Run To Earth (Power of Four)

by Mazhar, S

  “Just put the basket there.” Mary pointed at the nearest worktop. “Thank you, Aaron.”

  Aaron carefully put the basket down and turned, wiping his hands down his jeans as he glanced around. “This is...some kitchen.”

  Mary turned to smile at him. “You impressed?” she asked. “You can tell you’re from the human realm, if this impresses you.” She shook her head, chuckling.

  Aaron decided not to comment. “What’s next door?” he asked.

  “The bakery.” She pointed to her right. “And the cold room.” She pointed to the left.

  “Cold room?”

  “Yeah, you know, to store items?” She knelt to take a humongous pot from the shelf. It was big enough to bathe a baby in. “There’s a chiller in there, to store ice cream and such.” She turned to Aaron with a grin. “I make the best raspberry ripple ice cream.”

  “You must do a lot of cooking,” Aaron remarked, throwing the monster stove another look.

  “It’s all I do.” She brought the pan to the stove. “It’s my first love.” She carried the basket over. “I’ve been living in Salvador for,” she paused, eyes turned upwards as she worked through a mental calendar, “twelve years now, and that’s all I’ve ever done. It’s like my life’s mission is to feed everyone.”

  “You’ve been here twelve years?” Aaron asked.

  Mary’s smile faded. “Yeah, twelve years.” She picked up one of the eggs, holding it in her hands. “I was fifteen when...when they came.” Her voice dropped. “My sister was sleeping in the next room. They killed my parents, slaughtered my brother while I slept.” Her face fell, her eyes shadowed. “I woke up when they went into my sister’s room. I heard her screams and ran to her but...but it was too late. They...they had already...” She shook her head, blinking up at Aaron with moist eyes. “When I came here, I was alone. I mean, I felt alone.” She put the egg into the pot. “Neriah always lectured that we are one – a family, bound by our powers and bloodlines.” She picked up the other eggs from the basket and, one by one, placed them gently into the pot. “But at the start, it’s always difficult to think of strangers as your family.” She turned to smile at Aaron. “Now, though, I know what he means. I consider all mages a part of an extended family that I have to take care of by feeding.”

  “You cook for everyone?” Aaron asked.

  “Yep.” She carried the empty basket over to the worktop, replacing it with the one Aaron had brought.

  “Do you...uh...want any help?” Aaron asked warily. He was terrible at cooking, couldn’t make toast without burning it, but he felt bad for her. She was all alone, left to cook for everyone.

  “That’s okay.” She sent him another smile. “I have my happy helpers. They’ll be here soon. Although, they aren’t that happy to help.” She shrugged. “But they’ll be here, so don’t you worry.” She gestured to the door. “You go and relax. I’ll have breakfast ready before you know it.”

  ***

  Aaron walked outside to find more people on the street. Several had taken seats at the table, and a few were crowded around the open doors of the cottages. He spotted his mum and dad seated at the table with Drake. As he made his way down the path, Aaron felt rather than saw stares shift focus to him. Men, old and young, stared at him. Women turned to whisper to their neighbours as he walked past. It was by far the most uncomfortable walk Aaron had experienced.

  “Where were you?” his mum asked, as he took a seat next to her.

  “In the Stove,” Aaron answered.

  “Excuse me?” Kate asked, turning to him.

  “The kitchen. It’s called the Stove,” Aaron explained.

  Kate only nodded before dropping her gaze to the table.

  “Mum?” Aaron started, glancing at the people crowded at doorsteps, staring at him.

  “Just ignore them,” Kate said, without looking up.

  “But why are they staring?”

  His mum didn’t answer right away. A small, sardonic smile lifted up the corners of her mouth. “Because we’re the Adams.”

  Aaron fell quiet. He looked down the table before turning back to his mum. “Where’s Sam and Rose?”

  “Inside,” Kate replied. “They didn’t want to come out.”

  The bubble of guilt rose inside Aaron again. He turned, seeking out the cottage that they had stayed in last night. He stared at it for long minutes before eventually looking away.

  More people started taking their seats around the table. No one introduced themselves or even bothered to speak to the Adams, but continued their sideways glances and muttering. Aaron sat in silence next to his mum. His dad and Drake continued their quiet conversation, seemingly oblivious to the staring.

  A particular group nearby caught Aaron’s eye. Six women, tall and fair, with long blue robes which trailed to the ground. But that wasn’t what grabbed Aaron’s attention. It was the way they were walking: in single file, with a hand resting on the shoulder of the person in front of them. The one at the front was staring, unblinkingly ahead of her, her pale blue eyes gazing into the far distance. When they reached the table, the six stepped out of their single file and felt their chairs with their hands before sitting down.

  “Hey y’all!”

  Aaron turned to see a boy, not much older than him, standing at the end of the table. On either side were two stacks of plates, almost as tall as the boy. The boy grinned and reached back to tie his shoulder-length hair into a ponytail.

  “Watch yer fingers,” he warned.

  He pulled back his hand before extending it out fully, as if throwing an imaginary Frisbee. The stacks of plates flew across the table. Aaron pushed himself back as the train of plates whipped by him, going down the length of the table, leaving a single plate in front of every occupied seat. The boy pulled back his other hand and repeated the action, to lay plates on the other side.

  “Now it’s time for the cutlery.” The boy grinned.

  Aaron pushed himself away from the table.

  “Alan!” came a shout. A girl, blond with a round face and pretty blue eyes, ran up. She was holding a large tub in her hands. “What did Mother Mary say?” she berated.

  “Mother Mary worries too much,” the boy replied.

  “She has a point,” the girl said. “She doesn’t want you stabbing someone with a fork!”

  The boy – Alan – only shrugged, but scooped out the cutlery from a large bucket and began handing them out. The girl reached into her tub and brought out a glass tumbler. She set one in front of everyone. When she reached Aaron, she looked up to meet his gaze, pausing slightly. Aaron couldn’t help but stare at her. She looked to be around his age. Her eyes were a bright blue and her hair shone golden in the light. The girl smiled and quickly deposited the glass.

  “Ava!” another girl called to her from halfway across the street. “Mother Mary wants you!”

  Ava gave Aaron one last smile before turning and hurrying back towards the Stove. Aaron watched her go until she disappeared behind the doors of the kitchen.

  “Aaron.”

  He jumped a little at the close whisper. He turned to his mum. “Yeah?”

  Kate glanced once in the direction of the Stove before looking back at him. “It’s impolite to stare.”

  Aaron shrugged. “Not staring,” he argued weakly.

  He looked around the street to avoid his mother’s eyes. He craned his head to the side, looking at the long line of cottages, when several blue doors opened at once and out stepped groups of teenagers.

  Aaron’s attention went to a particular girl in the crowd. Her thick, dark hair had streaks of electric blue through it, and reached down to the curve of her back. Her long legs looked even more so in her tight jeans. A cropped top bared her midriff, flashing smooth, creamy skin. There was something on one side of her stomach: a large, dark mark that Aaron couldn’t make out from this distance. Next to her was a boy, perhaps a year or two older than Sam, with hair so shockingly blond it looked white. His sleeveless top showc
ased his muscular arms. A strange spiral symbol was etched onto the tanned skin, just at his right shoulder cap. He was sharp-featured, with eyes so blue Aaron could see them from this distance. The other boys and girls were similar in appearance: the boys tall and muscular, the girls long-legged and stunningly beautiful. They all possessed a strange grace, and appeared strong, powerful and oddly enamouring.

  The blond boy with the spiral tattoo caught Aaron’s stare. Their gazes locked and for a moment, both boys just stared at each other. Aaron saw the boy lean back and say something from the corner of his mouth. The girl with the blue streaks turned to stare at Aaron.

  It was his cue to look away, but Aaron found himself meeting her stare head on. The group started heading his way.

  “Well, well, fresh meat on the stalls today, eh?” the blond boy said, coming to stand behind Aaron.

  Kate turned, as did Chris and Drake to face him. In fact, everyone seated around the table was watching the boy, somewhat warily.

  “Skyler.” Drake greeted him with a curt nod. “Be nice.”

  “I’m always nice,” the boy – Skyler – replied. He looked down at Aaron, flashing a charming smile. “So, Shattered or mage?”

  “Mage,” Aaron replied, finding the unfamiliar word stick to the back of his throat.

  Skyler nodded. “Figured. You don’t look like a Shattered.” He cocked his head to one side, examining him. “What’s the name?”

  “Aaron,” he replied. “Aaron Adams.”

  The boy’s expression changed at once. The assembled crowd of teenagers behind him looked equally shocked. Skyler’s mouth curved into a smirk, his striking blue eyes narrowed.

  “Adams?” he asked. “For real?”

  “Yeah,” Aaron replied, “for real.”

  Skyler didn’t say anything but simply stared at him. Then he grinned and Aaron’s heart missed a beat. He knew that smile. He used to see it on Matthews, the school bully, just before there was trouble. This was the same smile: predatory, cold – and promised pain.

  “What happened?” Skyler asked, addressing Chris. “Got tired of the human realm?”

  “I don’t believe that’s any of your business,” Chris replied, before turning back to continue his conversation with Drake.

  “You’ll find that it is, in fact, my business,” Skyler said.

  Chris looked up at him with a tired sigh. “And you are?”

  The boy straightened up, holding his head high, as if his name was a title worthy of praise. “Skyler Avira.”

  Chris’s expression changed. He was clearly taken aback; his eyes softened and his mouth dropped open. “You’re Joseph’s kid?” he asked.

  “Yeah, Joseph Avira,” Skyler repeated. “Remember him?”

  Chris looked uncomfortable. He shifted in his seat, dropping his gaze. “I’m sorry about what happened to Joseph,” he said. “You have my deepest condolences.”

  Skyler smirked, his eyes burning. “You know exactly what to do with your condolences,” he hissed. “You have no right to come back here, sit at the table of Salvador like nothing happened and start spewing useless apologies!”

  “Skyler,” Drake warned. “That’s enough.”

  “You have every right to be angry,” Chris said to Skyler, “but you don’t know what happened. Circumstances were such–”

  “Circumstances are a weak man’s shield to hide behind,” Skyler returned. “But we already know that’s what you are.”

  That’s when the first spark of anger lit Chris’s eyes. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, son.”

  Skyler’s hands curled into fists and his eyes blazed with anger. “Don’t call me ‘son’!” he warned.

  A mighty gust of wind blew across the table, so strong it unsettled the plates and glasses. They fell to the ground, smashing to pieces. The numerous people seated around the table had to grip onto the edge to save themselves from toppling out of their chairs.

  “Skyler.” The girl with the blue streaks caught hold of his arm and pulled him back. She muttered something in his ear. It didn’t calm him, but the strange wind died down, leaving everyone with ruffled hair and concerned expressions.

  Aaron glanced across to see his dad was holding Skyler’s furious gaze, but there was no sign of annoyance or anger on his face, just quiet remorse.

  That’s when Mary arrived at the table, holding a large tray of food. Behind her, several boys and girls carried various trays and drinks. Mary looked surprised. Her gaze darted from the broken plates on the ground up to an angry-looking Skyler and the penitent Chris.

  “Skyler?” she questioned.

  But the boy only sent a scathing look at Chris and walked away. The girl and their assembled group hurried after him. Chris watched him before getting up from the table.

  “Chris, don’t,” Drake said. “He’s a hot-headed idiot; don’t mind him.” He gestured to the retreating form of Skyler. “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

  But Chris walked away, heading back to the cottage in which they had spent the night. Kate got up after him.

  “Kate, please don’t,” Drake tried, but she shook her head sadly.

  “Come on,” she said quietly to Aaron.

  Aaron got up. Sending Mary a look of apology, he hurried after his parents, his stomach rumbling with hunger.

  5

  Difficult Decisions

  It was perhaps twenty minutes later when a knock sounded on the door. Kate opened it to find Mary standing there with a tray loaded with toast, eggs and a large serving of fruit. Ava stood behind her, holding a tray with a jug of juice, several plates and glasses on it.

  “It’s against usual practise for mages to eat inside,” Mary said, “but on this occasion, I think it can be overlooked.”

  “Thank you,” Kate said, taking the tray from Mary. A click of Kate’s fingers and the tray Ava was holding rose in the air. Kate carried her tray into the living room, with the second tray floating in after her. Aaron gaped at the sight, too shocked to make a sound. Kate knelt in front of the single rickety table and placed her tray on it. The second tray gently settled onto the floor next to her. Kate loaded a plate for Aaron and handed it to him, followed by a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. Aaron took it warily, still gaping at his mum.

  “Eat, Aaron,” Kate said without looking at him.

  Balancing the plate on his knee, Aaron gulped down his juice.

  “Chris?” Kate held out a plate.

  Chris looked over at her and shook his head. Kate pulled back her hand, hesitating for a moment.

  “His anger is understandable,” she said. “Even if he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

  Chris nodded but didn’t speak. He sat with his head bowed, hands clasped together.

  Kate didn’t say any more. She set another two plates, filled two glasses with juice and balanced them precariously on the edge of the plates, and stood up. She left the room, heading upstairs to give Sam and Rose their breakfast.

  Aaron was left alone with his dad. He glanced at him as he chewed a mouthful of toast and egg. “Dad, you okay?” he asked.

  Chris lifted his head. Troubled eyes found Aaron but, regardless, a smile graced his face. “Yeah. I’m fine, Aaron.” He nodded. “I’m fine.”

  Aaron swallowed. “Why was that boy mouthing off to you?”

  An expression of pain flitted across Chris’s face. “His father,” he started quietly. “His father was my friend – more than that, he was like a...a brother to me.” He shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut as he let out a sigh. He wiped a hand down his face. “He died after I left this realm.”

  “I’m sorry,” Aaron said. “But why was that boy getting annoyed with you? You didn’t do anything.”

  Chris nodded, silent for long minutes. “Yeah,” he said slowly. “I didn’t do anything.”

  Aaron watched as grief flooded his dad’s features. “Dad?”

  The door opened and Kate walked back in. “They’re st
ill refusing to come out of the room,” she said, “but at least they’ve taken the breakfast.”

  “Good,” Chris said, straightening up. “They need to eat something.”

  “So do you,” Kate said, holding out the last plate.

  Chris gave in this time and took the plate, picking up the toast and taking a generous bite. Kate didn’t have a plate but she seemed content to use the serving dish. They ate in silence, Kate and Chris lost in their thoughts and Aaron in his rising confusion.

  ***

  Aaron didn’t know what to do. He had taken a shower and changed into the spare set of clothes he found in one of the cupboards. It was a simple white shirt and blue jeans. Both were a bit baggy but Aaron made do with them. Sam and Rose were still in their room. Aaron had stood outside for ten minutes, plucking up the courage to go in and see his friends, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Dejectedly, he went downstairs and sat next to the grimy window, staring out at nothing in particular.

  Drake had come by shortly after breakfast and left with Chris, going somewhere private to talk. It irked Aaron – the secrecy, the whispering, the intense looks his parents kept sharing. It was slowly driving Aaron mad. Why couldn’t they just talk in the open? Why couldn’t they tell him what was going on?

  Aaron scoffed silently. He told himself it shouldn’t be surprising that his parents were hiding things. After all, they had hidden such an enormous truth from him. He was a mage. A different being. What that meant, Aaron still didn’t know. He turned his head to look at his mum, who was busy cleaning the living room, making the space a little more habitable. His mouth opened to ask her, to beg her to tell him what was going on. But before he could speak, a shadow crossed the window. Aaron pressed himself closer to the glass, craning his neck to look to the side, but he couldn’t spot anyone. Not a moment later, there was a knock on the door. Kate looked up, her blue-eyed gaze snapping from Aaron to the door. She went to answer it while Aaron quickly followed after her. The door opened to a tired-looking Michael.