Tragedy

Ten years have passed since those incidents took place. I thought I have gotten over it or I was just imagining that it all happened.

I had just graduated from High School and I was preparing to find a nice affordable college to go to.

I had signed up for a nice college in Los Angles, and I was waiting for a response from them.

Currently speaking I got a part-time job at Rusty's Supermarket to help support and take care of myself and my mom; seeing my father had died from stage-4 liver cancer 4 years ago and my mom was not doing too well herself.

With the odds all set up against me; I had to do what I can to make sure she was ok. I had an aunt my mom's only sister who was a couple of years younger who came to check up on her and she agreed to take care of my mom while I was off to college whenever I got accepted and knew for sure where I was going.

*¡Beep beep beep!*

The sound of my alarm went off; signaling that it was time to get up.

I rolled over in my bed to turn off my alarm. Currently speaking it was 5:30 a.m. in the morning; and it was time to get ready for work which usually started at 7.

I gradually got up and went to the bathroom to take a shower on my way I stopped at my mom's room and check on her and she was still fast asleep. I didn't want to disturb her so I went to take a shower and got myself together for 6:15.

I was having some cereal for breakfast moments after I went to my mom's room and kiss her and told her my

"Bye. love you Mom everything is gonna be alright and the by the way Aunt Becky will soon be here to look after you as usual"

The woman rub her eyes and said.

"Thank you, my boy, take care of yourself and be safe out there, the world is a dangerous place."

"Of course love you."

With that down I did some stretches, it was good to keep the blood circulating after all. From there I got on my bike and started my journey to work which was only 4 blocks away, it was a breezy cool day.

Rusty's Supermarket was a small family business owned by Mr. Rusty whose father started the business in the late 50s. It was a simple bungalow wooden structure.

"They should really consider renovating this place."

I said aloud.

I then parked my bike at the back, and step into the market through the back entrance that I had a key for which leads into a store room and then into the store itself.

"Good morning Mr. Rusty how are you doing today I hope you're doing great."

I call out to him, to which he replied.

"I'm doing ok, operating to the best that an old man like me can expect to be of course."

"That's good to hear boy."

"By the way Rodney we got some supplies today please go into the store and sort them out for me please and thank you."

"Sure no problem; I definitely will get to that right away Mr Rusty."

"... Hehe... Take your time."

With that said, I went to the back and started opening the boxes that were delivered late yesterday evening and labeling the items with price stickers on them. I was doing that for an entire hour.

"... ¡Oi... Oi... Old man, I don't want here it... Fill up the bag NOWWW!"

"This is a violation, a violation I tell you! What gives you the right to take from me?"

I heard noises coming from the front of the store that sounded like an argument; judging from the raised of tone, so with that said I stop what I was doing and I made it to the front worrying about to old man.

But as I approached the door and opened it up. I was shocked to see what was before me, so much so, I froze in my tracks as I looked up, only to be met with the barrel of a gun directly pointed in my face.

*Gulp*

"A pretty boy ha... Hehehe boys look what I found!"

"There stood before 3 mask men one had a gun on Mr Rusty the other at the cashier pan taking out money."

Mr. Rusty at this point was begging for his life; unlike before when he was putting up a brave demeanor. His face was swollen, clearly evident they hit him with something hard.

I couldn't take this, so I went ahead to try to reason with them.

"Please... don't hurt me... I'm begging you, please. Mr. Rusty he's is only an old ma...

"Shut the fuck...

*BAPP!*

But before the last word could come out of his mouth that one that had pointed at me swang the butt of his gun square on my jaw."

"..Ah."

I feel like I almost blocked out when that hit made contact with my jaw because for a moment I went black and came right back to normal again.

Then in an instant, the unthinkable happened Mr.Rusty rush to aid me. An honest fool but a brave one, braver me than me in fact.

But this wasn't television, this was real life because it's common knowledge that the brave ones are always the first to die in any life-or-death situation.

And before he could even reach me; I heard a loud popping sound go of, it hurt my ears.

At this moment all I could hear was the ringing sound of my own ears; the gun went off close to it after all, very close in fact.

"...A...gh...h."

"It.... ..rn... Out.. ...t..r."

Holding my ears in pain was exactly what I was doing, however, this day was not my day, sometimes I question why can't I live normally, why does unfortunate events are all around me, and when can I catch a break.

Yes. When I look up and I saw the elder shop owner it was already too late to react, his shirt turn crimson red and he fell with a thud. I was shocked and couldn't believe my eyes. I instantly jump up and went by his side.

"Shit. Sigh well kid as they see no witnesses."

"I'm going to die am I, yeah today.... Today's the day, isn't it?

*Bam!*

At that moment the feeling I had years ago began to swirl inside me once more, forcing itself to resurface into really once more.

And I look at them at the same time, I saw smoke coming from one of their weapons; however, a painful full groan came from the man's mouth.

"UGHaaa... Egah."

Automatically he fell to the ground with his eyes open as he lay dead on the floor.

Then I felt that heat and sensation again and before the other 2 robbers could react I felt a surging flash of energy go from me, as this invisible force of nature found its other two victims. I on the other hand weakness overtook me and I fell to the ground and nothing pure darkness was seen thereafter.

Later. I awoke from the what seemed to be a deep sleep; and as I gradually opened my eyes I saw a man hovering over me and said.

"You are awake, great timing it's time to go before the police come."

I slowly sat up then I saw the 3 robbers laying motionless and it hit me. Then what had happened Mr.Rusty I went by his side and knelt beside him touch him and tears began to run down my face as I realized that he was dead.

"A pity; if I have only arrived sooner."

This man that was over me said as he touch my shoulder, and continue.

"Well boy; come on we got to go now he's dead there's nothing you can do about it now; and what happened here is hard to explain to the police."

I turned and look towards the young man more clearly. He was not more than 21. I would say he was very tall and had a toned athletic-built, the guy was easily 6ft tall with glossy shoulder-length black hair.

He was dressed in a full black charcoal suit, and a neat white tie was dangling down his neck, he wore classy but professional black leather boots that look like it was recently been polished.

"My name is Oren; please come with me and I explain to you what's been happening to you since you were in your early teens."

".... What *Sob* ... Are you even *Sob* talking about my early teens."

The guy was straightforward. Leaving no qualms for grieving as he said.

"The incident with the bear and the other unfortunate one as well, time is running out this place will be swarming with cops any minute now."

I look at him reluctantly but I don't know why but I followed his lead. We head out the back door of the shop and there parked was a red Benz he opened the door, and we swiftly got in the vehicle.

Oren started the vehicle ignition and quickly took off.

A momentary silence was shared between us, even driving we passed several police cars, and after we were in the clear he said to me.

"kid your life has just changed; where I am taking you. All your questions will be answered and more, till then just bare with me."

He then drove faster without any further words, it wasn't long before we were out of the city and we pass the state line.

For what seemed like an eternity that we were on the road he turns off the main highway and onto a back road and drove a little more about 7 minutes.

We eventually reached our destination; Oren looked at me and said.

"We're here."

I look dead ahead and I was astonished at the sight. There in front of me was a huge building; it look like something out of an old English movie, a Victorian mansion, designed with gothic exteriors.

Way back when then the stranger beside me said some words that would change my world forever as we enter a gate that automatically opened.

"Welcome to Macleod Academy boy."

The stranger who introduced himself as Oren said in a loud voice I stared forward and realized that this is not a dream and what awaits ahead the adventure begins...