• Chapter 1


    Somewhere in Chicago lay a young boy. A boy with a dream, and a destiny. He, of course, knew nothing of this “destiny” that awaited him. A beeping sound came from across his room. His morning alarm, set to go off before his daily routine. Like every boy, he attended school and hung out with his friends. But at the same time he was different from everyone. He was the same and the opposite at once. He got out of his bed, scratching the dust from his eyes. After a rather large yawn he tapped the “off” button on his alarm.
    A sound came from beyond his door, “James its time to get up!” the female voice said.
    “I know mom, I’m getting ready...”. James didn’t know why every morning his mother said the same thing, and he responded the same answer. James guessed it was just a motherly instinct...
    He sat in the kitchen waiting for his toast to be ready. Outside the window all life appeared still. The little secluded neighborhood they lived in was very different from the city life. It was quieter, prettier, and he had more friends. The only downside was the forty minute drive to the school. The toast popped up, and he grabbed one and started to munch on it. The sickening though of school filled his mind as it approached.
    James grabbed his bag and hurried out the door. His mom’s work lay in the opposite direction of school so she didn’t have time to drop him off. He had to catch the bus, everyday, and everyday he had to hurry. The bus stop wasn’t terribly far from their house. It was only half a mile, but it felt longer with all his school supplies packed up in his bag. He sped up his pace slightly, and caught sight of the little metal roof that is the bus stop. He sat on the rusty bench and waited.
    James waited and waited for the bus. It seemed forever, but in five minutes real time a yellow figure finally popped up above the hill. He stood up and put on his backpack again, ready for whatever horrors school may bring today. The bus labeled “Chicago Elementary Department Transportation” slowed until it came to a halt next to James. The doors opened and he walked threw. Thus another ordinary day of school had begun. Or at least so James expected.
    Time dragged on, and eventually he arrived. Kliff Summits middle school. It wasn’t large for a Chicago school, as it had roughly three hundred students. It seemed James knew most of them... Which doesn’t necessarily mean he was friends with them. He passed several familiar faces, passing a few hello’s, in his search for room four-oh-three. Pre-Algebra. What a boring class to start the day with... Why couldn’t he have P.E. for first class? Then he wouldn’t even have to try. Unfortunately he was never that lucky.
    He took his seat (which happened to be RIGHT next to the teacher’s desk. Of course) and waited for the second school bell to ring. Before they would start work they would sing the pledge and read the quote of the day. Every teacher selected a quote, and shared it with his first period class. However they only did this on Mondays, which was odd considering the name... The quotes were usually boring, and didn’t make much sense but the teachers were required. James’ teacher , Mr.Rogers , told them his “daily” quote.
    “Every accomplishment, starts with the decision to try, he said in his monotonous voice.
    James thought about it for only a few seconds. He’d forget the quote by the end of class anyway. The teacher explained that today they were going to learn how to graph using a compass. In other words, “Blah Blah Blah...Blah”. Those where the only words most kids heard in Mr.Rogers’ class.
    After a dull two hours of math, and only four hours of school left, James headed to his Literature class. This was the only class they let you read the whole time and as long as you did your homework you didn’t really have any class work. Typically James would just read a comic book, which he would hide behind the cover a large novel. He was quiet talented at making a 20 page comic book last a whole period... After the bell rang he was finally relieved. It was time for lunch.
    The large lunch lines backed up all the way to the multipurpose room. Luckily James had a friend who was halfway in the line, so he just cut in the line with his friend. “Hey James”, the black haired boy said. James responded, “ ‘Ey Alex...” in his quiet tone. “So, uh, ya doing anything after school? Me and a couple friends are heading to the arcade. You should come” he offered. “Uhm, Sure I guess...” James replied. “Cool, see ya then” he said disappearing into the cafeteria. James would be in the next group.
    James took his lunch, pizza and a sports drink, to the P.E. area. He had a few friends who usually hung out there, but today they were missing. Strange, he though as he took a bite of the low quality “pizza”. The overcast sky looked as if it were about to rain, so he slowly stood up and started towards the main lunch area. Then suddenly a demanding voice spoke from behind, “Are you James Xavier?” asked a large male dressed in a tuxedo type suit, with a red tie. James was unsure if he should reply. Did the man qualify as a stranger if he knew his name? He decided it could be important. “Yes... Is there a problem?” he asked, looking up at the huge man. But instead of a response, two men grabbed him from behind and covered his mouth, dragging him towards the exit. James tried too scream for help... but it was no use. No one appeared to notice... It seemed the world had abandoned him. The men threw him into the back of the van and closed the doors. Darkness.