 'While you were weak, he gave me some of your power. A successful test?”

          “I heard him say it before I pulled you off, but I don't think it has any merit. Just rambling to get you irritated,” suggested Ice.

          “No, I think it has more to it than that,” I argued.

          “It doesn't matter, does it? I'm just excited that you’re home and safe, and that I'm safe,” said Kenni.

          Jean agreed and tried to encourage me to forget about it. “Your first official day of training will be postponed until Monday. Let you recover. And forget about what Byron said, the twerp was half dead anyway.”

          “Yeah, you’re probably right.” But no matter how much I tried, the phrase still stuck in my head. You heard them, forget about it. I shoved it out of my mind for the moment.

          Jean pulled out a cell phone and checked the time. “I've got to get back. See you Monday Clyde. And nice meeting you, Kenni and Krystal.”

          “Bye Jean, and thanks again,” I said as we all waved. She disappeared over the fence and it was back to us three.

          “Well, I've gotta get back home.” Ice stood up and brushed off her pants.

          “I'm exhausted, I need a nap. Or maybe watch some TV,” said Kenni as she yawned and stretched.

          “That doesn't sound too bad, Kenni. You can go ahead, I'll be right in,” I assured my sister.

          “Okay,” I at smiled Kenni, “but don't be too long.” I turned back to Ice.

          “Thank again for saving me. I owe you my life.”

          “Hey, what are friends for?” Ice grinned. “I'm just glad you’re alive.  I hate having dead friends.” She surprised me by giving me a hug, squeezing me tight.

          We laughed together, and it was the first glimmer happiness I felt since this fiasco started. She turned heading home.

          Now, it was just me. Alone in the yard. I slowly spun around, taking a deep breath. The fresh air seemed so pleasant, the sun light warmed my heart, and everything seemed normal. Almost. Nothing would ever be normal again.

          Kenni poked her head out the door and shouted, “Clyde, come on. I'm waiting.”

          “Coming.” And with that I went to join my sister on the couch, forgetting all the trials, events, and circumstances I just experienced. Or, at least, all of them but one. One lone though disturbed my thoughts and stabbed at every pleasant thought. It tormented. Threatened my powers. It challenged my very being. What did it mean?

          While you were weak, he gave me some of your power. A successful test.