Hatchling

by Toasha Jiordano

  Isaac’s Aunt Sarah stood between them, much closer to Grandpa James than Mr. MacLauren. She was smiling and touching Grandpa James’s arm the way Rowan had done with Jimmy earlier. He searched his grandfather’s face for any reflection of the excitement he’d felt at Rowan’s touch, and saw none.

  Instead, he heard what they’d been discussing and had to laugh. Grandpa James shook a bright red candy apple in the air indignantly. “A quarter? Why that’s highway robbery, and I should know!” Grandpa James tossed the offending fruit back onto the table and wiped his hands hard to make his point.

  Warmth spread through Jimmy, calming his frayed nerves, and he smiled in spite of the pain. They were more alike than he gave Grandpa James credit for.

  Aunt Sarah let go of Grandpa James’s arm and clapped her hands. “Aww, James, I just can’t get over how adorable he is.” She was looking right at Jimmy. And wasn’t ‘adorable’ what Rowan just called Ash? A baby.

  She grabbed Jimmy in much the same way Rowan had squeezed Ash and pulled him to her. This time her mom hug didn’t have the same effect as before. This lady was overstepping her bounds, with Grandpa James, and with him.

  Jimmy pulled away and slinked back, head down.

  Still, she persisted. She took the hem of her long flowing shirt and dabbed it on her tongue. Who wore a fancy pink outfit to a corn festival? Before Jimmy could answer his own question with a snide remark, the wet cloth smeared across his face, down his birthmark.

  Jimmy jumped back. “It doesn’t wipe off!” The words came out nastier than he planned, but felt great. Until his cheeks flared with embarrassment. He spent his life trying to hide his birthmark and he’d just called the attention of half the festival to it. He wished he had Rowan’s hat to cover himself with.

  “I know, sweetie.” She squeezed his shoulder and gave him her best smile. “But you had something red on your face.” She examined the hem of her shirt. “Is it -” and she stopped herself, figuring out at the last possible second what it was.

  “Candy apple,” Rowan covered for him.

  Grandpa James made a tsk with his teeth. “You paid a quarter for one of those things? Richer man than I,” he half-joked.

  “I bought it,” Rowan came to his rescue again. “I couldn’t finish it.”

  Jimmy wanted out of there. He huffed and turned to flee.

  “Hey,” Sarah called after them. “Keep an eye out for Isaac. He’s around here somewhere. You can’t miss him. He’ll be the only kid sitting by a tree with his nose in a book. He could use the company.” She added the last part with a hitch of sadness in her voice that worried Jimmy. What happened since yesterday to upset her?

  “What do you want to do?” Rowan skipped ahead, acting more bubbly than he’d ever seen her. He appreciated the effort, but he wasn’t ready to let it work.

  “I want to destroy him.” The words flew out of his mouth before he could think.

  Ash perked up at the mention of getting revenge on Bruno and his friends. He growled and fidgeted in the backpack. Ash still pushed hard against Jimmy’s back, instead of stretching out, as if he didn’t want to touch the other side of the bag. He’d rather stay cramped up than touch… what? The medallion? That still made no sense. Jimmy couldn’t very well leave the thing at home. It was magic! He needed to figure out what it was for.

  “I’m all for that!” Rowan slid Ridire-solas out of Jimmy’s belt loop and waved the sword in the air. She looked way more at ease doing that than Jimmy ever would. “Wanna challenge him to a duel?”

  “Why? I have a dragon.” Thoughts of Ash burning the whole group of boys to a crisp filled Jimmy’s head. And Ash’s. Jimmy got a clear vision of Ash swooping down over the crying pack of boys, breathing green fire down on them.

  “A dragon that’s not old enough to breathe fire,” Rowan said matter-of-factly.

  Jimmy stopped. “How do you know he can’t blow fire?”

  Rowan lowered the sword and shrugged. “Because he’d be doing it.” She turned and marched off before he could say another word.

  A moment later, they were standing in front of a wooden arch wrapped in straw. Behind it, rows and rows of corn stalks reached to the sky, as far as his eyes could see. A yellow sign shaped like an ear of corn read, “Corn Maze.”

  “Let’s go in there.” Rowan tugged on Jimmy’s arm. “Bet I can beat you through.”

  Jimmy looked around for an excuse not to go in there, but all he saw were people at a long picnic table holding up more ears of corn. A man with a bullhorn counted down from three, and the people chowed down all at once. Next to them, a man in a corn cob costume jumped and silently cheered them on, waving frantically in the air.

  That wasn’t going to happen.

  On the other side of the dirt pathway, stood a wooden fort with “Darts for Hearts” spray painted across the top. Inside the small booth, behind a very large man with a very thin moustache, red and white lights flashed. A grid of balloons, also red and white, swayed in the breeze.

  Great, last thing he needed after getting beat up in front of Rowan was to show her how bad of a shot he was, too.

  Then, as he turned in the other direction, he saw a tall boy sitting under a tree, nose in a book as predicted. Thank goodness.

  “Oh,” Jimmy said too excited for the distraction. “Come meet my friend, Isaac.” Not waiting for an answer, Jimmy grabbed Rowan by the hand and pulled her toward the tree, also not thinking about their hands touching again.

  When they reached Isaac, he didn’t look up. Jimmy cleared his throat and said, “Hey, Isaac.” He still didn’t look up. Jimmy kicked the sole of Isaac’s shoe. “I want you to meet Rowan. She’s visiting for the summer, too.”

  Isaac took his time, reading the last of his page, then turning to the next one, before closing the book. Jimmy saw that it was in fact an Encyclopedia. It looked ancient, like something no kid should be touching, with its hard brown leather cover and gold fancy writing. “Snakes,” was Isaac’s eventual response.

  “Cool,” Jimmy said, and meant it.

  “Did you know that a two-headed snake was believed to be omniscient by the ancient Egyptians? It means they know everything.”

  “Gross,” Rowan said. “Did you know when a girl says she wants to go through a corn maze, her friend is obligated to go with her?” She yanked Jimmy’s hand and reached the other out toward Isaac.

  “Everyone knows that,” Isaac said and took her hand so she could help him up.

  Great. He wasn’t going to be much help.

  Rowan made a triumphant face at Jimmy as the three of them entered the maze.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Of course, Rowan and Isaac were naturals in the maze, whipping and weaving through the stalks like they knew what they were doing. Jimmy, on the other hand, did not. By the time they finished, he was far behind, sweating and panting. Part of him didn’t want to leave, go back out in the open where all the people were. He took his time reaching the finish line where they waited.

  “You really shouldn’t have that bag thrown over one shoulder like that.” Isaac reached to take it from him and Jimmy jumped. “It’s bad for you back. Probably why you couldn’t keep up.” Instead of taking the bag, Isaac wrapped the loose strap across Jimmy’s other shoulder. “Man, it’s heavy.”

  Ash squirmed in the bag and made it impossible for Jimmy to get it in a comfortable position. “Yeah, I, uh, have to —” Jimmy stuttered.

  “Carry books,” Rowan said. “Yeah, he’s got that thing full of books. You two were made for each other,” she teased.

  Although he wouldn’t go quite that far, Jimmy had to admit that Isaac wasn’t as bad as he’d expected. For an older boy who couldn’t see the magic anymore, he was still nice. And Jimmy liked hearing all the interesting facts Isaac had stuck in his brain somehow.

  Also, there was just something about Isaac that made Jimmy feel protective over him, especially after the tone his Aunt Sarah’s voice earlier. Maybe they were kindred sp
irits after all, the three of them. Even if Rowan’s grandfather weirded Jimmy out and Isaac’s aunt was after Jimmy’s grandfather. That wasn’t their fault.

  And what were the odds that three abandoned kids would find each other in this forgotten backwards nowhere town? Jimmy had just opened his mouth to say so, when he felt a chill pass through him. Cold beedy eyes of a mysterious shadow man had found him. He looked around for the dark cloud of night that surrounded the man, but couldn’t find it.

  The crowd had gotten thicker since their run-in with Bruno and his bunch. Jimmy’s nerves settled down a bit knowing they could easily disappear in the middle of it. Still, he needed to get away from the shadow man. Maybe they could go somewhere quiet to let Ash out of the bag. There, he’d decide whether he could trust Isaac with his secret. He felt a twinge of excitement at sharing something so amazing with an older kid.

  Then he saw it.

  A tall red velvet tent leaned against a wide tree with lots of leaves and shade. It looked ancient, like it had been there for centuries, and deserted. People walked past it like it didn’t exist, but then, there was a lot of that going around in this town. Jimmy checked over his shoulder again. The lurking man was nowhere, but the invisible mountain still spewed lighting from its tip. Dark clouds stretched all the way across the sky, yet on the ground, the sun beamed down on everything.

  The fairgoers ate corn dogs for breakfast and threw wobbly baseballs at old dusty green bottles. As if nothing was after them.

  “There,” Jimmy said, moving closer to the tent. The door flap rippled open as if pushed by a breeze Jimmy never felt. It opened by itself as Jimmy was drawn nearer.

  “Where?” Rowan asked.

  “Yeah, where?” Isaac echoed, but with actual confusion in his voice, not the menace that Rowan had.

  Jimmy didn’t answer. He just kept going, through the crowd of people and noise. Past the shadow that appeared out of nowhere and followed him across the field. It stopped at the entrance to the tent, waiting for an invitation.

  Ash settled in the bag and Jimmy knew this was where they both wanted to be.

  “You can’t be serious.” Rowan yanked on the bag, but Jimmy didn’t stop.

  “What?” Isaac didn’t know what was going on, something Jimmy bet he never felt. This kind of stuff wasn’t going to be in his books. “I don’t see anything, guys. Where are you going?”

  A beautiful face appeared out of the darkness. Long curls hung from a colorful headwrap, much like Rowan’s, only the color of midnight. Deep red lips parted and the most inviting voice said, “I’ve been expecting you.”

  “Don’t go in there,” Rowan snarled into Jimmy’s ear. Her hand squeezed his arm hard enough to hurt, but Jimmy kept going.

  Isaac fretted. “I’m serious, guys. Stop messing around.” His voice disappeared into nothing before he could finish.

  As Jimmy crossed the threshold of the darkened tent, a pale green orb of light grew in the center of the room. And it was a room, not a tiny tent as it had seemed from the outside. More green lights twinkled above Jimmy’s head, like distant stars. There was sparse furniture, just a table draped in vibrant fabrics and two ornate wooden chairs. More fabrics carpeted the dirt floor, colors Jimmy had never seen before.

  “I’ve been waiting for you,” the Fortune Teller said, taking Jimmy’s hand. Her touch was warm and filled Jimmy with love.

  “You said that already.” Rowan pulled harder on Jimmy’s arm, but he didn’t want to go. He turned his head toward her just long enough to see that Isaac hadn’t followed them in. He didn’t care. He only wanted this enchanting woman to keep talking to him.

  The woman paid no mind to Rowan. She smiled at Jimmy and offered him a seat in one of the chairs. “Let me take that for you,” she said, and reached for the bag.

  Jimmy moved to hand it to her but Rowan snatched it from him and put it over her own shoulder.

  “Very well, then. Let us begin.” The Fortune Teller took her own seat across from Jimmy in a languid motion, as if she had all the time in the world. A faint scent of jasmine followed her.

  Jimmy breathed deeply to let it fill him with its calming effects. Ash, too, seemed to relax. Their bond shimmered above them, almost visible if Jimmy squinted hard enough. But that was too much work. He’d rather lean back against this comfortable chair and hear what this lovely woman had to say.

  “Shouldn’t you have a crystal ball or something?” Rowan inched closer to Jimmy and tried in vain to rouse him.

  Jimmy opened his eyes, a hard task at the moment, and saw that there was in fact, no crystal ball on the table. He opened his mouth to agree with Rowan but the Fortune Teller cut him off with a wave of her hand.

  “A charlatan’s ruse but as you wish,” she said, as one appeared out of nowhere and floated above the table between them.

  Jimmy gasped and Rowan mumbled, “wires,” under her breath.

  “I am Leonora, dear child. I have been sent to help you find your way. May I?” She reached for his hand again and he gave it freely. They held hands under the floating crystal ball which crackled with energy.

  In a lilting almost lyrical voice, the Fortune Teller began, “I see a long journey stretching out before you…” she hesitated, “and behind. Vast distances you must travel before the clock strikes fifteen. You will lose so much, dear boy. And you will gladly do so. It is the only way. Yes, the only way forward is back.”

  The air in the room became thick. Jimmy had to suck in his breaths. A sense of dread weighed on his shoulders and he squirmed in his seat. He tried to pull back his hand but the Fortune Teller held tight.

  “I see a man.”

  Jimmy stopped struggling. The shadow man.

  “Darkness follows him as it follows you, and your friend.” Jimmy watched as her eyes went to the backpack on Rowan’s shoulder. “Things are not as they seem.”

  “Come on,” Rowan huffed. “Enough of this mumbo jumbo. You can’t be falling for—”

  “Now you are complete. Your destiny awaits,” Leonora raised her voice. “The Queen of Lies shall wed the Emperor of the Night. Though, in time. Be careful what you seek, child. Death comes on silent wings, and those who soar to the greatest heights have the farthest to fall.”

  “The man?” Jimmy asked, his throat dry. His voice didn’t sound like his own. “Who is he? I need to know who. Is it my —”

  “Enough!” Rowan tore their hands apart.

  Leonora jumped, snatching her hand from Rowan’s touch. Her eyes were wide like a feral cat’s. She reached into her long flowing robes. Then she pressed a warm metal object into Jimmy’s hand and whispered in his head, “No more fear.”

  The room went dark, all the floating green stars extinguished at once. The dark midday sky was over them once more.

  “What in the world just happened?” Isaac nearly screamed.

  Jimmy shook his head, the scent of lavender fading. He didn’t want it to go.

  “How long were we gone?” Rowan asked, checking an old pocket watch Jimmy had never seen before.

  “Uh, I…” Isaac stammered. “You disappeared!” This time he did yell, loud.

  “How —”

  “Disappeared! I was about to go for help, but…” Isaac turned in a complete circle where he stood, still frozen with indecision.

  “We didn’t disappear.” Jimmy hitched his thumb toward the tent, but it was gone. He was about to show the small gift to Isaac; surely he’d know what it was. But something stopped him. Something still in his head told him to put it away.

  A loud whistle blew and all three friends leapt out of their skin. Jimmy wasn’t proud of the high-pitched noise that came out of him. In the excitement, he slipped the tiny coin-like charm into his backpack.

  A female voice echoed around them as a ring of loud speakers buzzed to life. “All race participants, please report to the track. All race participants, please report to the track.”

  Rowan pulled Jimmy toward the racing area. “Come on, we’
ve got a jerk to beat.”

  Jimmy followed without a fight. A cold shadow passed through his body as Isaac fell in step behind him and they walked across the empty space where the Fortune Teller’s tent used to be.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  The race whistle blew as they approached, and a group of girls took off from the starting line.

  “You missed your race,” Isaac said to Rowan.

  “That’s not my race,” she replied, straightening the cap that tried to cover her curls.

  “Are you running with us?” Jimmy asked. He still couldn’t believe what had just happened, but Rowan seemed determined to ignore it. Isaac, being left out of the whole ordeal anyway, was going along with the plan.

  “I was until… it’s better that you run. Someone has to hold… your stuff.” Rowan shrugged the shoulder that still held the bag. Ash was quiet and Jimmy felt him resting.

  “I’m not running,” Isaac added. He shook his head vehemently as if him doing anything athletic was the most absurd idea. His brown curls bounced around his head like a halo and Jimmy felt a pang of jealousy. Clearly Rowan would rather be with him. An older, smarter boy, who didn’t cower on the ground when bullies showed up.

  “Well, then I don’t have to run, either. I only agreed because of you,” Jimmy pointed at Rowan then dropped his hand quickly. His cheeks reddened, almost matching the fire in her eyes.

  “You have to.” Rowan cut her eyes across the field and Jimmy followed here gaze.

  Bruno and his gang huddled around a small boy, clearly tormenting the poor kid. No adults stepped in to rescue the crying child.

  The heat spread from Jimmy’s cheeks through his whole body and he found himself clenching his fists. Thoughts of Ash burning all of them to nothing flashed in his mind again. He reveled in it, watching them crumble and hearing their cries. Any other day be concerned at the violent thoughts, but not today. Today he wished his imagination was bigger.