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Wings [not a finished story]I have a copyright on this story |
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Derek kicked the bottom of his locker. As the toe of his shoe dented the metal door, he winced and clenched his teeth. He pulled his now-aching foot away and stared at the impression he had left. “Having a bad day, Derek?” A young boy asked from behind the open door of the neighboring locker. “Yeah, sorry, Mouse. Didn’t scare you, did I?” Derek replied as he turned to lean his back against the lockers. “No, and stop calling me Mouse. My name is Daniel.” The boy replied as he closed his locker and glared playfully over at Derek. Daniel’s voice seemed cold, and devoid of emotion. “I know that, Danny, but it’s just more fun to call you Mouse.” Derek chuckled. “If you say so.” Daniel sighed, “So what is troubling you?” “Nothing really, just another bad day, that’s all.” Derek replied with a shrug. “Oh come on, Derek. Don’t lie to the little guy.” Said a tall, slender boy as he walked up behind Daniel. The boy was at least a foot taller than Daniel, but his face had a youthful, eager look to it. “Who said I was lying.” Derek retaliated, trying to sound nonchalant. “In the six years we’ve known each other, you don’t think I know when you’re lying?” The boy asked, lifting his eyebrow in a rather exaggerated manner. “I just don’t want to talk about it, Alex.” Derek sighed, looking down at his feet. “All right, why don’t we head home then.” Alex replied, pointing his thumb over his shoulder toward the empty hallway behind them. Derek nodded and began walking down the hall, immediately followed by Daniel, who tailed close as if afraid to be lost along the way. Alex waited for a moment, staring at the dent in Derek’s locker. “You coming?” Daniel called out, as he struggled to keep up with Derek’s long strides. Alex nodded and grinned weakly. He looked once more at the damaged door, then looked at Derek, who was now talking to Daniel over his shoulder. “Poor kid,” Alex whispered to himself as he turned away and followed after the others. Derek and Daniel stopped at the corner of the hallway, waiting for Alex to catch up. “What are you waiting for?” Alex asked. “Well we are not going to get very far without you.” Daniel replied with a laugh. “Why not?” Alex said, seeming slightly confused. “Because you have the keys.” Derek said in a cold way. Alex paused and looked almost frightened for a moment. He jammed his hand in his pocket and stared at his shoes. “Don’t tell me you forgot the keys!” Derek replied loudly. Daniel looked up at Alex in a fearful way, and Alex pulled the keys out of his pocket with a grin. “Nope.” Alex laughed to himself as Daniel sighed in relief. Suddenly, Derek clenched his fist and smacked Alex across the back of the head. “Hey!” Alex yelped, “What was that for?” He rubbed the back of his head with his hand. “Ever try to scare us like that again and I’ll shove you in a locker and leave you there for the night.” Derek growled as he snatched the key out of Alex’s hand and started to walk away. Alex’s eyes grew large at the threat. “He isn’t happy.” He whispered to Daniel. “You are just now figuring that out?” Daniel whispered in response, following Derek. “Sorry.” Alex muttered. He hung his head lightly and followed along, thinking about a way to help Derek. The boys walk out of the school and into the nearly empty parking lot. Just a few cars remained, mostly belonging to teachers and staff. Derek led them over to a silver, 4-wheel drive, Dodge truck. As they approached the truck Derek clicked the button on the keys, and almost instantly the trucked emitted a small, whiny beep as the doors unlocked. “Mouse.” Derek said sharply as he tossed the keys at Daniel. Daniel scrambled to catch the keys, fumbling with them for a few seconds before finally managing to hook the ring on his little finger. “You mind driving?” Derek asked. “Sure, but why?” Daniel replied. “I’m tired.” Derek shrugged. “Well, okay I guess.” Daniel walked around to the driver’s side door and clambered into the vehicle, which seemed huge in comparison to him. Daniel looked over through the window to were Alex and Daniel stood. Despite the fact that he couldn’t hear the conversation, Daniel could tell he shouldn’t get himself involved in it. After a few more moments of this unheard discussion, Alex nodded and opened his door, climbing in and waiting for Derek to do the same. Derek yawned and stretched for a moment before tapping his knuckle against the passenger’s side window. Out of curiosity, Daniel rolled down the window. “I’m going to ride in the back.” Derek said softly. “Now why would you want to do something like that?” Daniel asked in confusion. “I’ll just sprawl out back there and rest.” Derek said with a smile as he pointed a thumb over his shoulder toward the truck bed. “No.” Daniel said sharply. “What?” Derek stammered. “I said no.” Daniel repeated sternly. His voice was commanding and harsh, but his eyes stayed soft and calm. Derek was speechless, his mouth slightly agape from the sheer shock of having someone like Daniel act so commanding toward him. “Why not?” He stammered, sounding like an upset child. “It isn’t safe.” Daniel said, his voice softening. “Um, okay.” Derek shrugged, “Guess that beats my logic.”. He gave up and opened the passenger’s side door, climbing in and looking over at Alex, as if expecting the boy to pop off some snide remark. Alex knew better than to say anything, but he chuckled to himself. “Shut up, Alex.” Derek murmured. Alex immediately snapped out of his laughter, and looked quickly out the window. Daniel smiled and started up the truck. He pulled out of the parking lot and out onto the main road. They rode along in silence, as if lost deep inside their thoughts. After a few minutes they pulled into the parking lot of a small, dingy looking apartment building. Daniel parked the truck and looked over at Derek, who was asleep against the door. Daniel looked back at Alex, who just shrugged and leaned over the seat carefully, looking at Derek. “Hey, let’s go inside.” Alex nudged Derek’s shoulder in a urging way. He wasn’t being threatening, or rude, he was just acting brotherly. Derek snapped awake and looked at Alex, grinning foolishly. “I wasn’t asleep.” Derek laughed. “Sure you weren’t.” Daniel said sarcastically as he rolled his eyes and got out of the truck. Alex shrugged and followed suit, opening his own door and slipping out. He looked back at Derek and smiled, “You coming in or would you rather sleep in the truck?” Derek could tell Alex was just kidding around, but for some reason he wasn’t in the mood to deal with any of that. He sighed and climbed out of the truck, stumbling as he caught his toe on the foot rail. He met the ground with an ungraceful thud, scuffing his palms in a failed attempt to catch himself. For just a moment, he waited, gritting his teeth to fight back a fit of anger. “Overgrown monster of a truck!” Derek muttered as he pulled himself back to his feet. He glared back at the truck, as if wishing for the vehicle to burst into flames at any moment “Derek, you all right?” Alex asked as he rounded the back of the truck. “Yeah, just perfect.” Derek replied as he flung his hands up into the air, frustrated and ready to give up. Alex just watched Derek, scared to move or say anything. Derek’s expression had hardened as he glared blankly at the truck. His eyes were harsh and fierce with anger. Alex shifted his weight from one foot to the other, making just enough sound to catch Derek’s full attention. Derek looked over at Alex sharply, and in an instant, Derek’s features softened to a look that almost resembled pity. “Where’d Mouse go?” Derek asked to break the silence. “Up to the apartment, he was in a rush to get dinner started.” Alex answered carefully, as if worried he might set Derek off. “Yeah, well he’s a pretty smart kid,” Derek laughed, “I’m starving.” Alex nodded with a just as false laugh, “Let’s go find out what he is cooking then.” The boys headed upstairs, silent because each feared what effect their words may have on the other. As they came to the door they could see it was open, casting a dull light out onto the hallway. Daniel poked his head out the door, as if he had known the boys were there. “Well, are you going to come inside and eat, or would you rather stand out there a little longer?” Daniel asked sarcastically. Derek’s stomach growled loudly, as if having been signaled to do so. Out of embarrassment, Derek clasped his hand over his stomach and grinned. Having taken that for a reply, Daniel slipped back inside. Alex looked at Derek then at the door, as if trying to decide whether or not it was safe to go in. Coming to a decision on the matter, he shrugged and went inside, closely followed by Derek. Both of the boys came to a dead stop when they say Daniel, who was standing in front of the stove with a frilly pink apron tied over his school clothes. Alex covered his mouth and fought back a fit of laughter as he stared at Daniel, who seemed to not hear them giggling. “Is there a problem?” Daniel asked abruptly as he spun around toward them, resting his tiny hand on his hip. “Mouse, I’m sorry to have to do this.” Alex chuckled as he held up his cell phone and snapped a picture of Daniel. “What was that for?” Daniel asked as his cheeks turned a pale pink. “Too good of an opportunity to pass up.” Alex replied, tucking the phone back into his pocket. Derek laughed faintly, shaking his head in a sort of humorous disapproval. “So, Mouse, do you care to explain why in the world you put that goofy thing on?” Derek asked. “I didn’t want to ruin my new school clothes.” Daniel said in his defense. “Okay, Mouse.” Alex laughed, shaking his head. Derek and Alex both smiled and took seats at the table, muttering to one another about how good Daniel’s cooking looked. Daniel untied the apron and tossed it over the top of an empty chair, looking from Alex to Derek. “Well, what are you waiting for? Dig in!” Daniel said with a smile. Wasting not time, Derek and Alex filled their plates and began to eat. After a moment or two, Derek stopped and looked at Daniel. “Why aren’t you eating?” Derek asked, tilting his head like a curious puppy. “I’m not hungry.” Daniel replied with a shrug. “Oh no.” Alex said in a mock serious way, “Daniel poisoned us!” He stood up and gasped jokingly, grabbing at his throat and flailing about. In one swift motion he dropped to the floor and pretended to be dying. His limbs twitched stiffly, causing him to resemble a fish out of water. “Alex! Cut it out!” Derek snapped, slamming his fork down on the table. Alex sat up in a hurry, “I was just playing around,” he muttered as he pulled himself to his feet. He want back to his chair and sat down, keeping silent along the way. “I’m going to bed.” Derek sighed as he pushed away from the table. He went to his room and slammed the door behind him. He slumped down onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling coldly. “This is just too much to deal with,” he whispered, his voice shaking slightly. Derek could hear Alex and Daniel moving around in the apartment, talking in hushed voices. His only clue to the nature of the conversation, was the muffled tones of their voices, and the half-hidden emotions in their words. “We should tell him, he deserves to know.” Daniel whispered, sound like a pleading child, “It isn’t right, he’s involved, too!” “Not now, it isn’t important right now.” Alex replied, sound cool and casual. “Not important!” Daniel said, trying hard to keep himself from yelling. “No, it isn’t important. Derek has got it hard right now, and he shouldn’t have to deal with our problems.” Alex said, sounding rather remorseful. “Fine, but we need to hurry up, who knows when they’ll show up!” Daniel sighed. “We can talk to him when he wakes up.” Alex said. That was all Derek could make out before he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
“Derek!” Alex yelled as he rushed into the room Derek was sleeping in. “Derek! Wake up!” Alex grabbed at Derek’s shoulder, pushing and shaking him, looking wild and panicked. “What?” Derek murmured as he rolled over and rubbed his eyes. “What is wrong?” “Get up! We’ve got to get out of here!” Alex commanded, pulling at Derek’s arm, attempting to drag him out of the bed. Derek sat up and stared at Alex, “What is going on?” He yelled. “I’ll explain on the way. Daniel can only keep them out for a few minutes so let’s hurry!” Alex managed to pull Derek to his feet. “What?” Derek was utterly confused. “Just come on, before--” Alex was interrupted by a crash from just outside the bedroom door. Daniel pushed into the room, slamming and locked the door behind him. He stood there, panting. He held all of his weight against the door, it rattled behind him violently. “Why are you just standing there? We need to leave!” Daniel yelled frantically. Alex knodded and pulled Derek to the window. “Where are we going? What are we running from?” Derek shouted, ripping his arm out of Alex’s grip. “We’ll tell you on the way!” Alex replied as he threw the window open. He swung one leg out then lifted himself onto the fire-escape. He looked back and waved for Derek to come out, which Derek did. Mouse pushed the dresser over in front of the door and then rushed out the window, making sure to slam it once he was out. Alex rushed them up the fire-escape, and Daniel was careful to knock over the trash cans behind him, as if to block the path. They could hear the crashing and thumping growing closer as what ever was after them broke into the room they had left. Derek looked back just in time to see something crash through the window. The very sight of it was sent a jolt of terror through Derek. It wasn’t human, that was clear to see. It had an almost human body, but from it’s back protruded a massive set of gray wings, the sort of wings you only imagine upon demons. It’s eyes were sullen, looking as if the creature was exhausted. Orbs of what resembled fire, surrounded his clenched fists. Derek was frozen with terror, he tried to speak or scream, but the words just came out as mumbled gasps. “Derek!” Daniel cried out, pushing him as hard as he could, trying to get him to continue up the fire-escape. Alex looked back and grabbed onto Derek’s trembling arm. He spun Derek around and stared him in the eyes. “Don’t worry, just keep up and everything will be just fine.” Alex said, trying desperately to sound reassuring. Derek knodded and they began rushing upwards again. The creature followed them, keeping it’s wings folded tight against its back so not to catch them on the rails. They finally reached the roof top, where Alex led them to the side farthest from the fire-escape. He looked down and then looked back at the creature, which had just made it onto the roof. “Daniel, grab onto Derek’s arm. We are going to have to jump.” Alex said. “Jump?” Derek asked. “Yes, jump.” Alex replied, sounding casual. Daniel grabbed onto Derek’s left arm, and Alex held onto his right arm. They stepped back a few paces, then ran off the side of the building, dragging a rather reluctant Derek with them. Derek shut his eyes and prayed inside of his head. Half way to the ground, Derek could feel a slight jolt as they stopped falling. He opened his eyes and looked at Alex. A pair of white, feathered wings had appeared on Alex’s back. Derek was amazed, and somewhat frightened. Without thinking, Derek looked over at Daniel and gasped. Daniel had grown wings as well, only his were a little smaller, and there were a dark gray, almost black. “What is going on?” Derek asked as he looked back at Alex. “You can let him go now, Daniel.” Alex said as he pulled Derek’s arm over his neck. Daniel let go and flew aside for a moment, trying to regain the balance he had nearly lost. “Just hold on, okay?” Alex asked Derek. Hesitantly, Derek knodded. He clutched one arm over Alex’s neck, and clasped the other hand onto the material of Alex’s shirt. “Tell me what is going on.” Derek demanded. “Okay.” Alex replied, “What do you want to know?” “What was that thing back there?” Derek blurted. “I have a better question for you,” Alex said, smiling slyly, “what o you think we are?” Derek paused, not knowing what to say. “That is what I thought.” Alex sighed, “Daniel, do you want to try to explain this?” Daniel flew up along side them and smiled. “Do you believe in angels, Derek?” Daniel asked. “Angels? Is that what you are?” Derek seemed desperate for answers, he was talking faster than he could even think. “Calm down,” Alex replied, laughing at Derek. “Answer me.” Derek commanded. “Yes, Derek. That is what we are.” Daniel said, placing a firm had on Derek’s shoulder. “What was that thing back there? Why isn’t it chasing us?” Derek asked. “It was a demon.” Alex said as he looked over toward where the sun was setting. “It can’t chase us until after the sun has set. They are not capable of daytime flight.” Daniel said, he sounded eager to speak about all of this, as if he’d been waiting to tell Derek about it all. “If you are angels, why were you at high school? Why did you guys live with me? Why are you down here?” Derek asked. “We came because you were my charge.” Alex replied, looking at Derek once again, “I am supposed to protect you.” “Protect me from what?” Derek was slowing down, he was starting to understand. “Anything that could cause you to stray from your destiny.” Alex said, “I guess I’m not doing very good.” “What destiny?” Derek asked. “You have to figure that out on your own. They never told me. All I know is that you are important to them for some reason.” Alex replied, he seemed to be a little aggravated by all of the questions, but Derek couldn’t tell. “Who are ‘they’?” “The people your kind address as Gods.” “Gods.” “Yes, Gods. Beings of ultimate power and wisdom, creators and maintainers of the universe.” Derek was speechless, despite the questions racing through his mind. “Alex?” Daniel said, “Where are we going?” “To my place.” Alex replied. They continued the rest of the flight in silence, allowing Derek to think about everything that had been said.
LIke the title says, I have a law binding copyright and plegurism block on this story, cost me a good bit of money to get it too. So check out the whole story later on.
[Aku~Soku~Zan] · Mon Dec 11, 2006 @ 03:13am · 0 Comments |
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