Jason Martinez, a black, 15 year old boy, wakes with a jolt as his alarm blares: 7:45 AM.
He scrambles out of bed, realizing that he's late for school and he's going to miss the bus he starts tripping over clothes, toys and other junk in his room. He brushes his teeth while pulling on his jeans, his hair a mess (as usual). As he slide down the stairs, his mom greets him from the kitchen:
MOM: You're late. Again.
JESSICA (Jason's older sister, while reading a fashion magazine): As usual, Try not to embarrass yourself today, future dropout.
JASON: I'll have you know I'm a future Shadow Elite material!
JESSICA (still reading the magazine while mocking him): Ohh yes Commander Jason of the super shadow elites, please don't humiliate the team too, Literally
They all laughed and Jason gets a little embarrassed
JASON: "I got no time for this, am gonna be late anyways, goodbye mom later dork "
MOM & JESSICA (Overlapping each others words): goodbye Jason/ later loser!
He dashes outside just as the school bus pulls away. Frozen, he groans, then runs next door.
JASON: MR. HOWARD! I gotta borrow your bike again, THANKSSSSS!
MR. HOWARD (from window): HEY! THAT'S MY BIKE!
Jason rode the bike down the street, weaving through traffic on the borrowed bike.
JASON'S HIGHSCHOOL
Jason skids into the schoolyard, ditches the bike, and bolts through the hallway.
He slams open the classroom door just as the bell rings. The whole class turns. The teacher (Mrs. Hawkins), stern and sharp-eyed, glares at him (kinda like a death stare )with Jason looking all nervous at her and just waving.
MRS. HAWKINS (Sighs, puts her fingers to her forehead): "Just take your seat, Mr. Martinez."
Jason nods and slides into the chair beside his best friend, Daniel Parker (Same age as Jason, blonde hair, wears glasses and is kinda a nerd).
DANIEL: Late again? What is it this time?
JASON: I was just Gaming....
DANIEL (rasing an eyebrow): Just Gaming?
JASON: "okay okay I was researching the Shadow Elite website again."
DANIEL: "Stilllll dreaming, huh? You really think we have a shot?"
JASON: "Of course, I mean, maybe not a big one... but come on, if we don't try, we won't know."
MRS. HAWKINS slams a ruler on the desk.
MRS. HAWKINS: "Eyes front, boys.
Later... Jason zones out. Through the window, he imagines himself as a Shadow Elite agent, sprinting across rooftops, defusing bombs, kicking bad guys ass, saving civilians. He looks so heroic.
Then he Snap back to reality as the teacher slams a ruler again.
MRS. HAWKINS: "Still with us, dreamerboy?"
The whole class laughed and Jason gets a little embarrassed
JASON: "Y-Yeah. Sorry."
DANIEL (Inter monologue): "I can't blame you zoning out, Jay but gosh it has only been 5mins man keep it together, I just can't wait for lunchtime.
THE WALK HOME
After school, Jason and Daniel walk through the rough streets of Ashville. As Jason narrates:
Welcome to Ashville, other people consider this place hell or just another trashy City but this place, this community, this fucked up society… is my home. This is where I was raised or being raised I guess hehe, anyway in a place like this you gonna be special or talented at something to make it big, and you see I…am not. I mean I'm not a straight A student, am no science or tech geek like my buddy, Daniel nor am I good at sports. I mean I was ok but still not as good as my classmates, I'm great at making music but only if Daniel is around since he is my producer and manager kinda. But every since I saw the Shadow Elites in action, seeing them save lives and shit, I was like….this is it….this is what I was meant to do.
When I told everyone at school they just laughed
But my mom kept motivating me saying
"Dont let anybody look down on you because they can't see your vision, Jason" (Isn't she the best?)
Jessica acts like she doesn't care but deep down she does she just doesn't show it
"Elite this Elite that, why don't you find a real job like an actually human being?" (Big sisters am I right?)
And as for Daniel well….he just want to get in because am I was joining, I mean he did say aren't no way you are doing crazy shit without me, not gonna lie that was kinda sweet but then again always double thinks it like…
DANIEL: "Hey, Jay, Am still wondering What if we don't get in the shadow elites? I mean... what if this whole dream just... fails?"
JASON (shrugs): "Then I'll start my rap career. JB on the beat."
They both laughed
DANIEL (laughing): "You're terrible at producer's tags, you know that?."
JASON (serious now): "But for real though... if we don't try, we'll never know."
DANIEL (sighs): "I guess, oh my ride is here see you tomorrow Jay"
They fist bump Daniel got on the bus and They split paths. Jason waves goodbyeand heads home.
BACK AT HOME (NIGHT TIME)
Jason & Jessica are in Jessica's room talking and teasing each other then Jessica throws a pillow at him.
JESSICA: You suck at Fighting, loser.
JASON: I'll be an amazing fighter one day, you'll see.
JESSICA: Yeah sure, just don't get yourself killed, ok?
JASON: "No promises *laughs*."
JESSICA: "Am serious, but anyways I think its sweet that you want to protect people & save lives. I mean look at me I want to be a model, an actress or even a fashion design I cant decide but either way its nothing like saving lives or anything ."
JASON: "Don't say that Jess, your acting or modelling might inspire others to become just like you, and even your fashion trends could even inspire people too."
JESSICA: Whatever loser, But all I can say is that it's a colddddd world out there Lil bro, just keep your heart warm ok?
JASON (A bit confused):O….Kay…?
Jason gets to the kitchen, his mom offers him a spoonful of stew.
MOM: "Too much pepper again?."
JASON (eating): "Mmm. Its Perfect."
MOM (giggles, smiles): "Am glad you like it, so…you staying up too late again?"
JASON: "Gotta check the Elite website for any updates. I really want this."
MOM (softly): "You'll get in. I believe in you Jay. But...please be careful. And take care of Jessica, okay?"
Jason looks really confused but nods.
JASON: "Yeah. I promise mom *as he hugs his mom*."
IT'S LATE NOW
(11:05PM TO BE EXACT)
After surfing the SDE (Shadow Elites) website Jason went downstairs for a snack, While Jason is in the kitchen searching for one. He sees something move in the alley.
Outside the window, he saw a…. creature? That has like a human face? he's wearing an expensive suit? And this…thing was staring back at him with his red glowing eyes.
Jason blinks. Rubs his eyes. It vanishes.
JASON (whispers): "What the hell was that...It must be my sleep paralysis demon, (Now being loud) DON'T WORRY AS**HOLE, AM HEADING TO BED…Before you choke me againn, like you even care" *as he walks upstairs*
LATER THAT NIGHT….
Jason hears a scream from from the halls, followed by some loud THUDS!!. Then Jessica yelling. Then his mom.
He panicked but without thinking he grabs a strange gadget from his desk
A sticky bomb That Him & Daniel made for a science project.
JASON: Sorry, Daniel…This better work...
He runs into the hallway to see what was going on. Then he heard More screams from downstairs and then…. Gunshots. Then silence.
MEANWHILE DOWNSTAIRS…
Jason RUSHES and makes his way downstairs. The living room is torn apart.
He sees Jessica cradling their mom's body, sobbing.
And in the opened doorway he saw ''IT'' again—the same creature from the alley.
It locks eyes with Jason again.
JASON (frozen, teary but angry): "You..."
Jason out of anger throws the sticky bomb at the creature but before it could go off the creature vanishes leaving Jason all stunned and making his attempt a total waste.
Jason looks over to Jessica holding their mom's bloody body then he drops to his knees, hand shaking as he sees his mom unconscious, blood on his fingers.
Then Jason cry and screams to the heavens as Rain begins to fall outside.
END CHAPTER 1