Bryan Young [Young - Dome

What does it mean to be a hero? This question rang in Tyes mind as the golden light of the California sun filled every inch of his room. Fighting the urge to go back to sleep, he yawned as he stretched out his lanky frame and scratched at his short curly hair. His dream where he had all the powers he desired as a kid ended tragically when a creature had gotten the better of him and growled, Youre no hero just as it delivered the final blow that jolted him into consciousness.

Slowly coming to reality, he focused on the nightstand and grabbed his phone. His eyes adjusted as he attempted to determine just how early hed woken up, 10:37 AM? Ugh. He groaned. Why do I always wake up so early on weekends?

Fighting off the impulse to go back to sleep, he dragged himself to the bathroom to wash up. He then quickly threw on some clothes and hurried downstairs to look for his earbuds only to find his father watching the news through sorrowful eyes. His dad followed every word being said by the anchors reporting on the tragic shooting of an unarmed black man in urban Atlanta.

Tye stood next to him, watching the news. Another shooting? I would say Im surprised, but thatd be a lie.

You see, this is why as black parents we have to tell our kids to be careful when they go outside. You could be raising money for homeless deaf kids and theyll still shoot your black ass, his dad responded, reclining into the couch. And when we scream about how there are real issues with the system, people side with the guys that cant tell a cellphone from a gun.

Tye chuckled, Crazy how they only mistake cell phones for guns when the person is black.

Well, you're not wrong there, son, his dad agreed. Maybe we get these people some glasses and all these shootings will stop. Worth a shot, right? He grabbed the remote and muted the television. So, where are you headed off to so early?

Tye detailed his days plans, I'm just gonna chill with Brodie and play some ball. Then were gonna go pick up the other guys and go for a hike. Maybe see a movie and get some food or something. The usual. I do need my earbuds though if youve seen em.

A hike? You guys weren't planning on going hiking in the Hills, were you?

The hills? Like, the Forgotten Hills? Nah. We weren't planning on it. Why?

His dad sighed, Because there was a news story a bit earlier about another set of boys that disappeared around there. But I suppose as long as youre staying away from them then go and have fun. And I think I saw your earbuds in my car.

Taking this as a sign that he was free to go, he walked over to the counter to grab the car keys hanging next to the door, but with the thought of the hills now at the forefront of his mind, he turned back to his dad and asked, More missing kids? Everyones sure the hills arent just some smoke spot that high kids happen to get lost in a lot?

I cant say. One of my co-workers lives by there he always talks about seeing a strange light in the sky that hes positive comes from the hills. But, as far as he and the neighbors know, there aren't any other houses over there to connect them to. There very well could be more to the story than high kids getting lost.

Hm. Thats definitely mysterious but its not proof of anything. Personally, I like my stoned kid theory. Anyway, if I need anything, Ill text you. Ima probably be gone all day.

I wont wait up for you then. Maybe youll be gone long enough for me to actually throw a party and invite some of my cool friends to the house.

Tye rolled his eyes and walked out. He opened the garage and eventually stumbled upon his prized earbuds in his dads car along with a bag of chips and shoved them both into the front pocket of his hoodie before walking back to the control panel to close the garage.

He felt a buzz from his cellphone and smiled at the message from his childhood friend, Brodie. As one of the only other black kids in the suburbs of Mountain View, Tye had quickly taken a liking to Brodie. Hed felt an almost familial connection to the only other person in school who looked like him. The two had been inseparable since early Middle School and often spent their free time together having lengthy discussions about basketball, politics, and music, while going on adventures all over the Bay Area.