Week Twenty Five: Unhinged: Wes II

  The ride to the high school was quiet halfway there. Wes never made anyone speak up, especially when he knew something was on their mind. Instead, he played music. Music was always a good way to communicate without direct conversation. Outside of the fact he knew Jane’s little brother was probably still in mourning over his own cousin, Wes was lost in his own thoughts of the night before.

  There was a physical drain that came with the dream last night. Since he decided to become an English Major and take a break from athletics, Wes hadn’t felt this kind of strain in years. His body ached he felt detached from the world. When Hal had leaned in to give him a kiss this morning he almost didn’t feel their touch. This caused an embrace before their departure. Wes knew that he was still physically in the same world but he wanted to make extra sure that this was true.

  Next to him, Jane’s little brother stared off into the distance. The boy didn’t speak much to Wes because he was closer to Wes’s cousin. But the two knew that this would have to be their situation until Jane’s little brother was able to pass his driver’s test. Looking over, the boy glanced at Wes. It seemed that he could tell that Wes was also deep in thought. Laying a hand on the volume on the stereo, the boy grasped Wes’s attention. Meeting eyes, Wes brought himself down to earth.

  “Is the music too loud?” Wes asked gently. He didn’t want to upset his new company.

  It took a moment but but the boy shook his head after turning the music down a few levels. “No. But I wanted to ask you something.” He said, the look in his eyes reflected deep concern.

  “Of course. What is it?” Wes questioned. He could still feel the distortion between where he was physically and mentally where he had been mentally. Noting this in his head for later, he focused on the road. He was on earth. Physically. And mentally. This is how he had to be if he was to get him and Jane’s little brother to school.

  “You don’t talk much…” The boy said, fumbling with his fingers. “It makes me feel like you’re observant but don’t say anything…” He paused, during this Wes glanced over at him before looking back at the road.

  “I have a friend who is hurting….” He sighed. “I want to help her but I don’t know how. Is there any way I can look and see without her telling me?” He asked, the genuine concern washed over Wes as he spoke.

  Taking in the question, Wes nodded. “There are ways. But the most important thing about helping anyone is to know whether or not they want help.” He said, allowing Jane’s cousin to think about the statement before continued. Giving a moment, Wes continued. “Does your friend want help?”

  Only the hum of the background music filled the car as Jane’s little brother thought over the question. It wasn’t long before he sighed and replied, “She said that I couldn’t help her. That I wouldn’t understand it.”

  This, Wes understood. He couldn’t tell Hal everything although he wish he could. Hoping that the situation was nothing like his own, Wes continued. “Did you ask her to explain it anyway?”

  Another pause. The second to last stop light stood in front of them as Jane’s little brother thought long and hard for his friend. Wes could tell that he cared immensely for the girl, and hoped that he could help him even if it was small.

  “She said I wouldn’t remember the conversation but I do.” Jane’s little brother thought more to himself rather than to Wes. “She’s super smart but she can’t stay awake in class. I turn in her paper sometimes…” Jane’s little brother smirked. “The other day the teacher was being rude so I took her to the library and she finished the assignment in five minutes tops…”

  “She then told me that she’d let me in on her secret…” Jane’s little brother paused for a moment.
“But it wasn’t exactly a secret. I haven’t told anyone. But I feel like I can trust you with the secret since we don’t go to school together and you have no reason to tell anyone.”

  “I won’t.” Wes reassured. Now parked where he normally would drop Jane’s little brother off.

  “She said that she knew everything in the library. She’s my age and I wouldn’t doubt that she’s read all the book in our library but I find that hard to believe you know?” A panic arose in Jane’s little brother’s voice. “I’m concerned is all. She spoke to a friend she thought was there but it was only the two of us. Then she passed out. I took her to the nurse's office where she ended up sleeping the rest of the day. Then she got picked up sometime before school ended….”

  “Hm.” This was an interesting situation Jane’s little brother had brought before him. “So your friend seems sleep deprived is what it sounds like.” The ache in Wes’s body pulsed as he said it. “But she sleeps a lot?”

  “Well…” Jane’s little brother sighed. “She sleeps restlessly. She’s fallen asleep in class before and she’ll wake up screaming or gripping her desk. She could be crying… It all makes me feel bad for not knowing how to help her.” He frowned. “Even though we haven’t talked much I see that she’s in pain and I don’t want anyone to be in pain…” He paused then added. “At least, if they are in pain I don’t want them to go through that pain alone.” He smirked, checking the time on the car clock. They had a few more minutes to talk.

  “Which brings me back to my first question.” Wes shrugged. “Do you think she wants help?”

  Jane’s little brother frowned. “She didn’t say she didn’t. She said I couldn’t.”

  “That doesn’t always mean that the help isn’t wanted. She doesn’t believe you could provide her with what she needs in order to help and that’s okay.” Wes smirked.

  “But now that we’ve established that I can help her what do I do?” Jane’s little brother asked, messing with one of the extension ont his backpack.

  “Your friend thinks that you won’t remember the conversation between you two when you speak of whatever it is…” Wes said, again thinking of Hal. “That’s where you start. You get her to talk to you. It won’t fix the situation but it’ll help you understand what she’s going through.”

  Understanding, Jane’s little brother smiled. “You know, your cousin always said you were pretty amazing and I can second that. Thank you for taking me to school since he used to….” A glimpse of remorse flashed through his eyes but was quickly replaced with happiness. “It means a lot that you take the time out of your day to do this.”

  “Your class starts right before mine so I don’t mind.” Wes smirked. “See you after you get out.”

  Waving, Wes took off. It took a few cars to get out of the drop off zone before he could actually head to his own class. As he sat patiently in the line of cars, Wes felt a wave of anxiety and depression. Sucking in a breath he turned to look for the source.

  Heading through the doors of the main entrance trudged a young girl, with a boy beside her. Taking a harder look, Wes could tell that the two were sibling even without looking at the two’s aura. Another wave of depression and pain slammed against Wes’s body. The feeling of distortion resurfaced from earlier. Suddenly, the image that seemed to be murky that night before was clear as crystals. Wes could see everything again. The fragments, her dream from the night before. Had it not been for the car horn that blared for him blocking traffic he might have lost himself in the middle of the parking lot.

  That was her. The girl Jane’s little brother had spoken of. He didn’t know how he knew but it was clear to him. He had to save her not only for his own sake but for Jane’s little brother as well.

Week Twenty-Four: Unhinged: Dax VIII

  Amber eyes. Dax’s memories replayed the first day he was in the City of Relics. There was a girl who had helped him medically recover. Years later, she would be dead from a different inmate’s incident so why was Dax thinking of her now? That was six years ago.

  Suddenly, there was a surge of pain that started from his right wing and pulsed inward. Dax’s eyes opened but his memories still played in his head, the first time he saw that he could fire breath, that he was part dragon. He was eight. Why was this memory playing now?

  Wind rushed past his face. He was losing altitude and quick. But all he could think about were those amber eyes. Why? Ignoring the spreading pain, Dax concentrated. At that time when he was eight he couldn’t remember whose eyes they reminded him off. The girl was nice, but all she was to him was a medic. They had no past together. She was comforting but that was because it was her job. So why, while falling to his death, was he so adamant on figuring out whose eyes they were?

  Her voice was distant again as he remembered what she had said to him when they first met. “Poor you, being in the state you were in for so long…” While hearing this Dax felt himself start to lose his breath due to the fast altitude lost, a dizziness started to wash over him.

  Why had he not asked her before what state she was talking about when they first met and even more so when they got to know each other? The records say that he entered the City of Relics injured but did he go to the City of Relics on his own?

  “I’m sure you don’t remember what happened.” Her voice came to him again, this time he felt the pain from his wings in the center of his back, he had to have gotten shot by something. World a blur, Dax began to nod off.

  “However, the real question is, should I tell you?” Dax remembered what he thought when she said this and how he couldn’t speak, all he could do was breath fire. Pain taking over him, Dax’s mind ceased. There was no more pain and no more voice. However, something else pulsed through Dax’s body.

--

  Euro exclaimed in joy. “Got him!” He yelled, placing his bow down. “Didn’t think I would, did you? Now we’re going to be rich.” He said approaching his brother Imore.

  “Better make sure we cuff him and sedate him with enough of that stuff your nerd friend gave us. I heard dragons aren’t the nicest of mythics.” Imore warned.

  “No mythic is nice, brother. Haven’t you learned that by now? That’s why we do what we do?” Euro scoffed. “Their mutations is what they are. Nothing like us. If anything, their animals.”

  “Which is why we need to get to him as fast as possible before he does has chance to recover. He wasn’t in full dragon mode. You could tell by how he was flying. Those of who lose their minds to their mythics are the worse and the scariest so you better hurry up, or we might be pushing up daisies.”

  Euro rolled his eyes. “You honestly think they said that in the Old Western times?”

  Imore shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. What does is that we get him, before-” Imore cursed under his breath. Behind him, Euro approached in confusion. “We’ll get to him. Why are you so worried?”

  “Because I was afraid of something like that.” Imore growled. “Now we have two choices here.” He said as a roar shook the ground they stood on. “Either leave it for a professional or we die trying to get him into that quarantine.”

  The roar resonated in Euro’s heart, making his breath stop. So this was a dragon, a real one, not one that was under control. He knew he should have laced his arrow with the sedative. Why didn’t he? It was only a matter of time before the dragon would notice them and Imore was right. Leave or die trying. Which would he choose?

  “Well?”! Imore yelled, as the roars didn’t stop. The dragon was thrashing now, looking for a target
and if Euro was not planning on sticking around Imore didn’t want them to be the first things that the dragon saw.

  “Professionals.” Euro said, his heart clenched up. They had taken down many mythics in the past. However, none of them went into full mythical creature mode so they had it easy. This one, a full sized dragon, bigger than any building he had seen, was not going to take them lightly.

  Grabbing Euro’s arm, Imore pulled him to safety as the dragon began to created cracks in the earth. Imore had never seen a duel elemental dragon before. If they breathed fire they tend to only breath fire or produce fire. But then again, Imore had never dealt with a real dragon before.

  The two scrambled up the mountain they had come down from, giving them a better perspective of how big the dragon was, which didn’t help their fear. Huffing, Euro sat down to take a breath. “Do you think we should warn the Quarantine?” He asked, it would take days on foot, maybe even a week but seeing that this was a mad dragon on the loose? This probably qualified for Quarantine intervention.

  “The city is closer than the Quarantine. I’d imagine if this type of dragon was on the loose they would know but we’ll need back up. We can always go to the others about this.” Imore suggested.

  “That’s embarrassing though.” Euro sighed. “This dragon is massive, I mean, there’s an arrow in its wing because of me but now it’s on rampage.”

  Imore nodded towards the city. “Look brother, it happens. In this profession there’s bound to be a mythic or two we can’t take down on our own and that’s okay. We’re not Gods.”

  “We take them down because they think they are.” Euro said, now brushing himself off. Let’s set a signal and then run for it.” Euro grinned, causing Imore to roll his eyes. “Pretty sure we don’t need to send the dragon our location when others who do the same work as us can figure out that there’s a dragon on the loose.”

  Euro shrugged. “I was trying to give us more incentive to run.”

  Punching Euro in the arm, Imore took Euro’s flare from his pack. “Don’t think so, idiot. I don’t want to die today.”

Week Twenty Three: Unhinged: Nightmae VI

 Engulfed in an abyss of numbness and silence, she fell. Within her, emotions of the dead-she presumed. During her nightmares she never knew all the details to what asylum of history she’d visit. As she watched the wind flow through her hair, she waited. This in particular nightmare was taking time to make its course. Her first feeling… How cold the wind was as it resisted her fall. Oddly enough, it seemed welcoming.

 Emptiness. Whoever’s life she was experiencing held onto nothing. Literally. No love came to mind as she continued to slip farther and farther into the abyss. There was no memory that made itself known as she continued her journey. The only feelings she could note for this nightmare: Nothingness and the cold physical touch of the air.

 An anxiousness of her own dwelled inside her. Who was this person or species since she had experienced many varieties of memories. What did they do to lead up to this abyss. How did they find it?

 Theories began to surface her mind as a sudden loss of breath left her chest. She could feel her heartbeat throughout her body. The Pressure forced her to focus not on the surrounding darkness but on the ice within her body.

 Trembling she realize this nightmare wasn’t of anyone or anything’s death. This was a rare encounter of her own fears and her first fear: Being Lost.

Lost

I wake to my own screams

The one I love, devoted to me

Losing me, a fear radiant to my vision

Sweat covers my body

I’m a threat to myself

The high mental activity cost yet another night and two days

When I do not wake, where am I?

How does my body not go into shock

During these mental adventures I seek

What I seek, unknown to me

One fact stands

Not only am I lost when my eyes are closed

My open eyes don’t dare to see

The path of the lost is infected

And infested with emptiness

There is nothing left in me

A life of my own I cannot live

Instead, the past lives of others reply in me

What I am

Is a record

Of lost last memories

--

 Fidgeting with a pencil, Wes stared off into space. Hal, sitting across the living room looked up from his textbook to glance at his love. It was obvious that he was lost in thought again. What Wes was lost in, Hal would be intrigued to know, but he knew better than to ask.

 Physically in front of Wes was the TV. However it was off and he had no intention of turning it on. By placing himself in front of the big screen he could step into another world. One he couldn’t describe without words, no matter how hard he tried.

 Juvallian, a cat humanoid known also as a Tabaxi, knew that he’d have another one of these moments. The blank TV screen helped him seem less insane to anyone who didn’t know what he was actually doing. It took a few awkward encounters but he was finally there. He found her, the one close to death. By the way she was acting he could tell that she wasn’t awake like himself. To be ‘aware’ in this world he was in took a lot of concentration.

 From afar Wes took note of the girl. Physical appearance when out of the world were his worst. He was better with emotions and auras (the feeling of a person that surrounded them. However not felt by the person it belonged to)

 Her core (located in the middle of the chest) pulsed a black. Despite this appearance, Wes knew that the black wasn't’ a negative aspect to her detail. What concerned him was the trance she seemed to be in.

 In this world. Wes was never located in the same exact location as the person or thing he was looking for or into. Instead, he could view and observe what he needed to collect to help the person or thing when they passed..

 However, in this girl Wes wasn’t sure but she seemed to be searching. Although where she was searching would only make it harder for herself without guidance. Reaching out to her, Wes gasped as he began to see though her perspective with his vision doubling over her

 Scattered. The girl felt lost. But what she didn’t know was that she was made of many feeds, all trying to display themselves at once. Her actual self believed that it didn’t exist since it hadn’t been to the forefront of her mind since the beginning of living.

 A shudder ran hough Wes’s body this girl was made of shattered mirrors. Finding her peace would consist of directing her true self to her aware self. Through many years of practice Wes could tell the difference between his own deeper self and aware self. However, understanding that concept for anyone else was impossible.

 The girl thought she didn’t exist due to all the noise within her mind. Wes would have to silence it all in order to reach both her deeper self and aware self. He also had to be careful that he didn’t cause any more of an uproar which would be easy to do with all her fragmentionation.

 Taking a moment to breath, Wes took a step back and emerged back into the living room with the TV. Curled up in his lap, Hal snuggled and slept. Gently caressing Hal’s face Wes realized how difficult this save was going to be. He’d have to plan and take action physically if he had hope in saving this one.

Taking Hal in his arms, Wes took him to the bedroom when suddenly he froze. One of the many fragments played in his head. In real time only two seconds passed but in that world it was almost a lifetime.

 Wes held onto Hal for dear life in the physical world. Sighing he managed to make it to the bed where he tucked in Hal and slipped under the covers where he would build his defenses mentally against her fragments. If he wasn’t careful he’d allow the fragmentation happen to himself. Then the situation would only escalate from there.

 Kissing Hal goodnight, Wes closed his eyes to experience a very familiar sense that the girlf labeled ‘nightmare’.

 

Week Twenty Two: Unhinged: Fate IV

 At a time, there were mythical creatures of all sorts. Dragons, Griffins, Krakens, Unicorns, and many more. These creatures used to roam the worlds within the universes. However, there was always a factor that they had to consider. Should they make peace with the humans or whoever the dominant race was?

 Over time, these mythical creatures began to fade. Where they went? No human knew, that would tell the tale. Others, had theories, and began to write those theories in their own language. As time passed, these mythical creatures’ presence seemed obsolete. However, that was far from true.

 Magic. This contributor allowed these mythical creatures to live in peace with the humans. Some appeared to be human. Those who interacted with humans on an intimate scale, could never breed with them. This caused confusion in some relationships, some even say this was the beginning of what humans now call ‘adoption’.

 In a universe that contains more than one world and more than one time line, having magic present is no surprise. Different outcomes came of this magical energy. Some humans were able to tap into this energy, where as mythical creatures became sources of this energy.

 Humans that didn’t speak of these mythical creatures true intentions were considered the faith of human beings. Despite the wars and the terror that humans spread over the years, there was always at least one human that was capable of keeping the mythical creatures’ secrets.

 Not every mythical creature knew this human being. Only a special few would spread the word of the existence of this human. It was also possible to have two or more human beings at once that were capable of keeping the mythical creatures secrets.

 Every one hundred years, one if not two beings would be born into the world with the possibility of meeting a mythical creature and learning its true life history. Not all of these humans were found every one hundred years which is why mythical creature say that there is at least one human out there.

 Some mythical creatures make it their life’s duty to find a human of faith in their lifetime. Others, live to tell the tale, but do not wish to be part of it. Overall, all mythical creatures knew that one day one if not more than one human would turn against them, due to the sheer fact that these creatures were human.

 Centuries past, before the human of corruption was brought to life. Mythical creatures hate to say that this human was corrupted, but in truth, if they spread the word to the other mythical creatures that a human of faith had turned on them, the faith in all humanity would be lost.

 This human of corruption was not only one but there were two. This is another factor that the mythical creatures try to avoid speaking of. These humans were scientist. And although, their intentions were pure, they did not consider the long term effect of their hypothesis. Afterall, how could a pair of humans convince the world that mythical creatures had always been there and would be using magic to cover whether they human or not?

 Once these two were found, the word spread fast. All mythical creatures were happy to know that two humans of faith existed at the same time. As that time passed, their progression through childhood and adolescence concerned the few mythical creatures that were involved in the two’s lives.

 Having two humans of faith end up in a relationship was never an intention of the mythical creatures. Their code was that every human had a soulmate or two and it was not up to the mythical creatures to involve themselves in an intimate matter when it came to the humans of faith.

 These mythical creatures spoke of each child as one with high potential. Each child loved to problem solve, and didn’t mind speaking out to their best friends whether they were mythical or not. The children called their mythical friends ‘imaginary’ for the sake of the mythical creatures protection. Although, after the children hit adolescent they individually went to each of their known mythical friends and asked how could they convince the world that mythical creatures were real?

 This made each mythical creature slightly uncomfortable. For they told the human that it was okay that they were not of existence. This is how they kept the peace. In response, the humans told the mythical creatures that they were very inspirational and wanted the world to know what inspired them.

Speaking to each other, the mythical creatures didn’t know what to do. They could wipe the memory of the teens, but they knew that the progression of these children would move passed these faded memories. If not, the children would seek the memories and cause the conversation once again.

 While these creatures spoke amongst themselves, the humans grew and became more intelligent. One took a hair from a unicorn that had fallen and used it to begin their hypothesis. It took many years, but after a long forty the two humans were brought together through their passion to explain the theory of mythical creatures. Many scientist laughed at them, and in their time, mythical creatures were still a fantasy.

 Since these files were public, the mythical creatures did not know how to dispose of them. There were multiple copies and other people attempting to work on this theory. Another century passed before a mythical creature was captured. Sadly, it was not one who kept up with the humans of faith. This mythical creature was a Tabaxi.

  In her life, she disguised herself as human model. It was a life of fame and fortune, but more importantly, publicity. Due to this, she was easily swayed into advertising new products, or trying new ways to bring out her fame and fortune.

 Through this, a human testing the theory on mythical creatures took a wild gander and sent out a product to many famous people they knew. Most, spoke of the product well and congratulated the scientist. Few, spoke of the product as inefficient and for those who spoke unwell of the product the scientist sent out teams to collect more information on these ‘people’.

 The mission was to get these mythical creatures to speak out, and when most did not, the people decided to take the matter into their hands. This lead to the capture of the Tabaxi, the first proven mythical creature.

Week Twenty Two: Unhinged: Dax VII

 Once the treefolk spoke of its name, the black markings lit up and Dax could hear many conversations fill the room. After a moment, the room quieted. But in that time, Dax felt his life suck away from a moment. Once the room was quiet, Dax breathed out in caution.

 “Your name, what does it mean?” Dax asked, not sure what to think of the course of events.

 “It is German for Collectors of Souls.” The tree said, when I spoke of my name you felt the power of the city that surrounds you. Do you understand why you are invisible to the people of this town now?”

 “There was no name for the town. It seemed so real. But- What about Brother Jhasar?” Dax asked, in an almost demanding way. The way he saw it, he was in a mini hell. If there was one. Or a soul deposit. Which meant his soul was also deposited. Or-

 “Brother Jhasar is one of the many mythics that have laid to rest here, either my choice or by fate.” said Sammler von Seelen. “Do not worry, young Drake. You would not be able to speak with me if your soul was within me. In other words, you would be able to speak to the people of this village.”

 “What about the cloak?” Dax asked, remembering what Brother Jhasar had given him.

 “It's a gift from me to you. Those who seek the river will find the river and take refuge. But I will warn you. Stay too long and you will become one with the many souls here. However, you will be at peace.”

 “My life isn’t over yet.” Dax said, taking a look at the markings. “What about your soul. What happened to it?” Dax questioned then quickly added. “If you don't’ mind me asking.”

 Again, Sammler von Seelen laughed. “This is my soul.” The treefolk said. “Would it make more sense if I retained to the man you saw earlier?”

 “But why allow me to see you?” Dax questioned. “Does this mean the mythics after me… They can’t find this place?”

 “No.” Sammler von Seelen, replied kindly. “You sought refuge. I gave you so. Think of where you are as a connection to where souls and living souls can meet but only for a short amount of time. Which, time here is irrelevant. Despite you looking out and seeing daylight, it could be a day or two from what you remember when you entered my domain.”

 Dax wasn’t sure what to say. He was in limbo? He wasn’t even sure if that was a thing. Taking a moment to think, Dax smiled. “Well…” He began. “Thank you for your hospitality. Is there any way I can repay you?”

 “There is.” Sammler von Seelen said, as he began to shimmer. Dax covered his eyes and the tree covered back into a man. “I don’t think you would like to see me take a piece of myself off so here is an enchanted leaf.” The man smiled. There was so much warmth coming from someone who contained a lot of passed souls.

Feeling it, Dax tinkered with it, inspecting the enchanted writing on the leaf. It was similar to the one on the treefolk’s base. “It is not your choice whether you do this or not, young Drake. However, it is your choice if you are to come to me again.

 “What do you mean?” Dax asked, somewhat irked that he was being commanded.

 “By visiting this place, you are bound to live within me until you pass on a soul to me.” Sammler von Seelen spoke but not in a way that triggered Dax’s anger.

 “Do I have to be the reason why the soul is passing from the living to the dead?” Dax questioned.

 “I wouldn’t call it death.” Sammler von Seelen shrugged. “But if that is how you see things…” He smirked. “No, if you find a lost soul, you can present the leaf to it and it will come here to live in peace. If you were to make a soul pass and press the leaf to the vessel of the soul then yes, it would then be as you described. But any soul if fine. Mythic, human, other creatures. All I ask if for one. However, if you wish to come to me again, in this manner you will receive another leaf and the same request will be expected of you.”

 Dax nodded. “A soul for a soul. I understand. However, is the way out the same way I came?”

 Suddenly, Brother Jhasar slowly materialized again. “I can show you the way out.” He hissed. “I’m sad to see you go so soon, new Brother Dax.”

 Smirking, Dax slipped the leaf into his pack. “This was an interesting encounter, Mr.Von.” He smirked. “Considering what happened the last time your full name was spoken I’m not going to try that trick. Are you okay with me calling you, Mr. Von?”

 Sammler von Seelen chuckled. “You’re welcome, young Drake. Your potential is still one of great value. Not many can find the river or speak to me in my true form. You are quite powerful in the spiritual sense.”

 “I’m not religious.” Dax shrugged. “But I guess that doesn’t mean the same thing now does it?”

 Again, Sammler von Seelen chuckled. “I explained why you were invisible in my realm. But it is not the reason why the mythics couldn’t find you when they were very close.”

 “Let me guess, treefolk gossip?” Dax grinned.

 “Not gossip.” Sammler von Seelen sighed. “Young Drake, we are able to see what each other see. We are a part of nature. I will always know of your journey now that you have caught my eyes. As long as you are near nature you will be able to speak to me, or leave a message and I will respond.”

 “Understood.” Dax said, gesturing to Brother Jhasar. “I’m not sure what you are.” He smirked. “But please, guild me out of here, dear Brother.”

 “Respect knows no bounds for the living and the dead.” Brother Jhasar hissed. I came here to lay to rest but on occasion I come to life for Master’s bidding. You for example.” Brother Jhasar’s seemed to hold out, making Dax sigh.

 “You are the first to pass Master’s requirements. You should be proud.” Brother Jhasar spoke, leading him down the same hallways, no candle this time.

 “A soul for a soul?” Dax shrugged. “That doesn’t seem too difficult.”

 Brother Jhasar laughed. “There is more that he has blessed you with, dear Brother. All you have to do is find it.”

 Taking a step out the church doors, Dax felt a beat in his chest. Suddenly, the world went black. Hearing his heartbeat, Dax slowly came to his senses. Opening his eyes, Dax quickly sat up and looked around. Behind him, a forest, and in front, a clear view to the city he had thought of looking into. Standing up, Dax stretched, he felt stiff. He couldn’t imagine how long he had been laying there. Reaching in his bag, he pulled out the leaf that seemed more like a stone. Nodding, he placed it gently back in his bag and spread his wings. Sammler von Seelen had bought him the time he asked for. There was no need to waste it.

Week Twenty One: Unhinged: Nightmare V

 Placing her backpack next to her, Devon took the seat adjacent and took out their assignments. Next to them, he placed their text books. Then looked up at her, he frowned as he saw the bags under her eyes.

 “When’s the last time you actually slept?” He questioned.

 Shaking her head, Vali sighed. “I have never actually slept.” She said. “But it was depressing for me to stay in the facility at the hospital and also not cost efficient.” She explained. “No amount of pills helped.” She pushed her tongue up against her cut in her lip.

 Getting up, Devon return with a box of tissues. “You physically cannot handle whatever it is you’re going through emotionally or mentally.” He said sternly, “But you can’t afford help.”

 “Pretty much.” Vali smiled, placing the tissue over her lip, then dabbing it a couple of times. “My father is nonexistent because he works out of town and my mother can’t handle my stress so she completely avoid me. My brother works so that he can make sure me and him can make it.” Vali shook her head. “The worst part is…” She let a couple of tears fall. “I can’t tell anyone what’s really going on.”

 Keeping his eyes on her, Devon replied gently. “You can tell me.”

 Tears continued to fall. “No, Devon. I can’t.” She said, this time, Devon reached over and dabbed her tears from her face. “However long it takes, I’ll be here to help.”

 Hearing the scream echo in her head, Vali cringed. “You don’t want to know about any of this.” She said shriving up. “I’ve tried to tell my brother but he forgets. It’s weird. Even, Rhena, my best friend will listen but she can’t understand or remember it.” She coughed out. “It’s as if I’m cursed.”

 Laying his hand on her, Devon sat quietly. Looking up at him, she noticed that his eyes never left hers. She truly had his undivided attention and he honestly wanted to help. This made her long to trust him but she knew that it was impossible, she could talk to no one.

 Beside him, Rhena appeared. Squinting her eyes and wiping away a couple of more tears, she stuttered. “Rhena?” She said, making Devon turn.

 Smirking, Devon blinked twice. Seeing nothing, he turned back to Vali. “Hate to tell you this, Hun.” He said gently. “But no one’s there.”

 Wide eyed, Vali looked up and down Rhena then looked harder to see the slight transparency. “I don’t have time for you.” She spat, not caring that Devon was listening at this point. “I can’t sleep because of things like you, now you’re wanting to invade my physical life. I don’t think so.”

 “Looks like you’re going to lose your only friend, Vali.” Fake Rhena hissed. “Time’s ‘a ticking.” She cackled. “Soon you’ll be lost forever in this world.” She smiled. “Can’t wait to see you in our world.” It hissed then disappeared.

 Sighing, Devon felt Vali’s forehead with the back of his hand. “You’re not running a fever.” He said as he slowly took his hand away. “But I don’t care how crazy it sounds.” He said sternly. “You have to tell someone even if it doesn’t make sense to them.” He added.

 “Looking at you like this,” Devon said taking his other hand away and gesturing to her. “It makes someone like me, a complete stranger, concerned for you.” Making a small smile with his lips, Devon took a second to think. “I don’t want you to think that you’re weak.” He began. “If anything, I’ve seen you go through this in the distance and I frankly can’t handle seeing someone in pain for this long.”

 Sitting up, Vali inhaled. Before she could speak, Devon held his hand up. “Let me finish.” He said quietly. “Please, Vali. Even if I forget by tomorrow…” He shrugged. “Tell me over and over again until you can look more alive than you do.” He said, as a girl sat across from her.

 “I’m sure Kiana will understand.” He said passing her a smile and a look that Vali knew meant that she was more than a friend.

 “Hi, Vali.” Kiana said, her emerald eyes gazed over her in concern. “Devon has told me about you over the semester and said he was concerned for you. I told him that he could approach you if he’d like and I wouldn’t feel jealous. But if it makes you feel a little more secure you can talk to both of us. Individually, together, however you’d like. I’m not going to be here long seeing that I’m supposed to be in another classroom but Devon texted me and I swung by before coming back from the bathroom.”

Seeing her complimenting aura next to Devon’s made Vali smile. “You two are beautiful.” She said, without thinking.

 Blushing, Devon turned away in embarrassment while Kiana smiled. “Thank you.” She said, taking Vali’s hand in hers. “Whatever you need from either of us, we’ll do what we can okay?” She said then gave Devon a kiss on the cheek before she left the table.

 “She’s an upperclassman.” Vali said in amusement as she realized the uniform difference.

 “Yea…” Devon said, recovering from her presence. “She’s super understanding which is why I went ahead and told her what was going on. I know that I didn’t tell you but you need help and not in a bad way.” He added quickly. “All I want to do is help you and she has been through some tough times. I would like to include her if possible.”

 Glancing over at the assignment, Vali picked up the pencil and gestured for a text book. Silently, Devon watched as she turned to the page, glanced over the section the paper was over and finish it within ten minutes. Sighing, Devon pulled his paper to him and opened up his textbook. “That easy huh?”

 Vali shook her head. “You want me to trust you and tell you things, yea?” She said closing the textbook and pushing the assignment towards him.

 “Yes, but I don’t want to copy off your paper.” Devon replied sternly.

 “Of course.” Vali smirked, feeling herself waver again. “Let me allow you to be in on a secret of mine.” She said, still looking at him without full focus.

 “Go for it.” Devon nodded.

 “A part of me already knows all this.” Vali said pointing to the textbook. Then spreading her arms out to gesture at the whole library she pushed what little focus she had left into her last sentence. “I know most of this.”

 Feeling herself fade away, she watched as Devon hurried to catch her. Touching her neck, Devon sighed. Then picked her up in his arms. It was distant, but she could hear Devon assure her. “I’m taking you to the nurses and hopefully, we can help you with whatever it is.”

Week Twenty: Unhinged: Dax VI

 Approaching a lit up door, Brother Jhasar stopped and turned to face Dax. Behind him, the door lit up his figure. Blowing out the candle, Brother Jhasar smiled, and looked over Dax once more then knocked on the door.

 “Father, it is I, Brother Jhasar. I am with one who can see the river from the skies.” Brother Jhasar spoke, hissing in between. The creepy sensation Dax got per hiss irked him. There was no doubt, he wouldn’t get used to the hissing.

 There was silence, then a shuffle from the other side of the door. Stepping back, Brother Jhasar moved out of the way of the door. As the door opened the light blinded Dax. Covering his face, Dax winced.

 “Brother, you may come in. You who can see the river. Please, tell me your name.” A voice, warming but strong said. Its figure lost in the light.

 “My name is Dax Rye. I come from a city that withheld my potential.” He said, thinking carefully as he spoke.  Brother..” Dax paused to make sure he was using terms correctly. “Brother Jhasar told me that he would need your permission to show me how to ‘reveal’ myself to the public…” Dax thought again. “Please, if I can be civil I shall try.” He smirked. That sounded pretty convincing to him.

 “Indeed.” The voice of the Father commented. “Step inside, Dax Rye. Tell me, what city you come from?”

 There was probably another barrier at the doorway considering Brother Jhasar mentioned that they had passed one before. Now that he was aware of it, Dax took a step into the room gesturing to close the door behind him.

 “Should I?” He asked, motioning at the door.

 “You can see it.” A man that Dax assumed to be the Father spoke. His build was strong, Dax figured if the Father were to strike he wouldn’t be able to win a fight of power. However, maybe one of speed would be successful. “I’m impressed.” He said as Dax was making his calculations.

 “Impressed that I can see what, Sir?” Dax questioned as he looked back at the door. “The door?” He asked, trying to play dumbfounded.

“Hm.” The Father said as he nodded. “No need.” He said as it closed itself. Dax nodded as he turned toward the Father. “You were talking about the weird colored thing that’s in the doorway weren’t you?” He guessed.

 The Father nodded. “You are indeed pure as Brother Jhasar says. You have stolen merchandise from some of the people in this city but you only did it because they could not see you. This city that you come from… Did they abuse you?” The Father asked in seer concern.  

 “No.” Dax replied quickly. He wasn’t sure why he stood up for the place anyway. “Well,” He paused. “They abused my freedom. They pushed me to find out what I could do best. Only those who played the system were placed where they belong and even then…” Dax wasn’t sure if he should continue but went on anyway. “Some, I believe, were convinced that living within the walls was best.”

 Rising up, the Father stood. A shimmer lit up the man’s surroundings. Making a quick glance around the room, Dax realized that there were no windows, or any traces of a light source. Looking over at Brother Jhasar, Dax immediately tried to hide his confusion as Brother Jhasar seemed to fade from view.

 “You are correct about this home of yours keeping you from your potential. But what you are not aware of is how much potential you have.” The Father said, light overpowering Dax’s view, Dax covered his eyes once more. Once the light dimmed, Dax removed his hand to see a large tree looking humanoid, around right feet tall.  

 Up until this point, Dax had tried to keep himself from sounding unprofessional in front of the one Brother Jhasar called Father but now, Dax couldn’t help but lose the terminology in his bemusement. “W-what.” He gasped, not sure if it was in fear or awe. “Are you?”  

 “My kind is not known well in this world. At least, not as leaders of those who defy nature. But I take shelter here. Watching over the city and keeping them alive. In my own special way.” The massive grove, that took place of the man, spoke. Dax searched for a face, he figured it was behind one of the massive bunch of leaves spread across the tree’s body.

 “Wait.” Dax said, thinking back to the library back in the City of Relics. “Are you- what they would call ‘Treefolk’?” He asked, sounding more excited now that he was talking to what seemed to be an ancient.

 “Not entirely.” The tree spoke. “But you are close. I was a meer treefolk. Until a shamen bounded me with a certain spell.”

 Slowly approaching the tree, Dax looked up. “May I see your face, kind treefolk?”

 “I have no face.” Said the treefolk. As Dax looked up he could see that the tree had strange black markings crawling up its branches. As if it were enchanted.

 “I’ve never read anything like you before.” Dax said. “I only asked if you were treefolk because I tried to read as much about the outside world and mythics before I planned my escape.” He spoke, still watching for any subtle changed.

 “Then, may I ask this. Do you know what a shaman is, young drake?” The tree asked.

 “No.” Dax shook his head. “I’ve heard of a witch but that’s a fairytale.”

 The tree chuckled. In what way a tree could chuckle. Its branches rustled and its leaves shook. Dax, smirked at the sight. Why was he talking to a tree? Because it previously looked like a man? Because he believed that a snake humanoid was common? He wasn’t sure at this point. But something about this place felt comfortable. And in that way, he was feeling lost in this town of, well. Now that he thought about it he couldn’t remember if the city had a name.

 “Young Drake, you wish to learn how to become visible. Yes?” The tree asked.

 “I do.” Dax said, as he felt an odd heaviness in the air. Thinking back to the entrance, Dax wondered. What brought him here? There was a river so he figured there would be people. But then again. He came here to rest. To hide. Wide eyed, Dax looked up at the treefolk in concern.

 “Before we get to that.” Dax spoke, clearing his throat. “There are people- other mythics chasing me. I have no doubts that they will tear this city apart to find me. Is there a place I can go to keep your civilians safe? I wouldn’t mind holding this invisible ability until tomorrow…” He said, hoping that he didn’t sound selfish at the end of his request.

 A warmth filled the air. “Young Drake.” The treefolk sounded intrigued. “Do you wish to know my name?”

 “Your name-?” Dax thought outloud. The treefolk hadn’t given his name. Dax was sure if that if he had asked, the kind treefolk would have told him earlier. Brother Jhasar had called him Father when they had entered so Dax had assumed that was his name. “My apologies, Father, if you are willing to share then I wish to know...” Dax paused. “What is your name, if I may ask. I’m sorry. I should have asked you when you asked for mine.”

 The treefolk smiled. “There was a reason why I did not speak of my name, young Drake.”

 Lifting his head, Dax looked back up at the treefolk. “May I know why?”

 “It was a test. To see if you were worthy of knowing my name.” The treefolk’s aura began to shimmer again. “But since you asked so sincerely. My name is Sammler von Seelen.” The treefolk bowed in what way he could.

 Dax didn’t recognize the language but he didn’t like the sound of the treefolks name when he spoke it. Shivering, Dax brushed off the feeling. That name. He had never heard of it before. Or anything like it.