by Mia Castile
“You look lovely, Ellie.” She smiled at me.
“Thank you. So do you.” I grinned back.
“Are we ready to go to lunch then?” she continued as if nothing was wrong while she walked over to Zeke and put her arm through his. He gave her a tight smile and nodded yes. They led the way, as Ben and I followed to her car.
We went to a café that had outside seating. It was an old building with a riverfront view. The day was beautiful, the temperature was even, and a soft breeze blew off the water. We sat under an umbrella at a cast-iron patio table. As I looked at the sky, I noticed that there were more black birds this season than I had noticed before. They were everywhere, perched in a line on the roof of the deli. No one else seemed to notice it, but I was a little concerned. I wondered now if every animal I saw was a member of a Generation—good or bad. I wondered if every animal I saw was Sam. We kept the conversation light. There wasn’t that much we could discuss in public, but we tried to make conversation anyway.
“Are you excited about graduating, sweetie?” Hanna asked, as she cut her salad.
“I am, but I’m nervous, too,” Zeke answered.
“I was going to wait, but I can’t,” Hanna said.
“Can’t wait for what?” He looked from me to Ben. We were just as lost as he was.
“For your graduation present, given the new circumstances, this is a little awkward, but I feel that tradition has its place. I wish you boys knew the man your father was. He was a beautiful soul before he became what he is now. I see the good of him in you both every day. You give me the strength to go on. Here.” She placed a small square box with a simple bow tied around it on the table in front of him. He pulled the ribbon and opened the box. There was an old white-gold pocket watch. He opened it and engraved on the inside was
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
-Robert Frost
“Your father’s grandfather gave it to your grandfather, his firstborn son, when he graduated from high school. He passed it to your father, his firstborn son, when he graduated from high school, and it is rightfully yours. You can continue the tradition and give it to your firstborn son when he graduates from high school.” Hanna choked back a tear, and she continued, “If you push this. . .” She pressed one of the little knobs, and it played “Cannon in D” in a little music box tune. We all smiled.
“Thank you, Mom. This is a very special gift. I love it.” He hugged her. He passed it around, and we admired it. Then he put it into his pocket. We finished eating. We made the trip to his school in silence—maybe because we were finally digesting what the coming weeks held for us. What would it take to defeat The Noctem? Would Sam have to die to conquer it? Could Hanna lose him again? Those were the questions that kept repeating in the back of my head. I wondered if Zeke and Ben had the same questions.
We arrived at the school. It was a large campus, and the ceremony was outside. We found our seats, and Zeke went behind the platform and found his place in line. As I surveyed the audience, I saw my two “friends” from the party at Parker’s house sitting near the front. They seemed to spot me at the same time I saw them. They cut me evil looks and turned back around.
“You’ve made friends,” Ben whispered in my ear.
“You noticed that, huh?” I smirked back to him.
“Yeah, it’s going to suck next year when you see them every day. You should try to make nice.” He nodded in their direction.
“What are you talking about? Are they going to go to my school? Ugh.”
“No, you’re going to school with me next year. We have a legacy to uphold. All our parents graduated from this school. You have to come here with me.”
“Did you forget that I can’t afford this school? Besides I have friends at my school.” I knew I was lying about the last part.
“My mom said she wanted to pay for you, and besides how many of your friends will be joining you in the girl’s room for lunch? I’m on to you, Ellie Solomon,” he grinned confidently. I felt my face turning red.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” In an exaggerated huff I turned just as Pomp and Circumstance began. He chuckled and put his arm around my chair. The graduates came down the aisles and found their places on the platform. The principal greeted everyone. The salutatorian gave his speech on following dreams. The valedictorian gave her speech on how they would change the world. The mayor gave the inspirational speech. He spoke of his memories of going to this school. And he told them the sky was the limit of possibilities. Finally they called the names of the students. When Zeke was called, we stood and clapped. A lot of people stood and clapped. He was respected and popular in his school. I was proud of him, and Hanna glowed with pride. I reached across Ben and squeezed her hand; she turned and smiled at me. After the last name was called, the principal introduced the graduating class. Everyone stood and clapped. Afterward the graduates found their families and Zeke tried to make his way to us. He kept getting stopped and congratulated. Finally he motioned for me to come to him, so I did. I hugged him, congratulating him. He kissed the top of my head. He held my hand as we made our way back to his mother. Ben had wandered off himself. He must have found friends. The principal came over to where we stood talking with some of his teammates.
“Zeke Matthews, congratulations. It’s been a pleasure having you in our school these past four years.” He looked younger than he had on the platform. His salt and pepper hair was darker than it had appeared. His face was wrinkled from both smiling and frowning. I imagined him being stern most of the time. His suit was definitely expensive. “Is this Miss Solomon of whom I’ve heard so much?” He extended his hand to me and I shook it.
“Yes, Mr. Stevenson. This is Ellie,” Zeke said with pride.
“I look forward to your attendance next year,” he smiled warmly.
“Thank you,” was all I could say. I didn’t know how I felt about my future being planned without even being consulted. Zeke must have read my mind. He excused us as we tried to make our way to where Hanna stood talking with some other parents.
“My mom has been seeking the counsel of the Elders and other Generations for the past few weeks. They’ve been discussing you and Gideon a lot too,” Zeke whispered as we made our way through the crowd. “A large number of Generations have attended this school over the years. They come from all over the country to attend here. It’s almost like a secret society or fraternity. You’d be surprised at the people in history and in influential positions now that are Generations. They want to keep you close so they can keep an eye on you and protect you.” I didn’t say anything; I didn’t know what to say. We finally made it over to Hanna, and she hugged Zeke.
“Congratulations, sweetie. Have I told you how proud I am of you?” she smiled.
“Only twenty times, Mom. I’m glad I’ve made you proud,” Zeke smiled. Just then all the blackbirds that had been perched in the surrounding trees took flight. It was all at once like something had scared them. They flew north in one motion and then as if they had one mind, they changed directions and flew east. Everyone stopped mid-sentence and looked to the sky. Zeke didn’t take his eyes off his mother’s. They didn’t look to the sky.
“Find your brother,” Hanna said calmly. Zeke let go of my hand, turned, and disappeared back into the crowd. “Let’s go get the car.” Hanna led the way to the parking lot. My phone rang. It was Gideon.
“Hello?”
“Hey, can you come home? I know we were supposed to have dinner with Nancy tomorrow, but she’s on her way here now. Something has come up for tomorrow. She wants to go ahead and do the evaluation.”
“Yeah, the ceremony is over. We were heading out anyway. I’ll be there soon.” I hung up the phone. It wasn’t like Nancy to change plans like that. Zeke and Ben met us at the car, and we all climbed in. Zeke drove, and Ben and I sat in the back.
“Did you see t
hose birds?” Ben said under his breath.
“I did,” I said.
“I bet it was my psycho dad,” he continued as he looked ahead at the street in front of us.
“Ben, if it was Dad, he’s bolder than we thought. School is blessed ground and a sacred, safe place. He can’t step foot on it.” Zeke kept his eyes on the road.
“If he was there, he didn’t step foot on it; he was in the trees,” Ben stated flatly.
“This just means we have to begin the training. Gideon and Ellie have a lot to learn in a short amount of time. You boys and the twins have been lucky. John, Mary, and I have been able to train you. You’re already skilled warriors.” Hanna gazed out the side window. We made it to my apartment, and Zeke walked me to the door. I kissed him goodbye on his cheek, and he promised to call me later.
Chapter 24
As I opened the door to our apartment, I heard laughter. It was Gideon and Nancy.
“Ellie. Hi, darling.” She stood greeted me with a smile as I made it to the landing.
“Hi-ya, Nancy.” I hugged her.
“You look lovely, dear; Gideon was just telling me how well you two are settling in. He was also telling me a little about Zeke.” She sat back down at the table with Gideon. I joined them and she continued, “The apartment looks great. I loved the miss-matching matching you’ve done. How are the finances?” She turned to Gideon.
“It’s tight, but we have been able to save a little, too.” Gideon reached for a few books and pulled out a ledger he’d been keeping our finances in. Nancy went over the paperwork.
“This looks good, Gideon. Ellie, how were your final grades?” She turned back to me.
“A’s and B’s. I have a part time job too. I’m able to help with the finances a little.” I felt like I was in the principal’s office.
“Relax, sweetie, I’m on your side. Tell me about Zeke. How serious are you two?” She was always to the point.
“Zeke is amazing. He graduated today. His soccer team just won the state championship. He’s very focused on the future.” I was trying to be careful in my wording.
“That’s impressive. He sounds serious, but this is your very first boyfriend. I don’t want you to rush into anything. Don’t let him pressure you to do things that aren’t in your character.”
“Nancy, what are you talking about?” I couldn’t believe how bold she was.
“I’m talking about drinking, drugs, sex. I told you yesterday, that you seem different. You have a confidence and a maturity now; look at how you’re dressing. So sophisticated. How did you afford a dress like that and the one you wore yesterday?” Gideon looked questioningly at her interrogation also.
“Nancy, Zeke doesn’t do drugs, or drink, and he’s not pressuring me to have sex. This is his first relationship too. We’re taking it slow. He gets good grades, and he is as straight-laced as they come. As to my dresses, this one is borrowed from a friend, and I bought the one from yesterday at a thrift shop. You’ve seen me at special occasions yesterday and today. Trust me. I’m still sportin’ my jeans and tees,” I laughed. “I thought confidence was a good quality. I’m finally comfortable enough in my skin to make friends and have a boyfriend. Living on our own is a huge responsibility that we take seriously. Maybe that is the maturity you now see.” I felt like I was on trial.
“Those are the right answers.” She paused. “Sorry about that. I had to test you. I needed to make sure you weren’t losing your head in this relationship. You still have your goals; that is good. You two are very important to me. I care deeply about you and want you to succeed.” She reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “My next visit will be a surprise too. I’m sorry I had to lie to you. I needed to come with short notice to make sure your living conditions are what they should be. Gideon gave me a tour before you got here, Ellie. You are doing a good job. You’ve got a nice little home here. I want you to continue to be cautious. I’m not too pleased with this area, but I know it’s what you can afford.” She stood and we followed. We hugged and Gideon walked her to the entrance of the building. When he came back upstairs, he had a look of relief on his face.
“I guess it’s a good thing I deep-cleaned the apartment and did laundry today, huh?” he smiled.
“Yes, it is. I didn’t recognize her with all those questions. She usually trusts our judgment,” I sighed, as I picked up her glass and took it to the sink.
“She still has to give unbiased reports to the court. No matter how she feels about us, I guess. Like she said, she was testing you to see where your head is.” He picked up his books and took them back to his room. “She really liked the place though. We went out on the roof. She liked the view.” He spoke from his room but I didn’t answer him. There was my raven perched on the ledge of the roof, looking right at me, almost through me. When I didn’t answer, Gideon came back to the kitchen. When he saw me staring out the window he came over to see what held my attention. The bird’s eyes began to glow a deep red color.
“Open the door, Ellie,” he whispered barely moving his lips. The raven’s head twitched from his direction to mine. I walked over to the door, then turned to look at him. Like a flash, a blinding shockwave of light emanated from Gideon. I shielded my eyes. Just as fast, the light faded and there hovered a falcon. His clothes were in a pile on the floor beside the table where he had been. He flew out the door. “Stay inside, no matter what happens.” He cawed to me with the bird’s voice. I’d never heard anything like it. As soon as the raven saw him coming it dove off the ledge. He flew fast after it, diving off the roof, too. I ran out to the ledge where they had been. Gideon flew over the raven and dove down with his claws and grabbed it around the neck. It squawked and flapped its wings trying to free itself. He flew high into the sky, higher than the tallest building and the raven stopped fluttering. Then Gideon nose-dived down, and flung the bird as reached his top speed. It crashed into a brick building leaving a spot of blood where its head hit. It fell to the sidewalk below. Gideon flew back into the apartment and I ran after him and shut the door behind me. He flew to his room and I followed.
“Stay out,” he cawed.
I stopped. There was another bright flash of white light. A few minutes later Gideon emerged in a pair of gym shorts. “You didn’t stay inside,” he snapped.
“I wanted to make sure you were all right.” I defended myself.
“What if there was something that could have gotten you?”
“Like what?” I needed to calm him down.
“I don’t know anything. Ellie, we have no idea what we are doing. I can’t let anything happen to you. I’d never forgive myself.” He shook his head as he walked over and picked up his clothes. He turned his back and returned to his room.
“Gid, I’m all right,” I called after him.
“I know. I’ll just be glad when this all makes sense.” I followed him to his room and lay across the foot of his bed as he began to sort through his bag of laundry.
“Did you know Hanna wants me to go to school with Ben next year? She wants to pay for it.”
“Yes. Zeke asked me a few days ago. I think it will be a good idea.” He didn’t look up from his sorting.
“Why didn’t you tell me? I should have a choice in decisions about my future. I don’t want things decided for me.”
“Because I knew you’d act like this. I was going to suggest it in a few weeks and see how it went from there.” He smiled at me now.
“How am I acting? All I’m saying is I should be consulted.” I rolled my eyes at him.
“You don’t have anyone left at our school; at least you’ll have Ben. What’s going on with him anyway? Does he like you too? That’s the vibe I get from him,” Gideon observed.
“I don’t have anyone at our school, but I wanted to graduate where you did. I thought that was the plan. Ben and I are friends. He liked me for a minute, but I think he’s over it now.”