James’s mom turned to James. She said, “I have no idea how to handle you.”

  James sat in the car next to his mom. He looked out of the window in the passenger’s seat, his mom driving the vehicle.

  His low cut hair and chocolate skin matched his lanky 5’4 frame. His dark brown eyes matched his onyx jogging pants and grey and blue long sleeve t-shirt.

  His mom sat beside him looking at him with concern. Looking outside the window, she was distraught. She loved her son. Her first born baby. Having a toffee skin complexion, she was at an impasse. Her African ancestry showed. You could cut the tension with a knife.

  James replied, “I won’t do it again. I promise.”

  “You need to live with your father. He can help you.”

  “I haven’t seen him in years.”

  “Your condition is too much for me. And what if you hurt your younger brother and sister?”

  “I won’t be around them.”

  “James. This is for your own good.”

  “Mom, I will be good. I promise!”

  “He can help you in a way I can’t.”

  “I don’t want to go!”

  James Williams Sr walked up to the car; he waved his hands. James Jr. sat in disgust. He had so much disdain for his father. He thought of him as a genetic material donor, not as a parent.

  James Williams Senior was as tall as an oak tree. He towered over most individuals. Jim realized he was going to be tall, just like his dad. He also noticed that he got his lanky frame from his father as well.

  He hadn’t seen his father in years. He had some memories of him from when he was younger, but nothing recent.

  “You have to get out.”

  “Fine, mom.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  James got out of the car and walked to his father. They were on the far northside of Chicago outside of a building by the Howard Street “L” station.

  “Hey, junior.”

  “Hi Dad.”

  James’ dad turned toward his ex-wife. “Thank you for bringing him, Molly.”

  James’ mom spoke, “You are welcome, James.”

  “He is in good hands.”

  “I know he is.”

  James Williams Junior grabbed his dufflebag out of the backseat. James’ mom's 2016 Toyota Corolla drove away in the distance. James and his father walked into a basement of the building.

  “I know we don’t know each other that well,” said James’s dad.

  “What is there to know? You cheated on her and were never around. You are a horrible human being.”

  James, Sr felt like he was slapped in the face.

  “First thing, show me some respect. I am your father. And second thing, that was the excuse I made up to protect her.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Your mom told me what is going on with you. She told me what was happening.”

  “I broke walls and a door. I go through everything like it is tissue paper. My hand glows sometimes and I release a form of energy”

  “Your powers are developing.”

  “Powers?”

  “You have abilities.”

  “What?”

  “You have powers.”

  “I have powers.”

  “Yes, you do.”

  “Why were you never around?”

  “I have to show you something.”

  “Answer the question.”

  Jim’s dad retorted, “Missile, come in here.”

  This tall guy came into the room. He was as big as he was wide. Missile was a tank. He was one of James Sr’s associates. He had a scar on his right cheek. He wore a red jacket and blue jeans.

  “You want me, Jay?” said Missile.

  “Yeah, I need you.”

  “Him me with one of your attacks.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah.”

  He fired a beam of red fire at James' dad. A ball of fire hit James Williams Sr's chest.

  “What the hell?”

  James’ dad held out his hand and it began to glow yellow. He absorbed the attack and the fire fused with his body.

  “How did you do that?” asked James Jr.

  James Williams Sr. Shot the wall with Yellow light.

  “That is just one of my powers.”

  “That’s not even human.”

  “Who said I was human?”

  “You are an alien?”

  “Ding! Ding! Ding!”

  “Does that mean I am half human?”

  “Yes, son.”

  “So, everything that is happening to me is because of the powers I inherited from you.”

  “You can go now, Missile.”

  Missile said, “Okay.”

  Jim said, “My hand glowed when I touched a hot saucepan.”

  “On my planet, my family has the powers of energy absorption and redirection, and super strength.”

  “Your planet?”

  “It was destroyed, and my people came to the Solar System as refugees.”

  “What?”

  “My home planet, Laveria, was destroyed four years before you were born. I came to this planet and joined the military. The US government took an interest in me. I became a weapon of the US Army. Went to ranger school. I ended up dropping out of the process. I did my time in the army as a regular soldier and was honorably discharged. When I came back to Chicago, I was a consultant for the FBI.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “I would get paid to go on missions for the federal government.”

  “Why are you telling me this?”

  “I met your mother at a dance. I loved her. We got married, You were born a year later. I had enemies. I wanted to be there for you and your mom. It was hard to balance the duties of my job and my obligations as a father and a husband. I thought that the best way to protect her and you was to get a divorce. I tried for five years. Your mom and I separated. I signed the divorce paperwork. We broke up.”

  “Why didn’t you fight harder?”

  “My life as a superpowered consultant was too much. If anyone found out about you or your mom, and they hurt you, I could never forgive myself.”

  “You left us to protect us.”

  “Yes, son.”

  Cognitive dissonance set in. His father, who he hated for years. The father that never showed up at his birthday parties. The father who was never there for his soccer games. He kept his distance to protect him and his mom.

  “I am sorry,” said James, Jr.

  “It is fine.”

  “All this time, I thought you were a deadbeat father. But you are a hero. You have this life I never knew about.”

  “I feel bad about never being there for you. Never attending your events. I wanted to be in your life. I want to be a part of your world. I put the job first. Hopefully, when you are older and have a family of your own, you will avoid the pitfalls I fell into.”

  “I understand.”

  “Follow me.”

  “Sure.”

  James followed his dad. They went through a series of doors.

  James, Sr remarked, “Welcome to my world.”

  They went underground and through a latch.

  “Shut it behind us.”

  Missile was behind them. He closed the door.

  “You might want to sit down.”

  James grabbed his bags and went to a bench.

  James, Sr got on the comm that was in the wall.

  “Victory, take us out of here.”

  “Sure thing,” replied Victory.

  The room started to move.

  “Where are we going?” asked James Jr.

  James Sr answered, “Where do you think? Space.”

  “I didn’t sign up for this.”

  “You have to learn to use your powers.”

  “What?”

  “If you are going to be around normal people, you have to develop some form of control.”

  “Going to space is gonna help me develop control?”

  “Yes. The facilities on the asteroid belt will help you become stronger.”

  “This is all a lot to take in.”

  “You will get the hang of it.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “You are a Williams. We don’t give up.”

  “Okay, Dad.”

  “We should be there in a few hours.”

  “Cool.”

  “I can show you to the common area until we get there.”

  “Okay.”

  James walked with his dad to the galley. James looked out of the window and saw only darkness. They weren’t even on Earth anymore. There were people sitting down eating, playing cards, and reading books.

  “We should be there in a few hours.”

  “Okay dad.”

  He sat down by a boy his age.

  “Hey,” said the boy.

  “Hey.”

  “I am Randall. What’s your name?”

  “I am James Williams Jr.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Your dad is a legend. Out of most of the warriors, he is one of the best and toughest.”

  “I had no idea.”

  “Yep.”

  “Nice to meet you, Randall.”

  “Why are you here?”

  “My dad is gonna help me learn to use my powers.”

  “I am here with my dad too. He was a general back on his homeworld planet. He and my mom came to Earth after his homeworld was destroyed.”

  “Were you born on Earth?”

  “No, my mom was pregnant with me when we left Laveria, our home planet. Time happens differently on my home than on Earth. I was born on the asteroid we are going to. She had two more kids after they settled on Earth.”

  “You have siblings?”

  “Yeah two sisters. I am the only boy.”

  “Cool.”

  “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

  “I have a sister that is a few years younger than me and a brother that is a toddler. My brother has a different father.”

  “I wouldn’t know how that feels.”

  “Is your dad gonna help you learn how to use your abilities too?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What are your powers?”

  “I can cover my skin in organic metal.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.”

  “That sounds pretty cool.”

  “I can’t wait until we get to the asteroid. It is like a city. About the size of Chicago.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep.”

  “I had no idea.”

  “I can show you around. The dining sector has some of the best food in the cosmos.”

  “I got to try it out.”

  “Want to see the engine room?”

  “Sure.”

  James dropped his bags and followed Randall down a hallway. Randall was shorter than Jim by about a few inches. His frame was stockier too, with a complexion that was the color of cinnamon. Having low cut hair, Randall almost looked bald. They went down a flight of stairs. Passing a door, they reached the engine.

  “This thing is huge,” said James.

  “Yeah. Made on the docks of Laveria.”

  “I had no idea spaceships like this existed.”

  “I thought your dad would have told you.”

  “I really didn’t talk to him.”

  “Okay. I won’t budge.”

  “Thanks.”

  The engine hummed like an industrial air conditioner, with silver valves attached to the metallic main reactor, with light passing out of the vents.

  “Sometimes, when I can’t sleep, I come down here to relax.”

  “Cool.”

  “The sound is really calming.”

  “I usually do that with white noise videos off Youtube.”

  “Those are cool too.”

  “Thanks for showing me.”

  Randall and James walked the rest of the ship. Most areas were off limits.

  James came back to his bench. He reached for his bag. Pulling his laptop from his bag, he sat down and got on it. He journaled on his computer. He would write a little bit every day. He had been doing it for six months. A friend of his suggested that he start journaling to clear his mind, so he could sleep at night.

  “Jim.”

  His father was standing near. Jim turned to his father.

  “Yes.”

  “We are approaching our destination. Get your bags and follow me.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Storing his laptop in his belongings, James followed his dad’s instructions. He thought about how his life had changed in the last few months. Ever since his fourteenth birthday in March, he had been going through these changes. His mom was right. He had to learn how to use his inherited powers. His dad was the perfect person to teach him. He was getting excited. He thought about his friends. The girl he had a crush on. They were all a distant memory. This was his life now. A person with superpowers.

  He walked with his dad to the docking port of the ship.

  “Hey, Randall.”

  “Hey, James.”

  “Please, call me Jim.”

  “Okay, Jim. I will try to remember that.”

  James Sr, spoke to his son.

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  “Follow me once we get off the ship.”

  “Sure.”

  “The city is big. You can easily get lost if you don’t know where you are going.”

  A green light lit up.

  “Docking complete,” said a voice.

  The gate doors to the ship opened.

  “Try to keep up.”

  Randall and his dad walked alongside James and his dad.

  “Welcome to New Laveria,” said James Sr.

  “This is a city?” said Jim.

  “Yeah, founded by refugees of Laveria. We brought our culture and civilization to this asteroid. There are hundreds of thousands of people on this rock. It is just one of the Laverian colonies.”

  “There are more?”

  “Yes there are.”

  “Will I get to see them?”

  “In due time.”

  “Awesome.”

  Huge orange lights illuminated the cavern. The city was built into the internal structure of the huge rock. The engineering was impressive. To actually build housing into the rockbed of the asteroid required a lot of genius. The floor was the color of gravel. The inner level of the asteroid was supported by pillars that looked like cement you would find on the sidewalk.

  There were huge crowds of people walking in the bay area of the asteroid which was like an outdoor market built into a construction site. Stone and ores were the floors of the space. Women were carrying babies. There were soldiers with rifles. People were selling food in carts.

  James tried to keep up with his dad. They made it across the lobby. James’ dad pressed a button on a console for an elevator.

  “Come on.”

  “It will come.’

  The elevator arrived in about thirty seconds. The four of them stepped on the platform. His dad pressed the 5 button.

  They were lowered down into the structure. It felt like they were descending in the belly of the beast. The elevator descended into darkness, like going down a mineshaft at midnight. On both sides of the elevator shaft were cement colored rocks that looked like onyx crystals.

  “We are here.”

  “I see you already met your roommate.”

  “What?”

  “You and Randall are going to be living together for the duration of your training.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Cool! We are going to be roommates, Randy!”

  “I know Jim! This is going to be awesome!”

  The four of them walked off the elevator and down the dimly lit hallway. They stopped at a door to their left, which was like one to an industrial freezer.

  Jim’s dad said, “This is your home for the next ten years.”

  Jim replied, “Ten years?”

  “Yeah, but time operates differently out here.”

  “That is crazy.”

  “I know, but it will pass like that.”

  James, Sr snapped his fingers.

  Jim and Randy walked into the room. Jim turned to Randy.

  JIm asked, “Which side do you want?”

  “I call dibs on the one by the window.”

  “Sure.”

  Jim dropped his bags and settled into his new surroundings, a small room about the size of a studio apartment.

  “It’s not big, but it’s home.”

  “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

  He put his clothes into the mahogany and red dresser. He hung up his shirts in a small closet that was pretty much a shoebox and put his boots by his bed.

  Looking out the window by Randy’s bed, all he saw was rocks and space. Sitting down on his bed, he thought about his life. His viewpoint had changed so much.

  There was a girl he had a crush on. Dania. He wanted to be with her so bad. She came up to him and he went the other way. He was going to go home. Why did he do that? Why didn’t he talk to her? His mom told him he was leaving to go live with his father that night. She was out of his life. Gone forever. He tried to make sense of his new surroundings. He would learn to be a consultant like his dad. He would learn to get control of his powers. He felt his dad would make sure of it.

  Why was this happening to him? Why was this the condition of his existence? He wanted to be a normal 14 year old boy. He wanted a normal life. He was anything but normal. He wasn’t ordinary; he was extraordinary. His powers made him special. They made him powerful. He would learn to use his powers to be a protector. A defender. Warrior.

  His dad knocked on the door.

  “It’s open.”

  “Time for lights out.”

  “Okay, Dad.”

  The lights switched off. Jim closed his eyes and tried to get some sleep.

  All of his friends were sitting at a table. He was trying to get closer. Dania was sitting there. Dania. Beautiful, nice Dania. Every step he took the table got further away. He started running. The table got further and further away. He began sprinting toward the table. The table disappeared in the distance. Jim was alone. He was in the darkness alone.

  Jim woke up. Randall was getting his shoes on.

  “Time for breakfast, Jim.”

  “Okay, give me five minutes.”

  “I will give you two.”

  “Don’t be a dick.”

  “Okay, dude. I like you. You got your five minutes.”

  Jim turned over in his bed. He laid on his side.

  Dania. I sure wish I could see her again. I was cheated out of a relationship with her.

  “Five minutes is up.”

  “Okay. Okay.”

  Jim put on some jogging pants and gym shoes. He grabbed a long sleeve T-shirt and put it on. They walked out of the room together.

  “Wait until you see breakfast.”

  “Whatever, man.”

  “Don’t whatever me.”

  “Okay. Sorry.”

  “They have french toast, belgian waffles, omelets.”

  “Sounds delicious.”

  “It is and so much more.”

  The elevator ended on the top floor.

  “Time to get off.”

  “Sure thing, old pal.”

  Getting off the elevator, they walked down the hall and made a left. Arriving at the mess hall, they both got in line for the food. They both got trays and waited in turn to get their food.

  Two boys in front of them were talking. Jim listened in on the conversation.

  “Do you think it is gonna come to war?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “We might see some action.”

  “We are just consultants in training. They aren’t going to use us.”

  “I would love to see action.”

  “Hold your horses, Phil.”

  “What Billy? I have been on this rock for five years. I can’t wait to get Earthside. I can’t wait to get home.”

  “I feel you. I want an Italian Beef, a pizza puff, or a slice of Deep Dish pizza. Authentic Chicago food is the best.”

  “Me, I want to see the Bean or walk with my girlfriend in Grant Park.”

  “You have a girlfriend?”

  “No, but I can dream can’t I?”

  Jim and Randal were next in line for the food. Jim grabbed two slices of french toast and a scoop of scrambled eggs. Randall got some breakfast potatoes and some sausage links. He poured a cup of orange juice. Jim got a cup of cranberry juice. They sat down by some other trainees.

  One of the boys spoke to Jim and Randy. “How are you men doing?”

  Jim answered, “Fine.”

  “Good. Yourself?” replied Randy.

  “I am fine. I am Sam. Sam Walters.”

  “I am James Williams.”

  “And you are?

  “Randall Paterson.”

  Sam said, “I haven’t seen you before.”

  Jim said, “I just got here yesterday.”

  “I think I heard of your dad.”

  “Yeah. He is pretty famous.”

  “Your dad is Bladefist, right?”

  “I wouldn’t know.”

  “That’s kind of weird.”

  “It’s the truth.”

  Just then, James’ dad walked up to him.

  “Speak of the devil.”

  “Jim, you got twenty minutes to finish your food.”

  “Why?”

  “Your training begins.”

  “Okay, Dad.”

  Jim took a last bite and finished his food in ten minutes. He had a big appetite. He got seconds and finished that in another five. He poured two cups of cranberry juice and downed them standing up.

  He walked back to his table. Feeling energized he sat down. He continued talking and low and behold he felt his dad standing behind him. He turned around.

  “Time to train, son.”

  “Okay.”

  “Drop off your tray and empty your plates.”

  “Sure.”

  He listened to his dad, doing what he said.

  He walked out of the room with his father.

  “Follow me to the lower levels.”

  “Sure.”

  “Why do you sound so down?”

  “I don’t know, dad.”

  “I know this is a lot for you to handle.”

  “Ain’t that the truth.”

  “You will get the hang of this. Trust me. I know these powers can be scary at times.”

  “You think?.”

  “What was that?” said Jim’s dad in a stern voice.

  “Sorry. I just am still adjusting to my life changes.”

  “I know. When I first got my powers, my dad had to teach me. I am sure when you have kids, you are going to have to teach them.”

  “What if I can’t do it?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “What if I can’t get a handle on my powers?”

  “You are a Williams. Williams men aren’t quitters.”

  “Okay, Dad.”

  “We are here.”

  Jim and his dad stepped off the elevator. The floor was all rock. It looked like a cargo bay area.

  “For the next few months, this is our training area. You will learn how to use your powers. You will learn how to use your strength.”

  “Okay.”

  “First thing.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Hit me.”

  “What?”

  “Punch me as hard as you can.”

  “Okay. You asked for it.”

  Jim balled up his fist and wailed at his dad with all of his strength. His dad went back twenty feet.

  “Are you okay?”

  Jim raced over to his dad.

  “I can take a punch. Your old man has been through a lot of battles.”

  His dad got up and dusted himself off.

  “I just need to see your power level. You are just under where I was when I was your age.”

  “Okay. You were stronger than me when you were my age?”

  “Just a little.”

  “Okay dad.”

  “I need to work on muscle control with you. You have the power. We just need to focus on how to use it.”

  “How do we do that?”

  “With this.”

  His dad pulled out a carton of chicken eggs.

  “Eggs?”

  “Yeah.”

  “How are eggs going to teach me strength control?”

  “You have to carry them and then toss them.”

  “What?”

  “Did I stutter?”

  “Okay, so you want me to carry the eggs and toss them?”

  “Yeah. Thorough this.”

  There was a ring in front of them. It had a cushioned pad behind it.

  For the next few hours, Jim was holding an egg in his hand. He kept crushing them. He couldn’t keep it maintained.

  “This is impossible.”

  “Keep trying.”

  “I give up.”

  “What did I say?”

  “Williams men aren’t quitters.”

  “That’s right.”

  “It just seems so difficult.”

  “This is only your first day.”

  “I know.”

  “It will get easier.”

  “It doesn't feel like it.”

  “That’s enough for today.”

  “Thank god.”

  “Come on. Let’s get you something to eat.”

  “I am starving.”

  Going up the elevator, they arrived at the floor for a mess hall. The smells were heavenly. He could smell savory, spicy and sweet.

  “That smells amazing.”

  “Well, JJ. You earned it.”

  Jim got in line and stacked his plate with so much food. He grabbed an Italian Beef, a famous Chicago sandwich. He had picked up pizza puffs and stuffed pizza, with the sauce on top. He walked over to a table.

  “Jim, over here!” said Randall, who was waving at him.

  Jim got out of line.

  “Go on, JJ. Go eat with your friends.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  “Okay.”

  Jim made his way to Randall’s table.

  Randy said, “Jim, this is Matt and his brother Daryl.”

  Jim shook Matt and Daryl’s hands.

  Jim said, “I just got here yesterday.”

  “Is it true your dad is Bladefist?”

  “Who?” asked Jim.

  Matt asked, “You are James Williams, Jr, right?”

  Jim said, “Yeah, that is me.”

  “Your father was one of the toughest people on the planet.”

  “Really?” asked Jim.

  Matt said, “Yeah. You must be proud.”

  “I don’t know about that.”

  “I would love to have energy redirection as one of my powers.’

  “I guess.”

  “My powers aren’t that cool.”

  “What are your powers?”

  “I have the power of hydrokinesis.”

  “What?”

  “I can control and discharge water.”

  “That’s pretty cool.”

  “Not as cool as super strength or your other powers.”

  “I was always breaking things. I still don’t have a handle on my super strength.”

  “I guess it takes time.”

  “I am just getting used to being here.”

  “It can take some time.”

  “It is starting to feel like home.”

  “I am glad it was Chicago night.”

  “Chicago night?” asked Jim.

  “Yeah, the chefs in the kitchen prepare Chicago-centric cuisine. They just started it this week.”

  “Oh, I didn’t even think about that.”

  “Tomorrow they are cooking Philly cheesesteaks.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, and after that they are cooking cajun cuisine.”

  “My grandmother on my mom’s side’s family was from Louisiana. There was a recipe my mom got from her family: Seafood Jambalaya.”

  “Why is it called that?”

  “It is made with only seafood, imitation crabmeat and shrimp. My grandmother would make it for my mom when she was a kid. It is made with tomatoes and okra.”

  “So it is red like spaghetti?”

  “Correct.”

  “Weird. I thought Jambalaya is made with chicken and sausage.”

  “Yeah, that is correct. But this is different. An old family recipe.”

  “That sounds cool.”

  “It tastes amazing.”

  “I could go for a chopped steak.”

  “I remember the local fast food joint would always make them.”

  “I don’t like burgers that much.”

  “What, Jim? I love me some chopped steak. They are like super burgers.”

  “I actually prefer super tacos. That and pizza puffs.”

  “Super tacos are pretty good.”

  “Where was the local restaurant?”

  “On the corner of Western Avenue and Devon.”

  “So the northside of Chicago.”

  “I would go there every week after school.”

  “What happened?”

  “My powers showed up. I was sent here to be with my father and train.”

  “Yeah, something similar happened to me.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Getting powers sucks.”

  “You aren’t lying about that.”

  “Things were just getting good.”

  “I had this girl I like.”

  “Really.”

  “She was gorgeous.”

  “Hmm.”

  “Great body.”

  “Go on.”

  “I remember having lunch with her. I went the other way as she approached me. The next day my mom drove me to my father’s place.”

  “You almost had a girlfriend.”

  “Yes, I did.”

  “I guess life had a different plan for you.”

  “Fate had different plans.”

  “It was not meant to be.”

  “I can relate.”

  “You can.”

  “I had this crush on this girl I had known since the sixth grade. I actually got her username on friendster, the messenger app.”

  “I know that app.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Continue.”

  “I had to go here.”

  “Do you still have her on the app?”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  “Then you can still talk to her.”

  “I guess you are right.”

  “Yeah, I can’t talk to Dania.”

  “I didn’t think about that.”

  “Yeah, you are welcome.”

  “What am I doing here? I am going to message my crush. Later, fellas.”

  With that Matt left the table, picking up his tray and departing.

  “My brother is so cool.”

  “Yeah, he is pretty awesome.”

  “Why are you here? You seem a little young to have powers.”

  “Our mom can’t watch me and my baby sister, so I was sent to live with our dad while he is training my older brother.”

  “Really?”

  “She works too. My dad sends home money, but that is not enough, so my mom works to support us.”

  “I had no idea. I didn’t know that aliens existed until yesterday.”

  “Yeah, they do.”

  Jim got up.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Seconds.”

  Jim walked back to the serving area. He grabbed a super taco. He thought about what Matt said. He also grabbed another slice of pizza, a Chicago style deep dish style of cuisine.

  Walking over to the table. He saw a girl his age. She was sweeping. She had the most beautiful amber eyes. And her skin looked the color of toffee.

  “Excuse me,” asked Jim.

  “Sorry,” she said.

  He walked past her. Trying not to step on her pile she was making while sweeping. He almost dropped his tray.

  Getting back to his table, he finally sat down.

  “Easy there, cowboy,” said Randall.

  “Who is that?”

  “Who?”

  “Her.”

  “The girl sweeping.”

  “Oh, that’s Anna.”

  “Anna.”

  “Yeah. Anna Harkavy.”

  “She is gorgeous.”

  “Yeah, she is a looker.”

  “Could you introduce me?”

  “I am sorry, but I think she is taken.”

  “Really?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “What’s the gameplan?”

  “I don’t know. Just go over there and talk to her.”

  “It is never that easy.”

  “Maybe it is.”

  “You are out of your rabid ass mind.”

  “Hey, don’t insult me.”

  “I am not insulting you.”

  “Why don’t you introduce yourself?”

  “Fine, Randall. I will.”

  Jim walked over there.

  “Can I help you with something?”

  “I am Jim. Jim Williams. What’s your name?”

  “Anna.”

  “Nice to meet you, Anna.”

  “I gotta to get back to work. It was nice meeting you, Jim.”

  “You too, Anna.”

  Jim walked over to the table where Randall and Daryl are.

  “How did it go, Casanova?”

  “Ha ha ha.”

  “What did you say?”

  “I introduced myself.”

  “That’s all?”

  “She introduced herself.”

  “Okay.”

  His dad walked over.

  “Remember, we start training early tomorrow. I don’t care if you got enough sleep.”

  “Sure.”

  “Be ready.”

  “I will.”

  “Have a good night, Junior.”

  “Take care.”

  Randall and Jim walked out of the dining hall, making their way to the elevators and then their sleeping quarters.

  “I have a lot to journal about tonight.”

  “I guess you do.”

  “I love journaling.”

  “You do.”

  “It helps me sleep at night.”

  Jim and Randall, arriving at their room, got ready for the next day. Jim got on his computer and broke a log for his day.

  “Today, I met Anna. She is gorgeous. I would love to be with her. I can dream, can’t I?”

  Things were changing. It was scary, but Jim thought that changes were kinda scary. He would be ready. He would get a handle on his powers and follow in his father’s footsteps as a hero.