Breathing Air

by Emily James Taylor

“Speaking of here, where are we?” I ask, suddenly curious.

  “Oh, he said they called it Alt Earth. I guess they didn’t get too creative with the name,” Nolan jokes.

  Kevin begins to mumble and I have to strain my ears to hear him. “It’s funny they call it that, I guess it’s their version of an alternate Earth. But it’s not an alternate dimension where everyone on Earth has another version of themselves. You would think these Alchemists could come up with something better.”

  “Ha, right,” Nolan chuckles. “Look, there’s something else that Emmanuel told us.” He looks at me with a warm smile. “Your father’s been here and they’re sure he’ll be back soon since you’ve shown up. Apparently, he left looking for you.”

  “Oh, well of course,” I respond sardonically, “after being gone for three years and living in this strange paradise, now is the perfect time to finally care about his daughter,” Frustrated, I shake my head and resume scratching the table’s surface again.

  Nolan continues talking as I to stare at the table and follow the grain of the wood with my nail. “Emmanuel said that your dad showed up here a few months ago. So he hasn’t been here the whole time. That’s something, right?” Yeah, I guess. Warm hands wrap around my fingers. I look up and the seat across from me is now empty. My sweet redhead seems to have forgotten he’s mad at me right now.

  “Adi, I’m sure there’s a reason why he did things this way. You get to see your dad again. Isn’t that what you wanted?” Kevin’s thumb rubs the back of my hand.

  “A part of me wants to be jumping for joy after so many years of thinking he was dead. But up to a few weeks ago, I was miserable. He left me alone, left me without the knowledge of who I am or even who he is. I mean, who should I expect to show up, Easton Jacobs, my father, or Tobias Jones? I don’t know who he is anymore,” I let out a frustrated sigh. I’ve never really known him. My whole life was a lie. “Can we just not talk about it?” I ask in a weak voice.

  Kevin squeezes my hands and moves to the open seat next to me. “Yes. Let’s focus on getting ready to meet everyone tonight. Why don’t we get you something new to wear and I’m sure you would like a shower, you still have dried blood on your face.” My hand lifts to my face and I run my fingers over my skin to find it. Was there even a mirror the bathroom? I can’t remember because my stupid emotions are all over the place. Maybe a shower will help calm me down.

  “Yes, that sounds amazing.” I get up and a growl escapes my stomach. “Food would be amazing right now too.”

  Kevin may have been able to comfort me earlier, but it seems that was only temporary. As we make our way to the open square in the market, Nolan walks with me but Kevin walks behind us, keeping his distance. I keep looking over my shoulder trying to get his attention but he only stares straight ahead. There are lights strung up on vendor stalls and the cottages in this part of town. I wonder how long it took them to get power on this planet? The open pavilion is crowded with people. My palms start to sweat and I rub my hands on the purple sundress I found in the pile of clothes left for me. Nolan pulled out everything in the closets that looked to be my size. It reminds me of the lilac grass I fell asleep on when we first got here.

  Nolan grabs my hands and winks at me. I guess he can see that I’m starting to get nervous. As we step onto the pavilion, everyone under the shelter stops what they are doing and turns to us. That’s right, at least over a hundred pairs of eyes are looking right at us. A young looking woman with long black hair and a perfect tan runs straight at us and pulls me into a hug. I hug her back and try to make my face pleasant, but it’s kind of hard to do. Who is this woman?

  “I’m so glad you’re here sweetheart. I’m sure you have no idea who I am but I always took care of you when your father was making the trip back and forth to bring people here. I’m Mrs. Georgie,” she tells me with a warm smile as she pulls away. “You being here at my two hundred year celebration is just wonderful. I’ve missed you.”

  “Okay, why don’t we give her some space she’s probably really confused,” a deep voice says. I look towards to my left and see a gorgeous specimen of a man standing with Nolan and Kevin. His ebony skin is perfection and those black eyes look amazing with the smile he’s wearing. He has on some kind of dark green military uniform.

  “I’m Emmanuel Subrun,” he announces. “I introduced myself the other day when you got here. I’m sorry I never asked for your names, I just rushed you guys.” He steps closer to the guys to shake hands with them. He grasps Nolan’s first.

  Nolan returns the handshake. “Oh right, I’m Nolan Thomas and this is Kevin Stafford,” he says, pointing at Kevin. Emmanuel drops his hands suddenly and everyone else in the room, including Mrs. Georgie, wear worried expressions on their faces. A couple of adults with children begin to leave.

  “Is everything okay?” I ask, wondering what is going on.

  Emmanuel shakes his head. “So what, Thomas sent you guys here? Have you learned what you needed yet?” He turns his head and calls over a couple of guys who are also wear the dark green military uniforms. How did I miss so many officers? They must train often just in case anyone finds out about them, they are ready to fight. Otherwise, why have the uniforms?

  “Look,” Emmanuel starts gruffly, “you guys can come willingly and we won’t hurt you. We can’t let you leave here. Thomas is not going to find out anything about this place, There are good people here.”

  My guys take up a fighting stance and I step in front of them, holding out my hands. “Okay look, everyone relax,” I request in a calming voice. “We’re running away from Thomas. Nolan hates his father, he would never tell him anything about you guys. Kevin wouldn’t either. Please, believe me, we want nothing to do with Thomas, or Horus or Osiris for that matter.”

  Emmanuel shakes his head and stares at me for a minute. “I don’t know them, or you, well enough to believe anything coming out of your mouth. As of right now, you can stay… as long as you follow some simple rules. A few men will follow you around tonight and will follow you home.” He nods his head and three men moved to stand behind us. “If you do not comply with them, you all will be put under arrest. Also, you will wear our handcuffs that suppress your powers.” A man approaches and hands Emmanuel a sack. He takes it from the man and returns his attention to us. “If what you say is true and you’re here for sanctuary, you don’t need your powers. You can either wear them voluntarily or be put under arrest and forced to wear them.”

  Nolan steps forward, scowl firmly on his face. “We don’t need this place, we can go somewhere else.”

  Grabbing his arm, I pull him so he faces me. “Nolan, they obviously don’t like your father. Can you really blame them? Let’s do what they ask. They need to be able to trust us and this is how we show them they can.”

  “I don’t know Adi,” Kevin whispers in my ear, his breath tickling my hair. “We’d be giving them all the power,” Instead of worrying about our situation, I’m jumping for joy on the inside just because Kevin is finally standing close to me for the first time tonight.

  Stepping around Nolan, I step toward Emmanuel. “We will comply with your wishes. I am not someone who turns on people who have offered us a place to stay. But only if you promise the handcuffs and escorts are temporary and you mean us no harm. I’m choosing to trust you,” Both Nolan and Kevin let out deep, frustrated sighs from behind me. Maybe I should have discussed the situation with them more. It’s too late now, so I hold my hand out.

  “We just need to get to know you guys first,” Emmanuel shrugs, “I’m sure you can understand being worried about Horus finding out where we are, especially Thomas. It will be temporary, if what you say is true.” He sticks his hand out as well and I grab it. Shockwaves run up and down my arms, surprising me. Judging by his flabbergasted expression, he feels them too. Looks like I just found our third connection. “This can’t be,” he mutters, dropping my hand quickly and walks away. Mrs. Georgie nods at me and scurries after him.

&nbs
p; “Did that just happen?” Nolan breathes. He and Kevin both put a hand on my back as I lift my head to look into his eyes. I nod, feeling a tad overwhelmed.

  “Well, I think this is good, he won’t hurt his nucleus,” Kevin states as he puts both his hands out for the guards to place the handcuffs on him. Nolan rolls his eyes but does the same.

  The handcuffs they place on them look to be the same as the ones Thomas had when he had us pinned to the side of the building the other night, with the rubber looking gloves attached to them. Even if Emmanuel is one of our connections, have I done the right thing by agreeing to this? I step up to the men and hold my hands out.

  “I don’t know what the hell’s going on here, but you need to step away from my daughter.” That voice sends goosebumps up my arms. My mouth drops open and I turn back to find my father standing a few feet away, He’s skinnier than when I last saw him and has put on some muscles, but it’s him. He still has the same straight, light brown hair that’s the same shade as mine. He’s also growing a beard. It’s at least six inches long. He always had a clean shaven face when I was growing up. My inspection of him is interrupted when he starts talking again. “Where is Emmanuel?”

  “Great timing, Tobias,” Emmanuel calls, approaching our little group. Looks like he didn’t run off too far. Mrs. Georgie steps around him and hugs my father.

  “Tobias Jones, I was hoping you would make it to my shindig,” she says in a slight chastising voice. But I can see the deep connection they have in it.

  “Wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Have you done a cake yet?” Really because he’s missed the last three of my birthdays.

  “Well, we have become a little preoccupied as you have discovered,” she waves her hands in our direction.

  He turns his body away from her and stares pointedly at Emmanuel. “Emmanuel get those cuffs off of Nolan and Kevin, Horus is looking everywhere for them. Apparently Thomas wants them jailed. I thought this place was a sanctuary. I know you have personal issues with Thomas but let’s not bring his son into them.”

  “Can we not talk about that?” Emmanuel lets out a huff, rolls his eyes and nods towards his man. Graciously, the same man who just put them on my guys pulls his keys and releases the cuffs on Kevin and Nolan’s wrists. “They are your charges now, Tobias.”

  “That’s fine. I’m sorry Georgie, darling, but I’m going to have to miss some of your celebration. I need to take Adaline and her guys back to the cottage they’ve been staying at, I have to show them something.” He gives her another hug and places a kiss on her cheek. Who is this woman? And why is my dad all over her and still ignoring me?

  Turning back to the crowd, she claps her hands together to get everyone else’s attention. “Why don’t the rest of us get back to the party?” She smiles at me over her shoulder and shoves Emmanuel playfully in our direction.

  “I will be coming as well,” Emmanuel grits out from behind clenched teeth.

  My dad chuckles, “I thought they were my charges now?” He turns to me and his face softens, his eyes scanning my face. Taking two big steps, he stops in front of me me and places both his hands on my face. The warmth from his skin seeps into my soul, filling the emptiness I’ve felt since his accident.

  “Oh sweetheart, I’m so glad you’re here.” His hands slide to my shoulders and down my arms to my back to pull me into him. A sigh of relief escapes him as he places a lingering kiss on my forehead. It’s not the same, not like before he disappeared. His beard presses against my eyes and nose, tickling me a little bit. A small part of me wants to escape this difference, to have him back the way he was, but I can’t bring myself to push him away. I hug him back as a tear rolls down my cheek. Why can’t I bring myself to yell at him? He pulls back and smiles down at me. Leaving one arm around my shoulder he hold out his hand to my guys.

  “Hello, I’m Tobias Jones, or rather, Easton Jacobs, if my daughter still calls me that.” He shakes both Kevin and Nolan’s hands and grins back at me. Numb. I feel numb at having him my father back. After everything that happened since his accident, from having to live with that witch Brenda and feeling like I didn’t belong, to discovering I’m an Alchemist and that I’m destined to have four mates, it’s all just so overwhelming. I just can’t take any more.

  One thing is certain though, I guess my dad is back. But for how long?

  After my guys exchange quick pleasantries with him, Nolan and Kevin start the walk back and I follow behind them with my mind empty. I can feel my dad on my heels. I need to get him alone. I could care less about what the surprise is, I’ve already had enough of those tonight.

  Kevin opens the door to the cottage, I stand and watch as he makes his way inside with Nolan.

  “I just need to know why you left me, Dad. Especially if you had a place like this to bring me to.” I avoid looking at his face, I can’t even bring myself to look at him as I question him. My eyes trace the grain of wood in the door as I try to keep them off of my father. When did I become such a coward?

  “Look, Adaline, I wanted to...” A loud bang reverberates from inside the cabin cutting off his explanation. My dad bolts inside and Emmanuel follows hot on his heels. Shit, I forgot he was still standing outside with us.

  Shaking off my errant thoughts, I run inside behind them. The sight that greets me is shocking. The room is in shambles, the couch turned over and the end tables are tossed aside. Kevin straddles Parker, punching him over and over. Nolan is standing over them, his face full of anger directed at Parker.

  “That’s enough,” Emmanuel says gently as he grabs Kevin to pull him off. Kevin shrugs off his hold and throws another punch into the already battered face of his former friend. “I said, that’s enough,” Emmanuel repeats more firmly. He catches Kevin’s arm before his fist could connect with Parker.

  “Well, it looks like you found my surprise,” my dad says as I let out a frustrated sigh.

  “Dad, seriously, what the fuck were you thinking?” I demand. Emmanuel pulls Kevin up to standing.

  “Adaline Jacobs, when did you start cursing?” he retorts.

  “Seriously, that’s what you’re concerned about here?” I shove past my father and place my hand on Kevin’s jaw. There’s a small cut under his left eye, along with some swelling. It appears Parker got a few licks of his own in. Kevin’s breath comes in short pants, ruffling my hair. “Kevin, honey, look at me. We’ll figure this out. My father will take Parker somewhere else if you want, okay? Can you breathe with me?” I take a slow inhale and let it out just as slowly. Kevin follows my lead but I can tell he’s still agitated.

  I haven’t seen Kevin lose control like this before. Just a few days ago, I would have been the first to say that he wouldn’t raise a hand against someone in anger, not unless Nolan or I were threatened. But I’ve only known them for, God, less than three weeks. I guess I don’t really know them… not yet.

  “We need to put some ice on your face and clean you up.” I keep my voice sweet, trying to keep Kevin’s focus on me, not the man who betrayed us. “Here, follow me to the kitchen,” I instruct him, taking him by the hand. As we make our way past my father and Nolan, I glare daggers at them. Especially Nolan. Why didn’t he stop Kevin from going after Parker? And why the hell is Parker here?

  Adaline leads Kevin from the sitting room and I stare, transfixed. Holy shit, she’s my nucleus. I can’t believe it. I never thought I’d meet my Heart’s Center here on Alt-Earth. We don’t have a large community here. Hell, there isn’t even one complete quad. Some of the older Alchemists were a part of one, but had lost partners due to death, but quite a few lost their partners because they didn’t want to leave their parties. Apparently, being destined for each other is a load of shit if politics can split them up so easily. The younger people who have grown up here have formed relationships based on feelings, only a few actually have found their nucleus but their whole quad isn’t here on this planet. For the most part, we’ve become pretty monogamous.

  Lat
ely, I’ve been spending time with Joyce. We’re not a couple but she’s someone I can turn to for comfort and release. She doesn’t expect more from me and understands I don’t expect more from her. I have an important job and I don’t need a distraction. What am I supposed to do now that Adaline’s here? I never wanted to devote myself to an individual.

  “Why is Parker here?” I snap out of my reverie when Nolan’s aggravating voice cracks through the room. Not only do I have a nucleus now, I also have a partner who probably can’t be trusted, never mind Kevin to worry about.

  Tobias rights a chair and motions for Nolan to sit. Tobias moves to the couch and struggles with it, so I help him. He pulls Parker up and settles him on it. I lean against the wall and cross my arms across my chest, observing everyone. Tobias sits on the couch and leans back, looking comfortable.

  “Here’s the deal. Parker is on the run as well. Apparently, after you three disappeared,” he nods at Nolan, “Thomas collected Naomi, Cooper, and Lincoln from the party. They’ve been arrested. Nolan, I know I don’t know you and I’m sure you have issues with Parker since he told me he was the one who ratted Adaline’s presence to Thomas but you need to hear him out,” Parker looks like a scared child, even as his face slowly swells from the injuries inflicted by Kevin. What a punk.

  Nolan rolls his eyes but motions with his hands for them to continue. Parker lets out a deep sigh and looks into Nolan’s eyes. Well, maybe he’s not such a punk after all.

  “Nolan, I’m sorry man. I know you asked us to keep quiet about Adaline but I honestly thought you were being overly cautious.” Parker shakes his head, “I never knew Thomas could be so cruel. Cooper and I thought that if we got word out, that you could finish the quint and Naomi could finally stop worrying about Kevin so much. We wanted to be the future leaders, I wanted Nao’s dreams to come true.” A tear escapes and slowly rolls down his cheek. He quickly swipes it away..