The Powerholders

Chapter 7:

Malcum sits in his room looking at the window.

Did this window always look so dirty or is the season changing already?

Malcum wipes a finger over the glass and removes it to see it covered in dust.

"Well, cleaning is in order I guess?"

He takes a step back and swipes his hand in the air causing an almost fully visible breeze to form from the movement that lifts the dust and carries it through the air.

"Man, I love Magic!"

He flicks his finger this way and that way making the breeze and dust move through the air and eventually let's it go in the trashcan.

He then falls onto his bed, smiling.

"Well, that always amuses me. Should I play some more?"

He doesn't move a muscle, but above his head in the air a picture made of fire in different colours forms. The flames create forms of people dancing and great festivals being held, then of a roaring dragon wiping them all out, leaving nothing in his wake. His smile fades and the flames flicker away.

"That part I really hate though. They never let it go."

Through all his thoughts and pondering he doesn't notice the blue hummingbird entering his room and sitting on a shelf, watching him.

*twee twee*

"Huh?"

Malcum looks around and eventually finds the little blue bird. He also notices the little piece of paper in its feet. He stands up and approaches the bird when he is met by the voice of a certain woman he bumped into recently.

"Hallo? Hallo? Geesh, is this thing really recording? I don't understand these little runes. I mean, it is straight out of a fantasy, but no it is less inconspicuous they say. Yeah, sure. A friggin bird with a piece of weird paper is less inconspicuous than a phone call? Anyway, remember our promise, I'll pick you up at school tomorrow afternoon and then we'll go from there. Sounds good? Good, see you then, bye!"

The paper turns to ash and the bird flies away.

Malcum puts a hand over his face and smiles before giggling.

"Haiz, that i***t. It's Saturday tomorrow..."

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Malcum hears it, in the far distance. He does not understand this sound, he does not like this sound. The screeching of banshees and the howling of ghosts in hell fears this sound.

He moves and arm and then a hand to silence this curse a human had brought upon humanity. He reaches, almost touching it. Then it falls off the bed.

"Why... can't... it... shut... up!"

The alarm clock lies on the floor ringing as it indicates the time, 11:55.

Malcum opens an eye to peek at the alarm.

"5 to 12. Why is a alarm going off now on a Saturday? Oh... right. A date."

He lazily picks himself up out of bed before hushing his alarm.

"If hell does exist, I bet the guy who invented this atrocity is somewhere deep down there. Probably has his own pitchfork too."

He smiles to himself while he gets dressed.

"Food and then I'll head out. She is probably waiting already for me. Being so professional and all."

Ten minutes later of agonizing over what is clean and what is not and what would be comfortable yet appropriate to wear, he decides on a red hoodie with a red T-shirt underneath and a blue denim with red sneakers. He walks toward the front door of his house before seeing the picture of his mother and father smiling with a baby in their hands. He smiles bitterly before he turns away saying with a strange coldness and sadness in his voice: “Miss you guys so much, I'm going out now." Then he closes the door behind him. All thought of eating before leaving gone from his mind.

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A funny thought just came to Malcum's mind, what would she do if he didn't show up? He knew she how she would react and the thought made him smile and chuckle.

As Malcum walks through the streets the people are, as usual going about their business. Each going where they should.

"In a world so busy, those that stop to admire it are viewed with disgust and hatred, while they are the ones who truly know what it means to live. I'm sure someone else said it somewhere else, but it felt like the right thing to say now."

Malcum turned a few streets, seeing people on their daily routines. He made sure to keep an eye on people that keep following the same path as him, things are too strange lately for Malcum and he wants to make sure he is safe. Once he reaches the rendezvous point, he sits on a nearby bench and waits.

Time flies, people pass him, and Malcum doesn't see her anywhere.

More time passes and she still does not appear.

"What the hell is taking her this long? Surely, she couldn't be in trouble again right? That would be stupidly coincidental and so cliche? Right? No way..."

*BOOM*

An explosion erupts from nearby and people start running away as the ground shakes and the sound of a fight fills the air

"I just had to... ugh... Me and my big, fat mouth! Karma, I know you hate me, but seriously?!"

Malcum turns the corner to see his late date, dressed in something close to casual clothing and three stone gargoyles around her sizing her up and testing her range. Around them there are cars broken and burning and people running in all directions. She looks fine, a few scratches here and there, but nothing major. Her enemies don't seem scratched or wounded at all.

"Well, it seems I'll have to go play hero again huh..."