Young Guns: Escape Part 2

His father, Norman Mercer, worked very long and hard, so it wasn’t a surprise that he wasn’t home. Sometimes, he did come home early or take the day off, but today was supposed to be his day off. He told Angel a long time ago that his job was very demanding, but the great thing about being the boss was that he could designate a day to be at home with his son. Today, Thursday, was that day, but he was nowhere to be found as Angel searched the house.

It was strange, indeed, but the boy understood. Norman had been working very hard on something at his job. All Angel knew was that it had something to do with the government. Lately, his father had been acting distant and working late, so it was a good bet that he’d be at work now.

Angel had homework to do as he went to his room. A tingle ran through his body every time he saw it. Above his bed, among the photos and action figures, was a framed, autographed picture of the entire cast of Heroes. His father took him to a convention where the cast and director were doing a Q & A.

He threw his backpack down and sat on his bed, taking a moment to look at it. Angel took a liking to superheroes when he saw the X-Men cartoon years ago. Even though everyone persecuted mutants, Professor Xavier had the notion that both humans and mutants could coexist in peace. It meant that when problems arose, they let their personalities speak louder than their powers, and they always came out on top. So, when he watched Heroes, it reminded him of X-Men. The characters reminded Angel of how different he felt, but how it didn’t have to define him.

Angel sighed as he began his homework. The rest of the night consisted of game playing and web-surfing. As the late of night covered the house in darkness, the boy checked some last minute things online before going to bed. He typed a wed address into the browser, but stopped to look out the window next to his desk. A glint of something caught his peripheral vision, but the dark, wooded area hid everything in its cool embrace. Perhaps it was nothing, but he could have sworn… It wasn’t important. Angel yawned at the black and laid down. He had school in the morning.

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In his office, Norman typed up a storm behind his desk. Standing, he was too anxious to sit as he brought up documents and deleted them. There was only one thing left to do, but it would have to be quick. He didn’t have much time left.

Opening the video recording program on the desktop, he ripped the portable camera out of the top desk drawer and plugged it in. Norman took in a deep breath and pressed ‘Record’

He spoke low and fast, leaving no detail left unsaid. The man stared at the camera a moment and let his heart bleed, “I thought I had more time… time to show you everything my father couldn’t show me.”

“I guess I haven’t been the best dad, but I tried to teach you right from wrong. And I tried to give you a life without worry, but my past has caught up with me. This encrypted information is yours to develop or destroy. I leave the choice to you along with the decryption codes.”

Then, a crash came from the room beyond his office. His time was up. Looking back to the screen, Norman said one last thing, then pressed ‘Send’. The message was away, and there was a loud crack as the door to his office caved inward.

Norman lifted his leg to the desk and pushed. The desk flew toward the figure at the door, but the effort was in vain. Chunks of mahogany scattered across the floor as the large piece of furniture was smashed.

Before Norman knew it, the figure was standing less than a foot away with a crushing grip on his neck. Flung across the room, shattering the dry wall and sending him into the adjacent office. He tried to suck in a breath, but could only take in short gasps. His body ached as he lay there; too stunned to make the attempt to stand.

He felt large fingers wrap around his neck, and he was lifted; his feet scrapped along the floor as he struggled. Norman looked down to the figure amidst his choking. Despite his situation, he had succeeded as a smile curled across his cracked lips, “You won’t beat him.”

With that, Norman felt the grip around his neck tighten as his body was flung. He impacted the window, crashing through it. The pavement lay sixteen stories below, but it came closer and closer as his body descended. With his final breaths, Norman saw the stars and the moon; constellations dance along the night sky in their beautiful formations as black washed over him.

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Angel threw back his comforter, letting the cold morning air bite into his skin. The alarm continued to ring, but he lay on his side. A week had passed since the incident with Eaton, and he’d nearly forgotten about it. The boy all but disappeared after that day, almost as if he never went to the school. The quiet kid vanishes and no one notices; no one, but Angel, of course. He didn’t know the boy all that well, but it was odd not to see Eaton in the halls or at the end of the school day.

Another fifteen minutes tempted Angel to no end. He could just reset the alarm, thus enjoying a morning of sleep, but he couldn’t afford another absence so close to graduation.

Yawning, the boy pulled himself up and onto his feet, away from the comfort of the mattress. He plopped down in the chair and picked up his pen, untying the leather-covered journal. Taking a moment, Angel let out of furious yawn that could be mistaken for a painful cry to anyone else, and then began to write.

5/1/10

I just want to sleep in for the day. Had another bad dream… she died again. I couldn’t save her. I dunno why I keep having the same nightmare, but it happens at least once a week now. Do I even know her? I don’t even feel like myself in the dreams. It’s like I’m looking through someone else’s eyes.

There’s an attic (what I think is an attic) on fire and the girl is being burned alive. That’s not normal, right? Well, at least for me. I guess it’s just me going crazy. Mom still hasn’t called.. I’m kinda mad, but what’s the point? She never calls…

It’s going to be slow today… another Thursday.

He shuffled down the hall to the bathroom to brush his teeth. Then it was time to shower, dress and stuff his face with a blueberry muffin if his father had gone to the store last night. The house was silent, which meant that Norman left for work early in order to beat the morning rush. This also meant that Angel would have to walk to school, which sent a ping of irritation through his mind.

It only meant that he would have to walk to school, but why walk when you can get a ride somewhere? Looking at the digital clock on the stove, he realized that he would have to leave earlier now. Slinging his backpack over his shoulder, he was out the door and to the garage where he found his black bike. He pedaled down the driveway and out to the end of the block.

Then, he happened to glance at Derek, the captain of the baseball team. Despite their rough encounters, Angel couldn’t see him as friend material. They attended the same schools and classes since third grade, and Derek seemed to live on the attention he got for his achievements and activities. Angel was attracted to his studies and current events, so they couldn’t have been more different. Derek jogged across the street, and there was no way Angel could neglect to notice, “Hey.”

Angel gave a small smile and nodded, “Hey.”

A silence settled between them as Angel dismounted his bike. He knew Derek struggled to come up with something to say, so he decided to take the initiative, “So, how was your weekend?”

“Eh, okay.” The taller, dark-haired boy couldn’t tan his pallid skin to save his life, but Angel didn’t have that problem since he had a permanent tan. He remembered hearing a comedian using that as a joke, and it stuck, “I went to my cousin’s wedding. It was nice, but I don’t like dancing with my aunts. What about you?”

“Nothing, really. I did homework and watched some movies, but that’s about it.” Just then, the bell rang. Without hesitating, Angel began to cross the street with his bike.

“So, I know we’ve got different schedule’s and all that, but we should chill sometime.” Derek said

“Uh-“ Angel stopped, the tires on his bike squeaked against the pavement, and whipped his head back toward Derek. This ‘relationship’ was strange enough, but in that moment, he didn’t know how approach it, especially since their encounter the other day. Whatever Derek was trying to pull, he was ready for some kind of ambush, “Yeah.”

Wide-eyed, as he realized what he let slip through his lips, he couldn’t possibly take it back now, and he had a feeling it would come back to haunt him. Derek obviously wanted something. Why else would he want to hang out now after ignoring Angel’s existence for so long?

“Great!” Derek exclaimed, hi-fiving Angel as he walked away, “I’ll buy you a soda at lunch. I’ll see you!”

“But-“ But Derek was already in the parking lot, walking to the building with his other friends. Angel was left with his quiet words, as he had no time to protest, “-I don’t drink soda.”

It would have to take the backseat for now. He needed to lock his bike and get to homeroom, and hopefully get through the day without too much irritation. Sighing, he walked his bike to the rack, locking it up and tucking the key into his pocket. It was time to begin the day, “Another Thursday…”

To be continued...