Chapter 2: Through the Ashes He will Rise

As I am now 20, my life is pretty chill, and I have two more siblings. My little brother who adores me, and my little sister who also adores me.

I hate to say it, but my siblings love me more than they love our parents. It is funny cause my dad tries to win them over. He fails utterly, but it is hilarious to watch.

It was summer, and our dad wanted to take us camping. It was Ryan's first trip, so we made it special.

As we pulled up to our cabin, Ryan rushed out the truck and stopped at the door. Dad laughed cause he had the keys.

I grabbed all the gear, and dad opened the door. Ryan picked up his room and started to unpack.

"Need help, Cody?" He hollered from the porch.

"Na! I am good. I got it all!" I yelled back as I closed the door. I headed in and placed the stuff on the ground in the kitchen. I then took my bag to my usual room, but Ryan already took it.

"This was my room when I came here. Nice choice. I walked upstairs and picked up the one upstairs.

I walked in and placed my bags down. The place was a little musty, so I opened the window. As I looked out, I realized it had an amazing view of the lake. I saw our dad outside starting up the firepit.

I leaped outside and landed on the ground. "You scared me. You really need to be careful. Ryan will see." He warned.

"I was gonna tell him today, actually." I dusted off.

"Tell me what?" Ryan asked as he stepped outside.

"Ryan, just who I needed to talk to. Come with me. I have something to show you." I walked to him and squared down. I hinted at him to climb on my back.

He climbed up without hesitation, and we headed off. "Hold on real tight, okay?" I felt his grip tighten.

I jumped up, and I began to fly. "Wow! You can fly! My big bro, a superhero, for real! What do you call yourself? You fight crime?" He began to ask millions of questions, and I just smiled.

I have to hide these abilities. Your safety depends on it. I am not your actual brother Ryan." I then explained to him the details of my past.

Ryan just listened as I told him the not so happy story. He just sat and was in wow. He was excited like I was telling him an epic story.

It made me happy to see he didn't get scared of me. He ran up and hugged me. "You will always be my brother. No matter what." Tears ran down my cheek as I heard him say it.

I didn't want him to reject me. I was afraid he would be like my mom when she first found out and was terrified of me.

She isn't no more, but she was for a long time. We headed back to the cabin and began to get ready. I grabbed the fishing gear, and we headed to the lake.

The walk was a bit of a drag, but Ryan enjoyed the piggyback ride. He was all over the place. He asked about everything, and I answered them all.

Upon arrival, I set up the fishing equipment. Baited the fishing rods, and made sure there was a bobber and weight on each reel. The bait smelled, but that meant it was gonna work.

Ryan quickly ran out with his pole and cast right away. we laughed as it got stuck on his shorts. He pouted but laughed afterward.

We sat there for 6 hours and watched as Ryan reeled in the entire lake. We were in shock. I mean, he would catch them in seconds. He caught enough for the whole week, so we skinned and gutted them.

We placed them on ice and stored them. The rest of the time, there was just having fun. Ryan loved the midnight flights, and it helped him sleep.

On the last day of the trip, we began packing. Once everything was stored in the car, we got in the car.

I looked back, and Ryan looked a bit sad. "No worries, bud. We will come back again." As dad got in, we took off. I called mom, who was at the moment prepping our meal.

"How was the trip?" She asked.

"Ryan loved it, and he had tons of fun. To be honest, he caught all the fish. We caught none."

"Then he gets the big piece of pie for the good work."

"Hear that, Ryan? You get the big slice of pie for your fish catching skills. He fist pumped and smiled big.

I looked out the window and saw a black SUV pull up beside us. The windows were tinted black, and it was going our speed. My senses told me to hit the brakes, but I wasn't driving.

Before I could say something. the window opened, and I was staring at the rifle barrel. I slammed my foot through the car floor and flipped us. I quickly ripped the seat belt off and reached for Ryan. Bullets penetrated the car, and I wrapped my arms around him. I shielded him from the oncoming bullets. I could feel them hit my body barrier.

As I saw them circle around, I thought one thing. I needed to get them out. I pulled them both out of the car and carried them to the side of the road.

I looked around to see the attackers had gone. I called the police and an ambulance for them.

I looked at Ryan, who was crying and holding his chest. "No! Ryan! Look at me!" Tears filled my eyes as I saw he was struck by a bullet.

"I am scared, Cody!" He said as he coughed out blood. His I have the best big brother shirt tattered and soaked in blood.

"Hold on, Ryan. Help is on the way. I held him close and awaited the ambulance. By the time they arrived, it was too late. He died in my arms.

The sky got dark, and thunder echoed through the clouds. The rain poured as if it cried for the loss of Ryan's life. At the hospital I waited in the room cause the doctors couldn't move me.

Mom and Sarah arrived at the hospital, and they both rushed me. Mom fell to her knees, crying as she saw them on the beds dead.

She slapped me. "This is your fault! You got them killed! You have been nothing but trouble! Leave! I wish we never picked you up! I hate you!" She screamed as she kept punching my chest.

"Mom! That is enough! You know it isn't his fault. That is... Cody?" Hannah yelled as she showed up.

"No, she is right. I am to blame. They won't be forgiven. I'm gonna make them pay." I walked out and headed down the hall.

As I reached the outside, I flew up into the air. I flew to the government facility where I was taken a long time ago.

I landed at the entrance and began to walk up to the gates. Spotlights lit up my location, and 50 caliber machine guns pointed at me.

"You are on government property! Leave now, or we will open fire!" Someone warned on an intercom.

I looked up and just kept walking. Bullets soared through the sky. The sound of hundreds of shells hitting the ground was heard as they opened fire. Each bullet disintegrated as it hit my skin.

I pried open the doors like a tuna can lid. and kept walking. I arrived at the main facility and just walked through the door.

Guns centered on my location, and people knew they were fucked. I could sense the fear in the building.

"You have 10 minutes to bring forth the people who gunned my brother and father down. If they are not here by 10 minutes, You will pay with your lives!" I shouted.

I sat down and saw the panic in everyone's body. people tried to run but were stopped by a wall of concrete I manifested.

9 minutes passed, and 5 people were brought to me. I walked up and looked at them.

"You killed my family, so it is only fair you..." I set him on fire and watched as he screamed in pain. I then slowly killed the other four.

"Let this be your last warning. My family gets touched by you one more time, and I will end all your lives. Leave them out of this. They don't deserve to be hurt because of my actions. I walked out and headed to the house.

I walked in to see Hannah. Sarah, and mom sitting in the living room. I wanted to say something but couldn't.

"Cody! I know she said what she said. She was upset, and..."

"She meant it. I can tell she did. She has always feared me, and I know she still wishes I was never in your life. It is okay, and I don't blame her. I will leave, and never return." I began to walk to my room, and Sarah ran to me latching to my leg.

"Don't go! Mommy was wrong! It not your fault! Pwease don't go!" Sarah begged me to stay.

"I'm sorry Sarrah, but I have to go. Mom and Hannah will take care of you. I'll send money here and there to spoil you. Right now, I have to go. I pulled her off and handed her to Hannah. Sarah yelled kicked and cried as I left to pack my things.

After packing my things, I headed back through the living room. "Cody! Don't go! We need you!" My mom said.

"No, I am the cause of all this remember. You meant what you said, and I know you still blame me. You still hold hate for me when Hannah got kidnapped. I know, and you can't lie to me. Don't sit there and lie to my face. I know you never once accepted me, and knew I was gonna be a burden. You wish I never been there. Sad thing is If I wasn't there, you wouldn't have a daughter. Thanks for your hospitality. I won't forget all that you have done. Bye." I walked out the front door and shed tears.

With each step, my heart broke more and more. Sarah's cries could be heard still, and I had to keep pressing on.

I flew to my workplace, and walked in. The staff greeted me as they all ran to me. They saw on the news what happened.

I stayed silent as I headed to my work area. I sealed the door and began working on a project.

A month passed, and I finally came out. It was complete. A metal that was indestructible, but light as a feather. I brought it out, and had tests run.

I took it to the Government, and had every weapon tested on it. Sure enough, nothing could penetrate the metal. No scratches either. I was pleased.

Once I mass produced it, I created Vehicles with the metal. I then helped the military and created armor for them.

The metal was woven into the fabric of their clothes and made them invincible on the battlefield. Their vehicles were created with the same metal. This saved many lives and helped our military greatly.

I became very wealthy and began to grow as a person. My life turned around. Like a Phoenix I rose from the ashes.