Where Power Sleeps

Astrid My alarm clock screams like it wants me dead. I reach out to hit the snooze button but my hand only slaps the top of my nightstand. My eyes flutter open as irritation creeps in. Of course. Gramps had moved it to the far end of the room. He knew I’d just keep putting it on snooze if it had stayed within reach. I groan loudly not wanting to get up from my bed. It’s too early in the morning for this. The sun is nearly hanging up there yet! I kick my legs out of frustration. Urgh! Why Gramps? I don’t want to get out. But this alarm clock is so annoying. 'Time' to put it where it belongs. Hehe... I c***k myself up. The clock gives another ear splitting screech. With another groan, I snap my fingers. I disappear from my bed and reappear on the hardwood floor beside the alarm clock and grab it with excessive force. My grip on it is enough to strangle even a cow. I raise the alarm clock up and throw it in the dust bin by my bed. My room is a small room but with a unique design. The ceiling, floor and walls are all reinforced with advanced magic so they won’t get destroyed. My grandfather made it that way. My grandfather always says “That room is ‘Astrid-proof’, so you won’t destroy anything”. My grandfather is a person that never prepares for a disaster. He prepares for me. He always knows this stuff. Sometimes I wonder if he’s secretly a seer. I float lazily toward the bathroom, my eyes half-lidded. Leaning over the sink, I turn on the tap and splash cool water onto my face. Doesn't make much of a difference. Still in my pajamas, I drift downstairs, dragging my blanket along. My long silver hair hangs messily over my shoulders as usual. Gramps was already awake, preparing black tea. He doesn’t need to turn around to know I’m there. He sighs, “Oh Astrid, you should be more energetic like children your age. But I suppose we must follow whatever fate the heavens have written for us.” I float closer, rubbing my eyes, “Gramps, you should stop worrying. It’s not good for your health. You’re already sick.” He gives a small wave of dismissal, “I’m fine, kiddo. I’ve endured worse in my prime. I was once the disciple of Seraphine the saint – the most powerful mage ever known. She chose me as her student… met a dreadful end. Betrayed by the one she trusted the most.” His voice shifts – pride melting into sorrow. I hate it when he sounded like that. “Don’t worry Gramps. You are still Eryndor Silverhart - former disciple of Seraphine the Saint, ” I say sleepily. He bursts into laughter, which quickly dissolves into him coughing. I sigh. He’s childish in his own way. I glanced around with my usual bored expression. My pointed hat tilted to the side, nearly swallowing my face. My grandfather sits down in his chair and opens a familiar book. I’ve seen that book a thousand times. It’s his journal. He writes about his adventures and his life in it. Almost everyday. Why would he need to write all that down? Is he just passing time? I float upside down and peer at the pages from above. He’s writing again, pen moving steadily, but I can’t make out the words. He suddenly turns and catches me staring. Up close, I notice he looks paler than yesterday. Is it because he’s sick? He sighs softly, lifts me with ease, and places me on his lap. I shift until I find a comfortable position. The warmth of him is familiar. Safe. Sleep pulls me almost instantly. Even he is surprised at how fast I drifted off. He continues writing while I sleep peacefully on his lap. *** I wake up to the sound of coughing. I look around for the source. I’m not on Gramps’ lap anymore but on the ground, covered with my blanket. I spot Gramps on his bed looking awfully pale and sick. I hurriedly run to his bedside. “Gramps! What’s wrong? Are you okay?” I say, worry visible in my voice. “Don’t mind this old man, child. I knew it would turn out like this soon. As It’s the law of nature,” He says it as though he has always known this would happen. “You probably just need rest right? Yeah, that’s probably it. Just rest Gramps,” I say, trying to tell myself he just needs rest. He was fine just a while ago. So he probably just need to relax, right? I leave a glass of water by him and hope he’ll get well soon. *** This is the third day of Gramps being bedridden. I float around the cottage, bored as usual. Growing restless, I decide to check on Gramps. I lower myself and walk to Gramps’ bedside, peering at him. He’s looking worse. I sit on a chair by his bed and stare at him blankly. He’s sleeping but his breathing is laboured. I sigh. He’s worse than ever. He wakes, his eyes slowly opening. “Astrid… I’m making you feel worried. Aren’t I? Alas… this is the law of nature hmm?” he says, his voice hoarse. Why must he always say that. I don't know why but those words kind of burn right now... His voice hardens a bit, “Astrid. You may have immense strength and potential for your age but that doesn’t mean you should be prideful. Be humble and use your power wisely. And beware of the loneliness that will slowly follow you wherever you go. Overwhelming power always leads to it one day… ” He sees I’m not paying attention. “Okay, then just promise me two things. Do not kill anyone. And… try to make friends during your student life at Seraphine Academy” He says smiling slightly. And suddenly the room becomes silent. Too silent… I look down. His eyes are closed and I can’t hear him breathe. I pause, waiting for him breathe. Nothing. Just silence. Suffocating silence. His journal lays beside him. My hand trembles slightly as I take the journal and open the last page to see the last thing he wrote. “Everybody loses something in the end. And those who have lost something just have to stand up and march forward. So don’t let this pull you down. Move forward. Astrid. ” – THE END I pull the book closer to my chest. A fresh stream of tears rolls down my face as I gaze at Gramps’ smiling face. At least his death was peaceful… wasn’t it? I bury my face in his chest, tears staining his clothes. I don’t feel the warm presence that always surrounded. I just feel cold as if I'm falling into an endless abyss. “Gramps… you lived a life with no regrets. You were always prepared for this day and accepted it naturally. Don’t worry. I’ll remember the promise…” I whispered, my voice shaking.