Chapter 1: A New Beginning

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! The alarm clock loudly goes off. BEEP! BEEP! I hit the top of the alarm to shut it off. The clock read 4:01 a.m.

I sat up in bed and rubbed my face and eyes. Four hours until my first day of school — the last year of my high school career. Moving to a small town in Arkansas called Lakeside, I would be attending high school with my twin sister, Kylee. Separated at birth, we only met once before — and that wasn’t too long ago.

I moved to the United States a few months ago after being raised in a top-secret military establishment since birth. Trained, tortured, and enslaved for years, I was left mentally and physically scarred for life. But I managed to escape and start over. The police and investigators dropped the case for valid reasons.

I started getting dressed for my morning three-mile jog. Before leaving, I packed my school bag and laid out my clothes for later. In the kitchen, I made a protein shake and some toast. After finishing breakfast in less than three minutes, I headed out.

Being new in town already drew attention. Lakeside was a small, quiet place — full of good people, but some bad ones too. There was a park, an elementary school, a middle school, a high school, a few stores, a police and fire department, and one small hospital.

As I jogged down a strip of road, a man yelled out, “HEY, SON!”

I turned to see a tall white man with tattoos on both arms waving at me. Jogging over, I stopped.

“Yes sir?” I answered respectfully.

The man stood about six-foot-three. “You new around here?” he asked.

“Yes sir. My name’s Ja’kari. I just moved here from Japan.”

He looked me up and down. “Why move here?”

“Well, I’m here to reunite with my twin sister, Kylee. We were separated at birth.”

“Well, hell, son — I’m Coach Light, head football coach,” he said, extending his hand.

We shook hands firmly. “So you’re the other twin, huh? You two do look alike. She’s a good kid — straight A’s and all. You’re about 17, right?”

“Yes sir.”

“How tall are you, and how much do you weigh?”

“Five-ten, 214 pounds.”

Coach Light’s eyes lit up. “You play football, Ja’kari? Because if not, I want you to.”

“I’ve never played before, sir. I don’t even have cleats or anything, but I watch it a lot. I’m interested.”

The coach grinned. “Well, son, you’re in luck. I provide all that for new players. After school, come by the fieldhouse and I’ll get you set up.”

I nodded. “Yes sir, I’ll be there.”

“Alright then. See you after school, son. Nice talking to ya.”

He walked back to his truck as I jogged back to my apartment.

After making it back, I showered. Staring into the mirror, I traced the scars on my body, the tattoos, the muscle structure — built differently from most people my age. Closing my eyes, flashes of blood, fire, bullets, and bodies filled my mind. Then I saw my best friend Star, smiling. But the memory faded.

“I miss you, Star,” I whispered.

After a 20-minute shower, I got dressed — black jeans, low white Air Force 1s, and a black and white Nike hoodie. I checked my phone: a message from Officer Patt, the woman who helped me through my legal cases and adjustment to normal life.

“Hey, come by the office as soon as you get this. I have something for you.”

I pocketed my phone, grabbed my wallet, keys, and backpack, and locked up. My ride — a blackout purple BMW M4 Comp — gleamed in the morning light. I started the car and drove to the police station.

When I arrived, I texted her: I’m outside now.

Seconds later, she replied: Come in.

Inside, Miss Ross greeted me at the front desk.

“Morning, Ja’kari! Ready for school?”

“Eh, I guess. Is Officer Patt in her office?”

“She is. You know the way.”

“Thanks, Miss Ross. Have a good day,” I said as I headed down the hall.

Knocking on Jess’s office door, I heard her say, “Come in, Ja’kari.”

“Wassup, Jess?” I greeted.

Jess was a young officer — short, blonde hair, hazel eyes, about 5’4”. She smiled and hugged me.

“Ready for school?”

“Not really. This is my first time ever going to school.”

“Well, your schedule looks impressive. With your IQ scores, you only need two classes this year,” she said, handing me a paper.

“AP classes?” I asked. She nodded.

“I met Coach Light this morning,” I added.

Her eyes widened. “Really? What did he say?”

“He wants me to join the football team.”

“That’s great, Ja’kari! You’re fit, smart — it’ll be good for you. And guess what? The school also has a boxing team.”

I looked up, interested.

“These are extra activities, only if you want them,” she said.

“Yeah, I’ll do it. I’ll just tell my boss I’ll work nights and weekends more often.”

After what felt like minutes of talking, it was time to go. Jess walked me to my car.

“She’d be proud of you, Ja’kari,” she said softly.

I fiddled with my necklace. “I know.”

“Be good, dude — I don’t wanna have to show up at the school,” she joked.

We both laughed, hugged, and said goodbye.

Driving toward the school, I saw groups of students laughing and talking — and staring at me as I passed. Pulling into the lot, I got out and slung my backpack over my shoulder.

“This’ll be an interesting year,” I muttered.

Inside, I saw Kylee talking to her friends but kept walking. The principal, Mr. Lock, greeted me warmly.

“Ready, son? This is going to be a great year for you.”

“Yes, sir.”

And with that, I stepped into the crowded halls of Lakeside High — a new beginning for the young man who had survived more than anyone could imagine.