Those Violet Eyes

Home safe?

Hastos 

As quietly as possible I make my way down the long stone corridor that leads to the old library. My heart beating so hard in my chest it feels like it will burst out at any moment. I should have been there all day, sorting and stacking hundreds of old books. It may not sound like a hard job but some of these books weigh more than I do, or that’s how it feels some days. 

This has been my job since I came here, two years ago. The Elders were not pleased about taking me in, that was easy to see. Never have they taken in someone my age. If it hadn’t been for my grandmother telling them about my dreams, they would have slammed the door in our face. Part of me wishes they had. This place is as old and cold as the men who live in it, but I do love the libraries.  

Perched high up in the mountains, the castle of the Elders is always covered in fog, wet and damp.  When the sun does hit it though, it is beautiful.  Made from large white limestone blocks, it looks like it was made by giants and cut into the cliffside of the tallest mountain where no one would find it. Unless you know where or which tunnel to use, it will take you four days to climb the mountain to reach the grand gates. After years of exploring the tunnels, I can now make my way up and down the mountain in less than an hour. This is how I managed to get away and meet Prince Arwen without anyone knowing. Even if they had noticed me gone, I would be back before most people can get down the mountain.  

I reach for the handle on the old oak door to the old library when I hear footsteps behind me. I quickly push my way in and close the door as quietly as I can before running to a desk right at the back of the eight-foot-high shelves. My nerves are standing on end and I start to feel a little light headed, I've never done anything like this before.  I somehow manage to slow my breathing as I make my way to the spot where I normally hide to read in peace. I settle into the chair and open a book that I had left on the desk yesterday. Two voices come booming into the room as the door opens. 

“Where could he have gone?”  

“I don’t know sir, but I checked in here an hour ago and couldn’t find him” 

“Well look again! We cannot lose the boy” 

The door bangs closed again. I get up from the desk and start toward the door. Hoping they had both left. 

“Hastos, where the hell have you been?” I look up at the old man in front of me, his face a bright shade of red. A lump jumps up into my throat, I choke a little before I can answer him. 

“I’m sorry sir, but I’ve been here all day” I try to look as innocent as possible, holding my book close to my chest.  

“I came in here earlier and you didn’t answer when called. You have made me look a fool to Elder Gael” he complained becoming bored with me and heading back to the door. 

“Sorry sir” I bow my head trying to look remorseful. 

“Don’t make us regret taking you in boy. We can still send you back to your grandmother. Now finish sorting these books” the elder snapped as he left the room. 

I slumped against the nearest bookcase and slide down till I was sitting on the floor. My heart was beating so fast it felt like it might explode, still clutching the book I was holding to my chest. I can’t believe I actually did it. Yet now comes the hard part, finding the book I’ve been searching for, for the last year. Time is running out. 

Everly 

Day four is hard work. My milk has just come in. I’ve read about it in pregnancy books, but nothing can prepare you for the actual feeling of it. It’s like have two very heavy, very hard bowling balls on your chest. Then when the milk starts to flow, it comes out like heaps of tiny super soakers going off in different directions. It can be a little overwhelming and I’ve found myself crying a bit more today than other days. Aunt Lily says this is normal but hasn’t left me alone, she has been so amazing. 

She is holding baby while I have a shower and freshen up a bit. I stand under the water, letting it wash away the aches still in my body. Part of me wishes I was back at the waterfall. it’s been days since I last dreamt of the clearing and its beautiful blue pool. Just as I reach to pick up the shampoo bottle the door opens and Aunt Lily is in the bathroom. 

“Everly quick, get out and put some clothes on!” she ordered. I can hear a note of panic in her voice. I open the shower door and jump out. Aunt Lily is leaning with her back against the door holding the baby tight to her chest. Seeing her like this instantly makes my blood run cold. There is real fear in her eyes. It takes me a second to get my words out as I looked between her and my son.  

“What’s wrong? What’s going on?” is all I can manage as I pick up a towel start drying myself as fast as I can. All I want to do is get to my baby. Aunt Lily is now shaking, I'm worried that she will drop my child. I no longer care if I'm naked, I run across the room, but she just waves me off as I try to take my child. Pointing to the towel I dropped on the floor in my haste. signaling for me to get dressed quickly. I can feel tears welling up in my eyes as I notice the color has drained from Aunt Lilys face, before she manages to clear her throat and with a shaky voice explain. 

“There are men breaking into my house! I had the lights off in the living room while I was trying to settle baby, and I saw them breaking down my back door. We need to ring the police and get out of here. Now hurry! She emphasized the last part with such force I didn't hesitate to do as I was told. My heart is beating so fast. I long to hold my son, to feel him against me, but at the same time I have so many questions running through my head. Who could these people be? What do they want in my Aunts house?  

I have gotten myself dressed countless of times in my life, why all of a sudden is it hard. I fumble with my pants, getting stuck in the legs. I almost topple over sideways, catching myself on the handrail as I fall. Trying not to make a sound as I struggle to right myself again. I drop my bra four times trying to put it on with fingers that don't want to work properly. So, I give up on the bra and just put on a t-shirt. Then jam on a hoodie. When I’m done Aunt Lily passes me the now sleeping baby. Finally holding him I feel whole again. Then a new wave of terror washes over me, how am I going to protect my son? What if they try to take him? I can feel myself breaking down. Like a tidal wave of fear. I hold my son still closer to me. Part of me wishes I could tuck him back inside me, to keep him safe and away from danger. I shake the thought away, then kiss his softly on his head. Whatever happens little one I will keep you safe, I whisper to him. Hoping like hell I can. I take a deep breath in and try to calm myself. Aunt Lily is standing at the door, she reaches over to the light switch and turns it off. Before looking back over her shoulder. 

“Lock the door behind me, I’ll get you a bag. Then we are going to try go out the back way. Is Lexie’s car still out there?” She asks as she slowly unlocks the door. I want to stop her, to make her stay here with me where we might be safe. I start to plead with her to stay, that this is just a bad dream, But I know it's not. So, I stop myself. I take a couple more deep breaths before my voice starts to work again, and I can answer her. 

“Yes, the keys are just in the bowl in the living room, my cell phone should be on the desk in my room. Please be safe Aunty” I don't know how I managed to get so many words out, as I hug my son close to me even though it hurts my breasts to do so. I hadn't registered the pain in my chest till now, but I don't let go of my son, if anything I welcome the pain.  

Aunt Lily leaves the bathroom without a word, I do as she asked by locking the door. I start pacing around the room a feeling of dread creeping over me. Kissing my son on his soft head of red curls, I close my eyes and let my mind call for Arwen “Please hear me my love, we need you. We need you now” I call out to him with everything I’ve got. The baby starts to stir in my arms as if he heard my silent call. I look down at his perfect little face. My heart melts just watching him sleep. He's so peaceful, unaware of the nightmare unfolding around him. I gently touch his cheek with the tip of my nose. Breathing in his wonderful baby smell. For just a second, I forget the danger we are in, and just enjoy my son. 

But our moment is short lived. 

Seconds later there is a soft knock on the door. I know it Aunt Lily but it doesn't stop the cold sweat that run over me as I stood deathly still. I know I should go open the door, but I just get my limbs to move. 

"Everly, honey please open the door” A soft whisper comes through the door. Shaking my head to clear away the fear that is crippling me. One foot in front of the other, it feels like my tiny bathroom is now the size of a football field. Somehow, I make it to the door. Hands shacking, I reach out and unlock the door. it's a soft click but to my ears it sounds like a cannon going off. I step back and the handle starts to turn down and the door opens. Aunt Lily pops her head in the door and very softly, like she is talking to a frightened animal. 

“Everly, my love we must go. it's not safe here. Please come quickly” reaching out her free hand to take mine. In her other hand is two overnight bags. As I walk through the door into the hall, I notice she has another bag on her back and one by her feet. She gives my hand a gentle squeeze before letting it go to pick up the bag on the floor. 

"We have to be fast. I don't know how much time we have, till they see this place” I follow after her like a lost puppy. Slowly and as quietly as humanly possible.  

"Wh......Where are we.........Where are we going to go?” my voice sounds weird somehow, the words get stuck, I have to actually push them out. 

“I'll explain on the way, right now we just have to get out of here” She looks back over her shoulder to give me a soft smile, but it doesn't make it to her eyes.