by Amanda McGee
“Are we going to die?” I asked.
“Not if I have anything to do with it.”
“How can you be so confident?”
“Alex, we have time to find you a way home. Now, stop worrying so much before you faint again and hurt yourself. Maybe I should stay nearby in case you need me to catch you.”
Perfect.
Everything about him was perfect. He was gorgeous and kindhearted. He said the right things and seemed to mean every word. I would have felt self-conscious were I not wholly consumed by every perfect part of him.
The harsh reality of our situation formed a knot in my stomach. The ugly truth was that he wasn't perfect. My heart began to break at the recognition of his one flaw—he could never be a part of my world.
There was no possible future that would end with both of us together and happy or alive.
He leaned closer to me, positioning his face mere inches from mine. For a split second, I let his eyes gaze deeply into mine. I imagined that the impossible was possible and allowed myself to hope he would kiss me. But not every story had a happy ending.
Our moment was over.
“I should go lie down,” I said.
“I’ll show you to the guest room,” he said curtly.
Aside from the fact that he sounded like a proper hotel concierge, the disappointment in his voice was impossible to ignore. And I agreed with him completely.
Tristan led me down the hall, still supporting me even though I could not have been more alert. Entering the last bedroom on the left, I was once again taken aback.
The ceiling was vaulted and two doors on the far wall overlooked the portion of the patio I was unable to see due to my black out. In the center of the room rested a majestic four-post bed that must have been built for royalty. Pillows of varying sizes, decorated the top of the bed while the rest was draped in a plush, lavender lace down comforter.
“This is quite a girly room,” I said. “Is it yours?”
“Oh, a sense of humor! For your information madam, my mother decorated this room. She said I may have a guest one day and they deserve the utmost level of luxury.”
“Well, thanks Tristan’s mom. It’s lovely.”
Ugh, lovely again. Where’s a thesaurus when you need one?
“Stephanie. My mother’s name is Stephanie and she would have loved to have met you.”
“I know without a doubt that it would have been an honor to meet her.”
The second Tristan left the room I missed him. An ache appeared in my chest, and then faded to an overwhelming sense of emptiness. Crawling into the lavish bed, I knew that its magnificent coziness would be wasted on me.
Exhaustion coupled with the unexpected loneliness of not being by Tristan’s side fostered tossing and turning. Granted, it was only 8:00 p.m. but I had lost track of the last time I had a good night’s sleep.
My mind teetered between Tristan and Haliwick. I chose the least complicated topic and began to wonder about the world holding us prisoner.
Where did the sun go? Is this realm like Earth—a sphere of magical communities or is it just a part of Earth that humans just cannot not see?
I was too drained to decide if my questions had merit. I twisted around once again, unconsciously cocooning myself in the comforter. I fought to free myself from the too warm bedspread. Finally, I managed to liberate one foot, then the other. I felt cooler immediately.
The subtle light from the patio illuminated the room in a soft glow. I noticed a door at the wall across from the foot of the bed; I figured it was a bathroom though I couldn’t be sure. Beside the door rested a huge eight-drawer dresser stained a rich, dark cherry shade. A large mirror hung over the top of the dresser reflecting most of my side of the room and another mirror rested on the floor next to what I assumed to be the closet.
I suddenly felt insecure and under dressed. I was only sleeping in the room, yet I felt as if I should be wearing silk pajamas at least.
Voices coming from the patio turned my attention outside. The others were awake, too.
Tip-toeing my way across the bedroom, I peeked around the elaborate three-layer curtain. Through one of the door’s twenty individually glassed panes, I saw Sadie, Blaze, and Tristan scattered about the patio on various types of furniture, which I was willing to bet Tristan constructed himself.
The three of them interacted as old friends. There was no more skepticism and they were no longer strangers. Watching the people I hardly knew, yet loved just the same, connect with one another brought a real smile to face.
So real, in fact, that I felt slightly wicked for spying on them.
I abandoned my eavesdropping, got back in bed, and allowed them to continue their bonding. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I felt like a different person in a different bed. The pillow was softer, the comforter was cozier, and my body was relaxed.
The tension and exhaustion eased and my eyelids grew heavier.
There was no panic or urgency despite evidence that maybe there should be. Serenity engulfed me. I gave in and slept.
****
Chapter Twelve
My body shook with a gentle, yet unexpected, wobble. The mattress bounced feebly under the weight of the disturbance.
Without opening my eyes, I knew that Sadie was the cause of the commotion. I feigned sleep, waiting for the anger of being awoken to present itself. It did not come.
“Alex, wake up.”
Under normal circumstances I would have been filled with rage at whomever or whatever dared to drag me from dreamland. Sadie, it seemed, could get away with it.
It was nearly impossible to be upset with my newfound sister, especially one as bubbly and inspiring as she.
My eyes opened to a subtle squint, just enough to see Sadie who was, in fact, perched on her boney knees next to me in all her upbeat glory.
“How is it morning already?” I asked groggily.
“You’ve been sleeping for over fourteen hours!” Sadie said.
“Impossible.”
One night in a supernatural world that wanted me dead and I slept so hard I wondered if it could be considered a temporary coma.
I often envied those who could sleep in on weekends or holiday breaks. My internal clock never allowed for more than eight hours of consecutive slumber, even when fighting a cold. The cold medicine was not enough to keep me out for very long, it only added to my exhaustion and forced me to act stranger than usual.
Mom and Kate always had too much fun at my expense on those occasions. I pretended to be offended but, really, I was far too out of my head to care.
“Oh, it’s possible,” Sadie said. “Now get up. Tristan is taking us to meet our grandpa!”
Sadie gently shook me and the bed again, though neither seemed too keen on being moved.
“Come on! How often do you get dropped into an alternate realm and get to meet a grandparent that you never knew existed?”
“How are you always so—awake?”
Though my excitement was not as apparent as Sadie’s I was interested to meet him and relieved to meet someone who could help us. As for my curiosity to explore the strange world, it came with a pinch of uneasiness. It seemed to me that magic was one bad thing after the other so forgive me if skipping out into the Land of Magic did not get me keyed up.
“Where did you get those clothes?” I asked, finally opening my eyes.
“Tristan. Yours are on the dresser.”
I waited until the door shut behind her before I peeled myself out of bed. Reluctantly, I examined the carefully folded stack of clothing left for me, expecting oversized boy clothes. To my surprise, each item was of the female variety and fit perfectly. The coral top felt like cotton candy on my skin and the jeans hugged my hips like they had been tailor-made for me. Finding pants to fit me at home was a chore since it seemed five-foot-eight was too tall for regular length and too short for tall length, yet Tristan just happened to have some tucked away in a closet.
Before
I could begin to overanalyze why Tristan had lady clothes or the fact that my paranormal crush had just provided me with fresh underwear, I pushed the brakes and brushed my teeth instead.
It’s a supernatural world. Anything is possible.
Following the sound of their voices, I crept down the hallway. The three of them gleefully congregated in the kitchen.
Gleefully, yes, but it was clear that Blaze worked hard to ensure no part of him appeared jovial. Perhaps he was far too enormous to ever look happy. His stature was always more standoffish. Sadie could pull off bubbly because she was petite and refined. Blaze towered above us all with more muscles than I knew existed in the human body. Maybe it was impossible for him to look anything but intimidating.
“Morning,” I said. “Well, I’m ready. Where are we going?”
“Don’t you want some breakfast first?” Tristan asked.
“Yeah, Alex,” Sadie said. “They have food like ours. It just tastes a million times better!”
“They don’t have electrical cords but they have grits,” Blaze quipped.
“Why is that so strange?” Tristan asked. “Its just grain.”
Each of them had finished their eggs and toast. Blaze and Tristan lingered near the stove sipping coffee like old friends who weren’t in the middle of a life-or-death situation. Sadie sat as patiently as she could on a stool at the counter; squirming more often than not, ready to get moving. Tristan uncovered an extra plate of food that had been reserved for me. If the possible trouble the day ahead could bring wasn’t enough to cause me anxiety, Tristan early in the morning with a plate of home cooked food certainly was.
I resisted the virtually overpowering craving to pour myself a cup of coffee. Its intoxicating aroma teased me, practically laughing at my half-hearted resolve. I examined my trembling hands. Haliwick and Tristan were enough of a jolt.
“Thank you,” I said. “Just toast and OJ is enough for now.”
“So guys, I want to take you to meet a friend of mine,” Tristan said. “Who also happens to be related to you, which I still cannot believe. I predict he will be a great deal more help to you than I can be.”
I scarfed down my piece of toast with minimal grace or manners. A large swig of orange juice was all that kept me from choking and I pretended it was an acceptable coffee substitute. It wasn’t.
“Well then, let’s go,” I said, pretending to be in control.
“No sense in hanging out when we could die any minute,” Blaze said as we began our trek.
"Not funny, Blaze!" Sadie exclaimed.
I must admit, despite the fact that Haliwick would probably be the death of us, it was rather eye-catching. Every inch seemed untouched and pure. Our world resembled a hazy mess in comparison.
“Does everyone have a garden here?” I asked. “Each house we’ve passed has had one.”
“We choose a more natural way of life here. We prefer to live off the land while appreciating its beauty and ensuring conservation.”
“You should work for Greenpeace,” Sadie said.
“What is Greenpeace?” Tristan asked.
“An organization that works to preserve our planet. I forget that you don’t know things like that.”
It was rather obvious that the citizens of Haliwick knew the value of preserving their environment. They took pride in the natural beauty that flowed down every street and around every corner. Every home was either secluded within picturesque forests or scattered amongst wide-open meadows like an Irish countryside.
Tristan had been here all of his twenty-one years and known nothing else. Still, his face lit up as he gazed at the setting like it was new to him also.
There were no skyscrapers or cars honking, in fact I had yet to see any cars at all. I didn’t imagine I would. Their way of life was similar to the existence I was accustomed to in Knox. It was refreshing to discover another culture that focused more on living rather than on how much and how fast.
“In the winter, everything is white,” Tristan said, noticing our looks of awe. “The gently falling snow forms a blanket on our already peaceful town. It is a wondrous sight.”
“I can’t imagine anything more beautiful,” I said. “Everything about this is like a dream.”
Sadie and even Blaze nodded in agreement.
“Where are all the people?” Sadie asked. “I figured we’d meet at least one person along the way.”
“It’s not unusual,” Tristan said. “There aren’t that many of us so it’s easy to be invisible if you want. Adults have jobs. Children have school or play dates.”
“Your world isn’t all that different from ours,” Sadie said. “Aside from the fact that it can kill us just by being here.”
“We are an extension of your world,” Tristan said. “It’s not unlikely that our cultures would have similarities.”
“Wow!” Sadie exclaimed.
All of our attention focused in the direction of her stare. In the distance, atop a hill, rested a stunning mansion quite diverse from the homes we had seen along the way. Its gray stone walls towered above the well-manicured landscape without diminishing the intrinsic splendor of its surroundings. Two rows of oversized windows ornamented much of the façade and continued around each side. Despite its grandiose dimensions, the property emitted a warmth that practically begged you to come inside.
As we ascended the long cobblestone driveway, the door opened. The four granite columns that appeared to stand guard over the front of the house made me feel like a small child, cowering in the presence of a giant tree that I must climb. In the entrance stood an older man who offered us a tender smile and a delicate “Hello.”
“Good morning, James,” Tristan said. “This is Alex, Sadie, and Blaze.”
“Our visitors, eh?” James responded. “What’s your business here?”
“James, they are Rachel’s children.”
The old man inhaled deeply. Tears filled his eyes and his trembling hands struggled to wipe them away.
“Good heavens,” James said. “Please, please come inside.”
Leading us into the foyer, James’ eyes revealed the enthusiasm that his slow-moving body could not convey.
“Riley! Come here please!” James shouted.
A young woman, who looked to be about Blaze and Tristan’s age, exited a room to our left. She walked with more elegance than I could ever pretend to have. Her auburn hair was pulled into a loose ponytail and she wore no makeup. She did not need it. She was beautiful. Sporting a pair of dark denim shorts that cuffed just above her knee, a peach sleeveless button-down shirt with small navy blue polka dots, brown oxfords, and a fedora.
I don’t think I had ever paid anyone so much attention. My self-esteem took an immediate nosedive.
“Tristan!” she exclaimed.
The two embraced and I felt a knot form in my stomach. The land wasn’t the only thing breathtaking in Haliwick—the people were as well.
That’s enough, snap out of it!
“Riley, these are my grandchildren,” James said.
“Oh wow!” Riley responded. “It’s so great to meet you all!”
Riley proceeded to shake each of our hands. Blaze and Sadie seemed satisfied, though unfazed, by her presence. They offered her a warm smile and a gentle handshake. I had expected Sadie to tackle her with a hug. By the time she reached me my confidence had gone haywire. Jealousy surged to the point I was convinced I would actually turn a shade of green.
She reached her dainty, manicured hand out to me. I debated whether I should accept. Finding the courage to look her in the face, I peered into her brown eyes. Her lashes feathered, touching her perfectly groomed eyebrows, and her pearl white teeth glared at me through glossy, pouty lips.
Yep, I hate her.
“Hello,” I said in the most self-assured voice I could muster. Taking her hand, I shook it like she was interviewing me for a job. Glancing over at Tristan, I saw that he was looking at me not her.
I win.
&nbs
p; “Riley was one of my students,” James said. “She comes by to use my books sometimes.”
“I’m going to show them upstairs,” James said to Riley.
“I’ll finish up then I’ll be out of your hair,” she responded. “It was so nice to meet you all.”
Good. Bye.
We all nodded and smiled back at her. Tristan playfully slapped her on the back of her shoulder. Riley responded with a jab directed at his stomach but Tristan slid back before her fist could make contact. The two of them laughed at their little exchange and then Riley disappeared through the doors she’d come in.
I once again became consumed with envy. It was clear they had known one another for some time. I imagined Riley to be more Tristan’s type than I was. Plus, she could live in Haliwick without impending death hanging over her. I could not compare.
When did I become so insecure?
James led us up the grand staircase to our right. He moved as if the toll of his years had exhausted him completely. The cane in his left hand looked to be as worn as he was, so Tristan offered him a supportive arm during our climb up the enormous staircase.
The house smelled of leather and cinnamon. An odd combination that was pleasant nonetheless. My fingertips trailed along the ornate railing, sliding smoothly across the wood, dipping into slight grooves carved intermittently along the way.
Tristan entered the first room we arrived at, while James stood in the doorway welcoming us into another portion of his immense home with a friendly smile and an outstretched hand.
“This is my Rachel’s room,” James said. “I haven’t changed a thing.”
The massive room was the opposite of the brawny browns I had seen thus far; instead it was full of color and life despite its dormancy. Large orange and pink paper flowers were hung sporadically on each wall. In the center of the room sat a bed big enough for six people to sleep comfortably in. Its four white posts reached toward the ceiling while the white comforter remained perfectly tucked and folded awaiting Mom’s arrival.