Haha! Another long chapter! I'm so happy I'm actually keeping up with this story! so far im on page 14! Althought it doesn't sound like much, it is to me! Keep on truckin...and I do appoligize...I still dont know her name...but please review and enjoy!
MUCH Luv,
wolfie
ps I'll be updating my profile so if your looking for a good read stop on by! ;
Flashback:
I was taking a stroll beside the crashing waves on the beach, watching attentively while the new sand rolled onto the former wet sand. Baba gazed at me, wickedly amused.
"You're so curious my child." He chuckled, pausing to pick up a smooth rock. I turned, a question forming on my lips.
"Why do the tides change?" I bent over to let my fingers brush against the wet powder. A new swell washed over my hands, and I felt the dust shy away from my hand.
"They change by the will of the moon. If we didn't have the moon we'd either freeze or fry." I gaped at him, snapping my head upwards.
"The moon?" I asked flatly.
"Yes" the old man chortled. His arm pulled back, his shoulder rotating back in his sockets. I noticed he still clasped the stone. I stared as his limb whipped out, chucking the rock out into the ocean. Intuitively, I followed it with my eyes, my head positioned at an angle where I could see it perfectly. The pebble must have been a magic pebble because in danced across the water tops, spinning and turning, picking up drops of water as it went. My sharp hearing caught each drum of acess rain that dripped off the sides. While the liquid skimmed across the cold surface, ending its dry pattern; it sparkle silver in the sunlight. Conclusively, in its final bows, it caught the wind and dipped its front end into the heavy sea. It struggled to lift itself free of the salt water, and realizing it would fail; it sputtered to a stop, and dove gracefully into the deep. My silent awe was broken by a bellow of hilarity. I snapped my jaw shut, flushing, and glowered at Baba.
"Don't laugh at me!" I trilled my timbre full of spit. Almost immediately, the giggling stopped and a wide grin was plastered to the old healer's wrinkled face.
"You are most defiantly odd" his grin grew more pronounced, as I pursed my lips.
"Odd?" I echoed, grimacing.
"A magnificent type of odd" he chuckled rubbing another bland level rock in his plumb fingers. Like a slingshot, his arm recoiled, before flicking out, his wrist angled so the nugget caught the water. My previous anger was replaced by curiosity.
"Is that a new spell?" I cocked my head sideways, my hair falling along my back.
"No" he smirked, attempting to contain his amusement. My eyebrow puckered, confession spreading across my face.
"It's not magic?" I asked, my voice flaunting an octave higher. Baba shook his head and picked up another rock and handed it to me. It was a light gray color, with a jade outline. Tiny crystals dotted across its even texture, each crystal shaped in a different size.
"Toss it" he whispered in my ear, pushing me forward to encourage me. A replay of everything Baba had done to make the stone dance played out in my head. I repositioned myself, my joints pulsing and my muscles flexing. I drew my arm back leisurely, giving a quick peek in the old healer's direction in wonder if I was doing it correctly. He nodded in support, a smile spreading across his haggard face. So, in confidence, I snapped my wrist ahead, realizing the gem that I had held in my palm. As soon as it touched the water, it skimmed the surface, twisting and turning almost in slow motion. I gazed at it, as it mimicked the waltz of the previous pebbles before it. I squealed in delight.
"Very good" He appraised, obviously pleased. We continued on our walk, passing a few fey, whose eyes were locked on me. I ignored them all; I always did. We strolled in silence as I thought over questions that I had been meaning to ask.
"Baba, if you could live anywhere-anywhere at all- where would you live?" The man looked down at our feet, his facial expression thoughtful. After a moment, he lifted his head again.
"I don't honestly know. I suppose I'd run on a train, aimless in wonder. I'd have an outdated map crumpled in my pocket, not caring where I went. After all, it's all different names for the same place." My nature peeked. "Hmmm" I reflected. My mind's works began to turn.
"You right" I nodded alas, "It's all the same isn't it?" As soon as the words parted with my lips, meaning rammed into me. A wreaking ball tore me down, while a plow plowed me over. Tears nipped at my cheeks. Baba shifted in alarm.
"I'm never going to get out of here am I?" I whimpered, heartbroken.
"Of course you are!" He smiled, attempting to cheer me up.
"No. I'm not. You said so yourself, it's a different name for the same place. That means the outside world is the same as--" I motioned around the beach, "This!" I halfway spat, venom entering my tone. The wizard fell to the floor cackling. I jolted, startled by his outburst. In my opinion, I did not think this was a laughing matter. I scowled as he tried to stand up tall again. He regained little balance, and reached out to rest his hand on my shoulder for reinforcement as he chuckled.
"I meant the places are named for the same places. When in actuality, there's only one place!" His knees felt weak with laughter.
"We all live on planet earth!" He blurted, spitting in my face, his visage reddening in color. I was confused and taken aback.
"Nowhere is as terrible as this mini portion of our mother planet!" I almost yelped with joy; watching the clouds roll overhead when I had flung my head back to giggle.
"One day I will leave!" I announced to the heavens. Instead of laughing with me, Baba stood speechless.
"Baba?" I asked worriedly, skipping over to look at his face. He gave a grim grin and took hold of both my hands. His forehead creased, and his face was unusually pale white.
"You will leave." A smile touched his lips, but it did not meet his eyes. "Beforehand, however, tragedy always strikes before a new dawn." The intakes of those words were ghastly. Tears threatened my features, as I opened my mouth. I felt like a hopeless crybaby, which I was not. At the time, nevertheless, I was.
"Will you be alright?" I managed to wheeze. I was frightened to my core. He chuckles, temporarily lifting out of the misfortune that was upon us.
"No, but you will go through hardships. Far more than anyone should allowed to be put through." I sighed in relief, my shoulders slumping, allowing the stress build up to be let go. The old man gripped my shoulders fiercely, as if trying to keep that stress locked in the muscle. His motions caught my attention as I refocused on the healer. His gray eyes were warm and serious as he picked the right words to speak.
"My child," he said slowly, "I cannot tell you what kind of hell you are going to be put through. Vines will trap your body, thorns piercing at each tender spot of the heart. Make sure you listen, I'm trying my best to prepare you." What he could never know was that there was no way he could prepare me for what would ensue next. Forever more however, his warnings were needed. For that day I stood there on the beach, covered in wet sand, Baba's finger's clutched on my white blouse, was the emptiness I would feel a very long time. Standing there, my fatherly figure scared to his wits, me shaking my head, my mind hazy with disbelief and terror. Unexpectedly, I was soon cradled in the man's arms, his limbs encircled around me, like his frail arms could protect me. At the time, I felt like they could. He stroked my hair respectively, whispering in my ear all the while,
"Burn it down," he chanted, "Burn down your troubles, and your past when your freedom comes." I shivered at the thought of forgetting him. I could never… "Burn it down, till the embers smoke on the ground, and start anew. When you heart is an empty room; with walls of the deepest blue. Indeed, it will save you." He hugged me tighter and kissed me on the cheek in the precise moment I realized something was wiggling its way in-between our hug. A circle of hands wrapped around the old healers waste and yanked him backwards. Fingers from behind clasped around my own limbs, shredding our embrace apart.
"Baba!" I wailed, to shock for the tears to trace my face. Thunder roared overhead as the downpour began to fall. I watched in horror as Baba was ruthlessly dragged in the opposite direction.
"It commences now!" He bellowed my way, fighting with as much strength as he had to kick his way free. "Spring will come soon, and bloom. It is then that you will find a love that shall be true. Do not hold on to me my child, I shall see you soon enough." With that, something clunked me over the head, and the shadows began to fall over my eyes. End of flashback.
I awoke from my slumber covered in seat and screaming. The sugary scent of Baba was easily overpowered by the nightmares that mocked me in my own head. The old man's words, nonetheless, echoed in my mind.
'Spring will come soon, and bloom. It is then that you will find a love that shall be true.' I sat up slowly, checking to see if I was still in tacked. When I made sure I had both arms and legs, I stood up and stretched lazily; reminding myself of a cat bathing in the sunlight. Gingerly, I crept towards the kitchen and hesitantly glanced up at the calendar. It was the first day of spring. My breath caught and I grasped the counter for support. It had been a whole year since I was let off my choke chain. Today was the day. It was this spring I would find my love, according to Baba, whom I trusted completely. It didn't help either that I could feel it in my bones. Going against my curious nature, I was actually terrified to meet him. I wanted so badly as to stay in my protected hotel room, and not to go outside, but I knew it wasn't very plausible. Either way, he would find me. My hands shook and my teeth rattled. Finally, overcome by the alarm clock, I sighed and hurried to my closet to get ready. While I searched for clothing, my mind functioning way too quick for me to catch up with, a silver bell went off in my head. Baba had not said when I would find this love of mine. More cheerfully, I brushed my teeth and skipped my way down the hallway.