The Elf Girl (9 page)

I realized we were going through the woods behind my house. Childhood memories flashed through my mind, making me want to cry even more. Then I remembered all the times people made fun of me, and of being alone, which caused me to walk faster. I didn’t have time for memories tonight, not anymore. I was entering a new chapter, a new life.

“So…,” I started to say, eager to keep my mind off depressing or frightening thoughts.

“What?” Addison asked.

“Your name is Addison.”

“What about it?”

“It’s common, for humans, I mean. I just thought…that maybe elves would have more
unique
names. Uncommon for humans, like in the books I read.”

“Those are books, Ramsey. Not real life.”

“Yes, I know, but why is your name so common? Do all elves have common names?”

“Have you ever heard of others with your name?” Addison asked.

“Well, no. But I
have
heard of yours,” I pointed out.

“So? Names are names, Ramsey. They go back hundreds, thousands of years. However, there are periods when some names are more common than others are. Maybe my name was uncommon when elves still roamed the Human Realm.”

I nodded. Her words made sense.

“But what about how you speak?”

“How I
speak
?” Addison gave me a look like I was mental or something.

“You speak English, like humans. Don’t elves have their own language?” I wondered.

“We speak Common now, like most creatures from our Realm and others. Some mystical beings choose to speak in their old ways occasionally, but not the elves, at least not anymore. Not since the Dark Times…”

“The
what
times
?” I asked.

Addison didn’t explain. Sighing, I left it alone, but I was bothered by how easily she could stop a conversation when she didn’t feel like talking any more. Still, she was helping me, and I couldn’t force her to keep talking.

After a few more minutes of walking, we stopped by one of the ponds in the forest surrounding our neighborhood. It was by far the largest. Dina and I used to play in it as kids before she lost interest in the outdoors and switched to indoor malls instead.

“So where is the entrance to the Elf Realm?” I asked.

“You ask a lot of questions, Ramsey,” Addison remarked.

“That’s only because I still need answers. I have no idea what’s going on. All I know is what you have told me.”

“Isn’t that enough?” she asked.

I sighed and shook my head.

“Did you read about the elf circles by the water?” she asked.

“Yeah,” I said, looking around. I didn’t see any sign of one. “But there aren’t any here, are there?”

“No. That’s because I haven’t made one yet.”

“Oh. Interesting,” I replied.

“Watch this.”

Addison took a deep breath and then began to move fluidly around in a circle.

She didn’t have any music, but it seemed as though she was dancing to music from her soul. She flowed languidly in a large circle, skipping in the moonlight and drinking in the radiance of the night. I watched her in awe as she flattened the grass into a perfect elf circle.

“That was amazing,” I said when she finished.

“Thanks.” She smiled. She sure liked to do that. A lot more than talking or answering my questions.

“Now what do we do?” I asked.

“We wait.”

“How do we know what time it is?”

“When you are an elf and live in our Realm, you know. It’s just an elf thing.”

“Will
I
know when we get there?”

“It takes time to learn, but for some it’s easy. You’ll have to wait and see.”

“So what time is it now?” I challenged.

“Five minutes to midnight.”

“You’re good,” I said.

“Thanks,” she said again. She looked around and then sighed. “I hope he makes it in time.”

“You hope
who
makes it?” I asked.

Addison wouldn’t answer, so I didn’t ask again. I counted, and three more minutes passed. Addison looked very worried.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, but she didn’t seem to hear me. “Addison!”

“What?”

“What’s wrong?” I asked again.

“Hold on, I need to focus. Don’t say a word,” she told me.

I nodded and obeyed. I watched Addison become very still, her eyes closed. After a few seconds, she relaxed.

Another minute passed and Addison started fidgeting again. What was going on? I heard a rustling sound in the trees and turned to look for the source. I wondered what or who it could be, or worse, if my parents had found us. No, they couldn’t have come that fast. I was nervous, jumpy because of all that had already happened tonight. This endless waiting only heightened my impatience.

“Finally,” Addison sighed.

Out of the woods stepped a very handsome Stellan.

“Stellan,” I whispered.

Suddenly, I remembered his ears. Why hadn’t I asked about him before? He was obviously an elf as well. I couldn’t believe I had forgotten. Finding out I was an elfen had obviously distracted me.

“Hi, Ramsey, glad to have you with us,” he said.

“I see you have already met my brother, Stellan. He is a year older than I.”

“Yeah, he kind of saved me during lunch,” I admitted.

He laughed. “Yes, and I heard you fainted afterward. My good looks tend to have that affect on most elfens.”

Addison slapped him on the arm and rolled her eyes.

I laughed too. “Actually, it’s because of your ears. I didn’t think there was anyone else like me,” I said.

“Am I still good-looking?” he asked with a smile.

Before I could answer, Addison cut in. “Stop chit-chatting! We have to go. Because
you
got here so late, Stellan, we don’t have time to talk until we get there. I’m starting to regret bringing you with me.”

“You wouldn’t have been able to last in this Realm without me, Sister, you know that. Sorry, but I had to make sure Ramsey’s parents wouldn’t return home before we left. They were on their way when I found them.”

“What did you do?” I asked.

“Oh, just some car trouble, but it was nothing drastic,” he said calmly.

“Will they get hurt?” I asked, mortified.

“No, but they will have to stop for gas.” He smiled. “Interesting specimens, those cars.”

I looked at him and shook my head. “
Thanks
.”

“Hey, just trying to do what Addison asked,” he said.

I shot a glare to Addison, but she wasn’t paying attention. She seemed like the kind of person – I mean, elfen – that liked to keep things in order and take charge. I guessed she had to be during a situation like this. Especially with her hot brother saying how good-looking he was and me not having a clue about what was happening.

“We have to go now. It’s midnight,” Addison instructed.

“Okay, let’s go,” I said.

“Step into the circle, Ramsey,” Addison told me.

“It’s that easy?” I asked.

“Yes. I’ll go first.” She smiled and waved, and then she disappeared into thin air when her feet stepped inside.

“Wow,” I said.

“See you on the other side, Ramsey,” Stellan said. Then he waved too and vanished.

I could have left then. I could have turned away. I was scared. I was confused. However, I knew I couldn’t leave. I couldn’t turn away. I would follow Addison and Stellan. I would go to where I belonged no matter how scared I was and no matter what dangers I may have to face in order to save the sister I didn’t remember. It was my only option, because I knew my heart didn’t want anything else.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and jumped into the circle.

~4~
The Elf Realm

I thought there would be some weird spiral tunnel thing that I would fall through, something like in the movies, where everything would be dizzying with millions of colors and bright lights. I was sadly mistaken. When I opened my eyes, Addison and Stellan were there with me. I hadn’t even noticed the change.
So much for the movies
, I thought to myself.

Addison took my hand and smiled. “Welcome to the Elf Realm,” she said, as she led me forward.

The first thing I noticed was that it was bright out, daylight. The second, the Realm was absolutely, amazingly beautiful. It was right out of a fairytale. The forest trees glistened in the sunlight. There were rolling hills filled with green grass and wildflowers, and ponds scattered about with trickling streams and shimmering stones. Not to overuse a stereotypical line, but it really was like a dream.

“Can you say something?” Addison asked, tugging on my hand.

“Thank you,” I said, breathless and in awe of the glorious beauty surrounding me.

“Thank you for what?” Stellan asked.

“Thank you for bringing me here. Thank you for bringing me home.” I sighed with relief. I knew this was the place for me. I could feel it. Already I wanted to soak up the Elf Realm sun and bask in it forever. I never wanted to leave this place after seeing it. It was simply too breathtaking.

“Well, you’re not home yet. We have some walking to do,” Addison said, starting forward.

“Why did we cross into the Elf Realm so far away?” I asked.

“Each Realm overlaps the other, which is how they were able to be created. The Human Realm is a kind of template. When we crossed from your neighborhood into the Elf Realm, this is where it overlapped. Leaving your old Realm where we did and into ours was the easiest way to avoid anyone seeing us. Not to mention our time delay....”

Addison glared at her brother, which only caused him to grin.

“Sorry,” he said, although he didn’t look like he meant it.

“Uh-huh, sure you are,” Addison said, rolling her eyes.

I guessed as siblings, they shared this kind of banter. I wondered if I would have done the same with Zora, had I known her. I know Dina and me had, although we had been quite a bit louder during our little arguments.

“How do you know which way we are going?” I asked.

“I’m good with directions,” Addison explained.

Stellan looked over at me. “It’s best if you just let her be in charge. She’s like that, all independent and such, a natural leader. Don’t worry though. We won’t get lost…I hope. It would be a shame if you got lost in this Realm after just getting here.” He grinned, as if what he was saying was funny.

I liked sarcasm, and at any other time, I would have grinned back. However, his words unsettled me.

“Yeah, it probably would be a shame.” I sighed. “Why is it so bright out?” I asked, pausing a moment to observe the bright sun as Addison continued walking at a brisk pace.

“There is a twelve hour difference between our Realm and the Human Realm. There it is midnight; here it is twelve hours before that,” Addison replied. I noticed how she didn’t turn around to face me when answering my question. She was busy focusing on our destination.

I nodded and started to follow, but Stellan lightly grabbed my arm to stop me from going any farther.

“Can I carry your pack?” he asked gently.

I felt like my legs would melt and I would collapse to the grassy floor. He was so incredible. His very voice made me weak.

“Um, sure.” I smiled slightly and then he returned it with a bigger one.

I was going to take the pack off myself, but Stellan stopped me. He lifted it off my shoulders and slung it over his.

“Thanks,” I said softly. My mouth was so dry I almost couldn’t speak.

“No problem.” Still smiling, he walked after Addison.

I followed behind seconds later, unable to say anything else.

***

We walked so long I thought my feet would fall off. Yeah, it was a dumb expression, but I was too tired to describe it in any other way. I could hardly think straight from the exhaustion, and, at one point, I almost physically collapsed.

“Are you okay, Ramsey?” Stellan asked.

“Just really tired, that’s all,” I said as I swayed. “I guess you were right about elves not being in shape physically. I mean, I like running, but this has been a long day and a lot of walking,” I explained.

Stellan grabbed my hand to steady me and didn’t let go the rest of the way. I felt warm and safe holding his hand, keeping me awake and helping me stay on my feet. He stumbled along too, because he was just as tired as I was, but we helped each other cross the mesmerizing terrain. I noticed both Stellan and Addison usually walked gracefully in fluid movements, but in this state of exhaustion they were clumsy as they walked. I wondered how I looked when I moved, and if it was in any way similar. After all, I was like them, an elfen. But it was hard to imagine myself as graceful. I had always thought of myself as awkward.

Stellan and I watched out for loose stones and logs throughout the many stretches of forests we crossed. It was as if this whole Realm were bits and pieces of different kinds of nature. Forests here, fields there, clearings as well. It was like the perfect combination of nature all in one place.

It wasn’t just Stellan’s hand in mine that kept my eyes open. It was the splendor of the Elf Realm, surrounding us, enveloping us. Nothing repulsive or wrong could be found throughout all that I had glimpsed thus far. Tall trees towered over us, their green leaves swaying in the wind. When the sun hit the leaves, they sparkled like diamonds. I could hear birdsong and other animals speaking to one another. Furry brown squirrels scampered up trees, their mouths full of nuts. Rabbits hopped merrily into their holes to be with their young. Deer grazed in the fields of tall grass that waved in tune with the trees, appearing as waves rippling on the ocean.

I was in awe of the wondrous beauty. I had never seen anything so peaceful and inviting. How could there be war in a place like this? It was so magical. I couldn’t imagine any killing taking place here. Then again, I had seen just a small piece of the Realm so far, being there only a few hours. I had no idea if death and destruction reigned on the other side of the Realm, and I wondered whether or not I would face it as I searched for my sister.

I glanced at Stellan; my heart started to beat wildly and I felt lightheaded. Why did he make me so nervous, so different from how I normally felt around others, especially boys? Then again, Stellan was not just a simple boy. He was an elf. He was a gorgeous one at that, and the first guy to ever hold my hand.