A Tiny Bit Mortal (8 page)

As we were finishing up our plates, my Dad chimed in and said “I finally got word from The Elders.”

“Oh?” said Peter.

“What on earth are The Elders?” I asked.

“The Hall of Elders.” said Peter.

“Okay.  What on earth is the Hall of Elders?” I asked.  I pictured something out of a fantasy novel, with huge arches and wise elves with staffs lined up on golden thrones at the end of a grand hall.

“It’s like...” said Peter, looking up at the ceiling in thought.  “It’s like we are a huge family, and the eldest of the family live together, and sit in a big hall making decisions about what all the children should be doing.”

“You forget,” said my dad to Peter. “that the children are also a part of those decisions.”

“Oh right,” said Peter. “The children are there, arguing with the elders.”

My dad laughed.  “It’s not like that.  Peter is just biased because he is the son of one of those elders.  He’s still hasn’t grasped the larger picture.” 

“There are nine elders, and nine children.  The Children are all volunteers under the age of two-hundred that have committed to spend their time keeping up with modern day issues and informing the elders.  The nine elders are simply the eldest known of our kind that are committed to serving the divine order.  The Elders temper the children with their wisdom of the ages, and the children keep the Elders from losing touch with the modern world.”

“So what does that have to do with us?” I asked.

“We don’t have many laws.” said my dad.  “We believe the divine order requires free will and incentives.  The seedling is not forced from the earth, it is coaxed out by the warmth and the light of the sun.  But, there are some base things we’ve agreed on as law.  I have most definitely broken one of those laws with your mother, and Peter is questionably breaking one of those laws with you.”

“Because I’m mortal?” I said.

“You are, but you aren’t.” said my dad.

“A tiny bit mortal.” said Peter, chiming in.

I felt uneasy.  “So there will be a trial?” I asked.

“Sort of.” said Peter.  “It is more informal than that.  We will all sit and talk for days, and possibly weeks.  A consensus will eventually be reached, and hopefully it will end in all of us coming home and resuming our lives.”

“It will also include a plan for your education and training.” said my dad.  “Traditionally I would take on that role.  I’m hoping they don’t have any other ideas.  It is possible I will be required to do something to atone for breaking the law.”

“It’s going to be interesting.” said Peter.  “When are we going?”

“We’ve been asked to come as soon as Emily finishes her last day of work.” said my dad.

I thought about my upcoming birthday in February.  My mom was probably wildly trying to get a hold of me by now.  She usually insisted I come visit her for my birthday.

“My mom.” I said, completely out of context.

As if he’d read my mind, my Dad got up, walked out of the room and returned with a shiny new cellphone.  “This phone uses your old land-line number.” he said.  “You’ll probably want to be calling her now.”

I wondered how he’d pulled that off without me calling up the phone company and arranging that, but I kept my mouth closed.  Excusing myself from the table I headed up to my room with the cellphone in hand.

Poking at the touch screen for a bit on the phone, I felt frustrated at how hard it was to find just the number pad to call people.  I dialed my mom’s number.

“Hello?” she said.

“Hi Mom.” I said.

“Emily!” she said.  “Finally!  I was so worried about you.”

I bit my lip, wondering what to say.  I was supposed to think of something clever, but I had nothing.  “I’m just fine, Mom.” I said.  “I’ve just been busy with work.”

“Oh sweetie,” she said. “I wish you wouldn’t work so hard.  I’m guessing you aren’t coming up for your birthday?”

“I’m sorry Mom.” I said.  “I can’t this year.”

“Oh, well, alright.” she said, disappointed.  “I’m glad I got to spend Thanksgiving with you anyway.”

“Me too.” I said.  “I had such a good time with you.”

“You take good care of yourself, alright?” she said.

“You too mom.” I said.  “I love you.”

“I love you too.” she said.

Holding the phone to my ear after my mom spoke her goodbye, I listened for a dial tone, then stared down at the screen at the menu.  Flipping the phone over, I looked at the shiny white back of it, and then back to the screen again.  After poking at the screen some more, I set it down on my side table.

I contemplated going back down the stairs to be with my dad and Peter, but a big part of me just wanted to be alone.  Letting myself fall down toward the pillow like a tree that had just been chopped down, I set my eyes on the only familiar object in the room.

The nesting dolls stood side by side with their rosy cheeks and floral bonnets.  Noticing the smile on their painted lips, I felt myself smiling.  My eyes rested on the largest nesting doll as I remembered myself placing the white business card inside it.

Playing the event over in my mind as my head rested against the pillow, I remembered the icy blue eyes of the male underwear model looking guy.  There seemed to be an ocean in his eyes, and as I saw them in my mind I felt a wave of emotion crashing against my whole being. 

I let myself bathe in it for a moment and then shoved it away in my mind.  What was left was an empty feeling, and I closed my eyes to escape the vision of the rosy cheeked nesting doll.  Without intending to, I gave in to a deep sleep that took me far away from it all.

The Hall Of Elders

I joined peter in the backseat
of my Dad’s car.  We had just finished loading our suitcases into the trunk.

“You aren’t going to both sit back there, are you?” Asked my dad.

Peter and I were both silent.

“Someone needs to sit up here with me,” he said. “I feel like a chauffeur all by myself up here.”

“Oh fine.” said Peter.  He circled around the car and sat in the front passenger seat next to my dad.  Looking out the passenger side window as we departed, I watched the houses on the street go by.

I was nervous.  According to my Dad we had a three hour drive ahead of us before we’d be at The Hall of Elders, and my palms were already sweaty.

Peter shifted in his seat to face me.  “Your heart sounds like it’s going to beat out of your chest.” he said.  “Everything is going to be okay.  Promise.”

Peter was so sincere, and such a comfort to me.  I relaxed a little, smiled at him and asked “How do you hear my heart from all the way up there in the front seat?”

“I listen.” he said.  He was silent for a moment and then said,  “Emily, close your eyes for a minute.”

I closed my eyes.

“First listen to the sounds of the car.” he said.  “What do you hear?”

I slowed my breathing and listened.  “I hear the sounds of the engine.” I said.  “I hear the tires against the pavement.”

“Stay listening to the tires for a moment.” he said.  “Concentrate on that.”

I concentrated on the sound of the tires.

“Now listen towards the west.” he said.

Without thinking, I diverted my attention to my left.  We were heading north in the car, so the west was that direction.  I heard a rush of sounds: cars whooshing by, a car’s turn signal making a clicking noise, a couple arguing about finances, a rush of wind through a trees branches, the
caw
of a bird, the rush of more cars, and then the roar and crashing of a huge ocean wave.

Gasping for breath, I realized that I hadn’t been breathing the whole time.  I opened my eyes to see Peter turned in his seat looking at me.

“Are you okay?” He asked.

“I
heard
the ocean.” I said, wide eyed.

Peter grinned.  “We will be there, in just a few hours.” said Peter.

We were on our way to the Oregon Coast, to the Hall of Elders.  I was looking forward to seeing the ocean though it was a very wet and cold time of the year for beach walking.  I was not looking forward to whatever was waiting for us there.

I felt a bit dizzy from the sensation of hearing the roaring sound of the ocean in my ears.  I managed a smile back though I was a little overwhelmed.

“You’ll get used to it.” he said.

My dad interrupted with a scolding “Peter.”

Peter turned forward in his seat.

“You shouldn’t be doing that.” said my dad to Peter.  “She’s not ready for that.”

“I’m fine.” I said to my dad.

“Now that you went and did that,” said my dad to Peter, with an angry tone. “you can be in charge of helping her control it.  She could go mad.”

“You underestimate her.” said Peter.

“I
care
about her.” said my dad.

“Are you saying I don’t?” said Peter.  “I
know
her.”

“You’ve known her the span of less than two months.” said my dad.  “That’s a blink of an eye.  You are so young still, you have no concept of time.”

“Would you stop?” I said, interrupting.  “Please.  I am just fine.  I’m not going to go crazy, promise.”

It was silent in the car as we merged on to the freeway.  As I closed my eyes I couldn’t stop listening to the sounds around me.  I knew I had to control it because I’d just finished telling them I was fine.

Slowing down my breathing, I relaxed.  I focused on not listening.  I told everything to
hush
now.  Everything became quiet, just a dull roar of background noises.   I smiled and drifted into a deep sleep.

Waking up I saw that we had stopped in at a gas station.  I felt disoriented, and sleepy.

“We are almost there.” said Peter.

“How long have I been asleep?” I asked.

“Almost three hours.” said Peter.  “You must have worn yourself out.  Here, have some water.”  Peter shifted in his seat and handed me a water bottle.  The expression on his face was not his usual smile.  As my Dad opened the door and sat down in the driver’s seat, I could feel the tension in the car.

“You said it would be okay.” I said, concerned.

“We
all
just need to calm down.” said my dad.

He shifted the car into drive, and we made our way onto the highway.  I looked out the window decorated with beads of rain and could see the ocean and tiny stretches of sandy beach between the trees, ferns and cliff faces passing by.  A mist rose up from the craggy rocks where the waves beat against them.  I focused and listened to the sound of the waves in an attempt to distract myself.

Nothing about the drive felt calm.  We sat in silence for about fifteen minutes until we pulled into a gated driveway.  The gate opened, and we drove through lush, fern and moss riddled forest.  The driveway went up and then back down again.  We came around a corner, and a large Victorian style manor house came into view.

“We’re here.” said Peter.

Taking in a big breath I looked around.  You’d never know the place was there from the road side.  The house was surrounded by tall redwood trees, pines, and ferns that were so thick you couldn’t see past them.

Scooting out of the car, I stood up and walked around it to meet Peter.  He grabbed my hand and held it as I stared at the imposing sight before me.

The center of the manor had archways, about twenty feet tall, under which were wooden double doors that were nearly the same height as the arches.  One of the large doors opened, and a woman stepped out.  She wore a long, green cotton dress.

“Peter.” said the woman.

“Mom.” said Peter.

Her face was out of focus to me.  I tried not to stare, but it was unnerving.  I had become used to seeing the immortals clearly, without even having to try.  It was like she purposely concealed herself from me.

“Why are you holding her hand?” asked the woman.

“We are in love.” He declared, with boldness in his voice.

She said nothing, and froze where she stood, with her hand in mid air where she left off her question.  We all stood there for some time, patiently.  I was beginning to understand it was common with these people.

Shifting my weight from leg to leg, I felt like I was moving too quick among a party of mannequins.  I  held myself still and tried not to appear impatient.  The whole situation was beginning to get awkward, and I was getting tired.

Taking in a deep breath, I could taste the humidity of the coastal air.  Turning away from the motionless figures, I realized that I could see the ocean through a space in the trees.  It was beautiful.

The clouds had begun to break away just over the water, and the sea was calm.  I watched the waves and listened to the screeching sound of gulls.  Closing my eyes, I could feel the vibrations of the ocean tide pouring down onto the earth.  It was soothing.

Suddenly I felt unfamiliar hands on my hands.  “Let me see you.” said Peter’s mom.  I opened my eyes and looked up to meet hers.  She came into focus, and I could see her big brown eyes, and long brown curly hair.  She looked a lot like Peter, or, I supposed Peter looked a lot like her.

Not knowing what to say, I just waited.  She looked me over, tilted up my chin with the back of her soft hand, and looked intently into my eyes.

“I see.” she said.  “Well now, this is something I haven’t seen in a very, very long time.”  I couldn’t read her expression at all.  She removed her hands from me, and turned toward my Dad.  She seemed haughty, and I couldn’t help disliking her.

“Nicholas.” she said.

“Selene.” said my Dad, slightly bowing his head.  I felt a little nauseous at the sight of my dad bowing to that woman.

“Emily,” said Peter, holding his arm out towards his Mom. “This is my mom.”

“Nice to meet you, Selene.” I said out of pure politeness.  She paused where she stood, facing away from me and toward the door.  She slowly turned around to face me.  She nodded her head and blinked hard like she was wincing.  “Nice to meet you too, Emily.” she said.

We followed her through the giant front door, and into an entryway.  “Everyone is gathering now into the hall.” said Selene.

We took a left from the entry way, and through a large arched doorway.  The ceilings were all about twenty feet high, and as we entered into the hallway I could see why.

We were in long rectangular room, full of chairs all lined up around a large rectangular, faded oriental rug.  The chairs and their cushions were made up of various types of wood and patterns.  Nothing was matching, really.  It was all very quaint.

In two of the chairs at the end of the row sat two very large people, that struck me as massive animated Egyptian statues. They rose up from their chairs with all the others when we entered and I calculated that they were both about sixteen feet tall.  As I stared at the sight of them, I realized my mouth was hanging open and promptly closed it.

“We have decided,” said Selene. “that we would like to speak with Emily first, by herself.”

I gave Peter a pleading look.  He returned an apologetic look and then turned around down the hall.  My dad gave me an apologetic look as well and turned to follow Peter.  I couldn’t help but feel betrayed, as they both left without any sort of protest.

Turning around, I faced towards the immortals, not trying to stare at any single one.  There were nine chairs on the right, and nine on the left.  With my arms hanging in front of me, I placed one hand on top of the other.  My hands were trembling. 

Selene made her way toward a chair, and everyone seated themselves at the same time. 

“Please, come closer.” said a voice.  It was the Egyptian woman.  I looked at her, and she beckoned toward me with her hand that looked as long and wide as my own face.  Walking towards her down the hall, I felt enamored with her beauty and proportion.  As she leaned forward, her shiny braided black hair moved like a beaded curtain.

“Come.” she commanded, with her hawk like eyes glistening.  Her eyes were so dark, and her skin tan, making the whites of her eyes stand out.  I complied as she beckoned me with her hand again.  Standing at her feet, my face reached just above her knees.  Feeling like a tiny child, I looked up at her nervously.

She looked down at me and smiled.  “Calm yourself.” she said, in a soothing tone.  Taking in a slow, deep breath I told my trembling body “
hush
now” in my mind.  For a moment I could hear my heart pounding in my ears, and then it slowed and quieted.  My hands warmed from their cold sweat, and everything in me felt still.  I looked up at the giant Egyptian woman and returned her smile.

“She shows control.” she said, looking around the room at the others and nodding.  I looked up at the Egyptian man, and he smiled down at me.

“May I see you now?” said a man’s deep voice from the other side of the Egyptian woman, I tried to see him but he was blocked from my view behind massive legs. 

Stepping back and down the hall, I saw a bearded man sitting in a wide chair.  His brassy blond hair was long and thick with subtle waves.  His beard that flowed down his chest was the same texture as his his head of hair, with waves of shiny brass. For such beautiful hair his face was wide and fierce, set with sky blue eyes that had a mischievous twinkle to them.  He appeared small next to the Egyptian man’s legs though he had to have been at least two feet taller than me and as wide as two of me put together.

I stood in front of him while he looked me up and down.  “A beautiful creature.” he said.  “I’d mistake her for a pure blood grandchild of Aphrodite if it weren’t for the beating heart inside of her.”

“I can see why The Corrupt would want her.” said a voice behind me.  Turning around to face the nine sitting on the other side of the room, I looked from face to face. They were all of average size, like my dad and Peter.  They were all exceptionally good looking, but could pass for a human unlike the extraordinary figures that were behind me.

Feeling a tickling sensation on the back of my head, I turned back toward the bearded man to see his hand let go of a lock of my hair.  He smiled and winked at me.

“Come see me now.” said a sing-song voice.  I stepped toward a woman in the next chair over.   She was pale as snow, with platinum ringlet hair.  Her eyes were a pale blue, frosty.  She wore a dress similar to the one Selene was wearing, but it was a pale blue that matched her eyes.

“Now,” she said. “tell us the story of your life.”

“I don’t know where to begin.” I said.

“Come sit with me.” she said, beckoning me with an outstretched hand.  She pulled me into her lap, like a child, stroking my hair with her hand.