Chapter 2

Eli awoke the next morning to the smell of pancakes wafting through the air. He groggily got up and threw on a pair of jeans and a purple T-shirt. Not bothering to brush his messy brown hair as he walked into the kitchen.

      "Good morning sleepyhead!" His mother said cheerfully as she flipped another pancake onto a plate and handed it to Eli.

      "Good morning." Eli said groggily as he drowned his pancakes in syrup and started to chow down.

     "So I know you said you wanted to go to the arcade with Misty today, but afterwards I was thinking we could go to the old pizzeria you like. I know I've been working a lot lately so I wanted to do something to make it up to you." Eli's mother said.

     Eli knew what this was about. His mom is always kind and gentle. Yesterday she yelled at him for using his powers and she felt bad. Eli knew his mom was worried about him and had to do it all alone.

     "I know you miss your dad, and I wish I could help you more. But just know I'll always be here for you." His mother held his hand with a small smile.

     "I know you you are mom. I love you." Eli said as he finished his plate.

     "I promise I'll be more careful with my powers. Have you heard anything from dad?" Eli asked cautiously.

     He didn't want to upset his mom, but Eli was worried about not hearing anything.

    "Not yet, but let me go check the mail, maybe it's just late!" His mother tried to be optimistic.

     She came back with a pile of envelopes from the mailbox and as she shuffled through them Eli was confident she wouldn't find anything, yet when she got to the bottom of the stack and touched a inconspicuous looking white envelope, a flash of gold filled the room.

     "Why would he use magic?" His mother whispered anxiously as the letter floated up and opened itself to reveal a hastily written note.

     Eli and his mother both read the note together and what they read made their blood run cold.

     "Racheal, get Eli to Safety! I've been captured. Not much time. They're coming for him. -Omar"

     For a second, mother and son stood frozen as if the note had paralyzed them. Then just as quickly his mother grabbed the note and ripped it to shreds tossing away the pieces.

    "Let's go Eli." His mother quickly grabbed her purse and keys as she started for the door.

     Eli just stood in shock for a moment before following.

     "Mom, where are we gonna go?" Eli asked as they climbed into their old hatchback and his mother slammed on the gas.

     "There's a friend of your fathers who may be able to help. He told me to take you there if we were ever in danger." His mother gripped the steering wheel and stared forward, determination on her face.

     "What about dad?" Eli asked, the hastily written words playing on repeat on his mind.

     "Your father and I always knew this could happen one day, but your father made it clear that you were to be the first priority. I love your father but I have to keep you safe. We can't do anything for him right now." His mother said, her voice breaking as she finished.

     Eli saw a trickle of tears fall down his mother's face as she drove, and Eli realized this had to be extremely difficult for his mother.

    To not be able to help the man she loved in order to keep her child safe. Eli's admiration for her grew even more but he felt guilty that he was the cause of her sorrow.

    "Mom, I can help! I can use my magic to find him! Please let me!" Eli pleaded.

     "NO! Eli you must promise me that from this point on you will not use your magic." His mother glared as he sat beside her silently.

     "PROMISE ME!" His mother ordered sternly as she continued to drive.

     "Ok mom. I promise." Eli sighed and slouched in his seat as they drove farther out of Webster. The small town disappearing in the rear view mirror.