Barcode: Cavern of Youth (5 page)

As we exit the repugnant laboratory and close the squeaking black door, I hear screams from down the hallway. The last one comes from the mouth of Yukio. Though I spend most of my time in the dungeon, I can still hear him when I’m at home. Yukio hasn’t been the same since I killed his friends and family members at Yang Arena. Unfortunately for him, his father rushed to Feng’s aide when he heard of Helios’ threat. Though Yukio hasn’t said much, even to his mother, I sense his determination to search for his father’s murderer. Maybe I’ll give him a hint one day.

Dennis places his hand on my shoulder and stops me at the door. “This won’t be friendly, Kay.”

“I don’t think Vincent was ever friendly. I’ll feel right at home.”

“He’s not the only one. When this is all over, we have to explain this to my family.”

“Even better. Let’s get it over with. I want to see how much pain this thing can cause. Those screams sound exciting.”

“You’re a strange kid.”

I’m the first to walk into the garage door, followed by Carmen.

The storage room looks like some ancient cult meeting place. The floor is a bloody red. It seems as though someone tried renovating the room by throwing a few buckets of paint on the ground, leaving most of it uneven. Then, they tore large holes in the walls to reveal the support beams and covered the windows with cardboard.

This room used to belong to an instructor Dennis once warned me about. Bae Dong-gun was a South Korean doctor completing his residency with the academy under Gonzales’ supervision. As legend tells, the experiments he performed in this garage make the blood splattered walls in Gonzales’ lab look like child’s play.

All the students stop what they’re doing and turn their attention to me.

Twelve gods and demigods are standing in a circle. The ceremony is already under way and I made it just in time to interrupt the next wrapping. Yukio was the last to be sealed. He has two very powerful barcodes on his forearms. At first glance, they look like various stars. But if you played Connect the Dots with them, the constellation would form two dragons. I imagine he’s lost a lot of the power. Nearly an inch of girth seems to be missing from his forearms.

Two high-ranking demigods, Brandon and Trent, are unconscious but still a part of the circle.

Vincent, the biggest of the group, is wearing a brown cloak like the others. He removes his hood. I think he wants me to see the disgust on his face clearly.

The beautiful girl hiding behind my back catches his attention when she peeks around my arm. Vincent’s level of surprise is alarming. “Why is she here? No other woman besides Angie is allowed, and that’s only because my wife was unable to bear a boy.”

My dad reacts as though he just noticed Vincent, but doesn’t reply. Instead, he announces, “I’m very proud to see the top performing students from Colt Academy gathered here today. You all have worked extremely hard to obtain the honor of being bandaged by the Seal of Solomon. Colt warriors have held this power to themselves for far too long. Fortunately, you were approved by my family. That means they believe you are the future of Gladiator Sports Entertainment.”

A few students smile under their cloaks, though others, like Malik and Patrick, keep their eyes and firm expressions on me.

“But I have some bad news. It seems the student with the highest scores, Malik Jules, won’t undergo the first full body transformation as promised. Due to extreme circumstances, my adopted son will accept this responsibility. I’d like to introduce all of you to Kay.”

Malik’s eyes widen, and the barcode on his hands and chest glow. He wasn’t too strong last year, but Professor Jules had Monte and me train him. I thought he’d never gain any serious strength, but near the end of the year, he began showing incredible potential.

There are two dog heads tattooed on his hands and one on his chest. I discovered the hard way that the mutt’s punches can feel like bites and even draw blood. At the time, they were minor scratches, but I’m sure the puppy’s grown up a bit. Though he doesn’t have the power of a full Egyptian god, the tattoos for Serapis are comparable.

Egyptian tattoos are rare. In fact, there’s only one other host on campus. Children born with this power in America are often killed because of their insane power. Mayan gods are attacked as well. Because of Serapis’ foundation in Greek history, Malik was safe from harm.

Though he tries to fight his rage, Malik takes a step forward. Vincent blares, “Stay in position for the ceremony. Let me handle these pathetic excuses.”

Turning to Dennis, I ask, “You think he’s talking about you and me, or the explanation you just gave?”

Vincent’s eyes twitch as he hears my voice. “Remove your hood, boy. Who is behind that cloak? I thought you said the—”

“It’s exactly as I said, so let’s not get into that.” Dennis addresses the students, “I need to ask you all a favor. You must have heard about the explosion downstairs. Because of the honor and prestige you hold, I will honestly tell you that there was an assassination attempt on this beautiful girl’s life.” He walks behind me and pulls the shy girl away. Some of the boys laugh at the sight of her. Why? “Well, I need her to be followed twenty-four-seven, until I get to the bottom of this. You’ll be hired as security for Colt Arena and paid accordingly.”

“That’s outrageous,” Vincent bellows while Dennis speaks, but the big man in the black suit never breaks stride.

“She’s allowed to choose her security personally. Carmen has healed most of your wounds this year and knows your power, so I’ve asked her to choose the strongest of you.” Whispering to the frightened beauty, Dennis says, “Choose wisely.”

The boys chatter as though no one can hear them. Malik’s the first to banter, “I hope she chooses me so I can finally end the sexual tension between us. The girl wants me to poke her, I swear.”

Patrick laughs and adds, “Please. I need someone to get into myself.” But that’s strange. He doesn’t even play for that team. Am I the only one that knows? I’m seriously going to have fun with this.

“You already have a girl. Let me finally end her misery. She wants it bad.”

Nudging Carmen, Dennis commands, “Pick now.”

She turns hear head towards me and plays with her fingers anxiously. She knows my ability. Thus, she’s aware that I can see her. Carmen’s waiting on me to acknowledge her, but I refuse. If she wants me, she better fight for it. I’m no easy catch.

“I’ll choose Mal—”

“Dennis! Outside. Now!” Vincent fumes as he storms out of the room.

Dad mouths, “I think I’m in trouble,” as he follows. After nearly a year with me, he’s picking up my sarcastic humor. I laugh openly as he exits.

Malik doesn’t waste time approaching me. He and his gang of Patrick, Wesley, and Addison march towards me.

“Addison. That’s a chick’s name. Right?” It seems my greeting isn’t very welcomed because the demigod flashes his tattoo. I continue anyway, “Hector wasn’t really a demigod was he? I saw this one old film—really poor quality, twentieth century stuff—anyway, Achilles kicked his ass.”

The mutt barks, “Who the hell are you?”

“Kay. Kinda nice to meet you. I’d shake your hand, but I don’t know where it’s been. You look like the lonely type, and I’ve seen the things they do with lotion, Vaseline, egg whites. Disgusting.”

Carmen’s giggling and my casual nature seems to upset Mr. Jules. He tightens his fists. Noticing the dog tattoos light up, I make a gentle barking sound.

Unable to control himself any longer, he snaps, “I trained day and night to get those bandages. Promised my entire family that I’d be the first non-Colt to wear them, and they’re given to a
son
we haven’t seen or heard of?”

“Yeah. About that. I don’t really care.” Turning to Wesley, I say, “Hmm. You’re the quiet type. Why hang out with them?” I point my finger directly at Malik.

“This must be a joke. You know all of us. Who’s under here? Monte?” Malik foolishly tries to remove my hood. As he reaches, I viciously grab his right arm. Malik’s speed has drastically improved; his left hand bites my neck. I hardly had time to react. My black blood trickles down his fingers. “What the hell?”

Dennis and Vincent are still yelling at each other outside the door. Though the conversation began with Carmen’s protection, Vincent isn’t pleased that his brother sent Angie on a meaningless task without his permission. Whatever else they have to say is interrupted by the sensation they feel brewing on their skin. You don’t need barcodes to know when I’m going to kill someone. It’s plain for anyone to see. Even Carmen backs away.

But I have a larger problem on my hands. The energy I release alerts Angie to my presence. Seven floors down, she bursts into tears and mumbles, “Kode?”

Dennis rushes into the room as the other eight students surround me to support their hero. Some shout, “Break his neck!”

Others scream, “Bite him Malik!”

I’ve already released his left arm. It was too distracting.

What’s the most painful way to end his life?

“Stop!” Dennis shouts as he rushes to the crowd. Malik tightens his grip. “Don’t! Stop now. Don’t!”

Malik bears his fangs and looks away, but doesn’t let go. Angie’s still searching for the presence on the first floor. It’s only a matter of time until she finds me.

“Don’t!” Dennis commands for the last time.

Angrily, Malik spouts, “It’s not my fault, and I don’t understand why we can’t just fight for the power. He’s nothing more—”

Still focused on me, Dennis speaks more calmly, “Kay. Don’t do anything irrational. Stop. Please. You don’t know what this will do to me. Lay low, Kay.”

Clenching my jaws, I fight the urge to drive Shiva’s trishula through Malik’s chest. He’s now staring at my dad in disbelief. I tighten my fist just enough to draw blood, though not much.

“Kay. Please trust me.”

With those words, I release a gust of air from my lungs. Malik holds on until I push him away with the shock wave gathered in my chest. Expelling the pressure is somewhat satisfying, but I’d prefer to kill him.

Vincent calls the cult’s meeting back to order. The boys grumble as we stand in a circle and are sealed. The process looks simple. The silver ring around Vincent’s left ring finger is the Seal of Solomon. The tool seems to have bandages condensed into the steel. The angry fat man places his hand on students’ heads or shoulders, and the ceremonial bandages creep out and bind their tattoos.

Everyone screams in pain except the mutt, and he receives the largest and thickest bandages. All three of his dog tattoos are covered. His hands are wrapped like a boxer’s, and his chest is strapped with the bandages circling his torso in an X-shape. The pattern reminds me of Arnold’s barcode.

After the process is complete for the mutt, Vincent articulates, “You will be favored with the second strongest bind I have. When you are free from this power, you will still be
my
mightiest student.”

Vinny-boy breathes heavily while standing directly in front of me. Carmen inches a bit closer to Dennis. Dad checks his watch twice. I want the fat man to speed up as well, but I remain quiet to avoid drawing out the process any further.

Angie’s finally realized that the presence she felt behind Dennis is probably connected to the one she felt ready to kill Malik. As she bolts up the stairs, the ring reacts on its own.

Vincent clutches my head tightly. “What the hell?”

His hand involuntarily shakes my head, and I feel the ring dig slightly into my skin. Luckily, most of the boys are unconscious because my hood flies off, and bandages zip from the ring. My clothes follow.

The brute continues holding on, but looks away from the blinding glow of the seal. Unlike the white light that shined around the others, this one turns the room pitch black.

My senses are restricted, and I can no longer hear or see for miles. Even what’s in front of me becomes difficult to make out. Dennis calls my name. He probably doesn’t realize that he said, “Kode,” but I doubt the others had enough time to notice. Those lying on the ground slide across the floor, and Malik falls backwards and flips over his own shoulders.

The evil energy emitting from the ring and I are incredible. I’d dwell on the evil scene, but as the bandages wrap around me, the distress my body suffers snatches my attention. Though I initially hold my own, I give into a wild scream that can probably be heard through every floor.

The ring disintegrates on Vincent’s finger as he yanks his hand away from my head. Something causes him to wail two octaves above his standard tone. Wuss.

I can barely move my lips enough to say, “What’s up with me and black?”

Like Shiva, the bandages are dark. They resemble the dark charcoal gray color of Tartarus. Though I hold my hands up for a few seconds, they drop to my side as I fall to my knees.

Honestly, I enjoy pain—I will admit that—but I would have never imagined every muscle on my body feeling like burning needles were stuck through them. My bones dreadfully expand and contract with the same arrhythmic beat.

This isn’t pain, it’s torture.

Dennis mouths, “Don’t cry,” but I can hardly hear it. What the hell is wrong with my ears?

A loud explosion sounds from outside, and Angie rushes in screaming, “Kode!” repeatedly. She shoves Dennis and Vincent out of the way. Digging her nails in Dennis’ arm enough to draw blood, she murmurs, “Who? Who the hell is this?”

Sound fades in and out for a moment. The last words I hear are Carmen’s, “I choose Kay as my bodyguard. I want him.”

Five

Dreams are for people too afraid to attack their goals. The weak plan endlessly, searching for their next adventure. For the first time in my life, I join them.

Normally, when I fall asleep, the hues and saturation in my fourth dimension become dynamically colorful. The same thing happens when I’m knocked unconscious. I can actually see more of the world than before.

Though I love seeing the astonishing details, from hair blowing in the wind to animals crawling on the ground, I also hear more pain and torment. I’ve witnessed various kidnappings. Psychotic husbands have found their wives cheating. To retaliate, they shoved bullets though their wife’s heart and finished the job by turning the gun on themselves. There’s also the occasional drug overdose, which leaves children without a mother or father.