by Mazhar, S
Aaron didn’t know what came over him. His breath hitched in his chest, blood pounded in his ears. A strange burning started inside him and before he knew what he was doing, he had swung his fist right into Skyler’s face. The force of the blow whipped Skyler’s head to the side.
The punch surprised Aaron just as much as Skyler. Sam and Rose gasped but Aaron couldn’t even do that when he met Skyler’s furious gaze. Skyler’s grip around him tightened before Aaron was thrown bodily into the air. He went careening across the street, smashing into the fence that surrounded the cottages. Aaron fell to the ground with a thump, his back ablaze with agony. He pulled himself onto his knees as a shadow passed over him. He looked up to see Skyler standing before him, fists balled. With a snarl, Skyler raised a hand to strike.
“Skyler!”
Both Aaron and Skyler looked across the street to see Ella hurrying towards them, outrage in every inch of her face.
“What are you doing?” she demanded, coming to kneel next to Aaron.
Sam and Rose caught up, looking terrified.
Skyler didn’t say anything but stood where he was, jaw clenched and eyes burning with anger. Ella helped Aaron to his feet. His back protested but Aaron managed to straighten up, although he had to stoop over almost immediately, biting his tongue to stifle a cry as a shooting pain raced along his spine. Sam and Rose quickly came to his side, supporting his weight by looping his arms around their shoulders.
Ella glared at Skyler. “Get your head sorted, Sky,” she said, “before you end up losing it.” She turned to Sam and Rose. “Come on.”
She led them away, with Sam and Rose helping Aaron, while Skyler watched them with cold blue eyes.
***
Ella led them up a path bending behind the Stove. They came to a single white building that was just as wide as it was tall: a strange square block with many rectangular windows lined along the entire length.
Ella headed to the door and walked in without knocking. Sam and Rose helped Aaron into a large hallway with marble floors and creamy walls. White net curtains hung over the windows, bathing the room in soft light. Wicker chairs lined one wall, and a similar sofa pressed against the other.
“Sit him down there,” Ella said, pointing to the sofa while she walked over to one of four doors on the right.
Sam and Rose complied and slowly lowered Aaron down, taking their seats next to him. Rose held on to Aaron’s hand.
“You okay?” she asked, near to tears.
“Just...perfect,” Aaron managed to say through gritted teeth. He stooped over to try to relieve some of the agony blazing from the small of his back up to his shoulder blades.
“I can’t believe he blasted you across the street!” Rose said.
“I can’t believe you decked him,” Sam said, looking a little flushed but there was a spark of pride in his eyes. “Good on you, mate.”
Aaron grimaced, in too much pain to feel good about punching Skyler.
Ella had disappeared into one of the rooms, leaving the three of them to just sit in tense and worried silence. She walked back out after a few minutes with a fair-haired girl in tow. The girl was tall, with the palest blue eyes Aaron had ever seen. Her skin glowed with beauty and her elegant flowing robes made her look even more delicate and serene. Her eyes stared past Aaron and the other two, but she walked with Ella, coming to rest before them. She smiled as Ella pulled one of the chairs closer for her to sit on.
“Thank you, Ella,” she said in a soft voice. “Aaron?” she called.
“Yeah...Yes?” he groaned.
“Ella told me what happened.” She stared past Aaron’s ear. “I’m sorry about Skyler. He shouldn’t have hurt you.”
Rose let out an indignant huff. “Yeah, he shouldn’t have!” she glowered.
The girl moved her head in Rose’s direction. Her expression changed slightly to a pained look, before it settled back and she turned to Aaron.
“My name is Armana,” she said. “I can help you.”
“Help me?” Aaron asked, surprised. “How...how can you...I mean aren’t you...erm...”
“What?”Armana asked and her lips twitched up into a smile. “Blind?”
Aaron looked over at Ella, but she seemed lost in her own thoughts – a scowl on her face and eyes lowered to the ground.
“Yeah,” Aaron answered, his voice tight with pain.
“You don’t need eyes to help people,” Armana said. “Pain can only be felt, not seen.” She extended a nimble hand towards him.
Aaron hesitated before slowly reaching out and taking her hand. As soon as he touched her, a look of pain crossed her face and she sucked in a breath. Aaron made to move his hand back but Armana grabbed it, holding on tightly.
“No,” she breathed. “It’s okay,” she assured him. “It’s o-okay.”
She took in a breath and let it out slowly. Her eyes slipped shut and she sat in concentration, holding on to Aaron’s hand. A blissful cool began spreading across Aaron’s back, taking away the agony in a single breath. Aaron straightened up, relieved of the twinges and stabs of pain in his back.
Armana opened her eyes and smiled, letting go of Aaron’s hand.
“There you go,” she said. “All better.”
“How did you do that?” Aaron asked.
“You’re asking for trade secrets,” Armana teased. “It’s my gift.”
“Gift?” Aaron asked. “You can heal people through touch?”
“Not exactly, no,” Armana replied. “I heal mages, not people.” Her head inclined towards Rose, even though she couldn’t see her. “I can feel everyone’s pain, but unfortunately I can only heal mages.”
Rose shared a look with Sam and Aaron before turning to stare at Armana again.
“So you’re a...a mage as well?” Rose asked.
Armana smiled brightly. “I am,” she said. “I’m a mage, but also an Empath.”
“Empath?” Aaron frowned. “So...you feel...empathy towards others?”
Armana laughed, and Aaron was strongly reminded of wind chimes. The tinkling sound even pulled Ella out of her thoughts and she looked around at them.
“No.” Armana chuckled. “Well, I mean, I empathise with others as much as the next mage, or even human for that matter.” She smiled. “But that’s not what an Empath is. I sense the pain of others. When I hear their voice, or touch their skin, I feel their agony – be it physical or emotional.” Again her head tilted towards Rose. “If their injury is physical, I can heal it through touch. Emotional pain…Well, that’s not quite as easy to heal.”
Aaron glanced over at Sam and Rose but didn’t say anything. If only it were as simple to take away their pain. Just a touch, a brief moment and that would be it: the pain all gone.
“Are you...I mean, don’t be offended…” Aaron shifted in his seat. “But are you really...blind? I mean, in the sense that you can’t see anything or that you can see things...differently?”
“You mean because I’m a mage?” Armana asked. She paused briefly. “Yes, I can see,” she said. “I can see how badly you need to learn about mages.” She giggled and even Ella smiled, shaking her head at Aaron. Armana leant forward. “I’m blind, Aaron. I can’t see anything. Mage or not, it’s still only darkness in front of my eyes.”
“I’m sorry,” Aaron said quietly.
“Why?” Armana asked. “I was born an Empath. It’s who I am.”
Aaron remembered the group of ladies in flowing robes similar to Armana’s, hands resting on each other’s shoulders as they came to the table at mealtimes. They were all Empaths.
“Are all Empaths born blind?” he asked.
“Yes,” Armana answered. “What’s the point of sight if all you’re going to do is feel?” she asked. “Eyes deceive you; you only see what others want you to see.” She reached out for Aaron’s hand again, taking it into both hands. “But when you touch, you feel what cannot be seen. There are no lies, no deceit. It’s a more honest and open relationship. Somet
hing I prefer.”
“Makes sense, sort of,” Aaron said.
“Alright.” Ella clapped her hands. “You’re all healed and it’s time to go.” She narrowed her eyes at Aaron. “I suggest you stay out of Skyler’s way.”
“He’s the one who follows us around,” Sam said.
Ella rolled her eyes. “Yeah, ’cause Skyler’s got nothing better to do than follow you lot around.”
“It’s true,” Aaron said. “He sneaks up on us.”
“Then get vigilant!” Ella snapped. “Notice when he’s around and when he is, get out of his way.”
She walked out before Aaron could reply. Aaron and the twins got to their feet too.
“Thank you, Armana,” Aaron said.
Armana smiled and rose to her feet.“You’re welcome,” she said. “And please, just ignore Skyler.”
“Believe me, I try,” Aaron replied.
“I know how he comes across, but really Skyler’s not all that bad,” she said.
Aaron gaped at her. “You must be joking.”
“Skyler’s got a good heart,” Armana said. “I’ve known him for a long time. He’s just a little...sharp-tongued.”
“That’s one way to put it,” Aaron muttered.
“Give it time,” Armana said. “You’ll start to warm up to him. Everyone does in the end.”
10
Working Teenagers
Aaron didn’t know if it was the boredom of wandering around doing nothing or Skyler’s taunt about being useless, but the very next day Sam and Rose offered themselves up for work.
“You don’t have to,” Aaron tried to tell them. “No one expects you to work.”
“It’s better if we find something to do,” Rose replied quietly. “Besides, how much more of Salvador is there to see?”
So Aaron decided to join them and find work around Salvador. They went to see Mary, who was only too happy to get more helpers.
“That would be great.” She beamed. “Rose, you can work with me in the Stove, and Sam and Aaron can help in the orchard.”
Sam and Aaron trotted off towards the sun-kissed garden, leaving Rose behind at the Stove.
“Rose’ll be okay on her own?” Sam asked, lines of worry creased his forehead.
“Mary’s really nice,” Aaron assured him. “She’ll take care of Rose.”
Sam hunched his shoulders as he walked, his face fallen and eyes downcast. “Rose isn’t exactly great at cooking.”
“I doubt Mary’ll have Rose preparing meals straight away,” Aaron consoled. “She’ll probably just ask her to....peel potatoes or something.”
Sam turned to look back at the Stove, anxiety in every muscle of his body. “I don’t like leaving her on her own.”
“We can go back for her if you want,” Aaron offered. “She can help in the orchard.”
Sam thought about it before shaking his head. “The kitchen might be better than working out in the sun.”
Aaron tilted his face up, feeling the heat of the day prick at his skin. “It’s the middle of November,” he said, “and it feels like summer.”
“I know,” Sam said, looking up at the clear blue sky. “The weather in this realm is messed up.”
They arrived at the orchard and happily hurried under the shade of the fruit-bearing trees. There were plenty of mages working here, picking ripe fruit and filling wicker baskets to the brim. The aroma of fresh oranges and sweet plums filled the air, making Aaron’s mouth water. They walked deeper into the orchard, across the soft ground, breathing in the delicious scent of different fruits. They spotted Drake helping two boys pick pears from a tree.
“Aaron?” Drake narrowed his eyes at him as Aaron and Sam approached. “What can I do for you?”
“We want to help,” Aaron said.
“Help?” Drake looked from Aaron to Sam in confusion.
“Yeah.” Aaron gestured to the baskets. “You know, work here.”
Drake’s eyebrows shot up and he quickly shook his head. “No, no, no. I don’t think so. Go back to your cottage.”
“Why?” Aaron asked.
“Why can’t we work here?” Sam asked.
Drake looked at Sam with a sour expression, almost as if he didn’t appreciate being addressed by him. “Because I said so,” he replied.
“That’s not a reason,” Aaron replied. “Mary said we could work here.”
“Mary is not in charge of the orchard,” Drake snapped. “Besides, why would you want to work in this heat?”
“Because I’m bored,” Aaron replied.
Drake paused, his dark eyes studying him, before he shook his head again. “No, I’m not comfortable with you working here.” He reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose. “Chris will have my head,” he muttered.
Aaron felt a jolt in his stomach. He stepped forward. “I’m bored,” he repeated, speaking slowly and emphasising each word. “I want to work here. It’s got nothing to do with my dad.”
Drake opened his mouth to protest.
“You’re better off just letting us do it,” Sam said. “He’s very stubborn,” he added, gesturing to Aaron. “He’s not gonna take no for an answer.”
Drake looked over at Aaron and, surprisingly, smiled. “No, I bet he isn’t,” he said. He let out a deep sigh and ran a hand down his face, rubbing at his chin. He looked over at Aaron. “Okay, you can work here. But if Chris gets angry, you take the heat.”
Aaron nodded. “Cool.”
Drake scratched the back of his head and turned to the mages standing with baskets full of pears, apparently awaiting his instructions.
“Let me just deal with this and then I’ll show you what you need to do,” Drake said before leading the group of mages away, leaving Sam and Aaron by the tree. As soon as Drake was out of earshot, both boys turned to each other with big grins.
“He gave in.” Sam laughed. “He actually believed me when I said you were stubborn.” He paused for a moment before asking, “What’s with your dad, though? Why wouldn’t he want you to work here?”
Aaron’s smile fell away. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “It seems like he doesn’t want me to get involved in anything.” He reached down and picked up an empty basket before meeting Sam’s eyes. “Too bad.”
Sam looked surprised. “Damn, Aaron,” he chuckled. “Since when did you become a rebel?”
“If they didn’t want me doing this,” Aaron said, quietly, “then they should’ve been here to stop me.”
***
“Armana?” Rose called softly.
The Empath seated at the table looked up at once, eyes staring past Rose. “Rose, hello.”
“Hi.” Rose pulled out a chair and sat next to Armana. “You asked to see me?”
Armana’s lips twitched, as if resisting the urge to smile, and Rose gasped at her slip.
“I’m sorry!” she gushed. “God, I’m...I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean...!”
“It’s okay.” Armana smiled. “It’s perfectly natural for you to say that. I did come to see you, in a manner of speaking.”
Rose cringed, blushing pink. “What...erm...What can I do for you?”
Armana went silent for a moment. “How’s Aaron?” she asked.
“Aaron? He’s fine,” Rose said. “He’s not said anything about his back, so I think he’s all healed.”
Armana smiled again. “That’s good. I’m glad he’s okay.”
Rose nodded in agreement, confused why the Empath had Ava call her out of the Stove, just to ask about Aaron.
“Um, was that all?” Rose asked. “It’s just....it’s my first day working and I’m...I’m already struggling to keep up.”
Armana shook her head. “No,” she said softly. “I wanted to speak to you. Ever since you came in with Aaron yesterday, I’ve not been able to forget your voice.”
Rose blinked in confusion. “My voice?”
“Yes,” Armana replied. “The pain, it’s overwhelming.”
Rose understood then. She remem
bered Armana had said Empaths picked up on others’ pain by touching their skin or hearing their voice.
“Who did you lose?” Armana asked.
“My...my parents,” Rose answered.
Armana’s brow furrowed and her pale blue eyes glistened. “I’m so sorry.”
Rose shook her head and dropped her gaze to her lap. Then, remembering the girl was blind, she forced her words out. “It’s okay – really.”
“No, it’s not okay,” Armana’s soft voice soothed. “It’s never okay to lose loved ones.”
Rose fell quiet, not knowing what to say.
“Rose?” Armana lifted a hand towards her and Rose held it. She knew the Empath’s healing powers wouldn’t work on her. She was a human; Armana could only heal mages.
“You have so much pain,” Armana said. “So much...loneliness...guilt.”
Rose could feel the tears burning in her eyes, blurring her vision.
“Why do you feel guilty, Rose?” Armana asked. “What happened wasn’t your fault.”
“No, it was my fault,” Rose said. “Me and Sam...We...we ran home.” She squeezed her eyes shut, leaking out hot tears. “When we were being chased by that...that mist thing, we ran to our house. We weren’t thinking. We just...We wanted to get home, to get inside to safety. Because of us, because of me, my mum and dad are...” She faltered, unable to finish. She sniffed back her tears, taking a moment to rein back her pain. “Michael, Aaron’s uncle, he told us that because we saw Aaron using his powers, it put a Trace on us. He explained that because we ran home, the...the things chasing us, they came to our home with us.” She looked up at Armana. “We brought those things to our house. It’s our fault, mine and Sam’s. If we had stayed with Aaron, we would have gone straight into the car and my parents would still be alive today.”
“You can’t think like that,” Armana said. “You don’t know what could have happened.”
“I’m responsible,” Rose said. “I grabbed Sam and pulled him towards our house. I...I stopped him from following Aaron. It’s my fault–”
“Rose.” Armana’s grip tightened around her hand. “What happened wasn’t your fault.”
“I just...I wish I could see them,” Rose whispered. “Just...one last time. Just to...to say...” She dissolved into tears, sobs breaking her words.