Chapter 9

"While you two are chatting, it would've been nice if someone had gotten me out of here," Baby huffed.

"Baby! Why are you in Beck’s backpack?" I asked, stunned.

"Because I wanted to see you and talk with you. Animals weren't allowed in the hospital."

"Oh boy. I haven’t even been discharged yet, and you're already going to lecture me some more?"

"Yes and no," she said, chuckling. "I need to tell you—what you did was dumb... but also, respectfully, brilliant."

“What?” Beck and I said at the same time. She sounded sincere—it was just hard to believe she actually complimented me. Kind of.

"A skilled Waymaker forms their sword using spirit energy," Baby explained.

"Really cool? Okay, so what do we learn next?" I asked eagerly.

"Kays," I "You can’t be serious," Beck said harshly. ” Are you looking to kill yourself?"

"Well," I shrugged, "given the right tools, I did fight and take down that boar—so why not?" Baby Face clearly disapproved of my attitude. Maybe it was the pain meds, but I felt high-spirited.

"It was a lower-level soulless, Kaysi. You barely knew how to hold the sword's form, let alone use its powers."

Baby continued, "The sword you have is called a crane. It was made for you to carry in its lower form, called a feather. It's small, inconspicuous, and easy to carry—ready to activate when needed. In that form, it’s called a resting crane. It can still be used, but it’s not very strong. It's typically used on weaker enemies. As you grow and understand your sword’s true power, it will transform into its full form—the soaring crane."

Beck nodded slowly, beginning to understand some of what Baby was teaching us. "So, the first form, the feather, hides the weapon; then the resting crane is a second, and finally, the soaring crane is what it is called in its fully awakened form."

"Exactly, Beck. You’re getting it now."

"Oh, awesome, I get it!" 

"Now," Baby said, shifting gears, "onto the other elephant in the room. Beck, what did you see that day?"

"Oh yeah, uh... Beck hesitated.  You don’t have to worry about me—I won't be telling anyone. I already told people who asked at school it was a pack of wild boars."

"I also need to point out that you could see the monsters, though. That means you have potential." Baby narrowed her eyes. "But... you don’t have a guardian, do you?"

"A guardian? Like an animal like you?" Beck looked confused.

"Yes, that’s correct. A guardian angel that takes the form of your animal companion."

"No, I don’t have any animals. I used to have a pet cat."

“Okay, well,” cough, 'I am more than an ordinary house pet. I am a full-blown angel. I was placed into an animal vessel to hide my identity while I trained Kaysi."

"Beck, you must know your friendship with her puts you at risk since you are not a waymaker."

"Kaysi," she continued,  you must choose to put her in danger or not. If you choose to, you can keep her as a friend, or you can never see each other again from here on out."

"I'm sorry, but Kaysi shouldn’t have to make that kind of decision," Beck protested. "It’s unfair. Even though we’ve only known each other for three years—since middle school—I know she’d end our friendship just to protect me, even if it breaks her heart."

"If that’s the case," Baby said, softening slightly, "you need to grow stronger—to protect yourself and, by doing so, protect Kaysi. Don’t become a liability. You must be able to defend yourself."

"Wow... that was a bit harsh."

"Of course, as a guardian, I am responsible for safeguarding humanity and aiding in developing her skills."

"I’ll do whatever it takes. Anything I can do to support you guys in the fight—I’m in."

"Good. But know this—it won’t be quick. I’ve never trained someone to work with two Waymakers simultaneously. Guardians are only appointed to one Waymaker at a time. I still need to figure out your combat abilities, but let's see if you're able to sense spirits. You can still learn to arm yourself, protecting yourself from possible harm."

She glanced at me. "As you see, she was not supposed to receive your sword for another two years. You were not trained or mature enough to do so."

"Oh… well, I’ll learn and adapt thanks to you being such a good trainer." I teased to pull the tension her glare gave me. 

"I’m a few months older than Kaysi anyway, so that has to count for something, right?" Becky tried to dissolve the frustration Baby felt.

Baby ducked back into the bag as she heard footsteps approaching. A nurse entered the room. 

"You’ll be discharged later today," she said with a smile.

Happy to finally be getting out, I asked Beck if she wanted to go and get ice cream.

"Kaysi," Beck laughed, "you need to rest and recover. You’re not ready to be out and about just yet. Rain check?"

"Fine," I sighed.

I think Beck was right when she said I was still a bit weak because I fell asleep right away after she helped me to my bed when I got home.

Micah was talking about my hospital stay the next day. I was in there for a longer time than I realized, since I had to make something up on the spot. In all honesty, I wasn't prepared for people or for having to respond to their questions.

By lunchtime, others had started discussing my situation. I never knew the number of individuals who knew or were concerned about me; I found it to be pretty heartwarming at the moment.

I went with Beck’s story—we said I saved her from a wild boar attack and got hurt pushing her out of the way.

For now, I like to remember when people cared for me. One day, when I am weak, I may ask myself why I am fighting to live and need some form of encouragement. Having been bullied so much growing up, this was a nice change of pace. 

By the next semester, the excitement had died down. Micah and I now share a gym class, and we decided to have lunch together afterward.

We caught up with Beck and told her about our new schedules. The three of us decided to eat outside at the lunch tables for more privacy.

We agreed to eat and hang out at the outside lunch tables together so we could hand out more privately. 

Seated among the trees, I could see the shimmering light with auburn gold gleaming through the trees of the autumn's blazing sun in the sky. I would love to watch the crimson leaves cascading as they fell to the ground. The air was a bit chilly outside today.

The school lunch was the usual—cheap pasta, canned meats, and bitter vinaigrette. Beck brought lunch from home; her mom always packed something good.

I asked my friends if they wanted to hang out after school. Now that I am older, my mom has given me the freedom to venture out a bit more.

Since Christmas was around the corner and I still needed to get presents for everyone, maybe we could play the white elephant game, which involves a secret exchange of gifts.

"What about you guys? Do you have anything left to do for Christmas?" 

"Well, I only have a few items, Beck chirped.  You still haven’t got anything yet, have you, Kaysi?" She said sarcastically as she mocked. "You sure are good at saving things to the last minute, right?" 

"I like to wait to get the right ideas. You know, budget-wise."

"Mmmm… Fair enough, Beck said, unconvinced but accepting. Micah, how about you?"

"I had so much to do this month, so I already got everything, wrapped them, and placed them under the tree."

"Wow, Micah," "Way to go." "Look at you, being an overachiever!"

"Okay, since Micah's tied up, Beck and I can still go to the mall. Ice cream’s on me! Plus, we can finish our remaining gifts."

"That sounds great, Kaysi. I will double-check with my mom to ensure it is okay and call you later."

"I am heading home to finish my work so that I can catch up with you later," Micah said as she grabbed her tray and left. "

"Okay, see you later, Micah. I yelled back at her."

I turned to Beck. "Hey, Beck,“ is it just me,” or do you think Micah has been dodging us lately?"

"No, you're still loopy; she has just been busier than usual."

"Yeah, you're probably right. I am just overthinking things too much."

At the mall, I loved seeing the decorations—tall trees with twinkling lights everywhere and large ornaments. Each year, they choose a color theme for the decor. This year, it is gold and metallic red. The lights were draped across the ceiling beams.

There were Christmas trees at every mall intersection.

The best part of the mall was the holiday cheer of all the employees. Some wore little Xmas headbands and ugly sweaters, and they had large-spirited smiles. Some of them wore full costumes like Santa’s elf or Christmas pajamas.

Some shoppers are even dressed in their Christmas cheer.

They even placed carolers in the mall, who floated from store to store, singing Christmas songs and spreading Christmas cheer.

And the cherry on top of all this fiesta is Santa Claus sitting in his big chair in the middle of it all.

I even convinced Beck to take a photo with Santa and me.

When we finished shopping, we walked to my house—it was close—and she’d get a ride home with my older brother after dinner.

As we turned the corner near my backyard, snow started falling heavily.

"Beck," I said, gazing up at the lights, "don’t you think it’s pretty how the snow sparkles?"

(POW!)
Something hit me square in the face while I was admiring the sky.