by Karen Binnie
Chapter 13
Jez awoke from his deep slumber to the smell of cooking and raised his body onto one elbow, slowly focusing his eyes on the interior of the cottage. His lumpy mattress left knots in his shoulders, a feeling not uncommon to the nights spent asleep in the barn back home. Home was too strong a word, he had dreamt of his motorcycle, hidden behind the crude false wall he had created in the barn and hoped it would still be there on his return, the way his grandfather was selling everything up he even wondered if there would be a farm left.
Jez rose and peered through the window of the cottage, the snow still hugged the ground but at least the sun was a welcoming sight, he wondered how long it would take the snow to melt. These people were becoming interesting now that he appeared connected somehow, he was keen to investigate the outside, perhaps the people of the village could explain more to him, anything to get out of this cottage. The four walls were already closing in on him, too long in a musty room like this was enough to stifle any young man’s spirit, he felt like a caged animal.
As he rose, towards the door, Eldeen pulled back the curtain to his sanctuary, “Ah Jez, I must speak with you, please alone” he motioned for Jez to sit beside him, “your father Jez, I believe was my brother, we lost contact many years ago, I must know of his fate.”
Jez was surprised and realised what the old man was getting at, he was keen to get outside this oppressive room, he was not ready to confront the stories his mother had told him, he dropped his head to the floor as he contemplated how to say he was not ready without hurting the old man’s feelings.
Eldeen, keen on the truth, lifted his cold bony finger under Jez’s chin, “I understand if this is painful, but I must know, his loss has eaten away at me for a very long time, if it helps I can extract the truth from your memories…”
Jez pulled his head back from Eldeen’s finger in defiance, “It is alright Jez, please do not be frightened, I promise to only read the truth of my brother, all other memories and thoughts I will ignore, it will be painless, please let me.”
Eldeen held his long bony hands out pleading to Jez who eyed him suspiciously, “Please, I promise.”
It was difficult to refuse his pleading eyes and warily Jez nodded in agreement. Eldeen placed both palms either side of Jez’s temple, much in the same way as Al’ice had when he cured Jol’s eyesight, “Now, please close your eyes.”
Jez saw the images of his own mind flash before him, his mothers words were soft and full of love and sorrow, the images his own conjured from her tales, for he had never met his father.
Eldeen lowered his hands from his face, it had lasted just seconds, “thank you, your mother was an angel to your father, his final days were at least happy in the knowledge he had become a father again with hope for the future, for you must understand, he had no idea at that time if Al’ice were alive or dead, thank you Jez.”
The reading had been surprisingly painless and quick, Jez struggled to find the right words, “So, he is my half brother, right?” he managed.
Eldeen nodded in agreement, “His name is Al’ice Jez, these were not the words you wished to hear?”
Jez returned to the window longing for the sun to burn brighter and the welcome heat it would bring, the cold and embarrassment of last night still etched in his memory.
“I do not believe, running off again would be wise young man, after yesterday you are not ready to face the cold.”
Jez turned to the fire and eyed the bubbling pot, the lid jumping allowing the steam to escape, “we will need more logs to stoke the fire, where are they kept?” he was avoiding the issue of Al’ice, trying not to accept the truth.
The door behind him opened and Cooper stood in the recess watching Jez’s movements as she addressed Eldeen, “Good morning Grandfather, Jez? I think perhaps grandfather, we will need to chop more logs for the fire, what do you think Jez? are you up to the task?”
His hairs prickled on his neck, he did not sense danger, this was a different sensation, his stomach grumbled as he replied, “sweet, where do I go?”
“Don’t be so hasty, you are hungry are you not? have something to eat first and…..”
Jez interrupted, “I‘ll be fine, am used to an hour’s hard labour on the farm before breakfast and I feel great” he lied.
“Let me give you a jerkin of water for your thirst and I’ll show you where we keep the wood.”
Cooper handed him an odd shaped leather pouch, plugged at one end with a clump of wood and filled with water, as she opened the door to the crisp morning air, the sun streamed into the room, like a fluorescent light had just been turned on. She stood like an angel in the doorway, the sunlight illuminating her whole body, Jez was stunned by her beauty in the light.
“Well come on then, follow me” she called as she disappeared from sight.
A wall extended from the back of the cottage and returned, creating an alcove out back, it was crudely topped with planks of wood, strange Jez had not noticed this before he thought. Beneath the canopy a pile of wood and a great axe ready for the toil, just like back home.
“Thanks I’ll be fine from here” he nodded to Cooper his face burning as she paused and watched him lift the axe.
Back in the cottage they had much to discuss against the dull thuds of the axe, finally Eldeen ate his breakfast in silence, deep in thought. Cooper had cooked up a pot of what looked like porridge, the last log of the fire keeping it warm. She did not eat but had resumed Jez’s stance staring out of the window, “so Jez is my cousin also, I wonder what Al’ice will make of the news on his return, he should be back soon should he not?”
“Yes, it seems Elsaac did not fare as well, at least he found comfort in Jez’s mother before his death, she appears to have been a remarkable yet troubled woman.”
“Jez will exhaust himself if he carries on like this, such stamina!” Cooper surprised herself at her comments as the sounds at the back of the cottage ceased, they could hear his boots crunching in the snow as he trudged alongside the cottage, banging the door open.
“Thanks for getting the door, cousin” he said sarcastically as he dropped the pile of cut wood beside the fire. Cooper held a bowl of the porridge out to him in apology.
“What is it?” he grunted.
“It is not unlike what you would call porridge I believe.”
“Nah, no thanks, don’t eat that muck” and he turned on his heel.
The door banged violently shut as he slammed it on his way out, “he doesn’t want to be here, does he grandfather?”
Eldeen nodded in agreement, “he is a troubled soul, like his mother.”
“Do you think his mother could tell us more about Elsaac, more than the stories in Jez’s head?” she asked.
“No, I am afraid that will not be possible, his mother died when he was five, he has been raised by his grandfather, not unlike you except he was a rather vulgar human as I gather.”
“Oh! did he tell you that?”
Amusement twinkled across the old man’s eyes, “no unfortunately he has yet to learn that we are terrible liars, reading his mind was most enlightening to the point when I realised I had gone much too far.”
“Grandfather, you are awful, what did you see?”
“Not so awful that I will tell tales Cooper. No, if you want to know more about your new cousin then you must find out for yourself.”
“Point taken, and what do you think of Jol’s little visit to the pool last night, any thoughts?”
“We do not know what power she possesses, and as you are aware, our powers do not materialise until the day of our eighteenth birthday but then we do not carry the blood of an angel do we?”
“But until she is eighteen we do not even know if she will possess the power to cure our people.”
Eldeen agreed with his granddaughter, “exactly! we shall have to keep an eye on her and keep her pure until that time comes.”
“No-one would touch her knowing the power she may posses
s, we will keep her close to our people.”
He nodded silently, listening to the dull thud of the axe knowing only too well it was his own kind that gave him the most cause for concern.
Yesterday had been one hell of a day and I had slept for ages, in fact it was the best sleep I had in ages, the thick blanket was much better than my duvet back home but the thought made me feel guilty. I had soon discovered the blanket was real fur, I hate the thought of animals being hurt and wondered what creature it had belonged to. I absent mindedly run my fingers through the dense hair enjoying the sensation it gives, as my stomach rumbles and I realise just how hungry I feel, when was the last time I had eaten? I couldn’t remember, I can’t even remember how long I had been here, time was slipping away, if only my watch hadn’t needed a new battery then I would have worn it the night of the party, the party almost a distant memory. I need to get a grip on reality and find out what day it is, my phone would tell me home time, have I missed my birthday? It had been yesterday or had that been the day before? The more I try and get a grip, the more confused I become.
At the foot of the bed were a pair of what looked like fleece lined leather boots, they were worn and discoloured, I eye them suspiciously and pick them up. My stomach rumbles again as I instinctively reach for my bag containing a small bar of chocolate, my emergency bar, never sure what constituted as an emergency but surely now would fit the bill?
A waft of cooking creeps under the ill fitting door as if to answer my question, so I put the chocolate into the pocket of my jeans, just in case, and make a grab for the boots as I head into the next room to investigate.
I’m stood in the doorway and see Cooper with her back to me, staring out the window, Eldeen is sat on his usual stool sucking on a long bony tube producing smoke from the end.
“Ahem! are these for me?” I ask holding the boots up in front of me.
Cooper turns and smiles at me adoringly, yes adoringly! yesterday she had seemed so distant.
“Yes, if you do not mind, they are my old boots but they should serve you quite well, more suited to the weather here, try them on.”
I sit down on the nearest stool and look around at all the stools wondering why there are so many in such a small room. My bare feet meet the soft warm wool inside the boots, the feeling against my skin as wonderful as my bedcover, more dead animals. The boots are tight against my legs and come half way up below the knee, I have to turn up my jeans to allow them to fit.
“They do feel good, is Al’ice back yet?”
“No child, there may have been complications with the snow, it can upset the travel sometimes, do not worry so, he will be fine.” replied Eldeen.
I missed Al’ice, although he looked different now, he was still a comfort to me and I did miss his new look, as cute as he was as my cat, I think he looks better in his human form. I blush at this thought, he is so captivating, but I don’t really know him, but those eyes, ‘stop it girl,’ my emotions had caused trouble once before and I don’t want to hurt him.
I am desperate to know if the plan had worked, I hold a picture of his face in my mind, close my eyes and smile, I can’t help but be spellbound, even as a cat he has the most beautiful eyes.
Cooper distracted my thoughts as she hands me a bowl of porridge and a warm drink, “here you must be hungry, I have made this especially for you.”
“Oh thank you, I um, I have used the bucket” I reply sheepishly.
“No worries, I will see to that, eat up, nothing to be embarrassed about.”
I was embarrassed, again!, this primitive existence did not afford the luxuries of a flushing toilet and hot shower and I could really do with a shower, detecting my own body odour was not pleasant, I actually envied Jez the chance to have a long warm bath, even if it had been to save his life.
Looking around the room I ask, “where is Jez?”
“Listen” came Eldeen’s reply.
I can hear a dull thud, thud, thud from behind the wall of the cottage, “what is that?”
“The chopping of wood” is all he would say, then added, “for one who sleeps so long you look tired, a drop of this in your tea should pep you up child, it is a tonic I use for such occasions.”
Eldeen produces a small silver looking bottle from his tunic and lets a drop fall into my herbal infusion, the drink which Cooper has given me. I have not tried the clear liquid yet and watch as the small droplet disperses, clouding the drink.
The old man taps me gently on the shoulder encouraging me to try it, “you must be thirsty child, go on, I promise it will not put hairs on your chest.”
Well that’s a comforting thought! I sniff at it, it smells innocent enough not unlike the earl grey mum used to drink but I hate that. Lifting the cup to my lips, I take a sip, it is surprisingly good, I quickly down the rest, invigorating like the feeling you get after a shower with one of those fruity body scrubs yet warm and comforting, almost as good as a chocolate rush. Of course I have no way of knowing if that is just the drink or the droplet which has made it that way.
“So this is tea? what flavour?”
“Just tea,” is my answer.
I approach the fire and the steaming pot.
“Thirsty for more?” he asks.
“I will take some to Jez, it is cold outside, this will warm him up.”
I grab my cloak from the bedroom and pour some of the tea into one of the wooden mugs, taking care not to spill the precious liquid as I open the door to the elements.
The brightness of the sun takes me by surprise as the warmth belies the coldness of outside. I follow the sounds from behind the cottage and find a recessed area which must join onto the back of my room, Jez has his back to me, his jacket lay across a pile of larger logs as he swings the axe high, it crashes onto the wood, splitting it in two.
“Ahem! Jez.” He carries on oblivious to my presence, wielding the heavy axe onto another chunk of wood, the muscles ripple across his back against his tight t-shirt as sweat drips from his forehead.
“Jez” I shout, raising my voice an octave. The axe swings, missing its target, he stops and leans on the end of the handle to catch his breath, glancing across at me with moody eyes.
Jez stares at Julianne standing before him, leaning against the edge of the wall. Her face radiant in the suns glow, the cloak huddled around her shoulders and then he catches sight of her legs and feet and begins to laugh. His face crinkling, losing the moody eyes. “Where did you get those ugg boots?” he asks through the laughter.
Jez had always been so pent up and angry before and well, this was nicer, the first time I have seen him smile, he seems more human for once. Then I realise he’s laughing at me. I look down at the pathetic fashion statement I’ve created with the folded over jeans and realised just how ridiculous I look, I can’t help but laugh with him.
“I know, I know, at least my feet are warm and dry, may I?”
I point to the pile of logs and begin to sit. Jez quickly swipes his precious jacket from the crude seat and hangs it from his shoulder.
“You’re rather partial to that jacket aren’t you?”
“What!”
Oh! touchy subject. “Here I’ve brought you some tea, thought you could do with warming up.”
He eyes the liquid warily and sniffs the aroma, “tea?” he asks.
“Try it, it’s really good, will warm you up, go on, I’ve had some.” I add encouragingly.
Jez felt the heat of the liquid through the cup warming his hands, he glanced at me before lifting it to his mouth and taking a huge swig.
His huge adams apple glugs at the tea. He looks exhausted, with the sweat pouring from his temple, his hair wet from back breaking work, beads running down the side of his face. He suddenly gags and spits the remainder to the ground.
“I thought you said it was good?” he says, wiping at his mouth with the back of his hand, he lets the axe fall against the side of the wall.
“I like it! You should r
est you don’t look well, Jez are you alright?”
He wavers from his standing position and slumps down upon the huge chunk of wood used as a base for chopping, running his fingers through his hair the beads of sweat splay across the snowy ground in front of him.
He looks terrible. “I should get Cooper” I say as I begin to rise.
“NO, SIT, I’m fine, I, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to shout.”
He sits with his hands resting on his knees and staring as the droplets of sweat sink into the deep snow leaving a pattern of dots to reveal their presence.
I’m only too aware of the fragile state he was in the night before and feel angry at the others for making him chop wood. “Have you eaten?” I ask.
Jez shook his head, “I’m not the porridge type.”
So we sit there, in silence for a while, both staring at the sweat spots in the snow. Then I remember and pull the chocolate from my jeans, “here, take this.”
“Sweet, what’s this?” he asks as he takes it from my hand.
“It’s my emergency bar, looks like you need it more than me.”
From his seated position, his face now hidden in the shadows, it was hard to read his expression as he unwraps the chocolate. He must be ravenous. He breaks off a chunk and offers it to me first.
“No you’re ok I’ve eaten, I am the porridge type.”
Jez nods and savours the taste as he breaks off more of the chocolate, he had not realised just how hungry he was and nods his appreciation.
“Who’s that on your t-shirt?” I ask, breaking the silence, “I’ve seen the image before, he’s somebody famous?”
Jez flicks the sawdust from his chest, “It’s Che Guevara.”
“Oh! who’s he?”
Jez found talking to girls a little awkward, it wasn’t really something he had done very often, “Guerrilla fighter, fought alongside Fidel Castro against the corrupt Cuban dictatorship of.......um.......General Baptista? yeah that’s his name.”
It shocks me that he knows an historical fact, he doesn’t look the type but then perhaps the story was well known.
I didn’t know how to reply, so broach the subject of how we got here, thanking him for saving me from the demon, whatever it was. I never believed in things like that before, now that we’re here, in this strange place, I don’t know what to believe.
“Why did you do it Jez, how did you know what was happening?”
He begins, fumbling over the story of his friend Pete’s disappearance and how he had to join the library to try and find out what had happened.
Jez looked at Julianne as she stared at him spellbound as he tells the shortened version, what was it with girls? always wanting to talk, “So what brought you to New Zealand and that party?” he asks trying to throw the attention away from himself.
I explain how I didn’t want to go but Kate had pushed me into it and how Kate had become my best friend since the move. I find myself telling him how I had been lonely and missed England, dad had forced me to come following mums death. The tears threaten then, as I tell him I miss my brother.
Jez found his mind wandering as Julianne babbled on, he heard a sound from the front of the cottage and listened to what was happening through the cottage wall, nodding occasionally as if he were listening. He could hear quite clearly the heated discussion between the old man and Al’ice, yes Al’ice was back, great! Another confrontation he wanted to avoid. He listened to their every word and then Cooper joined in calming the situation, he was taken aback at what he heard and forced a smile in Jol’s direction, it was hard to believe they shared the same fate now, how they had lost both their parents.
“So Jez, is that your full name or is it short for something?” I ask.
The sun was now high in the sky, we had been there for a while.
“Don’t laugh” he replied, “it’s short for Jerimiah” he raises his eyebrows at the name.
“Oh! is that religious or something?”
He was about to reply when I hear voices out the front of the cottage.
“That’s Al’ice!” I jump up from my seat unable to contain my excitement.
“Wait!” Jez makes a grab for my arm, “he is arguing with the old man, perhaps you should wait.”
His sudden grip was harsh, I didn’t like his tone, “you’re hurting me!”
Jez releases his grip, “sorry.”
So I stand beside the wall trying to eavesdrop on what is being said, desperate to see him and know what was going on, but the words were unclear, it did sound very heated though. I saw his body first, storm round from the front of the building, his face taut with frustration, in his hand a bag, a bag I recognise.
Not able to step back quick enough, I’m caught listening but Al’ice raises his head and his face lights up, the tension draining away. “I’ve got something for you” he smiles that deep warm smile of his and holds up the bag, my backpack for college, why did I need that?
Catching the confusion on my face he adds, “I’ll explain later, come on” he reaches for my hand and takes it leading me away from the cottage.
My heart is racing, “Hey slow down, where are we going?”
“You’ll see” he turns and winks, my knees almost buckle beneath me.
Jez pulled his jacket back on as he watched them leave from the back of the cottage, a stab of anxiety in his chest when he saw Al’ice, how could that be his brother, half brother he corrected himself, his hair tickled at his neck again like before.
Cooper had stood silently by the wall, watching his expression, wondering what thoughts were running through his head. Jez was surprised by her appearance, how long had she been there?
She approached him carefully, “I have brought you these Jez, as you have not eaten, I have baked these for you.”
“What are they?” he asked quickly concealing the chocolate wrapper in his jeans pocket.
“We call them, crancakes, like a biscuit.”
Jez took one and bit into it, at last she had made something edible, kind of a bland but sweet oat biscuit, these would do, he nodded his appreciation as he stuffed another into his mouth.
“Enough wood chopping for now, I think” she added noticing the huge pile already for the fire, “I’ll help you move these later, how do you fancy some fishing?”
“Sweet, where are the rods?” he mumbled, through his mouth full.
Cooper gave a hearty laugh and slapped him on the back, he nearly choked on his biscuit, “we do not use rods, come I shall show you.”
Through the darkness another mind had entered his, invading his space, he could just make out the thoughts, a soft voice talking to him, no to herself, but somehow he could understand. Their thoughts became one and they both agreed both minds were searching for the other, I need your help, what should I do?
'Jol' he remembered her name.
Jez's eyes were open and the light burned into his right eye the left still sore and tender, it was the strip light on the ceiling. He looked away and tried to focus, a deep pain in his chest, in a bed opposite there was another patient, a man who looked familiar but he couldn't remember who it was. The man was hooked up to some machine with lots of wires and the same steady beep that Jez had heard for days.
Someone passed the foot of his bed and he tried to speak but the words did not come and then they were there beside him but he couldn’t turn his head to see.
“I can see" he wanted to shout but his mouth did not comply.
“Vital signs good, still no change" the figure moved to the foot of his bed and placed his notes back on the hook, frustration engulfed him, why can't they see my eyes open?