Chapter 2

Life, is it Really That Hard?

Zane carries me to a black car and gently sets me in the back left seat; then he shuts my door.. Nya's already in the middle so he goes around the other side and sits next to her while Pixal takes the drive's seat and Kai takes the passenger's. Lloyd and Cole are taking my parents in another car.

Zane reaches over, straps me in, and does his own afterwards. Silence. I shiver under the freezing coat in the air conditioning that's threatening to bore a hole into my head.

Zane shuts the vent above me and asks, "Is that any better?"

I nod, shifting my cold feet uncomfortably. These sneakers don't even help and it's interesting they were burying me alive with me in my ninja gi. I touch this thick, goopy stuff that adheres to my hand and permeates my face. Is this…make up?

I stare at my hand in disgust and Nya says, "Let me get it off for you."

She unzips her small, black purse, containing a meager portion of make up, another thing I like about her. She doesn't cake her face up to where I can't even tell what she really looks like, unlike most girls I've seen. Pixal doesn't either and Zane told me he finds that quality attractive too.

Nya takes out a wipe and cleans the stuff-whatever it is called-off my face for five whole minutes. Gee, make up is a pain.

"Do you want to see what you look like?" Pixal asks.

"Mm," I make the sound, not wanting to make myself dizzy from nodding constantly.

Nya sticks a pale hand in her purse and produces a square, blue thingy that she opens. She hands it to me and I gaze at my hideous reflection, a face with a ghastly, deep laceration in the forehead going down to the cheek.

My mouth drops agape. I'm ghostly white, without even any even slight shade of pink or red in my split lips. I lick them with a warmly coated tongue.

My vocal chords must have been damaged, considering I still possess one, so maybe they'll repair themselves. I heard it's possible, depending on the extent of the damage done, but this is the price to pay after all.

I shift in my seat and turn around to stare out the window. I really am not looking forward to-

"We're here!" Kai announces cheerfully as Pixal parks in the driveway of Sensei Wu's Academy.

Oh perfect!

Zane undoes our seatbelts and gets out of the car, going around and opening my door. Nya exits from the other side while my brother gently lifts me up, in the same position and walks without any signs of difficulty to the front door.

How come there aren't any students here?

"Today is Sunday," Zane tells me, as if sensing my inquisitiveness.

I smile. It's nice to have a brother who knows, but I bet since he's so smart, he'll figure out my secret in no time. Pixal opens the door for us and we all enter the long, echoing hallway that descends for quite awhile. Zane's cold hand is pushing against my ribs and that really hurts, especially when I breathe.

I also would like to be able to walk on my own, but how do I tell them that? I reach for Zane's sleeve, tugging it weakly, and he stops abruptly. "Yes, Jay? Is something bothering you?"

You have a great sixth sense. "Mm," I mumble and point to the floor and his arm.

Zane gives me a quizzical look. "Is there something on the floor?"

Okay, maybe not so great. I shake my head, pointing to my feet, and then the floor.

"Do you want down?" Pixal asks.

I nod. "Jay, honey, I don't think it's such a good idea," Nya says.

Why? Gee, this is frustrating! I keep pointing at the lovely, wooden floor, hoping they'll let me actually walk on my own.

"Well…I guess we could let you try, but if anything goes amiss, Zane's carrying you. Okay?" Kai confirms. I nod.

Zane meticulously sets me on my feet, grabbing my arm in case I fall I suppose. I shrug him off, but once his hand is gone, I feel gravity and the lack of movement taking its toll on my legs. They collapse beneath my weight.

Okay, that's why.

"Jay!" everyone exclaims in unison and I hold a hand up. They're treating me like a little child, someone unable to defend him or do anything.

I get on my hands and knees, watching my sweat drip on the already glossy floor. I draw in deep breaths in an attempt to calm my nerves, though it only brings pain in my rib cage and the rest of my chest.

"Jay, come on," Kai reaches for me and I wave him way. I don't want help. I need to do this on my own.

I put a hand against the wall and push myself off the floor with the other hand, but my useless, pain-ridden legs just won't do it. It would be better or at least less of a nuisance if I couldn't feel them at all.

Be optimistic, Jay. You can do it! Do it for Nya!

I try again using every ounce of strength left in me and finally make it to a lean against the wall. At least I'm on my feet. "You did it, Jay!" Nya slaps me on the back, sending me on the floor again. "Oh, I'm sorry!"

Zane picks me up and we resume our descent. The structure of the living quarters here is strange, going down in a narrow, winding path, deep underground to where Sensei is bound to be…reading the scrolls I messed around with. Oh dang. I think I forgot to put them back and he's sure to notice that. Great job Jay!

Zane stops a few feet away from a polished, wooden door that reads:

Sensei Wu's Living Quarters

Do not disturb!

Ha, his sense of humor.

Pixal opens the door and gets in front of us, I presume to surprise him, knowing these guys and girls. We enter a comfy living room, seated with three white couches and a love seat. On the table are a pile of scrolls and a steaming, blue pot of tea. Seated in front of it, of course, is Wu.

"We're back, Sensei," Zane announces.

"Say something," Kai whispers in my ear.

What can I say? "Uh…" I make the only sound that is close to talking.

Sensei looks rather forlorn, no even looking up and his response is, "How was it?" His voice cracked at the end, so he really does care, even though he didn't attend my funeral.

"Quite unexpected," Pixal says.

"Oh? Good or bad?"

"Good, Sensei," Zane tells him, stepping in front of Pixal. "Look up for a moment please."

Sensei obliges and looks at…me. His eyes are puffy, red, and swollen. He seems like he was crying not too long ago and his mouth drops agape. "Jay?"

I smile and wave, sending a shooting pain in my ribs that makes me flinch. "How?"

"We mistook him for dead," Zane says, sneaking a strange glance at me, "He was merely in a coma and thankfully woke up prior to being buried alive."

I nod, having this strange feeling in my gut. Does Zane know there's more to this?

"Come on, Jay. Say something," Nya urges.