Chosen One

by Katie Holland

  “It sucks that you have to leave today,” Alix told her.

  “Yep. My awesomely free vacation is coming to an end,” Sara said smiling.

  “What are you going to do when you get home?”

  “I don’t know really. I’m not going to college since I missed the start of the school year. So, I’ll probably try and get a job in a restaurant that has a pastry chef and learn on the job until I can find a way to get into culinary school.”

  “That sounds cool. I know we talked a little about this before, but have you given any more thought to moving to Sunset Creek? The house is fully furnished and I’m sure the rent will be really cheap. And,” Alix continued, “I’m pretty sure that there’s a Culinary Arts program in Bozeman which is about 45 minutes from Sunset Creek. Maybe that’s something you’d like to do eventually.”

  “Are you serious? I’d love to do that. I wouldn’t even mind the drive every day. I’m totally going to talk to my mom about this on our flight back. You are awesome Alix!” Sara said hugging her.

  Alix just smiled and finished eating her breakfast. She loved it when she was able to help people. At some point before she left she was going to talk to James and see if there was anything they could do about helping Sara with college.

  After breakfast they got ready and made their way to the bus. Alix wasn’t sure what to expect at Trafalgar Square but was excited to see it anyway. She loved anything new.

  When she got on the bus she noticed that Logan was sitting by himself and made a decision.

  “I’m going to sit with Logan on the ride to London today,” she told Shay and Ben. “I think we need to get to know him better.”

  Ben looked at her and shrugged. Shay just smiled. Knowing Alix as well as she did she knew that Alix hated to see people sad or singled out.

  “You’re sure?” Ben asked.

  “Completely,” Alix answered.

  “Okay, but if you feel uncomfortable at all please just come back and sit with us.”

  Alix nodded and made her way to the seat next to Logan.

  “Hi,” she said. “Can I join you?”

  “Of course,” Logan said. “But are you sure you want to be seen sitting with me?”

  “Of course,” she said and smiled.

  When everyone was finally on the bus they started on their way to London. It took a while, but Alix got Logan to start talking. She asked about his family, school, future plans and how he spent his free time. By the time they arrived at Trafalgar Square he seemed a little like the person she thought he really was.

  “Thanks Alix,” Logan said when they got off the bus.

  Alix knew he meant more than the talk. “You’re welcome. It was great getting to know you better.”

  Logan found Jack and walked off with a wave. Alix went over to Ben and Shay.

  “So, what’s he like?” Shay asked.

  “Actually, he’s a lot like you Ben,” she replied with a smile.

  Ben raised his eyebrows at her.

  “Really. We’re all the same age after all. He’s a senior in high school. Likes video games and sports. He’s very protective of his family and wants to go to college. From what I can tell he’s just a normal seventeen-year-old guy. Oh, and Shay, he has a girlfriend. Well at least he thinks he did. He’s not sure what happened in the time he can’t remember.”

  “Okay, but why would I care if he has a girlfriend? It’s not like we’re dating or something. Oh my God, we didn’t kiss, did we?” Shay said horrified.

  Since it appeared that Shay didn’t remember anything about that Alix decided to tell a little white lie. “No, I was just telling you. You know, in case you thought he was hot boyfriend material or something,” Alix said hoping it was convincing.

  “Oh, yeah, I can see your point. Thanks,” Shay said.

  Alix caught Ben’s look but luckily, he didn’t say anything.

  The three of them explored Trafalgar Square. They went into an art gallery, had coffee in a cute café and threw money into a fountain. They also explored a few of markets and shops. For lunch they found some food vendors and tried some new things.

  Before they realized it, they had to get back to the bus. They’d had a great morning. Next, they were off to visit Big Ben. They were told on the way there that normally the waiting list to be able to walk up to the top of Big Ben was six months long and then only with the permission of a Member of Parliament, but of course they were given preferential treatment due to Alix being the Chosen One. So far on this trip being the Chosen One was getting them all sorts of extras, Alix wasn’t going to complain.

  They were met at Big Ben by a member of the British government who also happened to be Nykara. Seeing the inner workings of the clock was Alix’s favorite part of the tour.

  All too soon they were heading to the airport. A few tears were shed when Sara and Samantha had to leave but Alix knew she’d see them again. In fact, she’d probably see Sara when they got home. She knew Sara was really excited about the possibility of moving to Sunset Creek.

  As they left the airport Shay started to get really excited about shopping even though she had no clue where they were going. They ended up going to a mall and a place where they had a street full of boutique stores. They guys weren’t as thrilled, but they managed to find a couple of electronics stores that kept them busy for a while.

  Shay was completely in her element. Alix was having as much fun watching Shay as she was shopping herself. Her mom and Natalie were enjoying their time as well. By the time they went back to meet the bus everyone had at least two bags of things they’d found to buy.

  When they got back to the castle everyone put their newly acquired purchases away and went to the dining room for dinner. Near the end of the meal Ruth asked if anyone had looked at the itinerary for the next couple of days.

  “I did,” Natalie said. “I was actually wondering what Visitor’s Choice meant.”

  “That’s what I wanted to talk to everyone about. We figured that there were going to be certain things that you wanted to do that we hadn’t planned so tomorrow, and Friday afternoon are going to be things that you specifically want to do," Ruth said.

  “What if we want to do different things?” Alix asked.

  “We’ve made arrangement to split into two groups if needed," Ruth told us. “So, over the course of the evening it would be great if you came up with some idea.”

  “I’d love to be able to go to the Natural History Museum,” Alix said.

  “Oh, that sounds like a great idea to me,” Natalie said.

  “Me too,” Karin said.

  “I’m always up to go to a museum,” Mike added. “Probably the teacher in me.

  “I go wherever Alix goes,” Ben said.

  “Same with me,” Shay said.

  “Alright then,” Ruth said. “Is there anyone who doesn’t want to go?”

  Everyone was fine with going to the museum, so Ruth went to make the arrangements. They finished eating and went to the room with the pool table since that’s where games night was taking place. Besides the pool table and darts someone had set up cards, and several board games.

  Ben walked in and went straight to the pool table. “Who wants to play pool?” he asked.

  “I’ll play,” Logan said.

  Alix was surprised he volunteered but glad he did.

  “Okay, let’s play,” Ben said.

  Alix wasn’t sure what was going through Ben’s head, but she hoped he gave Logan a real chance.

  “Hey Shay,” Alix said, “I think we should leave the boys to play. Want to play a board game?”

  “Sure. Which one?”

  “Let’s see what there is,” Alix said, and they had a look at the different games.”

  “Oh look,” Shay said, “Snakes and Ladders. I haven’t played that since we were kids. I challenge you to a game.”

  “Challenge accepted,” Alix said grinning.

  The
girls played three games with Shay coming out the ultimate winner. They had been keeping an eye on Ben and Logan, but they seemed to be getting along well, they were still playing pool.

  Alix’s parents and Ben’s parents were playing a card game and Jack, Kris, Karen and Mike had been playing darts.

  Alix saw the checkerboard. “Shay, I challenge you to a game of checkers.”

  “Game on,” Shay said.

  They giggled the entire time they played with Alix coming out on top this time. By the time they were done playing it was close to 10:00 and Alix was starting to yawn. The girls went over to the pool table where it looked like the current game was almost over.

  “Hey Ben, Shay and I are going to head upstairs and get ready for bed.”

  “Give us just a few minutes to finish and we’ll walk you ladies upstairs.”

  Alix looked at Shay. “Uh, okay.”

  They watched them finish their game and then the four of them headed to their rooms. Shay decided to sleep in her own room as she wasn’t as tired as Alix and was going to watch TV for a little while. Ben was still going to stay with Alix, just in case. Ben made up his bed on the couch and Alix crawled into bed. She fell asleep thinking about what she’d see in the museum tomorrow.

  Chapter 31

  Alix, Ben and Shay were walking around Trafalgar Square admiring the fountains, buildings and shops. But mostly they were people watching. The square was full of people from all over the world pointing at the sights and taking pictures. The three of them were laughing and having a good time until Alix spotted something that caused her to stop in her tracks. She saw a couple with faint blue auras, Grynn.

  “Guys, we really need to go into that shop over there,” Alix said with urgency in her voice.

  The look on her face was enough to make Ben and Shay follow her. She walked as casually as she could and went into a small shop and walked all the way to the back of the store but where she could still see the door and front window.

  “What’s going on?” Ben finally asked.

  “I just saw two Grynn out in the square. A couple. I’m not sure if they’re looking for me or just here because.”

  “Either way we can’t take any chances. We need to get out of here,” Ben said.

  “Leave that to me,” Shay said and walked over to the sales lady. “Excuse me?”

  “Can I help you?” the lady said with a smile.

  “I sure hope so. My best friend’s ex-boyfriend is out there stalking her. He hurt her pretty bad in the past and we really need another way out. Is there a backdoor that we can use?” Shay asked the sales lady in her best concerned voice.

  “Do I need to call the police?” she asked.

  “No, we just need to get back to our parents and then we’ll leave here.

  “Oh my, yes of course. Follow me,” she said.

  The three of them followed her into the storage room and left through the back door that led into an alley. They went right since that was the direction that led away from the square. They walked with purpose but were very aware of their surroundings. They chose a winding path through various alley’s and eventually made their way back toward the square. As they got closer to the square they noticed a lack of noise that should be accompanying a place with so many people. When they finally came around the last corner and walked into the square they were shocked. There was no one there. The hundreds of people that had been there before were gone and so was everyone they knew. They heard a noise and saw two people step out from behind one of the fountains, it was the Grynn couple that Alix had seen a little while ago. Without any warning the man threw and energy ball at them. Before Alix had a chance to react Ben stepped in front of her and he took the full force of it. He flew about ten feet back and landed on the ground. Alix retaliated with a powerful energy ball of her own. She threw it at the Grynn. When it hit them it turned them to ashes. She ran over to Ben with Shay right behind her. When she got to Ben he wasn’t breathing and had a huge burn mark on his chest. Alix tried using her healing abilities, but they weren’t working.

  “Ben!” she yelled. “Ben, you have to wake up!” Alix was shaking him as hard as she could. “Ben, please wake up! Ben!”

  “Alix wake up!” Ben said shaking her awake.

  When she opened her eyes and saw that Ben was okay she immediately hugged him. “You’re okay,” she whispered.

  “Yes, I’m just fine Alix. You were crying and calling out for me. What happened?”

  Alix told him about her dream.

  “I was so scared when I couldn’t wake you up. The thought of you dying to protect me is terrifying. Promise me if you ever do that in real life please put your shield up. Okay?”

  “Okay, I promise. What do you think the dream means? I mean it sounded like a vision dream to me.”

  “Yes, I think it was. It was too real not to be. I think it means that the Grynn know I’m here. It makes sense if you think about it. I’m sure they tracked Logan here.”

  “So, what do we do?”

  “I’m not sure there’s much we can do at the moment other than be vigilant. I’m not going to stop living my life because of the Grynn, but you already know that.”

  “Oh, I’m fully aware of that fact,” Ben said with a little smile. “So, should we tell the others?”

  “Yes, I think so. Ruth may want to add some type of security, but I’m not letting her stop us from enjoying the rest of this trip.”

  “Have you always been so stubborn?” he asked.

  “Yeah I think so,” Alix said smiling. She was glad that even when the situation wasn’t the best he could still make her smile. “What time is it anyway?”

  “Just a little after 4:00, still way too early to be up. Do you think you can go back to sleep?” he asked her.

  “Yes, now that I know you’re okay I think I can sleep. Hey Ben, thanks again for being here. I know you’re not getting much sleep with me having these dreams.”

  “Alix, you know I’m always here for you, as your Protector but also as your friend.”

  “I know and that means the world to me. How did I end up with such amazing people in my life? First my parents, then Shay and now you. No one could be luckier than me.”

  “It’s because you’re the Chosen One, otherwise I don’t think you’d have any friends,” he said grinning.

  “Aren’t you the funny one,” she said fighting a smile. “Now go back to bed, some of us need sleep.”

  Ben’s face turned serious again. “I’ll be right here if you need me, okay?”

  “Okay Ben. Thank you.”

  He went back to the couch and Alix laid down. With Ben’s presence nearby, she was able to fall back to sleep.

  The next time Alix woke up it was to Gordon knocking on the door. At first Alix didn’t want to get up but then she remembered they were going to the Natural History Museum today and that got her out of bed. She jumped in the shower while Ben went back to his room to get ready. She took a quick look at the itinerary for the day before she went to see if Ben was ready.

  Thursday November 10

  - 9:00 am – breakfast

  - 10:00 am – leave for Visitors Choice – day 1

  - 6:00 pm – leave for Fox Hollow

  - 7:00 pm – dinner

  - 8:00 pm – movies in the recreation room / free time

  When they were both ready the two of them stopped at Shay’s room. They had to wait a few minutes for her but then they were on their way down to breakfast.

  When everyone was at the table she told them about her dream. Ruth agreed that they needed some extra security but to Alix’s surprise she didn’t cancel the trip. She finished her breakfast quickly and went to make a few calls to have some Warriors meet them at the museum.

  After breakfast Alix, Shay and Ben went back upstairs to get jackets. They were told the forecast called for rain today and they didn’t feel like getting soaking wet. Just as they were getting on
the bus it started to rain and were extremely glad they’d taken the time to get them.

  Today Alix and Ben sat together, and Shay sat with Logan. This was the perfect time for Alix to talk to Ben about Logan.

  “Hey Ben, so you and Logan seemed to get along last night.”

  “Yeah. I took your advice and gave him a chance. He seems like a pretty good guy. If he lived closer, I think we could all be friends.”

  “I agree. I just hope that what the Grynn did to him doesn’t affect him for the rest of his life. I still wonder how they got to him. I think it’s important that we figure that out.”

  “Well, you’re a member of the Council now, maybe you can get an investigation started.”

  “You’re right. I keep forgetting that.”

  “Only you are going to forget that you’re a member of the Almati Council.”

  Alix just shrugged because it was true.

  It was still raining when they arrived, and they all ran for the museum entrance. Once inside Alix could tell immediately who the Warriors were. Not because of their tattoos but because of their presence, they just looked like security to Alix.

  The Warriors were introduced to everyone and they entered the main part of the museum. They ended up breaking into several groups. Alix, Shay, Ben and Logan went off one way. While the remaining people ended up in groups of two or three. Each group had a Warrior with them.

  They spent all day at the museum. They’d met up with everyone to have lunch and then it was back to roaming the museum. Alix loved the different things they had on display and probably could have spent another whole day there.

  Eventually it was time to meet back at the bus. It had stopped raining by then and Alix was able to get her picture taken with the museum sign. When they got back on the bus the Warriors joined them. Alix guessed they were going to stay at the castle until their group left to go home. She didn’t mind. The Warrior that had been with them had been very unobtrusive, Alix didn’t even know her name.

  They went straight to dinner when they got back. Tonight, it was homemade pizza and it was incredible. Alix hadn’t realized how much she’d been missing pizza until the scent of it entered her nose. They all ate until they were stuffed. After they were done they went to the recreation room for movie night. Alix and Ben hadn’t gone last time because of what was going on with Shay and Logan.