Chapter 4

I stare at her, dumbfounded. "Which war?" She looks back at me "Didn't you just see those monsters? And what your sister did?"

I chuckle "I didn't see nothing ma'am, for I'm quite sure that all of this is just a stupid dream" Layla looks at me again, her gaze serious. She looks me in the eye and searches for something. Pulling back she sighs "Punch me"

"What?"

"If you manage to knock me out, We will leave you alone" She says, gesturing towards Chris, who is back and the supposed "psych".

Smirking, I charge. After all, this is just a dream....It has to be. Before my fist connects, something heavy clobbers me on the head and I black out for the second time in one day.

* *** *

I wake up in a dark room, finding myself on a chair. My head hurts and I groan. Scanning my surroundings, I notice that there is one ceiling lamp in the centre of the room. It flickers and dims before brightening. There is no other thing in the room except for another chair at the far end, occupied by a familiar figure. Whistling, the person steps forward and I see his face, with the aid of the flickering light. I gasp "You're real"

"Of course I am, I didn't introduce myself last time, My name is Terrence White"

Staring, I comment "Did you learn how to drink liquor yet?"

His laughter echoes against the metal walls of the room. "I was dressed in all white, didn't want to stain my clothes"

I look at him again "Why am I here?" He responds "Because you are special, Alvin"

"Wait... where is my sister?"

"In the cemetery"

Widening my eyes, I try to stand up but I can't "You killed her?"

"Of course not, She needs to get attuned to her powers and the cemetery is a perfect location for that"

I scoff "This is probably just a stupid prank, and my parents are probably....." My voice breaks "Are they really dead? I...I never asked for any of this, so why can't I live a normal life? Are you telling me I'll never see my parents again?"

A hint of sadness appears on his face for a brief moment, but he quickly regains his composure. "Get up, Alvin" Standing up, he points at the ceiling lamp that is gradually getting dimmer. "Light that bulb"

"What?"

"Light it, Alvin... If you don't want other people to be orphans, If you want other people to live their lives knowing they'll see the sun the next day, light that bulb"

"But-"

"Light it, Alvin! For the sake of people you cherish and care about! Light it for Bianca! Light it for your parent's legacy! Light it to clear your sad past! Light it to renew your present! Light it, Alvin....To renew....your....future! Light it because you are the only one who can! Light it because you are a Guardian!"

One by one, his words sink into my soul. Closing my eyes, I clench my fists. As I unclench them, gold markings appear, trailing down both of my arms, and something burns itself on my back. Smiling, I open my eyes again. I look at the bulb and I see that a part of the glass has shattered. Turning around, a grin appears on Terrence's face.. "You did it, Alvin...You did it"

"But the bulb shattered..."

Chuckling, he speaks "And another one was turned on in you....You felt it,didn't you?"

"I did"

"Good...now where is your iota?"

Guessing, I speak "My back"

"Remove your shirt"

Pulling it over my shoulder, he laughs "We are going to work on that" Tracing his hand over the part of my back that feels electrified, he sucks in a sharp breath "Holy Shit, Alvin...You're a parallel lighter"

"What does that mean?"

He chuckles, "It means that you are very special"