The Things You Will Become

by Bastian Taylor, 11

A February 2024 Monthly Story Challenge Winner

Chapter 1

The sun rose over the shining city, bringing an array of colors into the world while Reds, oranges, yellows, and purples colored the sky. A twelve year old boy ran down the staircase. He had green eyes and brown hair. “Mom, what's for breakfast?” he asked. 

“Bacon and eggs,” replied his mother. “I'll have it for you in a minute Lucas,” she added. 

“Thank you,” said Lucas. “Wow, it's an incredible sunrise!” Lucas added, taking in the incredible sight. 

“Agreed” His mom nodded as she put eggs on a plate. The colors of the sunrise reflected off the steel tower and Crescent moon canal  that ran through the metropolis. The steel tower was the biggest building in the city, and it was the base for the government which was led by a man named “The Chosen One.” He saved the city from a fire that destroyed it, but Lucas’ mom didn’t trust The Chosen One and Lucas didn’t know why. His dad had died 10 years ago, around the same time The chosen one had saved the city from the fire. Lucas didn’t know how he died and it was another thing his mom was secretive about. They had a modest living but they were happy.

A strange thing that happened to Lucas was that when he was near luminous lights (the power source for the city that The Chosen One had introduced), he felt like he was connected to them somehow. If he focused on them long enough his body would faintly glow. He did not know how or why but he felt that it was important and he had decided not to tell his mom. She seemed like she didn't need to know.

The crescent moon river went through the city, and cut it into two sides: The rich side, and the poor side. Lucas lived near the canal on the poor side, but he thought it was a nice place. He was in his bathing suit, and the moment he saw the river, he jumped into it! Lucas happily splashed in the water, swimming in the blue aquatic kingdom. 

“The reason it was named the crescent moon canal was because of the views of it at nighttime. Maybe we should dip our toes in the water then!” Lucas called his mom. Luminous lights gave off a distinct yellowish glow when being used, and Lucas could see that distinct glow on most skyscrapers of the rich side, and the bridges used to get from one part of the city to another. The poor side unfortunately had less Luminous Lights and there were less structures. 

Lucas got back in his normal clothes, and tried not to think about it. Luckily his best friend had just arrived. Another boy Lucas’s age talked to Lucas’s mom. 

“Is Lucas home?” He said. 

“Yes Daniel,” She replied. Daniel ran upstairs with a cardboard box in his hands and said hello to Lucas. 

“Hey Daniel!” Lucas said. 

“Hey dude, I made something really cool, wanna see it?” Daniel asked Lucas. 

“I’ll see it.” Daniel pulled out a lamp from the box. 

“You can turn it off just by telling it to!” Daniel told him proudly. “Try it.” 

“Turn the lamp off.” Lucas said, and it instantly went dark. “This is awesome Daniel! This is one of your coolest things yet. I’ll see you later!” 

“Bye!” and Daniel left as quickly as he came. Then it was time for dinner for Lucas, and soon it got dark, and it was time for him to go to bed, awaiting the next day.

Chapter 2

Lucas woke up that morning sleepier than ever. He groaned and rubbed his eyes as he got out of bed. It was barely light outside but he could see the steel tower and the skyscrapers proudly standing on the rich side of town. He thought about going back to sleep as he stared at the one luminous light in his room. That one light provided energy to his whole home. Lucas felt that strange energy again and he wondered, “could he do more with the luminous lights? How would that be possible? “Only one way to find out,” he said aloud. He focused on it harder than he ever had before and as he did he knew that he was connected to the glowing, magical orb. Something started to happen! Slowly but surely the luminous light began to hover. “Wow!” Lucas said in disbelief. Lucas slowly moved his arm to the right and the orb went that way too. He reached into it and pulled out a small glowing ball. Instead of being solid it seemed alive. When he thought of different objects the orb changed with his thoughts! Using only the light and his mind he made a pillow that was as soft as any, and a dog that was as fluffy as a real one,  But the coolest thing he made was a sword that glowed in the dawn light. Lucas checked the sword out, swinging it around his room. “Lucas!” his mom called, “time to get up!” Lucas jumped and all of his creations disappeared. Lucas stuffed the luminous light into a drawer, shocked at what he could do. 

Next door Daniel was reading a book about luminous lights when Lucas ran in. “Daniel, I need to show you something. Follow me!” Lucas ran upstairs and his friend followed. “What is it?” asked Daniel.  “Do you have that light you made with the glowing orb?” Lucas inquired. Daniel fetched a box and took out the lamp. “Watch this,” said Lucas. Lucas concentrated and the orb started floating. Daniel’s jaw dropped. “I knew you had a connection with the luminous lights!” Then he told Lucas in a whisper, “You know that the chosen one would hunt you down if he found out about your powers. Keep them a secret.” Lucas nodded and left Daniel’s house. Meanwhile The Chosen One, who had cameras everywhere, saw something that he had not seen in years. “It’s not possible! Figure out who that child is!” he demanded. A woman nearby typed something into her computer. “There is no record of this boy in the database,” she reported. “Oh I think I may know him after all,” the Chosen One said. “I’ll be seeing your son soon Mark.” he muttered. 

Chapter 3

The symbol of the government was an orange sun with orange lines all around it. The sun was supposed to be a symbol of hope, and the lines represented the future. It was on the steel tower making a large luminous light which made power for the whole building. Lucas was having a hard time deciding whether or not to tell mom about his discovery. Plus, he had other questions too. Did his mom already know? Did the government already know? Could this be connected to his dad? How was it even possible? These thoughts passed through his mind. He was confused about his creations and wondered what he could be. And what about Daniel? What would the government do if they knew about him? If they wanted him would that put Daniel in danger?

Because of these things Lucas could not sleep. The Crescent Moon Canal looked amazing in the moonlight and the stars shown above him, but soon the moon fell and the sun rose, starting a new day. Little did Lucas know, that day would change his life.

It started like any other morning. Lucas got dressed and ate breakfast quickly. “So, what have you been up to with Daniel?” Lucas’ mom asked. “He made a cool lamp with a luminous light,” Lucas replied. He took the last bite of his breakfast and went upstairs. His mom sighed. “He needs to stay safe,” she said to herself, worried about Lucas. Later that day it happened. Lucas was reading with his mom and it was peaceful, when suddenly they heard a commotion outside. Lucas’ mom looked out the window and said in shock, “They found us.” She ran over to her son and said, “You have a power no one else has and if you can harness the energy of the luminous lights, you will save the city. Believe me, the chosen one is evil and will try to destroy you. You need a place to stay safe. Follow the river to the edge of town, and there you will find an old temple. In it is one of your dads old friends. Now go!” she shouted. “But” Lucas started. “Run!” said his mom. Lucas leaped through the open window, falling to the ground. Lucas ran to the river and jumped in. He surfaced and watched as police cars surrounded his house. His eyes were full of tears as he floated down the canal. Clouds 

formed in the air and rain started sprinkling on him. He knew he had to do what his mom told him. If he could learn to harness the powers of the luminous lights, he would be able to save her. He had to find his deceased dad’s friend. Maybe he could tell him why the chosen one wanted to eliminate him, how his dad had died, the secret history of the shining city, and finally how to harness his abilities and why he was needed to defeat the chosen one. He couldn’t hold back his tears but he also couldn’t abandon this adventure.

Chapter 4

Lucas walked along the crescent moon canal, holding the small luminous light that his mom had placed in his jacket pocket when the government came. He was still on the poor side of the city but luckily he did not see any police cars as he cautiously maneuvered around the houses along the river. The sun lowered itself in the sky until it was no longer visible and the moon rose along with some constellations of stars. Suddenly a noise rang out, “Hey, get back here!” someone yelled. Lucas immediately jumped in the canal. A girl Lucas’ age in a purple cloak and blue glasses jumped across the rooftops of the buildings. She had a luminous light in her hand but instead of having the usual yellowish glow, was pink, and it seemed precious. She noticed Lucas in the water but kept running as police cars zoomed by. Lucas got out of the water and started walking again, wondering who the girl was. 

Back at his home Daniel went into his workshop (aka his garage). “If I’m gonna find out where Lucas is, I need something that will work. Something that will help me find him and defend myself,” he thought. Daniel drew up blueprints, got out his metal, and started making a new gadget. Meanwhile in the luminous tower, the Chosen One was enraged that they had not caught Lucas. “Are you kidding me?! This is the child that could end my regime!”

Photo by: ChatGpt & Dall-E