FOURTEEN
HE WAS ENORMOUS, at least five feet taller than the Creepers, and a blinding, crystal-white radiance penetrated the space around him. I was too astounded to cover my eyes, overwhelmed by a rush of euphoria —an extraordinary sensation of peace I never knew existed.
Although I could only stand to look at him for seconds at a time, I could see that his massive body was sculpted to perfection. He wore the most bad-looking platinum-silver armor I’d ever seen.
I don’t know when I hit the ground, but at some point, it registered that I was on my stomach, straining to look up and steal glances at him.
And wow, the fragrance. He gave off a magnificent scent that overpowered the Creepers’ putrid stench —like high-end men’s cologne but better than anything I’d ever smelled. His movements were fluid and effortless, a supernatural being prepared for the fiercest of battles.
The human language cannot describe his flawless complexion or the passion and fury contained in his eyes. He didn’t look much older than me, but there was nothing boyish about him. A thin gold crown encircled his glorious head, beaming over his wavy brown hair. I didn’t need to be told that it signified authority far greater than any earthly power.
I felt a tight grip on my arm, but I paid no attention. I was witnessing another dimension, beholding a life-form that exceeded the most epic of fairy-tale heroes.
I was lifted upright, but my knees buckled, and I dropped to the floor again as another colossal being of equal stature and strength appeared on the opposite side of Meagan —this one dark skinned, with the most massive biceps.
The Creepers went ballistic, jerking and convulsing in their rush to pull away from Meagan’s cords and cuffs.
I had the bizarre feeling that I was standing outside of time as the two immense allies closed in on the Creepers. I couldn’t be the only one who felt the earth shudder! They had no weapons in their hands —they didn’t need them.
Finally unbound from Meagan, the Creepers planted their faces to the floor and writhed but didn’t hiss a sound. The mere presence of these glowing beings seemed to be unleashing suffering on the Creepers. At last, the tormentors were tormented.
The monsters slithered on their stomachs, inching away from the light until they were far enough to crawl, then they scrambled to their feet and ran.
I focused on the avengers, desperate to memorize every detail of their appearance. But I was interrupted by the sensation of pain in both arms. I was hoisted up, then felt my body spin, forcing me to face the opposite direction. Two male teachers had ahold of me. My feet dragged on the floor all the way to the nurse’s office, then I tumbled onto the stiff plastic bed.
The nurse scrambled to take my temperature and blood pressure, then warned Principal Harding that my body was cold and my blood pressure soaring. That’s what happens when you carry a blizzard in your belly and stand an arm’s length away from supernatural rivals.
It was like a nightmare, only with a glorious finish.
I heard Lance ask the nurse if I was all right. I guess my secret was out. Everyone had seen me explode.
I wanted so bad to get up and find Meagan. I wanted her to know that she was at the center of an epic fight, the treasured prize of two fierce opposing forces. And I wanted to tell her that the good side won today. They won without ever having to raise a fist.
Principal Harding knelt down and spoke close to my face. Too close. “Owen, I just got off the phone with your mother. She’s on her way.”
I was relieved when she backed off, but then a school counselor got right back in my face. “Owen, how are you feeling?”
“I don’t know.”
“Are you aware of what just happened?”
I wanted to ask her the same thing.
“What were you doing, Owen?”
This was no time to crack and get thrown into a treatment center. I had to see those warriors again —appeal to them for help. “I let the stress get to me, that’s all. I haven’t been sleeping lately. I’ve been worried about college and my friends, with all this suicide stuff. I just lost it for a minute. I’ll be okay.”
She looked at me with big, adoring eyes. “Bless your heart. Why don’t I issue you a homework pass so you can rest tonight, then come see me first thing in the morning?”
Whew. Dodged that bullet. I wasn’t sure what to expect from my mother, though. As far as she was concerned, this was the second episode this week, and she was already leery of me. Who knows? She might show up with a straitjacket.
I stared at the ceiling tiles, trying to process what I’d just witnessed. It was larger than life. It was like watching life versus death.
I wiped my eyes. Why were they pooling? It wasn’t because I’d completely humiliated myself, and it wasn’t because I was afraid of what my mother would say. I wasn’t sad, actually.
Clarity came over me like a soft breeze, but I tried to squelch it because it felt like something supernatural. No, it was more like something . . . spiritual. That was unfamiliar territory for me. But before I could stop the thought, it was echoing across my mind.
I’ve always believed we’re alone, each of us left to fight life’s trials on our own. But now I know better. Something —someone —cares.
That realization choked me up.
And it freaked me out.
I dismissed the idea. I had to stick with what I could see and discount what I couldn’t. Yes, I was aware of the irony. But the reality was, I hadn’t seen God. I’d seen good forces triumph over evil today. That’s it.
And where did the champions go? Why didn’t they help more? Why not annihilate the Creepers entirely?
I closed my eyes and considered a new life equation: the war between good and evil is real, but evil doesn’t stand a chance —so long as the good guys show up.
My mother spent a while in the counselor’s office before I was released. I promised I was feeling good enough to drive my motorcycle home, and she didn’t push back. I got the idea she’d rather not be confined in a tight space with me.
I went straight to my room, got my laptop out, and added to my timeline. What to call the avengers? I settled on Watchmen.
My phone lit up with texts. I figured it would help downplay the situation to reply and assure people I was fine.
If only that were true.
Ray Anne had texted. She must have been pretty horrified to hear that the guy she’d made plans with for tomorrow had completely flipped out in front of half the school. She asked if I was okay, and I replied with an apology and a promise: I’m sorry I acted like an idiot today. I hope you still want to hang out. I won’t cause a scene. I swear.
She didn’t break our plans —a huge relief. I still held out hope that I’d discover something revolutionary.
I just hoped I could keep my promise to not freak out and humiliate us both.