Mythic
Prologue
London-Year 3985
I wake up to someone knocking loudly on the orphanage door.
Why would someone be knocking on our door this late? Unless they're dropping off some poor kid, which is probably the case.
I see one of the Caretakers hurry past the bedroom, and slip out of bed. I follow her, my bare feet a faint whisper on the cold metal floors.
I watch, peeking around the corner, as she opens the door. She gasps and picks something up. It's a feather. A large red one.
Then I hear the faint crying.
"Oh, you poor thing, come here," the Caretaker picks up the baby, and two other objects I can't see properly, as the Caretaker turns around. I run softly back to the bedroom making it to my bed just in time.
I lay down, pull the blanket up to my chin, and stare at the ceiling thinking about the new baby and the feather.
What kind of bird did that feather come from? It's huge! And it's color makes it look like it's a piece of fire. Wait...That's it! It has to have come from a Phoenix! Ah, who am I kidding? Phoenix's aren't real. They're just legends. The feather was probably just a part of someone's fancy costume. I wonder where the kid is from...
~Six years later~ Year 3991
"Hey, Ken! You wanna play with me?"
I look over and see a little six year old girl running towards me with a ball in her hands. I stand up and stretch.
"Sure, I don't see why not."
She stops running and throws the ball, fast, hard, and accurately.
"Woah!" My eyes widen and I catch the ball. "That's some throw you got there."
Her hazel green eyes twinkle with mischief, and she tucks a stray strand of dirty blonde hair behind her ear.
"Thanks. I've been working on it,"
I throw the ball back towards her, she catches it, and throws it right back.
We continue throwing the ball back and forth like this for a good two hours. We head inside for lunch and sit down at the long table with the rest of the kids. I watch her as she observes all the kids around her and frowns.
Izzy's always like this. Constantly aware of her surroundings. It's as if she's waiting for something to happen, but doesn't know when it will. I still remember the night when she showed up. And her reaction to the feather when they showed it to her two years ago. She seemed awed by it, and then a little nervous. She has a secret. And I want to know what it is.
She pokes me and I snap out of my thoughts.
"Yeah? What is it?"
"Something's off," she doesn't take her eyes off the other kids.
"What do you mean?" I ask, looking around. "I don't see anything unusual."
"Where are the Caretakers? They normally have lunch ready on time. I wonder if it has to do with the visitor from earlier?"
I look at her confused, "What visitor?"
She looks at me, "You didn't see the guy who came in wearing that fancy business suit?"
I look down at the table, embarrassed, "Er, no…"
A guy in a business suit? That could only mean one thing…
"Attention, children!" I look up and find that all the Caretakers have entered the room. All of them have a grave or sad look on their face.
"It has been brought to our attention that the rent for this building has gone up, and we no longer have enough money to pay rent and take care of all of you."
Shouts of surprise and questions rise from all the kids.
"Quiet!" One of the Caretakers shouts, and the voices dwindle out. "In order to keep this orphanage open, we have to kick some of you out. Now, I'll read a list, and if your name is called, you must pack up your things and leave us. I'm very sorry, but this must happen."
More shouts rise up, but are quickly silenced. The Caretaker pulls out a sheet of paper and begins reading off names. Sobs and angry shouts fill the air as the names are called. Some of the kids simply storm out the door, and some stare at nothing shock on their faces.
"Katie, Ken, and Izzy. That is all. If your name was called please be quick with your good byes, gather your things, and leave. That is all."
The Caretakers all leave, several of them actually crying silently.
Those are the ones who actually care about us. Seeing that at least helps us feel like we were loved by someone.
I stand, walk to the bedroom, gather my things, and make my way to the door leading outside. I stop in the entryway my eyes widening.
One of the Caretakers stands in the yard, handing little Izzy a katana and matching dagger.
"Take these. I found them with you when you were given to us...I'm sorry…"
Izzy takes them lovingly, "Thank you."
She steps away, tucks the dagger in a pocket, and slides the katana in a cloth belt she made a while ago. She looks over at the door, sees me standing there, and waves.
"Hey, Ken! You wanna come with me?"
"Uh," I walk over, "Sure?"
She grins and starts walking away from the only place we've called home. I sigh and follow her.
The only reason I'm following her is because I want to protect her...Yeah...Except she's the one whose parents left her with an outdated weapon! I need to figure out what this kid's secret is.
~One year later~
I hear a soft rustle behind me and turn. Izzy stands there in the alley way triumphantly holding up two large red apples.
"Look what I got for helping someone today!"
"Put those away!" I hiss, "Anyone could see them and say you stole them!"
She frowns.
"There's literally no one around here."
"And how do you know that?" I ask, scanning our surroundings.
We're in a back alley way that's behind some stores in downtown London, several blocks away from our old orphanage.
"I did recon. These stores are closed for the night, so no one's around," She tosses me an apple. "Now cheer up! We have our first meal since yesterday morning!"
I catch the apple bite into it.
"Mmmm…"
I finish chewing the bite and feel the mood drop.
She gives me a stone hard look, "You're leaving aren't you, Ken."
I sigh, "Yes, I am. I found some people who offered me a job. One that pays well."
"I'm guessing they're the Government soldiers who saw you fighting off some of those gang members?"
"Yeah. I'm going to be a new recruit," I smile.
"Have fun. I hope you realize sometime soon what their second name is," her tone is cold, and there's a strange fire in her eyes, but before I can say anything she turns and darts off.
"What did she mean by all that? And how did she guess it was the Government soldiers?" I shrug, "Eh, she's gone now. And I'd better not be late."
I finish eating my apple, toss the core into a nearby incinerator can, and take off in a run for the Government Recruitment building.
I finally figured out her secret!