Friendship
2099 Words
It had been two years since Jasmine and Kevin discovered their abilities, and Anna and Tom worked with the kids all summer. They taught their kids how to master their abilities. Allison and Justin had researched about the Ambopteryx chromosome and found that, when the chromosome passed from mother or father to their child, the chromosome actually grew stronger cells and gave Jasmine and Kevin more abilities than their parents.
Kevin developed the ability to fly and produce fire in the palms of his hands. He could also manipulate fire to bend to his will. Tom didn't like his son's new ability at all. When they discovered the fire ability, Kevin had started many fires on the farm.
Jasmine could produce water from the palm of her hands and manipulate it to bend at her will. This ability came in handy when Kevin had discovered his fire starting skills. Jasmine also could fly and make herself invisible. Anna didn't particularly care about that ability. Anna knew her daughter was as curious and clever as she was when she was her age. She hoped that her daughter would use that ability wisely.
Jasmine and Kevin were juniors in high school this year along with their friend Chelsea. Joseph, Damian and Mandy were seniors that year. Jasmine, Kevin and Chelsea had decided to give their friends the best year that they could. They were going to miss Joseph, Damian, and Mandy after the school year was over. One evening, Allison was cooking dinner in the kitchen and Tom and Kevin were setting the table. The small TV in the kitchen was on, and Allison was watching one of her favorite cooking shows.
"Smells amazing mom, is it done yet? I'm starving,” said Kevin, as he dramatically held his belly.
Allison looked at her sixteen-year-old son and laughed. He had gotten home from football practice an hour ago, and he was still in his practice uniform.
"Almost, my filthy bottomless pit," Allison said, and she turned back to the stove.
Suddenly, the cooking show cut off, and the screen showed a breaking news cast.
"We interrupt your regularly scheduled program to bring you some breaking news,” said the male newscaster.
A man and a woman were sitting at a news anchor's desk in the studio.
"There have been some reports made about rabid wolves being spotted on the outskirts of Glee,” said the woman, seriously, and she looked at the man, and the man gave her a clipped nod as he faced the screen.
"The Glee county sheriff's received a call this afternoon about an animal attack. When the officials arrived at the scene, a family of three were brutally attacked and now the bodies are missing. No names are reported at this time. Officials have sent us these photographs of the scene. Now folks, before we show the footage, we want to warn you that these photographs are not for children or the faint of heart,” warned the man with wide eyes.
Suddenly, the screen switched to a contemplation of a series of horrific photos. Tom and Allison stared at the contemplation in horror as they saw a half humanoid creature that resembled a rage, but the creature was covered in fur, had a dog-like snout and a furry tail.
"It looks like a werewolf,” said Kevin, as he grabbed a roll off of the table and took a bite, and his parents looked at him, seriously.
"What? With the monsters you have seen, you don't think that maybe werewolves exist too?" asked Kevin, as he shrugged his shoulders and took a bite out of his roll.
Allison swallowed hard.
"The hybrid rages must have escaped out into the forest and fed on wolves. They didn't die off!" Allison thought out loud, and Tom looked at his wife in disbelief, as she looked up at him and shrugged.
"It's the only explanation I can think of right now,” she stated, hysterically, and Tom only nodded his head.
They turned their attention back to the TV screen after the newscasters came back on.
"As you can see, folks, what we know is, whatever this thing is that attacked the family has died, but the family is now missing. Officials can not find any trace of where the bodies may have been taken. We will keep you updated as this story progresses. We will return you to your regularly scheduled program,” said the man.
Immediately, the cooking show came back on the TV. Allison and Tom looked at each other in question. Suddenly, the phone rang and Tom and Allison jumped. Kevin laughed and shook his head. He grabbed the phone and answered it.
"Hi Aunt Anna!" Kevin said, cheerfully.
"Hello Kevin, are your parents around?" asked Anna.
Kevin's cheerful tone surprised her.
"Yeah, here's mom,” said Kevin and handed the phone to Allison.
Allison took the phone and put it to her ear.
"Anna, hi," Allison said, still looking at her son.
"Did you see the newscast?" Anna asked quickly.
Allison could tell there was worry in her voice. Allison glanced at Tom.
"Yeah, we just saw it,” said Allison.
"I think we need to go pay our old friend the general a visit. I have a feeling that Leonard Maverick may be behind this,” stated Anna.
Allison felt that her friend's vendetta towards the beast was more like an obsession as the years had passed.
"Why do you think that?" Allison asked.
She knew that Anna had her reasons for being the way she was, but not everything centered around that monster.
"Let's just say I have a gut feeling,” said Anna.
Allison hated Anna's gut feelings. That meant she was right on the money with what her gut feeling was about. Allison sighed.
"Okay, when do you want to go?" asked Allison, as she looked up at Tom.
"Tonight, after dinner, we are just now sitting down to eat,” said Anna.
"Okay, so are we,” said Allison.
Anna hung up the phone, and they ate their dinner. After the parents had gotten their kids settled, Anna, Justin, Tom and Allison got into Tom's SUV and headed to the air force base.
*****************
It was the next day, around lunchtime, and the kids had just started their first week back at school. Jasmine and Kevin sat down at their lunch table and waited for their friends to join them.
A few moments later, Chelsea and Damian walked into the cafeteria, followed by Joseph and Mandy. Joseph sat down next to Jasmine and scooted his chair close to hers.
"Did you see the news yesterday?" asked Chelsea, worried as she sat down.
Damian walked up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders, and she looked up at him. Damian grinned at her.
"Yeah, that thing died right in the middle of its meal,” he said.
There was an odd amount of excitement in his voice that raised the hairs on the back of everyone's neck. Joseph looked at his brother and wondered if he had ever been dropped on his head when he was a baby.
"There is something wrong with you!" Mandy said, seriously to Damian, and he laughed.
"Well, that would mean that there is something wrong with you. We share the same blood, cousin,” said Damian matter-of-factly, as he looked at Mandy.
Chelsea gave him a disgusted look, and he hung his head in defeat. She shrugged his hands off of her shoulders.
"Well, whatever it was and whatever it did, I am glad it's dead!" said Chelsea, as she huffed a sigh, and Damian peeked at her as he smiled.
"Are you afraid of the big bad wolf?" he asked, slyly, and Chelsea looked at him in disgust.
"Dude, come on, stop,” snickered Kevin, and he dug into his lunch.
Damian was special alright, Kevin thought to himself.
Joseph twirled the end of one of Jasmine's braids in his fingertips. She felt the small tug of her braid and she looked at Joseph. They smiled at each other.
"Were you scared when you saw the creature?" he asked softly.
She looked at him and smiled.
"No, not at all. I can handle myself,” she said, confidentiality, and Jasmine gave Kevin a knowing look, as Kevin grinned at her.
"Really!" said Joseph, and gave her a devilish grin.
She felt a tug at her heart. She loved that smile on him. Jasmine giggled and blushed.
Joseph, Damian and Mandy had phased for the first time two summers ago. One night, the moon was full and high. It shined down on the werewolf community brightly. The kids were different from their parents. During the phasing process, each kid phased into a full wolf form. This amazed Leonard as he looked over the kids during their turning process.
Mandy and Joseph hated having that monstrous creature around. Damian, on the other hand, liked having Leonard around. Damian felt that Leonard brought a sense of order to the community. Leonard was pleased to find that the children were totally different species than the rest of the pack. The rage chromosome was weaker, and Joseph, Damian and Mandy didn't turn into crazed blood-thirsty animals.
The rage chromosome seemed to be non-existent in Mandy. She easily phased into a light brown and white wolf with a white star on her forehead. She was a small wolf, but very fast on her feet, and she didn't really have any anger at all, she was a carefree spirit.
Damian was different. The rage chromosome was very strong in him. He was scary looking when he phased into his wolf form with his jet black fur and dingy yellow eyes that seemed to look straight through you. Damian was full of rage and anger when he first turned, and he snapped at his father. Andrew snarled at him and snapped him out of it. Also, Damian had developed the ability to shape-shift into a dark mist and move silently.
Joseph phased into a much larger wolf. His auburn fur was soft and glistened in the moonlight. He had white sock paws and his eyes were golden. Joseph ran swiftly through the forest and leapt into the air. He leapt the length of a football field. When he landed, the earth shook and a swirl of golden flakes surrounded him.
The rage chromosome seemed to have no effect on him, like Mandy. Leonard seemed to take a liking to Damian. He coddled Damian. The way Damian fancied Leonard back was enough to turn Joseph's and Mandy's stomachs turn. Jasmine looked at Joseph.
"Yes, really!" she exclaimed, and threw a french fry at Joseph.
He laughed and let go of her braid. Suddenly, Mandy cleared her throat and everyone looked at her.
"I have an idea!" she said, cheerfully, and Kevin looked up at her as he grinned.
"You don't say!" he said, and put his hand under his chin, as if to be interested in what she had to say.
Mandy looked at him and wrinkled her nose. Mandy was well known for her spontaneous ideas and her ways around her parent's strict rules.
"Yes?" Chelsea asked, eagerly, and Mandy smiled widely at them.
"Let's meet up tonight by the shoreline on the outskirts of the forest,” said Mandy with wide, excited eyes.
Joseph and Damian looked at each other and turned their gaze on their cousin with a knowing look.
"Are you crazy? You know our parents won't let us out after dark,” stated Damian.
He couldn't believe his cousin would even suggest something so crazy. Leonard would have their heads on a platter. Mandy looked at her cousin and laughed. Damian gave her a puzzled look.
"Oh my dear cousin, you have much to learn,” she said, slyly, as she tilted her head.
Joseph looked at his brother and laughed at the shocked look on Damian's face.
"So is everyone game?" asked Mandy, as she turned her attention back to the rest of her friends.
The bell rang and everyone got up from the table.
"Yeah, I'm down, Jassy?" asked Kevin.
Jasmine nodded along with Chelsea. Mandy, Kevin, Jasmine and Chelsea looked at Joseph and Damian.
"Yeah, I'm in,” said Joseph and glanced at Jasmine.
Damian held out his hands and looked at Mandy.
"Why not!" he said, even though he knew that if they were caught, Leonard would punish them.
Mandy smiled happily. They dumped their trays and headed back to class.
- Writer
