Ascension Discovery

by Amy Proebstel

She could not shake the feeling this child was her granddaughter, as impossible an idea as it may seem to everybody else. The fact she had the same name probably did not help the matter either. One of her own children had had blonde hair although Amanda’s had been almost black. She remembered Amanda’s description of her children having blonde hair and vibrant blue eyes. Diane could hardly wait for Jena to wake up so she could verify the color of her eyes.

  With a sigh, Diane stood up and quietly left the room. She went back through her bedroom to enter her bathroom. As she showered, she kept seeing Jena with blue eyes and hoped it would be true. She would have to keep her thoughts on this matter to herself, or her husband would most definitely find a way to send the children somewhere else. These children were going to stay with her if it were the last thing she ever did.

  She finished rinsing her hair and body before turning the water dials off. Today would be a new beginning for their family. She had been wondering what she would do all day since she had quit her job. They were going to have to delay moving until the children were able to go back to their own home. Secretly, Diane hoped it would be a very long time before the situation in Tuala was resolved. She wanted to get to know these children of Tuala and find out for herself the differences Amanda had told them.

  Without warning, Diane’s motherly instinct told her to check on the children. She dressed hurriedly and went again to Willian’s room first. She opened the door and was shocked to see the bed was empty. She hastily scanned the room and found it too was abandoned. Not bothering to shut the door she raced to Jena’s room and flung the door open. The little boy sitting on the bed looked up, eyes wide open with fear.

  “I’m sorry to startle you, Willian. My name’s Diane. We didn’t get the chance to meet this morning since you both were sleeping when you arrived. It must have worried you to wake up and not know where Jena was, am I right?” She used a gentle tone with the little boy. She was kicking herself for scaring him before they even had a chance to meet.

  “Jena’s still sleeping,” Willian stated as he looked over at her. “I’m supposed to keep her safe until we get home.”

  “That sounds like a perfect job for a big brother. I’m sure you’ll be very good at it.”

  Willian nodded his head seriously in agreement.

  “Are you hungry? We can get something to eat while Jena finishes her nap.” Diane could see Willian did not want to leave her alone now that he was awake so she changed her mind and said, “Or, I could go get us something, and you can eat in here to keep an eye on her. Does that sound better?”

  Again, Willian nodded his head and replied, “I like the idea a lot. Thank you.”

  Diane smiled and left the room. She really did not like leaving him alone since he was awake, but she supposed she would have to get used to it. The children were bound to have slightly different sleeping schedules. She went to the kitchen and then realized she did not know what they normally ate for breakfast. Making up her mind, she pulled out a box of Apple Cinnamon Cheerios and poured them into a bowl. She added milk and a spoon and was soon on her way back to the bedroom.

  She handed him the breakfast bowl and watched while he tasted the Cheerios for the first time. His face showed comical expressions as he tried to decide if he liked or hated the food. Deciding it was good enough, he hastily ate the rest of the contents.

  “Thank you,” he said as he returned the bowl to Diane. “What was that?”

  “It’s called Cheerios. Is it something you’d want to eat again?

  “I’m not sure yet, but I think so.”

  “What do you normally eat for breakfast?”

  “Usually fried foxl and eggs with toast. Do you have anything like that here?”

  His expression was so hopeful Diane hated to have to tell him no. She recalled Amanda’s description of foxl and thought beef bacon might be a comparable alternative. “I think we might have something similar. I’ll have to call Chris to pick some up on the way home tonight, though.”

  Diane had not considered the food the children would eat. She just assumed they would eat what all her children had eaten growing up. Now she realized she was going to have to find out from the children what types of food they preferred. Maybe a trip to the supermarket sometime in the next few days would be in order. She would have to see how well they settled in before she planned any sort of outing with them.

  Willian interrupted her thought by asking, “What should we call you?”

  “I guess you could call me Grandma or Diane. Whichever you prefer.” Personally, she hoped they would pick Grandma since she already felt as though they were hers. “My husband’s name is Chris, but you could call him Grandpa.”

  Willian nodded thoughtfully as he considered his choices. He would decide after he had the chance to talk it over with Jena. He really wished she would wake up, he really had to go to the bathroom, but he did not want to leave her alone with this stranger.

  Diane could see the signs in the young boy of having to go potty, but she gathered he did not want to leave Jena alone. Thinking rapidly, she said as offhandedly as she could manage, “I have to take care of your dish. It will take me a few minutes. If you want to use the bathroom down the hall, Jena can stay asleep alone.”

  “I’m fine, thank you.”

  Understanding he did not want her to know he was going to leave she got up and left the room without looking back. She took her time in the kitchen and smiled when she heard the toilet flush and then the patter of little feet racing back into Jena’s room. Diane felt better knowing there were some things which never changed with children no matter what world they were born on. However, based on the conversation they had already had, Diane was starting to see what Amanda had been saying about how advanced their language and motor skills were even at a young age. She was more curious than ever to see how Jena fit the description as she was even younger than Willian.

  Diane spent some time cleaning the house to give Willian a chance to feel relaxed in his new surroundings. She kept her ears open to listen for any voices from Jena’s room. Eventually, she heard the two children talking quietly with one another. Really wanting to go in and see Jena, she held herself back to allow them some privacy. She could just imagine how difficult the first day would be for the displaced kids.

  Finally, she decided Jena would probably be hungry, so she knocked quietly on the door and let herself into the room. “Good morning, Jena. I hope you slept well. I’m glad Willian was here when you woke up so you wouldn’t be scared. Is everyone ready to get up and see the rest of the house? Willian, why don’t you show her where the bathroom is so she can take care of her needs?” Diane had to calm her excitement when Jena looked up at her with her vivid blue eyes, exactly as she had suspected.

  He gave her a quick look as he recognized she had known he had taken a bathroom break from his vigil with his sister. He helped Jena get off of the high bed and led her by the hand out of the room. Willian showed her the bathroom and stood guard outside the door until he heard the toilet flush. Opening the door, he helped her reach the sink to wash her hands.

  From watching the two children work with one another, Diane realized she had forgotten how short children were and their need for stools to reach things like the bed or the bathroom sink. She started a mental list of things they needed to purchase to make the kids’ stay at their house more convenient. Willian would not always be around to lift her up to reach the faucet, or maybe he would!

  Diane led the way to the kitchen and lifted Jena up to the chair at the bar. She offered to help Willian, but he scrambled up to the seat by himself. “I gave Willian a bowl of cereal for breakfast. What would you like to eat, Jena?”

  “I like oatmeal,” she said quietly.

  Diane’s heart almost burst with hearing Jena speak for the first time. She turned to the pantry and opened the door to see if they still had any oatmeal. When she was almost ready to admit defeat, she saw it on the top shelf behind another box. On her tipt
oes, she was just able to catch the edge of the carton and bring it to the front of the shelf. She carried it into the kitchen and showed it to Jena. “Is this what you want?”

  Jena nodded and then swiftly looked down at the counter.

  Reaching down to get a sauce pan out from under the stove, Diane tried to hide the concern she felt for these poor children. She wished they were already settled in and running around happily, yet she knew it would take time; time she did not want them to have to endure. Once the water was heating on the stove, she measured out the portion needed for one child and then wondered if Willian were still hungry.

  “Willian, do you want some oatmeal as well?”

  “Yes, please.”

  The manners in these children could sure make all the other kids she knew look really bad.

  “What do you like on your oatmeal? Fruit, milk, honey?”

  “I like mine plain, and Jena likes hers with honey. Why does it take so long to make?”

  “I imagine it’s the same amount of time as at your house.”

  Willian shook his head adamantly and declared, “Ours is ready as soon as we ask for it. Mommy makes it with the elemy. Why don’t you?”

  “We don’t know how to use the elemy here, Willian. Do you know how to use it?”

  “A little.”

  “Do you want to show me what you know?”

  Willian gestured toward the water she had just put on the stove and said, “Your water is boiling.”

  Diane started to deny the possibility when she turned and saw steam pouring from under the lid. “Did you do that, Willian?”

  “You asked me to show you.”

  “I guess I did, it was wonderful and so helpful, too!”

  She knew at that moment she was going to have to talk to the children about keeping their powers to inside their house only. She could just imagine the trouble which could be created if anyone found out what these children could do so effortlessly. It also made her wonder if the children were able to use the elemy so easily on Earth was it possible anyone from Earth could learn it as well. She knew this was a topic which Chris would be both eager to learn as well as terrified it would be found out by others.

  She took the oatmeal and poured it into the hot water, set the timer for six minutes while moving the pot on a cool spot on the stove with the lid back on to finish cooking the hot cereal.

  “What do you two like to do for fun?”

  Willian’s expression turned hard, and he glared at Jena as he said, “I used to play with Mom and Dad until Jena started training with Dad. Then I hardly ever got to see him. Now both our parents are off to school, and I won’t get to spend any time with them.”

  Diane was surprised to see the look he had given his sister and supposed he was feeling slightly jealous. As much as she wanted to ask Jena about the training, she thought it might be wiser to ask, “What did you usually play with your parents, Willian?”

  He smiled brightly and replied, “We played lots with blocks, cards, telepods, and pillow fights.”

  Diane smiled back at his renewed enthusiasm and said, “I think we can play those things, too. Well, we don’t have any telepods, but we can probably improvise something else.”

  Finally, the children were eating their oatmeal which Willian seemed to think tasted much better than the Cheerios. It did not take them long to finish, and they watched as Diane washed their dishes and set them in the sink to dry.

  “Since you’re done eating, let’s take a tour of the house!” Diane helped Jena down from the chair and watched as Willian launched himself from the tall stool. The children did not say much as she showed them each room and explained their uses. The tour ended with them going out into the bright sunshine of the back yard. Diane was thankful they had never removed her children’s playset and watched with joy as both children raced toward the swings. This was the first time she had seen their real personalities and she was hopeful they would keep feeling free enough to not be scared.

  Chapter Nineteen

  PETRE HAD NOT heard from Rualin in quite some time, so he changed his course on the ocean to arrive at his port before the end of the day. He was anxious to hear how well the plan was working. When it was finished, he would either have his custody returned, or the Elder would have to step down from office. Either scenario would make him happy.

  Making certain his concealment cloak was secure around his water craft, Petre tied up to the dock and hopped onto the worn wooden planks of the pier. He sauntered up to the house and knocked loudly. Expecting a quick answer in the small house, Petre became impatient when nobody answered the door. He knocked again louder this time and continued to wait with rising anger.

  “Rualin! Answer the door!” Petre wondered if he had seen him coming up the walk and was now trying to ignore him; he would not be ignored. Without waiting for an invitation, Petre tried the knob and found the door unlocked. He thrust it open and discovered an empty abode. Rualin was nowhere in sight, but it looked as though he had eaten a meal recently.

  Petre turned around and stalked out of the house and around the corner yelling, “Rualin!”

  There was a rustling in the brush behind the house and Rualin came forward, his face red with anger. “Shut up, Petre! What are you doing here? I’m sure everyone with half a gania could hear you bellow. I thought I made myself clear last time you came here you’re not welcome at my home!”

  “I just came for an update on our plan, and then I’ll be on my way.” Petre had calmed considerably since he had found Rualin. He used his vast manipulation skills to make Rualin cooperate with his pleasant request.

  “Ha,” Rualin scoffed, “your plan has fallen to pieces since Chelesa and her brats all went away!”

  “Went away? What are you talking about? She can’t leave her post, and one of those ‘brats’ is my daughter so I’d be careful if I were you!”

  “Whatever, it doesn’t matter now, they’re gone, and there’s nothing more to be done.”

  “Where did they go? Have any of your men talked with the house staff?”

  “Yeah, but it won’t do you any good. Chelesa sent the children somewhere safe, and she went to Durseni with her husband to train with the wise-women.”

  “Where did they send the children?”

  “I don’t know. One of the men said some garbage about them being sent to Earth, but nobody really believes it exists. I’ve told you everything I know so get out; it’s time you left!”

  Petre felt his heart sink with the statement about Earth. He, for one, believed in its existence, yet he did not have any way to get there nor did he know where to look if he could go. Without wasting any more time on Rualin, Petre turned and walked slowly toward his vessel. He decided to do the one thing he could which was to see Debbon on Durseni. If he sent the children away, then he could certainly bring them back.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Rasa was more than a little surprised to see Chelesa walk into class with Elder Debbon; even more so when she heard she would be joining their elite group. Looking around the classroom, she tried to judge the sentiment in this new twist to their cohort; there seemed to be a mixed reaction ranging from joy because the students would forever have a tie with Elder Debbon’s family and jealousy she was being offered special dispensation to join the class quite late. Rasa hoped Chelesa was able to catch up or she could find herself among a group of resentful women at being delayed in their education.

  Rasa watched as Chelesa selected her seat. She seemed sad about something which caused Rasa to wonder if both Elder Debbon and Chelesa were here, then where were their children? Had something happened to the kids to make her look so sad? She looked up at Elder Debbon, yet he seemed as composed as ever, maybe even slightly excited since his wife was attending the class and they did not have to be apart. This was an interesting turn of events, and she wondered if she would ever find out the real reason for Chelesa starting the class in such an unorthodox manner.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~
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br />   Chelesa had spent every waking moment catching up with the missed classes. Her hard work had paid off since she was now on track with the other students, if not slightly ahead. Debbon had taken the time in the evenings to test her skills and make sure she had achieved all of the same competencies as her contemporaries. She no longer felt she was undeserving of being included in the group and she believed the other students were starting to feel the same way toward her.

  After so many weeks of studying she felt she deserved a break deciding to go down to the marketplace to enjoy the heat. It was early evening, and she was looking forward to the breezes coming off of the ocean to cool the land. She sauntered along the sidewalk and appreciated the scenery. Since arriving so precipitously on the island, this was her first opportunity to really see the landscape, buildings, and population. She missed her regular interaction with the public and could feel the tension relax out of her as she started to encounter more people as she got closer to the marketplace.

  She took particular notice of a woman ahead of her who was carrying a small child. Chelesa had a sudden yearning for her own little girl who would be the same size as this little one; they even had the same curly blonde hair. She watched more intently and wished the girl would turn around so she could get the crazy idea out of her head that she was seeing her daughter in the stranger. As if her thought had been spoken out loud the little girl turned to look directly at Chelesa.

  Chelesa gasped out loud and rushed forward to confront the woman carrying her own child. Debbon had insisted her children had been sent to Earth and yet here was Jena right in front of her. “Excuse me,” Chelesa spoke harshly as she got near Amanda.

  Amanda was surprised to be addressed by this stranger. She stopped and said, “Yes, may I help you?”

  Directly in front of the woman and child, Chelesa could see after all that this girl was not her own. They seemed identical in looks, but the little girl just smiled at her as though she did not know her. Jena would have been enthusiastic about being reunited while this child just held on to her mother and stared at her. She tried to come up with something to say and finally asked, “How much farther is it to the marketplace?”