Ethera and the Island of Evisara: Book One of The Enrovia Series

by Anna J Walner

  “See what? You mean the colors?” I managed to choke out.

  I struggled to catch my breath as I continued coughing. I rolled over and sat up, startled to find myself eye to eye with the cheetah, his left lip pulling up slightly to reveal a razor-sharp tooth. I swallowed hard, trying to control my fear. I held my breath, waiting . . .

  I turned away and shut my eyes as his mouth opened wide, purple essence rolling off his tongue. “How long?” He simply asked. I sat dumbfounded for a moment and slowly opened my eyes, looking directly back into his as he took a step forward. He was now so close I could feel rather than see his warm breath as he spoke each word. “How long have you been able to see the colors?”

  I stuttered as I answered the simple question. “Yes . . . Yesterday” I finally said. “After the tree.” I looked to Ethera who then turned to Sengei.

  “I didn’t know, she didn’t tell me.” She said.

  The cheetah quickly turned, a disgruntled sound leaving his mouth as he slunk away a few paces, then turned again facing me and squatting on his haunches.

  Ethera bent down in front of me, a look of compassion painting her face. “Tell me what you see Hailey,” she prompted, waiting for my answer.

  Honestly I didn’t want to say anything, fearing I may say the wrong thing. But I had already stuck my foot in my mouth, so it was too late to feign ignorance now. I took a moment to collect my thoughts, trying to figure out the best way to explain.

  “Yesterday, after you left. I was cutting the palm fronds by the stream. Tindo came out of the woods, and when he growled at me, I could see his breath. It was like fog, but not white, more yellow, maybe darker like mustard colored.”I waited for her to speak again.

  “That’s all?” she studied me intently.

  “Yes.” I answered her.

  “Ethera, a word please.” The big cat growled at her.

  I felt like a child in trouble, hanging my head. I had no idea why seeing the color of their essence made them so nervous, but it did. I would have liked to ask more about it, but I didn’t think that now was the time. If I happened to see Lars again, I would have to ask him. Actually I was looking forward to seeing the little lizard again now that we could hold a proper conversation.

  I still had so many questions, and for whatever reason, I felt like I could call Lars a friend.

  Sengei and Ethera moved away, lowering their voices in conversation, no doubt talking about me. I sat down on the log outside, hearing a low hum from inside the bungalow. It sounded like the hum of a finger along the top of a wine glass, almost like a ringing, but more dull than shrill.

  I stood and walked inside turning my head this way and that, trying to locate the noise. Finally I followed it to my backpack on the ground.

  I reached inside looking for my phone, but then remembered I had left it plugged into the solar charger by the door this morning. I had planned on listening to some music while I worked on my bed but found the battery had died in the night.

  Determined to find the source of the sound I removed everything from the pack, leaving it empty but still humming. I stared for a moment perplexed then unzipped the side pocket and curled my fingers around a metal chain. The necklace! I barely even remembered finding it in the night, I had been so tired at the time. And I didn’t remember stuffing it in the side pocket of my pack at all.

  I gently pulled on the chain and wiggled the large stone at the end through the opening.

  The deep red color of the stone was so bright it seemed to be glowing. But the sound was getting softer now that I had it dangling from my hand. I couldn’t help but to gaze into it as I held it up, mesmerized by the patterns that seemed to swirl behind the shiny finish. It gave the illusion of pearlescent swirling clouds in a storm. It was beautiful.

  A sudden sound at my door broke my reverie. I yanked the bauble into my hand, tucking it into my shorts pocket in a one swift movement.

  I wasn’t sure why I was trying to hide it; I just didn’t want to give her one more thing to question me about or be angry with.

  “Hailey . . . ?” she asked through the door.

  I hid the look of guilt on my face the best I could. “Of course, come in.”

  Ethera and the cheetah entered the bungalow, pacing to the far corner and sitting. I kept my eyes fixed on her, directing my gaze away from the cheetah who intimidated me. The small hut seemed overcrowded right now.

  “Sengei and I talked, and we’d like you to not tell anyone else about what you see. If that’s all right with you,” Ethera said, glancing at Sengei who never stop glaring in my direction.

  I nodded, agreeing without knowing why. “I see you’re a good person Hailey, and I believe that you have no intention of hurting us. This is why I agree with Ethera in this matter. But the council would only see this as a cause for concern, you must trust us on this,” Sengei explained. “Do you understand?” He asked.

  Everything about this place was a mystery to me. I knew so little, was allowed to know so little. If I were going to stay for a while I thought I deserved to have more answers.

  “No, actually I don’t understand,” I said simply. Sengei snapped his head back up to look at me, taking a step in my direction.

  “Do you want to go home?” he asked, measure his words for effect one by one.

  “Yes” I conceded.

  “Then do as we say, and soon you will be able to.” He stopped walking and rested on his haunches, never breaking eye contact. “We have our reasons.” He said simply, flipping his tail once and turning his back to me and walking out of the bungalow.

  Ethera stepped toward me. She lowered her voice as she spoke. “He doesn’t mean to come off as gruff. It’s just his nature.” She winked, then walked out into the sunlight to join the cheetah.

  Letting out a deep breath I dug into my pocket, remembering the necklace. I pulled it out and shoved it back into the little pocket on the side of my backpack. A sharp knock on the outside of my bungalow startled me. Ethera stuck her head around the corner.

  “I just wanted to let you know that I have some business to attend to, but I will return. Get some rest, we will meet the council tonight.” She looked at me with compassion. “Relax, enjoy the day.” She said, and then turned once more as I made a mental note to take the time to weave a palm frond door for privacy.

  A renewed sense of adventure started to bloom, and I realized I was really excited to have the option of talking to the others in town. Or at least if they spoke to me I’d be able to understand them now.

  Stepping back out into the sunlight I heard the conversations around me for the first time. The air was filled with words, instead of growls and squawks. There was talk of the weather, and other simple things. The newly arrived were telling stories about themselves or asking questions about the town in general. I heard gossip, romance stories, confessions of love, reminiscence of sadness, each of them unaware of my new-found ability.

  I also heard the snide remarks as they glanced my way.

  “Shouldn’t be here.”

  “Trouble”

  “She’ll side with him, sure enough. Their kind sticks together”

  “Don’t get too close she’ll strip you”

  Different levels of distrust and prejudice permeated the air around the camp as I neared them. Maybe this isn’t so great after all, I thought.

  While I knew deep down my being here wasn’t the most welcome of distractions, I didn’t think outright hate would be directed my way. I wondered . . . if they knew I could hear them, would they even then bother hiding their distrust and dislike? Did they even care if they hurt my feelings?

  I watched their breath with a new fascination now, light blue to shimmering pearl, some darker shades of orange and yellow, the fog of colors hanging in the air, creating a surreal picture in the clearing. I realized that since seeing Tindo’s breath yesterday, the colors were growing brighter to me now, more noticeable.

  From the corner of my eye I noticed a flash o
f black feathers as a large raven swooped down to perch on a boulder by the woods. I watched him for a while, my eyes drawn to his dark color standing out against the brilliant green foliage behind him. He stared back, almost right at me for a few minutes, until raising his wings and taking flight into the sun. I shut my eyes against the blinding light and lost sight of him.

  A sudden scratching by my foot drew my attention to a little black and tan dog at my feet.

  “Um, Hi,” I said.

  “Hello” he said, a very noticeable flaw in his jaw making the word sound almost foreign.

  “What’s your name?” I asked as I crouched down.

  “Dusty” He answered, lisping terribly. He seemed not at all surprised that I was able to hear him.

  “I’m Hailey, it’s very nice to meet you.” I answered, pleased to have someone nice to talk to in the city.

  “Where do you live?” He asked politely as another dog with three legs limped excitedly up beside him.

  “The hut just there,” I said as I gestured in the direction of my house, “would you like to come see?” I asked them, desperate for conversation. The taller three-legged dog started pouncing in excitement.

  I giggled. “I guess that’s a yes.”

  I glanced back to the group I’d just passed by, who were still carrying on their conversation about me. Let them talk, I thought. What did their opinion matter anyway?

  I looked down at my new companions who were trying to match me step for step as we walked back to the bungalow. “And you would be?” I asked the other dog who seemed to be Dusty’s friend.

  “I’m Angel. My humans called me that because when I got runned overed and I lost my leg, only an angel could’ve saved me. I don’t remember losing it, the leg, I know that’s what you’re wondering, I would be too. But they weren’t good people, they were good to me, but not good people, they didn’t get to the falls. Sucks for me, but I keep going, maybe when we beat Drugan and reopen the well I can go back and try to find my forever people. Plus I really miss the taste of bacon, do you like bacon?” She rambled on and on, only stopping to take a quick breath.

  “I do, bacon is my favorite food group.” I laughed. I decided I liked Angel.

  “Yeah, so when we win the war you should go back too.” She poked Dusty with her nose.

  “You don’t want to go back?” I asked the dachshund hanging his head. I think his little friend had embarrassed him.

  “I don’t want to talk about it.” He pouted.

  “He thinks he’s ugly, you know with the messed up teeth and all, but I don’t. You’re awesome dude, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, we make our own happiness. Be the best dog they ever had, some old lady would love to get you, you’re so sweet and all. Just like me. I know that I’m a little too hyper for just anyone, but that’s the way I am, and that’s the way I’ll stay. The right person will love you for it all.” She panted, exhausted from the effort.

  “She’s right you know, I had a dog when I was a little girl who had a broken tail, well not broken, he was just born that way. But I never noticed, only when someone asked about it. I still miss Cyrus, he was the best dog I’ve ever had.”

  I almost teared up at the thought of it. I hadn’t thought about him in I don’t know how long.

  Cyrus was a rescue that drove my mom insane. We went to the shelter in Conroe, a town close by, and found him. Cyrus wasn’t a puppy but not very old. I got him for making all A’s for the whole year in 5th grade.

  He was my buddy, we did everything together.

  I still remember when the doorbell rang. I was in the kitchen at the table two years ago over summer break, deep in a new book I had just bought. My mom answered the door. I couldn’t make out everything that was said but when she closed the door and walked into the kitchen I knew something was wrong.

  The look on her face, trying to hold back the tears. That’s what set me off, before she even spoke I knew he was gone. I remember running up the stairs to my room and slamming the door, throwing myself on the bed and trying not to think about how it happened.

  He’d been working on a hole all summer, under the back gate, where a knot in the wood made a slight opening under the boards.

  Over time I stopped paying that much attention to him, rollerblading was easier without worrying about the leash. The fish were easier to take off the hook without wrangling the dog and the perch. He only wanted to go like he used to. I would see his paws under the gate, his nose covered in brown dirt. I heard him barking as I turned the corner to the lake on my bike.

  The first few trips I even watched behind me as I pedaled, wondering if he managed to escape and came along, dreading having to turn around and take him back to the yard. I stopped looking after a while, forgetting entirely about the hole under the gate. But as soon as I saw her face I remembered.

  I could still feel the guilt pulling at my stomach when she told me Cyrus had gotten out of the yard. The young man who hit him was only eighteen and had just gotten a new truck for graduation that spring. He didn’t have time to stop, he said. The tags on Cy’s collar had listed the home number instead of our cell phone, and when he called we were at the mall.

  Cliff, that was his name, took Cyrus to the vet, but the truck had done more damage than they could fix. He saved the collar and returned it along with his apology. That night after my mom and dad had gone to sleep I crawled out my window and took a shovel from the garage, digging up dirt from the center of the yard and filling the hole under the gate.

  I never let my mom see me cry, but I let the tears flow freely as I dug into the grass over and over again, paying my respects privately telling Cy how sorry I was. The next week my mother brought home a new puppy, a golden lab full of energy and life, but it wasn’t the same. I still couldn’t love Meg the same way I loved Cyrus. It wasn’t her fault, it just wasn’t the same.

  The memories came back in a rush. I shook my head pushing them back behind the curtain and tried to focus on the conversation at hand. “So how long have you two been here?” I asked as gently as possible, curious and eager to ask as many questions as I could.

  I may not be able to get any answers from Ethera or Sengei, but I’m sure someone knew something around here.

  “I’ve been here for a while, we don’t really keep track of time, it’s different here than back in the human world, so we lose track. Dusty was here when I got here.”

  “Were you here before Drugan?” I turned and glanced around to see if I had any other ears too close. I felt I could probably get quite a few answers from Dusty and Angel, but I didn’t want to be caught prying. I didn’t know what other information Ethera wasn’t ready for me to know. I got the feeling she was holding back quite a lot.

  I looked back to Dusty who was shaking his head no but offering up nothing else. I paused to think of my next question a little too long.

  “Hey Dusty, let’s explore!” Angel bounced in circles, her excitement never waning, but close to exhausting her companion, as Dusty simply nodded.

  “See you later Hailey,” he said, looking back for a moment then trotting to catch up with Angel, leading him off towards the woods.

  Now what should I do? I ducked back into my bungalow and looked around. I grabbed my phone from the charger and decided to waste a little battery playing some music.

  My makeshift mattress was nearly complete, the fronds stacked almost a full foot off the ground. I sat on them, feeling them give slightly underneath, then twisted my body and pulled my legs up onto it, laying down.

  I could take a nap I guess, maybe snooze until it was time to meet with the counsel. The thought of it filled me with a nervous energy I couldn’t shake. I was intimidated and nervous about the whole thing. Add to that the fact I was seeing something I was told to keep quiet about and I started to dread the day coming to a close.

  And I didn’t even know what the colors even meant, red or purple, orange or silver. I could guess, but I had no way of knowing if I was right,
and no one I could ask.

  The humming noise caught my attention from the back of the bungalow again, small and indistinct, but growing louder bit by bit until I could tell it was coming from my backpack on the floor. It was starting to annoy me. I should really try to find its owner, I thought. I certainly didn’t want anyone believing me to be a thief on top of whatever other opinions they had about me.

  I was just standing to go grab my pack when the raven landed in front of my open door, cawing into the bungalow, screeching loudly, and taking me by surprise. I thought of the crow I had seen earlier, maybe it was even the same one.

  Coal black essence poured from its beak as it paced back and forth, jerking its head in a spastic action then flapping several times and flying in to perch on the pack itself, it’s small ebony eyes never leaving mine as they darted this way and that.

  I stood still, unsure of moving as the crow was now staring at me with unwavering resolve, almost accusing me. Maybe it had seen me pick up the trinket last night and was waiting for me to give it back. Perhaps it belonged to the crow himself and he had come to get it. Crows liked shiny things, I knew.

  The humming was so loud now, there was no way to ignore it in the small space. I shifted anxiously, the whole situation making me uncomfortable. If it belonged to the crow I had no problem giving it back. All he had to do was tell me and I’d be happy to be rid of it.

  “Can I help you with something?” I asked, trying to sound as innocent as I could.

  The necklace continued to hum underneath the black bird. “Put it on,” the crow cawed. “I gave it to you,” he said as he flapped his wings and hopped down from the pack onto the dirt floor. A few short jumps and he was back at the front opening, never looking back as he lifted his wings again and flew off into the sky.

  The humming stopped, my heart gradually began to slow. I stood in the middle of the now empty bungalow, grateful for the silence inside, but left completely confused by what had just happened. What did he mean he gave it to me, I wondered. The necklace? So it was his, but why did he want me to have it?