Free Finding Valor by Charlotte Abel Page A

I’m just gonna go get my old job back so I can keep an eye on you.”
    ~***~
    Walking into Monarch was much easier than Josh could have imagined. Kassie had obviously been busy. The other students either gave him sympathetic glances or avoided him completely. His first period teacher didn’t question him when he used “family emergency” as an excuse for not turning in his homework. He kept his head down as he walked to his locker so he didn’t notice Eric until it was too late.
    “So, Abrim, I hear your wife ran off again. What’s the problem? Not man enough to keep your little inbred hillbilly satisfied?”
    Josh fisted his hands and squeezed his eyes shut but he could still see the fiery, red glow of energy pulsing out of his stomach. If he unleashed it, there was no doubt in his mind that he’d kill Eric. “Back off.”
    “What’s the matter? Did you forget your taser?”
    Josh ground his teeth and focused on holding on to the energy.  
    “It’s okay, buddy. I got ya covered.”
    Josh opened his eyes. An emerald green bubble of light hovered over Eric. Hunter stood behind him, leaning on his broom.  
    Josh hesitated. If Channie had been there…if she’d heard those cruel words…Eric would be nothing but a pile of ash. But she wasn’t here. She hadn’t heard Eric’s insult. The only ones Eric had offended were Josh and, possibly, Hunter. He wouldn’t curse Eric without stronger provocation.
    Eric glanced over his shoulder at Hunter. “Mind your own business, you stupid hillbilly. Where are you scum coming from anyway? You don’t belong here.”
    Hunter smiled, but it was the grin of a predator. “You talking to me city-boy?”
    “Get lost asshole.”
    Hunter’s smile disappeared. “Josh, either you do it, or I will. Keep in mind where my shield is.”
    Hunter’s shield was between Josh and Eric. If Hunter cursed him, he wouldn’t have any protection.
    When Josh blew up the oak tree, it was an accident. If he’d cursed Eric a few moments ago, he could have blamed it on loss of control. If he cursed Eric now, it would be a conscious act. “Will the shield hold?”
    Eric turned one way then the other as he tried to follow the conversation. He was trapped between Josh and Hunter. “What are you two freaks talking about?”
    Hunter clenched his jaw. “Do it. I cain’t keep everyone outta this here hallway much longer.”
    Josh held his hands in front of his waist and watched in amazement as a ball of red energy formed in his palms.  
    Eric snorted and wrinkled his nose. “What the hell are you doing?”
    Josh thought of all the cruel things Eric had said and done over the years. He thought of Kassie and the way Eric was spreading rumors about her…claiming the baby wasn’t his. If anyone deserved to be cursed, he did. The ball of energy flew out of Josh’s hands without any direction from him. It slammed into Hunter’s shield and shattered it like a plate-glass window then slammed into Eric. He flew backwards and crashed into Hunter, knocking them both to the ground.
    Josh ran towards them, afraid of what he’d find, but Hunter shoved Eric off his chest before Josh knelt beside him. “Are you okay? Is Eric okay?”
    Hunter grinned at him. “That was amazing!”
    “You’re crazy, you know that? I could have killed you both.” Josh grabbed Hunter’s forearms and helped him to his feet.
    “If you’d of used full power you would have.” Hunter dusted off the back of his pants with his hands. “I think I need you to protect me instead of the other way around.”
    Eric groaned but Josh ignored him. “Does that mean I can go with you?”
    Hunter tapped the center of Josh’s chest. “Search your heart. What’s it telling you?”
    Live your life as you did before, when the time is right, you’ll go to war.  
    The words popped into Josh’s mind so clearly and so suddenly, he knew without a doubt that he had his answer. He had to stay. He also knew it was time for Hunter to leave.