The Everly Davis chronicles

by Amelia K Oliver

  I'm around nine weeks pregnant, my stomach is getting rounder by the second, the baby must be growing at land time, while I'm stuck on slower than a sloth, Atlantis time. I cup my hands over it as we walk through the sand streets, it's rounder than I expected it to be at this early stage. The thought skitters across my mind, leaving goosebumps to raise on my skin in its wake. If time goes this slow, yet so fast above, if I don't escape soon, it will be harder to escape with a pregnant stomach.

  I drag myself out of those thoughts as I look around me. Venders selling all kinds of things I've never seen, line each side of the path. Every person is a different color. There’s a lot of blue, but also pinks, oranges and a few inky black. They all have gills. Some on their necks, some on their faces, which is kinda gross looking. Kinda vagina like on their cheeks.

  "Hi," I wave to a tall, thin blue woman who is. Her orange lips curl into a small smile.

  "Hello, my Queen." she replies quietly.

  "Please, call me Everly." her cheeks flame, well, they turn a darker shade of blue. I guess that's a blush.

  "I am Eileen." She whispers.

  "I love this, Eileen, did you make it?" I pick up what looks like an oil lamp. The base is a large shell. The iridescent colours are stunning. The wick is thick and rope-like.

  "Yes, my Queen. Please, take it." She wraps her hands around mine and thrusts it towards me.

  "No, I couldn't," I give it her back and smile at the light green man next to me. He shuffles closer, his skin radiating heat. "Hi, I'm Everly."

  "I know. And I am T'het." He replies, smiling. Ta het, lovely name. I look behind him to see a group has gathered around me.

  "Is she truly the Queen?

  "Look at her hair."

  "She favours me, she told me to call her Everly." Eileen yells above the others.

  The whispers around me serve to make my own cheeks colour. How do they know about me? All the different colours are beautiful. I've never seen anything like them before. I can't help but stare at a bright pink woman. Her eyes are pink, too. She's around the same size as me, only she is much thinner.

  "My Queen, I beg of you to bless me. My name is Jodi," She holds her hand out to me, wrist up.

  "I, I," I stutter.

  "No, me! My Queen, my name is Daisy, I am ailed with constant pain. Please, bless me." Another Atlantean pushes their way into the crowd. Her yellow face scrunched up in pain.

  "I am Charlotte," another thrusts her hand towards me.

  "I'm so sorry, I can't," I begin to tell them I can't help. I don't know what they want from me.

  "Leave!" Gordon yells. I wince and everyone around me rushes off. I can't help but breathe a sigh of relief. As much as I want to, I can't help these people. It breaks my heart to see so many painfully thin people. Poseidon clearly doesn't give a shit about these people. As I watch them leave, I can't help but notice something odd. The one thing that every single one of them has... is blonde hair. Long, short, bald but with blonde brows, all of them are blonde. Subconsciously, I lift a hand to my own hair. Which is a hot mess because apparently, Atlantis doesn't have brushes.

  "Why is everyone blonde, Gordon? Why are we bright red?" I look up into his stern face as he pushes past more people. He barely looks alive with his pale, see-through skin and never changing expression. My foot catches a tiny rock, I trip and fall. But before I land face-first into the sand, Gordon reaches out and catches me.

  "We are royalty." He replies simply, if a little angry, as if that explains it. He pushes me back to my feet and keeps walking. My eyes can't take in all I see. There's simply too much. The buildings here are smaller, more town-like than city. The path is made of sand and there is a cool breeze coming from somewhere. I don't see many children, though. Unless it's school time. Do they have schools here?

  "Of course, we have schools, we are not barbarians." My twin answers the unspoken question. Fuck. I seriously need to work on that mental brick wall. "There are not many children, because father decrees it so." He adds.

  "Wait, are you telling me Poseidon told these people," I pick up my pace so I don't have to shout for him to hear me. His legs are much longer than mine so he moves faster, plus, I'm noseying at all the shiny things on the tables around me, "They cannot have children?"

  "Yes. It is necessary for population control. Every quarter-century he places a ban on procreation." His words are laced with respect. Like, he thinks that awful man is doing these people a service by controlling their lives to such an extent. It blows my mind there has never been an uprising.

  "That's wild. Is that why everyone is staring at my bump?" I ask as we pass a small group of what I presume are women, based on the different bumps on their chests. It seems male and females here wear white togas, short, long, the same styles. Both genders have long and short hair. It's hard to tell who is what sex.

  "There are more than just two sexes here. And yes, a pregnant woman is a rare sight. These people tend to hide their pregnant women, for fear the child will be stolen from the womb." Gordon tells me as he moves fast through the colourful crowd.

  Stolen from the womb? I speed up, my short legs eating up the distance that grew between us as I gorked at everything around me. These people might look pretty, and harmless. If they lower themselves enough to steal babies from their mothers' tummies, rather than revolt against their evil leader, then I don't really want to be around them without protection. But the thing is, my protectors are not here.

  A sharp pang of loneliness constricts my chest. I miss my guys so fucking much. There has to be a way out of here, I need to find it. And soon. Because at this rate, the baby will be here before I'm back on land with Leyland. And that would be a disaster.

  FINALLY, WE LEAVE THE city behind. Before us is the protective dome which the city lies within. It shimmers, like glass in the sun, but when I reach out and touch it, it's cold.

  "Here we are, sister, your training ground," Gordon announces, sounding like he’s thrilled to bring me to this place.

  "I don't need to train, I've already done that," I comment as I stare out into the dark ocean on the other side of the barrier. Looking up, all I see is a bright light. The one that makes it feel like it's daytime. But out there, it's darker than the night.

  "No, you have not, sister," I turn to face Gordon, the light coming from above makes his pale skin almost see-through. I can see his blue veins through it, there are thousands. "You see, you can do so much more than you realise. Go ahead, touch the dome." He jerks his chin, indicating the glass behind me.

  "I just did. I'm tired and hungry. Take me to my room." Anger seeps into my voice, my shoulders slump and I roll them, trying to get rid of some of the tension there. With every second that passes, my heart aches more for my men.

  "You're the only one who can do it, so I can't show you. But trust me, sister, you will see." He informs me, ignoring my request.

  "Trust you?" I stare at him, my mouth hanging open in disbelief. "You hurt my men. Then drag me to the bottom of the ocean, lock me in a room, by myself, for days, knowing full well that earth days move faster than they do down here, and expect trust from me?" My anger dissipates some, replaced with utter grief, my eyes close, “I don't even know if they're alive, Gordon. My men, my consorts. The people I love most in this world." I turn to the ocean once more, my hand reaches out to touch it without my permission, as if it's a natural thing to do. "My world came crashing down around me on that cliff," the tips of my fingers touch the glass, its coolness seeps into my skin, causing goosebumps all over me, "I want to go home, Gordon, I don't belong here." When I open my eyes, a gasp leaves me, and I jump back with a little scream.

  In front of the glass, an assortment of sea creatures has gathered. As far as my eyes can see, there are rows upon rows of fish, sharks, squid, whales and dolphins. Sea turtles rest on the seabed, their necks extended to look up at me. Beside them are shrimp, lobsters and other small, colourful sea creatures. Some of the smaller fish get caught in the wav
es the larger creatures’ fins and tails make, sending them rolling away, only to furiously swim right back to the glass.

  This is wild. I blink, pinch my arm, even tug my hair, to make sure I'm not dreaming. I swear, their eyes are on me, their... lips? are curled up, some revealing sharp teeth, others showing gums. A couple of the larger creatures even have small fish sat upon their tongues. I flatten both hands and lay the palms to the glass, every single creature moves forwards a little more. Several bump against the barrier, causing me to jump and squeak. Holy fucking shit, I am Aqua man... woman! I know I should be freaked out, I mean, how often does this shit happen? Never, that's when. But the more I look out at them, the more comforted I feel. Silver light swirls around my fingers and bumps against the glass as if it's trying to reach the sea beings. A tiny shrimp crawls up in front of me, at eye level. It looks at me, I look at it. More light pours from me as I notice one of its tiny legs hangs loosely at its side. It's injured.

  "Fascinating. Even the dolphins heard your call." Gordon speaks, breaking the spell I seem to be under, finally, I turn from the glass and look up at him.

  "What is this? A trick? Why?" My thoughts run away from me as my mind swirls. My call? He smiles down at me, the first one I've seen from him. My inner light recedes back into my body, leaving me feeling cold and alone.

  "No, dear sister, it’s not a trick. I told you that you had more powers, ones only you have. As you can see, you can call upon the inhabitants of the ocean. In time, you will be able to communicate with them. But I'm told that it will take many years to master." His tone is filled with awe as he speaks. Clearly, someone has been telling him porkies. Because I absolutely cannot talk to sea creatures. I'm not Doctor Doolittle. "Come, sister. That is enough for this day. Tomorrow, your training begins. There’s much for you to learn." He turns on his heel and stalks away. I cast one last look at the creatures beyond the glass before following him.

  I let him get ahead of me and try to slip into the crowd as we reach the market. An open door beckons me and I dash inside. I don't have a plan, but if I can hide long enough, maybe I can find someone who will help me get out of here. Or at least find a way myself. The room I end up in is clearly a shop. Shelves line the walls and it smells faintly of vanilla. Candles are apparently hugely popular here because everything in here is a candle. Different shapes and sizes line the walls. A tall, dark blue woman shuffles towards me. Her face shows her age, lines across her forehead tell of a life lived.

  "My Queen, what an honour to have you in my shop." She reaches out and takes my hands, "Oh, you are quite scared. And lonely,"

  "Please can you tell me how to get out of Atlantis?" I ask in a rush, I've got a feeling I don't have long. The older woman pulls me towards the back of the store.

  "The royal guard can take you, my Queen. Here, please, take this. It would warm my heart to know you have it," she thrusts a large candle into my arms. It's beautiful and ornately carved. What I'm guessing is Atlantis, based on the building I recognise as the castle type one that is my prison, is depicted on the sides. It's lovely.

  "Thank you, it's beautiful. Is there any other way out of here? Like if you want to sneak out?" I really wished I'd asked William how he escaped. We slowly walk back towards the door.

  "No one tries to escape, my Queen. Atlantis is our home. We are loyal to the King." Her eyes flick back and forth, like she thinks this is a test or something. Shit. Poseidon has these people scared of him.

  "I promise you; this is not a trick. I need your help, I," The door bursts open and I throw a punch automatically. It misses Gordon's face by inches.

  "Don't make me shackle you, sister." He says as he grabs my arm roughly.

  "Let me the fuck go!"

  "Not likely." He grumbles and yanks me out of the shop.

  That was a crap attempt at escape Ever! I look back at the older lady and offer a sad smile. She beams at me like my little visit was the highlight of her day.

  "What are you doing with your Queen?" He yells at the woman, his fist raised to strike her.

  "No!" I grab his wrist and hold onto it. His sky-blue eyes look down at me, confusion clear to see for a split second until he blinks. The older woman backs away and hunches over. Making herself small.

  "You would protect this lowly shop keep?" Gordon asks, his face blank and his stare deadly.

  "Yes," I answer simply.

  "Why?" He stares at me like I'm a never before seen bug he’s dying to pin to a board.

  "Because she did nothing wrong and look at her." I drop his hand and wrap my arm around her thin shoulders. "She's shaking, Gordon. Does it make you feel good to know you strike fear in the elderly? What's it feel like to have your own people fear you?" I can't get my head around my twin brother being so different than me. He hates people. Atlanteans and human alike, he covets their fear as if it's a sign of respect and it proves how strong he is.

  "Feel?" Gordon asks, his brow drawn down over his eyes.

  "Yeah, you know, emotions. Feelings. Is this what you want, to be feared? Or would you prefer these people to look up to you as their saviour. Their fair and just leader." I'm not really sure what I'm doing. Trying to make him see there’s another way to live, perhaps. It doesn't work, though.

  "Enough." He barks angrily, "Back to your room." He grabs my arm and drags me from the shop. As we walk out the door, I look back at the woman and offer a sad smile. It's become very clear to me these people need a saviour. Someone to be their voice because they have none.

  Gordon drags me back through the streets of Atlantis. As we walk down sandy paths, the throng of people who were here when we passed through earlier, are no longer here. I look up and notice the light is much dimmer now. Night approaches. Darcy will be coming to my room with food. It's time we put our heads together and find a way out of here.

  Chapter Eight

  EVERLY

  Day 5 in Atlantis

  The room Gordon left me in yesterday was not gold. thank fuck. But it is opulent, to say the least. Darcy didn't come last night. A yellow woman did. When she stepped through the door, I tried to push past her. But it didn't work. Selkies with gold tridents pounced on me before I got my foot through the door. I managed to knock one out, but the others pushed me back into the room and locked me in. She wouldn't talk to me as she unloaded plates from her cart. She didn't even look at me when I asked what her name was. When she prepared to leave, several Selkies came into the room and stood guard as she squeezed past them. The poor girl looked so frightened as one grabbed her face and sneered at her. They laughed at me when I told them to leave her alone. I fucking hate Selkies.

  The living space in my new room is bigger than the entire downstairs of my house, the bedroom is only a touch smaller, and the bathroom. Holy shit, the tub isn't just a bath, it's a miniature ocean. I stand above it, looking down onto the seabed, small fish and crustaceans mill around under the clear base. The deep sides are also clear, revealing more ocean. Several times I have to blink to make sure this isn't a dream. The gold taps are huge and shiny. The bleached wood floor looks brand new, everything in my new living quarters looks new.

  "Everly," Darcy announces her presence as she pushes a wheeled cart into the living room, "It's time to eat, come before it gets cold." She calls to me. Finally, I drag my eyes from the tub and walk through the bedroom, where everything is a light shade of pink, and into the living room. Darcy perches on the edge of a cream, two-seater sofa and pours tea from a white and blue teapot. Her skin is less yellow now, but she still looks tired. "There you are. How was your morning with the Prince yesterday? I couldn't come last night, I had to tend to something. I trust my replacement was sufficient?" She asks as I stroll to the floor to ceiling window.

  "Sure." I mumble. Looking out over the city, my heart aches. Rubbing the heel of my hand against my chest, I try to breathe through it. But the pain just grows. My legs buckle under me, and my knees hit the sparkling white floor, hard. "Argh!" I scream out as white-hot pa
in slices through me.

  "My Queen? What is happening?" Darcy yells as she dashes towards me, "Oh, should I call the guard..." Just as she opens her mouth to call out, the pain stops as suddenly as it started.

  "No! No, I'm fine. It wasn't the baby, it... it was my heart." I explain through panting breaths. When I look up, Darcy's face is green. "What?" I demand as she stares at me open-mouthed, "What Darcy? Speak!"

  "Your Cupid." She mumbles, "He's been away from you too long. He...he. "

  "Spit it out, Darcy!" I yell, frustration and anxiety eating at my insides.

  "You have been gone too long!" She squeaks, "You have half his soul, and you're gone. He could have... become damned." Her voice gets quieter the more she speaks.

  My mouth hangs open and my mind shuts down. Karl. Hunter. Fallen. Irredeemable. Half of Leyland's soul. "Darcy," I look into her eyes, "Call the guards. Pretend you're leaving. Now, Darcy!" I stand and grab the lamp from next to the bed and hide behind the door. I need to get to Leyland, before it's too late. She yells out and the door opens and a figure steps in, rushing forward, I hit him over the head with the lamp and watch as the light orange man slumps to the floor. "Come on Darcy!" I grab her hand and pull her with me. Pinning her against the wall, I peek my head around the door. All clear. I half drag her down the blinding white corridor, hoping like hell no one catches us. Her bare feet slap against the stone floor as we run faster, I wish I'd given her some shoes or at least some socks. Stopping at a crossroads, I turn to the woman-fish I've come to trust, "Which way, Dar?" I ask her as her whole body vibrates with nerves.

  "Erm..." her eyes dart in every direction, just waiting for us to be caught any second.

  "Focus, Darcy. Which way to the pod things?" I grip her shoulder and shake her a little, we don't have time for her to have a breakdown now.

  "Th...th... tha.." She stammers.

  "This way?" She nods slightly when I point left, so I yank her arm and jog down the darkest hall.