Orion's Rise: From Zero to Hero in Two Worlds

Chapter 7

“You sure no one’s gonna see you out here?”

I glanced over my shoulder.

Ben was leaning against the fence. Arms crossed. He observed me. As if I was going to magically produce a rabbit from a hat.

Ever since I mentioned that I needed his assistance. He had been feeling nervous.

I didn’t blame him.

If our positions were reversed. I would probably be panicking too.

“Relax.” I cleaned my hands on my jeans. 

“It’s early. No one’s around.”

Ben raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah, except for the neighbors."

"And, y’know. Cameras. You ever heard of those?”

I gave an eye-roll.

“It’s fine. I scoped the place out. No one’s gonna see anything.”

“That’s what they always say."

"Right before they get caught on YouTube.”

He didn’t move from his spot, though.

Just kept watching. He was anticipating something outlandish to occur.

I can understand why he is doubtful.

Hell. Even I had doubts. And I was the one with the powers.

“Alright.” I took a deep breath. “Here goes nothing.”

I focused on the rock in front of me.

It wasn’t anything special. 

Just a small chunk of concrete I’d found in the alley behind Ben’s house.

But it would do for now. Baby steps, and all that.

I stared at it.

Trying to feel that same energy I’d felt back when Jared had come at me.

The humming beneath my skin. The electricity in my veins.

I knew it was there. It had to be. I just needed to figure out how to *tap* into it.

“You want me to, like.. clap or something?” Ben's voice was dripping with sarcasm.

“Maybe wave a little flag?”

“Shut up." My eyes were still locked on the rock.

He chuckled. “Just sayin’. This is taking longer than I thought.”

I ignored him, trying to concentrate.

I could feel it now.

The buzz. The flicker of something. Just out of reach.

It was like trying to grab smoke. 

Every time I thought I had it. It slipped through my fingers.

But then... something clicked.

The rock shifted.

Just a little at first. Barely noticeable. But it *moved*.

Ben’s laughter cut off immediately. “Wait. Did you just—?”

I didn’t answer him. I was too focused.

The energy was building now. Stronger than before. And this time.. I was determined not to lose it.

I raised my hand slowly. Palm facing the rock.

It lifted.

Just a few inches off the ground. But it caused my heart to beat faster.

Sufficient to cause a surge of adrenaline in me.

“Holy—” Ben started. But I shot him a look. And he snapped his mouth shut.

The rock hovered there for a moment. Suspended in the air. It was waiting for me to decide what to do next.

I stared at it. Half-expecting it to fall at any second.

But it didn’t. It just... floated.

“Okay,” I whispered. More to myself than to Ben.

"Let’s try something else.”

I flicked my wrist. And the rock shot sideways. Slamming into the fence with a dull *thud*.

It wasn’t fast. But it was enough to freak the shit outta me.

Ben let out a low whistle. “Dude.”

I dropped my hand. I sensed the energy disappearing as fast as it had appeared.

The stone dropped to the floor quietly with a gentle sound. 

I released a breath that I had unconsciously been holding.

“Dude,” Ben repeated. 

Pushing off the fence and walking over to me.

“You just... you just moved that with your mind.”

“Yeah." I was staring at the spot where the rock had been.

“I guess I did.”

He shook his head. Grinning like an idiot.

"That’s insane. Like, actually insane." 

"You’re, like... Professor X or something.”

I snorted. “Except I can’t read minds. And I don’t have a wheelchair.”

“Yet.”

I shot him a look. “Not funny.”

He shrugged. Still grinning. “What else can you do?”

I hesitated, glancing down at my hands.

They looked normal. Just... hands. 

But I knew there was more to it. I could feel it.

The power was still there. Humming. Waiting for me to call on it again.

"I have no idea," I acknowledged. Flexing my fingers.

"I haven’t really... tested everything yet.”

“Well, now’s your chance."

Ben stepped back and spreadi his arms wide.

"Go on. Show me what else you’ve got.”

I frowned. “What. You want me to throw you across the yard or something?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Can you?”

“I'm not sure. Probably.”

“Then do it.”

I stared at him. “You can’t be serious.”

“Why not?” he shrugged.

“You threw Jared like he was a bag of flour."

"I’m a lot less annoying than Jared. Besides, we’ve got grass here."

"If I fall, I’ll bounce.”

Ay ay ay. Look at the idiot I talked into this. Gawd.

“Ben—”

“Come on, man. I’m serious."

"Just try it.”

I hesitated. Looked around the yard again.

It was still empty, quiet.

No one was watching. No one would see. But that didn’t make it any less weird.

“I don’t.. want to hurt you." I said finally. My voice was quieter now.

Ben snorted. “I’ve seen you try to throw a football. Trust me, I’m not worried.”

Eye roll. “That’s different.”

“Is it?”

“Yeah.” I rubbed the back of my neck.

“This is... different.”

He watched me for a second. His expression softened.

“Hey. I trust you, okay? You’re not gonna hurt me.”

I looked at him. My stomach twisted. I wasn’t so sure about that.

But he was right about one thing. I needed to figure this out.

I needed to *know* what I could do. And Ben... well. He was the only one who knew. The only one who even believed me.

“Alright." I took a deep breath.

“But if I break something, it’s on you.”

He grinned. “Deal.”

I took a step back. Held my hands out in front of me.

The energy was already there. Waiting.

I could feel it. That buzz. Beneath my skin.

It wasn’t hard to tap into it now. Not like before. It felt... natural.

I focused on Ben. I tried to picture him the same way I’d pictured the rock.

Just an object. Eii. Lord I'm finished. Okay. Focus.

Just.. something I could move.

I didn’t like thinking of him that way. But it was the only way I could wrap my head around it.

The energy surged.

Ben’s feet lifted off the ground.

“Whoa." His eyes were wide. “Okay, this is—”

Before he could finish. I flicked my wrist. He went flying across the yard.

Thud.

Not far—just a few feet.

But enough to make him land in a heap on the grass. He was laughing. Like a maniac.

“That.. was AWESOME!” he shouted. Scrambling to his feet.

I let out a breath. My chest. Argh.

I felt... good. Strong. Like I could do anything.

But at the same time. There was this nagging feeling.. in the back of my mind.

I was playing with fire. One wrong move. And everything could go horribly wrong.

“Yeah. Well. Don’t get used to it." I walked over to help him up. 

"I’m not planning on throwing people around for fun.”

Ben grinned. He brushed the grass off his jeans. “Could’ve fooled me.”

Eye roll. I couldn't hold back the tiny smile. That pulled at the edges of my lips.

“You’re an idiot.”

“Takes one to know one." He shot back. He punched me lightly in the arm.

I shook my head. Feeling the adrenaline start to wear off.

The energy was still there. It was quieter now. More subdued. I could control it.

For now, at least.

I know it wouldn’t always be that easy.

---

Later that night. I sat on my bed. Staring at my hands.

They looked normal again. Just... hands.

But I knew better now. I knew what they were capable of.

I flexed my fingers. Feeling the faint tingle of energy beneath my skin.

It was still there. Waiting. Always waiting.

Bzzzz Bzzzz.

My phone came on. I was on the nightstand.

I grabbed it without looking. I already knowing who it was.

Ben: Dude, you should’ve seen your face when I went flying. Priceless.

I rolled my eyes. I typed a quick response.

Me: Glad you're okay, moron.

He responded almost instantly.

Ben: We should try more tomorrow. See what else you can do.

I hesitated. My fingers hovered over the screen.

A part of me wanted to agree. I was curious to test my limits. How much power I really had.

But another part of me. The part that still remembered the look on Jared’s face when I threw him across the yard. Wasn’t so sure.

Me: Maybe. We’ll see.

I put the phone down. I laid back on my bed. Staring up at the ceiling.

My mind was racing. A thousand thoughts spinning around at once.

I had power now. Real power. But I was unsure of how to handle it.

And then. Just as I was about to close my eyes. 

"You’re not alone."

The Guide’s voice came again softly in the back of my mind.

I sat up. I felt my heart flutter. “What do you mean?”

But there was no answer. Only silence.

---

Across town. In a sleek office overlooking the city.

Jared’s father leaned back in his chair. His expression was unreadable.

He observed the security footage displayed on the monitor in front of him.

“Interesting." He steepled his fingers under his chin.

Behind him. A shadowy figure stepped forward. Thier voice was low and measured.

“It seems the boy has been..

"Activated.”

Jared’s father nodded slowly. His eyes never left the screen.

“Yes. And now... we watch.”