Ascension (The Ascension Series) (33 page)

Before going to the eleventh floor to see Charles, Clark first suggested they
stop on the ninth floor. So they got onto the elevator, pushed the button labeled ‘9’ and got off on the right floor.

“We’re looking for John Ahern,” Clark told the receptionist. She directed them to a room and they entered it. The small room was mostly empty. There were only sterile hospital items, no flowers or cards or anything. The heart monitor was off to the side and pulsated at a normal rate. And lying in the bed connected to the monitor was John. His body showed no signs of life as he lied there comatose.

“I miss you, John,” Sarah said to him as she stroked her hands down his long blonde hair. Her eyes welled up with tears.

“We miss the real you, John,” Clark sighed. “I’m so sorry you couldn’t overcome
the problems that plagued you. If you never return to us, John─ then I hope you can return to your parents. I know how much you loved your mother. I know she’ll be glad to see you on the other side.”

Tears streamed down Sarah’s face as Clark hugged her. He too was close to crying when he looked on the table across from the bed and noticed John’s military beret.

“That’s the one his father gave to him shortly before he died,” Clark told Sarah. A single tear ran down Clark’s face as he whispered, “Why’d you have to do it, John?”

They wiped their tears away and left the room.
Then they took the elevator and went to the eleventh floor. They spoke to the receptionist who had to issue them clearance. Then they passed a few security guards and were escorted into Charles’s hospital room. Both of Charles’s parents were sitting in the room.

“Hi Mr. and Mrs. Walsh,” Clark said.

“Hello, Clark, Sarah,” Mr. Walsh waved.

Mrs. Walsh simply smiled.

“Hey guys,” Charles said from his hospital bed. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“I promise we’re going to see you every day until you leave this place,” Clark told him.

“That’s why I love you guys,” Charles smiled.

“Charles will be able to leave in a few weeks,” Mr. Walsh told them. “He’ll require extensive physical therapy but he will be able to walk again one day.”

“Until then,” Charles smiled, “I’ll be like Professor X.”

“Do you ever stop smiling?” Sarah asked. “You’re really amazing Charles.”

“That’s what the rest of the cheerleading squad told me,” Charles quipped. It was enough to make both Charles and Sarah laugh.

“We’ll be there for you every step of the way,” Clark told him.

“Awesome─ So everyone is hanging up their suits?” Charles said ambiguously so his parents wouldn’t know exactly what he meant.

“Yeah,” Clark said. “We decided it’s time to move forward
. Not backwards.”

For the next hour they talked with Charles about important things involving their powers, still speaking ambiguously, and things not so important
. Clark and Sarah again assured Charles that they would always be there for him. Charles even got a text from Donny stating that he and Chloe would see him on the following day. After a while, Clark and Sarah left Charles alone with his parents and exited his hospital room. They said little to one another but smiled as they hopped onto the elevator. Then they exited the hospital and made their way outside.

They held hands and walked along the street for several minutes.

“It’s a long walk from my house,” Sarah said.

“Min too,” Clark nodded.

“You think─ one last time?” Sarah suggested with a huge smile.

“Yeah,” Clark returned her smile. “One last time.”

They ran off into the woods as the sun lowered. Several bushes and trees bristled about due to a sweeping motion and a sonic boom as Clark and Sarah ascended into the air and flew off at sunset.

THE END OF BOOK ONE

Acknowledgements

Thank you,

• Mom and Dad (Anna & Andre):
  For believing in me.
  
• J.K.
  Rowling & Stan Lee: For the childhood memories that shaped my imagination.
  
• Stephen King:
  For teaching me, as a reader, that even the unimaginable is imaginable.
  
• Neil Gaiman:
  For teaching me, as a reader, that dragons can be defeated.
  
• Everyone who has read this book:
  For your patronage; it means more to me than you may ever know.