by S D Wile
Amongst the rotting waste emitting the stench of cabbage in the forgotten alleyway sat a large lonely bin. If we were actually going to do this successfully I needed to be as focused and determined as Sonia. I pointed at the small smashed window above the bin which I could easily climb up to, being taller. Using the strength in my arms I pulled myself onto the bin and peered slowly through. The window revealed a filthy boiler room. Carefully I put my hand through the smashed window looking for the handle to open it, except it had been snapped off. Great this was all I needed.
“Pass me the towel,” I whispered. Now, I was impressed by Sonia’s packing except I still couldn’t figure out why she thought she needed to bring a fashion magazine. I covered my hand with the thick towel and used it to push the glass pieces that were around the edge of the window frame out of the way. I then covered the bottom of the frame with the towel. Next I knelt down to give Sonia a hand as she was too short to reach the top. She was heavier than I thought, not that I would ever tell her that. Swiftly I climbed through, relieved to see that the floor wasn’t far from the window. Although the door to the boiler room wasn’t locked, I was petrified to see what was on the other side.
Christian heard the crunching of crushed glass from the back of the building. He hoped it didn’t have anything to do with the strange looking figures that he’d seen, making their way towards the factory. Either way it wasn’t anything that he couldn’t handle so he ignored the sound, thinking if he heard something again he’d pursue it.
Sonia stuck her arm through the tiny gap in the doorway and took a picture with her camera. Even though the flash was off, the light from the street lamps was shining in so we could see that there wasn’t much in the room but a chair and an old fireplace. Surprisingly the room was larger and tidier than I thought it would be.
“Look how clean the fireplace is. There’s even wood in it,” whispered Sonia. Slowly we started to make our way up the stairs, which took us almost three times longer than it had taken us to break in. Every time we heard a creak we froze waiting for a response from the stranger.
Christian had been sitting patiently in the office listening to every sound the strangers had made. Casually he walked to the top of the spiral metal staircase and sat there with a clear view of the second floor including the top of the staircase the trespassers were walking up. He found their pace and whispering quite amusing and realised that they were two curious and suspicious females. Next he saw a skinny hand reaching out, holding a mobile phone. He knew all there was about technological devices as they were constantly made aware of any progress the human race was making. As he was sitting in the dark, he knew he wouldn’t appear on the picture.
“It’s clear! Let’s go but carefully,” I instructed. Again there was another room with a fireplace which must have been in use as it was warmer.
“I think this is his living room. Look! Candles.” Sonia pointed at the small box of used candles which were all different shades of blue.
“I think he likes blue,” I smirked. Suddenly, we were interrupted by the sound of something falling and rolling across the floor above us.
“Sonia, did you hear that?”
“Ssshhh I can hear tapping – someone is trapped!”
“Or chopping something, maybe fingers,” I was desperately controlling the urge to scream and run for my life when I heard a door slam followed by a loud thud at the top of the stairs.
“Oh no. That’s the dead body! It fell!” We both locked eyes and raced down the stairs like maniacs without a care in the world for the amount of noise we were making. I missed out the bottom two steps and leapt towards the front door which both of us rushed to open. We could hear a man singing out of tune, followed by loud footsteps that seemed to be skipping towards the staircase which led to this floor. With an almighty fear pounding in our hearts we yanked the door back and ran through the doorway, into the street. Screams escaped our mouths as we finally gasped for air.
It felt like we’d been running forever when we arrived at Sonia’s car. Quickly we jumped in. Sonia locked the doors and fired up the engine before speeding off around the block. We’d planned not to go back to my house straight away in case we were followed.
“Oh my life, Izzie, he had a dead body.” Panting and on the verge of a nervous breakdown I sat there with my hand on my heart whilst listening to Sonia completely freak out. I was doing the same thing but non-verbally.
“We are so lucky to get out of there alive! We are never going back there!” I shouted. I made Sonia promise. We agreed that we could find our answers from my bedroom window, where it was safe and warm.
Silently, I turned the keys in the front door and managed to sneak back to my bedroom. I’d told Sonia to race off as soon as I got in and text me when she got home. It was such a relief seeing closed curtains blocking the view of the frightening factory, we had just left. I soaked in the warmth of the heating and the softness of my ocean blue fleece blanket. What was even better was that my dad didn’t even notice I’d sneaked out. I changed back into my black-and-red checked pyjamas but decided to wear a black hooded jumper as I couldn’t shake off the chills.
Everything I had worn and taken with me was shoved to the back of my wardrobe as I never wanted to be reminded of that fearful moment again. Half an hour later I received a text from Sonia telling me she was going to take a break from the detective programmes. Also that she had emailed me the photographs she’d taken for us to analyse and discuss, when we next met.
Chapter 15
Cale decided to miss out the savoc, even though he could have done with a meal after building the Room of Rituals alone. Rourkes (soldiers of Orsa) could go days without food depending on how much energy they used. If he’d turned up alone it would have highlighted Christian’s disappearance and Sebastian would not have taken that lightly. As he searched through some of Christian’s belongings he realised his sash was not there. A Rourke could identify the owner of an item from a single touch as it would then flash the image of the owner in their mind.
“Anything I can help with?” Stunned by this unexpected interruption Cale waited a few seconds to compose his expression, before turning around to see a not so familiar face. From his cinnamon skin tone you could tell he was not from these waters. His posture was strong and tall as he stood there waiting for a response.
“Who are…”
“I’m Lameer. You must have seen me around with Sebastian,” he patronised.
“Not really. Are you looking for the savoc?”
“I can find my own way, yet it seems you are lost.”
“My brother seems to have left his sash somewhere here, I was just…”
“That’s interesting. Highly unlikely for Sebastian’s favourite, don’t you think?” Cale chose not to respond and stood there with a straight face, hoping the newcomer would take a hint.
“Well, you know if you lose anything or anyone…”
“What do you mean anyone?”
“It’s just a saying. Like I was saying if you lose something or someone you can always seek Morbidma, the mother of all. Mothers tend to know where their offspring are, even when they least expect it.” He saluted before walking away, taking the air of arrogance with him. As paranoid as this made Cale he knew Lameer had a point.
Although he continued to search through Christian’s belongings he knew it was hopeless. It was as if Christian had just disappeared from Orsa. A confused Cale decided to search within a one-mile radius, hoping to come across his brother’s trail. Wary of being seen, he kept a watchful eye out whilst travelling swiftly searching between every ridge, plain and sediment of basalt for clues.
Just before he started to panic he came across a fragile, silver light emitting itself like a small radio wave within the ocean. Only one weapon could emit such a delicate light – a sash. Cale stood over it with a heavy feeling in his chest, dreading that his suspicions were true. Gently Cale knelt down and placed his forefinger upon the sash, only to see
a vision of his brother swimming through the darkest part of the ocean. He forced his eyes open. He had enough evidence to suggest that Christian was missing and maybe in some sort of trouble. Astonishingly, there wasn’t a clear trail around the sash apart from two angry, cracked footprints. What could this possibly mean? That’s when he caught a glimpse of a slender, scale-less fish with a tadpole-shaped body – a snail fish. They weren’t very common around this part of the ocean but Cale knew that if he could find more, they would lead him to his destination: Morbidma.
It wasn’t long before he saw another snail fish, which he followed, only to find more. Eventually, Cale found himself down in the abyssal depths. An unfamiliar murmur distracted him from the snail fish. It started to become so subtle that he had to concentrate to listen to it when a tingling sensation rose through his skin. Next his surroundings started to vibrate, releasing a humming sound as if everything in that area was magically communicating. Amongst the coral and marine plants numerous minute creatures coexisted in extremely high temperatures. He saw a blue light shining from a turquoise coloured space in the ground. The closer he moved, the higher the light rose from the ground. Facing him was a cloud-like mist. Slowly, the edge of the mist started to disperse forming hair-like edges which swayed aggressively, shining gold and silver. Its light was almost blinding, forcing Cale to take a step back and cover his eyes. A few seconds later he heard a warm, female voice in his mind telling him to open his eyes.
Staring directly at him was a life-force. Yet not one that appeared physical, more like one partly dissolved in the ocean, swaying like chiffon in a breeze. There were no legs, just a light which seemed to disappear into the ground. As his eyes moved upwards he could see a mesmerising, angelic face that somehow expressed an age-old wisdom. It was almost as if she’d found him. Being in the presence of Morbidma was captivating. A rare and unique beauty consumed her, almost making Cale forget his purpose. He just wanted to stand there in awe forever. It was hard to believe that she used to be an elder, a physical being.
“Be wary of your choices Cale as you have no idea of what may pass, whilst you delve into your distraction.” Although her voice sounded surreal as it entered his mind, it was impossible to tell when she spoke each word as her lips did not move. Her locks weaved in and out of each other, shining bright gold or silver before going transparent. Impatiently, Morbidma repeated herself, helpless in dulling down her appearance.
“My sincerest apologies Mother.”
“You have been brought here by your unsettled mind,” she informed Cale. Overwhelmed by her sheer presence he found himself doubting his visit, wondering if he should be making such serious accusations. What if Christian had actually returned whilst he’d been here? Morbidma was forbidden to express any opinions or even speak of what she knew, unless she was simply answering a question asked by a Child of Orsa.
“Ask only once, as when we have spoken it becomes a moment in time and is never replaced.” This time Cale managed to concentrate as he knew that once this moment was over he would have missed his chance to ask. It was now or never.
“Where has Christian, Son of Orsa, been since the beginning of this day?” His heart was shaking with each beat like a locked cage desperate to keep in the turmoil that was dying to burst out if his suspicions were true.
“Neither here nor there,
As his mind now cares,
For the one who unknowingly dares
They coexist as a true pair
Above Orsa he prepares.”
Suddenly he felt the weight of the ocean paralyse him, crippling his mind from thinking. He couldn’t even blink. Did he have the strength to react? Afraid to move, he knew that if he broke free so would the dangerous levels of outrage and fury. Bitterly, Cale looked up with his fists curled and a violent fire burning through him, only to see a blanket of darkness around him. Not a single sign of her presence existed. Even all the miniature sea creatures had disappeared.
A short distance behind Cale was a large cluster of rocks. Lying casually between them, pleased by Morbidma’s telling, was Lameer...
What should I do first? How should I deal with this? Deep down Cale wanted to go after Christian and drag his insane brother back to Orsa in the hope that he’d be able to remind him of the consequences of the path he’d chosen. However, Cale was well aware of the fact that it was too late, for Christian had gone too far. He’d broken the numbers, betrayed his people and left his brother’s reputation in ruins.
Sebastian had questioned Christian’s absence on a few occasions. Now that Cale knew the answers he knew he’d have to tell the elder everything, otherwise the elders would apply their own methods for seeking the truth. All it required was Cale to stand directly in front of an elder with his eyes closed whilst the elder stared piercingly through his eyelids. It was known that when a Child of Orsa closed their eyes, naturally their most alarming thoughts would rise to the surface which was the layer the elders were able to see. We called this gift ‘the sight’ and it could only be achieved after five hundred years of true devotion to the numbers.
Cale hurried back to where he had started, hoping to somehow see Christian carrying on like normal. Getting back didn’t take long. As soon as Cale arrived at Christian’s dwelling he found himself facing someone he was not ready to see. Standing tall with his square-jaw clenched, feet firmly in the ground, was Sebastian. He looked how Cale felt when he’d found out what his brother had done. Looking wildly infuriated he continued to stare, standing still with the waters radiating his hysteria. As Cale drew even closer, to his horror he saw Lameer who cunningly stepped out from behind Sebastian. Suddenly everything made sense! Somehow Lameer must have known something wasn’t right and followed him. Lameer wanted to get to Sebastian first and gain his trust so that he wouldn’t be the stranger anymore. I wonder what havoc he must have created in his own waters before bringing his venom here thought Cale.
“How loyal you have been, for brotherhood is such a precious bond.” Cale sensed the bitter undertone in Sebastian’s voice like a blade slowly running down his spine.
“My loyalties are to you and your teachings, to Orsa!”
“So you’re here due to your loyalties to Orsa? Not because you are tempted, just like your brother. Except you don’t have the courage to betray us?”
“NO!” Cale shouted.
“Poison has already started to spread and your brother is the root of it all!” Lameer spat. Even though Cale hated what Christian had done he couldn’t believe that someone as calculating as Lameer was judging him. After another smug grin from him, Cale found his patience becoming non-existent. Like a ferocious predator Cale leapt towards Lameer only to feel the hit of a thousand bricks catapult into his chest, slamming him onto the ocean bed. After blacking out for a minute, Cale went to rise again but was overwhelmed by the sheer force upon him. When he focused he realised why. Sebastian was towering over him.
“Calm your temper! Do you now understand how it feels when someone attacks you? When someone betrays you?”
“I do understand, as I too am a Son of Orsa. Christian has betrayed me as well; I am on your side!” Sebastian summoned Cale to stand in front of him.
“Close your eyes…”
Chapter 16
For the first time I actually felt less nervous than usual at college, probably because I was in my favourite place, the library. Here no one could raise their voice and start hurling abuse over silly things. Furthermore, there was minimal opportunity for people to spread rumours. Being surrounded by what felt like a never-ending rainbow of knowledge was like endless presents on my birthday. Thankfully this was the last place I’d see Jenny Summers, unless she was desperately behind in her studies. Even then I expect she’d make one of her minions visit the library instead. Regardless of how pathetic she seemed she must have been doing something right, to have so many friends. Whatever it was I never really saw it.
Sonia had gone to buy some coffee from the canteen five minutes
ago, so I decided to wander amongst the tall bookshelves looking for inspiration. Fine art was one of my favourite sections as I was always intrigued by the way a painting could evoke such acute emotions and raise so many questions.
Startled by Sonia’s voice, I dropped a book. After a loud thump, I started giggling as I knew any minute we’d be told off by a librarian. A second later came a rather annoyed ‘shush’ from goodness knows where but this didn’t help as it only provoked my crazy friend to pass the ‘shush’ on as if it wasn’t her who disturbed the peace in the beginning.
“Gosh, some people are so loud,” she whispered. However, the sight of a familiar face, with short dark hair and ocean-blue eyes, stopped me in my trail of giggles. He was broader than I remembered and this time he was wearing a long-sleeved navy top outlining his lean muscular physique.
“This is Christian. Christian meet Izzie, my amazing friend.” I stared hard at Sonia hoping to transfer the words ‘why is he here?’ into her mind but was unsuccessful as she continued to smile gormlessly at me.
“Christian’s new and he wasn’t sure about where the library was so I thought he could come with us and we could show him the ins and outs.” I was sure he was more than capable of finding his way around as he seemed to know more than he let on. So far he’d seen me in a fight with Jenny, heard all the rumours, chatted up the college staff and eavesdropped on my conversation with the college mentor. He knew more than Sonia and he’d only been here five minutes. I wondered what he was up to as I was starting to feel quite over protective of my gullible friend.
Christian handed me my coffee and I noticed he’d been carrying the cups, as Sonia’s hands were full with bags and a cinnamon swirl. I politely accepted it yet couldn’t help but notice the dark leather jacket draped over his arm. It looked ever so familiar. Just then Sonia started coughing and asked Christian to kindly bring her a glass of water from the water cooler which sat at the library entrance.