“What happened to my sword?” The swordsman demanded angrily. Jack held up his hand.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Jack said calmly.
“Do what? I wake up in some strange place with a stranger and my sword broken. Not to mention the other half completely gone!” the swordsman raised his voice. Jack pointed to Mark, still sleeping soundlessly on the other sofa.
“Please, there are children sleeping. You wouldn’t want to wake him up.” Jack paused before returning his gaze to the swordsman. “Don’t get all high and mighty. I am not too happy with you either.”
“What could I have possibly done to upset you?” The swordsman rolled his eyes sarcastically.
“You almost killed an inexperienced child! And for what? Entertainment!” Jack growled, his composure almost gone. The swordsman’s eyes traveled in shock to the boy sleeping on the sofa.
“No, not him.”
“Then who?”
“His name is Alex. Now for the life of me, I cannot understand why in the world he thought it was a good idea to help you even after you tried to kill him! That boy can be perfectly insane at times,” said Jack as he shook his head in puzzlement.
“He did what…? Wait… I tried to kill him? For entertainment?” The swordsman’s voice rose in alarm. Jack nodded and raised an eyebrow quizcally at him. Why did this man sound so surprised by his actions? The swordsman placed his elbows on his knees and buried his head in his hands.
“I don’t believe it. He finally got to me. After all these years!” The swordsman shook his head violently inside his palms. “Oh no,” His head suddenly shot up from his hands, his eyes wide with horror. “How long has he had me for? What else could I have done?” The swordsman shot up and began pacing around the room. Jack stood up and watched as he paced, confused. Jack took a step toward him and placed a hand on his shoulder, ushering him back to the sofa. He sat down and Jack sat across from him on the table’s edge.
The sudden creak of a door diverted their attention. The door creaked shut and Alex walked into the room. He stopped short when he caught sight of the now-conscious Swordsman. In his hand was a long thin object wrapped tightly in cloth. When he finally recovered from the shock, he walked over and sat beside Jack, across from the swordsman.
“You’re awake. How are you feeling?” Alex asked.
“I’m fine, thank you,” the swordsman replied.
“My name is Alex.” Alex stuck out his hand. The swordsman stared at his hand disbelievingly. If this was the boy Jack was talking about, why was he acting so open and unguarded around him? The Swordsman looked to Jack and raised his eyebrow. Jack nodded. After a moment of hesitation he finally took hold of the boy’s hand.
“Hello, Alex. My name is Alan. Alan Moore,” the swordsman said as he shook Alex’s hand. Alex caught a glimpse of the broken bottom half of the sword on the table behind him.
“That reminds me!” Alex picked up the long piece of cloth that had been resting on his lap and held it out to the swordsman. “Here’s the other piece of your sword, Mr. Moore.”
Alan grabbed the cloth and began to unwrap it vigorously. When it was finally unwound, a sharp end of a sword lay before him. Alan grabbed for the bottom half and held the two pieces out before him.
“I’m sorry your sword broke. But, you see, I had to defend myself,” Alex said as he scratched the back of his head.
“Show me your sword!” Alan snapped. Alex flinched and, without thinking, unsheathed his sword. The swordsman reached for it but Alex shot up and backed away quickly. When he realized that he had taken out his sword, he sheathed it at once.
“Do you think you can fix it?” Alex asked. Alan stared at the boy for a moment before relaxing.
“That is a fine sword you have there. Never have I ever encountered anything that has been able to penetrate my sword. I apologize. I was simply surprised. But there is no need to worry. I can fix it easily.” Alan stood up and placed the two halves of his sword together. There was a bright blinding light and in an instant the sword was repaired. The swordsman licked a fresh cut that had appeared on his hand from pushing the sword together. Slowly the spit seeped into his wound and the cut shrank until it was gone.
“Cut down that light, would ya’?” said Mark as he sat up from the sofa and squinted his eyes with his hand above them.
“Ah, Mark. Have you finally decided to wake up?” Jack asked playfully.
“Not by choice. Won’t you let a poor growing teenage boy get his sleep?” Mark groaned.
“I apologize for the rude awakening,” said Alan, smiling warmly. Mark looked at the Swordsman as if seeing him for the first time. After a moment of allowing Alan’s presence to sink in, Mark’s eyes widened with realization.
“Holy—!” Mark brought his legs up to the sofa, stood, and jumped behind it. Alex walked over and bent down over the side of the couch, whispering, “Mark, cut it out. It’s fine. Even if he was going to try and kill us, you think hiding behind this couch will do any good?”
Mark reached up and grabbed Alex’s collar before yanking him down with him, and Alex let out a loud yelp as he fell.
“What’s he doing here?” Mark demanded.
“He’s not a threat. I don’t think what he did was on purpose,” Alex whispered.
“Oh really? Then, what you’re saying is, he didn’t want to try to kill us? It looked like he was ready to do his worst without even a shred of guilt!” Mark whispered back.
“I have a theory.”
“You do, huh?”
“Yeah. I think he was being controlled.”
Mark was taken aback. “You sure you haven’t read too many sci-fi books, Alex?”
“At first I noticed a strange collar around his neck with a strange red jewel. Then I saw the guy in the blue shirt in the back of the crowd with a larger version of the same jewel in his hand. It had the same blinking light as the collar. Whenever he talked to the stone, the swordsman would talk simultaneously. I chased the guy into an alley. I was just bluffing but I accused him of controlling him. He didn’t deny it. In a way, he admitted to it.” Alex stopped talking and let the fresh information sink in. Mark sighed and nodded.
“All right. Sounds legitimate enough,” Mark nodded. Mark and Alex stood and cleared their throats awkwardly as they walked back around the couch.
“Have you calmed down?” Jack asked.
“Enough to look at him directly, yes,” Mark glared at the swordsman.
“My name is Alan Moore. And you are?” Alan smiled again and reached out a hand. Mark continued to glare.
“Marcus.” Mark didn’t take the man’s hand. “Call me Mark. I don’t tend to go by my full name very much.”
“It’s a pleasure,” Alan said as he kept his hand raised. Finally Mark sighed and shook his hand. “Now, I understand you say I tried to kill you? Is this true?” Alan’s eyebrows furrowed in worry.
“Yeah, it is. By any chance do you think you were being controlled?” Alex went straight to the point, not bothering to delay the subject any longer.
“Well, it depends if there was a col—”
“A collar around your neck?” Alex cut him off. Jack reached into his cloak and pulled out the collar. Alan snatched the collar out of Jack’s hand and inspected it. His shoulders slowly tensed.
“I am going to need to speak to Jack. Alone,” Alan said.
“Of course,” Jack nodded. Alex looked up at them and felt that they were both aware of something that he was not aware of. “Alex,” Jack said as he turned to Alex and Mark. “Why don’t you take Mark up to the room and get some rest? Alan and I will be heading out for a while. We shall be back before morning.” Jack slanted his eyes and waited for Alex to respond.
Something about his gaze told Alex he didn’t have much of a choice. He would have protested even though he knew he couldn’t
win, but he didn’t. He was too tired to argue. Alex nodded and muttered “goodnight” to the two men before following Mark up the staircase and into their room.
Nicole, Brooke, and David all lay fast asleep when the door creaked shut behind the two boys. Mark grunted and flopped on his bed, not bothering to get under the warmth of the blankets. Alex walked over to the chair by the window and sat down. He whispered “goodnight” to Mark but there was no response. He was already fast asleep.
Alex curled up into a ball in the corner of the chair and rested his head against the cushion on the back. He stared out the window at the bright lights and the crowds filling the cobbled streets. In a matter of minutes he was drifting off to sleep.
THIRTY-EIGHT
Jack and Alan watched the two boys walk up the stairs before departing. They walked out the door without a word. This silence between them continued as they walked down the populated street and up the steps to a small building. Saloon doors hung in front of them. Light and cheerful voices poured out from the windows. The smell of liquor lingered in the air.
Jack stepped through the doors and entered a large room lit by chandeliers and candles. Tables were scattered around the room and in the very back was a long bar. Stocked on shelves behind the bar were a multitude of wine bottles and cases of beer, the counter lined with beer taps. Cabinets beneath the shelves held glasses and bottles. Groups of men and women crowded the room. Multiple bartenders manned the bar and waiters walked from table to table. People engaged in deep conversation and laughed loudly when others told jokes, even if they weren’t funny. A group of men gathered around a pool table in a corner. The night was still young.
Jack took off his hat and placed it on a coat rack before leading Alan to a table next to the door beside a large window. Jack and Alan took their seats.
“I believe it is safe to assume you know of my concerns,” Alan said as he leaned forward and placed his hands in front of him on the table.
“Your assumptions are correct,” Jack confirmed.
A waiter dressed in a black vest and a white napkin slung over his arm walked up to them and offered to get them a drink. Alan ordered a beer and Jack did the same. The two men remained silent until the waiter returned with their beverages. The glasses were a foot tall with a handle sticking out from the side of the wide glasses and were overflowing with white bubbles. Only then did they continue their conversation.
“I’m going to get straight to the point, Swordsman,” said Jack as he frowned and glared at Alan. “I do not care for the Domesticators and do not plan on affiliating myself with anything that is involved with the matter. No matter which side they are on. Tell me Swordsman, who are you? What is your real name?”
Alan didn’t look the least bit surprised at Jack’s outburst. “I had hoped we would be able to get along without any problems. I am not against you. I have told you my true name. I have not lied the entire time we have been together. Please, let’s be civilized.” Alan returned Jack’s gaze and sighed, knowing that Jack would not give up without proper answers.
“There is no need to be alarmed. I am a member of Resolton. I honestly never expected to cross paths with you,” Alan admitted.
“So what are you doing here on Alsjin?” Jack asked, leaning back into his chair and crossing his legs.
“I was acting as a spy a number of months ago. I was careless, and somehow the head of the Domesticators caught some interest in my skills. I believe you can map out the rest. I plan to leave before dawn. There are things I must do before the next ship to the mainland leaves.”
“Do you know where it will be leaving from?” Jack asked.
“Yes. In the next city over,” said Alan, gesturing behind him with his thumb. “In the town of Borthenahiem.”
“We are traveling there as well. I was actually looking for information on when the next rip would occur. I didn’t think it would happen there.”
“Speaking of, I know who those children are, Jack,” Alan said. He leaned forward across the table and grabbed his beer and drank half of it without a gasp for breath. He set the glass down on the table loudly and grinned triumphantly. Jack waited patiently as Alan wiped his mouth with a napkin. Jack’s glass of beer remained untouched. “There is no reason for you to hide that fact from me. Keep those children by your side as much as you can. You do not want the wrong people to discover them. Humans do not belong here. It is best that you go to them.”
Alan nodded to the door. Jack stared at him for a moment then stood up. He picked up his untouched glass of beer and downed it in one gulp. He slammed the glass down onto the table and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. With a swish of his cape he turned and began to walk away.
“Oh, and Jack?” Alan called.
Jack raised an eyebrow and turned toward the Swordsman.
“Do me a favor, will you?”
“What is it?”
“Don’t get caught.”
With that final exchange of words, Jack turned and snatched his hat off the coat rack, placed it on his head and walked out the saloon doors.
THIRTY-NINE
Alex rubbed his eyes from drowsiness. When did I fall asleep? He looked out the window at the bright blue sky. What time is it? Alex returned his gaze to the room. Jack sat hunched over in the wooden rocking chair with his arms crossed over his chest, breathing heavily. When had he gotten back? Everyone else lay asleep in their beds. Alex stood, stretched, and yawned.
He froze in place when he caught a glimpse of black from underneath the wedge of the door. When the black disappeared, Alex walked over to the door silently, peering through the keyhole. The lights in the hall were on. He caught another glimpse of black down the hall a ways. It disappeared again. Without a sound, Alex opened the door and crept into the hall, slowly shutting the door behind him once he was out. Down the hall, a black shadow the shape of a cat walked down the stairs.
Alex dashed to the edge of the stairs and looked down. The shadow turned behind the banister and into the lobby. He took a step down onto the stairs and paused. He turned and stared at the door to his room. Should I stay? Alex thought for a moment. Nah, I’ll be back before they wake up. Alex tiptoed down the stairs and halted. Slowly, he peeked above the banister at the sleeping man at the desk.
He released a gasp of air that he hadn’t realized he was holding. The shadow of the cat walked into the door and disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Confused, Alex raised an eyebrow and dashed for the door, swinging it open. The bell above jingled, but the man behind the desk did not stir. Down the street, the shadow of the cat turned the block. How is it so fast?
Alex sprinted into the broad daylight and around the corner. The shadow disappeared into an alley. Annoyed, he ran into the dark alley. Two familiar silver eyes peered at him through the shadow. Where have I seen those before? Alex walked slowly into the darkness after the eyes. The silver eyes slowly began to shrink away, deeper into the dark. Alex lunged forward before the eyes could get away, as his head felt the rude shock of collision with the brick wall.
Alex staggered backwards and clutched his head. He searched the darkness once more but the eyes had gone. He walked onto the street and scanned the area. Neither the eyes or the shadow could be seen. Alex sighed and rubbed the drowsiness out of his eyes, leaning against the brick wall. What am I doing? He thought. I just woke up. I’m probably daydreaming. Even if I’m not, I’m chasing a cat! I shouldn’t have left in the first place.
Alex walked back to the inn and trudged up the stairs, not bothering to be silent. The man at the desk grunted when he was startled awake. Alex reached for the doorknob to the room and turned it. The door wouldn’t budge. I forgot. Jack locks it from the inside. Anyone inside could get out, but no one could get in. Alex knocked on the door and in seconds Jack was at the door.
“How’d you get out here?” he asked, surprised.
“I opened th
e door and walked out,” Alex answered flatly.
“Why are you out here, is what I meant to say.”
“I was looking for the bathroom.”
“And? Did you find it?”
“Yes.”
Alex brushed past Jack and plopped down on the chair. His mind wandered back toward the strange black shadow. Yes, I may have been hallucinating, but why did it seem so familiar? Those eyes, too. Alex slumped in the chair and crossed his arms, still half-asleep and unable to think clearly. Jack shut the door and faced Alex.
“Please wake the others. We leave immediately,” Jack said.
Alex didn’t respond.
“Alex.”
“Hm? Sorry, I was thinking.” Alex sat up and uncrossed his arms, facing Jack. “Did you say something?”
“Would you please wake your friends? Once they are awake, we will head out of town and on to the next,” Jack said as he nodded to the sleeping teenagers. Alex nodded and stood. He shook Mark awake and helped wake the others. As soon as everyone was up, Jack ushered them into the lobby.
Jack stopped by the desk and talked with the man while they all waited on the couches around the table. When Jack had finished, he rushed them outside.
“Are we not going to see Alan before we go?” Alex asked Jack. Having heard Alan’s name sparked Mark’s attention and he quickly joined the conversation.
“No. He knows we are leaving. We have overstayed our welcome, and it is best that we get to our destination,” Jack replied. He did not look down at Alex as he answered, keeping his gaze straight ahead and alert.
“Will we see him again?” Mark asked.
“It is possible. He is also looking to travel to the mainland. But there are so many boats and ships traveling there that it is impossible to know if he will be boarding the same ship we do until the voyage begins and the ship leaves port.” Jack looked around anxiously as he spoke. His voice was lowered so only they could hear.
“Hey, is everything all right? You seem to be on guard for some reason,” Alex pointed out.
The Abnormals: Book One Page 26