Chapter 11

Nexus Mapping Sequence

2002 8502 – song – Neil Diamon - America

6369 7778 – film – Saving Silverman (2001)

3104 4613 – song – Say Anything – Alive with the Glory of Love

* Nexus Mapping Sequence media is provided to support chapter contents.

With the crystal now in their possession, the group gathered in the cabin’s modest living room to plan their next move. Everyone's attention turned to Ethan, their de facto leader, though he hardly felt like one.

“I don’t know if it’s wise to just show up at her place,” Will said, arms crossed as he leaned against the wall. “We might freak her out.”

“Aisha made it seem like she’d know who I was,” Ethan replied, though his voice carried a note of uncertainty. The dream was already fading, the details slipping through his fingers like sand. All that remained was the sense of urgency: the world was in danger, and time was running out.

“I say we go first thing in the morning,” Ethan added after a pause, trying to sound decisive.

“But what if she’s not there?” Alex asked, her voice thoughtful. “She might be at school or anywhere, really.”

“Good point,” Marco said, frowning.

“Well,” Ethan said, shrugging, “there’s no time like the present. Any objections to us going now? If things go sideways, we can always come back here.”

Will stood abruptly, pacing the length of the room with measured steps. The soldier in him wrestled with two instincts: the drive to act swiftly and the caution to assess every variable.

“The moment you all burst into my living room, I was completely out of my element,” Will admitted, his brow furrowed. “Everything here is so... foreign to me. But I get the sense we’re being led somewhere, Ethan, even if it’s just from your dreams. I just don’t want us charging in blind.”

“He’s right,” Bobbi said, finally breaking his silence. While Marco tended to speak first and think later, Bobbi had always been the more contemplative of the two, preferring to wait until he had a firm grasp of the situation.

“I think we’ve all been dealing with this in our own ways,” Bobbi continued, his tone measured. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around all of it. But, dude, you literally have superpowers.”

“I wouldn’t call it that,” Ethan said, defensively.

“What would you call it?” Bobbi countered. “I believe you had a dream with real insight into our situation. But Will’s right—we can’t rush this. We’re up against a powerful organization that could wipe us out with the snap of a finger.”

Ethan sighed. Bobbi wasn’t wrong. He’d been so caught up in chasing answers that he hadn’t thought much about consequences.

“So,” Ethan said, glancing around the room, “how should we go about this?”

Akima, silent until now, finally spoke. “I could scout it out,” she offered, her voice calm but firm. “If anything looks suspicious, I’ll bail. But if she’s the ‘chosen one’ or whatever, I can grab her and bring her back.”

“No, let’s not grab her,” Ethan said quickly. “And I didn’t say anything about a chosen one.”

“Just check her out,” Will agreed. “If you see any leukocytes or anything suspicious, you get out of there. If everything looks clear, we can approach her together.”

“I feel like she’s expecting us,” Ethan murmured, more to himself than anyone else.

With the plan set, Akima walked over to the bedroom door. She closed it, her hand poised to activate the axiom. Before she could place her palm on the doorframe, Ethan stopped her.

“How do you know where you’re going?” he asked.

“While you all were debating,” Akima said, turning to face him, “I was researching this girl. Her name is Nicole Bennett, and she’s from Lexington, Kentucky.”

“Whoa,” Ethan said, blinking. “How did you figure that out?”

“I watched more of her videos,” Akima said with a small smirk. “You kids put way too much information online. I tracked her down from her feed.”

Ethan slumped back into his seat, stunned. Akima was already turning back to the door, her efficiency both intimidating and impressive.

“I’ll scout the area,” she said. “If it looks bad, I’ll be back in minutes.”

She placed her palm on the doorframe, and the familiar green light illuminated the cracks. A moment later, Akima opened the door, revealing a snapshot of suburban normalcy: a backyard littered with toys, a swing set gently swaying in the breeze, and a house that radiated quiet domesticity. Without hesitation, she stepped through, the door clicking shut behind her.

With a rare moment of calm, Ethan found himself torn between listening to another track from his father’s iPod or spending time with Alex. The connection between them was growing, almost as if the chaos around them had amplified their bond. Finally, he decided he could do both.

“Hey, I was thinking about listening to another track from my dad,” Ethan said softly to Alex, who sat beside him on the couch. “Want to go somewhere quiet and listen with me?”

Alex tilted her head, a playful smile lighting up her face. “Sure.”

As they got up and headed for the door, Will glanced up from the map he’d been studying. “Where are you two sneaking off to?” he asked, trying to hide the smirk tugging at his lips.

“Oh, um, we’re just going outside to listen to another track,” Ethan stammered, feeling a heat rise in his cheeks.

“Don’t go too far, lovebirds,” Marco teased from the corner, his grin wide and mischievous.

Ethan’s face turned beet red, but he forced himself to ignore them, opening the door for Alex as they stepped outside into the cool evening air. They wandered over to the firepit on the side of the house, its rusted edges glowing faintly in the twilight. The air was crisp, carrying the earthy scent of the surrounding forest.

Sitting down on a log bench, Ethan pulled out his iPod and handed Alex one of the earbuds. The closeness of the shared music felt strangely intimate. He hesitated a moment, then pressed play.

“I feel like I need to clarify something,” his dad’s voice began, warm and familiar. “I love this country. There are so many reasons to love America. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t acknowledge its faults. The government, like all governments, does terrible things—every day. There’s a history out there that’s been erased, Ethan.”

Ethan glanced at Alex as the words played, gauging her reaction. “My dad had a lot to say about America in the last track,” he said quietly. “The music was great, though. Have you ever listened to Rage Against the Machine?”

“Don’t think so,” Alex replied, her voice carrying a hint of curiosity. “I’ll have to check them out.”

Ethan nodded. He’d only known Alex for days, but he felt an almost overwhelming urge to share everything with her. That urge was new—and terrifying. Usually, he kept his feelings close, scared of rejection. With Alex, that fear seemed smaller.

“I see people talk about how great America is,” his dad’s voice continued, “and they get angry when someone calls out the hypocrisy. I think that anger comes from fear. Fear of finding out something they’ve believed in might be flawed. But fear shouldn’t control us. It makes us do stupid things.”

As Alex reached over and gently scratched Ethan’s back, he fought an impulse to stop the track and just kiss her. Instead, he forced himself to stay focused, listening to his father’s words.

“America is great,” his dad said. “We stand up to bullies. We offer a chance at a better future for those without one. Anyone who says immigrants aren’t welcome here doesn’t understand our history. We’re a nation of immigrants, Ethan.”

Ethan felt a smile tug at his lips. His dad’s words, while heavy, resonated deeply. He’d often struggled to articulate similar feelings, but now they felt clearer, validated.

“This next song really captures my love for America,” his dad continued. “Neil Diamond’s America. It’s powerful, and while it’s different from the punk and hip-hop I’ve shared, it’s no less meaningful. Give it a shot.”

As the song began, Ethan wasn’t sure it was his style. But as he listened, the lyrics and melodies stirred something in him. When it ended, he removed the earbuds and put the iPod away, feeling a swelling pride in his chest.

“My dad’s not wrong,” Ethan said, breaking the silence. “People are scared to question things. They’re afraid their perfect image of America might not be so perfect after all.”

“Yeah,” Alex agreed. “My dad immigrated from Africa as a kid. His family scraped together everything they had to get here. He always told me how much he loved this country, but when I see all the terrible things happening, it’s hard to feel the same way. I’ve realized, though, that we can be both—a great country and a country with serious problems.”

Ethan couldn’t stop himself this time. He turned to her, placing a hand on her cheek, and kissed her. The world melted away, leaving only Alex. They kissed for what felt like hours, though it was likely only a few moments.

A soft cough broke the spell. Ethan opened his eyes to see Bobbi standing a few feet away, a grin tugging at his lips.

“Akima’s back,” Bobbi said with a teasing wink.

Ethan sighed, reluctantly standing. He helped Alex to her feet, and they followed Bobbi inside. In the living room, the others were gathered around Akima, who had clearly just returned from her reconnaissance mission.

“How did it go?” Ethan asked, eager for answers.

“If I had more time, I would have watched her longer,” Akima said, her tone measured. “But we’re on a clock. From what I saw, there’s nothing out of place. She’s just a regular twelve-year-old living in suburbia.”

“She’s only twelve?” Marco said, raising an eyebrow. “She looked older in the video.”

“Filters,” Alex quipped.

“So, how do we approach this?” Will asked.

“I can get us into her room right now,” Akima said. “She was recording a new video when I left. Her parents are out, so this might be the perfect time.”

Ethan hesitated. “How long can you keep the doorway open?” he asked.

“As long as the door stays open,” Akima replied.

“Then maybe just a few of us should go,” Ethan suggested. “Let’s not overwhelm her. We can leave the door open as a backup and try not to scare her.”

Seeing the agreement in the room, Ethan and Akima moved to the bedroom door. With a steady hand, Akima activated the axiom. The door glowed green before revealing Nicole’s bedroom—a typical kid’s room, strewn with toys and bright colors. Nicole was mid-dance, recording a video on her phone, completely unaware.

Ethan stepped through cautiously. “Excuse me,” he said gently.

Nicole froze. Her eyes widened, and then she screamed, “What the flip? What the flip?”

Before anyone could stop her, she bolted out of the room, her phone clattering to the ground.

“Crap,” Ethan muttered.

“I’ll talk to her,” Alex said, her calm demeanor unwavering. She followed Nicole down the hall, with Ethan and Will trailing behind.

“Nicole,” Alex called softly. “We’re not here to hurt you. We just want to talk.”

“Prove it!” Nicole’s voice came from behind the bathroom door she fled to. “How do I know you’re not dangerous?”

“We have something important to ask you,” Alex replied. “Then we’ll leave. I promise.”

“What do you want?” Nicole demanded, her voice trembling.

Taking a deep breath, Ethan approached the door. “I had a weird  dream that led me here and I think you might have had a weird dream too,” he began awkwardly. “And I think you can help us save the world.”

There was a pause. Then, slowly, the door creaked open.

"I saw a big red crystal in a cave," Nicole said cautiously, her wide eyes flicking between Ethan and Alex. Her small hands fidgeted at her sides as if steadying herself from the weight of her words.

Ethan’s chest tightened. “So did I,” he said, leaning closer. “I touched it... and somehow, I gained special abilities.”

Nicole’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean, special abilities?”

Ethan hesitated, unsure how to explain it in a way that didn’t sound ridiculous. Instead of answering, he closed his eyes and pictured something simple yet whimsical—a miniature unicorn with a shimmering rainbow tail. He stretched out his hand, willing the vision into existence. When he opened his eyes, a tiny, three-inch unicorn pranced in his palm, its mane flowing with iridescent light. Its delicate hooves made faint tapping sounds as it danced around his hand.

Nicole gasped, her skepticism dissolving into awe. “I didn’t think unicorns were real.”

Ethan smiled faintly. “Well, I guess they are now.”

Nicole extended her hand cautiously, and Ethan placed the tiny unicorn into her palm. It neighed, a faint, magical sound that made her giggle.

“Do you think I could learn to do that?” she asked, her voice hushed as if afraid she’d scare the creature.

Ethan scratched the back of his head, sheepish. “Honestly? I don’t even know how I’m doing it. So, probably not from me.”

Nicole turned and carried the unicorn reverently back into her room. She opened the lid of a small terrarium on her dresser, placing the tiny unicorn beside her pet turtle. The turtle blinked lazily, unimpressed by its new companion.

“What’s a good name for you?” Nicole asked softly, tapping her chin as she looked at the unicorn.

Ethan stood at the doorway, watching her in quiet amazement. “I had the same dream. Then later, I had another dream where a woman told me our world was in danger.”

Nicole paused, glancing at him over her shoulder. “Aisha?” she asked casually. “I think I’ll name the unicorn Aisha.”

Ethan’s breath caught. He turned to Alex, who mirrored his startled expression. “You met Aisha?” he asked, his voice rising slightly.

“Yeah,” Nicole said as if it were the most normal thing in the world. “She’s, like, my best friend.”

Ethan’s mind raced. “So, she’s real? Like, not just from a dream?”

Nicole giggled. “No, silly. Aisha’s from my dreams. I was just exaggerating about the ‘best friend’ thing.”

“Oh,” Ethan said, feeling foolish. He scratched his arm awkwardly, unsure of what to say next.

“Can we introduce you to our team?” Alex asked, stepping forward with a warm smile.

Nicole nodded. “Sure. And I’ll introduce you to mine.”

Ethan and Alex exchanged puzzled glances. “Wait,” Alex said slowly. “What do you mean, yours?”

Nicole puffed up her chest slightly. “I have a team too. Well, part of one.”

Alex tilted her head. “You have a team?”

Nicole nodded firmly. “Aisha told me to build one. I already have a few people on it.”

Still exchanging bewildered looks, Ethan and Alex led Nicole back through her closet door. When Nicole hesitated, staring at the shimmering green portal, Ethan offered a reassuring nod. “It’s safe,” he said. “I promise.”

Cautiously, Nicole stepped through, her small frame stiff with nerves. On the other side, she blinked at the sight of Ethan’s friends gathered in the cabin’s living room.

“Everyone, this is Nicole,” Ethan said, gesturing toward her.

“Hi,” Nicole said shyly, giving a small wave.

After the introductions, Ethan brought out the crystal. It floated a foot off the ground, pulsating with a faint red glow. Nicole gasped, her eyes wide as saucers.

“Wow. That’s it,” she whispered, inching closer.

“When Wolf and I touched it, everything went bright, and we both passed out,” Ethan said. “Did anything like that happen to you?”

Nicole scrunched her face in thought. “Kind of,” she said. “It went really bright, but then Aisha showed up.”

Ethan’s eyes widened. “What did she tell you?”

“She said I needed to build a team of kids like me,” Nicole explained matter-of-factly. “Aisha said seven kids and seven adults could save the world. So, I’m guessing you guys are the seven adults.”

Ethan glanced around the room, counting silently. Seven, including Wolf. The number matched. His gaze lingered on Wolf, wondering if he really counted as an adult.

“Did she say why we need seven kids and seven adults?” Bobbi asked.

“Aisha said something about the crystal needs balance, and we all balance each other,” Nicole said.

“So who is on your team?” Ethan asked.

Nicole nodded proudly. “My best friends Monique and Anders. And my TikTok friends, Sophia and Emily. That makes five. I haven’t found the last two yet, though.”

The group listened intently as Nicole shared her story. In return, Ethan and the others filled her in on the leukocytes and Chimera. Ethan eagerly recounted their wild adventure in New York, puffing his chest slightly when Nicole mentioned seeing the giant teddy bear video.

“That was you?” Nicole asked, her mouth agape.

“Yeah,” Ethan said, unable to suppress a grin.

“So, what’s next?” Nicole asked, her excitement infectious.

Ethan looked around at his team. He could see the spark returning to their eyes. “I guess we need to find the rest of your friends,” he said. “Time to save the world.”