Dark Children

ONEDisconnect

ONEDisconnect

She was running, faster than she had ever known. Her inexplicably long stride carried her rapidly across the Kalak-ploughed field, the heavy fall of her large feet paying no heed to the virgin shoots reaching towards the Night’s Lights, leaving them trampled in her wake. Flanking her, others desperately fled, as she did, racing towards the farmstead emerging from the distant gloom. From the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of the Freylarkin to her left, who tripped and fell. She gasped at the sight of their face grinding against the furrows, before the body buckled and bounced. As she focused on the farmstead ahead, ephemeral shapes formed on the dark horizon, blocking the path to her salvation. Without hesitation, she adjusted her bearing, veering left, causing those around her to follow suit. She glanced over her shoulder, briefly witnessing the horrible demise of another, consumed by dark shapes emerging from wisps of smoke that rose up from the ground. They ran, their numbers continuing to dwindle as they tried in vain to evade the invisible attackers who sought to surround them, picking them off one at a time. Yet there were no screams, no moans of pain as the shadows pursuing them preyed on her kin – there was no sound at all. Her mind wanted to call out to the others, eager learn of their plight, but her mouth remained closed, her body instinctively directing her every action. The farmstead became a blur in her periphery, no longer a concern, replaced by the promise of sanctuary amongst the trees rising to meet them. Faster she ran, causing those alongside her to fade from view as she sprinted ahead, through the trees she darting left and right, narrowly avoiding several impacts, oblivious to the foliage slapping against her body. Despite the branches raking her face, she felt nothing. She was a mute spectator, impervious to touch, her actions like a marionette dancing to the whim of another – her other self. The sensation felt strange, as though she was floating. She was an autumnal leaf separated from its host, now carried upon a stream with no control over the current and its direction. The future was preordained, her desires counting for naught. All she could do was experience the silent ride, praying that the one in control would not usher in her release.

Reaching a clearing amidst the trees, she came rapidly to a halt. Bending over, she placed her hands on her knees. Was she gasping for air? She could not tell. There was no burning sensation in her lungs, nor the rush of air down her windpipe – she felt nothing. Someone else appeared alongside her, followed by several others. All seemed to be panting heavily, breathless from their ordeal. She straightened, regaining her composure, before issuing a series of rushed commands to the others, accompanied by rapid hand gestures. The group began to disperse, as wisps of grey smoke rose from the ground, hastening their departure. After running a short distance, she slowed her pace, allowing her to steal a glimpse of the ephemeral shapes manifesting at the centre of the recently abandoned clearing, slowly taking shape until each form resembled a large wolf. The silvery lupines sprinted towards them with preternatural speed. Chasing down their prey, the wolves mercilessly pounced on their victims, ripping apart their quarry with fanged jaws revealing blood-soaked gums and stained teeth. What she saw was ghastly to behold; the images of torn flesh and severed tendons would forever plague her thoughts and dreams, denying her future solace. The butchery intensified, and with it, feeling slowly returned to her limbs, along with muffled screams that now rang in her ears. The cacophony of sensation and sound assaulting her increased, but despite the din, two words made themselves known to her.

‘Wake up!’

She had burst into her daughter’s room, almost knocking the wooden door from its hinges. Rarni was screaming loudly, the shrill sound splitting her ears. She had run to her daughter’s side as soon as she heard the screams, desperate to wake her from the nightmare tormenting her.

‘Rarni, wake up!’ she cried again, this time gently shaking her daughter where she slept. ‘Come on, wake up!’

Rarni’s eyes flicked open, but her daughter’s vacant stare suggested that the nightmare still had a hold on her.

‘You have to wake up. Come on, Rarni, damn it, wake up!’

Shaking her daughter again, aggressively this time, Rarni suddenly came to. She scooped up her daughter who immediately clung to her, arms and legs wrapped tightly around her torso.

‘There, there. You are safe – I have you now.’

Slowly, she paced around the room, gently bobbing her daughter up and down, tying hard to comfort her. Rarni sobbed intensely, tears streaming down her cheeks. It was then that she realised how much her daughter had grown, and, more importantly, how heavy she had become. Wandering slowly back to the bed, she gently laid Rarni down before climbing in alongside her distressed daughter, still shaking. The sheets were damp and Rarni’s skin was clammy to the touch.

‘You had a nightmare – the dreams cannot get you now.’ she said, gently stroking her daughter’s dark hair.

It was normal for her daughter’s blonde hair to darken a shade during winter. However, Rarni’s had darkened considerably now, becoming more brown than blonde. The curious metamorphosis concerned her, as did the nightmares.

‘It was real.’

‘They often feel real, but it was just a dream.’

‘No, I was there.’

‘Where?’

‘In the woods, with the spirit wolves.’

‘Rarni, you were here, in your bed, tucked up safe and sound. Those creatures are folklore, tall tales meant to scare disobedient children.’

‘But I was there – it was real!’

‘It was just another nightmare – like the ones before.’

‘No, you do not understand. I was there!’ her daughter insisted vehemently, whilst blubbering through an endless stream of tears. ‘They were all released!’

‘There, there, please do not cry. You are perfectly safe here with me – they cannot harm you.’

‘I think that they already did.’

She hated feeling so helpless, unable to console her terrified daughter. The nightmares were becoming darker, more violent and increasingly frequent. They had started during the tail end of winter, following her daughter’s violent a*******n. At first, she had believed the turbulent dreams to be a direct result of Rarni’s recent trauma; the vivid images were no doubt a means of processing the k********g. However, throughout spring, they had evolved into something far worse, becoming more sinister in nature. Lacking the necessary skill to diagnose and treat such a condition, all she could do was attempt to console her daughter, but it was clear now that Rarni required specialist help.

It took some time for her frightened daughter to settle down and eventually fall asleep, by which time dawn was breaking. The incessant chorus of Sky-Skitters denied her further sleep. Unable to drift off, she slid out of the bed, careful not to disturb Rarni, before quietly making her way downstairs. She grabbed a thick blanket from a small wooden chest and sat on the steps outside their tree, quietly reflecting on the sad events that had brought about her daughter’s condition. Though she was grateful to have Rarni back, the sick ordeal suffered by her daughter had left its mark, perhaps even permanently. Realising her inability to remedy the situation, by undoing the mental damage caused by recent events, the hopelessness she felt intensified before suddenly overwhelming her. Burying her head in her hands, she began to sob quietly. As a parent, she had one job that was paramount above all others: to protect her daughter. Yet knowing one’s purpose was very different to fulfilling it. She lacked the skill to protect her daughter from the encroaching darkness, yet, despite her pride, she was strong enough to recognise and accept the fact. Regardless of her inability, there had to be a way of saving her daughter from further torment – the strength of her conviction would not allow her to believe otherwise. There had to be others whose aid she could call upon. Her thoughts quickly turned to Nathanar, Captain of The Blades. The dogged Paladin had rescued Rarni from the evil force responsible for both abducting and mentally traumatising her daughter. However, Nathanar was a soldier, skilled in combat. Rarni required help of a different sort. Furthermore, she was loath to request the Paladin’s aid for a second time; there were limits to how much of a beating her pride could endure. Even so, as mother, she knew that her own self-esteem was not a priority – her daughter’s wellbeing was the only thing that truly mattered to her. Rarni’s ongoing battle had shifted to one of the mind; her daughter now required the support of a telepath, or perhaps a scrier. Yet, the most powerful scriers in the vale, the sisters Darlia and Kirika, were beyond her social reach – at least directly. Nathanar had been seen with Darlia numerous times in the forest, where the infamous claw-handed scrier had taken up residence. If she could swallow her pride again, perhaps Darlia would be willing to help her daughter for a second time – the renowned scrier had lent aid to the Captain of The Blades during his investigation into Rarni’s a*******n. Then there was Darlia’s sister, Kirika, a former forest dweller, now a well-respected member of the ruling council and resident within the Tri-Spires. Although she had no dealings with Kirika, it was possible that she could ask The Guardian to raise the matter on her behalf. Rayna chose to live amongst the forest dwellers and had become a local hero. The Guardian had no seat on the ruling council, however, despite this fact, the commander of The Blades spent a lot of time with its members and her close relationship with Kirika was well known. Furthermore, Rayna was universally liked by the people and extremely approachable; The Guardian always took the time to listen to the concerns of others and her candid nature was refreshing. Still, the very notion that she could gain access to a member of the ruling council was one bred from pure hubris; would a member of the ruling council even entertain giving her a moment’s notice, she wondered?

Pulling the blanket tightly around her, she stared into the depths of the gloomy forest, pondering the best course of action. The temperature had increased significantly since the arrival of spring in the vale. Her breath was no longer visible, yet there was still a crispness to the air. She continued to gaze into the forest, lost in thought, barely acknowledging the subtle movements of the surrounding flora as it was disturbed by local fauna. Of the two options available to her, seeking out Nathanar and Darlia directly was clearly the more sensible approach towards helping her daughter. Wrestling with her pride, trying to subdue its stubborn nature, a single thought took root in her mind, rapidly sprouting, eclipsing all others. With the advent of spring, maybe it was time to tread a different path and take a fresh approach. Although eternally indebted to the Paladin for rescuing Rarni, Nathanar had not returned her daughter entirely – but perhaps The Guardian could finish what the Paladin had started. Muffled screams from her tree shattered her reverie. Whichever path she followed, she needed to act quickly, for her daughter’s sake.

‘Do you remember when I first combed your hair?’ asked Kirika softly, gently drawing the wooden comb down the length of her long red hair. ‘Back then, you were plagued by memories of your former life, tormented constantly by impossible decisions.’

‘I remember. So much has happened since then.’

‘Yes, your hair has grown longer.’ said Kirika, whose cool smile beamed at her in the mirror.

Ordinarily, she would have returned the scrier’s affections, but her mind felt fuzzy.

‘What is the matter?’ asked Kirika, abruptly ceasing the ministrations to her hair. ‘You seem conflicted.’

‘I am.’

‘What do you mean?’ asked Kirika, ‘I assume this is to do with our previous conversation, before you left to assist the outlying communities?’

‘Yes.’ she replied, followed by a weary sigh. ‘I thought that time away from the vale would give me some breathing space, allowing me to make sense of everything that has happened to me since my arrival.’

‘That is rather a lot to process in such a short period of time, or so I would imagine.’

‘Yes, it is.’ she replied, laughing awkwardly to herself.

‘Rayna, you can talk to me.’

‘I know. It’s just…’

‘Just what?’

‘I feel awkward and confused.’

‘Of course you do. You were born male. Recently, you became female, you are now attracted to someone of the opposite gender, formerly your own – an individual who once loathed you, may I add – and have been pulled into a completely different world, whose problems you have decided to shoulder. Furthermore, you believe that you are an agent of release, for some ancient, all-powerful, entity, within which you believe that our world resides.’ explained Kirika in a tongue-in-cheek manner, defying her normally polite disposition.

Kirika’s blunt and unexpected assessment left her dumbfounded. The compassionate, modest and politically astute scrier was typically reserved in her responses. However, she had noticed a growing confidence in Kirika’s demeanour since the scrier’s appointment to the newly reformed ruling council.

‘In all seriousness, if you need to talk, I am always here for you.’

‘I know…I appreciate it. If I’m being completely honest, I still haven’t fully come to terms with this new facade of mine – I still feel like a lodger.’

‘Based on what you told me, Alarielle gave up her claim to that body when she chose to move on to the Everlife – it is rightfully yours now. Nathaniel, her father, your adopted father, has accepted this. The Blades, Knights Thranis, your friends, all have accepted you for who you are. Indeed, the only person yet to fully embrace your altered form is yourself.’

‘You’re right, I know this, yet I still wrestle with this new guise of mine every cycle. I thought I had a handle on it, but Alarielle’s parting gift, worsened by the lack of a good crisis to distract me, has knocked me back a few steps. All this time to think has only left me feeling more confused – I don’t know how to move forward.’

‘Rayna, it is time to let go of your past, indefinitely. The memories that you harbour tether you to a place of great darkness. The emotions that they foster, anger, hatred and revenge, served you well during times of war, but that time has ended. Freylar needs to heal, as do you. Let go and embrace the bright future that you have worked so hard to achieve – you deserve it.’

‘But my grimy past has shaped who I am today.’

‘Yes, who you are. There is no longer a need to dwell on who you were. You have reconciled your past demons – it is time to move on. Alarielle’s gift is not a curse, nor was it ever intended to torment you – at least, that is my belief.’

‘Then what is it?’

‘Is it not plain to see? Alarielle removed the barriers in your mind, previously holding you back in this new form of yours. She gave you the gift of freedom, allowing you to move on.’

She stared vacantly into the mirror, considering Kirika’s words carefully whilst absentmindedly observing her feminine visage. Kirika was right – as was typically the case. The barriers holding her back had been removed, with the exception of one: the barrier of her own making. She had reached a nexus in her new life. To progress any further, she needed to take a leap of faith into the unknown.

‘That settles it.’ she said, ardently. ‘I’m going to talk to him!’

‘You mean Lothnar?’

‘Yes.’

‘When?’

‘I don’t know. I have only just decided to--’

‘How about this cycle?’

‘What!’

‘Are you scared?’

‘No.’

‘Then it is settled.’

‘Kirika!’

‘So then, how to wear your hair?’

‘Is that really important?’

‘Of course it is; you are good with your blades, but there are other weapons that you still need to master – I am certain that Larissa and I have imparted this valuable lesson to you many times before.’

‘I may have glossed over those particular sermons. I was never a typical student; speak to Nathaniel, he will attest to that fact.’

Kirika laughed, before sliding the comb down the length of her hair once more. Despite her head being jerked and wrenched by Kirika’s ministrations, removing the knots from her hair was a therapeutic experience. Admittedly, she was lazy when it came to personal grooming – a failing that she needed to correct – and had done very little as Callum during her former life. Fortunately, Kirika was always more than happy to help. Since her arrival in Freylar, they had become like sisters, freely sharing their innermost thoughts with one another. Kirika was always very critical of her appearance, setting the bar high when it came to one’s own presentation. Still, having a personal stylist was no bad thing; Kirika’s keen sense of fashion plugged the gaps in her own skillset.

‘You would be lost without me.’ said Kirika, jovially.

‘Certainly dishevelled!’

‘That too.’

They laughed, like a pair of adolescent, giggling school girls, before a loud knock come from the door to their tree.

‘I had better go and see who it is.’ she said, quickly rising from her chair. ‘Nathaniel left early for the arena – as he so often does.’

She stood up, oblivious to the comb still clinging to her hair, which Kirika quickly retrieved. She hurried down the curved wooden stairs leading to the main ground floor living space, hoping to catch their visitor in time. Pulling open the door, a slender female, accompanied by a young child – presumably the daughter – stood before her. She focused her attention on the mother, whose wide-eyed expression was one of both hope and sorrow, curious as to their sudden visit.

‘Hello. Can I help you?’

‘Not me.’ replied the mother, directing her gaze towards the young child. ‘This is my daughter, Rarni. She requires your assistance. Specifically, we need your help to contact Kirika, so that--’

‘Rayna, who is it?’ asked Kirika, who came bounding down the stairs, still clutching the comb in her hand.

‘Kirika!’ cried the mother, suddenly. ‘It is you. Please, will you help my daughter? I do not know what to do.’

‘Callum, to be completely frank, this is your last opportunity within the system. You have been bouncing around, in and out of different children’s homes, for a while now, which has lead you to us – your final stop.’

The venerable man sitting opposite him leaned forwards, placing his elbows on the wooden desk between them, before slowly resting his head upon his interlocked fingers.

‘Indeed, we have both come to the end of the line; I will be retiring soon and you are now seventeen, bordering on adulthood – you have less than a year.’

The man opposite him held his gaze with an unwavering stare. No doubt, the home’s director of operations had hosted countless such meetings over the decades, inducting an endless stream of waifs sent to the facility for processing. He wondered if such a career path was fulfilling, or whether it slowly chipped away at one’s soul, grinding away all vestiges of motivation and empathy, until only indifference remained.

‘I am not here to judge you, Callum. Life is hard enough without the opinions of others weighing you down. Besides, everyone’s story is a familiar one to me now. However, the sobering fact remains that the system will be closing its doors to you soon. How quickly that happens depends on your actions during your stay with us.’

The Director suddenly rose from his chair, before walking over to the dingy office’s only window.

‘If you adhere to this facility’s rules, you could spend up to a year with us, giving you time to make arrangements for the future. However, should you choose to disregard them, your time with us will be cut short. In that scenario, you will not be considered for further placement. The system will conveniently delay your processing – I have seen it, many times before – until you turn eighteen. That is the grim truth of it, Callum. I am being completely transparent with you.’ explained The Director, who was clearly disinterested whilst gazing out the window.

‘I see.’ he said, acknowledging The Director’s cold words.

‘I have done this job for as long as I can remember. I have seen countless boys like you, each come and go. There was a time when it broke my heart to see your ilk end up out there, on the streets. However, over the years, I have reluctantly become desensitised to it all.’

There was a pause in their one-sided conversation whilst something outside caught The Director’s eye. He took the opportunity to glance around the office. Except for a clock and a couple of shelves, the walls were bare. There were no indications of any personal interests or photos of family or friends dotted around, nor any sign of a wedding band on The Director’s finger. From what he could ascertain, either The Director kept his personal life just that, or he simply did not have one. Whatever the cause of The Director’s brief distraction, it did not last, and he soon sat back down, assuming his previous position.

‘What do you hope to achieve here, Callum?’ the man asked bluntly.

‘In truth, I haven’t really given it any thought.’ he replied, concerned that his apathetic response would tarnish his initial standing. ‘Sorry.’

‘Well, at least your answer is genuine. I would appreciate it if we remained candid with one another during your time here.’

He nodded in response, signalling his agreement.

‘Good.’ replied The Director. ‘As with any facility of our nature, we have our share of difficult residents. Do yourself a favour, Callum. Stay away from Sebastian and his merry little band of sheep. Any entanglement with them will not serve you well.’

‘Thank you.’

‘You owe me no thanks. The system placed you in my care – the same system responsible for the defamation of your social class. You have a hard road ahead of you, Callum. I suggest that you use what little time you have with us to plan your next move. The streets are harsh; most do not make it.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I used to review the ongoing progress of the residents after leaving the care of this facility. Most disappeared, or were the subject of autopsy reports that I bore witness to. After a decade of it, I began sending others in my stead.’

‘I understand.’

‘Indeed, I am certain that you have witnessed such atrocities already, despite your youth. Even so, burn this lesson into your mind, Callum. It may be the only one that you need to stay alive.’

‘I appreciate the forewarning. I am not looking for trouble.’

‘I do not suppose for one moment that you are. However, some people attract the wrong sort of attention, regardless. Besides, you are Shadow class – trouble will come looking for you, whether you choose to seek it out or not. Even so, try not to hasten its arrival.’

Turning his head towards the dirty window, his gaze lingered on the polluted sky whilst he considered the bleak sermon he had received. Despite the blunt delivery, The Director’s words rung true. From an early age, after the loss of his parents, he knew the time would eventually come when the system would close its doors to him. The thought of leaving the system was both terrifying and exhilarating. He had spent most of his adolescent life within the system, shunted between numerous children’s homes, none of which had felt like home. Then again, what was home, he mused. The promise of something new was truly exciting, and yet equally frightening. Where would he go, how would he earn a living, how would he survive? All were questions for which he had no answers. During the few occasions that he had spoken about the matter with other members of the Shadow class already living off the streets, he had been met with disdainful looks or was shunned entirely. The hostile encounters left him wondering if his people simply did whatever was required to survive, regardless of ethics – that was the part that scared him the most. He was no saint and had been in his fair share of scrapes over the years. However, despite these incidents, he still maintained a strong sense of what was right and wrong. He had never pushed his personal beliefs onto others, but had tried hard to adhere to his own code of morality.

The light in the room began to fade, waking him from his bleak reverie. He turned his attention back to The Director, who was now slumped back in his chair staring vacantly at an empty glass on his desk. He felt no hostility from the man, nor any empathy. The Director was in the twilight of his career. He sensed that the man had become hollow due to his experiences, his soul depleted by all that he had witnessed over the decades. He pitied The Director; it could not be easy realising that one’s life work had been largely pointless. Still, regardless of the facility’s post-care success rate, helping others in need was, in his mind at least, always a worthy cause.

‘When I leave here, there will be no autopsy report with my name on it – I intend to survive.’

The Director fixed him with an intense stare, narrowing his eyes slightly. After a long pause, the man stood up, abruptly, before offering to shake his hand.

‘Good, see that you do. I would like to retire on a high note.’

He rose from his chair and shook The Director’s hand with a firm grip.

‘Let us get you settled in.’