by Mazhar, S
His mum’s letter was still in his pocket. At various times in the day, Aaron would re-read it, in the hope of gleaning some clue or hint from it. He told himself he would find something; all he had to do was read between the lines. He pulled the letter out, unfolded it and started to read again, pondering over the words.
...before you were born, your father, uncle and myself had to leave this realm...
Leave this realm? Aaron narrowed his eyes at the words. What could possibly have happened that drove all three from their world? It had to be something undoubtedly big, something life-changing. People don’t give up their world, their home, easily. What could have happened to his family to have all of them get up and leave?
The reason can’t and shouldn’t be disclosed in a letter. Just understand that the situation was such that we had no choice.
Had no choice. To Aaron, that meant his parents and uncle were driven out. They didn’t want to leave but something or someone had made them. But who would want to get rid of them, and why?
A shadow crossed over him, snapping Aaron out of his thoughts. He looked up from the letter to see the boy with the striking blue eyes and platinum blond hair, the one who picked a fight with his dad on their first morning here. Skyler, that’s what he said his name was. Skyler Avira.
“You on dog duty?” Skyler asked with a smirk. “Guarding the front door?”
Aaron folded the letter and pocketed it. He didn’t fight the accusation. He didn’t trust these people, these mages. There was no way he was going to let any of them in, not with his friends in the house.
“Can I help you?” Aaron asked.
Skyler grinned, flashing his teeth in a feral way. “Yeah, you can help me,” he replied. “You can get out.”
Aaron frowned. “Excuse me?”
“Get out,” Skyler repeated. “I need this place vacated.”
“What for?”
“For the Shattered ones,” Skyler replied. “They’ll be coming soon.”
Aaron stood up, staring at Skyler with surprise. “Where am I supposed to go?”
“Do I look like I care?” Skyler asked. “Go wherever you want. Just have this place emptied in under an hour.” He turned to leave.
“Wait,” Aaron called, and Skyler turned with an amused grin. “You can’t just throw me out,” he protested.
“Believe me I can. Quite literally,” Skyler said, his eyes glinting with malice.
“It’s not just me in here,” Aaron said. “My friends–”
“Hey, Adams,” Skyler barked suddenly, “I don’t give a crap who’s with you. Just have this place cleaned out or I will personally drag you and your friends out of here.”
Aaron’s hands clenched into fists and he straightened up to stand tall. “Go for it,” he said quietly.
Skyler looked surprised. “Really?” he asked, stepping towards him.
“Really,” Aaron replied, sounding braver than he felt. “Drag me out, ’cause I’m not leaving.”
Skyler grinned. “With pleasure,” he muttered and walked towards him.
“Skyler.” Mary arrived, halting him. “Behave,” she muttered crossly, as she walked closer.
“What?” Skyler asked. “He’s asking for it.”
Mary ignored him and turned to Aaron. “Don’t mind him,” she said, gesturing to Skyler, “but you do have to move. There’s a large number of Shattered ones coming and we need the space. These are Sanctuary cottages. They aren’t meant for long-term use.” She turned and pointed to the cottages at the end of the row. “The ones with the blue doors are for permanent residence.”
Aaron looked at Skyler. If the boy had just explained it like she had, he would have happily moved.
“Okay.” Aaron nodded. “I’ll just let my friends know and gather our things.”
***
Aaron knocked gently before opening the door to find Sam sitting on the floor, back against a wall, and Rose next to the window. Both looked around at him as Aaron walked in, but, just like the last three days, they didn’t speak. Aaron lingered in the doorway.
“They...the people,” he started. “I mean, mages,” he quickly corrected. “They want this place vacated.” He pushed on as alarm crossed the twins’ faces. “They’re moving us into a different cottage.” He looked around the room, an excuse not to meet the red-rimmed, puffy eyes of his friends. “We need to leave within the hour,” Aaron continued, “so if you want to get your stuff together...” He trailed off. Without meeting their eyes, he turned around to leave.
“Aaron?”
He stopped at Rose’s quiet call and turned back. She was staring at him, her usually warm brown eyes looked dull, tired and bloodshot. Rose looked to Sam, just a small, fleeting glance, before turning to Aaron again.
“Is that all you’re going to say?” she asked.
Aaron paused, brow furrowed. “What?”
“Five days,” Sam started in a rough, husky voice. “Five days we’ve been here and this is all you have to say to us?”
Aaron shook his head. “I don’t...I don’t understand. I thought you weren’t speaking to me.”
“Exactly when were we supposed to talk to you?” Sam asked. Annoyance tinged his voice. “When you run in here with plates of food and hurry out like your life depends on it?”
“We thought you didn’t have the time to talk to us,” Rose said quietly.
“Figured you’d be too busy out exploring this new world of yours,” Sam added.
Aaron’s face heated up with anger. “It’s not my world,” he objected.
“Isn’t it?” Sam asked.
“My world is where I’ve lived my whole life,” Aaron replied.
The lines on Sam’s brow disappeared and he smiled a little. “So you’re not jumping onto this mage bandwagon then?”
“I’m still me,” Aaron said. “No matter what anyone says. I’m the same person I always was.”
Sam smiled with relief. “Good to hear it.”
They fell into silence, each just looking at the other.
“Sam,” Aaron said, walking two steps closer. “I...I don’t know what to say.” He shook his head, baring his guilt. “How do I even begin to apologise? What do I say for ruining your lives?” He looked across at Rose, seeing her tears. It made Aaron want to run out, but he forced himself to stay. “It’s my fault,” he said. “I did this to you, to both of you. That...that car...The ground. I did that. It was a reflux or...something.” He shook his head, trying to remember what his dad had said.
Sam’s expression darkened and Aaron could see the grief, thick as a coat, cover his whole being.
“It’s my fault,” Aaron said, so softly he was whispering. “It’s all my fault. It’s my fault you’re stuck in this mess...in this realm...” He pushed the words out, past the bubble of guilt that was growing at the back of his throat, threatening to suffocate him. “Sam, I’m sorry.” He came to kneel next to his friend. “I’m sorry. God, Sam, I’m so sorry.” He looked over at Rose, who was furiously wiping her wet cheeks. “Rose, I’m...I’m so sorry.”
Rose sniffed back her tears and looked over at him. “Did you know you were a mage?” she asked.
Aaron slowly shook his head. “No.”
“Did you do that reflux thing on purpose?” Sam asked.
“No.”
“Then how can any of this be your fault?” Rose asked.
Aaron gaped at her. “Wait.” He looked between the twins. “You...How?” he asked in disbelief. “How can you not blame me?”
“We did, at the beginning,” Sam said. “When your uncle told us about you being different and that we were marked because we witnessed you using your...” He paused. “...power or magic or whatever it was.” He took in a breath. “God’s honest truth, we blamed you. But then, over the days we’ve been here just sitting and thinking, we realised it’s not your fault.” His eyes glinted with anger. “It’s your parents’ fault.” When Aaron didn’t protest, Sam continued. “They’re the ones
to blame. They should have told you about being different. They should have explained what you were capable of. If you knew, you would’ve been able to control yourself. If you knew–”
“I wouldn’t have been friends with you,” Aaron said, interrupting him.
Sam stared at him with surprise. “You’d ditch us?”
“You’d still be in your world, with your family, if I had,” Aaron replied.
Sam didn’t say anything.
Rose took in a deep breath. “Let’s not talk about that,” she said. “We need to figure out what happens now. How long do we stay here? What’s the plan?”
Aaron shrugged. “Dunno.”
“You haven’t asked your parents?” She looked surprised.
“It’s not like they would tell me,” Aaron said. Taking in a breath, he added, “And...they’re gone.”
“Gone?” Sam frowned. “Where?”
Aaron shook his head, trying hard to mask his heartbreak. “They just...left.” He dug out the letter from his pocket and handed it to Sam. “Left that for me.”
Rose got up and crossed the room so she too could read the letter. Quiet minutes passed as the twins read it with furrowed brows, before sharing looks of surprise.
“Your life would be endangered if you went with them?” Rose asked. “Why would they think that? Who would want to hurt you?”
“Those men from that cloud-mist thing,” Sam offered. “Maybe they’re after you?”
“Me?” Aaron asked, his heart leaping painfully. “Why would they be after me?”
“Think about it,” Sam said. “They came right after you cracked open the ground to stop that car.” He paused before meeting Aaron’s gaze. “Almost as if they were waiting for you to use your powers so they could come for you. They were chasing after you,” Sam pointed out. “Your mum and dad were desperate to get you out of the way. They come here,” he gestured to the room, “some mad place in another realm, whatever that means.” He rubbed at his chin. “They claim this place is safe for you.” He looked at Aaron. “It makes sense. Those things came for you.”
Aaron’s heart missed several beats. “Why?” he asked. “What do they want from me?”
“Your parents hid the fact that you’re a...That you’re...different.” Rose shifted uncomfortably. “If they can keep a secret that big, what else could they hide from you.”
Aaron swallowed heavily. “I have to find out what going on,” he said. “What it is they’re keeping from me.”
“Sounds like a plan,” came a sarcastic voice, startling the three. Skyler stood at the door, leaning against the frame, arms crossed and cool blue eyes set on Aaron. “My advice? Take your scheming somewhere else. I need this space.”
***
Aaron stepped out into the sun with a smile. He had his best friends by his side. Skyler led the way through the gate and down the long row of houses.
“What did your mum and dad say?” Rose asked. “Did they explain anything about this place?” she asked, staring wide-eyed at the long table that stretched down the road.
“What do you think?” Aaron asked.
“Considering they took fourteen years to tell you what species you are, I’m thinking...no,” Sam said.
Skyler stopped at the first blue-doored cottage. “Here you go.” He waved a hand at the gate. “Your humble abode.”
Aaron noticed a girl, the one with blue streaks in her hair, watching them from across the street. She walked towards them, a quizzical look on her face.
“Skyler,” she called, looking half amused and half annoyed. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m moving them to a permanent location,” Skyler replied.
The girl’s grey eyes flickered from the cottage back to Skyler. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
“It’s been over a week, Ella,” Skyler said, his blue eyes bright with mischief. “He’s not coming back.” He turned to Aaron. “The place is all yours.”
“Wait, wait,” the girl – Ella – came forward, one hand on Skyler’s arm. “This isn’t funny.”
“I agree,” Skyler replied. “There’s nothing funny about it.” He pointed to the cottage. “The house is unoccupied; we have permanent residents looking for a place to stay.” He held up both hands. “What’s the problem?”
“The problem?” Ella asked, with a raised eyebrow. “I think the problem is six-foot tall, has black hair, green eyes and the ability to kick your ass across Salvador.”
“Kyran’s not coming back,” Skyler said. “And even if he does, he’s been gone too long. Don’t use it, you lose it.” He turned to Aaron. “Get a move on.” He nodded to the door.
Aaron paused. “We don’t want to get into the middle of anything–”
“There’s nothing to get into the middle of,” Skyler interrupted. “The place is all yours.” He smirked at Ella and added, “Feel free to throw out anything you don’t want.”
Ella shook her head in disgust and walked away. With a chuckle, Skyler left as well. Aaron turned to Sam, to see him staring at Ella, watching her. Only when Ella went around the corner and disappeared from sight, did Sam blink and turn around. Seeing the raised eyebrows of both Aaron and Rose, Sam only shrugged before heading towards their new cottage.
***
The blue-doored cottage was much, much nicer than the cottage they had been staying in. For a start, it was cleaner. It was sparsely furnished, but what was there was in good condition. The layout of the cottage was the same as the previous one: downstairs was one main living room, a bathroom, but no kitchen, and upstairs was made up of three bedrooms and another bathroom. The biggest room had a bed and a small wardrobe. The second room was the same but the third room had no bed, just a wide built-in wooden cupboard that none of them could open.
From Skyler and Ella’s conversation, Aaron realised the cottage had previously belonged to someone named Kyran. So when he opened the wardrobe and found clothes stacked inside, he wasn’t at all surprised.
“What should we do?” Sam asked, standing in the room with both hands on his hips.
“What can we do?” Aaron replied. “We’ll just push this stuff to the side, in case that Kyran bloke comes back for–”
“What are you on about?” Sam asked. “I’m talking about the beds.”
“What about them?” Aaron asked.
“There’s only two beds and three of us,” Sam pointed out.
“Oh.” Aaron glanced around at Rose. “Yeah, that’s a problem.”
Rose smiled. “Just a little one,” she teased.
Aaron brushed a hand through his hair, thinking. “There’s a sofa downstairs,” he offered. “It looks pretty decent.”
“Who’s going to draw that short straw?” Sam asked, pulling a face.
“I don’t mind sleeping on it,” Rose said, “but I’m not sleeping downstairs on my own.”
“Good point,” Sam said. “We’ll bring it upstairs.”
Half an hour later, the sofa had been hauled and dragged up the stairs, and into the biggest room. The three of them stood staring at the sight of the sofa, pressed up against the wall.
“So,” Sam started. “Who–”
“Not it!” Rose and Aaron called simultaneously.
“Damn it!” Sam turned to his sister. “You said you didn’t mind sleeping on the sofa!”
“I said I didn’t mind,” Rose said. “I didn’t say I would sleep on it.”
“That’s just trickery at its worst,” Sam complained.
“Oh, don’t be a baby,” Rose said, turning to go to her room next door.
“I’m not the baby,” Sam called after her. “You’re the one that still does ‘not it’ to settle things.”
Aaron smiled. This was the first time in days that Sam and Rose sounded, just a fraction, like their old selves again.
***
After unpacking their pitiful amount of clothing and possessions, Aaron, Sam and Rose stepped out of the cottage to explore Salvador.
“No,” Aaron replied, “apart from the first day. My dad took me with him when he went looking for his friend.”
“Is that Drake? The one mentioned in the letter?” Rose asked.
Aaron nodded.
“What’s he like?” Sam asked.
Aaron shrugged. “Quiet. Doesn’t get involved much. The only time I see him is at mealtimes.”
“Does everyone really sit at that table?” Rose asked.
“Yeah,” Aaron replied.
“Isn’t that a little...weird?” she asked. “I mean, the whole village sits together to eat? What’s wrong with eating in your own houses?”
“No clue.” Aaron shrugged.
“Maybe it’s because none of the houses have kitchens,” Sam pointed out.
“I’m sure they could build one, if they wanted,” Rose argued. “It’s not like–” She stopped short, staring ahead.
Sam followed her gaze and his eyes widened in amazement. “Whoa,” he breathed.
Aaron smiled as his friends stood, taking in the sheer beauty of the lake. The vast, glassy pool of a blue so rich it beggared belief. The green of the surrounding trees reflected in the lake, giving some areas of the water a beautiful shade of not quite blue and not quite green. There was something about the stillness of that water that calmed Aaron. A serenity that he had never experienced before. A simple glance told him Rose and Sam were affected too. Gentle lines curved around their mouths, lifting their lips up. Rose let out a soft sigh.
“It’s a sight, isn’t it?” Aaron said.
Sam nodded. “Does anyone else have the urge to jump in?” He looked around at a frowning Rose and Aaron. “Just me then?”
Aaron chuckled and all three turned to walk away. They headed towards the orchard, while Aaron told them what happened when he went there with his dad.
“Wait, that Drake guy said it wasn’t safe here?” Sam asked. “But your mum said the opposite in her letter.”
“That’s what I don’t get,” Aaron said as they walked down the path.
“How can it not be safe?” Rose asked. “The people – I mean, mages – they don’t seem dangerous.”