The Everly Davis chronicles

by Amelia K Oliver

  "Look, Leyland, it's you." Her sing-song voice grates on my nerves. In all honesty, I kinda wanna smash her face into the bowl she is leaning over. Instead, I slowly stride towards her, my intention to grab her by the throat and demand she stops torturing me and let me go. But as I stand over her shoulder, I see a pool of shimmery liquid in the huge, copper bowl. "Oh! Here's your third birthday, you were so happy when Alan baked you a cake, it didn't matter it was plain or missing a few eggs, you gobbled it up."

  I watch, in fascination, as a video clip of my third birthday casts across the liquid.

  "LeLe! It's your burfday!" Toddler Garrot yells as he jumps on the small bed we share. "It's my burfday! It's your burfday!" He sings with each jump. My little body jostles around the mattress and Karl stands next to the bed. Taller, wiser, or so I thought, he handles the news that it's his two younger brothers’ birthdays, too, with ease.

  "It's my birthday, too, Gar." Karl smiles at us, amused yet stern. Even then he thought he was the one in charge.

  "Yay! LeLe, its Karr's burfday, too!" Little Garrot shouts into my small ear. That's when I finally move, I sit up quickly and slash my arm out, knocking Garrot's legs from under him. He lands on the bed with an "umph". Rolling, I land on my feet next to Karl. Looking up at him, I lift my arms into the air, waiting for my big brother to pick me up. When he does, I say "karr, appy burday, big bwovver!" And then sloppily kiss his cheek. Garrot hugs my legs from behind, the three of us share a hug. Even then, it's clear to see the three of us loved each other.

  The water ripples, the next scene is of Karl, dressed in army gear, he appears on a screen in front of me. I remember this.

  "Karl, she's perfect. But what if I'm not enough?" My former self asks.

  "Nonsense, Leyland. She'll see sex doesn't matter, not when she has someone like you. I swear, Le, she’ll love you unconditionally. If she’s the one, sex won't even be an issue." He replies back. I remember wishing I had his confidence. The scene was a few months ago, the night I'd met Everly at the station. He spent the entire conversation trying to convince me I was enough and I deserved happiness despite my virginity oath.

  "Disgusting," I say aloud, my mother whips out her hand and grabs my chin, her magic wraps around my heart, my soul, and forces me to watch as she replays every single memory I have with Everly.

  Chapter Sixteen

  KARL

  Day 54

  I sit in my usual spot, the sun blinding as it glances off the fresh snow around me. In front of me, the Earth pushes up, as if breathing. Sparks of electricity zap through my palms, up my arms. The mark on my chest from Everly burns as twigs, moss and branches pull together to form a humanoid shape. The woman before me cants her head, looking down on me. A frog climbs her body, coming to rest on her shoulder. It croaks at me, its beady eyes looking at my soul. Her face is made entirely of moss. There are dips where her mouth should be, and snakes heads peering out of her eye sockets. Her voice enters my mind, bringing with it a sense of complete and utter calm.

  My son, how pretty your human form is.

  "How... is this possible?" I ask the form my soul recognises as my mother, Mother Earth.

  Quite simple. We are the Earth. She says a note of humour in her tone. I push myself up, only then realising my mother's form is taller than me. At least seven feet tall, more creatures of the forest climb her body, melding with her as if they belong. A red squirrel reaches out a tiny hand and hits the frog over its head. The frog turns and leaps off the shoulder, straight onto mine. Its oil-like skin reflects the sun's muted rays, making it appear iridescent. My child, you suffer deeply, and yet, your heart does not give up. Why?

  Stunned, I stand there, my mouth open, staring at the squirrel who gestures its small arms wildly as if it is, he who is talking.

  "I..." I clear my throat and look away from the cute creature to look at the snakes, "I won't ever give up on Everly, mother, she is mine and I am hers. Eternally."

  What if We tell you, she does not miss you, what then, child? Would your heart relent and let her go? She asks inside my mind. The squirrel rests his chin on his hand, waiting for my answer.

  "I wouldn't believe it. Not for a second." I reply, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

  Well, I guess you wouldn't, would you? You are your mother's son, after all. The snakes stick out their tongues and hiss, the squirrel throws his arms in the air. Well, then what are you waiting for? Her head moves around as if the snakes I presume are acting as her eyes are looking for something.

  "She is below the ocean, on its bed. Atlantis is beyond our reach." I tell her what I have told witch after witch these past few weeks. Poseidon took her and means to kill her. And why.

  Ah, yes, We know, child, Atlantis is beyond your reach. But what are you waiting for? She asks again.

  My brows drop in confusion, I just explained that we cannot reach her. You cannot reach her.

  "I don't know... I don't understand!' I yell, frustration getting the better of me. If my mother knows a way, then she has to tell me. She owes me that much.

  Dear child, you are the Earth, as are We. Look down, look up, be brave, be fearsome, for the land is yours, almighty Earth child. You needn't look farther than inside for all that you seek. At her confusing words, her form disintegrates, slowly, the debris sinks to the ground.

  "Wait! What do you mean? Will you visit me again? Mother?" I drop to my knees next to the pile and dig my hands in it as if to pull her back with them, the creatures and animals all scurry away except the squirrel. "Mum?"

  The squirrel looks at me, and I look at him. Tears leak from my eyes, the brief encounter with my mother, the first-ever encounter, didn't bring any answers but left more questions in her wake. "Wanna come with me, little fella? It's bloody cold out here." I ask the red squirrel, half expecting it to run away as I hold out my hand. Instead, it hops onto my hand and crawls up my arm, coming to rest on my shoulder. Huh, cute.

  I trudge back to the cabin, feeling more confused than I was before, but less alone. Victor is sitting crossed legged in the snow when I arrive back.

  "Hey, Vic, can't concentrate?" I ask when I notice his eyes are darting everywhere. Usually, when he meditates, he’s as still as a stone. His eyes are closed. He wouldn't hear a bomb go off next to him. He looks up at me, noticing my new friend before looking into my eyes.

  "No, I cannot. He got a name?" He notions to the squirrel.

  "I dunno." I answer on autopilot, then suddenly, it comes to me. "His name’s Harry. Oddly enough, he is British too." I don't know how I know , but I do. Harry snuggled his face against my ear, letting me know I got it right. Victor grunts and stands. He towers over me, blocking out the harsh rays of the sun. Look down. Look up. Does my mother mean Victor? He looks down on me and me up at him. Instead of the darkness I usually feel in Victor's shadow, I feel warmth, I feel the light. Perhaps, I’m on the right track.

  Garrot

  Day 54

  Everly sits on the floor across from me. Her mouth isn't moving but she is singing. One of our favourites. Dead or alive, Bon Jovi. It's unnerving, hearing her but not seeing her lips form the words. She swings her bare hips; my dick stands tall between my legs. The sight turning me on to the point I'm almost tempted to have a wank. My mind rebels against the sight of her for a brief moment, her form wavers, then blinks out completely as Karl crashes into the room.

  "Come, Gar, my mother visited me, I need all our brains for this, get off the floor." He orders and I immediately stand. "Hmm, grab a shower, brother, you stink." He jokes, sounding more positive than he has in weeks. What exactly does he have to be happy about? Did his mum tell him how to get Everly back? Karl leaves, not shutting the door, I turn to where Everly was just a moment ago, but the room is silent. Empty, without her.

  I head to the bathroom and strip off my boxers, accidentally catching myself in the mirror. My cheeks are gaunt, my beard is overgrown, and my hair sticks up in all angles. Everly would say I look cute but stin
ky. I lift an arm and covertly sniff my armpit. Ew. Oh, yeah, I really am stinky. As I climb into the shower, I can't help but wonder why Karl had a squirrel on his shoulder, and why it gave me the middle finger? As I open my eyes and reach for the soap, Everly appears before me.

  Hey, handsome. Her voice enters my mind, her lips curled up into a sultry smile. I've missed you. She says as she rubs her wet, naked body against mine. Oddly, her hair is completely dry as she slides to her knees and presses a kiss to the tip of my dick. I lean back against the cold tiles as she takes me in her mouth, a finger flicking my nipple. I blink and look to the ceiling. When I look back down, my hand is wrapped around my cock, pumping hard. I squeeze my eyes closed and imagine it's her mouth. My hand stills. I pump my hips back and forth as she sucks. I bite my lips so the others can't hear my moans as I cum over the shower floor, the white liquid swirls around the plug as I open my eyes to find I'm alone.

  I GET DRIED AND DRESSED in record time, the thought that we might finally have answers spurs me to move faster. I don't shave but I do comb my hair. The act brings a stab of loss to my gut. Everly loved to comb my hair. When it’s wet, it's more like ringlets than the waves it is when it's dry. She loves to twist them around her finger, letting them spring off the end. If I'm honest , I feel like she’s dead, and not in Atlantis. I don't know if she is dead, though, I think I'd feel that. But my mind certainly seems to be acting like she is. The grief, it's so strong, all-consuming, I can't breathe, I feel lost without her.

  Chapter Seventeen

  VICTOR

  Day 54

  Karl paces back and forth in the small kitchen, his aura scrambled.

  "What is it, brother? You said your mother came to see you, I thought she was Mother nature?" I ask confused.

  "She is... Was... is." He sighs and stops pacing. "She used things in the woods to give herself form. This guy," he points to the small, furry animal on his shoulder, "Is Harry. I'm pretty sure she talked through him." The creature smiles at me, showing its small, sharp teeth. Garrot walks in, spots the thing on Karl's shoulder and chuckles.

  "Awe, look, squirrel," He yells, Karl laughs but Leyland, who is tied to a chair, doesn't. Squirrel, I test the word in my mind, being of the sea, I don't really know much about land creatures.

  "Harry, meet Garrot, Victor, and that," he points a thumb over his other shoulder. "Is Leyland. Long story." He finishes as the squirrel turns to look at Leyland, the little guy actually lifts his hands and places them over his eyes. It's cute. Karl then tells us all about what his mother had to say.

  "Look down, huh, at the Earth?" Garrot wonders aloud. We've only been talking for a few minutes, but he already looks less pale.

  "Yeah! Look down, at the Earth. But... What does that mean?" Karl’s brown eyes cloud over for a second. He looks behind him. "Look up. At the sun? At Leyland? He flies, right? He goes up."

  "True, but wouldn't she have said, look to Leyland, and not up?" Garrot points out. He takes a step towards Karl. The squirrel looks at him, crouches down and pounces on him. Garrot shrieks and falls back, landing soundly on his arse. "The fuck?" The creature sits on his chest, its tiny fist wrapped around the material of his T-shirt. "Erm, I don't think he likes me, K, could you... ya know... call him off? He’s freaking me out." As Garrot stops talking, the furry bundle lets his shirt go and wraps its small arms around Garrot's face, hugging it to his chest.

  "Looks like he likes you, Gar." Leyland comments for the first time. "Don't know why, you look like shit." All eyes turn to Leyland, Karl moves to Garrot's side and the squirrel climbs up the side of his jogging bottoms, perching on his shoulder once more. "What? Am I not allowed to talk? Fuck you all, and your stinky rat too."

  Harry hisses at Leyland, then pulls himself up to sit on top of Karl's head.

  "Shut it, Leyland. Anyway," Garrot snaps, drawing our attention back to him, "Mickey took William back home, something about a friend who offered to heal him fully. I suggest we do the same, go home, I mean. Witches are a bust."

  "Agreed, we need to regroup, pull ourselves together and get our woman back," Karl replies. We all nod our agreement. It's time to go home.

  Everly

  Day 9 in Atlantis

  “What's wrong, Gordon?” I ask, rushing back to him. He attempts to hide the fact he’s been crying, but I can tell by the red rim around his eyes and the fact that his face is puffy. He looks younger like this, less burdened with the task of being a commander in an army that serves pure evil.

  “Everly,” he begins, looking anywhere but my eyes, “I’m sorry for my outburst, it won't happen again.”

  I can see his eyes shutting down. His emotions shutting off. “No. Please, sit with me.'' I gesture to the small patch of flat rock at the side of the field. “My back hurts. Sit with me, brother." As I say it, he looks down at me, his eyes large on his face. His mouth opens slightly. He looks completely shocked, and I feel it, too. Something about the way his voice broke when he spoke about our mother pulled at my heart. I guess it couldn't have been easy for him, living here in Atlantis, cut off from me and Amphitrite. It was different for me, I didn't know they existed, so I didn't know to miss them or want to know them, but Gordon knew about me. Dropping my butt down on the rock, I pat the space next to me and wait patiently for him to sit down. When he does, he perches stiffly on the edge, as far away as possible. So, I scooch over, my hip touching his.

  “You know, my mum, the one who raised me, died a couple of months ago. I thought I was human, my whole life I believed that. I didn't know this world existed. Then I met Leyland,” tears sting my eyes as he turns his body slightly towards me. “Man, I made an idiot of myself, but he didn't say anything about it. I feel like a lifetime has passed since then. He’s tall, like you," I smile fondly at him, he watches me from the corner of his eye. “Then I met Garrot. Oh, he is so funny, Gordon, so full of life. He balances the bad things in this life, ya know? Reminds me that although in the short time I've been in the supernatural world, things have been pretty shitty, there are also good things to be had. Karl, well, you'd like him, Gordon. He's all commandery too. Always in charge, but he has this soft centre, one I'm just learning I need in my life. Then, Victor. I believe you know him?”

  “Yes, William’s slave.” he answers, deadpan.

  “Not anymore. He's my consort.” Gordon whips his head to face me, his brows drawn over his dark blue eyes. “That's right, Victor stands by my side now. I defeated Will for him.” I laugh a little, thinking of my new brother. “Will is quite the character, huh?”

  “I did not socialise with him. I... we were very different people. I didn't know him.” he replies, a small amount of regret in his tone.

  “Why? Did your father tell you that you couldn't know him?” I enquire. He turns away, his eyes on the sand and doesn't answer. Which is answer enough for me. “That's shit.” I growl. “Gordon, you have a brother, he's on land right now, recovering from losing an arm thanks to your father's army." I shudder at the thought of growing an arm back. "He's kind, funny, far too flirty, a bit too familiar for someone who grew up with human customs. But he's a good man. Soon, you'll have four brothers-in-law, and a niece or nephew. Poseidon isn't the only family you have. But he will be if you don't open your eyes to his evil. He plans to kill me. Our mother has foreseen it, it's why she had me adopted by a human woman, it's why I've never stepped foot in Atlantis. Please, believe me, I will fight with everything I have to save my child, my men, and every being on land. Join us.P” I reach out and lay my hand on his arm, he looks down at it, then at me, a thousand emotions on his face. “Help me save mankind.”

  Gordon

  Her pleas for help tear at something inside me. Something I never knew was there. I walk through the halls of father’s castle, barely seeing my surroundings as I replay the conversation with Everly.

  "I cannot go against my father's wishes, sister. His word is law." I protest, trying to get her to understand.

  "Laws shaws! Your entire
family will be killed if you do not stand up to Poseidon. Stand with me, Gordon, do what's right."

  Family.

  What do I know of family? Nothing. Father is all I have. My mother abandoned me. William never attempted to bond with me despite living here in Atlantis with me. No. I don't know family. And yet, I want to.

  As I stood in the doorway of her living space, she tried once more to reach a part of me that is long dead.

  "Please, just tell me how to get out of here." She begged. I steeled myself against her attempts and left her alone.

  She may have weakened me on the training field, but I won't allow her to do it again.

  Leyland

  Day 60

  The others cart me through the airport, drugged, I come across as someone with a disability as I drool on myself. But it's beyond my control at this point. The damn squirrel is hidden in the chair I'm in. Karl wouldn't leave it behind. It keeps hitting the seat. I guess he doesn't like me.

  "Thank you, I can manage him," Karl tells the flight attendant as we board the plane. The wheelchair bumps into a chair and my hand flops down the side of me. Karl doesn't notice as my fingers twitch. I do it again, just to be sure. They move more freely this time. A slow smile spreads across my face as the feeling slowly comes back to my body.

  I let him lift me into the seat. Pretending I'm still under, he leans over me to put his bag in the storage above us. I bide my time as the plane takes off. Karl sits beside me next to the window, Garrot and Victor are two rows back. The plane is packed full of people, men, women and children all chat, unaware that there’s a fallen Cupid in their midst. Through the small slit in my eyelids, I stare at a woman a few rows ahead. Something about her interests me. A darkness surrounds her.