In Abscondito: I

[ The Truth]

Life tends to throw a number of things at you. However when faced with these things we  find ways to handle these situations based on accumulated experiences throughout one's life.

It becomes familiar, expected.

But beyond the consciousness of this world, the worries that concern you are far greater than that of the utility bill due in a week.

Aziya's fear came from the fact that she was different in the human world, she didn't belong, her entire existence was posed with questions from those who came across her. Parents, children, teachers, guidance counsellors, therapists all had a sauna of emotions when it came to Aziya Johnston. They said she had autism and alexithymia, that is what people do, they seek to understand the things they don't understand and rightfully so. If you are different, something out of the bounds of conformity, they categorize based on similarities to find your differences from everybody else.

Now, imagine being told of the possibility of a different realm, one where there are others like you, where you aren't forced in a box, you're not required to conform just be you and find comfort in being unapologetically you.

Aziya knowing of this possibility found comfort in it, she found comfort in knowing that there were others like her. That comfort was short lived.

There was a sharp rhythmic yet coded knock at the door, Amrin rose to her feet. Aziya was still passed out in the corner of the room.

Amrin cautiously approached the door, a random creak in the floor boards beneath her feet caused her to jump. The ruckus awoke Aziya, her tear crusted eyes slowly open to see her mother with her finger over her lips. A silent warning to Aziya.

Aziya took heed and remained silent, watching as her mother approached the door once again. 

The person on the other side of the door knocked once more, this time the person let out a hushed whisper, "Amrin, it's me!"

Hargreaves?  thought Aziya

Amrin opened the door to reveal it was indeed Hargreaves, he stepped in, looking over Amrin to see her tattered clothing. He placed a bag into her arms, "You and Aziya change into these, I'll be waiting outside," said Hargreaves. 

He went back through the door and closed it behind him. Without wasting another second Amrin opened the bag, pulling out its contents. 

Aziya sat silently watching her mother, her eyes puffy and indication of earlier events. She eventually sat beside her mother helping her sort out the bags contents. There were two sets of black leggings, two hoodies, two pairs of shoes. They both got changed into the clothes indicative of their size. 

Not long after they met Hargreaves outside, the night was chilly and eerily silent, a soft fog littered the forest floor, not enough for them to be unable to make out their steps. 

"Aziya, your mind is restless, it's difficult for me to even make out what's going on up there," Hargreaves gives Aziya a warm smile, which soon disappears from his face once he sees Aziya's disinterest. 

"If you are going to say something, I would rather it be an explanation of what exactly is going on here, otherwise, stay out of my head." Aziya ends her statement sharply, looking dead ahead into nothingness. 

"You are absolutely right, but first, Where is the book?" Hargreaves asked 

Aziya pointed back to the hut, her face void of expression but her thoughts signified something else, something heavy. 

Hargreaves eyes followed Aziya's finger, and with a sigh he began walking in said direction.

Amrin looked over Aziya, noticing a shift in her usual mundanity. "Are you alright Dear?" she asks. Aziya doesn't respond staring deeply into her mothers eyes and as such, her mother felt Aziya's frustration. Amrin was brought from her trance like state when Aziya tore her eyes away from her, back to the nothingness that was before them. 

Amrin let out a shudder as Hargreaves footsteps could be heard returning back to them. 

"Alrighty then, I believe we have all we ne-" He pauses at Amrin's dismayed state, "What happened?" 

Amrin stared at him, " I believe she just showed emotion," she said with a chuckle " I mean not in the most conventional way, but she did it" She turned her attention back to Aziya. 

"Alrighty then, let's get on" Hargreaves began walking towards a densely littered set of trees, Amrin and Aziya followed quietly, slightly on edge remembering what had happened earlier. 

The silence was interrupted by Hargreaves, "I'm assuming you finished the book," He says, Aziya shook her head indicating the negative. 

"And why is that?" Hargreaves asked

Hargreaves seemed to have already known the answer when he sighed. "Aziya, while you are extraordinarily gifted, you lack insight." 

"There was none to be offered," Aziya stated sharply

"Of course there was," he handed the book to Aziya "Just do what you do best" 

He stared at her expectantly, Aziya took the book from his hands

What I do best...What do I do best?