The Flyers Read online

11

  The Extreme

  Hector:

  “The way I see it, there's are two types of people in this world.” Rudy said to me. “Most of them are guys like me. We know,see and hear stuff. We do everything and anything we can to change it. To change this screwed up world. But we deal with it.” he said while trying to burp. “Cause that’s all we can do.” we were talking over what happen during the fire. He was drinking glass bottles of Cola like as if its beer. “Then there are guys like you.” he continued. “guys with all that power. All cooped up within you.” Rudy putted his bottle down and turned towards me “waiting to emerge.”

  I felt guilty for not telling Rudy earlier.

  The town knew about my ‘condition’. Rudy still believed that there is still that ‘Human’. Rudy was another person that I learned to trust.

  Aside from Mel, Rudy trusted my ability to be a hero.

  “Rudy...” I stopped him.

  “come on man, the town saw you swallow a shop fire whole like its your food or something.” I kept quiet.

  “you saved Nicole. She’ll thank you for that.”

  He was right. Rudy wanted me to do the same as how Mel wanted me to be. To be a Hero.

  “you this is not a game right?” I asked.

  “yeah, I know, but my old man once said this.” he replied.

  “your choices comes from what you believe in, not who you are.” he picked up his bottle again and took a drink.

  “my old man never wanted to do this whole delivery man thing,” he began. but he choose to because he believed that he made a difference in this town.” he stared at the horizon while the sun sets.

  “you don’t make choices,man.” he turned to me and said.

  “the choices don’t make you either,

  you choose them. Believe in them.”

  He said.

  I took a long thought from what Rudy said. He may be right.

  I’ve been doing some good in my life, its time I bring it all out. Its time to rise.

  “I think you may be right, Rudy.”

  he took another bottle of Coke, opened it and passed it to me.

  He rose his bottle, waiting for me to hit back.

  “cheers, Hector.”

  “la chaleur est à la hausse, il est temps de se lever.”

  I clanked his bottle. “what does that mean?” I asked.

  “means ‘the fire is rising, it's time to rise.’ in french.”

  “how did you know about that?” I asked.

  “french class.” he said. “learned it myself.”

  “il est temps de se lever.” I repeated.

  It’s time to rise.

  The town never got really close to me ever since I saved Nicole.

  They got scared and worried.

  Worried that I can burn them down because I can but I won’t cause that’s not what I do.

  A few days passed since you last heard about me.

  I’ve been busy.

  More deliveries, more questions and yes, I might end up in The Lab again. The town folks are still friendly but just more cautious.

  But I treat every day as the last day of my life.

  Since there could be someone who will report about a House fire putted out without the use of water, someone will talk.

  But this morning is different.

  Instead of Mrs Robertson making pancakes, we had home made buggers. The smell of beef patty was filling up the kitchen room while Rudy gets the tea ready.

  “so your not so normal.” Mrs Robertson said quietly.

  She sat with us while Rudy just ate like a hungry dog.

  “I guess.” I said after swallowing a chunk bread and beef patty with some fresh lettuces and ketchup.

  Its raining outside today. Guess the title of Forks having more rains in this inconsequential town more than any other place in the United States of America is true after all.

  Its nice when it rains here.

  Fogs will cover the sea and the clouds will turn the town into another place.

  “well, that could be the reason why our fire is always out.” she giggled.

  “you should be out there, protecting the town.”

  I ate quietly while Mrs Robertson just gave me a long quiet stare.

  She then stared at Rudy. Rudy shrugged and turned back to his food.

  “Hector, is something wrong?” Rudy asked.

  “you’re not the first ones to call me do that Mrs Robertson.”

  I replied quietly.

  “a girl once called me to do that.”

  “and what was your respond,dear?” Mrs Robertson asked in excitement.

  “nothing...” I said. “I did nothing and traveled here.”

  I looked up as they give me a blanked stare.

  “that was the reason why I came here. To Forks.” I took a deep breath. “its hard to explain.” I said.

  “what you did back there for little Nicole was more than heroic kid.” Rudy pointed out. “you did the right thing.”

  “what exactly do you want Rudy?” I asked.

  “well I’m glad you asked but first, we have to apologize.” Rudy said.

  Rudy placed his burger down and drank his last cup of tea.

  He took a deep breath and finally spoke.

  “my mom and I are residents here...but we are treasure seekers.”

  For a moment I went blank. The word “ treasure seekers” was still ringing in my head.

  “I’m sorry what?” I asked.

  “treasure seekers?” I repeated

  “I know, hard to believe. But we’ve always been. We seek to protect ancient artifacts, you know like Indina Jones.”

  “okay. So why are you telling me this?” I asked.

  “and why now?”

  Rudy turned and looked at his mother.

  “because we found something.” Mrs Robertson said.

  “come on, we’ll show you.”

  Rudy stood and Mrs Robertson followed. “promise us you won’t tell a soul?” she asked. I nodded.

  Rudy brought us to the garage where his dad’s car is parked. The doors were shut dark. I could not see where I was going or did I stepped on something. We walked towards the car. Mrs Robertson followed slowly and closed the door shut.

  “this is why I never start my dad’s car.” Rudy opened placed an old key into the key hole for the car and turned it on.

  A light blue light appeared and illuminated the room. After seconds of darkness, the room is filled with blue lines that looked like maps or some sort. The light glowed in a pattern that seemed like something simple.

  “we’ve been looking at my dad’s last map that is hidden in this car but after a year of observing, we got nothing.

  My vision started to show signs of a rising blue fire that is slowly raising while dying. Its the lines! They are showing directions...

  “Stand back!” I said.

  Rudy and Mrs Robertson stood back while I gave a big burst of fire around the headlight lights.

  The lines started catching fire and the unwanted parts seemed to have been erased. What remains is a straight line that points to several islands and an empty spot.

  “Whoa! Get a load of that!” Rudy exclaimed.

  “my Hector, seems like your the key for this map.” Mrs Robertson nodded in agreement.

  “looks like this is a clear map to where ever the map is leading us.” Rudy said. “a map within a map.”

  “look over there.” I pointed at one of the spots connected to the line.

  “that looks like us, Forks.” I said.

  “it is dear.” Mrs Robertson said with a smile.

  Rudy took his phone camera and took a good picture of it.

  Something suddenly came into Rudy’s thoughts.

  “dad used to say: ‘a seeker needs a champion.’ you don’t mean.” Rudy said turning staring at me. “oh yes!” I said “look at this, it has a symbol of a dragonfly. Count me in!” I exclaimed.
<
br />   “ I might get answers for my powers.”

  “pack your bags gang! Its time to go find The Dragon Eye .” Rudy said. “I’ll give the old gang a call, we’re going on a road trip.”

  “old gang?” I asked. “My crew. You’’ll meet them soon.” Rudy said with a smile.

  “guess we are back then.” Mrs Robertson said. “we are, not you mom.” Rudy said. He was being cold. Mrs Robertson nodded “you’re probably right anyways, I’m to old for this shit.” she joked.

  Rudy turned worried for a second and pulled me out of the garage.

  “I have something to say.” Rudy said.

  “what is it? About me being your partner in this hunt? Rudy, this is my chance to get answers.” I replied.

  “not that.” Rudy said quickly. “its my mom, she is coming and I need protection for her.” His face stares at the covered sun underneath the clouds. “This actually could be it! I may be able to search for answers behind my dad’s passing and last words.” Rudy said as he stares towards the sky. “The reason behind all this.”

  “but I can’t assure we will all live when other pirates and thugs come after us. just to get rich.” he explained. “they will KILL her to get there.”

  A thought of Mrs Robertson dead could break me.

  “don’t worry Rudy.” I said patting my left arm on his shoulder.

  “I’ll make sure that won’t happen.”

  “no, I need protection for her here while we are out. I’m going to call some folks.” he said. Di he just answered his own question?

  Rudy gave me a pat on the shoulder and said

  “la chaleur est à la hausse, il est temps de se lever.”

  “its time to rise.” I repeated. “thanks man!”

  Even though it was not me to begin with.

  Rudy and I packed and jumped on a his red truck and drove to the nearest town nearby, Port Angles to go meet Tony, Rudy’s transport guy. Tony is Rudy’s God brother. His father is a fisherman who died of old age while the mother recently passed away of cancer. The house is literally a fishing dock . According to Rudy, Tony looks 21 but he is actually 25. Tony has white skin. He has short brown hair with brown eyes.

  He is quite tall for someone his age. His face is a little rounded but just nice. His body is quite muscular.

  Guess he lived a healthy life of carrying heavy items and going outside.

  The house is filled with old pictures of Tony’s family and collections of fishing baits.

  The house was a mix of wood and steel. Well painted in dark brown to keep the wood from rotting. I introduced myself and sent my condolences to Tony. I sat down silently while looking at Tony and his big sad eyes.

  We were there a month after his mother’s passing. Rudy took it easy on him. “ I’m sorry man.” Rudy said. “its okay. I was ready for the worst anyways.” replied Tony with a broken smile. “why you here anyways?”

  “we hate to bring this to ya at this kind of time but I think we are back for one more treasure hunt.” Rudy pulled out a copy of the map on his phone and placed it on Tony’s hand. “we found this.” Tony gave a good look at the photograph and shook his head. “no thanks man. I’ve been out of the game for too long.” he said returning the phone to Rudy.

  “which is why you should, man. Your the best driver we got.” Rudy said.

  Tony shook his head again. “No. But I’ll still provide you transport if you need one. I’m done from adventures.” Rudy kept silent for a moment. “I understand.” he said in a gentle tone. “take care man.” Rudy stood up, patted Tony’s shoulders and leaves for the door.

  “Rudy.” Tony said quietly. “word was James just broke out of jail recently.” Tony looked up while Rudy was an inch away from the door.

  “you better be careful.”

  “I will man.” Rudy smiled.

  Rudy and I got onto the car and drove a little further.

  We drove about half a mile to Park Hanna’s place right out of Tony’s.

  The skies turned gray, looked like its going to rain.

  Park Hanna is Rudy’s old friend. A Chameleon.

  She is as Rudy describes as “a target you won’t suspect.”

  On our way, Rudy describes her as a young Korean girl.

  She rides on a scooter and Rudy said he used to ride with him and a few others. They used to be part of a skate crew back in Seattle until they all grew up and went off their own ways.

  “who is James?” I asked quietly.

  “we shall not speak of him.” Rudy said in a slightly angry tone.

  “I’ll take that you have a history with him?” I asked.

  “hmmm..” Rudy groaned.

  “I’ll take that as a yes then.” I said.

  “take it whatever you want.” Rudy said keeping his eyes on the wheel.

  We arrived at Hanna’s soon after that conversation. Her place is very close to the sea. We peaked through the windows, Empty...

  Seems like she has been gone in a while.

  The house was a huge worm green painted house with dashes of black green spots all over the house.

  “lets look around.” Rudy said.

  “don’t you think its a bad idea to snoop around?” I asked.

  “no worries, I’m just looking for some parts. Besides, she owes me.”

  We walked to the other end of the house to the garage.

  The garden looked like its well managed.

  There were some morning glories and other flowers.

  I kept a keen eye on my surroundings.

  I’ve been in situations like this. You never know who’s going to show up and attack.

  Rudy noticed the garage door was opened.

  “through here.” Rudy said.

  I followed him in. Rudy crept quietly a few steps ahead of me.

  Looking around this place, Hanna must be a hoarder.

  There was an old metal car all rusted,

  A bike with its seat missing and some car parts. The garage is slightly bigger than usual garages. It might be able to fit more items but because of the over crowding items in Hanna’s collection, the place looked small.

  Something caught my eye as we scanned around the pile. Behind a bunch of boxes is a silver sword like thing.

  It had wheels and a handle made for swords combined.

  It was all silver while the handle looked like stingray skins.

  I grabbed the handle and pulled it out. Some of the small items fell but everything is still intact.

  I gave it a good look and was marveled by the design of this hybrid sword and skateboard.

  It a silver three steel pipe connected cruiser with a steel handle in the back wrapped in stingray skin.

  “looks like a weapon.” I said.

  “more like a mode of transport.” Rudy pointed out.

  “or both.” Rudy added.

  “think I’ll keep it. Hope she is okay with this.” I said while getting a good grip on it.

  The handle was bend slightly to show the tip of the skateboard while the other two was well fasten with three steel bars that was perfectly cut to fit and melted and two pairs metal bars for the trucks.

  The bars were all painted black.

  One was on the tip the other was at the near end of the board while three more was on the in between of the board. I looked under the board and find that the wheels were drilled and well fastened.

  The trucks, the wheels, drilled and well fit into the metal bars.

  “looks cool on you.” Rudy complimented.

  “thanks.” I thanked.

  The tip looked dull but still packs a hit.

  “Hanna’s an old man was a black smith.” Rudy recalled. “This must be his gift to Hanna.”

  “for escape and battle maybe.” I said.

  The trucks were also silver with black wheels to match.

  I carried it with care and slid it into what looks like the cover for the sword- skateboard. It was a brown leather sword bag that has a
shoulder sling to it. I brushed the dust off from the bag and wore the bag. I adjusted the sling to my size while walking a few steps to catch up with Rudy. Suddenly, I felt something tied towards my right leg. The string tightened and pulled me up from the ground.

  Rudy rushed over and caught me while pulling his pocket knife and sliced the rope.

  “still superstitions eh Hanna?” Rudy whispered to himself.

  “thanks.” I said while trying to get up.

  Rudy nodded and walked further inward the garage.

  Rudy noticed a shiny object on the other corner on his right.

  “hey, I’ve been looking for this.” Rudy said in excitement.

  It was a shinny shield.

  Its has a center hub in the middle. The edges were also bolted. The back of the shield is also covered in silver and the handles were in brown leather. No fancy symbol, just a faded three lined arrow facing upright from how Rudy is holding.

  Rudy swung the shield to his left and the shield sprung into what looks like a crossbow. The center hub swings away from its former point nearing the edge of the shield and the sides split apart, forming a wing like form. The back of the Shield also split itself apart but smaller. At the other end of the two opened parts of the shield is a bowstring that is connected to each other. Tightly attached, readying it for use. “Works like a charm!” Rudy said with a smile in his words.

  “you still need a bow to do it.” I pointed out.

  “oh? I don’t need a bow. I just need that glove.” Rudy searched around the shield and pulled out a leather black glove for a left hand and hold the shield turned crossbow on his right hand and wore the glove on his left hand. The bowstring started glowing in bright red. Rudy looked at me with a smile.

  “its an energy crossbow.” Rudy pulled the red bowstring to the back and aimed.

  The bowstring began to build up a slightly bigger energy ball on the spot where Rudy placed his fingers on.

  SHEWWW~ Rudy released the string and the energy ball flew towards me. The energy ball had a long tail of red energy stick behind it. The energy ball flunked passed me and crashed towards an old bow target behind me. The energy ball flew into the target. Creating a hole straight inside it.

  “state of the art ingenuity.” He commented. “still got it.”

  “Hanna made it for me.” He then closed it back to its shield form.

  Rudy crawled inward through more items. Other interesting items were around. A Jade Jar, more Metal weapons, old plane parts and more.

  “Hector, give me a hand with this.” He said while standing by the door at the other end.

  I got closer and helped Rudy ram the door open.

  Rudy helped give another push.

  In unison, Rudy and I pushed the door again.

  The door budged open.

  Rudy fell onto the carpet while I manage to catch myself from falling.

  I walked a few steps ahead from Rudy while he tried to get himself up his feet. I walked ahead towards a window looking out to the horizon, I noticed a lighthouse by the edge of the house. I ran towards the house

  Door and ran out towards the walkway of the house and rested one of my arms on the benches on the edge of the house.

  “Rudy, look!” I said pointing at the light house.

  Rudy caught up me and stood by me at the bench, Rudy caught a figure of a girl. Its Hanna.

  “that’s her alright,” Rudy said. “lets go.”

  Rudy and I ran into the large bush of grass surrounding the lighthouse.

  We ran through the grass getting closer towards the lighthouse, the image of Hanna became clearer.

  She was wearing a jeans jacket. Her hair was long, black and curly.

  Her hair was tied in a ponytail with a butterfly hair band. She appears to also wear a sword sling with the sword covered. She appears to be running away from something.

  Her face filled with fear. Her skin turned red in exhaustion.

  “Rudy, hold on.” I said.

  “what?”

  I grabbed Rudy on the shirt and blasted through the window. A floor below where Hanna went.

  I crashed through the glass and crashed onto the rock floor.

  “Hector!” Rudy yelled. “do not ever do that again!”

  “Hanna is in trouble!” I said.

  “let’s move!” I said running upstairs. Rudy followed.

  Several armed men started shooting.

  BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!

  The bullets missed me. Rudy ducked. Rudy swayed the shield into crossbow mode and shoot at one of the armed men.

  TWANT!

  The bow hit the man and blasted away in mid air.

  I grabbed the skate-sword and swat another man down.

  My sword caught fire. I swatted another man. Hanna kicked another armed man.

  “Rudy?” Hanna said in surprise.

  “Hanna!” Rudy turned towards the armed men and gave one final shot.

  “We need to go.” Rudy said.

  “this way!” Hanna said. We ran passed the armed men by blasting them through the men. Rudy shot one off and Hanna kicked one off.

  “hurry!” Hanna said. I blasted at another one and ran out.

  “run!” I shouted. We reached the lower floor and ran for the hills.

  Hanna got onto his scarlet bike and dragged Rudy along.

  she stepped on the pedal started revving up the engines. “Drive!” I commanded. The motorbike accelerated.

  I pulled out the sword-skate and toasted it underneath me and got on it.

  I charged myself and rocketed. The fire blazed towards the direction where Rudy and Hanna are heading, clearing the grass from the blazing fire. “Rudy!” I shouted.

  Rudy swiped his crossbow open and began firing at the tailgating trucks.

  “Hector, heads up!” Rudy snapped.

  I turned my head to the back and began firing bolts of green fire towards the trucks.

  “Bazooka!” Hanna pointed out up ahead.

  I turned and fired. The bazooka fired but collided with the bolt of fire. The armed man got hit and flunked towards a nearby tree. I powered more as we reached for the edge of the road.

  “keep going!” I said.

  “what? Are you crazy?” Rudy yelled. “yup. Probably.” I said.

  I skated ahead of Hanna and powered pass the cliff. The rocks caught up and floated on top of the fire.

  “Hanna! Hanna!” I could hear Rudy calling.

  Hanna understood what I’m trying to do and revved harder.

  Her motorbike drove through the rocky bridge and flew down into the ocean. I reached my end and jumped into the air.

  Holding onto my board, I blasted the skate towards Hanna.

  Hanna got off the motorbike and grabbed my hand. Rudy landed on my back, holding on tightly.

  I powered the fire towards the other side of the cliff.

  The back of the skate sword’s tip began to glow a wave of heat and fired out to the sky. This board is made for Dragonflies!

  I pulled Hanna up to the board and let her stand on the front of the board. Hanna tried to keep her balance while I brought us to land.

  “Hector!” Rudy said.

  “we cannot EVER do that again!”

  We should have been dead because of a silly mistake.

  Nonetheless, Hanna and Rudy thanked me for that crazy stunt to save us from being shot.

  “thanks,” Hanna thanked while trying to think of the next line,

  “for that daredevil act.” she took a sigh and continued “you can keep the board and Rudy,” she turned to Rudy with a glare “you can keep the shield” she turned back to me and started asking questions.

  “what are you two doing in my house?” she asked.

  “well sorry for the intrusion darling, but we wanted to tell you something.” “about what?” she asked. I was distracted by the sword in the bag that she was able rescue from jumping off a cliff. But just taking it from her
would be rude.

  We were back at Rudy’s. Hanna’s place was too dangerous to return to.

  The guys that were after her could be waiting.

  “we found it!” Rudy whispered. “found what?”

  Rudy pulled out his phone and showed the picture of the map.

  “sesang-e...” Hanna spoke softly. “is that real?” she asked.

  “more real than you ever know.” Rudy nodded.

  “we gotta find it!” Hanna said.

  “that may be right but we need help. The map talks about the dangers ahead.” Rudy explained.

  “he’s gonna come with us.” Rudy pointed at me. Hanna turned to me and gave me a look.Her eyes scanned at my looks and grinned.

  “well, I guess he can join our little adventure.”

  She rested one of her arms on my shoulder and asked

  “so, you’re a Convict huh?” she asked

  I smiled and replied “yeah.”“well then,” Hanna spoke softly.

  “looks like you’re in for a ride. I’m in!”

  “you guys talk.” Rudy stood and took out his phone.

  “one more friend to call.” Hanna looked at Rudy believing she already knew why “him, Rudy? Are you sure?” Hanna asked and folded her arms together. “yes, him.” Rudy replied. “besides, he’s cool now.”

  Things could get nasty.

  In Rudy’s world, anything could happen.

  Friends become foes, foes become allies, back stabbing, kill or be killed.

  Just what I need, and I don’t mean it in a good way. I’ve never been on the run before I escaped with Jake and the others, and I sure don’t know how to deal with thieves. The road I’m taking ahead is gonna be tough and full of liars. We gotta hold our own. Trust no one.

  Something Hanna said that feels a bit off for me but who knows, she could actually be nice.

  Rudy and I packed a few things and made a few phone calls.

  I walked out the house and called Melissa.

  “hey Mel,” I started.

  “hey, everything okay?” she asked.

  “yeah, listen uh....I’ve been thinking about what you said.”

  “and?” I took a huge breath and spoke,

  “I think I should do it.” I continued.

  “that’s great Hector.” she replied.

  “take care out there okay?” she added.

  “yeah, bye.” “bye!” the line disconnected, I took the phone off my ear and thought, maybe it is time. After all, this trip could give me answers.

  Its going to help me.