Axel Light Trilogy: Wands and Shield

Chapter 05

'Mom had bought some T-shirts, shorts and pyjamas for you. The rest, it is better that you choose your own. You know, Mom's taste,' sniggered Elliot, 'Maybe we can go to the shops this weekend. I wonder when you will go to the wand shop. But it's a long way, at Xeliq. You can only buy wands from Magical cities. The nearest Magical city to us is Xeliq. I got mine from there.'

Axel was only listening to Elliot half-heartedly. He was waiting for the right moment. There would only be one chance for him.

One chance to escape.

Axel, Elliot, Stanley and Johnson were in a car. Axel and Elliot in the backseat, Stanley drove while Johnson was in the front passenger seat. Robert was in a car in front of them; Jane and Margaret were at home, waiting for them to arrive.

He did not get to say goodbye to Jane, thought Axel sadly, he did not even get to see Margaret.

He had grown fond of Jane. Most of the time, she would just sit next to him and knit. She knew that Axel did not like to talk. But her presence was comforting and warming. When she spotted him feeling sad, she would give him a hug. No words needed. Her hugs were heartfelt and could make him calm.

He had expressed his gratitude to Robert earlier, before they got into the car. Robert was confused and distracted – MaxPol were ushering them everywhere, he looked tensed. While Elliot – Axel turned to look at his best friend and foster brother.

'Elliot... thank you,' said Axel softly, but he meant it from the bottom of his heart.

Elliot had been coming to the hospital every day without fail. He would tell him jokes about school, about their friends and gave him tips about simple spells and riding the broom. Axel knew that Elliot could not wait for Axel to ride his brooms; he was obsessed with broomsticks, especially those that could go really fast.

'What for? Asking Mom not to get your underwear?' chuckled Elliot, tickled by his own joke.

Axel smiled weakly at him. He looked out of the window – there would be reaching Candleton Main Street soon, the city centre of Stirling. As soon as they would get near a row of shops which was usually crowded with people shopping, Axel would execute his plan.

It was a simple plan. He hoped it would work. He had nothing to lose at all.

He closed his eyes as he counted to five. At five, he covered his face with his hands.

'Look, Marvellous Moods is packed! I heard they have a new flavour of ice cream, everyone wants to... Ax?' Elliot sounded nervous suddenly, 'Ax? Are you alright?'

Axel clutched at his chest and took some deep breaths. He choked and started coughing.

'AX! Axel! Stop the car!'

'Can't breathe...' spluttered Axel, 'I need air... outside...'

Elliot quickly opened the car door and pulled him out from the car onto the pavement by the road. Some people stopped to see, a few asking if they needed help. Stanley and Johnson quickly pushed people away from Axel and Elliot.

'Get Dad to turn back!' cried Elliot, shouting at Stanley.

Everybody was panicking and confused. None of them were looking at Axel.

His one chance.

Quickly but discreetly, he crept to the bin on the pavement and hid behind it. He took out the dark blue shirt and threw it in the bin. With gusto, he dashed into shop nearest to him.

'Axel? Where is he?!'

'Over there!'

'The boy? Is he sick?'