The Two Worlds

by Alisha Howard

  I had raised my hand dutifully as if I were in class. “Um...if you don’t mind me asking, what exactly is my purpose?”

  Paul chuckled. “I can’t tell you that, Kay, because you have to figure it out yourself. But I can tell you that Turgor is dying. There is an ancient war that has been tearing this planet apart. On Turgor, there are many races, but the two dominant inhabitants are the KaKonians and our government. The reason there is a war right now is because our government and the KaKonians are rivals. And each side is growing stronger, with the result being innocent people and creatures getting caught in the crossfire.”

  “Well,” I began, while trying to digest everything, “why is there a war?”

  “That’s the million dollar question.” Paul chuckled, but he looked sad. “No one knows. Probably over something trivial, something that really has been forgotten by both sides, but pride won’t let them back down.”

  I thought for a moment. “And what side are we on?”

  “That’s complicated,” Paul sighed, leaning back in his chair. “We’re not really on either side but our own. Creators have done all that they can do, for the time being anyway. Everything they have created is now capable of re-creating by themselves. Their purpose is slowly becoming fulfilled. However, everyone else, Wizards, Walkers, and Awakeners...well, we’ve just begun. We are the protectors of the innocent in one fashion or another. Wizards provide the magic of Turgor, ensuring daily life runs smoothly. Walkers absorb death, make it one of their own, and control it. They can’t prevent it, but they can prolong it or bring it quickly if they have to. And Awakeners, well, we are the ones that Awaken others’ abilities. Without us, the inhabitants of Turgor wouldn’t function. We are the healers, the hope.” Paul stood up and excused himself for the bathroom.

  Nia turned to me. I stopped her before she could open her mouth. “So, everything that Grandpa Lamont told us about Turgor...it’s true?” She nodded. I swallowed and kept going. “And...there really is a war going on? What business is Grandpa Lamont on? Last time I checked he was lying in Jackson Memorial in a coma.”

  “Grandpa Lamont’s a historian,” she smiled. “There was a break in at Callback. It’s like the prison of the planet, and it’s huge. The day before Grandpa went into a coma, he was summoned by the Creators to help find lost articles.”

  I stood up and stretched. “I’m guessing someone escaped that wasn’t supposed to.”

  “Duh.”

  “I really wish I could wake up from this dream.” I frowned. “This is weird.”

  Nia looked annoyed. “I keep telling you that you’re not dreaming!”

  “Uh-huh.”

  I walked over to one of the small windows and peeked out. People bustled about, taking groceries inside their houses—where would a grocery store be? Mailboxes walked tied to their posts, and buses flew by, occasionally stopping to let someone off. Grandpa Lamont had told us of creatures out of the ordinary and people who could do amazing things. They all lived on this planet. All those years I had been fascinated by these inhabitants, and I realized that I finally was given the chance to visit the place. The thought of it being a dream was slowly going out the window. Nia came up and stood next to me.

  “What are you thinking?” she asked softly. “Are you going to be okay?”

  Shrugging, I turned away from the glass. “If it’s all Grandpa Lamont told me it was, I might as well check it out.”

  Nia nodded, and we stood in silent agreement for a while. After a few moments, Paul came back in and gave a small cough.

  “Sorry to interrupt your tender moment there,” he smirked, “but it’s time to get you settled in here.”

  I moved away from the window and raised an eyebrow at him. “Settled in?”

  CHAPTER THREE

  “We’re going to have to cross Elmite River.”

  “No, no, we can simply go through the city.”

  “Why do all of that if we can take a shortcut?”

  “Crossing the Elmite River is not a shortcut. It’s suicide.”

  Nia and Paul argued back and forth along the bus ride, and I laughed as Nia made faces behind Paul’s back when he turned to look at the map or when Paul snorted in disgust when Nia showed him her route. They made a comical couple. The sky had now turned a mixture of beautiful silver with blue streaks lined through it.

  “It’s night now,” Nia said. The grayish clouds moved gracefully over the sky. A light wind blew through the trees, which, in turn, shivered and laughed gently among themselves. Smells of bread baking, stew cooking, and fires warming houses mixed with sounds of night, and I longed for Grandma’s potato pie or her roasted chicken.

  “We’re almost there, sis,” Nia said as she produced another map from thin air and began arguing again with Paul. The houses became fewer and fewer, until finally there was nothing but fields of Mince.

  “We are now entering Tormey,” announced the bus driver in a monotone voice. “Please gather your belongings.”

  “This is our stop,” Paul said, handing the maps over to Nia, who looked at them until they disappeared in her hands.

  “How do you do that?” I asked her, incredulous.

  She shrugged. “It’s my gift. I create things. Remember? And whatever I create, I can destroy. Wizards can do magic without even really thinking about it. There’s a fleeting thought, and then it’s just there.” She stood up to join the growing line the riders had made on the bus. “Or so I’ve been told.”

  “What’s my gift?”

  “Dunno. Every Awakener has a way they Awaken things or people, but you have to figure it out yourself.”

  “And just how am I going to do that?” We walked off the bus. Paul followed behind us, mumbling to himself.

  “Well, when we get to your house, you’ll be able to practice Awakening things there. Either that or you’ll starve, because the fridge won’t work until you tell it to.”

  We walked in silence for a few seconds before I registered what she said. “W-wait.” I stammered, side-stepping a small man darting through the crowds. “I have a house?”

  Nia laughed. “I know it’s kind of a lot to take in, but honestly...where’d you think you were sleeping? The bus station?”

  “No...”

  She increased her pace to keep up with Paul. “I created a house for you. You have to Awaken it and the things inside of it or else it’s just a small house standing there with no purpose.”

  We ducked through the crowds of people on the street, and I noticed the small shops that lined each side, each claiming to be a restaurant, clothing store—one had a small sign that read Two Headed Knit Sweaters, 2 for 1 sale!—or another form of small business. Paul led us through the streets that seemed to become even busier as the night went on. After what seemed like forever, we turned into a quieter street, and Paul stood still for a moment as Nia sucked her teeth.

  “You forgot where I put it, didn’t you?” she accused Paul. Tsking, Nia whistled softly as if calling a dog. The air became still and, from the distance in front of us, something began to take shape. I squinted and re-squinted as a small, odd blue house with sickly yellow shutters and a matching front door sauntered up to us. It looked like it was walking on invisible legs! The house stretched and groaned before becoming still.

  “Sorry to wake you,” Nia said softly, “but your Awakener’s here.” The house shifted a little bit, as if fidgeting to get back to bed. Nia noticed and promised, “We won’t take long.” Turning back around to face me, she shooed me out of the way and held up her hands straight in front of her as if she were surveying the two houses closely situated side by side.

  “Yep, this’ll work.” Clasping her hands together and then slowly pulling them apart, Nia concentrated on the houses. I watched in awe as the houses moved in accordance with her hands, one shifting to the left, the other to the right. Nia continued this until there was a large enough gap where my house could squeeze in. Satisfied, she dropped her hands and grinned.

&nb
sp; “Okay,” she said, turning to me. “It’s your turn.”

  Paul, who had been quiet during all of this, stepped up and said, “Allow me to explain. There are three common ways most of us Awaken things. The first way consists of actually speaking out loud to the object you are Awakening. However, the language you use is not common to others that hear you, and it is rare for someone other than the Awakened to understand what you are saying. Here, try asking the house to move into the space.”

  I gave Paul a wary look, stepped up to the house, and cleared my throat. “Uh...house, I command you to move into that spot!”

  Nia snickered and Paul gave her a stern look.

  “Kay, I don’t think it would be wise to command anything. You should just simply ask. And try not to sound like you’re in the military.” Paul pointed at the house. “The trick is to relax and just talk to the house as if you know that it can hear and understand you.” I nodded, loosened my shoulders, and took a deep breath. Half closing my eyes, I imagined it was my grandpa standing there, waiting to be asked of something.

  “House,” I said in the most conversational voice I could muster, “could you please move to the spot?” The house stood where it was, ignoring me. I looked over at Paul, helpless. He, however, was beaming.

  “Excellent,” he said. “You spoke in the house’s language!”

  “But,” I frowned, “how come it didn’t move?”

  “Because that’s not the right way for you to Awaken it, and it knows that. Ah, well, let’s try the second way.”

  “Wait a minute. What did I sound like?”

  “Lots of grunting and throaty noises,” Paul sighed. He positioned himself next to me, saying, “All it takes this time is concentrating on every muscle in your body, as if drawing energy to yourself.”

  “All?” I croaked, not really understanding.

  “Yes. Just concentrate on your body and pretend as though you can see particles of energy falling off everything that’s surrounding you, including me and Nia.” Nia nodded in agreement and gave me an encouraging smile.

  I sighed and closed my eyes for a moment, tensing up my muscles. Minutes passed, and I peeked through one eye to see if the house had miraculously moved to its spot. It hadn’t. Disappointed, I sighed again and relaxed.

  Paul stood beside me. “Well,” he mumbled, “we should try the third way.” He nudged me in front of him and added, “Okay, our last attempt. Before, you tried to draw energy from your surroundings in order to move the house physically. This time, I want you to try becoming the house, imagining that you are it.” He moved up closer to my ear and began to whisper. “You are tall...solid...a force against the wind.”

  My eyes slowly closed as Paul’s voice became distant. Suddenly, the ground felt weird—as if I was hovering above it—and I felt...fat...horribly fat...stocky. My new inner conscience urged me to move, but I refused. I didn’t want to. Why should I listen to the voice? The voice grew louder and more urgent, and with its persistence I became more resistant. No, I wouldn’t move. I refused to move. NO ONE COULD MAKE ME MOVE.

  I tumbled to the cool ground. Minces complained nearby as I rolled over with a groan and cracked open my eyes. Nia was standing over me with a blank expression on her face. She looked at Paul, who was sitting down next to me with his legs crossed, and shrugged.

  “Well, maybe she’s one of those rare Awakeners that has to figure it out by herself.”

  “If that’s the case, we’re in trouble,” Paul groaned. “She’ll never figure out the way.”

  Nia sighed. “Paul, you’re such a drag. Everyone figures out their gift. It just might take Kay awhile.”

  Paul jumped to his feet and frowned. “Even so, she’s at least in trouble for the night. I can’t take her back to my place; the other Seniors would have a fit.”

  “Why?”

  “You know...all that about discovering and charting new gifts before you completely interact with other Awakeners and such...”

  I groaned again. My head was killing me and no one seemed to care.

  “So what are we going to do, leave her here?” Nia almost shrieked.

  “You can’t take her with you, Nia. It’s against the rules.”

  “This is insane. What you are saying is insane. Where will she sleep?”

  “In the house.” Paul replied calmly, stepping over me to rub the house with affection. “When she gets fed up, she’ll figure out how to get in.” He cleared his throat and gave me a smile. “In the meantime, I’m going to leave you two ladies in lieu of my bed. The one in New Zealand, I mean.” Paul waved at Nia, gave me a curt nod, and walked away. We watched him—Nia standing over me while I rolled over on my side to get a better view—until he disappeared into the night.

  Nia huffed and picked me up. “As much as I hate it, Paul’s right. You have to figure this out on your own.”

  My tongue felt thick as I swallowed. Nia gave a sympathetic smile. “You’re just getting used to becoming things. That’s all. But, I have to go as well. I’d love to stay and help, but Grandma’s going to be up soon to cook breakfast and one of us has to help her.”

  “Wait...” I croaked. “What about me...going home?”

  “Oh,” Nia replied nonchalantly, “I’ll take care of it for now. Don’t worry. Just practice getting inside your house. You’ll find additional help once you get inside.” She turned and walked a few paces, raised her hand as if parting the air, and stepped inside an invisible rip.

  I was alone. Slowly turning back towards the house, I gave a defeated groan and walked up to it. The house was no longer fidgeting, but I still got the sense that it was watching me, mocking me somehow.

  “Stupid house,” I grumbled, giving it a swift kick.

  “OUCH!”

  I jumped back and looked around frantically, trying to place the voice.

  “Who’s there?” I demanded looking around.

  “Well...who do you think, you idiot?”

  I turned my head towards the voice and found myself facing the house again.

  “You,” the voice complained, “just kicked me as if I were some kind of animal.”

  I stared at the house. “You’re...talking...to me?”

  The house seemed to quiver. “Oh, come on. You’ve been standing there with your friends all night trying to get me to move, and then I finally say something to you and you can’t say anything coherent.” It scoffed. “You are capable of having a decent conversation, aren’t you?”

  “With most living things, yeah,” I retorted. “Anyway, why do you sound like that?”

  “Like what?”

  “Like a girl.” The house had a feminine quality to it, a heavy voice that almost sounded motherly.

  The house laughed, shaking the walls and rattling the windows. “That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard since I was created!” It cried. “The reason I sound like a girl is because I am one, idiot! A girl created me, a girl is suppose to reside in me, so don’t you think I would be one as well?”

  I opened my mouth to say something smart, but thought better of it. The house was bigger than me.

  “So,” I began cautiously, “are you going to move to the spot Nia created for you or are we going to stand here all night?” The house grunted and began a slow float, as if she was taking pleasure in trying to make me wait. I tapped my foot and added, “Do you things have a name?”

  “Of course,” she said, slowing down even more, “and I’d kindly prefer to be called Dia.”

  “Dia?”

  “Dia. Dia Rhea.”

  I paused for a moment, then snorted and burst into laughter.

  “I didn’t ask to be called that,” Dia shouted over my laughing. “Your sister apparently a sense of humor.”

  “I’ll say.”

  Dia huffed and glided the remainder of the distance to her spot. I gave a final chuckle and opened the front door. The house gave off a thick, musty smell and radiated a feeling of emptiness, despite the lavish furniture, which wa
s impressive shade of dull gray. The armchair sat nearly beside the small sofa in front of the fireplace. The gray carpet was hard and resisting as I stepped on it. A small hallway towards the back of the living room was lined with small vases that had gray, dying flowers in them. The back of the hall opened into an archway that led to a small homey kitchen that was dull and lacking color.

  “Some humor,” I whispered to myself looking around. On my right side, a staircase sat, which I climbed carefully, and at the top of a small bedroom was my immediate left. Directly across was a bathroom of equal size.

  I sighed and asked out loud, “How come everything’s gray?”

  “Because,” Dia replied, sounding as though she were standing right next to me, “you have to Awaken them. The flowers won’t live until you tell them to. The couch, as pretty as it is, won’t be comfortable until you say so. I wouldn’t recommend sitting on it for too long, either. It doesn’t know it’s supposed to be sturdy.”

  “And how am I supposed to Awaken them?”

  “The same way you Awakened me.”

  “Kick them?”

  “No,” Dia snapped. “How would you like having your insides kicked at? Just touch them and tell them what they are supposed to be.”

  I walked up to the first step of the stairs and tapped it with my foot, saying, “Um, Mr. Step, you and the rest of the steps here are supposed to be...sturdy. You and your friends are meant to be walked on...support the upper half of the house.” Instantly, the stairs straightened themselves, and I pressed my foot down on the step, noticing it didn’t squeak in protest. I smiled. “Also, Mr. Step and company, I would love it if you were a nice, mahogany color.” A half-second passed. Then the rich color appeared where my foot was resting and spread out until it reached the bottom of the staircase.

  “Cool.”

  And so I began with the stairs and moved to the floor, which appeared to be ready to accept the stairs’ previous fate at any possible moment. Moving from room to room, I touched and talked until there was a warm fire crackling and the pot of soup simmered on the stove. I ate my soup, making small talk with Dia and watching the fire slowly die out. As the night wore on, I fell exhausted on the couch and began to sleep, traveling once more.