PRESENT DAY

“Isaac’s hosting a party tonight at 6, I’ll meet u there”

It was my one year anniversary with Kyle, and he wanted to spend it getting drunk at Isaac’s party. Isaac, his sarcastic friend who’s jokes never fail to ruin my mood. ‘Happy anniversary to me.’ It’s 5:25pm, and I know I should be wrapping up ready to go, but I can’t help drag this out as long as possible, refusing to do so much as pick out an outfit. ‘I don’t even drink. I’m not going to enjoy this.’ My fingers comb their way through my closet for the hundredth time when I stumble upon the jacket I wore snowboarding last December…

FLASHBACK - Dec 20th

“Rise and shine Kara! We didn’t come all this way to miss out on the mountain!”

It was finally winter break, and a group of my childhood best friends planned a ski getaway. Before we know it, we’re standing before the rental table. While Amy and Kate are picking out their ski poles, my friend Devin notices my attention drifting elsewhere.

“Your eyes haven’t left the snowboards since we got here. Would you rather try that?”

As fun as that sounded I’d only slow everybody down - “I don’t know how.”

“I don’t either but I’m willing to learn with you if you’d rather try that.”

I told him he didn’t have to. I heard just how excited he was to race against Owen the whole car ride up. But he insisted, “Owen could keep his dignity a bit longer. I’ll beat him next time.”

So while our friends sped off to the closest black diamond we spent the day laughing and tumbling down the easiest green.

PRESENT DAY

I end up grabbing the teal halter dress I bought last summer. It’s stylish without looking over-the-top, and after 15 minutes of curling my hair and ransacking my closet for shoes I’m ready to go. By 6:07pm I’m typing Isaac’s address into my phone and pulling out the driveway.

FLASHBACK - July 15th

‘It’s 8:55pm. So long as I’m ready by 9:10 I’ll have 20 minutes to figure out where the heck I’m going… this’ll be fine’.

I’m startled out of my thoughts by the buzz of my phone and the text message lighting it’s screen.

Evan: Hey! When r u planning on heading over to Jack’s?

I send a reply, then abandon my phone for a hairbrush and get to work detangling my mess of hair, still damp from swimming with my sister an hour before. Next I know I’m grabbing my keys and walking out the front door. The grey Honda blocking the driveway catches my attention though.

Evan rolls down his window and calls me over. “Want a ride?”

I thank my classmate for the offer but can’t deny my confusion by the gesture. “I could drive myself you know.”

“Of course you can. I know you don’t like relying on GPS at night though, and we’re both headed to the same place. Better for the environment and all that too.”

PRESENT DAY

For as much as I can’t stand Isaac, I have to admit his house is beautiful. After finding a spot to park I find myself walking up the paved pathway to his door, a beautifully engraved wooden piece currently being held open by a rubber door-stopper. ‘Sure my parents wouldn’t be thrilled if I threw a party while they were away, but no question they’d be MORE furious by the propped door!’ My parents have never tolerated bugs in the house, and my sister and I have learned to treat a let-in fly as an emergency requiring immediate attention.

FLASHBACK - Nov 8th

“My life’s a joke, can’t believe this :( Code red emergency, need help ASAP!” - sent

It’s just my luck a moth slipped it’s way inside as I’m closing the door after taking out the trash. My sister and I have been referring to bug situations as “CODE RED’s” for as long as I could remember, and we’ve become a pretty good team when it comes to catching things before our parents see. It’s about 5 minutes since I sent my emergency text when someone knocks at the door. ‘Guess she’s been outside this whole time. The nerve of her taking so long to help me with this!’ I swing open the door ready to give my sister the 411, but am instead met with the frantic face of my neighbor Jackson.

“I got your text, what’s going on? Is everything ok?”

There’s an awkward moment of silence when my brain racks my memory trying to piece this together. All the while Jackson’s eyes scan me over then start searching the room over my shoulder, each of us trying to understand how we got to this point. It clicks when my ‘new pet moth’ flies between us reminding me of its presence.

I texted the wrong person.

After endless apologies and a thorough explanation of my not-so-emergency emergency situation, Jackson and I got to work figuring out what to do with Mr. Moth.

PRESENT DAY

“You’re a half-hour late Kara, where have you been??” Kyle, courteous as ever, spots me from across the room.

FLASHBACK - April 29th

“You’re a half-hour late Kara, where have you been?? I’ve been miserable without you! Thank goodness I don’t have to suffer alone anymore!” Every once in a while work overlapped with track meets. Casey, along with a few other teammates, never failed to make me feel welcome even when late.

PRESENT DAY

Kyle went to drape his arm over my shoulder, but I shrug it off.

It’s our one year anniversary. We’re surrounded by all his friends, and this is no place for a serious conversation about the future. But I’ve made up my mind that this will be our last night together. There’s a certain way to be treated, and this doesn’t cut it for me anymore.

CRACK! The makeshift automaton received a large dent to one of its cardboard arm.

 "Good job! Remember to flex your wrist to give your swing maximum impact." Tobias said gently, demonstrating the swing for his younger sister. He brought his hammer across the dummy with a mighty swing, causing the head - which consisted of a tin can and an apple core - to topple off its, place on the scrap metal body.

 Emersyn frowned, her face in a pout. "I'll never be as good as you Toby... I'm pretty much useless." She tossed her hammer down the alley, promptly turning on her heels to leave. Tobias grinned.
 "Em, come on. You'll get it eventually! You're doing great, all it takes is time." Tobias' bright blue eyes held a loving look.
 No longer able to upset, Emersyn smiled slightly. "Fine. But you'll still always be better than me at it."

 Tobias grinned and picked up his sister's hammer, delivering it back into her hands. He ran a hand through his dark hair as a smirk caressed his lips. "I wouldn't be so sure... I know a gal that's got some great potential..."
 "Oh yeah? And who might that be?" Emersyn matched her brother's smirk.
 "Well, let's see... she's got long brown hair, pretty blue eyes, and a little splash of freckles right across her nose." Tobias said, tapping the end of Emersyn's nose. She shooed him away, grinning.

 Tobias' eyes suddenly became shadowed, as though haunted by some painful memory. "Just remember, Em," he said softly, "the Scarlet Man can use anyone in the Resistance's work. Including you."


 The first thing Emersyn saw when her vision swam into view was stone. Cold, gray stone. She heard the familiar crackle of a fire nearby. A delicious scent found her nose. She blinked. Where was Tobias?

 Reality hit her and a dull ache pounded her chest. Tobias was gone. Had been for four years. 'It was only just a memory...'
 Emersyn attempted to sit up, but ground her teeth and quickly gave up on the effort as searing pain sliced through her side.

 "Ah, you're awake!" A familiar gentle voice said from somewhere behind her. Emersyn turned her head to see a tall man draped in a scarlet cloak. He had kind, brown eyes, and a short, scruffy beard. Her heart skipped a beat. 'The Scarlet Man?'
 "How are you feeling?" The man asked, kneeling beside her. Emersyn gaped at him for a moment. 'I'm actually looking at the Scarlet Man!'

 "I... I'm okay..." she stammered, trying to find words to say. The Scarlet Man smiled.
 "You took quite the hit back there... you must be hungry." 
 Emersyn nodded, smiling slightly.

                              ****

 "How come you don't show yourself more often?" Emersyn asked, taking another gulp of the warm soup.
 The Scarlet Man was silent for a moment. When He replied, His words were thoughtful.
 "The Great Engineer's ways are not always easily understandable..." He said slowly, "I find that oftentimes people learn to trust me the most when they cannot see me."

 Emersyn stared at the ground for a moment, contemplating this. "What does that mean?" She asked softly.

 The Scarlet Man smiled. "Say for example that someone made a promise to always come back to you if they left. If they only left for a day or two at a time, you'd find pretty easy to trust them, right?"
 Emersyn nodded.
 "But say this person leaves for months, even years at a time. Maybe you start to doubt that this person will ever return... but when they do, your trust in their faithfulness increases far more than it was before."

 Emersyn gazed into the warm, crackling flames of the fire. She'd never thought of that before. "That... makes sense, I suppose..."

 The Scarlet Man smiled. "What's on your mind, dear one?"
 "I suppose I just wonder... well... how someone can have such strong faith in something they cannot see..."
 "Seeing isn't everything, dear one. You must have faith to be able to make it through life's toughest times. One will crumble without it."

 Something inside of Emersyn stirred and a new string of memories flashed before her eyes.


 "Welcome to the Resistance, Em." Tobias grinned wide, standing beside his sister as they entered the Resistance's Headquarters: the basement of the Landing Gazette.
 Emersyn marveled at the sights around her. Boards strewn with photos, scribbled notes, string, pins, maps, and sketches hung on the walls. Several warriors that had to range from ten to forty dotted the room. Some pored over books and maps while others talked among themselves. Some crafted or welded new and old weapons, while others tested them.

 "This place is amazing!" Emersyn said, awed by this secret community of people who sought to defeat the emperor.
 "I knew you'd like it." Tobias grinned. "This is Joshua, our commander." He said, leading Emersyn up to a tall young man with black hair and gray eyes. He looked to be about twenty, and had several weapons attatched to a belt. He cocked an eyebrow when he saw Emersyn.
 "So you're the newcomer, huh?"
 She nodded.
 A smirk found Joshua's lips as he fingered with a blaster. "Let's see what you're made of."



 Emersyn fingered the pistol, remembering fondly the day that now seemed so long ago. She had surprised Joshua with her skill, and Tobias had beamed with pride. How she longed for the comfort of her brother.
 His words of wisdom, his gentle hugs, his constant encouragement. She drew in a sharp breath as she and the Scarlet Man stopped in front of The Landing Gazette.

 "Remember, dear one. I'm always near, even when you cannot see it." His kind eyes sparkled with a knowing look. Emersyn nodded. She took a deep breath, and opened the door. When she looked back, the Scarlet Man was gone.

                                 *****

(DISCLAIMER: This is based off the game, "The Aetherlight" All names of places and characters belong to them except for: Emersyn, Caleb, and Joshua.(My Characters))

I rode behind the three knights ignoring the randy song Emil was singing. Makari rode beside him sharpening one of his blades. And Hadrian lead the way letting his wolf mount sniff out the crown prince’s trail. It was then that I noticed the silence of the forest. I stopped, jumping down as I opened my senses. And ignoring the insults Emil threw my way. The mana of the forest was taunt as if some predator were waiting in the shadows. No not one. Three. They attacked as the knights came to a stop. And I was a girl again. I was clutching a ruby, the rough edges cutting into my hands. But it wasn’t as bad as master’s fingers digging into my shoulder. He’d kill me if I let the lizard beasts draw any closer. So, I closed my eyes feeling all the mana around me. It coursed through the beasts in thick bands as they slithered closer. I reached out a bruised hand grasping at the band of mana. It didn’t come willingly. But my fear of dying outweighed its loyalty to the beast. It came sluggish at first but then faster as I funneled it into the ruby Master began laughing as the beasts fell. Not from a blade or arrow or poison. But the draining of their mana. I could feel their lives clinging to me. Trying to hold onto to anything they could. But eventually their spirits drifted from their bodies now free of the mana that had tied them to life. The ruby now lay warm and full. But I was empty. “Get down!” I pushed to the ground and out of my memory. Emil stood before me, blood pouring from the scratch he’d blocked with his sword arm. The other held the lizard beast off with a shield while our wolves tore into its side. “This is why I didn’t want you to come.” Emil grunted as he pushed back the claw. “Just stay down.” He continued fighting the beast but he was losing. The other two seemed to be holding their own against one while the first beast lay dead. And here I was doing nothing. I was supposed to be the healer of the group. So, I lassoed my bands of mana around each of them. Emil’s arm healed rapidly. The other two gained strength. This was what I was meant to do. Give life. Not take. I’d promised myself I’d never kill again. As if reading my mind, Hadrian looked back at me. He left his beast to Makari and leant his sword to Emil. Together they felled the beast. And Makari’s fell a moment after. Emil looked at his fully healed arm, then nodded to me. “Maybe you’re good for something.” Hadrian helped me up. “Are you hurt?” “No. But more beasts while come because of the blo-“ My legs grew weak. Hadrian caught me, lifting me in his arms. “Looks like you’ve used to much mana. How about you ride with me until we make camp?” I nodded trying to hide my burning cheeks with my hair. Mana regulation was the first thing field healers were taught. And I’d just failed at the most basic rule. Never overextend. So, I sat in Hadrian’s arm’s trying not to think of his broad chest. Or the warmth of his skin. Nor the beard that caught at my hair. Like when I’d met my future king. I’d been smaller. My hair messier. And my hands rougher from the uncut gems. But he’d been the first person I’d ever healed. A young prince with few years of travel. But even as the king he is now his kindness always remained the same. Even after what my master made me do to him. “Ilya.” Hadrian’s voice rumbled through my back. “We’re making camp for the night.” I looked at the site as he slid off. It was the entrance to my old master’s mine. Now it lay abandoned and crumbled. But still shivers tore through me. Masters eyes seemed to shine through the darkness of the cave bidding me to kill again. “Ilya?” I found Hadrian’s hand on my thigh. “What is it?” I shook my head. And dismounted. What was the use in worrying over a dead man. He had to be dead. The king had assured me. “We don’t have to camp here.” Hadrian said. Emil dumped firewood on the ground. “I’m not leaving because she’s afraid of some old cave.” “You will do as your commander says.” Hadrian growled out. “It’s fine.” My hands shook as I entered the cave. But I couldn’t sense anyone beyond us four. No beasts hid there either. And our wolves settled down at the entrance of the cave. But it wasn’t until well into the night when they attacked. Giant horned cats cornered us. And since the mine had long ago caved in there was nowhere to run. The knights and wolves took down a few but there were too many. I remembered being surrounded by a pride as a child. It was the first time I’d run from Master’s mines. And the first time I’d used mana as a weapon instead of simply seeing through the darkness to locate the rubies and sapphires. The first time I’d taken mana from a living creature. But it wasn’t the last. Hadrian fell, bringing me back to my senses. And I knew that I had to break that promise. I stepped forward dodging Makari’s reaching hand. Not hearing Emil’s curses. But I could feel Hadrian’s spirit starting to slip. So, I did what Master had bid me ever since he found me crying amongst the dead bodies of an entire pride. I stole mana. What I couldn’t contain I gave to the others. And just like the past, tears streaked my face as I watched the last of their souls leave. Hadrian’s arms wrapped around me. But he couldn’t erase what I’d done. Neither could I.

Freddie Halter has a worn sole. His left foot is fine; it follows a path as straight as a railway track. It’s his right one that derails, drawing semicircles in tow, collecting grit and gravel in the worn arches of his boot, as well as the stares from other morning walkers. But it has never once stopped him from making the half-mile trip to collect his soda bread from his favourite piekarnia on the street corner. He makes sure he is the first customer, before the loaves’ tanned shells have hardened, so that when he tears off a chunk, a doughy steam puff is freed.

This morning, Freddie is full of song. He whistles, loud and tuneful as a charm of finches, and buoyant to the rhythm of his uneven stride. He spots Tomasz. His old friend is unwinding the awning to his bakery, chalky palmprints smeared across his lap and buttocks. They flash teeth and cup each other’s shoulders.

“Mój przyjaciel.” My friend.

Inside, Tomasz has already prepared a paper bag and folded a proziaki inside with the change to Freddie’s one-hundred złoty banknote.

A man appears at the door to the tinkle of a bell overhead. He has propped his bicycle against the shop window, a wicker basket cable-tied to the front, rust curling from the frame.

He greets them both: “Gentlemen.”

Something twinges at Freddie, gentle but unignorable, like a child tugging at his threads from a former life. He can’t quite place it.

“Four bułka, please,” the man says, inhaling a whiff of the buns spaced across the stacks of trays at his side.

Freddie turns to leave. He pauses to the tap of a finger on his back. The cyclist squints at him; both minds scramble for something they’ve lost, except the item in question isn’t finding its place in their mouths.

“I…I wondered if you have far to go?” His eyes drift over Freddie’s lame limb. “It’s just, I have a bicycle, perhaps I could save you the trip next time and drop it off to you.”

“That’s kind. But the walk is what makes it all the more worth it.”

“Of course,” the man says, resting his elbows on the counter. His sleeves are drawn up to his mid-forearm revealing a string of digits too long to be an anniversary date.

Freddie says nothing. His head pops bubbles like the next batch of soda bread browning in the gas-fired oven, and suddenly he wishes he had brought his stick. Unthinking, he squeezes his right forearm, where his own digits are stamped.

Their eyes catch once more, their past lives caught in the glisten: both striped, bare-headed, and wincing at the whistle of cane through air, splintering shin.

Freddie and his right foot exit the shop to the bell’s chime. He has forgotten the tune he whistled. Instead, he stuffs a chunk of steaming bread into his mouth and shuffles the half-mile walk home.

Weightlessness overwhelms the soul as it’s carried to the above. But an angel’s job is not as smooth as one may think. Sometimes the living cannot accept the death of their loved ones and a tug-of-war begins between the angel, the deceased, and the living.

Rita is the passenger on today’s trip to the above, Death gave her the ticket, and her guardian angel had validated it, but her husband left down on Earth would not let Rita go so easily, he grabbed her vessel, shook it viciously, trying anything to wake her up.

Rita’s soul was propelled back and forth between her life and now. None of it occurs in chronological order.

She saw herself standing in the mirror wearing her dress, getting ready for her wedding, her face aglow with warmth and excitement.

She saw her hand reaching for her doll as her mother called her for dinner. Nostalgia and joy vibrated through her being as the doll fell to the ground with a thump.

The angel was desperate now, grabbing Rita by her wrists forcing her out of her husband’s grip. Rita was acutely aware of this, but she was lost in the sea of memory, drowning in her husband’s grasp.

Her hand rubbed the stinging of her cheek the first time her husband struck her. And a pain began seeping through her spirit.

Confusion and fear took over her peace as her angel yelled out in frustration as she slipped from his hands.

“Rita, you need to fight it!” The angel spoke with an echoey tongue.

A ray of light smashed through the ceiling surrounding the angel, Rita, and the man refusing to let go. It spoke no words as it wrapped it’s light under the arms of the angel, helping it lift Rita further and further away.

Rita stared at the door with a glass of red in her hand waiting for her husband to return. She was determined, this time she would speak her mind, she would tell him where to go, and laugh as she demanded a divorce. But the door opened and she found herself smiling away greeting the man as he kicked off his shoes and loosened his tie with his red-knuckled hands.

Rita stares down at the man wrestling with her body, screaming at her to wake up to “avoid the light” but the light surrounds her and its intensity hugs her like a warm bath. The light is hers, and she lets it take her as she ignores the screaming and welcomes the sounds of harps summoning her to the gates of the above.

Today is another ordinary day, in one ordinary man’s, ordinary life. I promise. But to prove it to you here is how Johns morning unfolded. John Brown woke up this morning feeling cheerful. He was also in the middle of a magical forest surrounded by ogres and gnomes; until he rubbed his eyes and the scene shifted back to his bedroom. “Today is going to be exciting, right George?” He asked his cat who was waking up as well. He was right, today would be exciting; but ordinary as well. He got up to brush his teeth but when he looked in the mirror he saw a warped reflection, like he was looking into a pond. A female face broke through the water and called out to him. “John! Come and swim, the water is warm.” The young women called out while splashing her tail in the water. “Not today Susan I going on a date today and I don’t want to be late. Plus you are not real. Good bye now!” John said cheerfully. He began to blink rapidly until the flash back faded and he could see his long slightly wrinkled face and thinning hair in the mirror again. He then brushed his teeth and what was left of his hair before running to his closet and putting on his best baby blue suit. John walked out the door without looking back; because today was ordinary day, like every other. He put a collar around George’s neck and began their morning walk. As they walked John’s neighborhood became the magic forest. Trees grew gems, dogs became gnomes, people became elves,everything shifted into elements of Johns old home. John was so distracted by the houses shifting into castles that he didn’t see the woman walking towards him. The two collided causing Johns flash back to abruptly end. “I’m so sorr-, John? Is that you?” The older woman said, her each syllable dripped like hunny off her lips, like always. “Susan? Susan! Yes, I was just on my way to meet you.” John stuttered, surprised for the hundredth time by his old friends beauty. Now we are here friends, in the present, watching another one of Johns perfectly normal days. You may think that this must be an unusual day or at least a slightly odd one, but you would be incorrect. Today is normal because every time John sees Susan he gets nervous and stutters, he always admires the magic used to hide her tail and give her legs, and he always gets flashbacks of his old life on the day they plan to meet. “Come on John let’s walk together.” The two walk off to their date hand in hand as they always have because today is normal, just as it always is.

The early morning dew wrestled with the small wooden cart as it passed through the thickly wooded stone passage. Many a walk had stopped the stones he’d laid from being reconnected with the other side of the forest. Sunlight started to break through the dense treetops, letting thin lines of light through.

Geki yawned to himself pushing the full cart of his gardens vegetation. He’d done well planting them at the hills flat edge. Everything had grown twice the size of last years yield. A lot of trial and error.

Then he smelled it, a sweet smelling fragrance. Almost a mile out, with it a sweaty smell. It had been years since anyone ventured up into these mountains. Probably just someone who got lost. It had been even longer since he’d actually spoken with anyone.

Sitting on the steps of his small cottage, an apple in hand with a blade cutting it into slices for him and the two fat tree climbing rodents. Rodents who he had very frequent encounters with for his fruit. Last summer he’d accidentally caught the light browned furred one. So to keep them out of his garden, he fed them. They quickly scurried away at the sound of the approaching footfalls.

He’d guessed maybe one or two people at most. This was a search party from the looks of it.

“I guess your not just some lost wanderers?” He questioned looking at the four girls ahead of him, followed by a large man. “Who might you be looking for way out here?”

“The last werewolf…” The purple eyed girl who stood behind the twin girls spoke out.

The first of the group was in her early twenties, without children for sure. He could smell that on a woman. Royal by the looks of her shining armor and colored fur adornments. Beautiful by all means, purple eyes that seemed mystical. A body that many a man in her kingdom would have fought to the death over.

The next two were twins, roughly in there mid teens. Unlike the other girl they had less rich adornments. Except the one had jet black hair unlike her sisters dirty blonde. Both had matching arm sleeve tattoos on their opposite sides. Eyes both a clear ocean blue. Each of them seemed to be looking straight at him as if they were in awe.

A growl escaped my lips as I seen the third girl, the smallest of them all. An elf with a green crystal chain around her neck. At the growl the young elf girl backed up. She to wore expensive looking light armor, encrusted with a green crystal. Terror plastered across her face, fear pouring from her body like her life had been threatened. Green eyes darting toward the big man behind her.

The large man grunted stepping forward. He was like a large oak tree, muscular and full. Armor adorned his body but it was tested, bends and reseals. A warrior for sure, his right eye was patched with a gnarly looking scar coming from his forehead center. Across his right eye and down nearly to his jawline.

“I didn’t much like the thought of it either… Nobody should be a slave” The large man said gruffly, reaching a hand out to the poor girl for comfort.

“I ment you no harm little one. I knew many tree elves that fought beside us in the Pantheon wars… I ask while your on my property. You remove her binds…. This is free land”

“She was a slave…. I was given her on my eighth birthday…. That collar is so men don’t try to harm her….” The purple eyed female said in ernerst. “She’s one of my closest friends…. I would never dishonor her like that”

“You disrespect me by not releasing her on my land. No harm will come to her here.” Geki stood up and the man stepped forward.

• Flashback / One *

Night had fallen once again, the shouts and howls of the battle waged on. Two magic elves stood to his sides, they had been all that was left from his small group. They had started with ten in total, the two elves were the last.

The first a high elf female, noble born. Joined the war efforts just so that she wouldn’t get married off to the highest bidder. A real spit fire, especially because fire magic was her specialty. A few goblins had broken through the line, crawling past the large catapult with small bats in hand.

Dova made quick work of them as a blast of fire exploded from her lips. Engulfing the little green bastards in one swoop. Ednar the dark elf, her hidden lover. Was clapping happily at her, his golden cat like eyes locked on her.

They denied it, but he could always here and smell their late night meetings. It meant nothing to him that his kingdom was on the other side of the war. He was as brave a warrior as the man who grew up on this side.

Ednar was a talk skinny man, his magic was objectively moving things. He’d pushed that catapult clear over at least twenty men from the other side.

Nobody expected the three arrows that flew high out of sight as Geki continued to rip goblins and orcs alike into pieces to come down through the dark elves chest. Dova’s shrill screams caused him to turn around as his body collapsed into the dirt and bloodied grass.

It was the way of war, everyone lost.

• End Flashback / One *

Geki looked at the man with a grin before raising his hands in mock surrender.

“I do not wish to hurt you guard. But I will not see anyone in chains after I fought in two wars to see people were freed” His face lost the cockiness, it was replaced by a deeply wounded expression. “I watched many die so that chains wouldn’t be on their people. Yet somehow you all still do so”

“She is free to take it off” The purple eyed girl stated looking back at the elf.

“It reminds me that others of my kind…. Even in the capital city…. Aren’t free….” She didn’t look at Geki but stared at the floor.

“Capital city…. It’s been a long time…”

• Flashback / Two *

A large stone wall weathered by time and the elements stood off in the distance. Maybe a few miles ahead of them. Standing at least a hundred feet off the ground. The men guarding the walls looked like spice drops from this distance.

“Captital City ahead!” One of the men shouted out of the crows nest above the air ships center mass.

The ground was all forests and stone roads lost to time and nature. He’d never ventured this far north, especially on the sky charters. Something had been pulling his soul in this direction, after an old merchant had spoke of it in a southern bar.

“Are you ready to have your paws back on solid ground?” Elivor’s girlish laugh called his attention behind him.

The woman who stood before him was magnificent, her long straight blonde hair tied in a single ponytail blew in the winds much like her personality. Bright blue eyes that stood out from white sand colored complexions of the far south beaches. Full lips showing her almost perfect white teeth, except for the gold right canine tooth. She’d lost it in a bar fight in her early years. Or so the story had been relayed to him.

“Of course darling” He said back as their lips mashed together quickly, grabbing her by the waist.

“You think the scrappy dog is ready to settle down now?” She whispered into the crook of his neck, sparks bouncing off where her warm breath trailed to his jawline.

“Dog! How dare you?” He hissed playfully, watching as the biggest city on the northern coast got closer and closer.

“Can’t say the wolf word” She bit playfully at his throat, which only caused a low growl to go form in his chest.

“Don’t make me take you below deck” He whispered back at her kissing her forehead and grabbing at her posterior forcefully.

“Don’t promise me a good time” She quickly turned pulling away from his warmth, her hips swinging side to side like a pocket clock catching him in a trance.

“I think a puddles starting to form on the floor. Keep staring you might accidentally drown the city” A snide comment and chuckling caused him to look toward the fair heighten chubby man coming up from below deck.

“Done being sick I see” Geki countered, going back to his duty of watching the tree’s.

Wood elves, Tree elves, Or Wood Pixie’s were a large problem for the local city’s residents and traveling merchants. Which is why the air charter had been necessary.

“I hope you get a wood arrow to your knee” Shanook shot back, red hair shaved at both temples. Braided together into large knots, warrior braids of the south east dune cities.

“I could go for some silver right now” He countered but Shanook’s face contorted at the mention of his greatest weakness.

“You two need to stop the jokes” He whispered coming to stand at the ships edge. “Someone could over hear it, report you to the Dominion of Elven Assembly “

“Fuck those self proclaimed leaders. They slap chains on their own kind….”

“They also wiped your people from the map my friend. Please be careful not to engage their wrath”

• End Flashback / Two *

“Twelve years….. as my father tell stories of your valor…. The last living werewolf….” The purple eyed girl met his gaze with a smile. “Shanook spoke of you as a man of honor and strength…. Before you vanished to the south lands beyond the forgotten mountains….”

“I wasn’t the last… Once I had a beautiful mate…” Sadness echoed in his thoughts as her name flashed through his mind.

“That I know as well…”

“Shanook is your father…. That explains how you have come to find me….” Geki shook his head thinking of the bloody battles he’d fought side by side with that man. “How is my old friend?”

“Taken sir” The large man spoke, seemingly impatiently. “He was taken by a group of Orc’s. Lead by a very powerful sorcerer….”

“Why?”

“The dark mountain elves in the south, the sand peoples of the banished mountains, Orc’s of the forgotten mountains, even some tree elves…. They all have been rampaging through the forest and then into capital city…..” The purple eyed girl looked angry as she gripped the hilt of her long sword. “They took him to gain an ear with the Dominions Leadership “

“Did they really think that would work? He’s been their least favorite leader since they tried to make me king” He laughed to himself remembering the Nobel group of stuck up elves that hid in their northern castles.

“They seem to want to join the ranks as an equal “ The purple eyed girl twisted a long strand of her hair away from her eyes.

“Then they are even less informed on the audacity of those old bastards” He huffed. “I have no reason to join another war. I send my condolences to your family and I wish your father a long life…” As the tall muscular caramel skinned man turned towards his front door.

“I brought you something you didn’t know you had…” The purple eyed girl spoke and he turned.

The girl was pointing at the two twin girls that hid amongst satin blue cloaks. It hadn’t even dawned on him that it was much to hot for those adornments. Each of twin girls seemed scared and unsure. He could smell the hint of fear on them. Yet they smelled oddly familiar, a scent that brought him back to the ocean isle far south.

“They are your daughters….” The purple eyed girl smiled, as both girls slowly waved.

Pulling down the cloaks hoods the firsts blonde hair shimmered like gold in the afternoon sun. The other girls pitch black hair could only have been achieved by coal setting, a thing rich Nobel girls used to do to hide their roots. Yet both of the girls had pointed elf ears.

“Is this a joke? Did your father put you up to this? I’ve never laid with an elf” As he spoke the girls reached and pulled away the wax looking ear extensions. “What kind of witchcraft?”

“My father’s idea on how to transfer two young wolf pups into the north without any of the elves getting suspicious “

“A clever man for sure” He smiled thinking of how much he’d learned from the chubby bastards eccentric fuckery. “I have no kin…. It’s impossible….” Returning for the door knob he turned.

“Elivor….. Our mothers name is Elivor…..” The black haired twin stepped forward.

“She was killed…. By the raiding party’s on the way to capital city…..” The blonde spoke out, as tears poured from her sky blue eyes.

“Looking for you…. She was on the way to my father to see about you….” The purple eyed girl said with a sadness, eyes starting to water.

Buzz buzz a plump carpenter bee hovered over a buttercup. Sun yellow petals splayed open. Air over the meadow honey thicken. A feather of rage tickled my belly. I forced myself awake. Peaceful Zander was sleeping next to me. I’ve always had lucid dreams. As a kid I didn’t know people weren’t aware of their dream world. I love carving my dreams out of my imagination. I was an astronaut. I was an explorer. I was powerful in my dreams and no one could hurt me. I leaned back and sank back into the meadow. There were dozens of carpenter bees, their fat furry bodies drunk on neon pollen. Blossoms undulated writhing in desire. Sinking My heart was a cracked brick as the rage swam up my spine. Drowning in buttery petals I forced myself awake. I stretched on my pillow cool blood slicked. Zander’s open eye’s watch me without blinking. “Good Morning love,” I said over the rising buzz of ten thousand bees.

“dont leave me here!” these words ring in my head, a never ending echo tearing through my chest with sharp claws and searing heartache.

“i’m sorry.” my words, thats all i could say… sorry.

“how sweet.” i mock myself, my face twisting with pain as i hold tight to image of our happy times. the last memory of our time together. i fold the picture back into my pocket before my shaking hands can crush it.

“don’t leave me here!”

I shut my eyes and lean on the desk dropping my head into my arms.

“I’d never leave you.” that now broken promise almost tears a sob from me. my body trembles as my shaky hands ball into fists. how could i have been so stupid? you idiot… you left her, you killed her.

all the days she was there for me, all the days i we spent together.

“i think we have a problem.” she held tight to a rope in her hands. i looked at her with a smile matching her mischievous grin. “what they say is true,” she tied the rope around her waist. “we’re tied at the hip.”

my chest rocks as the pressure inside tears its way out in agonizing sobs. you betrayed her. i grit my teeth trying quiet my cries.

she tied the rope around my waist. “that means we will always be there for each other, we are one in the same Calum, and nothing could break us apart.” she smiled her determined smile and as her eyes sparked with such fierce intensity i wiped the tears that strayed down my cheeks.

“always…” i whispered the word under my breath. “always.” my heart fluttered and filled me with a warm buzz as i hugged her. we will always have each other.

“coward..” i growl at myself struggling to keep quiet in the dim light. her room once full of life and lauphter now only tore me asunder with it’s silence.

“don’t leave me here!” her desperate cries were silenced as the rubble fell and i ran.

“You’ve been working on this presentation for months.” “No one else in the room knows about this topic better than you.” “You’re a strong, confident woman that is going to kick ass… but, like, in a professional way.”

I stare at myself in the fluorescent light of the office bathroom. I notice I’ve been grabbing the sink so hard I can’t feel my fingertips anymore. Okay. It’s showtime.

“I’m strong. I’m confident. I’m capable. I’m strong. I’m confident. I’m …” Oh god. They’re all looking at me.

My head has that cloudy feeling where it feels like all the insides of my head are clogging all the holes on the outside of my head.

My eyelids are sweating.

Am I going to pass out?

I can’t see anything.

What’s happening? Should I say something? Have I already said something?

My brain is running down my throat. I can’t breathe.

…

I’m staring up at the ceiling, counting the cobwebs stretched across every corner my mom could never reach with the broom.

I can hear my mom. She’s singing along to Whitney Houston in the next room.

I’m laying in the sun, draped across the carpeted floor in a strange little pose shaped like the old orange cat next to me.

I don’t think I’ve ever been happier than I am now. Laying in this mid-afternoon beam with nowhere to be.

Everything seems so simple from here.

I can hear Jenkins purring next to me, like a little furry engine.

How lucky I am to share in this little creature’s joy.

…

Is the presentation over?

Fuck. I don’t remember a single thing I said.

My ears are sweating now.

Did I even do it? Is it obvious I’m covered in sweat and wish I was dead?

No. They’re smiling. It went well. They’re smiling and clapping and… fuck.

Ken is asking me a question.

I can’t answer a question. I don’t even remember giving the presentation! What is he saying?

My brain is dying a heat death. Soon there will be nothing left.

Am I crying? My eyes are so blurry I can’t see Ken’s face anymore.

My head feels tight. My throat feels tight. It’s like my body’s been Saran wrapped over my insides.

…

Some British narrator is filling up my ears now. Something about the rise of fascism in Italy and dictators and blah blah blah.

It’s rolling out of my dad’s truck speakers, swirling around like a never ending stream of boring little history marbles I didn’t want to collect in 7th grade and I sure as hell don’t want to collect now.

My dad is nodding along with the British narrator. Raising his brow at every twist and turn in the story. As if this didn’t happen a billion boring years ago.

But I sit and listen and nod along with my dad and his boring audiobook.

He got it from the last truck stop.

I rolled my eyes when he excitedly set it on the counter among my Arizona tea and Gardetto’s snack mix and his Diet Pepsi.

But I can’t help but smile at my dad’s love for this British man we met at the truck stop - even if the man sounds like he’s trying to win a competition for the most pretentious sounding man ever to walk the Earth.

My dad takes a sip from his Diet Pepsi and holds out his hand for a bite of my Gardetto’s.

I’m careful to only give him the rye chips

…

I think it’s over now.

I’m walking back to my seat. Ken is looking thoughtful so I must’ve said something intelligent.

Or so unfathomably stupid he’s trying to figure out how I managed to survive this long.

They’re giving me the polite golf clap.

But is it a good golf clap? Does it feel like it has some passion behind it?

It’s probably a bad golf clap. Jeanine definitely looks like her eyes are fighting the urge to roll with more passion than an Olympic gymnast.

No.

She’s making eye contact. She gave me a thumbs up AND a smile!

I think it’s going to be okay.

Fuck. I need a drink and a call to my therapist.