---He was tall, short brown hair, and small brown eyes. His figure was square and medium strength. The man went to the corner and picked up his son, by the collar of the shirt.

“Where did they come from? How did you get them!" he yelled at the boy.

The boy turned his head the other way, to get away from his fathers smoking breath, and didn't answer. The man shook him violently, and dropped him back on the floor, the boy catching the metal bedside on his back, which created a gash through his shirt.
"Answer me!"
"I don't know..."
"You know darn well!"
"I don't!" The boy ran past his father and ran down the stairs and out the door into the cold rainy night.

He ran faster and faster, images of the women he killed, after hearing the news of his parents getting a divorce---He had backed from his mother, horror struck, looking at his mother with disbelief. Suddenly, he felt something serge within his body. His heart pounded and he could hear it in his ear. Lightning shot from the sky, and struck a nearby women, taking a walk. The people around the park scurried to see if she was alive…she was dead. His mother gaped at the sight, and saw what happened to her son, how he lifted off of the ground, then the lighting struck---the terrified look of his mom, made him want to run more faster, but being so young, he could only go so far.

He ran into the street, not even looking if cars were coming, and not caring if they were. BAM! He was to the ground in a heap as the vehicle collided with his side. Gravel from the asphalt slid into his hand and the side of his face.
“Boy, are you alright?” asked the man getting out of the car, and noticing the boy wasn’t showing signs of pain.

The boy’s eyes went blank, and his hair raised on ends and a windy force, sent the man to the ground. The boy shook his head, realizing what he did, and scrambled to get up…He continued running.

He came to an alleyway and went to the corridor. He came to a dead end, and then sat against it, holding himself from the cold rain. The rain pounded against his face, getting in his ears. He did not wear a coat, and there was no kind of shelter in sight, causing him to be completely soaked. What did it matter to him? Suddenly he heard the sound of footsteps coming in his direction. He looked up and saw policemen.

No, they’ll take me back to my Dad…Go away! I don’t want to be found!

The group of ten men, were about twenty feet from him, when their guns were lifted out from the holders relaxed on their belts. The guns pointed to the foreheads of them. The policemen backed away slowly, but didn’t get far. The boy closed his eyes, and then heard the gunshots, then the falling forms of the men, sent to bring him home. More horrorstruck than ever, the boy cried harder, being afraid of what had happened, but knowing he caused it, and not knowing what he’ll do or what would happen to him.

I’m so scared. What am I going to do? I’m hurting people…Why is this happening!…I don’t have anyone to go to. Mommy and Daddy are mad at me… The Seven year old cried on to his knees. Then, he felt something: warm, comforting…someone was hugging him. He scanned his surroundings, but no one was there.

“Hello…” he said a little frightened.
“Do not fear,” said a husky voice, “I am here to help you. I know your pains…let me take them away from you.”

The boy closed his eyes and let, whomever it was, hold him. It could have been something in his head, but he did not seem to mind it, for it calmed his quaking.

Soon, very faintly, he could hear the voice of a women…it was his mother calling him. His eyes flittered open to see her staring at the policemen, wondering what had happened. His little three-year-old brother, Tamail, holding her hand. His mother was tall and skinny. She had long wavy blond hair, with white streaks in it. Her eyes, were blue like the summer sky. His brother had very large brown eyes like their fathers, and dirty blonde hair. The boy broke free of the invisible being and ran to his mother, crying.

“Mommy, I’m sorry. I killed them, I don’t know how…I didn’t mean too…I’m sorry…forgive me!”

His mother let go of Tamail’s hand, and brought her oldest into her arm
“It’s alright, Matt. I know it’s not your fault.” She said to calm him down, but didn’t know what he was talking about. She wrapped him up in her coat to dry him. “Come on, let’s go home, and clean you up.” She took her youngest with her free hand, by his hand, and walked back to their car, ready to take her sons home.

Their home, Ms. Shida and children, recently moved into a house on the coastal city of Ellsworth. The house was a three story wood house, like a cabin. One of the older houses in Maine, but on a beautiful location. It was close to the rough ocean tides. The house, overlooked the ocean from a fifty-foot view.

Matthew Kale Cannal, now, Matthew Kale Shida, sat on the bed, as his mother Abigail, removed the gravel and splinters from his hand, and bandaging up the gash he had gotten from his father. She did not bother to ask where he had gotten it, fearing he would not tell her or she would start crying, knowing for certain who did it. He resembled his mother in many ways. His hair was the golden blonde, and it was soft and wavy. His eyes were a bit different---he had the shape, but the color was different then his mother’s: the blue was that of a sapphire in the ocean. He looked at his mother with his dazzling eyes.

“Mommy, are they going to take me to jail?” he asked cautiously. He flinched as she pulled another splinter out.
“I don’t think they’ll take you to jail, sweetie.”
“But I did a bad thing…”
“Yes, but you can’t be blamed for it. You have just as good of an idea as anyone of what happened. Right? And you don’t even know if you did it anyway.”
“ I did it. I killed them I told you.”
“You couldn’t have, Matt. I keep telling you that. And even if you did, I’ll love you anyway.”
“But…I did, I’m sure I did, why don’t you believe me?”
“ Cause there is no way you could have.” She wrapped up his hands in bandages.
“…But you saw me do it to that lady in the park didn’t you?”
“That wasn’t you, it was a coincidence.”
“But the sky was clear, not a cloud in the sky. I felt something when it happened, it was me. And it’s my fault you and daddy will never be together again.”
“I keep telling you that your father wouldn’t quit his smoking habits.”
“He knows I killed that lady…”
“Your dad is just upset, he didn’t mean it.” She had bandaged up his back, and forced herself not to think about her ex-husband, hurting her son. She saw the lighting strike the women, and the feeling of knowing it was her son…she just didn’t want to accept it.
“Yes he did, he yelled at me, that’s why I ran away.”
“It wasn’t you at all. He and I just had a lot of disagreements.”
“About me, and me for being a killer…” he turned his gaze out the window, to watch the birds fly over the sea in the ocean sky.

Abigail couldn’t fight him, he was right, she just didn’t want to admit it to him or herself.
“Thanks for fixing my ouchies, Mommy.”
“You’re welcome,” she smiled faintly, but surprised Matt had perked up his mood.
“I’m going to go play with Tamail.” He walked out the door. Though they were three years apart, and both so young, they loved to be together.

Melina Raven was a cheerful friend of Matt’s. She was like a very close sister to him, though she was two years older. She was “Big sister” in everyway. When he was five, the time when his parents were showing signs of conflict, he would sit on the porch and cover his ears to draw out the arguing. Melina walked by and saw him upset, and being a caring girl, she came over and talked with him with comforting words. Ever since then, they were brother and sister. She had long black hair that went to half her back. She had bangs that hung slightly over her eyes, and emerald eyes that sparkled when being mischievous and curious, with little sparkles of gold. She had a twin brother named Kyle, who also looked the same way. All three of them (sometimes Tamail.) would go on adventures around town.
Melina now sat in Matt’s room, on the chair next to his bed. He was sitting on his bed. “There is no way you could have done it,” she said in a way it almost seemed ridiculous.
“But I did. You weren’t there so how would you know?”
“Because, you just didn’t. You’re not a killer, you don’t even like watching violent movies, let alone try and kill someone.”
“I didn’t try, I did.”
“How could you anyway, you don’t have a weapon or anything.”
“I have powers, I think. I know I did it, cause I felt weird when it happened. I know it was me.”
“Don’t worry about it, then. You’re going to get depressed if you keep thinking you did it.”
“But I did!”
“Why would you want to say you did something like that, anyway?”
“Cause I did, I don’t want you to feel sorry for me either. My dad believes I did.”
“Your dad is a weirdo and is mean, of course he’ll say you did,” she looked at him. His face was sad, and with a touch of fear in his eyes, “…You really think you did?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, maybe you did, but you shouldn’t beat yourself up about it. You didn’t mean to, right?”
“Right.”
“Then don’t worry about it. Cheer up, and let’s go have some fun!”
“What if I--?”
“Don’t start saying that stuff, or you’ll jinx everything. Come on,” she pulled on his arm to help him off his bed, “Let’s go outside.” Melina had to almost drag him outside. When they got on the front lawn of the large house they sat on it. “Some fresh air will do you some good. Your mom said you’ve been in there for three days.”
“I didn’t want to hurt her or Tamail…”
She pushed him down on the ground playfully, “Where’s my little brother’s smiling face?”
He sat up and forced a smile.
“I guess that’s better…hey Matt.”
“What?”
“I can lift bigger things with my power, watch.” She focused on a rock a little bigger than her fist, and it floated off the April grass. Melina had developed a power that enabled her to lift things she could carry, like pencils, paper, and school supplies. It gave her something to do in school, for she found it dull. The rock had now lifted of the ground about a foot and a half now, than it dropped. “Pretty cool, huh?”
“Wish I had control over what my gift did. Though I don’t really call it a gift.”
“You will sometime. Just need to practice like I do. Wait! You don’t really know what your power is, do you?”
He shook his head once.

At that time, His mother called to him from the porch, “Matt!” He stood up and walked the ten feet to the porch,
“Yes, Mommy?”
“I need to talk to you, you’ll need to send Melina home.”
“Okay,” he went back over to his ‘big sister’, “Mommy needs to talk to me. You should go home.”
“I might come back later.”
“No, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“All right, I’ll see you then.” She smiled and waved good-bye as she walked the path down to her house, three doors down the way.
Matt ran back to his mother, “What do you want to talk to me about?” He asked.
“It’s about your powers.”
“What about them?”
“Well, I looked in the phone book, newspapers, and brochures for people that can help you. I just got off the phone from a lab in Machias. It was listed as ‘Paranormal Experiments’. I talked to the head scientist, and he said we could go there and he could examine you and see what’s wrong. But I’ll only take you if you want to go.”
“What will they do to me?”
“I’m not sure, honey, but they say they could help.”
“I don’t want powers if it’s going to hurt people…could they take the powers away?”
“I don’t know, we’ll have to find out.”
“Could they show me how I can be able not to hurt anyone?”
“They might. Should we go and find out?”
“Only if you stay with me.”
“I will. Don’t worry.”

Mother and son drove the thirty miles to Machias, in her red volts wagon bug. They arrived at a large three -story – building, it was painted white, the shingles were painted black, there were hardly any windows, and that made Abigail feel uncomfortable. Vans were parked out front, and they also had no windows. She now didn’t want to bring her son into this place. Men in white coats were walking around the back and entering the front. Abigail picked Matt up, “It’ll be alright Matt,“ she assured him, seeing the confusion on his face. She slowly opened the door and walked in. A man in a white coat came to greet them.

“You must be Ms. Abigail Shida. I talked with you on the phone. I’m Dr. Thompson.” He stuck out his hand.

With her free hand, Abigail shook his hand, “A pleasure to meet you,” she said with a touch of discomfort of how this man looked. He had brown muffled hair and beady black eyes that were so intense, it gave her the chills.
“And this must be Matt,” he said peering at him. Matt was as frightened as his mother was. He clung to her shirt and turned his head away from him. “No need to be scared little one,” Thompson said gently.
“He’s just nervous,” Abigail said trying to hide her own uneasiness.
“If you will follow me, we will begin.” He ushered them. They followed him into a hallway that was only lit by the skylights overhead. It was a narrow hallway; only two people side-by-side could fit in it. When other scientists came from the other direction they had to get right up against the wall. They came to the elevator and entered it. Thompson entered the number three, on the floor key, and up went the elevator. “You are not the first to come here, but it has been a while since we have had a gifted child here. Usually there are teenagers and adults that come here to be examined and tested to see if they are.” He said with a casual tone, that was just making conversation. The elevator stopped, “Here we are.”

The three of them stepped off, though Matt was still being held by his mother. They continued following him, until they came to a room that said “Lab 42”. Matt had a feeling he would remember that number for a long time. They entered the room.

“Set him on the table, and I’ll be right with you.”

She sat him down on the tissue-covered table, “It’s alright, I’m here Matt,” she whispered.

Dr. Thompson had fastened on latex gloves, and came back over to them.

“Okay, lets get started, shall we.” He sat down in the rotating chair next to the table, while Abigail sat in the chair on the other side of Matt. The Dr. turned to her, “You have his birth certificate and his other doctor forums?”
“Yes.” She took the paper out of her purse and handed them to him.
He scanned over the paper, it read: Matthew Kale Cannal
Born at Augusta Hospital, June 7th 2003…

He looked over the rest of it and the medical forums, “Seems he has the required medications.”

The room had chemistry sets on the large tables that surrounded the room. Sharp objects, such as scalpels, scissors, and knifes were visible as well. Matt felt more and more uncomfortable, though the wallpaper was surprisingly happy with the fishing items. There was another door in the room, with the lettering reading “Experimentations.”
Thompson did the usual things any doctor does to all patients; listening to the heart beat, checking pulse, looking through the ears, etc. But what normally didn’t happen was getting blood drawn for samples. Matt didn’t like that at all, he rubbed at the band-aided wound on his arm, as he placed he blood in the container in a slot, and it went up into a shoot.
“Well Ms. Shida, everything seems normal according to the basics. Now, if you’ll follow me into the next room.” He pushed the door open and held it for him and her to enter. Abigail took Matt’s hand and followed reluctantly.

“I will protect you”, echoed the same voice that was in his head before.
“Who are you?” Matt asked.
His mother gave him an odd look, “I’m your mother.”
He blushed of embarrassment. He couldn’t figure out if the person was just a voice in his head, or someone following him around, or even his imagination, or the possibility of wanting someone to be around to say that. He decided to trust, whomever it was, hoping they would do as they said.

This new room was dark. The only lights were those that shone on the large machinery and equipment. All of it was in a circle around the walls of the room. The middle only had a skylight shining down. Abigail wondered how they got around this place, and what it was they did in here. The type of experiments and, judging by everything, what they did to people. Was it torture or to help them? He led them to a table or what looked like a hospital stretcher. There was a computer and a desk too. Matt knew he would be asked to sit on it, so he did so. Thompson then asked him to lie down on it, and he sat in the desk chair.

“What are you going to do now?” asked Abigail.
“I’m going to run a couple of x-rays and cat scans,” he answered simply. He pressed a button and a metal plate came over Matt’s body, and it made a sound of it successfully switching on.

Matt closed his eyes as if it was going to hurt, but nothing happened. Abigail watched as the Dr. eyed the scans with a touch of concern and of wonder. “Hum, very interesting…”
“What, what is it?” she asked quickly, very curious herself.
“There seems to be a structure built inside of him…”
She rolled her eyes, “Could it be his bones?” she muttered, barely able for him to hear.
“No, it is in his back, its very large…very much like wings of a bird, but bigger.”
“You’re saying he has wings…” she stood up and looked at the scan along with him, “How could he?”
“Mutations, or someone installed them. You haven’t noticed any scars have you?”
“No, only the scrape he got recently. Look, I’m really not concerned with his wings right now, it’s his powers. What can you do to help him?”
“Well, I can’t say from this what his powers are, but we could bring them out.”
She did not like the way he said that. He said it as if he were going to be Dr. Frankenstein and dissect her son. “What do you mean by, ‘bringing them out?’” Matt watched his mother, she looked scared, as if she knew what would happen. Surprisingly, he wasn’t very scared. It was a fair guess it was the work of his ‘voice’.
“We will simply run some tests or procedures. But not today, we will next time you come.”
“Next time? I was hoping you could do something now.”
“No, we will go further next week, I’ll analyze the DNA in his blood and get back to you. I’ll lead you outside.”
Abigail picked up Matt and followed him again.

The two of them got in the car. Matt sat in the passengers seat in silence, while his mother drove.
“I’m surprised of how well that went. I thought we would be there all day,” his mother remarked, “Don’t worry, I’ll come with you for however long we need to, so I can make sure they won’t hurt you. I don’t trust them very much, so who knows what they’ll do.”
“It’s not that, I’m just wondering if they will be able to help me. Like make my powers go away, or so I won’t hurt anyone.”
“If they don’t do anything to help, I don’t know what would happen to you. What if all of this goes on and you…I don’t want to think about.”
“That’s the only thing I am scared of. I think I can handle whatever they’ll do to me.”
“That’s good you’re being brave about it.”
“It won’t do any good if I’m scared, right?”
“Right.”
Abigail turned back to the road, but her thoughts went back to earlier. What if the scientists found out how he got his powers? Would that help him? She didn’t want to hear how, for she knew it would bring back memories from her past. She didn’t want her son to find out how, she worried he would question her further and she was not willing to cope with that. Matt was very precious to her, even more so then Tamail. Matt held a special place in her heart, but she did not want to tell him of the truth. She loved Tamail a lot, but she somehow knew that somehow, someway, someday, he would be come a great and wonderful man.

Matt had come home that night, and Melina was waiting on the front porch. He looked at his mother with pleading eyes to play. She agreed, but not very long, she was going to make dinner. Abigail closed the car door and walked towards the house. Matt beat her to the house and sat beside his Big Sister. She walked passed them and waved then went inside.
“Where did you go?” she asked.
“To a place I don’t like. It’s like a big lab where they do experiments on people. It’s kind of scary. I have to go back next week.”
“Did they do anything to you?”
“They just took some of blood,” he said looking at the band-aid on his arm, “and some x-rays too, to find out what my powers are and I guess if there’s any changes.”
“Is there?”
“I think he said I have wings…”
“Right…” she said with mock dismay, “You have wings. Do you think you do?”
“I don’t know. Wouldn’t I have known, or found them?”
“Who knows…”
“Mel…”
She looked at him with question, “Mel?”
“A nickname.”
“Oh, what?”
“When I killed those police men-,”
“Don’t get started on that! You didn’t do it!” She yelled, standing up and clenching her fists at her side.
“Can you listen to me?” he said with at touch of irritation. She shrugged and sat down. “As I was saying, there was this voice I heard, I don’t know where it came from, but-,”
“You lost it,” she said tartly.
“I’m not kidding! It’s true and then someone started holding me. I know it’s weird, but that’s what happened, honest.” She was giving him a look as if he were insane. He put his head down, losing the chance to get her to believe him. “Why did I tell you, anyway…?”
“Cause I’m your sister, you’re supposed to tell me everything. Even when it sounds du-,”
“I’m not making it up! It’s true…No one believes me anymore.”
“Everything doesn’t sound like it would happen…”
“Well, it did. Don’t believe me! Think I’m crazy. You’re not the only one, my mom doesn’t think so, and Tamail doesn’t understand.” Abigail called from inside to come in for dinner. He stood up and held the handle and turned it, “I’ll see you tomorrow Mel.”
“Matt, don’t be mad.”
“I’m not, I’m…wondering why my sister doesn’t believe me.” He walked in and closed the door behind him. Mel sat on the porch, staring at the closed door.
Does he really mean it? He wouldn’t act like this if it wasn’t... She stood back up and walked off the steps and walked the trail back to her house. “Where did this come from? How could my tears make this?” “It is a gift…” came the echoing voice.
“A gift? From you? Who exactly are you?” he asked looking around the room, hoping a person would be around, but being a little frightened.
“Yes. It will let you know I am here. It’s our connection to each other since I’m so far away. I am simply a being that wants to protect you.”
“Protect me? Why would you want too?”
“I’ve watched you, and seen your dreams and desires. You seem troubled and frightened because of your parents. You have a special gift of power; I want to help you to become strong. With how you want to be, your powers won’t help you be who you want to be. You have a good heart, Matthew. It would be a shame to let fear and insecurity overrun it. I want to take care of you to make sure you will be safe. To insure you’ll grow to your full potential and comfort you in distress.”
“So you know everything about me? You’ll take care of me so I won’t get hurt, or hurt anyone…Do you have a name?” “Call me, Cade.”
“Cade. Thank you so much for wanting to care for me. You are the only one that understands me.” He turned on his side and closed his eyes. “Sleep well.”

The next morning, Tamail woke up, being excited for the day. Mom, and his brother would be going out that day to spend some time and to catch up on things. (It’s been hectic since the divorce.) He opened his door and crept down the hall passed his mothers room, so not to wake her, yet. He walked down the stairs and made his way to his older brothers room. He went on hands and knees and pushed the slightly opened door ajar. He crawled over to sleeping Matt, and then with a leap of energy, he jumped on the bed, shouting, “Wake up, Matt! Time to wake up!”
Matt jolted awake in surprise. Tamail was bouncing up and down on the bed, forcing his brother up. He turned the other way, and pulled the blankets over him, then murmured, “It’s too early, go back to bed, bro.”
“We need to go wake up Mommy, so she doesn’t sleep all day, and forget her promise. Come on,” he pleaded with his three-year-old voice.
“I’m tired. Yesterday was long. I’m sure Mom wants to sleep too.” His voice faded as he closed his eyes.
Tamail pulled his brothers blankets off, and took the pillow from beneath his head, “You being lazy,” he accused, “Lets go. Don’t make me drip water on you like Mommy did to Daddy.”
Matt sat up quickly, “Okay, I’m up.”
Tamail grinned of triumph.

The three family members left their car in the mall parking lot, and walked into the large building. Abigail wanted to buy her boys something special. She wanted something that Matt could have to help him through the experiments, or that it could calm him. An instrument is what she had in mind. For Tamail, probably a toy, that he has wanted for so long. (An action figure that has been in high demands lately.) She held one hand of both her boys. They followed along willingly. They came to a store called The Music Man, and walked in. Abigail leaned down to Matt, “Go pick out an instrument, Matt.”
“Okay, Mom,” he said pleased that she would give him the privilege. He walked quickly around some tables with sheet music and books to make his way to the back.
“Stay with me,” Abigail said as Tamail tried to break her grip. He was eyeing the piano and wanted to pound on it. (Though they had one at home, but she couldn’t afford for lessons.)
Matt looked at the colorful guitars hanging on the wall. Those are too big for me. He then looked at the price of he guitars. Four hundred dollars. I don’t want Mom to spend that much on me. He did not feel comfortable having her get him something that expensive if it wasn’t even his birthday. He continued walking. Soon he came to a class cabinet. He peeked inside the glass sliding doors, inside, were many harmonicas of different brands, prices, and quality’s. His gaze came to a silver one with gold keys. It was real fancy, just a plain one that was manufactured by the store it seemed.

Abigail came to where Matt was, still holding Tamail’s hand. “What did you find?”
“I want a harmonica Mommy,” he said pointing to the one he picked out inside the cabinet.
“That’s what you want? You sure?”
He nodded enthusiastically, “Yep.”
“Excuse me,” she said to the man in the back room, “I’d like to make a purchase, please.”

Matt ran over to Mel’s house, very quickly of excitement. He went up the stone steps and knocked on the screen door, and rang the doorbell. The door opened and Mel’s uncle stood in the doorway. Mel and Kyle lived with their Uncle cause their parents died a couple years back. Matt didn’t know them, but he liked their Uncle Drake the same as he would their parents.
“ Hi! Is Mel home?” he asked a little out of breath.
“Yeah, come on in, I’ll call for her,” he came in and shut the door behind them, “Mel! Matt’s here.”
Mel rushed down the stairs and jumped the last three steps and approached them, “Hey Matt. What’s up?” Drake left the two in the entryway alone.
“I just got back from the mall and I wanted to show you what my mom got me,” He reached into his pocket for his new treasure, but the pendant fell out first. Mel eyed it on the ground and snatched it.
“Is this what she got you? Cool!”
“No, I…go that somewhere else,” he replied reaching for it.
“Where, you sound secretive.”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“Oh, its like that,” she threw it to him. He barely caught it, “You can still tell me. I’ll listen to anything you say, remember?”
“Yes, but you thought the ‘voice in my head’ was a joke.”
“So you got it from him?” He nodded. Matt could tell she was not going to believe in this incident either. “So what did your mom get you?” she finally asked.
He withdrew the small instrument, and held it to her, “It’s a harmonica. She thought it would help me relax after all the tests I’m going to have from now on.”
“Do you know how to play it yet?”
“No, I’ll play with it when I get home. I just had to show you.”
“I feel special!” She smiled.
Matt looked at her with admiration, and sighed.
“What Matt?”
“Oh, Nothing.”
“Tell me,” she slightly demanded. (She didn’t like it when lil brother kept secrets.)
“I was…uh…did I ever tell you I love you, Mel?”
She stared at him with wide eyes, then her face turned to amusement and puzzlement, “Okay, are you feeling alright?”
“Of course I am. I really do love you. Why wouldn’t I?”
“One, you’re my ‘little brother’, two, I’m older than you, three, you probably just have a small crush.”
“So, you think I’m more weird, huh? I shouldn’t have told you I knew you would laugh…”
“Who said I thought you were weird, and I’m not laughing…I think its sweet you feel that way about me. I don’t think your lying either…you probably shouldn’t like me because of the reasons I said. I don’t think I’m your type.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, you’ll get over me.”
“Okay.” He said looking at his feet.
“I love you like a brother, Matt, and that’s not going to change, ever.” She reassured putting a hand on his shoulder.
“Kay, Mel. I guess I’ll go home now.”

It was time to go back to the scientists in Machais. The drive was once again silent. They arrived, and were in the room they left off the last time.
“We are going to start the procedures today,” Thompson said that made it seem as if it would be fun. Another scientist came in. It was a women, she looked motherly and kind, with long brunette hair and green eyes. “Dr. Talon will take your son. I need to speak with you, Ms. Shida.”
Talon took Matt’s hand carefully, and gently said, “Come with me, little one.”
Matt gave his mother a last glance and followed the new women. Then Abigail followed Thompson back into his main office.
“What is it,” Abigail asked him.
“Well, I analyzed your son’s DNA…”
“And?”
“It seems his power and wings are-,”
“I don’t want to hear it! Don’t…I know!”
“You do? So you’ve been-,”
“I don’t want to lie to him, but it's better this way. He’ll ask me questions that I can’t truly answer. I brought him here for you to help him, not so you can remind me of my life, okay.” She started to show tears, “It’s too painful, and if Matt found out, it would be for him too. Please, don’t tell him. I will when the time comes, he’s not ready to face it now.”
“I understand, Ms. Shida.”

Talon brought Matt into a large section that had a platform, hovering above a padded surface. Machinery was adjacent to the padded floor, up against the wall. She tugged on his hand and led him over to the machine. She let go of his hand and took a wire with an injection needle on the tip. She took his right hand first.
“This will pinch for a second.” She slid the needle into the top of his hand through the skin. He jumped of the short pain, and said a quiet ‘owe’. She did it to his other hand as well. Then she took out a band that was connected to a wire as well, then fastened it on to his head.
“What will this do?” he asked with a touch of fear, “Will it hurt?”
She didn’t answer him for a moment, “It shouldn’t hurt much, but it might. If its not hurting now, it won’t get worse. Promise.” She assured him. She turned Matt to face a pot on a table, “We’re going to try and bring your powers out. Now what you need to do is try your best to move that pot.” He started to walk towards it, she held him back, “No, no, with your mind.”
He looked at her with puzzlement, “How?”
“Concentrate really hard, want it to move. Try it.”
He stood there, took a deep breath and stared at the pot. How can I move it with my mind.? I can’t do that.
“Believe in yourself ,” Cade said.
He decided to give it a try. If a voice in his head thought he could do it, then why couldn’t he? He wanted to control his powers, so he couldn’t hurt anyone. Why not start now? He brought up his hands towards the pot, and squinted his eyes like he was concentrating really hard. His head started to throb along with his hands. About two minutes later the pot tipped over and the top broke off. He dropped to the ground, feeling the bolt of energy in him. He couldn’t tell if it was from the wires or his powers, but it didn’t feel pleasant. Talon went to him and removed the wires from him quickly.
Abigail saw Matt on the ground and rushed to them, “What did you do to him?”
“He’s alright, Ms. Shida, calm down.”
“He better be. Matt?”
“I’m okay, mom. Really. Just tired.”
Abigail picked him, “We’ll go home now.” She glared at the two scientists as she hurried out the door.

“Matt I don’t want to go back there,” Abigail said as she put her purse on the table.
“But I already said I wanted, I mean, would go.”
“Look what they did to you,” she crossed to him and indicated the small holes in his hand.
“I want them to help me, no matter what. It didn’t hurt me that bad, Mommy. I’ll get used to it. They are the only ones even close to helping me, right?”
“I suppose,” she said solemnly, and let his hand drop. She couldn’t help but think that her son was so brave, and willing to go along with all of this. “Off to bed Matt, its late.” They went down the stairs and into his room. He got in his pajamas and crawled into bed. Abigail kissed him cheek, “Goodnight my brave son.”
“’Night Mom.”
She went to the door and turned off the light, and was about to shut the door when- “Oh, I forgot, I have a meeting tomorrow afternoon. I’m going to drop you and Tamail at your dad’s house. I already talked it over with him; he should be nice to you. If not tell me and I’ll take it up with him, alright.”
“Yes, Mom.”
She closed the door behind her, then went to her own bed and went to sleep.

Matt walked out of his father’s kitchen into his living room. His father, Ryan, sat in his reclining chair, reading the paper and smoking a cigarette. He came to him slowly with caution, “Daddy…”
“What?” he growled, as he breathed in the smoke, and puffed it out.
Matt coughed at the odor, “I’m hungry.”
“I told you to get it yourself. If you’re so powerful, I thought you could handle the task of getting some food. And don’t call me ‘Daddy’!”
He flinched at his fathers cruelty, “I looked in the fridge and all there is, is be-,”
“If you don’t like what I have, then stop complaining.”
“I wa-,”
“Don’t argue with me!”
“Why are you so mad at me, Dad?” he defended.
“I ain’t your father. And no son of mine would be a killer!”
“You are too my Dad,” tears were coming to his eyes, “nothing will change that. I didn’t mean to kill those people, I’m not a killer!”
“Don’t you raise your voice at me.” He got up out of his chair and came towards his son.
He backed away, terrified of him, “I’m sorry, don’t hurt me. I won’t do it again…”
Ryan grabbed Matt’s hand, “It better not,” he scowled. Matt tried to jerk away from him; “I’m talking to you!” he took his cigarette out of his mouth and pressed it to his left hand. Matt cried in pain and managed to pull away from his abusive father. He held his injured hand, backing away from this man. He was scared, he had a feeling his father would beat him so much. What can I do? No! I can’t! He felt the powers rising to the surface of his body. He hugged himself to force them in but it failed. A white light shone from his body, engulfing the room in brightness. Matt closed his eyes to draw out his dad’s agony. He couldn’t take it anymore. Before the light subsided he burst out the room and out of the apartment, crying fearfully, and even more terrified of himself.

He ran faster than ever before, thinking: Why…why…what did I do? I don’t understand it I don’t want to hurt anyone. Now my dad is dead because…of me. He found a tree, in the yard of his school: he climbed up it. He curled into a ball and sobbed.
“Cade? Why couldn’t you help me?” “I tried, but your emotion of fear was too strong, I couldn’t…I’m sorry…” he said sadly.
“He’s gone, and I…” he cried harder, “What will my mom say?”
Cade did not answer. He wrapped his arms around the quivering boy, “It will be alright.”
“How could it be,” he felt for him, so he could grab onto him, “I-,”
“Matt!” Someone called. Matt looked down it was Melina. “Come down here, your mom is worried.”
“No, I won’t! I’ll only hurt more people. Go away!”
It was clear to Mel that he was afraid and had ‘committed another murder.’ “That’s impossible Matt. Let’s go home. Don’t make me come up there and get you…” she warned.
“Escape while you can!”
She started to climb the tree, “I’m coming up there, whether you like it or not.” She poked her head up through the branches. She saw his face, “What’s wrong?” she finally asked.
“I…killed my dad.”
Her first thought was Joy that evil person is dead, but she knew he wasn’t. “I was just over there. He’s alive, your mom was bringing him to the hospital when I left, you didn’t kill him, just injured him.”
“Are you sure?”
“Pretty sure. Come on, get down, I’ll walk you home.”
“I don’t want to go home…I want to go make sure he’s okay.”
Why do you even care? He probably deserved what you gave him. “Kay, I‘ll walk you there, then.” She slid down the small tree.
He said thanks to Cade, which Mel gave him an odd look, and followed suit. “I’m ready.”
She smiled wanly at him, hoping he would cheer up. He forced a convincing smile back at her, to reassure he was alright, though he wasn’t. Deep inside, he was confused and scared of himself. No one knew what to do, not even the scientists could quite figure out.
When they got there, Ryan had been put into a room. The damage was that he fell into a coma, it hurt his mind enough, almost a concussion, but beaten into a long sleep. No fatal or physical injuries were made. That made Matt feel so relived.

As the experiments pursued, and the guilt of hurting his Dad, he began to have nightmares of killing people an dying from the experiments: the needles digging themselves into his skin, the wires sending electrical surges through his body, and the comments that the scientists make, so as: “He is a killer,” “Nothing we can do about him,” “Lets get rid of him now before he harms more people.” Through the experiments he learned fire and water techniques, with some telekinetic powers, along with healing. At night he would crawl into bed with his mom, for her to comfort him. Cade was helpful, but did not have the same comforting touch as a mother.
His father got out of the hospital a week later. He came back a couple days after that having a heart attack, which killed him the next morning. Matt wasn’t sure if it was him who caused it, but he still was sad that his dad was gone. Even though he was abusive, his father brought him into this world…then again, now he began to regret his existence.

Mrs. Anderson was the second grade teacher; she was in the middle of one of her lectures on the history of Maine. She was a tall and skinny woman, with curly brown hair. She looked away from the board from writing notes, and saw Matt’s head on his desk. “Matt is my class boring you today?”
He brought his head up slowly, “No, Mrs. Anderson, I…haven’t gotten much sleep lately, I’m sorry, I’ll try and stay awake.”
“Pay attention, this will be on your quiz tomorrow.” She continued writing on the board. Matt’s head began dropping again, and his head was back on his desk. She looked back at him, “Matt, its not like you not to get sleep, are really not feeling well?”
“No…”
“Rest your head then, I’ll have a student bring the notes to your house.”
He didn’t say his thanks, and fell asleep on the desk.

After school, he walked home slowly. Soon, he felt a grab at the collar of his shirt, and pulled him, making him lose his balance and fall on his back with a thud.
“Why do you get to sleep in class? I tell her that all the time.” Said Ralph, the school bully, or at least of the second grade.
“She let me, I don’t know. Maybe because I do my work,” he tried getting up, but Ralph pushed him back down.
“You’re just a teachers pet, always quite, sitting in the corner being shy, wanting the class to feel sorry for you.”
“That’s not it at all. Lately I haven’t had enough sleep, and a lot has been going on. I warn you not to threaten me.” He felt the burning inside.
“And what are you going to do to me if I do? Bite me?” he started laughing, as he pulled him up, and then punched him in the eye. “I can’t stand kids like you, everyone feels sorry for you.” He drew his hand back. Matt closed his eyes, but the punch didn’t come. He opened his eyes, and Mel was holding Ralph’s arm back.
“I suggest you leave him alone,” she said with anger. She pulled him off of ‘Little Brother.’ She held him by his hair, “Okay Matt, punch him.”
He held his head down, “I can’t, Mel.”
“Why not, he did it to you.”
“Just let him go.”
She released his hair, “If I ever catch you picking on him again, I’ll pull more than your hair,” she growled. Ralph ran away quickly. Mel turned to him, “Are you okay?”
“I’ll heal.”
“I keep telling you, whenever you’re in trouble, call for me.”
“I don’t always want you defending me. I want to try and handle things myself. You can’t fight my fights.”
“But he was just a bully.”
“I know, but I need to learn to take care of myself. Thanks anyway, Mel.” He hugged her.
“Your welcome. Are you okay?” she asked again.
“Yes.”
“I mean feelings.”
“I guess. He didn’t make me feel too bad…I’m not a teachers pet am I?”
“No, at least I don’t think.”
“Good. Then no, I’m fine.” He smiled.

As the years passed, Matt got used to everything. He ignored the bully's more than usual, and tried harder, overall, with school and being a strong person. The experiments didn't seem to disturb him much anymore. When he thought of the pain of what had happened, he played on his harmonica. (It helped him get his mind off of it, and calm him.)
Since his fathers' death, his mom had been more outgoing. He wasn't sure if that was entirely his dad's doing. Tamail and Matt tried to get Abigail with a new man, but she didn't take the suggestion to consideration. Though they did bring men over to meet her, just to give it a chance. She didn't want a husband; she only wanted her two boys.
Matt and Tamail still did brotherly bonding activities, with the latest technology of video games and virtual reality. They shared all of their secrets with one another, as they got older. Mel occasionally joined in those conversations.
Mel had taken gymnastics and her three brothers would come to watch. Kyle was too shy to do a sport, but he was quite the flirt with the girls on Mel's team. Matt and Mel's relationship as 'siblings' increased greatly. She was over more often, making sure 'Little Brother,' was all right. Abigail even treated her like a daughter at times.

I am doing well, despite what you always used to think… I still won't find another man. I've given up. That should make you happy.
Matt is making so much progress lately. He's been confident about almost anything. I haven't heard any negativity come from him for quite some time, now. I'm so proud of him. How I wish you could see him now.
I can't make my letters very long, which I hate, cause I could make this much longer, and expand on feelings, but they don't like it.

Love you forever,
Abigail Shida

Sixth grade teacher, Mr. Sprawling, was teaching fractions and ratios when a man walked into the door. It was the Principal. He whispered something in his ear. Shock came to Spawlings face. Soon, the Principal left. Mr. Sprawling turned to the class.
"Class, as you can see Garrett is not with us today." Heads turned to the back where he sat. "Mr. Berkley just informed me that he was killed yesterday after school." Gasps from the classroom arose. "By a mad man. Reasons aren't known yet." Matt closed the book he was reading and looked up. "…No one really knows what goes on inside a killers mind…" he laid the math book down, "Some might not even think its wrong, some just for pleasure perhaps."
How could any one do that for pleasure? It's terrible… Matt thought.
"There are no excuses for killing. Those that do that sort of crime should be punished, for whatever reason it may be. It is taking a life away. Garrett was still young, but he had a mother and a father that cared about him. He could have even started his own someday. Life is precious, it shouldn't be taken away." He said with emphasis, most eyes were on him. Matt stared at his hands.
I never thought of that…I deprived… He laid his head down, realization coming to him.
"Sorry class, I get on my soap boxes'." There were a couple of nods of agreement. "All right, continuing on." He picked the book back up, then, "Those of you that knew him, the funeral is on Friday. I'll pay my respects to his parents after school. Those that want to come, I'll take you." He began writing on the board. Moments later the bell rang. "2:30 already…time flies…Okay, stay for a while, if you want to go." About seven people stayed behind.
Tyler, one of Matt's new friends, came to his desk, "Hey, you okay?" Ty had brown hair and eyes, and was a little shorter than Matt.
He shook his head, still on the desk.
Ty knew Mel, picked him up after school with her uncle. "I'll be back Matt." Mr. Sprawling went to Matt.
"I know, it’s a hard for one to know a classmate's died…" Matt didn't answer. Soon, Mel came through the classroom door, and rushed to him.
"Matt, what's wrong?" she asked calmly, peeking under his arm to see if he was crying. He wasn't, but when he lifted his head, he was defiantly sad. He threw his arms around her silently. She put her arms around him too, and walked him outside of the trailer room and out to the car.

He didn't tell her the real reason he was upset, just about Garrett's death. Figuring she would worry about him again. (He never liked it when he was the cause of worry.) He walked into his house, Abigail was on the phone.
"Hi, sweetie," she said quickly and turned back to the phone.
"Hey," he said as cheerful as he could but up with for what had happened.
"What do you mean!," she yelled.
Matt sat at the top of the stairs, from her view, from the kitchen.
"Six years and you can't do anything! Don't you dare tell me that…He is not a threat to the city!…He's not a weapon. What was the point of going to you then? So he can just be your lab rat?…Bringing out his powers, yeah, you did a swell job doing that…JUST TO TORTURE HIM!"

Matt couldn't take it anymore he stood up and went to his bedroom, which was barley moved upstairs. He threw his belongings on the bed along with himself. "They can't help me…I knew it was too good to be true." He heard his mother yelling some more. "I'm just a walking destruction…a giant gun, or nuke." He cried onto his pillow. "I killed some that probably had a good life, unlike mine." He got up and walked to his drawer, and shuffled through his clothes. He felt for his pocketknife, and flipped it open. "It has to be this way…" he said as he slowly brought it to his wrist.

The next day after school, Mel came to take him home. "Matt," she called as he walked by, "Let's go."
He kept walking, trying his best to ignore her. She got out of the car, "Matt!" He didn't answer, he kept walking, "Hey what's your problem? Wait here, Uncle." She got out of the car, and ran to him, "Why are you ignoring me what's-" as she grabbed his wrist she felt something on his skin, she brought it to her view, and looked at it…it was a scar. "You…you didn't…" He pulled away, and ran off. Mel jumped back to the car, "Follow him Drake, and step on it!"

Using his powers, he got to his house quickly. He made his way to the back of his house, and stood on the edge of the fifty-foot drop. Mel arrived and told Drake to stay there. (She assumed Matt would have come back to his house.) She searched the front yard. Then went to the back yard, and saw him on the edge.
Matt stood there, just looking at the rapids of water and the jagged rocks below. Gathering the courage to jump. Mel slowly walked up to him and takes his hand.
"Matt, come on, lets go home," she said gently.
He let her hold his hand, as if not really noticing it was there then pulled away. He lifted his foot to walk off. Please no. Don't do it, Mel pleaded in her mind, fearing that if she reached out to him again he would lose his balance and fall.
Matt put his foot back. Tears fell to the ground, as he backed away, very slightly, but then went back, "I have to do this Mel..."
"No you don't, you--Don't Matt, you don't want to."
I don't, but I have to, " I need to, so no one else will be killed by me. The scientists, they couldn't help me. I have hardly any control of what my powers do; I don't want to risk people’s death anymore. They couldn't do anything. I heard my mom talk to them on the phone-she was really angry… I'm a danger to community, and its true. I'm a danger to everyone and myself. I'm a walking killing machine. You could even be my next target, if you don't leave now Mel."
"Matt-"
"Don't tell me that I killed them on accident. I know I did, but it doesn't change anything. I still feel the shock, I still hear the scream, and I see the blood and agony. I still killed. I was young then, so I didn't understand the importance of life and now I do. I took some life’s, I should have done this along time ago, now I should take my own, before, I kill more."
"It doesn't matter. You're not a killer or a murderer. You only are if you wanted to kill them, but you didn't. Your Mom loves you, Tamail loves you, and needs you to be 'big brother', and I love you, cause your my little brother. Please, don't do this to yourself. I'll help you get through this, I’ll help you with control, I'll comfort you, whatever it will take to stop you from taking your life."
Matt turned to face her. The ground beneath him crumbled and he began to fall. Mel reached out to grab him, and caught him by the arm. She looked down at him, and to her astonishment…Matt had wings! Beautiful white feathers, which spread about twice his body length, she nearly forgot he was dangling off a cliff.
"Mel, pull me up."
She snapped back, "Right," she quickly pulled him up. As soon as she did, the two 'siblings' held each other for a long moment.

End Prologue