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I saw him standing on the far right of the London Underground Metro Train. He looked resistant, hesitant and nervous as he carried his heavy leather bags. The bags had tiny cute travelling stickers, which made me feel warm. They were souvenir stickers from France, South Africa, Egypt, India and a few others. I thought to myself, ?Wow, Tom seems like quite the traveller.? Tom was never the ?travelling type? for all I knew about him. Shivers ran down my spine as I saw with my very own eyes about how he has changed so much over the years.
To give you some background, I attended middle school with Tom in Washington DC, back in 1984. Now, I'm about 22 years old. ( quite the adult, hm?). He had long, wavy brown hair like the popular actors in action movies. He wore shirts, mostly white and blue, that were tucked into his old pants. He told me that he always borrowed his older brother's hand me downs, but didn't seem like he cared about it, anyways So, why would I care?
I didn't care much for him, either. I mean, I had my own life, family, friends, clubs, school, etc. I was too interested in my academic life than my ?social? life as most folks say. In my time, there was no use of going to school if you couldn't score well, obviously. And, my parents were strict as well, too strict to be honest. They didn't let me hang out with friends, go to the movies, eat candy for breakfast ( probably an over exaggeration, nah, even normal parents wouldn't allow this), play video games and stuff. They were pretty odd than the rest of the world because all they did was stuff their noses in books all day long. But, hey, they're still my dear parents.
My life turned around on one faithful day. My parents were getting divorced, and I was in so much shock. I mean, they weren't the picture perfect couple, bu they did live happily... right? Or was I BLIND the entire time? Well, what ever the answer was to that question, they still got divorced. Nevertheless, what can a 12 year old do to change a soon to be divorced parents' minds? NOTHING. I'm not a horrible, lazy and worthless child ( to answer your questions), I did try my all to find out the reason for their divorce. But, you know what? They gave me the holy grail answer that you CANNOT fight against. It's like a coping mechanism against kids.
?Anna, you don't need to worry or know about any of this. It's none of your business,? said Dad.
Bu-
? But, what? IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!? replied Mom sternly.
?Why?? I fought back like a dummy.
They both said, ? BECAUSE WE SAID SO.?
I knew there was no point of fighting back after they said these words. Gosh, they act like a group of lions against me. They sure do scare me sometimes.
Now, do you get me? Good. So, back to the ?life changing moment?. It wasn't definitely the divorce which was the turning point in my life, if you thought it was. I am a pretty independent kid even without my parents at home, so, I wasn't deeply affected by it.
I never understood the point of being sick. Why would you get sick if your immune cells are fighting back? Weird. I did get sick, for the first time ( Unbelievable, right?) and I had to stop going to school for about 2 weeks. Yeah, it was pretty hard on me. With my dad moving out all of a sudden ( I chose my mom's side), the high school entrance exams coming up, friends and other pressures really hit me hard. Plus, I was sick too! I caught a pretty bad flu and fever, with a headache on the side ( what a jolly ride!). This is the part when Tom came to the rescue. All in the sake of helping me, he brought all the handouts and homework sheets home, tutored me when I couldn't understand, and stayed beside me for an additional couple of hours because I felt bored.
I felt emotions when I sensed Tom was near me. I knew that kind of feelings cannot be achieved through my mom, friends, cousins, aunts, uncles or any of the people whom I know. He gave me the kind of courage to pull through and become a better person. When I realised and observed the kind of determination that he had towards helping me to feel better, it just made my day. It gave me the push I needed all along
I knew that what my closest friends wouldn't even do, Tom would. I needed him at all costs to part of my life. Whether it was a best friend, or a classmate who was just around, or even a wavy haired kid. I sure did grow close to him. But, it all changed when we had to pick different universities to attend. All this time, during high school and middle school, we were together, like a strong team. One never let down the other; they were there for each other, always. His mom was born in Tokyo, Japan and his dad in California, U.S.A. He moved here to Washington because of a job offer that his dad got.
Tom went to school in Tokyo for his higher education, and I went to school abroad in London. It was always my dream destination, and I couldn't possibly sacrifice my goal, let alone a dream, simply for Tom. I didn't want to regret not schooling in the British empire. Fast forward to six years later, which was in the London Underground Train station, I saw a brown wavy haired young lad. He wore a blue striped shirt with cuffs, and a brown pair of pants. He wore circle shaped spectacles and a digital wristwatch on his right arm. Thats when it hit me... IT WAS TOM!!! I hadn't seen him in years! ?Let me go say hi,? I thought to myself As I was approaching him, he turned back and answered a phone call. He said, ? Hey, Honey! Thanks for checking on me! I'll bring a bunch of sweets home for the kids!?
Oh. He- i-is married, huh. Wi-ith children. Wow.
Looked like he had another partner, now. I mean, he didn't have time for me anymore. Not for a middle school friend, anyways.
As I walking back to the bench I was sitting on earlier, I could only think of one thing: ?Time sure does move by fast. It feels like yesterday was when we were in middle school. I never even tried to contact Tom again. What a horrible person I am, indeed. Why did I run away from life, from time, from myself, and from Tom??
?Harls--Harls--Harley!? Kaida pushed through the crowd on the dance floor to a girl at the center of the dark room. Colored lights flashed from the ceiling, momentarily blinding anyone who happened to look up. Kaida could feel the pounding of the music in her chest, though the noise of the partygoers drowned out the lyrics that were blasting from gigantic speakers. Kaida scanned the crowd for the coffee-colored form of Harley Ghutana, whom she found dancing amidst a group of friends with a drink in her hand. Harley finally heard Kaida's calls and turned, laughing. Kaida caught her breath, gesturing madly toward the door on the far side of the huge room.
?He--They let him--He came--? she stammered. Her face was flushed, and her eyes said her brain was moving too fast for her mouth to keep up.
?What?? said Harley, putting her conversation on hold.
?He's here!? Kaida burst out, finding her voice.
?Who??
?Roman!?
Harley's blood went cold at the sound of his name, a name she had not heard in two years, a name she had intended never to hear again. She looked toward the door, then back at Kaida, almost refusing to believe it.
?What?? she said. ?No. No, he can't--He wasn't--Who let him in??
Kaida made a helpless gesture and said, ?He let himself in!? Harley's face hardened, and she shoved her drink into the hands of a surprised passer-by.
?He is not ruining this?? she growled, pushing her way toward the door. Kaida followed, making pardons to people left stumbling in Harley's wake. Harley stopped abruptly at the snack table. Leaning casually against the wall nearby was a man with close-cut blond hair. His sharp, hazel eyes shimmered under his dark grey mask.
?There you are,? Roman said, looking up at her. There was a drink in his hand. Harley gave him a death stare.
?What. Are. You. Doing. Here.? she hissed through her teeth.
?Nice to see you too, Persian,? said Roman, unfazed.
Harley glanced around, a panicked look in her eyes. Kaida had left them alone. She stepped closer, even though no one could possibly hear them over the blare of the music.
?I'm not Persian anymore,? she said. ?I'm done with that. I thought I made it clear that I didn't want any part of that life.?
?Right. I remember now. It's all about your life. Not anyone else's.? Roman's voice lost its cool tone. ?You're just like I remember you! Always looking out for yourself, putting your own made-up morals before the good of everyone!?
Harley clenched her fist, and Roman's drink started to boil. ?We're done having this conversation,? she growled. ?You need to leave. Now.?
?Wait,? Roman said, ?Please, I'm sorry I just can't understand? It doesn't matter. It's in the past.?
?Then why are you here??
?Because some things are forever,? Roman said, with a mischievous gleam in his eye. Without warning, he stepped forward, close to her, too close, and kissed her.
For a moment, Harley was stunned by the warmth of his lips, the suddenness of it all. Then, reality came back to her, and she remembered that she hated Roman, that she wanted nothing to do with him, and that he had never had feelings for her, at least not as far as she could tell. Instinct took over, and she bent back, hooked her leg around, and twisted downward, tripping him up with her other leg. It was all over in a split second, and Roman was on the ground, half groaning, half laughing.
They had been noticed by now, and the group of spectators was steadily growing. Roman looked up at Harley's furious expression and laughed harder.
?You see now?? he wheezed, ?You see why we need you?? Harley just glared.
?What you should be asking is ?how much did it hurt when I threw you on the ground?'?
?I don't care if I tapped you or broke you, I want to know--?
?And you're only realizing this now? After two years??
?You're not exactly easy to find, you know.?
?Hey, hey, shhhh!? Roman looked around, nervous.
?Quiet, someone's gonna hear--?
?--APPARENTLY EVERYTHING, CUZ YOU--?
?I had to, we need you, and everyone agreed--?
?--EVER EVEN CONSIDER RESPECTING MY--?
?--Aztec's powers crashed when you left!?
Harley said nothing for a long time, but looked at the stars, acutely aware of his gaze resting on her.
?So just to be clear,? she said finally, ?You just kissed me to get my attention, not because you were ever in love with me??
Roman's eye roll broke the tension, and both smiled slightly.
?Yes,? he said, with mock exasperation. ?Glad you're finally getting it. No offense, but I was never in love with you.?
?Good. Same here.?
?Although I can't say I didn't enjoy the kiss.?
?I mean, yeah, I can't say I didn't enjoy it either,? Harley snorted, ?For the two seconds that it lasted, anyway?
?And I can't say I wouldn't enjoy another one.?
?Don't push it,? she said coolly.
?Persian,? said Aztec, the ghost of a smile dancing across her masked face, ?Good to have you back.?
The Finaregium Headquarters was just like Harley remembered it, from the cold cement walls splattered with who knows what, to the cluttered shelves arranged to form the walls of hallways and rooms, to the bare lightbulbs illuminating the inside of the repurposed warehouse. It seemed like a humble spot for such an important organization, but then, the Finaregium wasn't big on shiny things.
?I'd say it's good to be back, but honestly, I have mixed feelings about this.? Harley looked around.
?You'll warm up to it.? Aztec turned and walked back to the table in the center of the warehouse. Her long white hair was caught up in its usual messy bun on the back of her head, and her boots clip-clopped as she walked.
?Well, look who it is,? a cold, female voice rang across the makeshift room. Harley turned and saw a woman with hair as pink as hers was dark. She was wearing the same dark grey uniform and mask as the rest of them, but it looked different on her. She owned her suit. She was at home in it. She was one with it.
?Hey, Spanish.? Harley sighed.
?I thought you weren't coming back?? Spanish stuck her lip out in a mock-pout. ?Or did you forget your toothbrush??
?Nah, she's just coming back to meet the Ottoman.? Another voice, this time from a man with skin even darker than Harley's and short, wiry black wair.
?Wha--? Harley's jaw dropped. ?The--?
?The Ottoman, yeah,? said the man.
?We found him while you were gone,? said Spanish, twirling her bubblegum pink hair around her finger. ?You're right, Mongol. She must have come back to meet Ottoman.?
?Content just to shake hands with the man she gave up on finding.? Mongol folded his arms.
?I--I didn't know--? Harley turned to Roman. ?Why didn't you tell me?? she demanded. Roman just shook his head and looked toward the opposite side of the room, behind Aztec. A young man with unruly brown curls had appeared in the gap between two storage units.
?Hey, Otto, we were just talking about you!? Spanish crossed the room, put her arm around his shoulder, and plopped a kiss on his cheek. He reddened under his mask and seemed to recoil from her. Spanish, not seeming to notice or care, led him back across the room to the others. She was saying something, but Harley had zoned out already.
The Ottoman. The reason for the entire organization. Years ago, when Harley had been recruited and had become Persian, Aztec had told her all about the Finaregium's endgame. Each agent in the elite group was selected because they shared a certain ability, a certain power. Harley's was strongest when she was angry. Someday, Aztec always said, there would be a similarly gifted person called the Rubriam. The Rubriam's powers would be strong, but unstable, and liable at any moment to push him or her into a state of uncontainable rage called Cold Red Fury. Only the Ottoman, the Last Empire, would be strong enough to destroy the Rubriam before Cold Red Fury destroyed the world.
?Wait?? Harley said. ?If you found the Ottoman, does that mean??
Roman was right. Some things were forever, and her training was one of them.
?All in position. Begin operation.? Aztec's voice came through Harley's earpiece.
Spanish's voice came through the earpiece.
?Something's wrong. Wait. BEHIND YOU!?
Betrayed. Betrayed with a kiss.
?Don't--Don't hurt--any of them.? he gasped, no doubt feeling the heat of her gaze.
?They betrayed me.? she breathed, her whisper seeming to fill the whole world.
?Please. Please, don't do this.? Ottoman seemed desperate. ?I--I can't defend them, I can't even defend myself, but I--I can beg.? He struggled for a moment to master his numb body, then managed to rip his mask off.
Harley's arm sank down. Ottoman was so much younger than she had realized--more of a boy than a man.
?Spare them,? he said earnestly, his eyes piercing into hers.
Harley felt her rage subsiding, but it didn't recede back into her. It cooled and sank and dissolved into the earth, never to threaten the world again. Thus, the Ottoman really did save the world from the Rubriam's Cold Red Fury.
At dawn, a young girl walks into an unknown forest. She had already been walking for an hour. The sun hasn't come out of hiding yet. The sky had started to brighten itself but not enough. It was a cold morning. The young girl held her arms together, her shoulders were up to her ears. The girl shivered as she walked. She only wore a thin long-sleeved grey shirt and black leggings. Her clothes were not enough to cover her from this cold weather. She walked and walked endlessly in a forest she had never been to. It seems that she was lost but continued to go straight. She loved the sentence, ?All roads lead to Rome'. And so she decided to keep walking until she finds her way back.
Some strange noises could be heard throughout the forest. It sounded like animal noises. But they were all strange. The young girl couldn't figure out whether it came from a small animal or a large one. Fog filled the forest and even the trees were not quite visible. Everything looked like shadows. Some of the noises were high-pitched and some were low-pitched. She began to feel fear She clutched on her lion necklace and closed her eyes tight.
?Please lion, protect me from these animals.? She cried to her lion figure attached to her necklace. She knew it was just an object but she felt desperate. Even just feeling that she wasn't alone and that this lion could protect her, made her feel a tiny bit safer. It was her solution to cope with fear. She continued to walk but only looked at her feet.
Suddenly, she stopped walking. She felt a large presence in front of her. A large shadow is covered by a large amount of fog. She slowly looked up to see a very tall cherry red door. Around the door was a metal fence that surrounded it by both sides. She walked to the fence to look at what was on the other side only to see nothing. The fog was too present to even see anything. Out of curiosity, the young girl pushed the door lightly. To her surprise, the door opened slightly. The girl fearing the forest decided to completely open the door and escape inside. As soon as she entered, it was clear. The air was completely clear. She could see red and white striped tents, a carousel and from afar a Ferris wheel. The young girl was amazed by her discovery. She covered her mouth with her hands and thought to herself, ?I'm in a carnival!' The young girl certainly was at a carnival. Due to the early time and the weird location, it was empty and quiet.
The most intriguing object was in front of her. It was a Nutcracker statue. She walked up to the life-size Nutcracker and observed it. It had all that she'd seen in films, the red jacket, the black hat and the long mustache. She was curious and touched his moustache.
?Perhaps not my moustache,? a voice could be heard. She jumped at the sound of it and stepped back. She looked at the nutcracker closely. His lips had not moved when she heard that voice. And so she ruled out the possibility it was him. She looked behind her and beside her. Soon enough, she felt someone lightly tapping her shoulder. As she turned around she saw the same nutcracker. But it was different, he was alive.
The Nutcracker did not look like a statue anymore, he looked like a human. He wore the same clothes and had that same moustache.
?Who are you?? She said while being on the defensive.
?I'm the Nutcracker!? He answered. ?You were able to find this carnival so bravo! And welcome!? He continued.
?I was told not to speak or trust strangers,? she said with fear.
The Nutcracker looked at her, he placed his fingers on his chin and began to think.
?Would you like to become my friend then? If we become friends we won't be strangers.? He told her.
?How can I trust you?? She said still suspicious.
?Alright,? she told him as she felt that she had no other choice.
?First, what is your name?? he asked.
?M-Mia,? she carefully said. ?And you??
?Well Mia, I already told you, I'm the Nutcracker!? He responded. Mia thought something was off, surely, it was not his real name but she just brushed it off. She doesn't know why but she felt as if she could trust him and follow him. It was just instincts.
They walked together into the carnival.
?Where to first?? The Nutcracker observed his surroundings and something flashed in his head. ?Where has my head been, I forgot to turn on the carnival!? With a snap of fingers, the whole carnival light up. Beautiful colourful lights on the fence light up the place. The Ferris wheel also lit up and began turning and there was festive music playing. Mia was amazed by what she saw. She's never seen anything like this before, at least not in person.
?Wow! It's beautiful!? She exclaimed in joy.
?Glad you like it,? he said as he looked upon her with a smile. ?Let's keep on walking,? he said.
They walked beside the red tents only to stop. The Nutcracker eyed the cotton candy stand. He went near it and turned on the machine. He looked at her with a big smile.
?Care for some cotton candy??
?I shouldn't take candy from strangers,? Mia replied.
?Oh come on! You aren't going to eat cotton candy in a carnival. That's insulting.? He said looking offended.
?Alright?? She said as she approached the cotton candy stand. He took the pink sugar from underneath the stand and poured it into the machine. He took a stick from the white vase next to the machine and proceeded to spin it round and round inside it. And like that he made large cotton candy. As he handed her the cotton candy she gladly accepted it with a smile. Mia looked like a little kid excited for candy. The Nutcracker placed a hand out indicating they continue to walk.
?So Mia, what is it that you wish to accomplish in this life?? he asked her.
?I want to write stories to entertain and inspire people,? she replied.
?Well, that's great! You know I was created by a story written from a human just like you.?
?But, I don't think I'll be able to do that so I stopped writing.? She said as she looked down.
?And why not?? Asked the Nutcracker.
?Do believe that it won't work??
?I don't know.?
?I see?? The Nutcracker stopped talking and stopped once again. It looks like there was something new he wanted to show her.
?Do you fancy a gymnastic performance?? He asked her.
?Sure,? she simply replied.
The Nutcracker approached what looked like an ice statue of a woman and a man. He lightly tapped on the statue when they moved. Just like him, they became human. The woman had her red hair in a bun and wore a green tutu. The man had long black hair and wore a cobalt blue tank top and cobalt blue leggings.
?Oh hello, Nutcracker! It's been so long!? The woman said with extreme joy.
?I know! I have a favour to ask of you.? The Nutcracker asked.
?Anything for you,? The man replied.
?Good, I would like to do a show for our friend Mia over there.? He said as he pointed towards Mia. As soon as they saw her they both waved with the biggest smiles Mia had ever seen before.
?Alright, if you could take a seat, we'll start right away.?The woman said.
Both the Nutcracker and Mia took a seat on the red velvet seats. In front of them was a large stage. Mia looked around as they were the only ones seating. There were dozens of seats empty. She felt special at that moment.
?Look, the show's starting,? he said to bring her attention back to the stage.
?Welcome to the show!? The woman screamed as she walked around the stage.
?We are Taylor and Blake the gymnasts!? The man said.
They both clapped their hands from the audience.
?Amazing aren't they?? The nutcracker asked her.
?They are!? She said not taking her eyes off of the stage.
?When they were younger, they had this dream to become a gymnast.?
?Yes, they did, by working hard day and night. It was all practice but there is one important thing they did that lead them to their dream.?
?What was it?? Mia responded as she now looked back at him.
?What could it be?? He answered with a smile as he turned back to watch the stage.
?I want to know what it is?? She asked with determination.
?So you do want to realize that dream of yours and do have hope.?
?If I had a solution I would have hope and keep working on it.?
?I think you do know the solution, you have it in you.? He said to her.
Mia was unsatisfied with his response but ended it here. She did not want to continue talking. Instead, she thought of his words. How was it that she already knew the solution? One of the gymnasts caught her attention by waving their arms towards.
?For this last special trick we'll need your friend,? they said. Mia pointed at the Nutcracker in confusion. The gymnasts nodded in denial.
?No your other friend, the one on your neck.? They said.
?A real lion!? Mia screamed in fear as she stood up.
?Don't worry, he is your protective spirit.? He said next to her.
?She asked for your friend, right? He is always with you to protect you not attack you?
She regained her calm and sat back down. She had seen so many supernatural things in this carnival that she had started to get used to it. The gymnasts both had hoops which they placed across them. The lion hopped from hoop to the other Each time, they had put in higher. No matter how high it was the lion still managed to get through it.
?This lion is also incredible!? She exclaimed.
?You know what? I think I'm going somewhere with all that you've been saying.?
?It was a great show!? Mia said as she approached them.
?Thank you! Oh, it was so much fun after such a long time.?
?Yes, we waited a long time to perform again.? They replied.
?Well well, it was great seeing you two again but I'm afraid we have to go. Lion get back in the necklace.? The Nutcracker ordered as he snapped his fingers again. The lion had gone back to the necklace the same way he had left.
They both returned to their walk after biding their farewells to their friends.
?Where are we going next??
?The carousel!? He said with excitement.
They indeed arrived to the carousel. Mia was suspicious, everything he touched became alive.
?Are the horses becoming real horses too?? she asked.
?Let the magic begin,? he said as he snapped his fingers.
The horses were now alive but in place. They were attached to the ride so they could not go out of it. Not understanding that Mia had gotten scared and held tightly onto the horse.
?They were tied by other people and can only go one way, round and round.? He said to her.
The horses moved their legs and let out sounds that frightened Mia.
?I wanna get down,? she cried.
?Alright then, I'll respect your choice.? The Nutcracker snapped his fingers and the horses turned back to stone and the ride had stopped. Mia sighed with relief and climbed down.
?Let's go somewhere else, shall we?? he said. She nodded and followed him.
As they strolled in the carnival, Mia spoke again.
?Why were they so panic and scary??
?They resent people, they don't like them for tying them to a ride.?
?I guess I understand.? She said again.
The Nutcracker took a look at the big clock of the carnival and was startled.
?Oh my! It's already this late. I guess we have time for one last thing. Would you like to go on the Ferris wheel??
?The Ferris wheel? Sure!? She simply answered.
And like that, they headed towards the large Ferris wheel that could be seen from anywhere in this carnival.
?Is there something turning alive in there?? She asked once again out of fear and suspicion.
?No, this ride is just for your enjoyment,? He said as he smiled genuinely with crinkled eyes.
Mia felt like she could believe him. Her instincts told her he was trustworthy.
They arrived at the magnificent Ferris wheel. Each cabin had decorative lights of all colours. The Ferris wheel was already turning. But with a snap of fingers, it stopped and the doors of a cabin opened in front of them.
?After you,' he said as she entered the cabin. The Nutcracker entered at his turn and snapped his fingers to close the doors and start the ride. The Ferris wheel was turning slowly and you could watch the whole carnival from the window. Mia thought it was beautiful.
?Tell me what you understood,? he said as he looked amused.
?I was like those horses. I was tied by the words of these people and forgot...?
?It's because they believed in themselves.? She said with a smile.
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