Ascension (The Ascension Series) (32 page)

CHAPTER 15

It was Monday morning and things were as back to normal as they could possibly be after a long week of loss and tragedy.
Clark was in his room getting dressed for class. Down the hall he could hear his baby brother crying. As he buttoned up his shirt, he could hear his mother trying to calm her new child.

“Hush, hush,” she said. “Everything’s going to be alright.
” Then she chuckled, “Wait until daddy’s home to cry.”

The doorbell rang and Clark ran out of his room and down the stairs. “I’ll get it mom!” he shouted. He answered the d
oor and Sarah stood in front of him with her backpack draped over her shoulder. She walked into the house and hugged Clark as tightly as she could.

“I’m glad to see you too,” he told her. “Come on.”

Clark took Sarah by the hand and led her upstairs to his room. He pulled out a box from underneath his bed and opened it. Inside the box was his full costume.

“It’s all there,” he said.

“I put mine away too,” Sarah told him.

Clark reached into his pants pocket and pulled out the horn rimmed glasses that he had gotten accustomed to wearing over the past month. He tossed the glasses into the box along with the rest of the outfit.

“I don’t think I’m going to need any of this anymore,” Clark said as he closed the box. “One day I think I’ll burn it but for now I’ll just toss it in my closet.” And he did just that by placing the box as far back into his closet as possible and shutting the door.

“It was quite a ride,” Sarah said.

“Oh yeah,” Clark reminisced. “We saved a lot of people. But I guess the consequences were just too great. This is sort of why superheroes don’t really exist.”

“We lost half our friends,” Sarah said.

“I know. I didn’t think our lives would be changed like this.”

“So how’s your little brother doing?”

“He’s healthy,” Clark chuckled. “He cried all last night so I wedged a few towels under my door. Still didn’t help.”

“Good, I’m glad he’s doing well.”

“Matthew,” Clark said. “Matthew’s not bad, but my name is cooler. He can never say he was named after a superhero.”

Sarah laughed, “How are we getting to school today?”

“I don’t really want to use my powers anymore. You know, before Andrew went back to Florida last night he told me that he rarely uses telekinesis aside from golfing. It makes him feel normal.”

“So you’
re going to do the same?” Sarah asked him.

“Well, just occasionally, I guess.”

“Like for a football game?”

“Exactly,” Clark laughed. “That’s exactly what I mean.”

“So that means no more flying?” Sarah said.

“I think it’ best we lie low.”

“So it’s the school bus then.”

“Once again, you are exactly correct,” Clark smiled.

Clark grabbed his backpack, said bye to his mom, and left the house with Sarah. They walked to the bus stop and boarded the bus when it arrived. Many of the students on the bus remained silent. It was their way of grieving for Charles and John. When Clark and Chloe sat together on the bus, several students turned around and said they were sorry to hear about what happened to
their two friends. Clark and Chloe thanked them and respectfully remained silent on the ride to school as well.

When they made it to Franklin Pierce High, it was more of the same. Students stopped them, Clark especially, in the hallway to offer their condolences. A few said they thought that
Charles was dead but Clark corrected them and said that Charles had been shot and was expected to make a full recovery.

“Kind of lonely,” Sarah said as she and Clark stood together in front of her locker. “I mean, despite all the kid
s stopping to give their condolences.”

“I know,” Clark agreed. “It’s just me and you now. I’m so used to having Charles and John
here.”

“Are we going to see Charles after school today?” Sarah asked.

“Definitely,” Clark brimmed. “I plan on seeing him every day.”

“I love you, Clark,” Sarah said out of nowhere. She wrapped her arms around him for a full minute before letting go.

“I love you too,” Clark told her. “After all of this, I don’t think I could make it without you.”

“Okay, I’ll see you later
then,” Sarah said as she pointed to the clock in the hallway that was sealed to the wall. It was three minute before class. Clark watched as Sarah bounced away and then he hurried into first period history class. He sat down and watched as students flogged into the room right before the bell. Then he turned his head slightly and stared at the empty chair that John used to occupy. “I miss you, buddy,” Clark whispered under his breath. He could hardly pay attention to the teacher as he sat alone without a friend to pass notes to or whisper about how boring class was.

An hour and fifteen minutes later, the bell rang and Clark was glad to leave the classroom. He was the first one out and he headed direc
tly to computer class. He was relieved to see both Donny and Chloe sitting together in the computer lab. He took a seat next to Donny and immediately struck up a conversation.

“How are you holding up?” Donny asked.

“Forget me,” Clark said. “How’s Chloe?”

Clark looked past Donny and waved to his girlfriend.

“I’m okay,” Chloe said. “Nothing I wasn’t accustomed to after fighting crime for two months.”

“What about your parents?” Clark asked.

“They were a little shook up,” Chloe said. “But they’re okay. They’re already back to work this morning.”

“Cool,” Clark told her. “Sounds good.”

“You’ve got to tell us what happened in the aftermath yesterday,” Donny told Clark.

“Well the crystal is back at Bio-Tech,” Clark informed them. “Charles told his dad where it was located. Charles’s dad knows the police commissioner so don’t worry, none of our name are being associated with the warehouse. As far as John and the dead mercenary that was in the warehouse, I’m told the ‘official’ word is that they were electrocuted. The crystal is
still listed as off the books. No one outside of Bio-Tech knows about it. Besides us.”

“So John’s death certificate says he was electrocuted?
” Donny asked.

“Death certificate?” Clark corrected him. “John’s not dead.”

“What!?” Donny and Chloe both said in utter shock.

“Well, almost not dead. His body is at the hospital. Holding onto the crystal left him comatose. He’s in a vegetative state.”

“I thought it killed everyone else who held onto it?” Chloe said.

“It did,” Clark said. “But I think it’s because John had already touched the crystal before. His body built up some kind of tolerance. But what does it matter? He’s never expected to gain consciousness.”

“So what are they going to do?” Donny asked.

“Well both of John’s parents are dead. He’s considered a ward of the state.
Mr. Walsh told me that means the state will decide when to pull the plug on him. And they always do it after six months. The cost is just too high.”

“God,” Donny said. “I wish we could have saved him.”

The teacher entered the room and sat at his desk. He didn’t bother to give instructions as the bell rang. Everyone just went back to conversing and Clark spoke again to Donny and Chloe about John.

“I miss him,” Clark admitted. “But I’ve learned that not everyone can be saved. It’
s why we chucked our costumes.”

“I think I’m going to miss it,” Chloe said
. “I’m going to miss the thrill.”

“Yeah,” Donny agreed. “So this is what retirement feels like?” He laughed, “I’m retiring at age fifteen.”

“Is Sarah okay,” Chloe asked.

“Yeah,” Clark answered. “She’s doing alright.”

“How’s Charles?” Chloe continued.

“Charles is as good as he can be, I guess. He’s actually kind of in high spirits. His mom is with him at the hospital. Like the doctors said, the bullet missed all his major organs and didn’t touch his spine so we’re hoping he’ll be back to normal in a few months.”

“So he’ll be back for next semester?” Donny asked.

“Yeah,” Clark said. “We’re all hoping so. Charles is a fighter.”

Donny and Chloe smiled as they placed their arms over each other’s shoulders.

“I’m glad you two have one another,” Clark told them. “Especially in a time like this. And I’m glad Sarah’s there for me.”

“Yeah, dude,” Donny assured him. “It’s nice.”

“Are you going to miss it?” Clark asked him.

“The costumes? The crime fighting?” Donny said. “I’m actually kind of glad it’s over. I think it was all a little too fast paced for me. The guns, the violence, the kidnappings. Not really my style.”

Clark laughed. “I never should have suggested it.”

“But hey,” Chloe added. “It was a once in a lifetime sort of thing.”

“I even decided I’m not going to use my powers much,” Clark told them. “Maybe just on the field and that’s about it.”

“No more flying?” Donny asked.

“Not unless I miss the school bus,” Clark joked. “And I’m hoping to get a car soon anyway.
So yeah, no more flying.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” Chloe told Donny. “Me and you should do the same.”

“Ugh,” Donny shrugged. “I kind of like moving things with my mind.”

“Okay,” Chloe laughed. “Just as long as it’s not trains.”

“I promise,” Donny smiled. “I won’t move any trains or planes or crash through any buildings. I promise I’ll be sworn to secrecy.”

“I just sort of thought,” Clark said. “Maybe one day it’ll wear off.”

“I hadn’t really thought of that,” Donny admitted. “Interesting idea.”

“Until then, I’ll just have to
pretend
to be normal,” Clark said as he gave a faint laugh.

“So do your parents know?” Chloe asked Clark.

“No,” Clark said. “My dad knows everything about the crystal but he doesn’t know what I’m capable of. I haven’t told them yet. I’m still not sure if I will. What about you?”

“No,” Chloe said of herself. “My parents thought we were kidnapped for money. Wu’s guys shot me up with lead but once it wore off my powers were back to normal and I was careful not to use them.”

“Sounds good,” Clark told her.

“My parents don’t have a clue,” Donny said. “Thankfully they weren’t involved.”

“I think Charles’s dad is the only one that knows,” Clark told them. “And Charles only told his dad that he and John gained powers. So the rest of us are safe.”

“What
a week,” Donny sighed as he slouched back in his chair. “I’m glad things are back to normal. No more crazy superhero stuff. Never again.”

“And Dan and Andrew said they’d visit a bit more often,” Clark told them.

After computer class was over, Clark bared his way through two more classes without any close friends to speak with. He then had a lunch period where he was happy to see Sarah again. Sarah told him that she had a friend who could drive them to the hospital to see Charles once school was over. Clark agreed and when he and Sarah finished their meals, they walked together outside. Clark said nothing as he hugged Sarah for several minutes. Her body was warm, familiar, and soothing. But it wasn’t long before the bell rang and they parted.

Sarah again told Clark she’d s
ee him after school when he ran off to the gymnasium. Just as he opened his gym locker, Coach Smith approached him.

“Hey Clark,” the coach said.

“Hi Coach.”

“I heard about what happened over the weekend. With Charles and John and all. Are you holding up alright?”

“Yeah,” Clark told him. “But if it’s alright with you, I’d like to sit today out.”

“Sure,” Coach Smith said. “Take as much time as you need.”

“And Coach,” Clark addressed him, “I’m sorry to have to tell you this but I think I need some time off from the football team.”

“I… I… You’re the best…” the coach stammered disappointingly.

“I know,” Clark told him. “But there’s another teammate out there who deserves it just as much, if not more, than me. And my two best friends are gone. I don’t know. I just don’t feel ready to play. Let’s just say that being on the team commands a certain about of exertion that I’m not sure I can handle right now.”

“Well… I understand,” the coach said, still disappointed. “But if you ever want back in, you’ll always have a spot on my team, O’Sullivan.”

“Thanks Coach. Maybe next semester.”

So instead of playing kickba
ll, Clark sat on the bleachers in his normal clothes and watched as the other students either enjoyed themselves or tripped over the ball as it shot in their direction. He sighed and closed his eyes for several moments. The class was soon over and so was his last period. Once the final bell rang, Clark met up with Sarah and one of her senior friends drove them to the hospital. Once they arrived at St. John’s, Sarah told her friend they would take it from there. So the friend pulled off as Clark and Sarah entered the hospital.