Talisman of El (41 page)

‘Morning,’ the boys said together, panting. They walked past the central island and went to sit on the padded chairs around the long, square oak table. The subtle cream finish added warmth to the modern kitchen dominated by white cupboards and black granite surfaces. The two fridges were a bonus for Richmond.

Derkein served a breakfast of pancakes and sausages. ‘Dig in,’ he said, as he sat down.

Charlie scrutinised the sausages on his plate.

‘You won’t find any eyes,’ Derkein said. ‘They’re vegetarian.’

Charlie made a face at him. Before tucking in, he placed his hands under the table and pinched himself. It hurt, which made him smile.

‘How did you sleep?’ Derkein asked them.

‘Like a baby,’ Richmond mumbled through his stuffed mouth.

‘I haven’t slept that well in ages,’ Charlie said, before putting a forkful of pancakes in his mouth.

‘Any dreams I should know about?’ Derkein asked.

‘Well, since you asked …’

Derkein stared at Charlie with wide, petrified eyes.

‘Just kidding,’ Charlie said. ‘No dreams.’ He and Richmond started laughing.

Derkein relaxed back in his seat, a smile playing on his lips. ‘That wasn’t funny.’

‘What’s for dinner?’ Richmond enquired.

‘Dinner,’ Derkein said, shocked. ‘You just startedbreakfast.’

‘Yeah, but I’m gonna be hungry later.’

‘Well, I can’t keep feeding you take away.’

Richmond shrugged. ‘I don’t mind.’

‘I’m not bothered,’ Charlie said.

Derkein got up and walked over to the large fridge opposite the island. ‘I’m sure you’re both comfortable eating junk all week, but I’m not.’ He took out a jug of orange juice and placed it on the island counter. ‘I might have to hire a chef.’

‘Or you could ask Terra to cook you something,’ Charlie teased.

Richmond chortled, and food flew out of his mouth.

Derkein paused in front of the built-in cabinet beside the fridge, two plastic cups in his hand. He scrutinised the boys with a mixture of apprehension and shock.

‘He’s going red,’ Richmond acknowledged.

Derkein grinned and looked away. ‘I don’t know what you two are talking about.’ He closed the cabinet door, walked over to the island, grabbed the orange juice, and headed back to the table. As he sat down, Charlie and Richmond locked eyes, smiling.

‘Derkein and Terra,’ Richmond sang, ‘sitting in the tree –’

‘I have the authority to ground you,’ Derkein warned, ‘or have you forgotten that?’

Charlie bit his lip to hide a smile. After a moment, he glanced at Richmond, who mouthed, ‘K-i-s-s-i-n-g.’

Alex glanced at her mobile phone on the coffee table in front of her. It was nearing midnight, and she, Charlie, Richmond and Derkein were sitting in the living room.

It was Friday, and Alex’s parents had agreed to her sleeping over on the account she carried the phone they had bought her everywhere she went.

‘They’re probably asleep by now,’ Derkein said. ‘It is rather late.’

‘Give it a second,’ Alex said, her gaze still fixed on the phone. ‘The day’s not over yet.’ No sooner had she spoken than the phone rang. Alex gave the others a look that said, ‘I told you so’. She took a deep breath before answering. ‘Wow, Mum, thirty minutes, that’s like, a new record.’ She paused. ‘I’m not being smart.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘Yes, we’re still watching the movie.’ She went silent for a second. ‘Well, it would be over if you stopped calling. Mother, please!’ Alex heaved a sigh and sat back in the armchair. ‘Dad, she’s doing my head in. Okay, love you, too. Bye.’ She placed the phone down on the coffee table.

‘I think you handled that rather well,’ Derkein said.

‘Yeah,’ Charlie agreed. ‘There was definitely less shouting.’

‘It’s annoying,’ Alex said. ‘I feel like I’m on parole. I bet there’s a tracking device in the phone.’ Derkein and the boys laughed. ‘I’m serious.’

‘In all fairness, you did disappear for over two months,’ Derkein said. ‘They’re just trying to keep you safe.’ ‘I suppose,’ said Alex.

‘Right, I’m off to bed.’

‘Don’t forget you’re registering me at school on Monday,’ Richmond reminded him.

Derkein rolled his eyes. ‘That’s the tenth time you’ve reminded me today.’

‘Just making sure you don’t forget.’

‘Goodnight,’ said Derkein.

‘Night,’ they replied.

‘Hey.’ Derkein pointed at Charlie and Alex. ‘Separate rooms.’

Charlie’s eyes widened. ‘Night,’ he said through gritted teeth.

Derkein smiled and left the room. A second later, Charlie jumped off the sofa and hurried after him. Derkein stopped on the bottom step of the stairs.

‘What did Candra say about your dad?’ Charlie asked.

‘She’s ruled out Arcadia. It would be pointless for them to keep teleporting him back and forth. It’s likely he’s on the surface.’

‘We’ll find him,’ Charlie assured him. ‘He’s still alive. I know it.’ Derkein smiled and continued up the stairs. Charlie returned to the living room and sat back on the sofa.

‘Hey, guys, separate rooms,’ Richmond teased.

Alex threw a cushion at him, which hit him across the head.

‘I can’t wait to start school,’ Richmond went on.

‘Give it two weeks and you’ll be complaining about having to get up so early,’ Alex said. ‘You won’t be smiling then.’

‘Maybe you’re just lazy.’

Alex pounced on Richmond, wrestling him to the ground. Charlie relaxed back in the sofa, a huge smile on his face.

An hour had passed, and Charlie and Alex were sitting shoulder to shoulder on one end of the sofa, Richmond asleep on the other end.

‘You excited about going back to school?’ Alex asked.

‘I should say no,’ he replied, ‘but I am a little. Josh hasn’t been bothering you, has he?’

‘The opposite, actually. I think he’s kinda jealous of all the attention I’m getting.’

‘Lucky you. I don’t think he’ll be kind enough to ignore me.’

‘We can take him.’ Alex sounded confident. ‘After werewolves and bat-monkeys, I don’t think there’s anything we can’t handle.’

A sudden shiver ran through Charlie. He would like to say that the events that had occurred in the last few months were behind him now, but in fact, it was all ahead of him. The strangeness he and the others had experienced in Arcadia had only been the beginning.

‘It doesn’t feel real,’ Alex said. ‘Even though I’ve seen it, it’s still hard to believe Arcadia exists.’

‘Makes you wonder what else is out there.’

‘Well, whatever else is out there, I say we ought to stay away from it. I don’t think I can handle anymore near death experiences.’

‘Tell me about it.’ Charlie paused for a second. ‘Alex. What do you think of me? Being the way I am, I mean.’ Although he didn’t look at her, he could feel her gaze on his face.

‘You want the truth?’ she asked. He glanced at her. Alex looked thoughtful for a second, and then she smiled. ‘Charlie, you’re my best friend. You can be an alien, for all I care. You’re still the same person – freakish wings, and all.’

‘I don’t have wings.’

Alex’s eyebrows puckered. ‘Then what are those?’ Panicked, Charlie looked behind him.

Alex giggled. ‘Gotcha.’

‘That’s not funny. I’m going through changes here. You can’t say things like that.’

Alex’s expression turned serious. ‘Sorry. I guess I haven’t thought about how strange it must be for you. How does it feel, you know, being an angel?’

‘Well, I don’t physically feel any different, if that’s what you mean.’ Charlie was silent for a moment. ‘Sometimes I wish none of this had happened. Everything has changed. People are expecting me to do great things, and I can’t. I don’t know how. Maybe I’ll never know how. Then again, I’m glad it did happen otherwise Derkein wouldn’t be here. To be honest, I don’t know what to feel.’ Seeing the concerned look on Alex’s face, he changed the subject. ‘You think everyone’s going to probe us when we get back to school?’

Alex sighed. ‘Guaranteed. There are all these people I’ve hardly spoken to coming up to me asking questions. It’s annoying.’

‘I’ll help you fight them off.’

Alex’s face lit up. ‘You know, I thought I was never going to see you again.’

‘Me, too. I mean, see you, not me.’

Alex smiled. ‘I know it’s late saying this, but thanks. If it weren’t for you, I’d be … I wouldn’t be here. I don’t know how you caught that arrow, but it was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen.’

‘I seriously have no idea how that happened. But I’m glad it did.’ Charlie ran his eyes over Alex’s face, and their gaze locked. ‘Derkein said that sometimes facing your fears can make you realise your strengths. I guess my protective instinct kicked in.’

‘I’m glad it kicked in at the right time, or you could have been sitting here missing me like crazy.’

Charlie felt his cheeks heat up. ‘Trust me. Eight weeks away from you was like torture.’

Alex blushed. ‘I missed you, too. I’m so glad you’re back.’

‘Me, too. But just promise me you won’t be all girly now.’

Alex’s face hardened. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ Her low voice shook with anger. ‘I
am
a girl. I’m always just one of the guys with you, aren’t I?’ She shifted and sat on the carpeted floor, her back against the sofa.

After a moment’s hesitation, Charlie sat beside her. ‘That’s not what –’ He stopped when Alex turned her back to him. ‘I know you’re a girl,’ he resumed in a placating voice. ‘I just meant … I just don’t want you to change. I like the old you.’

She turned to him, her face softer now. ‘Really?’

‘Well, there
is
one thing I would change.’

Alex punched him on the arm. ‘You’re supposed to say yes.’

‘You didn’t even let me finish. As I was saying – before you rudely interrupted me – I like your hair. I can actually see your whole face.’

‘Is that a good thing?’

Charlie paused, but when Alex raised her fist, he leaned away and said, ‘Yes, it’s a good thing.’

Alex smiled, her cheeks turning a rosy pink, and looked away. Charlie’s eyes stayed on her.

A New Beginning

CHARLIE AND RICHMOND ENTERED the school bus. ‘Hi, Ernie,’ Charlie greeted him.

‘All roight the’re, Charlie,’ said Ernie. ‘’Aven’t seen yeh inna while. And oo is this young fella?’ He gestured with his head at Richmond.

‘This is Richmond. He’s my brother.’

‘Great ter ’ave yeh on board, Richmond,’ Ernie said. ‘Take yer seats.’

The bus was empty but for two other students. The boys made their way towards the back. When Josh got on and saw Charlie, it was – and there was no other word for it – heaven. Josh looked as if he had seen a ghost. Then his face turned hard.

‘Is that him?’ Richmond asked Charlie, who nodded.

‘Keep it movin’,’ Ernie called to Josh, who was causing a blockage in the aisle. Josh finally came out of his shock and sat at the back of the bus, three seats away from Charlie and Richmond.

Damzel entered the bus at the next stop, and he, too, had the same reaction as Josh.

When Alex got on the bus, she sat in front of Charlie and Richmond. ‘Wow. They are not happy to see you,’ she said, referring to Josh and Damzel. Her gaze then shifted. ‘Hi, Carla.’

Charlie detected a subtle edge to Alex’s voice, and he glanced at Carla, who was sitting in the seat across the aisle from him with a frown on her face. He looked back at Alex. ‘What’d you do this time?’ he asked.

Alex turned to him. ‘Nothing.’

Charlie and Richmond locked eyes, their eyebrows raised.

‘I didn’t do anything,’ Alex went on. She glanced at Carla then looked back at Charlie, lowering her voice. ‘She was all nice to me when you weren’t here. Now you’re back, she hates me – again. If you think about it, this is your fault.’

Charlie smiled at her.

‘What?’ she asked.

‘Nothing,’ he said. ‘I was just thinking.’ He had missed hanging out with her and Richmond, talking about things that had nothing to do with Arcadia. He had everything he could ever have wished for, and he couldn’t stop smiling.

The first day back had started well, but when the bell signalled the end of school, the trio ran into trouble. As they stood by the lockers in the empty hall, Charlie felt a thud in his back, and he stumbled into Alex and Richmond.