1 Chapter 1: An overwhelming encounter

Boston was a beautiful place this time of the year.

The sky was blue and the sun was shining in all its splendor. The blossoming flowers and the birds that were singing made everything more beautiful. It was a perfect day to play video games and eat a good slice of pizza from Lorenzo's pizzeria and drink coke with friends.

Exactly what Brandon would like to do.

Why waste this beautiful Saturday at home when he could go to John's house and have a nice day?

There was no time to waste if not his mum will surely ask him to do something before going.

He immediately put on a clean pair of trousers and a white t-shirt. He then put on his favourite pair of sneakers, grabbed his backpack and rushed down the stairs.

"Mum, I'm going to John's house." He said, rushing to the front door.

"Not so fast young man." She said before he could open the door "you had to take Maya to the park."

"No mum. Not today"

"That's what you said last week." Brandon sighed and regretted why he didn't jump through the window as usual.

"Maya is waiting for you outside. If you bring her back before 4 p.m, you can go to your friend's house."

Twenty minutes later, Maya was playing on the swing with other children in the park. Brandon sat on a bench nearby, watching his younger sister. He quickly got tired and removed his phone from his pocket.

"Where are you dude? The guys are already here." He read a message from John.

"I had to take my sister to the park. I'll be at your place in less than twenty minutes." He texted back and kept his phone.

It was time to go home. He guessed that Maya had had enough fun.

Isn't it Maya?

When he raised his head, Maya was no longer there to reply. Panicked, he stood up and started looking for his sister. He searched every nook and cranny of the park but couldn't find his sister. He was about to alert the security when he saw Maya running towards him.

"Brandon, I want ice cream" she said in the cutest way ever, pointing at an ice cream truck.

He couldn't get mad at his adorable four year old sister , let alone deny her an ice cream cone. He quickly bought an ice cream cone for her and brought her home.

As soon as he left Maya at home, he hopped on his bicycle and pedalled towards John's house. He pedalled as fast as he could, trying to avoid people on the way. A boy pushing a cart of fruits was coming the opposite direction. The collision was unavoidable.

"Oh Sorry. I'm so sorry." Brandon apologized and picked up the fruits that were scattered all over the sidewalk. He put them in the cart and saw an orange

roll down the hallway.  He was about to pick up the orange when he saw a light coming from the end of the hallway. He followed the light and saw a man attacking a young girl.

"Give me the crystal and I will let you go." The man said. He had his back turned so he couldn't see Brandon.

"Never!" The girl replied

"You know very well that someone else will do it when they will notice that I've got you."

Before the man could do anything else, Brandon picked up a piece of wood and threw it at him. It hit his head and he fell unconscious.

"Are you okay?" Brandon asked the girl, concerned.

"Why did you do that? I didn't ask for your help." She replied furiously.

He was baffled. He just saved her life and that was how she thanked him. Awesome.

"Alright. I guess you are not used to being helped and therefore to being grateful. I'm leaving and you better go too. It won't take long for this guy to wake up.  He turned to go and a vortex appeared out of nowhere and engulfed them.