Legacy: Ch. 1

Chapter One

The Calling!

     Storm clouds rage over the tallest mountains in the Colorado Rockies. A lightning bolt strikes the top of the tallest mountain and a large gaping hole appears in the mountain revealing a cavern. The light of the lighting illuminates a large square shaped crystal in the darkness of the cavern. The sounds of thunder get louder and cracks begin to run through the crystal. The light of the lighting begins to disappear from the cavern as the last crack runs through the middle of the crystal. The light completely leaves the cavern as the crystal shatters. Only darkness is visible but suddenly a vibrant red light appears in the dark and forms the image of two eyes, blood-red, piercing through the dark. The form of the creature hidden within the black of the cavern and only the blood-red eyes looking out into the whiteness of the Rocky Mountains can be seen. The blood-red eyes send out a loud shriek from the cavern and disappear, blowing the remaining rocks off the mountain, and blowing off the snow from the tips of the mountains out across the lands, seas, and skies. A Calling!

     The shriek reaches the bottom of the Western Pacific Ocean, revealing an underwater city hidden beneath Mariana's Trench. A golden bright city that shines across the depths of the ocean, showing a multitude of underwater people, some mermen, mermaids, and others that have no similarities to fish except for the gills used to breathe underwater. In the center of the golden city lies a dark blue castle that blends in perfectly with the dark ocean water. Invisible to all except those who know where to look. This castle is home to the royalty of the Agu, underwater people, and ruling point for all the affairs of the underwater citizens. At the throne of the castle sits the ruler of the seas and its people, he is Ezikiel. A tall gruesome man, two billion years old with a scar across each of his dark-blue eyes, which emphasize the cruel demeanor on his face and every one of his years. Ezikiel hears the calling that races across the seas, skies, and land. He stands from his throne, showing his muscular physique, and long white hair.

     Ezikiel walks to the center of his throne room and stands above a pool of ocean water saying, Rise from the depths and do my bidding.

     Six men rise from the pool of water and kneel atop the water before Ezikiel. The six are tall and muscular with long blue suits and blades attached to the belt on their hips. Each with differently colored eyes but the same grey colored hair.

     Ezekiel turns and walks back to his throne and sits saying, I want you six to find the sender of the call.

One of the six responds, As you wish my lord.

     Ezekiel looks at the six saying, wait.

     Another of the six asks, but why my lord?

     Find the sender of the call and follow him. He will lead you to      another who has heard the call, says Ezikiel.

Who my lord? says another of the six.

     I don't know but I fear it might be an enemy long thought dead, Ezekiel says.

     And if we find them both my lord? One of the six says.

     Kill them both, Ezikiel says.

     All six of the soldiers say, yes my lord.

     Ezikiel sits back on his throne and says to the six, then be gone.

     The six sink into the water and disappear. The throne room goes dark.

     The darkness disappears as light comes through to the image of a man. A man who's eyes open and his voice blares the Call!

     The man stands, Rafael, twenty five, about five feet eight.

     Rafael grips the door knob and opens the door.

     My mind feels like it's going to burst, Rafael says as he walks out into the hallway.

     Into an impact of images, visages of Angels in skies cracking the heavens with the clasp of their wings, scatter through his brain, pound on his eyes. He falls closer and closer to the floor with every pang of view. Then portraits of underwater sea people imprint themselves on his mind, changing the course of the oceans with a simple movement of their bodies.

     Rafael lands onto his knees as the wrath of the images do their damage on his body.

     Rafael are you alright? girls scream as they stand from the couches.

     I don't know!, Rafael says, making his way to the bathroom.

     As the sound of the clock behind him gets slower, louder, memorizing noon in his mind. He maneuvers himself into the bathroom, silence! with the close of the door.

     Who's calling me?! says Rafael as he barely reaches the sink to hold himself up.

     Suddenly, Rafael grips his lower back and upper back tightly with each hand as the water begins to run in the sink.

     Something feels like it's going to rip through my skin, says Rafael.

     Rafael runs his hands through the water and splashes some on his face. He can hear every drop of the water. Crashing on his face like a wave, soothing yet painful.

     What's happening to me? Rafael loses vision and goes unconscious.

     The sound of rushing water guides Rafael's body down to the ground and the thump of his body against the bathroom floor, unheard.

     Rafael lies on the floor. The drops of water on his face drip to the ground as the water from the sink, ceases. As drop after drop of water falls down the abyss of the sink, filling Rafael's ears with echoes.

     While above the roof of Kean University sunny skies fight for supremacy to no avail, the sky grows dark. Dark skies cover the campus, creating shadows and through them a sound is heard, swoosh, swoosh, hovering and landing onto the roof of the building. A creature lands as shadows cover its form, its blood-red eyes disperse the shadows, the creature from the cavern! Its claws clasp the roof, piercing the brick, pieces fall victim to the cold breeze. As the creatures growl reverberates through the campus like a powerful wind, colliding with buildings and shattering windows. 

     The wind slams the window of the bathroom and Rafael's eyes open, he awakens. Cracks run all through the glass window almost breaking.

     How long have I been out? Rafael asks, stands, grabs the table, and looks into the mirror.

     The water from his face is dry.

     The pain is gone, says Rafael.

     Rafael walks toward the door of the bathroom, opens the door and walks out.  

     The door closes and the glass of the cracked window breaks completely.

     Rafael reaches the couches.  

     Clank! the sound resonates in his ears.

     What the hell is that?, Rafael says as the sound of the clock passing time immobilizes him.

     It can't be, Rafael says as he sees an hour has passed.

     Fear runs through his mind but is replaced by awe.

     What the hell is going on? Rafael says.

     Two sets of footsteps get louder and louder, pacing, and stop behind Rafael saying, are you Rafael? One of the two security guards asks.

     Their eyes trained on his face and their heavy breathing and nostrils flaring make Rafael uncertain.

     The second security guard asks again, Are you Rafael?

     Rafael looks at them, nervously saying, NO.  

     Rafael keeps his eyes centered with the guards, sweat flows down from his forehead, off his brow and hits the floor.

     We'll check out the bathroom, the security guards say.

     Rafael turns, walks pass the couches on which the girls are still sitting.  

     Rafael are you feeling better? asks one of the girls.

     Rafael looks back at her with his legs still moving down the hallway. While the guards ears catch the comment as they reach the bathroom door, turn and run to the couches as the clock ticks away the time faster.

     The girl stands from the couch.

     Rafael races down the hallway and the girls long hair flows through the air, leaving the scent of strawberry as she turns to look at the security guards race past her.

     The security guards race after Rafael.

     The first guard reaches for his communicator on the top of his shirt and pulls up his sleeve, saying found the kid.

     His steps are like poundings that crack the cement floor.

     Faster and faster Rafael races down the stairs, passing other students on his way down.

     What the hell did I do? Rafael asks as he exits the building.

     The dark clouds and shadows cross his face as he places his hand over his eyes. Rafael hears the security guards pushing students out of their way as they come down the stairs.

     Get out the way, say the security guards.

     Rafael runs toward the campus courtyard with the security guards after him.

     I can't let them catch me or I'll never figure out what is happening to me, Rafael says as he runs through the courtyard.  

     Meanwhile, horns blare, people start screaming as Rafael and the security guards run through crowds of students. A girl is about to get hit by a car as she walks across the intersection. Her iPod in her ears, dress swaying in the wind and hair follows.

     Get out of the way, Rafael screams.

     The security guards scream, we have you now! as they jump to tackle Rafael down. Rafael runs forward too fast to be seen as everything goes into slow motion.

     The guards fall to the floor one on top of the other, students split apart and look at them on the ground. Rafael is moving so fast and everything's slow. The car's horn's go silent, the women turns her head, sees the car, opens her mouth, and makes no sound as the headphones come off her ears.

     I've got to save her, Rafael says as he races toward her, grips her body, lifts her and captures her in his embrace.

     However, on the other side of the campus, time is still slow, the water in the fountain rages up, a tsunami, no! The six warriors of Ezikiel rise from the water, stretch out their hands and materialize blades.

     Rafael jumps with the girl in his hands as the car passes beneath them. Rafael lands as the six warriors pierce six musicians by the water fountain with their blades and the musicians fall to the ground.

     Rafael lands with the girl in his arms, time resumes its speed and the six musicians hit the ground as the warriors of Ezikiel usurp their bodies.

     Rafael stands erect with the girl in his arms as the car brakes violently, leaves marks on the road and stops. All the people look in wonder as Rafael holds the girl safely and her hair flows down onto his shoulders.

     Are you alright? Rafael asks the girl.

     As the six musicians stand, pull the blades from their bodies and walk towards Rafael with their weapons drawn as servants of Ezikiel.

     You saved me, the girl says.

     Rafael puts her down as a screech fills his mind.

     Very impressive Avelar, the voice says, almost cracking his skull apart.

     Rafael falls to his knees holding his head as the woman looks on.

     Get out of my head? Rafael screams, gripping his head tightly, almost crushing it.  

     Remember who you are Avelar, the voice says.  

     Rafael continues to grip his head tightly as a wind begins to envelop him and creates a small hurricane around him.

     Are you alright? says the woman.

     The hurricane around Rafael gets stronger and the woman runs away. The wind blows stone pillars to pieces, shattering lamp post, and blowing away tables and cars.

     What do you want from me?, Rafael screams.

     Fight or die Avelar, the voice in his head says.

     The six warriors of Ezikiel approach Rafael with their weapons drawn.   

     One of the six warriors says, he must be the one.

     Another of the six warriors says, then we shall kill him.

     One more of the six warriors says, where is the sender of the call?

     The fourth warrior says, it does not matter, we will kill him and find the sender later.

     All six warriors say, very well.

     The six warriors of Ezikiel encircle Rafael and grin as the dim skies clear.

     The shadows, disappearing, one by one, then the creature!

     The creature! hidden in the shadows disappears.

     Kill them Avelar, the voice in Rafael's mind states before it silences and the hurricane surrounding Rafael dissipates.

     Kill who?, Rafael says.

     Rafael removes his hands from his head and sees the six warriors of Ezikiel attack him with their blades drawn. But the creature appears before Rafael, ripping the six soldiers of Ezikiel to shreds and moving too fast to be seen. One after the other, the creature rips through their human bodies and the six warriors of Ezikiel land on the ground dead.

     Rafael can't believe the carnage before his eyes as the creature reveals its true form after killing the six. A creature in the shape of a fox with light tan fur, wings as golden yellow as the sun, sharp claws, fangs, and eyes blood-red.

     Rafael says, What the hell are you!?

     The creatures blood red-eyes stare into Rafael's dark-brown eyes. The reflection of both their images captured in each other's iris as Rafael hears in his mind, Avery!

     As the people in the courtyard see the slaughter they race towards Rafael and Avery.

     Avery races towards Rafael as the bodies of the six warriors of      Ezikiel melt into the ground and leave no trace that they were ever there.

     At the same time, the water from the fountain falls in place and calms.  

     What do you want with me? What do you mean by remember who I am? Answer me! Rafael yells to Avery.

     Avery jumps on Rafael, encircles Rafael with his wings and with a gust of wind they both disappear as people arrive.  

     Three golden yellow feathers are left floating in the breeze down to the ground in their place.

Crazy Little Bastard Ch. 1

Chapter One

As I stand on the porch of my house, staring up at the beautiful moon-lit sky. I see the stars, so bright, and powerfully shining. Reminding me of the type of star earrings, my wife, Jessica, wore when I first saw her.

It was the first of September of ninety - one. I was eight - years old, puerto-rican born, light-tan skin, shorter than all the girls, with long dark-brown hair, beautiful brown - eyes, and handsome. Heading off for my first day of third grade. Excited and not knowing that the day awaiting me was to be one of the best in my life.

Its six in the morning and I'm walking down the mountain with my two sisters and three girl cousins. Alexa, brunette, nice, and my older sister by a year. Leli, brunette, short, funny and my little sister by two years. Our three girl cousins Mary, Magda, and Mariela, brunette's, kind, and funny.

Were walking down the mountain and see the old lady, Gabi, who lives mid-mountain and steps out of her house to wait for me. I've developed a routine of stopping of at her house for my most precious morning supplies.

Gabi spots us and says, Omar! Come get some cookies and juice boxes?

I look at her, excited, my heart - aching for the cookies and orange juice.

But I look back at my sisters and cousins. They don't move, just stand stoic, and frightened.

Alexa says, Don't go near her.

Mary adds, Yeah, you don't know her and she's a stranger.

All the girls take a step - back, wanting to deter me from going closer. But I want the cookies and juice too bad to listen to them.

Que paso? (What's happened?) I say, with confusion and carelessness.

I start walking towards Gabi, my heart throbbing, looking back at my family members with every step. One deep breath, every moment, slower, and heavier.

Omar! con cuidado (with carefulness). My little sister Leli screams.

Gabi looks at my sister's and cousins with an angry look and says, Why would she say such a thing? Loud enough for me to overhear. As if waiting for me to give her a reason otherwise.

I finally reach Gabi and say, it's okay, they're crazy. I don't believe it but I say it anyway. I just want the juice and cookies. Come on, hand them over, I think to myself.

Gabi hands the cookies and juice boxes over to me saying, Toma (here). I'm ecstatic she gave them to me.

I take the juice boxes, cookies, and start walking away. As I turn, my cousins and sisters are a gasp. I stop and say and say to myself, Uh - oh.

Gripping tightly the juice boxes I turn back. Gabi walks up to me, steps in front of me, and says, Nene (boy), hold them higher. You don't want the food to fall before you give it to the girls.

I look up to Gabi, putting on a fake smile and laughing an unfeeling Ha, Ha, Ha. Gabi pats my head, smiles, saying, Don't be a bad-boy today.

To that statement I give her my bad-boy smirk and walk away towards my girls with the morning supplies saying to myself Oh, yeah, I'm bad...whatever that means.

Well, as bad as I can be wearing short tan khakis, with tan socks, brown shoes, white button-shirt with a miniature black tie, and a vest. I think to myself as I reach my cousins saying, Cojanlos, (Take them).

The girls look at me smiling. Magda saying, I didn't think you'd make it back. I'm glad you did.

Alexa and Mary look at me like I did something stupid. While Leli and Mariela give me a hug, glad I'm back.

Nevertheless, they take the juice boxes and cookies and we continue down to the bus stop at the corner of the mountain.

I stop and look back at Gabi waiting to see that we continue safely without getting hit by a car. Either on its way up or down the mountain.

Gracias, (Thanks) Gabi, I scream as I wave goodbye to her. Feeling bad, because I know she has no kids like us to keep her company or send off to school every morning. More and more I can't wait for the walk back up just to put a smile on Gabi's face when she waves at us returning from school.

Omar! Vente! (Come on), Mariela screams, la wawa escolar (the school bus), it's coming. Let's go!

I run down to the bus stop. Passing the black and white cows grazing on the mountainside. Juan, a kind farmer, short and buff that we see every day on our way to school. Always standing in his stable at the same time, every morning preparing his pure white horse for a trip to the store to buy seeds to plant and harvest.

I'm coming, almost there. No deje que se Valla(Don't let it leave) I scream as I reach the landing just as the school bus stops for us.

Did you see how pretty Juan's horse looks today? Leli says to me with a smile on her face.

Yes, I reply. One day, when I buy a horse and it has babies. I'll give her a pure white one if I can, thinking to myself as I board the school bus.

As I look around the school bus, I see its full of my friends, boys dressed just like me and girls dressed in their dresses of red and blue with stripes.

Hola (Hi), I say to Pedro as I seat next to him on the seat he saves for me every morning. Pedro is seven, with long brown hair, green-eyes, and all the girls like him. Including my sisters and girl cousins because they think his eyes are so cute. Most people call him "gringo" because they think he's white. We all laugh at that assumption and move on.

Hi, Omar Pedro says. He puts out his hand and we shake. You're not going to fight the nun again are you? Pedro asks.

I look at Pedro with my trusting look instead of my mischievous one saying of course I am. Sister Pirahna is my nemesis.

You keep saying her name wrong, Pedro says.

I smile and say, I know.

Pedro falls back in the seat saying Yeah, I remember, ever since she stole your race car and didn't want to give it back. Last I remember, she slapped you with the twelve inch ruler across your hands.

I turn and look at Pedro straight in the face. Pull my book bag between us and open it revealing its contents.

Omar! Oh no, Pendejo (Dummy), Pedro says.

In my book bag I have over thirty race cars like the one sister Pirahna stole from me. A collection my mother has helped me develop. Since every day I go to school and Sister Pirahna takes my race car. My mother always has one in waiting for me when I return home just in case. So you can imagine the collection I've amassed since Sister Pirahna dislikes me so much and takes my race car's every day.

What are you planning? Pedro asks me. You're being a bad-boy? Pedro adds.

Why does everybody keep calling me that? I ask, bewildered.

As the bus flies down the mountain heading for the next stop I turn and see my sisters and cousins laughing and sharing glances with their friends.

Pedro answers, saying, because you're always looking for trouble.

I look back at Pedro with a snide look on my face and say, I don't look for trouble. It just happens to come and I respond.

Pedro slaps his forehead with his hand. Unfortunately for him the bus goes over a bump and he falls off the seat.

I laugh at Pedro and help him back up to the seat as he says, See what happens to me, when you come up with crazy plans.

Patting Pedro in the back I say, But you're always there laughing along with me after I make things happen.

Pedro looks back at me saying, Because I'm your best friend.

I grip my book bag tightly making sure no cars fall out and say to Pedro you're the best friend.

Pedro smiles and starts to say Oh, you're being nice today. I can't believe it. This really is...

I interrupt Pedro saying, Wait! Shut up, (Callate) as the bus comes to its next stop and I see my two boy cousins. Johni and Jey waiting to board.

Pedro says, and he's back, arrogant, and hot headed. That's you Omar.

Johni and Jey board the bus, Johni, seven, shorter than me, and Jey, ten, and taller. They both see me and Pedro, saying together, Omar, Pedro.

Pedro and I stand as they come over and we shake hands and hug.

Johni says to me, What have you got planned for today?

Pedro smirks as he says, See, I told you.

I smile and sway my head in annoyance. Jey smiles and takes a seat across, seats, and Johni joins him. Pedro and I sit down on our seats.

Jey looks back at me and Pedro saying, I hope you make the whole class burst out cheering today. They think you're the class clown.

See, I say to Pedro.

Pedro says, Que (What?).

Looking at Jey and Johni pointing back at Pedro I say, I'm the clown, not the bad-boy.

Jey gets a confused smirk on his face saying, bad-boy? I still don't see it.

Johni and Jey stare at one another and then turn to me and Pedro waiting with anticipation at their response. Jey whispers something to Johni and he says it to me saying, You have to make the teachers scream out your name in unison to be the bad-boy.

My face in strong thought, I sit back on my seat, thinking. The bus hits another bump, Pedro falls off the seat again saying, Que jodienda, (What the hell), seatbelts.

Johni, Jey, and I laugh as he tries to get back but he decides to stay on the floor. Pedro smiles and says, At least I won't fall again and joins us in laughter.

All four of us slide across our seats to look at the school as the bus arrives and stops to let us off. The girls begin to get off the bus and start for class.

Jey looking at all the girls in his grade says, they're all looking beautiful today.

Johni smiles, and Jey pats him on the head. I look at Pedro and say, which one do you think I can make fall in love with me today?

Pedro smiles and rolls his eyes saying, which one haven't you hit on yet?

I tap Pedro on the shoulder and say, Let's go find out. Johni, Jey, vamonos, (Let's go).

We all descend the stairs of the bus onto school property. It feels great as all our companions shake my hand and look up to me as we walk to the front of the school from the bus stop.

I say, this is what it must feel like to be famous. I like it.

Pedro walking beside me says, you ready for Sister Mariana?

Sister Pirahna I say to Pedro, adding, get it right, it's insulting to the sister.

Johni and Jey start laughing. Pedro joins in the laughter and barely says, I can't wait to see those cars in action.

Jey grabs me by both shoulders saying Lo tenie,(You got him), gleefully.

Johni joins in by saying, I knew you'd come around Pedro.

Suddenly, all the other boys start running past us along with all the girls. They stop inside the entrance of the school. I push them aside as I walk forward with Pedro, Johni, and Jey.

We get to the front and I ask, What's so impressive? Johni adds, Yeah, we're all here.

We laugh along with the other boys. But quickly they become silent and tell us to look behind us. I say, Fine (Esta bien).

I turn around and... and... I don't believe what I'm seeing I say in a soft voice.

Jey says, it must be a new girl.

Pedro and Johni say together, wow.

It's amazing. It's like two stars fell from the heavens just to emphasize her in every fashion. She is beautiful, my age with light brown-eyes, pretty face, my height, and dark long hair down her back. But the wind is blowing and its flowing in the breeze. Her light brown-eyes locked into mine.

But almost blinding is the glimmer of her star earrings. Which show of her face, eyes, light tan skin. Those star earrings that heighten everyone of her features, won't allow me to look away, and pull me into her eyes.

Her eyes, separate from mine and look to the ground and then back into mine. The wind is ceasing and she grabs strands of hair pulling them back behind her amazing star earrings. She gives me a small smile.

Johni taps me with his elbow saying, What are you waiting for Omar? Introduce yourself.

Hazlo, (Do it), Jey adds.

I walk towards the fallen star or at least that's what I think she is anyway. My heart is going crazy, footsteps are inaudible. I start to smell something, thinking to myself, it smells like Michelia Alba roses or sweet juicy fruit. Like the many that bloom in one of my mother's gardens on the mountain.

As I reach the girl, I realize its she who smells like juicy fruit. I say, Hi, My name is Omar. I put out my hand to shake with hers.

She smiles again at me, I feel incredibly happy, saying, what a smile.

We shake hands and she says, My name is Jessica.

I can't stop shaking her hand and say, You have a pretty name.

Jessica laughs and the first bell for homeroom sounds. With her little smile, Jessica's friends take her and she lets loose my hand.

Pedro and Johni grab me and take me towards the classroom. Jey heads off to his own classroom.

I can't stop thinking about Jessica. All I know is I have to get a kiss from the girl of stars who smells like juicy fruit.