by C. S Luis
Claudia, I whispered into her mind to get her attention, she seemed dazed, absorbed in her thoughts. An easy thing to happen between like-minded individuals like us.
I used to talk to your grandmother this way. She blinked up at me almost immediately.
“Did you say something?” she asked. I gazed right at her. Claudia…
She rose, pulling away from the table. “I’m not doing this with you.” she said.
“You don’t have to be afraid.” I said, regretting my attempt to invite conversation between us.
“I’m not afraid,” she said turning back to me. I felt a shock, a sort of vibration hit me suddenly and I felt lightheaded. I gazed over at her, she was stronger than I had thought. And she hadn’t even realized it.
“My father and I could do that. We used to have our own little conversations, just the two of us. It was the only time I was allowed to use it. He never wanted me to use it. He said people would fear me, not understand.” She looked down, tearing up.
“And now he’s gone. I don’t ever want to use it again.”
“Claudia, you have a gift. A wonderful gift…your father did what he did to protect you.”
“Protect me from what? All I keep hearing is he wanted to protect me. But from what?” She firmly snapped.
“Then he sends me away to live with you…” she whispered. “And the moment we’re separated, he’s dead.”
“Do you think this is all your fault?” I asked, surprised by her words.
She believed without a doubt that she was to blame.
“Father had a saying, together we’re stronger, united we’re bonded, the source of my strength is you.” she chanted.
“If he hadn’t sent me away he would still be alive.” she sadly declared.
“You can’t possibly believe that you’re to blame for this. Your father wouldn’t have wanted you to believe such nonsense.” I said, suddenly turning and realizing I was burning the bacon. I grabbed the pan and moved it aside. By now, the eggs were done and I had tossed them on a plate.
“Sorry about that. I’ll make some more.” I trashed what was left of the bacon and started over.
“Don’t bother,” she said.
“No, it’s alright,” I insisted and grabbed the bacon from the fridge and again added a few more slices onto the pan. The bacon began to sizzle under the cooking oil once more. The hash browns had been done along with the eggs and I also threw those on the plate. I had already made some pancakes earlier in the morning. So taking a fork, I put a single pancake on the plate for her. Maybe it was too much food; I gathered that by the look on her face as I set the plate down in front of her.
She reluctantly took a seat again. I think she was hungry and the only reason she now sat back down.
Then there was a knock on the door. She glanced at me and I back at her. I think we both had the same idea, who could that be? I wasn’t really expecting anyone. Although I was awaiting documentation from Mr. West’s office in regards to the assets and inheritance Nicholas had left in Claudia’s name. Nicholas had taken care of everything, all I had to do was take care of her. When she was 21, she would be able to take control of her inheritance without a guardian.
7
Claudia
I watched as my grandfather made his way to the door. The food he had put in the pan was sizzling again. I stood up and walked over, picking up the fork and flipping the bacon in the pan. It felt almost normal, even though I was certain I would never feel normal again. Father was dead. Mother was dead. I was living with a stranger, although not an unkind one. I sighed, realizing I was being unfair to this man.
* * *
He returned with a large white envelope that he sat on the edge of the breakfast table. I didn’t turn around to look at him, but I could tell he was watching me. Maybe he was looking for a little bit of Father in me. All around me. I thought.
* * *
I know. I nearly spattered the bacon grease all over myself when I dropped the fork. I knew he could speak to me like Father could, I mean, he had done it only a moment ago. But it made me uneasy every time. I leaned over to pick up the fork from the floor, muttering an apology.
* * *
“It’s alright, Claudia. Here, I can finish that up.”
He took a few steps towards me and I retreated back towards the table. The clinking of silverware and glass plates filled the silence between us as he brought me the little plate of bacon added to the already substantial amount he’d put in front of me. I picked at it, my body telling me I was hungry, but my brain despairing of ever eating again in a world without my parents.
* * *
Grandfather slid the envelope towards me. “These documents are from Mr. West. They are information about your inheritance that you will receive on your twenty-first birthday.”
* * *
I stared at the white paper and all it entailed. It was blood money. I would rather have my parents. I frowned, realizing that I was acting like a baby. I wasn’t a baby, and by the way grandfather was reaching out to my mind, I could tell he was trying to figure out what I was thinking. I don’t even know if he realized he was doing it, or if he knew I would notice.
“Stop that.” I said. He looked confused. “You’re trying to read my mind. It won’t work.”
He blushed and looked away. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to poke around. Most people, you know, don’t realize when another person touches their mind.”
* * *
I shrugged. I knew that perfectly well, and Father had told me not to do such things. It was dangerous, it would get us hurt. It had gotten him hurt. I gave myself a mental shake, I didn’t know that for sure, I was just assuming. I picked up a piece of bacon and slowly chewed.
“There is a history in our family of this ability.”
“Father told me.”
“I would expect that of him, he knew the dangers, that’s why he sent you to me.” This again. Grandfather was not going to let it go. “There are... things that hunt us.”
“Things?” I replied, my voice incredulous.
“Yes, there is more to this world than meets the eye. Our power is very old and special to this world. There are... well, I suppose they are people in their own way... that seek us out from across the solar systems. They are drawn to us.”
“Aliens, seriously?” I said.
“Yes and no.” The corner of his mouth turned down. “I’m not explaining this very well.”
“No.” I said, refusing to voice the word ‘crazy’.
“Did your father never say anything?”
“He told me to not show my ability, that there were people who would use it for evil.”
“Yes, there are those too. Scientists. Others that would sell us to the highest bidder.”
“This is crazy.” Stop. The whole thing sounded absurd. He reached out and touched my hand, willing me to listen. My eyes widened when his skin touched mine. Behind his shoulder was a hulking dark figure, its face obscured by a deep hood. A skeletal hand poked out of one dark sleeve and an impossibly large scythe filled the kitchen. The head turned and I saw its searing white eyes. I yanked my hand back. The vision was gone.
Grandfather was staring at me with wide eyes.
“What did you see?” he asked. He tried to reach out and touch me again.
“I didn’t see anything!” I said, my voice high-pitched and squeaking. If anything, I didn’t want him to touch me and summon that horrible creature back into the otherwise normal kitchen. “I don’t know anything about things!” I shouted, standing up from the table. The vision hung in my mind. Father could sometimes sense such things as well.
* * *
Grandfather looked at me from the other end of the table, his brow furrowed in concern. He looked so frail, and around the edges, I could see how he was my father’s father.
“Claudia, it’ll be okay. I will keep you safe.”
Father used to say that to me too. “How?”
* *
*
“Our abilities can give us warnings. Premonitions.” He made us sound like we were fortunetellers or crystal ball gazers. It was absurd.
“I don’t believe in fairy tales.”
“This isn’t a fairy tale, Claudia. You know that your ability is real.” You know you can hear my thoughts, just as I can hear yours when you let me. I turned away, not wanting him to be able to see my face. My hands started to shake.
“You’re scaring me.” He reached out to me again, but I moved away further so that I could be out of reach.
“I don’t mean to frighten you, Claudia. I want to prepare you for what may come. I want to tell you the things that I know, but I will wait until you are ready. Your parents’ death was not your fault.”
It was the second time he had said it, and I didn’t believe it any more than the first time. These premonitions he spoke of, if they were real I would have been warned. I would have been able to stop Father and Mother from sending me away. I wouldn’t be sitting across this table from this crazy relation I didn’t know that I had.
I stood up. “I’m going to my room.”
* * *
He let me go. When I got to the top of the stairs, I glanced back at him. The shadow was there, hanging over his head. I shivered and tried to think of something else.
The car came to a stop in the teacher's parking lot under a sign that read Dr. N. Edwards. Claudia sat in silence. She hadn't said a word all morning. Dr. Edwards hoped that by the end of the day they would be able to talk.
"Perhaps we can walk into the building together," Dr. Edwards suggested with a smile.
"No need," Claudia said as she gathered her book bag.
"Do you know where all your classes are? If you need any help…"
"I don't." Claudia glared at him. "Shocking as it might be, I have done this before."
"Right, I just hoped that we could talk later,” Dr. Edwards said, turning off the car engine, still looking at her. He managed a simple smile.
"Perhaps after school," he pushed. "It's important.”
A sigh escaped her pale mouth, and she collapsed into the car seat.
"I guess I have no choice," she said and then got out of the car.
"I'll see you at lunch?" Dr. Edwards asked, but she slammed the car door before he could finish, and she was gone.
Dr. Edwards sat in his car alone for a few moments, and then he got out, grabbing the briefcase in the back seat. He entered the building; the metal doorframe had peeled paint scattered near the entrance. Perhaps today would be the day he would get some approvals regarding repairs from the board. But he wasn't holding his breath.
The school had seen better days, half-repaired, partially alive, with the other half falling apart. There was paint peeling, fading in some areas, wall cracks in others. The lights sometimes flickered or went out completely. Some lights weren't even working anymore. He just didn't have the funding to make the necessary repairs, and there had been talks about demolishing the building altogether.
He hoped it wouldn't come to that. Milton was like his first home. Besides, there had been meetings before about demolishing the building and he distracted their efforts away from such ideas. The school's performance had never been an issue; perhaps that's why it survived all these years.
"It just isn’t in the budget," the chairman said to Dr. Edwards. But it was all political, he figured. Other schools with worse grades were always getting more funding. His staff had done the few repairs that had been completed because they loved the school so much. They had come in on weekends if only to keep the school up to code. He knew they loved Milton just as much as he did, and if the school closed, they’d also be out of their jobs.
Dr. Edwards entered the crowded hallway where the students waved at him in greeting. The hallway to his office seemed longer and much more crowded than usual. He searched for Claudia but could not see her nor sense her about. He thought of what he would tell her, how he would begin his lengthy tale.
Perhaps he would start with why he removed himself from her father's life, why it had to be done. But then again, he thought of starting with the thing in the dark that frightened him on most days. But did he really want to scare her?
There was no real way to start; either way would end the same. She would have to know. There was no denying it any longer. He had thought of it long and hard. She had to know that it was never his choice to abandon them.
Dr. Edwards reached his office. Pigeonhole mailboxes decorated the inner office to the far side of the entrance. A few feet from his office the secretarial desk sat, and Mrs. Wallace greeted him from behind her round dark-framed glasses. She rose with hands full of papers, notes, and messages. As he entered his office, she stood at the entrance of the door, and her smile greeted him from her rounded, wrinkled face.
Dressed in a flowery dress and a little blue sweater, she appeared older than she was because of the gray cotton afro of hair that encircled her head like a halo. She waited. The grin on her face hadn't disappeared, and he knew she awaited the news of his reunion.
"Well? How did it go, Sir?"
Apparently she was dying to hear the details. The expression on his face revealed disappointment, and her smile soon disappeared.
"Oh, Sir. Is there something wrong?" Mrs. Wallace asked before he could even open his mouth to speak.
"It didn't go well,” he said.
Dr. Edwards collapsed behind his desk and put his briefcase down on top of it.
"Alice, it's alright,” he continued. “It'll take time. She's young. You know how that can be sometimes."
"Oh, yes. Of course, Sir. I mean she's just had a major change in her life. Why her parents…well…it's just going to take time,” she agreed.
"Exactly," Dr. Edwards managed with a smile. Mrs. Wallace could sometimes be overbearing, but she meant well. She took care of those around her like an overprotective mother hen. She was concerned for him and the others that worked alongside her. He could depend on her. But today, he didn’t have time for her motherly affections, and Mrs. Wallace could clearly see that.
"Don't you worry, Sir. We'll make her feel right at home,” she again offered.
"Thank you, Alice."
She nodded; he could tell she wanted to say more but restrained from doing so.
"Please tell Mr. Vasquez and Mr. Claypool to come to my office when they have a moment."
"Anything else, Sir?" She asked.
"Yes. Please close the door behind you.”
She smiled and did as she was told. He only saw her shadow standing outside his office door briefly, like she was fighting the urge to return and offer a kind word or two. But then it was gone and he was finally able to relax.
Dr. Edwards sat there with only his thoughts to haunt him until somewhere from within his coat a humming alarmed him. It consumed the inside of his coat pocket with a bright blue light.
Dr. Edwards reached into his pocket and pulled out a small but long and double-pointed crystal. It clearly flashed at him. It had only done this once before, alive just like in that dark place. He’d seen it light up in the same manner as a mere boy, watching the orbs as they flew past him. They appeared like giant lightning bugs dashing about in the night air. There, the man in the black cloak met him. How strange he dressed, how odd his color seemed in appearance to the ghostly beings that sat in the skies.
But unlike them, he resembled the villagers, the men they called the others. There was something different about him, though. For one thing, he was not ugly or old like the others, and his skin glimmered like the ghost that had taken his mother and the witches that had flown the northern skies. It was he who had helped him take off the collar from around his neck and freed his mind from the sleep that had imprisoned him. And now there he stood, amongst the cavern of orbs waiting for him, dressed in the robes of the others, a hood draped over his head, concealing a portion of his pale face.
The shadows parted for the man who stood amongst the orbs that
passed him, and he plucked them from the air. None were too fast for the man. The man held them and they turned a burning red. It seemed like something he enjoyed doing and something Edward was aware was forbidden within the realm.
Edward moved closer to see him. As the man came out of the darkness, the orbs lit the features of his face, revealing the dark matted locks and dark purple eyes. His features were radiant, and his eyes lurked with a sense of mischief.
“Sir, I’m here.” Edward politely said, approaching the handsome ghostly man who stood as a towering figure in a sea of lights.
“Indeed you are, lad. Edward, is it?” The strange man asked with a smile stretched across his pasty face. Edward, the only name he known. The name his mother had given, and the only reason he would never part with it. Keeping it meant keeping her close.
The stranger narrowed his eyes directly at Edward, and then swallowed the orbs in his hand with a sense of victory.
Edward nodded with difficulty.
“May I ask why you are helping me, Sir?” Edward forced himself to ask.
The man suddenly turned and glared at him, but it was a look of death, what he expressed that greeted him from the glimmering white cheeks.
He grinned. “I’m merely offering my services.” he politely answered. “No need to concern yourself, young boy.” The light of the orbs danced in his eyes as his lips slightly curved, fashioning a grimace. It was hard to tell the true beauty of his features in the darkness.
“It’s time an old friend had a rude awakening. He’s been neglectful,” he softly whispered.
Edward trembled; he didn’t know who the man was. The fact that he had his own motives frightened him. That was the day he had acquired the crystal. A day that was very much burned into his mind forever.