The Legend of the Firewalker (35 page)

Nathan sighed while lowering his head and twisting his lip. 

“Anyhow,” said Malick, trying to lighten the mood, “I’m glad you’re doing okay, but I’d better get going. Steve’s res
ting in my room. He’s a little dehydrated and still slightly confused, but he’ll be all right. We still haven’t decided what to tell his parents yet.”

“We need to talk,” said Nathan. Malick’s forehead frowned and he had a puzzled look on his face.

Nathan inched closer and whispered. “About your ability?” he said. “You know, about this rare gift of fire that we both seem to have?”

Malick grew silent.

“And your grandmother,” he continued, while recalling what Jonathan said about his father. “Is she the only member of the Order?”

Malick’s face went blank for a moment, but then he sighed heavily. “I said she was a part of the Order,” he r
esponded, finally breaking the silence. He paused to take a deep breath again. “Let’s talk about this later, okay?”

Malick headed towards the door while a puzzled Nathan watched him.

“By the way, I think there’s a certain lady that’s looking forward to seeing you tonight,” Malick said. 

Nathan appeared flustered by the sudden shift in the co
nversation and just nodded.

A few hours later, Nathan stood at the glass door to the ground-level walkway that connected Lawrence and Fisher halls. He
watched as counselors, parents and campers mingled in the pristine courtyard that stretched out to the campus quad. It was dusk and the setting sun created a gradual shade of pink to deep purple across the sky.

Nathan stepped outside and onto the freshly mowed grass. He was surprised to see how well-dressed and well-behaved the guys were on his floor. Most of them were e
xcited to be going home and wanted to impress their parents or that special someone during the dance. 

Nathan felt a little embarrassed and a little out of place with the white bandage around his hand and the flesh-colored Band-Aid on his forehead. He scrutinized the brown khakis and brown leather shoes recommended by LaDonda. He refused to wear the shirt, tie and jacket she had also re
commended and decided on a navy blue polo instead. 

Nathan saw Jonathan Black sitting alone at one of the many white-clothed round tables and headed towards him. Carefully, he maneuvered through the crowd, smiling sp
oradically as his eyes connected with a few people. He had almost reached Jonathan when someone grabbed his arm.

“Ha!” shouted a female voice.

He turned around to find a small woman dressed in a loosely fitted blouse staring back at him over her gold-rimmed glasses. Her blond tight curls appeared slightly wild, and her blouse was patterned in pink and red roses.

“It’s not a coincidence finding you here now, is it?” she exclaimed.

“Hello, Mrs. Riley,” he said with a smile, while trying to fight the awkwardness. “No, it isn’t.”

She abruptly clapped her hands together causing Nathan and a few other people to jump. “Aw, just call me Linda,” she said with a big smile. She pointed to his bandaged hand. “I heard you guys had a rough night.”

“Yeah,” he said, trying to hide his discomfort. “I guess so.”

“You know,” she continued lightheartedly, “dealing with fraternities is just another part of being at a univers
ity.”

Nathan smiled weakly and nodded.

She peered over her glasses and happily waved at someone.

Soon after, Jonas and Bobby joined them.

“Look who I found,” she said, while placing an arm around Nathan. She then gently tilted Jonas’s chin to examine his face. “And it looks like you two have matching bruises.”

“Uh,” stuttered Nathan.

“It’s just a coincidence,” said Jonas with a fake laugh.

“Uh, yeah,” said Nathan. “I probably got mine while out at the caves. “Uh, there was a little accident. And J
onas, you got yours …”

“Playing basketball,” he interjected nervously, but with a smile. “Yup, just playing basketball.”

Bobby nodded reassuringly. 

Linda fluttered her eyelashes behind her glasses and looked at the three of them suspiciously.

“Um, look Mom,” said Jonas, breaking the silence. “There’s LaDonda. Didn’t you say you wanted to talk to her?”

LaDonda was standing by the stairs to the small stage that was set up for the closing ceremony.

Linda stood in silence for a moment and then finally acknowledged Jonas by turning to look at LaDonda. “Yes,” she said slowly. “I was going through some of your father’s old things and there was a picture that I wanted to ask her about.”

“A picture?” asked Nathan.

She nodded. “Yes,” she said. “The photo was taken when Bart was younger, probably around the age Jonas is now.” She glanced back at LaDonda. “I didn’t even know she knew him.”

“Well, now is your chance to catch her,” said Jonas. “B
efore she gets busy or goes on stage.”

“Right,” she said. “Yoo-hoo, LaDonda!” she called, quickly heading over to her.

Jonas had a big smile on his face. “You look good,” he said to Nathan. “Minus the bandages, of course.”

Nathan laughed. “You don’t have to be nice to me,” he said with a chuckle. “Camp is officially over.”

Jonas smiled, but looked a little sad. “Um, Bobby,” he said, “how about you grab some more punch and meet me over there by Christina?”

Bobby stood on the tip of his toes and smiled when he spotted Christina.

“Oh, okay,” he responded enthusiastically.

He gave Nathan a hug around his waist, and Nathan ru
ffled his hair.

“When are you coming to visit again?” asked Bobby.

“Soon,” he said, and Bobby smiled again before taking off.

Jonas was silent as Nathan watched Bobby weave through the crowd of people.

“Nathan,” he said finally. He paused again and looked as if the words were difficult to say. “Thanks for coming to save us.”

“No problem,” said Nathan with a smile. He gave Jonas a quick side pat on his shoulder. “You would have done the same for me.”

Jonas nodded. “So, I guess it’s true then,” he said before taking a pause. He hesitated and swallowed hard before he spoke again. “What the woman in white said about my father?”

There was a brief moment of silence, and then slowly N
athan nodded. “Yes,” he said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

Nathan tried not to notice, but there were tears swelling in his friend’s eyes. Jonas tried to force a smile.

“So, was that a promise you’ll come visit?” he asked.

“You got it,” said Nathan. “And don’t forget, you can a
lways visit me.”

Jonas smiled. “Well, I’d better get over there to Bobby and Christina,” he said. “Before he drives her crazy.”

“Okay,” said Nathan, giving him a pat on the back as he walked away.

Nathan looked around the courtyard and caught a glimpse of Jonathan again. He was still sitting alone at one of the tables near the stage.

“Hey, you clean up well,” he said.

Jonathan responded by turning around. Jonathan looked happy to see him.

“Not dressed in wolf’s clothing today?”

Jonathan’s face turned red. “It’s a fox,” he said. He looked around. “And keep your voice down. What if som
eone hears you?” 

Nathan pulled out one of the foldable wooden chairs and sat down. “Relax, Jonathan,” he said. “Even if som
eone did hear us, they wouldn’t have a clue what we were talking about.”

Jonathan shifted his glasses and moved his chair closer to Nathan. “You look well,” he said. “How’s your hand?”

Nathan raised his hand to examine it. “It’s okay,” he said. “And thanks for everything you did last night. You know, with saving our asses and patching me up.”

Jonathan smiled.

“By the way,” said Nathan, “how is Dr. Helmsley?” 

“She’s still in the hospital,” responded Jonathan, soun
ding slightly sad. “They’re keeping her another night for observation.”

“Oh, will she be all right?”

Jonathan paused to reposition his glasses. “I think so,” he said. “I believe it’s more of a precaution than anything.”

A few minutes passed while Nathan fidgeted with the bandages around his hand. “Jonathan,” he said, breaking the silence. “How did you know where to find me yeste
rday? How did you know I was in trouble?”

Jonathan cleared his throat. “I wanted to talk to you about that. I just wasn’t sure the best way to bring up the convers
ation.”

Nathan looked confused. “What do you mean?”

“Hey, what’s up!” shouted Alan. He looked like a walking Ralph Lauren ad with his pastel colors and corresponding blazer. 

“You know what, Alan? You are definitely making me sweat with that jacket on,” responded Nathan with a frown. “It is way too hot to be wearing a blazer.”

Alan chuckled. “Not at the expense of fashion,” he said. “You know you have to work it and keep it together!”

Nathan shook his head. “Go have a glass of water,” he said. “You’re sweating all over the place.”

“Angela’s bringing me water,” he said with a smile. “Everyone’s heading over here.”

“What?” he asked suddenly. “Why?”

Alan pointed towards the stage. “That’s why,” he said. “LaDonda will be starting the closing ceremony soon.”

Nathan looked up to see LaDonda inching towards the microphone. “Oh,” he said.

“Um, Nathan,” said Jonathan, standing up, “can I talk to you in private for a moment?”

“Sure,” he said, jumping to his feet.

“Excuse us, Alan,” said Jonathan.

Alan rolled his eyes. “Whatever,” he said, brushing them off and burying his head into his cell phone.

Jonathan slowly made his way through the crowd, and Nathan followed. He looked up just in time to see Angela.

“Hi, Nathan!” she said. The sleeveless silk dress she wore made her blue eyes even more captivating underneath the courtyard lights. She smiled. “Glad you’re feeling well enough to join us!”

Nathan stopped for a moment while keeping a watchful eye on Jonathan. “Thanks,” he said. His eyes diverted to the two cups of water she held in her hands. “And how are you holding up?”

“Good as can be,” she said, trying to smile. “Lafonda’s clued me in on some of the details, but I’m just glad that it’s over.” She tried to blow a loose strand of curly hair out of her face and then focused on Nathan again. “Thanks for coming after us,” she said in a whisper. 

He couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. He could only imagine the stress she was experiencing dealing with all that had happened. “No problem,” he said, trying to sound reassuring.

“Are you coming to join us?” asked Leah, joining them from the rear.

Her curly, mousy-brown hair had been straightened and lay close to her bare shoulders. Nathan didn’t understand why, but her infectious smile made things feel almost normal again.

“I hear LaDonda will be giving her closing speech soon,” she said.

“Um, sure, in a second,” he said, remembering Jonathan. “I’ll meet you guys over there.”

They both smiled and he continued in the direction he had last seen Jonathan.

LaDonda started her speech.

Jonathan was standing near the back of Lawrence Hall, fidgeting with his long-sleeve white shirt. He appeared to be having difficulty rolling up his sleeves.

“Hey,” shouted Nathan. “Sorry about that. I ran into Leah and Angela.”

Jonathan stopped what he was doing and nodded. “I saw that,” he said. “How are they doing? Is Leah’s arm well?”

Nathan’s eyes grew wide. He had noticed the white bandage around Leah’s forearm but forgot to ask about it. “I believe they’re okay,” he said, feeling slightly embarrassed.

“Nathan,” said Jonathan, after clearing his throat, “do you remember the inscription on the wall outside of the secret chamber? The one that says ‘That he will be known by those around him’?”

Nathan’s forehead wrinkled. “I think so.”

“Do you remember what happened after I touched the symbol for teacher?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Nathan said. “You became a black fox and were drawn to the road we were driving on.”

Jonathan nodded. “Well, the same thing happened last night.”

Nathan shook his head. His eyebrows were scrunched and he looked confused. “What do you mean?” he asked.

“Last night, after the paramedics brought me back to Lawrence Hall, I had that feeling again.” he said. “But this time I wasn’t drawn to the road, but to Grimm Cemetery. That’s when I saw you and the others.”  

“Wait, when I was on the ground of the memorial plaza,” said Nathan. “For a second I thought I saw something moving in the graveyard below. A small dark shape. Was that you?”

Jonathan nodded.

“But I don’t understand,” responded Nathan. A few moments passed and he grew silent. He looked at Jonathan and then slowly his eyes grew wide. “Wait, are you saying you are drawn to me? Why on earth would you be drawn to me?”