Chapter Two

Posted by Jaime Buckley in Featured Articles, Just for FUN, WANTED HERO | 0 comments

Now watching distant worlds and exploding magic is pretty cool. Frankly, I quite like the bit about shifting sands, but don’t get distracted. What you should be wondering is who the Iskari High Council was watching.…because he’s much closer than you realize.

In fact, you only have to look as far as the nearest town, probably a place most people in the world have never heard of. Just an unexciting place where unexciting things happen would provide a fantastic advantage for hiding our Hero from the dark forces looking for him. A simple place where a child could grow up in a loving home and relative safety until it was time for him to return and claim his birthright.

That’s what the Iskari High Council hoped, anyway.

It was a perfect day. The long blades of lush wild grass on the hillside surrounding the Matthew home gave way to the persuasion of the warm and gentle breeze as the bright corn lilies and columbine just nodded in agreement. The aspen trees and a few tall pines surrounding the fenced pool lent a faint woody musk scent to the wind. Small birds chirped as they darted overhead seeming to feel the happiness in the air and even the Cooper’s Hawk that sat atop a nearby fence post feasting on a woodpecker added to the overall feeling of contentment. The only sounds contrary to those of nature were the creaky old lawn chairs that Evan and his best friend were occupying beside the pool. A perfect day to enjoy their hard earned freedom, day after graduation, stretched out in t-shirts and jeans, relaxing in the growing warmth of the morning sun.

Evan stretched his bulging bronze biceps and yawned. The year had passed so quickly it felt like a dream, especially when it came to his accomplishments. He had graduated with a B average, thanks to the tutoring of his friend, and now had options at the local community college. He had a good job at a nearby garage. Turns out his deep passion for engines and racing was exactly what Mr. Stolson was looking for and it gave him plenty of time to work on his roadster and hang out with the girls. And there were always girls hanging around. Evan was ‘the’ magnet.

He was the young man with the perfect manners, the perfect timing and the perfect looks. From saving the kitten in the tree to helping the old lady across the street, Evan Matthews was always in the right place at the right time. Everybody in town called him the hero, and the girls loved hearing him tell his stories, hanging on every word. He didn’t mind.

Evan glanced over at Wendell, doing a double take. His wiry sidekick sat there grinning into space with the most unusual expression on his face. He was probably thinking about ‘The Plan’.

They had been making plans for the summer, and Evan had been quietly listening most of the time, but Wendell was making it difficult. He always tried too hard and Evan was often frustrated at how he always got in his own way. It was just so weird how a funny, interesting guy like him turned into a social moron anytime a pair of pretty eyes blinked in his direction. That’s why they needed to concoct ‘The Plan’.

“But it doesn’t work that way!” Wendell really had Evan’s attention.

“Why not?”

“Because its not polite to lock someone in once you finally get them here. Besides, you’ll scare her.” Evan had imagined seeing the flashing blue and red lights through his front room window.

Quietly, frustrated, “But then they’ll just leave…….again.”

“No, man. Patience. This is not the twisted social structure of high school. No more bullies, no more jocks and no more locker room pranks.” Evan couldn’t help shaking his head as he remembered this conversation from earlier and he was just going to hope Wendell remembered that girls really don’t care about his blue ribbon in a belching contest or his latest victory at the role playing convention.

Evan was pulled back to the present by Wendell’s raised voice.

“Hey! I said, When are you planning on breaking free of the old nest? I’m tellin’ ya it feels real good to be on my own. A man of the world.” And with the emphasis of ‘man of the world’ Evan could tell he really meant it.

“Not sure I want to just yet,” he said shrugging.

Wendell sat upright, frowning. “What? You have everything but your own place! I thought that was a key part to our plan. You an alien? What did you do with my best friend?”

Evan looked out over the back yard and gave a big sigh. “I just don’t feel the need, Wendell. I’m comfortable here at home and there’s no real rush anyway, at least not this summer. Just figured I’d keep my options open for now.”

Wendell shot Evan an all too serious glance and nodded, “Yeah. I’ll tell ya’ Evan, it wasn’t easy breaking it to my mom like that, cause I didn’t want to leave her on her own. You know, with dad being gone. Let’s face it, Moms never think there’s a right time. But a man needs his space! So, I walked into the kitchen and said, ‘Mom, I love you and you’re the greatest, but I’m not a child anymore. I’ve decided to move out.’ She was so beside herself, she had to laugh to hide her pain. I’m sure going to miss her.”

Seemingly satisfied, Wendell lifted his long, lanky arms to link his fingers behind his head and turn his face to the heat of the sun.

Evan had his thick arms folded, eyes locked on Wendell with one of his immense hands over his mouth, doing his best to look serious and sympathetic, teeth slowly bitting into his own palm, but it was no use. There was a snort, then a muffled gag, almost choking, and finally the unmistakable “HAHAHAHAHAHA!” Evan laughed with such force Wendell flinched and sat up with a look of complete shock. Wiping tears from his eyes, Evan wrapped a huge arm around his stomach as he gasped for a breath.

“You just moved into the camping trailer in the back yard!” Evan said with a guffaw. He couldn’t help it. Evan noticed Wendell gritting his teeth and giving him the you are such a dirt bag look, but he still could not manage to control himself and just shrugged.

“Well,…technically I moved out,” Wendell muttered with a weak sigh, folding his arms across his chest and sinking into the chair. “I didn’t want to go TOO far.”

It was hard to have these conversations with Wendell, especially when he took things so personally, even though Evan considered his best friend the slightly underdeveloped better half. Sure, he had to work a little harder at some things, but the girls were actually sticking around to talk on occasion, not squirming like they had snakes in their shirt and having to leave abruptly. And, despite a sketchy resume, Wendell had a lot of applications out for his first real job. Oh, he had had jobs, just not the right job. Until then he still had his allowance.

Evan smirked, “Does it come with maid service too? How about free food or laundry options?” But Wendell ignored him.

Evan bounced out of his chair which creaked in protest, reaching out to jab Wendell in the shoulder. “Hey, this is a great reason to have a pool party! What do you think, I’ll go make some phone calls?” He paused, expectantly.

“Seriously?” asked Wendell. “The girls might not run away from something like that.” His eyes glazed over, losing focus. “Maybe I can try some of the new lines from the book I just bought: How to Get a Girlfriend Regardless of What You Look Like!” Evan raised his hand again to scratch the scruff on his face and bit his palm again to keep from having a laughing relapse. Truth was, Evan knew Wendell never could stay mad at him for very long.

“I really am sorry, man,” said Evan with another jab at Wendell’s shoulder.

The return jab to the gut was the sure sign that all was well. Best friends. Always had been—always would be.

“Alright! Let’s plan us a party!” Evan gave a thumbs up and trotted to the back door.

“Awesome!” smiled Wendell.

Related posts:

1. Sneak Peek: Chapter One Who are you? I know that I am the storyteller....
2. Do you have an idea for your eComic? This may sound like a simple matter, but trust me...
3. Preface We ‘knew’ so many things; We ‘knew’ we were the...
4. 1st Kid Review Is A Hit! The first child review is in. Granted it was by...
5. Please Don’t Let My Baby Die. I was talking with a good friend I have never...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.