Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
“Alex!” Kevin called after her but no matter how many times he said it, she wouldn’t stop. She reached the ferry before him and took a seat at the front of the boat. He found her staring off into the sea “Alex.” Placing a hand on her shoulder as he sat down next to her.
“I don’t want to hear it Kevin. Save your breath.” She replied solemnly.
“Are you scared?” he asked with concern.
She turned to him “Of course I am! How would you like it if some old powerful monk said you would be responsible for saving mankind?”
Kevin smiled “I would say, bring on the evil.”
She sighed, “Well, I’m not as brave as you Kevin. I can’t have the weight of the world on my shoulders. I’m just a normal girl.”
“With a gift!” he added “I would give anything to be in your place right now.”
“How courageous of you.” She laughed, “I’d give it up but it seems the monk is certain that I am the ‘chosen’ one. Jesus! Why me?!?!!” She wailed towards the sky making people stare at her in wonder.
Kevin smiled apologetically at the people and turned to see her head falling onto his shoulders dramatically. He patted her head adoringly “There, there little one, don’t worry whatever happens, I’ll be by your side to protect you.”
Alex whipped her head away “What? You can’t be serious?” he furrowed his brows confusingly “You think I’m going to go through with this?” she laughed hysterically with tears in her eyes “I’m not going anywhere.”
“But the world will be destroyed if you don’t go!” he was stunned.
“See no evil…” she covered her eyes “Hear no evil.” Moving her hands over her ears.
“You think it will go away because you don’t believe in it? It won’t stop the world from ending, Alex. It will only make it come sooner and how will you feel having the guilt on your conscience knowing that you did nothing to save those people. Everyone…” he asked darkly.
Alex snickered “I wouldn’t have guilt because I’ll be dead like everyone else!” When the boat docked, he pulled her by the hand “Where are we going now?” She asked tiredly “Another mental institute or another bank robbery?”
“Library. I want to show you something.” He waved for a cab as he ushered her inside.
“Why? I hate libraries, they make me nervous.” Alex whined.
“They do not. Now stop whining, you’re not twelve anymore.” He scolded.
She laughed, “Then stop lecturing, you’re not fifty yet.”
Alex easily caused him to crack a smile “Stop it! Be serious, we have a mission to accomplish.”
“Okay, let me put on my mission hat then.” She sat upright in the car and placed on an invisible helmet. Narrowing her eyes as she pretended to look intense.
“Looks like your constipated helmet is on.” He snorted making her explode into giggles. When the car came to a stop, they exited and walked into the library.
“At least let me change. Look at me, I look filthy!” She pointed to the dirt stain.
He didn’t bother looking at her “You look fine. Come on.” Dragging her inside as he dropped her off at a table “Sit here and I’ll be right back.”
“Yes, teacher.” She said with her childish voice. When Kevin was out of sight, she let out a groan while dropping her head onto the desk “Get me out of here…”
“Miss, are you okay?”
A familiar male voice asked making her move her head up and to the right “You! Again! What do you want from me?” raising her index fingers as she gestured them into a cross sign “Get away! Evil being!”
Her voice rose while the blind man shook his head in confusion. Kevin heard her cries as he quickly grabbed the book and returned to her “Alex, shhh! This is a library.” He nodded apologetically towards the librarian.
She whimpered behind him while pointing to the blind man “He followed me here.” She whispered.
Kevin turned and quickly smiled “Oh, it’s you. I’m sorry, my friend is a little crazy in the head. She doesn’t mean any harm.” He reached for the man’s hand and shook it “My name is Kevin.”
“Jerome Choi, but they call me Jerry.” He smiled warmly “How about the lovely lady?”
Alex stepped forward “I’m not lovely. I’ve got five warts on my face, my eyes are too far apart and my teeth are crooked. I’m Alex, it’s nice to meet you.” She reached for his hand and shook it. But when she felt a surge of electrical energy pass through her fingers, she realized she could not let go. Suddenly a wash of images passed her eyes, she saw the creature killing people throughout the world. Buildings were broken and falling from its horrific attacks. It fed off on human’s organs. She shivered from the violent scenes unfolding in her mind.
“Alex!” Kevin had been calling her but she seemed to be in another world. Finally he shook her making her return to reality.
“Huh? What?” her eyes widened.
Jerry tilted his head at her “What did you see?”
She laughed nervously “See? I see a library and two guys in front of me.”
“No, you saw something else.” He insisted.
“No, I didn’t see anything.” She replied firmly, “Now if you will excuse us, we have things to read.” She nodded at Kevin to move aside. Jerry followed her perfume as he turned towards her direction, a smile crawled across his lips.
Kevin pulled a seat out and sat next to Alex at a desk far from the blind man “What was that all about?”
She brushed it off lightly “Nothing. So, what is it that you have to show me? I have a hair appointment in five minutes.”
“Reschedule.” He said casually while flipping through the pages to an old reference book.
“What is that?” she moved her face closer to the cover “Legends of Ancient Curses. Oh crap…what crazy lunatic would write about on this nonsense?”
Kevin found the page with ease as he began to read “Here it is…Ancient Europe has a legend of the curse over the northern sea where evil looms over the Castle of Akrinoma. Evil creatures surround the land, killing any living thing in its path. Thousand of years ago, they were contained in an invisible barrier where the creatures are to remain unmoved. Two hundred decades later, it will rise again from a broken curse and destroy all humanity. The only hope that is left for humans are the seven chosen heroes. Randomly chosen, they will work together to demolish and vanquish evil for all eternity. But it is not determined whether they will accomplish, it will be up the ‘Destined Seven’ whether there will be a tomorrow for the mortal world.”
He turned to find her dozing off comfortably on the table. Kevin let out a sigh while Alex pretended to wake up from her nap “Oh, were you still talking?” Arching a brow upwards while she giggled “You’re telling this to the wrong person.”
“There’s more.” He pointed.
“Of course there is.” Alex replied dryly while looking over her nails “I don’t like this color, it makes me look pale.”
“Shhh…listen.” He instructed, “On the night of the summer’s full moon, the seven will meet together in Akrinoma. A man that was once righteous will have turned to greed. Where a girl’s cry cannot be heard. A man living in total darkness will see through his fingers. It is where a female with amazing contact with nature will come in good use. Also, there is a man who is wise beyond his years. And lastly, the leader is chosen. She does not have extraordinary or special knowledge, she is chosen for her heart and ability to teach the other six something they lack. But alas, the mission cannot be completed without evil lurking its corners. One will turn towards darkness and will be replaced. It is the ‘Destined Seven’ to find this person and destroy him before he releases the evil from its barrier. Those that are deemed ready will see the creature in their eyes, it will only grow more vivid with each day passing, until they are united in Akrinoma. The fate of the world lies in your hands.”
“Great! That’s just great! Thank you Kevin, you have just officially ruined my sleep tonight. Now all I will dream about is this stupid made up castle!” she groaned painfully.
“That’s still not enough for you?” he asked in dismay “What will it take for you to go?”
“Do I have to?” she asked feebly.
Kevin sighed “Alex…”
She rapidly raised her hands in defense “No, don’t answer that…I know when I’m beat. Evil, here we come. Whoopee.” Her voice lacked of energy and enthusiasm.
“Great!!” Kevin was excited as he closed the book and returned it to its rightful place “Come on.”
“Where to now?” Alex dragged her feet while he had difficulty pulling her along.
“Your hair appointment of course.” He said matter-of-factly.
Picking up her steps, it was her turn to yank him “Why didn’t you say so!!”
***********
Using her hands to speak to the class, Ann motioned for the story telling of the war history of China. She was not a regular teacher, she was mute. Instead she used her hands as her voice. The students were normal but all could read sign language “Miss Hui, could you explain the duration of the civil war again?” a student requested.
Ann smiled with a nod as she repeated the information with her hands. After she was done, she glanced at the clock in the back of the classroom. She saluted the group, a sign for class to be over.
After the students left, she noticed a person standing by the door. His smile was inviting “Hi Ann.” Kyle walked inside casually.
She nodded in reply but gave no other response, only turning to clean up her books to go home.
“You’re still mad?” he tilted his head innocently. Ann turned her head up slowly and eventually shook her head “That’s good, I can’t have that on my conscience. How about dinner?” She began to decline with her hands “Why not?”
Ann explained that she had too many tests to check and the finals were coming very soon, she would not have time to even eat.
“Fine, then I’ll buy the food and take it up to your apartment.” He said casually. Before he had a chance to walk out, she stopped him with her hands and made a few gestures “Italian sounds great.” He replied with a grin.
Kyle had a crush on her since the moment he laid eyes on her. He had only taught for a few classes at the new university until they promoted him. She was rare and had more personality than an average girl.
But Ann was not like any other girl, she could not speak and she carried on a special gift that she recently found. She was able to hear other sounds. Voices from another world, voices from things that the naked eye could not see. They were treacherous and evil sounding. She did not accept them at first but the more she visited the monk in Po Lin Temple, the more his predictions came true. She had no choice but to believe him.
The two ordered an easy spaghetti dish and two glasses of wine. Kyle clasped his hands nervously over each other “So…anything new?” She shook her head while taking a sip of her wine “How’s work?”
She gestured ‘So so.’
“That’s good…” he nodded “Um…do you have any plans for the summer?”
Ann smiled with a nod ‘Summer school.’
He laughed, “Don’t you ever stop working?” she shook her head “Those kids don’t know how lucky they are to have you as a teacher."
‘Thank you.’ She motioned a hand over the lips. When the food came, they found it easier to eat instead of trying to carry on an awkward conversation. She knew it was obvious he had a crush on her but she didn’t know why he picked her out of all the available staff at the university. Ann studied his features, he was handsome and so young to be a Dean and it was amazing that he earned a PHD both in History and Math before he turned thirty.
It was admirable but to Ann, he was just another man. He caught her looking at him, causing her to turn away embarrassingly “What is it?” he asked. Ann shook her head with a smile “Does it concern me?” he tried. She nodded in answer “Well then I have the right to know.”
But he was not prepared for her question ‘Why me?’
Kyle was taken aback by the forward question “I…I don’t know. There’s just this connection....”
Suddenly her fork fell onto the plate with a plank sound. Her hands reached over hear ears as she tried to cover the vicious sound of the creature calling to her. It was a mix between fingernails scratching against a chalkboard and an eagle’s sharp cry “Ann? Ann…what’s the matter? Ann…” That was the last word she heard before she fell off her chair and onto the carpeted floor of the restaurant, unconscious.