by John Victor
‘I did, just take cover.’’ Justin yelled at her.
“No, I can’t leave you to die. We fight together.”
Justin nodded his head as he waited for the beast to appear. The sound persisted. It went away. Everywhere became silent. “You see, it was nothing.” Evalle said as she danced.
Justin still looked serious. Evalle brought out her map again. We’re not yet at the second marker.
They continued moving. Justin folded his fists. The sound started again. Evalle ran and hid behind Justin.
The creature sprang on them and Evalle flung it away with her hands. It maintained its balance. She turned herself invincible and ran towards it. Kicking its face with her legs. It brushed it away as if she was a fly.
Evalle hit the floor and her body appeared. Justin jumped up as he saw her on the floor. Pain tore through his flesh. He ran to the back of a tree and removed his clothes. His bones cracked and he watched his legs and arms turn to hoofs. Horns grew on his head and he dashed out from behind the tree.
The creature looked back and strong hoofs hit its face. It scurried away in fear after making another deafening noise. Justin ran back to the tree and changed to human. He wore his clothes and dashed to Evalle’s side. She was already sitting.
“You were amazing. You know?’’ She said as Justin raised her up.
They began walking forward. Evalle checked her map and saw that she had almost reached the end. As they continued walking, they bumped into something hard. Evalle tried to pass. It was not giving way. She looked at her map again and saw that they had reached the end.
* * *
Emily stopped running. She was breathing hard. So was Donald. He removed his shoes and sat on the floor. One final marker and we will be done with this stuff. “Emilia, pass me your map.’’
“Don’t call me that. You are not my mum.’’ Emily said as she handed him the map.
“We are almost at the second marker. Emily get down!’’ Donald yelled.
Emily go down in time and avoided been hit by thousands of elephants. “What are those things doing here?’’
“Don’t ask me. I wouldn’t know. I’m as surprised as you are.”
“I have a sister. That’s good. I would like to see her soon.”
Donald handed Emily the map and stood up. Holding Emily by the hand as they continued their journey. Donald sensed something was wrong. Emily knew.
They heard rustling in the leaves. They prepared for a monster. Hundreds of giraffes came out of the forest. Emily and Donald immediately jumped away from the road. The giraffes passed over them.
What is happening? “Are we in Africa?’’ Emily asked.
“Maybe.”
They continued moving and saw a house.
“Hey Donald, A house in the forest. Let’s take a nap.’’
“This is where the second marker is.”
“Is that supposed to be a coincidence?’’ Emily laughed as she jumped into the house and climbed the front porch. She knocked on the door.
* * *
The door opened. A lady came out. She looked at Emily and then Donald. “Hey Justin, some people are here. ‘Wait a minute, do I know you?’’ She asked Emily.
“I don’t think so.”
“You look very familiar. Eh, maybe we’ve met before.”
“We wanted to ask if we could take a rest here. We’ve been travelling all day.”
“You can come in. We just got here too.”
Emily entered the house. She began to survey. She saw something familiar lying on the table. She picked it up. “Where did you get this?”
CHAPTER 10
“What is that?’’ Evalle asked as she moved towards the table to see what Emily was talking about. Emily picked up the map and showed it to Evalle. She slipped her hand into her bag and brought out her own.
Evalle’s eyes widened as she saw similar spots on both maps. “Were you on a quest?’’
“Yeah.’’ Emily said as she placed her hand on the table. She began to explain her encounter with the old woman in the forest.
Evalle’s eyes widened again.
“She said I have a sister. I don’t know her. I have lived with my father, all my life. My mum left when I was still three. I don’t know why. Emily said.
“So, there is a possibility that I am your sister.’’
The men watched the girls in silence as they swallowed their meal greedily.
Evalle stood up and held Emily’s hands. “This is the only way we can know if we are truly sisters.’’
A figure passed by the side of the window. “Did you see that? ’’Emily asked.
“No I didn’t.’’
Evalle put her arms in Emily’s hands again. She saw it. Something passed by the window. In white gown. She ran to check. No one was there. “Come on, let’s go outside.’’ She whispered to Emily. The guys had gone into the room.
As they got outside, they went round the house. It was in the midst of a forest. “Who could possibly be here?’’
“Maybe it is another traveler.’’
“I don’t think so. The person should have knocked.’’ Emily said.
“Let me go get the guys.’’ Evalle said as she left Emily, searching.
Emily continued walking round the house. It seemed to have no end. “This is a fucking mansion. Why is it small on the inside?’’
A large rock hit her head. She fell to the floor. She tried to see who it was. “Ghost?’’ She whispered and fell, unconscious.
“I left her here.’’ Evalle said as she showed Justin and Donald. They were getting along well.
Donald was frightened. I cannot lose her. “Emily.” He screamed.
They moved round the house. As they were about to turn back, Justin saw something resting in the bush.
‘’There is something there.’’ He whispered.
“Let’s check it out.’’
Evalle and Donald followed him as he led them to the place. Emily lay on her back, blood flowing from her head. “Who did this to her?’’
They picked her up and took her inside.
Evalle walked to the table, while Donald and Justin lay Emily on the couch.
“The maps are gone.’’ She screamed. They are gone. I can’t believe this.
Donald went to her and dipped his hand into his pocket. He brought out the maps. Neatly folded. “I am not that stupid. It must not be stolen.’’ He said as he watched the smile spread on her face. The lights still glowed on the maps.
Justin dipped a piece of cloth into water and used it to wipe off the blood from Emily’s head. He was concerned about someone’s life, for the first time. He was surprised.
“How is she doing?’’ Donald asked as he stroke her fore head.
“She is getting better. She should be awake soon.’’
“I don’t know who could have done this to her. That person will pay dearly.’’
“You love her, don’t you?’’
“I really love her. I’ve never loved in my life. This is different. I value every second we spend together.’’ Donald said.
Justin was thinking about Evalle when her voice interrupted his thoughts.
“I want to check the other parts of the house to make sure we are alone. Will somebody follow me or I should get going?’’
“Let’s go.’’ Justin said. ‘’Donald will take care of Emily. No one should be alone.’’
He picked up a lamp from the table and followed her. The interior of the house was dark. Justin put on the lamp. Evalle held him by the hand. “Don’t leave me alone.’’ She said.
“You are scared.’’
“Of course. Didn’t you see what they did to Emily? It is really pathetic.’’
“Whosoever it is, is going to be very dangerous. We have to be very careful. Make sure you watch my back.’’
“And you watch mine too.’’ He chuckled.
She laughed aloud. “You are very funny.’’ A figure passed in front of th
em into another passage.
“Did you see that?’’ Justin asked.
“It’s in the house.’’
* * *
Emily opened her eyes. It was blurry. Two large eyes were staring at her. She closed her eyes and opened it again. It was Donald.
She sighed as she cupped his cheeks with her palm. “Thank you.’’
“You don’t have to thank me. I did nothing. Don’t talk. You need to rest.’’
“No I don’t. I feel okay all ready.’’ She touched her head. “It aches a little.’’ She looked around. Studying the place as if she had not seen it before. ‘’Where is Justin and Evalle?’’
“They went to check out the remaining parts of the house.’’
“No! You shouldn’t have let them go. It’s in the house. The ghost.’’
“Ghost? What ghost?’’
“The one that hit my head. It dragged me to the place you found me and entered the house. There’s another door. I can’t really remember where it is.’’
“Relax. You don’t have to stress yourself. They’ll be fine’’
“But Justin can’t fight.’’
“That’s not true. He’s very strong. He’s a changeling. Just like me.’’
“Oh, I see.’’ Emily said as she put her head back on the pillow and closed her eyes.
Justin and Evalle stepped into the passage they just saw the figure enter. “Are you sure of this thing? Don’t you think we should go back?’’ Evalle asked Justin who looked at her with no hint of worry on his face.
He smiled at her. “It will be aright.’’
“I will follow you. We must protect each other.’’
There were no doors in the passage. Justin raised the lamp. “There’s nothing here.’’
“No, there is’’ Evalle said. He raised the lamp up again and saw it. A door opposite them. At the far end of the wall.
They ran to the door. Justin kicked it. The room was dark. Something was different. There was something glowing at the other end of the room.
As Evalle got closer. She saw better. “It’s human.’’ She whispered.
The creature raised its head. Evalle gasped. “Librarian!’’ He disappeared.
CHAPTER 11
Evalle ran out of the room.
“Evalle, wait for me.’’ Justin yelled as he ran after her. The lamp swinging in his arms.
Emily woke up as she heard sounds coming from the other side of the house. She sat up. Donald stood.
Evalle got to the sitting room. She was breathing hard. She sat on the floor. “The librarian is here. He followed me. I knew there was something wrong.’’ She said as she sat on the floor, tears falling from her eyes.
Justin got to her. “Why did you pick off like that?’’
Donald walked to Evalle and pulled her up. Carefully placing her on the chair. Emily looked confused.
“What is wrong? What did you see?’’ Donald asked.
Evalle’s arms shook as she pointed to the direction they came from. “He is here. The librarian is here.’’
“Who is the librarian?’’
Evalle sat and began to explain. “My mother died. My foster mum was killed. I had to go home to look for something. I think it was a map. It was then I located this secret room. It required a pass to enter. It was all high-tech and stuff. I was able to enter. I was surprised. It was a huge library. I never got to explore it all. I found this man sitting there. He said I told him to wait. I didn’t remember any of that. ‘’ Evalle stopped talking.
“Continue please.’’
“It’s a long story’’
“Okay, you can cut it short.’’ Emily said.
“I located this clue on my map and figured it out. He started acting weird. Stalking. Making weird comments. Behaving strangely. I suspected something at first but I brushed it aside.’’
Everyone was looking at Evalle. Silent.
“Are you still, with the maps?’’
“Yeah.’’
“I think It’s important. We must not lose it.’’
“We have to find that librarian.’’ Justin said.
“He’s powerful, too.’’ Evalle replied.
Emily stood up from the chair. “Evalle, we have to do it now.’’
Evalle followed Emily outside. Donald and Justin walked closely behind them. Donald checked his pockets if the maps are intact.
Evalle and Emily held their hands and closed their eyes. The breeze blew strongly. Hitting them hard. Emily and Evalle remained on their spot. Donald and Justin sought for shelter.
The maps in Donald’s pocket started to move. Donald held his pocket tight. Air came out of it as he squeezed. He touched his pocket again. The maps were gone.
The wind blew around Emily and Evalle. Lightning sparked and thunder struck. Light sparked around them. Their eyes turned white. The wind raised them high above the ground.
Donald and Justin shielded their eyes. “They are very strong.’’ Justin whispered.
“Yeah, I see that. I can’t even think of the type of children we will have together.’’ Donald said.
“You are funny. I can’t believe you are thinking of all that.’’
“Like you are not doing the same.’’
“It has crossed my mind. I simply shrugged it off.’’
They turned their focus back on Emily and Evalle who were laying on the floor. Still holding hands.
Donald and Justin went to help them up. “Don’t worry, we are fine.’’ Evalle said as Emily smiled. ‘’You are my sister, after all.’’
“Yeah, I’m glad.’’
They stood up from the floor and gave each other a tight hug. Evalle winked to Justin. He smiled.
Emily found a sheet of paper lying on the floor. She picked it up and stared at it. Wide-eyed. “Another map.’’
Everyone ran to her to look at the new map. Four bright spots shone on the map. In the middle of it was the biggest of all. Evalle looked around to see if anyone else was looking.
At the tip of the paper, few words were written. In red ink. Or blood.
Emily read the words in a light whisper. “Follow the path of light.’’
“I’ve seen those words before.’’ Evalle said.
“I’ve seen them too.’’ Emily said.
“Everything on the map leads to the light in the middle.’’
“Let’s just go straight to the middle.’’ Donald said as he stamped his feet.
“No, I understand it now.’’ Justin said
Explain. The look on their faces said.
“We are four in number. We have to go separate ways and meet ourselves back in the middle.’’
You’ve made a good point. I think that’s what it means. I can’t believe I’m going to leave Donald alone. “He’s right.’’ They all nodded in agreement.
“We have to deal with that intruder first.’’ Evalle said.
The white image passed in front of them. Emily pursued it. “We must not let him escape.’’
Donald and Justin went into the room. They removed their clothes and shifted at the same time. “no one is protecting anyone. We all have to fight.’’ Donald told Justin.
They ran out of the house. Emily was surprised as she saw Justin in his animal form. “Centaur?’’ She asked herself. “Wow’’
Emily and Evalle’s powers were joint. They gathered around to plan on now to defeat the librarian.
Emily and Evalle used their powers to locate where he was in the house.
Donald and Justin searched for him.
“He is in a library. The library is in that house.’’ Emily communicated with Donald through telepathy. Justin followed Donald. Evalle held Emily’s hands and gave Justin directions to the library.
As Donald and Justin got into then library, they closed the doors. Emily and Evalle blocked any of the passages to go out with magic.
The librarian tried to go out, he bounced back. “You guys caught me, good work.’’
“He’s ugly. Donald whispered to Justin. Emily and Evalle laughed.
The librarian fell to the floor, sobbing. “I can’t fight. Forgive me. I’ll leave you people alone.’’
“It’s not that easy.’’ Justin said as he used his hoof to hit him on the face.
The librarian got annoyed. His eyes turned white. Donald and Justin got ready to battle.
Donald moved towards him and picked him up. “Filthy librarian.’’
“I am not a librarian.’’ The man said as he spat on Donald’s face. His face got burnt and he used his hand to wipe off the saliva. The wound healed quickly. Annoyed, Donald tore him in half.
CHAPTER 12
“That was easy.’’ Emily said. As she let out a sigh that released her from the tension that was holding her. Evalle ran to Justin and hugged him. “I never want to lose you.’’
“Same goes for me.’’ Justin said as he laughed aloud.
Evalle took Emily’s hand as they smiled and marched down the hall, giggling silently as they went.
Donald and Justin went back into the room. They shifted back to human form. They began laughing about their nudity, something they didn’t notice the first time they shifted. They put on their clothes.
“It’s time for us to leave this place.’’ Emily said. They all nodded in agreement as they went to pack their bags.
“Let’s go kick some butts.’’ Emily said as they all laughed.
They walked out of the house and stopped in front to look on the map. Evalle got a pen and sheets of paper ready.
Evalle opened the map. They chose a path each. Evalle put the pen down as they all wrote down the map, in turns. Evalle took the real map. They dispersed.
CHAPTER 13
Donald walked down the forest path. He had never felt alone all his life. I wish she were here with me. We would walk hand in hand. Never leaving each other.
He put his bag down. He brought out the paper in which he wrote the route. He stared at it. He crouched. They had taken materials for making tent. He wanted the journey to be as quick as possible.
I need to use a toilet. There is none here. He ran to the depth of the forest, carrying his bag with him. He pulled his shorts and bent down. He had to forego underwear when he was a child. His father forced him to.
