Chapter 2

The last 3 days have flown by and have been a welcome break for Adam away from the city. He, Axel and Leon have spent good quality time together without the distraction of a single cell phone signal that usually pops up at least 20 times a day for Adam. Everytime he stays with them, he feels a sense of peace and tranquility.

The three of them have enjoyed time out hunting their own food, fishing, sparring together, barbecues under the night sky and even a spot of white water rafting. For a place so baran and empty, they certainly know how to make the most of it.

"Ok, I've packed your uniform. Your books are in that case over there, make sure you keep practising those 12 multiplication tables and I'm expecting at least an 8 on your school report when you come back. Understood?" Axel instructs, kneeling down in front of Leon whilst helping him adjust his jacket and backpack.

"I'll miss you" Leon replies, looking down.

"I'm gonna miss you too" Axel smiles at him feeling regretful. He then reaches forward hugging his son tightly.

"Now you stay on your best behaviour ok?"

"Bed by 9, training every morning before school and video games are only for the weekend" the two of them say that sentence together simultaneously as Leon has heard these rules over 100 times.

Axel gives him a proud smile as he lifts him into the truck then kisses him on the forehead. "I love you".

"I love you too dad" Leon cutely smiles back.

"I'll see you in 5 weeks then" the two guys hug and say bye before Adam gets into the truck. Axel waits until they drive off then he returns to his cabin, once again feeling empty.

"Don't go eating all that candy at once, we still have a long way to go!" Adam says to Leon in the passenger side 6 hours into their journey.

"I'm rationing accordingly" he smartly answers.

"That's a wise idea smartass! I can see the tooth fairy came to visit you recently".

"What's a tooth fairy?" Leon asks, feeling puzzled.

"Your dad never explained that to you?... Never mind" Adam awkwardly sighs.

"Fairies don't exist and neither does Santa…" the boy smartly answers back.

"Are you sure you're not 15 yet?" Adam laughs "anyway, we're not far from the ship now" he hastily changes the subject.

"That's my favourite part!" Leon excitedly grins back.

"You know Sammy hates getting on that ship! He throws up all the time!" Adam says as the boy begins to stare out of the window.

"So, are you looking forward to going back to school next week and seeing your friends?" He quizzes, making conversation.

"Not really," Leon bluntly answers.

"What?! How come? You're usually the most excited kid to go back to the classroom. I admit it's a little strange, but it's not like you to not wanna go back."

"I just wish dad could come with us," a frown appears on his face.

"Well, I'm gonna tell you something that I wasn't going to share with you until later. But you have to promise you won't spoil it and say anything to your dad?"

"I won't!" He suddenly perks up with curiosity.

"Next term when we do this journey again, your dad will be able to come with us and the two of you will have your own place just outside of the city near me" Adam explains to him.

"Really? That's awesome!" He cheers up. "Will it have a refrigerator?" Leon excitedly asks, making Adam laugh.

"Of course it will! As you know, there ain't much to hunt or fish around Wood Oak City and you'll most likely be going to a grocery store to get your food!" He explains.

"I know that!" Leon understands having spent a good amount of time living in the city with Adam during term time. "Will I have to go to the same school there?"

"That's up to your dad. Anyway I thought you liked it there, why would you ask that?….. If something is wrong or if someone there has upset you, you know you can tell me". Adam says to him, feeling concerned.

"Ok" he sighs. "But if I tell you, you have to promise not to say anything to dad" he worriedly responds.

"Ok, I promise. I'm sure the two of us can fix whatever is going on there…"

"There's this one kid, Elliot Harper and his friends…"

"Is someone bullying you? Leon I bet those kids wouldn't survive a single day in the wilderness and are nowhere near as able to fight like you".

"It's not that…" he hesitantly answers.

"That's good news… What is it then? Wasn't Elliot your best friend?" Adam continues to probe whilst turning the truck onto a main road.

"Every day the moms wait outside to pick them up from school and each Saturday Mrs Harper and the other moms take them to the aqua park" he explains.

Adam gives him a reassuring smile "I'll speak to Mrs Harper then. If you really wanna hang out with your friends and go to the aqua park on the weekend, I don't mind! You're old enough to do so now as long as you finish your homework first".

"But the aqua park sucks compared to rafting…!" Leon grumbles.

"So what are you complaining about then kid?" Adam asks with confusion.

"Last term they asked me where my mom was…"

"And what did you say to them?"

"I told them what dad once told me….That she's an angel now" Leon replies.

"What did they say?" Adam asks.

"They laughed at me and told me that angels don't exist." He glances back at Adam appearing upset and confused.

"Let me tell you something. All those kids you hang out with at school believe in Santa and fairies. And as a cop, I've investigated every chimney in the city and I even have access to satellites. And I can tell you... Santa does not exist!"

"I knew it!" Leon shouts out, sure of himself.

"But I can also tell you that angels do exist and your mom is one of them. So don't pay attention to anything those kids have to say".

"It's not fair, they all have a mom and I don't! Dad never talks about her, I asked him once if I could see a picture but he always says one day I'll show you Leon."

"He just doesn't wanna upset you and I think he still really misses her…"

"What was my mom like?"

Adam sighs "she was just like you - smart, stubborn and she hated losing against anybody else - sound familiar?" He smiles.

"Could she fight?" Leon's eyes widen with curiosity.

"Yeah. She was the best! Your mom, your dad and me, we once took out all the major criminals in the city. We were also the three best cops on the scene!... Hey look at the ships in the distance, we're near the harbour now!" he points at the sea in front of them, taking the opportunity to divert away from the subject.

"Look at what the cat dragged in". Ms Y smirks as her twin brother walks through the door, loosening his tie. In the blink of an eye, half of his thin grey tie is sliced off, leaving Ms Y in a fit of laughter.

"I always hated that tie!" She says to him proudly holding up her sword as he angrily takes the rest of it off then chucks it on the ground.

"What rattled your cage then?" She raises her eyebrows as the pair sit down on the white leather couch.

"Senator Peters came to my office today. He and the other authorities are starting to get suspicious of our underground activities."

"But it's only a matter of weeks until we host one of Wood Oak's biggest ever concerts! Don't go fucking this up!" She angrily replies.

"And once the vast population is under our control what are we planning to do?" He asks.

"Easy. We'll remain in power and in full control of the city. Think about it, nobody is standing in our way! The police force is under our control as well as the council. You and I have achieved more success in the space of less than a decade than our father ever did!"

"Don't talk about father that way!" Mr Y snaps "without his legacy, we wouldn't even be here today".

"I'm sorry brother", she looks away feeling guilty and taking back what she just said.

"It's ok. I know you're under a lot of stress right now. Let me handle the Senator over the next few weeks" he insists.

"Any news about Shiva?" She questions him.

"No." He replies with disappointment. "But Dr Dahm doesn't need him any longer, he's been replicating his chi for years now".

"I hope that lasts and that asshole or Hunter doesn't come back for vengeance after what the doctor did to them" she replies pessimistically.

"They can't touch us! We have too many fighters and besides, if they wanted to get to us they would have tried by now". Mr Y argues.

"With our plans over the next few months shaping up nicely, I hope you are right" she replies.

Adam abruptly wakes up, catching his breath in a sweat. He glances around the small cabin room on the ship as he quietly creeps out of bed, being careful not to wake Leon who is fast asleep above in the top part of the bunk bed. He then reaches for a small plastic container inside his backpack then he quietly exits the room for the communal bathroom further down the corridor.

Adam carefully locks the door behind him before opening the plastic container in front of the mirror. Inside it are 6 spaces for 6 needles. Currently 5 of the spaces are empty with one needle remaining inside the container. He takes out the last one, flicking the top of it with his thumb and index finger with the other hand holding it in the air. He then quickly injects the serum into his arm, which eases his breathing and cools Adam down. Immediately, he collapses to the floor for a moment with the needle fallen next to his body.

The plastic casing around it contains the logo of a 5 sided yellow star. After a moment of calm, Adam's pulse starts to race again as he sits on the floor in a sweat with his back against the wall. His palms suddenly each start to illuminate a sharp yellow flame followed by flairs of energy escaping from the upper parts of his arms. After a few moments the ordeal is over and the flames cut out. Adam catches his breath back, to his relief feeling normality once again.

He glances down at the empty casing, understanding that the last dose he took should keep him going for at least another four weeks until he requires a replacement from Dr Zan. He sits, calming his mind and thinking back as his heart rate and temperature begin to drop down to normal again.