Mid way through school, Kosi was sitting with his new friend Rue. "So why do you wear that mask Kosi" the adorable bespectacled girl asked pointing to his breathing mask.
"Oh well since we're down here it can get really dusty and I cough a lot when there's a lot of dust" he replied.
"It's cool that you have a mask on you're like a superhero" she said beaming. "What's that?" Kosi replied with a curious look on his face.
"Wait you haven't watched those? They're awesome, they wear costumes and masks to hide their identities and they go out and fight criminals. Don't u have any tapes at your house, my dad and I watch those a lot?" Rue ranted excitedly.
"No, I usually just go out and play or stay home with my parents, we usually just talk" he replied a bit jealous of her. "Oh yeah why are u just now coming to school with us, I think we're the same age" he added.
"Oh my parents wanted to teach me themselves" she said plainly. "Wow they be teachers or something or really smart." "Oh my dad's the deputy mayor, he just gets worried about me but my mom said it's important I make friends."
"Are we friends?" Kosi asked curiously. "Mhm" Rue replied smiling with a tooth missing. "I like you, you're cool" she added. "Thanks, you're really cool too"
Their peaceful lunch was interrupted but the sound of a distant tremor. Children huddled after hearing to the window after hearing a sudden zoom as an armored drill truck drove past.
"What do you think that is?" one kid said. "That's the car my dad drives..." Jude said with a pit in his stomach thinking back to being inside the car with his father telling him he only speeds up for emergencies.
A weird sudden sinking feeling came over him causing him to frantically bolt out of the room. Noticing this Kosi followed him out the door.
"Jude..." He said shocked at seeing his friend frantic and beginning to cry. Jude simply looked back at him hands moving randomly, pacing back and fort and eyes tearing up. He stopped moving and sat on the floor. "I got scared my dad was hurt in the cave" he muttered.
"Oh" Kosi replied sitting next to him and placing an arm around him. "Well I know my mom said nothing would ever happen with her there and she said your dad wouldn't do anything if he thought he'd lose u" he added giving Jude a comforting squeeze. "Plus my dad's the coolest, they love you guys so they won't let anything happen to him" he continued rubbing Judes back."
"Thanks K" Jude replied still silently weeping. "Want some water?" Kosi asked getting up to get a cup from the cafeteria. "Thanks.." Jude replied softly.
Back inside the cafeteria Kosi ignored the prying eyes to try getting water from Jude. Unbeknownst to him Rue had already gotten up and got a bottle of water.
"Here, your friend looks like he's not feeling well" she said handing him the bottle with a concerned look on her face. "Thanks" he replied still half distracted.
A few moments later Kosi was back with Jude watching him gulp down his water. The two were interrupted by an intercom transmission.
"Can Kosi Blue and Jude Taylor please come to the office with your belongings". The two tentatively walked to the office fearing the worst.
Jude beamed and ran to embrace his dad when the two saw him waiting in the reception, cleaned up but still clearly somewhat distraught.
An almost out of body feeling came over Kosi seeing the usually joyous wall of a man sad and somewhat disheveled. Jude upon realizing what's happened to his friends family simply froze up.
Taking a knee in front of Kosi, James softly spoke "K, I'm sorry but your mom and dad are gone...we tried our best but the cave came down. They always..." he was cut off by Kosi clutching onto him. Silent.
"K..." Jude said before his father placed an a hand on his shoulder. The three left with Kosi still silent. The car ride was silent with Jude and Kosi sitting in the backseat.
Finally Kosi went to speak but his voice was cut off my a wail as he broke down crying. Jude leaning in and hugging him all three sat in the now parked car and wept.
In later weeks The Exploration Project was abruptly shut down with the deaths of Michael and Julia ruled an accident.
Kosi, still a shell of his formerly cheerful self was declared an orphane. The one saving grace to come from this tragedy; the strength of a community to rally around a child in need. He may had lost his parents but Kosi was not without family.
Heading what his parents had always taught him he was able to pass the time playing with Brodie, staying with Jude and his parents and watching old superhero tapes with Rue. Something about people who dedicate their lives to helping others without even asking for thanks resonated with him. It was this that had made him realize his parents were real life superheroes.
"Rue you said you wanted to go to the surface, right" he asked her sitting on her couch. "Umh.. yes" she replied truthfully but not knowing if that was the answer she should give. "Why?" she asked nervously.
"Cause I'm going and I want you to come with me" he replied looking at her. "Ok" she replied with a smile. The two sat and continued watching the film for perhaps the 100th time. What was to Rue a joke that made her think she had her friend back was to Kosi, a promise he now had to keep.