~ By Adeel Ahmed
Rated PG-13 for violence and language
Author’s Note: These are excerpts from a series of stories by Adeel Ahmed. The world is an alternative history Earth where Mythology and humans with special abilities existed through human history. It combines fantasy, Wuxia and superhero genres into it.
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Khalid walked the halls of the hospital, Zenon and Winona beside him, Winona scratching her legs uncomfortably.
They stopped at a room with an open door. Khalid recognized one of the figures inside. How could he not? With her bright purple hair, slanted purple eyes dancing with joy. But they were not joyful right now; they were full of tears, the purple lip quivering.
Aunt Zise always was a softie.
The other figure was a woman, roughly his mother’s age. She had rich black curly hair and olive skin, her jaw strong. She reminded Khalid so much of Zenon. It was obvious who she was.
“Zenon. If you want us to leave, we will,” said Khalid softly.
“No. I want you guys with me. I want you to meet her. I want her to see my friends,” replied Zenon.
The three entered the room, Zise bent over and embraced Winona, sobbing. Winona, in turn, sobbed back. The two cried together.
Khalid walked up to the woman with Zenon.
“Zenon…they told me you were rescued. God be praised,” said the woman, her voice wheezing.
“This is Khalid. He saved me. He saved all of us. That pretty blue haired girl is Winona. They’re my friends.” said Zenon. Khalid could see tears welling in her eyes.
“Are you sure this is Khalid, honey? His mother told me he was an assassin. But this is just a boy, sweetie.”
“This is Khalid. I saw him fight; I saw him do cool things. He’s an assassin. I saw him…do assassin stuff,” sniffled Zenon.
“My God. You’re a kid. A kid,” murmured Mariam. Coughing, she continued speaking, “Thank you for protecting my daughter. I know you got paid for it but-”
“I would do it for free, a million times over,” said Khalid steadfastly, “Your daughter tried to save everyone. She is good. Truly good.”
“I know she is. She’s an angel,” said Mariam. “Listen to me sweetie,” Mariam turned her face to Zenon. “My angel, I’m going to be going away, to Jesus. Maybe I will see where my parents are. Maybe I’ll even see your father again. He might be unhappy to learn I was right. I’m going to be leaving you, honey.”
“No. I don’t believe them. I don’t believe them at all. You’re not going to die. I don’t want you to,” sobbed Zenon. She buried her face in her mother’s breast.
A strange feeling overwhelmed Khalid, an ugly feeling. He didn’t like it.
He thought of his own mother, her cold eyes. He remembered the beatings, the insults, the missions. The only time she ever smiled at him was when he killed. He wished he was Zenon, wished his mother loved him as Zenon’s did. He wished it was his mother bleeding and injured on the bed. He wished Mariam would survive, to go live with Zenon. Mariam was a good woman, a good mother. Like Macawe, Winona’s mother.
“Listen to me, Zenon. I’m not gone yet. I have a few days. I want you to see that girl there. See that pretty Chinese lady? She’s going to be your new mother. When I’m gone,” said Mariam.
Zise turned her tear-streaked face toward Zenon, her eyes full of sorrow.
“I’m scared,” whispered Zenon.
“I’ll protect you,” said Winona taking Zenon’s hand in hers.
“You’re tough. You can handle anything,” said Khalid.
“Do you see that, Zenon? Look at all the people around you to take care of you,” said Mariam smiling.
“Zise is a really good person Zenon. She was friends with my Mommy and Khalid’s mommy. She’s one of the nicest people I ever met. And she’s really tough too, even my father respects her strength,” said Winona smiling up at Zise.
“She’s like you, angel. She’s half Pantheon. One of the only people alive just like you. Her mother was a South American love Goddess, a truly kind woman. She can raise you well. Even if she isn’t very bright,” said Mariam smiling.
“I don’t want her to raise me,” sobbed Zenon.
I wish Zise was my mother, thought Khalid forlornly.
Image Credit: David Liew
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