Chapter 5

Z                                   Chapter: 5
A
Y                                          Boys will be Boys
D
I
E



My room was huge and amazing!!!! And I couldn't stop saying that either!
"Oh my! oh my! oh my!!" I shouted as I spun around in a circle, trying to take it all in.
My chambers were covered in flowers. All sorts of wild flowers were painted along the walls, the columns, the sheets on my bed! They were in such great detail it was just mind-blowing!
Moving through the large bright arch way, I spun around again.
The room was large and airy, it would have been bright if the weather would cooperate. This was the first room that I had ever seen with a glass roof, but then some of the panels flowed down the walls, which gave off more gloomy light, and formed large windows. However thanks to the sake of my own privacy, there were only three windows like that, and they all had long satin pink curtains, with more flowers on them that if drawn would blend into look just like the rest of the walls.
"This is gorgeous!" I whispered, walking over to the queen sized, light green canopy bed.
"Whoa... this is a lot of money." I rolled my eyes.
"That's all you can say? 'This is a lot of money'?! your crazy boy. Just plain crazy."
He laughed
"Yeah, yeah. I've heard that before. But you know you like it." That's when I punched his arm.
"Say's who?"
He turned, crossed his arms over his chest and looked me in the eye.
After a moment a sly grin crossed his face.
"Your face." I made an annoying sound and pushed his head.
"In your dreams. Now go to your own rooms and explore them yourself. I want to have a bath, and don't expect me to be out soon." I stated as I pushed him out the door.
"Hey we have a job to do!"
"Yeah, but we have the night off remember?" I gave him a wink and closed the door.

Leaning against the hard wood, I slid down to the floor and let out a sigh. Placing a hand over my upset stomach, I took a shaky breath.
Talk about a stressful job.

Walking [ok fine, more like stumbling] into the bathroom, I started the hot water in the massive bathtub.
Shedding my uniform I sunk into the steaming water.
"Ah yes... I might be able to get use to this."

                                                     
                                                       ++++

I don't really know how long I was in there, but when I finally did get out, I regretted it.      
I pulled my pants and soft white shirt back on. When I turned to see myself in the mirror, I saw black lines sprouting out of the neckline. Pulling it down, a tattoo was reviled.
[Ok the word 'tattoo' is the closest thing I could think of at the moment.]
The mark resembles roots, but they only "grow" on the top and bottom [not out on the sides] in the middle of the "roots" is a rectangle angled long ways [or "standing up" if you will.]
In the center of that, was a closed rosebud.    

The thing about this "tattoo" is that no needle ever pierced my skin. But I had to go through a great sickness in order to get it.
Not that I want it.

I looked at my necklace on the marble counter top next to the sink.
I concentrated on it hard, and tried to imagine it floating. But... let's just say that I haven't quiet mastered that gift yet. [Savrin hush! you big meanie!]
When I glanced around, I noticed that my necklace wasn't the only thing floating. In fact everything was floating!
Including me!!
"Oh great."
I tried to imagine a soft landing, but everything went down with a deep boom.

Picking myself off the floor I saw that, floating at eye level, was the two most precious things in the world to me.
Reaching up, I snatched them out of the air.
I placed my necklace back around my neck.
Looking down in my left hand was a long leather cord with a small round wood piece in the middle.
On that wood, hand carved, was the symbol for peace and guidance [a sun with a cloud in front of it], and on the other side, was the symbol for the Creator. [a dragon]

A flash back to my earlier childhood came to mind.

"Your not going to die are you?"
"That's what everyone else thinks." I whispered as I
pulled my covers to my chin.
"I don't want you to die. But if you have to, can
you bring this to Paradise with you? as a reminder
of me, and that the Creator?" A small warm hand
placed something cool in my own.
Gazing at the wood piece, I smiled.
"Of course! I would love to take it with me
someday. But not today."
"Then wear it all the time! so that way when you
do go, you will still have it with you."
I smiled.
"Ok. I will. I promise."


I promise....

I smiled.
"I promise. And that's one I promise I won't ever break."
Wrapping the leather cord around my wrist multiple times, keeping the wood piece in the middle so I could always see it, I grabbed the rest of my clothes.

knock, knock

I jerked and glanced at the door.
"Who is it?" I called. Quickly zipping up my armor vest.
"It's me." ['Me' is Sav by the way] "Are you ok? I heard a crash."
"Uh..." I glanced around and found that the bathroom was a mess.
"Yeah I'm ok. I just slipped and fell. But thanks for checking up on me Sav." I think. I added mentally.
"Sure thing. Just don't call me 'Sav' please."
Now my curiosity overwhelmed me.
Opening the door and slipping out, I came face-to-face with Savrin.
"Why?"
A flash of pain crossed his face.
But I was stubborn. [Yes Savrin. I usually am stubborn]
"My mom use to call me that." Oh... Savrin's mom had died of a really high fever awhile ago.
"But... what does that have to do with... me?" I know the sounds cruel, but I didn't see his point. " I mean, it's just a nickname, and I've called you that before I had the fever." I pointed out. Savrin sighed and toppled backwards onto my bed.
"That's the point." He said, not meeting my eyes.
I sighed quietly and plopped down next to him.
"But Savrin."
He propped himself on his elbows and gazed at the wall.
"I didn't die."
"But you almost did. I heard you even went into an a coma." Is that what Dad told everyone? "And the idea of loosing another person that I had grown close to, I couldn't handle that."
"I guess we were pretty close then weren't we?" I muttered ,slightly embarrassed.
"Yes we were."
"But again, I didn't die." Instead I was branded. "So... How come we could never go back to the way we were?"
He finally looked me in the eye. At that moment, his eyes looked almost pure blue. Like they use to be when we were little kids.
"We can't go back Zaydie. Only forwards."
I cocked my head a little and studied his face.
"So where does that leave us?"
He pulled himself off the bed and looked at me.
"Do you think you'd want to enjoy our old childhood friendship again?"
At first I was slight confused. He just said that we couldn't go back, but now he was asking if we could go back to our old friendship.
But It finally dawned on me.
He didn't not want the old relationship we had, but he just meant we couldn't go back and relive our lives. [bummer]

As soon as I got that I jumped up and threw my arms around his waist, like I use to do when we were little and he would come over and visit.
It was actually funny. Even when we were little, I could only reach his waist, now almost nine years latter, I still could only hug his waist with out standing on my tip-toes.

He hesitated for a moment.
"So... I take that as a yes?" I laughed and pushed him away.
"No, I'm going to become your worst nightmare."
"I think you already-"
"Nah-uh! don't even think about finishing that. Now come on. We've got a job to do, and we need to go grab our stuff. I need to stock up on cherry tea." I grabbed my boots and shoved them on quickly.
Scooping up my leather jacket and pulling it on, we marched out of the room.
"lead the way." Savrin muttered.
"I'm still calling you 'Sav' by the way. So watch it." I called over my shoulder.
Through my senses, I saw him shake his head and roll his eyes.
"Fine. Have it your way, but don't say I didn't warn you if I get all defensive all of a sudden."
"Yeah, yeah. You wouldn't hurt an old friend would you?"
"Hmm... Depends on what that friend's doing."
I rolled my eyes and headed down the hallway.
I heard a slight shuffle, and turned my head slightly. I could tell it wasn't Savrin, but if it wasn't... then who was it?

                                                      ++++

Brinlynn put her hand on her head.
"You've got to be joking! Both of you?! Why in the Creator's world does he need two of you?!"
I shook my head. "I dunno. But I'm not about to go and ask questions!"
"No, no! I would never suggest such a thing! But just be careful... and don't do anything stupid."
I groaned.
"Not this again! Savrin and I have come to an... understanding." I suttered.
Brin cocked an eyebrow. I sighed and tried to get my thoughts together.
"We decided to enjoy the relationship we use to have as little kids."
"And uh... what exactly was that?"
I sighed. She was never going to let this go.
"Buddies. Life-long friends. BFF if you want!" I threw my hands up desperatly. Brin laughed. "We're just friends."
She still didn't look convinced. "Honest!"

knock knock

I rushed over to open the door. Savrin was standing there with a small duffle slung over his shoulder.
"You ready to go?"
I grinned and pulled him inside.
"Go on. Tell her we're just friends and there's nothing to worry about." I instructed. He gave me a confused look.
"We're just friends, and there's nothing to worry about." He quoted.
I beamed at Brin and scooped up my bag.
"See? Told you there was nothing to worry about. I'll see you latter! And may the Creator give you strength."
Brin nodded and gave me a tight hug.
"And the same to both of you."
I smiled and kissed her on the cheek. Then followed Savrin outside.
Not glancing back.

                                                ++++

The one thing I have noticed about Sav, is the fact that he's very protective.
Not that that's a bad thing!
[And for the record, I meant a brotherly protection.]

It was late, and half the people in the President's house had already turned in for the night when we got there.
Savrin escorted me right to my chamber doors.
"We'll be up early. So don't plan on sleeping in." He ordered, as he looked up and down the hall with a keen eye. It seemed like he was looking for something.
I did a quick sweep, but I didn't see anything. Though I did get the sense that someone was there.
I just couldn't see him. Hmm...
"Ok. Watch your back." I whispered as I opened the door.
"You too."
I gave him a chin-up nod, then shut the door.

I tossed and turned all night.
This house is haunted.
It must be! No house should make moaning noises!
I stared at the roof of the canopy for a long, long, long, time.
I finally gave in with a groan, and threw my covers off.
The cold seeped through my sleeping shirt and pants.
Shivering, I shoved my socked feet into my boots and grabbed a thick blanket and wrapped it around my shoulders. Pulling my loose braid over my shoulder, I picked up a holopad and quickly pulled up the blueprints of the President's house.
Finding the kitchen I set off to find some hot cherry tea.

I will admit it that it was pretty dumb not to go anywhere with out a knife in my belt. [Oh shut up Sav! I was tired and wasn't thinking strait]
I was able to find the kitchen, and I was also able to find the cherry tea.
After I had warmed up, I rinsed out my cup and placed it back on the shelf, then leaving the kitchen just as I had found it.
It was on the way back to my rooms where I bumped into a strange shadow.

Stepping over the thresh hold of the last stair of the huge stairway in the front of the house.
I paused and looked up at the stars through the glass roof.
"I know that You know what your doing dear Creator. But sometimes I wish you would tell me what's going to happen next." I whispered quietly.
"How often do you pray to one who doesn't answer?"
I stood shock still.
Well that was definitely a boy's voice. Young I'd say, maybe my age, but not too old because it's not that deep yet.
Turning my head, I looked around. I still couldn't see much from the pale moonlight. But yet, I knew there was someone there.
"Everyday. Several times." I answered cautiously. "And you?"
I heard a slight chuckle.
"The same. If I didn't I think I would have given up on life awhile ago."
I nodded slowly.
"Who are you? If I may ask." I added respectfully. I had no idea who this kid was, but still I didn't want to get him mad or anything.
"You can ask, but I won't guarantee I'll give you an answer." Ok-ay.... what did that mean?
"well what does a girl have to do to get  your name?" Yeah I know. Awesome cockiness!
He laughed, and for some reason, him laughing made me smile slightly. I had a feeling this guy didn't have many reasons to laugh these days. No one did.
"I'll have to think about that. No one has stopped long enough to even know about me. But I like to keep it that way." There was suddenly an edge to his voice. And I knew then that this guy was someone deadly. Someone who could prove to be either a nucsense, or an enemy.
"What's your name and why are you sneaking around at night with out any protection?" He asked. His voice had a natural roughness to it. Sort of rugged. [or at least that's the impression I got]
"Who said I wasn't with out protection." I asked.
"I don't see any weapons."
I laughed. "Weapons. I'm as good with out them as I am with them." I stated.
"Oh, please don't tell me your a Helfin." He said with a hint of sarcastic desperation.
"No. But I was."
There was a moment of silence. My eyes flew from shadow to shadow. Trying to find some form of a human being.
Suddenly, out of no where. A boy appeared right in front of me.
He wore complete black [no shocker there right?]
He had on a... well a leather short-sleeve jacket that came down past his knees. It had a high collar that covered his whole neck. A silver zipper rand from the bottom of the collar to about the middle of his thighs. Leaving the rest of the bottom open.

What really gave me a shock was his face. It looked... so familiar, yet so different.
His black hair was on the long side and fell into his face, and it pointed out all over the place.
"You can't be any older then me. Tell me, what are you doing here? Your not the President's new lady are you?" He asked, crossing his arms and looking me other thoroughly. If I was still twelve, I would have shrunk under his gaze. But now, things were different and I wasn't allowed be intimidated.
"Never! not to the likes of-" I cut myself off and looked away. Great going Zaydie! Way to ruin it on the first day.
The boy let out a sigh.
"Well, I wouldn't either. What's your name?"
"Zaydie" I spewed out before thinking about it. "Now I've told you mine. It's only fair that you tell me yours." I added, looking back at the boy. A smirk spread across his face.
"Who ever told you that life's fair? I'll be watching you Zaydie." And leaving me on that cliff hanger, he disappeared.
"Oh, well that's real comforting." I mumbled to myself. But I still couldn't shake the feeling that I had seen him from somewhere.


Heading back to bed, my mind was cramped with questions.
Questions that didn't have answers.
How is it that I seem to have known that boy?
Why was it that he wouldn't tell me his name?
Why was he following me?
What did he mean by 'I'll be watching'?

I groaned and turned onto my side. This was going to be a long night.
Is it possible to go mad over a boy who you hardly know?
Well if it is, I'm doing it.
[shut up Sav! not that kind of mad! gosh. Boys will be boys won't they? I mean honestly! geez you'd think I'd have put a knife to his throat the way he's going on about who knows what and la-de-da he's gone mental. Though I'm starting to wonder if he's always like this. Hey don't you hit me!]
But let me tell you. Going mad over this mystery boy, was quiet a pain