My Black Heart

Chapter Seventeen

Zack's Point of View

I had found the perfect present for the elves. It was amazing; I had not seen anything like it before. However right now, it was up in the spare room, waiting patiently for me to reveal it. It was not the time now, however, as preparations had to be completed. Robin, Lucy and I all decided to use our power to hide anything magical from view to ordinary people, so the elves could arrive unseen. Bex and Jam were bouncing around rather excitedly, even more giggly than usual. They were looking forward to their elf friends visiting as well as the party that Lucy had planned for them. I was feeling rather apprehensive about meeting so many elves, after all, I had only met two before and those were Bex and Jam. Thinking of the elves made me think of my present. Would they like it? Is it the right sort of present? I thought about it left all alone in the room. Is it alright? I decided against checking up on it, it would be far too suspicious, and I couldn't have anybody ruining the surprise of it all. My thoughts were interrupted when Lucy called me over to her, needing help with the decorations.

            "Zack, will you please help me with these little tables and chairs? Can you arrange them into groups and make a seating plan?" she asked, so I agreed, happy to help with something like this.

After arranging the tables into groups, with five elves sat at each table, I got to work on the seating plan. The table in the centre was obviously going to be for Bex and Jam, so I sat them next to each other. I looked at the guest list and read the comments the elves had written next to the names. I recognised the name Lanny, so I sat her in the seat opposite them. It was going to hard work! I noticed that one of the twins had drawn hearts next to two names, so I thought that this would be an excellent time to torture them. On the seating plan, I wrote the name Bob next to Jam's, and the name Ry next to Bex's, and then smiled to myself. They were going to electrocute me next time they saw me. Luckily Lucy had told me a useful trick to stop that from happening. The other tables were easy to fill, as Bex and Jam had grouped the elves in elf clan groups and friendship groups. They had explained to me that each elf had a clan that they belonged to. Their clan was the Electricity clan of which Lanny was the leader. Ry and Bob were also part of this clan. The other clan's invited were Shadow, Rain, Light, Cloud and Thunder. From what I was told, the Light and Cloud were the clans that got on with everyone and everything. They were friends with most people. I knew not to put the Thunder clan near the Electricity clan, because even though these two clans were allies, they tended to create thunderstorms when near each other. The Shadow clan was only small, so there were only three members from this clan invited to the party. Bex told me of the evil clan that was made up of elf rebels. They went by the name of the Death clan, but everyone knew that not one of them stuck by this name.

I sighed when I had finished. Elvin culture was so complicated! I looked at the sun and realised that a whole three hours had passed. Running around the corner, I turned to find Lucy and Robin conversing.

            "I've finished the seating plan," I interrupted. Lucy smiled.

            "That's great Zacky," she thanked, but I frowned.

            "Not you too!" I complained. The name Zacky was now even spreading to the humans of the world.

            "Sorry, Zack, it's just so catchy with the twins calling it you and everything," she apologised and I groaned. Just then, Lucy's face turned to shock and she announced that the first guests were arriving: the other Electricity clan members.

            "Bex, Jam!" I yelled, and they appeared in front of my eyes before I could say magic. "The Electricity clan are here," I told them, so they bounded away with much excitement to greet their friends. They looked rather cute for a change, with their hair styled nicely and even Elvin make up. It made me laugh to think that even elves had make up. When they returned, about ten elves were trailing behind them both. Leading the elves was an elf with shockingly blonde hair with brown streaks in the front. Who was this? Then I realised, it was Lanny, the leader of the clan.

            "Zacky, this is Lanny, our leader," Bex explained. I bent down and held at my hand to her tiny one. She shook it coolly, and from this I could tell she was obviously not a giggly girly little elf.

After meeting Lanny, I discovered the twins' parents. Their mother was called Priscilla, and their father was called Tye. They were happy to finally meet the man that their daughters spoke of so frequently. I returned that honour. When the Electricity clan had taken their seats, I figured the two young male elves sat at Bex and Jam's table were Bob and Ry. As I looked towards them, Jam turned around and shot me a look that would kill if it was at all possible. I smiled innocently at her, so she turned around. This was completely bliss.

About half an hour passed, and by then all of the little Elvin guests had arrived. They were funny little creatures - all of them! The time had arrived for the distribution of gifts. It was only then that I discovered the elves had reached the age of fourteen (elf years, much longer than human years), and that it was an extremely important age in the Elvin culture! I just hoped that my present would reach this importance.

Pricilla and Tye bought the girls matching necklaces, which was apparently a traditional gift for a fourteen year old elf. Even Bob and Ry bought them both presents, which I could see pleased the twins more than it should have done. In Elvin communities, you knew at instant if the person was supposed to be your partner forever. To me, it seemed pointless for them to spend time on Ry and Bob, as they were going to find somebody better anyway. But still, I thought, girls will be girls. Lanny had bought them both a badge to make them official members of the Electricity clan now they were fourteen. This would now be a big responsibility for them both.

Finally, it was time for my present. Excusing myself, I ran into my room to find the curtains scratched to pieces, my bed of hay destroyed and scratched embedded into the floor.

            "Stupid present!" I cursed, picking it up and putting it inside a box that at least looked half like a gift. I looked at the top where I had punched holes for breathing spaces and sighed. Why couldn't I just pick a normal present? Running downstairs trying not to shake the box too much, I burst into the room where all of the elves were and steadied my footing,

            "Awh Zacky you didn't have to buy a present," Bex thanked. I smiled at her.    

            "I wanted to," I said simply, and she blushed. It was so easy to make these elves blush!

Walking up to her, I handed Jam and she the present. They put their heads to it timidly, wondering what could be in a box with holes in the top. Finally, their curiosity got the better of them, so they lifted the lid off carefully. As soon as there was a little gap between the lid and the box, out popped my little creature. However to my surprise, everybody gasped. Though it was not a gasp of excitement, it was one of horror.

            "Wha-what did I do wrong?" I stammered, breaking the eerie silence that I could bare no longer.

            "Zack, pick that thing up and come with me," Lucy commanded with more authority than I had ever heard her use before. Wasn't I the Prince here? But then I realised in front of all these people (well, elves) Lucy was in control. She was the Princess of Spirit. Silently and awkwardly, I followed her out of the room, looking only behind me once, seeing the elves conversing in panic and Bex and Jam's faces. Their faces were what upset me the most. They looked horrified. What had I done?

Hey!

What do you think of the new cover? My sister hand drew it, and then used photoshop and her graphics tablet to edit it :D I love it haha :D

So, what do you think? Okay, so it was supposed to be a happy chapter, but it seems that I am pretty incapable of writing happy things :(

I'm sorry there is so much of Zack's point of view, but he is the only character that can move the story along D: I'll try and add more Elsa later on, it shouldn't be long before their first meeting :D I am excited to write it, but we've got to finish this party first. What do you think Zack has done? I already know of course, but I want to know what you think.

Please comment/vote/fan!! (if i deserve it)

Bex! :D