Creede Part I

Creede

by Lloyd D. Kelsey III

Part I

The sun was setting over a small farm in Richmond Kentucky.  Jeremy Creede had spent the day plowing the fields for his father who had taken ill.  The ambient smell of early spring and fresh manure filled his nose with the promise of summer sports and fun with friends.

Jeremy had finished the football season a few months back at Madison Central and was quickly looking for something to keep him occupied for the summer.  The farm was plenty to handle, but in never seemed to fill his day to satisfaction.  Soon the summer help for the farm would arrive and he would be left with little to do.

At school he had been quite the accomplished athlete.  His large frame made him the perfect linebacker.  He was the picture of physical perfection.  From his golden blonde hair to his chiseled muscular physique he was the embodiment of how most viewed deity through history.  He had been blessed and he knew it.

Jeremy’s grades were nothing to laugh at either.  All his hard work in the classroom had landed him a full scholarship to Eastern Kentucky University.  His mind filled with the promise of his future in football and his ambitions in Biology. 

He loved his mother and father, and he truly loved growing up on the farm.   But he knew his future lay elsewhere.  It was the last half of his senior year and in a few months he would be starting on the path to that future.

As he finished his chores and put away the farm tools Jeremy decided to walk to campus to register for what classes he could.  It would take him a while to get there and he could drive there in ten minutes, but walking gave Jeremy time to think about the road ahead.  He gathered his paperwork in his backpack and headed out.

The midday sun was warmer than usual for this time of year.  Jeremy found himself sweating profusely after about a half a mile.  By the time he got to the registrar’s office his shirt was soaked through and the humidity of the day wasn’t helping.

The registrar’s office was packed to overflowing as the students gathered to enroll for summer and fall classes.  For the most part the enrollment process had gone smoothly.  Jeremy was glad to be at the back of the line.  The sun had given him a beating and the air conditioning was a nice change of pace. 

Two hours passed and Jeremy finally found himself at the head of the line.  “Hello, how may I help you today, young man?” asked a small older lady from behind the desk.  Her face was worn and tired, but it still held the smile of a woman who loved to see students succeed.

“I…I need to finish my enrollment.” He said with a smile.  He handed her his license and social security card and began to dig in his bag for his enrollment forms.  As he dug through his beaten backpack he failed to notice the look of shock that crossed the nice lady’s face as she looked at his license.

“Mr. Creed? The Director of Admissions would like to have a word with you.  And you had better hurry if you plan to make it to football practice on time!”

“Oh…ok…” he said as he gather his things again and clumsily mad his way out of the office.  As he stepped into the hall he was met with a booming voice.  “Jeremiah Creede!”

“Yes sir.” Jeremy answered.  The man looked to be about fifty.  His salt and pepper hair made his green eyes stand out in a strange way.  He was heavy set and his suit was in stark contrast to his ruthless face.   He looked like a man out of his element.  Jeremy found himself wondering if the man used to be in a biker gang.

“In my office, pronto!”

“Yes sir, Mr. Carpenter.” Jeremy quickly made his way down the hall and into Mr. Carpenter’s office.

“Mr. Creede, please sit.  We have much to discuss.” Carpenter said as he closed the door behind them.  His office was a wreck.  Jeremy had seen dumpsters that were more organized that this.  “We know all about you,” Carpenter said as he sat down behind his desk.  His face was stern and unwavering.

“Huh?!?”Jeremy was more confused than when his dad had him call the Auto Zone for ball bearings for a yellow Volkswagen.

“Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed?” Carpenter chuckled.  Jeremy was sure that the stern look suited his face better.  “Do you know what I do here?”

“Well you’re the director of admissions. Aren’t you?”  Jeremy could feel him staring through him.

“Well, yes, among other things,” Carpenter let out a disappointed sigh as he continued, “Have you ever heard of a place called Florence New York?”

Jeremy’s eyes lit up with shock. “Yeah…I mean, yes sir, it’s been all over the news lately.  But you don’t think that I…”

“No, I don’t think,” Carpenter smiled, “I know.”

Florence, New York had been all over the new over the last few months.  There were reports of scenes straight out of the comic books.  It was almost a fact that there were people out there that someone would call a superhero.  But with heroes there are always villains.  Reports of werewolves and demons locked in battles with these superheroes were all over the television, internet, and radio.  Now Jeremy was staring at a man who was claiming that he belonged among them.

“Don’t be alarmed.  Even the most powerful of us are unaware of what we are at first.”

‘…Most powerful of us?’ Jeremy thought to himself, ‘Mr. Carpenter is one too?’

“Why yes I am? And I also have a knack for spotting those with gifts as well.”

Jeremy was floored. ‘Did he just…? No he couldn’t…’  Jeremy stood up in shock and headed for the door.

“I didn’t expect you to believe at first.  Pick up your registration packet from the front office.  And we’ll talk later,” Carpenter went back to the papers on his desk as if nothing had just happened.

Jeremy walked calmly back down the hall scratching his head.  As he passed the desk he was stopped by the lady from before. “Don’t forget this!” she said as she jumped swiftly from her chair and handed him a sealed manila envelope.  Without thinking he took his packet and made his way for the exit.  As he got to the door he took a quick look back and caught a wink from the registrar lady.

As he peered into the envelope he could see a folder labeled ‘Registration’ and one labeled ‘RBP Project: Quintessence’.  ‘Football!’ he thought as he stuffed the envelope in his bag and began to sprint across campus. ‘I’m so late! Didn’t even know they were doing anything today.’

As he made his way onto the practice field he could already see that the coach was waiting for him. “Well at least you made good time.” He shouted as Jeremy came to a screeching halt.

“Sorry Coach, I just found out about practice while I was seeing Mr. Carpenter in admissions.” Jeremy pleaded.  It soon became apparent that this was a private practice session with the coach.

“Half a mile in just under two minutes.  That’s good.  The RBP could use a recruit like you.” The coach’s words hit Jeremy like a ton of bricks, “Now where is your folder?”  Jeremy stared blankly at him still stunned by his statement. Finally the coach had had enough and decided to snap Jeremy back into reality, “Manila envelope! NOW!”

“You look amazed,” said the coach as he retrieved the envelope from the dumbfounded Jeremy.  Jeremy was staring intensely at his watch.  He was sure he had left the registrar’s office at 2:00, but it was just now turning 2:03.

“No I just think that my watch is broken.” Jeremy chuckled trying to avoid thinking about the conversations he had just had with both Carpenter and now his coach.

“That doesn’t change the fact that they called me to tell me that you had just left at 2:00 and it’s now 2:03,” the coach grumbled.  Jeremy was in a state of disbelief.  “Well let’s see what you can do besides run, shall we?”

From the locker room entrance it was apparent that the rest of the team had arrived.  Jeremy towered over most and was eye to eye with many of the linemen. The coach eyed his team carefully as they approached.  “Sanders, get over here!” a large young man pushed his way easily through the rest of the team and sprinted to the coach.

“Yes sir?” Sanders asked as he looked Jeremy over.

“You are gonna take Mr. Creede out.  Do you understand?” Sanders nodded at the coach, “Well don’t just stand there. DO IT!”

“But coach he isn’t wearing any pads.  I’m twice his size. I’ll snap him like a twig.”

Jeremy looked the brutish Sanders over.  The thought had already crossed his mind.  Sure, Sanders was twice his size, but deep in the pit of his stomach he wasn’t sure about being ‘snapped like a twig’.

            Jeremy assumed his three point stance as if he were waiting for the snap of the ball. “Well?” Jeremy snapped, “Bring it chump!”  Jeremy dug in and waited for Sanders.  Sanders charged.  As he drew close Jeremy sprang.

            A crowd gathered as the coach helped Sanders sit up.  He slowly removed the remains of the stunned football star’s pads and helmet.  Whispers stirred through the crowd as Jeremy stood there looking down at him. ‘Maybe they do need me in New York.’ Jeremy smiled as he helped Sanders to his feet.

To be continued…