The Fairy-Tale Hero Chapter 2

The greatest strength that you have is not being physically strong. You can have strong friends which means you will never have to travel alone. Yet here I stand at a fork wondering which path I should take. The left leads down a bright path, and the right is nothing but dark. If you had to choose, which one would you take? - Clayton Smart

Date: 10/14/2016

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It took him a moment before his eyes adjusted to the brightness of the sun. His mind was in shambles. One moment he was laying down in the hospital bed, and now the he was standing on lush green grass. This was just too much for him to take in, this was completely insane. He felt that his mind must be out of order because what happened should not have happened. It was impossible, and he knew that. Yet, he was standing here way away from the hospital. He didn’t even know where he was.

Clayton turned around as his eyes absorbed in his surroundings. On one side there was a dense forest that he couldn’t see through, and on the other side he could make out buildings in the distance.

He found his saliva hard to swallow at this moment. The one thing that he didn’t see was the mysterious man named Vortex. Clayton could feel his heart beat steadily rising.

Clayton: Where is this? What happened? Why me?

He asked questions that he didn’t know the answers to. Was he in a different world or was this a different state from before? If he found out where he was on the map maybe he could find a way home. But he still didn’t know how he got here, he refused to believe that Vortex could teleport or jump or whatever he wanted to call it. There was no scientific explanation for what happened.

Gritting his teeth he started walking towards the town in the distance. As long as he went to town he could find the answers he seeked. If Vortex could bring him here, then there was someone who could take him home.

Clayton needed to go home, he needed to be there for his mother. If he didn’t go home soon she would put out a search warrant for him. He would be happy if that happened, but the more he walked towards the town the more he realized that they might not be able to find him. This landscape was normal, but the buildings off in the distance seemed medieval. He feared that he was not on earth anymore. If he wasn’t, then it didn’t matter if his mother had the president search for him they would never find him.

If his mother couldn’t find Clayton, if she never got her little boy back, he couldn’t even complete that thought as he shivered thinking about it.

He remembered that he wished he could start over in a place no one knew who he was, but that was only him joking around. He never actually wanted it to happen.

Vortex made him come here, he forced him to come to a place he didn’t want to be. Clayton didn’t know how, but he would make Vortex pay. As long as he found a way, Clayton would sentence him to a life of living hell. Maybe then Vortex would learn that it was not kind to send people to places away from earth. Maybe then he would learn a little bit of the pain Clayton felt.

The town seemed to get closer, but as Clayton continued to walk it felt as if he wasn’t going anywhere.

How long did it take him? How far did he walk? He couldn’t answer these simple questions. He lost track of time, it felt that he walked for one hour but he was sure it was more.

As he reached the edge of the town he came to realize one important fact that he overlooked. He was naked, not completely naked because he had a hospital robe on but that was it. He wasn’t wearing any underwear, nor shoes, he was bare.

How could he explain this to the townsfolk? What would they think of him?

‘To hell with opinions!’ Clayton told himself as he gained the courage to go into town.

The entrance to the town was surrounded by a stone wall with soldiers posted. There was no incoming traffic nor outgoing, so why were they posted here. Clayton’s courage that he gained started to shatter as he took steps towards the entrance. Saying you wouldn’t mind people looking at you naked and actually doing it in flesh and blood were two different things.

Guard: Halt, state your purpose for entrance.

Clayton looked at the male covered in leather with silver shoulder pauldron. At his side Clayton could make out a sword that was sheathed. The air this man was giving Clayton made him shiver. If he had his gun he wouldn’t be afraid, at least he would have some sort of protection.

This guard thought he was so tough, lets see how tough he really is when a glock is pointed at his forehead. Clayton thought that this guard would be shaking like a stripper if a gun was pointed at him.

However in the current circumstances Clayton was not going to be arrogant, or cause trouble. He was not the one in control here, he was not the one with the power.

Clayton: I’m looking for a way home.

Guard: Home? Where are you from?

Clayton: Michigan, you heard of it?

The guard’s hand moved to the hilt of his sword causing Clayton to take a step back. What was so wrong with him answering the guards question? Why was the guard turning hostile towards him. It made no sense.

Clayton: Wait, wait wait. Look, i’m really from Michigan, it is one of the fifty states of the United States. I don’t know if you heard of it or not, but i’m from a planet called earth.

Guard; Oh, I know of earth and I know of Michigan, but I just want to know how you arrived here. This place should not be accessible from the outside and no one on the outside should know about this place.

Clayton: This place? What do you mean? Isn’t this another world?

Clayton could see the guards eyebrows furrow a bit as dark lines appeared. Maybe he was wrong and this wasn’t a different world. He cursed himself for coming to conclusions so soon.

Guard: This place is earth. And I mean that it is impossible for someone to just end up here. This place is protected by a barrier that makes it impossible for humans to pass through. Not only that, but this place is not located on any maps. So, you still want to say you are from Michigan?

Clayton: I’m telling you, i’m from Michigan. I don’t know how I ended up here either. I was in the hospital where this guy named Vortex wa-

Guard: Vortex you say? I see, no need to explain the rest.

Clayton: You know that bastard? Call him here right now, I need to go home.

The guard put up his hand at Clayton and shook his head.

Guard; Sorry boy can’t do that. See this place is special, there is only one way to enter but if you want to find an exit I suggest you turn around and head towards that forest back there. Maybe if you survive can you leave this place, but other than that I highly doubt you will find a way to exit here.

Clayton: I refuse to believe that crap! He brought me here, he can take me out! Besides, who are you? I don’t care, let me speak to your superior maybe he’ll understand me.

Guard: You… freaking brat!

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???: Stop, you are hurting a very important guest.

The guard and Clayton both looked to see where that voice came from. He spotted a young male with curly brown hair dressed in a preppy uniform and a backpack. It gave him the feeling that this guy attended some school only for the rich.

Once the guard spotted him he put Clayton down.

Guard: Important? Important people know manners, this guy lacks it in every aspect. He is lucky that I don’t throw him in jail..

Clayton say the young male glare at the guard, his hazel eyes told the guard all he needed to hear. The guard took a step back, it seemed like the real person in charge had finally come. Now he could leave this place.

Clayton dusted himself off as got up off the ground.

Clayton: Thanks… I guess. Are you in charge of these people?

???: No Clayton i’m not. I could put in a word to their superior if you wanted me to.

Clayton’s forehead had black lines drawn across it when he heard this young man speak his name. Once again someone knew who he was. He didn’t know if this guy would tell him his name was something crazy like Black Hole or Lightbringer.

Clayton: Since you know my name already I don’t have the pleasure to introduce myself.

Chad: Don’t make it seem all bad Clayton, i’ve heard about you. The name is Chad by the way. Chad Cunningham.

Clayton: Well then Chad, where did you hear about me from? I’ve only been here less than a day, I don’t think my name could spread that far considering i’ve been stuck at this gate.

Chad: From your friend Vortex. He told me about you, and he also told me where you would be.

Clayton: Oh that bastard, where is he? Tell him i’m ready to go home.

Chad: How do I say this… well… yes, he has already left.

Clayton didn’t know if this guy was being serious or not, but he felt his blood boil. How could someone do this? Leave someone stranded at some random location that isn’t even on a map with no way to get home! This was insane!

Chad handed Clayton a book bag. Clayton snatched it from his hands, it might have important information. This might be a test or something. He only needed to pass it so that he could go home.

As he opened the bag up, he found clothes inside. It was the same clothes that Chad was currently wearing. That damned preppy uniform.

Clayton: What is this?

Chad: Clothes.

Clayton: I know that, but why?

Chad: What? Do you expect to go into town naked? Do you have no shame?

Clayton was about to say something but decided not to. It was better if he didn’t tick any of these people off. He told himself that now was not the time, it was not the place. He was lucky enough that he had these clothes so he shouldn’t do anything to get them taken away. It truly would be embarrassing for him to go into town naked.

As Clayton was getting dressed he couldn’t help but think of his home.

‘I’ll be home soon mom, just you wait for me.’

Chad: Now that you are dressed shall we go?

Clayton knew that he was talking about going into town. He had to enter town anyways, so why not use this guy as a guide? Hopefully he could find some answers as well as a way home.

Together they both walked past the guards who stood posted. It was his first step towards a new life, a new start, and he didn’t even realize it yet.

Chad: Sorry about what happened at the gate, it usually isn’t like that. And by usual I mean we usually don’t get an abnormality like you. Most of us that are awakened are born here and not out there. As for the ones who awakened out there, we usually don’t bother them and they know nothing about us. Therefore it is hard for us to accept the fact that someone was able to come here.

Clayton: Don’t blame me, it's not like I wanted to be here. More like I was dragged here against my will.

Chad: I don’t know what to tell you, not like I can send you home. But I have to say there are stories about you Clayton, stories that you wouldn’t hear unless you were born here. They say you are the chosen one, the one who shall lead us all to our salvation. Maybe that was why Vortex put so much pressure on you and forced you to come here. Let me tell you though, once you get a taste of this place you would never want to leave.

Clayton: Oh really? So if I don’t like this place then I can leave?

Chad: It isn’t that simple Clayton. It is not like you can just take a boat to go back home, it takes time which is something we don’t have.

Clayton: I refuse to believe such talk. If I came here in a flash, I should be able to leave just as fast. So tell me, what is stopping me from leaving here?

Chad: The barrier. The guardians. The unknown. These things and much more Clayton. Being an awakened here means more than just having abilities that surpasses what normal humans can even imagine. It means you have to protect what you love.

Clayton: And yet I love none of you, so why should I protect you?

Clayton watched as Chad smiled and walked further into the town.

Chad: Follow me, maybe there is something in this town that you will want to protect if you see it for yourself.

Clayton was lead into the town and they approached a section that was different from the rest. The buildings were worn down, and he could no longer see the lush green grass or the vitality he saw at the beginning of the town. It was like this place was cursed with spirits.

The few trees that surrounded the buildings were dark and seemed like they were falling apart. Clayton felt that if he touched the tree it would fall over with ease.

The buildings seemed like they had seen hard times, which could be proven by the dents, holes, and blood splattered across them.

Clayton knew that Chad was trying to turn him over with empathy, but he wouldn’t fall for it. He would just play along.

Clayton: Where is this place?

Chad: It was our home once before, but now it is abandoned. We call it Alice City.

The place they were currently in didn’t seem like a city to Clayton, he would call it a town instead. Just by looking at his surroundings he could feel some sort of connection with this place.

Clayton: Doesn’t seem much like a city to me.

Chad: It wasn’t at first. Can’t you feel it Clayton, the feelings of our ancestors pouring out of this place. The feelings of the people who died here. That died fighting to protect what they thought was important? Don’t tell me you don’t, I know you do.

Clayton: You keep saying fighting to protect, yet what are you fighting? Why are you fighting? If you know that fighting will only lead to destruction, why continue doing it?

Chad: The same reason you fought to survive Clayton. You have things you must do, things that you can’t see yet because they won’t happen until the future. We have things that are calling towards us, things that we can’t help but want to protect. Even if we know that we can’t win, even if we know we are going to die, we will continue to fight.

Clayton: But what are you fighting against?

Chad: Do you remember the forest outside of the gate? That forest holds our greatest enemies Clayton. People who we thought were our friends, our allies betrayed us and fled into the forest. We are fighting against them.

Clayton: If that is the case why not take the fight to them? Why not burn down the forest and drown them in smoke?

Chad: It isn’t the simple. If we burn the forest we lose our biggest oxygen supply. If we run blindly into the forest we are backed against a wall with many disadvantages.

Clayton: Yet you sit here idly waiting for the day when your enemies attack you once more. If you ask me, it doesn’t seem like you are trying to protect anything, more like you are patiently waiting for your own demise.

Chad: What do you expect us to do when they have centuries of knowledge about that forest, while also knowing about us? We are limited to do so much Clayton.

Clayton: And yet you think I can change that? You believe that I am the hope that can carry you out of your own grave? Sorry, I think you have the wrong person. I am not the hero you think I am.

Chad: I never said you were a hero, and I don’t have the wrong person Clayton. Come, I have one more place to show you.

Clayton didn’t feel good about what was happening here, but he wouldn’t be fooled into fighting with them. This was not a fight he started, so why should he help them finish it? It was suicide. Who knows how long they have been fighting against each other, yet they think one person would be able to stop this whole thing? Think again! He didn’t know who gave them false hope, but they never should have lied to these people. Him a hero? He couldn’t even save himself, so how could he save others?

Clayton felt his shoulders drop a little as if a burden was being placed on it. He silently followed behind Chad as they went on towards the next location.

Now this place could be considered a city in his eyes. The kids running around playing, the adults doing work. Stores at every corner, homes on every street, and a giant fountain in the middle. He could really see how this city thrived.

It gave him a sense of hope. Hope that they could continue to survive whatever was coming their way. The way these people acted, it seemed like they didn’t have a care in the world. As if the moment they were in right now would continue on forever.

Clayton wasn’t new to that feeling, he felt it before. He has shared that moment with the love of his life so he knew exactly how it felt. And it was because he felt it before that he didn’t want them to feel the aftereffects of what happens when that beautiful moment comes to an end. If he had the power he would stop time to let them enjoy this moment forever. At least then they would have something he didn’t.

Chad: This is Norris City. After Alice was destroyed many citizens moved here causing the population to spike. At first it was rough finding places for everyone to live, but that is not the case anymore.

Clayton: Why do they act as if nothing can harm them? Why do they act as if a threat is not right around the corner ready to attack at any moment?

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Chad: Because they have faith Clayton.

Clayton: In what?

Chad: You. They have faith in you Clayton. Faith that you will stop the pain, stop the destruction. If all they can do is believe in you, they will do it until they die. Even if the stories told about you were a lie, they will continue to believe simply because it is the only thing that drives them on.

Clayton: Aren’t you all awakened? Why don’t you draft the males to create a force to be reckoned with?

Chad: Not everyone is an awakened Clayton. Do you know the percentage of awakened beings in the world? It is less the one percent, less than one percent of the population is an awakened being. And if you were to count the percent of people that awaken outside of this place, it is less than that. A normal person has a hard time awakening, but if two awakened beings get together and create a new life…

Clayton: Their child will have a greater chance at awakening.

Chad: Right, but that isn’t all. There is a possibility that the child will be born already awakened.

Clayton: A naturally awakened child? I thought the only way to awaken was to die.

Chad: That only applies to normal humans, for an awakened’s child that is not the case. In reality there are two ways to become an awakened. You are either born one, or you are made into one.

Clayton: And you? Which are you?

Chad: Clayton think about it. How many people do you think are willing to die just for a slim chance to awaken. You would have to be extremely brave, or just plain stupid. Everyone of us here who are awakened were born this way, except for one girl. I still don’t know which she is, but I think you’ll have a pleasant surprise when you meet her. Because she was the only one who dared to test the gods, and bet her own life.

As the two were talking a little girl with pig-tails came up towards them. She had two flowers in her hand as she gave each of them one.

Little Girl: Here.

Her voice was so pure and innocent, she probably didn’t even know what was going on. This little girl reminded Clayton of the child he failed, his daughter Emilia.

Clayton knelt down and patted the little girl on her head as he gave her a smile. She gave him a feeling of happiness. Something he thought he lost a long time ago.

He was only planning on going along with this whole thing, yet he found himself being drawn into it the more Chad talked to him. The more he saw, the more he felt that he wanted to help them.

Here he was a bystander about to put in nose in someone else’s business. They were holding a hand out asking for help, he didn’t have the nerve to turn them down. If his mother was asking for help from a stranger, he too would want someone to jump in and help her. Good things come to those who do good. He has wronged many people, maybe it was finally time for him to do something good in his life.

He started to think, that being an awakened might not be so bad after all.

He watched as the little girl ran away going back to play with her friends. He knew it would haunt him in his dreams if he didn’t help them. Not because he had to help them, but because he had the power to help but he stood by and watched their destruction.

Clayton: What do I have to do?

He didn’t know what the future held in store for him, but if he didn’t do this he knew that he would regret. He has failed himself, his mother, his lover, and his child, he will not fail another.

Chad: For starters we need to head towards the academy. There you will find out your awakened ability, and you will join a faction.

Clayton: Wait, a faction? I have to choose a side? Aren’t you all fighting against the same thing?

Chad: Clayton we might be fighting against the same thing, but that doesn’t mean we all mesh well together. Think of it like a giant family, we all can’t get along now can we?

Clayton: Tell me before we go, what are the factions.

Chad: There are three main factions, the Attack, Defense, and Support. You will join a main faction based on your awakened ability, and after that you will join a sub faction. There is team Mystic, Vanguard, Requiem, Galactic, Templars, and Undying Faith.

Clayton: Let me guess, each one has their own motives. Each different from the other.

Chad: Smart, but not exactly. You can find that out when you join one of them, until then just keep thinking about it.

Clayton: Right… and these awakened abilities. Vortex said that he had the ability to jump from one location to another. So i’m just going to take it that each awakened has their own ability and are divided into categories.

Chad: That is right, you have the awakened beings who have attack abilities, defensive abilities, and those who are support types. Each ability can be classified into one of these types.

Clayton: And… which are you?

Clayton saw Chad snap his fingers before he heard a buzz and blue light flashed between his fingers.

Chad: I guess you can say I give people a bit of a shock.

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It isn’t everyday that you find yourself in secluded location away from the rest of the world. This place that he was in was anything but empty. The townsfolk along with the people in the academy all seemed so full of life. They didn’t have the same problems that the other people of earth had. In fact, it seemed that they didn’t have any problems of their own.

As Clayton followed Chad around the academy he couldn’t help but give it praise. This place seemed like something from a fairy-tale, something straight out of the books.

Arriving in an open room filled with students passing by, sitting at the tables studying, or lounging around it gave Clayton a different feeling. This place might seem ancient, but it was still a school. The place he disliked the most, the place it all began. School for most people was a changing point in one's life, for him it was a change but not for the better. It was suppose to be a place that would help define you into the person you wanted to be in the future, yet it didn’t do that for him at all. A spot where you would encounter and experience the countless wonders of the world. Many things were spoken about that place, but for Clayton he would rather not speak about it.

???: Well if it isn’t Clayton.

Clayton turned around to find out who that lovely voice belonged to. Standing a few feet away from him wearing the classic school uniform was a young woman. Short blond hair with green eyes, given a different opportunity Clayton would have loved the meet her before this occurred.

Clayton: I’m sorry, do I know you? I find it strange how everyone knows my name yet I know nothing of you.

???: Everyone knows who you are Clayton, you're quite famous around here. The prodigy, the genius, the hero, the saviour. They gave you all these titles yet they failed to give you one. The fool.

Clayton could feel his eyebrow twitch when he heard her say that. It hit him in a spot that anyone has barely touched before. What did she know about him? Nothing, she knew nothing but she could say all these things like she knew him for ages. What sort of nonsense was this?

Clayton: Look girl, I don’t care what others say about me, but I know for a fact that I am not a fool. And frankly if I have all these titles what does that have to do with you? Don’t tell me you are upset that they didn’t call you these things, or are you?

Chad: Alicia you always find the perfect opportunities to cause trouble don’t you? What's gotten under your skin this time? Don’t tell me it is Isabel?

Clayton: Chad you know this girl?

Chad: She is Alicia Camp-

Alicia put her hand out to stop Chad from talking.

Alicia: I don’t need others to introduce me. I am Alicia Campbell, the third daughter of Michael Campbell and I am the one person you don’t want to cross Clayton.

Clayton did not enjoy this girl's attitude towards him, she kept attacking him like he had done something to her. Yet he could not remember this girl from anywhere. Maybe that was due to him just now coming to this place and not knowing any of these people. Or maybe it was the fact that they just met like a few minutes ago. Whatever the case may be she was already being placed on Clayton’s ‘Deal with Later’ list.

Clayton stepped forward placing himself only a foot away from her. He looked down at her with eyes that could freeze the ocean. Since this place was filled with awakened humans he wouldn’t be considered a bully, would he? Considering that if this was regular earth as a male stepping up towards a female like this he would garnish hate from everybody.

Clayton: Look, a person can only take so much and you keep pushing my buttons. I could care less if you are from some well-off family, or if you are extremely powerful. You can have all of that, but what you can’t have is control over me. You say I don’t want to cross you, but you are mistaken, it is you that does not want to cross paths with me!

Chad placed his hand on Claytons shoulder as he pulled him back a bit. Alicia wasn’t scared of Claytons proclamation, she only snorted at him.

Chad: Calm down Clayton she is not an enemy.

Clayton: You say she isn’t an enemy yet she continued to attack me, I ask you then, what is she?

Chad could only scratch his head at Claytons question. While it might be true that she wasn’t his enemy that could be said the same for her not being his friend either.

Chad: A neutral existence… maybe?

Clayton: Neutral existence… really? So you are telling me that she treats everyone like this? She was born with this absurd attitude of hers, and that look in her eyes that makes one want to slap her across the face. You are saying she was just born like this?

Chad: You… could say that.

Alicia: Chad let the boy think what he wants to think, but we both know what he really is. A child trying to imitate a man.

Clayton couldn’t take it anymore, he was done with her.

Clayton: You don’t know anything about me!

Alicia grinned at him, it was like she was waiting on him to say that one line.

Alicia: On the contrary Clayton, I know all about you.

Clayton could see Chad frowned at her words. The look on his face told Clayton he knew exactly what she was going to do next. He has seen it done before, and that it was even done to him. His expression told him that this was her speciality, her awakened ability.

Alicia: You may seem big and bad Clayton, but behind this image you put up for others to see we both know what lies behind it is a fragile little boy. A little boy who has strayed off from his path and looking for a way home. A little boy that is not loved by neither his father nor his mother. When that little boy is backed into a corner instead of facing his enemies up front, he turns tails and runs only to let others do his battle for him. This child knows nothing of the world and hopes that someday he shall be free from its torment. Yet what that child does not know is that the only way to escape is if you press forward by his own will and courage. Deep down inside Clayton you know this all too well but you deny all the facts. You have no friends because you do not open up and trust others. You are not the nicest being because you are angry at your father and angry at your mother. And what hurts you the most is knowing that you are tearing apart the person you love most in the world. Even though you know this, you continue to do it, pushing the blame on her, when in fact it was your own doing that hurt you both. So yes Clayton, I do know about you and your ‘misfortunes’.

Clayton stood their in silence as he listened to her speak. He could only clench his hands in anger, but he would not react. He knew that what she spoke may have been right about him. No, it was right about him and he couldn’t accept that. He could not accept that he was this fragile being that ran from everything. This being that was hurting on the inside while causing others to suffer his same pain.

Yet what he was upset the most about was that he agreed with her on one thing. That he was hurting the person he loved the most, all because he couldn’t accept his own faults.

If he was being honest here, it also hurt him that someone else had to tell him these things. Someone else who might have known his story better than he himself.

Alicia: Now that introductions are over, welcome to Linkin Park Clayton.

Just as she came, she left. Chad nor Clayton tried to stop her.

A hand grabbed onto Clayton’s shoulder and a voice followed suit.

Chad: Don’t get upset over it man, she is just like that.

Clayton: I’m not upset, just disappointed in myself.

Clayton did not know anything about the people here, but he was starting to think that Vortex was right. Maybe this was the place he belonged. The spot where he could be accepted for who he really was and didn’t have to put up an act. This was where it would all start, where he would forge himself into the person he wanted to be. The person his father failed to be.

Memories started to resurface. A time where he was at his peak, a time where their love was ripe. The time he made his first promise, that promise that he broke along with the love they shared.

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Clayton Pov

She started throwing up. It was random considering that she wasn’t sick, which made me question if she was hiding something from me. Did she not trust me enough to tell me that she was ill?

Clayton: Are you alright? Do you need anything a vernors maybe? Pills…?

She seemed tired as she wiped her mouth clean and got up from the floor. She looked at me with moistened eyes that seemed like she would cry at any moment now. I felt sad in the inside knowing that I couldn’t do anything for her.

Sarah: I… I think i’m pregnant.

Her words hit me harder than a truck would hit a person. It threw me off balance, if I was expecting a straight ball she surely threw me a curve. I wasn’t ready for this, we weren’t ready for this. It was too soon for us to have a child when we were still children ourselves.

I’m not fond of abortion, but it might be the only way for us to keep our youthful lives without the need to care for another. Because let’s face it, all teens are selfish. I know for a fact that I am, and I don’t have time to care for a child at this moment.

Clayton: Are you sure? Did you take the test? Maybe you came down with something, or it could be that virus that is going around.

I tried to think positive, positive that this was not happening and that we were not having a child. They always said look on the bright side of things and to me this was a bright side.

I watched her as she wiped the toilet seat clean and flush the toilet. As she gazed in my eyes I could tell she was being serious here. Why would she lie to me about this when it also affected her own future?

Sarah: Clay does it look like i’m joking here? Can’t you be serious at this moment? This is our future we are talking about here.

Clayton: I know, I know, i’m just trying to think of the good and bads about this.

Sarah: And?

Clayton: And what?

Sarah: And what are the goods?

Clayton: There are none. I can only see us being doomed. I think it is time to abort the ship considering how fast it is sinking.

As I said that the look in her eyes changed, and the expression on her face told me that she wasn’t in the mood for jokes. I could only sigh and brace myself to face the trials that were waiting for us ahead.

Clayton: Ok, I won’t jump ship. You know that I wouldn’t leave you to face this alone. We are in this together.

She gave me a smile that told me how happy she was. I was glad actually, this could be good for us. It would make us more mature, and maybe I could finally be the father my dad was never to me.

Sarah: Aren’t you scared? I mean… we are only kids Clay, kids. I don’t even know how to face my mother. She barely talks to me now, and when I tell her i’m pregnant I couldn’t even imagine what she would say.

Clayton: It’ll be fine, you don’t have to tell her alone. We can tell her together.

She nodded her head at my reply as I smiled lightly. What in the world would I do without her?

While she was scared to tell her mother, I was frightened to tell my own. She might think I was going down the same path as her. I’m about to be sixteen and yet already have a child on the way, while she was sixteen and already had a child.

It is funny how things turn out, I was hoping to go down another path from my parents. Yet it seems like no matter how far I wanted to stray away from their direction, something was pulling me towards it. Maybe this was fate?

In my head I was already thinking of baby names for the child. Naming it either Brandon, Damion or Elijah if it was a male. For female names I was thinking of Emilia, I couldn’t think of any other female names because Emilia sounded perfect.

I definitely would not leave this child alone in the world. This child would know its father. I wouldn’t be like those other petty fathers who leave before their child is even born. I would be different.

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As I sat on the couch watching tv it dawned on me. How could this be my child when we’ve only been together for a few months and only slept together a few weeks ago. If that was the case, this was not my child but the child of her last partner.

I wanted to ask her, but something inside me stopped myself from doing that. She was delighted at the current trend of events, I didn’t want to mess that up. I knew that she was not with him now so it didn’t matter. Yet it was hard for me to accept the fact that I would be the father of a child that isn’t my own.

Could I truly love that child? I guess only time would tell.

Sarah walked into the living room with a small object in her hand. She was smiling, but I couldn’t tell if it was true or not. Was she smiling because she was truly happy, or was it a front for me?

I eyed the small object she had, it was a pregnancy test. She showed it to me and I spotted the plus symbol. It was at that moment that I found myself crying.

Sarah: Clay… are you having regrets? W-we don’t have to go through with this.

I shook my head as the tears streamed down my face. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to go through with this, it was the fact that this really happening. Fatherhood. It was something I thought would happen in the future, but it happened faster than I expected. I wasn’t ready for this. I didn’t know what it meant to be a father, heck, I didn’t even know what it meant to be a man.

I asked my father, ‘Did your father leave you without knowing these answers? Is that why you left me and my mother alone? Was it due to the fact that you yourself was scared you would not be a good father, so it was better for you not to accept the fact that you weren’t one?’

As I thought and asked this of him it gave me another point of view. Maybe this was the reason he was never in my life and my mother was so upset at him. Because he left her all alone. Because he broke a promise that was silently made between the two. It was because he broke her trust that she had in him.

I grasped her hand as tears continued to flow.

Clayton: I’m not regretting anything. You and this child that we share, gives me the most joy. Now and in the future, nothing will tear us apart. I promise to love you both until my last breath.

This child might not be mines, but I knew that she was. She accepted my faults, so I would accept hers as well. Whatever the future may hold, we’ll face it together. Me, her, and our unborn child.

Clayton POV End

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Chad: Clayton… earth to Clayton. You mind coming back to earth?

Clayton who was in a daze realized that Chad was calling out towards him. He was so drawn back into memory lane that he nearly forgot where he was.

Clayton: I hear you.

Chad: Sure you did… I hate to be the one to break it to you, but you wouldn’t be able to have her even if you wanted to. She is already taken.

Clayton: What are you talking about?

Chad: Don’t play dumb here, we both know that you were blinded by her beauty. C’mon it is just us males here, tell me, you like her don’t you?

Clayton: No, she isn’t my type.

Chad: Honestly Clayton it is alright, you don’t have to lie to yourself. You are still in the prime of your youth so it is only naturally that you would be captivated by such a beautiful girl.

Clayton: Seriously, she isn’t my type. Also, that girl you were talking about before was her right?

Chad: Girl?

Clayton: On our tour around town you said that there was a girl who tested the gods and bet her own life. That was her right?

Chad grinned at Clayton’s question.

Chad: Smart man, how did you know?

Clayton: I don’t, I just get this weird feeling. She reminds me of someone who risked her life to save me once before, and I got the same feeling I felt when that girl saved me. Neither one of them were afraid of death.

Chad: You are right, she is the one. Although she isn’t physically strong, she still isn’t someone you want to cross Clayton. You don’t see it because you aren’t looking at things how I am, but she might be your greatest ally.

Clayton: You say that, but I don’t think i’ll be able to help you much.

Chad: Don’t doubt yourself. If you believe you can’t do it, your body will also react making you unable to do the task at hand. Believing is everything Clayton.

Clayton: And it was that same belief that got you guys in the position you are in now.

Chad: That may be so, or it may just be fate. We can only play the hand we are dealt, and you may just be our trump card.

Clayton: Don’t put too much trust in me. The last person who trusted me got hurt pretty badly.

Chad: It won’t happen here.

They were both silent for a bit. This might have been good for Clayton, to put his open his heart again and let others in. For him to trust others and let them trust him.

Chad: Enough of that, it is about time for you to meet the headmaster. He has been looking forward to meet you the most.

Clayton walked with Chad down the hallways of Linkin Park, until they arrived at a giant door. It was at least eight feet tall, and six feet wide.

Chad was about to knock on the door, but a voice called out and told him to just come inside. As he opened the door, a cold chill blew past them both causing Claytons teeth to chatter.

Inside the room were tables filled with tubes, tables filled with books, and book shelves all around. There was not one window in this room, it made it seem more like a prison of knowledge instead of the headmaster's room.

‘Who would stay in a room like this? They must be a living encyclopedia if they read all of these books.’

As they entered the room, Clayton saw an old man dressed in a gray robe. His golden beard reached his chest, and his long hair fell down to his shoulders. That wasn’t the best thing about this man, the best thing had to be his height. Because that man was huge.

???: Chad, leave us.

Chad: Cya around Clayton.

???: Clayton Smart, we’ve been waiting for you to arrive.

Clayton: You know, I am amazed at how everyone knows my name, yet every time you fail to introduce yourself. Chad gave me the run down, you guys are facing a threat that you can’t win against and i’m this suppose to be this super powerful person that can save you all. He lead me around town trying to twist my feelings, but he failed you. I still feel the same way, I just want to go home.

???: Vortex said you were different from what he hoped for, it seems he was right. No worries, you are exactly who I thought you would be. As for Chad, he wasn’t trying to twist your feelings, he was just telling you a little bit of our history. And I think you have something wrong here Clayton, we are not afraid of that threat. What we are afraid of is something else.

Clayton walked over to a table and moved some of the books as he sat down. Crossing his legs he gave off a different aura than what he gave Chad.

Clayton: Let's cut the bull, I want to go home, and you want to use me. Maybe we can help each other out here.

???: And, what do you propose?

Clayton: You let me go to talk to my mother and let her know everything is fine, and i’ll help you for a year. I’m not that heartless that I would let you suffer against this foe alone. If I can help, i’ll help you.

???: Is that all you ask? I can tell that you are hiding something, but it won’t work here. Sorry to tell you this, but there is no leaving here. Once you are here, you are here. Unless you yourself have the strength to leave, then you can’t leave.

Clayton: So you are telling me there is no compromise here? Then I think we are done here Mr. If you can’t help me, then what makes you think i’ll help you out?

???: You aren’t understanding the bigger picture here. You think that what happens in here only effects us, you are mistaken Clayton. Everything that happens in here has an effect on the outside world. The moment you set foot in this place was the moment you chose your path. Those you care for, those who care for you, they are all in danger now. You are no longer living just for yourself, you are living for them. So I highly suggest you change your mind.

Clayton: You would dare hold them hostage! You dare use them as leverage against me? You are making a big mistake here. The line you are treading on is a dangerous one, so I highly suggest you change your tactics before you make another enemy.

???: You act doesn’t scare anyone, especially not me. I’ll let you in on a secret Clayton, there are some of us who are special among the awakened community. And you Clayton are standing right before one.

Clayton: Yeah, and you are standing before someone who has stood toe to toe against foes stronger than himself. So try me.