“I’ve never met anyone like your before.” I voice, watching the blood fall from my attacker’s nose. “You should be grateful for that.” He hisses, reaching out for me. I can feel his left hand grasping my shirt as he stands in front of me protectively. I reach out with both hands and try to grab his hips. I need something to steady me because it feels like the tension weighing down will break me. I am struggling to breathe right now. Something innate and second natured is now nearly impossible to achieve. Once my hands grasp onto him, I inhale a breath. “Don’t make me break your jaw,” Gus voices, words drenched in venom. I can feel the man’s gaze on me. My eyes meet his and I can feel the lust behind them—the need for me to be his. So he went for it and shoved me against the wall to undo my jeans. If it weren’t for Gus being here and protecting me, things would have ended very badly. Even with all the fear and rage rushing throughout my body, I can still feel just a flutter of joy to see him here.
“Hey!” Gus yells, gaining the guy’s attention, “don’t look at her! Do you hear me? I will break every bone in your body!” Gus yells, taking a step forward. My grip causes him to fall back, but he regains his balance and takes both hands, placing them on mine to secure my hands against his waist. Even now, he wants my touch on him as well. He’s falling for me. He hates himself for it, but he loves me. The guy looks at Gus up and down before scurrying back inside the club. Gus turns around to face me, but he doesn’t lose any tension. “It’s over,” I whisper, reaching up to place his face into my palm, “let it go. It’s over. We are both okay.” I exhale. “I am okay.” I breathe. “I need to tell you something.” Gus declares, taking his hand to lift my head to meet our eyes. “I am going to tell you something.” “I already know,” I laugh, causing him to crack a smile on his face, “you love me. We have screamed every reason why we shouldn’t be together.” I scoff, feeling his face bury itself into my neck. “But we have fought for every whisper that mumbles a reassurance that we could be in love.” He whispers against my neck. “It’s exhausting not to be exhausted by someone,” he sighs, “will you be mine already?” He questions, exhaling like falling for me has been this significant inconvenience. I laugh, interlocking my fingers with his and dragging him to his car. He brings my knuckles to his lips during the walk back and kisses them. Once we reach the car, instead of opening the door, he pulls me to the trunk and lifts me so I can sit on it. He crawls in between my legs and just holds me there for a little. “I thought I lost you tonight.” He admits. I rub my fingers through his black hair, “I love you.” He breathes. “I know,” I voice, admiring the stars that shine brightly above, “I love you, Augustus.” I prevaricate affectionately. “I have loved you since the start of the universe.” “And I will love you until the end of it.” He promises, looking up at me. When I look down, his lips are barely touching mine. I can feel him smirk against my mouth as he stands on his toes to shove his mouth into mine. A laugh escapes my mouth as I kiss him. I wrap my arms around him to bring him closer as we continue to kiss. Minutes turn into hours as we get lost in conversations and laughter. Soon his phone rings and he reaches to answer it. “Hey, sis,” he answers, rolling his eyes. I can hear muffled screaming coming from the receiver. “Time kind of escaped me. I didn’t even realize it was 8 am.” Gus responds. “Some guy attacked Michelle. Look, it doesn’t even matter— “. He stops talking and turns to me. “My sister said that you have to join us for breakfast since you are the reason why I am late for a sibling breakfast date.” Gus deadpans to me. “I think that’s a fair trade,” I approve, watching Gus’ face light up as he informs his sister we are on the way.

I heard life wasn’t this chaotic a century ago. It wasn’t perfect, but it was better than the hell That Earth is now. In the year 2022, countries around the world started developing molecular enhancement drugs, or MEDs. Eventually, it went airborne and began an evolution. As a result, it wiped out half of the world’s population. Some bounded with the MEDs and became Molecularly Gifted or MGs. Humans whose DNA couldn’t be altered formed a religious group called the Order. They have developed a new drug called A-MEDs. The “A” stands for “Anti,” which destroys the altered genes in our body, killing us painfully within hours.

There are three major factions of MGs. The Elementals who can control one of the four elements. The Physiques who have altered physical abilities. And the Mentalists, housing a range of mental powers. Different names correlate with your power; for example, I’m a Speedster. I can run miles within minutes.

“I think we lost them!” I shout, trying to get everyone’s attention.

I watch as the group begins to slow its pace down. We all talk amongst ourselves, recounting our survival and accomplishments. Axel, our leader, watches me closely. I can feel myself mentally pleading with him before he turns to face Raven.

“Can you be a lookout?” Axel questions, clenching his jaw to keep his composure. “Sure thing, Boss,” Raven shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly as he bends his knees and pushes off the ground, disappearing into the sky. “Hey, Luna,” I murmur, she quickly grabs my hand and leans in, “Marco and Riley are pretty banged up and I know we just freed you from prison but-“ “I can heal them,” Luna interrupts with determination, “luckily, that power takes the least amount of energy from me.” “Thanks, babe,” I sigh out as she kisses me on the cheek and walks towards our injured members.

I walk over to Axel, who is sitting on a fallen log in the forest we have escaped into. Without asking, I sit next to him. “I don’t understand,” he whispers, “is she worth it?” “Are you questioning out of jealously or from a leader’s perspective?” I counter. I can feel him tense up beside me. “It seems that I can read your mind better than you can read mine.” “And you aren’t even a Mentalist like me,” he scoffs. “Both,” Axel admits after a few moments of silence. “I know that we have a complicated past,” I acknowledge, “but I love her. You, out of everyone here, should be aware of that.” “I am,” he proclaims. “Axel, she could end this war. There has never been someone who possesses powers from all three factions.” I protest as he nods slightly. “Even the Order doesn’t want to kill her because of her powers. Isn’t it better that we show her what the future could be instead of the Order weaponizing her? “ I conclude as he turns to face me. “Not when it’s going to ki-“ “It could have been anyone.” I interrupt, knowing he’s read my mind and my resolve.

Raven comes flying down, landing with elegance. Despite the angelic landing, everyone notices the sweat on his brow and his nervous composure. We all gather around him, even Marco and Riley, who Luna has healed up quickly.

“They have sent the Royal Guards,” Raven informs, “they are a few miles away.” “Damn,” I hiss, “we aren’t in a position to fight their elite soldiers. Axel you should take everyone to the hideout past the valley. I will stay and distract them.” “Scott, no!” Luna yells. “He’s a Speedster. He will catch up to us in no time.” Axel voices, but we both know he is lying. “Luna,” I whisper, “everything that I did was to save you. You are the hope that we need if we are going to survive.” I prevaricate as I bring her into a quick, passionate kiss. “Now go!” I yell, watching the only family I have known run towards safety. “I’ll protect her,” Axel voices lowly. “I swear on our history.”

He disappears with the rest of the group as I grunt, trying to lean myself against a nearby tree. I lift my shirt and glance at the blue veins that look like spiderwebs inside my skin—the sign of A-MEDs destroying my body from the inside out. I might be a Speedster, but it seems like not even I could outrun death, but at least it’s for a noble cause.

I watch from the shadows as I see Arthur walk in and head towards the kingdom’s most powerful possession. Rage replaces the blood in my veins as I am overtaken with betrayal. I step forward cutting him off from my father’s weapon. He steps back, startled but not really shocked. “I knew I gave too much away,” Arthur sighs out, shrugging his shoulders in a casual movement. “Gave?” I scoff, “that would insinuate that you were going to bare your soul to me and be transparent.” I voice, trying to hold on to the anger I felt moments ago, but that emotion is fleeting at the sight of his blue eyes.

His oceans always seem to drown my negative emotions away. Even when his betrayal hurts more than anything I’ve ever felt before. I feel as though my heart could stop beating any moment. For I am weak and heartbroken without him.

“Did I not?” He questions, a piercing edge in his voice. “Did I not expose myself and show who I really am? You are here, are you not?” He questions, taking a step further. I can feel my pulse quicken at the ability to smell him, he always smells like peppermint. “You are here, my Prince,” he whispers, “you are here because you know me. You know that I am a thief after your father’s righteous sword.” He murmured, eyes getting teary. “Arthur,” I breathe, “tell me that I matter to you.” “I love you more than my own cause,” he admits. “For if this mission was only for me, I would throw my duties away and focus on stealing your heart.” He reaches for my hands and grabs them. “But you already have.” I admit. “Then I would focus on cherishing it for lifetimes to come.” Arthur coos, “but this mission is for all of humanity and everyone else’s future. Your father is not fit to wield Excalibur.” “And you are?!” I challenge, his lip twitches in irritation. “I am the true ruler of Excalibur!” He voices deeply. I shiver. “I will be the king that these people deserve. And you know it.”

I don’t say anything. If this was a game of verbal chess, he would have me in check. Arthur is the ruler of Excalibur, I feel it in my bones. But am I willing to betray my father for the man that I fell in love with? Will I choose this unforeseen adventure with him over my stability? I am the prince, heir to the throne as long as I marry the neighboring King’s daughter. I can be the change this kingdom deserves. “My love,” he sighs, reaching up to cuff my face and bringing me closer to him. “You would be a book worthy king. You would be a hope for the future. But, you will not be there quicker than what these people need now. Once I take this sword the civil war will begin to make me king. We can see change within months instead of years. Your father will run this kingdom into the ground before you will ever hold the throne”. He admits. “I wish it could be you, but Leonardo, it has to be me. It has to be now.”

Checkmate. I pull him into me and he buries his neck into mine. It’s second nature to him. All those nights spent sneaking around comes rushing back. I pull back and before I can speak he kisses me. For I wish it was the lustful ones that I am used to, it now has transformed into a need for understanding and yearning. I give back, my soul set on fire by his touch. “Arthur,” I voice, “I do believe you are the real King of Camelot. But I want to be selfish and keep you to myself.” I admit in spite of wanting to remain silent. “Then be selfish and come with me. Rule beside me and let us be the real hope for future generations.” “Grab the sword and disappear,” I instruct, bringing him into a hug again. “I will stay here for a week and figure out what my father will plan. I’ll meet you in the meadow by the River one week from now.”

I feel his lips on mine one moment and when I open my eyes and turn, he and Excalibur are gone. Arthur is a thief who took more than a sword. He stole my heart and a better and bright tomorrow

My eyes are trained on the road as I press on the gas pedal even harder. 60. 70. 85 mph. I focus on my breathing, attempting to control anxiety. I have the urge to turn down the radio, so I can see clearly as if that makes any sense. We’re so close. My eyes go to the temperature monitor on the dashboard. 29 degrees Fahrenheit. We’re so damn close. I take my hand and reach out to him, and when my skin touches his, my worries suddenly reduce to mere white noise. I continued driving like this for another hour until we finally reached it. The snow. The beautiful white and magical snow. I go around the nearby city, finding a park, so I pull in and stop the vehicle. I put the car’s high beams on, and the bright light illuminates the area. I get out of the car and hit the ground with both feet running, which causes me to slip and fall on the snow. I curse out to no one and pick myself up. Quickly, but now carefully, to the passenger side door. I yank open the door and attempt to wake up my boyfriend. “Lucas,” I voice, shaking him gently, “babe, please wake up!” I say louder, my emotions getting the best of me. “V,” he coughs out, “what’s going on?” “Babe,” I cry out, causing him to jolt awake and give me his focus, “I did it.” “Did what?” He questions frantically, pushing me softly to get out of the car. “What’s wrong?” He asks as his breath becomes visible, which catches his eyes. “This morning, you said that the only thing that you would like to see before you go is the snow.” I voice quickly. “I drove us fourteen hours north until we reached it.” “V.” He says, with no real emotion. “Where are we?” “I don’t know.” I groan. “But, I did it,” I repeat, trying to convey everything that my breakdown is not allowing me to say. “V.” He repeats. My eyes go to his, and that’s when I see it, his tears. “I love you.” He whispers out, leaning down to kiss me. His face is freezing, and concern washes over me. I leave his lips and run to the trunk to grab the clothes I packed for him. I run back and begin to dress him and myself. When I try to put gloves on him, he yanks away from me. “No!” He exclaims, coughing loudly. “I wanna feel your skin!” He yells out, trying to reach for the gloves to discard them. “Lucas,” I begin, moving the gloves from his reach, “you have stage four pancreatic cancer.” “Exactly.” He rebuttals as I intake my breath. “I wanna feel your skin.” He whispers out. His eyes are pleading, and as much as I want to, I can’t say no. “Let’s go!” I cheer, dropping the gloves and grabbing his hand. We run onto the grass near the park and proceed to do every snow thing possible. Snow angels. Snowmen. Snowball fights. I even brought a sled. We did it all because my boyfriend can die any moment now. Because I could lose the love of my life at the same time that any one of these snowflakes hits the ground. I did it for him. Because the alternative was him being sad, I don’t ever want to see him sad. He doesn’t get to be sad and dying. Lucas starts coughing violently, and I force him to stop. Soon we are still sitting in the snow. “When you told me that you were taking me somewhere,” Lucas begins, coughing halfway, “this is not what I expected. By the time it was 9 pm, I might as well have been dead.” He jokes with amusement in his tone. “That was four hours ago.” I reply, holding my hand out to catch snow.” “I can’t believe this is my last snowfall.” He whispers out, changing the atmosphere to a melancholy feeling. “Not just yours,” I sigh, leaning back into this chest. “This is our last snowfall. I refuse to feel the joy that snow brings without you.” I admit as his arms tighten around me. “My chances to experience snow leaves with you, Lucas,” I murmur. “You never asked for any of this, and for that, I am sorry.” He voices, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “I asked for a storybook, love,” I contradict, “I got that with you.”

My attention zones from Michelle to the paper I am clutching in my hand. I look at the letter and read it over, letting my brain automatically imagine the voice of my penpal correspondent. Last year during my college English creative writing course, my professor assigned us a pen pal from her other classes. A year later, I’m finally meeting Derek. Reading the words evokes a slight smile every time. “I’ll be waiting for you in the old shack about three yards behind the Fear Festival.” We are finally meeting. He’s probably the only good thing that has happened in my life this year. The only person I have truly opened up to. My father was killed while he was home drunk on the sofa. The only thing that was taken other than that dreadful deadbeat’s life was his letterman jacket from high school that he gave to me. The cops were never able to find out who did it. My boyfriend suddenly just dropped me and began ignoring me out of nowhere. He just disappeared from my life. The only things that I have had are these letters and this companionship. “Are you listening to me?!” Michelle snaps, grabbing my arm from walking forward. “Do you want the truth?” I question, watching her eyes roll in annoyance. “You are that excited about meeting him, huh?” Michelle ponders out loud as her words drip with self-assurance. “I promise I won’t miss the whole Fear Festival.” I spit out as a small smile paints her face. “I mean, it’s not like anything scares you anyways,” Michelle sighs, “you think horror movies are funny. Fine!” She grunts. “Yes?” I question with hopeful eyes. “As long as this guy doesn’t have an annoying Yankee Doodle ringtone like your dumbass ex!” She prevaricates as she throws her hands up and leaves me to my interests. After a few minutes, I am walking into the old shack that has been lit up with a few lanterns around the main room. There are roses in the middle of the room, and I quickly walk over to pick them up. “Hello,” a deep but shy voice says. “It’s good to meet you finally.” “Derek?” I question as I start to walk towards him. “Your pen pal, yes.” He chuckles out. “How are you, Mona?” “I’m truly content.” I voice as he eliminates the space to six inches. “This is the nicest thing a boy has ever done for me.” “I’d do anything for you, Mona.” He whispers as he shrugs his shoulders. “My life has been truly hectic,” I exasperate, “after my dad dying.” “The stress of finishing up your degree.” He comments as I add another finger to the hand that is now forming a list. “The car accident I was in a month ago.” I spit out as I add another finger. “Your boyfriend, leaving you out of nowhere.” He nonchalantly voices as I shake my head and add a finger. “He’s a loser. Forget about him.” He says as my breath hitches in my throat. “You can say that again,” I comment as my anxiety controls me to take my fingers and rub against the rose petals. I never told him about my ex-boyfriend disappearing. I distinctly remember always avoiding the topic of my relationship status because I didn’t feel fully committed to my boyfriend at the time. My eyes go to his appearance. His eyes are dark but still full of emotion. Full of want. My eyes fall to the letterman jacket that Derek is wearing. My dad’s. The stolen one from my house seven months ago. I can feel the panic begin to form. “My friend Michelle-“ “Oh,” he interrupts, “don’t go just yet. It’s only right I get a hug first.” “Derek, I don’t— okay,” I stutter out. “One hug.” His smile grows as he opens his arms wide and steps forward. I take a hesitant step forward before he takes his left arm and presses me against his chest while his right arm is around the back of my neck. I can feel my heartbeat against my chest as a Yankee Doodle ringtone begins to echo from his back pocket. In this very moment, I now know what true horror is. My entire year has been controlled by the person who now knows me the best. “I mean, it’s only fair,” he voices, “I’d do anything for you, Mona.” He whispers as he starts to squeeze me tightly.

“I knew I would find you here.” A man says, breaking my concentration, causing me to gasp. “Jesus! Nathan, you scared the crap out of me.” I exasperate, causing him to chuckle. “When you need to shut out the rest of the world, you always come to this run-down playground. This is your safe haven.” Nathan comments with a smile, flaunting those perfect dimples. The same dimples he has always had. He doesn’t say anything after that. He just sits on the swing next to mine. Just sitting here with him like this reminds me of old times. When the future was bright, and we still had things to hope for. Now, it seems like the things I want will always contradict what’s granted to me - Nathan included. “I have to go,” I whisper, causing his blue eyes that mock seas and serenity to find mine. They remind me so much of the bluest ocean. One glance, and I feel like I am drowning in the essence of him. They have always mesmerized me since the day I met him in the third grade on this abandoned playground before the school shut down. “I didn’t come here to fight with you about this anymore.” Nathan replies, causing my eyes to grow big with shock. Nathan only chuckles, and I can’t help but laugh as well. “I understand why you have to do this, Alex. I get it now.” He whispers out so lowly that I thought I imagined it for a second. “The decision is easy,” I begin, pushing my feet off the ground, causing the swing to rock back and forth, “I know that I have to pursue this job opportunity. But the only reason why I would stay, the only thing that makes this decision so damn hard, is you. I don’t want to leave you. Regardless of what we are or aren’t right now.” I voice, fighting hard to keep my composure. “You have spent your whole life taking care of other people. You protected your dad from himself when your mother died. You protected your older brother from drugs and going to jail.” Nathan says, watching me swing back and forth lightly. “You even protected me from being this wild, hot-headed boy who couldn’t open up.” “You don’t count. You were my charity case.” I joke as a full-blown laugh escapes his mouth, and he begins to mimic me. “Can I be selfish?” Nathan questions, turning his head away from me to focus on swinging. “Sure.” I shrug. “Do you ever think about- never mind,” Nathan nonchalantly says, “it’s stupid.” He whispers out. “Yes.” I prevaricate, placing my feet on the ground to stop my motion. I know exactly what he was going to ask. I know him better than I know myself. “I think about what my life would be like if we never broke up.” “It’s my fault, you know,” he whispers out, “I couldn’t see anything that alluded to a silver lining. I was pessimistic, and I pushed you away. I’m sorry about that Alex.” “We both did crappy things to each other.” I reply as he starts swinging more vigorously. “Just remember that you are allowed to be happy.” “Life was just so much simpler when we were younger,” Nathan shouts. When I turn to observe him, he is swinging incredibly high, “we wished for things, hoped, dreamed, and then one day everything changes. Every insecurity and fear suddenly has a monopoly over your mind.” “It screams that we aren’t enough. It tells us that our dreams are too hard to accomplish.” “Self-doubt.” He comments. “Past traumas.” I spit out like the words were venom in my mouth. “Selfish boyfriends who were scared to give their all to the person they love most in this entire world.” He sighs as my lips form a small smile. I turn to look at him. He is causally swinging back and forth when one of the chains break, causing him to fall to the ground. I scream and rush over to find him laughing hysterically. His blue seas stare into mine, and just like that, I’m drowning in him again. “Find the silver lining in this.” I tease as a smirk appears on his face. “That’s simple.” Nathan hums as he grabs the back of my neck and pulls me into a blissful kiss. “Alex, you will always be my safe haven.” He voices, bringing his lips back to mine incandescently.