We are One

Charlene and Renew settled onto a worn park bench, their next move weighing heavily on their minds. With a deep sigh, Charlene pulled out her lunch, stomach grumbling. Grandma had packed her favorite—turkey and cheese with mayo, sweet pickles, sliced tomatoes, a sprinkle of salt, pepper, oregano, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil on a soft roll. A classic Lay’s bag sat beside it. She grinned, popping a few chips into her sandwich for that perfect salty crunch.

“Yum, so good! Grandma is awesome!” she squealed in delight, taking a big bite.

Between the lip-smacking, finger-licking, and crunching, Renew’s voice rang in her head.

“We really need to work on our table manners.”

Charlene rolled her eyes, cheeks stuffed. “Sorry, I haven’t eaten since last night. I’m starving over here.”

“I’m aware,” Renew said dryly. “Just don’t choke yourself.” The voice carried a smirk—if that were even possible.

Charlene swallowed and chuckled. “That’s right, we are one,” she joked, licking mayo off her fingers with a loud smack.

But Renew wasn’t here for jokes.

“Charlene, let me explain. If you let me.”

A strange stillness settled over them.

“The first soul. The Spear of Destiny. From the moment the Nazarene was pierced in the side, the blood of the one some call Savior gave birth to us. The spear became sentient, awakened by the blood—transforming from an instrument of death into something… alive.”

Charlene slowed her chewing.

“With a single prick, humans and spirits became one. For generations, we existed like this. But over time, our power grew too strong. To maintain balance, the spirit of the spear shattered the great divide, creating a new realm where we could exist in harmony. We vowed never to interfere in the human world again—only to guide lost souls. That’s how the Fates were born.”

Charlene sat there in stunned silence, sipping her Arizona tea. She let out a loud burp.

Renew groaned. “You’re such a little pig.”

Charlene laughed. But before she could respond, a gust of wind swept her chips from the bench.

“No—!” she jumped up, chasing the bag as it tumbled across the pavement.

And then, her worst nightmare stood before her.

A voice, sharp and mocking, cut through the air.

“Giving away free food now?”

Charlene’s stomach dropped. She prayed she was wrong.

But there he was—Terrance Black. The biggest bully in the projects.

Charlene clenched her teeth. “Give me my chips back, Terrance.”

He smirked, holding the bag out just beyond her reach. “Oh, you big and bad now? Come take them. What are you gonna do, cry?” He snorted, laughter bubbling from his throat.

Renew’s voice snapped in Charlene’s head. “Don’t you dare run. Stand your ground.”

“I can’t,” Charlene whispered.

“Yes, you can. Stop living in fear!”

Terrance sneered. “What, you gone crazy now? Talking to yourself? Guess that’s what happens when you don’t have any friends.” He laughed cruelly. “If you’re that hungry, I can feed you your shoe again. You like the taste, right?”

The crowd around them cackled.

Renew’s voice turned sharp. “Let me take over.”

Charlene froze. “What?”

“Say it. ‘We Are One.’ Touch the mark, Char. I got this.”

Charlene hesitated.

“Trust me. I’ve been waiting to put the smackdown on him.” Renew sounded like a caged animal, pacing, restless.

Terrance was the kind of bully who smelled fear like blood in the water. He had terrorized Charlene since the moment they met.

But today?

Today, that was about to change.

Charlene’s lips curled. And then—

“We Are One!”

A war cry.

A spark ignited in her chest. A surge of power, raw and electric, spread through her limbs.

Renew cracked her knuckles. Snap. Snap.

“Oh, this is gonna be fun,” she whispered.

She circled Terrance like a predator, moving with a fluidity Charlene had never felt before. A dark grin stretched across her face—sinister, calculated.

“What are you gonna do?” Terrance scoffed, throwing his hands up in a mock boxing stance.

Renew didn’t answer. She rushed forward, faking a slap—only to duck, slide between his legs, and land a devastating punch right to his groin.

Terrance gasped, doubling over.

“You—bit—!” he wheezed, hands cupping himself in agony.

Renew smirked. “I’m not done yet.”

Terrance straightened, fury twisting his face. He lunged.

Bad move.

Renew countered with a vicious headbutt.

Crack!

Blood spurted from his nose.

The crowd erupted.

“GET HIM!”

Terrance staggered, rage boiling over. “I’m gonna kill you!”

Renew grinned. “Try me.”

She launched forward, fist cocked, ready to end this—

“Stop.”

Charlene’s voice broke through, gentle but firm.

Renew hesitated.

“We’ve done enough.”

A deep breath. The rage ebbed. Reality settled in.

Charlene quickly maneuvered Terrance into a headlock. His struggles weakened.

“Do you submit?” she asked, voice steady.

Silence.

She tightened her grip.

“Fine—fine!” he croaked.

She released him, letting him collapse onto the grass.

The crowd buzzed with whispers. Charlene straightened, scanning their faces. The fear, the respect.

They parted, letting her walk away.

Renew exhaled. “That. Was. Awesome.”

Charlene laughed, fists pumping the air. “Did you see us?! He didn’t even know what hit him!”

“Okay, okay, Karate Kid.” Renew chuckled. “But we have bigger things to deal with.”

Charlene’s excitement faded.

Her mother.

She hadn’t seen or spoken to her since she dropped her off.

Anger, bitter and sharp, curled inside her chest.

“She didn’t want me. She left me like garbage on the curb!” Charlene’s voice cracked. “I don’t need her.”

Tears welled, unstoppable this time.

The mark glowed.

Suddenly, Charlene and Renew stood face to face within her mind’s eye.

Renew opened her arms.

Charlene collapsed into them, sobbing.

“Why did she leave me?”

Renew stroked her back gently. “I don’t know. But we’re going to find out.”

Charlene sniffled.

“And who would know where she is?”

They both answered at the same time.

“Grandma.”