Chapter 2 -
The Awakening
2/5/2016 – Harvard's School for Gifted Children – Vice Principal Mrs A. Parsons Office - 9:45am
Outside, there was a flock of eagles. That in itself was out of the ordinary, but what really caught Jaden's attention was that these eagles were massive. They had to be at least five times the size of the eagles he had seen in the park and the zoo. And next to that, there were people riding on the backs of those eagles. Jaden couldn't see them that clearly, but there were at least two people to every eagle. That's how big those eagles were.
But what was even weirder was the guy riding a cloud. Jaden was sure that it was impossible to ride a cloud. But there was guy calmly making his way across the Manhattan sky riding a cloud. That was something you definitely didn't see every day. Thinking he was slowly becoming sick like Nanny, Jaden rubbed his eyes. When he looked back, the eagles were still there. And so was the cloud riding boy. The only difference was that the cloud was now in the shape of a horse. When Jaden turned to the Vice Principal, still unconvinced about what he was seeing, he found that he was the only one who saw the strange flyers.
That was when he decided to believe what his grandmother had told him.
" Jaden Castellan. Focus." The Vice Principal's voice called, pulling the boy from his thoughts.
" Sorry, Mrs Parsons." Jaden replied quietly, returning his attention to the old lady.
" For what you did, Jaden, I'm giving you a week's worth of detention. I cannot ignore the fact that you threw a ball at another student; no matter how much you dislike him. I will also be talking to your mother about this."
" But, Mrs Parsons…"
" That's enough. I'll see you back here at lunch time. Now off you go to the nurse."
With that, Mrs Parsons stood up and led Jaden to her door. Jaden looked up at her, looked into her wrinkled, blue eyes, and instantly knew that no amount of begging was going to help him in this situation. His mother claimed he was much like his father, but he had a feeling that his father could get out of a lot of situations that included detention. Him? Not so much. Maybe he would grow into something like that… or maybe he just wasn't that lucky.
Whatever the case, he lowered his head and began the walk towards the nurse's office down the hall. On the way, he was tripped up by Timothy. The pudgy boy was sitting on the floor, waiting to see Mrs Parsons. Beside him where his two goons. What was funny, though, was that Hayden and Brendon were both taller than Timothy… and they were also sitting down. But Jaden knew that this wasn't the first time that Timothy, at the very least, had been sent to the Vice Principal's office. If there was such thing as luck at all, Jaden was willing to bet his favourite dog and dragon plush toys that he would not be seeing Timothy for a long time after this. So, with a smirk, he righted himself and continued on his way to the nurse's office.
20/6/2016 – Nanny and Poppy's house – East Hampton
Jaden was standing on the back porch of his grandparent's house, looking out over the distant horizon while twirling the bronze dog tag that hung around his neck in his fingers. He should have been happy. It was the first day of the school holidays. But his mother and grandfather were both upset, making him upset. And they had dressed him in black too, because they were going to a church and then to the cemetery. The reason; Nanny had gone to that special place that his father was in… probably telling him off about leaving her daughter and grandson alone and in danger, if people knew her.
They had just gotten back from the cemetery and Nanny's friends and family were with them. They were all inside, though, talking and remembering. But he didn't want to hear any of it. He just wanted to get away from it all. And going outside was the only way he could. At least he had his grandfather's Doberman to keep him company. The old dog was sitting beside him, watching him twirl the dog tag in his fingers.
" I should be happy, right Digger?" He asked the dog, even though he was sure the dog couldn't answer him.
As he expected, the dog merely tilted his head and gave a short whimper.
" I want to see Nanny again."
At this, the dog lowered himself to the ground and laid his head on his paws. Jaden took that as a sign that Digger also wanted to see Nanny again and knelt down, letting the dog tag fall back onto his chest. Quietly, he stroked the dog's head and listened to the sad thumping of his tail against the wooden porch. But that was when he noticed the other dog that was sitting by the back fence and watching him intently. The strange thing about this dog, though, was that its bright red eyes and shaggy black coat made it look a little evil. He wouldn't have been surprised if it was what his grandfather called a devil dog.
" Get out of here!" He called over to the strange dog… and surprisingly it obeyed, literally disappearing into the shadows.
" Jaden? What's wrong?" The sound of his grandfather's voice at the door brought the boy to his feet.
" Nothing, Poppy."
" Don't you lie to your old Poppy, now, Jaden."
" There was another dog by the fence. I scared him off, for you."
Poppy smiled down at his grandson and patted his shoulder affectionately. " You trying to teach old Digger how to scare away unwanted guests, eh?"
" Yeah!" The blonde haired boy exclaimed, jumping on the genuine smile his grandfather was giving him.
For the first time that day, Jaden heard his grandfather laugh. And what was more, it wasn't forced. It made him feel like he had accomplished something. He wasn't sure exactly what, but he knew he had done something special for his grandfather. Once Poppy's laugh had settled down, the old man knelt down in front of both boy and dog.
" I think old Digger can learn a thing or two off you, boy. Now, come inside. It's getting late and you need to come and have tea."
With a huff, Poppy rose to his feet once more and went inside. Jaden, on the other hand, was hesitant at re-entering the house. It wasn't because he didn't really want to go back inside, what with all the people that he swore did not trust him. It was more because as he was looking in the direction of the setting sun, he noticed a flying car. To describe it, all Jaden could think of was that it was bright, red and fast. And that there was a driver who he swore was looking at him in confusion. But he couldn't see the guy's face, so he wasn't so sure. All he knew was that Digger had suddenly gotten to his feet and started barking at the flying car.
" Sit DOWN, Digger!" Poppy's voice called from inside the house.
" Jaden, come on!" Jaden's mother called a few minutes later.
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