6
AULI’I HADN’T BLINKED IN FIVE minutes. Kimo’s hands covered his mouth. Kamalani did the same. Cyrus smiled with a nod of approval. The Fualautoalasis had been completely captivated by the series and were finally on the last episode. They’d started it two days prior, a season a day.
As the final moments unfolded and the credits began to roll, the Fualautoalasis clapped. Auli’i and Kamalani were in tears and Kimo was looking down.
Is he crying? Good, I’m glad I’m not the only one.
“That was incredible, Cyrus. Absolutely incredible,” said Auli’i.
Kamalani hugged Auli’i and Cyrus on the couch.
“That was great. Thank you for making such a great selection,” said Kamalani.
Cyrus lifted his arms over the Fualautoalasi ladies and hugged back. He had gotten used to their affection.
“This is the best version of this story. The live action, although good, wasn’t up to par with this one. The fans realized they really liked the voice actors more than anything.”
“There is a real life one?!” said Kimo, looking up.
“Two, actually. But we must never speak of the movie. It was a disgrace.”
All three of them gasped.
“I know. You’re pretty hard pressed to ruin a story of that caliber. Now, could we do something different for my little ‘workout’ tonight?”
Auli’i’s eyes shined brightly in anticipation.
“I want to walk on the beach.”
The Fualautoalasi family smiled, and Kimo let out a quick ‘Chee whoo.’ It was 5 PM and the sun was still high in the sky.
Cyrus had spent the last three days crawling slowly from his room to the living room. The Fualautoalasi family had put every blanket and towel down on the hardwood floor to save Cyrus’ knees but it was unavoidable. Cyrus had scrapes and bruises up and down his legs and arms from falling repeatedly. The first two days he must have lifted himself up at least a thousand times. It was the equivalent of doing one thousand mini push ups. That would take a toll on anyone. To someone who hadn’t been using his limbs, the effect was compounded. Not to mention his hip joints ached from crawling. A change of routine was needed.
The Fualautoalasis changed quickly and were out the door within five minutes of Cyrus’ announcement. Cyrus thought he had a love for the ocean, but for the Fualautoalasis, the ocean was a part of them. Since the day they moved in, the Fualautoalasis had not missed a swim in the ocean.
“You going to swim, too?” asked Auli’i excitedly.
Cyrus pointed to the pair of shorts he had on. Cyrus didn’t own a swimsuit, but his lightest pair of shorts would work.
“After I walk for a bit, will you guys teach me how to not drown?”
“Yeees!!!!” Auli’i jumped up and down.
Kimo let out another quiet ‘chee whoo’ while Kamalani smiled at the door.
“Well, let’s move those okoles, we have about an hour and a half of sunshine left,” said Kamalani.
Auli’i and Kimo put Cyrus’ arms over their necks for support and made their way towards the beach. Cyrus had always been able to hear and see the ocean from the house and it had always brought him peace. Most rooms in his home faced the ocean, after all, especially the huge sliding glass door in the living room. Cyrus had never participated in beach time activities.
Sand castles, boogie boarding, burying your friends in the sand ... all of it seemed fun, but a long time ago Cyrus had closed off the possibility of actually doing them. It made him really sad watching people do what he wanted to do, knowing he wasn’t physically able.
Having his options opened again really made Cyrus happy, but it was also brewing a storm inside of him. Why had Martin done this to him? Why had he taken away his ability to move? It was cruel ... not to mention it felt very unnecessary.
Martian has some serious explaining to do.
They reached where the sand and the ocean met. Cyrus looked around for a goal to walk towards.
“The pier,” said Cyrus softly.
Imperial beach had a wonderful pier less than two hundred yards away from their place at Sea Coast Drive. There was a quaint little restaurant at the end that was decent at best, but made up for it with its view. The pier is where Martin and Cyrus had gone many times for a walk to see the sunset. Occasionally, they would get the fish and chips but usually they would go for the views and to see what people were catching. Lots of people went to the pier to fish.
“The pier,” said Cyrus to Auli’i and Kimo. “Let me go.”
“What?!” said Auli’i.
“Let me go.”
Kimo gave an uneasy look. Auli’i was shaking her head.
“Let me go, I’ll be fine. Just trust me.”
Auli’i kept shaking her head. She hated every time Cyrus fell. The bruises up and down Cyrus’ legs only added fuel to her fire. She didn’t like it. Seeing the look of determination on Cyrus’ face, she relented.
“Ok ... But if you die, I’ll kill you.”
“That … doesn’t … make … sense … ” said Cyrus.
Slowly, both of the siblings came out from supporting Cyrus and let go. Cyrus was standing on his own two feet. The pier taunted him.
“We’ll be right by your side,” said Kimo assuredly.
Every muscle in Cyrus’ legs trembled from stabilizing himself. Cyrus took his first shaky step and then his second.
Phew ...
Then steps three and four, five and six, seven, eight, nine and ten. Confidence built with each step.
Twenty-one. Twenty-two. Twenty-th—
Cyrus snagged his toe on a small seaweed pile. There was no avoiding it, he was going down. He almost made it to twenty-three. MJ would be so disappointed.
Two sets of arms appeared out of nowhere and caught Cyrus. Auli’i and Kimo, true to their word, were right next him, preventing another bruise from being added to his already extensive collection.
Cyrus panted from the effort and swiveled his head around to see how far he had gotten. He had made it from his house to the ‘ART’ sign stairwell.
Not bad.
“Thanks guys. I would have eaten sand for sure.”
The siblings put Cyrus back on his feet and then stepped back.
“We’re right behind you,” said Kimo.
“You got this,” said Auli’i.
Cyrus continued his trek to the pier on his own. Being a weekday, there were considerably less people than usual. It was going to be a fantastic day if he could make it to the pier on his own two legs.
Cyrus breathed in deeply and then took his next step. Slowly and surely, Cyrus made his way towards the belly of the pier. Cyrus stumbled three more times, never hitting the ground. Auli’i and Kimo were there every single time.
Then, after 15 minutes of focused effort, Cyrus made it to the pier. Euphoria came over him.
“Yeah!!!!” said Auli’i loudly.
“Chhhhheeeeeee Whoooooo!!!!” Kimo’s volume was earth shattering. It was the first time he had heard Kimo go all out. Auli’i followed suit.
“Chhhhheeeee Whoooooo!!!”
“Chhhhheeeee Whoooooo!!!! went Kamalani, a little bit further off.
“I’m going to walk to the other side,” said Cyrus. He was determined to pass his goal. Right as Cyrus passed the last pillar of the pier to the other side, he put his hands in the air in jubilation ... bad idea.
The shift in weight threw off his balance and his right foot tripped over his left. He was going down. Thank goodness for Auli’i and Kimo. Cyrus closed his eyes, waiting for the four hands to catch him before he hit the sand ... they never came.
SPLAT! Cyrus’ face hit the sand.
The Chee Whoo’s stopped immediately.
“Oh gosh, Cyrus!” Auli’i rushed to his side.
“Oh sole …” said Kimo, scampering over.
The siblings helped Cyrus up with apologetic looks. Cyrus came up laughing … loud, happy laughter. The two siblings looked surprised at first but then smiled in relief and joined in the laughter.
Cyrus was spent. He had walked further than he ever had in his life. He wanted to walk more. The progress he had experienced in the last three weeks was addicting but Ms. Palermo’s words rung in his head.
Take it slow and listen to your body.
Right now his body ached from being used and was asking for a break. However, he’d also promised he would go in the ocean with Auli’i. Cyrus sighed. He was a little apprehensive about going in the water, but he wanted to keep his promise.
Maybe I can just float.
Imperial Beach was not known for its huge waves. It was pretty flat most of the time and the water was almost always a nice brown color.
“Cyrus! You still going to try and swim with us?” asked Auli’i.
“Depends. Will your sinking prevention be as affective as preventing me from falling?”
Kamalani snorted. Kimo and Auli’i shook their heads, suppressing smirks. Cyrus smiled triumphantly.
Subtle jab. Witty delivery. Hearty laughter from third party. Nailed it.
Kimo grabbed Cyrus, threw him over his shoulder and started walking into the ocean like a DK cargo carry. Auli’i followed behind cackling.
“Not so tough now, huh?” said Kimo with a smile.
Cyrus started feeling queasy. He had eaten a decent amount for dinner and was going into the ocean for the first time with four working limbs. Now he was being rocked back and forth by a huge man-child. This was not how he’d imagined his first time in the ocean.
Kimo was about waist deep. With a little flick, Kimo flipped Cyrus’ legs over his shoulder towards the open ocean. Horror and vertigo hit Cyrus simultaneously.
Free falling for a split second, Cyrus’ legs were the first thing to enter into the ocean. Silence. Cyrus was underwater. Had Cyrus not had salt water up his nose and in his ears, the silence might have been nice … but Cyrus didn’t know how to swim. Panic began to fill Cyrus. Someone’s arms encircled him and pulled him out of the water. Panting rapidly, Cyrus wiped the water from his eyes and peeked to see who his savior was. It was Auili’i.
“I’m so sorry. Kimo, you scared him!”
“You OK, Cyrus? I wanted to introduce you to the ocean in a way you’d never forget.”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I was just worried about the added weight with my wings and sinking.”
“Yeah … I probably should have thought of that,” said Kimo sheepishly.
Cyrus’ heart rate stabilized. In the comforting arms of Auli’i, he took in some new sensations. The chilly dark water seeped through his clothes, giving way to goosebumps up and down his neck and arms. The waves melodically sang to Cyrus almost like they were welcoming him to the ocean. With each wave gurgling by, the sounds reminded him of a bubble.
“Can you hang onto me while I go under? Next wave?” asked Cyrus.
Auli’i nodded. She repositioned Cyrus so he was floating on his stomach. As the next wave approached, the sound built like a stampede. Cyrus narrowed his focus despite his growing fear. The wave was five seconds away from impact.
You got this, and even if you don’t, Auli’i does.
Cyrus inhaled and closed his eyes. Auli’i gave Cyrus a gentle push under the wave and the sensation of water rushing over him completely eclipsed all of Cyrus’ senses. The current underneath the water went in every direction and the salty mixture entered through his nose.
Uh oh.
Flailing to the surface, Cyrus ejected salt water from his mouth and nose. Coughing and snorting, his eyes stung from the pain. Auli’i gently lifted Cyrus out of the water and back into her arms.
“I have you. I have you. Don’t worry. I have you.”
Cyrus composed himself, wiping away the water and snot coming from his face.
Goodness, it’s everywhere.
“This is why you’re my favorite. You keep me from drowning rather than attempting to.”
“So,” started Kimo. “What do you think of the world’s biggest ocean?”
“Salty, scratchy and stinky. I love it.”
Cracking an infectious smile, Cyrus slowly opened his now red eyes. The sun was setting and the water glowed. Cyrus’ wings were now sticking out of his shirt by his waist.
“How do your wings feel?” asked Auli’i.
“Not bad, actually. I thought they would be heavier.”
Cyrus sat up a little and adjusted. When he’d been under the water, he’d felt significantly lighter.
Maybe …
“Hey, how many people are around us?”
Kimo and Auli’i swiveled their heads around. They were some of the last ones in the ocean. Most were on the beach admiring the sunset.
“Almost no one … Why?” asked Kimo.
“I want to spread my wings.”
The siblings froze.
“Too open, Cyrus. Don’t forget there are people on the pier, too,” said Auli’i.
“Yeah, but what if we went under the pier and opened them?”
Kimo and Auli’i pouted their lips and rocked their heads side to side.
“Could work … ” said Kimo
“Yeah, seems safest,” said Auli’i. “Why don’t you just wait till we get home? That’s the safest option.”
“Yeah, but it feels easier with the water! Plus, I don’t think the tub will fit me, you know?”
“Fine, but we’re floating you over there like driftwood,” said Auli’i.
She gave Cyrus the horsey smile, and together with Kimo, they floated Cyrus over to the pier. Every time a wave approached, Auli’i would gently lift him so he didn’t get a face full of water. Kamalani followed from the beach.
Reaching the belly of the pier, Kimo helped remove Cyrus’ shirt and put his feet on the ground. The water was shallow enough where he could stabilize himself with his arms.
Kimo and Auli’i quickly did a double take of their surroundings and then slowly unfurled Cyrus’ wings.
Cyrus grimaced. The strain was still there but significantly less. As they reached the same level of unfurling from a couple days ago, Kimo and Auli’i let go.
Cyrus leaned into the water, letting it support him and his wings. Cyrus was on all fours facing the beach. One twitch in the left wing. One in his right.
My gosh … I can move them.
It felt natural, like an extra set of arms. They were definitely a part of him. The realization that they were there and were as integral to him as his arms and legs was starting to hit him. However, they felt more foreign. Like someone learning how to use a sword or a tennis racket for the first time. They were blunt instruments attached to his back for the time being, until he mastered them.
“Cyrus … ” said Auli’i.
“Wow … ” said Kimo.
Cyrus tilted his head to either side. The reflection of sunlit water illuminated his darker feathers. The detail was absolutely mesmerizing. You could see each feather outlined in silver like a branch of a tree with no leaves. The shine came and went with the moving water.
Auli’i and Kamalani gasped as their eyes went up and down Cyrus’ wing span.
Kimo mouthed, “Wow.”
The waves gently splashed onto the shore. Cyrus closed his eyes. The moment felt reverent.
What peace …
Kamalani fumbled through the beach bag she’d brought.
“Cyrus … I’m going to take a picture.”
Cyrus smiled. He had taught her the shortcut on his phone to access the camera yesterday.
VMMMMMM. VMMMMMM. VMMMMMM.
Cyrus sat up. He knew that sound, even on silent. He had a notification.
“Kamalani, can I see my phone? Kimo. Auli’i. Can you help me up and then cover me?”
The Fualautoalasis made quick work of lifting, drying and covering Cyrus. Once Cyrus had dry digits, he tapped his screen. 10 missed calls and six messages. All from Martin.
“SHOOOT!”
“What?! What happened?” asked Auli’i.
Cyrus flashed the phone screen in their direction. Instant interest. They were both peering over his shoulder in seconds.
“What did he say?” asked Kimo.
“My baby OK?” asked Kamalani.
“Guys, let me read the messages and call him back. Hang on.”
Cyrus are you there?
Cyrus I really need you to pick up.
I don’t have a lot of time or cell service.
I’m just getting to Kauai.
Cyrus seriously please pick up. This is urgent.
Call me the moment you see these. I have one hour.
The messages were twenty minutes old. Cyrus went to missed calls and clicked on Martian. Putting the phone to his ear, the phone let out its first monotone ring. Cyrus was nervous. He had no idea what to expect.
Click
“Cyrus! Can you hear me?”
“Yeah, I can. Martian, you OK?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Listen, the council of Akhet didn’t rule in Manaia’s favor so they sentenced his daughter Akela to death as punishment. They’re carrying out the sentence Sunday.”
Cyrus was really glad he hadn’t put the call on speaker.
“Oh my … ” He immediately stopped.
The three Fualautoalasis looked at him anxiously.
Come on, man. Keep it together.
“Yes, but the plot thickens. At Manaia’s request, I’ve been asked to ‘abduct’ her before that happens and bring her with me to IB.”
“Oh my goodness. Do uh … do you need something?”
“Yes, I need you to buy two flights from Oahu to San Diego leaving Saturday at 6 PM.”
“What happened to your wallet?”
“Confiscated. Luckily, I buried my phone in Kauai.”
“Huh … Well done.”
“You know the three fake flowers in the kitchen window?”
“Yeah …”
“Under the blue one I have an emergency credit card. It’s white. Use that, and keep it with you.”
“OK. Blue flower. Got it.”
“Now, Manaia told the council California is where he went to find Auli’i and Kamalani and although that is vague, I am still worried IB may be compromised.”
Cyrus gulped and kept a straight face. Three sets of eyes were on him.
“What … What needs to be done?”
“Until I know for certain it isn’t, I want you to leave IB. Leave with Auli’i and Kimo. Ask Kamalani to stay until I make it back. I want you far away from IB until I know for certain our location is safe.”
“Where? I’ve never been outside San Diego.”
“I’m not sure, Cyrus. I’ve kept a low profile in IB ever since I left …”
Martin stopped mid-sentence. Cyrus could tell he regretted saying that much.
“Left what? Your home? Martian … were you going to say your home?”
“I …”
“Martian, please answer me.”
“Yes … My home.”
“Where is your home, Martian?”
Cyrus heard Martin exhale slowly before a quick inhale.
“A place called Aeolia.”
“What?”
“Aeolia. It’s the Lumen capital. It’s … it’s a couple hundred miles southwest of Bermuda.”
Cyrus opened his mouth to speak and then closed it again. “Wh ... wh … what?”
“Cyrus, focus. Bermuda. British Territory off the East Coast of the US … but that is the last place on earth I would have you go to.”
“Why? That’s your home. Is it that bad?”
“It’s not safe, Cyrus. Your very existence is seen as a threat to some. I don’t know if your mother …”
Heart beating and adrenaline pumping, Cyrus couldn’t believe what he’d heard.
“What …”
“Cyrus …”
“Martian, what about my mother?”
Silence filled the air except for Kimo’s steps transitioning from sand to cement.
“That’s where your mother is.”
“Name.”
“What?”
“Name! What’s my mother’s name!”
Martin was silent. The Fualautoalasis looked worried.
“MARTIAN. WHAT IS MY MOTHER’S NAME?”
“Her name is Marcella.”
“Marcella …”
“Yes.”
“I’m going to Aeolia.”
The three Polynesians stopped dead in their tracks and looked at Cyrus like he had said a bad word.
“Cyrus, please don’t. I’m begging you. It’s too dangerous. Wait for me, and we’ll go in due time.”
“Due time?! DUE TIME?! All those years I asked about my parents and you always responded ‘wait til you’re 16’ and ‘you adopted me outright’. Now you have the audacity to tell me not to go see her?!”
“Cyrus, please. I know it seems like I did this out of spite, but believe me, I did it to protect you.”
“Oh? Same as making me a quadriplegic? Was that to protect me, too?”
“YES.”
Cyrus fell silent. As upset as he was, how Martin responded cut him to his core.
“Cyrus, don’t think for a moment I enjoyed your pain or keeping you in the dark … but you have no idea the wheels that are turning because of your existence. I did what I did for the bigger picture. I did what I did with the end game in mind. I did what I did … TO. PROTECT. YOU.”
Cyrus breathed deeply.
“All will be explained soon, but you really need to trust me.”
“Then take me to my mom. If you know where she is and she’s not opposed to seeing me, you have to take me to her. There’s no argument.”
“There are several, actually, but I do understand your desire to see her.”
“Not a desire. A necessity.”
Martin went silent for a moment.
“I’m going to extend an olive branch, OK?” began Martin.
“O … OK.”
“In my room, in my sock drawer, in the back right corner, I have a letter from your mother. Take that and read it. It’s not much, but it’s what you were left with.”
Cyrus’ head was spinning.
“Left with?”
“Yes, when Ms. Palermo and I found you on the doorstep.”
“Are you kidding me? On the doorstep like some knockoff wizard story?”
Martin let out a little chuckle.
“Yes, except no wizards or witches. Sorry.”
“I would have taken a lightening scar over a wheelchair any day of the week.”
Auli’i and Kamalani’s faces oozed sympathy. Kimo gave a couple supportive pats. Cyrus was brimming with questions.
“I’m assuming she has wings?”
“Yes.”
“White?”
“Yes, she’s a Lumen, like me.”
“What else can you tell me about her?”
“A lot, Cyrus, but I can’t do that right now. My time is up and I have to get back to Ni’ihau before they notice I’m gone. The cloud cover is passing so listen closely. Get your passport from my room, pack everything you need in a backpack and leave tomorrow. You will meet your mother under one condition.”
Cyrus inhaled and then mumbled for Martin to continue.
“You let me take you. I too have some questions for her.”
Cyrus furrowed his brow in confusion.
What does Martin want to ask my mother?
“OK. I can agree to that.”
“Get on it right away, Cyrus. Do NOT dilly dally. I am turning my phone off and burying it again, so don’t expect to hear from me until I get back to San Diego. Keep Auli’i and Kimo close while you travel. They can push you around in your wheelchair and explain more about the Lumens.”
“I’m walking already.”
“What?! Really?! That’s … that’s fantastic!!!”
“Yeah, we pulled that synthetic skin off, too. You have a lot of explaining to do.”
“I know and I will, but right now is not the moment. My focus is the life of Akela. Now, repeat back to me everything you must do before I hang up.”
Cyrus groaned. It was just like when he got home schooled during the Covid lock down.
“Get the white credit card from the fake blue flower pot. Buy two tickets from Oahu to San Diego. Dive into your sock drawer for a letter from my mother. Pack everything I need into one backpack, including my passport. Buy the first flight to Bermuda with Auli’i and Kimo.”
The two siblings did a double take. Kamalani stopped dead in her tracks.
“Very good. Last thing. Go and stay on the west side of the island. Ms. Palermo can help you with reservations. Once you get there, look for a man by the name of Jorge Worley in Hogs Bay. He should still be the active post on Bermuda. If you don’t hear from me in one week, you go with him, understood?”
“Understood.”
“Again, that’s Jorge Worley.”
“OK, let me write it down … ” Cyrus put his phone on speaker and opened his notes app.
“G.”
“J,” corrected Martin.
“J?”
“J.”
“OK … J.”
“J-O-R-G-E. W-O-R-L-E-Y.”
“Wouldn’t that be pronounced ‘Jorge’ instead of ‘Jorge’?”
“No, it’s pronounced ‘Jorge’.”
“OK … We’ll find him.” Cyrus took the phone back off speaker.
“One week. You hear nothing from me, you go with him. Understood?”
Cyrus audibly gulped. This more serious Martin was intense. “Understood.”
“Reassure Kamalani that I will do everything in my power to save her youngest. Please thank Ms. Palermo for all she has done as well. I love you. May your light illuminate the darkness,” Martin said with a softer tone.
“Love you, too. Good luck, and come back with Akela, OK?”
“I will.”
Click.
Cyrus looked at his phone in disbelief.
I know nothing.
Cyrus looked up to see three sets of Hawaiian eyes glued to him. They had arrived back at the apartment.
“Let’s go inside. We have a lot to do.”
