Storms Weathered

{If you want to read ahead go to my https://www.(p)-(a)-(t)-(r)-(e)-(o)-(n).com/easyread}

~~~(POV: Dannon Mayer)~~~

~~~(Location: Mbale People's Hospital, Outside, East Africa)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: May 17th, 6:39 AM EAT, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 21 Years)~~~

The storms and flooding have stopped. I turn my head as I take in the Red Cross workers tending to the injured in the large open area in front of the hospital. There isn't enough room inside for everyone.

Every hospital in Mbale is full of people. Ones that I've saved and ones that got out on their own. It's impressive how resilient the people of Africa are.

It's around 7:30 PM yesterday, back on the ranch...

Jumping time zones isn't an issue for me. My body works differently than others. If I want to, it only takes me a few seconds to travel across the planet.

All of a sudden, I feel a slight tug on my cape.

I slowly turn around, not knowing what to expect since no one has ever tugged on my cape before. As I finish turning, there is no one there. Then, I look down. A small child stares up at me with wonder in his eyes.

Whoever his parents are, they probably don't know he's snuck off here. There are camera crews and photographers here. Since we're out in the open, keeping them away is harder.

The child is still staring at me. Not knowing what to say now that he has my attention. Instead of staying a towering figure above him, I sink to one knee.

I'm still a few inches taller than him, but I shouldn't look intimidating anymore.

"Jina lako nani?"

I ask the child what his name is. His eyes widen as he hears me speak his language. I'm able to speak all the languages of Earth. A brain as powerful as mine allows such feats.

The child is about to say something, but he's interrupted.

"Nobu!"

The familiar sound of a Mother's worried voice grabs my attention. The dark-skinned woman rushes from the crowd of people she's in. Making her way over to us. As the child hears the woman's voice, he leaves his spot before me.

Leaping into the arms of his Mom. She holds the child tightly and lets out cries of relief. I stand up and reach my full height once again.

The Mother of Nobu realizes that I'm still here. She gently places her child on the ground and holds his hand.

"Asante, asante! Umeokoa mwanangu!"

The tears fall from her eyes as she thanks me and tells me I saved her son. She steps forward without warning and wraps her arms around me. Her head only reaches the center of my chest.

Allowing me to turn my head, seeing everyone not injured or busy helping the injured watching. Including the camera crews and photographers.

Their cameras are lifted and pointed in my direction.

Not knowing what to do in this situation, I raise my arms and lightly wrap them around the grateful Mother. After a second of a reciprocated hug, I release my arms from around her, and she does the same.

She retakes her son's hand and quickly walks back to the crowd.

As everyone stares at me, the rising sun over the horizon of Mbale takes my attention. I close my eyes and feel the sun's warmth shine on me.

Taking a deep breath as I do. Relaxing and letting the stress melt away. Adjusting my hearing to drown out the sounds and voices around me. Letting silence fall on my world.

I didn't plan on sticking around after I've saved who I can. But this is different from the wildfires in Australia. The people I've saved don't have a great economy. They don't have a medical system built to deal with this.

It's why the Red Cross is here, to begin with. In Australia, I knew that I could leave the injured and wounded in the care of those in charge. But not here.

Maybe by staying, I can make sure they get the help they need and deserve...

The breath I took a minute ago leaves my lips as I open my eyes again. Light soaking everyone from the sun's rise on this difficult morning for the people here.

"Um, pardon me."

This time, a voice with a British accent comes from my left. It's feminine. I turn, and that's when I see a beautiful brunette with the greenest eyes I've ever seen. After I look at her eyes, my vision drifts to the name tag on her chest.

She's a reporter for the BBC. Also known as the British Broadcasting Center.

Her name is Priscilla Tyler.

Instead of saying anything, I turn to her. Waiting for her to continue talking. She gives a brief smile and reaches into her backpack. Pulling out a small notepad and pen. She's not wearing a reporter's clothes.

She has jeans, boots, a long-sleeved shirt and jacket. She unfolds the notepad and clicks her pen. Then, looking back at me.

"Would you mind if I asked you some questions on the record? After today's events, people will want to hear from you."

I'm not unaware of what's happened. I just don't know if she's referring to the Dannon Mayer Committee or that I'm here helping in Africa. My arms hang to my side, and I look her up and down. Taking in her sharp features.

I've heard that news stations use pretty reporters to get easier stories with men. I'm not someone who falls for something like that.

"I do mind."

The reply leaves me calm and even. Not a single tone of threat or frustration in my voice. However, my rejection doesn't seem to deter her.

"Please, just give me something. You'd be doing me a huge favor."

This time, the professionalism in her voice and approach slipped a bit. A hint of desperation in her voice. Telling me something important.

She's green.

I'm willing to bet she's not here on the dime of BBC. She's definitely a reporter for BBC. She's got the air of a reporter on her.

All I do is smirk at the girl, and she takes that as a spark of hope. That's quickly turned into surprise and wonder as I gently and lightly lift myself off the ground. Floating around 20 feet above her, looking down at the woman.

"If you want to speak to me on the record, Ms. Tyler. You'll have to do more than chase me to Africa."

The tone of my voice is teasing and edging. What I'm doing is laying down a challenge to the girl and anyone like her. My response is loud enough for everyone nearby to hear, including people with cameras.

I watch the positivity and hope disappear from the BBC reporter. It's not like I hate reporters or her. But if they want to do this to me. Invade my life and privacy; they'll have to work harder than any reporter job in the world requires.

"Good luck, and to those like you, Ms. Tyler."

KRRAAABOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

The air cracks and roars as I soar into the stratosphere. Leaving the continent of Africa below me and turning toward the Atlantic. 

I've helped all I can. Saved all those who could be saved. I'll leave the recovery and rebuilding to those in charge of that.

I increase my speed, and after a few seconds, I'm over Oregon and diving down. Leveling out, and reaches the ranch. It's night on this part of Earth; the days have been getting longer. But not long enough to still have light after 8 PM.

As I land softly in the backyard, I see Mom open the door to the back porch and step out. I've been gone all day, and she's been here watching what she can on YouTube and cable TV.

On my approach, Mom gives me a smile I've never seen before.

"What?"

I stop in front of her, and she leans against the doorframe. Folding her arms as she does. She's in her pajamas with messy hair.

"Oh, sweetie. You'll need to get used to beautiful women wanting interviews with you. They'll try to exploit the fact you're a male. But they fail to realize you're an Alien one."

I cock my eyebrow in confusion. Her voice is amused and teasing. I'm not sure what's so funny about this for her. She steps aside and allows me inside. Closing the door behind me, I race upstairs and quickly change.

Back in my own pajamas before a second even passes. Mom walks past me and sits on the couch, picking up the remote and turning on the TV.

"What I mean is, you're doing everything right to keep people out of your life. But issuing a challenge to reporters everywhere isn't something I would've done."

As Mom says that, my vision turns to the TV. Showing Priscilla Tyler on the screen, split with someone from CNN. She's wearing a smile, and my words to her are the headline.

[If you want to speak to me on the record, Ms. Tyler. You'll have to do more than chase me to Africa.]

Then, the headline shifts and shows what else I said.

[Good luck, and to those like you, Ms. Tyler.]

Well, it looks like she's got the break she wanted. I rub the back of my neck. It's not like anything bad happened. I'm not upset that she's got something from this. I didn't give her anything of real value.

To me, at least.

The background behind Ms. Tyler is the Mbale People's Hospital. This interview is happening right after I left. Man, they sure move fast, don't they?

"I didn't think they'd announce it to the world..." 

I really didn't.

"HAHAHAHA!!"

Mom can't hold back her laughter anymore now that I've said something. She mockingly wipes the tears from her eyes as she lets out the remnants of her amusement and joy at this. I lift off the ground and float over the couch.

Coming back down and sitting next to her. We both quiet down as the interview continues, and I can't help thinking only more of this reporter and news crap is gonna keep happening.

I wonder how many women will try to make a name for themselves by using me. It's a scary and sad thought.

What if men try the same thing...

Humanity is flawed in many ways.

~~~(POV: Nicole Deymer)~~~

~~~(Location: Oregon State University, Dorm Room C12, Corvallis, Oregon)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: May 16th, 8:19 PM PST, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 20 Years)~~~

Cassie runs her hand along my back in support as I let the tears fall from my eyes. Today has been such a shitty fucking day.

Everything was great and fine until Dannon revealed who he was... Before I asked to see him... Oliver and I were happy... But now, after catching him... It's like my heart has been ripped out of my chest... I feel like I'm gonna puke...

"I can't believe he said that to you."

What my best friend is talking about is why I'm in such a state right now. I went to Oliver's dorm a couple hours ago, hoping to talk with him more today. To get him to stop worrying about Dannon and my friendship with him.

When I walked in, I caught him fucking another woman... I've never been cheated on before, and I've never walked in on something like that.

He didn't even stop when I walked in... All he did was look at me, totally drunk. Saying one of the most hurtful and accusatory things I've experienced.

'I bet you've done this with Dannon behind my back.'

Those words repeat in my head over and over again. All I did was start crying and run away.

"I don't know what I did wrong, Cass... What the hell happened!? All I've done is do everything and anything he's asked... I've been the perfect girlfriend, and he does and says something like that to me..."

Cassie wraps her arms around me and rocks me side to side as I let the tears flow... I've given Oliver my everything... He had my first time...

I think I'm gonna puke.

I pull away from Cassie and pick up the garbage. Unleashing the dinner I had earlier. Cassie's hand rubs on my back as I let go. She grabs my hair and holds it for me. 

"You didn't do anything to deserve that, Nicole. I'm not making any excuses for Oliver's actions or behavior, but if I were him. I'd be terrified of losing you too. Dannon is someone who is actually special. That's intimidating to Oliver."

All I can think about is my boyfriend going in and out of that girl while saying that to me... How could he do that to someone he's supposed to love...

Was his words and time with me a lie...

I sit back up and look at Cassie. Taking in her words. It's not an excuse for Oliver, but she's not wrong...

"Does this mean it's over between Oliver and me..."

I don't know why I'd ask such a question, but a part of me still really cares and loves Oliver. The times we've had together have been amazing. Dannon was the first roadblock we've had.

If this is the first roadblock, does that mean I should walk away...

Cassie wraps her arm around me, bringing me into a side hug. Kissing the side of my head and running her hand through my hair.

"If you want it to be over. But honestly, I think you should get some space from Oliver. He's in a dark place right now, and it's not like what he did was easily forgivable. You can talk about it if you still want to be with him after time away from him."

I don't know what I'd do without Cassie... I swing my arms around my best friend, and she laughs softly as I do.

"What should I do now..."

This is all new to me. Being cheated on. Breaking up, I think. I mean, I feel like I've been broken up with... I guess I'll have to talk with Oliver about that...

After he's sobered up, he might not even remember what's happened. If he doesn't, that's another conversation we'll need to have.

"Right now, we'll need to get your mind off what's happened. Going out for a party would usually be the prescription, but that's not you or me."

Yeah, I'm not a girl who would sleep with another guy, even after what Oliver did to me. I'm not petty and vindictive like that.

"Instead, I think we should take a trip away for a few days. Go somewhere and take a break."

I lift my head and look at her funny. Giving off the impression we don't have the money for a trip like that. 

All she does is smile.

"Did you already forget we've got a friend with superpowers? One of which is where he can fly?"

Oh.

I did forget for a second.

Been a long day...

But seeing Dannon after all this...

It does feel like a good idea. Seeing him could really help what I'm going through right now.