Emotionless: (Prototype: Zero book 1)

by Shaina Anastasi

  No wonder we’re outcasts. We barely look human.

  “Did you get a letter today?” I nodded, and he released his rough pat rub. “They’re persistent in wanting our family to join the Academy.”

  “I burnt it,” I admitted, and he laughed outright.

  “Figures the quiet one is the most defiant to rules and laws.” He walked out still smiling.

  I sat there for a moment longer and stared at the coffee table.

  Glass. It has a thick, smooth texture before me and it gave me an idea ever since I sat down with the bunny. I tapped it with my fingernail, and it made a soft light sound. Pursing lips, I narrowed eyes and wondered how much trouble I would be in if I placed a rune on this table. Puttingthe J symbol in the centre of the glass table, I envisioned the accuracy of the jump rune, agility and flexibility while my fingers swirled around the table and flicked up in an encasing circle. When I was done, the rune lit up a bright blue colour. I grabbed the plate of carrots and shuffled the mat that was underneath the plate over the rune.

  “Deactivate, jump,” I murmured, and the glowing pulse underneath died down.

  Upstairs, I heard the strange dramatic evil laughter of Donte in the room across from mine – His laughter is lower in pitch than Nixon’s.

  Standing in the centre of the hallway, I took a glimpse inside the crack of the dimly lit room Donte and Nixon are spellcasting in. They remind me of warlocks whenever they create potions. A darkened lava lamp lit room. They cloaked their room in assorted smoke that lingered from their dramatic pots. Donte was jumping back and forth with his evil laugh from the crack in the door. The only mage I don’t see is Nixon.

  Usually, with the casual thought of Nixon, he always seems to pop up unexpectedly. The weight dropped on my shoulders, and I stepped forward to surprise at the heaviness of Nixon who landed on my back.

  “Drink this.” He lifted a small potion bottle up to my lips, and I cringed.

  It was a trap, as Donte peered through from the other side of the door. They planned to use me as a Guinea pig because Hopper was gone. They’re sneaky and always keep me on my toes.

  The sloshing dark pink liquid didn’t smell as good as it looks. The very distinctive aroma of butterfly dust wafted up my nose and made me blanch. It is certainly a love potion and a strong one at that. They have been dabbling in the books they aren’t supposed to in the library. ‘The complete obedience love potion’. When consumed, that human or mage has to do whatever the last person they were seen tells them to do. Right now, I am looking directly at Donte who was grinning at me. If I keep resisting, they will use force.

  Slumping shoulders, I stared down at the liquid and felt the distress climb up my veins. The pure white essence of magic pulsed to life along with my arms.

  “Defence, level two, activate,” I whispered.

  “Shit!”

  Nixon jumped off my back with the help of a dominant shield that resembled a thin layer of defence-circled runes that joint and surrounded me in a cylinder shape. Nixon is a threat to me and was pushed back like a brick. He’s lucky I didn’t activate level one. Last time I did, the stone structure knight-grabbed Nixon and Donte by the scruff of the shirt, hurled them outside and stood for hours to watch them. No matter how much they begged, he refused them access to inside.

  “Idiot, you were too slow again!” Donte complained.

  Nixon sat there with pink liquid splashed all over his clothes. When he looked up, I noticed his eyes dilated once he looked at me. Puffing cheeks, I watched as Nixon scrambled into a kneeled position. His arm wrapped around his chest while his other hand tried to reach for mine. With the altercation, he must have got some of the liquid into his mouth, and now he seemed devoted to me.

  “Oh! Look how awesome it is working,” Donte marvelled. He took out his phone and grinned. “Tell him to do something.”

  “How long does it last?” I asked in a murmured voice.

  Nixon looked up at me with those puppy dog eyes.

  “An hour I think. It has a time limit, see.” Donte pointed to Nixon’s hand that was across his chest.

  There was a twenty-four-hour wall clock. The single hand is close to 18:00 hours. 17:47 to be exact. Nixon consumed it only a minute ago. A blue line that is lit up tells me when the potion has been consumed. It goes for an hour. There is a red line, which means the end, and it is lit up at 18:46.

  “Damn. It doesn’t last that long,” Donte sighed with disappointment. “He is lucky it is only for a short period of time. Some mages on Magtube have the days ticking down once they consumed a potion they shouldn’t have. I must use all the time I have filming his embarrassing moments! Go on, Eileen. Tell him to do something.”

  “Make me as many peanut butter sandwiches as you can in an hour,” I demanded in a small voice.

  “AS MY LOVER SISTER COMMANDS!” he bellowed and raced downstairs.

  Lover sister?

  “You’re so mean,” Donte laughed. “He is going to swell up bad. I need to take pictures!”

  I walked from around the corner and watched him race down the rainbow stairs. Isilies came up with a confused look on his face after he saw Donte fly down with a chuckled laughter. Not necessarily wanting to be lectured for making Nixon go downstairs and cause himself an allergic reaction, I quickly went into my room. I waved my hand and let the door close and lock before he could get to it.

  So, while I created a rune downstairs and hid it, my brothers have made a melodramatic love potion. Whoever consumes it will fall deeply in love with the first person they have seen and would have to do everything they would say. I am not too sure why they made it or what they were going to do with it once they forced me to consume it, but I try not to delve too deep into the minds of those brothers of mine.

  At my desk, I looked at the design of the jump rune on the page. Besides the long pencil line going through it, it looks like an exact replica of the one that is downstairs. Satisfied, I went to the large canopy bed that is in the cornerback wall of the room. The thin white curtains draped down to the side, and I curled over the top of the frilly cream sheets that are fitted and tucked in tightly.

  Sagging on the fluffy pillows, I stared at the wall that had various runes I used to use as nightlights when I was younger and was afraid of the dark. They have deactivated a very long time ago.

  Yawning, I closed my eyes and rested until it was time for dinner.

  As I sat on the couch, I stared intently at the coffee table and the white lace mat that is over the top of the rune. Nixon and Donte came in, and Nixon was sipping on a light healing potion to tend to his swollen fingers. By the time that he was out of the love potion, his hands were red and doubled in size. He couldn’t help Donte with the healing potion, so he sat down and sulked while Donte laughed hysterically at him and pointed to every photo and video recorded of him. During his love potion time, he was singing, ‘my love, Eileen,’ while he made the sandwiches.

  I am not too sure who was more embarrassed. Nixon or me.

  Tucking legs up on the sofa, I noticed Hopper in the corner of my eye come in with a silver platter of food. He bent down, and he slowly placed the food on the mat when I muttered, “Activate jump.” His eyes widened the slightest at the glow of the rune underneath.

  It was a jump. The rune activated and the platter of food bounced in the air. The food went in various directions, and it forced Hopper to morph and hop around the room frantically. One thing Hopper is good at was morphing in and out of being a bunny to being human. As he bounced around, he grabbed all the food and the one thing I wanted that is steaming, and hot happened to drop in my hands.

  Not that overly surprised, I tapped the egg, and the shell cracked off. I flicked it away and bit into the delicious egg. The oozing cloggy liquid thick in my mouth. As I ate, I had Isilies and Hopper stare daggers at me.

  “What was that, Eileen?” Isilies demanded.

  “A rune,” I answered.

  “Yeah, I figured that. But why was th
ere one on the coffee table?”

  “Wanted to see if it would break the glass,” I replied straightforwardly. “It didn’t. Good rune.”

  “Eileen,” Isilies sighed dramatically.

  “Mistress, if you must, could you tell us of your plans before time. The gravy nearly spilt all over the white floor,” Hopper frowned.

  “Yeah,” Nixon huffed a breath of laughter. “I have never seen a rabbit pounce around and catch every droplet of sauce before.”

  “Yeah, his ears constantly twitched with fury,” Donte and Nixon cackled with laughter. “Oh, come on Hopper. You’re too adorable in bunny form. Let us pat you.”

  “How unsightly,” he muttered and turned towards us. “May we speak seriously of the reason as to why I am here, Masters?” he asked.

  “Alright. Why are you here?” Isilies asked.

  “You’re not going to like it, my Masters, but your parents believe it is for your own good.”

  “Ok, there are only three things we don’t like, Hopper. One is not using magic permanently.”

  “Two is separation from our siblings,” Nixon piped in after Donte.

  “Mage Academy,” I whispered the third.

  “Well, I see there cannot be any sugar coating what I am about to say. Your parents have spoken to the Headmaster of Mage Academy, and you’re to be boarding next term.”

  “Their next term is within a week,” Isilies frowned.

  “You want us to go to the place where they kill Highborn. Kill mages like us?” Donte and Nixon scoffed. “Fuck off.”

  “Silence.” Hopper raised his hands and the violent words Nixon and Donte were spitting turned hushed until it was nothing but breathy air. “I understand the hatred of Mage Academy, but that was sixty-eight years ago. They built their walls thicker, and the man who operates it is a Highborn mage. I believe he has also been sending letters to you all and wants you to be a part of the Academy and to teach you more about the culture, power, magic and technique in everything you all love to do.”

  “Why can’t we stay here?” Isilies asked.

  “Did you want me to list the magic outbreaks you all have had at that Ordinary Human School within the last month?” Hopper threatened.

  I have been caught twice, and that was today and two weeks ago. The other times that I haven’t been caught would be around thirty already. Donte and Nixon would be more because they make a profit at what they do and Isilies probably slipped up a few times and created crystals without thinking. We’re mages, second nature is dabbling with magic, and we shouldn’t be punished for doing it. And to go to Mage Academy for it. However, the way we are going, soon we will be expelled from the o-d-h school. Eventually, we would be forced to Mage Academy or even to the island. It is only a matter of time.

  As much as I dislike the Academy because of the betrayal, all I can think about is runes and how much easier it would be to create them without hiding it from the rest of the class because it is a distraction.

  “You have to understand that no amount of complaining and resistance will let you stay here. Your mother and father’s words are absolute, and I will make sure that you’re at the Academy by tomorrow night.”

  “But –” I trailed off, and Hopper kneeled down to give me a levelled look. His eyes told me to go on. “Can you pack for me?”

  “Of course, my Mistress,” he agreed, and I puffed my cheeks. “The rest of you need to pack tonight. We are leaving early tomorrow morning.”

  “But we have a potion deadline!” The magic Hopper had on Donte and Nixon released, and they blurted out the same thing. “We have a list of energy boosters, lover potions and weak giant.”

  “Thank god we’re leaving then,” Isilies muttered, but he didn’t look too pleased as he picked some of the salad and placed it in his bowl. “I need to call up to tell them I am resigning as their teacher and look for work on the island.”

  “I already called the school, and the Head Mage at Mage Academy wanted you as a teacher for crystal creation class. Everything has been settled and sorted out. Now once you’re done, pack your essentials that you need. I will be doing Eileen’s room. Now if you will excuse me, my Masters.”

  “You’re so diabolical,” Nixon smirked as he popped a piece of chicken in his mouth. “It may be fun, Donte. We can –”

  “Put spells on them!” They said at the same time. The mood in the room lightened a shade.

  While Donte and Nixon talked adamantly, wicked grins on their faces that grew darker with every potion they named, Isilies and I sat in utter silence and was brooding about the situation.

  “That can’t be the only reason,” Isilies muttered to himself, and I looked up at the indescribable expression of someone in torment. “Mum and Dad want us out because they are coming home.”

  Chapter 3

  Eileen – down the rabbit hole.

  Isilies was right. They were coming home, and that was the prime reason they wanted us out, but because of how many times that I have been caught using magic and missteps with my brothers, they decided Mage Academy was best for us to excel.

  I woke up early the next day. The flashing neon blue light blinked, and the tweet screeched, ‘WAKE UP!’

  Opening blinds, I looked outside. It was still dark. There was a little slither of light seeping through behind the cluster of homes, but not enough to illuminate. I rubbed eyes, yawned and stared at my empty room. Hopper packed everything up. The only thing left was my bed because they already have a bed for me. The feel of this home, the home I have lived in for sixteen years feels lifeless. The only thing I can notice is the runes on the walls. It gives me a sense of warmth that it hasn’t been erased. Everything else has already been shipped off to Mage Academy late last night while I was lying in bed and listening to Isilies who was arguing with Hopper about the real reason we have to leave.

  I barely got a wink of sleep because of it.

  Does our own Mum and Dad want nothing to do with us now?

  Downstairs, between the clattering sounds of pots and searing heat of cooking, Hopper stood proud and tall. He shouldn’t look so domestic while cooking bacon and eggs. Donte was on the opposite side of Hopper and was leaning against the bench top, head pressed against the counter and half asleep.

  Shuffling onto the seat beside him, I stared blankly at the plate in front of me. Bacon, greasy and crisp slipped on the white plate followed by herbed scrambled eggs. Nixon stomped into the kitchen. He was following the scent of breakfast. The drool slid down the edge of his lips, and his eyes sparkled at Hopper when he handed him his dish.

  I picked the eggs up with my fingers and popped them in my mouth as someone would a chewy lolly or bite-sized deep-fried chicken and lizard balls. Hopper was not too pleased about the food etiquette and tried to ignore the fact that I was eating with fingers.

  “Why couldn’t we go during the day?” Donte complained. “Where there is light! It’s too early.”

  “You would have said the same thing if it was midday, Master,” Hopper grimaced.

  Early mornings were never the best time for us in the household. It was difficult for any of us to get up without our alarms. That is why Mum and Dad deliberately installed the most annoying bird noises an animal could make to force us up and out to get to school on time. They’re the one thing I wouldn’t mind staying here.

  After breakfast, my siblings and I stood near the fireplace in the lounge room. Donte and Nixon were doing warmups. They stretched and jumped up and down on the spot. I stared down at the carpet with profound boredom as I listened to their hype talk.

  Hopper stood around six paces away from us. I noticed the uneasiness with the way his feet were slightly moved outwards instead of straight. When my brothers finished with their warmups, Hopper raised his hand and swiped it in front of him. Four human-sized rabbit holes warped into focus. Inside was a dark black hole.

  I don’t want to go down the rabbit hole. I know it is the quickest way to get to our destination but to dive do
wn a deep dark black hole doesn’t appeal to me like an average Ordinary--Human car would. I really do dislike things that make my heart splutter in my chest. This is the only thing so far that makes me fear for my life.

  I watched Isilies step off the edge of the carpet and into the black rabbit hole. It closed up once he was out of sight.

  With every second that I stood over the top of mine, my heart beat faster in my chest. Nixon and Donte went next. Both of them jumped down, as someone would do a water bomb in a pool. At the end, who was left was only Hopper and me. He must have noticed my uneasiness because he tried calming my thoughts by talking.

  “My Mistress, if you need guidance and reassurance with this travel, I can make the rabbit hole larger so I can go with you?”

  “No,” I declined and shuffled feet to the edge. If Hopper had done that, it would take us longer to get to the Academy and Mum would blame it all on Hopper for not having proper time management. “Thank-you,” I said and stepped off the edge.

  As I thought of the rules for diving down the rabbit hole, I went into the foetal position, tucked my legs up to my chest and let my hands wrap around knees. Sliding down, I sometimes spiralled and went upside down. It is a daunting experience in a rabbit hole because I cannot see where I am going. I only feel my body launch and startle with the motion and speed. Everything is dark and slippery. Rabbit holes remind me of a slip and slide. It doesn’t hurt, but my body does tend to jolt in different directions. Veins glowed with the distress of being in the rabbit hole, and soon enough, illuminated the darkness with a dull white throb. It still didn’t give me an idea of where I am going, but it was sufficient to calm me in the slightest.

  I twisted, spun and spiralled out of control. Soon enough, when my heart was used to the craziness, I slowed down. My body jolted the slightest, and I moved at a snail’s pace forward until my boots lightly tapped the end and yellow lights shined upwards at the ladder. I stood, having the room to do so and brushed myself down, flicked hair into a ponytail and ascended to the top. I climbed up the metal bars, and the more I went upwards, the more familiar the sound of cars driving past were. Halfway up the bars, I looked back down. The darkness faded, and the look of a sewage drain revealed itself to me.