“Thane, tell me about Rhyna. Please, pretty please, oh pwease!” A soft sad smile played across my features as I looked down at the young blond four years of age demanding a story. His features reminding me so much of the woman the young one asked to hear of. Ignoring the twinge in my heart, I picked the little lad up and leaned back in the chair. My mind easily drifted back to my younger sister.
“Alright, Jace let me take you back to a time before you were born. A time that was filled with the smell of smoke, blood, and death. Times were, all we knew was war. This won’t be a happy story.” I warned, but it was useless the lad was already enthralled into a tale yet spun.
“Thane, war ended a year ago.” I chuckled nodding in acknowledgment.
15 years ago
I felt the ground beneath my feet as I ran my mind on one thing only. Finding Rhyna before she reached mom. That was the object of the game. One person hides while the other tries to find them. If you managed to reach a safe point, which was mom, then you were free to make the person finding you do one thing. The person receiving the punishment was unable to refuse. If the seeking person caught you then you were required to do one thing by them and you were then required to seek them.
I was seeking Rhyna, my legs carrying me over the hill and towards our home. The white house looked so perfect on the top of the hill, surrounded by flowers and a fence. Excited that I was close to home and that much closer to mom, I sped up. My raven black hair streaked behind me as I went downhill. The sun warmed the spring air, making all the animals decide it was safe to come out. My pace slowed, my hair falling around my chin, as I had to run up the hill. Pausing to catch my breath at the top, I noticed a bit of dirt on my jean shorts. Mom would surely reprimand me for it later, but now that wasn’t my main concern. Making sure Rhyna didn’t reach mom was. I took off and it didn’t take me long to be at top speed. I reached the house quick and head around to the back. I grabbed a hold of the corner to turn without really slowing down and spotted mom.
Her brown hair pooled down her back as she shook the wet laundry out so she could hang it out to dry. Rhyna was nowhere in sight. Grinning, I ran for mom and collided with into her. I buried my face into her stomach as she turned to hug me. She smelled of vanilla today and she was wearing her pink dress, which meant we were definitely baking today. A hand stroked my hair, while a soft voice whispered words in my ear.
“Mom, I love you!” I whispered into her stomach and I could practically feel her smile as she whispered the endearment back to me. I squeezed one last time before stepping back to go find Rhyna.
“Thane, she’s inside washing up so we can bake cookies.” I paused, one foot in the air as I had just started to run. My head turned back to look at her, an ecstatic expression on my face, which caused her to laugh. Yes my mission for the day, success. “Go wash up silly so we can bake quicker and have cookies for a midnight snack.”
I went into military straight position and saluted her with a “Yes ma’am” before running into the house. My bare feet slapped against the hard wood floor and as I stepped into the bathroom I slid on what I hoped was water. Instead of just falling, I slid a few feet and flipped over the rim of the tub into it.
“Brother, are you okay?” Rhyna’s face appeared over the rim of the tub, her eyes wide with fear. I shifted my body so I sat upright and pouted. Her eyes widened farther at my pout.
“I’m fine, but jeez who do you take me for, Jane?” I waited for her little mouth to open into a smile with laughter and a few seconds later, joyous laughter bubbled from her causing me to smirk. Blond hair fell in front of chocolate eyes as she leaned against the tub for support. “Hey, quit laughing and help me out of here since you made me fall in here.”
“Sorry, brother, gimme your hand!” I held my hand out and wondered why she asked for my hand since she gripped a little above my wrist. I waited for her to tug, wanting her to feel like she was strong when all of a sudden it felt like my arm was being ripped off. Letting out a squeak of complaint, I stood and ended up falling onto the floor as she decided to pull one last time.
“OW! RHYNA I SAID HELP ME NOT HURT ME!” I screamed, holding my injured arm with my hand as my eyes narrowed in a glare. Instantly tears formed in her brown hues and guilt pooled through me. My glare disappeared as I pulled her into a hug. “Aww, don’t cry. I didn’t mean it, Rhyna. I was just mad because I fell twice in front of you.”
She giggled slightly through the tears and wrapped her arms around my middle. We stayed like this, with me stroking her hair, until mom walked in to see what was taking so long. Our clothes were soaked from whatever was on the floor.
“What in the world is all over my bathroom floor and why are you both sitting in it? I thought I told you to clean up.” I looked at mom and then at the floor. I pointed at Rhyna who pointed at me. Mom sighed, placing a hand on her forehead. “Well, that didn’t get us anywhere. Go; change clothes while I clean the bathroom.”
We didn’t argue, it was our mom, and bolted for our shared room. Inside we stripped, tossing the wet clothes over the windowsill while we changed into shorts and t-shirts.
“Hey, Thane, do you think mommy is mad at us?” I stopped with my hand on the door handle and looked back at Rhyna, whose hands were clasped in front of her in nervousness.
“No, mommy is just upset because her bathroom is a mess.” I assured her and went to open the door only to have Rhyna pull on the back of my shirt.
“But, I was the one who messed it up. Doesn’t that mean she’s mad at me?” Her bottom lip quivered as he stared at me, her eyes filled with worry and fear only a good mother could install in their young. Sighing, I pulled her into a hug.
“Mommy could never be mad at you. She loves you too much and if she were mad then she would have told us we weren’t allowed to make cookies, right?” I pulled back holding her by the shoulders. Her eyes were like books showing me the uncertainty.
“Right!” Her smile returned and I took her hand, heading out into the kitchen were mom was washing her hands. “Mommy, I’m sorry I messed your bathroom up.”
Mom turned and looked at Rhyna, a smile on her face as she bent and pulled us both into a hug.
“It’s alright, at least you both are unharmed.” I smiled, hugging her back.
5 years later
“Brother, wait for me!” Rhyna voice drifted over to me as I leaped over the fence that marked the end of the school property ended and freedom began. “BROTHER!”
“CATCH UP SLOWPOKE!” I threw the words behind me, my hair twisting with my head as I turned to yell at her, the raven locks barely brushing against my shoulders. Finally summer had arrived and with it summer break. That meant an almost a full six months away from the stuffy room filled with other students. It also meant that I had six months to study something I wanted. The spidery language, which my fifteen-year-old mind could finally comprehend after months and months of deciphering, waited for someone to read it after years of sitting.
The world blurred as I raced down the hill and towards the house, my legs carrying me better up the hill than when I was ten. I slowed enough to take my shoes off and toss my bag on the floor, before making a break for the hall.
“Thane Thomas Swartz, stop right there and tell me about your day.” I made a grab for the doorframe and pulled myself into the kitchen. Mom was nowhere in sight, but her voice had come from the kitchen. “I’m on the other side of the table, darling.”
“OhwellmydaywasgreatandI’mhappyschoolisfinallyoutI’mgoingintofather’sstudynowloveyoubye.” In one breath, I said all of that in one breath. My lungs begged for air by the word into and I finally relented at the end, dragging air into my body. I started down the hall not really running yet not really walking either. The only reply I heard from mom was a soft chuckle. The mahogany door soon came into view and only increased my excitement. As I reached the door, I heard my sister come home and greet mom before running down the hall. I opened the door hoping she would leave me alone, but as the door opened, I felt her plow into me knocking us both to the floor in the study. Rubbing the sore parts, I glared at her.
“RHYNA, WATCH WERE YOU ARE GOING!” I screamed at her, surprised a ten year old could still knock me to the floor.
“If you had waited for me when I asked you too then I wouldn’t have just run into you. I would have slowed down as I came closer.” Her tone was so matter of fact as she glared at me. Where in the world had my little sister disappeared too? The one who would agree with me no matter what I did. I felt something hit my arm and looked at those fiery chocolate hues filled with so much emotion. Suddenly, she flung herself at me and we were lying on the floor hugging each other. “I just want to hang out with you, Thane, yet you keep shoving me onto Jane. Do you know how annoying she is?”
Laughter burst out at the question and all I could do was nod my head. A small smile was splayed across her face, making her seem more like the little girl she was and not someone who was very mature for her age.
“Hey, want to help me study all of these books?” I swept my arm awkwardly around the room and smiled as her eyes widened with excitement, blonde curls bouncing as she nodded enthusiastically. She rolled off me, her elbow digging into my stomach as she did and I reached for the book I had started with. It started with the basics, such as why salt was important as well as why exact measurements were necessary. The book explained the consequences of dallying with this ‘magic’. One of the consequences was it drained you, mentally and physically. We were also never allowed to use this power to bring back the dead or try to create a new life. If that were to happen, well it didn’t explain that part.
We stayed encased in books for hours, taking a small break when mom brought us snacks. I yawned, rolling over onto my back with a stretch. My bones popped in relief to be out of the position I had been in since we had started and I couldn’t help but sigh in relief as my body relaxed ready to go to bed. I looked over at Rhyna. Her little head was on her arm, her eyes barely open. Grunting as I moved to a standing position, I walked over, carefully picking her up. She stirred, curling her head against my shoulder. Tomorrow we would try our very first spell.
“Thane, wake up!” I groaned pulling the blankets over my head as small fists began pounding away on my back and side. I had been awake an hour before dawn, but Rhyna didn’t know that and I was just getting cozy to fall back asleep. “Thane~ wake up.”
I turned to look at her, one eye open. “Did you really just whine like a three year old? Why in the world do we have to be up so early?”
“It’s past noon already silly.” What!? I shoved her aside and shoved open the cloth hanging in front of my window. Indeed the sun was high in the sky. Apparently, I had fallen asleep again. A sigh escaped from me as I ran a hand through my hair. “Are we going to do the spell today?”
“Of course, why wouldn’t we? Come, let’s go get ready!” Rhyna scampered off the bed and out of the room before I could tell her to warn mom of what we were doing. Chuckling softly, I walked to the closet pulling out a plaid t-shirt and dark short. They would work, I quickly changed clothes and walked into the kitchen. Rhyna had everything spread out on the table and we decided to go find mom. We looked everywhere for her, wanting her to witness, but found she had gone to the market.
“Thane, I have the salt, water, flower petals, and scotch.” I looked up and beamed at her before returning my gaze to the spell book once again. I didn’t want to mess up on my first try. After reading the instructions, I began.
I poured the water into the cup I had cleansed before beginning, and then added a pinch of salt. After that came the scotch, I put in exactly a teaspoon and then added flower petals. Taking a deep breath, I placed my hands, palms down, crosswise over the cup. Closing my eyes, I focused on the energy beginning in my stomach. I imagined it flowing like a steady stream up into my torso and down my arms out of my hands into the cup.
“Lhobeslic anhadora cilsebohl.” The words tasted funny on my tongue, but that didn’t deter me. I felt a tingle start from my stomach and rush out through my fingertips. I heard Rhyna gasp in shock, and wondered if the spell had gone wrong. As the energy disappeared, I felt my body grow tired with it. I sat in the chair we had prepared and looked at Rhyna, not wanting to see if I had failed.
“I’m going to take a drink.” I watched as her delicate hand reached out and grasped the cup, bringing it to her lips. A ruby liquid trailed down the side of her mouth and my eyes widened in shock.
“It…worked?” I gasped out; looking as the ten year old drank half of what I hoped had turned into wine. Rhyna held the cup out to me and I took it with shaking hands. The liquid was indeed a different color. Did it taste like wine? Curious, I brought the glass to my lips and took a hesitant sip. Warmth and cherry flavor cascaded down my throat with the bitter taste of alcohol following it. It was defiantly wine. I set the glass down and looked at Rhyna.
A proud smile beamed back at me and I couldn’t help jumping out of the chair with joy. I regretted it almost immediately as the room spun dangerously. I sat down and laid my head against the counter, proceeding to fall asleep.
Half a year later
“MOM!” I fell to the ground, the sting of tears blurring the sight before me. The dull splash as I landed in blood blocked by the need to wake her. She wasn’t dead she couldn’t be dead. “Mom, wake up, come on. Rhyna will be sad that you aren’t making pancakes today. Come on mom, wake UP!”
I choked through tears, my hand shaking her body. I shook the body harder ignoring the blood that now seeped into my clothing as I cried, demanding her to wake up. To clean the blood off the floor, it was scary. Mom never moved, her shocked eyes never moved from the spot on the ceiling. Her brown hair lay on the floor much like a halo; she would have looked like she was playing if not for the dagger sticking out of her chest. Letting out a strangled sob, I collapsed on her body.
“Brother, what’s wrong with mommy?” I froze as the rustling of satin cloth reached my ears over the sound of the pouring rain outside. Rhyna shouldn’t see this, I didn’t want her to see it, not at her age. Cursing, I pulled the tablecloth and flung it so it was covering our mother. Turning, I grabbed Rhyna, holding her against my chest in hopes that she hadn’t seen too much of the mutilation on the floor. I walked out the door, grabbing Rhyna’s raincoat and pulling it over her. I didn’t stop in the yard, no I walked all the way to the police. Rain pelted against the cobble road, pouring harder as I made my way through the streets and into the police station.
“Dear god, Thane, what are you doing carrying your little sister all the way here in the pouring rain?” I looked at the officer, tears still streaming down my face and just sobbed. “Thelma, come take the young girl, while I comfort Thane.”
I felt fingers wrap around my shirt as the dark blonde plump woman came to take her to a different room. I bent so I was on one knee and pulled the raincoat away so I could stare into tear-filled eyes. Smiling weakly, I reached forward brushing the tears away as best I could.
“Rhyna, darling, could you go wi….with Ms. Thelma while I talk with Mr. McConnell?” Blond curls instantly shook as she clutched tighter to me and it made giving her to the stranger even harder. She screamed and tears streamed down her little face as her arms reached out for me. The sudden urge to pull her close and never let go hit me and I took a step forward before I realized what I was doing, little did I know. I flinched as the door clicked shut and took a deep breath.
“Mom’s dead.” I felt the tears fall, not having realized they had even stopped. A small tension filled the room as the officer stared at me in shock. I sat on the bench behind me, resting my head against my hands. “Please, I need Rhyna.”
The clack of footsteps filled the room and the sound of a door clicked open. Soon little footsteps were running towards me and I looked up to catch her in my arms. I clutched her to me, stroking her hair as she broke down. I looked up as a hand touched my shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Thane.” I stared back watching as he yelled for back up and left the building, the only thought running through my head being, how was condolences supposed to bring the only loving figure we had ever had back to us. I looked down as I felt a tug on my shirt.
“Thane, why did that happen to mommy? Did she do something to make God mad at her?” At a loss for words, I shook my head, pulling her back into a hug.
The funeral passed a few days later. We didn’t cry, our tears having been dried that day we found her. That one thought still passed my mind when people walked up to us whispering condolences. How was that going to help us bring our mother back? Simple, it wasn’t, but I knew a way were our mother could be with us again. I spoke of my plan to Rhyna, who was too mature now. Instead of a child of ten years, she was an adult of sixteen years. She agreed to help, unknown to her, I wasn’t allowing her any part. The punishment would be to me and me alone.
A year later
Everything was ready, we had been preparing for a whole year. We had gotten multiple offers to live with people in the village and we had just as kindly declined. I was old enough to take care of Rhyna and if we lived somewhere else then we wouldn’t be able to perform the spell we were about to.
The circle was cast, the salt in place, the water positioned, and the knife ready. All that needed said was the words to the spell. Rhyna was beside me, her eyes filled with a confidence that shouldn’t be there. Smiling, I reached over to ruffle her hair, which had been cut to frame her delicate face barely reached her chin. The way the spell was supposed to work was I would stand before the bowl of water, cut from my shoulder down to the tip of my middle finger and chant. Then the spirit of our mother was supposed to come back and we would be the only ones allowed to see her, hear her, and touch her again that was supposed to be what happened.
“I still think you should let me help. Our powers combine could produce better results.” I laughed at the grudging sound in Rhyna’s voice and shook my head. We had been over this, arguing over the past year on her helping.
“No, we’ve already been over this. If I wanted to kill you then I would have done so when I found mom and then killed myself.” Her expression went angry and next thing I knew a small fist was smacking against the back of my head. “Alright, alright I won’t say anything like it again!”
“Good and if you do I have permission to through you out a window.” Wait, when had I said that? A question I voiced and she refused to answer. Growling playfully, I gave her a small shove out of the circle, an indicator to be quiet and get ready.
I started with the energy at my feet, moving slowly up the legs and draining into my stomach. Another deep breath and the energy moved to encompass the upper torso and thread around my arms. Taking the cleansed knife, I began to cut my arm. The pain barely registered as I continued to cut, the trail feeling like fire as blood poured from it trying to close the wound as it drained into the bowl. My voice began to rise in volume of its own accord, the spell coming easily.
Already the circle was encased in an eerie fog. Ignoring it, I began to write the correct symbols on the ground. The last part required me to call our mother holding up a personal item.
“Helen Val Swartz, come back to live with the children you love!” I cried out, my voice giving off an even eerie echo than the fog. Lightning flashed in the room, blinding us. Blinking rapidly, I looked into the cloud of dust. A gasp escaped from my numb lips for it was not our mother that stood in the middle of the circle. No, it was an angel. His wings unable to spread out fully in the small room, his short sky blue hair spiked except for two strips that fell down the front of him to stop at his waist. White robes, lined with gold wrapped around his thin frame.
“YOU HAVE COMMITED A HORRIBLE CRIME.” I didn’t ask what crime as the beautiful voice filled the air in the room. I had already known this might not work, the reason Rhyna had been banned from participating. I’m such a caring older brother. “FOR THAT YOU SHALL BE PUNISHED!”
The words had no sooner left the angel then fangs were plunging into the side of my neck. Liquid fire poured through my veins, tearing a scream from my throat. My body felt like lead, my mind sluggish as the world slowly blurred in and out. I saw Rhyna reach for me before another figure grabbed her from behind, eyes that shined emerald green. Fangs appeared and all I could do was force my hand towards her as my captor held me down. My vision dimmed as I struggled even harder, the sound of Rhyna’s scream echoing in the air. As my vision returned, I saw the figure crouched over her form, blood dripping from his mouth and into the pool of blood around her body. Those emerald eyes turned on my, a triumphant smirk in them, before he simply disappeared in a wisp of smoke and appeared right in front of me. Terror filled me as the thing raised its arm and brought it down slashing across my face. Pain erupted and my mind shut down hoping to escape it.
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