Elias lays in the mud beaten and swollen once again. The rain begins to let up, tears now rolling down his cheeks instead of raindrops. He wonders if the EverAm is looking down at him with shame as well. His throat feels as if it could swell shut. He sees the moon peeking through the clouds and imagines the great creator looking down at him from somewhere far above with disdain.

He feels drained and hopeless. He subconsciously runs his fingers over the gold veins of the vial. “How can I earn your favor EverAm? How can I ever be worthy of being seen by you? Should I give this away? I am not a strong man perhaps this is a gift for a great warrior. Someone like my father. Though I hope you would gift it to a man with more kindness. Yet I have it and I will not give it away easily. If you want it in the hands of another, then take it from me. I will understand. If I have found grace in your sight though let me keep it. I will protect it with my life. So my life is in your hands. Kill me if you want to give this gift to another or give me another sip of its sweet nectar and let me stand upon my feet whole.”

Elias does not even look into the vial to see if it has refilled, he places it to his lips and tips the vial straight back. A cool sweet liquid pours freely from the small bottle. He nearly chokes from fresh tears of relief. He swallows down the miraculous liquid. He closes his eyes and focuses on the light traveling down through his body. He can see it in his mind's eye. A bright light, a mixture of blue and green and white, like a twinkling star.

He gasps in delight as the light and the warmth travels over his wounds stitching him back together. The swelling in his face fades. The cuts stop bleeding. He steers the light around his sore muscles and aching bones until all is well. Yet the light continues to shine bright and eager. It is a vigorous light. A tingling energetic energy pulses from it. It longs to be set to work.

He puzzles at the strange light for a moment then shoves it down into his stomach and sits up or rather bolts up. He comes up so quickly it startles him. It's like a bolt of lightning down his spine. He shoves the light down into his hand and shoves up from the ground so fast he nearly falls on his face before he can get his feet under himself.

He is panting not from exertion but from awe. His heart pounds with alarm. The light dances about in his body now like a sparkler waved back and forth. He shakes out his hands and looks up at the moon again. What is happening to me? He glances up toward his father's house and sees his father in a satisfied slumber leaning back in his chair. His knuckles are red, and his bottle is tucked between his legs.

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Anger boils up in him and thoughts of revenge flicker in his mind. The light inside slows and grows dim and it distracts Elias from his father. He focuses back on the light and turns his back on his father. The light grows a little brighter and sways slowly inside him.

Elias shoves the light down into his feet as he jumps from the ground. He lets out a terrified yelp as his feet launch him six feet in the air. He lands clumsily. He shoves the light down into his feet again and runs out into the street. Would dashes be a better word? Is there a better word? He practically flies. His wet clothes press against him as he cuts through the air. It is an awkward run though. His arms swing on the off steps at less than half the pace his feet pump. Yet it is exhilarating. He laughs wondering to himself how strange he must look zipping past with noodle arms nearly hanging limp at his sides. His whole upper body in fact is lingering behind his feet.

His back arches back so far that he has to bury his chin in his chest just to see where he is going. His laughter grows maniacal as he streaks through the Valley. Looking out the sides of his eyes he sees the intimidating group of men from earlier watching him run past with eyes bulging from their skulls.

He runs faster and laughs harder; he feels as if his back will soon touch the ground as his feet run out from under him.

He runs clean out of the Valley and soon finds himself back on Main. The skyscrapers tower overhead. Lights blur past him above from the windows. A car screeches tires on wet pavement as he runs out in front of it. He runs on not caring, just laughing and imagining himself looking like some strange cartoonish bird. He doesn’t want to stop. But his face is tingling, and his cheeks hurt from the crazy grin on his face. Where is he? He slows down and is finally able to stand more upright though not completely.

He forces himself to stop and catch his breath. His chest is heaving with exhilaration. He looks around realizing he has come to a park. He begins to stroll through the park, the residual effects of the light’s energy still tingling within him. The world seems brighter, colors more vibrant, and every sound more vivid. It’s as if a veil has been lifted revealing a world teeming with possibilities.

Elias approaches a group of musicians playing on a nearby bench. Their melodies weave through the air, creating a tapestry of enchanting notes. Unable to resist, Elias starts to sway to the rhythm, his body moving in sync with the music.

Soon he continues to walk through the park, his steps lighter and his spirit soaring within him. An alien feeling overtakes him. A feeling of pure joy. With a twinkle in his eye and a skip in his step, Elias continues down a brick path through the woods of North Middletown Park. As he looks up at the starlit sky, he can’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for the strange, miraculous gift that has changed his life forever.