“I guess that means that not all nations are like the one I came from.” Recarie folded her menu on the table. “Hm.” She slipped into deep thoughts. “That is better than I thought. But there are more countries out there. I wonder...” Her words became quieter as she rambled on.
Daouen adjusted his seat. “Yeah, um...” This girl was a peculiar creature, and not to mention a complete space case. “That’s one of the best things about living here. You can just take off in one direction and go for miles and miles without anyone to hassle you.
“Is that what you were doing?” Her ranting finished. “Running on the beach?”'
This was Daouen’s favorite subject. “Yeah!” He jumped right into it very enthusiastically. “When I start running, it feels like I am floating off the ground. As if the wind lifts me and propels me forward, like I could do anything. So light, so free, so happy. Complete and utter ecstasy.”
His eyes widened and looked towards the ceiling like it was the sky outside. Recarie could see how much running was a part of his life just by the way he spoke. So much passion and energy, she hardly knew what to say.
“So, what about you, quiet girl Miss Recarie?” His eyebrow rose and fell just as quick.
“Oh, um well what do you mean?” She thumbed the menu, even though she had never seen one before or knew what its purpose was.
“Like, you must have come from another continent. Probably fleeing the NSSH?” Setting down the menu, Daouen starred at her in her sparkling eyes.
Her skin jumped at the mention of the NSSH. “Thanks for your information, but I really must be going.” Recarie pushed back her seat with a loud skidding noise that caught the attention of several patrons and staff members.
Daouen bolted from his seat. “But we just got here.” Not chasing after her or following Recarie, he paced behind her.
“And you can stay here by yourself.” Recarie said back to him politely. She knew it was not smart or safe staying in one place. “Stupid!” Her palm, spread out flat, slapped her forehead with a thud. “How could I have said so much about myself to a semi-complete stranger?”
Almost to the door, Recarie’s overskirt snagged on the edge of a table that was splintered on the edge. Pulling at the fabric over and over again, Recarie finally managed to spring free all before she lost her balance with the final pull. She yanked her body to the left and fell back first onto marble tiles that covered the café's floor. That was all it took to knock Recarie out, well that, thirst, and hunger anyway.
It was his rare day off from work and Ian went about enjoying it the same way he always did. Sleeping in until well after noon, Ian woke up and saw that Justine was already gone, as she usually was gone before he woke up. He hopped into the bathroom and took a nice long, warm soothing shower not bothering to wonder where his fiancée was off to. After getting dressed, Ian left the house he had thoroughly cleaned the night before.
This day off was a chance for him to forget all the hardships of work and all of the people there, including Recarie, even though she still lingered on his mind. Ian turned on his little sedan and did not look back at the house as he drove out of the drive way and onto the streets. Without having anyplace in particular he wanted to visit, Ian just kept on driving.
“Maybe fishing...” His thoughts wandered aimlessly. “Yeah, that sounds good.”
He often fished on his days off, even having a special place that not many people knew about to fish at. A left turn, two rights, exit nine, another left, down a lengthy dirt road, and Ian had made it. But there was still a fair distance to go. Packing up his fishing rod and tackle box, Ian started off on unbeaten trail that headed up hill. Pine tree branches made a thick barrier hard for most people to get through; luckily Ian was not most people. Using his telepathy the sticky limbs parted and allowed him passage up the hill without any incident.
Just getting to this place was near impossible which allowed Ian complete secrecy while he was there. “Almost there!” He strained the last few steps up the steep hill and emerged at an emerald lake that had a cascading waterfall flowing into it.
Weeping willows, out of place on a mountain full of pine trees, dipped into the lake. These trees shaded almost all light from entering the secret hideaway. Thick moss and vines grew on the surrounding rock walls of the half mile wide secret retreat. This was a special place, but not just because it was Ian’s get a way, but for a hidden quality that Ian did not even know of. Soft green-grey grass blades softened his steps to the edge of the lake. A breeze of warm air swept through ruffling Ian’s cotton clothing. He closed his eyes and inhaled the cleansing breeze and exhaling the stress.
Ian tossed down his rod and tackle box. That had all been just for show in case someone had ever spotted him doing what he was about to do next. Not being a slim fellow, but not a plump one either, he looked rather fit when he took off the onyx black polo shirt. Underneath the shirt he wore a plain white tank top that matched his blue denim jeans and black sneakers.
“Hum.” Even as it was his day off, Ian used this time to hone and develop his abilities.
Taking his stance, Ian was ready to test his newest developed power, particle manipulation. This was a power that was unheard of and not many other abilities came close to it. It stemmed from Ian’s power of telekinesis, but it also involved the target. Through his regular telekinesis Ian was able to move and control most any objects. Particle manipulation went one step further in the sense that he could break the object down on a molecular level and build it again to fit his own design. This was just one of many new power developments that Ian had been experiencing since his first encounter with Recarie.
“Recarie...” Ian whispered, feeling safe enough that the NSSH was not on his tail. “Ugh!” He heaved as a rock was sent hurtling into the air with only the slightest move of his eyes. Ian was getting good...
In midflight, the rock disappeared and thousands of tiny, almost nonexistent grey orbs took its place. His left index finger drew a few invisible circles then the orbs formed a triangle, Ian was still getting used to this power. He was able to break the target apart, and form simple shapes and items with it. Ian pushed his palms against each other and the rock reformed just as it was before.
“Yes!” This was the first time he was able to have the item hold its shape after forming it back. His luck ran short when the rock fell into tiny grey stones on the ground, to be lost in the tall grass blades.
“Ugh! Forget this.” He dropped to the ground. This was also his favorite spot to think. “Is this what my life has become?” Ian sounded unlike himself to speak aloud. “Practicing in the forest? My fiancée off to somewhere I don't know? Gawd!”
His hands dropped down in his open palms. If it was not for a sense of purpose and being pulling on his heart, he would probably leave it all behind and start anew somewhere else. Eventually all thoughts faded to peace as Ian watched the waterfall endlessly. It would seem no more training would take place on this day.
“Tssss.” The air blew past Ian’s round ears. Someone else was there.
“I thought I would find your sorry self here.” Came a hoarse whisper from behind him.
Ian jumped to his feet. “Is that how you talk to your superior officers?” He dusted the grass clinging to his pants. The last thing Ian wanted was Justine asking where he's been all because she spotted strange grass stains on his pants.
“No, just you.” Trey could always find his target thanks to his Hunter flames. “Still messing with the natural order, aren't you?” He referred to the many grey pebbles on the ground that used to be a single large stone. “And still unable to properly use it.”
“Why don't you try and change a rocks chemical makeup.” Ian sat back down. Trey was often bothering him at this secret place. “And then bring it back together.” His voice was more of informing than anger.
“I have news on our fugitive.” Trey took a seat next to his superior.
This was good news, yet Ian was still feeling li
ke nothing mattered anymore. What was happening to his always happy-go-lucky attitude and warm inviting energy? Maybe it had something to do with the invisible force pulling on his heart and telling him to cross the ocean.
“It is nothing definite, but we have several sightings in one specific location.” Trey handed Ian the files he had been hiding in his satchel.
The depressed man reluctantly took the folder. “And, not that I care to talk work on my only day off, but what of our mole?”
“Already closer to the target and still undetected from both Recarie and locals.” Trey eyed Ian over. The others man face was flushed red, but why?
A faint sigh escaped Ian’s lips. “And let me guess.” Trey helped him up off the ground. “We are heading out?”
His implication was confirmed with a single nod of Trey's rock face.
Ian had only one question. “When?”
The duo headed out from the little paradise. “This part you will like.” He burned each blade of grass back into the earth while walking down the hill. “Not for a month. There is already a Hunter on her and they're devising a plan on Recarie's capture...”
There he went again, blushing as red as a tomato. What was Ian thinking about?
“What!” Ian just let the Hunter’s words register. “Who is planning this and why am I not part of it?!” Maybe the blushing was just anger.
“Well Sean is out of the hospital and then there's Armen, Lioel, Gillian,” the list went on and on.
“Alright, just shut up.” Ian waved Trey away. “They are all lieutenants like me, why am I not included?” He reached his car.
“That does not matter. You are still in charge of leading this party.” Trey watched as new grass sprouted from where he had stepped and burned the land.
“Oh well.” Not wanting to further interrupt his free time, Ian sat in his car.
“So what are you going to do with your vacation?” Trey leaned into the car window. “There is still much left to this day.”
The car engine sputtered to life. “I don't know... Want to go get drunk or something?” Ian opened the car door for his best and maybe only friend.
Even though Trey did not like being encased in, what he described as a tin death box, but at the prospect of free booze, he accepted without hesitation.
The sun was setting and the ride back into town was quiet. But fortunately for Ian, the guardian had a question that had just been burning on his mind.
“So what is your deal with Recarie, actually?” He raised a brow and looked into Ian’s eyes.
Caught off guard by the question, Ian swerved in and out of several lanes before his heart stopped racing.
“Wha...!” He gasped for air.
Trey raised a brow. “I thought so...”
“Ugh...” Recarie had known she should have gotten used to fainting and being knocked out by now, but each time was just as bad as the first.
“Slowly!” A female cautioned as she helped Recarie sit up.
“I can tell you are the kind of person who is prone to danger.” Joked a distant familiar male's voice.
“Oh...” Recarie lay back down. “Not you.” She knew who it was.
“Daouen, at your service.” He bowed and lightly kissed her limp hand that was hanging off of the faux leather couch she was laying on.
“And Caleth!” The female introduced herself like a magician’s assistant on stage. “The Force of Nature! Mu ha, ha, ha!”
Daouen inched over to Recarie's side. “Please don't let her scare you off, like I almost did earlier.”
It was just as she had expected, this boy was a true gentleman. Maybe Farous was a safe haven from the NSSH. After all, had she not been informed that they could not operate, or step foot on soil outside of their own continent. Recarie twisted on the couch and ignored the two, turning over the thought of possibly finding a home in Farous.
“Mmm...” A sweet smell floated her way and she sat up. After clearing the haze from her eyes, Recarie noticed she had not left the cafe, but was in one of its many spare rooms. “Food?” She questioned Caleth.
“You poor thing.” Caleth, a girl no more than sixteen with olive green hair and stunning gold eyes, brought Recarie a bowl of three bean salad. “Eat this and feel better.”
She did like Caleth told her, and gobbled down the entire chilled serving, then asked for another. During the second bowl, Recarie told her new friends her life story, or just the short few months she could remember of it. It was at the end of her enticing and heroine tale that Caleth offered her the room for as long as she stayed in Farous.
“I may have forgotten to mention, but I am the owner of this café after all. I just have many other people to manage it.” She smiled with her eyes closed.
Even though Recarie knew, via her abilities, that Caleth and Daouen could be trusted, staying in one place too long did not seem like a good idea.
“I can see by the look on your face that you’ve been through a lot in a short time. How about you rest for now.” Daouen ushered his friend out of the beige room. “And we will meet up later tonight.” He was about to turn off the light. “Oh, by the way Caleth took those clothes you were wearing to get cleaned.”
Now that he mentioned it, Recarie was kind of cold. She was wearing only a shimmering gold tank top and matching floral print shorts.
“There are more clothes in the dresser behind you!” Recarie's new friend Caleth shouted from behind Daouen as he shut the door.
Recarie did not mind this. In fact she felt comfortable and considered the two to be her friends. They were the first true and only friends, unlike those back in Disten. She threw a pillow that she had been laying on at the neighboring wall.
“Stupid Disten and all those... Disten...” Recarie's eyes itched. “Why am I, crying? Everyone there was bastards.” One person popped into her mind and stayed there. She hugged the second pillow she had been laying on. “Why am I hugging this pillow?” Recarie was not sure, but she may have been missing one of Disten's residents.
It could be the fact that she might never see him again that made her crawl into a ball. Or it could be living in a new place after spending all those months in a cramp hospital room with... Recarie could not bring herself to think his name. Each time she did, her legs got a little closer to her chest and her hold on the pillow increased.
As the sun set, Recarie began to fully wake up and pick herself off the couch. It was the first time she had really looked at her new living quarters. There was a dresser there much like the one that nice island woman had. It stood against the west wall, opposite the wall with the room’s only window. To the south wall was the door Daouen and Caleth had left out of and to the north…
“Another door?” She knew what was on the other side of the first door, but what could be on the other side of the north door.
Curious, as she was, Recarie crept to this door and turned the knob slowly. With both eyes shut tight she pushed the door forward and stepped in. As soon as she entered a light came on. In this room was a shower, sink, and...
“A toilet!” She had not known how much she had to use the bathroom until her eyes feel upon the white porcelain toilet.
It was after another three hours that she spent cleaning herself up that a knock came at the door. No one spoke. It was just a knock on the door; a light almost inaudible tap. Cautiously Recarie slide out of the bathroom and across the floor.
“You there!?” Another unfamiliar person asked on the other side.
“Who... Who is there?” Shaking from the cold and nerves, Recarie stuttered slightly.
“I guess that would be a yes then.” This young boy's first impression was a rude one. He spoke as if talking to her disturbed his soul. “Look not that I had to or anything, but Caleth and Daouen have finished closing the shop and asked me to see if you were still here.”
Now that he had mentioned it, she was still there. “Is it so bad for me to stay in this one place for a while? Just till the NSSH backed off
of hunting me down? That Caleth girl seemed kind enough and the boy named Daouen was so accepting of me.” Recarie brought her leg in from the window she had almost squeezed her body through and opened the door.
“Yes?” With her head tilted and mauve locks of hair flipped over both her shoulders, Recarie looked this new boy directly in his purple eyes.
“I have been asked to invite you out with us.” Recarie could see he was not interested in her existence by his flat voice and averting eyes.
“What? Who are you?” She snapped out of her split second day dream and remembered what she was doing. “If they wanted to ask me something then why have they have not come and asked me in person?” So many words for such a simple point.
This unfamiliar boy turned to leave. Recarie took in his appearance. Black denim jeans with frayed hems and a matching black shirt with a hands length tear on its left seam. Was the boy a lazy shopper or flat broke with the tattered rags he tried to pass as clothing.
“My name is Tory.” He flipped his chestnut red bangs out of his eyes. “And I really could not care one way or another if you are coming or not.”
How confusing this Tory boy left Recarie with his nonchalant attitude. Feeling sure of herself and her powers if she needed to use them, Recarie followed the boy down the hall and into the cafe's kitchen. There she watched Caleth jump out of the patio chair she had been sitting in. Her green hair was now tied back in a ponytail this time. Before Recarie knew it, this girl was hugging her and pulling her ribs closer to the point they almost touched.
“I am so excited! When I got that flash of you half alive I was not sure whether you had died or...” Daouen butted in.
“Caleth, the amazing.” He clapped playfully to lighten the mood. “I can see you are just the tad bit confused, but that is perfectly okay.” Daouen, along with Caleth, led her out the door. Tory followed behind them.
Misery Saves the Night Page 10