Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
That night while Kevin and Ann were looking for ways to gather the articles, the rest were in their rooms resting for what would come next. Tammy was responsible for tending to Christian “You don’t have to feed me, Tammy. My hands are not crippled.” He smiled while taking the bowl of congee from her hand.
“If I was Alex, you would let me.” She teased.
He smiled “Such a shame…she doesn’t want to see me.” He sighed sadly while sipping on the hot soup.
Tammy shook her head “I’m sure she wants to see you. Maybe she feels responsible for your injuries so she has no face to see you?”
“Perhaps…” he had no appetite and didn’t care about the food as he began circling the spoon around the edges.
“Christian?”
“Yeah?” he turned to her questioningly.
She began fidgeting with her fingers “I…I’ve always wanted to ask you something.”
He set the bowl on his lap and gave her his full attention “Shoot away.”
“Why did you break up with me? I mean, we were happy and I could have sworn that you were ready to propose but I was shocked when you told me you wanted to see other people. At that time I was so angry that I didn’t think about asking.” The question lingered in her heart for years and for a long time she figured she’d never know.
“I had joined the FBI and was told that I was not to be involved with anyone. If not, their lives would be in danger. At that time, I knew I couldn’t take you with me to Malaysia. I’d rather you be mad at me for life than to risk your life following me.” He reached for her hand “I’m sorry Tammy, I know you deserved better than that. I only hoped that you were able to continued on with your life.”
She smiled with content “I did. I’m happy for you and Alex.” Leaning in, the two embraced finally lifting the awkward questions that hung over their heads.
Suddenly the door burst open “I got my radio to work!!” Mila exclaimed brightly and slammed the door shut.
Christian and Tammy pulled away as they laughed, “She’s so strange.” Christian sighed.
“I heard that!” Mila opened the door and blurted “Come on, you want to hear this or what?”
Tammy shrugged as she helped Christian from the bed and followed Mila to the library where she had gathered the others “What’s the big news?” Kyle yawned tiredly.
“This stupid place doesn’t give me any signals only static. But finally, I found a place where it picked up. Follow me.” She beckoned and walked out to the living room and into the kitchen.
“Does anyone feel like their playing ‘Follow the Leader’?” Kyle snickered.
Mila stepped closer to the door that led to the kitchen, the same one Howard wouldn’t let them enter. The signal began to work as a male voice spoke urgently into the speaker “Formal news just arrived from the Royal Family. A mandatory evacuation of the country has been announced. The city of London is being attacked by large bird like beasts. We advised that everyone leave at once. There have been over 300…wait, I’m getting another message…over 400 fatalities. I repeat over 400 fatalities. Please…everyone… What is that?” they heard the announcer cry as a sharp familiar shriek of the Akrones escaped and ripped through the station killing everyone in sight.
“London, that’s over 40 miles from here…the barrier is moving quicker than the book said.” Kyle turned to Jerry for an answer.
“I don’t know why…” Jerry shook his head in awe. “The book did say that it would move a mile radius when night falls.”
Kevin narrowed his eyes “But when the mother Akrone was born, the radius of the barrier sped up to 10 times its original growth.”
“What do we do then?” Christian spoke up.
Mila raised her hand “Let me get this straight. So when our special power is given, it moves on to another person, when it stops at the final person, the Akrones are going to go after us. So what is keeping them from coming now?”
“Alex. She’s the key to the mother Akrone, it will protect her until the end.” Jerry spoke up.
“I wish there was a way to find out when the power has stopped.” Ann sighed.
Mila smiled “That’s easy.” She pulled a pocketknife from her pocket and twisted it out in a flick of a wrist. The group didn’t comprehend until she pressed the sharp edge against her hand and sliced it through.
“Mila!” Ann cried while Tammy covered a gasp. The guys widened their eyes in shock.
“Try it.” Mila nodded while gritting her teeth to hold the pain in.
Ann pressed a hand over her arm and concentrated. She opened her eyes and looked down “It didn’t work.”
“Crap.” Kyle uttered while Tammy rushed away to find a cloth to stop the wound from getting infected “Only a few hours.”
“Who’s next?” Kevin wondered out loud.
Jerry shook his head “There’s no use in wondering, we’ll know when it happens.”
“Does this apply to Alex?” Ann asked curiously “Or is her role taken away because she’s the traitor?”
“I’m not sure…I am her replacement only when she dies. As long as she is still alive, maybe she is still within the circle?” Kevin guessed.
“Maybe the books will mention it?” Jerry raised his brows.
Mila eyes began to widen as she looked around “I see dark circles…maybe my power is coming?”
“Honey, you’re just feeling faint, you lost some blood.” Tammy smiled at the dramatic girl.
“Darn!” she cursed.
Christian headed to his room when he crossed Alex’s door. He turned to Tammy “I’m going to bed.” She smiled knowingly.
“Thanks.” He was grateful for her understanding. He opened the door and found her on the bed biting on the knot “You know you could lose your tooth like that.”
She froze from the voice and slowly looked up “Hey you.” Alex pressed her lips into a smile “Ann said you were doing good.”
He nodded while slightly limping over to her “Better than this morning.” He smiled as he joined her on the bed “Alex, can you promise me something?”
Her eyes wandered away “My mother always taught me not to promise anything that I couldn’t keep.”
Christian lowered his head “I see.” He got up to leave. She turned up, wanting to call him back but at the same time she didn’t know what to say “You know what my mother always taught me?” he asked from the door. Alex shook her head, her eyes welling up “Chances are meant to be taken. If you don’t, how will you ever know what you want? How ironic that for once in my life, I know what I want.”
She bit her lip to keep from crying out his name. She knew it was best to keep their relationship platonic. He would only hurt when she died. She would eventually die, whether Kevin could help it or not. She wasn’t about to risk the rest of their lives for her own safety. They would all die trying to save her. She looked down at the knot and began biting on it again. Teeth aching, she didn't want to stop gnawing at the material.
Suddenly there was a short knock. She quickly placed her hand on her lap “Come in.”
“Hi.” Tammy greeted awkwardly. She smiled “You look colorful.”
“Thanks. But I personally hate having ten different colors on me at the same time. It’s a fashion no-no.” Alex joked, “What’s new?”
“Nothing, I was down the hall when I ran into Christian. He seemed a bit…down.” She chose her words carefully “Anything wrong with you two?”
Alex shook her head “No…there’s nothing between us.”
“That’s not what I asked.” Tammy replied. But she still refused to answer her “Alex…” she began with a pause “You know Christian and I dated years ago.”
“So I heard.” She snickered sarcastically “I don’t need to know the personal details.”
“No, I wanted to tell you that when Christian falls in love, he doesn’t give up.” Tammy notice the softening look on her face “When I dated him, his love was the police force. He chose the FBI, not me. He gave it his all and my heart was broken. But I got over it, I had to. He’s very sorry for the past but I was sadder to know that I didn’t understand him. I can tell he loves you.”
Alex shook her head “When you have the weight of the world on your shoulders, it’s a little hard to concentrate on love. Don’t you see Tammy? I’m going to die. Whether or not you or anyone doesn’t want it to happen. You cannot stop destiny from happening.”
“Have you been talking to Mila? Did she tell you about London?” Tammy narrowed her eyes “Sometimes that girl can get under your skin.”
“Tell me about it! You know, I think she just acts crazy to hide this really serious side of her.” Alex said her theory with a whisper.
Tammy let out a chuckle “Maybe. But Alex, think about what I said…please?”
“Okay, just because I like you!” Alex laughed while Tammy grinned. After the petite girl left the room, Alex’s smile faded “London…” she could only imagine the worse.
She was popular that night after Tammy it was Mila who came next “Wow, who would have thought Kevin was so smart to knot these together?” she looked at Alex in awe.
Alex found her savior as she laughed “Yeah, who would have guessed. Have a seat.” She noticed her arm bandaged “What happened?”
“Oh.” Mila shrugged “I was a guinea pig. Hey, someone had to step up.” She laughed humorously, Alex joined in pretending to understand “What's so funny?”
“You made a joke.” Alex looked at her strangely.
“Oh, right. I forget easily.” She grinned “So, is that tight?” she nodded to the knots.
Alex shook her head “You wouldn’t know.”
“Yeah, what a shame. You know I always wanted to tie myself down and see if I could get out. But it’s a challenge alone trying to tie yourself.” Mila was convinced.
“I’m sure if anyone can get out of a knot you can.” Alex replied with much confidence “Hey, here’s a crazy idea…untie me and I’ll tie you down. Then you can try to get out.”
Mila’s face brightened “That sounds fun!” Alex nodded as she got up and pushed her hand towards Mila’s face. The girl began to untie the first knot when she stopped “Wait… what if Kevin finds out I untied you?”
Alex rolled her eyes “This is just to prove a point, you can tie me back once you test your abilities.”
“True…” Mila nodded as she began to until Alex “Okay, now don’t be gentle, I want it really tight, enough to cut off my circulation.” She advised.
“Okay.” Alex nodded with a small smile as she began to wrap the scarf around Mila’s neck to her arms and then hands, which was locked behind her back “Tight enough?” She asked when she was done with the legs.
“It’s good but I can still feel my hands.” Mila grinned, “It’s alright. Okay, now time me…”
“You can time yourself.” Alex peeled off her Movado watch and threw it on the bed next to Mila “Thanks Mila. Tell the others goodbye for me.” She raced to the door and peeked out.
“Wait, you tricked me?” Mila struggled to get on her feet but the tie was too tight. Alex spun around and blew her a kiss before closing the door behind her “She’s good.” Mila muttered with envy.