Lia followed the river’s edge, walking quickly enough to be mistaken for a jog. Throwing a wary golden-eyed glance behind her she kept following the well-worn path beside the lazy river. She mentally smacked herself for getting the other orphans mad at her. More importantly, she had made a smart remark to Nik, the ‘leader’ when she should have just kept her mouth shut. Now as she hastily weaved between a few trees lining the path, she was being followed by the angry mob of kids looking for a confrontation. Lia tilted her head to the side and listened. She couldn’t hear the other orphans anymore, so she slowed down to a bold walk. It was times like this that made her wish that Betty, the owner of the orphanage, didn’t have to leave so often. Betty always kept an eye out for her; she knew the kids gave Lia a hard time. Thomas, Betty’s son, who watched over the orphanage in Betty’s absence wasn’t much help. He’d rather sit in the kitchen, eating chips and watching episodes of Star Trek. How Betty could give birth to someone who grew up to be so lazy, Lia never understood.
Glancing once more behind her, she slipped into the shadows under a bridge that ran over the water. Brushing a few spiders aside, she sat down on a cold slab of rock. If they were still following her, she hoped they wouldn’t see her and just pass on by. She pulled her bare legs to her chest and wrapped her tanned arms around her knees. At least it’s cool under the bridge, she thought. She sighed loudly and then caught herself, glancing around to see if anyone heard. She relaxed a little. Lia began her usual pastime: dreaming.
She dreamt about having adopted parents, who were kind and lived extravagant lives, unlike her own. More than that, she wished she was with her real parents. She didn’t even know if they were dead or alive. Mother Betty, as they called her, had told Lia of how she was left at the orphanage many times; Lia demanded it often. She knew it off by heart; she didn’t need to hear it frequently. Lia was waiting for Mother Betty to slip up, to change the story. She never had but there was always something in her eyes. It was an old knowledge, a different knowledge than the one she was telling. She didn’t like repeating the story but she did it for Lia. The story was the usual orphan story told in many movies, with a twist. Lia had been left, swaddled in blankets, on the steps of the orphanage. She was found right away, because Mother Betty had heard a woman crying from grief and pain at the front door. When she got there, only the baby could be found. One more odd thing was the two long bloody cuts found trailing down the infants back. They had obviously been burnt shut. It was amazing that she had even survived. Betty had bluntly concluded that whatever had cut Lia had done the same to her mother, but she probably hadn’t survived. Lia felt that this was somehow wrong.
She reached back and traced the puffed white ridges on her jutting shoulder blades. Sometimes when she stretched her back, she could swear she felt a twinge of pain from beneath both scars. Lia grimaced and plopped her chin onto her knees. Her situation wasn’t that bad. She had food, shelter, a loving foster mother. Her only problems were the other orphans and getting adopted. In a few years she would be legally able to take care of herself. People looking to adopt didn’t want teenagers, possibly for that reason. Also because teens are supposed to be unruly. Then again, she was only fifteen and a half. In her mind, her rebellious years wouldn’t start until she could legally drive a car. Then maybe she could be illegally intoxicated and accidentally crash the car. Yet she supposed she would have to have a real family for that to happen.
She felt cold, suddenly engulfed in shadows as the sun was blocked out. Kids stood on both sides of the bridge. They varied in size, looking like dark, mismatched paper dolls. Lia mentally smacked herself again. She knew she should have taken a book to the basement this morning, instead of trying to play with the other kids. None of this would have happened.
Note to self: Shut your mouth!
Sighing heavily she stood up; she could see Nik’s outline ahead of the kid’s on her left. She jumped off the rock to stand in front of him. He was taller than her by three inches, making her tilt her head slightly to look at him. He wasn’t the tallest or the biggest but he was still followed by of the others. Mother Betty said Nik just tormented her because he liked her. Must be some hard-core love, she thought. Lia wasn’t exactly girly. Being almost sixteen, she still hadn’t kissed a boy. She had enough sense to know that Nik was cute - hell he was hot. He had an athletic body, short black hair, icy blue eyes and a quirky tilted smile. None of this mattered when he decided to harass you. Lia hated his piercing eyes, his elf-like ears and his mocking dimples. Her jaw began to hurt from her teeth clenching.
“Don’t tell me you’re mad. After your pathetic stand against me this morning, insulting me for no reason. I’m the one who should be mad.” -Lia huffed aloud and rolled her eyes.- “I think you owe me an apology; you really hurt my feelings.” He pouted charismatically, making the other kids laugh.
“Sorry.” Lia muttered. She began to push past him but he moved in front of her.
“Lia, that wasn’t a very honest-sounding apology. If the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree than your parents must have been barbarians.”
“Your parents must have been jackasses.” She retorted and surprisingly a few kids laughed behind her.
“Watch yourself Lia, Mother Betty’s not here to protect you.”
“I’ll be scared the day you can back up your words.” More kids laughed, knowing that what she said was true. Lia began to nonchalantly walk from under the bridge into the sunlight. Nik followed her.
“Maybe I’m saving that privilege just for you.”
“For me? Really Niki? You must really like me.” More tittering.
“Ya, I really must because I dream about you all the time. I dream about punching in that loud mouth of yours.” His face was turning maroon.
“Aww, sorry Niki, I’m not into the whole hitting thing but I’m sure one day you’ll find that right girl.”
“You wish you were that girl.” The other orphans looked confused, beginning to wonder if this argument held some weight.
“About as much as I wish for the clouds to rain glass shards.”
Lia looked up the hill, looking for a way out. Her only chance was the woods. None of the orphans would go in there. Even she didn’t want to, but she didn’t want to test Nik’s patience for hitting a girl. The Damarin woods were old. The trees were taller than most four storey buildings, if not taller. They creaked and moaned with age. It wasn’t that, but another noise, an undertone of whispers coming from the woods that scared people. Adults even avoided those woods. Right now, they looked better to Lia then the group of parentless kids surrounding her. Although, now they looked uncertain, like they partially sided with her. Nik was sounding a little too sure of hitting her and that seemed to scare them. He was watching her and started to follow her gaze, so she glanced back towards town and then sighed as though she had better things to do. She wished she did. Lia slowly sidestepped around Nik, putting herself between him and the woods. He was watching her like he knew; Lia was losing the advantage.
“ Are you going to drop this? Or are you going to hit me?” She watched his body stiffen. “Well?” Jutting her chin out to make it a better target.
Nik’s fists clenched, some of the kids were booing and pushing him towards her. Someone shoved him hard enough to end up face to face with Lia. He was close enough now to see that her creamy skin had greyed and her eyes were suddenly wide. Lia tried to hide her surprise but it was hard knowing that her nose was about to be flattened. I like my nose. His body told her that he could hit her but she searched his cool blue eyes for any hint of doubt. Just when the orphans whoops and yells were too loud to bear, she thought she saw a flash of something in him. Nik saw her victory, saw the truth he had let out. Maybe she’d be able to dodge it, Nik hoped.
At least he threw his fist out slowly wishing she would. It felt excruciatingly slow; time had stopped. There were no yelling kids, only then and a balled fist that he could no longer stop. Faintly he heard the sucking of air into many mouths, one was Lia’s before she twisted to the side, his fist landing on her shoulder. It pushed her around so she no longer faced him. And that was it. She was gone and time was back to normal. She was racing up the hill, sprinting for the woods. Lia couldn’t believe him, he had hit her. Stupidly, she had hoped… She didn’t want to look back now, this was her only chance. She could hear Nik’s yell of surprise and the kids scrambling up the hill - some in anger, some just wanting to see the outcome of the race. Nik was glad he hadn’t hit her in the face, but she had just gotten away and he knew the kids would make fun of him for that. He took off after her.
God she’s fast.
Nik put on a burst of speed, but knew he wouldn’t be able to keep up with her for long. She was heading for the trees, Oh not the woods, I can’t stop now. If she goes, I go.
Lia felt heat pulsating around her body like a heartbeat. She didn’t know if she was scared or excited. Trees were looming in front of her, large and creaking. Even the trees had raised their eyebrows in surprise that a child would dare enter their woods. She was glad her heart was pounding loud enough to drown out all second-guessing thoughts. She took a large leap at the tree-line and landed with the audible crack of never stepped-on branches. She was in. She wished she could back out. Nik was behind her and catching up. The kids had dropped back finally, not wanting to follow any further. Nik was still coming. She ran in deeper, fighting the scratchy limbed protest of the trees. She hoped he wouldn’t follow her further, maybe just ‘chase’ her in and leave her for the woods to deal with. Lia dove behind a particularly large trunk and peeked around.
Nothing.
Something.
Nik. He was having a hard time with the branches as well.
“Hey! Lia! I see you! Stop hiding, you’ve gone far enough. Don’t make me come get you.” He sounded almost pleading.
She almost obliged.
Not.
Lia dove in farther, holding her arms in front of her to take the brunt of the tearing branches. She was not some child for him to scold. She’ll turn back when she’s ready. He was the last person who would try and take care of her. Hell, he just hit me! She wasn’t over that yet. Maybe just a little further. Things were getting dark around her and she admitted to herself that it was a bit eerie.
“Oh that’s it, I need to stop.” Lia muttered through gasps of air. She doubled over and clutched the nearest tree, its ripples of bark large enough to fill her whole hand. A hot, strong hand landed on her shoulder and yanked her around. She didn’t even hear him over her stabbing breaths. He looked mad, and exhausted.
“Lia! What do you think you’re doing! Running into the woods?!” He was clutching both shoulders now, shaking her for emphasize.
“You hit me! You actually hit me! I never thought you’d hit me.”
“Well, I threw it slow. I thought you’d dodge it.” He slumped a bit.
“Thought?! Hoped, you mean, if that!”
“Listen, I am sorry. Things did get out of hand.”
“Its all for them, isn’t it? Showing them you’re the big man. I’m alone; I have no one. None of the other kids will hang out with me and you still insist on bothering me. I guess it’s about time you finally got your wish: to hit me.” Nik had stopped looking her in the eye, he even looked embarrassed.
“Lia, I’m sorry.” She rolled her eyes. “I really am! I know I’m stupid around the other kids but what would they think if I didn’t give you heck for mouthing me?”
“ Who cares!” She shrieked. She yanked away from him and started to stamp through the brush again. Nik stood stunned for a few minutes then took off after her, falling into stride.
“ You’re right. You are. I’ll stop. I’ll try.” When she threw him an exasperated look. He grabbed her arm again and pulled her around.
“I don’t care if you’re mad right now. I’ve said I’m sorry and that I’ll be nice when we get back. We have other problems right now,” Lia looked confused, “we’re lost!”
“ What do you mean we’re lost, we just have to turn around and walk straight back out!”
“ No, did you watch where you were going at all?” At this, Lia blushed a little. “You didn’t run exactly straight. I have no idea how to get out. As far as we know, either way could get us back out.”
Lia flipped around and looked out one way - it looked dark. She turned and looked the other way - it looked dark too.
What have I done.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Burgundy Wolf - (rough beginning)
She didn’t know where she would go, she just had to leave. She knew it wasn’t really her fault, but in a way, it was. Sweat ran down her body, probably to stay for a few days at least. A new name, she’d need that. Favorite colour, favorite animal: Burgundy Wolf. It was obviously fake and no one could track that. If they tried to find her. Burgundy, Burgundy Wolf… Wolf, just Wolf she guessed.
Hop on a train, the best bet. She was jogging although she didn’t know why. If someone was coming to find her, they’d be slower than her. It was so late and the only light came from streetlights that left aged, eerie polka dots on the concrete. Wolf stayed in the dark, just to be safe. It was odd thinking that the dark could be safer now, but it would hide her. Soon everything would be black and she thought it was best that she take the old path through the woods to the old train station. There would be no traffic that way and no one would be walking their dog at this hour. The train station at the end of that path was out of use now, but freight trains passed by it slowly. Slow enough for her to jump on one she hoped.
She slipped off the suburban street into the cool, sweet darkness. The gravel was scratching under her tennis shoes and she side-stepped onto the grass, becoming silent. Andrea- Whoops, Wolf, couldn’t keep her mind from racing. She had to be strong since she was alone now. That meant she couldn’t cry. It was so difficult not to cry when you couldn’t stop thinking about it. Her backpack was already feeling heavy and her body was still too warm under the layers of old sweatshirts. She didn’t want to take anything off because of the cool night air. She didn’t even know if she could get a chill anymore.
The trees were towering and she felt like a two year old who had done something bad and needed scolding. She didn’t like it; she swore they were laughing at her. Wait, they were. No, someone was. Some people, up ahead, were loudly laughing. Wolf held her breath and stopped. They couldn’t have heard her, but were they waiting for her?
Survival took over, or maybe it was panic. Wolf crept as quietly as possible into the woods that lined both sides of the path. She didn’t want to go too far in but she didn’t want to be heard either. Pine needles made her flat-treaded shoes slip; the ground was still damp. Wolf thought she could see their outlines on the path. Men, obviously, maybe just barely. They stood hunched close together like a pair of malicious hyenas. They had stopped laughing and were whispering. She was passing them inside the trees, she was closer to the station now. Then she was beyond them and she could breath a little easier. She stayed within the trees but inched a bit closer to the path. Someone else was coming, a lithe shadow gliding down the path. Wolf sucked in an gulp of air and jumped back into the woods. Crouching she peered out. It was just a young girl, like herself. She had a stack of books in her arms and she seemed wary of the darkness. The library. This trail was a shortcut to it from the suburbs. Wolf stayed low and waited for her to pass then began her trek to the station again.
Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad on her own. No rules, she could travel anywhere. As long as I don’t get caught her mind whispered within itself. Sure, living with her family hadn’t been that bad, but things were different now. She was different. Wolf shook her head, dislodging that thought. Now was not the time to analyze herself. New York City could have possibilities. She could get lost there, make a new life. She could become something that she was not, at least not these days. She could be an architect and design large buildings. Buildings so big that other runaways could get lost in them? She laughed at herself out loud. Buildings weren’t really her thing. She toyed with other ideas as she walked. A model, that would be an extravagant lif…
A sharp scream pierced the night, making her senses jump awake. Wolf instinctively crouched low, looking around her for a source. Pitch black, but still she sensed nothing near her. The girl! Wolf’s mind yelled at her. That new ripple ran through her body, like a shiver after a good kiss. The feeling was becoming familiar. Without thinking she ran back the way she had come, dropping her pack as if marking her place. The girl and those guys, I should have said something to her! She knew it was pointless regretting the past but she could save her now.
Trees whipped by in a steady stream and she could smell their cigarette smoke coming closer. She was surprisingly silent and it felt like each step she took was a leap through the air. Their backs were to her and she could see their grease-stained hoodies. One still wore his mechanics overalls and steel toed boots. They had the girl pinned against a tree, her books were fallen tombstones at her feet. Fear rolled off her like the stench of a pig farm. Her eyes were clenched fists on her face and her body hung like a limp fish. Wolf didn’t really know what took over her, just that since she was different now, she could save her. Taking one last leap through the air to close the gap, she pounced like an animal onto the first guy’s back. Shouting in surprise he fell forward, hitting his face on the trail’s packed gravel. The other guy, who had been holding the girl by her neck against the tree looked surprised. Before he could turn to run she launched herself on him. He twisted back to throw her off. Wolf used the momentum to jump to the ground near his feet and kicked his legs out from under him. Grabbing his hoodie by the front she impulsively shoved a fist into his eye. Thinking he would need another, she pulled her fist back once more. He was out cold. Lowering her fist, she looked around surprised. The other was knocked out as well and the blood coming from his nose was mixing in with the dirt under it.
“ Are you okay?” She stepped toward the girl, bending down to pick up her books for her.
“ Ya, I’m fine. Thank you so much. I thought they were going to… well you know.” She also bent down, shakily though, to pick up the last few books.
“ Are you okay to walk back home? You might want to report these guys too.”
“ That’s probably a good idea, I’d hate to think they were loose around town still… Oh My God!” Dropping her books again, the girl threw her hand up to her mouth. Fear began flowing from her pores again. “What?! Are they awake?” Wolf looked down at them. They hadn’t moved.“ What are you?!” Screaming once more, in a very horror film manner, the girl took off running.
“What’s wrong?!” Burgundy Wolf sighed, “Oh bloody hell!”
Wolf could still see the vague outline of the running girl against the horizon of the trail. She turned on her heel and began her trek back to the old train station. Passing one of the guys she gave him a swift kick and not feeling fully satisfied, swiped at a nearby tree. The damaged tree wept sticky tears from the fresh, jagged lines and watched as Wolf’s back disappeared into the dark.
Hop on a train, the best bet. She was jogging although she didn’t know why. If someone was coming to find her, they’d be slower than her. It was so late and the only light came from streetlights that left aged, eerie polka dots on the concrete. Wolf stayed in the dark, just to be safe. It was odd thinking that the dark could be safer now, but it would hide her. Soon everything would be black and she thought it was best that she take the old path through the woods to the old train station. There would be no traffic that way and no one would be walking their dog at this hour. The train station at the end of that path was out of use now, but freight trains passed by it slowly. Slow enough for her to jump on one she hoped.
She slipped off the suburban street into the cool, sweet darkness. The gravel was scratching under her tennis shoes and she side-stepped onto the grass, becoming silent. Andrea- Whoops, Wolf, couldn’t keep her mind from racing. She had to be strong since she was alone now. That meant she couldn’t cry. It was so difficult not to cry when you couldn’t stop thinking about it. Her backpack was already feeling heavy and her body was still too warm under the layers of old sweatshirts. She didn’t want to take anything off because of the cool night air. She didn’t even know if she could get a chill anymore.
The trees were towering and she felt like a two year old who had done something bad and needed scolding. She didn’t like it; she swore they were laughing at her. Wait, they were. No, someone was. Some people, up ahead, were loudly laughing. Wolf held her breath and stopped. They couldn’t have heard her, but were they waiting for her?
Survival took over, or maybe it was panic. Wolf crept as quietly as possible into the woods that lined both sides of the path. She didn’t want to go too far in but she didn’t want to be heard either. Pine needles made her flat-treaded shoes slip; the ground was still damp. Wolf thought she could see their outlines on the path. Men, obviously, maybe just barely. They stood hunched close together like a pair of malicious hyenas. They had stopped laughing and were whispering. She was passing them inside the trees, she was closer to the station now. Then she was beyond them and she could breath a little easier. She stayed within the trees but inched a bit closer to the path. Someone else was coming, a lithe shadow gliding down the path. Wolf sucked in an gulp of air and jumped back into the woods. Crouching she peered out. It was just a young girl, like herself. She had a stack of books in her arms and she seemed wary of the darkness. The library. This trail was a shortcut to it from the suburbs. Wolf stayed low and waited for her to pass then began her trek to the station again.
Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad on her own. No rules, she could travel anywhere. As long as I don’t get caught her mind whispered within itself. Sure, living with her family hadn’t been that bad, but things were different now. She was different. Wolf shook her head, dislodging that thought. Now was not the time to analyze herself. New York City could have possibilities. She could get lost there, make a new life. She could become something that she was not, at least not these days. She could be an architect and design large buildings. Buildings so big that other runaways could get lost in them? She laughed at herself out loud. Buildings weren’t really her thing. She toyed with other ideas as she walked. A model, that would be an extravagant lif…
A sharp scream pierced the night, making her senses jump awake. Wolf instinctively crouched low, looking around her for a source. Pitch black, but still she sensed nothing near her. The girl! Wolf’s mind yelled at her. That new ripple ran through her body, like a shiver after a good kiss. The feeling was becoming familiar. Without thinking she ran back the way she had come, dropping her pack as if marking her place. The girl and those guys, I should have said something to her! She knew it was pointless regretting the past but she could save her now.
Trees whipped by in a steady stream and she could smell their cigarette smoke coming closer. She was surprisingly silent and it felt like each step she took was a leap through the air. Their backs were to her and she could see their grease-stained hoodies. One still wore his mechanics overalls and steel toed boots. They had the girl pinned against a tree, her books were fallen tombstones at her feet. Fear rolled off her like the stench of a pig farm. Her eyes were clenched fists on her face and her body hung like a limp fish. Wolf didn’t really know what took over her, just that since she was different now, she could save her. Taking one last leap through the air to close the gap, she pounced like an animal onto the first guy’s back. Shouting in surprise he fell forward, hitting his face on the trail’s packed gravel. The other guy, who had been holding the girl by her neck against the tree looked surprised. Before he could turn to run she launched herself on him. He twisted back to throw her off. Wolf used the momentum to jump to the ground near his feet and kicked his legs out from under him. Grabbing his hoodie by the front she impulsively shoved a fist into his eye. Thinking he would need another, she pulled her fist back once more. He was out cold. Lowering her fist, she looked around surprised. The other was knocked out as well and the blood coming from his nose was mixing in with the dirt under it.
“ Are you okay?” She stepped toward the girl, bending down to pick up her books for her.
“ Ya, I’m fine. Thank you so much. I thought they were going to… well you know.” She also bent down, shakily though, to pick up the last few books.
“ Are you okay to walk back home? You might want to report these guys too.”
“ That’s probably a good idea, I’d hate to think they were loose around town still… Oh My God!” Dropping her books again, the girl threw her hand up to her mouth. Fear began flowing from her pores again. “What?! Are they awake?” Wolf looked down at them. They hadn’t moved.“ What are you?!” Screaming once more, in a very horror film manner, the girl took off running.
“What’s wrong?!” Burgundy Wolf sighed, “Oh bloody hell!”
Wolf could still see the vague outline of the running girl against the horizon of the trail. She turned on her heel and began her trek back to the old train station. Passing one of the guys she gave him a swift kick and not feeling fully satisfied, swiped at a nearby tree. The damaged tree wept sticky tears from the fresh, jagged lines and watched as Wolf’s back disappeared into the dark.
Tobias (Rough Beginning)
Darwin’s theory is that creatures evolve. He’s right; it’s proven. Charles Darwin used finches on the Galapagos Islands as an example and that one type of bird branched off to adapt to their surroundings. Over millions of years creatures adapt to their environments or to changes in order to survive. I guess there’s not much point in stating this now obvious fact.
Although, what about us? I’m sure many people, more educated than myself theorize that slowly people will change to survive, like the finches and the horses and the bears and so on. I don’t know how they supposed it would happen, I can just tell you how it did happen. I can also tell you when and it wasn’t over millions of years. Or maybe it was, in the wombs of many, slowly changing without appearing to do so. I just know that to us it was sudden. I’ll start where we all believed it to happen- in a sunny hospital room bustling with expectant nurses and doctors and of course, a husband and wife.
Marian Cobble was a beautiful woman. Not in the way that men fantasize about but in a motherly way. She had lively green eyes and chestnut hair curled short to perfection. She could bake delicious cookies and settle down a class of thirty kids with one glance. Her husband, Stephen Cobble, was known as Mr. Cobble at the bank he managed and doted on his wife whenever he wasn’t working. He owned the latest Cadillac sedan and for Marian’s thirty second birthday he bought her a matching one in ivory- pearlized of course.
The one thing they didn’t have but dearly wanted was a child. After a year of trying the ‘traditional way’, they tested a newer method with the best doctor in the city. This time it worked and Marian became pregnant. This was all kept hush hush from the neighbors.
The Cobbles had baby showers and interviews at the best schools and changed their diets and bought things for the baby room; they were very excited. Marian grew respectably large and was the envy of many women in their suburban neighborhood. She had normal contractions and a clean birth, as clean as they get anyway. Until the baby came out, Stephen thought it just needed to be cleaned up a bit. The nurses knew something was wrong. Marian was resting from exhaustion.
The baby was cleaned and nothing changed. The doctor had no idea since he hadn’t seen anything like it. He wanted to run tests but that was where Mr. Cobble stepped in. They had their dignity to maintain of course. Mrs. Cobble hadn’t a clue; she wanted to see her baby. She expected something a little squashed, maybe off-colour but not what her husband hesitantly offered her. It was little, like any other baby and had the normal list of body parts expected in a human. It certainly wasn’t missing anything or had anything extra. That was where the similarities ended. What was most prominent, it was hard to say. To Stephen it was the eyes, oh so large and fully black, slightly off to the side. To Marian, the ears, comically donkey-like. They flicked every which way, catching the noises of the nurses who were doing their best to look busy and not stare. His nose bridge (for it was a boy) ran wide between his eyes and somewhat flat, ending in flared nostrils. What Mrs. Cobble would later call his most beautiful feature. It reminded her of Michael’s nose during his Jackson 5 days, she would reminisce. His feet were flat and his fingers abnormally strong and over time they grew claws which he could fortunately retract. Un-retractable claws on a baby were as dangerous as unprotected coffee table corners in Marian’s mind.
The Cobbles were speechless, Stephen was disgraced and they didn’t know what to do. It wasn’t long, even before they named him, that a nurse went to the local newspaper and told of the peculiar baby. The press was all over it and by the time he was named Tobias Montgomery Cobble, the press had smuggled photos in their papers. It seemed the entire country knew about him and at first they enjoyed the limelight then they grew to distaste it for the disrespect that grew around their name. The boy they had dreamed of was born a mutant. Although his mother, who adored him, taught him to be kind and giving, couldn’t fail to notice the increasing differences between him and the world. He was extraordinary but frighteningly so. He was so agile it put the local cats to shame and he could outrun and out jump any of the best creatures out there. He had few friends growing up but they were of the truest sort. Most people thought he was a dangerous thing bound to become a weapon. He never gave them reason to believe so but people were blind. He was smart and he was lucky to have teachers who excepted him. He made his mother proud until the age of seventeen when he ran away.
As he had grown up, his father had learned to ignore his monstrous son by staying late at work. Although he loved his wife and to some degree Tobias, his pride was hurt. He wanted a boy to play ball with but Tobias was so fast he could play all positions himself. He tried to plead to his wife for another child but she was happy with what she had. Eventually, by chance, she did get pregnant again and then Tobias ran. His mother, Marian, grew sick at first and almost lost the baby until Tobias snuck into her hospital room late one night. He told her he was fine and that he’d keep in touch and that he loved her. She understood and helped him in every way possible in the following years. He would come late at night to visit her and his new sister, who was born normal but he loved her anyway.
The government tried tracking him, they were persistent on running tests but he always got away.
Tobias wasn’t alone in the world from the age of two onward. Soon another like him was born, and then another and soon there were several. When he was older and on the run, he would find them, give them hope. There was always followers as well. They were a kind of cult who believed the new breed were saviors, or aliens, or gods. They helped and they had connections. Soon, ‘The Breed’ gathered and began living together, slowly growing, much to the alarm of the government. They were watched for signs of hostility but they didn’t mind and they kept quiet. Tobias was known as ‘The First’, a living god among The Breed.
It didn’t end there.
Another kind came, they just weren’t as noticeable.
Babies were born. They looked like any other, but they were different. They could do things.
Out of fear, most of them kept quiet. They felt alone and didn’t realize at first that there were more. As they began to use their powers more, which they usually gained control of after their hormones kicked it, their eyes changed. They became their ‘true’ colour, almost like their powers brought them out. Whitish blues, deep purples, rich burgundies and vibrant yellows; hues not meant for eyes.
Their powers were more fantastic than their eyes. Each was different or had some variation. Comic book powers came to life with people who could fly, morph, move things, become invisible and read minds. There were others, things that people could imagine, even just little things. Others could shape things, like wood, metal and water. One man, Richard Tillings, could turn anything into nickel. Some powers were more helpful than others.
It would seem that when the two breeds became of aware of each other they would band together. Unfortunately that is not how it happened. Tobias was loved as he grew up and therefore learned to care in return. Others were not so lucky and although they respected The First, they began to not believe in his way of living. Those who did not trust humans or The Others moved away to form their own community. A small group of both breeds stayed with Tobias to live in harmony.
Soon the government realized that Tobias was not a threat but the newer communities were becoming hostile towards each other. Raids began on one another and lone wolfs of each breed had to be careful of getting picked off. The humans were getting restless, wanting action taken against them but no one knew how to proceed. They didn’t know if the laws applied to them or not.
Although, what about us? I’m sure many people, more educated than myself theorize that slowly people will change to survive, like the finches and the horses and the bears and so on. I don’t know how they supposed it would happen, I can just tell you how it did happen. I can also tell you when and it wasn’t over millions of years. Or maybe it was, in the wombs of many, slowly changing without appearing to do so. I just know that to us it was sudden. I’ll start where we all believed it to happen- in a sunny hospital room bustling with expectant nurses and doctors and of course, a husband and wife.
Marian Cobble was a beautiful woman. Not in the way that men fantasize about but in a motherly way. She had lively green eyes and chestnut hair curled short to perfection. She could bake delicious cookies and settle down a class of thirty kids with one glance. Her husband, Stephen Cobble, was known as Mr. Cobble at the bank he managed and doted on his wife whenever he wasn’t working. He owned the latest Cadillac sedan and for Marian’s thirty second birthday he bought her a matching one in ivory- pearlized of course.
The one thing they didn’t have but dearly wanted was a child. After a year of trying the ‘traditional way’, they tested a newer method with the best doctor in the city. This time it worked and Marian became pregnant. This was all kept hush hush from the neighbors.
The Cobbles had baby showers and interviews at the best schools and changed their diets and bought things for the baby room; they were very excited. Marian grew respectably large and was the envy of many women in their suburban neighborhood. She had normal contractions and a clean birth, as clean as they get anyway. Until the baby came out, Stephen thought it just needed to be cleaned up a bit. The nurses knew something was wrong. Marian was resting from exhaustion.
The baby was cleaned and nothing changed. The doctor had no idea since he hadn’t seen anything like it. He wanted to run tests but that was where Mr. Cobble stepped in. They had their dignity to maintain of course. Mrs. Cobble hadn’t a clue; she wanted to see her baby. She expected something a little squashed, maybe off-colour but not what her husband hesitantly offered her. It was little, like any other baby and had the normal list of body parts expected in a human. It certainly wasn’t missing anything or had anything extra. That was where the similarities ended. What was most prominent, it was hard to say. To Stephen it was the eyes, oh so large and fully black, slightly off to the side. To Marian, the ears, comically donkey-like. They flicked every which way, catching the noises of the nurses who were doing their best to look busy and not stare. His nose bridge (for it was a boy) ran wide between his eyes and somewhat flat, ending in flared nostrils. What Mrs. Cobble would later call his most beautiful feature. It reminded her of Michael’s nose during his Jackson 5 days, she would reminisce. His feet were flat and his fingers abnormally strong and over time they grew claws which he could fortunately retract. Un-retractable claws on a baby were as dangerous as unprotected coffee table corners in Marian’s mind.
The Cobbles were speechless, Stephen was disgraced and they didn’t know what to do. It wasn’t long, even before they named him, that a nurse went to the local newspaper and told of the peculiar baby. The press was all over it and by the time he was named Tobias Montgomery Cobble, the press had smuggled photos in their papers. It seemed the entire country knew about him and at first they enjoyed the limelight then they grew to distaste it for the disrespect that grew around their name. The boy they had dreamed of was born a mutant. Although his mother, who adored him, taught him to be kind and giving, couldn’t fail to notice the increasing differences between him and the world. He was extraordinary but frighteningly so. He was so agile it put the local cats to shame and he could outrun and out jump any of the best creatures out there. He had few friends growing up but they were of the truest sort. Most people thought he was a dangerous thing bound to become a weapon. He never gave them reason to believe so but people were blind. He was smart and he was lucky to have teachers who excepted him. He made his mother proud until the age of seventeen when he ran away.
As he had grown up, his father had learned to ignore his monstrous son by staying late at work. Although he loved his wife and to some degree Tobias, his pride was hurt. He wanted a boy to play ball with but Tobias was so fast he could play all positions himself. He tried to plead to his wife for another child but she was happy with what she had. Eventually, by chance, she did get pregnant again and then Tobias ran. His mother, Marian, grew sick at first and almost lost the baby until Tobias snuck into her hospital room late one night. He told her he was fine and that he’d keep in touch and that he loved her. She understood and helped him in every way possible in the following years. He would come late at night to visit her and his new sister, who was born normal but he loved her anyway.
The government tried tracking him, they were persistent on running tests but he always got away.
Tobias wasn’t alone in the world from the age of two onward. Soon another like him was born, and then another and soon there were several. When he was older and on the run, he would find them, give them hope. There was always followers as well. They were a kind of cult who believed the new breed were saviors, or aliens, or gods. They helped and they had connections. Soon, ‘The Breed’ gathered and began living together, slowly growing, much to the alarm of the government. They were watched for signs of hostility but they didn’t mind and they kept quiet. Tobias was known as ‘The First’, a living god among The Breed.
It didn’t end there.
Another kind came, they just weren’t as noticeable.
Babies were born. They looked like any other, but they were different. They could do things.
Out of fear, most of them kept quiet. They felt alone and didn’t realize at first that there were more. As they began to use their powers more, which they usually gained control of after their hormones kicked it, their eyes changed. They became their ‘true’ colour, almost like their powers brought them out. Whitish blues, deep purples, rich burgundies and vibrant yellows; hues not meant for eyes.
Their powers were more fantastic than their eyes. Each was different or had some variation. Comic book powers came to life with people who could fly, morph, move things, become invisible and read minds. There were others, things that people could imagine, even just little things. Others could shape things, like wood, metal and water. One man, Richard Tillings, could turn anything into nickel. Some powers were more helpful than others.
It would seem that when the two breeds became of aware of each other they would band together. Unfortunately that is not how it happened. Tobias was loved as he grew up and therefore learned to care in return. Others were not so lucky and although they respected The First, they began to not believe in his way of living. Those who did not trust humans or The Others moved away to form their own community. A small group of both breeds stayed with Tobias to live in harmony.
Soon the government realized that Tobias was not a threat but the newer communities were becoming hostile towards each other. Raids began on one another and lone wolfs of each breed had to be careful of getting picked off. The humans were getting restless, wanting action taken against them but no one knew how to proceed. They didn’t know if the laws applied to them or not.
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