Heritage

by Rebecca Walton

***

  Pulling into the driveway of the Bales house, my heart leapt into my throat. The dark blue land rover on the street meant one thing and one thing only. Grandma Bale was in town, which means full on pretending. She had been told that the Bales had adopted me and taken me into their home and cared for me as one of their own. Making them out to be real saints, which I suppose they are in away but I didn’t need her making me out to be a child with no real parents that loved me. It’s depressing if anything else. Locking up the car and taking a deep breath. I entered the house which was full of chatter.

  “Hello Elle! Darling, How was college?” The old lady greeted as I walked through the living room door. Pulling me in to an embrace, the smell of peppermint and smoke filled my nostrils making me want to sneeze.

  “It was great. Thanks Grandma” I replied. Not having a real grandma, I suppose having a fake one was alright. She always brought me chocolate and presents for Christmas, and I do appreciate them.

  “That’s good, yeah that’s good. Don’t stand in the door way take a seat next to your brother and sister” She ushered me between the two of them. The sofa was a three seater, but one of the really small ones, So the three of us had to squeeze together.

  “Hey Grandma, do you have any gifts for us?” Marc asked greedily. Before she could answer a high pitched noise entered my head. Crying in pain I put my fingers in my ears as they started to bleed. I collapsed onto the floor as the noise became louder and louder. I could feel everyone panic around me as the noise died down, until it had completely stopped.

  “Elle are you ok?” Beth asked picking me up from the ground.

  “I think so” I replied. Looking at my blood covered hands. What was that, I felt like someone had been screaming at me with an intense pitch.

  “Oh Bruce she’s bleeding! She needs to go to the hospital” Beth cried checking over my head.

  “I’m fine honestly. I just need to get washed up that’s all. Sorry grandma” I apologised and ran upstairs to the bathroom. Taking a look in the mirror the sides of my face were covered in blood. Turning the tap on I began to wipe the blood off with the cold water. As suddenly as it started before it began again the noise cracked the mirror as I cowered on the bathroom tiles. The noise grew louder as a woman lifted me from the floor by my neck. Chocking me, the women dressed all in black smiled as my vision began to blur. She reached towards the stone in my pocket, but a light flashed from her hand, and she jumped back, as if he had been burnt. I dropped to the floor gasping for breath as she disappeared.

  I must have blacked out, as the next thing I saw was the plain walls of a hospital room. Beth hurried to my side as soon as my eyes were opened, she wasn’t the only one in the room.

  “Oh Elle! I was so worried. When we heard you scream we ran upstairs to find you on the floor unconscious. What happened” She cried stroking my head.

  “I don’t know. Beth do you mind if I have a quiet word with Alex?” I asked. She nodded and hurried off into the corridor. Alex didn’t move towards me, she was rummaging through my bag that Beth must have brought with her.

  “Alex?”

  “It’s Gone Elle?” She muttered walking over to stand by the side of my bed. Lifting myself up my head began to spin. Fighting back the urge to be sick, I pulled the stone from my hoodie.

  “I’m not stupid Alex, but the demon was. She was burnt when she tried to take it. Which doesn’t make sense” If demons had used them before, then why can’t they even hold them now.

  “Unless it wasn’t a demon” Alex suggested looking puzzled.

  “If it wasn’t a demon than who was it, I heard a high pitch noise before she appeared….”

  “A banshee?” She asked even more confused.

  “She was dressed in black so….” Before I could finish a nurse came in. Scurrying around checking all the monitors, she checked over my ears and told me Beth was in the corridor waiting to take me home. Thanking her, I waited till she had left before continuing.

  “Maybe she wanted it to look like she was a demon?” I asked. Getting out of bed I reached for my coat and made my way to where Beth and Robin were standing. What was Robin doing here, probably checking if I was still alive and by the look on her face she was a bit disappointed.

  “I’ll have a look into that Elle and meet you at the old mill in half an hour” assured Alex as she said goodbye and headed down the corridor.

  “Does she not need a lift home?” Asked Beth.

  “No, she has her own transport” I giggled and followed them both down the corridor and out of the hospital.

  “How do you expect me to do that and do my homework?” Alex shouted down the phone to her mother.

  “I know but… FINE!” Alex sighed shutting her phone and slamming it onto the grass. The air was chilly, and I pulled my jumper tight around my body to keep in the heat. The field facing the old mill was covered in grass and filled with at least four cows. My father had ordered me not to attend the meeting with Lorias but how could I not go. This meeting could tell me everything I need to know about him and why he wanted me. I had Alex with me so I wasn’t alone and I would go down fighting.

  “Josh, please can you do this one thing for me… thank you I owe you one” She breathed a sigh of relief and lay down on her back, with her phone in hand.

  “Josh has agreed to look after my dear little sister, so mum don’t know we are here”

  “Awesome” I answered, the feeling of doubt suddenly dawned on me. This was stupid, he had a whole army of demons that he probably brought with him. This was a suicide mission.

  “What?!” Alex sighed looking up at me.

  “This is stupid”

  “You want answers right?” She asked.

  “Yeah”

  “Well then, if you’re scared of his demon army I’m here for you, as back up” She reassured.

  “I’m not scared” I mumbled.

  The sky grew darker as it turned eight o’clock and a mist began to surround the old mill, making it look like something out of a horror movie.

  “You know how we usually shout at the screen when watching horror movies. When someone is about to go into a building and get killed?” I asked.

  “Come on” Alex pulled me by the arm and we entered the broken down windmill. The door creaked as we pushed it aside. Inside the horror movie theme continued. There was one winding staircase on the first floor, the floor was covered in broken baskets and pallets. Alex gestured me to follow her up the winding stairs into the darkness.

  “That’s not at all scary” I whispered following her. The spiral staircase grew darker as we went further, until the only light was in the distance. Before we reached the top Alex suddenly stopped. I could only see the distant glow of a single candle. Listening carefully I could hear the faint conversation between two people. It was so faint I couldn’t pick up what they were saying.

  Silently we climbed up to the top of the staircase. I glanced at Alex, and she gave me a nod. I took one deep breath and swung the wooden doors off its hinges with a swish of my finger.

  “Evening boys. Now show me to your leader” I bellowed. The small wooden room was filled with four demons, who were casually sitting around. In the centre of the room was a small girl crying out in pain, she was tied to a chair with her head down looking at the floor. Taking a step towards her a demon stepped in front of me. The same demon from the graveyard earlier, he had the same muscular frame so it must have been him.

  “Not so fast your highness” The deepness of his voice surrounded the room. As soon as I heard it my blood boiled.

  “Lorias” I greeted calmly.

  “Welcome your highness, I see you have seen our lovely Tiffany here” He lifted the girls head with his finger and made it drop again. Tiffany, the name rings a bell and her face was familiar. She was one of the maids that worked with Emerald around the kitchens.

  “What have you done to her” I asked calmly. Alex was still waiting in the shadows behind me, hiding from
the demons until I needed her.

  “She doesn’t matter, she was just some fun to amuse us while we were waiting for you. Shall we get started” He gestured for me to take a seat in a rotten dark leather chair.

  “We can, when you let her go.” I bargained with him hoping it would work. The hairs on my arms stood on end when he took a step towards me. He glared at me and then turned to the girl, untying the ropes he picked her up and tossed her towards me. She landed at my feet with a groan. Bending down I could see the marks on her tear stained face.

  “Go outside someone is there to help” I whispered into her ear and helped her up.

  “Thank you your highness” She limped out of the room, and I could hear her distant footsteps, as they hit the wooden steps. I glared back at Lorias as he gestured for me to take a seat again. Holding my stare he sighed and took the seat himself. The open fire crackled as a demon placed another log on the open flame.

  “You know why you’re here”

  “Actually….” I began.

  “That wasn’t a question” He interrupted. “Take a seat”

  “I’d rather stand”

  “Well aren’t you just a ball of fun”

  I smiled and walked over to the lit fireplace. The fire crackled, and embers danced around the open flame. Turning towards the room full of demons I un clenched my fist from around my knife. I’m not scared of these guys, I’m pretty sure if they wanted me dead I would be.

  “You have something I want” He continued.

  “The boots are from Next, but I’m sure they don’t have your size” I mocked with a smile.

  “Cute very cute” He laughed.

  The demons laughed in unison as Lorias did, the awkward laughter filled the boarded up room. Lorias lifted his hand and the room fell silent. He sighed and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees.

  “You know what I want!” He exclaimed through clenched teeth. His fist clenched as they rested on his knees.

  “Are you getting stressed” I mocked stepping towards him. Standing up instantly he tensed as I moved forward.

  “I want the stones, and you will give them to me” He threatened.

  “I have no idea what you are talking about” I lied. Feeling the stone in my pocket burn, he lunged towards me grasping at my jacket. Pulling out the knife from my pocket I stabbed his hand as the stone fell out of my jacket. Demon after demon tried to pick it up as Lorias froze me in place. They all burnt to cinders as soon as they touched it. Releasing me from his hold Lorias screwed up his face and hissed.

  “This isn’t over”

  “Really there’s me thinking it would be that easy” I replied sarcastically.

  “You really have no idea do you” he laughed.

  “Your mother would turn in her grave if she knew what a good little girl you had become. She created you for a reason and her twin your aunt Merial Ha. She tried her best, but not even the greatest Goddess duo can help you now. Your mother was evil Adabelle, and you too will become just like her” He spat.

  “What are talking about?”

  “You will find out, remember your not all good little girl. The other half of you will come out sometime!” He exclaimed as he shimmered away.

  A gust of wind rippled through the empty room blowing out the fire.

  I heard Alex as she her footsteps reached the top of the staircase.

  “What happened?” She asked.

  “Nothing, Did Tiffany get out alright?” I replied making my way to the door.

  “Yeah she’s fine. What did he want?”

  “The stone funnily enough” I muttered. Picking the box and the stone from the floor I placed it back in my pocket. Making my way back down the winding stair case the ice cold wind chilled my bones.

  “I’m going to head back to the Bales, and research things” I muttered as Alex ran out of the windmill after me.

  “Elle?”She put her arm around my shoulders, shaking her off I walked towards the empty fields ahead.

  “FINE! I’ll see you later” She yelled. Ignoring her I walked into the dark emptiness.

  Climbing over a broken picket fence and landing in an over grown field. The sense of freedom had my thoughts confused. Everything was going upsie daisy. Why hadn’t my father told me about my mother, why did I have to hear it from a cocky demon. All these things I did for him with no questions asked and he couldn’t tell me about my heritage. I was so angry I collapsed in the middle of the field crushing the overgrown grass.

  “I told you he was trouble” Logan whispered as he stood over me. I was so angry and disorientated, that I couldn’t lift up the energy to be alarmed by his presence.

  “What do you want? To finish the job, well sorry bucko but that’s against even your rules. No royal can personally kill another. It's immediate death and I’m pretty sure in your eyes, I ain’t worth dying for.”I Jeered. The sky was dark, but the stars brightened it up in places. I wonder if I lie here long enough I could see a consolation or even a shooting star, I was in need of a wish now.

  “Ouch! Wow your cranky” he laughed and sat down next to me. Giving him a dirty look I sat up and hit him lightly on the shoulder.

  “OW! And I followed Lorias to see what he was doing. He’s going against all orders by meeting with you” He sighed.

  “What do you know and skip the bullshit I’m so, not in the mood”

  “Feisty I like that” He teased. Giving him a dirty look he chuckled.

  “I know that Lorias is out of control and a crazy moron, but I don’t know what he wants with you and why he needed to meet you.”

  He placed his cheeks on his hand and stared at me with his gorgeous blue eyes. I wonder if he could read thoughts because if he can I’m in deep trouble. He was still staring so that would say that he didn’t, or he would have made some sort of facial expression.

  “Ugh!” I yelled covering my eyes with my hands. Everything was so out of control, it made an episode of Jeremy Kyle look like an episode of the Brady bunch.

  “I’ll sort him ok. Don’t worry about him,” He reassured, Standing up leaving a Logan shaped moulded in the flatten grass.

  “It’s not your problem, its mine,” I sighed taking his offer of his hand, to pull me up off the ground. He held my hand for a couple more seconds and lifted it to his lips. As he kissed my hand, my stomach flipped, and my head felt slightly light headed.

  “Nice seeing you again, your highness” He dropped my hand and shimmered away. I was left in the empty field alone with my spinning head and beating heart that was starting to slow down. Great a crazy demon on my case and a seriously hot demon prince, making my heart skip beats. Well I can never say my life was boring.

  My phone vibrated in my pocket. I may be in the middle of a field, but technology was bound to bring me back into the reality of my double life.

  “Hey Poppy” I answered.

  “Hey, you alright? What you doing?” She asked.

  “Oh I’m great, I’m just you know…relaxing” I chuckled. Hanging out in a field after a meeting with a crazed demon, the usual. The air grew colder and whipped my hair around my face. It swept around me like ice as it picked up.

  “Hey, Friday night do you fancy going Fireflies? Everyone else is up for it” She chimed. It felt weird talking to her about a normal night out with friends in an empty field. The grass swayed back and forth more vigorously than it had before. It began to move as if it was caught a whirlwind.

  “Yeah sure why not” I answered not really concentrating on what she asked.

  “Awesome! See you tomorrow”

  “ Yeah, Bye” I whispered. Putting the phone in my pocket, the wind blew me back several feet.

  “What the hell?” The grass was blowing frantically as the gale whipped through the field.

  “Adabelle” It whispered as it blew across my face. That’s too weird. I’ve heard stories of whispers in the wind, but I never thought it was true.

  “Adabelle” the whisper turned in to a v
oice as the wind picked up in speed. It took all my strength to stay in the one place, as everything around me was swaying.

  “Come to me” It yelled. The voice became distinct, and it sounded like a woman. Her voice was delicate but also harsh like a fine needle.

  “COME TO ME!” It screamed as a bolt of air threw me across the open field and straight into the wooden picket fence. Ouch, what the hell’s with this weather. Picking up my body and shaking the splinters of wood from my jumper. I used a force field to blow wind back at the wind, fight it at its own game I think.

  “Who are you” I yelled. Boy do I feel stupid as my voice bellowed into the silent field. The wind fell as if my voice had turned off its power, the field stood still and silent.

  “Broken but cured by ignorance” it whispered silently. The wind blew lightly and brushed the leaves on the oak tree behind the picket fence, making them scatter.

  “Show yourself”

  “I have no face, I have no form, my soul is carried on the wind, name me if you dare”

  “Alright Rumpelstiltskin. What do you want then?” I asked the star filled sky.

  “You are but a course in the direction of the floating sky, but remember there are other clouds wanting to collide” The final whisper lingered in the wind as it disappeared through the grass.

  “Right, that makes a hell of a lot of sense,” I sighed and trudged through the uncut grass. Right my minds going to explode into a million pieces and scatter all over this field. All that blowing wind has made me cold.

  Taking in a deep breath of fresh air into my lungs, I orbed out of the empty field and ended up in the comfort of my bedroom. The four walls felt claustrophobic and too closed in from the big wide open field. I need a very long comatose sleep.

  Chapter nine

  Friday came around quickly. Maybe it was the worrying, researching and finding absolutely nothing on my mother or the strange voice in the field. It could even have been the fact, that Alex and Josh tiptoed around me in case I would Jekyll and Hyde them. As I had done a dozen times before this week, I slammed the book shut. Another dead end, this whole library was filled with millions of books. Filled with things from hellhounds to dragons, why an earth could I find nothing.