Alexus's Point of View

It turned out that Zexion had brought back a surprise. He had gotten a book on origami, the art of folding paper. We practiced the rest of the day. Zexion had the job of watching me the following day, so we practiced then and the next day. The day after, I was under Axel's care. After breakfast, we walked to the Grey Area. "So, what do you want to do today?" Axel wondered.

"I don't know. Maybe more video games?" I suggested.

"I got you hooked, huh? Maybe later. Let's do something a little more productive for now. Let's see. What should we do?" Axel paused as he sat on the sofa to think before standing up suddenly. "I've got it! Let's go to your homeworld!"

"Huh? My homeworld? I mean, I would love to, but why should we go there?" I asked.

"You have friends there, right?" Axel asked.

"I have a friend there. Joe," I replied.

"Great! It just so happens that my friend is keeping your house safe from anyone who would try to tamper with it. We can go and see our friends. What do you think?" Axel reasoned.

"Okay. It sounds fun," I smiled. Axel opened a dark corridor, and we went through. When we left, we were in front of my house. I ran inside.

Aunt Myka and Saix were sitting at the table eating breakfast. From the smell, I could tell that Aunt Dulcie was baking something. Aunt Myka was the first to notice me. "Hello, Alexus," She greeted.

"Hi, Aunt Myka. Is Joe around, or is it just you, Aunt Dulcie, and Saix?" I wondered.

"Joe is at home. I didn't know you would be coming. What about you? Are you alone, or did someone come with you?" Aunt Myka inquired.

Axel came through the door. "Saix! How's it going?" Axel smirked.

"What are you doing here?" Saix grumbled.

"My job. I'm babysitting today," Axel stated. Saix took a gulp of his coffee.

"Dulcie, when those muffins are done, would you fetch Joe for me? We have a visitor," Aunt Myka requested.

"Who is it?" Aunt Dulcie called out. She came into the room. "Oh, Alexus! It's you. How wonderful. My muffins are just about done. I'll go get Joe after I take them out of the oven. You can have one when I get back." Aunt Dulcie went back into the kitchen. I heard the familiar sound of her taking her latest baked goods out of the oven. When she was done, she went out to get Joe.

"So then, you are Axel, I presume? Saix has told me a bit about you," Aunt Myka greeted.

"Yes, ma'am. I was tasked with watching over Alexus for the day, and I thought that Alexus might enjoy coming to her hometown to visit," Axel replied. Axel had mentioned that Saix was his friend, so I thought Saix would be happy to see Axel, but the only expression of Saix was indifference.

"That was very thoughtful of you. Alexus, while you're here, you should think about if there's anything you want to bring home with you. You may as well start chipping away at bringing your things to your new home. I'm not sure how long we will be able to keep this place. I can't speak for Saix, but I fear that Dulcie, Bess, and I will be summoned to our hometown," Aunt Myka sighed. I felt queasy at the thought of having to move everything to my new location. I knew I would have to eventually, but I hoped it wouldn't be until the very distant future. There were so many memories of Mama in this home.

"Aren't you from the same place as Mama?" I asked.

"Yes, we are," Aunt Myka confirmed.

"So, where is it? Why would you be summoned?" I questioned.

Aunt Myka seemed caught off guard by my questions. "Now, now. There's no need to panic. I haven't received any notice of my presence being requested," She said.

"You didn't answer my question," I mentioned.

"No, I didn't," Aunt Myka stated.

The silence that followed told me that, just like everybody else, she wouldn't give me a direct answer. I thought of another question to ask. "What about Aunt Ralene? Is she going to have to go back?"

"I'm afraid not. She is forbidden from returning. I'm sorry," Aunt Myka apologized. Tears formed in my eyes. Knowing that Aunt Ralene was always going to be around terrified me.

"Alexus, I'm sure that your father will not allow for anything to happen to your home until you are ready to let go," Saix assured me.

"I've heard there is a boy around your age in your new home. Has he been friendly to you?" Aunt Myka wondered, likely to change the subject.

"Yes. Zexion has been a good friend," I answered.

After an awkward pause in the conversation, I went upstairs to my room. I remembered the sewing project that I had been working on before I left. I had been in the process of making a new dress. I picked up the needle, thread, and fabric and continued where I had left off. The familiarity of the needle going in and out of the material soothed me. I remembered when Mama had first taught me how to sew. I pricked my finger several times, but I kept going. Mama's hands guided mine as her voice instructed me gently. I retreated to a world in my head where Mama was still alive. Make-believe or not, I embraced the lovely daydream.

"Hi, Alexus." I shrieked and pricked my finger. I looked up sharply to see Joe smirking at me. "Jumpy much?"

My first reaction was anger, but it didn't last long as I couldn't hold back from setting down my project to embrace my dear friend. "I've missed you," I said. Joe hugged me back.

"I've missed you, too. Your absence has been difficult," Joe replied, pulling away from our embrace.

"I won't be here for long. Wait until you've heard about all the-" I stopped as I remembered what Mr. Lexaeus told me. I couldn't tell anyone about the magic.

"The what?" Joe pressed.

"Nothing. It's a secret," I stated.

"Oh, come on. Now I have to know," Joe grinned.

"Not a chance," I smiled back.

"Wanna go play by the creek?" Joe suggested.

"Yeah!" I agreed.

Joe and I headed downstairs. "Mama, Alexus, and I are going out to play!" Joseph called out as we raced out the door.

Aunt Myka came outside before we could get very far. "Joseph, was that how you ask for permission?"

Joe stopped in his tracks and turned back to Aunt Myka. "No, Ma'am. May Alexus and I go play?"

"I suppose you may, but be back before supper," Aunt Myka sighed.

"Thank you, Mama," Joe said before we ran to the creek.