Chapter 27
She was there before him, vulnerable in her newfound state of shock. Alex's smirk quickly changed to a cold stare as his blue eyes scanned her face. His true emotions were hidden as he looked into her eyes to see the long-forgotten, yet familiar blue sparkle. He felt a sudden lightness in his heart as he looked into the pristine glow of Mia's eyes.
It's just you and me now.
He shook himself a little, he had not felt this love in a long time. Alex had waited so long for this moment, to be alone with Mia. Now that he had her though, he didn't know what to do. It was a familiar feeling, being lost for words near Mia. The past began to come back to Alex, his younger years. She had played such a huge part as he was growing up. He would not soon forget those times.
Alex's struggles began even before he was born. His father, after learning that his fiancee was pregnant with a baby boy, had abandoned her in the dead of night, leaving her alone in Imil. Still, the mother decided to name her baby 'Alex', after his father. Even Alex's birth was filled with sorrow, as his mother died shortly after giving birth. Having no immediate family, Alex was put in the care of an older couple in Imil. And so, months went by slowly, and Alex began to grow. On his second birthday, he was informed that he was being placed in a small nursery where he would spend his mornings. The older couple hoped that this would make Alex more social. It was becoming apparent that Alex was not a normal child. He would spend more time around puddles and the stream than he would with other children. However, the nursery did not help Alex's social attributes. He would spend all day in the corner of the room, staring transfixed at his glass of water. At the age of three, it became apparent that Alex had the ability to manipulate this water in ways other children could not. After a rainstorm, Alex could be seen outside turning small puddles of water into pure ice. He enjoyed his newfound abilities and would laugh happily at his handiwork. After asking the Great Healer of Imil, the older couple learned that Alex's ability was classified as an unfocused form of psynergy. Very few children had that natural ability so young, and soon the whole town was buzzing with gossip of the young Alex being 'abnormal'. But Alex was not the only big news circling Imil.
News had recently reached the ears of civilians that a newborn child was going to be born. But this was not just another birth. This child would be the son or daughter of the Great Healer himself. It was the Great Healer's line of ancestry that had guarded the lighthouse, and the child would continue this line and protect Mercury Lighthouse, a sacred site. This news brought great joy to the villagers, who had long awaited a new guardian. The child would be born in December, and would be delivered by the Great Healer's wife, Susana.
~
It was a cold night, a night when doors and windows were shut to hide the villagers from the impending snow. All the people of Imil were inside their homes, waiting. Tonight was the night that the son or daughter of the Healer would be born. Four year old Alex sat on the floor with his foster parents in separate chairs. He had been told what they were all waiting for. What he didn't understand was why this baby girl was so important. Just as subtle thoughts of jealousy crept into his mind, a church bell sounded from outside. Immediately, the older couple stood up.
"Put your coat on, Alex. It's time to meet the baby." said the older woman excitedly.
Alex quickly put on his jacket, his spirit renewed by his foster parents' excitement. All three of them walked outside, towards town square, where a throng of twenty or more villagers was forming. The older man propped Alex on his shoulders so that he could see better. All eyes were directed at the sanctum, where the Healer stood in front of everyone, patiently awaiting the arrival of all the villagers. A few of the elders arrived, and as they did, silence fell among the people. All of Imil was now waiting with baited breath.
The Healer raised his hand, and all eyes turned to him. He spoke in a clear voice, "The child is a girl. We have named her Mia, after one of many Mercury goddesses. Rejoice, for the new Healer is born!"
With those simple words, applause broke out throughout the throng of people. A few cheers could be heard as the villagers turned to each other. The men shook hands fervently, and the women embraced as the glee set in. A new Healer had been born. Alex's foster father turned his son towards him, smiling.
"Be glad, Alex. The line of our Healers will continue," he said happily.
Alex couldn't help but feel underwhelmed. His father set him down so he could congratulate the Healer and Alex, left alone, turned away from the crowd, and slipped unnoticed out of the throng.
What's the big deal? It's just a lousy baby.
He walked home alone, away from the rest of the villagers, who would continue their celebrations for many hours. And so, on this cold night, where happiness was as infectious as the stinging wind, a single boy could be seen alone, lost and confused. It would be several years before he understood just how important this new baby would be in his life.
