How to Secretly protect your Village: Excerpt 13

It’s only gonna get angstier from here. And maybe a little weird Idk

Opal pauses. “I-I…I get to meet my sister. Oh gosh I can’t believe this…Hate to admit it, but I’m a bit of a fan.”

We both hug, and Dusk takes Opal’s hand. We walk through the hallway and into the living room, and are about to head for the door when Astra and Crystal stop us. Opal once again obscures her eyes with her bangs.

“Hold on, where are all of you going, and why is Opal with you?” Astra says. Crystal stares at Opal and attempts to brush her bangs out of her eyes. “Opal, what is it with this habit of yours? You know it’s not polite, and you won’t be able to see properly.”

She reaches towards Opal, who lunges towards her and violently slaps Crystal’s hand away. A tiny tendril of smoke emanates from Opal’s hand.

“I can see you and your overinflated ego just fine.” Opal snarls. “My face and hair are off limits to you.”

“Wow. You have quite the mouth for a 10 year old.” Crystal says.

“Shut up.” Opal says.

“Yeah. Leave Opal alone. She’s gone through too much today.” Adne says. “Let her do what she pleases.”

Crystal flashes us a dirty look.

“Anyway, we’ll be on our way. We’re looking for Storm’s sibling Ember.” Dusk says. “She’ll be able to help Storm train, and might help fix this town and that stubborn superstition story of theirs.”

“You can’t search for someone who is dead.” Astra says.

Adne, Dusk, Andromeda, Opal, and I collectively sigh.

“She’s not dead.” I say, showing Astra my message wall with Ember. “She’s alive and well and has a few words for you once she stops by here.”

“I’m allergic to liars.” Opal says flatly. “You and Crystal included.”

Astra and Crystal scoff angrily. Mom steps in between us.

“Let them go.” She says. “This is important to them.”

“Fine.” Astra and Crystal grumble. They back away, and we exit the house and Mom unlocks the minivan in front of the garage. It makes a small clicking noise.

We pile into the car, with Andromeda at the passenger’s seat, Ariadne at the wheel, Opal on the left, me in the middle, and Dusk on the right next to me.

The car roars to life, but before we go, Mom leaves us a message.

“Stay safe.” She says. “Also since Dad is working late, say hi to him for me. He was always crazy about the whole adventuring thing. He also has something to tell you, Storm.”

I nod. She waves, and we drive off.

I stare up into the night sky, into the glow of two moons, and see the faint outline of the big dipper. So many clusters, so much light, so little time.

I remember that every night, Ember would take me up to the rooftop of our house, long after everyone had gone to bed. It’s a memory that will forever live in my head rent free. In addition to loving elemental fire, I had and still have a love for the stars. Not many have the ability of astral travel, but if I did, I’d explore the hell out of it, but they keep saying it’s too hard. It’s not. From what I’ve seen when my aunt and sister demonstrated it to me, the whole process of learning this power is exploration in itself.

It was fun, even when I was almost caught and lied my way out of being chewed out.

Here’s to hoping I can relive that memory, or perhaps make a new one, because the stars are where my soul belongs.

I realize that with all this knowledge, I can still learn this. Even though it’s often forbidden for us to cross the border from our town into the rest of the world, I’ve always had this urge to go through that border, and see what Summerwood has to offer. Even though people say it is not safe, the border is guarded by huge groups of trees. No enchantment, no guards, just a big honking forest. The reason the town thinks the forest will stop people from leaving is because they’ll get lost, but I’ve snuck there before secretly, and for some reason I always find a way back, almost like some little compass inside my brain is guiding me. I don’t remember it consciously. My body does.

I don’t know how this is possible.

Then I am hit with waves of emotion.

A vision of an egg hatching.

Something calls out a name.

Luma.

Luma.

Hello, Luma.

I see the small innocent face of a little infant creature.

Out of nowhere, I retrieve a piece of paper and a pen, and rapidly scribble out a note. I hear a voice inside of me that sounds like my own and a slightly older version of me layered onto each other.

Dear future self, however far away you may be, and little sea mermaid child I saw in my vision,

Future self, keep the sea baby safe. If you find her, love her as much as you can. Have her trust you. You are her mother and her greatest love when the one who hatched her gave her up because it was the only safe option for her.

Future me. Please give Luma a life she’ll never forget. I have people I love, and Luma is another chance for someone to give love to, and a chance for me teach them everything about the world, both good and bad.

Now that I’m writing this, fate is showing itself as we speak.

Be safe out there, future me.

Then I feel Dusk’s hand on my shoulder.

“Everything okay?” He whispers. “You looked like you were in a trance for a sec.”

“I had a vision from my future self.” I say. “Then I heard their voice saying a name. Then somehow without my control, I started writing something without even knowing. It was like my body compelled me to do it while my mind had no idea.”

The car stops in front of a medium sized house lit by dim orbs. It doesn’t look that welcoming on the outside, but we’ll take our chances. 

We make our way up the front walk, and Adne is about to ring the doorbell, but hesitates.

“Are you sure we’re supposed to be doing this? What if Alex isn’t home?”

“Just give me a chance.” I say, ringing the doorbell twice.

We wait. Silence settles around us.

I knock on the door 4 times.

We wait some more. Then I hear the sound of faint footsteps coming from inside the house.

Adne freezes.

The door opens slowly, and I see Alex in human form peer through the crack. Even though their entire face isn’t seen, I can see the lines and exhaustion on their face.

They’ve seen some things. A faint jagged scar is slashed upon part of their face. Their right eye is still purple, but cloudy and opaque in the center, like part of it is dead. Alex’s short curly hair is messy, and fuzzy slightly scruffy facial hair shows on their chin and jawbone.

“You rang?” Alex asks, a grumble in their voice. “What the hell d’ you want? I haven’t had a chance to sleep properly since the mission two days ago that involved getting people away from a half destroyed town. If you want help, either make it quick or tell me who you are that way I have a reason to do this.”

“Sir, it’s Storm.” I say. “Remember me?”

Alex squints slightly. “Yeah. I know you. We dream spoke once.”

“Oh…” I say hopefully. “By the way…what happened to your eye? You look like you’ve…s-seen things.” 

I stifle a laugh.

“Poisoned.” Alex mutters. “It took my vision in one eye. If I hadn’t been saved I wouldn’t be here. That’s just one price to pay but I’m grateful.”

They gesture towards the hall, and we enter the house. As we sit down on a nearby couch, Alex pours a small cup of tea.

“So, what brings you here?” They ask.

“I’m trying to find my sister Ember.” I reply. “She ran away a long time ago.”

“I remember her.” Alex chuckles. “She secretly used to be one of my students. Until that incident, that is.”

Wait.

WHAT?

How?

I can’t believe this.

Alex knew all along. About what was going on with Ember. How she ran away. And they had been too busy to break it to us.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t trust him. At least he’ll still help us find her, even if it means taking the biggest risk of all.

Leaving the safety and familiarity (and superstitious gossip about me) of this town.

This messy place.

And I’m more than happy to get high off of finally abandoning those who hurt me for good.

Dusk steps inside, and sits on the couch, and Alex pours him a cup of tea.

He stirs in some honey, and gently sets the cup beside him.

“Dusk.” Alex says quietly. “I did not know you’d be accompanying them. It’s been so long since I last saw you.”

“Indeed.” Dusk chuckles softly. “Now I’m also here to ask what you know about Ember. What was the last thing she said before the incident?”

“Well, I remember that when she stopped by, she was unusually anxious and had a duffel back on her. When I asked her what was going on, she was unusually vague about it, so I began to worry. She seemed super anxious, and seemed like she was in a hurry to do something.” Alex says.

“What exactly was it?” I ask.

“Ember has the ability to predict events before they happen. She knew that Storm would have trouble awaiting. Even though Ember has gone missing, she knows that Mom’s side of the family are all mad at her for nothing. Some deny her existence, while others are holding grudges so bad they want her hide. So it’s why she fled.”

I sigh. “My family is crazy. Going out for blood when a kid doesn’t conform to some messed up standards. Who else has a connection to my sister?”

“I’m sorry it hurts so much for you.” Dusk says. “Your town needs serious help, but someone I know who Ember also knows is this kid named Nicole They were childhood friends. She’s one of my godchildren (I have many), and she happens to be one of the curators of my museum, and has the ability to open portals to other worlds or other locations in this world. The night Ember ran away, Nicole said she felt a weird sad feeling inside her soul. Their bond is so strong that they can feel each other’s presence, and at that moment, Nic knew something wasn’t right. Not about Ember, or the town, so she too packed her things, and both her and Ember don’t live here, but since Nic is the only one here who can open portals, they’re the only one I know the whereabouts of, but sadly she can’t find Ember. Even though their minds are linked, they haven’t told her anything, and the only downside is that Nic needs to know what or where a location is in order to portal into it.”

“So does that mean our operation is null and void?” I ask.

“No. We just need to see if Nic can link back up with Ember so we can communicate properly. I’m not an expert with oracle related stuff yet but you should ask her.” Dusk says. 

He pauses, and his phone vibrates. He sets it down, and moments later, an image of someone appears in front of him. The girl on the other end appears to be in her early 20s. Her hair is short and messy, and she has a toned, muscled build. One arm is extended as she holds the camera out in front of her. She appears to be sitting on a chair with partially stuffed pillows.

“Well, if it isn’t Nicole the portalgeist! How are you?” Dusk chuckles.

“It’s been a long time.” She replies. “Also, call me Nic. It seems you have some new faces with you. Now what do you need? I’m here to help.”