Adenwin, Alex

I look around his room, it was dark, they think that you were asleep. He wishes I was.1

We think. He had forgotten where you were, so I thought hard to remember. The small,2

frightened boy looked up from his book and asks me a question, but you didn't understand.3

Now, a glimmer of recognition showed in his eyes, and the white punk appears to rebel4

against your thoughts.5

'GO AWAY!' 6

The rasping whisper tears from our throats, but to him it was louder than any scream, and7

as you cover your ears, the boy flees, the punk was subdued, and I will wake up.8

~~~~~~~~~~~~~9

'Just another bad dream...' I think as I hit the 'off' button on my alarm clock and sit up.10

By the time I've gotten out of bed and strolled to the bathroom door the dream is forgotten11

and my resolve is back in place. I go through my morning routine; shower, dress, and12

practice my speech for the day in front of the mirror while brushing my teeth. 'Today is13

the day!' I think, allowing myself a moment of self-satisfaction. Today AlexCorps acquires14

Freeman Enterprises and officially tops the charts as a corporate success story.15

And it's all because of me.16

I take a good look in the mirror before I head to the dining room for an early breakfast, and I'm17

well satisfied at the person I see. Alexander Aldenwell; age 33, well built, with handsome18

dark features and unlimited charisma, intelligence, and wit -19

'and a multi-billionaire by my own merit'.20

With a smile and a slight swagger, I leave my room and take the elevator to the first floor,21

cheerfully greeting the elevator boy by name. I ask how his sister and brother-in-law are22

adjusting to their new house in the nice part of town and he answers with a grateful grin.23

I meet the maid as I leave the elevator, she's in tears, like I thought she would be, and24

she bursts out with the news that her classes at the local college have been mysteriously25

paid for in full, and that Freeman Enterprises has already offered her a high-paying position26

in one of their offices. I express gladness at her good fortune and sorrow to see her go,27

smiling as I leave because she hasn't yet figured out who arranged these things for her. I28

finally reach the dinning room and sit down to a good breakfast. After breakfast I go to the29

front room of the mansion to get my messages from the secretary at the main desk. I know that30

I could just call for them to be sent to me in my 3rd floor office, but I enjoy speaking with31

her in person, and I'm on my way out anyway. My secretary, too is strangely moved today, but32

I don't know why. She tearfully says something about finally acquiring Freeman Enterprises33

after three offers, and wishes me good luck. I'm glad to see she's so loyal to the company,34

that's rare in business these days. I summon my car to take me to Freeman's office downtown.35

On the way I reminisce about what it had taken to get me this far. I had always had a knack for36

numbers, and my parents, being the nurturing and loving parents that they were, had encouraged37

me to develop my natural talent and had paid for a quality education for me. Of course, it38

wasn't easy being a genius, but I had good friends in school and an understanding and39

supportive family to back me up in my ambitious endeavors. By the age of 18 my skill at40

observing and predicting patterns had earned me my first million in riding the stock market. I41

used that money as capital to eventually found Alexcorps on March 3 in '33 - my 21st birthday.42

I made 3 million in profits my first year alone, and they continued to grow. The car pulled up43

at Freeman Enterprises' building Nine on 6th street, breaking into my thoughts. Putting my best44

face on for the 3300 cameras waiting outside, I step out of the car, a servant carrying my45

briefcase behind me. A flicker of out-of-place movement catches my eye, just in time for me to46

predict and avoid the trajectory of three rocks hurled at my head in quick succession. I turn in47

some consternation to see Joe Alecs, one of the few low-class locals who refuse my help, disappear48

around the far corner of the building...49

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~50

Joe hears the indignant cries of the media around Aldenwell and keeps running, angry that his51

well-aimed missiles hadn't hit the arrogant, ugsome, swaggard.52

'I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!'53

His heavy footfalls seem to chant as he takes the shortest route back into the ghetto. Certain that54

no one is in pursuit, Joe slumps down on a curb, eager to catch his breath. 'Menta!' He yells, banging his fist onto his knee.55

'Did you hit him?'56

Joe, his pale face still flushed from exertion, doesn't even have to look up to know who's asking.57

As always, his mother has managed to find him before anyone else.58

'No.' Joe says sullenly, pushing his straggling blond hair back from his eyes. His mother nods slowly,59

'You can't hate him forever, you know.'60

'You will.'61

She doesn't answer, she only comes to sit beside him. Joe clenches and unclenches his fists in62

frustration. 'It's just,' Joe bursts out, 'Where does that jerk think he gets off by throwing63

numbers and money at all his problems?!'64

'He's done everybody good, child.' His mom says, unconvincedly.65

'That's pfleck, ma, and you know it.' He says bitterly, 'I know you haven't forgotten what Alexcorps66

did to dad nine years ago, what it's done to us.'67

'...I know... I know it, honey... I just want what's best for you...' She changes the subject. 'You're68

so much like your dad was, y'know?' She says, smoothing his unruly, too-long hair.69

'I wish I was more like you.' Joe says ruefully.70

'Nonsense, boy! You always wanted to be like your dad...' She begins with a chuckle, then stops, looking71

at the still setting sun. 'Look, if you really want to do something - and I'm not saying this is the best72

thing for you to do- you need to go somewhere... now.' His mother stands up abruptly, and Joe follows73

suite. 'Where, ma?' He asks, puzzled. 'House number 33 on 32nd street, and get going. No more questions,74

you'll know the way.' she says, with a sad twinkle in her brown eyes. With a swish of her dark hair, she75

leaves, as silently as she came.76

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~77

' So, you were frightened, very frightened. You didn't know what was happening, so you ran, ran as fast as you78

could to the only one you could find. Who was that? You can't remember? Where were you? Why did you say it79

was dark? How old were you, can you remember that? Three, maybe? Why was that book so important to you? Could80

you read at that age? Yes? I'm afraid the patient is becoming too agitated... let's take you back to your room now...'81

You looked up from your book, wondering how it could describe the way you're feeling so perfectly. You were82

frightened, now. And you were three now, too. Surprised, you realized you could move again, you were no longer a mere asophorism. Finally you could do something other than sit and stare at the 300 empty pages in your book. You knew where you were, but were still frightened.83

Something was wrong. This was still not where you wanted to be.84

' Where was it you wished to be?' was the pattern the letters in the book formed next.85

'I don't know.' You tried to say, but you couldn't. You couldn't even whisper. 'Where's ...?' You suddenly begin to wonder. But you had no more time to wonder. Two others had come back.86

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~87

I continue my approach to the building, trying to smile and push the actions of that juvenile white punk to the back of88

my mind. Things were all wrong now, though. The media began to melt away, in groups of three, until only my servant and89

I were standing in front of the building. The building itself was all wrong, it has shrunk from a ritzy three-story90

restaurant and executive office building to a ramshackle cottage with three windows facing the ever-glowing sun. A small,91

frightened-looking little boy was sitting on the steps clutching a book, and Joe Alecs walks into the yard at the same92

moment. My dreams flood back into my mind, and even as the boy begins to ask his ever-present question, the hoarse whisper93

is torn from my throat.94

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~95

Alecs checks the address on the mailbox, he knows this is the right place, but in the dusk it's hard to see the numbers96

clearly. He walks into the yard and simultaneously notices Al, the little boy with the hunted look in his dark eyes, and97

Aldenwell, the swaggard who should have better things to be doing and more important places to be. Joe takes three98

determined steps forward to the door and knocks three times. Hard. 'Go away yourself!' He replies to Alendwell's rasp.99

'Do you think you have any place here?! This is where the rubber meets the road and you have to face life, and this time no amount of mulct money will help you. Do you think you can handle that?!' Joe stops as he feels a tug on his sleeve. Poor, motherless little Al stood up. And he begins to ask his question.100

'GO AWAY!' Joe screams as he covers his ears.101

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~102

*3*103

You don't understand.104

~*3*3*~105

He doesn't remember.106

~6~107

I had no way to answer me. Where...where...where... He stands up for himself!108

((9))109

I WON'T GO AWAY!110

~111

*112

* 113

I understand a little, the rest will come... I'm not leaving this time...114

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~115

You stare around yourself, feeling unconfused about something for once. Whatever happens, you won't go back to where116

they took you before, and you'll try not to run away anymore. The door opens.117

'Alex? Oh, Alex, I'm so glad you're home again, it's been over three years!'118

Confusion returning, you run to her. You will not ask your nagging question, because they'll only take you back again.119

So you stay silent, a frightened little boy once more, weeping in your sister's arms. 120

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