by Ireland Gill
“Are you doing okay?” He must have been looking at me for a while as I was deep in thought because the pen lay on top of the table, and Hayden's hands were folded in front of him.
I looked at him, wondering why he would ask me that particular question with such attentiveness, until I felt my fists clenching. I loosened them and sighed, pulling out the article from my pocket. “Elka gave me this today.” I handed Hayden the article and watched him unfold it.
He looked at me curiously, then back to the paper, changing to a look of concern as he read. Finally, his expression became apologetic as he sank further into his seat. “Evika, I'm so sorry.” He shook his head. I didn't know,” he said quietly.
“She didn't tell you first?” My voice sounded so small.
He sighed. “No, she didn't. And to be honest with you, that really pisses me off. I'm sure she meant to tell me first, but with the events that took place when you two returned from the mall, she probably forgot about it completely.”
“Oh,” was all I muttered as I looked down at the floor.
Hayden folded the article back up, scooted his chair closer to me and placed the paper on the table. “Is this how she figured it out, your ability to make it rain?” he asked as if he already knew the answer.
I looked up at him and nodded slowly, but I felt numb then. I turned my head and concentrated on the emotions, awaiting the ones that took me over in the restaurant when I first saw the article, but they were non-existent in me at that moment. Instead, a fear overtook me as I thought of Anton Carter and his death. A coward. A killer. Another enemy. He was now a Seeker, and it would be my duty to save him once his time had come. If his time came.
“Evika,” Hayden's voice pulled me back, “I know what you're thinking, but you don't have to worry about that,” he assured me, grabbing my hands.
I studied his eyes for a moment, hoping he would give me a definitive answer if I asked the right question. “How do you know this?”
He paused, looking over at the folded paper, then back into my eyes holding a determined expression. “Because, for the things he did, you will be well into the next life before his time has come. There are way too many ahead of him and there is no way you'd get to him in your lifetime.”
I felt prickling in my eyes. “I don't want to see those things, Hayden. I can't live through that day again. Not again,” I choked. “I won't save him.”
The angel wiped away my tears with his thumbs. “I know,” he said softly. “And you won't have to. It won't happen, Evika.”
I looked him dead in the eyes. “You promise?” I wanted assurance. I wanted an iron clad oath from him in order to convince me for good.
He returned my gaze and, without hesitation, he replied, “Cross my unbeating heart.”
I half smiled at his comment. It was true about his heart. I sighed in relief, relaxing my muscles and letting out a deep breath. “My heart can't deal with any more surprises,” I tried to joke. “It's aging me quickly.”
Hayden studied me for a moment. “Huh,” he said as he leaned closer to me. His eyes focused on the top of my head. “Must be where that gray is coming from,” he pointed to my hair.
I glared, playfully, feeling a little more like myself again. “You've become quite the comedian, lately.” I shoved him lightly in the arm, making him chuckle.
“Further growth on you, I suppose.” He winked at me.
“Well, nonetheless, I had fun with Elka today,” I told him. “She's sweet.”
Hayden's face grew suddenly serious, and he blew out a long-winded breath. Was it something I said? I could tell something was on his mind as I watched him curiously. “Listen,” he started with slight hesitation “about Elka today.....”
Hayden apologized for Elka's unexpected boldness and assured me that he had no idea she was going to kiss him like a crazed maniac, but the conversation only made me blush. It was funny that he thought that he had to explain himself to me as if he'd done something wrong, but I guess he was starting to get the subtle signs regarding how I felt about him. On second thought, the hard rain that came down while Elka planted her lips on his wasn't exactly subtle in the least bit. As I thought about the severity of the precipitation I'd brought on, I really went red in the face. He had to have known my embarrassment.
“You don't have to apologize for what happened, Hayden. It was weird for Elka to kiss you like that, but, like she said, she was aiming to prove a point.” And I was completely convinced that, by the time she'd left, that was all it was, a point she needed to make.
He smiled and nodded, then looked at me admiringly. “You know, I know that you're not really that gung-ho on the whole idea, but this new gift of yours is pretty fascinating.”
I shrugged. “I guess it's better than the first one I acquired.” I tried not to say it too scathingly as I thought of it as my curse.
“So, where are all the bags from your fun day of shopping with Pinky?” he asked. “Or did those get all ruined from the rainstorm?” He chuckled.
I rolled my eyes at him. “They're still in the pony.”
He nodded. “And?” he asked with a raise of his eyebrow.
A smug grin started growing on my face as I realized what he was getting at. “Hayden Crow,” I said facetiously, “are you implying that you'd like to see the new leather I bought for you today?”
He leaned toward me and grinned. “Am I that obvious?”
I sighed dramatically. “Isn't the element of suspense so much fun?” I mimicked his earlier comment..
He laughed. “Okay, Rainmaker, I get it. But it won't stop me from going out to that Mustang to get those bags.”
We both sat there silently while studying each other for a few seconds. Smirks slowly grew on our faces. I had a feeling that Hayden would spring at any moment to run out to that car and get into those bags. Then, simultaneously, we both darted out of our chairs, running out of the kitchen and into the hallway where Hayden grabbed my waist and slid me to the side gently, just to jet past me like a bullet. At first, I didn't care about letting him win, but then I thought about those angel wings I'd consented to buy and I wanted those to remain a surprise.
“No! Wait!” I yelled at him as I caught up and leapt onto his back. I threw my legs around his waist, one arm around his neck, and my remaining hand across his eyes to block his vision. It was an instinctive move. “You cannot get into those bags yet, Hayden!” I squealed and giggled simultaneously.
He bellowed a laugh. “Ooooohhh, are we hiding something?” In one, quick movement, Hayden pulled me off of his back and placed me in front of him, my back against his body as he held my arms crossed over my chest. I looked down at his arms as they embraced me. Oh, dear God, I could let him do this forever. “You're hiding something, aren't you?” he said playfully into my ear, his breath tingling the side of my neck.
“Yes!” I confessed. “Now, stop right here!” I planted my heels into the hardwood floor, pressing my body against him to get him to stop scooting us toward the front door. I panted, trying to catch my breath. “I'll go get your new, bad ass jacket.” I tried to recoup myself. “Hold your wings.”
“Hmm,” Hayden loosened his grip. “Now, that's more like it.”
“You're merciless.” I shook my head, grabbing my keys from the coffee table.
He flashed his five-hundred watter at me, making me melt. “And you love it.” Ugh. Of course I did.
“You're obnoxious, too,” I added as I walked past him, poking him in the gut with my key.
“And yet, you're still going to bring me my present,” he pointed out with a smug smile.
“Gotta pick my battles with you, Darkwing,” I snickered as I walked out the door and to my ride.
I opened the trunk, and grabbed all of the various bags, making sure I kept the Halloween bag hidden between the others. It was bright orange and so obvious, but I really did want to keep the wings a surprise, especially after the ideas I had running through my head for the costume I w
ould wear. It made me giddy to think that Hayden already had a little “plan” for us to go do something for Halloween together, whatever it was.
I shook off my daze, shut the trunk and turned to head back inside when I instantly jumped at the sight of a little body standing not three feet from me. My heart jolted as I squealed at the boy. He stood there with a radiant smile on his pale, round face, his hazel eyes staring into mine. His dirty-blond hair was disheveled in various, spiked points.
“Hello,” he said with a smile as he adjusted the over-packed book bag hanging over his shoulders. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you.” He held out his hand to me. “I'm Elliott.”
My eyes widened. “You're Elliott?” I felt guilty for thinking he was at my house to sell candy bars or something. “Uh. It's nice to meet you, Elliott.” I shook his hand and tried to play down my shock.
“Sorry that I'm early, Miss Evika,” his young voice said apologetically. “I was eager to meet you.”
Miss Evika? I laughed nervously. “Really, it's okay. You wouldn't be the first today. I'm getting used to the new company.” I assured him.
He smiled. “Well, it's great to finally meet you. I trust that Mister Hayden has advised you that we are designing your castors today?”
I nodded slowly, still intrigued by the little angel. “Yeah, he's inside. I was just....” I trailed off as I looked down to try to remember what I'd been doing, “grabbing my bags. Elka took me out for a while this morning.”
He chuckled. “Ah, yes. Miss Elka said she would be visiting. She made quite a discovery today, from what I overheard.”
“Hmm.” I half smiled. “News travels fast with you guys, huh?”
“Yes.” He laughed. “In our world, it does.”
We were quiet for a few seconds. I still couldn't elude my bafflement over the little angel. I finally shook it off. “Well, come on inside, Elliott.” I gestured to the cement walkway that led to the front door.
“Here,” he held out his arms and grabbed all of the bags effortlessly. “I'll get these for you.”
“Oh, no,” I contested. “You really don't ha---”
“I insist,” he said, effortlessly carrying all five bags along with his own as if they consisted of nothing but air.
As we made it up to the porch, I let the mini angel go first. I looked up to see Hayden swinging open the door.
“Elliott,” Hayden greeted him with a wide grin, “welcome to the new casa.”
“Good afternoon, Mister Hayden. I was hoping I wouldn't be a nuisance coming this early.” Elliott stepped inside, walking past Hayden to set everything down in the foyer.
“Nonsense,” Hayden assured him. “We got hit early today. The pink one just left.” They both laughed as if it were some long-running joke between them. “You can set up right over there if you'd like. I'm assuming that coffee table will be sufficient?”
Elliott turned to observe the living room furniture. “Sure is,” he bobbed his head, grabbing his bag and heading into the room.
I stepped through the door and gave Hayden a scrutinizing stare. “That's the angel techie?” I whispered, pointing to the little boy in my living room. “Would it have killed you to warn me that he was, oh, I don't know....a ten-year-old kid?” I said quietly through my teeth.
“He's not ten,” Hayden whispered back. “He's a hundred and forty-two years old.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.” I grabbed all the bags to get them up to my bedroom. “Your new leather is so off limits until further notice.”
He chuckled. “You know, one of these days, a little surprise of mine is going to make you undeniably happy. I just know it.”
I shook my head, unable to keep from grinning as I headed up the stairs with the bags. “You are impossible.”
“That may be true, but I'm still getting my new leather before the day is over,” he called to me up the stairwell.
My body shook with laughter. “We'll see.”
When I came back downstairs, I went straight to the living room. The angel techie had blue sketches, paper, pens, rulers, colored pencils; his book bag was like a Mary Poppins' purse. It made me laugh down to the moment I saw the old diagram of the castors that belonged to Jack. I pulled them out from under the pencils.
“These were my father's?” I asked, staring at the sketches.
Elliott nodded. “You recognize them?”
I looked into his hazel eyes. “I've used one already.”
“Oh,” his face grew solemn with regret. “Yes. I forgot that you've already conducted your first save.” He paused for a moment. “Miss Evika, I'm truly sorry for the burden that has been bestowed upon you. I'm sure that my visit here today only solidifies the destiny that awaits you.” He sighed with a look of guilt. “I'm probably the last angel you wanted to meet.”
My heart sank for him. I could see that he honestly felt horrible. “Elliott, that's ridiculous,” I retorted. “It's your job to get this done. I may not be happy about continuing down this road or my new role, but I would never fault you for it.”
He gave me an innocent smile. “We are all here to help you,” he said. “Every one of us, we'll always be by your side. And I'm always here for you, with whatever you need from me.”
I smiled at him, finally getting used to the overly-wise, adult-talking ten-year-old on the couch next to me. “I'll need every one of you, Elliott.” His face beamed. “I don't know when, or for what, but I know I will.”
Elliott and I worked on the designs for about a half hour; everything from the size and shape down to the indentation of the keypad, bulbs and inhaling mechanism. He drew the outlines first so I could get a better feel for my ideas to make them more unique, and then it hit me.
“Hey, Elliott?” I asked. “Are you able to make them any other color besides that silver my dad had?”
He cocked his head and looked up in thought for a moment. “Hmm. It would take a few trials and errors to get the vapor metal to agree with the substance that made the colors, but I'm pretty sure I could do it. What did you have in mind?”
And that was when I chose four colors. I actually had a good time watching someone else with a knack for drawing. Elliott was quite the artist as he drew out my ideas, even coloring them in with the hues I'd chosen; black, silver, red and orange were the colors I wanted as I thought of the dragons on the hoodie that Luka bought me. It was a fun salute to him, just to let him know how much he meant to me. It also meant a lot to me as well, that design. The dragons were symbolic to me, the way they were unified, but also played against each other. The way I felt inside, a battle of confusion.
“These are definitely going to be more creative than your father's.” Elliott chuckled.
I smiled with a shrug. “Gotta make my mark somewhere, I guess.”
He briefly looked up at me in thought. “Speaking of marks,” he looked down at my right wrist and pointed, “I see that you have the same birthmark as Jack had.”
“Oh,” I looked down at the negative zero, rubbing over it with my fingers, “yeah, his was on his other wrist though, from what I remember, anyway....which isn't much.”
He nodded, admiring the mark. “Did Luka give you the necklace I made?” he asked me with a proud look.
“He sure did.” I pulled it out from under my t-shirt. “I wear it every day. Thank you.”
He grinned as he finished up with the last part of the sketch on which he was working. “Do you know what that symbol means?”
I shook my head, looking at him curiously. I had a feeling I wouldn't have to wait long to find out the answer.
“Well,” he started, “while the zero representations behave as equal under numeric comparisons, they are different bit patterns and yield different results in some operations, like software developing, for example. But, in mathematics, signed zero is still zero; negative or positive.”
I gave him a blank stare. “Uhhhh,” I muttered.
Elliott giggled. “I'm sorry. I can get a little
carried away with numbers and such.” He sighed. “Basically, the negative zero isn't really negative at all if it doesn't want to be. It can represent a positive as well. Zero is zero. It's a filler for whatever it wants to represent. The answer is always the same.”
“Oh.” I smiled, somewhat understanding his point. “So I'm not marked by the devil or anything creepy like that, right?” I asked jokingly with a nervous laugh.
Elliott chuckled innocently. “Not if you don't want to be, Miss Evika.” He shrugged with a smile. “It's just a birthmark.”
“Well,” I gestured to the sketches he held, “I hope I haven't made these too complicated for you.”
“Absolutely not,” he said. “Your wish is my command, you know, as far as angel-techie stuff goes?” he nudged me. I felt my face turn beat red, making Elliott bounce with his childlike laughter. “It's okay. I'll take that over the other stuff they call me. And I've been called worse. Your father used to call me 'Runt.'” I tried to contain my amusement.
And that was that. The little angel drew up the finals and I approved without hesitation. I invited him to stay for dinner since we were ordering pizza, but Elliott said he had to get back to the House of Council to get started.
Hayden came into the living room to observe the work that was done while the techie packed up his things. He grinned. “I should have known you were going to put your own spin on these castors,” he said to me.
“As if that surprises you,” I replied.
“Looks like you've got your work cut out for you this time, little man,” Hayden patted Elliott on his shoulder.
Elliott laughed and turned to me with a thumb pointing to Hayden. “See what I mean?”
I giggled, watching him place the last of his belongings into his book bag. The thought occurred to me of the one thing I forgot to ask him. “Hey, Elliott?”
He looked up.“Yeah?”
“Your wings, what color are they?”
“Oh.” He simpered. “Well, if you've seen Mister Hayden's wings, then you've already seen mine.” He bounced his shoulders playfully.