I covered mouth as a yawn took it hostage. Morning and I do not get along, early mornings more so. And getting up for school counted as early morning. My usual school morning routine consisted of getting ready than waiting in the hall for Anaya. Which was where I was when the evil yawn of mighty duplicity hit.

“Good morning to you too,” Anaya said.

Her appearance was so unexpected that I jumped and spun around. She sat in her chair with a smug expression on her face. Something seemed off, different. It was her chair. Normally I would hear the motor whining from a mile away, but this time there was no sound before she startled me.

“How did you do that? Sneak up on me I mean?” I asked.

Anaya laughed. She pushed the joystick on his armrest to the side causing her chair to turn in a circle. “You like it? It’s my new Gubment chair. They delivered it late last night. You would think they would know better than to deliver to the ghetto at night, but here it is.”

While the chair spun around I noticed it was different, more streamlined and painted blue. Her old chair had been orange. I couldn’t tell the difference at first be cause she had moved her pillow and blanket for the old chair to the new one making it hard to see the machine from the front.

“You ready to go, scary ass?” Anaya asked.

“Yeah, I’m ready. Let’s get going.” As she turned to leave I whispered, “Jerk.”

“Huh? What was that?” She asked over her shoulder.

“Nothing,” I said. I followed her down the hall to the elevator.

That day started off like most. Us walking to school, or me walking and Anaya rolling. Just don’t tell her I made that distinction. She has strong arms from using her other wheelchair that is unpowered.

After hitting the street we had to go two blocks down and go right to get to school. Another four blocks down was where the school sat. We stopped though, after the first right. Our side of the street was blocked by yellow police tape. That was not uncommon in my neighborhood, but the sight beyond the tape was.

A family owned store took up the bottom floor of the apartment building. The front of it looked to have exploded out. Chunks of the building and glass littered the sidewalk and street. It was like nothing I had ever seen in real life.

“When did we step into an action movie?” I said.

“Beats me?” Anaya said. I could hear the awe I felt in her tone. “We need to get going though, school waits for no action hero explosion.” She was right about that.

One of the police officers on the other side of the tape noticed us. He waved and shouted stopping us from crossing to the other side of the street. “Hey, you two!” He ran over. “Have you guys seen anything unusual in the last hour?”

“No, sir,” I replied.

“We just got here,” Anaya said. “We were in our apartment building a few minutes ago. Sorry, Officer.”

“I expected as much. Don’t sweat it.” He looked at Anaya’s wheelchair for a second before continuing. “Follow me, I can get you through the tape. No need to go all the way around.”

“Oh shit,” I mumbled. It was a bad idea to offer Anaya special privileges because of her condition.

“What is that supposed to mean?” She snapped. “Little cripple girl can’t manage to go around like a normal person? Is that it?”

“Um, no.” The cop started to look around nervously. “I didn’t say that. I just wanted…”

“To treat me different because I’m in a wheelchair? Is that it?” Anaya crossed her arms over her chest and cocked her head to the side.

“Look, I’m sorry I offended you. Have a nice day.” He turned and walked back to the crime scene.

“Not smart to antagonize a cop like that,” I said. I made sure he was out of earshot before speaking. I didn’t have a disability that I could hide behind if he was a bad apple and got upset.

“Whatever!” Anaya waved my comment away. “These ‘normal’ people need to learn that they are no better than me or anyone else in a wheelchair. Just because I’m different doesn’t make me every asshole’s charity case so he can go home and tell his friends about the ‘good deed’ he did. Screw that noise!”

“I get it, I really do. But how about you don’t get me beat down because you can’t keep your ego in check?”

Anaya wheeled on me. Her look could have scorched the earth it burned with so much rage. I swallowed a lump in my throat and stepped back. After a second her sneer faded and she laughed. “He wasn’t going to beat your ass because of me. Come on, let’s go.”

As we passed the crime scene I saw a piece of the rubble had dark red wet spots. The sight made me more curious. But it’s implied meaning also made me wonder if not know might be for the best. Blood doesn’t appear out of nowhere, after all.

We made it to school with no other incidents. Other than Anaya mumbling about showing the asshole what it’s like to be stuck in a wheelchair. It was best to just let her get it out of her system. She does have a point though about not being treated differently. I think this common thought is one of the reasons we get along so well. That and she told me we get along. I try not to argue with her. So get along it is.

Anaya and I had a class together, but it wasn’t first period. So we split after entering the building. She went left and I went right. Our lockers were also on different ends of the building. I grabbed my books for Algebra two and put my bag in my locker. My class was upstairs which made it a pain to get too. While the school did have an elevator it was primarily for people not capable of walking under their own power. nothing got me dirty looks and snide comments faster than being the fat riding the special needs elevator.

When I made it to my desk I was out of breath and out of gas. I sat down and took a minute to catch my breath. But a minute I didn’t have. The loudspeakers crackled to life then.

“Attention students and faculty, attention. This is principle Johnson. I need everyone to report to the auditorium for an emergency gathering. Please do so now.” A click signaled the end of the transmission.

Mrs. Dupree walked in then. “Well, you heard the man. Let’s get going. Be sure to take your things with you. I repeat, do not leave anything in the classroom. This means you, Tony Ballentine.”

“Why is she always picking on me,” Tony grumbled in a low voice.

“Because you are always forgetting things in my class, Mr. Ballentine.”

“Oh, right,” Tony said. That elicited a chuckle from the rest of the class.

“Okay, people, let's get moving,” Mrs. Dupree said. she then left the classroom.

While the in class entertainment did help to make me forget that I was still winded that was short lived. Because I had to get up and walk halfway across the world, again. A few minutes and a gallon sweat later I stood outside the auditorium waiting to go in. There were two large double door entrances with kids around my age filing in and being shouted at by teachers to maintain order.

I stayed where I was. Anaya had a lot farther to go to get to the auditorium than I did and the line to ride the elevator was usually a pain in the rear. Which, as usual, left me standing around…

“Watch it fat-ass.” The words came before I was shoved out of the way.

“Hey, jerk! Watch where you are going!” just because I was big didn’t mean I had to put up with that kind of treatment.

“What did you say?” The person in question stopped. For a second I was staring at a blue and gold letterman jacket that lead up to a mop of blond hair. Jeremy Taft spun around. Which meant he had to have heard about the deal Abigail and I made. While nothing happened I was more than sure enough happened for her all-star, and all American jock boyfriend to be upset. This wasn’t going to go well for me.

Jeremy got right in my face towering over me and looking in my eyes. He breath splashed against my face in waves. I was thankful he had eaten some mints recently.

“Back off, Jeremy,” I snarled. “I won’t take shit from you or anyone else. I don’t care what sport you play or who you think you are!” Nowhere in the Fat-Kid Handbook did it say I had to let people push me around. My own reflection did more than enough to make me feel bad about myself. I didn’t need outside help.

“I heard about you little study session with my girl. I am not amused,” Jeremy said.

“If amusement is what you want I suggest you back off and go catch a flick. I hear there is a theatre playing The Sound of Music this week. Maybe you can catch a showing if you leave now.”

Jeremy stepped side to side and got a few inches closer. “You must really want me to pummel you,” He said.

“Do it and I promise my big ass will fall and land right the fuck on you,” I retorted.

“Are you boys done playing who has the biggest testosterone gland yet?” Anaya’s voice came from behind me. Damn her new quiet chair.

“Stay out of this,” Jeremy snapped.

“Or what? Huh? Are you going to beat up the cripple after you finish with the fat kid? Is that how bullies get off these days?” Anaya’s voice was calm as she spoke. “Maybe I should find a little girl with a sucker so you can steal it after. And a puppy to kick for good measure? How does that sound, tough guy?”

Jeremy backed up and shot Anaya a dirty look. “Whatever, bitch.” He turned his attention back to me. “Roller Bitch isn’t always going to be here to save your fat ass.”

I watched him as he turned and got in line. I didn’t move until he was inside the auditorium. Then I turned and faced Anaya.

“I know, I know,” She said She held up her hands to stop me from responding. “You had him right where you wanted him. I get it, but I felt like opening a can of whoop ass too, so I jumped in. Too bad he was too much of a chicken to go toe to toe with your’s truly.”

“Wouldn’t that be toe to…”

her arm shot out and grabbed my wrist. “Finish that statement at your own peril.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it. You ready to head inside?” I asked.

Anaya gasped and placed her hand on her chest. “Were you waiting for little ol me? And here I was thinking there were no more gentlemen in this abhorrent day and age. Why thank you, kind sir.”

“Nope, not getting an award for that performance. Better luck next time.”

As we got in line and inched forward I realized what just happened. In the blink of an eye not only had Anaya deescalated a very bad situation, but she also calmed me down. If not for her I would have been fuming. There is nothing I hate more than people thinking they can scare me because I’m fat. I do no do bullies. I spared a glance at my friend. She was moving along next to me with a slight smile.

Once inside we didn’t have to go far. Anaya liked the back. She thought the front was for squares and the farther back you got the cooler you were. It worked for me, and it let us make fun of whoever was talking without getting caught.

So I took my seat and Anaya pulled up next to me and set her brake. We were close to the end of the line so we didn’t have to wait long for things to kick off.

“I will make this brief,” The principal said into the microphone. He wasn’t wearing his sports coat and had the sleeves of his white shirt rolled halfway up his forearms. It was weird to see him looking so informal.

“As I am sure many of you know, there was an incident not far from here. The police have not yet caught the parties responsible for the damage, but they believe they have moved on. So they have assured me it is now safe enough for you all to go home, but you need to do so quickly and stay in doors once you are there.”

A loud droning filled the room as all the kids started talking a once. A few rose to their feet, including me.

“Wait, I am not yet finished. Please remain quiet and sit down for a few more minutes.” He let out a puff of air whisk hit the mic while waiting for the room to settle. “I have some bad news. During the incident this morning one of our own was injured. his parents have given me permission to release his name, so as you leave keep Clayton Clarke in your thoughts. He is currently in the hospital fighting for his life. When we reconvene classes I will be passing around cards for everyone to sign and we will be collecting money to help his family deal with this crisis. I realize some of you may not be in a position to lend monetary aid. That is fine, if you can, please do. Anything helps. Now get home safely. We will be in touch with your parents to let you know when to return to school. I expect it will not be before tomorrow. Stay safe until the police have this situation under wraps. Dismissed.”

The sound of hundred of kids talking erupted once more. Anya and I were close to the door so we rushed out beating the traffic jam.

“Do you need to go to your locker?” I asked her.

“Nope, I’m good to go. you?”

“I can leave from here.”

“Let’s get going then,” Anaya said.

The school quickly devolved into a mad house. Excited freshmen darted around shouting profanities at each other. The jocks decided that was a good time to play catch and a bunch of other kids were just standing around talking. Me, I wanted to get home. So I followed Anaya as she dodged jocks and wheeled around chatterboxes milling about.

It took twenty minutes to get outside. A lifetime of weaving in and out of people and stopping and going as other got in the way. I almost pulled my hair out twice. I managed to get by without self-harm or harming anyone else. Even though I wanted to a couple of times. While I am not one of those types that get upset at people for stepping on my shoes and getting them dirty, it still hurts.

We walked in silence after leaving the school. My mind kept wandering to the wet blood on the debris we passed on the way to school. It had to belong to the kid that was hurt. Or, it could belong to someone else since the principal didn’t say if anyone else was injured. But I couldn't help but think I was looking at a part of Clayton that was forcibly removed and left behind.

A scream was the only warning we had. I jumped in front of Anaya turning to face her and put my back between her and the source of the scream. The storefront next to us exploded out causing me to jump. My arm came up shielding my face. Anaya screamed. Multiple things hit my back and side. I screamed. Thick dust swarmed us blocking out our view of everything except each other.

After a moment of silence, I dared look around. I could make out the shape of the building next to us, but not much else. Anaya was still clear to me as she was right in front of me. She was coughing and wiping dust from her eyes. I reached out and placed my hand on her arm.

Movement caught my eye. My head turned to follow. I caught a glimpse of a large guy with muscles that belonged on Schwarzenegger when he was in Conan shape. The dust swirled around him then closed the little gap his movements caused. Then he was gone and all was quiet.

“Are you okay?” I whispered to Anaya.

“Yeah, she whispered back. “What the hell happened?”

“I think it was one of those super powered guys we hear about in the news.”

“You think so?” Her eyes went wide. “We need to get out of here.” Her tone became frantic, but she kept her volume low.

“Yeah, but I think we need to see if anyone needs help first.”

“That isn’t a good idea,” She hissed.

“I’ll go check. Get next to the wall there and stay quiet. I will be right back.” She grabbed my arm before I could move. “It will be okay, I swear. But I need to go check. What if someone needs help and they will die if they don’t get it now? I can’t just walk away.” Anaya nodded and let go of me. I waited for her to get closer to the building before leaving. Her chair kept turning left and right as her hand on the control shook. She managed alright though.

The reduced visibility and the chunks of building all over the ground made me take my time. Glass crunched under my foot s I stepped into the store proper. My second step resulted in my toe hitting something. This caused me to do the one legged dance and curse. The item turned out to be half of a large cash register. There was a part of the machine that looked like fingers had pressed into it hard enough to create dents. That scared me, but not enough to turn back.

The store was demolished. Shelves were overturned and bags of chips were crushed. The chips broke my heart a little. One of the walk-in freezers looked like an egg that had been cracked open. I didn’t see anyone in the small space so I went to the counter.

“Hello? Is anyone here?” No response.

I went around to the side and looked behind the counter. My entire being stopped. On the floor behind the counter was a pool of black liquid with a red tint. It slowly spread to me as it grew. My eyes followed the blood to the motionless body. The blood was seeping out of a large wound in the brown skinned man’s neck. If the torn flesh wasn’t enough to prove he was gone then the nearly right angle of his neck was enough.

Motion returned to me in the form of tears running down my face. Followed by a sob the broke free of my mouth. I turned and ran. If not for Anaya calling out to me I might have forgotten she was there. I rushed back to her.

“Rueben, what is it?” She started crying as she asked.

“He… he is … We need to call the cops.” I couldn’t bring myself to say it.