by E. L. Todd
“This is the training room,” Weston said as she walked inside. There were two men fighting in the center of the room with just their fists. The taller one grabbed the arm of his opponent and pinned it behind his back then he pulled a wooden stake from his pocket and hit him in the back, exactly where his heart would be. “This is where all our members prepare themselves for possible attacks—we take defense very seriously.” She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at her sister. “We don’t risk our lives unnecessarily.”
Easton ignored her sister’s comment. “Why do you have swords and long knives?” she asked.
“They are easier to wield against a Hara-Kir,” she said. “If you can’t hit them in the heart you can still wound them and slow their speed—more difficult to do with a dagger.”
Calloway nodded his understanding, intrigued by the tip.
“Our fighters have a vigorous training session before they are allowed to engage a Hara-Kir. They are very powerful beings,” she said. “I’m surprised that you were able to kill two of them, even if it was three against one.”
“We’re stronger than you give us credit for,” Easton said.
“Or just lucky,” Weston snapped.
Calloway wondered if that was the reason he were successful in killing the Hara-Kir—he was just lucky. If the Hara-Kirs avoided killing Calloway it would explain why he always survived. Maybe they weren’t as successful as they thought.
Weston walked out of the room and returned to the hallway. She advanced to the room directly across the way and they trailed behind her.
“This is the library,” Weston said as she sat at a long wooden table in the center of the room. There were bookcases on both ends of the room along with rows of bookshelves. While the library was large, it was still miniscule compared to the Headquarters. They didn’t house nearly as many books. There were lamps at every table for supplemental light in the dim room. Calloway stared at the large area and noted the stacks of text books across the different counters. There was one woman seated in the back of the library and she didn’t look up when they walked inside, focused on the book she was reading. The three of them sat across from Weston. “This room doesn’t house college textbooks for subjects like sociology or physics—it details our knowledge about the Hara-Kirs and the Anti-Life.”
“So everything in this library was written by humans?” Easton asked.
Weston stared at her for a moment. “Yes,” Easton nodded. “Who else could have written them? We store our information and guard it with our lives. Even though we have more knowledge about them than ever before we still know very seldom about them—we’re still learning.”
Calloway nodded. “What do you know?”
Weston smiled at him. “That information is classified. Since the three of you have decided to battle them on your own, I’m not going to encourage you with further knowledge.”
“Or it might scare us off,” Breccan said with a smile.
“I highly doubt that,” Weston said. She stared at Breccan for a moment before she moved her gaze to her sister. “What is your fascination with the Hara-Kirs?”
“We want to destroy them—annihilate them—I thought that was obvious.” Easton said.
“Why are you so intent on killing them?” Weston asked.
“They seek to destroy our Life and the After-Life, combining this world with theirs until there is neither in existence—we are sent to the void.”
Weston stared at her sister. “And how did you know that?”
Calloway realized that Weston was trying to determine what information they had—and more importantly—where they got it.
Easton was quiet for a moment. “You told me.”
“No, I didn’t,” Weston said as she shook her head. “And you’re going to tell me.”
“You’re the one that told me to stay away from them,” Easton said.
“And you didn’t listen to me at all,” Weston snapped. “Now tell me how you knew that.”
“I already told you,” Easton said. “I learned it from you.”
“I’m not getting this information out of you, am I?” Weston asked.
Easton leaned back in her chair and didn’t respond.
Calloway didn’t like the direction of this conversation. “So what is this place?” he asked. “A cult?”
Weston laughed. “Of course not,” she said. “By definition, a cult is an organization that practices religious views that are against the overall opinion of the rest of society—we deal with facts. The Hara-Kirs are real and they seek to destroy us—it’s up to us to stop them.” She crossed her legs under the table and looked at Calloway. “We refer to this place as the White Wing—I’m sure you can figure out why. It’s the property of the university but you’ll not find it on any school map, and the college will deny owning this property. The campus is far enough away that the student body won’t bother us, and our unusual activities won’t bother them.”
“So there is no affiliation with Fresno University?” Breccan asked.
“Yes and No,” she said. “The owner of the university is the founder of this organization—that’s why this building is on his property—and all the members are students of the university. That’s how we are recruited. But obviously the president and owner of the university would be dismissed if the public knew of his involvement in this group—not everyone is aware of the battle for mortality—and our affairs are kept secret.”
“What are the other buildings?” Calloway asked.
“Some of them are housing for the students and some are extra storage space. Most of the delegation and affairs occur in this building—the White Wing.”
“And what do you do?” Calloway asked.
“Did I not make that clear?” Weston smiled.
Calloway laughed. “I understand the purpose of this organization. How do you work against the Hara-Kirs? How do you plan to stop them?”
She shrugged. “That is classified information.”
“Can we join?” Calloway asked.
Weston shook her head. “No,” she said. “You have to be a legal adult before you can work with us—it’s one of the rules.”
“So when we graduate high school we can become a member of your league?” Easton asked.
“We’ll see,” she said. “I’m the leader of this organization but I can’t make all the decisions. Admission decisions are put to the Quorum as approved by the Official.”
“Who is the Official?” Breccan asked.
“The founder of the University and the White Wing,” Weston answered.
“Even if we can’t be a member of this organization, can we still help?” Calloway asked. “There must be something we can do that isn’t dangerous.”
“Well.” Weston sighed. “I guess I could give you research to do but that would require me to supplement you with information.”
“We’re going to figure it out anyway,” Easton said. “You may as well tell us.”
Weston leaned over the table and tucked her hair behind her ear. Calloway watched her pull the strands away and he lost his train of thought for a moment. “You already know what the Hara-Kirs are—demonic beings that wish to destroy this life as well as their own—they want everything to end.”
“We already know this,” Easton snapped.
Weston ignored her sister. “Their purpose in existence is to strip ours away, and when they are successful they take our essence—our soul—and somehow use that to achieve their goals. They exist in another world that is separate from the one we live in. These two worlds have been segregated since the span of time but now the portal is open and the Hara-Kirs are traveling to our side. We aren’t sure why the portal opened or how, but it’s evident that a breach exists.”
“Why would they wait so long?” Calloway asked. “How else did they take our essence if they weren’t physically here to do it?”
“They waited for the humans to do it themselves. When a person becomes so lost in their des
pair their essence will eventually die and evaporate. Eventually, when the world lacks a unified purpose, it will cease to exist—the Hara-Kirs win.
“While humans become depressed naturally it isn’t enough to kill the essence. We believe that’s why the portal has been opened and they are traveling to our side, taking the essence by will or manipulating humans to give it up voluntarily, because we aren’t losing enough essence on our own.”
“Why would anyone do that?” Breccan asked. “Why would someone give away their essence?”
“I don’t understand it either but I know it’s possible,” Weston said. “Some people embrace the Anti-Life—they want this repetitive life to end.”
“Will you lose your essence to them if you kill yourself?” Calloway asked.
Weston stared at him. “Why are you asking?”
Calloway was thinking of his father but he didn’t want to admit the truth. “I’m just curious,” he said. “If someone is upset enough to claim their own life, don’t the Hara-Kirs gain that essence?”
“I’m not sure,” Weston said. “That’s something you can research.”
“What else do you want us to investigate?” Easton asked.
“We know the portal is opened but we don’t where it is,” Weston said. “And we don’t know how many exist. The three of you could research that.”
“I don’t even know how to start,” Breccan said.
Weston looked around the library. “Well, you have this room full of all our knowledge in addition to your experience fighting the Hara-Kirs. You might find something.”
Easton rolled her eyes. “This is a bogus assignment. You just want to keep us entertained so we stay out of the way. You don’t expect us to be successful.”
Weston smiled at her sister. “Then prove me wrong.”
“You are annoying,” Easton said.
“That makes two of us.” She smiled.
“Are we allowed to return to the White Wing whenever we wish?” Calloway asked.
“Only under my direct supervision,” Weston said. “I don’t want you walking around here without my knowledge. You need to let me know when you decide to return.”
“Okay.” Calloway nodded.
Weston stood from her seat. “I think I’ve showed you enough for one day,” she said. The three of them rose from the table and followed her out of the room. Calloway stared at the lobby as they descended the staircase and wished he didn’t have to leave—it was so warm and cozy. He wondered if he could live in the White Wing if he was admitted to the university.
They left the building and Weston walked them to their car.
“What are you going to tell Mom?” Easton asked.
Weston shrugged. “That you’re seeing a boy.”
“Don’t be stupid,” she said. “What are you going to say?”
“I’ll tell her you study in the library all day—it’s true,” Weston answered.
“Okay,” Easton said. She walked to the front of the car and got inside the driver’s seat. Calloway moved to the door when Weston touched his arm.
“So, Friday night?” she asked.
Calloway stared at her. “Excuse me?”
“That’s the night of the formal, isn’t it? Are we still going together?”
“Of course,” he said quickly. “If you still want to accompany me.”
“Yes,” she said with a smile. “It’ll be fun. We can pick on my sister all night.”
Calloway laughed. “Breccan will join in so we’ll just be ganging up on her.”
“Even better,” Weston said.
“Sounds good.” Calloway laughed again.
“I was going to wear a blue dress,” she said. “Is that okay?”
Calloway shrugged. “Sure,” he said. He didn’t care what she wore. He was certain she would look beautiful in a gorilla costume.
“I wasn’t sure if you wanted to match or something,” she said. “I don’t care either way.”
“I wasn’t planning on it,” Calloway said.
“Okay,” she said. “I guess Easton and I will pick you up before the dance.”
Calloway nodded. “That sounds good.”
“Good night,” she said as she walked away. “I’ll see you later.”
“Good night,” Calloway said as he got inside the car.
Breccan immediately looked at him. “What did she say?” he asked. Easton backed out of the dirt road and started to drive toward the main road.
“She just wanted to finalize our plans for formal,” Calloway answered.
“That’s it?” he asked sadly. “Does it sound like a date?”
“I’m more than certain it isn’t a date,” he said. “Weston isn’t interested in me. She already made it clear she’s going with me out of pity.”
“That doesn’t mean you can’t change that,” Breccan said.
Easton sighed. “Calloway is smart,” she said. “He knows my sister isn’t interested in him at all. And he’s right—she’s just going with him because she feels bad for him. Don’t make Calloway believe my sister is sending him signals when she isn’t. She doesn’t like Calloway in a romantic way—he gets that.”
Breccan faced the road and shook his head. “If Weston was my date I would do everything I could to keep her.”
“And that’s why you’ll never have a girlfriend,” Easton said.
“I have courage,” he said. “Girls like that.”
“Breccan’s right,” Calloway said. “But I don’t think these rules apply to Weston. She’s like a bird—she’ll fly away if you chase her. You have to sit on a park bench and wait for her to come to you.”
“How did you know that?” Easton asked.
“It’s obvious,” Calloway said. “Look at Weston’s friend, Scott. He shows interest in her then she leaves. I think she’s overwhelmed with the attention. What she needs is friendship—a platonic friendship—a place to feel safe. I’m willing to be her friend if she’ll have me. Besides, she’s doing me a favor by attending this dance with me and I wouldn’t want to make her uncomfortable—chase her away.
Payday
Breccan stuffed the sandwich into his mouth without any repercussions from the librarian, who was staring at him from across the room. She tore her gaze away and started to organize the books on the counter.
“This is awesome,” he said as he wiped the crumbs on his jeans. “The librarian doesn’t care at all.”
“Nancy,” Easton said. “Her name is Nancy.” She skimmed through the book and sighed in frustration.
“What?” Breccan asked.
“This is taking forever,” she said sadly. “I’m never going to finish it.”
“Is there something we could do to help?” Calloway asked.
She shook her head. “No,” she said. “I need a decoder.”
“How can we get one?” Breccan asked.
“Well, I’m certain that the White Wing Library contains a decoder but its off limits,” Easton said.
“Why not?” Calloway asked. “Weston said we could return whenever we wanted.”
“My sister will watch us the whole time,” Easton said. “If I grab a decoder she’ll know I have an ancient text—there would be no other explanation. We would have to steal it.”
“Weston is too suspicious to trick,” Breccan said. “We would never get past her.”
Easton sighed again. “I’m so angry with her. If she just trusted us and didn’t treat us like children, we would have access to it. We wouldn’t have to hide the Kirin Book and we wouldn’t be in the dark.” She slammed the book closed. “I’m so frustrated.”
Calloway didn’t know what to say. He was equally frustrated by the situation. When he offered his aid freely Weston rejected it, claiming his help was unneeded. Calloway wanted to know why his father possessed the gifts but it was obvious he wouldn’t find the truth. The decoder was essential to unlocking the secrets of the Hara-Kirs—they were practically blind without it.
Breccan
stared at her for a moment, watching the forlorn expression on Easton’s face, and then grabbed the other half of his sandwich. He handed it to her. “Are you hungry?”
Easton smiled at him. “No, thank you.”
Calloway was amazed at the sight. It was the first time he’d seen them be nice to each other—genuinely nice. The lack of an argument astounded him. And the fact that Breccan offered his hoard of food was even more shocking.
“I’m frustrated, too,” Breccan said. “But we’ll figure it out.”
“I hope so,” Easton said. “I just don’t understand how we can kill two Hara-Kirs and still not be trustworthy. I think that proves our valor and determination. And if she likes us enough to attend a high school formal, she should get us in.”
“I think she just wants to protect you,” Breccan said. “She’s your older sister.”
Easton rolled her eyes. “She’s a year older than me—that’s it—and I can take care of myself.”
Breccan leaned back in his chair. “I was just pointing that out,” he said with a sigh.
“How does she expect us to find the portal location without any resources?” Calloway asked. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
“That’s how I know it’s a bogus assignment,” Easton said. “We don’t have any books to investigate—other than the Kirin Book—which we can’t even read.”
“I guess we could ask the students at the White Wing,” Calloway suggested. “They might know something.”
Easton shook her head. “If they already knew where the portal was, they wouldn’t need us to find it.”
Breccan nodded. “That’s true.”
“We’ll just take it step by step,” Calloway said. “We’ll figure it out eventually.”
“We could catch a Hara-Kir and question it,” Breccan said. “One spoke to Calloway.”
Easton thought for a moment. “I guess we could do that,” she said. “We are bound to run into one today at the library.”