It had been only the three of them for the past 3 years, their father having passed away in an accident at his job. The events were unclear and the answers given were questionable, but Lori Alexander didnt question to long or hard about what had happened to her husband. She knew in his line of work things sometimes happened and she knew that it was inevitable if he stayed there.
Dr. Jonathan Alexander was a civilian hired out by the military to handle certain projects that were to be done out of house. All he ever told his wife is he worked with different forms of radiation and chemicals. When her boys were born she was worried that something may happen to them because of the exposure that he received, but the boys were healthy and still growing today, much to her discomfort of having to by clothes ever month.
On October 18, 1998 bad news came knocking at the Alexander home. A driver from the labs where Jon worked at drove to the house and woke up the family at 11:00pm.
Cain, never needing a reason to be awake when he shouldnt, rushed to answer the door bell that rang with a certain finality through the darkened house. His brother at the top of the stairs with their mom following sleepily behind.
Yes? Can I help you! Cain said with a harshness he thought was convincing for his age of fifteen.
I need to speak with your mother son. Is Mrs. Alexander in please? Its important. The nervousness was apparent in his voice and his shuffling feet belied and type of comfort he was trying to appear to have.
Well, she is asleep so. . . He was cut off by his mothers gentle hand. He turned to look at her and he saw something he had never seen before in his mother. Doubt!
Yes sir? May I help you? Her voice wavered a little but she held strong fearing the news that she knew was coming. She then noticed for the first time a police cruiser parked in her driveway along side a corporate car similar to what her husband would drive to work. The office was outside his car, but he was staying back away from the two talking.
There has been an accident at the lab. Your husband. . . Jon. . . A tear came to the mans eye as he stumbled over the words. Mrs. Alexander. . .
She what was coming before he said it. She put her hand to her mouth to hold back the sound that refused to come to her.
Mrs. Alexander, your husband has been in an accident. He was working on a project dealing with a new fuel source and. . . there was an explosion. . . he ah. . . he ah didnt make it. The damage to the part of the lab that he was in has collapsed a section of the building and we are having trouble getting to him. He seems to gain a little strength by getting it out finally but he still seems ill and on the verge of being sick himself.
Cain saw that his mother was in a state of shock so he ushered her to a nearby chair so she could sit before she fell.
They never found Jons body when they cleared the debris from the lab, but then again that section of the lab was leveled beyond searching it with anything less than heavy machinery. Their lives continued on, difficult at first but as the years passed things began to get back to normal. The two boys dealt with the loss differently. Christopher poured himself into his school work and had actually been promised a scholarship to MIT his junior year because of all his college prep classes he took during the summer.
Cain however, dealt with it far differently. He started hanging with the wrong people, he only joined the football team because Christopher said he would join if Cain did. Once he started football two years ago, he found his focus. He started working out every day and studying professional football teams and their plays. He wanted to be good at something that his brother couldnt do. Their father had been intelligent and had taught at MIT for a year before he took the job at the Celitec Labs. He wanted to prove to his fathers memory that he could do something.
Today would be the day he learn just how he could better his brother. Just not in the way he or anyone else had thought.
The drive to practice was uneventful. Uneventful meaning the two arguing only a little and no one was bleeding when they drove up to the field. Laughing, the two grabbed their gear and raced to the locker room to change into their practice gear. Passing the coach, who gave them a swift kick to get them going as they were close to being late, they ran into the locker room and got dressed.
What do you want to do after practice Chris? I dont want to stay home tonight, I feel the need to do something. Cain said while throwing his shoulder pads on over his shoulders. Chris, who was always the quicker of the two, was throwing his jersey on already stopped. He looked to his brother with a dumbfounded expression on his face which made Cain laugh at first until he realized he wasnt playing with him. What?
Stupid, have you forgotten again? We cant go out tonight. Its dads anniversary. With that Chris grabbed his helmet and stalked out of the locker room, his cleats clacking on the concrete as he got out into the hallway.
Damn! Cain swore to himself. He forgot last year as well. Today was the anniversary of their fathers accident and they stayed home with their mother to help her cope through it. They all had lost someone they loved, but where the boys lost a father their mother had lost a husband and a friend.
Swearing again, Cain ran out to the field with his helmet in hand and his cleats clacking on the concrete unlaced causing him to stumble while running to the field. In his normal mock bravado he purposely fell in the grass rolling around as if he broke his ankle. When no one ran to his aid he jumped up, flexing his arms as if he were a body builder. Laughter rippled through the ranks of the teenage boys at Cains more than usual antics.
Cain! Get over here and stop fooling around. yelled their coach from across the field. I swear you come here to goof off more than learn something. If you werent so damn big I would have already kicked you off the team. Knowing that Coach Meeks would never kick him off the team for something as unimportant as goofing off, Cain let the remark fly off as if it meant nothing.
Coach Meeks sent the boys through their daily routine of practice running ins, outs, post and corner patterns throughout the first hour of practice. Then the real fun began. At least to Cain it did. The offensive vs defensive practice.
Christopher had become a rather good quarter back and because of his quickness he was very seldom ever sacked. His brother ended up being a tight end on his left side and did a very good job never allowing anyone to get through the left side of his brother. Today was different.
The first play Cain was a half step to slow and was pushed over by the defensive line ending with Christopher having to toss the ball away to stop from getting sacked. Thats when the problems began in Cain.
Cain! yelled the coach. What in the hell was that? when an answer wasnt forth coming play was resumed.
Get comfortable down there Cain, cause your going to end up there again. The entire defensive line looked worried as he had never been knocked over in practice. But play still continued. Three more times Cain was knocked down by the defensive end who proceeded to taunt him about it the entire day. The more they taunted him the angrier he got. The angrier he got, the worse he felt. Finally, he had had enough.
Chris. . . call an audible and have me go for a five yard corner. I have got to do something about Donny. The strain on his face was apparent to everyone of these boys as they had played with him for at least a year on the offensive end, this was a new look. About to say something negative to his brother, Chris changed his mind and nodded to the other boys in the huddle.
Alright. Mic, I want you to run an out and keep your cover occupied. Jason, run a curl and make sure your cover falls for it. Cain, you better get their quick, because if you dont Im dead. And then youll be dead when we get home. Everyone got it? Break! Chris wasnt worried what the coach would say by changing the play, he had during games and had show to be capable in reading the defense. He only hoped this worked.
At the call of the snap, everyone went into motion. Saying a quick prayer, Chris faked to Mic hoping to draw the cover over to his right. It seemed to work as Cain broke away from the line and got two steps ahead of the right linebacker. Seeing as this being his best chance he steadied himself and threw. The ball streaked into Cains hands, and a gasp from everyone as he juggled the ball from hand to hand to get it set. Off he went, sprinting with everything he had and seeming to go faster with each stride. Faster than he had ever run before.
His only obstacle was Laurence, the defenses best strong safety. Laurence set himself for a powerful hit but was determined to take Cain down with him. Cain surprised everyone by planting his free hand into Laurences chest and hurling him back ten feet. Not really surprised at his display of strength, but at the blue streak of what seemed to be electricity that shot from his hand when he did so.
Time seemed to slow for everyone except Cain. He continued to run to the end zone and planted the ball firmly into the ground when he finished his short victory dance. When he turned around he saw an entire team of blank faces. Laurence was picking himself up off the ground, his jersey smoldering where he had been hit. While he was dizzy and a little confused, he appeared to be alright. The silence was broken by the coach.
Practice is over boys, to the showers. Christopher, Cain to me. Now! The two boys ran to the coach under the stares of their teammates. Cain ran to the coach unsure as what had happened, but also by why he and his brother were being singled out.
Yes coach? The twins said when they stepped to him. Chris seemed to eye his brother more than the coach though, seeming to keep the coach between his brother and himself. Cain saw this and was disturbed.
Cain, Chris. What in the hell just happened? I mean, I know what happened but. . . what just happened? The coach seemed even more unsure than the boys and doing a poor job of hiding that fact. The two boys didnt respond to a rhetorical question even if they had known the answer. The reality of what happened was slowly beginning to enter Cains mind.
Coach. . . I dont know what. . . I mean. . . Cain realized that he couldnt explain himself when he didnt understand it himself. He did the best thing he could think of, what he normally did when he would get into a situation that he couldnt control. He ran.
Cain! Wait! Chris yelled after his brother, futile now that he was nearly out of site. Not only was he able to let a jolt of electricity out from his hands but he appeared to be able to run faster as well. Chris looked to his coach for some advice but saw nothing coherent in his eyes.
Putting his hand gently on the young mans shoulder he rubbed at his face with the other trying vainly to wipe away the pressure that was building up there already. Son. Go to your mom. Its better that she hear this from you than from everyone else. You know how it will be around here. Half the people will want to have him killed and the other half will mob him for an autograph. Go on now, hurry. With that Coach Meeks walked back to the locker room to try and stop the other boys from making a bigger deal out of this quicker than was needed.
Cain ran. Time seemed to stand still for him as the world blurred around his vision. Soon though, his lungs burned for air and his heart beat harder and harder until it felt as if it would erupt from his chest just to get a slight reprieve from its torture. Running was no longer an unconscious act as he had to mentally will his leaden legs to move one more step. One more. Just one more. . .
Whether his legs finally gave out or his will gave up, the end result was the same. He fell. The cool dampness of the grass under the canopy of trees was a sharp contrast to the heat that burned in him. Either from the hard grueling forced run or from the events prior to his escape he wasnt sure. He wasnt sure he really cared either. He wanted the heat to consume him. Wanting to leave nothing behind for people to mock him or be afraid of.
What just . . . why. . . Cain mumbled into the dirt. Yet the words to express what he felt eluded him as did the answers he desperately needed. He shut his eyes out to the world hoping to wake up in his bed with his brother throwing something at him to save him from this nightmare.
His mind wandered in a dream state filled with haze. He remembered an argument with his brother over something trivial. He remembered an argument with his mother about being out to late. Even what his coach always yelled at him for when he goofed off at practice. The way you act here is the way your life will turn, stop acting the fool! He remembered everything, except his father.
Father. Why had he not thought of his father recently? Actually, he hadnt thought of his father in the past two years, content to let things go as there was nothing he could do about the past. He began thinking of him them and it came back in a rush that brought tears and pain to his heart. Everything his father had ever told him and Chris came flooding back in his mind that it was nearly impossible to hear it all.
Always be a man and admit your faults. . . Always keep your word. Your word and honor is all you have in life that no one can take away from you. Other father to son talks filtered through his mind but he seemed to be trying to remember something specific as if his memory knew something he didnt. A conversation between his mother and father came into memory next.
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Jon, I am worried about where you work. Dont you think that that stuff your around will be harmful to you? Lori pleaded with her husband. I mean you can bring something home and get it on us or the boys! she said in a whisper, afraid to wake the two sleeping boys from their nap on the couch.
Lori. Sweet heart. Everything is fine. Ive been working there for a few years and nothing is wrong with me we get checked once a week and the boys are fine, the doctors said that they are in perfect health. So dont worry everything will be fine. Jon embraced his wife to comfort her.
Besides the chemicals and radiation we are near is not harmful to us anyway. Thats why we are working on this. You know I cant tell you what it is we do up there but just feel safer knowing that what it is we are doing will benefit everyone in the long run. They held each other as Cain's vision returned to him.
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Cain seemed to wake a little with that memory. He didnt remember it but he had a feeling that he was far younger than any other memory he had to this date. Did his dad say he worked with radiation? Maybe that is what it is he thought. Boyhood fantasies aside. Maybe his dad got exposed to this new radiation and it did something to him that passed him but went to his son?
Its possible, he heard all the time about the mutants in Paragon City that were exposed to different radiation or chemicals or born with their powers because of something that happened to their parents or relatives. Maybe thats what he was? The possibility was intriguing.
With his strength returning he realized he was very hungry, like the energy he shot from his palm had burned his reserves. He had never felt this hungry before. He headed home to try to explain to his mother what had happened.
His walk back home took longer than he would have liked. It was around noon when he had run from practice, now it was closer to six or seven. He didnt know how long he was out but it was getting dark so he knew it had been a while when he was dreaming his memories.
He walked back to their house, oblivious to his surroundings. He just wanted to get home, eat and go to bed. Wondering what he would say to his mother he didnt realize where he was until he bumped into someone. Excuse me. Was his polite if not just a normal automated response. What he got in return was not what he expected. An audible intake of breath caused him to look up from the ground and that is when he realized that his life would never be the same.
He had made it home finally, but not before ever scared person in town had assembled in his front lawn. The response was universal; everyone just stared in shock at Cain wondering what he was going to do. He looked up to the house and saw his brother and his mother in the upstairs window looking down on him fear in their eyes. Fear of the masses out front or fear of him he wasnt sure. The only thing he was sure at this point was getting to his house without trouble erupting.
Cain did a quick look at the large group in front of him and was worried. There were at least fifty or so people here from fifteen to fifty all out in front of his house. He recognized most of them from school or town. But he saw three figures in the shadows that he didnt know, and that worried him. They all wore dark clothing, black it looked like in the darkening night with a small white patch on their jackets that he couldnt make out from this distance.
He tried to make his way through the crowd without jostling anyone. He didnt want to provoke this fight he knew that he couldnt win. Halfway through however, the inevitable happened. He was pushed from behind into a small group of young boys.
The events that happened next are a blur as he isnt sure what started it or what happened exactly but the end result was devastating. Bricks and stones were thrown at him and his mothers house. Somewhere in the fray a brick hit him in the head confusing him. He continued to stumble toward the house though, refusing to fight those he knew now were weaker. His vision cleared enough for him to see two things that will stick out in his mind forever.
The three men in the shadows were the only ones not doing anything. One was on what appeared to be a phone talking to someone while eyeing Cain directly as if describing him to the person on the other end of the line. Something caught his attention that turned his gaze to his house. Someone had thrown a burning bottle at the house. It hit in the upstairs window where his family had been standing when it crashed through and exploded.
Flame erupted from the window with the screams of his mother and brother following. He heard his mothers screams in his mind and seemed to collapse from the pain of it. What hurt more though was the scream of his brother. He didnt hear it like he did his mother. He felt it in his soul. It was a tangible pain that he felt he could just reach down and tug on it was so real.
Fear swept over Cain then, fear of his life. Fear of his familys life. Then the pain of knowing he is losing the rest of his family flooded his soul. The pain of his brothers screams. Finally rage erupted from his heart. Rage at those who would hurt his family over something that was his fault. Something that he couldnt even control, that was a part of him.
Cain stood and seemed to grow a few inches taller and a little wider in his anger. He ran into the house ignoring the burns from the flames that wanted to lick him as he passed by. The bottom floor was still nearly untouched, but the stairs were being consumed slowly by the hungry fire. He leapt the stairs four at a time and burst into the room his mother and brother were in and saw them lying on the floor.
His mother laid still half way in the flames, her body being slowly consumed. His brother however was still alive. He was convulsing and thrashing at his burns as they crept up his body. He grabbed a bed spread and threw it over both of them smothering the flames and picking them up so he could move them outside. He was burned repeatedly as he ran through the house as it was being consumed faster and faster as if the flames didnt want anyone to escape their hunger.
He erupted from the front door smoking in many places that his skin had burned. His hair was gone as the flames had consumed it completely leaving his head bald and charred. He placed them on the cool grass hoping against hope that they would be ok. His mother was breathing but had a shallow draw and her lungs rasped as if they were burned inside. His brother was a different story. He thrashed and opened his mouth in a silent scream. His legs were both burned to the bone while his arms were covered with burns. Sirens in the distance told him help were coming for them, but would they get here in time?
The jeers and protests had stopped when he came from the house a smoldering hulk of anger. Everyone seemed to give him a wide birth now. He gaze held each one in turn, glazing over with anger, rage, and pain with ever person he looked on.
A few people attempted to say something but were stopped by an unknown feeling, guilt maybe. Fear more likely. Some were smart enough to slink into the shadows while Cains attention was elsewhere on those who stayed behind.
Cain was in turmoil. He stood to his full height and scanned the crowd for the instigator of this entire outcome. Cain had always been soft spoke to authority and adults. Respectful to his elders as his father had told him. He forgot all that now. The voice that came from inside him now was far different. It was cold and specific, as if all the anger in his body and all the rage that was bottle up inside of him had come out in his voice. People close by stepped back to get farther from what they were afraid was about to happen.
Why? What have any of us ever done to you? What has my mother ever done to you? He began stepping toward a man of middle years who still seemed defiant toward the whole thing? What have they done to you? Do you know fear like they do? Do you? His last step brought his within reach of the man. Cain reached out and grabbed his shirt picking him over his head and throwing him into the crowd of people who were still there.
Women screamed and everyone ran to get away from the walking rage before them. Cain didnt move but would lash out when someone came near him. Nothing he did was damaging. It hurt, but they would recover. Recover where his mother wouldnt. He used all his control taught to him during football practice. He felt the energies build up within him and fought to keep them down.
The three men in the shadows noticed this. Unlike everyone else though, they stayed and didnt seem too worried about the situation at all. They did seem interested in the fact that he only lashed out at people in passing out of pain not anger and that he didnt use his new found powers to hurt those people who obviously hurt him.
Sirens announced the arrival of the police and the paramedics. Cain was worried if they found out what he was they would blame him for the fire. He ran to his brother and crouched down next to him lifting his head so he could whisper in what was left of his ears.
Chris. . . look bro you have to fight man. Youll make it bro, youll make it. Youre stronger than you think you are. They are here to take you to the hospital. Go there and get better. . . Ill see you later man. . . Tears welled up in his eyes as he knew he was leaving his family. He didnt want to but he knew it was for the better. He saw how they looked at him from the window before it exploded into an inferno of flames. He saw fear. Not fear of the masses but fear of what he was.
Chris. Tell mom I love her and Ill see you both soon. I. . . I love you too bro, your all I have left. Dont ever forget that. I love you too. He gently laid his head back on the grass and looked at his mothers still form. She was breathing, but barely. Get better mom, please! With that he ran. He ran into the darkness not knowing where to go or what to do.
He ran not knowing where to go. He was now on his own, no family, no friends, no one but his own whit and anger to drive him.
Anger. . . it boiled in him like a cauldron of water just waiting to over flow. He knew that if he let it over whelm him it was over. If he let anger, his base instinct, take over then people would be hurt. And they didnt deserve to be hurt because of what he was.
What am I? he said to himself, slowing down as if wanting a response to catch up to him. What was he? Who would know the answer to that question? No one. Mankind has asked that question for centuries, never getting the answer that they desired, and now it was worse. A factor that he never thought of, never dreamed of, had just made an entrance into his life making that question impossible to answer.
He had run to the forest outside city limits. It had been forested a decade ago when the city began expanding, but with the increase in modular homes as well as pre-built homes, the need to forest it decreased. Now it was a local hangout for all the kids. Many battles between good and evil, super powered heros against super powered villains had happened right here were he was walking. But they were always over by dinner time. Now he was the super powered. . . what he didnt know.
He stopped by a small stream and looked into its slow moving waters and saw his reflection looking back. Wow! he said to himself, I got bigger. Indeed he had. It looked as if he had grown four to six inches over the course of the day as well as put on a few pounds. His face was burnt however, dark burns surrounded his eyes giving him a dark gothic look. His hair was gone as well, burned off completely at the top leaving his head bald and smoldering. Somehow he knew it wouldnt grow back. He ran his hands together and wondered at what he was now.
What am I? A freak? he sat down and let out an audible sigh. He didnt hear the foot steps of those who approached, but he didnt have to.
No. Your not a freak. was the quiet response from the shadows. He stood and spun around at the unknown voice. He saw the silhouette of three individuals in the bows of the trees edging the streams bank. When they didnt move or show any outward hostile intend he relaxed a little. He eyed them as he was sure they were eying him. Then a though came to him.
You three were at my house tonight! Why were you there? Did you start all this? he was beginning to come to hysterics toward the end and it was evident that if not calmed down he would get worse. The one in the center raised their hand to calm him and also show that they had no visible weapons. Doesnt matter, I dont have any visible weapons. I am one., he thought to himself sarcastically.
Your questions will be answered if your patient. Sit please, and I will do my best to set your mind right. the speaker walked into the moon light and he was shocked to see a woman standing before him. A rather attractive woman at that. Her voice had been so soft and quiet he really couldnt tell if they had been a man or a woman.
To answer you better, no you are not a freak. You are what some claim to be the next step in mankind. She stopped there and let him settle in waiting for a reaction possibly.
Wait. . . who are you? And what do you mean by man kinds next step? while still unnerved he was calming down, if still wary of the situation and the people in front of him. Smiling she nodded her head in approval. Turning back on her companions she whispered something he didnt make out and one of them seemed to meld in with the shadows and disappear while the third just floated up into the air to hover above the trees, nearly hidden from view in the branches from the ground.
You are correct. My name, has gone like the leaves blown down from the wind, but you may call me Lady Freedom. That is what I am known as now. My companions have set out to make sure no more of the eager towns folk do not decide to look for you. They mean you no harm, same as I. she sat down in the grass in front of him. It was hard to tell in the dark but she was wearing a tight outfit of blue and red colors, very patriotic he thought.
Your name is Cain correct? Cain Alexander? Yes, the next step in man kind. Meaning, the next step in evolution of man. A seemingly natural process that occurs in nature, this time it just happened to have a dramatic effect on those who have not evolved so-to-speak. She paused to look around the clearing as if waiting for someone or trying to order her thoughts.
Some, like us, are naturally this way. While others have made themselves this way by science or technology, some even have gone to the extreme of bringing back the concept of magic. Cain scoffed at this and Lady Freedom only smiled. She was more like a teacher dealing with a student who refuses to learn because they think they know everything. I understand, it seems far fetched at first.
At first? Lady, or Freedom, or whatever you want me to call you. First off. Why are you here? I mean, why show up on my yard the day I find out I have this stuff in me that I dont know where it came from? Second. Mankind evolving into freaks is a natural thing? I mean I have heard of the heros in Paragon City and all, but give me a break. This cant be real. Im just some kid living out in the mid west. Im not special. He paused for a breath and then continued before she could interrupt.
Third. Magic, you have go to be kidding me. Magic is a myth, its not real. Its only in stories and books and movies. And lastly, how do you know my name? He stopped obviously distraught over the matter. She took in all in stride and went at it slowly so not to confuse or scare him any more than he already was.
Yes, it is only at first everything is confusing. It gets better with time. Now to your questions. We are here because we came looking for you. Yes you. she smiled a warming smile to ease his fears. We have had people out looking for individuals with certain abilities that can help us. As you may know since you know a little about Paragon City, most of the heros are gone now that saved it from the alien invasion. We need others like them to step up and clean up the city in hopes it will be better to stand another invasion should one happen again. she looked up at the sky again as if hearing something and when an unknown amount of time had passed, she looked back at Cain and continued.
We found out about your powers through a contact we have near here. They called us as soon as they had heard of your exploits at the football field today. We are all glad that you choose not to use it in anger, it is a powerful ability that you have and it will be hard to control. Unfortunately there are people as narrow minded as those who came to you house tonight. They are scared at what they do not understand. This will happen more and more in places not as accepting as Paragon City. So anyway, when we found out about you we came right here to see you in the hopes that you could come with us to Paragon City. We need the help, all of us heros do. She stood up then and the others returned seconds after, almost as if they knew when she would finish.
The choice is your Cain. I realize that we are not answering all your questions and this seems a little dodgy, but it is necessary. And if you come with us you will find the reason why to be a good one. She held out her hand to help him to his feet and waited for his answer.
If I go with you who will watch after my family? They are all I have left. Obvious concern in his voice as he said this. She could see the pain in him as he thought about his family.
We will have someone watch over your family and make sure they heal and get better. That you can have my word on. Over everything else I will tell you, some you may not like, you may not accept, or you may not believe. Bu this I tell you true. Your family will be ok. The sincerity in her voice was all Cain needed. He didnt know these people but they didnt seem to wish to harm him. They wanted something from him that was obvious, but what it was he wasnt sure. He did know one thing however. He wanted something too, and through them he may get it.
Alright, Ill go. But under the agreement that I can leave and come home whenever I choose. I dont and will not be held as a prisoner. His bravado was serious in his eyes, but humorous to the three who came looking for him and had found many others like him. Always were the young so strong in the face of that which they do not know.
With a bright flashing light a window appeared, more like a doorway made of all light that hovered about a foot above the ground. The two people who had accompanied Lady Freedom stepped through and vanished instantly. She stepped toward the doorway and turned back.
Of course Cain, anytime you want. You are not and never will be a prisoner here with us. Come join the others of your new family. The Sentinels of Paragon. With that she stepped through and was gone. Cain hesitated only a second and jumped through, closing his eyes fearing what he would see. The world turned upside down and flashed the most intense light at him he had ever seen. A burning pain hit him and was gone instantly almost as if it never happened. He felt a hard jolt and the air was forced from his lungs and thats when he blacked out.
I must say that I am really sorry about what happened to your parents. I really can relate having just lost my parents as well. Why have so many of us lose loved ones? 
My father was murdered as well. I don't know what ever became of my mother. My father was quite eccentric so my mother left us when I was quite small. I have thought of looking for her but I dont think she would want meet a little insect freak like me.
Anyway I hope everything goes well with those sentinel folk and all. Maybe we will bump into each other some where in Paragon city
Roach-BOy
So far the Sentinals have been very kind and helpful in my training. Often taking time out of their busy lives to assist me in my treks through the city.
The City itself, wow what a shambles it was when I arrived. I know one man can not clean the entire city, but I feel that through my efforts that they city is not getting any worse. I had a run in with a group of people that call themsevles the Lost. True to their name they have gone into hiding now as I cleaned out a lot of their members the other night and am now having difficulty finding them.
I think I will expand my patrol routes further and further each week to try to get a better idea of how the city is. Further updates on my progress will be coming soon.
I have a son whose first name is Kane, and middle name is Alexander.
And this is in RL.
//ooc// My son's name is Cain Alexander in Real life. . . how ironic. Small world.
*beep*. . .*beep*. . .*beep*. . .
Cain! Christopher! Your alarm has been going off for five minutes now, dont you think it is time to get up? A womans voice pierced through the sleepy haze of young dreams. You two better not be late again! she yelled.
An arm snakes out from under the rumpled covers and taps the alarm multiple times to turn it off. With the bright Saturday sun shining through the window the arm shot back under the covers as if it would harm the person from its exposure.
BOYS! cried their mother. Sounds of dishes clinking together was a sure sign that breakfast was being made ready.
Im up mom. . . a sluggish voice mumbles from under a pillow. Hey. . . Cain. . . get up man, its time to go to practice. Christopher mumbles as he throws the covers to the floor and steps out of bed, sleep still covering his eyes with a glaze. Standing at six feet tall Christopher was as tall as his father had been. And while still only 17 and young, his football practice had begun to fill out his skinny frame to something that would resemble the man he would grow into. With his short military cropped hair cut he looked a little older, like his father did when he joined the military.
His younger brother John was nearly as tall, just broader of shoulder and his long hair always seemed on the verge of dancing to its own tune in the wind. They were both of similar tanned skin and an odd form of hazel eyes that seemed to change color with their moods. Where Christopher had dark hair similar to his fathers, John had the long flowing blond hair of his mothers.
A pillow sailed a short flight across the room to land on Cain as he attempted to go back to sleep. He jumped to a sitting position wild eyed and unsure of what awoke him. Huh? What? I. . . hey Chris, what the hell did you do that for? Cain said with a sleepy slurred speech.
Its time to get up man. Mom will not be happy if we are late for football practice two weeks in a row. He emphasized this by ripping Cains covers from his bed as he tried to slip back under. Giving up, Cain seemed to pour himself off his bed, standing up on unsteady legs as if learning to walk again.
Wow I feel funny today Chris. I dont think Im going to go to practice today man, I feel sick. Cain stated as he stumbled to the bathroom. Nausea nearly overtaking him. Your not taking a shower?
Na, just to get all dirty again at practice? Ill wait until we get back. Unlike you I dont need a shower to wake up. emphasizing this with a dirty shirt thrown at his brother back as he retreated into the bathroom they shared.
You shouldnt have come in late last night then. You know. Mom will flip when she finds out you snuck out last night to go to the lake with your buddies and whats-her-name. Christopher stated while throwing a tee shirt over his head.
You mean if she finds out, and if she does you forget I keep you protected in that pocket of yours on the field. I may forget who to block. Cain declared as he hopped in the shower to wake up. Christopher couldnt see his brothers face from their bedroom, but he heard the sarcasm in his voice. He also heard the unspoken, Ill do it to! that lingered on in the silence.
Besides, you simpleton, her name is Julia not whats-her-name. And you with you 4.0 grade average. The rest of his comment was garbled under the water as he stuck his head under the shower head.
Christopher and Cain were the atypical brothers. They fought, they argued, and they beat on each other every chance that they could get. But when it came down to it, they were inseparable. They always claimed to be able to tell the others mood just by thinking about it. Being twins, everyone had always thought that was a natural thing to happen. They would never let anyone else threaten or harass the other, saying only they could do it because it was family.
The boys finally made it to breakfast with their mother, after arguing who was going to drive to practice. Cain won only because he physically tore the keys from his brothers hands as they wrestled into the hallway.
You two boys will be sleeping outside if you dont stop that horse playing in the house. Save it for practice! even though her voice was sharp her tone was loving and her true feelings were shown on her face as it lit up with a smile as the two boys entered the kitchen. Now, do you two think you can leave each other alone long enough to eat? I made you both bacon and eggs, dont fill up though I dont want you to get sick at the field.
It was a typical morning breakfast in the Alexander house. There was laughter, and jokes, and even a little thrown food when mom wasnt looking. All in all, it was a good morning.