Chapter Twelve

Arcanum (part 2)

Samara

For a while, there was nothing but darkness. Sweet, soothing, all encompassing, peaceful darkness. Nothing was in my mind. Which actually gave me a chance to truly rest. But that darkness began to gain form. First, the outline of a small cabin. As the cabin came into view, the other dark houses came with it, as well as the forest around it. It was a different type of forest though. Not like the one Aryan and I found ourselves in. The trees around them were of a white bark, and the leaves, violet and shapely.

From out of the window of the lightless cabin came a figure. A boy, maybe no older than sixteen or seventeen. And waiting beside that windowpane was a girl. They seemed to be around the same age.

“Come on!” the girl whispered, a giggle escaping her lips. She was quite cute. She had a slim figure that she showed off in her flowy ice blue dress that stopped just above the ankles. Her long red hair was pulled up in a high ponytail with a green ribbon. Her skin was as pale as the moon, and her eyes the same color as her hair tie. I couldn’t help but notice that the girl’s eyes seemed to glow a bit in the dark.

“Just a second more.” The boy murmured as his tan arms pushed him over the edge of the window. He seemed to be the complete opposite of the girl. He had sun-kissed skin with dark wide set eyes, and a button nose. He was not entirely fit in his appearance, but he also didn’t appear weak. He was… sturdy. Like he knew the meaning of hard work. His hair was down to the nape of his neck and a little scraggly, as if he had just woken up. And when he finally stood beside the girl, I couldn’t help but notice that he was a whole head shorter than her.

“About time, slowpoke.” She teased him, her accent vaguely resembling someone of Irish descent.

He shrugged like she hadn’t just made fun of him. “It’s not my fault it took my parents forever to go to sleep.”

“Fair enough.” She agreed. “Are you ready, Ethan?”

She put out her hand, a hopeful sparkle in her eyes. He looked at it and smiled before lacing his fingers through hers. “Let’s go, Ailia. But I should warn you, I can barely see a thing.”

Ailia smirked at him. “Don’t worry about that, I’ll take care of it. Just hold on tight. Don’t you dare dream of letting go now.”

Ethan gave her hand a squeeze. “Hadn’t even crossed my mind.”

A warmth bubbled up inside me at their affection towards one another. I couldn’t tell if they knew quite yet how much they cared for each other, but I found myself very invested in what mysterious activities they were up to tonight.

Ailia guided them into the forest, and when she thought they were far away enough, she raised her other hand, and a green flame lit within it. Just like me… I watched closely but noticed that the fire did not change color like it did with mine. How weird.

“We’re almost there.” She smiled back at Ethan. He gave her hand a squeeze and they both walked along, whispering silliness to each other until they reached a clearing. “Here we are!” Ailia exclaimed, swinging her arms around in a ‘TADA’ kind of way as she shook the flames off her hand. They stood inside the mouth of a ravine. A river rushed through the sandy terrain. On either side of the river were white rocks lined with the same purple-leaved trees. The water splashed some against the shore where pebbles were embedded deeply into the sand.

I wanted to admire the area for a moment more, but found my attention drifting away when Ailia guided her companion over to a large snowy boulder that overlooked the river. She sat down first, patting the spot beside her so Ethan could follow suit.

“So, this is your secret place?” Ethan looked around, nodding his head in approval. “Not bad, Ailia.”

“This is where I like to get away…” She looked up at the sky. The clouds were gone as well as the stars. It was just the moon up there, giving them a sort of mood lighting. “…Where I like to think when things get rather… difficult. When my sister…”

She frowned, but not just with her mouth, but with her eyes too. My heart broke at the very real sorrow shown within her young eyes. I knew that look. I saw it often in those I helped, and sometimes, in myself.

“Hey,” Ethan started, giving her a reassuring smile as he put his arm around her. “It’ll be alright.”

Ailia leaned into him, bumping her head against his forehead. “Ow…” she giggled, rubbing her forehead lightly before pushing up the hair that covered Ethan’s forehead.

“Oh, geez. Sorry!” Ethan’s face glowed as he apologized.

“No need for all that.” She grinned, the light coming back into her green orbs. “Besides, I rather like your hornies there.”

I peered closer, noticing that he had a small set of horns like that of a goat. A Janus? I was thoroughly surprised, but I suppose I shouldn’t have been. The moment was a good reminder. I was in Arcanum now, where creatures other than human dwelled. And if I want to continue my life here, I need to keep that in mind.

Ethan touched the spot she did, their hands brushing together. He didn’t seem to notice that Ailia stiffened then relaxed at his touch but did not remove her hand. “Ach,” his mouth scrunched up sideways—self-consciously. “Don’t tease me about them, Ailia. I know… I know they’re not right…”

“Ethan, they’re perfect!” she took his hands away, holding them in her lap. “Truly.”

He shook his head and whispered, “No, they’re not. I’m a freak amongst my kind. With my hair covering them, I look like a mortal. I bring shame to my family.”

“Shush now!” Ailia grew upset enough for the both of them, but then suddenly, a confidence sparked in her demeanor as she continued. “There is nothing wrong with you, Ethan. Not one bit. Your family is the shameful ones for ever making you feel less than! You’re… You’re…” With little warning she reached up and placed a kiss on both of his horns before putting her forehead against his. Ethan flushed as he stared into her bright green eyes. “Got it?”

Finally coming down from the shock, he chuckled, keeping his face against hers as he closed his eyes. “Yeah, got it.”

They stood like that for a while. Quiet, consoling each other as they embraced. Out of nowhere, a loud rustling surprised them so badly, they pulled away from each other and looked around, frightened. Or perhaps, paranoid at being discovered.

“We should start heading back.” Ethan’s voice was so low, I almost couldn’t hear him.

“Must we?” Ailia frowned, looking heartbroken by the thought.

He simply nodded as he climbed down the rock but offered his hand to help her down. She took it and they held onto each other for a moment longer before walking back into the forest.