I’m Still Fighting

For You

Dedicated to:

All those siblings and my own little Ollie.

Don’t fight, use each other for support and kindness. It sounds cheesy but it’s true!

By: Noah S.

Tables flipping, desk lamps flying by my head, what have I gotten myself into?! Whoops!

Almost tripped on a lamp wire! Gaaahh, those lamps! Desk, slide! Phew. Ok, out the window, roll, tadaa! Running running, turn conner, run a little more, slide under the bar, there! Safe, in my crappy hidey hole! I’m Theodore, but my friends call me Theo. Don’t know my last name because my mom forgot. They don’t matter much. I’m a street urchin and a thief. It’s the way I live or, more so, survive.

I can tell you the year because luckily I’m able to read. Not everyone is able to read in

2050. It’s not much different from 2000. Just more tech and now there are maglev roads. Maglev is magnetic levitation so all the monorails run that way.

But society has decreased too. There are more gangs and unsafe communities ever since

Trumpy became Prez in 2020. He didn’t run the country well. And because of Trumps horrible leadership, Dr. Delirious blew up all of the middle east. All of it. Trump’s thick head didn’t realize the threat!

Anyway, I’ve swiped a gold chalice, letter opener, silver candlestick, and two loaves of bread. “OK, put these in the records please Ray? And those in the storage, no not in the wall!

Stop drilling! Jeez! When I thought I made a good choice bringing my brother! Ray! Stop joking with m- Ah! What was that for!?” I shout with pain tinged in my voice while rubbing the back of my head. He hit me with a softish book. Ish. Ugh.

“C’mon Theo! You know I’m messing with you! It’s too cramped and dark in this ditch!

We can have an impenetrable fort!”

“I know you want to expand the fort! We just don’t have the space!” I exclaim. Ya see,

I’ve loved my brother all my life. We found tools, blankets and pillows in an alley. Then we cleaned them and made a big fort with several rooms. One room has pipes so we have water. We found it right after the incident. I won’t say what it is yet for two reasons: One is to keep you on the edge of your seats, and the second is because I don’t feel ready. But anyway, he’s my last thing from home so I gotta keep him even if he’s really annoying. But he’s family and I love him! Time to hop into bed and turn in for the night!

Get my clothes on and hop out the door. Wait! Forgot to say bye to Ray! “Bye Ray!”

Let’s go! Gotta hustle!

I’ve been walking for forever and my sack feels much heavier. The market is six minutes away but it feels like eternity. Thankfully, Ray is back at the fort. He gets nervous and I don’t want him associated with me. It’s been too close since my last run The market gives us urchins necessities by trading. And I need to get the good stuff which means getting there early. Time is always of the essence.

“News! News! New York is spreading civilization back upstate! They’ll help us build back towns, trees, homes and more!” A vender is yelling. This is huge! 55% of the world is in waste and the other 45% is in complete prosperity. I’m now pumped because this gives opportunity to help everyone and to help myself.

Us urchins get clean in lakes and stuff, we just don’t have food or anything of value to trade with. I have my weapons, but not much else. That’s why I steal.

There’s also upper class and lower class. Those with any money and those without. These markets let those without any money buy food and clothes. I have the things I stole stuffed in my sack to trade with. They’re a little banged up but good enough to get some nice clothes, fresh food and lots of bottled water.

“Hey! You!” Some guy screams. Me? Why me? I’ve never killed anybody! I’m trying to live an honest life! Not lying, just stealing! I don’t lie about what I steal! Crap! IT’S A COP! Running running, slide over table, throw stack of crates! Pushing people! NO!! NOT THE

MARKET! Hard left, running alongside the river, stop short and turn around, lean down and point my shoulder out and push with my legs! Connected right to the solar plexus! Thank god he’s skinny! He’s stumbled back, sat down with a bump and is heaving, trying to catch his breath.

“Mr. I’m sorry but I’m gonna have to knock you out. Goodnight!” I say cheerfully. I give him a strong hook to the jaw. That oughta do it. I’ve gotta move quick. That run in tells me that wasn’t a coincidence.

“Ray I’m home! Ray? Raaayyy! Ray?” Where is he? Wait, tracks. Stuff is knocked over?

Why would that be? I never wanted to get Ray involved! He most definitely was kidnapped. Or arrested! I better turn myself in. Or, break in. Gotta go with the latter. Now I like the sound of that! “Whaa- Why’s it so black? Can’t breath, ooohh can’t breath! Losing consciousness, losing consciousness! Oh crap…”

Where am I? The blackness is fading… Aha! I’m in a cell! Actually, this is bad. But there’s a guard! Good. Now I’ll tell you why I’m in this cage in the first place. Flashback!

It was 2040, I was only 4 years old at the time. My mother was a teacher so she home schooled me. She never spoke about my father or our last name. She said she forgot. She always look so beautiful with her long blond hair and tall skinny frame. The most regal part were those striking grey eyes, eyes of someone who just knew that everyone can be better, that almost literally shone with happiness.Those eyes were my island of peace, of safety, of where I could do anything.

She would tell me in a voice that really sounded like she was singing, “Oh Theo, you’re so smart. How you know how to read so well and write so fast is a miracle. Such a miracle. And with your brother almost ready to see you, you’ll teach him. You’ll teach him so well. ” And I would swell with pride, with love. My mother, the one who knew there was something special in everyone, all my friends, all our family that would visit, all her friends. I didn’t speak yet so I ran to her and jumped. She would catch me and give me kisses all over my cheeks.

Then we heard guns. Guns that are so rare. The kind that everyone fears. My brother started to cry in his room and she ran, picked him up handed him to me, grabbed a knife and yelled “Run, Theo! Run!” The first time I spoke was when I shrieked, “NO!” She gave me a look

I never saw before. Fear. I then ran, and ran and ran, through the window, down the fire escape and on the street, all the while holding my swaddled brother in his soft blanket. My knuckles were white from gripping the blanket. But I then looked through the window and there she was.

She threw a knife and it killed a man. But then another walked through the door and shot her.

Just like that. While smiling. I burned with the indignity of it. The pain, sorrow, anger, fear.

From that day forward, I made a promise. I will avenge my mother and protect my brother.

And I vowed I would only kill those men. And since then I have been stealing to live, and tracking them down to fulfill my promise. I acquired skills I never would have before.

Now, time to use those skills. I hear that guard snoring in the corner. He has a wire sticking out of his belt. Typical. Ok, there’s a rope, and a weight! I’m lucky! Ok, tie the rope onto the weight swing, and throw between the bars! Made it! “Oi! I’m comin’ in there ya little weasel! Why didja do that?!” That cranky guard!

“Cuz I felt like it,” I replied with zero enthusiasm. Then the guard growled. He growled.

Like an animal. Jeez, this guy! He opened the door and barreled in hurling weight in. This guy is big. Real big. His stomach is a mountain flipped on it’s side. I mean, it’s half his body! Think about it! But he’s slow, and his fat is his protection. I let him slide by me, then I crack my elbow out and stick my leg out at the same time. He falls with a bloody lip. I then punch him straight in the nose, making him see red. Now I’m running, flipping in the air and bring my heel right on his temple. He staggers but is still up. Now I take my weight and slam it again into his temple. This time he sits down with a thud and I take his key. Just one key. I’m lucky again! This takes all the cells I’m guessing.

“Ray! Where are you?” I call.

“Here! I’m closest to the door!” He sounds way too scared. Like the last time I took him with me on a run. He’s such a smart kid. He loves books, tech, literature, art, and music. I try and get him everything I can for him. Take the keys, stick it in the lock, open his cell and tadaa!

“Ray!” I give him a huge bear hug and shake him around in my arms like I did when he was little. I grab his hand and we start running through the streets. And I see the famous skyscrapers of New York City! Wow! We’re still in the compound but I see the exit.

A man is yelling stop. Wait. It’s a doctor. He pulls out a tranq gun and yells “I’ll shoot if you don’t stop son! I just want to check up on you. I want to make sure you’re ok Theo!” Ok. I’ll stop. And how does he know my name? But I’m not going back. And he must’ve read my file or something. I spin around on my heel and pull Ray with me.

“Theo, come! Son I need to say hello! My name is Dr. William Flyte everyone calls me

Dr. Flyte, Dr. Will or Will.” The doctor says again. “ Your name is Theodore Flyte. I remember calling you Theo when you were a toddler. I also remember we were going to have a brother for you coming along the way. But I never learned his name. And I believe from reading your file your name is Ray correct? Ray Flyte.” Ray nods.

“Well, I don’t know about the last name Dr. Flyte, but my name is Ray.” Dr. Flyte shakes his head. This guy is crazy to think we’re his kids. Our mom never said anything about a dad. Literally nothing. No mention. Now we’re walking into his office and it looks really nice. He does his doctor thing and while he’s checking up on us he starts with his story. Our fake dad. An imposter. A liar.

He says, “Once upon a time, I had a loving family. I had a beautiful wife, a great child, and another one on the way. We were so happy. We were educated and well known. But I wanted a better life for my new child. One where it wasn’t dirty. I was a part of our town police, protecting everyone from the crazy and low life people. I had a good life but one I wanted to make better. So I said to my wife ‘One day, we will be rich in a rich city, one where we are content, so content we can help others’. So I left for that dream, I got into the shady business and made connections, ones I’m not proud of for sure but, connections all the same. They got me into medical school and money to live. I became an esteemed doctor and paid off my debts, but I still had many favors owed to me.

I helped many people and I volunteered to doctor those in prison. I eventually got favors from the guards as well. I got keys to cells, I got maps, I have ID cards and much much more. I asked my ‘gang’ friends to search for you and I made the cops aware of you so you could come to me in this prison. I used every asset I could to finding you. I can pay your ransom Theo, and I can give Ray all the technology he could ask for. I know how you’re acting. You have two lives in your hands, one life that you could not do without. I know that feeling. I felt it with your mother before we had you and Ray. I felt it when I was separated from you, not ready to give up until I saw evident proof. I could get you into many jobs and secure you a future. After all, what reason would I have for finding you and making all this trouble? You two are my sons and I remember you. Look in the mirror.” I look in the mirror and I see this: A dirty 14 year old boy with thick, choppy light brown hair, bright grey eyes, my mother's eyes. This man has an athletic build, same as me, and he looks like he did a lot of active things in the past. Ray and him share striking blue eyes. Ray has the skinny frame that our mother had although we all have this darkish skin, a natural light tan if you will. We do look alike, talk alike (The Dr. is more formal in terms of speech). I’m still not quite convinced. He then takes samples of our blood, matches the DNA, and they look the same.

I have a dad? He has to have done something. We drive to my hidey hole, pick up my stuff, say goodbye to the ol’fort with lots of memories. And then go to his place. It’s legitimately a mansion. I’m mostly doing this for Ray because he’ll get the care he needs, the education and we won’t ever feel threatened again.

*****

It’s been a few months of recuperating and family time. My dad is a smart man who is very well rounded. We’re still being homeschooled because we’re not smart enough for our regular grades. My brother is getting much more calm and collected and his studies are improving which makes me and would make my mom super happy. That’s all I ever wanted. My dad has me practice fighting and stealing. I’m getting much better. I’m about to head out on a run, so, bye! You’ve gotta keep up the fitness!

It’s been ten whole years since I’ve reunited with my dad. And now I’ve found them. The gang that killed my mother. They showed ruthlessness for me, so I’ll show ruthlessness for them.

There’s a log cabin on an island in the middle of a lake. Well hidden, I must say. But not hidden enough. I’m in the middle of a mountain valley. The peaks are rising to the sky all around me in a nice circle.. My speedboat is behind me on a dock, the water sloshing against the island and my boat. The wind is whistling in my ears. My vision zeros in on the window. I see them through the window, laughing, eating, drinking. Their having a feast, those monsters. I’m burning up with rage. A hate that has been driving me for so many years. I may seem perky but only after this will I never be angry for my mom’s death. They don’t have a care in the world. Well, that will change. It seems to me as if everything is going slow-mo. I hear the saftey pin drop, loud and clear and I see the grenade sail through the air, perfect shot, right on the cross in the window.

And I see all the little glass shards, flying onto the men. I see the look of surprise and then, fear.

The cabin blows sky high and I’m walking away like a boss with my aviators on. The fire is on the rims of my vision and flames behind me.

About the Author

Noah S. is a 13 year old, 7th grade student who loves action. He loves to play sports, and enjoys family and friends. He also loves to read and try new things. Noah has traveled from coast to coast in the United States and has been to over 25 states, not counting Washington D.C. He has also been to many other places outside of the

U.S.; which include Jamaica, other countries, and islands. His writing is inspired by

Derek Landy, Rick Riordan, Morgan Rice, and many more. Noah has a super annoying

(but lovable) younger brother who loves to wrestle. Noah loves chocolate (he’ll take any), and enjoys almost all baking.

P.S. If you want to give Noah baking or chocolate it has to be dairy free!