Chapter 6 --- Page 30

                                  Jack takes his massive meal upstairs to his room. He sets up a pillow chair on his bed and begins to read the student manual again. The large book’s pages flip through the air as he hunts for his place.

                   Finding where he left off Jack settles in and reads more about the rules of his new school. After a while he finds himself day dreaming of this crazy academy. What will his room look like? How will he get along with his roommates? What will classes be like?

              Getting lost in the day dream, Jack pictures himself throwing massive fireballs with marksman level precision. Doing back flips and fighting like a ninja. He continues to fantasize, until he hears the loud sound of the vacuum. His mother’s cleaning jolts him back to reality. Jack looks at the clock on his bed side stand to see the red digital letters glaring back at him.

   Two thirty-three. Getting lost in his head, Jack lost almost an hour of the day. Deciding that he has more than refueled his tank, Jack leaves the house and heads back to the park. Stepping outside the front door Jack is joined by his feathered friend.

         “I’m going to have to come up with a good name for you if you keep sticking around here. I’ll work on it and let you know what I come up with. Let me know if you have any suggestions.” Jack tells the hawk as he walks down the street.

       “Great, now I am talking to birds… I’ll be the incredible fiery bird whisperer. A bad tv show idea coming to cable this fall! Hehe.” Jack smirks at his own commentary. Arriving at the park he makes his way through the shrubbery and along the trail.

                                                                                   Page 30

Chapter 6 --- Page 29

                 “Huh, huh, huh. That took more energy than I thought. Guess that trick is a bit harder to do.” Jack thinks aloud. Huffing, he sits on the ground for a few minutes, catching his breath. “I need to figure out how to make doing this stuff less of a drain on me.”

            Jack tries to figure out exactly how much energy each feat takes. “I guess I could make a flame, and judge it from there.” A flame the size of one you would find on a candle appears above his hand. Jack slowly increases the size, feeling for the drain. He immediately feels the strength of the tug grow slightly.

                   Shrinking it back to the size of a candle flame, Jack attempts to move it about an inch off of his hand. The tug pulls at him. Jack gauges that it is roughly the same amount as making the flame as big as his hand.

                                 “Okay, so for every inch it’s one hand sized fireball’s worth of energy. Now I just have to figure out how much energy that is.” Jack decides to give himself a break. He starts to leave to back to his house.  Making sure he has everything Jack exits the clearing. Walking back home he notices that the hawk is following him closely behind.

                 Flying from branch to branch his little friend keeps a watch. Jack chuckles to himself.  “Come here you silly bird.” Jack holds out his arm allowing the hawk a place to perch. Gliding down the hawk places himself on his arm. “Strange little bird. I can’t figure out exactly what it is but you’re special. I’m glad you’re on my side.”

               Back at his house the bird flies off into a nearby tree. “Alright, you have fun now. See ya later!” Jack calls back to it. He flies through the kitchen, making himself a huge sandwich with spicy peppers and snagging a bag of potato chips.

                                                                            Page 29

Chapter 6 ---- Page 28

                        I should probably turn that dampener on. I don’t want to burn the house down while I’m sleeping. Jack roots through the survival bag. “Shirt no, meds no, here it is.” Jack feels the cool touch of the obsidian object. Feeling for the switch he turns it on.

                      Jack immediately sways, his head swimming. A moment or two later he feels fine, but different at the same time. Jack feels like there is a small pressure in his chest, almost as if someone is sitting on it. “I guess I’m going to have to get used to this at night. All the more reason to learn how to control this myself.”

                           The next morning Jack wakes to find that he did in fact not burn his room to a crisp, much to his satisfaction. “I can’t believe that worked.” Jack goes through his normal morning routine. He heads out to the small area in the woods. Once there he sees the that his hawk friend is there as well.

       “Well good morning pal. Nice to see you again. Time to start the show up, get ready.” Jack concentrates on making a small flame appear and gets it on the first try. Happily surprised he makes it disappear and reappear several times. With each successful attempt he feels it becoming easier.

       Jack chuckles seeing himself get very excited. Feeling confident he decides to try to move it around again. Jack pulls a small flame out and focuses on it. He imagines that the flame starts to move slowly to the right. Nothing happens at first but, the flame starts to hover out of the center of his hand.

       The flame stops about a foot away from his hand. Jack suddenly feels as if he ran for an hour. His energy gone. Clearly this requires more energy than just summoning a flame. Steeling himself, Jack tries again. He calls the flame back to his hand. After successfully pulling it back he collapses.

                                                                      Page 28

Update and Feedback

               Alright, that's it for today. I'll continually feed ya'll some extra content till we are all caught up. I would love to hear from any and everyone who reads my blog. Any comment is welcome. I would really like to see what ya'll who are keeping up think.


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Chapter 6 --- Page 27

        The Jack concentrates on the flame, nudging it hoping to have it move around. A few minutes pass before Jack wills it out of existence. “I should be able to do this. I can make fire appear and reappear at will. I can control how much of it too. Why can’t I do this, what’s wrong?” Jack pulls another flame into existence. Playing with the size Jack makes it shrink and grow.

   “It’s pretty cool. Even if I can’t get all of the fine tuning down in one day, I can at least do some cool stuff. How many people can actually say fire obeys them, or that they are suddenly burn proof, or have super human attributes.” Jack gets a semi-cocky smile on his face. Even though his life is changing somethings will be very fun, very, very fun.

       Jack continues to make the fire change in size and makes it appear and disappear. The little game entertains him for a while when, suddenly an idea pops into his head. “What if I tried to make the fire appear somewhere besides above my hand…. Like just floating in the air a couple feet away.”

                   Reaching for the mental switch that Jack has for the fire he pictures it hovering in midair. A flame flashes into existence, but sputters out.  Jack tries again, only to receive the same results. “UGggggggggh, I guess not tonight. Oh, well tomorrow, then.” He then calls it a night deciding that even a limited control is better than nothing. Jack crawls into bed.

                            Just falling asleep, Jack is awakened by the smell of smoke. Jack jolts upright to find that his sheets are starting to smoke. Stamping them on the ground he keeps the blanket from burning altogether. Jack opens the window to o have the nice cool breeze take the smoke out of the air.

                                                                                  Page 27

Chapter 6 --- Page 26

Chapter 6

      

 “Wow, that’s a pretty big surprise. I can’t believe that you are going to be gone. This year is going to be really different without you. Why didn’t you tell us about you leaving earlier?” Jessica replies slowly. The calm look on her face barely hiding the sadness in her eyes.

                   “I just found out yesterday evening. I have been figuring it out since then. I will be gone soon though.” Jack tells his friends. “I am late, I gotta head home. I will miss you guys a lot and I hope you have great trips.” Jack gets up and brushes the dust from his pants. Everyone gets up and forms a makeshift line to give him a goodbye hug.

        Walking home Jack can’t help but feel a bit of remorse. Though the school will give him many opportunities, he will also lose his current set of friends. People that he has known for a very long time. Memories start to boil up in his mind. Playing on the field, goofing around in class, video game sessions, and more.

                 “I guess it’s time for a new adventure. I’ll miss this though. The amount of fun I have had here, it’s awesome. But, it’s time to take part in the new chapter of my life. Starting with heading back to that secret area. I need to get a hold of this before school starts.” Jack arrives at home and after a few minutes of family time he goes up to his room.

                             Jack sits down on his bed. “Ugggggh! Let’s try this again.” Jack holds his hand out, flame whooshes out. A small flame floats above his hand. Reaching out with his mind Jack tries to move the flame. At first nothing happens.

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Chapter 5 --- Page 25

                        “HUHH, HUph, Huph, good game guys” Tom pants out. “Anyone doing anything for the last week of summer? My family and I are going to Hawaii tomorrow. I won’t see you until the first day.” Plopping down on the ground along with everyone else, Tom explains his exciting plans.

       “I am going to go see my grandparents in Ohio. I don’t really want to go, they live on a farm and there is NO WIFI! I mean how can you live like that? But, yeah that’s what I’ll be up to.” Jessica complains.

                    And so all of Jack’s friends listed off the adventures that they would be having to finish the summer. It all seemed so simple compared to what he was going to do during the school year and with the last week of his summer. “I’m going to be trained to protect the world and they will be learning how to identify where commas go in a sentence. I can’t believe this. I’m going to be a hero and they will never know…” Jack realizes that his friends suddenly will be a very small and unimportant part of his life. The people he has grown up around, they  will no longer be trusted confidants ,but people he must hide his life from.

                        “Jack, earth to Jaaack!” Tom slugs him in the arm.

 “What was that for? Why’d you have to hit me, I was just thinking. I’m not doing anything for the rest of summer. And I guess that this is the last time that we will see each other this summer. I am going to go to a boarding school this year. I won a scholarship and well I’m going…. I will miss you, obviously but I really want to go.” Jack shrugs an expression of worry on his face.

                                                                         Page 25

              

Chapter 5 --- Page 24

                    Each student will be assigned to a dorm. The dorm rooms each house a total of 3 people. You will be unable to swap room mates until the second semester of each year. The pairings a selected specifically and studied to have the best experience for each student.

 “Okay, that’s enough for now. I need a break.” Jack closes the monster manual with a loud smack. “There are a lot of rules for how to behave at this school. I am going to have a hard time remembering them all. Especially the ones with dorm mates. I didn’t think I would have to have a shared room.”

                       Jack gets up off his bed and slips into some new clothes. “I guess it will be a good way to meet some of the people though. I will have no choice but to get along with them.  And I’m sure they will be a good fit, they said that the pairings are specifically thought through… Yeah this will be fine I will be making some new friends in no time. Friends like me, I wonder what they will be able to do. I hope that they don’t have water abilities, probably wouldn’t be a good mix.”

                                   Downstairs Jack heads into the kitchen to get the table set for dinner. After a big meal Jack goes out to play some soccer with his friends. “Hey, you gonna go super speed again showoff?” Tom taunts.

             “Nah, it’s too unfair to you. You can barely keep up as is. Now let’s do this thing. Same teams as yesterday. And we get the ball this time!” Jack jogs onto the center of the field. He kicks the ball off to Jessica. They take an early lead, but Tom’s team is following closely. The game ends with a score of 5-4 Jack’s team in the lead.

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Absence

I'm terribly sorry for my recent absence. I have been very busy lately and the blog has fallen to the wayside. I am still writing and I have a lot for you. I'll be publishing several pages tonight. Long story short I will do my best to get more material out to the blog and more regularly,but if I am unable go to the site. I always with have a post up by midnight on Friday. Just in case you don't already have it here's the link: http://danielstephensonbooks.com/

Chapter 5 --- Page 23

      You will be able to master an element. Pure and total control of it, this means that you can make fire dance, water freeze, earth split, and air swirl. Each element will come with a sect of sub characteristics. These range from being unaffected by temperature, recycling used air, breathing underwater, and sense where others are just by their contact with an element……

              *Page 62* There will be an abundance of unique creatures that you will now encounter.  The world houses more than you could possibly imagine. The creatures that you have seen in your life do not compare to what you will now encounter. Flying beasts and mythological beings.

     All of these and more will cross your path. In your first few days at the academy you will be paired with 2 creatures. These will train with you and help you hone your skills even to the point of learning something unique unto you. You will get one animal that you comes from the human world and one from the world of Mages.

          The pairing will help you to connect to them. Basic changes will be that you can sense them wherever they are in the world, taking on each other’s attributes like eye or hair color, and even taking on their skills especially those of your creature from the Mage side of existence.

       

                 *Page 98* Uniform and presentation are paramount. You will be expected to wear your uniform at all times. This will not include your allotted down time. You are free to wear any articles of clothing that do not have vulgar language on them. The uniform will be given to you in several styles, these will each be designed for certain times of the year and certain styles of training.

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Chapter 5 --- Page 22

                          Instead of pushing himself too far, Jack calls it a day and heads home. At his house he realizes that his shirt has burn holes in it. “Oh god, if Mom sees this I am in so much trouble. I’ve gotta hide this before she sees it.” Pulling the sweaty burnt shirt off, he runs for the trash bin. Luckily, there was some old trash bags and boxes that he could hide it under.

            In the house, Jack hears his mom on the phone with one of her friends. “It’s wonderful, Delilah he got a scholarship. I am so proud of him…” The conversation fades as his mom walks through the house. Heading into the kitchen, he grabs a bottle of water and an apple. After procuring a snack he heads to his room to take a look at the student manual.

      “Time to read their book of rules. This should be fun. At least I can find out some more about the school. I can plan for what to expect.” The spine of the thick book makes the crackling noise that, Jack an avid reader loves. “Alright, let’s crack this baby open.”

      *Foreward* This book contains all that you will need to know about to going to M.O.T. Academy. You will learn the ins and outs of the world you now live in, plus some extra tips and hints on how to get through this transition. *Page 1*  So you have awakened your Mageforce, let’s take a look at some of the things you can expect.

            Increased physical attributes, elemental control, and more. Most abilities you will receive are predictable and guaranteed, yet some we can not predict till they appear. You will be able to see the more unique side of the world that we live in.  This means that you will see the magical in the mundane. Creatures will appear in their true forms and the mysterious things in this world will suddenly seem easily explained.

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Chapter 5 --- Page 21

                                                                         Chapter 5

       “Alright, here goes. I just want to have fire appear. I want to have a small flash of fire go off from my hand. I just want to have fire appear. I want to have a small flash of fire go off from my hand. I just want to have fire appear. I want to have a small flash of fire go off from my hand. I just want to have fire appear. I want to have a small flash of fire go off from my hand.” Jack repeats this mantra over and over in his head. He starts to feel something welling up in his chest.

                   “WUMPH!!!” the fire spits out of the palm of Jack’s hand. A massive burst that couldn’t have lasted longer than a second sends Jack sprawling on the ground in shock. Picking himself up, Jack brushes off the dirt. “Well that works, at least I know that. Now I just need to change the amount that appears and I am golden.”

                 

              Jack raises his arm again. Repeating his mantra over and over in his head, he hopes for better results. Several minutes go by with no results. “Please don’t let that be a one time thing. I want to be able to get a hold of this. I am going to be in control. This can’t beat me. I won’t let this hurt any of the people around me, but I refuse to be controlled by pills. This has to work.”      

                  Jack reaches out for that feeling. “I will do this. I will make fire, from nothing but will. Fire is mine to control and obeys my will. I will make this happen!” The heat builds up and the tugging grows stronger. A small wisp of fire snaps into existence above his outstretched palm. Jack is surprised that it stays lit, unlike the last try.

                             Jack gently waves his hand back and forth, attempting to see how stable the flame is. The wind that the motion creates only makes the flame waver a little. “Okay, so this is the same kind of fire as yesterday. Now that I know what to do let’s see if I can recreate this.” Jack wills the flame to go out.

             Jack gathers his concentration and tries to light another wisp. After several attempts, he again has a small flame hovering above his palm.  Jack wills the flame to again go out. He runs through this exercise several more times. Feeling confident that he has mastered this skill, Jack takes a break. Letting go of his concentration, Jack hits a wall of pure exhaustion. Clearly this has a physical effect on his body.

                                                                                 Page 21

Chapter 4 --- Page 20

                     The soft, downy feathers of the hawks chin tickled at Jack’s skin. “Alright, now that I have my spot I just need to figure out what I am going to do. Or how I am going to do it.---- Today I’m going to get the fire to show just show. If I master that quickly I’ll try something else but I need to go it a little at a time.”

       Gently nudging the hawk off his arm and onto a low branch Jack starts to think. “Okay, okay now, how am I going to get this to work? If I use friction maybe, I could spark up a little flame.  Yeah, that seems pretty plausible. Friction creates heat….”  Jack holds his left arm out in front of him, thinking warm thoughts he snaps his fingers together. Nothing happens, just the smacking noise of his fingers connecting with each other.  Undeterred he tries again, and again, and again.

                               Kicking at the ground in exasperation, Jack tries to think of a new way to go about it. “How did I control it the first time? I was trying everything I could think of and then it just went out….” Jack tries to recall all of the details of how he put his hand out in the first place.

           “I was trying to think of a way to put it out and then all of the sudden poof! Right as I was wishing it would just go out, it did. Maybe the same will work for this. If I just will it to happen maybe, just maybe, that could work.”  Jack holds his arm back out and takes a deep breath clearing his mind.

                                                                          Page 20

Chapter 4 --- Page 19

                    The hawk continues to descend, landing several branches above Jack. A shrill caw rips through its beak. Cocking its head it looks deep into Jack’s eyes. Suddenly the hawk takes flight. Jack hops to his feet and decides to follow the curious bird.

  

                 The hawk swoops over the soccer fields and well past them. Heading deeper into the park it somehow follows the hiking trails perfectly. “What is this crazy bird doing? Where the heck is it heading?”  Jack has little more time to think as he dodges under a low hanging branch.

                       Veering hard to the right the hawk leaves the trail. Through the bush Jack follows, the hawk never going so far as to leave his sight it paused every time it got too far ahead of him sitting in the branches waiting for him to catch up. The hawk finally lands in a tree and trills at Jack, sounding very satisfied with itself. Jack comes to a stop and does a full 360 taking in the area.

             “Amazing! This is perfect for me. I wonder what the deal with this hawk is. There is definitely something different about it. I mean it just took me to this spot, and it never went so fast that I couldn’t keep up, it even waited for me. Let’s see just how nice it is…” Jack holds his right up with the forearm out. The hawk dismounts from the branch and lands on his arm. A soft almost inaudible trill rings out in the back of the hawks throat.

      Petting the hawk under the chin Jack is almost surprised to find that it is real and not some sort of machine. “Well at least I know that this guy isn’t leading me into a trap. I still want to know why he lead me here though. It seems almost too good to be true.”

                                                                    Page 19

Chapter 4 --- Page 18

          It’s sunny outside, very sunny. Glaring at the sudden burst of light Jack heads down the street and starts pondering the decision to take the pill. A warm sensation starts to build in Jack’s chest. Breaking from his train of thoughts he sends a little mental probe to see what is happening. The warmth starts to turn into something closer to standing next to a fire. His shirt starts to smolder, and the acrid smell of burnt clothing fills the air around him.

                 Ripping the shirt off, he finds that his chest is glowing a bright pulsing orange color. Raising a shaking hand he pokes at it to find that the heat does nothing to him, just like the day before. Sending another mental probe Jack can tell that this is the source of his power somehow showing itself to him. “Alright, that settles it, I won’t take the pills and I will see what this baby can do.” Jack sets his jaw in determination and tries to think of a safe place to practice.

            “I could go to the park and hide in that clearing from yesterday….but that is a little too open. I want somewhere hidden that people couldn’t find me. Maybe farther back in that clearing there’s something that will work out.” Jack decides to head over to the park to where he had his fight with Brett yesterday. Even though the sun is out in full force Jack barely feels anything, fact he takes note of for later.

               Reaching the park Jack heads inwards looking for the spot that he first discovered his powers at. It takes a while but after searching for a bit Jack finally finds the spot. Unluckily though the clearing is just that a clearing, there’s no back path way or hidden area with in it. Sighing Jack plops himself down on the ground kicking up a dust cloud in the process.

                 “Maybe I’m not supposed to try this after all. Maybe I should just take the pill and head home.” Doubt in his decision starts to pull at Jack’s mind. While weighing the options something in the tree tops above catches Jack’s eye. A hawk is hopping from branch to branch steadily moving down towards him. Almost as if it has a secret to tell him.

                                                                                 Page 18

Chapter 4 --- Page 17

           The next morning Jack rolls out of bed. Groggily he starts to remember what happened the day before. “Ugh, did all that really happen yesterday?” Shaking his head, he silently hopes that it was some crazy dream he had. Jack slides out of bed, heading for his door when he stumbles over a duffle bag with a M.O.T. Academy logo on the side. “No…no…no, please no.” He mutters to himself. It was all real and now he has to deal with it.

                          Jack reaches into the bag and pops open the bottle of medicine. The little blue pills shake around and click in their orange container. He pulls one out and drops it back into the case. “This pill, this pill right here will shut it down. Whatever is inside me, this is going to turn it off. Do I want that though? Do I want to stifle part of me?”

                                                “Do I want to turn it off? Or should I try to learn what this is on my own? I would have to try to find a hidden place to practice. What would I do if I could learn how to control it without them helping me? I mean besides stupid stuff….” Rolling the small pill between his thumb and index he wonders about the consequences of taking the medicine.

        Sighing he gets up off the bed and starts to get dressed. Pocketing the pill he heads down stairs to get breakfast and take a walk. Heading out the door he hopes the fresh air will help clear his head and help him decide whether or not to take the medicine. 



                                                                Page 17

Chapter4 --- Page 16

     In his hands Mr. Saunders holds a small duffle bag with of all things a bright pink ribbon bow on top. Offering it to Jack he explains, “This is your survival bag. In it you will find all the things that you need for the next week and a half while you wait to go. There are some candies and other fun things inside but there is also the student manual, non-flammable school brand clothes, a powerdampener, and suppressant pills.” Going over each item Jack is given explicit instructions for each item.

                 Opening the bag Mr. Saunders starts to explain everything’s purpose. Holding up a small prescription bottle that has some blue pills rolling around inside, he starts:   “These pills here will help your powers remain under control. You won’t have to worry about a flare up. Just take 2 a day when you wake up and you will be fine.” Next he holds up a small octagonal gadget, it’s obsidian shell glinting with the dying light of the sunset. “This little object is a power dampener….. it has many functions that will come in handy. You can clip it to a belt loop on your pants or keep it in your pocket. This will do exactly as it says, you’re powers will be kept in a weakened state. It emits a field about 20 feet wide so not only you but others are affected. Not everyone with our gifts is a good person….it also helps us track your location should we need to find you.”

                “The clothes are pretty light and comfy so you can just wear them or keep them under your clothes. When I was a student the clothes were neon orange, but I convinced them to change it to a navy blue, you’re welcome.” He says with a cocky smile.

 Lastly he pulls out a thick book. “This is the manual. You will learn all of the school rules and traditions if you read it. Or you can ignore it and learn the hard way. I suggest a little of both it makes for good fun. Mostly on the behalf of the teachers and I but, some for you too. Now just wear the dampener take the pills and thumb through the manual and you will be fine. I will see you in a short while.”

                 With that Mr. Saunders hops into his car. Watching the odd man go in Jack is surprised to find he is no longer nervous. The future seems to be better than what he feared. He heads back to the house careful to keep the dampener and the pills hidden at the bottom. After a quick recap with his parents he heads up the stairs toward his room. 

                                                                    Page 16

Chapter 3---- Page 15

            “Okay then, I guess that’s it. Jack, you will be going to the Academy. Let’s go talk to Mr. Saunders about it.” Jack’s parents look very proud that Jack is trying to be outgoing, yet the gleam of sadness that their child is aging is showing in their eyes.

 Heading down stairs Jack breathes a sigh of relief. “Now I don’t have to worry about what would happen if I didn’t sign up.”

                “Alright Andrew, we have decided along with Jack that he will go this year. I will really miss him, but this is too good an opportunity to pass up. I am counting on you to look after my baby.” Jack’s mom says with that mother bear look all good moms possess.

 “Of course, he will be taken care of. You will have nothing to worry of. I will personally escort him to the school and I am the boys dorm supervisor so I will be able to keep a pretty constant eye on him. Now, if you can just sign these forms…” Pulling out a stack of pastel papers Mr. Saunders guides Jack’s parents through many different forms. Insurance, dietary restrictions, allergies, anything and everything that they could possibly worry about was covered in them.

     “Aaaaand done, you are all set. I will be back in a week and a half to pick Jack up to escort him to the Academy. I think you have made the right choice here. I look forward to meeting you again. Thank you again for the meal it was very good.” Mr. Saunders takes back his paper work, after affirming that everything is in order he heads to the door.

              “Wait, I’ll walk you out.” Jack quickly gets up to say goodbye to the man who has changed the way his future heading. They walk out of the house and up to Mr. Saunders car. The cricket and cicada calls fill the night air. Unlocking his car Mr. Saunders pops open his trunk and motions for Jack to come over, a big grin plastered on his face. Curious Jack heads over, wondering what could have brought the look to his face.

                                                                   Page 15

Sorry for missing a post yesterday I couldn't quite get the scene on this page to work out in a way I was happy with. I have written it out now and will post it shortly

Chapter 3 ---- Page 14

                              “Possibly, but right now let’s just worry about what your parents have to say.” Mr. Saunders chuckles. “You sure are excitable Jack.”

            “Jack! Could you please come here? Your father and I, would like to speak to you.” Jack’s mom calls from upstairs. Heading up he gets a nervous shiver down his spine. What if they don’t allow him to go? What will happen if they do? Either way his life as he knows it is going to change.

                             Creaking open the door Jack walks into the room. Standing near the bed his parents are there with an odd expression on their faces. “Jack…we want to do what is best for you in this situation. That being said your mother and I well, we can’t quite decide what to do. So we want to know, what is it that you want? Do you want to go to the Academy or do you want to stay here and continue to go the school here?” His father questions.

         “I want to go. This school sounds amazing. I want to experience everything that they have to offer. If nothing I would have something powerful to ad to a resume in the future. I want this I really do.” Jack says in reply.

                                    “Are you sure sweatheart? You will be gone for almost an entire year. This is a big decision.” Jack’s mom asks.

     

                         “I am. It’s really important to me that I try something different. I don’t want to be that guy who doesn’t try for things like this. I want to go and explore and learn new and exciting things. This school will give me the option to do so. I want to go.” Jack states with an affirming nod. 

                                                              Page 14

Chapter 3--- Page 13

“So you see, if Jack accepts this scholarship he will be presented with many unique opportunities in the future. I know it is close to the start of school, but we just finished our deliberations there are very many candidates each year.” Mr. Saunders summarizes his speech that he gave over dinner. Jack’s parents seemed very impressed so far, but now was the moment of truth.

        “I want what’s best for my son, this is a bit odd though to be accepted so late. I think that my wife and I will need to talk about this together. In the end we will do what we think is best for Jack. I really do appreciate that you came out to talk to us about this. It’s always easier to talk to a person face to face. We will definitely give you a answer in the next few days is there some contact information that I could have?” Jack’s father replies.

                           “Yes-sir, here’s my card it has both the school administration and my personal number on it. The acceptance period will end by tomorrow evening. I know that is terrible timing, but we need to be ready for all of the arrivals. The students will receive customized dorm areas and that being such we need some time to construct them.” Mr. Saunders says empathetically.

 Mr. and Mrs. Cynders exchange a quick look. “Please excuse us for a moment.” The head up from the table and take the stairs to their bedroom.

       “I hope this works out. I really don’t want to live the life you told me that I would have without the Academy. I also want to see how this turns out for me. Did you say customized dorms? I want something crazy cool like a touchscreen room.” Jack says rapid fire.

Chapter 3--- Page 12

           “Okay, so  all I have to do is join your Academy, and I am safe from the government? What about my family? Are they going to be safe too? Will I be able to more than what happened today? How long does the training program last?” Jack questioned.

                         Mr. Saunders touched ground and they started walking while he formulated an answer.    “Yes, and yes. You and your family would be completely protected from prying eyes. You will eventually be able to do things that would blow your mind including throwing fireblasts, lighting your whole body on fire, and much more. The training will last until your college years. The first year will be purely training ,and then the next we will slowly add school and in college you will actually be learning for a career.” Mr. Saunders explains.

             By this time Mr. Saunders and Jack have made it to the end of Jack’s street and have turned back toward his house. “You will be surrounded by others just like you. We all understand the fear that comes with Awakening. There will be trials ahead of you but nothing that you can’t handle with the help we will give you.” Mr. Saunders says with a clear tone of empathy.

             “Okay, I will talk to my parents and see if I can go. I don’t want to risk them getting hurt, and I certainly don’t want to go to a government lab for dissection. Besides, maybe being a super-being is not too bad. Controlling fire at will sounds pretty cool to be a hundred percent honest. Let’s head back to my house and we can try to talk my family into letting me go to boarding school this year.” Jack says.

 

      Arriving back at Jack’s house they open the door to the smell of cookies in the oven. “MMMM, chocolate chip with pecans. My favorite! Mom, we are back! Are you making cookies?”

“Welcome back sweetheart, I am making your fav, chocolate chip with pecans. And for dinner we will be having Burgers on the grill. When your father gets home he will put them on. Jack would you please start setting the table for the meal?”

                                                                       Page 12 

  

Chapter 3---- Page 11

How is this even possible? I mean earlier today I was normal and now you are telling me I am a “Mage” like it’s something that is commonplace. And please get down someone might see you” replies Jack waving his hands down trying to get Mr. Saunders to land. “I am not some crazy species of human. I am a normal guy who can....who can catch on fire and not burn, and has abnormal traits in strength and speed…crap I’m a Mage or whatever you called it aren’t I?”

                  “Yes you are Jack, but there is so much more to it than just what I told you. Our students really do go on to lead the world in sports, governments, and advancements in technology. This is nothing to turn your nose up at. We also offer certain protections against agencies that would seek to hurt you both from our side of the world and from yours. I really hope you will join us this year. If you chose not to you can simply take a suppressant. It will hold your abilities in check. You will still experience flare ups like earlier today but in very little frequencies and much weaker.”

             “You will lose our protections though, if you are found out you are on your own and we can’t have our secrets slip into human hands. We would have to remove the threat you would possess.” Mr. Saunders explains in a somber tone.

                     “You’d kill me?! Are you even serious, right now? I am 13 years old you would kill me for being captured by a government agency?” Jack replies incredulously.

               

                  “Yes, it would be for the safety of everyone involved. If normal humans saw into the world we see it would cause catastrophic results. Monsters would attack more frequently, Mages would be forced to reveal themselves, humans would hunt us and eventually lose but both sides would lose too much. The world would be left in ruins.” 

                                                              Page 11

Chapter 2---- Page 10

            “Mrs. Cynders is at all possible to talk to Jack about the school and the possibilities it offers?  Maybe we could go for a walk?” Mr. Saunders inquires of Jack’s mother.

                              “Of course! I would be more than happy to have him learn about M.O.T.! You two go for a walk and I will start our supper. We would love to have you join us Andrew.”

           Putting his shoes back on Jack gets ready to have something bad happen. Whether this man is going to try and capture him or try to kill him he will be ready. Opening the door Jack heads down to the sidewalk. Mr. Saunders follows closely. “Jack, I think you would love going to M.O.T., you are a very special person.”

         “Thank you, I am just wondering why the Academy has chosen me? I mean I am not that amazing of a student. Is there something that I did that made you want to have me there? I really don’t understand.” Jack tries baiting the man into revealing what he knows about him.

 “ Come now Jack, we both know what you did that made us want to have you at the Academy.” Mr. Saunders gives him a sly smile as he levitates several inches off of the ground. Jack’s jaw practically hits the floor in shock. “Jack, you and I are a special kind of person. We have the ability to manipulate a certain element at our will among other things. We know that your hand burst into flames today, We know that you can run faster that humanly possible, We have know you are exhibiting a increase in strength, We know you experienced a time slow. All these things separate you from what you would call normal people.”

                         “You aren’t normal Jack, in fact you are anything but. You and I are Mages, a sect of warriors lost to time. We bend nature to our wills. The M.O.T. Academy is not a normal school. We train you to use these gifts to battle mankinds enemies. There is a whole other side of this world that people don’t usually see. There are creatures beyond imagining, technology hundreds of years more advanced than what the world has now, places that don’t exist to the mortal eye.”

          “Jack, your life just got a whole lot different.” Mr. Saunders pauses, giving Jack a second to take in what he just said. Jack is amazed by everything Mr. Saunders said but, he is still wary of the stranger who stands/ floats before him.

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Chapter 2 --- Page 9

Cold sweat runs down his back as he enters the room to see a man in a black suit.  “Oh no, oh no, oh no, this is it I am going to be a lab rat for the rest of my life. How did they find me so fast?” Jack walks over to the couch and sits down next to his mom. He tries to get a read on the strange man but there are no clear signs as to what he is doing there.

       “Jack meet Mr. Saunders, he is a representative of the Minds of Tomorrow School. He says that they want to offer you a scholarship. I didn’t know that you applied for a scholarship honey. I can’t believe the luck! He has been showing me the school’s website and talking about the facilities. It seems absolutely amazing.” Jack’s mother gushed.

          “Hi, Jack very nice to meet you. As your mother said my name is Mr. Andrew Saunders and I am a representative of M.O.T. Academy. I am here to offer you a full scholarship which includes board and food costs. This is no small honor we only accept around 20 students each year for this program. You passed all of the acceptance tests with flying colors and we would love to have you at the school.”

    “Wow, I’m not really sure what to say to that Mr. Saunders. I didn’t think that I would be accepted to such a prestigious school.” Jack manages to say convincingly. “I didn’t apply to any scholarship program. This guy is here to take me away! I have to act cool though I can’t let him know that I am onto him.”

             “Well, Jack, Mrs. Cynders, I know that it is short notice but we will need an answer about if you will be attending the school or not. We have some of the best rates of graduates that go onto meaningful careers in the world. Our students become the leaders of the future. Our staff is hand picked from the best of the best teachers, chefs, and caregivers that you can imagine. We have a full gym that includes an indoor pool, class rooms with the utmost in technology for an enhanced learning experience, and fully equipped dorms with a miniature town of sorts for the students to relax in during off days.”

      “The Academy is located on a privately owned island near the Bahamas so the weather is amazing year round. I really could just go on and on but to tell the truth this Academy is a once in a lifetime chance at some of the greatest opportunities in the world. We really do produce the best of the best and I would love to see Jack be included among them.”

Chapter 2--- Page 8

        “Aaaand, that’s the game! We win 7-5. Sucks to be you guys.” Tom gloats over his victory. The game and everything else seemed to go back to normal after Jack’s episode of zoned out travel. The teams both had several moments of looking like they were going to win but, ultimately Tom’s team came out on top. This was in no small amount due to the fact that Jack purposely played poorly. He wasn’t willing to risk another blackout like that and get figured out.

                 “I think I’m calling it for today. I have to head home to go, UGH, back to school shopping. My mom is making me get ready for Sweetney’s class. I can’t believe I have her this year. I will see you guys later!” Jack calls as he makes his way off the field.

                               “Whew, I can finally relax I just need to get through shopping with mom and I am home free.” Jack walks down the street towards his home, careful not to get too lost in thought. Rounding the corner to his street he sees a red sedan parked in front of his house. Jack’s heart drops to his feet and his breath catches. No one on his street drives one of those. Could it be someone here for him? Did they find out about his weird outbursts.

           “Oh god, oh god, what if they are here for me?! What am I going to do? I can’t go to a prison or a scientific lab to be dissected.” Jack whispers to himself as he sets foot in the driveway. He took a look in the car nothing giving away a government presence. Yet, he still felt uneasy. Creaking the door open he enters the house.

       “Mom, I’m back!” Announcing his presence Jack kicks off his shoes. “Hey, sweetie. I’m in the family room. We have a guest.” Jack’s stomach somersaults. He was right someone was here, but who?

Chapter 2--- Page 7

He stops running, holding the ball in place under his foot Jack takes in his surroundings. Seemingly an eternity earlier he was 20 or so feet from the ball, now he stands just a few feet from the goal. “How did I get here? I wasn’t here when I started thinking. I was running for the ball…what happened?”

                     The other players snap free from the spell. The world returns to its original speed and clarity. Jack looks around the field, and looking back at him, on every face is a shocked look of awe. “Ja-Ja-Jack, w-w-w-what are you doing over there? How did you get over there?” Tom manages to sputter out.

   “I don’t really know. I was just there and now I am here. I don’t remember the in between. Do you guys know what happened?” Jack tries to understand what just occurred. Nothing about this day was normal, why was it happening to him. Pondering and trying not to go crazy, Jack decides to continue with the conversation with his friends.

  “I must have had a crazy rush of adrenaline or something. The last thought before I got here, was that you were all moving very slow. I can’t really think of any other explanation unless you think I suddenly turned into a superhero. Because, clearly I can now throw cars and read your mind. C’mon doofus I just got an adrenaline rush and you guys didn’t.” Knowing that Tom doesn’t take ridicule very well he teases him.

                    “I know that, jerk. I was just kind of shocked that you made it over there so fast. Let’s get back to the game now.” Tom quickly tries to avoid looking stupid by getting the game going again. Just as Jack planned. Thankfully not everything changed that day at least some parts of Jack’s life were still predictable.

                                                             Page 7

Chapter 2 ----Page 6

         “This is not okay! I am kind of happy that I apparently have super-powers, but still, this is absolutely crazy. With how this day is going, I will be needing a spandex costume and goofy catch phrase.” Although time passed slowly and everything seemed frozen, Jack trudged through the thickness of the spell. Pushing through, he moves, he moves, yet all stands almost perfectly still.

       “This is too crazy, I am only 13, I can’t be a superhuman. I would have experienced it prior to this. I would have thrown a couch, or lit a bonfire, froze time at my greatest moments. Something is happening to me and it’s not natural. I don’t think I can take this.” Jack’s mind is racing trying to understand this unnatural occurrence.

             Though he is caught up in thought, Jack is still covering ground. He has easily run to within 4 feet of Tom, but no one else has taken much more than a step. Huffing he continues toward the ball. Caught up in thought his body is on auto-pilot. “I can’t think of anything like this every happening in my life. I have never exhibited anything close to this level of speed, strength, or perception; even with my most powerful surge of adrenaline I have nothing to compare to this.”

  He steals the ball from Tom and heads to the opposing goal, time seems to slip from the grasp of whatever held it still. The players on the field start to move, as if in slow motion. The breeze starts to blow, tickling at Jack’s skin snapping him from his thoughts.

Chapter 1----Page 5

                    Flying down the field Jack is there right as the ball makes landfall. “I shouldn’t be moving this fast… Is that weird surge of energy I felt earlier not done with me yet? First a fiery hand now super speed?! That’s awesome!!! But I can’t move too quickly, otherwise they will think that something is up. Alright let’s get this game won, then I can figure out what kind of freak I am.”  Dribbling down the field Jack heads toward the opposing goal.

    Wumph! The ball strikes the net with force, too much force. Jack gulps looking around the field to see how everyone reacts to his supercharged kick. Scanning the faces all Jack sees is disappointment in Tom’s team and happiness on his. “All right it’s now 3-5! Let’s do this. Come on guys we can still win this!”

         Relieved that the kick’s power didn’t raise any questions Jack heads back to midfield. Tom takes the starting kick, rushing up he lashes out at the ball but at the last second pivots so he fires it across to James. Taking off James heads toward Jack’s team’s goal. Passing it off, he just barely evades Jessica’s sliding tackle for the ball.

    The ball flies wide landing out of bounds. Jack goes to grab the ball for the throw in. Searching for an opening he takes in the field. Jessica is too heavily covered for him to make a good pass so he throws it far down to Matt. Matt who was zoned out catches the ball full on in the face. “Ummph!” he practically flips over as he gets knocked off his feet.  James being nearby helps him to his feet giving the all clear even though there is a steadily swelling bruise on Matt’s face.

             Tom grabs the ball before anyone can realize it and starts on his way over to the opposing goal. “Oh no, you don’t. That’s my ball!” Grass flies as Jack rips down the field. Time seems to slow to a crawl and every detail becomes crystal clear for Jack. He can hear the birds and bugs that are over in the wooded area off to the side of the field as if they are right next to him. He can see individual drips of sweat pouring down Tom’s face. He can smell the grass and a hint of lavender perfume on the air.

      “What is going on? I can sense everything. I don’t understand this. Am I going crazy? Why are these things happening----

                                                      Page 5

Chapter 1----- Page 4

         “Hmmm, maybe if I stick it in some water. Okay, okay, this will work let’s just find some water.” Convincing himself that would work Jack started to look for some water hoping it would put out the inexplicable flames on his hand. Luckily there was a bottle nearby at least Brett and his goons where good for something.  Quickly unscrewing the cap jack douses his hand in the water. “SHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSH!” the water turned to steam upon contact with his hand.

                   “Oh my god, this is getting ridiculous. I need my hand back already. Let’s just work on fiery appendages later today.” As if reading his mind his hand stopped churning out fire. “Well that’s odd apparently complaining about it turns it off. I should have tried that earlier. I’ll figure out what happened to me later right now I need to get to the game. Hopefully they haven’t started without me.” Shrugging his shoulders Jack starts to jog further into the park heading toward the soccer field.

         Several minute later he arrives.  “I am here, the game can start!” Jack yells as he walks over. “Sorry about being late I ran into Brett and some of his friends. I simply had to stop and chat with them.” Sarcasm drips from his voice.

         “Well as long as you’re fine we’ll forgive you. Just know ,your team is losing 5-2, I’m crushing it out here.” Tom brags as he stands with one foot on the ball. “Let’s do this.” Flicking the ball up he headbutts it to James who takes of down the field, dribbling as the rest of the players dash after him.

      Quickly he flicks it back to Tom who lines up for a kick only to be shut down by Jack. Swooping in he steals the ball for his team. “Jessica, get ready for it!” Jack shouts to the defender as he launches it toward her. The pass is good. Jessica takes the ball half way up to midfield before firing it into the air toward the opposing goal like a rocket. Jack takes off racing toward the ball. Flying down the field he kicks up the dirt.

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Chapter 1----Page 3

Turning to see what scared Brett so much Jack sees something that causes him to drop Brett and cry out. “Ahhhhhh!” His hand is on fire not like it hurts from hitting the other boys but literal fire. Orange flames cascade off of his fingers, yet all he feels is the curious surge of energy from before no pain just the energy and shock.  

    “My fist it’s; it’s on fire! Oh my god my hand is on fire!!! Why didn’t I feel it? How did that even happen? I still can’t feel it am I dreaming? No, no this is real it’s definitely real.  How is this happening I am not in pain but my hand is definitely on fire….. why isn’t it warm? It’s just there, this is really weird.” Jack marvels at his hand analyzing it, turning it back and forth, and waving it in the air seeing if the flames will go out.

        “It’s definitely not normal, I mean I have a fire hand that’s weird but the fire isn’t even faltering when I shake my hand to put out the flame.” Jack slowly calmed down and started to wonder about what was happening to himself. “I need this to stop already I have to go play the game and I can’t have these idiots coming to, only to see my hand on fire. Then the news would spread like, well fire. Scientists would have a field day with me.”

                         “Okay I need to just breathe and figure out a plan on how to put this out. Waving it around won’t work, but maybe if I bury it.” Jack then scooped up some of the dirt with his non-burning hand. “Tssssssht!!!” The flame spat at being stuck into the ground. Covering it with the lose dirt he sighed thinking it was over. Smoke arose from the ground where his hand was. He pulled his hand free to see it was still ablaze.

                                                                          Page 3

Chapter 1--- Page 2

Looking around the corner Jack saw the local bully Brett and his gang pushing around a small kid in a hidden clearing at the entrance of the park. Brett picked on everyone and anyone because he hit puberty early and got way too big for a 13 year old. His dad was the local sheriff and his mom the principle of the school it was easy to get away with things when you had people willing to turn a blind eye. “Hey what are you doing!? Brett knock it off. Stop it right now!” Jack yells as he runs over to the group to help the kid out. “You need to stop being a jerk, Brett this kid is half your size. What the heck is wrong with you guys?”

 “Nothing wrong with me, but there is going to be something wrong with your face, Jackweed ,if you don’t get lost. This is our nerd go get your own.” Brett punctuated his sentence by pushing the kid to the group.

       “Hate to be cliché but, you guys need to pick on someone your own size and looks like that is going to be me. Now, let the kid go and let’s get this over with.” Jack calmly ushers the kid out of the group. “Get a move on little guy I will take care of this have a good day." The kid takes off without looking back.

          "Alright then I gotta get to the field so let’s get this over with who’s first? How about you shades? No, okay then you can go first yeah you with the snaggle tooth. Come one let’s do this.” Jack wasn’t one to shy from a good old fashion fist fight in fact he was the guy who went looking for them. This made the bullies more than a little nervous.

     “Come on Don sock it to him. He’s asking for it. Take him out.” Even though Brett clearly wasn’t up first or even very excited to fight Jack he goaded his flunky to take on Jack. “You get him or I’ll get you. Swing already you big baby!”

                Gulping Don throws a clumsy left hook which Jack easily side steps. Jack grabs Don’s arm and flips him to the ground a swift kick to his sternum keeping him from getting up.  The boy wearing sunglasses decides it’s his turn and kicks at Jack while his back is turned from throwing Don.  The blow connects with Jack’s hip knocking him over. Brett and shades jump holding him down while Brett throws punch after punch into his face.

     “Well that’s not how I pictured that going. I how am I going to get out of this one with the two of on me the odds of getting up aren’t too good. Brett’s too heavy to throw off.” Jack resigned himself to the facial reassignment that was coming his way when an unknown source of energy surged through his veins. Bursting up he throws Brett and his friend off literally the kid in the sunglasses probably flew 8 feet away. He doesn’t get back up.

                “Okay Brett let’s review. First you pick on a little kid, and now you gang up on me. Hmmmm that doesn’t seem very fair now; does it? This time we’ll just end it with a good black eye come here.” Jack picks Brett up by his shirt collar. Cocking back his fist he looks at Brett enjoying the look of fear in his eyes but then Brett let’s out a silent scream of terror and starts ripping at his shirt to get away. Jacks grip is iron solid and Brett seeing he is going nowhere passes out on the spot. 


                                                           Page 2

Chapter 1---Page 1

Chapter 1

    Jack woke up that day like any other day. He hopped out of bed at the shrill beep from his alarm clock and walked down the hall to the bathroom. After his shower and getting dressed he looks in the mirror his shaggy sandy blonde hair hanging down in front of his electric blue eyes. Jack stood at around 5'10" at 13 years old. Fixing his hair he gets dressed and heads down the stairs and sat down at the table. The wonderful smells of breakfast filled the air. Bacon, pancakes, and eggs made their way to his plate to be demolished. His mom always knew how to start the day. “Thanks mom! I am heading out to play some soccer with the guys I’ll be back later.” Jack said as he slipped into his favorite worn out pair of sneakers.

       

“Okay sweetie, please remember to be back in time to go shopping for back to school this afternoon. We only have one more week til you go back.” His mother called sweetly.

                

          “Ugh, mom why’d you have to bring that up. Now I will be thinking about having to sit in Miss Sweenty’s class all year. She’s way too old to still be teaching at the school she basically is a dinosaur and she has the attitude to match.”

   “Now that’s not very nice Jack. Go and have fun. I’ll see you in a little while.” His mother dismissed him.

       

 Out the door Jack ran, heading to Jameston Park to play with his friends. “The teams will be different this time” thinks Jack “Me and Tom on the same team is just too unfair but it sure is fun.  I hope James and Todd are on my team those two make a great pair, or maybe Jessica even though she’s a girl she is probably one of the best defenders out there. Wait what’s that----"

                                                                                Page 1

First post

So this is my new blog. My name is Daniel Stephenson and I am an amateur author. I intend to use this blog as a mix between a journal/short story storage area and the place where I will slowly post by book as I write it so that I can receive critiques and get feedback. I am working on the first book in my series called Pheonix Flare: The Spark of His Power. I am just finishing up the first chapter and should post it later on in the week. ( btw Pheonix is spelled that way on purpose)