RAVEN BLACK: LOST MEMORIES

CHAPTER 1: FOOD FOR THOUGHT/LIFE AS WE KNOW IT

Sister Evelyn, food for thought:

Sister Evelyn is cooking breakfast and getting the table ready for the children to eat. While deep in thought, "It has been 3 years since that turbulent night when Eden came into our life.I can't believe how fast time has passed, how quickly you have grown. Your first word, your first step and every first from here on is such a blessing. You are beautiful, smart and strong willed. Your compassion and ability to connect with others are immense. Eden, I have grown to care for you as any proud parent would... But why do I continue to feel this uneasy feeling as if you would go away?"

Sister Evelyn looks at Eden, now 3 years old playing with a stuffed elephant and colorful blocks. She leans over and gives Eden a kiss in the forehead. Thinks to herself, "Evelyn get a grip, like any parent you worry and that's ok. Eden is happy, she is safe, she has everything she needs and you will make sure that she never feels unloved. I must protect all my children and make sure they never feel unwanted or unloved." Sister Evelyn finishes making breakfast and rings the dining bell.

All the children gather in the dining table and say a short prayer led by Sister Anna. Shortly after one by one start to eat their meals while talking about their plans for the day. They quickly finish their meals and go off to the yard to play. Sister Anna clears the dishes while Sister Evelyn feeds Eden.

Sister Evelyn while wiping food from Eden's chin, "It is this little ones 3rd birthday today, we should have a feast and chocolate cake tonight." Sister Anna looks at Sister Evelyn both silently agreeing with a smile.

Sister Anna, Life as we know it:

Sister Anna starts her daily routine of shores around the orphanage.Sister Evelyn picks Eden up and places her by her play area. Eden continues to play with her toys and Sister Evelyn joins the other children outside.

Sister Anna while dusting the shelves looks at Eden playing with her toys. " Eden, you are such a good girl.I have to protect you, no one can find out about what happened. I am not sure if I should tell Sister Evelyn, she worries about you enough already. If word gets out, the church or worse might try to take you away. It must be our secret Eden please be a good girl, I don't want anyone to take you away."Eden smiles at Sister Anna and continues to play.

Sister Anna remembers the occurrence the day before, a flashback. She had been dusting while Eden was playing nearby. Sister Evelyn had sat some cookies down on the counter to cool off after breakfast.She planned to give them to the kids at lunch. Sister Evelyn left the room to join the other children and watch them play.Eden noticed by the smell that it was her favorite, raspberry-cheescake cookies. Eden had to have one, and she left the play area and climbed onto the chair and then onto the table. She crawled on the table towards the plate and grabbed a cookie. Sister Anna turned around and saw Eden on top of the table. "Eden, NO! GET DOWN!" Sister Anna ran towards Eden trying to get her down, and she never made it in time. Eden was startled by her scream, and she fell backwards. Sister Anna stopped in mid jolt, she stopped and froze. Eden was levitating a few inches above ground, still with a cookie in hand. Sister Anna walked slowly over to Eden and grabbed her from mid-air while she levitated. Sister Anna cradled Eden and stared in terror and awe as Eden smiled and ate her cookie.

"Did I imagine it? No! She's eating the cookie! Telekinesis?! If I let you go from my arms would you be able to levitate again?" Sister Anna walks over to the sofa with Eden cradled in her arms. "If this does not work she'll just land on the couch when I drop her," she thought to herself. Sister Anna raised Eden up parallel to the couch and slowly let go of her. Eden levitated.

Sister Anna's thoughts were interrupted by a faint voice. "Sister Anna! Sister Anna.. Are you ok? I've been calling you for a while now," Sister Evelyn said in concern. "We have to start preparing for Eden's birthday dinner tonight. You seemed distracted, did something happen?"

Sister Anna paused in silence, She looked at Sister Evelyns smile and how happy she was and she could not say anything. Sister Anna thought it better to tell her later, and it was Eden's birthday today and she didn't want to ruin the day. " No! Not at all, just worried about tonights preparations, getting everything done on time."

Sister Evelyn smiled and walked away, " Don't worry, we will get it all done, everything will go well. I never thought I saw the day you surprise me, you usually are more confident while I'm a nervous wreck." Sister Anna ignored the comment and continued to clean and start preparations for the birthday dinner.

Dinner time came around, Sister Evelyn rang the dining bell, every one rushed to the table. Smiles all around, complimenting the feast laid out before them and the colorful decorations. Baked cajun chicken, sea food jambalaya, creole potato salad, mufulleta pasta salad and for dessert, Eden's favorite, chocolate King Cake. Everyone gathered around and said a prayer led by Sister Evelyn in Eden's honor. They ate and ate until it was all gone afterwards played several familiar activities and games.It followed by everyone telling wonderful stories and jokes, and it was truly a perfect night. Eden was happy, a perfect end to such a long day. Sister Evelyn and Sister Anna looked at each other with joy. Their small family was happy, and their future seemed bright. Everyone bathed and brushed their teeth. The sisters tucked everyone into their beds, said a prayer and called it a night. It was a long and exhausting day everyone fell asleep quickly and soundly.

4:00 AM on the digital clock, everyone still fast asleep. A tall, cloaked, dark figure approaches the children's dormitory window. The lock forces itself open and the window gradually slides open. The dark figure floats through the window and inside to the dormitory. It walks pass the other children still sleeping soundly in their beds and stops in front of Eden's crib. The figure picks up Eden's tiny body and lays it on the ground. Eden still dazed in slumber curls up on the cold floor while the figure kneels next to her. It takes out a glowing silver scepter and in a native dialect cast a spell. Eden is covered in a golden aura and fog as her limbs start to twitch and grow. Baby Eden's body now inside a sphere, her child like innocence is instantly replaced with that of a voluptuous, strong, warrior Smithsonian woman with long brown flowing curly hair.

The dark figure disrobes and uncovers a God-like, 6'5, strong build man with long black hair and silver eyes. The strange man clothed in black leather and red satin garbs once mysterious now seemed like a handsome monarch or nobleman. He took his cloak and robed Eden to hide her exposed figure. Eden still in a daze, looks towards the familiar face and smiles. He kneels before her, and Eden quickly kneels beside him and kisses his soft lips while caressing his face.

Eden backs away from his embrace, "Ian, it feels like an eternity since I've seen you last. Why did the mission fail? Why am I here in this orphanage instead of with my Yucatan's guides? Why do you risk exposure? You have put us all in great danger unleashing my true powers and form."

Ian runs to Eden and embraces her in her arms."You must have a million questions, and I promise to answer them but for now we have to leave. You have exposed your powers to the nun. It is a matter of time that they come for you."

Eden pulls away and turns her back on him. "Sister Evelyn and Sister Anna are not a threat and they will not expose me. I am safe here and no one is looking for a child, they look for me a Queen."

Ian holds Edens hands and gently caresses them on his lips." Eden, it took a lot of our energy to travel to this dimension. We have to save our people, our home.We have weakened, and it will take a long time to gather our strengths so far away from home in this dimension. We are causing radical climate changes in their universe, and we can't continue to sacrifice their world or their people by being careless.We must lay dormant for a while, and we must be placed under the Yucatans protection. It took me some time to find the Yucatan's ahmen (*Mayan Shaman), only he can perform the ceremony. Eden, I know that you wish to stay here but you are putting them in danger. If you stay, the eastern troops will kill them to get to you. If we leave now and restore our powers, we can save our world and their world. Life as we know it will cease to exist forever if we fail."

With tears in her eyes Eden and Ian exit through the window. They leave Louisiana in search of the ahmen to perform the ritual and gain their strengths.