by M S C Barnes
“Are Scarlet and Aiden still in there?” he said to Alice as Pace nudged him from behind, the poor beast squashed in the narrow confines of this ancient stairway.
“They’re in the kitchen,” Alice said.
Seb relaxed. He could sneak through and back to the bedroom, undetected. He opened the door, pushing it against the heavy drag of a large tapestry that hung on the wall the other side, hiding it from the view of visitors. But as he entered the room, The Caretaker’s voice called through from the kitchen.
“Seb, Aelfric says you are to eat.”
Seb’s shoulders slumped. “I’m not hungry thanks,” he called back.
“Where have you been?” Scarlet, looking annoyed, suddenly appeared in the archway that separated sitting room from kitchen.
“Upstairs,” Seb lied. He knew if he said about the gytrash on the beach, Scarlet would commence another telling off, and if he said he had been with Aelfric she would question him tirelessly about what they had been doing.
“No you haven’t,” she snapped. I checked. “Where have you really been?” Realising that he was hovering in front of the tapestry she frowned. “You’ve been in The Pytt. What were you doing there?”
“Nothing,” Seb mumbled. “And I’m really not hungry,” he called again to The Caretaker. “I’m going to do my homework.” He stomped off towards the back of the house. He chose not to reveal the wolf to Scarlet knowing that, unless he shone light on him to reveal him to her, she wouldn’t see the animal.
“Aelfric says you are to eat, Seb.” The Caretaker came to stand behind Scarlet. “I’ll bring your tea up on a tray for you.”
Seb nodded gratefully, realising that actually, he was really hungry.
“Well that’s not very sociable,” Scarlet complained.
“Scarlet, I’ve got a heap of homework to do. I want to get it done before we go home for Christmas.” Seb tried to make his escape.
“Oh yeah. Great idea.” Scarlet turned to The Caretaker. “Can we do that too? Can we have tea on a tray? We could all do our homework by the fire,” she suggested.
The Caretaker watched Seb as he stopped and frowned at his sister. “No Scarlet, I’ve already served your tea. Come and eat. You can do your homework by the fire afterwards. Seb, I’ll bring your tray up in a few minutes.”
Seb smiled his gratitude to The Caretaker and went to his room. He still felt gloomy but less so than before and, as Pace settled at the foot of his bed, he decided to take Aelfric’s advice.
“I’m sorry I upset you,” he said to Alice, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Alice zoomed over and sat beside him. “I know things are difficult Seb, but I can help you know.” He smiled.
“I know,” Seb said and then looked at his hands, struggling for the words to start.
“So?” Alice asked. “What’s your problem with me? I know it’s me, because why else would you want to talk to Greg — and Aelfric — without me there?”
“Okay,” Seb said and twisted round to sit facing him. “I am going to talk honestly, but I need you not to get angry.”
“Oh, I’m going to like this then.” Alice looked worried. “Seb, you are making it dramatic. Just spit it out. What is the problem? I want to weave for you but you won’t let me. Do you think I am not capable of doing my job?”
Seb, seeing the hurt expression on Alice’s face, felt dreadful.
“I said it was complicated, but maybe it isn’t.” He thought back to the words he had used when explaining to Aelfric. Taking a deep breath, he said, “I love Nat.”
Alice blinked but said nothing. Seb waited.
“I know that Seb. What’s your point?” Alice said eventually.
“Well I, I didn’t realise. I mean — How do you know?” Seb was stunned.
Alice leant forward, looking serious. “I am your soul twin Seb. Of course I know.”
“You’ve never said anything,” Seb mumbled.
“It’s not my place to say anything. You would have talked to me about it if you wanted to — which you kind of are now I suppose.” Alice smiled.
“I suppose,” Seb said.
Alice waited. When Seb didn’t continue he prodded him. “Well, that’s out in the open now. Still doesn’t explain what your problem is with me.”
Seb frowned. Alice, unlike Aelfric, obviously hadn’t joined the dots. “Alice, you can share the things I see and feel, with Nat,” he said.
Alice nodded. “If you ask me to, yes.”
“Well, I don’t want you to.”
“You don’t want me to because you don’t want to hurt Nat?” Alice asked. Seb nodded. Alice frowned and then to Seb’s surprise he laughed. “Do you know how relieved I am? I was so worried you thought I couldn’t do my job.” He shook his head, “You should have told me!”
“But I thought you would disagree.”
“I do!” Alice suddenly became straight-faced. “Nat is your Sensor. She is supposed to help you deal with all the emotional issues that your role causes you. So not only do you not trust me not to keep your confidence, you don’t trust her. That is so deeply insulting to us both.” He crossed his arms.
Seb looked sad. “I know.” He broke eye contact and hung his head. “I am just so worried about hurting her. And I thought that you might see how much these souls —” he shook his head, “— how much they upset me and then you would try and help and that might mean you would involve her.”
“Seb, I don’t want to hurt Nat any more than you do. She’s wonderful.” Alice gave a shy smile. “But it doesn’t matter what I want and don’t want or whether I agree with you or not. I am proud of my role as Weaver; and that means I will not divulge anything you tell me or show me without you agreeing to it — even if I think Nat could help. I would never betray your confidence. You need to understand that and trust me.”
“I am sorry,” Seb said looking into Alice’s eyes. “It is just that Nat is so sensitive and these awful things I see and feel — she shouldn’t have to ever experience them.”
“Seb, she is your Sensor. That is her job. That is why she is so sensitive, so that she can see and feel the truth through everything that can hide it. But Seb,” Alice put a hand on Seb’s shoulder; there was a slight jolt of static, “I will never, ever, share anything with her that you have not permitted me to. That is my job —” he paused, silver irises sparkling in the light from the multitude of flamers scattered around the room, “— and my promise.”
Going Home
For the first time in months Seb enjoyed a school day that was as close to normal as could be, given that his visual world was filled with creatures from other realities that most of the people around him could not see. The chat with Alice had lifted his biggest fear, that of hurting Nat. He was now confident that Alice would never share any of the visions he saw when reading souls, with her, unless Seb expressly requested it — and he had made his own promise to himself — that he never would request such a thing. So, knowing that he could trust Alice to weave for him, which would make the task of reading souls less distressing, Seb had relaxed.
Later, Seb had apologised to Scarlet and told her he would try harder, which was sufficient to get her off his back with regard to him pulling his weight and so breakfast and the short walk to school that morning, in bright, wintry sunshine, had been pleasant. The day’s lessons were uneventful and unchallenging and the group met each break and during lunch to enjoy casual conversation and even a few laughs.
The only things that marred the perfection of the day were the number of times Seb felt that dull ache in his birthmark — he had counted at least ten — and the fact that Nat seemed slightly unsettled. During their get-togethers she sat close to Seb but was subdued, sad even, Seb thought. He tried to get her to tell him what was on her mind but she simply smiled and said she was just a little tired. She disappeared for fifteen minutes during the lunch break and although she told Seb she had been to the library, he was certain that was not the case.
After school Scarlet almost ran back to the cottage. Having packed her things the night before, ready to go home, she raced to her room and dragged her huge bag down the stairs to sit in the kitchen, waiting for their mum to come and collect them.
Seb was excited too at the prospect of going home. In actuality it was not their ‘home’ they were going to, but rather, rented accommodation while their burnt-out house was being rebuilt. His excitement lay in the the fact that they would be with their mother and brother, Adam. Although Seb loved living in the cottage, he hankered for the normality of family life. They had spent only two weekends away since moving to the cottage, so it was good to anticipate spending the whole of the Christmas holidays as a family.
Joining Scarlet in the kitchen with his own, smaller bag, Seb perched on a stool to wait. Aiden sat beside him chattering excitedly. He had his bag packed too. Having no family of his own, Nat had introduced him to her Aunty Helen, who had taken to the lad so well she asked to have him stay with her for Christmas; and Aiden jumped at the chance.
“Helen is so nice. And her bookshelves are packed,” he said, grinning, “packed with books on Druidism, healing herbs, mystic lore and beliefs and all sorts. She says she is going to teach me to interpret runes during the holidays.”
“Is any of that real stuff though Aiden?” Scarlet asked.
Aiden looked astounded. “Of course it is, Scarlet. Some of the detail may not be quite accurate, but the essence of all this ‘stuff’ is real enough.”
Seb was barely listening. He was watching a couple of fairies sliding down the handle of a spoon into its bowl and jumping out the other side, and feeling strangely sad.
“Dierne says Aelfric and Greg are on their way,” Alice, perching on the kitchen counter beside Seb, suddenly said. He patted Pace as The Caretaker appeared in the doorway and spoke softly.
“Come into the sitting room, Seb. Aelfric needs to see you.”
Curious as to what Aelfric could want, Seb did as he was asked. As he walked into the room, the tapestry on the wall was pushed back and Aelfric entered. Greg followed him. The ashes of last night’s fire had been removed and fresh kindling and wood piled high ready for lighting; the room seemed cold and cheerless to Seb, who felt another twinge of sadness. Greg watched him as he moved towards the fireplace and Pace, padding beside him, gave the slightest whimper.
The Caretaker left them alone, rejoining Aiden and Scarlet, who protested at being told to remain in the kitchen.
Seb was shocked at how tired Aelfric looked. He thought back to the numerous times his birthmark had ached during the day and felt dreadful. Dierne, hovering beside Aelfric, looked stony-faced.
Though there was plenty of room on the other end of the sofa to where Seb took a seat, Greg came and sat right next to him, staring at him so intently, Seb felt uncomfortable.
“Your mother will be here very soon, Seb,” Aelfric said, standing by the fireplace. Seb nodded, waiting, wishing Greg would move up a little. “I really want you to relax and enjoy your family time without worrying about your Custodian responsibilities this weekend,” Aelfric continued. “You are so young and need the time to recuperate.” Seb noticed the dark circles under Aelfric’s eyes and how drawn he looked. When do you recuperate? he thought. “I know you are worried about Monday and The Restoration of Souls. We will travel to the Ancient Place early that afternoon and there will be plenty of time to discuss things then. So for the next two days just enjoy being a thirteen-year-old son and brother.” He smiled. Greg fidgeted. “As we discussed yesterday, I will deal with all matters for now.” Greg shuffled again and made a ‘hem’ sound. Aelfric glanced at him. Turning his eyes back on Seb, he continued. “Pace will stay with you, and so will Alice.” He paused and glanced at Pace, then shook his head as if changing his mind about what he was going to say. “There should be no reason for me to contact you, but if you need, or want, to contact me then let Alice pass the message to Dierne.” Alice, hovering next to Seb, and Dierne beside Aelfric, both nodded. Now Aelfric turned as the sound of a car’s tyres crunched on the gravel outside. “Your mother is here.”
Greg jumped up, “Aelfric, you were going to —” he said, but Aelfric put a hand up to silence him, smiling in understanding.
“Greg, let’s see them off.”
Greg looked concerned. “You can’t do this by—” Again Aelfric silenced him with a wave of his hand. Greg stared open-mouthed at Aelfric.
“Is there a problem?” Seb asked, as there was a knock on the door.
“The only problem, Seb, is that Scarlet is going to start complaining soon that we are holding you all up.” Aelfric smiled.
“Aelfric,” Greg mumbled.
“Greg, could you answer the door to Mrs Thomas please.” Aelfric placed a hand on Pace’s head. The wolf stood up and leant against him, as if asking for a fuss. Seb knew that wasn’t the case though. The wolf, sensing that Aelfric was physically drained from dealing with all the souls lately, and needed energy, was putting more of his own body in contact with him, in order to help him. A squeal of excitement drew Seb’s attention away from them to a small figure, who burst through the door Greg had just opened.
Always exuberant, this was Adam, Seb’s and Scarlet’s five-year-old brother. They had nicknamed him The Tasmanian Devil, or The Taz for short, owing to his frenetic character. He now tore straight over to Seb and threw himself on his lap, placing both arms around his neck and clinging to him.
“Seb, home, you’re coming home!” he shouted excitedly, right into Seb’s ear. “You can read to me and play with me and Santa will be coming too and we can have lots, lots toys for more playing with me.” He gave Seb a huge, wet kiss on his cheek before dropping off his lap. “Where’s Scarlet?”
Then the small boy paused, standing within Pace’s bodily outline — the beast having no substance to the unaware child — and stared up at the tall figure he had just noticed in front of him. For a second he was silent as he considered Aelfric and then, suddenly, he jumped up at him, arms extended. Instantly Aelfric put his hands out, hoisted the boy up and planted him on his hip, laughing.
“Well, hello. Adam, isn’t it?”
“Yes, I’m Adam — A.D.A.M. Adam. Are you a giant? I like you. Are you coming home with us?” He talked rapidly, putting his hands out and placing them on Aelfric’s cheeks. “You might be Santa. I know you don’t look like Santa but I like you. Are you Santa?”
Aelfric laughed again and his eyes sparkled. The tired, drained look had gone and he appeared reinvigorated.
“Not Santa, Adam. I am Aelfric.”
“That’s a funny name.” The Taz screwed his face up. Then he opened his eyes wide. “I’m going to call my Christmas Teddy Elfic. Santa always brings me a teddy for Christmas.” The boy rattled on and Aelfric regarded him with delight.
Seb watched them. Children always seemed drawn to Aelfric and he was so natural and so happy in their presence. But Seb was surprised at Aelfric’s positive reaction to Adam. They both knew that, inside that little boy’s body, was a trespassing soul; one that had ousted the soul that should rightfully have inhabited that body. And the ‘ousted’ soul was actually Seb’s father’s. His soul, as a consequence, had been condemned, for nearly five years, to an existence as a miserable non-being, without form, or physical presence.
Dom had told Seb that, when souls trespassed at birth — which this one had — they remembered nothing of how they returned to the human reality — Soul Amnesia, he called it. It was only if they took over an already occupied, older host, that the trespasser remained aware of what they had done. And the rightful soul also had an awareness of this invasion. It had been that way for poor Ellie Simmons, Seb knew.
So, when Seb and Scarlet had learned the truth about Adam, Aelfric had explained to them that it was essential they treated this boy no differently to how they would have treated him had they remained ignorant of how the soul within him had come to possess the body. In this lifetime, this soul was their
brother. But, in his quieter moments, Seb still pondered that. He knew the wisdom of Aelfric’s advice but he still struggled, occasionally, to put his knowledge aside and behave as though nothing had changed.
Watching Aelfric’s delight and listening to The Taz babbling, he squashed the thoughts out of his mind as Scarlet dashed into the room, followed by Aiden.
“No hug for me then Taz?” Scarlet put her hands on her hips and feigned upset.
Instantly The Taz scrabbled down from Aelfric’s arms and ran to her. “Scarlet, Mummy says you can build a den and we can sleep in it. I’m going to put all my cuddlies in it; we’re building the giantest den in the whole yoonvierse.”
“Un-i-verse,” she corrected him and then, picking him up, laughed. “Okay little man, and maybe we can have a midnight feast in there.”
“Steady on Scarlet,” their mum said, walking through the door Greg was still holding open. “He is only five; he won’t be staying awake until midnight.”
“Aw, Mum.” Scarlet putting The Taz down, hugged their mother.
The Taz immediately transferred his attention to Aiden.
“Aiden. Aiden. Aiden!” His excitement grew. He was behaving as though it were Christmas already and everyone was caught up in the cheerful atmosphere he generated.
“Calm down Adam,” Scarlet said, laughing.
“Is Aiden coming home too?” he asked, wide-eyed.
As Aiden answered and The Taz wailed his disappointment on learning he was going elsewhere, Seb walked over to them. He hugged his mother but, as he did, another pang of sadness hit him. He couldn’t understand it; he had missed her so much and yet, now that she was here, he could barely rally a smile. Greg stepped towards him but didn’t speak.
Noticing how reticent he was, Alice asked him silently, “You okay Seb?”
He forced a smile, nodded and kissed his mother on her cheek.
“Seb,” she said, giving his hand a squeeze. Then she looked at him quizzically, “Are you all right?”