In the train of thought still, I hung my head towards the ground. “Why don’t you sit down and eat. Earl told me there was a fast food joint that was open twenty-four hours. So, I decided to get some since I thought you would be hungry.” Hali invited. She had noticed me drooling by the kitchen door. I felt my face and ear go red.
Silently taking her offer, I quietly sat down in front of the hot food. Taking a deep breath in the appetizing scent filled my nostrils while tantalized my saliva glands. I was so hungry. Without even hesitating, I picked up the soft bread that sandwiched the patty, sauce, and vegetables, and took a large bite. Burger sauce painted the sides of my mouth. While chewing, I kept my mouth open to let the steam out, so I wouldn’t burn myself. As I chewed quickly, the flavours danced and mingled on my tongue. At last, I swallowed it down my throat only leaving with a feeling of wanting more. The burger was nostalgic and delicious! Continuing, I grasped for another big bite and the meat juices dripped down to my chin.
Hali gazed at me and began to chuckle. I choked a little and looked up at her in embarrassment. I watched her and she picked up her burger and took a satisfying bite also. She chewed with her mouth closed. Her eating habits had her taking only small bites each time and taking the time chew thoroughly. We ate in silence since we were both hungry.
After eating, I wiped my mouth with a napkin that was packed together with the food. Feeling satisfied and full from the food, I slouched into the chair for a more comfortable position. A strong cigarette smell gassed the room. Hali was smoking, “Sorry, do you mind?” she asked. I answered, “Not at all.”
The only information I knew about her was she knew my parents and was one of the four protectors of the so-called kingdom I was from. I wanted to know how she found me or who she was a little more. Anxiously I began to ask, “Hali…how did you find me?” Scared in her response, I looked at the empty food wraps that were scattered in front of me.
“During the war in Cultor Nemorum, I lead my team to free your parents from captivity. Over the years, the rebellion has fought hard to back the kingdom to what it was before. We had many battles, and wars that we lost and won. Many citizens and soldiers died in my sight. My team’s main goal was to save the two rulers back to safety.” Hali calmly worded.
“One day, my group finally got intel of the whereabouts of where the emperor and empress were held captive. We devised a plan to free them because we needed our leaders again to win the war. So, after a couple of days of lying low, we executed the mission to save them. We struck the enemy land at night. Half of my team was to cause a distraction while I lead the team to find your parents. The soldiers that were with me died but I was able to find their cells, they were hung like crucifixions. Cuts, scars, and blood were all over both of them. It was horrific to watch…” Hali paused. She was trying to think of the right words.
“I tried to help them both flee from their cells, but your father…he died protecting your mother when an enemy subordinate found us. They dragged your mother back to the cell as she fought for her freedom.” Hali slammed her fist against the table and began to wince in sorrow.
“I was such a coward. I’m sorry! I couldn’t save them. So I went into hiding and retreated from the castle so I can try again another day. To be honest, I was scared. I didn’t want another soldier to die under my orders. I was scared to die also. It was entirely my fault.” Hali cried as several large droplets of tears fell to the table. Watching her sad face as she cried caused another dull pain in my chest. This was the same feeling when I first saw Hali and the dark wavy hair woman. She must have been through a lot. Her eyes that squinted in pain were all I needed to see that she was a caring person.
Wiping her eyes, she took a deep breath. “I hadn’t noticed this but your mother had left me a note in my pocket. I discovered it a couple of days after the incident when I was cleaning out my pockets for laundry. It was coordinated with where you were.” Hali continued.
“So it was just me? You mentioned I had brother and sisters.” I asked.
Hali shook her head. “They were only coordinates and I didn’t even know it was to you. I don’t know how she knew where you were after all these years, but all I know is that she led me to you. The coordinates led me to this town…”
“Pitt Meadows,” I interrupted, “but that still doesn’t tell me how you found me.”
“During your battle with Caedenbitus, I felt a surge of power towards your direction. By the time I got there, Earl was holding on to you crying like you were dying. You had already fainted then.” Hali responded.
My mother was still looking after me all these years? Was she the one in my dreams? Beautiful black wavy hair, ocean blue eyes, and porcelain white skin?
A sudden screech came from Hali’s chair as she stood up. She rummaged through her bag and pulled out a grey vest. Throwing the vest towards me, I barely caught it in my hands. She had a determined look painted on her face. I looked at her in confusion, she announced, “Since you seem pumped and ready to go, let’s go for a morning stroll. Shall we?”
Looking down at the vest more confused. Why did I need a vest to go for a walk? It was no ordinary vest. It was the kind you would see SWAT teams wear in movies or television shows. It was bulletproof for sure. Unsure, we left the house and walked to the direction towards the labyrinth circle. It was located ten minutes away from where Uncle Earl usually does his morning fishing. Not knowing, what this walk would behold me, I endured and followed her.
We walked in silence. My field of vision only saw her back, with her mauve tight turtle neck, and black cargo pants. She also tied and tucked her platinum blonde hair into her black snapback. I wondered if the shotgun she was carrying along with her was heavy. She also found Earl and me with the heavy backpack, right? She was petite looking but, after the time I spent with her, I knew she was very strong.
Nothing came to mind when we arrived at the destination. She dropped her bag and shotgun on the ground and clasped her hands together. When she pulled her hands away from each other, a large sphere came out and surrounded the whole Labyrinth. It looked like a membrane of thin ice.
"Okay, let's start! Today is I’m going to begin to train you so first, Lesson one, defence. From what Earl told me, you have some skills in with your water powers. You need to learn how to visualize in a small amount of time of what you want your powers to do.” She smirked as she threw some pebbles in the air. She has powers also? That thin membrane that she conjured out of thin air confirms it. Frozen still, I just kept staring at Hali. I don’t think I’m ready for this right now.
The pebbles just froze in midair. I watched the pebbles accumulate ice crystal around it at a very fast pace. The weather wasn’t cold enough to do that. With the flick of her fingers, she shot them right at me. The pain was real! I was bleeding from the graze she hit me on my right shoulder. "Come on girl! Block! Make a shield!" She yelled. "Wait....what!? Like how!? Stop! Wait! Can you just explain before we start this!? Ouch!" I winced with every pebble she hit me with. That explains the bulletproof vest. Shit…
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