by Slick, Tabi
We got closer and prepared to land gliding ever so carefully down to their fenced backyard, our feet barely touching the ground as we stepped closer to the house.
This is his family’s house? I asked, skeptically.
Probably inheritance of some sort, Kain suggested.
He was probably right about that. It was a spectacular place!
We never did figure out how he was related to the Tompkin line, I commented.
All in due time, Kain thought, now we need a plan to get in without being seen.
I smiled, waving my hand causing my arm to become invisible.
I gotcha covered, I smirked.
Handy, he grinned, pun intended.
We made ourselves invisible as we passed through the walls of the large house. It was strange, we couldn’t see each other but I always seemed to know where Kain was. We floated into the dark kitchen and down many hallways filled with ancient photographs encased in golden frames. We found a wooden staircase and were about to make our way up to the second level when we heard voices from the front parlor. I stopped and quickly lept to the parlor’s entryway, peering through the half opened door.
It’s Chuck, I thought, knowing that Kain could hear.
I hear another voice, he replied.
I focused more closely and soon heard a voice that did not belong to Chuck.
“You were supposed to take care of them,” an angry voice shouted.
“I know,” came Chuck’s voice who suddenly sounded much less cocky than before.
“Well, then what the hell happened?" The voice snarled.
I saw a look of shame and despair come over Chuck that did not suit the personality I had previously come to know him by. But I felt no pity. We stepped through the doorway to find an old, wrinkled, and white haired man with reading glasses sitting in a tall wingback chair. He did not look pleased, to say the least. And there was Chuck, sitting across from him looking as if he wanted to shrink into the pillow cushions and become a part of its embroidery. I couldn’t blame him. If I was seated across from such a man I would want to do the same.
“They seemed to have information,” Chuck replied.
“We can’t afford any errors,” the old man growled, “if someone’s found putting their nose into places it ought not to be then it must be cut off.”
“I know,” he murmured.
“You know?" The old man snarled, “You know? Well, obviously you don’t! I should never have intrusted you to this. We have a century’s worth of secrets that are a stake all because you thought you knew better than me.”
“That’s not it, Uncle, I swear!" He begged the old man to understand.
“I was counting on you to carry out our legacy,” the old man’s voice grew dark, “you take advantage of an old man who has no others to survive him but for you…but you have only proven to be a liability. How could you let them get away?”
“They were found,” Chuck whispered.
“Found?" The Uncle replied, “Found by who?”
“I don’t know,” he replied, honestly, “the next thing I heard they were in the hospital being questioned by the police.”
The Uncle choked on his Scotch, unable to respond.
“If they had said anything,” Chuck continued, “then the authorities would have already come, but they haven’t.”
“Then we have exchanged one bullet for another,” the old man gasped.
“They can’t have gone far,” Chuck explained, “they’re in the hospital!”
“You have no idea what they might be capable of,” the Uncle sighed.
“What do you mean?" He asked his Uncle.
Shouldn’t we strike soon? I thought, sensing Kain’s anger rising.
Not yet, he responded, I want to know what the Uncle is going to say. Plus, we don’t want a witness when we take Chuck.
The old man slowly stood up, setting his glass on a small table as he made his way to the window.
“There’s much you do not know about the history of this place,” the Uncle began, “of the Tompkin legacy.”
This was it. I couldn’t believe our search had to come to this, but it sounded as if this man knew everything that we needed to know about this place.
“See,” the Uncle continued, “what you don’t understand is that you were never just there to prevent people from digging into the past of this school regarding the children. Those have been and always will be necessary casualties.”
“Then what?” Chuck said, looking confused.
“Your great, great grandfather founded this place,” the old man began, “but it wasn’t to inspire young children. It was to weed them out. You see, he witnessed a great power. A power that slaughtered everyone and this school has been dedicated to ridding this world of such an abomination.”
“What do you mean a power?" He asked.
“He wrote about the horrific incident in his journals,” the Uncle whispered, “but even you won’t be able to stomach it. The press would have a field day if they found out about what we do to our suspects, but it is truly the only way to stop them and I fear they have returned.”
“That man from the City?” Chuck asked.
“Yes,” the old man nodded, “I have suspected so. But I haven’t been able to find clues as to who they are.”
“How do you know they go to the Academy?” Chuck added.
“I don’t know how,” the Uncle replied, turning back to his nephew, “but they always seem to come here. It is a family mystery I haven’t been lucky enough to find out. But rest assured, they will surface and it is your duty to find out who they are. They could even be the two you held captive for all we know! But finding them and putting them to an endless slumber is what you must do...it is what you were born to do.”
Kain spun around and flew out of the room.
Kain, I thought, We can’t leave them here.
Kain didn’t respond and so I desperately followed him, his heartbeat pulling me anyways so it wasn’t like I had much of a choice.
What are you doing? I hissed.
We have to find that journal, he finally responded.
I couldn’t see him even in the foyer, but I felt that he had already made his way to the second floor and proceeded to follow.
We don’t even know where it is! How do you suppose we find it? I thought, trying to figure out what his plan was as he had shut his thoughts from me.
If we are being hunted by the very school we attend, Kain hissed, then we must do everything we can to find out why. I take classes with this guy, I’m not about to be killed at his hand when we return form.
I entered a study and saw papers being flung around, drawers opening, books toppling over from their perch. It was eerie that not even the book falling to the ground made a sound.
We can’t ignore the pull anymore, I whispered.
We must fight it! Kain growled, This is what we must do. We must find the journal and learn the truth about this place. It is a matter of survival!
But soon we will return to our form, I reminded him, and we won’t be able to complete what we must.
Suddenly, Kain appeared, the look on his face told it all. He was not happy. But too bad! We both knew it was true.
If you must go, Kain snarled, then go. But what we must do is find out more about the school that wants us dead.
We both knew I couldn’t leave him and he was so determined that I had to swallow the urge to flee. It would be more painful to leave than it would be to stay so I picked the better of two evils.
They aren’t here! Kain barked, completely frustrated.
We have enough power to force it out of them, I suggested.
It would cause too much suspicion. Kain replied. He is Theodore Tompkin.
How do you know that? I asked.
It’s the only way this all makes sense. Kain said, showing me his thoughts.
If this old man was his uncle and the great whatever grandson of the founder, the old man who had so much
information on the school had to be the current president of the academy.
Then we must kill him, I thought, definitively.
No, Kain hissed, we should play this out. He only suspects who we are. This gives us the upper hand since we know who he is.
We obviously aren’t going to find the journal tonight, I thought, and I need to show you something.
What is it? Kain asked.
Come, I ordered.
We flew down the corridor and down the staircase, leaving our enemy behind us. We soared over the Arbuckle mountains and glided down towards Turner Falls. I landed in front of Collings Castle and I could hear voices coming from inside the abandoned castle. The ruins stood there, calling to me. I glanced at Kain as his black wings pulled in as he landed smoothly on the ground. We made our way up several stone staircases and even though it was deserted I felt the presence of the past as present as my own heart beated.
Why are we here, Kain’s thoughts intruded into my mind.
Just wait, I thought.
I leaped forward and pushed myself up from the ledge surrounding the castle and up onto the roof of the castle. Kain followed me and we walked to a small aisle overgrown with ivy. Suddenly, everything around us changed once again and we were no longer atop an abandoned pile of rubble, but a magnificent forest. The castle completely disappeared which was not what I was expecting. We glided to the ground, wondering how it could be possible that the building had just vanished in thin air.
What happened to the castle? Kain asked.
I don’t know, I replied, this is only the second time I’ve been here. Last time I saw the eldest of the Bartholomew brothers, but he was in the past speaking to the owner of this place.
Doesn’t look like this place is here anymore, Kain commented.
Suddenly, I felt another heartbeat that somehow I knew was not Kain’s.
Do you feel that? I thought.
Yes, Kain confirmed.
I felt yet another and spun around to be welcomed by the Bartholomew brothers. Both were in full transition, their black eyes looking straight at us and claws extended.
“I told you they’d be here,” Lawrence said.
“How is this happening?” Kain asked.
“It’s her,” Lawrence replied, “I sense her power is the opposite of mine. The future communicates with me as the past interacts with her.”
“You are the Bartholomew brothers,” I breathed, “I’ve met you before, Lawrence.”
Lawrence seemed amused as he curved his lips into a crooked smile.
“This is my little brother, Edwin,” Lawrence introduced his younger brother, who was eyeing us suspiciously.
How can we trust them? We heard Edwin’s thoughts.
We are like you. I thought back.
“Wait, you can hear my thoughts?” Edwin gasped.
“Yes, they can,” Lawrence said, knowingly.
“Makes things easier,” I shrugged.
“I see you have information,” Lawrence said, changing this subject.
Your future self told me that the school was not what it seemed, I thought as I pushed my thoughts to the collective group so that they might see what had previously occurred at this very location.
“Yeah, then we found out that the school is out to murder us,” Kain spat.
“Apparently Thomas Tompkin has a journal,” I replied, “but we can’t seem to find it now. Although it is the year 2010 and so it would be about a hundred years old.”
And you’re wanting us to find it, I heard Lawrence’s thoughts.
Yes, I thought.
“You say the school is after you,” Edwin said out loud, “why?”
“Because of what we are,” I replied.
“Then they’ll most certainly be after us,” Lawrence commented.
“Then we mustn’t do this!” Edwin snapped.
You must. Kain’s growl filled all of our minds, causing us all to cringe.
I could tell Edwin did not appreciate that and I saw his eyes flash and suddenly I could no longer move. It was as if I had no control over my own body anymore. Both Kain and I felt the power that was paralyzing us, preventing us from moving.
What are you doing to us? My thoughts asked.
“Brother, stop," Lawrence ordered.
“We cannot do what they’re asking of us,” Edwin replied, “if what they say is true then we will surely be caught.”
Suddenly, Kain seemed to overcome whatever power Edwin had on him and took a step forward, shaking off whatever spell was put on us. He raised his hand and when he did Edwin flew backwards, landing flat on his back upon a pile of rocks.
“You think you are powerful?” Kain growled, his veins protruding as his muscles tensed, preparing to attack.
I didn’t know how he could overpower what I was going through. I kept telling my arm to move, but it wouldn’t listen. I couldn’t move because of whatever Edwin was doing to make me paralyzed. But somehow Kain had found the strength to push through it and it seemed that it took Edwin by surprise.
“Kain,” I gasped, “please…”
I couldn’t finish the sentence as a wave of pain pierced through me as I felt my arm begin to dislocate. It seemed Edwin was trying at a second attempt to take control of his body, but Kain seemed to not even be fazed this time.
“We cannot turn on each other,” Lawrence said, flying in between the two quarreling beasts, “we have to stay together if we want to make it through this.”
The two never stopped glowering at each other, but seemed to agree with Lawrence.
“Now, please stop tormenting Izara,” Lawrence said to his brother.
Suddenly, the control lifted and I felt completely normal, once again having control over my body.
“We will help you locate this journal,” Lawrence promised.
We could all still hear Edwin’s protesting thoughts and I glared at him.
“We will,” Lawrence repeated, “but I must ask for something in return.”
What do you need, I asked in my thoughts.
Please find out what becomes of us as a result of finding this journal, Lawrence thought, warn us if we are destined to be caught.
“We’ll try,” I agreed.
Suddenly, the Bartholomew brothers faded and the walls of the abandoned Collings castle returned. We were no longer standing on the hillside, but on top of the building. The light had changed since we had been in communication with the past and we felt the power of the full moon drain from us. My wings felt like worms crawling back into my shoulder blades and I doubled over from the pain of it. I heard Kain grunting as he tried to fight the transition to our original form, but it was no use. Our time was up until the next full moon. My eyes flashed red and I felt them fading back to my normal human blue eyes. I reached back as I realized my wings were gone and in their stead were two large bleeding gaps. My claws slowly pushed their way back under my skin and it felt like the skin under my fingernails were being stabbed by giant needles. I couldn’t tell which was worse, transitioning or the process of returning to human form. I fell flat on the ground, my head landing in a pile of leaves. I could feel the damp earth below me, but I couldn’t gather enough strength to lift myself up from it. My vision blurred as the pain overtook my body and I gave in as darkness enveloped me.
Chapter 10: Control
I opened my eyes as soon as my phone’s alarm started ringing. I tried to remember how I had gotten back to the dorm. I remembered transitioning, going to the lodge, hearing the conversation between Chuck and his uncle...even the meeting with Lawrence and Edwin! But there was a gap between returning to human form and getting back to my room. I slowly sat up, every muscle in my body screaming as I did so. I looked at my phone and saw that it was already Monday. I had slept through the whole weekend! How was that even possible? I glanced over at Kia’s bed and found that she wasn’t even there. Strange. I shrugged and forced myself out of bed, stumbling to the closet to find something to wear. I found a large
hoodie, a long sleeved shirt, and leggings and painfully pulled them all on. I stepped into my high tops, grabbed my bag, and headed out the door. I knew I wouldn’t be able to miss classes for the rest of the year, even if I felt like crap. I made my way down the damp path towards the main campus. I heard a bunch of students coming from the cafeteria, but decided to just go straight to class. Seemed that Ms. Morgan was out and we had a substitute teacher which meant movie day. I found a seat in the back and practically collapsed onto the chair. I tried to keep my eyes opened, occasionally nodding off as I tried to pay attention. The classroom filled up as students made their way into class and soon the lights were dimmed and the movie began.
“Pssst,” a voice hissed.
My head snapped up as it was about to land on the desk in front of me and I felt someone tap my shoulder.
“Izzy,” I turned to see Kia sitting next to me, “are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I shrugged.
“I heard what happened,” she whispered, “I don’t get how someone could do something like that.”
“You have no idea,” I chuckled.
“Anyways, I thought you would probably need to take more time you know,” she replied, “to rest up.”
“Nah, I can’t afford that,” I said.
“I’m sure the school would grant you an excuse,” she added, “especially considering two students were kidnapped right on campus!”
I tried to restrain myself from rolling my eyes. This school was most certainly not going to make it easier on Kain and I. They were already suspicious enough and we didn’t even take care of the guy who did this to us in the first place! We had kept him alive all to get some journal. I hoped it would be worth it.
“Maybe,” I lied.
“I heard he’s still out there, scary,” Kia shivered just thinking about it, “are your feet okay?”
“They’re all better, luckily,” I replied.
“Lucky is right,” Kia agreed, “ well I just hope they catch the guy.”
Soon first period was over and I headed to my next class. Time seemed to tick by ever slowly, but eventually it was time for the last class of the day, drama club. I hoped I could get back to my peppy self in order to get through practice. I entered the auditorium, noticing that Ms. Morgan was still out, so again we had a substitute and guess who it was? Chuck. Apparently it was okay for a senior in high school to sub for drama club, which didn’t really make sense to me. I felt his rage as our eyes met across the room. He was definitely not happy to see me.