by B.M. Green
Chapter 8
Early one morning, Holidee sat in the library of the house, reading a book. It was six in the morning. She had been awake for quite some time. She had become accustomed to Crix’ early rising, and soon, she started to rise with the sun. She never seemed tired either. She licked her finger and turned the page. It had been three days since she had seen Zeke. His mom was probably worrying like crazy.
Mer would be joining Crix and Holidee in two days. Crix was looking forward to it. Holidee could tell. She was too. She and Mer hadn’t really gotten to know each other that well. Holidee wanted to change that. She didn’t know where Crix was at the moment, but she guessed him to be outside working. He was always fixing up something on the house. He was good at it too.
Holidee shut the book she was reading and walked out into the hallway. Sunshine shone through the open windows onto the wooden floors. She walked over to a window and peered outside. She was right. Crix was working. He was cutting wood. His shirt, as usual, was tied around his waist, and his back and chest glistened with sweat. She guessed that the wood was for the house and porch. Some boards needed replaced. Holidee smiled, but then saw someone running toward Crix. It was Tom. She could tell, because he was wearing the same bandana he had three days ago. He was sprinting to where Crix was. Crix’ back faced him, therefore he didn’t see Tom coming. When he got closer, Holidee could see sweat pouring off of his face. His bandana was soaked, and his hair was flat from the weight of the sweat. When he reached Crix, he was breathing hard and making motions with his hands. Crix watched him intently and then set down the saw and walked hastily inside. Tom didn’t move from where he was standing. He was, though, doubled over, trying to catch his breath. Holidee could sense something wrong. She dropped the book she was holding and ran down the steps. She met Crix halfway down them.
“Come with me.” She opened her mouth to ask why, but decided against it. She followed Crix. He was walking fast. Holidee almost had to jog to keep up with him. When they got outside, Tom stood up straight and looked at Holidee in confusion. Crix didn’t break his stride. He just kept walking. Tom and Holidee followed him. Holidee looked at Tom.
“What’s going on?” Tom looked at her in disbelief.
“He didn’t tell you?” She shook her head. “It’s Zeke. He…” Tom swallowed hard. “He wouldn’t wake up this morning. His breathing is very slow, and he’s freezing. He has a cold sweat. His mom and I were worried, so I ran over here to see if your friend, Crix, could help.”
“Why didn’t you take him to a hospital?”
Tom countered her question with another question. “Crix helped him once, didn’t he?”
True, she thought, but did he use his skills? He couldn’t, she argued with herself. An Oceain can’t heal a non-Oceain. So if he does heal Zeke, then he either has to give some of his soul to him, or Zeke is part Oceain. But Zeke can’t be part Oceain. He’d have gray eyes of some sort. So that meant…no way was she going to let Crix give some of his soul for some guy she just met. But what if he’s…no! She won’t allow it! It’s too dangerous. It’s not worth it. Or was it? Holidee shook her head back to reality. Stop thinking! Holidee could see a house in the distance. It was a cute little house. They reached the house and walked swiftly inside. Tom pointed up the stairs and they walked up them, into Zeke’s bedroom. Zeke’s mom was sitting in a chair by his bed. The scene reminded Holidee of the hospital room she had visited in Crix’ memories. Crix went next to the bed and looked down at Zeke. His eyes were closed, and his chest rose and fell slowly. Small sweat droplets were on his forehead, but every now and then he would shake or cough.
Take them out of the room.
Holidee looked at Crix. Did he just tell her that? His eyes were looking at her. She turned and looked at Tom and Zeke’s mom.
“Maybe you should step outside for some air. It’d give Crix some room to see what’s wrong with Zeke too.” Zeke’s mom nodded and left the room. Tom stood there and looked at Holidee. “Please.” Tom reluctantly turned and walked out of the room. Holidee shut the door and looked back at Crix, who had placed his hand on Zeke’s chest and closed his eyes in concentration. Holidee watched and waited patiently.
Tom, on the other hand, wasn’t patient. He didn’t completely trust two strangers with his best friend’s life, either. He walked outside and past Mira, who was rocking in a rocking chair on the porch. He walked around the corner of the house and stopped. He looked up at a second floor window. Then, without thinking, he climbed the side of the house and hopped onto the roof. There, he crouched by the window and peered inside. He saw Crix, with his hand on Zeke’s chest, and Holidee, watching him. Tom narrowed his eyes. Something was up.
Inside the room, Crix finally opened his eyes and looked at Holidee. “He has a little salt water in his lungs still. It caused an infection. A bad one.” Crix looked down at Zeke again and then up at Holidee. His eyes seeked guidance and help. “Holidee, I either give him some of my soul, or we risk him dying. I’m not sure. There’s a pretty big chance that he could die, even if they took him to a hospital. But, there’s always the chance of him living and getting better.” Holidee soaked in the information and the options. Was Crix asking for her advice?
Tom couldn’t hear anything that was being said between Crix and Holidee. He could, though, see their faces. Worry swept over Crix. Tom could see that. Holidee looked confused and almost as if she didn’t know what to do. The two of them were looking at each other for help. What was going on? Then Holidee started talking.
“You are not giving him part of your soul! I forbid it!” Holidee looked seriously at Crix. “I don’t think I could handle losing someone else I care deeply for.” Crix looked at Holidee.
“So, then, what do you propose we do?”
Holidee was racking her brain for anything and everything. Nothing was coming to her. She looked at Zeke and then at Crix.
“Can you maybe temporarily transfer a little bit of soul to him, and then take it back, after you heal him?” She looked hopeful at Crix.
“Yeah, but you can usually only do that if the healing is minor. And I mean really minor. Some Oceains can’t even do it then. But we can try.” Crix took a deep breath and raised both of his hands.
“Wait!” Holidee stopped Crix. “Let me do it. I have more strength than you. It might work if I do it. That way, nothing is wasted.” Crix looked at Holidee. She was beginning to believe. He smiled and moved aside for her.
“You need any help?”
“No. I think I know what to do.” She pulled back the covers, and lifted Zeke’s shirt up to reveal his chest. Holidee placed her hands on his bare chest, where his lungs were. One hand for each lung. She closed her eyes and concentrated. She felt power building.
Tom was staring at what he was witnessing. His mouth hung as he watched Holidee’s hands turn blue. They were turning really blue. Her hands were turning blue! Tom’s eyes got wide. She stayed there for several minutes. Then, it looked as if she was taking something out of him. She opened her eyes and lifted her hands. Two-thirds of Zeke’s chest glowed bright blue. Tom stood up on the roof, stumbled, and almost fell off. He climbed down in time to see Crix come outside and get Mira. He told her she could come inside. She followed him inside. Tom followed quickly behind them. He was a little shaken up. They walked into Zeke’s room and found him breathing normally. He wasn’t sweating or shivering. He was sleeping. Tom glanced at Zeke, saw he was fine, and then stared at Holidee and Crix. Who were they? What were they? He knew they weren’t normal, because normal people didn’t have glowing hands that can heal instantly. Holidee, who had her hands in her pockets, caught Tom staring at her, but he didn’t care.
Holidee looked into Tom’s eyes. They were scared, angry, confused, and lost. She narrowed her eyebrows. Crix saw her looking at Tom and looked into his eyes too.
He saw us.
What?
Holidee and Crix talked to each other without anyone knowing and with
out moving a muscle.
He saw us healing Zeke. I can see it in his eyes. Hopefully he’ll just think he imagined it. Act like nothing happened.
Holidee did as Crix told her and looked back at Zeke. Then Crix spoke up.
“Well, we’d better leave. He should be fine. Let him sleep, give him plenty of water, and he will be back on his feet in no time.” Mira looked at Crix with gratitude.
“Thank you so much! How can I ever repay you?”
Holidee saw Tom move closer to Mira. He’s protective of her?
“We’re just glad to help. If you ever need anything, just call.” Crix headed for the door and Holidee followed. Holidee thought she should act as normal as she knew how.
“When Zeke gets well enough, you and him should come over sometime.” Tom nodded and Holidee and Crix left. They walked back to their house. Tom was left staring at the door they had walked through, while Mira was watching her son.
The next morning, Zeke was already on his feet and well again. After he took a shower and got dressed, he ran outside to see Tom, who was carving a block of wood with his bowie knife. Tom was wearing his army green bandana, like every day, and dark khaki shorts. Zeke sat down on the step next to him. Tom looked up from his carving.
“Hey, I didn’t expect you to get up this early.”
“What time is it?”
“Around eight. How’re you feeling?”
“Pretty good for almost dying a second time.” Zeke smiled and Tom tried to return the smile, but failed.
“You didn’t almost die. You were just sick.” Tom went back to carving as he talked.
“Yeah. Really sick.” Zeke watched Tom carefully make notches and grooves in the wood. The piece of wood slowly started to make a shape. “So…did you want to go over and see Holidee? I should thank her and Crix…again.” Tom didn’t say anything. “Tom?”
“I heard ya.” He stopped carving. “I don’t know. Do we have to go now?”
“When would be better?”
“Never,” Tom mumbled, but Zeke didn’t hear him. “I guess we can go now. Let’s not stay long, though, okay?”
“Alright. We’ll only stay a little while.” Zeke got up and looked at Tom. Tom stuck his knife in its sheaf and put the block of wood in his pocket. Then he got up and walked with Zeke. They walked in silence for several minutes until Tom spoke.
“Zeke,” he started, “I’m not sure about these people. Holidee and Crix, I mean. They…well, they’re different. There’s something weird about them. They’re very mysterious. I don’t like it.”
Zeke looked at Tom and saw the seriousness in his expression. “Tom, these people saved my life…twice. I’m sure they’re not that bad.”
“Zeke, I saw them do weird things. Things that normal people don’t do.”
“Tom, you’re being ridiculous.”
“Zeke, listen to me!” He grabbed Zeke’s shoulders and squared them. “I don’t trust them! I-”
“No, Tom, you listen to me! I owe them! They saved my life, and I trust them!” Zeke continued to walk, leaving Tom behind. Tom ran after him.
“Zeke, wait! I’m sorry! Just be cautious, okay?” Zeke kept walking and didn’t answer. “Zeke! Please! Just promise me, you’ll be careful! Please!”
Zeke stopped and looked at Tom. He could tell he was only looking out for his friend. “Okay. I’ll be on my guard.” Zeke clasped a hand on Tom’s shoulder. “Let’s not fight. I hate it when we argue.”
Tom smiled. “I know. You’re afraid I’ll whip your butt.”
“You wish.”
“Oh, you know I can.”
The two boys continued walking. When they reached their destination, Zeke knocked on the door. Crix answered it.
“Oh, hi. What a nice surprise. You feeling better, Zeke?”
“Yes, sir, thank you. Is Holidee around?”
“Yeah. She’s in the back, on the beach.”
“Thanks.” Zeke and Tom went around the house, walked down the steps onto the sandy beach, and saw Holidee watching the waves curl with white foam. Zeke and Tom walked up to her.
“Are we intruding?”
Holidee turned and saw Zeke and Tom. She smiled and greeted them.
“Why, not at all. Feeling better, I presume?” Zeke smiled and his eyes twinkled with delight.
“All thanks to you.” He took her hand and kissed the top of it gently. Holidee blushed and turned to face the ocean. Zeke smiled and looked at Tom. Tom smiled back and gave him a thumbs-up.
“What brings you here?”
“Why, you, of course.”
“Why me?”
“Holidee.” Zeke moved closer to her. “You are the reason I am alive. You are the reason I am here.” Holidee turned to face Tom, who had been looking out at the ocean. He had a somber look on his face.
“And what about you, Tom?”
Tom turned his attention on Holidee. “Hm?”
“Why are you here?”
Tom smiled at her and said, “Why, because Zeke would get lost if I hadn’t come, and then I would have had to fetch him again. He’s like a little child. I just happened to get stuck with the babysitting job.”
Zeke shook his head and smiled. Holidee smiled too. Holidee noticed Tom was wearing the same bandana he wore everyday. His bowie knife was attached to his belt, and he always wore a smile on his face when talking to her or Crix. He looked like a rough kid, but he was actually a sweet gentleman.
“Why don’t I go get us some drinks? What would you like?”
“Oh, no. Let me do that. You and Tom get to know each other while I go get them. I’ll be right back.” Zeke left Tom and Holidee alone together on the beach. Tom started to walk along the water. Holidee saw him walking, and ran to his side. She fell in step with him. He looked at her and then back at the ocean.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Holidee asked Tom.
“Yes. I find the ocean to be mysterious…and dangerous.”
“Dangerous? What do you mean by that?”
“It looks so calm on the surface, but below, currents churn. They push and pull anything within its grasp. Yes, the ocean looks harmless from up top. Below, though, is a completely different tide.” Tom smiled. “Kind’ve like some people.”
“People? Who?”
“You.”
Holidee looked at him. “Me?”
“Yes, Miss, you. You seem so gentle and nice, but you are mysterious.”
“But surely my mystery doesn’t consider me dangerous?”
“That is something that I have come here to find out. Are you, Miss Holidee, dangerous?”
Throughout the whole conversation, Tom had not lost his manners. Holidee stopped walking, and Tom did too. She looked into his eyes. “Do you want the truth?”
“The whole truth.”
“For you?”
“No. For Zeke. I must know. It is vital that I know, because Zeke is my brother, who is madly determined to be with you, and I will not stand by and watch him fall for a girl, who is only out to hurt him.”
“Is that what you think? That I want to hurt him?” She continued to walk, but Tom did not follow. She talked loudly enough for him to hear. “Tell me, Tom, how much did you see yesterday, at Zeke’s house?”
“Enough.”
“How much?”
“All of it.”
Holidee closed her eyes. Her back was facing Tom. “And what do you think I was doing?”
Tom looked from Holidee to the ocean. “I’m not quite sure.”
“What if I told you what I was?”
“What? Don’t you mean who?”
“No. What. Would you trust me then?”
“It depends.”
“On what?”
“On what you are.”
“You’ve probably never even heard of them. I never had until my sixteenth birthday. So I’m sure you never have.” Tom looked at her patiently. “If I told you, do you swear not to tell a soul?”
“A soul
? I’m sorry, Miss, but I don’t know any souls.” Tom’s smile disappeared when Holidee turned around, and he saw the sternness on her face. “Yes I swear not to tell anyone.”
“Then I will tell you. Later. Come here tomorrow morning at sunrise. Then, you will find out who and what I really am.”
“I will come then, but only on one condition.”
“And what is that?”
“That Zeke come also.”
“What? No. He can’t know.”
“And why not?”
“Because. I forbid it.”
“Forbid it, Miss? May I ask why?”
“Because, he…I…”
“Because you like him?” Holidee looked Tom in the eyes. “And you’re afraid that he won’t like you if he finds out. I see.” Holidee looked down at the sand. “Fine. He won’t find out…yet. But he has a right to know who…or what the girl he likes is.” Holidee nodded in agreement.
“Tomorrow then.” Tom turned and saw Zeke walking down the steps, carrying three bottles of water. Holidee and Tom turned around and walked toward him. He handed them each a water bottle.
“So, what’d I miss?”
“Nothing, really. We just talked about the ocean.”
“I’m going to, uh, go up to the house. I’ll be back. I just have to use the restroom.” Tom jogged away from the two lovebirds. When he reached the grass, he slowed to a walk. He stopped before the house and looked up at it. It was beautiful. Tom went around the house and sat on the top porch step. There, he took out his knife and the wooden block. He slowly swiped the knife along the wood, making it curl back and fall onto the step. Crix looked out the window and saw Tom carving on the step. He opened the screen door and sat down opposite of him.
“You enjoy carving?”
“Yes. It calms me.”
“Why aren’t you with Zeke and Holidee?”
“I told them I was going to the restroom. I thought they’d want some time by themselves. Don’t you see it in their eyes?”
“Yes. Zeke liked Holidee the moment he laid eyes on her.”
“Which is rare for Zeke. He can’t stand being tied down by a girl. He likes to be free. He didn’t choose his status at school. Kids gave it to him. If he had the choice, he would have been any other guy.”
“So it’s serious.”
“Yeah.”
“He seems like a good kid.”
“He is. Don’t worry. If there’s anyone you could trust with your…Holidee, it’d be Zeke.” Tom kept carving, and Crix watched him with interest. The wood was slowly making a distinguishing shape. Crix looked at Tom. His black hair and tan skin made him look older than he was. Or was it his face? Crix didn’t know. He acted older too. His speech was more mature. His hands were callused all over. Crix thought Oceains were very mysterious, but that was before he met Tom.
“So, why do you wear that everyday, if you don’t mind me asking.”
Tom’s eyes raised to look up to his forehead. “A memory.” It must have been a touchy spot, but Crix prodded the subject more.
“A memory? I don’t understand.” Tom’s carving got a little slower.
“My uncle was in the Vietnam War. This bandana was his. He was like a father to me, because I had none. I’ve worn it everyday after his death.”
“Oh. I’m sor-”
“Don’t. Don’t say you’re sorry. I’ve gotten enough pity in the past to last me a lifetime. The last thing I want is more.” His words were sharp but gentle at the same time.
“And the knife? Was that your uncle’s too?”
“No. He gave it to me as a gift before he died.”
“You must have loved him very much.”
“He was the father I never had.”
“You know, Holidee lost both of her parents in a car crash not even a year ago. She has no other living relatives. That’s why she came down here. She lives with her godmother, who she barely even knows.”
“And you? Are you her guardian?”
“Yeah, but being a girl, she has to live with her godmother, not her guardian.”
“That’s understandable.”
“Yeah.” They sat in silence as Tom carved. Crix didn’t know what it was yet.
“How long have you and Zeke been friends?”
“Since we were kids.”
“And how’d you meet?”
Tom smiled as he thought about it. “School.” Crix smiled too. Tom made one last swipe of his knife and then looked at his finished product. He held it up for Crix to see. Then he tossed it to him. Crix caught it and examined it carefully. It was a whale. It had a fin and a tail and flippers. Its body was straight, instead of curved. It had two big circles near its eyes, and its mouth was slightly open to reveal tiny teeth.
“Wow. This is really good.”
“You like it? Keep it.” Crix looked at Tom.
“But you made it. Surely you want it.”
Tom shrugged. “Nah. I make a ton of sea creatures from wood. That’s not the first whale I’ve made.”
“So why do you carve sea animals?”
“Because I love the ocean.” Tom motioned for the wooden whale, and Crix tossed it back to him. “See how its body is straight and rigid, and its fin is too?” Crix nodded. “Well, there’s an old Indian belief about whales, especially this one.” Tom circled the whale’s eyes with his finger. “The orca was said to be one of the gentlest giants. The only reason it got the name, killer whale, was because it is a great hunter. The Indians knew the power of this whale and respected it. In return, the whale respected the Indians. One owned the water, and one owned the land. The Indians would play their music for the whales, and the whales would jump and sing with them. Life was perfect, until white men came and tried to separate the two. They took the Indians far away from the ocean and whales. Both of their souls weakened, because they were not with each other. The whales were not protected anymore. Men hunted and killed them. The Indians were not free anymore. Men locked them on reservations. To this day the Indians play their music. And to this day the whales continue to sing and dance. That is why the whale dances. For the Indian. And that is why the Indian plays. For the whale.”
“Wow. You really know a lot.”
“Yeah. I love the ocean. It calls to me, if that makes any sense.” Crix looked at Tom. “Whales are amazing creatures. Men invaded their homes, and they have the power and strength to get rid of them, but they choose to leave them alone.” Tom looked down at the carved whale. “You know, my uncle once told me sometime I will never forget when I was younger. He said, ‘Tommy, look out there. What do you see?’ ‘Why, the ocean, Uncle John.’ ‘No, Tommy, you must look closer. That is your friend. Your best friend. No matter what happens, you can rely on the ocean to help you. Go to it when you need comforting or help. It will keep you strong. It will teach you many things. Never be afraid of the ocean, but respect it. Know its power and strength, and feel its gentleness and weakness. Help it and it will help you. Protect it and it will protect you. Tommy, no matter what happens, never forget the ocean. Always go to it. Always. It is your friend. Never forget that. You and it are one.’ ”
Crix looked at Tom with astonishment. Could he be an Oceain and not know it? Impossible. But what if…? Tom looked up to see Crix staring at him.
“You think I’m crazy, don’t you?”
Crix closed his mouth. “No. On the contrary, I think that is remarkable.”
“Really?” Tom looked up into Crix’ eyes. Crix read them. They wanted understanding. They wanted guidance.
“Yeah. Tom, if you ever need anything, don’t be afraid to ask for help. I know you don’t know me that well. You probably don’t trust me, but if there’s ever a time when you need help, and there is no one else around, you can come to me.”
“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.” Tom tossed the whale to Crix. “A gift. So that you will remember my story.” Tom smiled.
“Thanks. I will.” Just then Crix and Tom heard footsteps co
ming from the beach. They looked up and saw Zeke and Holidee walking towards them, laughing.
“Hey, you two. What’re you up to?”
Zeke and Holidee smiled at them. “Nothing. We were wondering what was taking Tom so long in the bathroom.” Holidee looked at Tom. “But now I can see why he didn’t come back to the beach.” She turned to look at Crix. “Crix, why do you have to steal my guests away?” She smiled.
“Tom was teaching me some things. He’s a pretty smart guy.” Tom looked at Crix in disbelief. No adult had given him a compliment before. Holidee then saw the whale in Crix’ hands.
“Wow. Where’d you get that?” Crix looked down at the whale and then back at Holidee.
“Tom made it. Awesome, huh?”
“Yeah! That’s really good, Tom! How’d you do that?”
“Tom’s always carving things,” Zeke said.
“I can carve you something if you like.” Holidee looked at him.
“Could you carve me a sea otter?”
“I can try. It shouldn’t be too hard.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.” Then Tom turned to face Zeke. “We should probably be heading home. Lunch is going to be ready soon, and we don’t want to make your mom worry.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
Tom and Zeke said good-bye and then left. Holidee sat on the step next to Crix. Crix looked at her.
“What’s that?” He pointed to a black leather string tied around her neck with one single pearl hanging from it. Holidee put her hand on it and smiled.
“It was a gift from a clam when I went with Fye in the ocean. She gave it to me to keep.”
“Pretty.”
“Yeah.” Holidee went quiet. She wanted to tell Crix, but she was afraid he would get mad. She didn’t know all of the rules yet. “Crix?”
“Yeah?”
“Can we tell people who aren’t Oceains, about us?” Crix looked at her. “I mean can we show them some of the things we do?” Crix lifted one eyebrow.
“Who did you tell?”
“No one.” Crix shook his head in disbelief and smiled. “I didn’t tell anyone. But I did tell Tom that I would tell him what I was tomorrow morning.”
“Tom? I would have thought you would want to tell Zeke.”
“No. Well, eventually, but not right away. Tom saw the things I did to Zeke to save his life, and he wants answers. I have to tell him. He’s pretty safe to tell. The only reason he wants to know is to protect Zeke. He’s afraid he’ll get hurt.”
“Oh, I see.” Crix looked out over the driveway. “Sure it’s alright, but don’t make it a habit. You can tell Tom and Zeke and that’s it. No one else. I like those boys. They’re trustworthy, but not everyone is. You have to be careful, Holidee. You have to be careful.”
“I will. I promise.” She smiled up at Crix, and Crix put his arm around her shoulders and hugged her. Holidee’s mind drifted. So much had happened in her life in less than a year. Every time something bad had happened, it seemed that nothing good came after it. But Holidee had been blind. She had been so blind. She saw it now. The good that followed. It was so obvious. How could she have missed it? When her parents died, she was sent to live with her godmother, someone who cared for her dearly. She wasn’t sent to an orphanage, like most kids. She thought that no one had seen her at school, but merely looked through her, but, in fact, someone did see her. She just failed to see him. Her biology teacher always said hello to her, no matter what the weather was like. He always said hello. She thought her friends had forgotten her, but she received a birthday card in the mail. When she felt alone and scared, there was always someone there to comfort her. And when she felt unloved, there was someone holding their arms open to her. She had been so very blind. People cared a lot for her. Mer loved her. Crix loved her. Crix. He had watched his best friend die. He had to fill in for him. He had to give up everything in his life for his friend’s dying wish. He never once was caught with a tear in his eye. He always stayed strong for everyone else. He put himself last. He was willing to die. He was willing to give his life for another. He never asked for anything. He always smiled. Through him, Holidee saw her father. Through him, Holidee gained strength. Through him, Holidee saw her path clearly. She saw her path and how easy it could be with the help from the ones who loved her and the ones that she loved. Holidee smiled and put her arms around Crix to return the hug.