There was light in a sea of darkness.
Jim was writing in his diary. He was putting his thoughts on his laptop. He sat on his bed, confused, thoughts filling his head. Writing his ideas down was the only way to uncloud his mind. It was a daily habit of his: One of the only constants in his ever changing life.
“Nine months since I have been on this asteroid. It has been crazy. I have had ups and downs. Sometimes I don’t know what way is up. I have made some progress. I am getting better. I am starting to master my strength.”
“Making friends is the easiest thing I have done since I have been here.”
“Randy. Daryl, Matt, Sam. They all are cool people.”
“The pressure is on for me to use my powers. Strength is okay, but I can’t wait until I can use energy absorption and redirection better. That is my favorite power. I can’t wait to master that power. My dad has been instrumental in my progress. He helped at a time when I was broken. I was gone. I was terrified of my powers. He helped bring me back. I am forever in his debt. I want to get to his level of power. I want to be as strong and powerful as my dad. Only time will tell.”
“I am forgetting someone. The girl of my dreams. My future wife: Anna Harvaky. She is amazing. I want to roll her up and shoot her into my veins. The sweetest drug.”
“I want to capture the way she makes me feel. It is intoxicating. Addictive. She is amazing. My goddess. My sunrise on the darkest day. I have had so much pain. So much suffering. She lightens the load. The darkness of having my powers is leaving. It is no longer spreading. With her, all things are possible. I can't imagine my life with her. I don't know where to go or what to do from here. I can tell you one thing; I want her by my side for the rest of my life. I am not letting her go. She is a once in a lifetime find. I want to spend the rest of my life with her by my side.”
“I love her. Am I crazy? Am I nuts? Maybe. But love is not rational; it is not logical. I don't care what anyone says. I love Anna Harkavy. I want the universe to know it. From the streets of Chicago, to the moons of Pluto, Anna is my queen, my goddess. I want to be with my girlfriend. If I have any chance at a future with her, I will take it in a heartbeat. I would risk the world in a microsecond.”
A rush of energy was flowing through him as he typed on his Lenovo Ideapad Laptop.
A knock at the door. His roommate stood at the doorway.
“You ready, Jim?”
“Yeah, let’s hit it, Randy.”
Jim was wearing a blue windbreaker, black jogging pants, and brown combat boots. Randy had on a green jacket, a white tshirt, blue denim pants and red and blue sneakers.
Randy and Jim walked to the mess hall. It took a while because they were not using the elevator. Anna was waiting for him.
His mind calmed when he saw Anna. His world brightened when she came into view. The darkness receded. She was his world, his family. His future.
Anna was about five feet and four inches, wearing a beige satin skirt that fell to her ankles and a gray blouse with a blue jean jacket. Her feet were covered by white low top tennis shoes. Her beautiful amber eyes that looked like drops of honey complemented her figure that was the shape of a glass Coke Cola bottle. Her skin was the color of toffee . Her full lips complemented her small nose.
Jim's demeanor changed after being in Anna's presence. Now that he was near her, he was as light as a cloud in the sky.
“Jim!” said Anna.
“Hey, babe.”
Their lips locked.
“Why don’t you get a room, you two?” said Randy.
“Up yours, man!”
“Don’t pay any attention to him,” replied Anna.
“Okay, babe.”
“I missed you.”
“I missed you too, honey.”
“How have you been?”
“Great. Especially now that I am around you.”
“I enjoy your presence.”
“I enjoy yours as well.”
“Let's get in there to eat. What do you say about that?”
“I think that is a great idea, babe.”
Jim and Anna locked hands. They walked into the room, with Randy by their side..
Jim reminded himself tonight was Chicago cuisine night. He would get a taste of his hometown cuisine.
Randy said, “I am getting myself a pizza puff and two slices of deep dish pizza.”
Jim said, “I don’t blame you.”
“What are you getting?”
Jim answered, “A chopped steak sandwich and a few super tacos.”
Randy replied, “Those are tasty. What type of meat for the super tacos?”
“Chicken.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Go big or go home.”
Jim turned to Anna.
He asked, “What about you?”
Anna said, “I am getting an Italian sausage sandwich. I also want a Chicago style hotdog.”
“Anything else?”
“I was thinking about a few rib tips.”
“Sounds yummy. No fries?”
“I wasn't planning on it.”
“Okay. Cool.”
Anna had become his best friend. He could tell her anything. She accepted him for who he was. She didn't judge him. She was the first person he talked to in the morning and the last person he spoke to at night. She was his sunrise on the darkest day. He was falling in love with her.
The trio got in line and grabbed their food. Anna grabbed a Mystic brand beverage, blue raspberry, imported from Earth. Following her, Randy grabbed a bottle of apple cider. Jim’s favorite was lemonade, in which he grabbed two glasses immediately.
They walked to the back of the hall. Halogen lamps beamed down on them. They all placed down their trays on the table, which were as brown as hot chocolate. Anna prayed first.
“Didn’t know you were religious,” remarked Jim.
“Well, this is the first time we have eaten together.”
“I know.”
Randy said, “Yeah, you two have not been going out for that long.”
Jim answered, “Yep.”
Anna said, “Definitely.”
Randy asked, “It has been about what, six weeks?”
Anna said, “I guess.”
Jim replied, “I think it might be closer to four months .”
Anna said “I remember visiting you in the infirmary.”
“I had just taken out some debris.”
Anna said, “You asked me on a date a few days later.”
“You said yes.”
Anna said, “And the rest is history.”
“Got any training today?” asked Randy.
“I trained earlier today. I deflected boulders the size of minivans. After Anna and I are done eating, we are going to go on a casual stroll.”
“Cool.”
Anna said, “I want to show him some of the coolest places on the asteroid.”
Randy said, “Awesome.”
Just then, Matt and his brother Daryl sat down.
“Hey, guys,” said Matt.
“What’s up dude?” asked Jim.
“What’s shaking?” asked Matt.
“Anna and I are going on a date.”
“Good for you.”
Anna began eating her Italian Sausage. It was dripping with oil. It was a monster of a sandwich. Anna couldn't fit her fingers around it.
Jim, who began eating his two super tacos, made a lot of noise while eating. They were made with pita bread instead of a tortilla and had lettuce, tomato and cheese, instead of cilantro and onion.
“Are you smacking your lips, babe?”
“Sorry.”
Randy cut into his first slice of deep dish pizza. Jim could see the ingredients underneath the sauce. Chicago style deep dish pizza had tomato sauce on top of cheese and ingredients baked into a large crust. It was more like a meal than fast food.
“Mushroom, and olive?” asked Jim.
“Yeah.”
“Why those toppings?”
“I didn't feel like having meat in my pizza tonight.”
“I feel ya.”
“Why chicken super tacos?”
“I wanted leaner meat.”
“That makes sense.”
Jim and his friends enjoyed their great feast eating their various pieces of food.
Once they were all done, they all put their trays on the conveyor belt.
“Ready to leave?” asked Anna.
“One second, babe.”
Jim walked over to the juice dispenser and it poured him a cup of lemonade. Drinking it as he walked to the conveyor belt, he enjoyed every gulp.
Placing the empty cup on a tray for the kitchen staff to clean, he moved towards Anna. Arriving at her presence, he locked hands with hers.
“Now, I am ready.”
Jim turned to Randy and the others.
Jim said, “I guess I will see you later.”
Randy replied, “Yeah, I guess so.”
Then Jim and Anna walked out of the mess hall to the elevator. Traveling up five floors to the ground level, they walked out of the base. They were now on the city streets.
.
Jim and Anna began their romantic stroll. Anna put her head on Jim’s shoulder.
Hazy orange lights illuminated the area. The utilities existed on the surface. It would have been impractical to deliver power and necessary services to the residents of New Laveria from underneath the surface. The city was built into levels inside of the rockbed of the asteroid.
The asteroid was about the size of the city of Chicago with its suburbs. The land area of New Laveria was close to the size of Madison, Wisconsin, 87 square miles. Two hundred thousand people lived in New Laveria. It was one of the multiple colonies of Laverian society.
Walking past houses and apartments dwellings, Jim was amazed at the history and geography of his new home. They walked past the agricultural district. It took up thirty square blocks.
There were no skyscrapers like back home, but there was still verticality to the city, similar to pueblos in the southwest United States. The streets were bustling. People were walking around, living their lives. It was very much a lived in location, like a beehive with a million parts. Laverian engineering was astounding.
They walked along the streets. Jim had no idea where they were or where they were going. He was just along for the ride.
“Follow me.”
“I am. Where are we going?” asked Jim.
“It is a surprise.”
“You know how I feel about surprises.”
“You will like it. Just trust me.”
“Okay, babe.”
He took a view of his surroundings. Having the time of his life, he was with the woman of his dreams. He was getting better at his training. He made friends. He was in one of the best periods of his life.
Paradise.
I could spend every hour of every day with her, and it still would not be enough.
He had a rising feeling in the pit of his stomach. Butterflies? Jim tried to not pay attention to his sensation in his gut.
They arrived in the industrial section of the city. Jim saw a huge turbine attached to a waterfall.. He also saw a power plant shaped like a horseshoe.
Jim and Anna reached the top level. From there, they could see a few planets. They were standing at a viewport. Looking out the window, they had a direct view of space.
“Sit with me,” said Anna.
“Sure.”
There was a bench right in front of them. Jim sat down on the bench right next to Anna: the sunshine of his life.
“This is such an interesting view of the city,” said Jim.
“Yeah, I know,” said Anna.
“And those structures are so unique.”
Anna said, “That is the water filtration unit.”
“Cool.”
“And that delivers electrical power to the whole base.”
Anna pointed to the horseshoe-shaped building.
Jim and Anna were looking at a fusion reactor. Jim barely realized that Laverian engineering was centuries ahead of Earth technology. If they had the ability to create spaceships, they must have the ability to tap into various forms of clean energy.
Jim said, “Awesome.”
Anna asked, “Are you having a good time?”
“The best.”
“Thanks for coming.”
“You are so very welcome. Thanks for planning it.”
Jim moved his eyes to the horizon.
“Is that Earth?”
“Yeah, Jim, it is.”
“It is so small.”
“Well, we are so far away.”
“I sometimes forget about that.”
“It’s okay, babe.”
Jim put his hand on Anna’s leg. She grabbed his shoulder. He put his other hand under her chin. He looked into her gorgeous eyes. He was intimidated by their beauty.
“What is on your mind?” asked Anna.
“I am so lucky to have you,” said Jim.
“What makes you say that?”
“Because you are a blessing.”
“Aw, Thanks. I am lucky to have you in my life too.”
Jim moved in to kiss Anna. Their lips locked. He moved his hand up her thigh. Anna stopped him from going any further.
“What?” asked Jim.
“Let’s take it slow.”
“Why?”
“We have not been dating for a very short time and I just don’t want to rush it.”
“Okay.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Not a problem, honey.”
“I think I can see the Moon right there.”
“Where?”
Anna pointed her finger. The Moon was slightly larger than the blue speck in the distance.
“Hey, I think you are right.”
“See it?”
“Yeah, I think I do.”
Some smaller rocks passed by the viewport.
“Let’s head back.”
Jim said, “I just want a few more minutes with you. Please?”
“Yeah. Sure.”
They stayed there for thirty minutes and then headed home. They walked to the nearest elevator shaft. Anna lived off the warrior barracks. They rode in silence. The elevator stopped.
“This is my floor.”
“I had a great time tonight.”
“I did as well.”
Anna walked off the transport and disappeared into the darkness.
Jim walked back to the military base. He was sore from all of the walking. He was let back into the base by attendants from the guard station. He walked into the building and headed for the elevator. Stepping into the elevator, he reflected on the night he spent with his girlfriend. He loved spending time with Anna. He enjoyed her presence. She was amazing; a special woman. The love of his life. Dania, the girl he had a crush before he left Earth, was the furthest thing from his mind. He was all team Anna.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Jim pressed the button for his floor. He arrived seconds later. Stepping off the lift, he walked the rest of the way to his room. Opening the door, he laid on his bed. Randy was on his bed playing a handheld gaming computer attached to bluetooth earclips . He looked up. He took them out of his ears.
“Hey, Jim.”
“Hey, Randy.”
“How was your date?”
“It was awesome.”
“I am guessing it went well.”
“That is an understatement.”
“Really?”
“Totally.”
“Do tell.”
“Huh.”
“Spill the tea.”
“Okay, old friend.”
“Start from the beginning.”
“We walked all the way to the industrial section.”
“What did you see on the way there?”
“There were agricultural buildings and residential homes.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“What happened next?”
“We reached the industrial section, the top level of the city.”
“Cool.”
“We were walking in the industrial section. She was showing me all the machinery that helps the base function.”
“Okay.”
“So, we then move to the top level of the base.”
“Continue.”
“I move in to kiss her.”
“Wait to go Jim!”
“I know right.”
“This is getting good.”
“I moved my hand up her thigh. Then she stops me.”
“Why?”
“She doesn’t want to rush things.”
“That whomps.”
“It makes sense though. I respect her wishes.”
“What happened from there?”
“We held each other’s hands and just enjoyed each other’s company.”
“Cool, what happened next?”
“We left and went home.”
“That sounds amazing.”
“I could spend the rest of my life with Anna.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, she is amazing.”
“How so?”
“Her face. Her personality. Her kind soul. I think I am in love.”
“That’s a strong word.”
“I don't use it lightly. I could put a baby in that.”
“Okay, man. Dial it back.”
“Was that too much?”
“Just a little.”
“Okay. I adore Anna a lot. I am glad we hit it off.”
“Good for you. I am happy for you.”
“Thanks, man.”
“I am hitting the hay.”
“Me too.”
“My dad has a big training session for me tomorrow. I want to be ready.”
“Me too.”
“I think my metal skin is getting tougher.
“Cool. I think my strength control is improving.”
“What about your energy powers?”
“Those are lacking.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“How so?”
“I still don't know how to correctly redirect energy.”
“Sorry.”
“It's okay.”
“I know. You will get there.”
“Thanks.”
“No worries.”
“Good night.”
“Sleep tight, pal.”
Jim got under the covers and laid down. As he was sleeping, he dreamt of fire. He was surrounded by flames. It was energy. He could absorb it.
He focused on himself.
Just like I have been practicing.
His body began to absorb the heat. He let the fire consume him. He concentrated it into his hands. He let out a huge beam of energy from his hands. He punched a hole into a wall.
“Way to go Jim.”
“Thanks.”
Jim woke up.
What a weird dream.
Randy said, “Morning my guy.”
Jim replied, “Good morning to you too.”
“Let’s go get some food.”
“I couldn’t agree more. I am starving.”
Jim got on some clothes and walked over to the elevator. He and Randy got on the lift, which transported him up to the level of one of the mess halls. The size of the city armed forces dictated that multiple mess halls were necessary.
Walking into the mess hall, Randy and Jim got in line.
“What do you have a taste for?”
“I am thinking of a mushroom and tomato omelet.”
“Really?”
“Yep.”
“That sounds amazing.”
“Thanks, pal. What are you going to get?”
“French toast sticks and turkey bacon.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Grabbing their plates and trays, they both got their desired types of food.
Walking out of the serving area, they reached the tables. Sitting down near the tray return conveyor belt station, Jim cut open his omelet. He chewed it slowly, enjoying every morsel. . Randy dipped his French toast sticks into the strawberry syrup.
“I love strawberry syrup.”
“I can see that.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” said Randy with a hint of condescension.
Jim, in a clarifying tone of voice, answered, “I am just making an observation, pal.”
“Okay, old friend.”
“We are friends, aren’t we?”
“Yeah, we are.”
“It seems that we have been here forever.”
“Yeah. True. True.”
“I honestly can’t remember a time before this.”
“I can.”
“Leaving my home in Chicago. Not seeing my friends. Well the two friends I had. It was rough.”
“I remember looking up to my father, my hero. Thinking that I want to be just like him. A hero. A Protaru.”
“A what?”
“Protaru.”
“What's a Protaru?”
“It’s Laverian for protector.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Protaru.”
“Yep.”
“So I guess we are Protaru in training.”
“Yeah, I guess you could say that.”
“Our fathers are some bad-ass Protaru.”
“Exactly my friend. Exactly!”
Jim’s dad walked up to him.
He said, “Son.”
“Yes, Dad?”
“Get ready. Training starts in twenty minutes.”
“Sure thing.”
Jim finished his omelet and went back for another cup of orange juice. He drank fairly quickly and put the soiled plates, utensils, and tray on the conveyor belt.
He walked back to say goodbye to Randy.
Jim said, “I am about to start another lesson.”
Randy said, “My dad is around here to give me one as well.”
“I will see you later.”
“You too.”
Jim and his dad walked to the lift and descended to the deepest part of the base. Entering the training area which looked like an abandoned mine area, Jim got his mind in the right frame of mind to train.
“So what are we working on today?”
“Today we are starting with some basics.”
“Really?”
“Yep.”
“We are going back to egg training.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah, seriously.”
“Why?”
“I want to emphasize fundamentals. Mastery of the fundamentals is integral to combat and life as a Protaru.
“Okay, dad.”
“I want you to be the best Protaru possible. So you know how to protect yourself and others. How to use your powers for the betterment of your fellow Laverians.”
“I just found out what a Protaru was recently.”
“So you know what I am talking about.”
“Yes, father. I do.”
“Lets get started with todays lesson.”
“Sure thing.”
James Sr, opened a crate filled with eggs. He grabbed an egg and tossed it to Jim.
“Here, catch.”
Jim barely caught the thing.
Jim got nervous.
“Good catch, son.”
“Thanks.”
“Do you remember the rest of the exercise?”
“How could I forget?”
“Let's get started.”
Bladefist reactivated the ring. There was a pillow on the other side of the ring.
Jim walked while holding the egg. He was careful not to crush it. His strength control had gotten better.
“Good son.”
James got to the ring.
“You know what comes next.”
“Yes, I do.”
James threw the egg. It splattered.
“Aw, man!”
“Take your time.”
“Will I ever get this?”
“What do I always say?”
“The universe is unfolding as it should.”
“Yes, I do say that. But what is the thing I always say about Williams men?”
“Williams men are not quitters.”
“Which means…”
“We won't give up.”
“That’s right.”
“Okay Dad.”
“Let’s begin again.”
“Okay.”
Jim still cracked a bunch of eggs. But, he didn't give up. He remembered what his father said. His father was right. He was not a quitter. He had come so far.
“Let’s wrap it up.”
“One more try.”
“Okay, son. But this is your last try. I am getting hungry. I have a meeting I have to attend.”
“A meeting. With who?”
“The United States government.”
“Really? Can I come?”
“Sorry. But no.”
“Aw, come on. I will be quiet. I won’t say a word.”
“It is a classified meeting. There is going to be private information that is going to be discussed.”
“Okay.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
Jim threw the egg and it landed safely on the pillow.
“I did it.”
“Congrats son!”
“Thanks!”
“Let’s go get our grub on.”
“I could not have said it better myself.”
James Sr shut off the lights to the cavernous training grounds. They walked to the elevator, riding to the level one of the mess halls were on.
“We are not going to a regular mess hall.”
“Why not?”
“You have been working hard these past few months. To reward your progress, you and I are going to the upper level dining hall. The one the top Protaru eat at.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“Because of what I just said.”
“Okay.”
Jim and his father stepped into the door. There was an attendant guarding the entrance.
“Oh, Protaru Williams.”
“This is my son. He is with me.”
“Of course. Come right in.”
Jim’s dad touched a reader that scanned a device that was shaped like a card, in his dad’s hand.
The terminal lit green.
Father and son walked into the fancy cafeteria.
He saw his roommate standing in line.
“Randy!”
Randy turned around.
“Jim!”
“Can I go join him?”
Randy was standing by his father.
“Sure.”
“Thanks Dad!”
“No problem, son.”
Jim walked over to him.
“This place is amazing. Isn’t it?”
“I would agree with you on that one.”
“It is so fancy.”
“You ain’t lying about that one either.”
The room had bright red walls, and fancy candle chandeliers. The tables were made of mahogany wood, like someone carved them by hand. Walking to the serving area, Randy and Jim got in line. The plates looked like porcelain made in the 1800s. The food was exquisite. There was prime rib. Mussels. Lobsters. Jim saw slices of fish, like flounder and Alaskan cod.
There were exotic meats that Jim had never seen before. Jim saw a purple and orange piece of steak..
“Check out the food,” remarked Randy.
“This place is on another level.”
Jim walked up to the serving tray.
Jim pointed to the mysterious piece of meat.
“Randy, what is this meat called?”
“Tenderian strip steak.”
“Tenderain strip steak.”
“Yeah.”
“Why is it called that?”
They roast it from a Tenderian, an animal that was found on Laveria. It is processed and cured using emerald fire.”
“Really?”
“Yep. It is really rare and extremely expensive. Most people only eat it during Founders day.”
“What is founder’s day?”
“It is the celebration of the founding date of Laverian society.”
“Laveria has a rich past. Founder’s day is the starting point of when the global Laverian government began.”
“How does it taste?”
“It’s a mix between fish and chicken. You want to try it?”
“I think I will pass.”
Jim scooped some lobster tail and some flounder with a side of mashed potatoes and California blend vegetables. Randy got two slices of chicken breast. He grabbed mashed potatoes too.
Jim and Randy, along with Randy’s dad, walked to the dining area. Sitting down on the padded seats, Jim’s father came to join them.
Jim’s dad said, “Hey, Patterson.”
Randy’s father looked in James, Sr’s direction.
“Williams.”
Jim’s dad, all six foot three inches of him, sat down by his son.
“Hey, Jim?” asked Randy.
“Yeah?”
“How did you get in here?”
“I wanted to ask you the same thing.”
“My dad let me in.”
“So did mine.”
“I made a breakthrough in my training.”
“So did I.”
They all ate their food. The food was so good that Jim went back for seconds and thirds.
Twenty minutes passed. Jim’s dad got up.
James, Sr said to his son, “I have to get going.”
Randy’s dad also got up.
Randy's dad said, “So do I.”
Jim said, “Oh, yeah. The meeting.”
Jim's dad said, “I will see you tomorrow for more training.”
Randy's dad said, “You too, Randy.”
Randy answered, “Sure dad.”
Randy’s father said, “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Jim watched his dad disappear into the distance. Turning to Randy, a thought appeared in his head.
Jim said to Randy, “I didn’t know your dad was such big stuff.”
“Yeah, my dad was a general back on the planet Laveria.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“I am beginning to see my dad in a new light.”
“My dad too.”
“My dad is not just a father. He is a veteran warrior.”
“I think both of our dads are.”
“You are right about that.”
“I am stuffed.”
“Yeah, I can’t eat anymore either.”
“Let’s get out of here.”
“I could not agree with you more.”
Jim and Randy dumped their plates and put them on the conveyor belt. Randy grabbed a Granny Smith Apple and put it in his coat pocket.
“Have a good night,” said the desk attendant as they walked out of the hall.
“You as well.”
With that, they walked to the stairs. Walking through the darkness, they arrived at their floor. Jim opened the door. Randy took off his shoes and laid on his bed.
“I am beat,” said Randy, looking at the door.
“So am I. I worked so hard training today.”
“I am finally getting the hang of weapons training.”
“You get the train with weapons?”
“Yeah, don’t you?”
“No way. I have to break boulders and walk with eggs.”
“Eggs? Why do you do that?”
“It’s a strength control exercise.”
“Cool. Well I guess since our powers are different, our training is different as well.”
“Yeah, that makes sense.”
“If you ask me, your powers are way cooler.”
“Thanks, man.”
“No, seriously.”
“Sure.”
“I wish I had super strength and could redirect energy.”
“I scared the crap out of my mom and siblings.”
“That was back then. Right?”
“Yeah.”
“You are better now. Aren't you?”
“I still have trouble controlling my strength.”
“It’s been nine months. I am sure you have made some progress.”
“Well, yeah. Now that I think of it. I didn't crush my last egg.”
“I have gotten harder skin in the last few months.”
“Good for you, man.”
“We are both on our way to become Protaru.”
“You are right about that.”
“Where do you think we will be stationed?”
“Wherever we are needed.”
“Let’s make a promise.”
“What kind of promise?”
“Like an oath.”
“Okay.”
“No matter what happens, we will always be friends.”
“I can agree to that.”
Randy held out his hand.
“What do you want me to do?”
“Shake it of course.”
“Sure thing.”
Jim grabbed his hand. He shook it.
“This is our bond. Our pact. When we become brothers in arms, we won’t forget each other.”
“I won’t forget you, Randy.”
“Neither I for you, Jim.”
The air changed. Jim felt like a new man. He looked at his life. He was becoming a Protaru. He was getting better at controlling his strength. His energy powers needed a lot of work, but that would come with time.
His life was getting better. One step at a time.
He had one more thing to do. He got on his laptop and opened a video call window.
His girlfriend answered.
“Jim.”
“Hey, lovely.”
“I wanted to say goodnight. I enjoyed our date yesterday.”
“I enjoyed it too.”
“Have some good sleep.”
A voice outside of Annas window yelled, “Anna, lights out!”
“That is my dad. I have to go to bed now.”
“I am about to do the same thing.”
“Have a great night's rest.”
“You too, sweetheart.”
The call dropped. Jim closed his laptop screen. He thought about journaling, but he was suddenly really tired.
“Night, Randy.”
“Good night, Jim.”
He got under some covers and tried to get some sleep.
