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Five years ago my parents died after a car accident. My memory of that night is fractured at best. My mother died on impact, or so they say, but my father survived almost two weeks before the swelling in his brain caused a hemorrhage and he passed. During the first week I was passed around from family friend to family friend.

The second week my uncle came down from lower Manhattan to watch me in my parents' home. In that week there was hope, but it was not to last. When I woke up on the 12th day, my uncle was sitting at the table smoking. I had never seen him smoke before. Moe sat me down and explained to me that my father had died. I broke down completely and he hugged me for what seemed like a long time. That hug felt like the only stable thing left in the world, and to me it was.

My mom and dad were buried in side by side graves with a single tomb stone. The service was a grueling affair. I cried the whole way though from the small catholic chapel to the cemetery outside St. Louis. I had been willed to Moe, and so were most of my parents' possessions, 'till I turned 18. After a short custody case with the state for me, family ultimately trumped foster care. I had lived with Moe since then.

This may seem like the most confusing and trying time in my life, but the worst was yet to come. I was walking home from school, which was only seven blocks from Moe's apartment. My mind wandered to plans for the night. As I turned the corner, there were flashing lights in front of my apartment building. I broke into a run and my curiosity spiked. As I arrived at the front of my building I stared at the doors, waiting for the paramedics to come out with Mrs. Addams, our friendly neighborhood cat lady and widow, or Mr. Smith the custodian. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect who it was that came out the door.

My uncle came out with a troop of EMTs. "Check his vitals!" one said. One put his blue gloved hand on my uncle's neck, and his ear above his mouth. "Patient is not breathing again. I'll start rescue breaths once we get him loaded." I pushed my way through the small crowd and looked down at Moe's lifeless body. One of the EMTs grabbed me. "Stay back!" he said as he pulled me away from the ambulance.

"That's my uncle, that's my uncle let me through!" I said as I tried to pull away. All I wanted was to help him, bring him back.

The EMT relaxed his grip on my torso. He looked back, "We got family," he returned his eyes to me, "Take a chill pill if you want to go." I relaxed as best I could as he allowed me through. My eyes immediately watered and before I knew it is I was in the ambulance. I sat in the corner like a child as they tried everything they could to revive Moe. Eventually they succeeded and Moe was stabilized.

Moe's eyes shot open. They darted back and forth all around the unfamiliar surroundings he found himself in. The smell of antiseptic hung in the air. His eyes fell on me and a wave of relief that washed through his entire body. For the first time in five years he completely choked up. I opened my mouth to speak but my throat was tight with emotion.

Moe reached his hand out to me. I clasped it in both hands and held his hand for the remainder of the trip. His calluses rubbed into my skin. After all those years of high-rise construction he was a pillar of strength, even in this moment when he lay toppled on his back. He comforted me. Some would say he needed me for once but I know the truth.

When we arrived at the hospital Moe was whisked away and I was left in a large waiting room. I sat in a corner chair. The television in the corner was on a news station so I promptly ignored it. I looked at the magazine beside me and eventually fell asleep in the chair. Though it was not the most comfortable of places, pure exhaustion is a talented negotiator. I was out in a matter of moments.

When I woke up there was a man over me in a doctor's coat "Jack, Jack wake up," he said "I'm Doctor Neal," I looked at his outstretched hand then took it. "I just came out here to inform you that you uncle is awake and stable for now and that you can talk to him." Our hands fell apart as I let the news sink in.

"Thank you." I said, only then realizing that the doctor was short. "Um where is he?" I asked. I looked toward the door where they had taken him.

Doctor Neal said "Follow me," as he turned and headed in the direction of another set of doors. "They moved your uncle to the ICU for the moment," I followed through the door, which led to a long hallway with doors on either side, all of it an oppressive white. The smell of antiseptic mixed with clean smell and just a hint of death filled the air. Well, what I imagined death to smell like. I had been in far too many hospitals in my life, and the people I loved never seemed to come out alright. The only constant, the only guarantee in a hospital is this unique scent. The memory of my parents hit me and I paused for a second. "You ok Jack?"

"Yeah" I said, looking up teary eyed. I followed him again, passing more rooms than I could count. I feel their souls crying out, I feel my throat tighten and close up. I walked as silently as the reaper himself. Neal led me through the labyrinth of hallways to a door.

"He's in there," Neal said "Go ahead. I have to attend to other patients." He walked briskly away. I turned back to the door, then opened it and looked inside. Moe laid, his eyes shut, hooked up to so many machines that I couldn't discern one from the other. Moe's eyes were closed in a solemn sleep. I approached the bed, barely breathing for fear of disturbing him. I got to his bedside and looked down at the man who had become but a husk of my uncle. He was my dad for all intents and purposes. The man that held me when I was at my lowest point was reduced to a pale ghostly image. To be entirely honest, I think I felt as bad on the inside as he did on the outside. Not a comforting thought as I had to be there for him this time, or at least I had to try to be.

"Come here please."

As I walk closer Moe reaches for my hand. I take it in my hand. "I'm dying." Moe stated matter of factually as if he was telling me the sky was blue. "The doctors say I have days at the most. I know I don't look it but I'm scared to die." He took a deep breath and squeezed my hand. "There is so much left to say, so much left to do. It's my job to be there for you and now I'm breaking the last promise I made to my brother in law."

"Not, not yet. You're here now and you'll be here for me," I felt my eyes start to burn with the worst thoughts running through my head. Some of them sad, others angry that build my guts. "You're ok. They got you here and you're talking. Why are you saying stupid shit?" I say, tears on the edge of flowing freely. I turn my head so he couldn't see.

"Watch your mouth." he said firmly. "I'm dying Jack, that's why the doctor went to get you. It wasn't just a heart attack. My whole body is shutting down and I wanted, no, I needed to be the one to tell you." he said pleading for my attention.

I turned back to him my eyes finally letting loose a torrent of tears behind them. "Is there something, anything they can do? There must be some experimental drug or procedure." The words came out of me like water from a spring. I was lost in my little fictional television world.

"It would take one hell of a miracle," he passed for a minute. "I died Jack. I was gone but they brought me back. I'm already a talking corpse and now I'm breaking slowly, hooked up to this crap full of drugs with names I can't pronounce and I know in my soul that you mother is calling to me." His voice rose, filling the whole room like thunder. Then he just stopped, breathing hard "I'm in pain, Jack. My insides feel like acid and every muscle hurts to move."

I didn't understand, couldn't grasp the concept in my head. It was just too much too fast and I didn't want to believe it. My sobs came forth with great lurches of my gut. I slowly regained control of myself, determined to be a true man and not show emotion, but a few tears still fell without my permission.

Moe had just two request for me, one of which was to be the biggest request ever. "Jack come here I need you to promise me something." He looked at me with the saddest eyes I had ever seen. What could I do? I went right up to him. He reached his left hand over to mine, grasping it in a vice like grip. "Before your father died he gave me something that I was supposed to give to you when you were ready. I know you're not and that I have failed to help you like I should, but you are stronger than you know. You have become my one true accomplishment." My fingers started to burn as he spoke and the pain was speeding to my hand. "I can't be there for you now, and this is when you'll need it most. For that I am sorry."

The burning became painful and I lost all control and looked down to see wisps of green smoke dancing around my hand and arm. My eyes went wide with shock. I was petrified as I watched as smoke dissipated into tendrils and vanish from existence. Moe's grip suddenly slipped and his hand fell.

When I finally regained muscle control, I twisted my hand inspecting it. Etched into my skin like a tattoo, but sharp, was a symbol of a sickle over a crescent moon. It was so clean and right there on my forearm. Then came Moes last request.

"Stay with me" came his barely audible voice "I, I don't want to be alone when the time comes." So I sat and I sloped. The hours passed quickly as I picked at my new tattoo. I was fascinated with the thing. Eventually the inevitable did come and Moe passed. Doctors and nurses came running in, and I stood back till they called the time as 3:54am and Moe was dead.

Everything around me became a blur. I was asked more questions than I felt ready to answer and the recurring "are you ok" from every nameless doctor of nurse driving me crazy, but every time I responded with the simple "Yeah I think so." and it worked. To people left me with sad nods. Not a single one bereaved me but it seemed to get the Leave me alone without being rude.

As the sun began to poke up over the city I was exposed. Every nerve I had was screaming to fall asleep and never wake up. On top of that every ten minutes or so I had coffee thrust into my hands. This caused me to not only have to become best friends with the restroom but I felt physically sick from an overdose of caffeine and emotion.

This made it a simple decision to go home when Doctor Neal suggested it. A cab was called and I was on my way to an empty home that would never be full again. It felt odd walking to the door of the apartment building I checked the mailbox to find Moe's key connected to my dad's old Kennedy half dollar key chain connected to a note. "This was left in the door hope Moe gets better." Written in Mrs. Smith's script. I thrust the key into my pocket emotions threatening to break again.

I opened my door to a black room. I flip the light on to see a familiar setting change profoundly. What used to be happy seems veiled by the situation. I go to the one place in the house that I was not allowed to have access to. I opened the high cabinet to see three bottles at different points of consumption. I took the closest one and looked at the label. "Devils Cut"

I pulled the top off the bottle and inhaled it pungent odor. I burdened my nose. That right there should have told me that it was not a good plan, but I have drank before and if there ever was a time to now be that time. I tipped the bottle onto my lips filling my mouth with the fiery liquid. I tried to swallow but I got stuck and with a rasping cough the contents of my mouth was on the floor.

Needless to say drinking away my sorrow would not be happening that morning. I went a few cupboards over and shuffled some boxes till I found it. The box of Lucky charms that was nearly full. I pourd a large bowl going to the fridge to fill the bowl with milk and went to sit on the worn couch flicking through the channels on TV. I didn't care what was on, I just had to think. The day had been so long and stressful and I had no idea what Moe had done to me. The thing on my arm didn't rub off. It didn't feel like anything was there till I was thinking about it.

He said it was from my dad but I couldn't fathom him being in anything this crazy, but I had thought the same thing about Moe. I beat myself up for not waking Moe to ask all the questions in my head. I was truly on my own and I had no clue what to do. I would be 18 in just a few months and I couldn't get a job in the city not a good one.

I sat the separating marshmallows from there boring tan counterparts contemplating life. What does the state do in this situation? Would I go to foster care, or left on my own. I decided to finish eating and go somewhere, anywhere. I shovel the soggy contents of my meal down my throat and walked out the door. Locking it behind me. As I exited the building my eyes were assaulted by the light that was almost directly overhead. I walked down the sidewalk not wanting to think or feel. And I kept walking till I hit a busy street... I waited foot the crosswalk light to change barely registering that I was on Fifth Avenue. I made the descions to go to Central Park.

I walk past what seemed like everyone in the city all of them moving in all different directions not giving a care for anyone other than themselves. The city past slowly buildings towering over head till in front of me it all opened up to the right.

There was something so dutiful about the serenity of nature in the middle of such a large city that will just take your birth away. I entered the park taking a path to the right to my left was a large pond that was surprisingly clean. I felt so alone in that moment that I just stopped and sat at a bench closing my eyes and relaxing for the first time in twenty-four hours and I sat there. Till I had lost complete track to time.

I felt something brush against my arm. I jumped looking over to a man I am jet black suit and close cropped hair. He sat beside me stiffly then relaxed. "This is one of my favorite spots in the city." The man said like I should have known. "It's just so peaceful."

A red flag went right up in my head. I wanted to ask who he was but I was resigned to a plight "Yeah." I was really hoping he would leave me alone after that. He didn't.

"You look like something's wrong, like you whole life just got kicked in the face or something." The man looked at me with concern. Was this really happening?

"I, yaw something like that." I retorted not wanting to get up or seem rude

"Imp not an expert but I feel like you just lost someone close to you." His words sent a shiver down my spine how did he know.

My heart started beating fast as I tried to keep my composer "I did but I have to go now get back before dinner."

I went to stand but lightning quick the man's hand came to grab my wrist. "Boy I don't think it's time for diner I think it's more like time for a walk, you understand." The man eyed me with true malice.

"What the hell!" I scream pulling my arm away looking for anyone to help. Then I realized there were no less than six other men spared around the area. My heart sank. "Who are you people? And what do you fucking want from me"

I was tensed ready for anything. The man rolled his head with an audible popping noise. "We are part of a government branch and I think you realized by now that you uncle was not quite as he appeared to be" the man spoke with a forceful authority that made the hairs on my neck stand on end. I wanted to bolt like a rabbit I looked around for a way out.

The man pulled something out of his pocket. I needed no more invitation. I ran for my life. I veered to the right to avoid two of the men, and head straight into a jungle gym. I ducked my way under the equipment trying to think of a place to hide as I made my way out of the patch I saw my salvation

The north central park 110st subway terminal on Malcolm X Boulevard. My lungs were on fire but I couldn't stop, looking back for only a split second the men were right on me. I sprinted through the intersection praying no cars would hit me. I landed on the oppose side walk and dashed for the stairs

I swing around the handrail glided down the steps. I hit the bottom and realized my mistake. The turn stoles stud in an ominous line preventing my passing. I had no time to waste on thinking. I did my first in a long line of eagle things and jumped the turnstile. I landed on the other side pushing my way against a departing crowd trying to catch a ride out of here

It was not to be. I watch my hope departing as I entered the platform. Dread filled my veins as I stopped trying to think of a way out. I made my way to the corner and sat down trying to be lost in the crowd. My heart rate was thought the roof and my breath was ragged.

Then I saw one of the men in the crowd scanning for me. He pushed his way through the crowd as another train arrived full of people. I thought getting on that car would be salvation for me. I'd be across the park in minutes and free from this people. I stud to star my careful track over to the open doors when there was a hand on my shoulder. I spun face to face with one of the men taller than the last one but still very strong.

He men oppose hand held a tasser with its arching current moving across the electrodes. "Are you going to make this easy or hard on yourself?" I froze not knowing what to do or say as he brought the motion up to incapacitate me.

Then with a flash of metal the man's head is hit with a crowbar. The taker fell to the ground as the man tried to face his opponent tile the next flash of mettle accompanied be a scream of pain. The crowbar had connected with the man's knee witch was one at an odd angle, the man collapse in a heap. Reveling my savior.

A small man in jeans and a skull hoodie that zipped over his face. This new man reached out his hand and I took it only to get pulled along the wall to a small service door in the wall. He ripped it open and pushed me though screaming "RUN!"

He wasn't a man at all the voice was female, but I still listened to her. I raced down the small corridor ducking to avoid the ocarina pipe that crust the narrow hall. "Turn right" the order was barked from behind me. I turned into a similar corridor that had a small door about a hundred yards down. I heard rather then saw the men behind us. I redoubled my sprint trying to get to the door. I got to the door with this girl on my heal. not noticing the lip that stuck almost six inches off the ground.

My foot caught and I went sparling onto the ground followed by the girl. Landing hard I turned to face our attackers as they neared the door. I reach out in some vain attempt to stop them or implede the motion. Nothing happened.

Then with a leaching pull in mu stoic the door gave a great screech and slammed shut. "What the fuck" girl exclaimed as she stood up and started tuning with me hot in pursuit. Before turning the corner I looked back to see the door standing solid. i Just wondered how had shut. I felt so drained I could barely keep up I lost track of all the twists and turns that we went though.

Then without warning it all opened up into a large room. I was another station. Although this one was covered in shacks of all shapes and sizes. Then the woman's voice came again.

It was an abandoned subway station scattered with people of all ages and races. Skull face unzips her hoodie and screams "What the hell were you doing and who the hell were those men?" "Well I..." I retort smartly. "You owe me an explanation or I swear to God I'll kill you right here!" "I'll tell you everything once you tell me where I am and who you are." She fumes from my demand but complies. "Well people call this the underground. It is where orphans and runaways go to find shelter and protection. Other people are here to avoid the law or their own personal demons. Most people don't know it exists. Everyone is here for a reason. Everyone who know about it protects the secret with their life. We take care of each other down here." While she was talking, I got a chance to really looked at her. Underneath the dirt and dust which covered everything down here, she was beautiful. She had long dark hair, green eyes, and a face that would fit in any fashion show. "Well now, I kept up my part, it's your turn. I'm Ember by the way." "I came to live in New York when I was eight," I begun my story. Ember kept walking toward a corner of the station and we entered a hovel that was quite plush. She sat down on a pile of rags that had a distinct impression of her body in it. As I finished my story, there is a brief moment of silence. Then she asks the one question I've been asking myself all day; "So do you have magic or what?" "I honestly don't know." I said realizing for the first time just how desperate my situation had become .

Ember looked at me with a look of honest interest. "So, where are you going from here?"

I looked back at her with a smile "Forward."