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Chapter 29: What it means to be human

I woke up feeling groggy and I had a smashing headache so I stayed lying down for a long time. I kept my eyes shut and tried willing the headache away. I finally managed to open my eyes after a while and looked at the clock. It was nighttime just after dinner. I got up out of bed and stretched and walked downstairs

"It lives..." I heard my dad say from the couch in front of the TV.

"Yea thanks" I said rubbing my eyes

"Feeling better?" my mom asked coming from the kitchen

"Yes, I need some fresh air" I said walking to the porch and made my way outside

The night air was cool and refreshing as I stepped out on to the porch. I walked down to my rock on the water's edge and looked up into the night sky. The stars were out and once again I took in their comfort as I tried to will all the thoughts in my head to ease.

So much had happened in the past few months and my mind was still reeling over everything that had happened. My mind kept wandering to Jay and also to Ian. My feelings for both of them were so strong. I really needed some time to myself to think about things. I left my mind wander over the stars and for the first time in a long while I felt at peace.

The moon was bright in the sky almost three quarters full and it cast an eerie light over the black waters of the lake and long shadows over the bare trees and bushes. I was admiring the contrast when I felt a chill run down my spine.

I tried to identify the feeling and it took me a moment to realize it felt like I was being watched. My magic was letting me become more away of things than I was before and the feeling grew more intense until I was feeling chilly all over. I looked around and I saw nothing out of the ordinary but the feeling remained. I closed my eyes.

I tried focusing on my magic and I imagined I was looking through my eyes and all around me just I had been doing so before. Like Clayton said there was a difference between thinking you can do something and then knowing you can actually do something. I had magic so maybe I could find what was watching me.

I opened my eyes and for the first time I was doing it with magic. Everything seemed alive and clear even though it was dark out. I looked around and then as if it were a feeling I sensed a presence on the water about twenty feet to my right hiding in the shadow of a tree. It was standing on the lake over about three feet of water. Had I not known it was possible for someone to stand there I would never have believed it.

I focused my eyes to the place where I saw the person until I could see the sparkling of the moon in their eyes.

"I see you" I said to the figure that had remained crouching in the shadow

The figure did not move for his spot

"I see you" I said to the figure again and this time I stood and I was going to make a move towards the figure when I felt a hand wrap around my mouth preventing my scream.

"But you didn't see me did you?" I heard a familiar voice say

"Clayton" I mouthed over the hand and Clayton removed his hand and I spun around and I gave him a tight hug. The figure from the tree emerged and I realized it was Casey.

"Calm" I heard Clayton say and I felt through his hand an icy chill spread through my body as he use some magic to try and calm me.

"Clay are you sure he's not one of us, I mean he saw me." Casey said

"I'm sure" Clayton said looking then to me "we came to talk"

"Are you also a hand of Ada?" I asked and Clayton looked confused for a moment and then realized I was talking about how he calmed me

"No that is a natural power, no real magic power is required."

"Oh" I said not really understanding

"Are you feeling better?" Clayton asked "I know that a lot has happened in the past couple of days, how are you holding out?"

"I'll manage" I asked

"So things are better then?"

"If you mean on the verge of a mental breakdown, emotional breakdown and physical breakdown then yes I'm peachy keen" I said pulling his arm off me "I'm plenty calm thank you!"

Clayton gave a small frown but relented

"I know this must come as a big shock" Casey said

"Which part?" I asked "the part where your brother slept with my boyfriend or the part where you have supernatural powers?"

"Actually I didn't even know they were together, I thought they were just friends..." Casey said and Clayton suddenly covered his mouth

"Wait..." I said "how long have they known each other."

"Nevermind that... we came here to help you" Clay said and for an instant I could tell he was worried about me and he honestly cared but at that moment I really didn't want to admit that.

"You need to keep away from here" I said "I don't want your help and I would actually rather you all leave me alone" I said

"No Dustin, please listen!" Clayton pleaded

"I've been used" I said "Colin and Jackson knew exactly what they were doing and staged fights and manipulated my feelings and I simply don't trust any of you... whatever the heck you are." I said staring directly at Casey who reminded me an awful lot of Colin

"I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt you, but it was the fastest way they could start communicating with you. Besides he was ordered..." Casey choked

"Guys" I said looking at them both "All I want is for my life to go back to the way it was before. I mean some of the stuff I can do is really cool, but... I dunno..." I said looking down at my feet

"What is it?" Clayton asked

"Since I realized I had magic it feels like my whole world is falling apart. I could feel tears starting to form inside of me

Clayton came forward to me and he wrapped his huge arms around me and Casey came up too and did the same

"Thanks guys" I said finally managing to relax

I became aware that we had to have looked strange. Three guys just standing on a flat rock right by the water's edge embraced. I felt good and safe, for the first time in what seemed like ages.

"We normally charge hour rates" Casey said and I actually managed to laugh which felt good.

"Listen, Hang in there" Casey said "things will be getting better"

"Thanks" I said

"We have to go, but if you want we can bring help soon, and maybe if you want you could meet more of our people and learn more about us. We're going to mention you to our holy father, would you like that?" Clayton asked

"That would be good" I said

"Hang in there, we'll be back soon" Casey said

"Thanks" I said

"Bye" Clayton waved

I watched as Casey and Clayton walked through the woods until they were gone. I went back inside even more tired than I was before and I went up to my room and went to bed closing my eyes. My last thought before going to sleep was wishing the world would somehow become normal again...

0.o.0

I managed to go a few days without incident and at times it felt like all the strange things that happened with magic may have been a strange and wondrous dream. I really was wishing that it was really true.

Thursday found me outside in the bitter cold huddling for warmth.

"Welcome to the final game of the year our own Birchmont Bruins vs. the Winthrop Wildcats" the announcer said

I sat in the stands huddled next to mom and dad for warmth as it was easily the coldest day of the year so far as there was even frost on the field as the teams played. I managed to get through the last few days of school pretending everything was normal. It helped that Jay was oddly absent, and I didn't bother asking why. I stood and cheered as Ian threw a touchdown pass and at halftime the score was tied 12-12

"Go Ian!" I shouted sitting down as the buzzer sounded

"You know if you hurry you might catch him coming out of the locker room" my dad said giving me a wink. I excused myself and ran to the locker room area to see if I could get a glimpse of Ian. I didn't get a glimpse of Ian as I arrived at the door and was I shocked when I saw Colin instead.

"C'mon Ian's in here" he said and despite my anger I allowed him to pull me inside. The team was going over a strategy with Coach Erickson and Ian was giving instructions to the team.

`This is so cool' I thought watching them go over the plays

The team all huddled together and gave their cheer and smashed helmets together and walked out of the locker room and gathered outside. Ian remained behind and looked up and saw me and smiled

"I see Colin managed to sneak you in eh?" Ian asked "he's been trying to play peace keeper to me all day"

"Not working" I smiled and Ian smiled too "You are playing amazing" I said

"They're a tough team don't know how it's going to go yet" Ian said

"There is only you and me, only the field and the goal in front of us" I said

"You need a new pep talk" Ian smiled

"Don't fix it if it isn't broke" I said back

"I hope so then" Ian said turning his head to meet his lips and the shared a soft kiss before Ian threw his helmet on and ran outside with me on his trail as I headed back to the bleachers.

The game dragged on and I had a few moments when I had to shut my eyes. The game was drawing to a close and the Wildcats were winning 24 to 22 with only a few seconds left on the clock. Our team huddled in for a timeout and then went back onto the field.

I could tell Ian was nervous and I shut my eyes and chanted

"There's only us, there's only us" I thought willing Ian to calm down.

The ball was snapped and I leapt to my feet as I watched Ian who instead of passing ran straight into the throng and though it and down the field. I started screaming along with the others as the announcer was bellowing

"AT THE 30, THE 20, THE 10 OH MY GOD TOUCHDOWN THE BRUINS WIN... THE BRUINS WIN IT FOLKS!"

"We'll meet you at the car" my dad said as he got up carrying our blanket and led my mom off in the direction of the parking lot.

I ran to the school hoping to get to see Ian but on my way to the locker room I noticed Ian's father standing outside the door and I thought it would best to wait to see Ian till later. So turned around I started walking but I heard a deep voice call

"Mr. Farrell would you come here please" the pastor called

I turned around and walked to the pastor and stood before him feeling just as intimidated as the first time he met him

"We should wait for my son together don't you think?" the man said giving me the strangest look I've ever seen on a person. It was a look between pain, anger, loathing, sadness and a mixture of other things. I was tempted to try and see what the feelings were coming from but I was resolutely against trying to use any sort of magic unless I had to.

Ian came running up only a few moments and paused as he saw me standing beside his father and I can only begin to imagine what he must have been thinking and I felt Mr. Holiday's hand fall onto my shoulder.

"Get cleaned up" his father instructed "We'll be waiting" he said to Ian who quickly ran into the locker room and made it back out in record time.

"Father" Ian said coming out

His father took a wad of money out of his wallet and handed it to Ian.

"You live under my roof you live by my rules, you want to live in sin you can live under someone else's" he took the money and placed it into Ian's hand which had been limp at his side "never come back, unless you are ready to walk with the lord again"

"Wait what happened?" I asked

"From the time Virgil insisted on staying in the hospital with you I suspected. Though I do not condone it, I cannot choose who his friends are, but I was waiting for you in the locker room and I saw you kiss" Pastor Holiday said and I watched as Ian's face turned white as a sheet.

"Virgil" his father said "do you want me to send you away, do you want go get better?"

Ian looked between his Father and Dustin

"No father" he said "I'm gay and I'm in love with Dustin"

"Then I trust you made the right decision" he said turning around and never looked back as he crossed the gate and into the parking lot.

Ian was shell shocked and stood there looking at the money in his hand and his father's retreating back. He looked at me and then back at the money

"What just happened?" Ian asked and I swear I saw his eyes beginning to roll into the back of his head. I grabbed him tightly and shook him a little

"I don't know, but let's get out of here alright?" I said pulling Ian out of the school lot and over to my parents car

"Hey sweetie" my mom said to Ian when he walked up and then saw the money and the look on Ian's face "Daniel get him inside... oh no"

Both of My parents got out of the car and got Ian and his stuff into the car and we blasted out of the parking lot as fast as we could

"It's going to be alright son" My dad said to nobody in particular as we drove back home.