CHAPTER 1 CARTER

I gazed into my reflection, a chestnut brown-skinned boy with heterochromia, black hair, and a hole in his heart. The hole appeared at the age of 4. People look at me in my sad mood and ask me, "What could a boy like you who excels at his studies be sad about." My answer is I am an abandoned child. That is right–my father went out to get milk. We just came back one day and found none of his things.

His abandonment left Mom in pieces. She got more neglectful of me and herself. She became a workaholic to take her mind off Dad. She went to therapy for about a year and returned to me. She tried so hard to fill in Dad's place but a wounded heart can only give so much love.

The incident closed my heart off for a while. I lost interest in trusting people but after a few long gruesome years, I healed. I got back into socializing and even got into hobbies. I even rescued an abandoned harpy eagle. We connected over the fact of being abandoned. I called him Aquil. I let him go on my 16th birthday. Man, I loved that eagle.

Some days later, my mom was invited to the principal's office. No, I wasn't in trouble. She told me how I had qualified to participate to get a scholarship contest for a big university in Canada. The examination was to be hold the next week.

I worked my butt off to prepare for the biggest life-changing exam that I had ever done. The week flew quickly and before I knew it, I was in the grand hall entrance saying goodbye to my mom. I took the test and went back home. I enjoyed my week knowing that at the end of it, results were coming out.

One week later, my heart was threatening to burst from my chest. I heard the landline ring. I picked up the phone and it was a female agent. She said, "Is this Carter Walker." I replied, "Yes it is." She said, "I have called to inform you about the scholarship. From your results, you have been…" My heart raced to wait for her to finish her statement. She said, "Accepted. Congratulations, we will pick you up tomorrow." She ended the call. I felt on top of the world. My body filled with energy. I quickly packed all my luggage in a suitcase and all that was remaining was to say goodbye to my mom.

My mom returned early in the afternoon. I went to her and told her the good news. She hugged with joy filled up in her grey eyes. I guess that is where I got my grey eye. I could also see my green eye matched those of Dad in his pictures. She said, "I am very proud of you. To celebrate, I am going to take you to Bonshaw Debrunch." That name sounded like someone was trying to fake a French accent.

I said, "Thanks, mom." We got into her red BMV car and drove to the restaurant. We arrived at the place and ordered our food. We ate as we talked about how my life would change and how I had to keep in touch with my mom. I felt so safe and strong around my mom. I hoped that I'd find people that I felt like this when they were around. We talked until 5:00 p.m.

My mom's phone suddenly rang and mom picked it up. A minute later, she stood up and said, "Sorry, I have to leave. It is a work emergency." She left me some money on the table and left me behind. I paid and went back home. I prayed, read Quran, and watched a horror movie to pass the time. It reached 9:00p.m and Mom had still not come back.

The electricity betrayed me and went off all around the neighborhood. Everyone wondered what caused the sudden blackout. The landline rang. It sent chill down in my spine. Calm down, Carter. This is the real world. Not Scream. I picked up the phone. The female agent asked, "Am I still speaking to Mr. Walker." I said, "Yes, you are." She said, "I have called to inform you that your flight has been rescheduled for today, not tomorrow. We have already sent people who will be arriving in army trucks." Army trucks, I was sure I wasn't the president's son. She continued, "Hope it isn't a problem." I said, "Of course, not. I'm ready anyway." She said, "That is wonderful news." The call ended.

Five minutes later, I heard loud vehicles parking in the backyard. There were two army trucks. Soldiers came out of them. They were wearing black uniforms, boots, and helmets that covered all around them their bodies with even tinted glass goggles to cover up their eyes. One, whom I assumed was the leader, walked up to my door.

He said, "Carter Walker, we are here to pick you up and take you to the airport. I request you open the door." Something about this was fishy. My instincts ran wild prompting me not to open that door. He said, "Don't pretend you are not in there. You are just from talking with our hirer. I repeat myself. Open the door." His voice now sounded more serious and angry. I didn't dare open that door. He said, "You leave me no choice. Break the door open." I heard a battering ram hit the door with force. My heart hammered in my chest.

I ran upstairs and heroically hide under a wide couch. I heard the door burst open. The man commanded, "Search the house." I heard soldiers filling up the house looking for me. I don't remember being a fugitive that is being chased down by security officials. I stayed as quiet as a grave not to reveal my position. Something horrific happened. I heard my mom's voice downstairs. I could hear the fear in her sobs.

The man shouted, "COME OUT OR I WILL PUT HER SIX FEET UNDER. DON'T DARE THINK OF PULLING OFF A DIE-HARD ON ME." My mom said, "Don't Carter. Save yourself." It was the one time I ever disobeyed my mom's wishes. I just couldn't live my life knowing I had left my mom to die.

Without a second thought, I came out of my hiding spot while holding my hands up. I trembled as I was escorted downstairs. Most may call me stupid for this but wouldn't you do the same? She cried at the sight of me. She shook her head in disapproval of my decision. Anyway, it was too late to turn back. I was already spotted and was now in handcuffs.

I said, "You have me. Now let her go." He smirked, "But kid, I can't do that. She is a witness and I don't plan on going to jail. For that reason…" He signaled his men to aim at Mom. I knew what was going to happen next. He ordered, "SHOOT" All the soldiers in the room fired their guns. I screamed, "NOOOO" I felt a spark of electricity run through my spine. It felt like the cage of a wild animal had been opened. Black mist blew out of me like a bomb.

In a blink of an eye, my surroundings were all coated in rough grey stone. My mind tolled around. I turned to Mom– almost fully coated. She smiled bluntly. Tears flooded my cheeks. She said, "You are the bravest and strongest kid I know. I am glad I got to see you grow up this far." I sobbed, "Don't say that. You can still make it. I will call an ambulance." She said, "You have made it through the pain of losing a parent before so you will be able to do it again. Goodbye, Carter." She fully turned to stone. I cried as I looked at her frozen state. The crystal-like liquid formed under her. I watched as my mom quickly descended into the liquid. It vanished. It all happened so fast I could barely react.

Bump. I fell unconscious. I wake up in one of the army trucks with soldiers around me. I didn't dare to move knowing that they would shoot me down if I dared. I guess some soldiers had stayed behind as backup. I felt traumatized by the events that had just occurred. Well, destiny wasn't yet done with me. The truck flipped and fell to the ground. It was an accident that killed all the passengers but me luckily though I felt dizzy. I crawled out of the upside-down car fighting back nausea.

What caused this? A ponytail redhead stood in front of me. She looked about my age. She was a combination of sapphire blue eyes and honey skin. She wore a black tank top and blue leggings. She said, "With them out of the picture, abducting you should be easy."