Chapter Sixteen: Let Me Be Normal.

Sitting alone back inside Marek's home, I do my best trying to find some inner solace. I felt completely ashamed to let the group of us feel unsafe in Province when I didn't know for sure who I kept seeing. My accomplices would have had a great night without me, but instead, I endangered them and cut their night out short.

Luke agreed to take us right back after he spent money on clothes for us. We safely walked back to his home, with no altercations or strange person stalking us. He only wanted to impress us by showing us around Province, but we all ended up doing was walking back to his house watching over our shoulder in case we were being followed.

Luke explained that he is sure there's nothing to worry about because our family has never dealt with anything of the sort in Province; or on Elyria of that matter. He only thinks it was a coincidence but the other girls and I weren't too convinced. Being where the three of us came from I'm sure Luke understood why we were so shaken.

Once we arrived back to Luke's home the three us of were assigned official beds to sleep in. I immediately distracted myself from the images in my head by sinking into the mattress, remembering what it was like a few nights ago when I slept in Jane's bed. Now I'm no longer extremely tense because my muscles have relaxed, which is still new to me; like many other things.

Again, I'm so very grateful I have a mattress that's not just springs and a thin later of fabric poking into my body. The bed is extravagant, with actual large blankets and pillows that I dreamed to have only a week ago. My body feels completely content with the moment, but my brain is on another page.

I've been trying this whole time to sleep but I realize my sudden need to sleep is only because I want my thoughts to go away. My eyes are wide awake and I can't close them because all I can imagine is that dark figure in the streets of Province. A night out in town should have gone much better than it did. It should have been normal but of course, with me, my life consists of the complete opposite.

This evening was nothing remotely close to normal, it was horrifying and now I'd rather not have any strangers give me company; even if I am in their house. Avoiding them is my easiest option because right now I don't want to be pestered about my issues. Instead, I need to find the truth about who that cloaked figure is.

Physically escaping from the Hunters was one thing, it's a whole other to be trapped inside my head with them still mentally torturing me. Everything they'd said about that forest, their secrets and lies to keep me from knowing the truth, the talking rabbit in the woods, and now this figure stalking me here on Elyria. I can't wrap my head around the fact that all of this has happened within the past week. It makes me wish to be normal more than anything in the world.

The thought that keeps circling around in my head is that this stranger is one of the Hunters. A man seeking for my wearabouts in order to take me back to be their prisoner again. The situation makes me feel like I may not be so free after all.

I pick up on Grams voice downstairs. She explains to Luke that she is worried the family will accidentally trigger something in me. It clicks in my head that everyone has been careful about what they tell me and after everyone found out about my story, they've been silent to me about it.

I understand their intentions now because they don't want to bring thoughts into my head, or bring up bad memories, after all that is all I remember. I wonder if they want me to come to them if I want to talk about it, but I know I won't any time soon.

Normally I tune out the voices, but when I'm stressed I can't as much, so in a neighboring room I overhear Koda whispering to Lynn, "I couldn't let myself get caught either..." The conversation is much more interesting than the one from downstairs so I keep listening. "They'd ruin me. I can't be their prisoner."

Telling secrets? Thoughts? What confuses me is that the two seem almost comfortable with each other, reminding me of the other night when we first arrived in Province. They must be more than just acquaintances, like a friendship, maybe a dependency?

After observing relationships these past few days, I can tell that when a person knows someone, they speak with ease. They don't seem to hide away, or keep a distance from each other. With everyone I have met so far they are very talkative and sound honest with each other, something I've never experienced before.

I can see that between Lynn and Koda, as if something has developed previously. I keep suspecting that they know each other more and more because the only other person Lynn speaks to has been Estelle who follows her around.

Suddenly my ears pick up on an interesting topic between the two, hearing Koda whisper, "I saw them last night."

What does this mean?

Lynn groans, "I'd rather not talk about this right now..." Then I hear her heartbeat begin pounding and her take a sharp breath in.

"No." She murmers, "What happened to your wrists? Koda, they're bruised!"

Her words make me stirr under the covers of the blankets. I so badly want to sneak out of the room and peek into the neighboring one. I want to see what has happened to him and I want to know what they're talking about.

"Shhh..." He whispers.

"Show me right now."

"No." I hear him get to his feet, making the bed he must have been sitting on creak.

"Let me see right now or I will make a scene," She threatens.

There's a shuffle of fabric and a gasp coming from Lynn, "They did this to you?"

Koda's footsteps click on the floor, sounding like he's leaving while Lynn gets to her feet as well. Both of them with pounding heartbeats.

"Koda listen to me, this can't go on."

He huffs, "Keep this between us."

"I will."

"I know."

After some time the two part their own ways and I scan my eyes around the room, wondering if I should go ask Koda what's going on. I sit up, curious until everything slips my mind and I see a shadow of a book sitting ontop of the tall armoire.

I have no doubt that it is the book Jane brought with her from the underground cave home. I decide to flip on the bedroom light and stand on the corner of the bed to reach the almost hidden book.

An energy surges through my fingertips as I grasp the book, bringing it down to eye level. With all of the times we've discussed how I shouldn't read this book, I am hesitant to rebel against everyone's words, even after I flip open to the contents page.

The first chapter, is short, describing where the portal is things I already know. The writing seems ancient and it takes me time to decipher the reading. The end of the chapter is much more interesting, taking about the keeper of the gate on the Elyrian side and Earth side.

The Earth side is portrayed with more harshness, using words like frightening and disgusting to talk about where the portal sits. There used to be a gate keeper on the Earth side but it was almost like an imprisonment, making it so the person was chosen for the job and was not allowed to leave the home under any circumstances.

This tradition was kept through generations, as well as disposing of the unwanted humans who wandered into the underground gate. The gate keeper was always a witch so they could hex the humans to send them back where they came from, or if necessary, were allowed to kill humans to protect the gate.

This went on for thousands of years until around the 16th century when tradition was accidentally changed. A gate keeper was no longer forced to guard the portal on the Earth side. The last existing keeper was mysteriously murdered by a merman, who flodded the staircase that went down to her home.

I don't know how a merman could have murdered a witch but maybe that makes sence why the water there is salt water. Finally, an answer to an otherworldly question I have asked myself before! This book might have all the answers I need, so I intend to keep reading.

The gate keeper who was murdered stayed, being the very same spirit I have seen glistening purple in the woods. But because of her death and the flooding by the merman, the humans who fall into the trap of the platform dround. They get sucked into the depths of the water just like I did, but instead their bodies are swept away somewhere else.

The spirit takes care of worthy creatures of Elyria, but seeks revenge for her murderer...

Suddenly I'm distracted from the book, and drop it onto my lap, hearing a ringing sound come from downstairs. The sound must be a phone, something I forgot the family has.

My grandfather picks it up, "Hello," by the sound of his voice he must be half asleep.

I don't take time to strain my ears because I can hear the sound of Marek in distress, "I have no explanation for what's happening here at the house, but as of right now three of the Guard have gone missing."

"How many are there now?"

"There's only two left."

Images and horrors of being in that building for so long submerges from the depths of my mind. I have no doubt in my mind that the Hunters are behind this. My stomach feels stiff like it's about to become extremely queasy.

Still the past day of experiencing a family setting made me think that I was finally turning my life into something more normal, something more free. I should've known it was too good to be true. I can't hide away from what happened to me and I can't ignore the fact that there are people existing who want to kill me.

How could I be so distracted with all of this new knowledge around me that in a single day I forgot how much danger I am in. Even though I'm on a whole seperate planet I can not be safe, and now the people around me could suffer from me being so helpless and lost.

My grandfather explains his conversation to Gram and Marek's wife. He sounds urgent, just as my aunt announces, "We have to go to Earth, now!"

Gram's heartbeat accelerates, "You have to bring Marek home safe. He can't stay there, it's too dangerous. We don't know what will happen to him."

Papa agrees, standing out of his chair quicker than I thought he could move, "Let's go."

My aunt shuffles out of her seat as well, "Alright..." She takes a pause, "Mom, will you please watch over Jarin for me?"

"Yes, now go."

Papa and Marek's wife take off in a sudden rush out the door. I know exactly where they are going, there's no need to explain to me after already hearing the conversation. I allow them to go but wishing they wouldn't leave.

****

My eyes snap open in panic as I hear footsteps down the hallway. I sit up with trembling hands which remind me of the unfinished horrifying dream I had that's still inside my brain. The room is dark, indicating that it can't be too late in the morning. My toes shudder at the cold wood floor and when I start to creep forward Luke's pajama pants slide down my waist. Ignoring Jane who is sleeping in the bed beside from mine I sneak out the door as I tie the string at my waist tighter.

Now on high alert I scan the hall hoping to the high heavens that this is only one of my cousins and not the evil man from my dream. I find that one of the bedroom doors has been left wide open, it's the one furthest on the right. My eyes take a brief glance at my reflection in the mirror beside the bathroom door. My hair is curlier than before and not messy at all despite the fact that I didn't brush it. I smile actually pleased with myself showing off dimples that I had no clue existed. My left one is deeper than the right and they remind me of my uncle's dimples.

A running noise from downstairs makes me decide to turn and descend the stairs, stopping halfway when I see the curtain open to reveal a ray of sunlight on the floor. I sleepily gaze out at the sky which happens to be pink, purple and dark blue. The sun has hardly risen but it is definatly morning. After a second it hits me that this planet is not Earth and that star is not the sun. I don't know what to call the flaming ball of yellow light, I guess just another star?

I turn and slide the door open to reveal the other side of the staircase. After turning to proceed into the front room of the house I find nothing placed out of the ordinary. Everything is okay, I declare as I hop down the last step. Entering the kitchen to my right I see Jarin at the table with Koda.

"Did Joey wake you up too?" He questions.

Oh so that's what that was? I nod at Koda, suddenly becoming suspicious again of the conversation I overheard with him and Lynn last night.

A yawn escapes my lips, "Does he always get up this early? The sun isn't even up yet."

"I like to get up early to have my breakfast." Jarin announces.

Koda sighs, "Five thirty is too early."

I look out the large window behind the table, seeing how the outside begins glistening from the strange colors of the sky. Then I remember, "What would you call the sun here?"

Koda answers, "We call our star Sall Melik but for short we tend to call it the star."

I let the thought sit in my head, knowing I'm not going to recall how to pronounce the name in the future. I want to know the difference between cultures here, knowing that Earth has nothing similar to creatures and poweres here.

"Ellie! Do you want some breakfast?" Jarin asks.

I nod and so then within about five minutes I am offered breakfast, consisting of something similar to eggs and bacon. It tastes better than I could ever imagine, somewhat sweet meat but smokey as well. The egg is runnier than I'd expect an egg to be, and with a bigger yolk that's green. I'm sure this could be a chicken egg but I eat it anyway, tasting it's distinct flavor.

The next few hours are uneventful, but I still find stressful. We hear nothing from Marek, his wife, or Papa and so we all are getting antsy. The day goes by slow and after lunch I find Luke hiding away in his bedroom. Lynn sits on his bed, along with Estelle in his desk chair.

I enter the room, suddenly recalling the book that Jane once again took away from me last night when she got home and hid. Maybe Luke will help me find it again, "Do you know where Jane put that book?"

"No..." He seems almost confused, but more suspicious, "Why?" He drags out the word.

I frown, "I started reading things last night, and I want to know more. I don't understand why she took it away from me."

He sighs, "There are things that I don't think would be...okay to tell you. I don't keep secrets, I do my best not to. But if you have a question I can answer."

"Tell me about the three rules of magic." That was a chapter name that I recall that perplexed me. I was going to investigate it further but that was when Jane snatched the book up from my hands last night.

He sighs as if he has said it a million times, "You can not change what is destined to be. You can't use magic to make somebody truly love you. Lastly you can't bring any creature back to life using magic."

"You mean like time travel." Estelle blurts.

"I guess so."

"What if you go against one of the rules?" I question.

"It's said to be impossible. You can try as much as you want, but something will always stop it from happening."

Suddenly I hear a phone wring from downstairs and my stomach churns, this must be my grandfather. We haven't heard from him or my aunt since they left last night. Marek's phone has been declining our calls all day.

A click tells me the phone was answered, "Uncle-"

Koda's words are cut short by a frantic Marek, "We were captured, we were captured!"

"Who?"

"All of us."

Koda sounds devastated, "Where? Where? Tell me where you are!"

"Wolves, wolves!"

"Where are you?" Koda pleads.

"I don't know!"

"Hold on..."

Marek mumbles, "I have to go!"

With that the phone call ends and Koda is running up the stairs to the rest of us, "HELP! HELP! LUKE!"

Luke's face in front of me pales like a ghost and he gets up off his bed, fumbling over Lynn. The rest of us follow close behind him as he meets Koda at the top of the staircase, "What's wrong?"

"Luke, they were taken!" Koda is in tears, something I don't think I'd ever see.

Luke's mouth falls open, "I-I..."

"We have to go to Earth now!" Koda scrambles to grab Luke's arm to drag him downstairs.

"Okay." This conversation sounds too familiar.

The three of us girls of course follow close behind, finding Koda tripping to get his shoes on at the bottom of the staircase. Luke does the same, not caring to find socks and swings the front door open not caring that it hits the wall behind it.

"Wait!" The word comes out of my mouth so fast I didn't expect it to even leave my brain. The boy's look back at me as I announce, "Take me with you."

"No." They say simultaneously.

"I'm going with you no matter what."

Koda's eyes widen, but he's not looking at me, he's staring at Lynn beside me. His voice becomes horse, "No, I can't allow you to come with us. Trust me on this."

"No. I am the reason why everyone is getting taken, I must be. Why else?"

Koda spits, "No, and that's it."

He sprints out the door, almost leaving Luke behind who mutters, "Sorry."

I look over at Lynn and Estelle as my emotions become fuming, "Come on, we can't just let them leave like this."

Estelle frowns, "We won't be any help, we'll just get in the way."

Lynn adds, "I think the Hunters want this to happen, so they can bring us back to that place."

"I'm not going." Estelle decides.

Of course she always has to argue with me!

"I can't just let them get taken too, they're not being smart about this!"

Lynn groans, "Honestly, I think Koda can handle himself." She sits down on the last step.

I give them a dirty glare and charge out the front door onto the porch. The boys are already out of sight but I can hear their footsteps pounding on the cobbled street.

I want to go running after them and so I do, barefooted and jumping down the front step, over the dip in the sidewalk and onto the street. Lynn catches up behind me, grabbing my arm and pulling me back. Her being much taller than me I can't escape her grasp and so I smack her side.

"NO!" She shouts, "Elenor, you can't! Koda is trying to keep you safe."

So she's sided with him.

Estelle blurts, "You know we can't go back there! We've gotten so far already!"

"And you're gonna let all of these people sacrifice themselves for you?"

At my words she goes deathly silent, and starts walking back up the front steps of the home. She's made her decision and there's no point in arguing with her.

Lynn grips my wrist harder, "Please stay, for Koda?"

"What does he have to do with this? Huh?" My arguing becomes more enraged at the second, "And let go of me." I pull my wirst away from her.

"Ellie, I just-" She cuts herself off. Looking down at the ground. This has to do with her and Koda's talk last night. Something is going on between them, they know something don't they?

I spin around and stomp back up the steps to the porch where Gram stands in the doorway. She looks me up and down, "I don't like any of this, come inside right now."

She's the one to scare me enough to the bone where I follow her orders and go into the living room. I pace around, finding myself shaking.