New Zion
Chapter 18: Path to Atonement

Cole sat in the back of the car with Aria as Levi drove. Sophie looked back at Cole from the passenger seat.

“So, how did…” Sophie started, but cut herself off. “What’s going on?” Cole closed his eyes.

“Just… I caused some problems for dad’s business,” Sophie grew quiet. They pulled in front of the middle school. Cole looked out the window and saw the patch covering up Cole’s fight earlier on in the school year.

“Bye Cole,” Sophie bid farewell as she left the car.

“See you later Sophie,” Cole said as she closed the door. They continued down the road.

“So Cole, what are you going to do?” Cole looked up at Levi.

“What do you mean?” Cole asked.

“Well, we have a full tank of gas, and Aria’s here. Ultimately I answer to you,” Levi said. Cole’s eye twitched.

“It crossed my mind, but I’m going to go through my punishment,” Cole replied.

“Huh. Good man,” Levi said before falling silent. They reached the school. Cole got out of the vehicle and walked to the other side, opening the door for Aria.

“I won’t be able to pick you up after school today, so just ask Mary Galen to walk you home. Also, there is something going on at Town Square, so it’ll be kind of difficult to go through that way,” Aria looked up at Cole and nodded. She stepped onto the bridge, and Cole watched Archimedes and his team step forward to check the ID’s of some of the other students. Cole looked at the surrounding buildings and mountain face behind the lake. Something faintly glinted up on the mountain. Cole sighed and got out of the vehicle. He walked to Archimedes and pulled him aside.

“Archimedes, would you kindly tell Eagle Eye that his lens is flashing,” Cole whispered. Archimedes smiled.

“No worries, sir. That isn’t Eagle Eye. We set that up to distract, along with three other points that will reflect depending on where a person is standing. Eagle Eye is actually somewhere else,” Cole smiled.

“Good work. I apologize for underestimating you,” Archimedes shook his head.

“No, no. There is no offense. Thank you for your concern,” Archimedes said as he looked past Cole “I believe Currot is waiting in your car over there,” Cole looked up at Archimedes.

“Currot? What does that mean?” Archimedes shook his head.

“In my native tongue it means ‘Spirit of Chaos’. Just ask him about his previous endeavors before he joined the Avalon Family,” Archimedes strode back to the archway of the bridge. The words ‘Together we stand, Together we fall’ were imprinted in cursive writing along the top of the archway. Cole jogged back to the car and got into the passenger seat. Levi was looking up at the archway.

“What’s the purpose of those words?” he asked. Cole shrugged.

“It’s supposed to be some kind of symbol of how the races are coming together here, and how we’re all interconnected and that we need each other,” Cole replied. Levi let out a huh and started driving down the street. “So, would you like to start at the beginning with Clive Oregon or at the end with, Susan Killian?” Levi asked.

“Aria, could I please speak to you for a moment?” Aria looked up at Hunter and nodded. They stepped into the hallway, and Hunter closed the door.

“What do you need, Mr. Hunter?” Aria asked.

“I may not be the sharpest person in the world, but I can tell that you haven’t been paying any attention to the class whatsoever today. This means that I’m either not doing my job correctly, or there’s something going on with you. So, what’s up?” Hunter looked down at Aria expectantly.

“Well… It’s just that…” Aria tried to put what was going on into words, but couldn’t find a way to explain it.

“Lemme talk to her, you clumsy oaf,” Aria looked over to see Mary. Mr. Hunter looked up at her as well.

“Thank you Mrs. Galen. Oh, and Aria, please bring me your Journal tomorrow morning. I just need to make sure that you’ve been doing it,” Mr. Hunter stepped back into the classroom. Mary sighed.

“Hey Aria,” Mary greeted her.

“Hi,” Aria replied.

“Here, let’s sit down,” Mary offered. They walked down the hallway a ways and sat down on a bench. “So, Mr. Hunter came and visited me during the lunch break and told me that something’s going on with you. Would you be ok with telling me about it?” Aria sighed.

“I didn’t have an issue with telling Mr. Hunter,” Aria said. Mary raised an eyebrow. “I was just having trouble putting it to words,” Mary nodded.

“Well, right now is study block, so you’ve got time to figure out how to say it,” Mary assured her.

“So, you’re a gym teacher, counselor, and you’re part of the Avalon Family?” Mary slightly smiled.

“Pretty much. I’m sure that you’ve met my husband, Harry. He does all sorts of things there, and is Ryan’s right hand man,” Aria nodded.

“He’s a nice guy. I like him. Although, he always seems so flustered and worried, as if everything’s going to fall apart around him at any given point of time,” Mary smiled.

“That’s because the both of us were on our home planet when it was falling apart,” Aria blinked. “I was a little too young to remember any of it, but he was old enough,” Aria looked down.

“But, that’d make him over a hundred years old,” Aria stated. Mary chuckled.

“No. I see that Mr. Hunter wasn’t kidding when he said you didn’t pay attention today,” Aria looked up at Mary. “The Berg Leute arrived on New Zion twenty years after the humans. He’s eighty six years old. I’m eighty,” Aria looked back down.

“Oh,” Mary smiled.

“The Terra aren’t the only ones with memories of their home,” Mary stated. Aria nodded. “So, I’ve told you about me. Now it’s your turn,” Ari shifted on the bench.

“Well, it’s just that it seems that whoever I get close to ends up having terrible things happen to them,” Mary thought a moment.

“Like what?” she asked. Aria looked at her feet.

“Well, my parents were murdered, and they’d used their own bodies to protect me,” Mary nodded.

“Ok, but that’s not all, is it?” Aria shook her head.

“Claire did the same thing for me, and she’s got a long scar on her back now, which makes her undesirable in the Terra society because women aren’t supposed to fight,” Mary leaned forward a bit, looking at Aria.

“But that still isn’t the only thing, is it?” Aria shook her head again.

“Cole got hurt really badly because of me, and he also killed a lot of people for me,” Mary sighed.

“That’s it, isn’t it?” Aria nodded. “And it’s all just built up over time?” Aria nodded again.

“Well, your parents did what they had because they loved you…” Mary started.

“But it’s still my fault that they died!” Aria exclaimed. Mary gave a slight smile.

“Are you sure about that? Do you know what your parents were doing?” Aria looked up at Mary. “I talked to Claire. Your parents were both the eldest in the families, and your mother was the only child. When your parents got married, it was practically a declaration of war on the Wolf Family, since they believe that the Pack Leader bloodline must remain pure. Your parents were going to be killed with or without you coming into the picture, and they knew that,” Aria didn’t look up.

“What about Claire? She won’t be able to…” Mary tapped Aria on the head.

“Claire loves you as well, and it’s her job to protect you with her life. She said so herself. Besides, she’s no longer in the Terra lands, so I’m sure that out here she’s extremely desirable,” Aria opened her mouth to speak, but Mary placed her hand on Aria’s head.

“Just look at Mr. Hunter; Claire told me how he conversed with her on the plane ride over her. Cole did what he did because he cares very deeply for you, and everything that he did was his own choice, meaning that anything that he does is his burden to carry, not yours,” Aria slumped.

“Why does he care so much? We only met a couple of months ago, and I look like a thirty eight year old Terra,” Mary smiled.

“Thirty six, more like,” Mary said. Aria’s ear twitched. “There is only one person in this world that I can think of that would do all of that for me. Who do you think it is?” Mary asked.

“Harry, right?” Aria replied. Mary nodded.

“And why do you think that is?” Mary asked. Aria finally looked up.

“Because he’s loved you for many years,” Mary nodded.

“That’d be a large part of it. But do you want to know the other reason?” Mary asked. Aria nodded.

“It’s because a world without me is a world that he doesn’t want to live in, and it’s the same for me towards him. So, he would do what he could to be put on a kill list, and hurt the bad people in the process. Isn’t that what Cole did?” Aria nodded. Mary smiled.

“So, do you still think that you’re responsible?” Mary asked. Aria looked up.

“Well, if I hadn’t come here then…” Aria began.

“Then Cole wouldn’t have found you, chosen to love and pursue you?” Mary interrupted. She raised her eyebrows. “C’mon Aria. At this point you’re trying to find reasons to be depressed and feel guilty. It’s time for you to put that behind you,” Mary stood up. “Don’t shoulder the burdens that aren’t yours to bear. You can stay out here if you’d like, but please be sure to be back in class before the next period starts, ok?” Aria nodded. Mary started walking down the hallway. Reaching a classroom near the end, she knocked on the door and a student stepped out and they began talking.

“So Cole, this is the last place,” Levi said looking over at Cole. Cole set his jaw and grit his teeth.

“I don’t think I can do this,” Cole stated. “I thought it’d get easier, but it’s only gotten harder each time,” Levi sighed.

“I’m surprised you made it past the first three,” Cole looked over at Levi.

“Have you ever had to do this?” Levi tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

“I had to do it for the families of each member of my old unit, so nineteen times. Soon to be twelve less than you. Although, I didn’t have to tell them that I straight up murdered them. Now, get going,” Levi unlocked the doors. Cole stepped out of the car and started walking towards the house. It was three houses down from where Aria and Claire used to live. Cole knocked on the door. A woman a few years older than Cole opened the door.

“Susan Killian?” Cole asked. The woman nodded.

“Yeah, whaddya need?” Susan asked.

“I am Cole Avalon, the son of Ryan Avalon,” Cole stated.

“I know who you are, I want to know what you need to talk to me about,” Susan stated.

“I am here to apologize for the murder of your father,” Cole said. He bowed, his hands clasped tightly behind his back. Susan looked down at him, eyes wide. “I know that it doesn’t make everything better, but Ryan Avalon wishes to offer whatever assistance he can give,” Cole braced for her response. Susan visibly relaxed.

“That’s a relief. I thought you were here to drag me off since my da was a part of the Night Riders,” Cole cocked his head as he straightened.

“No. That’s not how the Family operates. You haven’t been here long, have you?” Susan shook her head.

“Where we come from, the Mafia even goes after the families of the gang members, unless we disown ’em,” she explained. “Anyways, you were offering some kind of help?” Cole nodded.

“If you’re interested. We do this for all the families of the prematurely deceased. I understand that this can be a difficult time, but we’d like to make sure that you’re looked after as soon as possible. After all, nobody should have to go through this alone,” Cole said.

She doesn’t seem too broken up over her father’s death, Dojo said. If it were me, I’d try to hunt down the person that killed my father and kill him with my bare hands, Alfred scoffed.

What a barbarian. You can’t just go around killing people like an animal. There is a reason that professional assassins and poisons exist, Alfred admonished. Abra hushed them.

“Sure, what do I need to do?” Susan asked. Cole kept a stony expression.

“I’ve just got a few questions for you to figure out what you need, and then I can get the ball rolling to get it done,” Susan nodded. “First question, are you employed?” Susan shook her head.

“My da was getting’ the money,” she said. Cole nodded.

“Ok, do you have any other family?” Cole asked.

“No, no family. It was just me an’ my da,” she answered.

“Finally, are you single?” Susan nodded. “Ok. So, we can offer you a job, and should you want the support group, you can join the family as well,” Susan nodded.

“I ain’t much good at fightin’, but I would like to take the job,” Cole nodded.

“That perfectly alright. We have plenty of members that don’t do any fighting, and they run support roles, but if you still don’t want to be a part of the Family, then that is perfectly fine. So, as for the job, what are your skills?” Susan thought a moment.

“I’m really good with people, organizin’, cleanin’, an cookin’,” she said. Cole smiled.

“Well, I have the perfect place for you,” Susan’s eyes lit up. “We’ve got a boarding house whose old Landlord retired. What do you think of that?” Cole asked. Susan nodded quickly.

“Perfect. It’s the one that’s just two blocks down from here, so you won’t have to move out if you don’t want to. You’ll cook dinners for them, take care of the public areas, and if any problems come up whatsoever, whether it’s tenants or maintenance, there are Family members in rooms three and ten,” Susan’s eyes started watering.

“Thank you so much!” she said, taking his hand. “You ’an your Family are amazing. To think that you’d do this for me ’an others; it’s just too kind,” Cole forced a smile.

“Don’t worry about it,” Cole said.

Thanking the person who killed her father. That’s a strange turn out, isn’t it? Cole’s mental twin said.

Leave me alone, Cole responded.

I would if I could, believe me, the voice faded.

“Anyways, just head on over when you’re ready. Talk to the member in room three, and he’ll hand you the reigns,” Cole said, standing up.

“Once again, thank you. I just can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done,” Susan continued.

“The best way to thank me would be to live your life to the fullest,” Cole said, and he began to walk away. Susan closed the door, but Cole could hear her through the open windows. The sound of sobbing echoed in his head as he got into the car. Levi looked at him.

“How’d it go?” he asked. Cole shook his head.

“This was the worst one yet,”

Ryan stood on a platform that had been put up in the center of the Town square with Harry and Summer. Ryan looked around as more Family members filed in. He turned to Harry.

“Would you please get two of our guys to take Summer, pick up Sophie and bring both of them back home,” Harry nodded as he walked into the crowd.

“No Ryan. I will be here for this,” Ryan looked over at Summer.

“Sweetie, you don’t want to be here for this,” he replied.

“I don’t care! I will be here,” Summer pushed. Ryan shook his head.

“You’re going home, and that’s final. Cole will be brought home, and you can tend to him there,” Summer’s eyes widened.

“You aren’t going to use…” Ryan turned away from her and placed a hand on a box on a podium.

“You’re not going to be here when I do this,” he said. Summer grabbed Ryan’s hand.

“I didn’t have those made for this! They were made to open the Rift! Fine, I’ll go home, but only if you promise not to use those!” Ryan turned slightly, but didn’t look at her.

“I’m doing him a mercy in doing so. It means that his punishment time will be shorter,” Ryan said. Summer grabbed his chin and forced him to look at her.

“But he’ll feel it for a long time!” she exclaimed. Ryan looked in her eyes.

“That’s the point of a punishment. It’s supposed to stick with the punished,” he stated. Summer let go of him and took a step back.

“Just realize that what you’re about to do can’t be undone,” Summer cautioned.

“Physically, he’ll go back to normal eventually, both his body and Rift attributes,” Ryan stated, straightening and looking out at the crowd.

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it,” she said as Harry returned with two family members. They stepped up onto the podium and stood at either side of Summer. Ryan nodded.

“I know,” He looked at the men.

“You make sure that both she and my daughter make it home safely. A storm is heading our way, and I don’t know when the first drops will fall,” The two members nodded and walked off with Summer in between them. Ryan watched the member’s part to let them through. “Please forgive me,” Ryan whispered.

©2017

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