Dracosapiens: The Birth of Half Breeds, Chapter 18 Part 3

“You know,” said Ella. “I think I'm having an epiphany here.” Yasmine, Kyle, Peter, Alexis, Jake, Ella and I were all gathered around one of the Sheridan park benches, excused for a day from the irritating chore of school attendance. Roxy and Luke had gone off on their own to play catch up, leaving us to talk about anything and everything that crossed our minds.1

Yasmine was sitting directly opposite me, giving me a sexy, inviting glance every time she sucked on her cherry flavored lollipop. Her foot carefully caressed my own, moving up and down along my shin, holding my fullest attention, and I had to remember that we weren't alone. It was the only thing preventing me from jumping the table. Whatever misery she had been feeling at the funeral five hours ago, was clearly gone from her system now. Our bleak clothing had disappeared, replaced by our usual every day wear, jeans, skirts and t-shirts, but Yasmine had gone all out, wearing this adorable little dress in a colour she referred to as “Caribbean Blue.” Just admiring the way it flaunted her bountiful curves...it made me hungry, in a whole new experience.2

“Really?” asked Jake, mildly surprised and leaning forward. Jake was sitting next to me on the bench end and Ella next to Yasmine on the other side. “And what exactly brought this on?”3

Jake and Peter were dressed in red and black threads, (shorts and tees) Kyle was in green, Ella and Alexis were both in gray for some reason - with faded skirts - and I sported my oldest pair of pants and a classical 'The Flash' t-shirt. I didn't have to tell anyone about the irony behind that particular hero.4

“Well I had this dream a while back,” Ella answered, suddenly looking thoughtful. “It was in class remember? The first time you guys caught me falling asleep.”5

“Oh yeah,” he laughed, the memory dawning on him once more. “So what about it? Did it tell you something for the future?”6

Ella grimaced. “You know what? I think it did. At first, I thought it was just some kind of freaky nightmare, since it never led me any place or linked with the current events in my life...but now I'm not so sure.”7

“Because?” he prompted.8

“Well, here are the facts. In my dream, I saw Adriana for the first time ever. Bingo, she quickly became a relevant part of my future. An annoying one, but still present none-the-less. Number two: I saw myself transform and control the elements, that moment has come and gone. Number three: Adriana tries to kill me, which also definitely happened. And that left me with two things unaccounted for so I brushed it off as a dream. An informative one, but technically not the future.”9

Jake nodded, a tiny crease forming on his brow as he tried to digest the intensity of what Ella was beginning to explain. “So the point of this conversation is...you thought it wasn't the future back then?”10

Ella sighed, cupping her chin firmly between her hands. “That's right. When in actual fact it was, just seriously jumbled, almost like a real dream, you know, how certain aspects all collide and run their own course willy-nilly?”11

We threw each other puzzled expressions across the table, but I could vaguely see where she was going with this. “Is it like having a dream about playing hockey and then the puck turns into a hot dog because you're hungry?” I asked.12

“Exactly,” she smirked, not even daring to ask where my comparison came from. “And I just realized that one of the other two relevant things has also happened.”13

“Which was?” asked Jake cautiously.14

“Well, in my dream, Alexis lead me away from the school and transformed into Adriana, who then tried to axe me. But I understand the difference between the two of them now. The vision was trying to show me that Alexis had a power all along. She can transform into other people, and as soon as that action took place, my subconscious just turned the story into something else. Good and evil seemed to collide my brain.”15

“Okay, that's a little hard to swallow,” I interjected, “but whatever.”16

“Wait,” Alexis demanded, holding up her hand and staring Ella down. “I tried to kill you?”17

“No,” said Ella, appearing frustrated. “Not you, Adriana. I was having a vision about you and then second you used your powers, that not even I knew you had, the dream became something entirely new in which Adriana was the star. I guess it was like lots of mini dreams all mushed up into one.”18

Alexis and Peter exchanged a look that could only be described as concern for Ella's well being. I knew the look well; thinking Ella was mental and or crazy was something that crossed my mind on a daily basis. I was however pleased to see that the two of them were working out the kinks of their relationship. Alexis took rejection and being ignored a lot harder than most, mainly because she was paranoid since none of us ever came close to excluding Alex or discussing her rejection. But without powers like the rest of us, up until a couple of days ago anyway, she obviously felt a little put out. That, had clearly changed.19

There was a long pause before Kyle titled his head casually in Ella's general direction. “So what was the other thing then Ella?”20

“I'm sorry?” she asked, scratching her head.21

“Well, you said that there were two things that hadn't been explained yet,” he answered, truly interested. “So what was the other?”22

“Oh that,” she responded, blushing furiously. “Never mind, you're only going to laugh.”23

“Try me,” he countered.24

“Okay, it was the bird,” Ella growled in defeat. “There was a freaky black crow in my dream.”25

“Oh my god, no, not a crow! Heaven forbid!” I laughed. “What did the big old scary bird do to you Ella?”26

“I dunno,” she answered, turning scarlet and rubbing her shoulders in embarrassment. “But it made me uneasy and I know its important somehow. I could feel it.” The trees rustled around us, setting up a dark and eerie atmosphere, even though the sun was bright out and shining.27

“You heard her then guys,” I chuckled, breaking the silence. “Watch out for crows. Especially the black ones.” Peter and Alexis roared with laughter and Ella hung her head in shame. It felt good to fall back into my usual role. It was one of my many creature comforts and teasing Ella on top of that, pure gold.28

“It's not funny,” Ella pouted, “I'm telling you, something's up.”29

“I agree,” said Jake – no surprises there. “If Ella's worried, then we should be too. It's not like she's ever been wrong about these things.”30

“Oh lighten up Jake,” said Alexis folding her arms indignantly. “You can be such a stiff sometimes.”31

“Excuse me?”32

“Well you can,” she defended, nose in the air. “And I bet Peter would agree with me.”33

“Oh no,” he grumbled, shaking his head, “there is no way you're dragging me into this one.”34

“But Peter,” she whined.35

“No buts. You want to bitch and moan, that's fine, but I am not going to defend you every time.” Alexis tugged sulkily at his ponytail and he caved. Allowing her to crawl over and sit uncomfortably on his lap, her threw us all an apologetic glance. Poor guy, there was just no way to win when Alex was your girlfriend. Strong, fast, cute and intimidating, the girl was practically a he!36

“So what are your plans for me tonight?” he asked her with a smirk. “Am I even allowed to know?”37

“No!” she screeched, smacking him lightly on the head. “What kind of birthday surprise would that be?”38

“Birthday?” Yasmine asked.39

“Yep,” he chuckled. “I am finally eighteen and let me tell you, I am going to be drunk!”40

I could already feel the irritation starting to form in my eyes. “Why didn't you tell us?” I accused. “We could've done something as a group!”41

“Well,” he sighed, “we just figured, with the funeral being today and everything...you wouldn't really be in the mood. Besides, you have to do that interview thing for a bit as well. So Alexis and I are more than happy to have some alone time. It's exactly what we need.”42

“Big deal, that press conference won't take very long,” I answered broodingly. “You should've just told us anyway.”43

“Sorry man,” he sighed. “I genuinely thought you'd want to pass.”44

“Pass up alcohol?” I laughed derisively. “What the hell is wrong with you?”45

“I'm not sure that's such a good idea anyway,” said Kyle, taking on the role of Captain Buzz Kill. “The law clearly states no drinking and driving, and I doubt Sheridan's finest really want to answer to a bunch of drunken pilots either.”46

Peter laughed. “Pilots. Classic.”47

Alexis meanwhile was staring her brother down with the most curious of expressions. “Kyle,” she asked incredulously, “did you just make a joke?”48

“It's not funny if you bring it to our attention, Alex,” Jake snickered. “You should've just let it slide.” Kyle sniffed irritably and turned towards the swings and kiddy play set. Apparently he was siding with Jake on this one.49

“You know, that's okay, Tyson,” Yasmine smiled, now chewing on her lollipop stick. “I'm sure I can think of something else to pass the time tonight, if you don't want to spend it with me.” Her pale blue eyes sparkled wickedly and I very nearly jumped the table again. Hormones and super speed were such a hard thing to control around her.50

Kyle pretended to wretch violently under the table and the rest of our friends burst out laughing. Alexis was well on the verge of hysteria now. “Okay, who are you and what have you done with my boring bookworm of a brother?”51

“You think I'm boring?” he asked, smile disappearing from his face.52

Alexis scrambled to try and save herself.53

“Oh, now you've done it,” Peter muttered, slamming his hands down on the table. “See why I don't approve of your mocking?” 54

Alexis looked at her brother pleadingly as he got to his feet and stalked off towards the park gate. “Damn it,” she muttered. “Me and my big mouth!”55

“Understatement of the century, I'd say,” mumbled Jake discreetly. In this scenario, I had to side with him on this one as well. We all thought Kyle was a bit of a geek, but we were always very careful when we turned our insults into actual conversation. Alexis meanwhile had the discretion of a screaming toddler.56

“Well, I'd say that just about ends whatever it is we've got going on here,” Ella sighed. “You people wanna call it a day?” 57

We rose steadily to our feet, Kyle already out of view. “Yeah, I'm done,” I moaned, stretching pleasantly under the sun. “You need a lift Ella? I'm headed that way anyways.”58

“Please and thank you,” she smiled. Kissing Yasmine hurriedly goodbye, since she was leaving with Jake, I hoisted Ella up into my arms and grinned at her in amusement.59

“Oh, what I wouldn't give to leave you in Africa or something,” I chuckled.60

“Not a bad idea,” she responded coolly. “Because I would give almost anything for an excuse to beat the crap out of you.” Jake and Yasmine laughed at the shocked expression on my face as Ella so easily called and trounced my own bluff. 61

I tossed her into the air and caught her again, seeing if she had been ruffled. All I got from that experience was a viper-like slap in the face. “Careful now,” Jake called, walking off with my girlfriend. “She's a live one!”62

“Yeah but she'll be dead by the time I'm through with her,” I jeered back.63

“I'll mark it in my calendar then,” Ella yelled, so all the others could here. “Sixty or so years from now, am I right?”64

I decided it was best to just run and dump her at her parent's house after that, she was making me look bad. She was still laughing by the time I reached the Paul's residence, but as soon as we got to the front lawn, Ella's face showed nothing but pure terror. Her front door was askew and all the windows had been broken into. I dropped her on the ground and ran forwards, praying that this was nothing more than vandalism. I sped quickly into the house, calling for Mr and Mrs Paul to answer. I checked every room, every cupboard, every possible place to hide, but all I found was broken kitchenware and some furniture. It was Kyle's house all over again. Nowhere near as bad, but this bloodcurdling sense of unease crept into my stomach just as it had before.65

A loud scream had me bolting through the open front door and out onto the lawn. I couldn't see Ella anywhere. I tried not to panic, I called her name again and again, the blood rising furiously to my head...but nobody seemed to answer. Another moan behind me snapped my head around and I saw Ella weeping beside the broken front door, a piece of scrunched up parchment in her left hand. I walked over to her carefully and tried to pull the page from her fingers but she just cried even harder. I prised her fingers open and read the page aloud, eyes widening with every line. “We have your parents. Come alone or they die. We shall send for you in one week. Do not try anything funny dragon scum.” I didn't need a handwritten signature to know who this was from. Adriana had struck again, but this time, it was a whole new ball game.66