Episode Eight: The Eldest and Dylan

What the f*ck? I suddenly started thinking that following Miss Susan to God knows where might have been a bad idea. I mean I had heard a lot of weird names in my life, but 'the Eldest' had suddenly topped the list.

Then as soon as that John guy introduced himself and the council, he paused like he was waiting for some response. I didn't know anything about him but it seemed like he usually had people bowing and grovelling at his feet.

I just stared at him and when he saw I wasn't going to say anything, he said

"Many Zarden die wishing they could spend one minute in this room. You should be honored."

I didn't care about some room with horrible decor, I came here for a reason. I might as well get it over with.

"I was promised some answers." I said.

"Yes and you'll get them. You just have to answer some of ours first."

I cursed under my breath. I should have expected this. There was always a catch, especially with authority.

"Sure." I said in the most disrespectful tone I could muster. "Why don't we get on with it."

John looked at me and smiled as if to say "if you knew who I was you wouldn't even dare look at me."

"Very well then." John finally said. "Records show you lived among the humans for fourteen years, how come you stayed hidden that long?"

"Huh?" I said but he ignored me.

"What Family do you belong to?"

This guy was making less sense the more he spoke.

"What the f*ck do you mean Family?" I asked.

John ignored me and asked his next question

"Who are your parents?"

"I thought you knew them?" I said, as I stole glance at Miss Susan. "I was told you would be able to tell me who they were."

"Is this some sort of joke?" John snapped.

There was cold fury in his eyes and then suddenly, the temperature dropped at least twenty degrees. I knew John was doing this but I didn't know how.

"I believe that's enough Mr. Munroe." A man in a grey suit, who John had introduced to be Elijah, said calmly. "I'll take it from here."

I suddenly noticed that my heart was racing. Despite the cold I could feel sweat breaking from multiple parts of my body. I couldn't help but feel scared.

I was miles away from home in the middle of nowhere and I was around individuals who could make the temperature drop when they're angry. I swallowed and looked at John.

He was clearly miffed that Elijah had shut him up but he slumped in his chair without another word. I stole a glance at Miss Susan, whom was still flanked by the red suit guys. She didn't seem the least surprised by the turn out of events.

"I'm sorry Dylan, forgive our behaviour. I'm Elijah Wilbur and I'm going to give you answers to three questions. But you have to promise me you'll answer my three questions honestly."

"WHAT!!! We are The Elders. If he doesn't want to talk, we force it out of him." John said.

"John." Elijah said, his voice a little bit higher. "I said I'll take it from here."

Was this some sort of good cop, bad cop strategy? If it was, I didn't want to tell them it was working. I found myself saying

"I promise."

A smile tugged at Elijah's lips.

"Alright then. You may ask your questions."

I had a lot of questions, but I had to take it slow. And by so doing, I had forgotten to ask the most important.

"Who are you guys? I asked—my first question.

"We are The Council."

"I know that. I mean who are you guys?" I asked again as I gestured

round the room. I hoped that would that would be enough to make him understand because I didn‖t see any other way I could ask the question without freaking out.

"Oh I see. You can call us Zarden."

"Zarden?"

"We are like humans, but a superior species. Imagine humans but with incredible zox... I mean powers."

He said 'we' like I was a Zarden or something. But what he said explained how Miss Susan had been able to teleport and materialize out of thin air.

"Okay, that makes sense." I said a little sarcastically. "So the people who attacked me are Zarden?"

"We have reason to believe so."

Then something clicked in my brain, something that finally made sense.

"How long have you guys been watching me?" I asked. "Don't lie to me, I knew I was been watched."

Elijah's eyes widened like the fact I had noticed I was been watched surprised him.

"About two weeks." He answered.

"Why?"

"I'm sorry Dylan, but that would be your fourth question. Although I might answer that after I hear your answers."

"Okay." I grumbled as I tried to wrap my mind around the fact that people with powers existed. But even at that I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was forgetting something.

"First question, do you have a tattoo on the middle of your back?"

I know right, what kind of question is that? But this people were clearly crazy and probably liars too. I wasn't sure if Elijah had answered my questions truthfully. So I lied too.

"No."

"I really thought he was the one." Elijah muttered but I heard him clearly. This was the second time something like this was happening and I needed to be sure I hadn't imagined hearing him.

"What?" I asked

"Nothing." Elijah said, gaining composure

"Next question: How long have you lived with your mum?"

"All my life." I answered, then I remembered I hadn't asked a very important question.

"I'm adopted though." I continued "So if you can please tell me who my real..."

"Final question." Elijah interrupted. "All those troubles you caused in your last two schools, did you do them on purpose."

A lot of people had asked me this question, but I gave them the same reply.

"NO!!!" And it was the truth.

Elijah nodded and muttered again "It's a lot worse than I thought."

Was this guy trying to give me a heart attack?

He didn't have to be so dramatic about everything. Even the three other council members present looked startled, except a man sitting at the far apex of the table.

He looked the oldest and probably hadn't done so much as blink throughout the meeting.

"What's a lot worse than you thought?" I asked

"Huh. Oh..." He seemed a bit surprised no amazed that I had heard what he said. "Very few Zarden have keen senses."

"Huh?"

"I told you I might answer your question about why we had you followed. Well..." but he never completed the sentence.

"Before you say anymore Elijah," the old man at the far apex had finally said, his voice loud for his age. "I'd like the prisoners taken to the underground cells immediately. Miss Susan you can head back to Malzar. Thank you very much."

His voice was filled with so much authority that Miss Susan and the guys in red suits moved like they were dazed.

After they left, the room was silent for a few seconds. I didn't dare say a word. I got the feeling the Old guy could vaporize me without moving a muscle.

"No need to tell you my name boy, you can call me The Eldest." The Eldest continued in the same authority filled voice. "You were being followed because I had a hunch and I wanted to be sure about it. Turns out my dear student here has already figured it out. So I'll allow him tell you."

"Thank you Sifu." Elijah said in a rather meek voice. "This is the situation. At first, I thought you were a Zarden living among the humans. But, I was wrong. It turns out my master here has suspected the truth all along."

And then Elijah paused...

Cue the suspense music.

"You are not fully Zarden, neither are you fully human." He continued.

It took me a while to understand what he meant.

"Wait are you saying..."

"Yes Boy..." the old guy interrupted. "You're Half Zarden, Half human."