Zinc 01 - Altors, page 6
part #1 of Zinc Series
Moments alone with Acacia were rare, and I treasured them. While the shopping had been fun, it was the lunch I'd looked forward to. Lupinus didn't know, but Acacia told me the story of how they'd met many times. It never got old. I always wanted to hear it again and again. Especially because she would tell it a bit different each time, explaining a new emotion she'd experienced in that moment. The best part was that Lupinus had been extremely shy. I couldn't possibly imagine him being shy.
When she talked to me about how they'd first met, I felt as though she was sharing a secret with me, something she didn't tell the other lost kids. I knew she loved each and every one of us equally, and it was exactly how it should be. Yet, I couldn't help but feel the need to be selfish sometimes and wish Acacia was my guardian alone. She reminded me of my mother.
"Will you tell me about how you and Lupinus met again?" When she didn't respond, I turned her way with a frown. Her grey eyes were wide, blank and hollow. The beat of silence was deafening and when the second had passed and the world started turning again, I dropped the shopping bags to the ground, catching Acacia in my arms when she fell forward.
"Acacia?!" She coughed and I quickly sat down on the cold concrete, placing my arm beneath her neck so I could tilt her face up. I lost my breath when I saw the corners of her mouth were tainted with small stains of blood. When she coughed again, she reached for her stomach and it's only then that I noticed the dark wet patch growing larger and larger on her grey turtle neck.
Touching it, I retrieved my hand in shock as I felt something warm and wet against my skin and when I looked, I saw it was red. Gripping Acacia tightly in my arms, my body trembled. Her blood was spreading so quickly.
Tearing my gaze off her face, I frantically looked around, trying to understand what had happened and who could have done this. Further away stood a man with soft sapphire colored hair. The lower part of his face was covered with transparent fabric, giving him a mysterious air. He was so unlike anybody I had ever seen in my entire life, I was transfixed. The dagger in his hand dripped with Acacia's blood and it's only when he turned and walked away that I noticed her cold hand touching my cheek. My vision was blurred with the tears that had sprung to my eyes and when she spoke, I couldn't hold back the sobs.
"Digitalis." Acacia whispered shakily, her eyes wide with fear.
"What?" I squeaked, barely able to find my voice.
"The man with blue hair." She inhaled sharply, the pain clear on her face. My chest was tightening, making me feel as though I was suffocating and would never be able to catch my breath. Acacia smiled weakly, managing to take my hand in hers, lifting it to place a kiss against the center of my palm.
"I love you and forbid you to ever forget it."
"Help!" I screamed.
* * * *
Narrator
“Butterfly Effect”
* * * *
Acacia's murder was the talk of Lithium Village for the next couple of weeks. People would wonder why Lupinus wasn't more determined to find her killer. They would question his love for her.
The two best friends didn't realize that the last Sunday of the month was coming around the corner again. They had carefully watched that day try and worm its way in, but never did they let it pass. Now that they were too occupied with their grief, they would not realize it was happening.
Had I the power, I would have told them that bad things tend to happen in chains.
* * * *
Chapter 6: Solenum Everhart
“Times are changing”
* * * *
"Lupinus?" I murmured, looking up at the blue sky.
"Yeah, squirt?" He returned.
"Where are you taking me?" I asked softly. It surprised me that he was taking me for a walk after we'd had lunch earlier. He was taking time out of his day to spend it with me. Lupinus was a warm caretaker, but usually one with little time on his hands.
"To see Acacia's favorite place." He had his arm wrapped around my shoulders. I didn't mind, it seemed like he was taking comfort from the gesture, so I let him hold onto me. Like I let Cali hold onto me at night, or like Cali let me in return.
I couldn't tell how Lupinus was taking all of this. I hadn't seen him cry once. But I suppose tears weren't necessary to display sadness. I think he was just as numb as all the lost kids. Probably even more. They'd loved each other so much. The pain and sadness I felt over having lost Acacia was most likely small in comparison to what Lupinus was harboring.
Sighing shakily, I looked around, wondering where we were. "What is this place?" It didn't look like Lithium Village anymore. I stared at the great wooden wall in front of me. It was so high, I had to crane my neck backwards to see the top. It was made out of branches braided into one another, the color grey rather than brown, as though dead. Lupinus was fixed on a specific spot and before I read the board, he spoke.
"Corium Desert's Gate." I stiffened in his hold, millions of thoughts suddenly rushing into my mind and trying to get my attention all at once.
"What?!" I screamed, ducking out of his hold.
He seemed startled, giving me a confused look. "What's wrong?"
"Why did you take me here?!" I felt the pit of my stomach twisting painfully and I knew something was indeed very wrong.
"I wanted to show you-" He started, but I cut him off.
"Acacia's favorite place? You thought I'd believe you when you told me her favorite place was a piece of land, so cold, it couldn't possibly let any kind of flower survive?!" I was furious and scared. I didn't understand what was going on and my mind was still reeling, begging me to find the answers to the hundreds of unanswered questions trampling their way through my brain. The nightmare that was supposed to have been a meaningless dream flashed by.
The previous act of surprise slipped, a sad smile forming on his lips. "I'm sorry, Solenum. Believe me when I say I did this to protect you." He murmured. "I had to distract you." I frowned, just for a moment, but I could heard a distinct click in my head telling me I knew what was going on. All the expression I had relearned in the past seven years fell off my face. As if Cali had never come to the boarding house in Lithium Village to kick me out of my zombie state.
"Where is Calycanthus?"
Lupinus had the decency to grimace. "I had to separate you." He didn't stop me from ramming my fists into his chest.
"Where is he, Lupinus?!" I swung another attack his way, but he grabbed my wrists, his eyes peering sternly down on me.
"I cannot tell you that. I had to separate you. You wouldn't be safe otherwise!"
My eyes flared with anger. "Because you think we'll be safe without each other?!"
“Things aren’t as they used to be, Solenum!” His voice was suddenly so harsh, whatever response I’d had balancing on the tip of my tongue was swallowed for the time being. “Times are changing and if we want to avoid ending up like-” He couldn’t bear to speak her name. “I am your guardian and you will do as I say.”
"Fine!" I screamed, pushing him away so I could turn around and run back in the villages direction.
"Where are you going?!" Lupinus shouted after me.
"Back to the boarding house!" And so I did.
* * * *
Narrator
“Interruption”
* * * *
Once upon a time my narration was interrupted.
"What is it that you want, Robinia Kowalski?" I asked.
"Will you have dinner with me?"
"My apologies, I cannot."
Sighing, my guest closed the door and left.
* * * *
Chapter 7: Calycanthus Esquivel
“Your breath is foul”
* * * *
I was siting on the couch in the living area, staring dully at the coffee table. I was starting to deal, finally. Solenum seemed to handle the situation concerning Acacia a lot better, and when I'd asked her about it, she'd told me she was used to death by now. Can you get used to such a thing? I didn't want to believe it, or find out if that was true.
~~~~~~~~
"Hey, wake up." Groaning, I tried shaking off the hold the man had on my shoulder.
"Five more minutes." I muttered.
He grunted unhappily. "When I say you have to wake up, you do it." I sighed in exasperation, but obliged, stretching my arms out over my head, as far as it would allow me anyway since the car ceiling wasn’t high.
"So, we're here?" My voice sounded numb.
The man nodded mutely as he handed me chewing gum. "Your breath is foul." I eyed the piece warily and he rolled his dark grey eyes at that, grabbing a hold of my nose, forcing me to open my mouth so I could breathe. Once I did, he popped the gum between my teeth and with only a glare on his part, I didn't think about opposing him again.
"They are good people, Calycanthus. They will take care of you." He said in his regular grim tone of voice.
I didn't know him much. I knew his name was Aram Hurt and that despite his forty or so years, he was one huge block of muscle. He was strict, too. You could tell that just by looking at his face; very severe eyes, decorated with wrinkly lines around the edges. They had to be frown wrinkles. He didn’t seem like the kind of man that knew how to laugh. His skin was caramel colored like mine, and his hair was black, combed back and making it so that his already sharp nose looked even sharper.
First time I’d seen him, he'd been eying me curiously, asking the nurse standing on the other side of my hospital bed in disbelief if I was really it. I didn't know what that was supposed to mean, but I didn't like the tone of it and I'd told him that. Aram never laughed or found anything remotely amusing, yet he had nearly smiled at my back talk, saying I was indeed the one he'd been looking for. I'd been scared of him at first, more so because I didn't understand why I was in the hospital. Then when I couldn't figure out what had happened to me, and every time I tried to think of what happened, all I hit was a brick wall blocking the entrance to my memories. Aram told me he didn't know either, but that he could give me a sanctuary.
"Ready?" Aram asked. I nodded, wiggling my way out of the car and onto the small street. I'd missed the entire boat ride from Copper Town to Lithium Village. I would have been surprised at being able to sleep for a long time as I'd been asleep for the most part of my stay in the hospital. The accident I'd gotten into had been so bad, the doctors said I'd been forced to stay in the hospital for almost an entire year.
Aram nodded towards the building in front of us. "Lots of kids, you won't get bored." He said gruffly, walking over to the alley on the side of the house. I followed him, bumping into tall and bald boy coming out of an opening in the fence. He sneered something nasty at me, the boy walking behind him laughing as I stared at them making their way onto the street. He was going to become the pain in my backside, I could tell. Shaking my head, I turned my attention back to the fence. Nearing it, I hesitantly made my way through the opening, listening as I could hear Aram talk to a woman.
"It's Calycanthus, Acacia." The woman sighed at Aram's words. Peeking past the edge, I saw her smiling sadly.
"You're lucky. One of the boys has a room on his own, so I have an extra bed."
"I cannot thank you enough." Aram stated calmly. Before I could hear the rest of their conversation, a shadow blocked my sunlight, making me frown and turn so I could see who it was. Another tall man with packs of muscles. He was much younger than Aram though, and he had very black hair, yet the same grey eyes
He grinned down at me. "You plan on making a career in spying? 'Cause I gotta tell you, we don't really need those here in LV." He stuck his hand out to me and I gingerly placed my much smaller one in his. "Lupinus Jacoby. From what I can see, you'll be my new recruit. Welcome to Lithium Village's boarding house, residence for the lost kids." He gave me a friendly smile.
"Calycanthus Esquivel. I'm definitely a lost kid." He tugged me along with him into the courtyard, walking us over to Aram and Acacia. Her eyes lit up brightly as she looked at Lupinus. She was beautiful. Acacia crouched down so her eyes were level with mine and to my surprise, she pulled me into a soft hug. She was the first to offer me a touch of comfort after having woken and I couldn't deny myself the embrace. Forgetting that I didn't know her at all, I placed my head on her shoulder, breathing in and feeling safe in her arms.
"I'm going to take care of you now, if you'll allow me." She whispered as we pulled apart. I nodded mutely her way, giving her a small and tentative smile.
"I will take my leave." Aram said, pointing a stern finger my way. "Behave." Nodding nervously, I watched him take off before looking at my new caretakers.
"Can you do something for me, Cali?" Lupinus asked, making me blink at the nickname.
"What would you like me to do?"
He smiled. "Go up to Edge. Out of the alley, take a right and then keep going until you end up on a big balcony that looks out over the ocean. Make sure Brass Farrow isn't there."
Acacia shook her head, "I don't think that's a good idea."
"I think it is." Lupinus disagreed. "Big bully Brass, he's one of the lost kids, likes to pick on this little girl, also a lost kid. She doesn't talk. Can you check on her for me? Keep her safe. I'm counting on you, buddy."
"You can count on me." I told him, feeling determined and sure I could keep my word.
~~~~~~~~
"Calycanthus Esquivel?" An unfamiliar voice asked, making me jump in surprise as I snapped out of memory lane. I looked over my shoulder and what I saw had me move off the couch, my posture stiffening and my fists at the ready to defend myself.
The man standing before me was tall, his pitch black hair tied back on his head in a tight bun, his eyes small, slitted and grey. His skin was tanned, but definitely not as dark as Acacia or Lupinus, more the kind of tan you got from working in the sun all day. He was wearing similar overalls to Lupinus', but these were black and the straps that went over the shoulders were tied around his waist instead. The combat boots were massive, and I couldn’t help but notice small pieces of ice lodged along the sides, slowly melting.
What had me fearing him were the items Lupinus didn't wear with his outfit. This man had daggers strapped around the side of his boots, two short swords hanging from his left hip, dangling there from a belt around his overalls, and one very large saber strapped to his back.
While there was a threatening air about him due to his clothes, his face didn't scream danger. His thin and delicate features softened the look about him, his expression somber rather than stern, as though he was very used to delivering bad news. While they looked nothing alike, the clothing suggested there was a link between this man and Lupinus. They were close in age, too. Maybe they worked together? It was the most reassuring explanation I could come up with, but it wasn't strong enough to silence the fact that I'd never, ever seen this man before, which was nearly impossible in Lithium Village.
Lifting his palms face up, in a peace offering of sorts, the gesture wasn’t enough to help me relax.
He smiled at my tensing more than before. "Good man. Mind if we exchange a few words? Don't worry, I won't ask for tea or your hospitality. You can just stand there while I do all the talking." When I nodded hesitantly, he slowly lowered his hands. "My name is Ilex Osgood. You are Calycanthus Esquivel, yes?"
"Yes." I replied. He sighed, rubbing his forehead while looking weary and tired, not at me, but in general. The sigh was one of relief.
“I apologize in advance."
I looked at him, bewildered. "What?"
"It'll make sense to you shortly." Then before I realized anything was happening, he had launched himself over the couch and grabbed a hold of me in a death grip. I tried to fight, wiggling, squirming, kicking my feet and trying to pry his hands off, and while I did, I soon realized I'd never get out of it.
"Let me go! What are you doing?" I screamed.
"Calm down, Calycanthus. I know it doesn't make sense right now, but believe me that this is for the best. Lupinus needs me to take you." Ilex murmured softy by my ear, his limbs never unlocking. I stopped fighting.
"Lupinus?" What did he have to do in this? I froze as I realized something and then roared out in anger. "Solenum!" Ilex shook his head, letting go of me for one second, only to grip my wrist and give me a good shake.
"No. I can't bring Solenum. It's too risky." He clipped out, his stern look never wavering. I had no idea what was going on; I was rather sure it would take a while before I would find out.
"I truly am sorry." Ilex hauled me over his shoulder and manhandled me through the house, through the back door and past the courtyard. He sat me down onto a bike that quite honestly terrified me to death.
"Don't jump, you'll die." He instructed, stepping onto the bike before me and starting the monstrous thing before I could get off or speak my mind or form any sort of escape plan in my head.
I clung to Ilex's waist, feeling drained and shocked at the realization that I was being kidnapped. And it was the shock I blamed for being frozen on spot, not doing anything but sitting there.
"You'll see Solenum again someday."
* * * *
The ride was long, dry and cold. Zinc was quite big, but most of it was the Wastelands of Xenon, the Meadows of Serenium and of course, Corium Desert. Those three regions had little to no population.
Ilex had raced through Lithium Village in the blink of an eye. I knew it hadn't been big, but I'd been surprised at how soon we'd arrived at the gate of Corium Desert. People rarely went to the gate. We'd passed through it, entering the frozen desert. Ilex had given me a warm coat to wear and although I'd hissed at it on first glance, I was grateful for it during the next couple of hours as he drove full speed over the ice.
Corium Desert was both impressive and boring. I'd been impressed because I'd never seen so much ice before in my life, and I'd been bored because although I'd never seen so much ice before in my life, it lost its thrill fairly quickly.
