by Hoyt, Joshua
Acknowledgements
I want to thank my amazing wife who has read and edited the book several times putting in many hours of fixing all the many comma mistakes that I make. Ria Hoyt from OrangeJar.com who created the amazing cover (check out her sight she is an amazing artist!), and my children who are very patient with the many hours I spend on the computer and for their encouragement and making me feel so good when they tell me they love my book.
Copyright © 2013 by Joshua D. Hoyt
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof
may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever
without the express written permission of the publisher
except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Printed in the United States of America
First Printing, 2013
ASIN: B00I6MZ216
Cover artwork by Ria Mendoza (OrangeJar.com)
Chapter 1:
A loud bang on the front door woke Tom. A short pause was followed by another loud bang on the hard oak. Tapping sounds came as high heeled shoes crossed the marble floor of the foyer. Tom slid out of bed. A sharp click from the latch echoed as the heavy door opened. Tom clenched his new toy soldier that he just got for his fifth birthday. He ran to the landing above the large hall. His small hand grasped the white bar as he saw a woman and man talking to the maid, Anna.
“We must see your mistress at once,” the woman said.
Who are they?
The woman wore a red dress, and her long black hair caught the glow of the chandelier. The man was bigger than anyone he had ever seen before. His short beard was neatly trimmed and light reflected off his shaved head. His long sword moved slightly on his black suit as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
Anna walked back down the hall and the woman turned to whisper to the man.
What are they talking about?
A few minutes later, Mother hurried to the woman, holding her hands out. They clasped hands and his mother’s lips brushed the other woman’s cheek.
“We can talk in here,” his mother said, heading to the sitting room. The woman followed with the man close behind and Anna followed them with a tray of tea.
Tom dropped his toy soldier and crept down the stairs, looking from side to side. At the bottom of the stairs, seeing no one, he darted across the entryway and stopped just outside the sitting room. Peering in, he saw Anna handing cups to the woman and man and then to his mother. She set the tray on the table and headed toward the door.
Tom slipped into the nearby coat closet and eased the door closed. Only daring to breathe after Anna’s steps receded down the hallway. He opened the door a crack and pressed his ear to it, hearing only muffled voices.
Slipping out of the closet he closed the door and sinking to his knees he crawled to the sitting room. When he reached the double oak doors, the woman shouted, “You have a responsibility to the order.”
“Why am I to be more responsible than they?” his mother said.
“Must I remind you of your oath as well?” she said. “The responsibility is ours and ours alone.”
“I made the sacrifice before and I will not make it again,” his mother whispered.
“I sorrow for your loss, sister,” the woman said, “but there is nothing that can be done. Without the law we are no different than the witches.”
A cup clanged on the tabletop and there was a rustling of clothing as they stood.
“We will return tomorrow and collect the boy,” the woman said.
Tom hurried to the stairs. By the time he reached the landing, the woman was heading toward the front door. The big man followed her, moving with the grace of a giant cat. Tom’s mother was close behind. She looked up at him, a tear in her eye. Her face was worn and her eyes, which seemed to always gleam, were dull. She opened the door and the couple left.
She hurried up the stairs, brushing at her eyes. She smiled when she looked down at the small boy with his curly blonde hair. He looked up at her, with a weak smile, hoping that he wouldn’t get in too much trouble. His mother bent down to him and held him tight.
“Tom, you have to go to a new home tomorrow. It will just be for a short time.” She looked into his blue eyes. “After your father gets back, we’ll come and get you.”
He whimpered, thinking about leaving his mother, and she gave him a stern look.
“Remember, you must be strong. You are an Alerio.”
He nodded and wiped at his red eyes. “I know Mother, I will be.”
She pulled him close again and then, lifting him in her arms, carried him down the hallway to his room. She laid him gently on the bed and pulled the covers over his shoulders. She looked at him for a moment longer, leaned over, and kissed him on the forehead.
He reached up and grabbed her around the neck, holding her tight. “I love you mamma.”
She squeezed him. “And I love you, Tom.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Tom, it’s time to go to your new home,” Mother said as she smiled toward him. The sunlight from the open door gleamed on the marble floor.
He rubbed his eyes, trying to stop the tears that blurred the image of his mother, kneeling in front of him. She leaned in and held him close. “I know it will be hard.”
He trembled.
She kissed him on the forehead, looked him in the eyes, and said, “Remember that your father and I expect you to be strong while we are apart.”
He could feel the strength in her as she pulled him closer. “You are very special. Don’t be afraid; we’ll come for you.” She sat back and he bit his lip to stop the quivering. She smiled and he smiled back.
The driver, Theo, came through the door and grabbed the suitcases next to Tom. Theo started for the car and Tom clenched his mother’s arm. She grasped his hand and they walked toward the car. Stooping, she said, “You must understand that we love you very much.” A tear came to her eye and she quickly wiped it away. “We have... it’s too dangerous to keep you here.”
She whispered into his ear, “It’s very important that you wait at your new home until you’re sent for.” They continued to the car where she opened the door.
He clung to her a moment longer then slowly climbed into the car. He looked back at her, “I... I understand, Mamma.” He wasn’t sure he really could be strong, but he would try.
She kissed him. “Remember we love you so much and we will come and get you soon.”
Another car sped toward them and fear flashed across her face as she slammed the door. “Go!”
Theo jumped into the car, and Tom heard gravel spitting from the tires as the car lurched forward. He looked out the back window. “Mamma!” he cried.
Tom’s mouth dropped open when he saw red flames shoot from his mother’s hands toward the incoming car. He knew that his mother belonged to the sisterhood but had never seen her use her magic before.
He could no longer hold back the tears, and they poured down his face. The car swerved, and he flew against the door, hitting his head.
“Tom, buckle up!” Theo yelled.
Tom grabbed the buckle and struggled to strap it around his waist as the car swerved from side to side. They sped forward, and he could hear gun shots from behind. Tom looked out the back window, and seeing no cars, sat back down. He wiped the tears from his eyes and leaned against the side of the car and soon fell asleep.
He woke as the car hit a bump and he felt the seat belt tighten across his lap. He looked in the rearview mirror and saw fear in Theo’s eyes.
“Stay down.”
Tom looked out the back window and saw a black car catching up to them. He quickly put his head in his lap a
nd tried to stay low. There were loud bangs from behind. He thought he heard rocks hit the side of the car. The back window shattered covering him with glass. He screamed as the tiny pieces bit the back of his neck. He began to cry, “Mamma, I want my mamma.”
“You’re ok. Stay down,” Theo yelled. Tom tried to get lower. He squeezed his eyes shut and hoped that this was all just a bad dream.
Another loud bang caused Theo to shriek in pain. Tom looked up; Theo was slumped over the steering wheel, his black hair matted and red. The car screeched, the seat belt knocked the wind out of him, and the world began to spin. He screamed as the side window exploded, and he was thrown into the door handle. His head slammed into the door and everything went foggy.
Silence. Crunch of gravel.
Please don’t see me. A tingling sensation in his gut.
A face appeared, looking straight at him. The face disappeared. A strange voice, “Everyone’s dead here.”
Why didn’t he see me?
Then blackness.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Someone’s out there. Is it Mamma? Tom’s mind ran rampant as he tried to figure out who was making the noise outside the car. Is it the woman and man come to get me? His heart leapt into his throat. His head was pounding as he hung upside down, nothing but the seat belt holding him in. His throat started to itch and not able to hold it in any longer, he coughed.
An older man’s face appeared through the broken window and smiled reassuringly. “It’s okay. Everything will be okay.” He looked away and said, “There’s a boy still alive in here.” The man then turned back and wrenched the door open.
Tom whimpered and tried to get himself out of his seatbelt, looking for a place to escape to. He stopped struggling as something caught his attention about the man. His clothes were simple with a red belt that sparkled as it caught the moonlight. He wore a bandanna and a gold earring in one ear. He must be a traveler. Mamma would always feed the travelers when they came by. I wonder where they’ve been lately.
The Traveler smiled, and said, “Hey there, don’t be afraid. I’m going to help you get out.” He continued to reach in as Tom released the seat belt. The man threw his arms under Tom and broke his fall before he hit his head on the ceiling of the car.
“It’s ok,” the man spoke softly. He pulled Tom closer. He struggled, but the man was much too strong for him, and within a few minutes he was pulled from the car.
“Where’s my mamma?” he said.
The man softly rubbed Tom’s back. “I’m not sure. We’ll help you find her. What’s your name, son?” The man’s face looked kind.
“My name’s Tom, sir.” He stopped struggling and the man loosened his grip around him. He looked at the Travelers who were gathered around them. They stared and whispered among themselves. He had heard stories of the people that traveled from place to place, never settling down. The man who held Tom, pulled off his coat and gently placed it on his shoulders.
“Where’s your family?” he asked.
“I don’t know, sir.” Tom’s brow creased, and he wiped his nose across his sleeve.
The old man gently rubbed his back. “Shhh, it’s ok. We’ll find them. What’s your last name?”
“Alerio, sir.”
The man’s face creased as he tapped his chin with his index finger. A woman approached Tom, looking him over, and spoke reassuringly, “We need to make sure you’re okay.” Turning to the man she said, “Put him in the cart, Henry.” Henry walked to a horse drawn cart and helped Tom into the back.
Once there, the woman pulled out a medical kit and set it on the bench. “We’ll have to remove your coat and shirt,” she said. He hesitated, then began to do as she said. She slowly washed the blood away from the scrapes and spread cream over them. She gently bandaged the wounds, talking quietly to him. He began to calm down, feeling safe around the woman.
She placed the warm coat around him after finishing. “We need to talk to the others. You stay here and rest.” The two turned and walked back to the others. The Travelers argued, some pointing at him and others pointing down the road. He tried to follow what was being said but could only catch bits and pieces. He pulled the coat closer, and sinking deep into its warmth and comfort, dozed off thinking of Mamma’s warm embrace.
The woman’s voice awakened him. “Tom,” she said sadly, “we have decided that the best thing is to take you into town and let the constable help you.” The woman found his hand. “We would take you to your family but the roads are not safe and many of my family fear that it would cause too many problems for us.” She glanced away from him as the first cart pulled away. “We need to go now.”
Henry shook the reins and the horses began their slow walk down the road. Tom laid back into the warmth of the coat and looked up at the star lit sky. Where are you, Mamma and Pappa? He clenched his jaw. You’re an Alerio, you need to be strong. As he drifted off, he dreamed of his mamma with jets of flame shooting from her fingers.
Chapter 2:
“We’re going to get you, Tom,” the older boy yelled from down the hall.
Tom pumped his legs faster, as he rounded the corner. He heard their laughter and pounding feet gaining as he searched for a place to hide. He ducked into the bathroom and ran to the farthest stall and closed the door tightly behind him. The color from his face drained as he heard the bathroom door bang open. Loud footsteps approached the stalls. He hugged his legs to his chest and held his breath.
“We know you’re in here,” Jacob said.
“Yeah and we know you’re hiding in one of the stalls,” Peanut taunted in a squeaky voice. The boys crept closer and Tom knew that he would have to do something quick. He searched desperately for a place to hide as his heart thumped louder and louder.
The first stall door slammed open. “You might as well come out and get your beating or it will be twice as bad for you,” Jacob said.
Tom’s heart raced and his knees were shaking so badly he feared they could hear him. Slam! The door nearest his made a horrible sound as it banged into the wall.
He jumped as the stall door crashed open in front of him. Jacob grabbed him with his meaty hands and pulled him off the toilet. Peanut snickered as Tom was forced to face the toilet he had just been sitting on.
“I told you that it would be worse for you if you didn’t come out,” Jacob said. Sharp pain pierced Tom’s neck and arm as Jacob forced his head toward the toilet. He began to gag from the stench. He kicked out and managed to hit the door hard enough that it swung back, catching Jacob in the arm. Jacob only laughed as he slammed Tom’s head down onto the toilet seat.
“Don’t you get wild.”
Laughter erupted from Peanut as the blood ran down Tom’s face. Jacob lifted the toilet seat and Tom strained to hold his head as far back as possible. As his arm gave out, he clenched his mouth and eyes, just before his head plunged into the water.
After a few seconds he was allowed to lift his head and gulp for air. Peanut’s laughter filled his ears each time his head was lifted from the water. Jacob finally stepped back and allowed Tom to fall to the floor. He lay coughing and gasping while Jacob and Peanut left, laughing loudly.
Tom caught his breath, struggled to his feet, and walked to a small sink where he methodically washed his face and hands. The bleeding had stopped but a giant goose egg took shape on his forehead. Tears formed but he gripped the sink not allowing the tears to flow. He lowered his head, closing his eyes, and tried to make the pain go away. He looked into the cracked mirror again, seeing the dirty blonde haired thirteen-year-old boy with dark blue eyes. What have you become? How can you call yourself an Alerio?
He sank to his knees, and holding his hands to his face he sobbed. When he first arrived at the orphanage, nearly eight years ago, Thaddeus had been the headmaster. The cruelties he endured would never have been allowed if Thaddeus was still here.
Jacob and Peanut were the cruelest, calling him names and beating him regularly since Mr. Aldofo took over. Mr. Ald
ofo had been Thaddeus’s assistant until Thaddeus died un-expectantly.
Mr. Aldolfo never liked Tom. A couple of years after arriving at the orphanage Tom overheard Mr. Aldolfo talking with a woman about selling boys to her. Tom reported it to Thaddeus and Thaddeus believed him even though Mr. Aldolfo denied the accusations. Thaddeus told Mr. Aldolfo he had one week to get his things in order and then he would have to leave. But within a couple of days of the argument Thaddeus became sick and died. Tom always felt that the current headmaster had something to do with the death of Thaddeus.
He was promoted to headmaster and things changed quickly. Jacob and Peanut were allowed to do pretty much anything they wanted. The other boys learned quickly not to stick up for or even befriend those who the cronies beat on. If they ever did, they would be next in line for a beating or worse, sold to the witches.
Tom had escaped from the orphanage many times, finding it easy to climb out the window and then down the tree next to the roof. He always returned though, worrying that if he left, his mother, or who ever she had promised to send would be unable to find him. He also figured that at least here he had food and shelter and he was learning many things such as reading, science, and math. Mr. Aldolfo complained a lot about the money he spent on educating the worthless boys. But he knew that the witches would pay more for educated boys.
Often Tom would crawl into a corner and dream of better times when his mother would hug away the pain or the times he would walk in the forest next to their home with his father. He frequently cried himself to sleep thinking of the last time he saw his mother and father. When he was at his lowest points he would hold onto the soft eyes of his mother and the strong smile of his father. He knew that his mother had always believed in him, had always made him feel that he had worth. His father told him once, “You can look for the good or the evil in this world and whichever you look for, you will find.” He held to these memories like a child holds to his favorite toy. He would never give them up or the hope of seeing them again.
